Modern rules for home decoration


October 12th, 2008

If you have been thinking of your for a long time, read this article. With changing times, there have also been some changes in the trends of . There are some rules that you need to follow in order to your in a stylish way. Here are some steps to follow:

• Step 1: Arrange the hardware
You must have an of the hardware available in your . You must take into account everything including bell pushes, door handles, decorative , lever latches, clavos nails, door knockers etc. You must also include window door, garage and cabinet hardware.

• Step 2: Allot places
Now locate different hardware to such as , , outdoors, bathroom etc. Try including a wish list column while planning for the .

• Step 3: Browse
Browsing through some of the beautiful web pages will give you an of the kind of look that will suit a specific area of your house.

• Step 4: Reshuffling
You would not believe that sometimes, simple reshuffling of old in your house can do wonders to the whole environment. It may also prove to be beneficial to replace your hardware.

• Step 5: Hues
Go for light cool to make your personal space feel more airy and open. This will also provide new life to your room. For best results, try opting for super of greens and blues.

• Step 6: Mono chromatic
If you want your room to look bigger and brighter, opt for hues that belongs to the same family. Mix the with tone-on-tone woven fabrics, beautiful and soft tonal and textured wall finishes. Remember that cool and beautiful warm on wall surfaces work towards providing open look to a room.

• Step 7: Wall and
It is not a good to use contrast in a room as these tend to break up a space. Try coordinating wall and .

• Step 8: Allow some light
You must focus on allowing some light into your house. If natural light is not possible, you may use artificial .

• Step 9: Love nature
Back to nature is the new mantra. Try following the of exquisite vintage interiors and give it a touch of glamour. You would simply love the end result.

• Step 10: Nordic
This is all about going for cool, comfy, soothing and fresh color palatte. The best thing to try would be soft shades of green belonging to the forest.

your house is all about using some tricks. Following the tips mentioned above will help you.

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Choosing the best sofa fabrics for home decoration


September 19th, 2008

Choosing for your may be really confusing. There is a great variety available on the market, these days. The price range is also different. You would be easily confused on the kind of fabrics you need to choose with such a wide variety of fabrics and prices.

However, with a little research and patience on your part, you can easily choose the best for your without having to spend a fortune.

Here are certain questions that you must ask yourself prior to actually purchasing certain stuff.

• Is the fabric apt for my ?
• What kind of wear would my get?
• Would I be using this stuff in the family room?
• Will this stuff be O.K. with the small children and pets at my ?
• Is this stuff suitable for the that I would use only occasionally?
• Where will I be placing the ?
• Would the fade with the sunlight?
• Can the fabric resist soil, abrasion and soil?
• How would the color of the look like with my room’s ?
• What care should I give to the fabric?

There are two main things that you need to keep in mind when opting for a particular fabric for your .

• Fibre content
• of the fabric

Remember that the method of finishing and coloring can affect the of the fabric. With a little knowledge about the fabric construction and fiber construction methods, you can easily make choice that would meet the specific requirements of your family.

The fibers can be classified into three major categories. Each fiber has .

• Cellulosic Fibers
These are obtained from plants such as rayon, cotton and .

•
These are of animal origin and include and .

• Manmade polymers
These are obtained from petrochemicals such as polyester, nylon, and olefin.
Some of the fibers can be used alone or blended with two or more than two material that would be apt for your sofa.

Here is an information on different fabrics available for sofa :

• Cotton
It is a natural fiber that can be dyed and printed well. This fiber can be used in different applications. It is very strong and durable.

•
This is sunlight resistant.

• Rayon
It can be used in blends

•
It is a durable fiber.

•
It is strong and very durable.

• Nylon
It can resist to abrasion, stretching and wrinkling.

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Fantastic budget home decorating tips


July 25th, 2008

Who doesn’t like beautifully decorated with stylish , ecstatic centre pieces, amazing , elegant flowers and glamorous . Well, all of us do. However, what makes most of us shirk away from our duties toward making the beautiful is lack of money. Most people are not aware of the of in a stipulated that suits their pocket.

Fortunately there are some ways for without having to make a deep hole in your pocket.

Here is how you can make the most out of your .

Tip 1: Create a plan

Planning is very essential for any task to be accomplish as desired and successfully. If you don’t have a plan. You would end up wasting your hard earned money that you didn’t actually require or doesn’t fit into your house well. Prior to planning, just imagine your new room, the you want to paint it with, the accessories you want to use, the size of that would be accurate and the kind of money you can easily spend on the whole set up. You may change your plan anytime you think that you are not comfortable with the whole thing.

Tip 2: Invest wisely

Here, it is not about . This is about certain things inside your that represent an investment. This indicates that spending more sometimes will certainly save you some money in the long run. Don’t purchase a carpet that you don’t approve of or is not of good quality just because it’s available at half the price. An expansive one will look beautiful and would last for more than about ten years.

Tip 3: Do it yourself

Some people are not good when it comes to accomplishing certain heavy tasks. However, these days, it’s getting very easy to get into certain at . There are many useful resources that you can find on the World Wide Web and also in certain stores near your house. It would be a great to start with something small and you would be surprised to know what you can actually do.

Tip 4: Keep tabs on sales

Sometimes, you would find great products on sale at very reasonable prices. You must keep an eye on various sales that you come across. Make sure that you visit these sales regularly even if you don’t want to purchase anything. Even if you do, invest your money wisely.

Tip 5: shopping

If you want to for the best products for , visit more than one . Compare the products and prices. This will let you purchase the best at the most affordable prices.

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Ideas for kitchen decorating to blow your mind


July 17th, 2008

is supposed to be the most used room in the house. There are several that you can come across, these days. These ideas were not present a few years ago.

When it comes to the , it can be very difficult to decide on the kind of look that would be better for your that would prove to be the best. There are different options such as and the latest cookery space available on the market, these days.

The allows you to hide all your appliances behind different cabinets. The clean lines and smoothed out edges look great. You can also hide all your appliances into the walls or place them into countertops.

You can find latest appliances for your that can easily blend into the décor of your . It is possible to coat huge appliances such as ovens and refrigerators with facing similar to cabinets.

Here are some useful tips to your in .


You must focus on using fresh, clean and warm to your in . The ideal would be shades of whites, pinks, greens and yellows.


Try adding some to your such as flowers, vegetables, fruit and plants to give your the feel that you want to achieve.


Try using lighter woods or wicker to make your look beautiful. You need to upholster the in either floral or gingham patterns. You can save a lot of money via creating slip covers for your old instead of purchasing new .

Flooring
The flooring of your should be created from such as tile, wood or flagstones. Incase, these do not suit your , try using wall to wall carpeting or lamination. The color of the flooring should be given good importance. The lighter the , the betters. You can even use braded or hooked . This will give an authentic look to your .

Accessories
Accessories would be the final thing to consider when your . Try looking for accessories that will work best and suit well. You may try putting your family pictures in wooden frames. A painted rustic scene would be a great .

Remember that you need to have an open mind when the . This way, you would be able to follow some of the great ideas available for in .

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Home decorating tips to modernize your bedroom


June 19th, 2008

Your is a personal space. It is a space where you would like to relax, indulge in private talk with your partner and soothe yourself after a hard day’s work. This space must have a cool , look bigger and relaxing. It should be free of any dirt or clutter and also the most comfortably decorated room of your house.

Here are some great tips to give your , a modern look. Follow these tips and give a new life you, your personal space.

Color theme
In the past, people use to consider pink, white, tones of yellow and shades of browns as the ideal . However, the modern décor rules are different. You can spice up your with shades of black, red, orange, and even bright green. Try using dark and rich chocolate color for a .

Pattern
The and patterns used these days in the décor are quite different from what they were used to be in the past. These days, you will not find fancy patterns. The emphasis is totally on geometric patterns.


These days, the are available with simple and clean lines. You need to use darker shades of wood for better effect. Don’t go for rounded lines. This will spoil the whole effect. Don’t go for anything fancy. All you require to do is to stick to straight lines and simple details. You may try to go for brushed metal. It looks great and provide simple hardware look.

Accessories
When it comes to with a touch of , the is to keep it less. Keep the accessories to a minimum. Go for long lined glass vases and single flowers. Don’t use ornate, intricate or frilly materials in your . You may add modern painting to your modern to complete the look. Also keep your room free of clutter.

Photos
Purchase some unique photo frames and stick yours, your family’s or your loved ones photo into the frame. The frame should not have any antique or jewels. Keep it simple and clean. You may also stick your’s and your loved one’s photo as a couple for a romantic effect.

All the tips mentioned above will allow you to provide a modernized look to your .

Giving a modernized look to your is not difficult. All you require to do is to keep it simple and clean. Try using your creativity for enhanced effect. This will also provide you a creative satisfaction.

Happy !

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Decorating your Home with African Art


May 26th, 2008

Being the second largest continent in the world, is as beautiful as it is diverse and is constantly changing. Believed to be a name originated from the latin word ‘aprica’, which means sunny, is to a large number of ancient tribes. Due to this, the tradition, culture, forms, music form and religious practices of each tribe varies from country to country. Scientists also believe that is the original of the human race and the foundation of today’s civilization.

This vast ocean of culture, tradition and forms have captivated the attention of lot of people and African art has found its way into our daily lives, especially in the of one’s . The African theme is a very popular decorating art with its wide range of soothing color options and earthy fabrics and other choices. Whether a person is looking to a , a , a , a bathroom, a baby’s room or even the whole house, using an African theme can change the look of the entire house into a faraway haven.

African artifacts include subtle animal prints, masks, statues and rich nature-based color tones. Using these tribal treasures, a room or even an entire can be given a warm and wonderful ambiance. The most popular of is masks. African tribal masks are available in a variety of like bright red, green, orange, blue or dark wood shades. These masks can be placed in the coupled with African statues and smaller masks, teak and several animal print . The of these masks can be co-ordinated with the sofas in the . These masks also look great as the dining room decor with a beautiful nature inspired table cloth placed on a dark wood dining table along with an African mask on the wall. The master can be drastically altered by strategically placing a few ancient masks on the wall and draping the four poster bed with animal print bed . This theme can be extended into the bathrooms also.

In case an individual is looking for African art on a then there are cheap options available in a large number of shops selling items like antique stores, flea markets or thrift shops. Although, the items that an individual might get at these stores may not be genuine . In case an individual is particular about getting genuine forms, then the local auction house can help and at a relatively less expensive cost and also in good condition. Another option to ensure that the is genuine African art is to consult an antique professional.

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Creative Decorating Ideas for Your Home


May 4th, 2008

Home decor has assumed such huge business proportions that there are companies and individual firms dealing with just a house. has become a specialized field with experts advising on the kind of best suited to your . However, you are the best judge of how to your as you are living there and understand best the kind of amenities and other needs.

Over the years families have become smaller and so have homes. While a you should always keep in mind the space available in your , the storage space that you will need and the fact that the you choose for your does not affect its functionality. Another major aspect to consider while your is your . need not be expensive and at the same time can be very effective. The only thing required is creativity to utilize the space to its maximum capacity. The motto while your should be ‘No available space should be unused or under used’.

One way of creating an illusion of space is to use glass. Glass in its various forms can add elegance to a . Add a piece of stained glass on the wall or a small can be made to look big by adding a huge mirror glass to the opposite wall of the bed. If your taste bends towards the rustic look, you could use earthy on the walls and add made out of hardwood that has a rough look about it. This will add a very country type of look to your . A tasteful blend of various styles and textures added with accessories and from different origins and period can give your an eclectic look.

In case you are looking for a very Indian traditional type of decor, a low bed seating with dark earthy shades or even made out of cane wood with light and earthy wall can do wonders for your . However, if your personality is more outdoorsy and you like the sun and wind, you can use floral prints on your sofa covers and table , plump cushions in bright and soft with pine and oak. A city person who loves the modern way of living can use clean lines and simple contour and bold . Uncomplicated of either glass, slate and metal define the of such a person.

These are a few styles that you can work with as suits your personality. You can also add curtains in soft shades with any of these styles of and make your the reality of your dreams.

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Innovative ideas for choosing color Schemes for your Home


April 30th, 2008

An expensive sofa set with high end products to spice up the interior look of an your can all go to waste if the correct wall are not selected to offset the decorative look. Color co-ordination with the of , look of , personality of the people who live in that is necessary to achieve that picture perfect look for your . Choosing a can be confusing what with all the different and the textures available in the market. It can be an imposing task to choose the right wall color that matches with the decor you have chosen for your . A few but innovative ideas can help you choose the correct for your .

In the event you are moving into a new and have the option of your from scratch then, starting with choosing the of your can give you a good of which might best suit your needs. Next, you can get on to choosing the fabrics to suit your sofa sets, table , bed etc. Out of these, fabric should serve as the anchor fabric. The background color of this fabric can be used as the wall color. The brightest color in the fabric can be used for accessories and the mid tone color in the fabric can be used to make large pieces or even the flooring. However, a choice of 3 will suffice for the . To get the maximum effect for a brighter room, you should use the background light color in 60% of the space available including and accessories, the mid-tone color in 30% of the space and the brightest color in only about 10% of the space.

Another way to decide the of your house would be to decide the geographical direction of each and every room, the amount of natural light allowed in the room during the day time and size and the utility of the room. For example mild or light can be used for a room facing north as this room receives the minimum of natural light while a west facing room can have a side wall with a bright color as the natural light in the room during the day would be the maximum. However, again if this room is the master or the guest a bright color might be too strong and create too much visual stimulation.

Also, if the size of the room or the house is small then using bright shades can make the room look even smaller. Use of lighter gives the illusion of space. The color of the and accessories can then be decided to suit the color of the walls.

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New Decorating Trends


April 23rd, 2008

As people’s lives get busier and busier, a is not just another place to sleep at night. A has become a place of peace, a place to relax and rejuvenate for another busy and stressful day. With this in mind, more and more people are looking to their homes in a way where a is simple, functional, low maintenance and yet elegant, warm and inviting.

As with everything else, people’s demand sets the trend on and some of the latest trends ensure that a gives maximum functionality, minimum maintenance and looks warm and creative without being loud and opulent. Hand crafted and accessories like intricately carved statues and metal with detailed scroll work is in high demand this season. Leather combined with different fabrics to create different textures is also in high demand.

Another trend that has caught on with homeowners are do-it-yourself projects like made lamp shades, self woven curtains, hand made sofa throws and even hand knitted table cloths. A traditional decor which looks colorful and elegant is also in this season. pieces reflecting nature like bamboo flooring, and rattan have also caught attention. Along side this, ethnic from different countries, traditions and periods are in demand. Mild wall like beige and gold with warm browns and pumpkin spice or even shades of blues and greens offset in a neutral background are the choice of the season for their soothing feel.

As far as is concerned, huge bulky is out and multi-purpose and space saving is in, which gives maximum storage. Narrower sofas, coffee tables doubling as dining tables or small dining tables with stool chairs are in to save space. Functional like has become a popular option for small homes where different light sculptures serve the need of as well as add a decorative piece of to the room. Most of the making a come back this season is artistic with curves rather than straight lines and clean cuts.

Another decorative and functional item making a big comeback this season is room divider screen. With homes getting smaller, making wooden doors can substantially reduce space. A room divider screen can be put into place when the need arises to separate two portions of a and can be removed to enlarge the space and make it look like a big room. Another popular functional decor is the counter height bistro table which adds a casual touch to the dining atmosphere allowing the family to relax and have a quick meal.

With these new trends, a can be made multi-functional and multi-purpose while at the same time giving it a spacious and clutter free look.

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The Spiritual History of the African Mask


March 23rd, 2008

The creation and history of the African Mask is one steeped in meaning and tradition. The of carving the was often taught to young men who were apprenticed to master carvers. In other cases, the of making masks and sculptures to be used in spiritual ceremonies was passed down in families from one generation to the next.

Rich with symbolic meaning, the was treasured for its spiritual quality, as opposed to its aesthetic appearance. People living in different parts of African would produce unique to their own culture. Here are some fascinating examples:

The Goma Mask

The Goma was produced by people living near Lake Tanganyika, which is located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This of mask is elongated, with a dome at the top of the face. This of mask also features a pattern of shapes carved into the forehead and face.

The Punu Mask

This of captures what is considered a beautiful female face by Gabon’s Punu tribe. This features hair pulled up high on top of the head, with eyes carved in a shape that reminds one of an Asian woman. A Punu mask is sometimes painted white to represent the spirits of long-dead ancestors.

The Ligbi Mask

This celebratory comes from the Ivory Coast. It features an elongated shape with wings on the side. The mouth is carved in the shape of a rectangle. Ligbi masks are used as part of Islamic holiday celebrations.

The Baule Mask

The Baule people carve African masks to be worn while dancing during harvest festivals. The mask’s round shape is a reminder of the Sun, the source of all life. These people respect the tremendous power possessed by the water buffalo which is represented by the horns carved into the top of the mask.

The remarkable thing about the is that each culture has created a unique version to represent the spirit of its tribe. Today westerners appreciate the African Mask for its history, artistry, and ability to represent the owners unique taste and appreciate of diverse cultures.

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