Home decorating tips to modernize your bedroom


June 19th, 2008

Your bedroom 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 bedroom, 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 bedroom 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 bedroom 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 bedroom with a touch of , the idea 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 bedroom. You may add modern painting to your modern bedroom 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 design 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 bedroom.

Giving a modernized look to your bedroom 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 !

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 home 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 home 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 decoration of one’s home. 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 decorate a kitchen, a living room, a bedroom, 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 home can be given a warm and wonderful ambiance. The most popular of is masks. African tribal masks are available in a variety of colors like bright red, green, orange, blue or dark wood shades. These masks can be placed in the living room coupled with African statues and smaller masks, teak and several animal print . The colors of these masks can be co-ordinated with the sofas in the living room. These masks also look great as the dining room decor with a beautiful nature inspired table linen cloth placed on a dark wood dining table along with an African mask on the wall. The master bedroom can be drastically altered by strategically placing a few ancient masks on the wall and draping the four poster bed with animal print bed linen. This theme can be extended into the bathrooms also.

In case an individual is looking for African art on a budget 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.

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 home. However, you are the best judge of how to decorate your home 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 home you should always keep in mind the space available in your home, the storage space that you will need and the fact that the decoration you choose for your home does not affect its functionality. Another major aspect to consider while your home is your budget. Home decoration 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 home 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 home. Add a piece of stained glass on the living room wall or a small bedroom 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 colors 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 home. A tasteful blend of various styles and textures added with accessories and from different origins and period can give your home 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 colors can do wonders for your home. 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 linen, plump cushions in bright colors 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 colors. 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 home the reality of your dreams.

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 home can all go to waste if the correct wall colors are not selected to offset the decorative look. Color co-ordination with the style of home, look of home, personality of the people who live in that home is necessary to achieve that picture perfect look for your home. Choosing a can be confusing what with all the different colors 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 home. A few but innovative ideas can help you choose the correct for your home.

In the event you are moving into a new home and have the option of your home from scratch then, starting with choosing the style of your home can give you a good idea of which colors might best suit your needs. Next, you can get on to choosing the fabrics to suit your sofa sets, table linen, bed linen 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 colors will suffice for the living room. 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 colors 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 bedroom or the guest bedroom 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 colors gives the illusion of space. The color of the and accessories can then be decided to suit the color of the walls.

New Decorating Trends


April 23rd, 2008

As people’s lives get busier and busier, a home is not just another place to sleep at night. A home 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 decorate their homes in a way where a home is simple, functional, low maintenance and yet elegant, warm and inviting.

As with everything else, people’s demand sets the trend on decoration and some of the latest ensure that a home 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 home 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 colors 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 design lighting has become a popular option for small homes where different light sculptures serve the need of lighting 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 home 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 , a home can be made multi-functional and multi-purpose while at the same time giving it a spacious and clutter free look.

Basic Ideas of Home Interior Decoration


March 18th, 2008

your home to make it look great, match your style, your choice and overall architecture of the home is . The basic objective of is to have your home done in a way so as to reflect the best of your taste and personality along with giving it a unique dimension. A properly decorated home gives it a personalized “feel”.

and interior design are distinctively different. The former focuses on finishing decoration using wallpapers, furnishing, paint, fixtures etc. Interior design, on the other hand, is more related to architecture integration involving spacing for cabinets, lofts, room layouts and other design parameters etc, in addition to home decoration activities.

Looking back at history, it can be seen that the concept of evolved in Paris and London in the late 18th century. The concept has refined over time and it has always been the quest of the industry to find most innovative and attractive home decoration solutions at most reasonable costs.

Professional Interior Designers/Decorators specialize in . Few Architects also practice this. Studies show that nearly 65% of home improvement cost is attributable to . Spending is fast expanding in new areas like modular kitchens, bath accessories and individual designer rooms and spaces for different purposes and for different members of the family.

Massage suites, spa areas, media space, craft rooms, wine cellars and home library areas are gaining popularity. Moving away from the earlier themes of luxury rooms, people are now shifting preferences for creating definition areas.

Earthly, natural and warm brown tones of colors are beginning to get preference over the vibrant and loud colors of the past. Blue and gray hues are more sought after today than the dull reds and dark blues of the past.

New highly placed career professionals and newly married couples are going for innovative ideas which not only cost less but also give the impression of an ornate design scheme to spruce up their homes.

Life-styling has come of age. It has given industry a tremendous boost. Eclectic decoration styles are on the rise. The High Tech and Shabby Chic is steadily replacing the good old Victorian or the Early American!

Uniqueness, good looks, functionality, harmony…are the new buzzwords in the home decoration industry. Trends are rapidly evolving as man continues their unending quest to present a more personalized statement of his lifestyle. The industry is highly dynamic, constantly fine tuning and positioning it with the emerging requirements. The trend has a firm footing and is expected to stay. Tracking the changes and keeping abreast with the developments hold the key to success.

Decorating with African Art Creates Soulful Environments


March 15th, 2008

with African art brings a unique look to your home or office. A number of options are available and you can feature one interesting piece or showcase an entire room in this style.

Choosing a Single Piece When with

When you are planning your room, you may want to start with a single piece of . with doesn’t have to be elaborate. You can start with a colorful batik wall hanging in bright colors, a hand-painted Korhogo cloth, or a Gabon mask. If you prefer not to display the on your walls, you still have a number of options for with . Since the piece you choose can represent your unique inner spirit; the options are highly individual and virtually endless.

Small pieces can add interest to your decor as well. Good choices include a hand-carved kisii stone elephant, a decoupage vase, or a carved chess set featuring animal pieces. Ebony bowls are available at reasonable prices and a “talking drum” displayed in your room will be certain to get conversations going.

Kisii Stone Plate Centers a Room

Another striking choice when with is a kisii stone plate. This material is also known as soapstone. A multicolored effect is created by applying natural dyes to the surface of the stone. The stone absorbs the colors, making a kisii stone plate a wonderful option for with . The piece can be hung on a wall or displayed on a table or a shelf using a stand.

Supporting African Artists

Another great reason for with is that by buying these pieces, you are supporting the talented artisans who created them. Artists put their heart and soul into the items they draw, paint, weave, or fashion; and we give them a wonderful acknowledgment for their efforts by buying these items. The artist also benefits from the financial support we provide to them by buying their artwork.

Any decorative element you choose speaks loudly about your inner spirit, tastes, and style. with gives you the chance to express your flair, passions, or social commentary without uttering a single word.

Recharge Your Home With Your Own Decorating Ideas


February 25th, 2008

A tastefully decorated home speaks volumes about your personality. It reflects your aesthetic sense and creative spirit. a home to match your personal aura may not always be a very expensive proposition. Your ideas and your ability to use small things to decorate your home can even work wonders.

The first point about home decoration begins with adopting a holistic approach. Consider your home in its entirety and not in segments. Whatever theme you choose should preferably be applicable for the entire room. Mixing of themes in one room generally does not go well. If you belong to the classical old school, go for gothic , subtle colors and ornate décor. If you are absolutely modern in style, then you must be looking for new generation in wrought iron or steel, dark and bold shades of color, lots of gadgets and contemporary décor to spruce up your room.

Small things like vases, murals, , lamp shades, antique items, pictures, wall papers, mirrors and show items carry lot of importance in giving your home décor the right dimension. Vases with ornate or floral designs have unique appeal. If you have a particular theme for a room, your murals, wall papers, and pictures must match that theme. Say, you are doing a room on an African Safari theme. Use Savannah wall papers, African masks, jungle décor, animal pictures and knick knacks, looking like on the floor and lots of here and there to create a lively jungle ambience in your room. Lamp shades always create special effects with their light and shade. If you are having a party, you can switch on to bright lights and twinkling LEDs, but when you are planning to listen to some music in a pensive mood, corner lamp stands with their mystic shades are always the perfect choice.

In order to prevent your home from getting a stale look, you must always change the room décor periodically. Rearranging the , changing the cushion covers, hanging a new set of curtains, bringing in some new plants, changing the showcase artifacts and décor items and laying a new area rug are some good ideas. Removing clutter always creates additional space and breathes life into your home. This must be done regularly. Ideas are all that create the best decorated homes. The best tip in , therefore, is to continuously refurbish your idea bank and experiment on new things.

Home Decorating Tips Using Mirrors


February 24th, 2008

Mirrors can significantly enhance the beauty of any room by using their light reflection properties. They can add depth to any closed space like a small room and focus any beautiful object to create a unique aura. Mirrors can illuminate spaces more brightly, and the shine on them can make even ordinary things look exotic.

Here are some good tips on how to best use mirrors to decorate your home:

Large sized, wall-to-wall mirrors can create a special ambience in your room. With ceiling-to-floor spans, you can add depth to your room. If some part of your wall is damaged like scrapping of plaster or fading away of paint due to moisture, instead of repairing it, you can place a big mirror over the damaged area. By intelligently placing a light source in front of the mirror, you can create a brightening effect in the room due to reflection of light from the surface of the mirror.

If there is some special décor item in your room, like an ornate vase, a beautiful wall hanging or some antique piece, you can place a mirror close to it and use the reflection effects to create multiple visuals across the room. The item gets extra prominence and simulates a unique appeal.

If you place a mirror on both sides of the fireplace, the span of the fireplace increases and all the objects around the room get reflected on it creating a very stimulating environment in the room. Since mirror effects are always enhanced by light, placing lights in strategic positions around the mirror can create series of reflections and brilliantly illuminate the room. You have seen how mirrors reflect light in chandeliers to simulate a royal grandeur in your room.

Peer mirrors on windows create additional depth and liven up the atmosphere in the room. You can even place small mirrors on cabinet ceilings, so that you get better visibility of the upper shelves. If you want to create the skylight effect in your living room, you can fix mirrors on the ceiling of your room and enjoy the delightful ambience.

Mirrors come in different sizes and shapes. You can use the traditional rectangular or oval versions and even go for the most modern designer and decorative versions. However, the most important thing about the mirror is the quality of glass. Highly polished and perfectly cut glasses create optimum reflection levels and add unmatched sparkle to any object. You must be sure about the quality of glass in the mirrors that you buy. There is one point of caution about mirrors. Keep children away from mirrors and glass objects, and when you are positioning mirrors in your room, you must keep them away from the reach of small children as far as possible.

If it’s about enhancing the beauty and brilliance of your home by using a natural resource like light, mirrors can be your excellent option.

A Jungle In Your Home With Safari Decoration


February 18th, 2008

If you are interested about creating a unique jungle ambience in your home, try safari . It’s an innovative way of using jungle décor, natural items, animal prints and earthwork to give a thrilling dimension to your home. Children have lots of fun with this exotic style. It all depends on your creativity and your ideas to simulate the most close-to-natural feelings with this interesting décor in your home.

To create the jungle ambience in your home, you need plants, animal knick knacks, special lights, safari accessories, jungle paintings and lots of things made of natural items like woods, twigs, and stones. Most of these items are readily available in the market. You can begin by sprucing up the windows. Curtains, drapes, shutters and blinds have everything to do with the jungle theme. Jungle printed curtains and wooden fittings are very popular. Your has to be commensurate with the general jungle ambience. Dark and bold shades create the most natural and stimulating jungle backdrop. Wooden , floral, fern or animal print fabric upholstery and bamboo and rattan items go very well with the jungle and safari theme.

Lights create special effects in crafting the jungle theme. Animal and plant themed lights, zebra prints lamps, control devices like dimmer can really work up a terrific jungle environment right in your home. Most of these lamps and shades are available in the market. Another important item in a safari theme is a rug. shaped and colored like create natural effects. You can also try with animal and plant prints in sharp, striking and contrast colors. Natural sisal mats are also a great choice for the floors.

The idea of safari is never complete without the tale of . Obviously, no safari decoration is complete without a special focus on the and its accessories. Use the tall grassland, Savanna concepts in doing up the safari theme. Wall papers with shades in crème and visions of the tall grasses and trees can decorate the walls. Putting some items that typically represent the typical tribal African culture like masks, headgears, ethnic dresses and ornaments can really liven up a true ambience. African paintings are also another great item. By positioning the articles in a creative way and using appropriate light and shade effects that is very representative of a jungle, you can have a real safari feel right in your home. Though you can do most of the work yourself, you can get the services of expert safari decorators to create a perfect jungle safari ambience in your home.