AfrikBoutik Blog

Cheap Decorations: Decorating Ideas for those low on Cash

Do it yourself decorations are perfect for this time of economic down trend. However, your home’s aesthetic appeal should not be neglected just because of the credit crunch. Do it your self and find cheap or even free materials. DIY is especially a great idea to try out during the Christmas or the fall winter season. Before you cancel your decorating plans, read these cool and easy tips to complete the beauty and sanctity of your lovely home.

If you think you aren’t good at doing it yourself (DIY), then consider this the best time for you to learn and master these skills to use for the rest of your years. Think of all the money you’ll save and all of the cool stuff or essentials you’ll finally be able to buy for yourself. Woodworks, sewing, painting, and cutting are quite easy to learn. All you need to do is want to learn. Anyone, and I mean anyone, can do these things. If you don’t have anyone to teach you and you do not want to spend some money on a book, then look no further because all the easy instructions you need are right here on the internet. Aside from the obvious benefit of saving money, you will also find that DIY decorating or creation of decorations is a very therapeutic project. Loosing yourself in the pursuit of your knowledge of perfection will be very fun.

* Paint your wall.

Look at your house and see which base wall you would like to paint. Painting a single wall is very easy to do, however the effect it has on the entire room would be quite big. For one thing, the shade and the tint in the room are permanently altered by the colored wall. It will reflect its color into the entire room.

* Keep an eye out for bargains.

This might be a little harder to master. You need a well-educated taste in furniture before being a master at buying the best decorations. Decorating your house with other people’s stuff might be an idea that takes some getting used to for some individuals. Also, you need to know which items would blend in harmoniously with everything that already exists in your house.

* Rearrange your furniture

You have probably thought of doing this thing for years. It is never too late to start now. Take out a useless ottoman, push everything to the right, change one long seat for another, and remove unnecessary stuff. You will be surprised at how new your house would feel like once you simply move a few things. The effect of this would be to freshen up the place once instead of buying new decorations or decorating by using home based materials.

Feng Shui Decorating

Feng Shui, you have heard it mentioned but still are unsure what it really is. Well let’s find out the true meaning of Feng Shui. Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of placement and stands for wind and water.

The Chinese used this system to balance out the energy patterns of their physical environment with spiritual forces. Their ultimate goal was to achieve harmony, comfort, and balance, first within their environment and then within their lives. In the Chinese culture the gentle wind and the clear waters have always been linkedwith good health and a good harvest. So from this good Feng Shui means good livelihood and good fortune. On the other had bad Feng Shui means misfortune and hardship. So Feng Shui is a very important part of the Chinese lifestyle.

Feng Shui is based around Taoist and their vision and an understanding of nature. This focuses specifically on the belief that land is a living being and is filled with Chi. The ancient Chinese felt that the land’s energy could either help the kingdom prosper or cause it to fail and fall apart.

There are three principles behind Feng Shui. They involve design, placement, and proportion throughout the space. Without these three principles everything would become unbalanced and interfere with a person’ health and happiness within their environment. The main tools that are used during the Feng Shui analysis is the Ba-Gua which is an octagonal grid that contains the acient symbols of the great I Ching and the compass.

The I Ching is an ancient oracle which is what Feng Shui is based around. Knowing the Bagua for both your home and also your work space will be a great help to you to completely understand how the connection of certain specific Feng Shui in certain areas of both your home and work space can be linked to certain areas and parts of your overall life.

Now we move on to putting the Feng Shui into your home. Generally a consultant would come into your home and look at the five elements wood, fire, earth, metal, water (xuan kong flying star (north star), color, positioning of all the furnishings, and offer out cures for the problem areas).

The colors associated with Feng Shui are: wood is blue and green, fire is red and some of the items for this would be a tea light or a tamp lamp with a red shade, earth is beige and yellow and the items for this would be a terra cotta pot with soil and a rock statue, water is blue and black and the items here could be a fountain or aquarium, and metal is an accent color made up of silver, gold, copper, and bronze.

When it comes to the positioning of your furniture you should always face it in the direction of all the action such as the front door or street. This will give you the perfect flow of Feng Shui. Yang is considered to be the most active energy. It is usually lively and busy such as a public place or a flowing river. This is generally the most windowed side of your home. It should contain a nice view and it is usually a living or family room.

Ying is considered the least energy. This is usually found in the sitting direction of an alley or backyard. Shade trees highlight this area making it quiet and relaxing. This can be the side of the property and you would find the bedrooms in this area.

Decorating Your Dining Room With Glamour And Style

For some an Italian Kitchen decorating theme will put some old world charm into their kitchen and make it a place where the family will be willing to sit in. One such Italian design is the Tuscan style which incorporates warm earth tones along with natural materials and architectural accents that will give any kitchen a time worn look. But you do not need to buy any priceless antiques in order to achieve the Tuscan look for your kitchen. Below are a number of things that will need to be included when designing and decorating your kitchen in an Italian style.

Color
The colors you use should mimic the colors of the Tuscan landscape such as rich golds, earth tones and sometimes even tones relating to the sea will provide you with the look you are after. If you are able to purchase some Majolica pottery (new or old) and use the colours on this to influence the colours of your walls and floors. It is important that you use natural materials like stone, slate, granite or terracotta for the flooring and countertops as this will only help to enhance the Italian look that you are trying to create.

Lighting
When looking for lighting for your Italian themed kitchen then think old world and steer well clear of any new or modern styles. Why not see if you can get lights that are made from antique wrought iron. But you can include recessed lighting for use as task lighting. It is important to get the right look for an Italian kitchen that you stay away from lights that have a shiny look, instead stick with those that have muted metal finish.

Accessories
It is very easy to buy accessories for your Italian kitchen theme brand new today, but why not take time and scour your local antique stores for some real antiques instead. If you can look for old pottery bowls and pitchers as well as wooden bowls that have been painted or antiques. As a nice addition to your Italian style kitchen include some Majolica ware. Why not buy a whole set of this pottery to be have for everyday use. It is vital that you include lots of decorative jars in your design that have either peppers and ropes of garlic on them or peppers and grape vines on them. Then to soften the look up use lots of greenery (herbs in pots are a good idea).

Above we have provided you with a few ideas for your Italian kitchen decorating scheme and it can be easily achieved with either the purchase of new accessories or by looking around your local antique shops. But what ever way you decide to do it you will soon have a kitchen that is charming and full of character.

Author: Lee Dobbins

Decorating Your Bedroom With a Western Theme …

Creating a bedroom with a Western style can actually have an inviting and masculine feel to it. Mixing and matching different items associated with the West like wooden carvings or cowboy hats can truly make your room your personal space. To create a cowboy or western style for your room, here are a few ideas you can use.

The color of the wall of your room will be very important. Warm and vibrant colors are usually used to depict a western mood to it. A western look often consists of browns, blacks, tans and other dark colors. To highlight the color contrast, select white ornaments for a splash of brightness. One good idea is to use white cow print fabric to make the bed set and curtains. A white carpet with dyed with black odd shaped spots will also create a dramatic effect for your room.

Decorating the wall with western wall art is an artistic way of incorporating the western theme. Sometimes you can find these inexpensive wall art in garage sales and flea markets. Take the time to visit these places because you’ll never know you might just find the perfect piece of art to hang in your room.

Hanging up a rope lasso or making small ones glued to your lampshade can also show a western theme to it. You can also cut pictures of horses, cattle, or Indians and use this as a border around the top of your room.

Decide on having your floor generally made out of hardwood. Also choose area rugs which are flat woven styles or maybe even fake fur skins.

To create a cowboy look and feel, decorate your room with saddles and leather straps. These can be draped over your table chair. Use your imagination and come up with ingenious ways on how to make western accessories using horse shoe, Indian outfits and cowboy hats.

Using items made of iron such as iron lamp bases and cabinet knobs will fit well in a Western room.You can decide to design your room in a number of ways. You can go with the country theme or even the old west route. It really depends on your preference. Include things such as cowboy boots and guitars to enhance the western culture in your room.

Nowadays, there are available door knobs in the market with designs that reminds us of the Wild West. Choose a design you like and replace your old door knob with this western-inspired knob.

Alternative wall hangings can include horse whips, chaps and stirrups. Wooden items can be found in craft stores. There are numerous shapes and sizes to choose from. Paint these shapes and hang them on the wall.

Window treatments should be in basic colors and not too drastic. Look for wooden shutters or simple curtain panels.

Old trunks and stressed wood furniture can be placed inside your room and will definitely keep the western look going.

Incorporate all these ideas from painting your room with dark colors up to hanging up the western wall art to achieve the Western look you want to accomplish. After you have all the furniture and decorations in place, you will have produced a warm, cozy bedroom where you can enjoy and relax. It will be like living in the Wild West but still in the comfort of your bedroom.

Author: Alyssa Davis

Decorating Ideas for a Tuscan Kitchen

As the concept of Tuscan kitchen decor becomes more popular, homeowners are attracted to the simplicity of this decoration scheme. As with anything, you can spend a lot of money to get this look in your kitchen, but here we take a look at some simple low cost ideas to decorate your kitchen with a Tuscan decor.

More and more people today find the thought of a sunny cottage kitchen in the Tuscan countryside as their ideal. If you long to have that cozy-cottage feel in your own kitchen, the good news is that it’s easy to do-it-yourself!

One of the reasons Tuscan kitchen is such a hot decorating trend is that it celebrates the simple things in life: Food, friends, and family. A Tuscan kitchen is functional, not fussy, and decorating in this theme is as simple as paint and a few touches.

The walls in a Tuscan kitchen have a unique, old-world look. You can achieve this using a faux painting technique. First, you paint the walls a bright base color such as butterscotch or butter yellow. Then, sponge on a deeper shade so that the walls look as though they have faded in some spots. There are many books and Internet sites that can give you step-by-step directions on this method of applying paint, as well as product suggestions. If you want to go the extra mile, you can texturize your walls using joint compound mixed with paint. “Pouncing” the mixture onto the walls creates a colored, rustic roughness characteristic of an authentic country kitchen in Tuscany.

The next places to paint are cabinet doors. Use a strong, contrasting color to really give your Tuscan county kitchen character. Deep reds and bright forest greens are especially popular on cupboard doors. While you’re out looking for just the right shade of paint, spend some time in the hardware section of your home improvement store. This is where you’ll find the pulls and handles to add the finishing touch to your Tuscan cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Heavy, burnished metal or ceramic knobs will both look great in your kitchen.

Now that you have the background set, it’s time for the focus pieces. A Tuscan country kitchen harkens thoughts of family and friends. A large table with simple chairs is a sure invitation to your own family to spend quality time in the kitchen. Brightly colored seat cushions make the chairs even more inviting, and a wooden bowl of fruit and nuts encourages a long visit.

Browse through kitchen supply stores and you’ll find a dazzling array of decanters for oils and spices. In a Tuscan county kitchen, cooking ingredients are often stored in plain sight. Glass jars filled with dried beans and pasta should line your counters, along with terra cotta planters and cooking utensil holders. Pewter and copper vessels are also a good choice you’re your Tuscan kitchen. If you have the floor space, freestanding metal or wooden racks can be used to hold commonly used pots and pans, as well as sunflower-print table linens. Pots of herbs on a windowsill and trailing houseplants on top of the refrigerator add even more of an Old World feel to your new kitchen look.

Author: Kathy Burns-Millyard

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Bed Decorating Ideas That Will Spice up the Bedroom

Having the right bed decorating ideas can instantly spice up your bedroom. It sound basic, but before I start dishing out some great bed decorating ideas, I want you make sure that you know the basics. The bedroom is one of the most private rooms in your home, so don’t be afraid to have a little fun and let your imagination run.

When you first enter a bedroom, what is the first thing you notice? In most cases, it would be the bed. Typically, the bed has a huge influence on the presentation the bedroom. So if a bed is boring, uneventful and stale, then it would be safe to assume that the room is the same. If a bed is fun, exciting and a pleasure to be in, then most likely the bed the biggest reason why.

There are so many bed decorating ideas available to you the list is endless. Take for example a comforter set. The comforter is the iron horse of bed design and function. Not only can you get a comforter that is comfy and warm you can change up the design and color by merely switching duvet covers.

With just one item you can change the whole feel of an entire bedroom. You can go from modern luxury to rustic simplicity all with the change of a cover. And, in this case you sacrifice nothing because you get comfort and design all in one.

Once you have had your fun with your comforter covers
, the another bed decorating idea would be doing something creative with your pillows. Pillows come in various shapes and sizes, so you have tons of choices to choose from. Picking pillows for your bed can be fun and it can really get the creative juices flowing.

There are pillows and throw sets that go together wonderfully and are often thematic in nature. The possibilities are truly endless with throws and pillows. The only trouble here is making up such an ornate bed in the morning! But, it is worth it when you think about the beauty of a well decorated bed. Your guests will certainly appreciate it.

Possibly the most special part of using bed decorating ideas to spice up a bedroom is the price. Bed decoration is relatively inexpensive compared to, lets say, a total makeover for your bedroom. You can change up your bedroom many times a year or even every week if you want to at very little cost. If you want to change the look of a comforter, just purchase a duvet. If you think you pillows need a little help, get a pillow case. It is very simple and very cheap.

Let your imagination run rampant and start thinking up bed Decorating ideas for your bed. There is no end to the possibilities. If you need additional help, ask your friends and family for suggestions and use combinations of your ideas and others to create something truly unique. Decorating your bed is cheap and can be lots of fun, so get to it and see what you can come up with.

Author: Zachry Nest

Rejuvenate a Living Room for Less: Inexpensive Living Room …

Living rooms tend to be a very popular space in the home and a place where the family congregates and relaxes. Because the room is so well, lived in, the furniture takes a serious beating and the decorative elements get stale fairly quickly. Use the following tips to give your living room a fresh new look for not a lot of money.

Shop your Home

Scour your own home, from storage areas to other rooms to see if there are any pieces that can be swapped out for something in your living room. You can even take old furniture and find a slipcover or have it reupholstered to give it new life.

Focus on One Piece

Turn one decorative piece or large piece of furniture into the focal point and decorate around it. One high quality piece will carry the room in most cases and allow you to decorate lightly around it.

Go Eclectic

Rather than buying all expensive pieces that always match, look for eclectic pieces from all over with a unifying theme, color, style or just pieces that particularly appeal to you.

Change the Cushions

A popular trend is cushions that don’t precisely match the rest of the couch. Keep your basic couch, but have some slipcovers custom made for the cushions and replace them. You can always go back to your original covers in the future. Look for something vibrant and exciting and use a different type of fabric.

Go Monochromatic

Rather than using contrasting colors for pillows, throw rugs, curtains and other accessories, go for a monochromatic look to keep everything unified. Use shades of the same color for variation and visual interest.

Go Bold and Colorful

If you’ve already got a pretty monochromatic color scheme, go the other way. Add a few unexpected splashes of color. Step away from the standard accessories for color and add a chair or area rug that is full of color and brings a new sense of energy to the room.

Rearrange the Furniture

Just a simple change of your furniture arrangement can really give the room a new look. If you’re able to change the traffic flow of the room you’ll give it an even different feel. If you have more than one focal point in the room, switch the focus from your old focal point to another.

Change the Focal Point

Your living room should be arranged around a focal point, so by changing the way your main feature appears you’ll create a big difference in the room. Purchase a new entertainment center for your television. Retile a fireplace or replace the mantle. If a window is your focal point, change the window treatment.

To give your living room a new look and a different feel, try to step out of the room and see it in a different way, push furniture to the sides of the room if it will help you picture it in a different way. Living room redecorating projects don’t need to be expensive and they don’t even require replacing all of your existing pieces. The above living room decorating tricks are a great way to create a fresh, new environment for your family to gather together in and relax.

Author: Kristin Abraham

Decorating the Laundry Room – Function Doesn’t Have to Be Boring …

When you think of “laundry room,” a dark, dingy basement may come to mind. Or, a small closet with a washer and dryer hidden next to, or…shudder…IN, the garage. But, these days, laundry rooms are coming out of the closet. They can be decorated, and look just as nice, as the rest of your home.

Of course, you still have to pay attention to the natural function of the room. Hiding the washer and dryer is an option, but how much trouble will it be to get to if it’s draped with fabric or covered by a “counter” that can be lifted off. Personally, I’d rather be able to use them without having to work too hard to get to them.

First, take a good look at the space available. Maybe you do just have a closet. If so, you’re options are limited. If there are no cupboards above the machines, or if the shelves are inadequate, it shouldn’t cost too much to replace them. Choose quality cabinets that look high end…even if they’re not.

If you’re lucky enough to have a real laundry room, you have a host of options. You will need cabinets of some sort to hide detergent, fabric softener and such, but you can also add other, more decorative, items. Even though the cabinets should look good, they should also have enough shelving inside to keep everything organized. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to move a bunch of stuff out of your way to reach the fabric softener.

If there’s room, provide a counter or even a small table for folding your laundry. It’s very inconvenient to have to carry laundry to another room just to fold it.

Paint can give your room a huge boost. I tend to choose more cheery colors such as yellows or a melon color. Laundry room walls don’t “have” to be white! Whatever color you choose, make it one that you can live in harmony with; you’ll be spending a lot of time there.

Choose window coverings that are pretty but make sure they are washable. The natural moistness of the room can cause dampness and dirt to stick to fabrics that remain in the room long term.

Use rugs on the floor. They can not only add bright splashes of color, but can add comfort to an area where you might need to stand for some time. Especially, if you have an ironing area in the room. Bathroom rugs work well because they are meant to absorb water. They are available in a multitude of colors so you’re sure to find something to fit your color scheme. And, while thinking about the floor, carpet just doesn’t work where water is likely to be spilled; tile or vinyl flooring is a much more sensible choice.

Posters and pictures in the room can add whimsy. I’ve seen some very cute posters that would be suitable for a laundry room on eBay. Humorous pictures can give a utilitarian room character. Fun murals painted on a wall can also be a great way to add fun and color to the laundry area.

Make sure your laundry room has plenty of light. Lighting will brighten the space as well as make it easier to see those pesky stains.

There are also some things you must have in a laundry room. A waste basket hampers for sorting laundry, and someplace to hang delicate items. Buy pretty ones! Using colors that are appropriate to your color scheme go a long way to making the room more inviting.

Some homemakers create a kind of “family center” in the laundry area for leaving messages, and sometimes a craft area to keep children’s inevitable messes from the rest of the house. My daughter even has a small television in her basement laundry room so her kids can go watch their favorite shows when mommy has something she’d rather watch in the family room.

Decorating the laundry room is important to anyone who has to spend a lot of time in one…which is the majority of us! Why should the laundry area be dark and grungy…make it a room you want to be in.

Top Spring Decorating: Getting Rid of the Winter Blahs

The days are beginning to feel warmer, and the landscape with its many shades of green is awakening. One only needs to listen to the birds in the early morning to know that spring will be here before long. This is a wonderful time of the year to include a touch of the outdoors in your home interior decorating ideas.

Let’s start with bird-themed home decorating ideas which can be used in every room. A pretty birdcage makes a whimsical three-dimensional framework for a spring display. Inside of the birdcage place a craft-store twig nest with faux eggs or a petite flower arrangement.

Ceramic egg cups can be used for decorated Easter eggs, jelly beans or pastel candies.

To bring the bird-themed decor into the powder room, use iron-on transfers to print or color-copy a picture of a bird onto a linen guest towel.

Look for egg-shaped soaps at specialty shops to use in your guest bathrooms.

Bird-inspired iron-on transfers can also be used on table linens. Inexpensive paper coasters featuring pictures of birds add a further touch to the springtime table.

Another natural look to add to your spring decorating ideas is the color, green. Whether you use leafy lettuce green or a serene shade of mint, you will find that a wide range of green represents what you already find in nature.

Green is synonymous with life and renewal and is plentiful in our natural world. It is a peaceful color with calming effects. Use a variety of shades of green for a fresh, springtime feel.

Because of the endless selection you will have no difficulty finding a suitable shade of green paint color. However, if you don’t want to make a long-term commitment, adding home accessories in the desired shade of green is an easy and effortless way to add nature’s color.

Home accessories in shades of green include glassware, vases, pillows, afghans/throws, artwork and fabrics.

Something as simple as putting garden magazines and flower books on the coffee table will help to bring nature inside and add color to your room.

Simplify your interior decorating by displaying only the things you love. Clutter is distracting and adds stress to your life because of constant upkeep.

Spring is the time for renewal, beautiful flowers, green grass and the songs of birds. Enjoy each and every day!

Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment!

Author: Lynn Cressy

The appeal of Parisian decorating

Parisian-style decorating is all about exquisite detail, well-worn but gleaming antique furniture, yards of brocade or velvet draperies, gold and gilded accents on furniture and accessories. The French love to decorate their walls, so I would start there. Paneling and crown molding will elongate your room and make the ceiling feel higher. You can either install real panels and intricately carved moldings, or use paint to create the grace and glamour on the walls.

The base coat is mustard yellow. Two-foot and 3-foot panels were taped off; I used a hand-cut stencil for the top of the panels. Fill in the taped borders with white paint. Add a shadow line with brown paint and an artist’s brush down one side of the panel molding and along the bottom. Remove the tape and apply a thin coat of white glaze (1 part white latex paint, 1 part water-based glazing liquid, 3 parts water) over the entire wall, brushing in one direction up and down. Repeat the veiling technique, brushing on the glaze inside the panels to imitate the look of linen. To complete the French panels, you will need a decorative stencil and watercolor pencils. Color the image with gray for shadow, yellow for highlights and brown for the centers. The color does not have to be dark. Dip an artist’s brush into water and go over the colored-pencil area using long strokes. The water reacts with the watercolor pencil to give a watercolor appearance. Protect the watercolor stencil with spray acrylic varnish.

Build on this elegant theme with one or two crystal chandeliers, gold-plated sconces and black-framed scenes of Paris. Choose carved-wood furniture with rounded legs, and silk, velvet or brocade upholstery. Chairs should be comfy, just this side of shabby chic. Black is an important element; use it in wrought-iron fireplace accessories, frames or painted tables.

Nothing matches in this charming style. Pick pieces for their age and because you love them. This is a style that is created over time. Finish with a vase or bottle collection in brilliant jewel tones of ruby red, emerald green and royal sapphire blue to celebrate Parisians’ special version of joie de vivre.

Author: Debby Travis

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