AfrikBoutik Blog

Accentuate your home with window boxes

Thinking about adding window plant boxes outside our windows can be quite creative and fun. Their beauty can simply be observed even by afar, making our home standout in the neighborhood.

Window plant boxes can be decorated with different accessories aside from plants and flowers. They could specially be dressed up to the Halloween, Xmas, or virtually any holidays. Lights can even be added in buying it to emphasize the loveliness of the plants plus the window cardboard boxes. Moreover, plants do not only include beauty along with charm inside our home’s alternative but can even be an adorable decor inside our home. Once the flowers’ beautiful scent penetrates the eyeport, we may feel more stimulating as it soothes your senses.

Anything can actually be planted inside window plant boxes: live flowering plants, herbal treatments, or a number of edible plant life.

Whether you plant a kind of flowers as part of your window package or combining colors and also textures make sure you choose the plants grow from the light that is certainly available. Perhaps your current kitchen window in the shade from the afternoon or even window within your bedroom can be light right through the day. Whatever that conditions be sure to keep your wood window package planting blossoms and good smelling herbs fabulous inside best conditions over the summer with good care. Are a number of decoration on the outside of of your own window planter boxes cut from wood, they are difficult for you to beat. Head over to something present day and smooth and bright and feel, the options are infinite. You can change your flowers in addition to plants from time to time. Bringing the garden in the vicinity of a eyeport and brighten the natural color, consistency and smell.

Creating an environmentally friendly decor using Cork Floors

Cork floors are starting to become very popular in the United States and offering a beautiful and unique finish. It can be used in a kitchen, bathroom, or in the entire home.  When you are considering replacing your current flooring you must think about choosing cork floor.

The cork that is used for cork floors is harvested from a cork oak tree.  It is a lot different than using hardwood because the tree is not cut down to produce the flooring. The cork from the cork tree is harvested every nine years.  The back of the tree is stripped off of the tree and this is what is used to make the flooring.  In turn the tree is not killed and the forest is unharmed.  It is a good choice for the environment if you chose cork floors.

Cork trees can live for a couple centuries this is because they are not killed in this cork harvesting process.  As for hardwood floors the trees must be cut down and replanted to complete the process.  The cork flooring is made from the waste product from the cork that is used in wine bottles.  Therefore cork is harvested and the floors are made in an environmentally fashion.

This doesn’t mean that the cork floors are not very beautiful; they are in fact beautiful and unique.  There are many options that are available when choosing cork floors from hardwood, cork, marble and more along with just about any color.  The finished product of your cork floors can come in an array of different patterns.

By deciding to install cork floors into your home instead of any other flooring you are doing the environment a huge favour that it now needs.  Your cork floors will also be a conversation topic for many years to come.

Tips on How to Choose Decorating Ceiling Fans That Match Your Home Decor

The next time you’re mulling in the latest fixtures and lamps selections for your household, you will be surprised to find that any ceiling fans are frequently overlooked to be a satisfying inclusion to virtually any room.

Right now, as a person flip in the latest do-it-yourself magazines, the idea of developing a upper limit fan in to house atmosphere is becomingly progressively more popular. Not just do upper limit fans result in a several atmosphere from the room, also , they are great with regard to cooling a person down once the summer warmth is excruciating.

There tend to be numerous designs, colors in addition to designs connected with ceiling fans out there. Finding the correct one to check a room is definitely as exciting as experiencing it once installation. A upper limit fan could be placed anywhere in their home, from the family room to living space. In that dining space, a upper limit fan not just provides any cool air flow during dinners, but can even be used for a good source connected with illumination. The marketplace is complete with fan titles that accentuate any space, no topic the placing or look and feel. When utilised effectively, ceiling fans can even be used to be able to inject a clear mood in to the atmosphere.

Let’s say you do have a room that was created to reflect China design themes or possibly a room that can evoke part in the Serengeti. A upper limit fan exhibiting blades processed like hand leaves would certainly fit completely into both worth mentioning schemes. There tend to be ceiling supporters that match an array of design blueprints, such because Victorian, Roman in addition to French configurations. Various colorings reflect that mood, tone in addition to display of an room, which includes white, pale yellow, black in addition to brown. The options are several, offering a variety of sizes and shapes to accommodate the countless different sizing’s of locations. Various materials are used to make ceiling supporters, including plastic and various materials which present tainted wood highlights.

The upper limit fan marketplace is looking out for offering designers, nobody can bring stylish, current designs into this model of home design. Bringing various choices towards consumer may encourage the fascination with more upper limit fan products and services. Not simply can any ceiling supporter add which finishing details to virtually any room, this also offers a feeling of service that can’t be denied. Let’s not necessarily forget just how ceiling fans will control that temperature from the room as soon as put to be able to good work with. There are numerous options offering variations within controlling as much light in the room. That positioning, in addition to number connected with allotted incandescent bulbs can alter the ambiance and mood also.

Once consumers get rid of their head than a ceiling fan isn’t just for earning the awesome air, you’ll rapidly see excessive decor decisions with pushing the standard envelope.

Some ceiling fan manufacturers focus more on lower quality less expensive fans, while others target more expensive higher quality fans. Find out who makes the Best Ceiling Fans here! An array of affordable high quality ceiling fans can be  found at Hansen Wholesale Ceiling Fans.

Home Decorating in a Spanish Style

When you require to decorate your own home in a Spanish style, you could have lots of fun with it. Spanish style is exciting with exciting colors & textures made use of within the item. you may bet that regardless how the property is ornamented, you will demand to use the impression of friends and family & community in the design. Take the glance at how we can generally incorporate this Spanish fashion in to your house. It is usually simple & enjoyment!

Spanish fashion home designing is the best way to get the rustic yet colorful look in your house. This fashion, popular inside south, works for any kind of area & may add the one-of-a-kind feel to any kind of home.

Pictures

One simple solution to incorporate Speaking spanish style in to your house is while using family pics. you are able to use photos you have considered yourself to obtain the endeavor completed. basically decide numerous kinds of photography frames & release your favorite pics with family & pals. you must add these to just about every room to offer the residence a relaxing feeling.

Hues

Relating to Spanish hues, you ought considering using vivid colors just like red, yellowish, orange, & pink. it may be possible that you to in your abode the Speaking spanish decor aspects with these types of bold hues. Be guaranteed to add the beige and also white on the mix in addition to no problem the colors a pleasing background.

Furniture

Although no matter what style of furniture you employ while you are using Speaking spanish style residence decorating, it ought to be comfortable & informal. Unless you happen to be decorating the formal cusine or den, Spanish formed furniture isn’t excessively proper. So make sure it will be comfortable & giant in every case in this family in order to lounge upon. Spanish fashion uses a great deal of dark timber – earthworms wood for example is very good.

Accessories

Use Speaking spanish accessories to increase a genuine touch for your decor. Grill grates & alternative accessories that will use wrought straightener can add a terrific touch, if perhaps they are usually vintage. Spanish pottery will be another item which might be displayed inside any bedroom – upon shelves and also hang system on scrolly eating plan hangers to offer a one-of-a-kind homey look.

Flooring

Flooring in a Spanish style looks excellent with old-fashioned tile floor. Not this shiny porcelain stuff nevertheless the giant reddish tiles using dark grout. Furthermore, hardwood floor surfaces can proceed wonderful using this style. To ease up the space accent the item with Speaking spanish style carpets.

When you will decide to decorate your own home with Speaking spanish style residence decorating you’ll be able to bring this elements inside without spending a great deal of funds. you’ll be able to basically put photos of your respective family, bright hues & secure furniture to obtain the look you might require.

Accentuate Your Home with an Address Plaque

Address plaques are a generally classy means of being capable to add that will something extra relating to beautifying one’s home. You can use all forms of address plaques any particular one can select. What’s fantastic about this is certainly that a majority of address plaques organizations also provide a custom designed service wherein it is possible to obtain the design to the address plaque that you really want enabling you have something that is uniquely your special.

If, even so, you are not interested in dealing with all that will trouble simply for an correct plaque then various of the generic correct plaques that are being sold in hardware stores as well as a large amount of other residence specialty stores.

Still, even though they are considered simple, these forms of address plaques have an array of available designs you could choose through. This, even so, leaves the likelihood of you obtaining the same kind of address plaque since your neighbor in addition.

Address Plaque Rewards:

– Suits big houses
– Individuals who are generating around may immediately observe your lawn address also from afar
– Could be placed in front of the property or on the lawn
– Beautify your own home

House numbers are a popular choice intended for address plaques and so are actually greatest ones in the market. Lastly, you can find the exclusive application correct markers, though they’re just already an alternative type with address plaque. They’re just still popular among homeowners considering they no problem their houses that distinctive touch. This type of address plaque may either be put on mail boxes or the fence. Basically it is possible to choose whichever place you need since these types of address plaques are tailor made, and ordinarily medium dimension.

Decorating a Modern Home in Victorian Style

A significant component within victorian beautifying is just what you place on the rooms. For this specific style the room colors create a large distinction – you should ponder placing reds & bluish colors & whatever with classic appeal & determined by the particular style several colors either within your wall colour or your own accessories. Try using a retro style wallpaper & boundary sets to the walls, or by chance you require some thing different opt for paint & stenciling. You never must obtain too expensive or spend plenty of money & by chance you are afraid of an tiny little bit of color, merely paint the rooms a fairly neutral shade & make it possible for the accents in the room complete the beautifying.

The Victorian beautifying style is one who combines traditional accessories by using modern techniques & could make your house stand out. Whether you might have an outdated Victorian estate or a fresh home, you can decorating which has a Victorian design by transforming tiny elements, for case in point painting & dangling vintage gadgets to carry a level of the Victorian age to your house.

Accessories tend to be key to pulling your own Victorian interior decoration together. You will be surprised in the impact several alterations could make! Concentrate about purchasing outdated pics, art & mantle clocks which match your own Victorian interior decoration. Be certain to include in plenty of antiques in addition to Victorian period curios. additional details like classic fabrics & vases stuffed with flowers can certainly add which special touch which gives your home a reliable look.

The carpeting can help make or break up your interior decoration, but by chance you can not buy fresh flooring then use throws with any Victorian design. Oriental green area rugs are ideal for this sort of decor & you can buy legitimate antique green area rugs, or reproductions by chance you are over a budget.

Furniture needs to be Victorian within style nevertheless , you don’t have got to use legitimate antiques. For any couch, you should reckon with regards to a duplication. This is because vintage Victorian sofas have become uncomfortable! Wooden pieces like side tables & curio units would glimpse best by chance you can obtain actual antiques – the brand new stuff is not as pretty because the old pieces which has a rich patina. Always just be sure to buy pieces which might be in tip top condition.

It is actually advisable to reckon with regards to light fixtures with regard to both design & type to go together with your Victorian beautifying style,.Given you’re trying to be handed a Victorian glimpse, it is actually advisable to take a glance at using dated ceiling equipment and lighting with lights with silk fringe hues but remember to avoid anything which is primitive or maybe country seeking. Don’t forget to include table lamps in addition to wall sconces.

One beautifying area which is often overlooked when decorating is a wall breathing space. Even that ugliest walls can be made to check nice by using great wall membrane decor. Try incorporating vintage pictures & outdated pics to create an fascinating look to your parlor rooms to enhance the charm of one’s Victorian Interior design.

the approach you costume your windows are important to your own victorian beautifying design design. For a good brilliant design within your parlor opt for working by using layered drapery or maybe velvet draperies or heavy draped draperies with several fabrics. there’s plenty of window treatments that may be paired using this type of design design, in case you coordinate fabrics for a window cures, but you should keep from contemporary design window linens.

Putting together a perfect Victorian look at home can end up being as essential as acquiring new cosmetic accessories or maybe as involved as upgrading everything. Direction, working to the details & making certain to coordinate your home furniture & cosmetic accessories will let you accomplish an awesome new Victorian beautifying look you will be proud to claim you accomplished by yourself!

How Do You Approach The Holidays?

I’ve struggled a bit with this article trying to put my thoughts into words. How do you talk about something that has so many sides to it like holidays? This time of year can be a lot of fun but it can also be filled with a lot of stress.

With the holidays fast approaching (I mean they are on us now) things start to really heat up and move quickly. If we’re not really careful we can get into “doing mode” and believe performance is all that really counts.

You know the get it done, keep going, and get more done, kind of things.

To help me with this article today, I went to dictionary.com to get a general definition of holiday:

1.    A day free from work that one may spend at pleasure, especially a day on which custom or the law dictates a halting
of general business activity to commemorate or celebrate a particular event.

2.    a religious feast day, a holy day.

3. Chiefly British, A vacation. Often used in the phrase on holiday.

It seems that the first two definitions are really appropriate for many of us during this time in Western Culture. There are a number of holidays celebrated during December that fall into the “day of leisure…a halting of general business activity to commemorate or celebrate a particular event” or that fall into the “holy day” category.

But I know that for me I need to be really careful or the actual day of the holiday is not so much a “day of leisure” as it is a “day of recovery” because I’ve been way out of balance getting to the day. Or maybe worse, it is a day filled with so much activity; celebratory meals, company, gifts, etc., that the day is a blur of activity rather than a day of enjoyment.

My new mantra “awareness is curative” helped us to feed 18 people Thanksgiving Day. And in addition we were able to enjoy everything that went into the day including the planning, buying and preparing. The trick was to fill each day with lots of STOPs to get a handle on where we were and check to see if things were on course.

If you’re not familiar with the notion of STOP it’s out of “The Inner Game of Work” by Tim Gallwey and it goes like this:

(S)tep back from the situation

(T)hink about what is going on

(O)rganize your thoughts (get in touch with you)

(P)roceed again (maybe slowly) in the chosen direction

These STOPs allowed both Tom and I to stay organized and to really plan the event from menu to market, to prep, to table and to serve. But it did something else for me that was much more important.

The STOPs allowed me to stay in touch with why I was doing the dinner and what my bigger goal was. When I started to be a bit agitated or worried over things the STOPs provided a wonderful way to check in with myself and keep on track both emotionally as well as functionally.

Here is another big piece…I walked away from work completely guilt free. The STOPs helped me stay on course to complete what was necessary in the office. That way I was completely free from my business obligations while preparing for the event.

So what does all this have to do with “awareness is curative?”

If I can stay on top of why I’m doing something and how it relates to my bigger purpose then I have all the internal
momentum I need to see things through. My desire is taking me through the steps rather than some outside sense of obligation.

And if my desire is pushing me forward it’s pretty easy to stay on track. Why? ‘Cause it’s my desire – in other words, I want to do it.

All of this is to say…give yourself permission to enjoy the time you take off from work. If you don’t get a project
completed before it’s time to switch gears, just leave yourself good notes so you can pick you where you left off and give yourself permission to leave it. (Those good notes will help a lot to leave the project plus you’ll love them when you come back!) Then you move into your holidays with plenty of time to accomplish your holiday goals.

Take a moment to reflect on where you are, what you’ve learned and where you’re headed. Remember this is a time for you to replenish. But in my opinion what is more important is that it is a wonderful time to celebrate your life; to celebrate the incredible miracle of you.

By: Jillian Middleton

Decorating Your Living Room in 5 Easy Steps

For any family, their reputation with guests greatly depends on the appearance of their living rooms. Living rooms are one of the most important parts of any family’s house. It is the place where a family entertains guest, may it be a relative, a neighbour or even co-workers.

The living room would tell a lot about how the family maintains the house. Having visitors admire your living room can be one of the most fulfilling moments in your everyday life. It takes a lot of work to achieve that praise-worthy living room that every guest comes back for. To serve as your guide, here are 5 easy steps in decorating your living room:

1. It’s best to know first what style would you want for your living room. Thinking on how the living room would look like as a whole is a good way to set the theme for the space. You can mix any idea that comes to mind, may it be country with a touch of modern style or a dark shade to paint your walls and light-colored furniture to make it stand out.

2. Start off with your floor tiles; seal both tile and surrounding grout with a water-based floor varnish. To know what type of water-based floor varnished would be best to use, ask your home improvement retailer or any other experts in this field for opinions. For the walls, it would be better to put bold colors that are sure to put some dramatic effect to your living room. If you don’t fancy the bold wall color effect, try painting an accent wall. This type of design does not overwhelm the whole room and still leaves a good impression.

3. For the windows, try to choose curtains that would complement the design style you have chosen for the whole room. Try adding rich looking fabrics to give that luxurious feel to your room. The curtains are the elements that usually bind all the room decorations together, so make sure they are a perfect match.

4. Lighting should be taken seriously. A living room is all about mood, and lighting greatly helps to set that mood. Using fluorescent lights overpower any mood for your living room with its strong emission of light. Try adding a few lamps in your living room. They are a great help for building that cozy feel in your living room. Candles can also be a contributor in decorating your living room. Put them along with candle holders with different colors and sizes to help achieve your living room decorating ideas.

5. The last but certainly not the least tip in decorating your living room is putting art on the walls. Different art works posted on the different parts of your living room helps bring the whole living room together. It also adds a personal touch at the same time and tells something about your interests. Photographs are also a form of art may they be family photos or black and white landscapes. Just make sure not to overdo it. Always keep it simple and free of clutter, so it would not ruin the atmosphere you are trying to establish.

Asian Decor Tips – The Yin And Yang of Design

Who says you would need a salary’s worth of savings to explore the tranquil mysticism of Asia? With a few renovations and some bits and pieces here and there, you can transform your own living spaces with a look that reflects the calm mood of a Thai spa or a minimalist-inspired Japanese home.

Although various cultures contrast, these different Asian countries come together with similar design schemes. It’s a usual practice nowadays for people to embrace the key elements from each cultural area. They arrange it together in a blend that is truly and spectacularly Asian and truly unique at the same time.

Now before you begin chasing after silk draperies and Chinese jars, there are some teeny-weeny details you should think about first.

Will you swear to trim down all the excess clutter in your home? Are you willing to denounce your chaotic space for something relatively free of unnecessary “stuff”?

Are you into smooth furnishings? How about upholstery and windows minus all the fancy trimmings? Remember in Asian decor, there’s no room for plush Victorian-inspired bed covers – less is more every single time.

And another thing, brace yourself for an explosion of green, blue and beige along with several surprise streaks of glittering gold or blood red pieces. These are the popular colors that dominate Asian styles. Are you a Barbie-fanatic or a huge Barney fan? Then you might want to reconsider because Asian designs are not known for their affinity for pinks or purples.

So you think you can handle these major must-do’s? If so, then let’s begin capturing the essence of a warm and relaxing Asian-inspired retreat, beginning with these simple steps.

Firstly, do away with all the trappings and trendy furnishings that you already have. You need a space that is relatively spacious and simple. Be ready to give all your beloved lacy table-tops away. Next, provide a clear setting for your design by painting your walls in hues of beige or bamboo green. Instead of blinds, why not use bamboo to shade the room from too much sun? Hand-woven mats and Asian rugs can also take the place of your regular carpet too.

Once this is done, you can now begin incorporating other stuff to complete your Asian theme. However, you might find this a bit difficult too because there are different styles and cultural designs to choose from. You can go totally Chinese or pick something that has an Indonesian vibe to it. It depends entirely on your preference. Decide on a particular kind of Asian style that best reflects who you are.

Remember, guests should not walk into your home feeling as if they are in a section of the national museum. Make sure your personality echoes throughout your home design. Still confused? Don’t fret, it’s quite alright to combine themes from those styles you feel comfortable with.

When it comes to giving your bedroom the Asian treatment, here are some useful tips. Instead of a fancy headboard why not utilize a bed frame that is lower than your usual preference. It would also be nice to experiment a bit.

Discard your flower-printed bed cover and replace this with a simple quilt. Then throw in a couple of pillows with Asian designs to complete the look. A plain little bench in the corner of the room can also serve as a table top for studying or other purposes. You can also add some candles or fortune plants and bamboos to enhance the mood for meditation. To compliment this set-up, an Oriental painting or exquisite scrolls pinned up on the wall would pretty much do the trick.

With regard to your living room or dining space, there are a couple of suggestions I’d like to offer to make these rooms feel undoubtedly “Asian”. To start, why not discard your usual sofa set for something that has straight simple lines? An alternative dining setting would also involve having a low table with several plus-size cushions in place of your regular chairs. While you go about with your home make-over session, adapt several Feng Shui principles as well. To avoid ruining the Asian vibe, camouflage those electronic gadgets behind a nice piece of furniture that will double as an entertainment center in the living room. Have fun being Asian!

Simple and Elegant Decor: A Few Principles

Home beautification is often thought of as an expensive and bank-breaking process. Yet there are many options for you to give your home a simple but elegant touch: from simply moving your furniture around to highlighting your living room with affordable candle centerpieces, you can make your home beautiful without having to max out your credit line.

Plants A few potted plants placed strategically around a room will prove not only a beautiful and affordable means of decorating your home, but a source of vibrant and refreshing life as well.

It is this growing source of life that makes plants simple and elegant additions to a home’s decor. Just make sure not to put too much life in a room: a few potted plants will enhance a room’s beauty, but having too many around will prove to have a stuffy and crowded effect.

Furniture Your pre-existing furniture can also serve to add elegance to your home. You just need to shift them around for maximum effect.

If you are familiar with Chinese Feng-shui, then you should know the basic concept of ‘harmonizing’ a room’s decor. While steering clear from the mysticism of Feng-shui, the arrangement of furniture can help make or break a room’s beauty. If you notice a dresser or a cabinet distracting the view and blocking the way, you may want to consider moving it to someplace that can use its bulk to take up the space.

Wall Decor While Rembrandt paintings and wall-mounted sculptures are legitimate wall decor that can help fill up space and add beauty to your home, these options are often expensive; costing up to a few hundred or thousand dollars apiece.

However, there are less expensive options for you to spruce up your bare walls. A clock, diplomas, certificates and even shelves holding up a few knick-knacks are great ways to fill up space, while the curtains you choose for your home will add to the final effect. Just do not forget to choose wall decor that will complement with each other: a few African tribal masks would be a little out of place in a room that has a distinctly Oriental feel to it.

Centerpieces Prominent centerpieces are what will capture the attention of anyone visiting your home, as the surrounding furniture and themes will highlight these centerpieces. Most centerpieces are classy and expensive items; often with six-digit price tags.

However, an effective centerpiece does not need to be a Victorian work of art or some ancient Greek sculpture. Even simple candles and bonsai trees can do the job just fine. Just remember to select a centerpiece that can harmonize with the surrounding plants, furniture and wall decor, and you will have your guests wowing at the simple effectiveness that a bunch of candles has on your room.

The road to beautifying your home need be a costly one. Simple elegance can be found in the most humble of things: from candle centerpieces to a few potted plants in your home. All you need to do is just open your eyes to the possibilities.