Friday, May 2, 2008

Exterior Christmas Decoration

If you happen to live in a neighborhood where people enjoy decorating the outside of their homes for the holidays you may find yourself stuck between a rock and a hard place. Sure, decorating with an exterior Christmas decoration or two can get you in the holiday spirit, but when it becomes a contest between dueling neighbors it can quickly skyrocket into a high cost endeavor.

I’m guilty of being one of those people who goes all out when it comes to decorating for Christmas. I have the prescribed strings of lights, a Santa Clause statue and even a few plastic reindeer adorning the front of my home. Every year I try and add at least one new exterior Christmas decoration to my arsenal, so that I can better compete with everyone else on my block.

It doesn’t have to be an expensive investment though and I found out the best way to ensure this is the case. Purchasing a new exterior Christmas decoration each year after the holidays pass is going to save you money. If you were to buy that exact same exterior Christmas decoration in early December you’d expect to pay full price. Once the New Year rolls around, you’ll enjoy a huge savings.

One of the most popular decorations that you’ll see during the holiday season is lights. These small and vibrant lights adorn not only the interior Christmas tree but also the exterior of your home as well. Many people utilize these blue, red, or white lights as an exterior Christmas decoration on their home or an outside spruce tree. Again, purchasing these lights after the holiday season means an instant savings, in some cases as much as half price.

Another tip I found that saves me money is to make some of the items myself. If you aren’t a crafty individual, don’t fear. You can certainly still make a nice exterior Christmas decoration with just a large cardboard box and some gift wrap. All you need to do is reinforce the box with some packing tape, running it along the outside so the box doesn’t cave in. Then wrap the box up in brightly colored, holiday themed gift wrap and presto, you’ve just made a great looking and very inexpensive exterior Christmas decoration.

Garage and estate sales can also be wonderful resources when it comes to finding all things Christmas. Often times when people move or downgrade to a smaller property they’ll sell large items so they don’t have to transport them to their new home. You can often find a very inexpensive exterior Christmas decoration or two at these sales.

Getting into the holiday spirit is always fun and when you decorate your home it makes it even more so. Don’t overlook the outside of your home this year when December rolls around, instead find a cute exterior Christmas decoration or two to reflect how you feel about the season. You never know you just may encourage others to do the same.

Wrought Iron Curtain

Wrought iron curtain rods are elegant additions that suit nearly every style of interior décor. You can find the right look no matter what your specific tastes are. Wrought iron curtain rods are ideal for traditional looks but they also come in many modern designs as well. There are some things to consider when choosing this as an option for your drapery.

Many of us think of medieval times when we picture items like wrought iron curtain rods. For these individuals, a good choice would be rods that have decorative hardware that is reminiscent of the era. For example, you can find wrought iron curtain rods that have sword-like accents.

I love this look for certain interior designs, especially if the room has rich colors and hints of gold. It is also nice if there is a stone fireplace in the area as well. The wrought iron curtain rods fit perfectly into this scheme and you might even find children look to the room as a kind of Camelot.

While the medieval era is really appealing to some, others might prefer something a little less over-the-top. A nice option for decorative edges on wrought iron curtain rods is the swirl. The swirl design comes in a number of forms and it is a great option for many rooms.

Swirls work well if you have a similar patter somewhere else in the room. For example, a room that has an Oriental rug that contains a swirl pattern can be connected visually to wrought iron curtain rods with similar shapes. The pattern can be repeated in throw pillows or even in the actual upholstery used on furniture.

Wrought iron curtain rods also offer an Old World feel in some of their designs. You can find a fantastic Tuscan-inspired design that will suit a dining room perfectly. One of my favorite designs is grapes. The grape wrought iron curtain rods are such a hit with me that I use them in my dining room.

What I love about this motif is that it really stimulates the appetite. I use rich purple accents in the room to bring out the entire theme. This coupled with the Italian dining room set makes the whole look come together. I feel like having a glass of wine when I enter the room.

Don’t forget that there are clean, contemporary designs to consider in wrought iron curtain rods as well. The options are vast when it comes to this particular accent for your home.

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Fish wall Décor in Interior Design

Using fish wall decor theme in interior design is in itself is a unique idea. But before you start out with preparing drawings or even putting up ideas to use fish wall decor, have a list of potential places where you can use such a theme.

If you are thinking of putting fish wall decor in your home interiors, then why not do it where it will be most appreciated. Such a room would be kid's bedroom. Picking up a fish wall decor theme means that the overall end product of the kid’s room interiors will express the presence of "sea world" and fish related stuff as a whole.

Using a fish theme is not just hanging pictures of fish and wallpapers and you are done. To successfully design a room with fish theme, what you can do is write down a list of things that are closely related to fish. Such a list may include sea, oceans, beaches, tropical fish, aquatic plants, fishnets, boats and ships, sailors, sea birds, and much more.

Using a combination of all these you can create a unique scene of aquatic life that represents fish theme. This includes wall hangings in the form of scale models of birds, fish, starfish, etc. Wallpapers that show beautiful beach scenes or even underwater scenes with beautiful colorful tropical fish floating around. You can actually have a fish tank in a kids bedroom with magical lighting for mood creation.

Apart from a kid's bedroom fish wall decor can be successfully used in public spaces such a restaurant where they serve seafood or even public spaces like museums, aquariums. Use of white and blue color schemes can easily and quickly give it an authentic fish theme look.

Interior Design Tips for Students

Many interior design students want to get into new home interior design. It is a fun career with lots of interaction with people. When people purchase a new home, they immediately want to start on designing. This is where the educated interior designer comes in handy. They will instruct their clients that major re-design could affect your decorating for years to come. If you choose a bold color for the walls, will your furniture be coordinated? Alternatively, do you have to purchase new furniture? Many people will paint their walls a neutral color and then alter their design plans later. It is easy to get carried away when all you see are large open empty rooms. Try working on one room at a time, that way you can blend one room into another.

Students will learn all aspects of new home interior design such as wallpapering is not as popular as it once was as many people have found that removing wallpaper is not a pleasant task. Instead of wallpaper for your new home interior design, choose a creative wall finish such as faux finishing, sponging or stenciling. These types of finish will add texture to your walls. In addition, they are easier to change than wallpaper. If you really must use wallpaper, try using just a border.

New home interior design can involve simple tips and or tricks that all students will learn. Such as for a small room, try a light wall color. For a large room try contrasting colors and textures. When you are ready to accessorize try using accent colors to really make the room modern and pleasing to the eye. Placing of mirrors and wall hangings such as pictures and art will go a long way in completing your new home interior design plans. However, do not over clutter the walls. Establish some key focal points around the room that will complement the overall design of your room.

The room sizes of your new home will likely be different from your previous home. Thus, it is important to plan the design themes of your new home. Get a tape measure, start measuring the dimensions of the rooms, and measure your furniture and even the doorways. You may find that the box spring will not go up the winding staircase thus causing you to create a main floor bedroom. New home interior design can be fun but also stressful and expensive for the client, so it is up to the designer to stay within the allotted budget and also provide an excellent service.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Cheapest Home Making And Interior Decorations

Are you desperately in need of a home makeover, but don't want to go into debt just trying to redecorate? If you want to smarten up a room but don't want to break the bank, keep reading for ten great tips that will help you with a bit of affordable and simple interior decorating.

1. Move the furniture around. Shift the furniture a short distance from the walls and reposition it at different and more appealing angles. Not only will you open up the space for conversation and flow, you'll change the total look and dimensions of the room.

2. Paint it. Paint is the cheapest home improvement project with the biggest impact. For a contemporary look, try painting just one wall with a favorite accent color. Your feature color can be as vibrant or as understated as you want, but make sure the rest of the room complements it. Alternatively, you can paint the room walls a solid, darker color - then once dry, lightly soak a new sponge into a lighter color paint and dab the walls with it to create attractive designs throughout.

To really attract attention to your focal wall, hang a piece of art or a favorite photograph. Instantly, your eyes will be drawn to that part of the room.

3. Bring the backyard inside. New plants are an easy way to add a touch of freshness to any room. Be sure to place an attractive plate or pan with turned up edges underneath to capture water that may leak out the bottom of the plant pot. If you're not a skilled gardener, opt for silk plants and trees for an artificial solution. You can also create an indoor green space by placing plants on a stacked holder in an unused corner.

4. Get a new rug. A new area rug is an easy way to make a room feel more cozy and comfortable. Find a rug that complements your space, but also has some color or an interesting design.

5. Make a photo collage on a focal wall. Collect frames at your local thrift shop, flea market or antique store and use them to make a photo collage on a favorite wall or up your stairway.

6. Update the fixtures and faucets. For relatively little cost, new plumbing fixtures are a simple way to make a space feel new and modern. Be sure to first turn off the water leading to the faucets before replacing fixtures.

7. Light up your life. Brighten up your space and your decorating style with new lamps. You can mix and match lamp shades and bases for a trendy, new lighting solution in any room.

8. Use wallpaper to create a textured wall. Textured wallpaper is hot and easy to paint over, so use it to give your walls an expensive, three-dimensional feel.

9. Replace your furniture hardware. Update your cabinetry and furniture with new knobs and pulls.

10. Get rid of clutter. It's simple and effective - getting rid of clutter is the easiest and cheapest way to instantly revitalize a space. Either donate or sell your unwanted items to create space and openness on a tight budget.

Interior Designing For The Guest Rooms

Is your guest room also an office or cramped storage space? Do you shove your guests in a basement room with little more than a pull-out couch and an old pillow? If so, it's time to update your space and give your guests a room they can call their own. They will enjoy their time with you more, and the room itself can help make a great impression about your entire home.

Transform that extra, unused room into an oasis to rival any boutique Bed and Breakfast with small luxuries and thoughtful touches that will really make your guests feel welcome. Here are 12 great guest room ideas just for you:

1. Leave a sewing kit in a drawer. Any lost buttons or torn hems can be easily and quickly mended.

2. Always put out fresh, luxury sheets. Opt for a higher thread count of cotton to give your guests the comfort of softness.

3. Use a fresh quilt or duvet cover. If you can't wash your duvet or quilt, freshen it by spraying it with diluted lavender water and allowing it to air dry on a bright and breezy day.

4. Put out nice, plush towels. Always leave your guests enough towels to get them through their visit and let them keep them either in their room or make space for them on your towel rack. Purchase enough of these towels in advance so there is a set for each individual who visits at the same time.

5. Make them feel like locals with maps and guidebooks for your area. Either have a set of maps and guides on hand for returning guests or simply pop over to the library to pick up a few books on the local layout.

6. Get a luggage rack. A luggage rack or even an extra chair for the room is a nice touch, that lets your guests feel a little less like they're living out of a suitcase.

7. Put out fresh flowers on the bedside table and make sure there is sufficient water for them to live through the duration of the visit. If the purchase of real flowers is an expense you'd rather not pay, then buy a silk flower arrangement and keep them in an attractive vase. Don't let them collect dust over time.

8. Give your guests a bit of entertainment. Either put a small television in the corner (with a pair of headphones in case jet-lagged visitors are having trouble sleeping) or a little stereo with a listing of popular local radio stations.

9. A terry cloth robe and fresh slippers are an unexpected treat that lets guests feel comfortable as they make their way to the shower or downstairs for coffee.

10. Always leave out extra blankets in case your guests get cold at night or prefer sleeping a little toastier.

11. Put a small coffee maker or tea kettle on a table in the corner. Include a tray with mugs, spoons and an assortment of coffees, herbal teas, sugar and creamers. Keep the carrying tray clean after spills.

12. Make your guests feel at home with extra closet hangers, lots of dresser space, a spare telephone and a laundry basket for their dirty clothes.

Friday, February 22, 2008

Lighting Bright WIth Antler Lamps

Antler lamps are wonderful for enhancing western home decor. So much more than average home lighting, antler lamps add charm to your environment. If you have a mountain cabin or southwestern home, the rustic character of antlers with their unique shapes and variations in natural color will give your area the unique old west style you desire.

Ranch owners as well as those designing modern log homes have used antler lamps for years as the beautiful rustic lighting to complete their ranch style home design. Because of the natural shape of antler lamps and chandeliers there is a unique beauty in the antlers themselves that wonderfully goes along with any variety of ranch style furniture. There is something dynamic about antler lamps that combines all the elements and gives off a sophisticated country feel within the room. Antler lamps have a unique quality about them that easily enhances rustic beauty in any environment.

Antler lamps also go along with many other rustic elements in home interior design. In the Northern states or "north woods" antlers may be put on snow shoes and complimented with rawhide lamp shades to fashion beautiful wall sconces. The light colored wood and rawhide lacing of the snow shoe, along with the leather binding and pleasant glow of the rawhide shade, make it a wonderful harmony. Weather you prefer to adorn your antler lamp with rustic light rawhide shades or western style dark rawhide lampshades, the choice is yours and the result will be beautiful.

Smaller antler chandeliers are sometimes made from whitetail deer antlers while large chandeliers may have many tiers of huge elk antlers. Weather your area is large or small an antler chandelier will enhance western decor.

In Jackson Hole, WY the downtown is embellished with arches made from Elk antlers. It is certainly one of a kind and you can create the same rustic look with antler lamps. Small lamps can be made from whitetail deer antlers while large chandeliers may have tiers of elk antlers with rawhide lampshades. One of the most sought after lamps is made with moose antlers, recognizable with their broad dark palms and beautiful dark rawhide lamp shades.

Throughout the year, groups and associations like the Boy Scouts will search for the prized sheds. If you ever find antler sheds in the wild, it is a thrilling event. Antler lamps bring that same spirit in your home and can change your home's atmosphere in a most exciting way.

Antlers are available in different qualities that are graded like rare coins. The best quality is awarded an "A" grade. The grading criteria, indirectly, has to do with the amount of time the sheds lie on the ground before found. The longer they are left on the ground, the more they lose their quality. Newer antler sheds will be a darker brown color. Sheds that are not discovered quickly will begin to fade in the sun until they are a chalky white. Another reason they loose their quality is because of chew marks from small rodents and stains from wet ground or moss.

There are also varying forms of making the antler lamps themselves. Some lamp makers simply glue the antlers together. Others may lash them together with rawhide thong for a western look. And some of the most appealing antler lamps may use a combination of glue, screws and lacing, with the holes sealed for a natural look. Better quality lamps will almost always use rawhide lamp shades.

Each antler is slightly varied than any other, so each antler lamp is a unique treasure and works wonderfully for rustic lighting. Try antler lamps with rawhide lamp shades in your home to create true rustic charm and to give it that warm, inviting look and feel that everybody loves.

Economy Of Good Interior Designing

Cheap and simple ideas for interior designing come in different forms these days. The industry from magazines to TV shows is in attempt teach consumer on designing cheap. These ideas of cheap interior designing would have left the interior designers of past horrified. Interior designing industry has a tremendous change in the past few years for the reason being better accommodation of consumers. Industry always had interior designing as prestige from its early years to mid era of evolution. Due to the fact that average consumers now ask for cost cutting in the designing, hence designing on cheap designs and budget has become the most interested and accepted topic. You also find designers insisting on the style and durability of the design that is identified with the brand name and contents, which again has a relation with the cost factor. Normal people don't share this thinking and hence the number of unpopular in the normal ranks of professionals has increased in the industry.

The key behind the marvelous and excellent rooms that created with the idea of cheap interior designing is better decision making. Spending money on little costly items in the room furniture and doing a cost-cut on smaller accessories or items can save enough money and yet help you to get the same appeal that the branded and expensive one would have given. The point of question that comes in to the mind is though the concept looks simple, alright where do we get such bargain pieces?

Bargain type stores are the best places to start with your hunting for items and ideas for a cheaper interior designing. These stores and items availability in such stores differs with regard to your location. Most of the times, you can find stores that sell little damaged items or bargain bins or store that sell items already used in a part of the cost related with the similar items bought in a store. Never overspend when you buy at these stores. Most of us have the inclination to buy those items in these that are again not good bargains or ones which we might not use. Keeping aside some money is all what counts. Shopping for a long time in such stores would help you get the perfect accessory or items that best fits into your space and lifestyle.

Sometimes bargains for accessories can be found easily when compared to others. When you are particular about an item and are still not able to find it then, try searching for a similar item that can take its place. A creative thinker who has the eagerness overcome the problems with cheap and unusual solutions has abundant ideas for cheap interior designs. Have an open mind for applications and possibilities of furniture. A solution that is pulled-together adds conversation and style part to any room.