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Decorating a Teak Patio Set For a Summer Party

admin — Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:33:52 +0000

A teak patio set, even by itself, brings class to your outdoor space. But sometimes special occasions, such as birthdays, parties, and holidays, call for extra decoration. Get ready for your summer party by selecting your decorations in coordinating colors and styles. Linens, lighting, centerpieces, chair decorations or cushions, and dishes all contribute to your theme. Extra flowers and lighting carry this same theme beyond the teak patio set out into the yard or garden. If you expect mosquitoes and other insects to present a problem, add citronella candles to your shopping list.
Table cloths and napkins can be an obvious way to carry out a color scheme. The style of linens you select will depend on the formality of your gathering. For instance, a formal party would probably call for cloth linens, whereas an informal gathering could use plastic tablecloths and paper napkins, or no tablecloths at all.
Lower or brighter lighting can affect the mood of your party. Use lanterns, strings of lights, lamps, or candles to add light and contribute to your decoration theme. Position larger light sources on side tables or edges of the patio. Smaller lights, such as tea or votive candles, can add a soft glow to your main tables.
Centerpieces should coordinate with the color of your linens and other decorations. You’ll want to consider the formality of your summer party once again when designing or purchasing centerpieces. Make the centerpieces yourself, contact a florist for help, or check stores for ready-made decorations that will require little or no assembly by you. Flowers, candles, edible decorations, and candy bowls are just a few of the options you have.
Consider either chair decorations or cushions. You might be able to either buy or sew simple chair cushions that coordinate with your other linens. Alternatively, you can decorate chairs by weaving ribbon through the slats of each chair’s back. You can use fabric slip covers. For a birthday party, you could attach favor bags to each seat.
Select dishes for guests seated at the teak patio set, as well as serving and appetizer dishes for buffet and side tables. Use dishes that coordinate with the linens and centerpieces. You could use traditional tableware, or choose from an array of disposable paper or plastic plates and utensils.
Remember to add other plants or flowers around the patio and back yard to carry the theme out into your surroundings. Lighting can also extend from your patio into your yard. String light on trees and bushes, or stake torches along a pathway.
Finish off by placing citronella candles around the teak patio set. These candles discourage insects from hovering around your guests and food.
Consider linens, lighting, centerpieces, chair decorations, dishes, surroundings, and mosquito control as you plan to decorate your teak patio set for a summer party. You use a unified look to create an inviting environment for your guests. Now sit back and enjoy the results of your planning and labor, as well as the pleasure of your guests.

Decorating Themes – Kickstart Your Interior Design Inspiration

admin — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:08:26 +0000

Do you feel a tad too bored every time you walk into your house? Does it seem like ages since you enjoyed your living space? If you answered yes to all of these queries then itâs high time you got around to refurbishing your home. How will you do this? Well, there are actually a number of ways. Various themes are available for you to pick from depending on your personal taste and preference. Yes, you donât have to stick to a Retro-inspired room if you always become dizzy from all the geometric patterns the minute you step into it all!For a homey appeal, a Country interior design scheme oozes comfort and serenity with its rustic glamour. Itâs a wonderful choice for people who like living in a space thatâs free of all the ruffles and frills. Far from the typical primitive country cabin, this style has evolved to produce a look thatâs still undoubtedly country but is sophisticatedly urban at the same time. There are different variations of this theme. You can choose from styles that are ruggedly Tuscan, French-inspired, Victorian, or the regular American Country cottage. All of these styles lend an ambience thatâs relaxing in its stark rural simplicity.If you gravitate towards a space that exudes elegance and style then the sophistication of a Modern-themed home will suit you the most. This look can be achieved by using tones that blend with the background. Basic colors such as white, black and beige are particularly needed to achieve this effect. So if you are thinking of red, orange or green, then drop that brush! Geometrical patterns star in this theme as opposed to symmetrical ones. If you are a sucker for fancy things, then this minimalist style will be something you have to gradually adapt to.Western-style homes still connect to home-makers with their Native American influences, but other themes that are slightly more shabby and cowboy-friendly are gaining popularity too. With this type of dÃ©cor, opt for warm hues of taupe, temperate shades of red and a splash of green on the walls. To polish this look, leather, stone and wooden furnishings are must-buy options. Antlers and other nature-inspired pieces accentuate this theme as well. Itâs like living in the wild without the fear of having bears lurking nearbyâ¦If youâre a beach bum who spends more time under the sun rather than indoors, then a nautical theme might probably change your mind! Now you donât necessarily have to own a lighthouse to pull this off. All it takes is a major color change that celebrates bright white and azure blues that remind you of lazy days by the sea. Decorate using pieces from your sailing trips, exquisite shells, and even ship-inspired items! If the white-blue combo isnât for you, then be inspired by sandy hues matched with sea green tones that bring back memories of summer!Do you want to feel like youâre walking through a refreshing rainforest? Now you can. The tropical theme assures you of a space that comes alive with bursts of green, auburn and beige. Add to this several palm tree designs and animal prints and youâll be surprised at the relaxing effect it radiates. Rattan furniture, along with sturdy wooden pieces, blends with this theme pretty well. Furnishings made of iron can also add to this tropical theme. Throw pillows and plush cushions in various shades of taupe, sage and white will complete your roomâs overall tropical vibe. Now all you need are some piÃ±a colladas!Asian-style homes are well-known for their elegant spaces and minimal use of dÃ©cor. If youâre looking for a quiet retreat after a long dayâs work, then this theme is a winner! Its completely calming effect is probably due to its clutter-free approach to style. Emphasis is placed on creating a place for relaxation and meditation. Popular hues revolve around rich blacks, warm reds, refreshing greens and sleek browns. Scented candles in simple holders, screens, mirrors, oriental pillows and an Orchid placed in a nice vase- these are all suitable accessories for this Asian-inspired nook.Choose a theme thatâs tailored for you. Then add signature pieces that give justice to your unique personality. Remember, you can never be too âat homeâ in your own space – indulge!

Interior Design and Decorating – The How To

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 20:08:27 +0000

After the hassles of a nine-to-five job, itâs nice to come home to a place that lets you get rid of all those negative and undue tensions. The home is a space that is sole witness to your familyâs bonding moments and celebrations of special occasions. It is where you rest, dine, and find your loved ones at the end of the day.

Itâs no surprise why almost everybody is interested in interior design. After all, making memories will be much more enjoyable when you have a nice background for all these unrepeatable moments. Due to the overwhelmingly numerous design ideas to choose from, most people however, get quite wary of the job.Â They often think they should hire a professional to do the entire task for them. If you happen to be one of these people, then here are some decorating tips that will leave you wondering why it took you so long to start your home makeover!Firstly, every endeavor reaps benefits from doing some research at the very start. So grab all the lifestyle and home-making magazines you can find and start browsing through them. Look at all the pictures of houses and rooms that you think are really impressive. Once you select these photos, try to discover the underlying patterns. It could be that out of all the pictures youâve seen, you happen to have a penchant for nautical-inspired themes. Or among all the rooms that you like, the common ground is that it should be something quaintly Victorian. Having established this, you are now one step closer to singling out your dream theme!Now, it is really, really important that you employ one single theme for a room. Donât get all experimental and match Country with Tropical influences, if you want to avoid having confused house guests. For the kitchen area, a great choice would be something Tuscan. The French country design is also quite in demand. However, matching these two themes may give your kitchen that haphazard look. Donât even think about it. If you get bored with a particular theme, you can always put away items from a specific theme and swap them for other pieces. For instance, changing the living room from a Cowboy theme to an Asian means you have to tuck away all those antlers and leather furnishings for a start. Another tip would be to reduce the dÃ©cor hoarding. If you love impulse buying, make sure you donât make it too obvious by cramming all those home dÃ©cor items in the living room for everybody to see! Remember that themes should be constant in a specific space and add-onâs that donât quite belong should be left on the shelf. If you really think a particular ornament is too unique to pass up, exchange this for one item in your living room instead of simply putting it there. That way, you wonât have too much going on in one corner of the room. One last thing, be sure you’re happy with the choices you make. Ok, so those magazine lay-outs are to die for, but is it what you really want to come home to? And although most would argue that a safe paint job is the best bet, indulge in a room in rich vibrant red! Thereâs nothing wrong with giving in to your ultimate fantasies once in a while. Besides, if you have to sell it or transfer to another house someday, the problem is a piece of cake when you have a can of paint!

Bedroom Decorating Ideas – Creating A Haven of Peace

admin — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 19:08:25 +0000

Does your bedroom feel like a smorgasbord of sorts? Do you end up digging up stuff from the artistic clutter that barely leaves you room to see the bottom of your bedroom floor? Although you might disagree with giving up some stuff because they appeal to your sentimental side, a chaotic space barely offers you relaxation every time you are in need of some serious rest.There are numerous design ideas to choose from if you want to update your room. Remember, this is your very own private space so you need to choose a theme that reflects your whole personality. Decide on something you can still ultimately live with several years after. Look into several ideas first just to make sure you have a variety of themes to select from.Are you a globe-trekker who loves the outdoors? Why not bring the wild into your space by introducing room accessories that remind you of a day at the beach or a mountain top view? Pick out rugged pieces of furniture like pine and other types of wood that are very “earthy”. Twigs and branches make for very interesting materials as well. Lend some tropical color to your walls too while you’re at it. This means painting with azure blue, forest green or simple white hues. Rattan is also a great option for chairs or tables, bamboo is another great option too.If you are a certified beach bum, then by all means give your room some much needed vacation time too. Again, for this specific look, shades of green, white and blue reflect the ocean and the wide open sky during a clear summer day. Sandy colors or even a bit of gray wonât hurt as well. You can even utilize some sea shells you might have lying around from your last trip to the coves. Paint your existing furniture and wicker chairs in startling white to enhance that beach appeal. Being hopelessly romantic? Then a room reminiscent of Victorian times would be just the theme for you. To create this centuries old look, paint your walls a rich dark red or a warm brown. Add some exquisite fabrics and a few wrought-iron pieces to give you that romantic air. Choose furniture thatâs made of mahogany to complete the overall effect of the room. A dark wood like Cherry is a charming alternative too. If you want to suggest an Asian-inspired room, go for rattan instead of heavy wooden furnishings. Are you a fan of the 50âs or 60âs? A vintage-themed room is also an intriguing option. Give your space the retro look by picking pieces in bright orange or dark green. Look through thrift stores for exquisite antique items as well. Old appliances may need a check-up with a reliable electrician too – just to be on the safe side. You donât want to end up burning your newly furnished room to the ground, right?Whatever theme you decide on, stick to it to avoid having a room thatâs an undecided mixture of various influences. At the end of a tiring day, you want to have a space thatâs welcoming and entirely stress-free. If it happens to be stylish and trendy, then thatâs a bonus that will have you sleeping snugly each and every night – sweet dreams!

Create Your Own Bedroom Getaway – Fall Decorating Idea

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 03:08:45 +0000

Fall is a great time to give some rooms around the house an “update”. With summer behind us we will be spending a lot more time indoors for the next several months and wouldn’t it be more exciting if we could spend some of that time in a bedroom we just love and can’t wait to see every morning and night? What I mean, is creating a getaway of sorts, a place you can go that you just love to spend time without spending a lot of money as vacations aren’t feasible for many these days.

Lets start with the idea of something that will help you rejuvenate the body and mind every day. It is essential that we clear our minds from the stress of each day and find balance. A wall hanging fountain can do this. Not only will it help you relax with the flowing water sounds, wall fountains are beautiful and unique so you are adding a decorating piece to your room that you will enjoy for many, many years. The soothing water sounds will help you sleep and help you feel refreshed when you wake up.

Wall mounted fountains offer so many options these days as interior designers are utilizing them more and more in their designs and decorating ideas. If you have a contemporary style decor in your bedroom, go with a stainless steel wall fountain with a black slate or silver mirrored face. Looking for a more natural look? Try the beauty of natural copper with many different face options such as rajah slate (earthy tones), green slate, black or marble. You will also find the unique art wall fountains that are hand painted, there are over 100 to choose from or customize your own image. There are so many options and all will provide the wonderful soothing sounds of flowing water.

So, as you prepare for the upcoming winter months redecorate with a wall fountain! Bringing nature indoors has become an increasing trend in 2008 due to everyone being more environmentally focused. You will be surprised how much you enjoy bringing nature in to your home with a water fountain. A couple tips to go by when hanging your wall fountain:

Rejuvenate, redecorate and create your bedroom getaway today with a wall mounted fountain. You will not be disappointed and will be amazed at the effect the flowing water sounds will have on your mind and body.

Teen Decorating – How To Create A Bedroom You Both Will Love!

admin — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 03:08:41 +0000

When it comes to teen decorating there is much to consider as far as their bedroom is concerned. The reason for this is because before your bundle of joy grew into a teenager, the room they occupied was primarily designed to allow for safe playing and romping.
But now those days are about gone and your child thinks that he or she “is practically a grown up”, and their bedroom is no longer a sandbox. It’s their personal sanctuary.
As you well know, teens crave privacy, and they will spend large amounts of time buried in their room. So, it’s important that you give them furnishings that will provide comfort. And they should be granted a certain degree of freedom to makeover their room as they see fit (of course, with your approval of their teen decorating choices).
The big difference between teen decorating and decorating for younger children is that teens are very self-conscious about how their bedrooms look. As such, they will want you to have as little involvement in their bedroom decorating choices as possible.
I know, I know….it’ll take you a little while to get used to this role, but it is important that you give your teen a good bit of freedom to make their own choices and grow.
Now, there’s something else you should know. Most teen decorating themes are chosen for how they make the teen feel, rather than how it looks. Strange, but true.
Teenagers make a great effort to confound logic and order, and are at that stage where they are striving to be recognized as individuals. In decorating, they will do this by using what most interests them to express themselves. And they will turn to these things when they need sanctuary, and wish to hibernate.
Therefore, while you may not completely understand or agree with their teen decorating selections, it’s a good idea to just let them mature and grow in an environment that gives them solace and makes them feel comfortable.
Possible teen decorating ideas that your teen may enjoy include the following:
- Vibrant paint colours for the walls
- Fuzzy chairs
- Area rugs
- Daybeds
- Beds with Trundles
- Whacky shaped objects (lamps, clocks ect.)
- Posters
- Pictures of family and friends
- Bookshelves
- Mirrors
It’s also quite common for teen decorating to include certain themes. Some of the most popular teen decorating themes tend to be:
- Nature – wildlife, trees, plants, etc.
- Entertainment – music, movies, etc.
- Sports – baseball, football, hockey, etc.
Another thing you’ll want to take into account when considering teen decorating is that studying will play a much bigger role in their lives. That being the case, if your teen does not have a computer in his or her room, you may want to seriously consider purchasing them one, because the vast majority of teens prefer studying and doing homework in their room compared to anywhere else.
Now, I shouldn’t have to say it, but be very careful when it comes to the computer and your teen. You’ve probably heard horror stories about child predators lurking on the Internet. So, pay attention to what your teen does with their computer. Just because they think they are “practically adults”, it doesn’t mean they are mentally ready to make all adult decisions and handle the consequences.
In addition to the above, multi-function furniture such as stackable crates and bins are a great and inexpensive way for your teen to neatly store all of their items.
Although teen decorating may cause you moments of frustration and cringing, it is something that your child will enjoy, and is important to them. So, just bear with them. After all, it won’t be long before they are off to college.

Lighten Up! Interior Design and Home Decorating Lighting Tips

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:08:16 +0000

“Tips to help you select the perfect light for your room.”
Part II
Before you choose a light, you may want to know some basic terminology used in selecting and measuring light. Four terms or units of measurement of light are footcandles, candelas, lumens, and footlamberts.
FOOTCANDLES:
Footcandles (fc) is the amount of light hitting a surface. Specifically, one footcandle equals the illumination produced by the source of one candle falling on one square foot of surface at a distance of one foot from the source of light.
The amount of light (or fc) that a space should have depends on the task to be performed in the illuminated area and the age of the person using the space (as we age we typically need more light to perform certain tasks). For example a dining area may only require around 10-20 footcandles, while in the home office you may want 100 footcandles or more.
CANDELAS/ CANDLEPOWER:
Candlepower describes how intense light output will be in a certain direction or at a specific point. Candlepower distribution curves are available from most lamp manufacturers and can help you determine how to ensure that the appropriate level of brightness is delivered in you room.
LUMENS:
Lamps are typically rated by manufacturers in terms of lumens, or the amount of light output from that lamp. Lumens are also used to measure efficacy (the amount of lumens produced per watt of electricity consumed). One of the reasons many people switch from incandescent bulbs to fluorescent bulbs is because the fluorescent bulbs have a higher efficacy (they produce more light).
FOOTLAMBERTS:
Much of the lighting in a space is actually contributed by light reflected from a surface. Footlamberts (fL) measure the amount of light reflected from a surface. If you want to get really technical, (fL= fc x % reflectance). For example, if 100fc reach a wall or table that is painted with a 40% reflective surface, then 40fL will reflect from that surface.
Regardless of what type of home you reside in, whether it be a condo in the city, an apartment on the edge of town or you simply just want to decorate the smaller rooms inside of your home; interior design can be a challenge in this type of environment because of the limited space and options. However, you can still maintain a sense of style without requiring a large area of space, because essentially it is only one room that you are decorating; right? If you keep things simple and organized, home decor selection for small rooms can be easy!
If you take the right design approach, you can simplify the decorating process and make it so that the room seems larger than it really is, once the process is all said and done. Focusing on organization and storage will help you create an atmosphere that is not only functional and elemental, but also very structured or random depending on which way you wanted to take it. In some cases, randomness in room construction can make for an interesting design process.
Take into consideration the following when preparing your plan for the room:
A small room must have plenty of lighting because this really helps to visually open up space. If it is possible, consider a built-in lighting structure such as track or recessed elements. If this is not a possibility or is overbudget, use small accent lamps to light up the corners.
Coordinate your palette and the room will come together by itself. Keep in mind the above mentioned techniques and just have fun with it!

Oprah’s Interior Design Secrets – Home Decorating Inspired by Nate Berkus

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 14:08:38 +0000

It is no secret that Nate Berkus is Oprah’s preferred interior decorator. Nate Berkus is a very familar name in interior design. In addition to appearing on Oprah’s show, he has been feature in numberous publications.Nate Berkus’s style of decorating is very similar to contemporary or modern decor. One of the biggest similarities is Berkus’s distaste for clutter. If you are a pack rat, it is time to break that habit. In Berkus’s eyes, less is more. Allow your visitor’s attention to gravitate to one or two main pieces and discard random knick knacks.Nate’s decorating style also features random, unique pieces of furniture. Add an exotic shaped chair of ottoman to your space. Dare to be different and veer away from your traditional recliners. In terms of living room or dining room furniture, say goodbye to purchasing a matching set with the chair, sofa and love seat. Pair together two red chairs with a totally different patterned sofa. Use your imagination and create an exotic and unique look for your space. Instead of those plastic trees that sell like hot cakes, veer over to the nursery and purchase some live plants and flowers. The greenery will provide a pinch of color to your space.Finally if you decide to dress your windows, stay away form patterned window treatments. Nate Berkus is a fan of neutral colored window coverings if the windows are dressed. If you have difficulty selecting window coverings, it is always an option to leave your windows bare if privacy is not an issue.

8 Tips For Decorating A Small Bedroom

admin — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:07:59 +0000

When decorating a small bedroom then it makes sense wherever possible to conserve the floor space you have in order to make a cramped room feel larger than it really is. Below are some small bedroom decorating ideas which should help you to achieve the right result for such a small space.
1. If you do not have enough space in the room for small bedside table then why not place a wall mounted shelf next to the bed. It will have enough space on it to place an alarm clock, books, photos and other items which will personalize the space for you.
2. If you do not have the room for a bureau or closet then use under bed storage instead. They can either be made from inexpensive plastic or if you wish you can have some made to order from wood. But it is important that you have enough space beside the bed so that you can pull them out when you need access to them.
3. For those of you who want to watch a little TV before going to sleep then fit either a wall or ceiling mounted TV stand. You will be able to purchase one in any good DIY store or store that specializes in storage products.
4. The colours that you use on your walls in a small bedroom should be neutral tones and only 2 or 3 hues of this colour should be used in the room. It is important that you paint the moldings and doors in the room in the same colours as the walls by using contrasting colours you will be making the room feel smaller than it is. The ceilings should be painted white as they will provide a sense of height to the room.
5. The furniture for such a room should be clean lined and have small delicate patterns on it which will help to foster the illusion of space.
6. Open up the room by maximizing any views that it may have of the outdoors by using light fabrics or blinds at the windows.
7. Ensure that the room is well illuminated as this will also provide a sense of space in such a small room.
8. If you are able to add a mirror in a position opposite a natural form of light as this will help to provide further light into a room and therefore create the illusion of space.
Hopefully the small bedroom decorating ideas that have been provided above will help to create the haven of peace and tranquility that you are looking for in such a confined space.

Tips For Decorating A Small Attic Bedroom

admin — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:08:02 +0000

In many homes, the attic bedroom is a must, so you want to be sure it has a fantastic design style. But what can you do when the space is very tiny? Fortunately, there are several decorating philosophies available for decorating a small attic bedroom.
There are many styles which you can use in smaller rooms, even still you want to be sure to go with the ones which enhance the features of smaller spaces. Clutter could make even the largest of attics appear small, so having a lot of junk in an already small room will need to be avoided.
When purchasing furniture for your attic room stick with pieces which are diminutive in size. Using underbed storage, instead of bureas, will make a big difference in space, but still allow storage of clothing. All small scaled accessories and furniture could be monotonous and you might want to add interest by decorating with some bigger pieces, so mix your underbed storage, add into your design a big cheval mirror- this can add charm and make the room look larger also.
Choose the colors for the attic room with care because various colors could help make it look larger. If you had always believed that you must keep your smaller rooms painted white, then here is some interesting news for you. You are able to have color and still make the attic room feel larger by using colors which reflect equal brightness, or choosing a monochromatic color palette. So you can paint with all pale blue, or stick to high intensity colors in the same range such as red and orange. You could usually add unique interest and depth to a room by painting one wall a deep, intense hue. For wall shades, pale tones such as blueish gray will provide an overall larger appearance as they give the feel of the walls receding. If you consider gray to be too boring, you can in effect use any cool paint color like green, blue or purple to come up with the same feeling.
Decorating a room with a particular decorating theme in mind could also help to make ideal use of the attics space. Keep in mind designs which allow for a variety of baskets and shelving since these can be used for extra storage. Seeing as this should be a cozy, comfortable space you must ensure to pick a decorating approach you like.
Furniture placement is another thing to consider when decorating a small attic bedroom. If you fancy a decorating style which looks wonderful and also harmonizes your life, think about using Feng Shui when decorating your attic room. Unhindered access into a room can make it seem larger, so put your furniture away from the doors. In most cases, if you can focus the eye on the bigger pieces like a big mirror, it may help the room appear more spacious.
These ideas allow decorating a small attic bedroom to be easy and also effortless. Use your creativity and imagination and you might create a small sized attic room that is big on decorating style in no time.