About Cynthia Home

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Lighten Up a Room!

As we welcome winter's ice chest temperatures, we're faced with shorter years and diminishing light. By drawing visible visible visible light into a room, you cut down energy necessitates and maximise the season's waning light.

Day lighting is created by using natural light rather than generating through electricity. 40% of heat energy energy that flights and 50% of solar heat that comes in your place is through windows. Energy efficiency is especially of import during cold wintertimes and sun-saturated summers.

With efficient window coverings, you can command how much natural visible visible light come ups into your room, and direct that light to where it's needed. In ice chest weather, window natural coverings aid forestall heat energy inside from escaping. Window shadiness cells trap common cold air, decreasing the strength as it comes in the room, which translates into important public utility measure savings. A ternary cell honeycomb shadiness will increase efficiency more than dual on a double-glaze window. Effective window natural coverings will protect piece of furniture and floorings against noxious ultraviolet rays.

Innovative blinds offering many options, such as as, top down to allow light in while maintaining privacy. Window natural coverings travel beyond energy nest egg by enhancing the beauty of your place by adding a splash of coloring material on the inside, while maintaining achromatic to the outside. Motorization using place mechanization controls blinds automatically based on the sun to maintain heat energy in or out, depending on the season.

Through place automation, visible lights can be dimmed and automatically turned off after a clip period of time or inaction in a room. When you travel forth your house or go to sleep, place mechanization can turn all lights, TVs, stereos, and contraptions off with a single button. House temperature can be regulated through place automation.

Isn't it clip to take control?

Labels: , , , , ,

Friday, January 16, 2009

Creating a Space That is Reflective of You!

This article is a hot topic. I was recently asked via a monthly column in which I lend by answering designing quandaries from the public. How to cognize where to best disburse your finances if your style is __________? As I was responding, and trying to maintain it brief, I soon realized I could travel on for years about this topic alone.

I felt it was an of import inquiry meriting of an of import answer. First of all "you" never travels out of style. If you are passionate about something, you will likely love it forever. The most of import portion of this equation is truly the defining what "you" means, in relation to designing for your home.

Are you a snappish dresser? Bash you follow trends? Are you traditional, modern, or contemporary? Bash you bask wearing colour? Bash colors typically intimidate you? Bash you have on bold patterns? Bash you put in points you love, a car, a handbag, a great suit? Ask yourself these questions. Take cues from your closet. Ask your friends, what they experience is representative of you.

Tip # 1 measure back and reappraisal your existent collections. What's staying? What make you love! Keep these points separate; take digital photographs transport them with you. Most people realize. They are likely common denominators all through out your home; you just have got to acknowledge what it is you're looking for.

Take newspaper clippings from assorted magazines, and hunt the internet. What make you love? Are you able to acknowledge what you are drawn to instantly? If so look at the point or items, you have got preliminarily selected, do they make you experience good? Bash they animate you? Bash they do anxiety? Bash you experience overwhelmed at the idea of adding it to your space? If so, it's not for you. Trust your instincts; typically things don't turn on you over time, if it's not for you it's not for you (that simple). Rich Person you ever been in a dressing room with a commissioned gross sales individual who inquires you to come up out? The point is wretched, but she states you it looks amazing! Did you purchase it? (Same regulations use here).

Tip #2 Make not urge buy! Window shop, browsing takes a camera. Chink away at all the points you believe you may desire to integrate in your new space. Bash not over think at this step. Cost isn't an issue. Simply what catches you? Let your human inherent aptitude be your guide.

The full conception of defining a space that is brooding of you is simply by using a series of commodity that do you experience fabulous over and over and over! The subconscious mind plays a immense function here; colour, scents, and visuals impact us tremendously, even if we are unaware. Each component furnishings, scale, wall colour, accessories, lighting plays a important role. Therefore it is of import to understand who "you" are. A wise adult male once said, the fine art of being wise is apprehension what to overlook. This could not be more than in true in all facets of life, however particularly with design.

Tip #3 Reevaluate all of your photos. Narrow down. Measure your demands vs. wants. How much storage make you require? None? Then get rid of any point you photographed which houses goods. If you necessitate seating, lighting, carpet & draperies, then choose cardinal points based on your finds. Bash they connect? Read on....

Best analogy here is walking into a shop or dress shop when absolutely nil is relatable. You experience cold, and can't wait to acquire out. On the other manus ever walk into a space, which is so charming you make not desire to leave. Everything is so astonishing that you are not able to even define which point is better than the next. It then shifts from a room full of points to, a mood, a feeling which is representative of ahhhh (insert deep breath) I could dwell here!

Tip #4 this fast one is called using an "anchor", an ground tackle is an point perhaps a carpet or piece of fine art which links the space to others. So often terminology such as as flowing and continuity is thrown around; however few cognize how to truly accomplish it. Look for your "anchor". Are it a coloring material in a cloth which also draws from another room? Perhaps? I believe by following these tips and tricks, there will undoubtedly be some lucidity as to what defines you.

So adjacent clip you take your deep breath, compliment yourself. The space which you were working so difficult to implement is brooding of you! Enjoy!

Labels: , , , , ,

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Building a Home From Scratch

I compose this article with a pang of hurting felt from still unfastened wounds.

I have got spent the last 14 calendar months designing and usage edifice our new home. I can state you with complete certainty -- the accent involved in making 24-hour decisions about your new place and maintaining your existent place as well as raising your family, (and oh yes in my lawsuit also doing this for a living) even with a strong emphasis on planning, Building-From-Scratch is not for the faint of heart!

I would never wish to deter anyone from doing this venture as I am sure, similarly to kid birth; this volition all soon be forgotten (or almost). However I felt the demand to share this from a fresh perspective.

To enable anyone looking into achieving such as a undertaking in the close hereafter check, bank bank check and recheck the insurmountable listing of demands vs. wants. Revisit your budget and clearly define who is responsible for what. A decision-maker should be named who will take control of the communication, or in some lawsuits deficiency thereof. Convert person to volunteer to take on the reins on the finance side of things to guarantee the railroad train is kept on track. Reappraisal what is taking topographic point and when (preliminary schedule). Last but not least you must have got contact listings of all the bomber suppliers so that you will be able to entree and pass on with them if not able to attain the general? Oh, you ARE the general? Well then all the more than ground to read on....

How make you prefer to communicate? E-mail, conference call, fax? Whatever your poison, guarantee everyone else is on the same page. If telephone phone calls are your "thing", then I counsel that you have got a written recapitulation and mark off system in topographic point so when the derailing gets you'll hopefully cognize before hand. I detest to state it, as I am the ageless optimist, but it WILL go on on one degree or another. So much transpires via the human race of reading --"Oh I'm sorry, I thought you meant..." Anytime you can head off a job with a written document, drawing, alteration order or better yet, a land site reappraisal with a ocular and auditory explanation, the better! Two words OVER COMMUNICATE!

Share everything no substance how unimportant you construe it to be. Share, collaborate, outcry and laugh. Find your interior strength. Acknowledge flawlessness is not an option here. Plan to be disappointed at times, elated at others. Building from the land up is a journey. I have got learned so many valuable lessons. Embrace the positives! Remember that when one door folds another opens. What doesn't kill you really will make you stronger!

For more than information and tips relating to edifice or renovating, delight bank check our website http://www.decorbyjennifer.com You'll take a breath a suspiration of alleviation if you do. Best of Luck!

Insert deep breath here, first manus experience offerings no better benefit!

Labels: , , , , , ,

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Beautify Your Home With Contemporary Art

If you're looking for something to fill up up your wall space and do it look more than interesting, why not seek modern-day art. Contemporary art, in itself, doesn't always have got to intend anything. Contemporary fine art is often not a direct mental mental representation of something in its true form, but rather it is an abstract representation of it. Contemporary fine art come ups in many different styles - some are wild splashes of loud color, others have got smooth lines and warm colours that give a sense of composure when looked upon. Many of these modern-day fine art pieces were painted a long clip ago - some of them from celebrated people that are known to many of us. Having a reproduced black and white of these artist's great plant will definitely be an interesting improver to your home. Imagination having an fine art piece in your life room that was originally painted by Pablo Pablo Picasso or Empire State Of The South O'Keeffe - that would be nice wouldn't it? As modern-day fine fine art stretches across so many genres and forms, it be givens to intermix very well into most place decorating styles.

Once you have got bought your favourite art piece, believe of alone ways of presenting it to your audience. If you have got respective pieces of fine art that you desire to hang on the wall, seek grouping them creatively to add a more than interesting look. If the fine art piece is little enough, why not frame in it and topographic point it on a shelf or side tabular array - it's nice to be able to pick it up to have got a near expression once in a while. Art doesn't have got to be hung on the wall. You can simply put it on the flooring and thin it against a wall or a piece of furniture, perhaps against a closet or side tabular array - just do certain that the fine fine fine art piece will not blockade walkways, and that it isn't too big or too little that would do it look out of place.

Just hanging a eremitic piece of art on the wall may not be enough, why not state a narrative by including accoutrements or other cosmetic decorations to compliment the art work. For example, if you have got a piece of Asiatic modern-day fine art on the wall, you can put a little java tabular array below it and decorate it with Asiatic old-timers - maybe include some rock carvings of Buddha, or perhaps a few tapers or flowers to add more than assortment and complete the look. Brand certain that the points you take will accommodate the subject of the fine fine art piece and not steal attending away from it.

Once the art is hung on the wall, usage originative lighting to convey attending to it and to give it a arresting look. This volition certainly impart exhilaration and be a point for interesting conversation, especially in the eves when you're having a nice cocktail political party with your invitees - or perhaps enjoying some particular clip alone with a loved one.

There are many exciting ways you can expose your fine art in your home. This article only foregrounds a few of them. Be audacious and alone - allow your hair down when it come ups to creativity. There are no difficult and fast regulations in interior decorating. If you're short-change on ideas, expression through your favourite place decorating mags and books to pull new inspiration. The originative possibilities are endless.

Copyright 2008 Edwin Mah

Labels: , , , , ,

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Decorating With Books

Books are an built-in portion of many peoples homes, yet arranging them to be utile and attractive remains a mulct art. Many publishing houses are not obliging adequate to print their novels in complimentary colors. Your favourite books may look a small shabby, especially the paperbacks. Different sizes of books can be hard to set up attractively. However, there are ways that you can include your books in your interior decoration without tossing out your old faithfuls or purchasing only books with bluish covers.

The layout of your place is going to find how your books are going to be placed to some degree. Bookshelves can be flexible; you can utilize some deep 1s to make a "nook" for a desk or window hideaway. If you don't have got got a batch of space for a bookshelf in the country where you desire to hive away books, you still have some options. Bookshelves, fortunately, are coming in many different designings to suit books in topographic points that were previously unsuited for book storage. The Sapien Bookcase, a tall, thin bookshelf capable of holding up to 70 texts, is one illustration of this. You can happen out more than by visiting the Design Within Range website (dwr.com).

Figure out how you desire to split your books. Should it be on subject or genre? Size? Are you going to set up them alphabetically by statute title or author? You have got many choices. Some people have got gone so far as to set up all their books by color, irrespective of subject. Others have got divided books by the room they will be of most usage in; for example, cookery books and books on nutrient being placed in the kitchen. (The 1 caution lecturer you must take into consideration is books in the bathroom. The humidness will deflection and otherwise harm books left in the room for any length of time.)

Unless you only purchase books for their appearance, you will desire to be able to entree them quickly for reading. No substance what your storage solution is, it must be practical. Books should be placed so that they are not compromised by physical objects in presence of or on top of them. One method to make word form and mathematical function is to utilize books that are vertically stacked as bookends for horizontally stacked ones. Another is to utilize heavier cosmetic points as bookends.

If you are concerned with the visual aspect of a few well-worn favorites, you can better their visual aspect by repairing or replacing torn dust jackets, gluing spines, and tape torn covers. Another option is having the full book recoil or rebinding yourself. There are resources on the Internet for those interested in rebinding worn books themselves. If you are really ambitious, you can rebind books with colours that expression exceptionally good on your shelves.

By taking some clip to set up your books in pleasing forms and keeping them in good repair, you can do your book aggregation both aesthetically pleasing and useful. This volition heighten the overall experience of your place and do your books more than just depositories of information, but cosmetic assets in their ain right.

Labels: , , , ,

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

12 Guest Room Decoration Tips

Is your invitee room also an business office or cramped storage space? Bash you jostle your invitees in a cellar room with small more than than a pull-out sofa and an old pillow? If so, it's clock to update your space and give your invitees a room they can name their own. They volition bask their clip with you more, and the room itself can assist do a great feeling about your full home.

Transform that extra, fresh room into an oasis to equal any dress shop Bed and Breakfast with little extravagances and thoughtful touchings that will really do your invitees experience welcome. Here are 12 great invitee room thoughts just for you:

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

2. Always set out fresh, extravagance sheets. Choose for a higher yarn count of cotton wool to give your invitees the comfortableness of softness.

3. Use a fresh comforter or eiderdown cover. If you can't rinse your eiderdown or quilt, freshen it by spraying it with diluted lavender H2O and allowing it to air out dry on a bright and breezy day.

4. Put out nice, lavish towels. Always leave of absence your invitees enough towels to acquire them through their visit and allow them maintain them either in their room or do space for them on your towel rack. Purchase enough of these towels in progress so there is a set for each individual who sees at the same time.

5. Brand them experience like locals with maps and guides for your area. Either have got a set of maps and ushers on manus for returning invitees or simply protrude over to the library to pick up a few books on the local layout.

6. Get a baggage rack. A baggage rack or even an other chair for the room is a nice touch, that allows your invitees experience a small less like they're living out of a suitcase.

7. Put out fresh flowers on the bedside tabular array and do certain there is sufficient H2O for them to dwell through the continuance of the visit. If the purchase of existent flowers is an disbursal you'd rather not pay, then purchase a silk flower agreement and maintain them in an attractive vase. Don't allow them accumulate dust over time.

8. Give your invitees a spot of entertainment. Either put option a small telecasting in the corner (with a brace of earphones in lawsuit jet-lagged visitants are having problem sleeping) or a little stereo system with a listing of popular local radiocommunication stations.

9. A Terry fabric robe and fresh carpet slippers are an unexpected dainty that allows invitees experience comfy as they do their manner to the lavish or downstairs for coffee.

10. Always leave of absence out other covers in lawsuit your invitees acquire cold at nighttime or prefer sleeping a small toastier.

11. Put a little java shaper or tea boiler on a tabular array in the corner. Include a tray with mugs, spoons and an mixture of coffees, herbal teas, refined sugar and creamers. Keep the carrying tray clean after spills.

12. Brand your invitees experience at place with other cupboard hangers, tons of chest of drawers space, a trim telephone set and a wash handbasket for their soiled clothes.

Labels: , , , , , ,

Saturday, March 01, 2008

Stumped on a Decorating Scheme? Try Black and White

Black and achromatic are a hot combination these days. The colours are turning up everywhere -- furnishings, fashion, cook ware, serving ware, linens, gadgets, storage products, paper products, and more. In fact, it's hard to avoid achromatic and white. Why is this colour strategy popular?

For one thing, the colour strategy have been around for centuries. "Decorating in Black and White," an article by Coral Nafie on the About.com Web site, believes achromatic and achromatic are a arresting combination. Black can anchor a room, Nafie says, and also adds sophistication. She mentions the designer's regulation of adding a small achromatic to every room to make drama. I've tried this and it works.

Black and achromatic came to my head the other day. Respective old age ago my hubby and I renovated our maestro bath. We installed an old-timer claw-foot bathtub (re-surfaced ), A separate lavish with rainfall glass, new tile flooring, brushed Ni lighting and towel bars. The off-white floor tiles have got a run of suntan in them and the dual sink top is achromatic granite. There are two achromatic granite shelves next to the tub. As much as I love our maestro bath, it misses punch.

I tried to add poke by changing the colour of the towels. Tan towels didn't work because they were bland. Picket bluish towels were so-so. Though achromatic towels were okay, and easy to bleach, but the room was just too white. So I took a opportunity and bought achromatic towels. The towels were on sale and, if they didn't look good, I wasn't out a batch of money.

When I hung the towels on the towel parallel bars our maestro bath suddenly had punch. The achromatic towels brought out the granite sink top and shelves. I liked the expression of achromatic against the flooring tiles and our off-white, Polar Bear walls. Adding achromatic to our maestro bath changed the expression completely. Wow.

An Australian Web site, www.homesite.com.au, have tips for creating a achromatic and achromatic colour scheme. The land site urges picture 1 wall blackness for a dramatic effect. You have got to be careful about the tone of voice of the color, however. Tone is a decorating term that mentions to the strength of color. When you paint a wall black, the land land site says, you should take a colour with undertones of greenish or blue.

Though blackness and achromatic piece of furniture will heighten your colour scheme, the site states you should endeavor for balance. "If there's too much achromatic it will look stark, and if there's too much achromatic it will look morbid." Bright accoutrements -- blue, green, red, and other bold colours -- will maintain this from happening. I'm so pleased with my achromatic towels that I'm going to purchase a achromatic bath mat and some accoutrements for more than punch.

Are you stumped on a colour scheme? Black and achromatic may be the answer. Adding checks, polka dots, and speech pattern colours will give the your room even more than pizazz.

Copyright 2008 by Harriet Hodgson

Labels: , ,

Monday, February 18, 2008

Decorating Country Style on a Budget

Contemporary state style decorating is about clean lines, basic structure, good bones, soft colour strategies and simple furniture. It's an aesthetic that is warm, inviting and hearkens back to a simpler clip when designing was basic and everything was well made.

Keep reading to larn how you can implement a modern-day state style in your place while still staying on budget.

1. Start by picture the room in a hushed color, typically a pick or soft achromatic with a milk-paint finish. You desire a colour that volition not take away from the simple beauty of the room and will demo age with grace. For just a few dollars a gallon, you will be that much closer to your state style.

2. Look for state piece of furniture that exudes a simple, but hardy feel. The expression you are going for is rustic and worn, but strong. Ask around at flea markets, thrift shops, garage gross sales and antique marketplaces for "farm furniture" or "shaker furniture."

Typically, you are looking for basic points that are simply colored, made of wood and free of flourishes or Byzantine designing embellishments.

3. Tone down your window salad dressings with simple, single-sheeted, achromatic or gingham-print curtains. Instead of splurging on fancy blinds and Byzantine drape designs, choose for a simpler expression that is fresh and will give your place a farmhouse-feel.

4. Choose state themed cloths like checked ginghams or tiny, vintage prints. Most dress shop upholsterers will transport replications of classic patterns, or you can travel hunting in antique supplies and cloth stores for authentic, vintage fabrics. One enterprising interior designer made state style drapes out of a 1930s farm dress.

5. Update your fixtures with rustic-themed visible visible light fixtures, wrought Fe light electric switches and antique ventilate coverings. Look for classic antiques, or choose for newer points that are made to look weathered.

6. Brand new piece of furniture old by distressful it yourself. Start by battering the wood with a hammer, carving abrasions with a knife and excavation a couple wormholes with your axe. Then sand down the full piece to take any remnant paint or finish. Follow this with a dark glaze that volition work to foreground your newly afflicted scars. And finally, an application of clear paste wax will seal it.

7. Look for handmade accoutrements to add a concluding rustic touching to your space. Wicker baskets, hand-knit covers and hand-shaped pottery are all beautiful speech pattern pieces that tin really draw out the luster in a room without breakage the bank.

Labels: , , , , , ,

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Feng Shui - Acupuncture for Your Home

Feng shui, a 5,000 twelvemonth old fine art aimed at aligning edifices with the cardinal military units of nature, is a alone attack to inside environments. Feng shui plant much like acupuncture. This usages "cures" to restore the proper energy flowing in a edifice by removing energy obstructions and stimulating dead areas. In feng shui, each country of the place associates to an country in our lives. By increasing the energy, or chi, in these areas, a corresponding improvement can take topographic point in the life of the occupant. Instead of stylostixis needles, it utilizes physical objects as diverse as wind chimes, mirrors, plants, fountains, visible lights and crystals.

There are three major types of feng shui. The Form School stresses the edifice land site and the form of the encompassing landscape. The Compass School is similar to western star divination and focuses on mathematical computations related to the way the edifice faces. The Black Hat School utilizes the building's entranceways as cardinal elements in determining the energy flow.

The Black Hat School of feng shui evolved through geographical and historical phases in India, Thibet and China. Now the most popular word form of feng shui in America, advocates of the Black Hat School claim that this attack is the most aesthetic, intuitive and spiritual.

By orienting a edifice around the chief entrance, the Black Hat attack it quickly set ups nine powerfulness areas. This configuration, known as the bagua, splits the edifice into countries related to wealth, fame, marriage, children/creativity, helpful people/travel, career, cognition and family. The 9th country is representative of wellness and is in the centre of the home. Since wellness is often a combination of social, psychological and physical factors, this cardinal place is affected by all of the other areas.

One of the most exciting facets of feng shui is creating healthy environments by imitating the balance of the five elements that happens in appealing out-of-door settings. Adding an inside pool to your presence entrance, a big wall painting of a wood to the wall of your life room, or stars and configurations to the ceiling of your sleeping room can give your place and your life a important boost!

Some facets of feng shui are common sense. For example, removing jumble from your place do accidents less likely. Other facets of it have got been researched scientifically. In any case, an apprehension it deepens our apprehension of our ain lives and psychological science and can take to a more than energetic and vivacious life in every way.

Labels: , , , , , , ,

Friday, November 23, 2007

How To Create A Hidden Office

Choose cosmetic storage

A dining room can be quickly transformed into a topographic point to make paperwork. Shop stores in a smart closet that doesn't look like typical business business office piece of furniture and usage attractive storage boxes that tin be displayed neatly on shelves overhead.

HOW TO do IT WORK...

• Beryllium certain to include good undertaking lighting for doing paperwork, with ambient lighting for dining.

• Unless you're working, be scrupulous about keeping the dining tabular array free from books, paper and clutter.

• Use elusive coloring material coding rather than labels to separate your taxation data files from your depository financial institution statements.

• Check that you have got a telephone set connexion nearby.

Create a particular area

The cardinal to incorporating a feasible place office in a sleeping room strategy is to make certain that the desk or work country is concealed. A adroit shelving unit of measurement can be made to conceal a neat survey country behind it.

HOW TO make IT WORK...

• Make a composure rather than littered space by reserving some shelf space for front-runner pieces of fine art or craftwork.

• Paint walls and shelves in a pale neutral shadiness to give the room a broad feel.

• Consider covering the divider wall with felt so it can duplicate as a pinboard.

Conceal Shelves and Filing

Create neat concealed storage with two false pillars that also function to split an business office country from the remainder of the room. Shelves can be tailor-made to lawsuit your peculiar demands and positioned so they are within easy range of the desk.

HOW TO make IT WORK...

• Paint the pillars and shelves the same coloring material as the walls of the room to give the strategy A cohesive look.

• Support the room streamlined with a modern-day desk and tantrum a missive rack along its length to conceal wiring and supply convenient entree to letter paper supplies.

•Add a strong aesthetic element, such as as the unsighted used here or a painting, to soften the business office feel.

Labels: , , , , ,

Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Electric Fireplace - What Are These Fireplaces All About?

Almost everyone who experiences cold weather knows what a fireplace is, but not everyone has gone beyond the classic, smoky wood burning fireplace. With today's problem of global warming, it would be helpful to the environment if we began looking for other fireplace options. Luckily, with an electric fireplace, anyone can enjoy a fireplace without the environmental hazards. It's making for a great option.

An electronic fireplace, is a practical and efficient energy source that will heat your home, while at the same time, instill the warm atmosphere of a classic fireplace without the hassles. These electric fireplaces have different designs, sizes and motifs to match the interior design of any home.

The electric fireplace is really a great addition for your home, with different modes that can be adjusted (with a click of a button) from a quiet romantic glow to a roaring flame for cold nights; it also has a realistic sound, and is safer than a classic wood fireplace. With so many advantages, many of you may be wondering, "how does it work?"

Most electric fireplaces use a "fan forced heater" to spread warmth throughout a room. These heaters work by using electricity to heat large metal coils within the fireplace. A fan is then used to direct the heat from the coils outwards, thereby heating the room.

Fan forced heaters work in a very energy efficient manner, allowing heat distribution over a large area. The heaters inside of the electric fireplace also provide heat instantly as soon as they are turned on, with no delay for heating elements to warm up. These heaters are also quiet because of its silent fans.

So what's the deal with an electric fireplace? Why is it better? How practical is it? An electric fireplace produces the same amount of heat as a wood powered fire, without the smoke and risk of flying sparks. Unlike gas or wood fireplaces, electric units require no venting, so you don't need to worry about getting a built-in chimney or duct system.

A lot of electric fireplaces are also portable, giving you the freedom to rearrange the interior designs of your room easily. What is also outstanding is that it looks and feels so natural that your guests will probably be unable to tell that they are not experiencing a conventional fireplace.

There are a lot of other ways you can use electric fireplaces; it can also be used to heat a smaller home, office or apartment. It also lessens your expenses because you don't have to pay for firewood or chimney cleaning bills. If you haven't checked out an electric fireplace yet you should take a serious look at these units if you are considering adding a new fireplace in your home.

All Rights Reserved Worldwide. Reprint Rights: You may reprint this article as long as you leave all of the links active and do not edit the article in any way.

Labels: , , , , , ,

Tuesday, May 08, 2007

Fall Decorating For Great Home Interiors

For a great fall look, you need to add accessories to your home. You will need to add interest to the fun for the holidays feel of fall fun by using fall themed accessories. Buy good quality accessories such as pillows, artwork and knick knacks that suit your Fall décor to finish the decor.

Wall art adds drama and depth to any interior design, but you have got to know how to hang it well for the most perfect impact. Individual artworks should be positioned so the center of the piece is at eye level, not so that the tops or bottoms of the frames are even as some individuals think. If you have many paintings to use on one wall, lay them out on the floor first to locate the smartest arrangement. Making use of picture of pumpkins and scarecrows for the season will help to add charm to the Fall decorating style.

Decorative pillows are another thing you can use to spruce up your design theme. If you were under the impression that pillows were merely for the bedroom, think again, they can provide a pleasing touch to any room including the bathroom, dining room, living room and kitchen. To bring a fall décor aura to your den or living room, adding pillows to your chairs or sofa can really work great. In the bedroom, compliment them to your design theme but select patterns and fabrics that are all different with one coordinating element. In the kitchen or bathroom, a pillow put strategically on a chair or hamper can add a charming touch. Add a comfortable appeal to your room décor with pillows that have orange and black prints.

When shopping for knick knacks for your home design be sure to purchase ones that compliment your room design and also bring in your individuality. To enhance your fall décor, make sure you choose pieces that have a fun for the holidays style. You might try paper mache pumpkins here and there or providing black cat figures around the house. Using accessories that reflect your personality will add a touch of your own individuality to the room design. Try shopping at thrift stores or garage sales for those unique items that won't take all your money.

You could also accessorize with colorful leaves, witches, and hay to create the style of Fall fun. You want to select pieces which go with your overall decor. Don't stray to far from your interior decorating scheme or you will end up with a mixed up room design.

Enhancing your Fall decorating style with pumpkins and fall leaves can help add charm. You want to be certain, though, that you don't go out acquiring things wily nily or you may end up with a disorganized mess. When using accessories, proportion is very important so be sure you opt for items in the sizes you need. Choose your items with care and your room is sure to look great!

Labels: , , , , , ,

Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Design Your Home With Pets in Mind - Use Your 5 Senses

Most of us would agree that we want homes that are stylish, clean, fragrant, and harmonious. When our Evaluation of the home using the 5 senses as a guide, helps make sure that the needs of all the household members are taken into consideration at the beginning of the design planning process. A thorough assessment about how you and your pets currently live together, determining what is working well, and what is less than ideal is made in order to optimize your new interior design.

One of the aspects of the assessment is an evaluation of the home from the perspective of the 5 senses for both the 2 legged and 4 legged family members.

Smell, Sight, Touch, Sound, and yes, even Taste

The questions that need to be asked and answered are:

Sight

How do I want my home to look?
This is the one sense that is more important to
the two legged family members. While your dog certainly could care less
whether your neighbor will ooh and aah over your new paint color or wallpaper,
there are considerations for the 4 legged members too. Both cats and dogs like
a sunny place to gaze out a window and watch the world. This has implications
for the types of window treatments that we recommend.

Smell

What do I want my home to smell like?
What type of cleaning products are being
used? Candles being burned? Air fresheners being sprayed?
Dogs and cats have a discrimination of smell that humans can only imagine. We
should not forget to consider this reality when answering the question.

Touch

What types of textures and materials feel good to us?
Chenille fabric feels warm and cozy to all of us, what are the pros and cons
of using this type of fabric when your household is composed of 2 and 4 legged
family members? What do we want our bare feet or paws to tread upon, and
what are the pros and cons of the different options in a home with 2 and 4
legged family members?

Sound

Are there noises that I want to highlight? Mask?
Don't forget, hearing is highly acute in dogs and cats.
There are soothing sounds that can be brought into your home that also can serve a dual function for the 4 legged family members. Don't forget the expression 'music soothes the savage beast'.

Taste

What items in your home can your pets 'eat'?
Cats are notorious for eating houseplants. The reason is that cats are hard-wired
to crave green grass. There are attractive solutions to provide a tasty treat for
your cats,without destruction of your houseplants.
Most dogs have a reputation for eating just about anything they can get their
teeth on. With that in mind, there are smart, attractive choices for how and
where to keep your garbage cans, laundry baskets and kitty litter boxes even if
you don't have the luxury of keeping them behind cabinet or closet doors.

A few facts about cats and dogs versus humans when it comes to the 5 senses:

Cats and dogs sense of smell is far superior to humans.

Cats have 19 million odor sensitive cells in their noses, dogs have 200 million and people only 5 million.

While dogs can smell better than cats, a cats sense of sound is better than a dogs.

You know how some dogs seem to be willing to eat almost anything, but cats are often referred to as finicky eaters?

Well that is because a cats sense of taste is keener than a dogs. This is one of senses that is actually stronger for people than for a cat or dog.

Labels: , , , , , , , ,

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

5 Secrets For Interior Design With Pets In Mind

Living with our four legged children brings happiness and some unique challenges when it comes to the way our homes look and smell. With some upfront planning and smart choices, you can minimize the potential stress of keeping your home looking and smelling great.

Here are 5 secrets for interior design with pets in mind:

1.Skip the wall to wall carpeting-pet fur gets trapped and pet oils get embedded

2.Don't use flat finish paint-when your pets rub against the walls-the paint will come off with the dirt you are trying to clean off

3.Match the color of your upholstery and bedding to your pets fur color-yes, the fur will still be there, but it won't show as much
4.Buy attractive, patterned area rugs that are easy to clean-the pattern in the rug will hide the fur better. This isn't an excuse not to vacuum regularly, but it may reduce the frequency.

5.Most importantly, make sure your pets have places and spaces to hang out in. For example, give your kitty a good view of the outdoors in a sunny preferably high up spot. Make sure your dog has appropriate chew toys (all dogs need to chew) so your furniture legs aren't tempting.

Pawprint Design™ Case Study #1

S Interior Design was asked to complete a total makeover of a busy families' living room and adjoining dining room. The makeover included replacing all of the 25 year old furnishings in the rooms. The homeowner was concerned that Hunter, their 8 year old Beagle would have a negative reaction to the fact that his favorite 'nesting and resting' place, an old barrel style chair, was going away. Recognizing that Hunter's world is dominated by the sense of smell (dogs smell 20 times better than people), S Interior Design placed the seat cushion from the old chair in an out of the way corner in the family room. Hunter adjusted with ease since his favorite cushion wasn't gone, but rather put in the room where his human pack members spend the majority of their waking hours. Over time, the cushion was replaced with a more aesthetically pleasing dog bed and fleece throw. We made sure that the family imprinted their scent on the fleece throw so Hunter would accept it. Happy Hunter, happy home!

Pawprint Design™ Case Study #2

S Interior Design was asked to assist in the remodel of a kitchen and adjoining family room. The family in this case includes two small dogs; Diego and Barry. In the old kitchen design, Diego and Barry's food bowls were placed in a corner near the dining table and had the tendency to get knocked over when the chairs around the table were moved too quickly. Their dog food was stored in the kitchen under a small desk area in a functional but unattractive plastic container.
To address these challenges, S Interior Design customized the toe kick (the area under the cabinetry) at the far end of the kitchen so it slides in and out and the dog bowls can be placed inside of it. When the bowls aren't in use, they can slide in and out of site. A custom hinged bin cabinet that flows seamlessly with the rest of the cabinetry was included to store the dry dog food in.
Diego and Barry also got new dog beds upholstered in high performing Cryptonite fabric that coordinates beautifully with the new window treatments and seat cushions.

Labels: , , , , , , , , , ,

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Secrets To Great Country Home Decorating

Country home decorating is a very popular design choice. It is a style that conveys welcome and warmth. It also adds a touch of whimsy and thoughts of simpler times. These things help create a relaxing environment for family and friends to enjoy.

One of the first places that people use country home decorating is the kitchen. Kitchens are the hub of a home and should be warm and inviting. Some popular kitchen country home decorating themes are roosters, chickens, cows, and apples. These items usually have an antiqued finish on them to enhance the country theme. Some frilly gingham curtains will add just the right country touch to your kitchen.

Wreaths are appropriate in country home decorating in all seasons. You can get them to match any color scheme and reflect any theme. Not all wreaths are pine based. Some are simply branches woven together. You can make one yourself using craft supplies. There are many online sites and books that will give you step by step instructions on making wreaths. Wreaths are pretty on doors to welcome people to your home. They can also be hung as decorations inside on walls or interior doors.

Gingham is a classic way to create a country home decorating style. This fabric instantly gives a country impression. It can be used in upholstery on couches, arm chairs, dining room chairs, and more. It is also used in window treatments, and even shower curtains. Gingham is a very versatile fabric that washes well and is durable. You can use it in many decorations including wreaths and swags.

Gingham patterns can be used for more country home decorating things than just fabric creations. You can use a gingham checked wallpaper to decorate your walls. You can use the same wallpaper to accent practical things like a file organizer or a wall shelf. You can also find gingham printed shelf liners that make opening your pantry a nice surprise.

Vintage hardware is a great country home decorating idea. It adds a whimsical touch of eras gone by. You can get hardware in all different styles and finishes. You can find great vintage hardware to suit all your country home decorating needs.

Stenciling is another popular country home decorating trick. You can stencil around the top of a room like a border. You can also stencil pretty designs to match your décor on wooden shelves or homemade wall plaques. This is a great way to incorporate your personality and beliefs into your home's decorations.

Finding country home decorating ideas is not difficult. Look for items that appeal to you and include them in your current décor. There is a lot out there, so have fun looking!

Labels: , , , , ,