Transform Your Home

Decorating a Room with Disney Cars Room Decor

2010-03-14T08:32:00.001-07:00

With the popularity of the recent Disney Pixar Cars movie, chances are that your little boy is wanting Lightning McQueen, Mater, and all their friends to now grace every surface of his bedroom. Decorating a room with a Disney Cars room d?cor is fairly easy and inexpensive. Merchandise is available all over the web and if you are lucky, you may also find an item or two in the stores. Because of the popularity of the movie, all Cars merchandise has been extremely popular so I have learned that when you find an item you want that isn?t sold out, you have to move quickly and buy it.

So what is available for decorating a Disney Cars theme room? Well first, you will have you choice of a couple of beds. A Disney Cars toddler bed is available as is a Lightning McQueen Race Car bed that comes in a twin size. You will also be able to find Disney Cars toddler bedding and twin size bedding sets.

It doesn?t stop with just beds and bedding though. The amount of Disney Cars room d?cor available extends to wall art, room decals, lamps featuring Lightning and Mater, and even dresser knobs featuring many of the movie?s key characters. You will also be able to find Disney Cars furniture pieces including toy boxes and table and chair sets for your Disney Cars theme room.

So if your little boy has been dreaming of a Disney Cars themed bedroom, you will have no trouble coming up with enough Disney Cars room d?cor to create the Lightning McQueen room of his dreams!

? Copyright Rebecca Johnson, All Rights Reserved

Rebecca Johnson is the mother of a three year old son who is a Disney Cars fanatic. She owns a website about decorating rooms for babies and young children. Visit it for more information about decorating a Disney Cars theme room including the best places to find Disney Cars room d?cor.

Home Decorating: Where Are My Surfaces?

2010-03-12T07:31:00.001-08:00

Many of you probably remember visiting your grandma's house as a child. I can still see how my grandmother had decorated her home. Every inch of surface and space was filled! The mantle, the kitchen counters, and of course the floor. She was a self-proclaimed pack-rat! When you walk into a home drowning in stuff, it immediately bombards you and creates overwhelming vibes. So, how do we show every little nick knack we love, without going overboard?

I have a very strict rule with myself that every surface in my home should be clean and almost completely cleared. I enjoy showing off my candles, vases, and other items. However, I have learned when it becomes too much. As a teenager I had covered every inch of my dressers and desk with decorations. My bedroom had become more of a showplace then a home. My decorations were nicely placed as sort of a retail window display, but I could never find a place to set something down.. Which of course meant the floor was the only other option. As you can imagine, my old room never stayed clean for very long. Years later, when I got my own place, I was finally sick of my beautiful items appearing more as clutter then as strategically placed home decorations. I cleared my surfaces and started fresh!

I now place only a few of my can't live without decor pieces on my desk, dressers, dining table, and kitchen counters. The rest have been stored away. If you don't think you can part with your treasures, remember these great benefits to the minimal design:

1. Once you have items stored away, you can replace which items you show off each season, which will give your home a new and fresh look. Mix and match and it will look as if you redecorate every month, just by switching which items you have out!

2. When you place a ton of distinct and unique items together, they each lose their charm and eye-catching appeal. If you want people to notice your great design sense and adorable treasures, make sure they can actually see them amongst every other item you have in your home.

3. Your home will appear more spacious and much tidier with this method. Plus, now you can see that beautiful wood table you've been covering up!

4. You can actually set stuff down! And to make sure you don't get in the habit of making a mess, set designated decorative baskets for items such as car keys.

It is easy to get caught up with buying every little nick knack you can find and covering your dressers with jewelry boxes and the dozens of perfume bottles you simply have to keep. But, keep in mind that a cluttered home can infringe on your efficiency as a home business owner, full time parent, or simply a person who needs to find their shoes! But remember, you don't have to throw these items out. Spend some time today removing half of the things you have displayed on your surfaces. Neatly store them in an easy access linen closet for future use. In a few months, when you feel like you need a change, replace the decorations with your stored items and voila! It will look as if you just redecorated. By using the minimal design you will be surprised out how much better your home will look and feel!

Please keep hyperlinks active and content as is when reprinting this article. Keller Hawthorne is the owner of http://www.kbhoutlet.com, which specializes in Elegant Home Decor Accents, Outdoor Garden Decorations and Wood Furniture. Find more home decorating and gardening ideas at our Home Decorating Resource Center. Copyright ? 2005 The KBH Outlet

Using Bamboo Blinds to Decorate Your Home

2010-03-10T07:31:00.001-08:00

Bamboo blinds are excellent and classy way to decorate your home. In oriental culture bamboo has been always used at homes as partitions, window blinds to allow cool breeze to come in. bamboo blinds or bamboo shades provides a relaxed and cool look to any room. It adds to the ethnic ambience and charm of your interiors and definitely environment friendly.

The distinctive grass weaves; the natural colors and fine bamboo selection used in the manufacture of finest bamboo blinds gives an elegant and inviting look. In tropical countries in Asia like India and Indonesia, in olden times people used roughly cut bamboo woven together which could be rolled up and down using thick ropes. This was essential to keep the scorching sun out and the torrential rains during the monsoon period.

Bamboo is extensive used in building houses, fences, bridges, utensils, paper, toys, musical instruments ?bamboo flutes, furniture and floors. In interior decorations, bamboo has been used for centuries to accent houses and gardens. The Chinese believed that bamboo brings long life, and in India, it is a mark of friendship. Japanese used it around their places of worship to ward off evil spirits.

Today this traditional art form of bamboo blinds have evolved into a classy style statement that has its own elegant look as well as functionality and exceptional reliability. Now bamboo and bamboo based products are a great rage in the Western world. Different varieties of bamboo blinds, shades and floors have found their way into some of the blue chip companies and sprawling villas worldwide.

Bamboo blinds are catching up as the latest trend and fashion in hard window treatments. They add that eco-friendly flavor and special touch to home d?cor. This versatile natural product can compliment the interior furniture, which incidentally could be made in bamboo too. Bamboo blinds in their stained or varnished to embellish their natural look are more preferred than artificially colored bamboo blinds.

Bamboo blinds are relatively easy to clean and maintain. Just dust them regularly with a clean cloth and use wood polish or just plain soap and water when necessary. The cost depends on the quality, the brand and the shop from where you buy. Typically a bamboo blind of 27 x 64 inches in a walnut stain or other stain of your choice without varnish may cost upwards of $60. If you plan to buy some unique or unusual stains then it may cost more. The natural appearance of bamboo blinds and shades are retained with the grain and color irregularities visibly enhancing the natural look. Depending on the shade you choose, it can change the d?cor of your room to exotic, rustic or even casual in appearance! Whatever the style bamboo blinds seems to be growing in popularity and people are slowly opening their eyes to this all new natural beauty and elegance of bamboo!

Bamboo HQ http://www.bamboo-hq.com/ has articles about bamboo including how to grow bamboo and uses for bamboo.

Decorating Small Spaces

2010-03-08T07:30:00.001-08:00

Decorating and furnishing a small apartment or studio can be challenging, but when done correctly your small spaces will look and feel more spacious. When selecting furniture for your small space always choose smaller pieces that have a more open design. A love seat with exposed legs, two small side chairs, and a small round glass top coffee table, is a better choice than a large sofa with hidden legs, love seat, and a large solid wood coffee table. When arranging your furniture be aware of traffic patterns, all traffic should flow uninterrupted through your room. In a living room, start decorating with the sofa or love seat. When arranging your furniture, start with the largest piece on the largest wall and facing your focal point. Then create a conversation area by placing a side chair on each side of the love seat. Place your coffee table where it can be reached from all three sitting places.

However, in small spaces, be careful not to over use accessories. Remember, less is more, if you want to create that open feeling. Mirrors and shiny reflective accessories help create the illusion of more space. Larger patterns should be limited to pillows and smaller accessories, rather than a large sofa or love seat. When choosing color schemes, select soft and monochromatic colors. Use the same or similar colors for your large pieces of furniture and walls, and keep your ceiling lighter than the rest of the room. Use a soft even light and eliminate shadows that tend to slice a room up into smaller spaces. Incandescent lighting will also soften a room. Avoid ceiling lighting, as this will visually lower your ceiling. Keep your apartment simple and clean.

Decorating provides detailed information on Decorating, Home Decorating, Bedroom Decorating, Bathroom Decorating and more. Decorating is affiliated with Web Site Design.

Beach Decorating for Adults and Kids

2010-03-06T07:29:00.001-08:00

One way to bring back memories of a summer at the beach is through beach themed decorating and crafts for the kids.

I like to start with the bathroom (for me the most obvious room to start with); there you can add pictures, either sketches or framed photographs to the walls. I think enlarging your own picture (especially if it includes the family) looks best. Towels with starfish, seahorses, seashells, of fish look great. Again, as with the picture, I think it can be more enjoyable for the family if you start with plain towels and wash clothes, then sew on or embroider your own beach or ocean themed designs.

Soaps can also have a beach theme. Place your soaps in a shell container, or even make decorative soap by carving your own designs in them (Ivory soap works great for this). A fishing net embedded with starfish (or even a puffer fish) hung near the tops of the walls really brings home the beach theme for me. Then there are decorative shell baskets (which are easy to find on-line). These seashell baskets can be placed on shelves or just the toilet reservoir. A final touch to the walls would be a shell night light to add evening illumination to the bathroom. One more suggestion if one is feeling industrious is the flooring. You can find linoleum tiles that have fish, shells, or anything beach related and place these on the floor to finalize your bathroom.

As for the kids; the shell baskets I mentioned earlier are an inexpensive way to get the kids involved. These baskets usually come with many different seashells that can be used to make all sorts of design, murals or beach diorama.

The diorama is my favorite for kids. Use the shells, some fine sand, maybe some starfish (there are inexpensive dried starfish available on the internet), and even some plastic fish. Use blue plastic film to represent the ocean, cotton balls for clouds, maybe a toy boat too. The little drink umbrellas are great to use as beach umbrellas. You can glue broken shells together to form a reef too. This project could also be used for the kids to make inexpensive Christmas gifts for family members that show a little more thought than the average gift.

The garden is where my wife likes to add a little more ocean themed flair. She enjoys the Pangansin shell wind chime with the urchin spines that make musical notes. I personally more like the flowing beauty of a stairway (spiral) shell wind chime.

In the garden next to a hammock or just lawn chairs is a good place to hang the shell wind chimes. You can even construct a more life-like ?out door diorama? using a small pond with a fountain head, beach sand or whatever similar is available, again some starfish and seashells and you have your own personal beach space. This can be a little more difficult in colder climates, but the pond can be turned off in the winter, and/or covered with a tarp to prevent damage from falling leaves or whatever else fall and winter bring.

For more ideas and interesting posts, Ocean Decor also may be off interest.

Enjoy!

By Carl Strohmeyer

http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/

http://americanaquariumproducts.com/Shells.html

Country Home Decorating Country Style Home Decor the Way Life Used to Be

2010-03-04T07:29:00.001-08:00

What is the lure and appeal of country home decorating? Maybe it?s the desire to escape the rush and demands of a hectic lifestyle. It could be the need to return to a time when life was simpler, perhaps even happier. The necessities of rural life are what influence today?s country style home decor.

Country home decorating can be defined as a style featuring rustic simplicity and tradition. Home decorating country style is viewed as welcoming, unpretentious, friendly and practical. Country style home decor is flexible enough to include timeworn antiques, reproductions, crafts and handmade products all together. Country furniture is usually made by craftsmen and has a sturdy, rugged appearance. Country style furniture seldom uses delicate designs. Country home decor may feature unfinished beams, floors with natural finish, rough bricks and unpainted or undulating plaster walls.

Here are recommendations for specific rooms when country home decorating:

Country Kitchen D?cor - use open shelves, buffets, plate racks and cupboards for storage. Country kitchen storage is usually crammed with stoneware pots, plain glazed earthenware and glass jars. Country kitchen pots should be made of copper, steel or cast iron -- country cookware tends to be large and plain. Country kitchen cabinets that are made of aged surfaces, natural materials, rough finishes and round knobs will keep the country style. Open shelving in the country kitchen is perfect to display plates and dinnerware collections. Kitchen cabinets or kitchen furniture made of pine or perhaps even painted can be a beautiful key element in the country kitchen.

Country Kitchen Countertops and Floors - country kitchens countertops have ceramic tiles or even hand painted tiles, slate or marble. If you want to use laminate materials, go for plain colors for coverings. Terracotta tiles, brick, stone and wood are very popular in country kitchen floors. If you decide to add some antiques to your country kitchen, they don't have to be perfect -- even chips and scratches will add to the charm and un-restored look of the antique. Adding a bit of wear and tear to maintain the country flavor is fun and it works!

Country Dining Rooms - dining rooms are once again popular. Many years ago, meals were eaten in large country home kitchens. Today, the kitchen continues to be the hub of the home and the place where you can have less formal meals. However, when entertaining guests, a dining room is the place to be. Country style dining rooms can have a large rectangular table made of pine, oak, walnut or mahogany with wooden chairs or old benches that are similar in style and material. A corner cupboard, plate racks, dresser or sideboard will provide perfect storage and serving area for the dining room as long as they match the style and the materials of the table and chairs.

Country Bathrooms ? the characteristics and styles of country bathrooms take us back to our simple life and roots. A bathroom with neutral tones or soft colored walls, antique looking lighting and wooden antiques or antique reproduction cabinets and vanity will give the country bathroom a calm and elegant atmosphere. Clawfoot tubs, country style antique brass faucets and old-fashioned country home decorating cabinets will give your bathroom the kind of atmosphere that invites you to spend time there.

A country bathroom should have wood, ceramic tile, linoleum, vinyl or natural cork floors. To have carpet in the country bathroom is not appropriate. Wood and brass accessories are perfect materials to use in a country style home decor bathroom. Plain white towels are recommended instead of patterned or bright modern patterns. Use wicker or wire baskets to keep your sponges, loofas and shampoos handy near the tub or shower.

Country Home Furnishings - decorative items associated with country style home decor include adirondack chairs, Windsor chairs, fresh or dry wild flowers, vintage baskets, quilts, yellowware bowls, blue and white ceramics, wicker or wire baskets, floral tapestries, linens and paintings, wool blankets, duck decoys and teddy bears. Floral patterns and candleholders also remind us of the country-style life.

The colors used in country home decorating are neutral tones ranging from white to bone, earth tones, red barn, blues and green which are the most appropriate colors for country style. Stenciling and wallpaper are frequently used in country home decorating. Stenciling originally was cheaper than wallpaper. Stenciling can be used around windows, in areas where the walls meet the ceiling or on the floors. Oftentimes, stenciling is even used on furniture. Done correctly, stenciling adds a great deal of charm to a country home decor.

While country life in the old days was often very difficult, it?s now possible to recreate the pleasures and peace of a nearness to nature without having to endure the adversity and hardship of everyday rural life. In general, the knowledge and abilities needed to create a country style home are achievable by nearly anyone. Read all you can. Inspiration will come if you understand the basics for creating a country style home decor that provides the look and feel of the way life used to be.

David Buster is Vice-President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - visit the website to learn more about home decorating and remodeling, backyard living, home plans, kitchen and bathroom design and decor tips, home storage, fireplaces, log cabin rentals and more.

Interior Decorating Post Holiday Decorating Tips to Transform Your Space!

2010-02-28T07:27:00.001-08:00

Now is a great time to get going on that deep cleaning. Clear the clutter, scrub the walls, clean the carpets, wash the windows and HAVE FUN! (what?)

The first order of business is clear the clutter! To quote William Morris ?Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful? Yeah, right. That?s great to aspire to but in the real world let?s concern ourselves with clearing the counter and tabletops. Lose all the leftover Christmas decorations and any unsightly items that seem out of place.

When it comes to addressing your walls, take a good critical look. Cobwebs and scuff marks aside, do the walls seem dingy? A fresh coat of paint is the least expensive way to breathe new life into your space. Changing from stark white to a soft neutral background will make the room more inviting. (Save leftover paint in a tightly sealed glass jar for future touch-up.)

While cleaning your carpets your furniture is pulled out anyway so this is a great opportunity to rearrange it! Try to think outside the box. Place your largest piece at an angle and reload the rest of your furnishing in relation to it. It is amazing how a minor shift in placement can make a huge impact on your room. Contrary to popular belief, your upholstered pieces do NOT have to be placed against a wall. Windows...No matter how clean the room, a grimy window will draw attention and make the entire space feel dirty. Try using a squeegee for quick cleaning. These little inventions work great and leave no streaks!

Now comes the fun. Shop your entire house for home accessories. Mix things up. Maybe the silk plant you have on the coffee table would look great in the dining room. Those candlesticks in the closet might make a perfect centerpiece alongside some stacked books. Consider moving a lamp from the master bedroom to the living room. Try to keep like items together for a designer look. Glass with glass, metal with metal, and similar color in groupings look best. Try some change. It won?t take long and does not cost a thing!

This article previously published in the Neighborhood News under the title Mixing it Up For Spring.

Julie Rieman is an accomplished instructor in the arts faux painting and interior redesign. She offers two and four day classroom or online interior redesign training. If you live in the Twin Cities area, you can invite Julie into your home for a personalized consultation.

For more information about any of her decorating services and training opportunities please visit: http://www.allaboutredesign.com
http://www.allaboutwalls.net

Luxury Comes With Health: The Comfort and Benefits of Home Spas and Whirlpool Tubs

2010-02-26T07:27:00.001-08:00

Better health, better sleep, and less pain, and (in a nutshell) feeling great overall doesn?t just put a smile on your face, but it can even prolong your life. So if the reasonable prices on the market for whirlpool tubs or jetted tubs still seem too high?consider it a health investment. Having something like a jetted whirlpool tub in your home is definitely worth the cost. And if you browse around a bit, you will find that there are great prices on some of the most high quality jetted bathtubs available. And that the technology used by whirlpool tubs, which help support your overall health is being constantly developed and improved upon.

The very best time to purchase a jetted whirlpool tub, or even an outdoor whirlpool or corner whirlpool tub is now. There are all kinds of whirlpool tubs designed especially for your home. Whirlpool spas are offered in all different shapes and sizes by manufacturers all over the world, designed to fit your personal style, increase your personal comfort, and ensure you will receive the benefits that whirlpools have to offer in regard to your specific health concerns.

Everyone could use the relaxation that a whirlpool can provide, but especially if you have certain health needs, particularly those which can be helped significantly by using a jetted or whirlpool tub as treatment?this type of healing method is one of your best choices. A jacuzzi tub or jacuzzi whirlpool tub can even be an alternative to pain or sleep or stress medication.

Otherwise, whirlpool bathtubs are just plain luxurious, come home from a hard day of work and relax in your whirlpool tub. Let your troubles bubble away, let your mind swirl to something other than the stress ahead, let your body relax in the warmth and the massage. You don?t need to have a condition, because even if you don?t, your whirlpool or jetted tub can help prevent future health concerns from becoming an issue for you and interrupting your life later on.

A whirlpool spa is a wonderful way to entertain friends and family as well. for example: with a whirlpool spa you can relax with a glass of wine or a nice chilled beer and unwind to start off the weekend, or you soak on a Sunday night to get cozy and rested and prepared for the week to come.

There are all kinds of small get-togethers that may include your whirlpool spa as the main form of entertainment. You will have not only a great way to relax under any circumstances, but also you will have a beautiful addition to your home. There is a unique beauty to whirlpools, jetted tubs, and other kinds of home spas. So you can feel good and your home will look great too with a new addition such as a whirlpool home pool or bathtub.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and home decor. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on home decor please visit Whirlpool Bathtub, Home and Bathroom Decor.

How To Select The Right Area Rug

2010-02-24T07:26:00.000-08:00

Area rugs can make such a beautiful contribution to any room and they are often the first thing that catches the eye as as you walk into the room. In view of that, doesn't it make sense to select and choose the right area rug for each room of your home?

Of course, area rugs come in almost every size, shape and color combination imaginable, but a lot will depend on what the intended use is for the rug and the budget that you have to work with. In times past, only hand made rugs were considered to be of high quality and able to stand up to constant use and heavy wear, but thankfully advances have been in rug manufacturing and today's machine made area rugs can offer a lot for the money as well.

In fact, for most people machine made rugs can be the best solution all around as they offer solid and durable construction and an incredibly wide choice of styles and patterns at very affordable prices that can range from fifty dollars up to a couple thousand dollars. If the rug will be used in a room that is not dedcorated with fine furniture and accessories, why spend the money for the most expensive rug to put on the floor? On the other hand, if your room is filled with very high quality furnishings, why would you want to to put down an area rug that does not fit with it's surroundings?

Hand made area rugs are still considered the best available area rug product and they possess a look and feel that is superior to most machine made rugs. You will find that most handmade rugs use high quality wool for construction simply because wool seems to last much longer and stand up to heavier amounts of traffic than most other fibers. So pay attention to the material used to make the rug.

The weaving process of a hand made rug can be important too as the more densely the knots are placed together the higher quality of the rug. This is referred to as knots per square inch and hand made carpets can boaast a weave density of anywhere from 300 - 750 knots per square inch.

Of course, such high quality hand made area rugs can be very expensive, but if used in the correct surroundings and treated as a piece of fine furniture that is cared for properly, they will last for many years and look incredibly beautiful while doing so.

So when you choose an area rug, first determine where it will go and try to match the decor of that room as much as possible, then choose the level of quality that will match your budget, and you will be able to make a wise choice.

Jim Johnson writes on many consumer related topics. You can find out more about area rug discounts by visiting our area rugs website.

Conquer Your Fear of Color: Choosing Paint Colors with Confidence

2010-02-22T07:26:00.001-08:00

If you walk the paint aisles at any home center, you?ll see that there are more paint swatches than ever. Thousands of paint choices line the walls, but the fear of color remains strong, and that why most homes are a study in white. It?s because white is the can?t-make-a-mistake color. Of course a few brave souls will insist they have color daring because they went out on a paint limb and used a pale yellow or beige on their walls.

But, don?t you long for more color? Of course you do; we all do. If we didn?t, we?d all buy white furniture and carpets to go with our white walls. But, we don?t because the thought of color on furniture, carpets, or curtains isn?t nearly as terrifying as color on (heaven forbid!) the walls.

Exactly what is the fear that surrounds the decision of going with color? Most people say they?re afraid that they won?t like a strong color once it?s on the walls. But that fear is irrational, because paint, unlike a black sofa covered in green parrots, can be changed inexpensively. It?s hard to return a sofa and it?s very expensive to recover it.

In my own house, our media room is bathed in a deep sage color. And you know what? It?s the most popular room in the house when we have company and everyone fights to go in there. The dark color in this small room is very cozy and inviting and makes you feel like curling up for a movie marathon.

You can get this same feeling too by adding color in your own home. Remember: white walls are for tires. Now, let?s ratchet up your color daring. Try painting just one wall. If you like it, paint the rest of the room. Soon you?ll be hooked on color and your home will ooze design chic!

Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Red Lotus Letter feng shui e-zine and is dedicated to helping her readers develop successful, prosperous, and supportive environments with feng shui. To subscribe, logon to www.redlotusletter.com and receive this special report Fr*ee 16 Feng Shui Secrets for Greater Prosperity.

kweber@redlotusconsulting.com

Princess For A Day

2010-02-20T07:29:00.001-08:00

What girl wouldn?t want to be a Princess for a day? Whether it?s a birthday, a bachelorette or a girl?s slumber party, they can be treated like royalty. A princess theme will work for a girl of any age.

A Princess Party needs a princess. Whether you pick a fictional character or characters to follow or make your host into the perfect royal highness, decorations will be needed to complete the gala. Use pink, yellow or whatever coordinates with your princess dress, and buy balloons and crepe paper. These can be placed all over a room, hall or even outside. If large appliance cardboard boxes are available, set them up into a castle. Let the guests go to town decorating the princess?s castle.

If you have food or birthday cake at your function, plates and napkins that match your party theme will be needed. Silverware and tablecloths to match the ensemble are also available at any party store. Other paper products like invitations, princess party favor bags and thank you cards can be purchased in a princess or royalty theme too.

All princesses play games. Play pin the tiara on the princess. Draw or buy a poster of a princess without her tiara on and use plastic ones from the party store or ones made of party to attach. Another game would be to play charades and guess which princess says what line in a particular movie. If games are too ?babyish? for the sophisticated princesses, watch a movie. There are several that are not cartoons that have princesses and royal events in them for adults.

A princess party must have cake, and eat it too! Specialty princess pans can be purchased at a party supply store. Frosting, sprinkles and candles to match can also be found there.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has Princess Party Supplies, ideas, pinatas, games, costumes, decorations, and activities.

Quick And Easy Bathroom Decor Changes

2010-02-18T07:32:00.001-08:00

Are you tired of the way your bathroom looks? Don't feel bad, a lot of folks are in the same boat. The bathroom is one room in the home that can look drab and run down very easily. And what if you don't have an unlimited budget to make changes in the fixtures and plumbing? Well take heart, there is lots that you can do for very little money that will totally and radically improve the decor of your bathroom.

One of the biggest problems with bathrooms is their tendency to get cluttered. You know, towels hanging all over the place, bath products on top of the vanity and on the shower floor, and things like that. So if you really want to make a 100% improvement in your bathroom clean up the clutter.

Fortunately, that is very easy to do and inexpensive. If you go to any WalMart or Target store, you will find plenty of organizer products for use in the bathroom. They are also very cheap. So get some of them and start to install them so that the most used products and items are within easy reach of wherever they would be used in the bathroom. If you make the storage spot convenient most people will continue to put it back in it's place after they use it. If you make the storage spot even a little difficult to access, you will see those items left all around wherever someone finds a spot for it.

Next, get some extra towel racks and install them so that there is a towel holder within easy reach of almost anywhere in the bathroom. Extra towel holders mean that even used towels can have a spot to be hung up instead of just left lying over the tub or shower stall door. Another advantage decor-wise of having extra towel bars is that you can use some of them to put up fancy towels for show that will really pick up the appearance of the room and highlight the colors that you used in your bathroom design.

Another simple and easy change to the appearance of any bathroom is the flooring. If you don't like what you see, change it. Fortunately, most bathroom floor spaces are fairly small and so not much material is needed. There are several options that you can choose from including vinyl sheets, ceramic tile, or vinyl tile squares. If you want simple and easy, stick-on vinyl tiles are probably the way to go. You can get them at a local Home Improvement store and they are usually very inexpensive too, and you can get some great looking designs that look very close to actual ceramic tile at a casual glance. Armed with a small cutter to trim the tiles when needed or shape them around an object on the bathroom floor, you are ready to go. If you make a mistake, peel up that tile, throw it away and use another one. Simple and easy!

Finally, buy some new towels for the bathroom. Get some great new colors and designs that are eye-cathcing and pleasing. Again, not much money invested for lots of return in visual appeal.

Change out the door knobs on your vanity and closet, and change the shower curtain and rings if you have one.

Just a few of these inexpensive changes in a bathroom can go a long way to changing that tired, old, cluttered, bathroom into one that makes you proud to show it off, and a pleasure to use.

Duane Jones - All About Bed And Bath provides free information, resources and tips on finding bedding, comforters, bathroom fixtures, tubs, and more for your home at the very best price.

Decoration Books Enhance your Creative Skills

2010-02-16T07:32:00.001-08:00

Decoration Books is one of the best guides that help you to decorate your favorite places and things. In simple words with the help of decorating book you can decorate your house, garden, office, cakes, cookies, etc. It has the best collection in most of the topics that a decorator seeks for. With decorating book you can make a well-decorated output. It doesn't matters whether you are a good decorator or not but with an appropriate decorating book you can decorate easily and quickly.

Decorating Books is well illustrated in free decorating tips, way through which you can make your house comfortable and beautiful, it also tackles common design problems and bring a firm look in your decorating skill.

Decoration Books: Advantages

Decorating book contains professional decorating ideas, clear instructions, lavish photographs and easy projects that help you to decorate with ease. Decoration Books assist you to make uniquely decorated house.

Decorating Books: Review

Decoration books enhance your decorating skills and help you to create best style in your work. It has some wonderful resources, which provides inspiration, tips and ideas. Decorating Book offers project work, which are easy, simple and inexpensive.

Before You Buy: Decorating Books

If you have decided to purchase a decorating book its very important you have a look at the book carefully. See that every color, illustrated pictures and projects are as per your choice and needs.

Nowadays you can easily purchase a decorating book online. There are number of sites that offer such books. All you have to do is select the book of your choice and apply for the same.

Isabella Rodrigues writes for decorating-books.info, offering the latest information on decorating books, visit them today for more best buy decorating books.

Visit today: http://www.decorating-books.info

A Touch of Elegance: The Very Best Outdoor Decor

2010-02-14T07:33:00.001-08:00

You can put in a cement walkway or build a walkway with pebbles or small stones?plant flowers, choose beautiful patio furniture, whatever reflects your taste best. And you can usually find good outdoor decorative items for great prices if you look in the right places for what you want.

?Shady business:

The best gardens will thrive in the shade. So your plants that are the most difficult-to-grow may be better off planted in the shady spots. This will likely leave more space in the sunny spots for outdoor home d?cor. But what kinds of things do you put there? If you have shade in your garden, consider yourself lucky. There is a lot more effort involved in the upkeep of a garden that is almost always in the sun. For such gardens or yards you may need certain outdoor home d?cor that will provide enough shade to make things easier.

You can make shade by extending an awning from the house. And, of course, trees are the best way to make shade. Another idea is to use a piece of outdoor home d?cor such as an archway etc.

Shade is also great for your outdoor home d?cor such as garden benches etc, to protect you from the sun and keep you cool.

?Stone and sculpture:

The look that certain items such as stone, gnome shaped figures and stone fountains or sculptures of marble, stone and other materials may work best in the sunnier spots for your outdoor home d?cor.

?Patio outdoor home d?cor:

The best outdoor home d?cor for your patio is the seating. Getting the right garden benches is essential to achieving the ultimate enjoyment of your patio. Other outdoor home d?cor for the patio includes things like pots for potted plants, chairs, tables ceiling fans and more.

?Landscaping and planting: The do it yourself outdoor d?cor:

Well, I suppose that you could hire someone to design your garden with natural outdoor home d?cor. Plants are our personal favorite kinds of outdoor d?cor because of their allure and fragrance. Here are a few types of plants and flowers that are very popular.

Plants that love the sun:

There are certain plants that thrive in the sun much more than others. Take ivy, for instance. Ivy can be planted in the sunnier spots of your garden. And if you grow your ivy in a certain way, your outdoor home d?cor can also serve to provide shade and cover for your more sensitive plants. If you create an archway around which the ivy or other vine-like plant can thicken and grow, you have created another shady spot for your garden. This outdoor home d?cor is practical, lovely, as well as a very stylish. Try making shade with plants that love the sun.

? Flowers are the basis of garden d?cor:

The kinds of gardens that seem the most decorative, elegant or pleasantly quaint are made so by the types of flowers and the style of landscaping used to create them. There are several types of flowers that are especially attractive when in season. And unless you are growing a vegetable garden, you care about the overall look of your garden.

You want your property to be as beautiful as possible, right? So among the very best kinds of outdoor decorations are the many colors and scents and landscaping design of the flowers themselves. Here are some very popular kinds of flowers to consider:

1) If you can get you hands on one, the Dwarf Japanese iris is a beautiful flower, but it takes a lot of attentiveness to keep healthy, so you can not neglect your garden d?cor if the Dwarf Japanese iris plays a part in the design. The delicate iris gracilipes is rare, but not impossible to find.

2) The yellow trillium as part of your floral garden d?cor is a wonderful flower with three mottled leaves and a flower top each stalk.

3) The primrose seeds, which are often sown by nature present a stunning surprise for your garden, and are great floral garden d?cor.

4) The hardy geranium is a spreading perennial, which blooms in loose spikes and will add a touch of beauty to any garden.

The perennials that bloom early, such as those above, paint the garden with flowers, then subside modestly to green or go dormant while waiting for the next spring. Planting perennials is one way to add an annual splash of color to your garden. Here are some more ideas:

5) The yellow ladyslipper orchid. This orchid is a hardy native that in and of itself makes an eye-catching show.

6) The variegated euonymus can serve as a floral garden d?cor that act as a ground cover, and brightens the shade.

7) Azaleas are early-blooming flowers that provide your garden with a delicate sense of personal style and can certainly serve as floral outdoor home d?cor.

8) The last I will mention is the foamflower. The foamflower is also a spring bloomer, but be careful to plant them wide enough apart because this ground cover spreads fast.

No matter what your personal taste in outdoor home d?cor, the possibilities out there are endless. There are chairs and tables, lights, lamps and swings to consider. As well as the decorative beautiful touch that floral outdoor d?cor can bring.

The type of outdoor home d?cor that you want all depends on the style of your yard or garden. But there is much to choose from. I have several suggestions right here for the very best outdoor home d?cor available.

Have You Neglected Your Bathroom?

2010-02-12T06:37:00.001-08:00

The bathroom. We spend hours each day in there. We shower there. We shave there. We perform other bodily functions there. If you look at an average day we're in the bathroom several times at least. For a room that we spend so much time in how much effort do we put into decorating it? Almost none. Normally the bathroom is the very last place in the home to have any money spent on it. This is despite the fact that it may have visible water damage, a leaky sink with squeaky taps and a bath that is well past it's sell by date.

Most people will quite happily leave their bathroom in a state of disrepair until they hear that guests are arriving. Panic sets in! That grubby bathroom that you don't care about may now become public knowledge. Friends and family may get to see how you really live. But why let your life progress to the point of utter panic - and always at the last moment. Why not spend a little money and a little time and get your bathroom in order today?

You can choose to make this a DIY Project if you have any skills in that area. If not then don't take any chances by attempting the work yourself - hire a trained professional to complete your bathroom renovation for you. A word of warning though - make sure you educate yourself on the basic terminology and materials involved by reading a few home remodelling magazines or by asking friends who have completed similar redecorating projects themselves. You need to make sure the entire project is completed in as little time as possible - nothing worse than being stuck without a shower or toilet for days on end.

So where do you start? Well how about expanding the bathroom itself? Is there any square footage that's not being used to its full extent? Can you knock through an existing wall and lengthen or widen your bathroom? This is the chief complaint of many home owners - that their bathroom is simply too small. Any extra space you can add to the room will benefit the entire house both in terms of usability and in overall value.

If you have a large and bulky cabinet in your bathroom then replace it with a smaller model - normally these cabinets are just filled with crap you never use. If there are any shelves dotted around the room remove these also - again they're normally just used to hold old soap and shampoo that you liberated from that hotel room on holidays. The last step then is to make the most of your window space by replacing any old heavy curtains with small roller blinds - whatever style best suits your bathroom. Just maximize your window space by avoiding clutter.

Color is very important in any bathroom. 90% of bathrooms are decorated using cold colours such as blue and very pale creams. Most people use blues because most bathrooms tend to take on an aquatic feel of some kind. The problem is that overuse of blue as a base color can actually make a room feel cold. Why not experiment with warmer colors such as yellow, orange and terracotta? These can make even the dingiest bathroom feel very snug and cosy.

The important thing is to create the bathroom you've always wanted - with no pre-conceived notions. Let your imagination and creativity run wild and create a bathroom that is truly you!

This article was provided courtesy of BathRoomCentral.com where you can find lots more bathroom layout ideas and other hints and tips on bathroom remodelling.

Luck o' the Irish St. Patrick's Day Celebration

2010-02-12T06:27:00.001-08:00

Holidays (such as St. Patrick's day) are always a good excuse to have a party. With a holiday like St. Patrick's Day, it is always fun to stick to a traditional theme of green. Incorporate other festive ideas like shamrock shaped invitations. These could be bought from any party supply store. Green balloons, crepe paper and wall hangings can also be used for more elaborate parties.

Food can serve as a great focal point of the celebration. A couple of drops of food coloring can turn many of your favorite foods into a colorful surprise. If your party is going to be for brunch, an old favorite of green eggs and ham maybe just what you are looking for. If you want to go a little fancier, simply add food coloring to a quiche. If the food coloring idea is a little too much, use things like spinach or asparagus to add a touch of color in a quiche.

If you are hosting the gathering later in the evening you may want to have a selection of green drinks to serve. A touch of food coloring can turn beer into a holiday treat and fruity mixed drinks can be turned green as well. Snacks like a spread of green dips would be easily served with vegetables, crackers, chips and so on.

A fun little game might be for whoever greets guests at the door to check if they are wearing green. If not give a little pinch and then as a party favor give them a green pin. It's a fun little joke and gives everyone something to talk about.

If you are entertaining a younger crowd you may want to choose a game like pin the pot-of-gold on the rainbow. Take a stuffed leprechaun and hide him around the house and play a game of hide and seek. Whatever direction you take your party planning takes, just have fun with it. The traditional green theme will delight holiday fun seekers.

Mrs. Party Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has St. Patricks Day Party Supplies, ideas, pinatas, games, costumes, decorations, and activities.

Principles of Interior Design

2010-02-12T06:17:00.001-08:00

Whether you are working with existing furnishings and fabrics or ?starting from scratch? with an empty room, you should always use the elements and principles of design as a guide in choosing everything. The elements are your tools or raw materials, much like paints are the basics to a painter. The elements of design include space, line, form, color, and texture. The principles of design relate to how you use these elements. The principles of design are balance, emphasis, rhythm, proportion and scale, and harmony and unity.

Principle #1: Balance
Visual equilibrium in a room is called balance. It gives a sense of repose and a feeling of completion. A well-balanced room gives careful consideration to the placement of objects according to their visual weight. The elements of line, form, color and texture all help determine an object?s visual weight, which is the amount of space it appears to occupy. Balance also refers to how and where you place the elements (line, form, color and texture) within a room. To maintain balance, try to distribute the elements throughout the room.
?Formal balance, often referred to as symmetrical balance, creates a mirror image effect.
?Informal balance uses different objects of the same visual weight to create equilibrium in a room. It is more subtle and spontaneous and gives a warmer, more casual feeling.

Principle #2: Emphasis
Emphasis is the focal point of the room. The focal point should be obvious as you enter the room; it is the area to which your eye is attracted. Whatever is featured, as the center of interest ?a fireplace, artwork or a window treatment framing a beautiful view ? must be sufficiently emphasized so that everything else leads the eye toward the featured area. You can add emphasis to a natural focal point or create one in a room through effective use of line, form, color and texture.

Principle #3: Rhythm
Rhythm supplies the discipline that controls the eye as is moves around a room. Rhythm helps the eye to move easily from one object to another and creates a harmony that tells the eye everything in the room belongs to a unified whole. Rhythm is created through repetition of line, form, color or texture. It can also be created through progression. Progressive rhythm is a gradual increasing or decreasing in size, direction or color.

Principle #4: Proportion and Scale
Size relationships in a room are defined by proportion and scale. Proportion refers to how the elements within an object relate to the object as a whole. Scale relates to the size of an object when compared with the size of the space in which it is located.

Principle #5: Harmony and Unity
A well-designed room is a unified whole that encompasses all the other elements and principles of design. Unity assures a sense of order. There is a consistency of sizes and shapes, a harmony of color and pattern. The ultimate goal of decorating is to create a room with unity and harmony and a sense of rhythm. Repeating the elements, balancing them throughout the room, and then adding a little variety so that the room has its own sense of personality accomplishes this. Too much unity can be boring; too much variety can cause a restless feeling. Juggling the elements and principles to get just the right mix is a key to good design.

Kathy Iven, Columbus, OH
kathy@fabricfarms.com
Kathy Iven is the owner of Fabric Farms Interiors, located in Hilliard, OH. Fabric Farms Interiors specializes in home d?cor fabrics and trims. They also offer custom drapery, bedding and upholstery services. The company was founded in 1971 and is the largest home d?cor fabric store in Central Ohio.
To learn more, visit http://www.fabricfarms.com

Tropical Kids Rooms Decor 2

2010-02-12T06:07:00.001-08:00

Just like the rest of the home, we like to make sure that our kids rooms have the proper d?cor that fits with their personal style and desire. Thanks to some well minded retailers there is now a whole line of tropical kids rooms d?cor that will be sure to bring bright colors and a festive feeling to the entire area. Because of the surge in tropical d?cor, the new lines of tropical kids rooms d?cor is fantastic to say the least. No matter the age or gender of the child you are sure to be able to find what you need with the choices that are available. Not only that, the newest lines are durable and high quality that will help ensure that you get the most for your money with the lasting products. It is always difficult when trying to decorate a child?s room as they tend to be very hard on just about everything that they own. This means that parents need to find items that will hold up to the child and create a lasting environment for them without breaking the bank at the same time. Tropical kids rooms d?cor brings to life the colors of the room and adds an air of excitement that any child will love. The room will be alive with a busy tropical scene that will foster the imagination and allow for the child to be free to wonder about the d?cor. Nothing could be finer.

One of the finest and most popular products at this time is the great wall hangings that are new to the tropical kids rooms d?cor line. Unlike posters and framed pictures, these fabric wall hangings are durable and highly colorful to say the least. There is a wide array of styles and colors for you too choose from that are sure to make any child the talk of the town. These wall hangings do so much for the room that you will wonder how you ever did without them.

Check out the full line of tropical kids rooms d?cor and you will see that it is perfect for nearly any child. There is nothing that you can not do with the variety of items, styles and colors that are available. Any room in the home that is occupied by a child is sure to be brighter and much more appealing with any of the fine tropical kids rooms d?cor items that are currently available.

Some very original tropical kids rooms decorations can be found at http://www.art-ickles.com, which sells unique handicrafts brightly colored with tropical themes. The baby bedding quilts, bumper pads, pillow covers shown in this website are of top quality, 100% hand made with the best American fabrics.

Magalie Noel Dresse is the Webmaster of http://www.home-00.info, and informative site on home decor, improvement and of http://www.art-ickles.com.

Whimsical Baby Showers

2010-02-12T05:57:00.001-08:00

When a close friend or family member is expecting, a baby shower is imminent. A baby shower has become a popular way to wish good fortune and blessings, not only for the new arrival but also for the expectant parents. But first comes the invitations.

Invitations are a window into what the party will be like. If the invitation is whimsical, the party will be whimsical. If the invitations are elegant, the party will be elegant; they set the mood of the event. If the invitations are sent out early, are neat and have a lot of thought put into them, the guest can expect a well organized, entertaining and overall delightful experience.

With so many options for baby shower decorations, why not have a theme with your party? Invitations, favors, centerpieces and decorations can all be matched to correspond with your theme. At www.Baby-Showers-Etc.com there are several party items to choose from.

Planning a baby shower is filled with responsibility on several different levels. The host has to figure out who should be invited. It this going to be a party where men are invited? What kind of a party would the expectant mother appreciate? How are the guests going to be entertained while at the party? These are some of the little details that pop up during the preparations; essential, but not thought of immediately. These decisions, however, are just as significant as what color scheme will be used, just not as obvious.

If the expectant mother comes from a big family or has a lot of close friends, you might be offered some help by a couple of those people. Accept any help that is offered. Don't try to handle everything on your own, but be sure to accept help from those who are reliable. The most important thing is that the guests have fun and the expectant mother goes home happy.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. A full baby shower resource is here Baby Showers etc.

Four Decorative Painting Techniques

2010-02-12T05:47:00.001-08:00

Tired of plain, boring walls? Faux finishes are a great way to jazz up your space with little cost or effort. Here are a few of the most popular finishes.

Sponging: Of all faux finish techniques, sponging is the easiest, even children can do a somewhat messy reproduction of this technique. In order to sponge, you must first paint the entire area one base color. After this coat dries, then you can take a sponge or even a plastic bag, dip it in paint, and apply the paint randomly to the walls. Although this is a random process, you want to be careful not to get any one area of the wall extremely dark or leave it extremely light or your eye will be drawn to that spot immediately. Sponging is very easy, and for all supplies usually costs between $50-$100, which may also include classes if you want to learn from the professionals.

Combing: Combing is a little more difficult. When combing, you use a squeegee with teeth to comb through the top layer of paint. As with sponging, you want to have a bottom layer so that when you comb there will be a matching layer beneath it. Using a combing technique is also very inexpensive, and you can use the squeegee to make wavy, zigzags, and other designs on the wall.

Glazing: Glazing is actually the product that you put over your first coat of paint. In order to glaze your walls correctly, you should take a class. You may be able to find a home improvement store that offers glazing classes or you may need to talk to a local interior decorator about classes, although these will likely be very expensive. Glazing places a transparent coat over the base coat of paint, making the wall look a bit shiny and transparent. You can use as many coats of glaze as you want to get the desired look.

Trompe-L'oeil: Trompe-L'oeil is French for fool the eye. This finish fools the eye into thinking that the wall has a marble or granite finish. This is probably the most difficult finish to accomplish on your own. For creating the marble finish, you use a technique very much like sponging, but this one takes a bit more talent. Visit local stores to see if they have classes or tips on achieving this style.

These are the four primary types of faux finishes. The first two are fairly easy, while the latter two are significantly harder. Before attempting any of these, plan well so that you can estimate the cost, and visit your local hardware or design store for classes or helpful hints. Having a buddy to take classes with you or practice with you will make the experience more fun. You can even do one room in your house and then decorate a room in your buddy's house; the fun never ends!

? 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is provided courtesy of The Do It Yourself Home Decorating Network - http://www.diyhomedecorating.com - a large and growing decorating and decor website featuring articles, tips, advice, and popular decor shopping. This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the author, copyright, website address and link, and this notice are left intact.

A Clean House is a Lucky House: 8 Tips for Creating a Clean and Fortunate Home

2010-02-12T05:37:00.001-08:00

A clean house is more than just a luxury ? it is a necessity. That?s right, a necessity. We need a clean house (office or desk) because of all it offers us: efficiency and relaxation. Efficiency, because a clean house means you can find what you need when you need it. It also means that you will spend less time worrying and frustrated over the mess in your house.

A clean house offers relaxation, because clean houses look better, smell better, and feel better ? and that?s what makes you relax. A mess everywhere makes us tense. Even hidden messes worry us. What does it take to have a truly clean house? In a word, discipline. No one likes to hear that word anymore, but it?s true.

A clean house takes work, plain and simple. Ironically, the less a house is cleaned, the more work it takes. Yep, it?s true. If you don?t stay on top of your house, the house will be on top of you -- with papers piling up and junk everywhere -- not to mention dirt and grime.

Look around. Is your outer experience mirroring the inner experience? What is your house saying about you and your life? Now, how does your luck improve with a clean house? Think about all the ?old? and ?unsuccessful? energy that you have in your home.

If you've got dust bunnies the size of Great Danes, it's time to get to work. Dirt and dust equal stagnant and stuck. Remember, a rut is just a grave that's open at both ends. How to get out of your dirty rut? Good old fashioned elbow grease. Here's a quick guide to cleaning your space to get you out of your dirty rut.

1. Go to the bathroom.
Why? Bathrooms that are dirty are germfests waiting to make you sick. Clean it up and you might just feel better or get through cold and flu season unscathed!

2. Take on the kitchen.
This is where you eat so it should be clean. Nothing attracts bugs faster than a filthy kitchen. Make it a goal to give your kitchen a two-hour once over. Spend two hours in there and really clean -- the coils on the fridge, the oven, the floors, ceilings, windows - everything.

3. Head into the bedroom.
When you sleep, you are breathing in everything that's in the room, i.e., pet dander, dust, mites from the bed, you name it. Make it a point to clean under the bed, vacuum the blinds and wash the curtains and bedspreads and blankets. Then vacuum, yes, vacuum, the mattress and flip. Ahhh....clean. It feels so nice.

4. Create a paper trail.
To the recycling center that is. Haven't read that magazine? Then you're not going to, so get rid of it. Conduct your own paperectomy and get rid of all that paper that's just taking up space.

5. Concentrate in the corners.
This is where everything drifts to... the corner of the bedroom, the corners of the ceilings. Corners are a magnet for stacks of papers. On the ceiling, corners attract spider webs. Clear out every corner you have, including closet corners.

6. Go outside.
Rent a pressure washer and wash the house, sidewalks, patios, and driveways. Pressure washers are a house's best friend. Think of it as an exfoliating scrub for your home. You will love your sparkling house.

7. Head to the top.
Clean off the tops of everything. This includes dressers, tables, counters, refrigerators -- anything with a top. It also means dusting the tops of windows,door trim, and tops of baseboards. Dust just loves to hide on the tops of things.

8. Get steamed.
Once a year get your carpets and upholstery STEAM cleaned. Why steam? It's hot and it's water so it will clean REALLY well without hurting anything or leaving behind any kind of soapy residue. That's right, soapy residue.

Many people get their carpets cleaned or use grocery-store carpet cleaner products only to find they need to do it again and again and again because the carpets get dirtier faster and faster and faster.

Hmmmm.... a conspiracy? No. Just soap that stays behind. And soap is sticky, right? Well, then, that's where all the dirt is coming from: it's getting stuck in all that soap that is left behind from those cleaners. And while you're at it, throw away all your soap-based carpet cleaners.

kweber@redlotusconsulting.com

Seeking Balance in Your Home Decor

2010-02-12T05:27:00.001-08:00

In our homes, as in other parts of our lives, we are happier when we live with balance and harmony. Just like the rest of our lives, balance in the rooms of our homes is sometimes hard to create.

For many years, decorators and home owners tried to create this physical balance by having pairs of everything: 2 matching end tables, a matched pair of wing chairs, even sets of twin beds in the master bedroom. This certainly created a balanced room. It also created rooms that were sterile, formal and visually boring. In a formal setting or a Federal or Georgian home, this is still the way things should be to look 'right.' Our ancestors valued this perfect balance so highly that they created false doors in hallways so that both sides matched or doors that looked like windows so that the right and left sides of the back of a house matched perfectly. This can still be seen if you go to visit some of our historic homes. A notable example is the Hammond-Harwood House in Annapolis, Md. We, however, tend to prefer a more relaxed approach to our homes.

So how do we create a feeling of balance without matched pairs of everything? You can use:
Color Dark colors have more 'weight' than light colors. Actual size Height, depth and width of an object Mass A thick bulky looking object has more ?weight? than a fragile, delicate one. Just visualize a blown glass vase and a terracotta pot of the same size. Number A group of several like objects in different sizes grouped together creates 'weight.' Think of an assortment of silver candlesticks. Light A dark corner has more 'weight' than one filled with light. If you want to prove this to yourself, gather together a group of assorted objects and use a tabletop/mantel and try out different scenarios. Be sure you have different sizes, colors, textures and shapes. You can put a larger framed picture against one end and a slightly smaller one in front of it. On the other end of your table put a heavy pot. Do the same thing with a matching pot at each end. Try pairing the picture group with an assortment of candles in candlesticks. Each time you create an arrangement, step back and look at it. In fact, if you have a digital camera, take a picture of it. If you do this for a while you will start to get a feel for balance. You can actually give the illusion that the tabletop is tilted slightly by throwing off the visual balance.

The same effect can occur in your room arrangements. If you doubt this, close your eyes and try to 'see' a room in which you felt physically uncomfortable or slightly disoriented even though there was no obvious reason. A room in which the heavy items are all on one side of the room, almost feels as though the floor tilts. Once you have a feel for balance you can start to create a harmonious home.

Stand in the doorway of any room in your house that you feel isn?t 'right.' What do you see? Does the burgundy chair stick out like there is a spotlight on it? Does the entertainment center overwhelm the room? Do you have a TV and a fireplace battling for focal point? Do your easy chairs look like they were made for children next to your mammoth sofa? Does your fireplace mantel look like you are setting up for a tag sale? Your room is out of balance.

Move the furniture around and try different arrangements until you have one that works. Unless you have a room that is just for show like a Victorian parlor, you need to be able to use the room comfortably. Once the practical set-up is done, look at the room from different angles. If the room is out of balance use color and accessories, plants and pictures, groups of like objects, light and volume to create an illusion of balance.

Try grouping the accessories on your mantels and tabletops. Balance the entertainment center on one side of the fireplace with a tall plant or group of plants on the other. Note: avoid having the tops of everything at the same height. You might as well draw a line around your room. Repeat the color of the chair in pillows, throws, lampshades or the matting around a group of pictures. You really will be amazed at the difference it makes.

We may all be born craving balance but except for the lucky few, we have to learn to achieve it. There is a myriad of books on the subject and it can help to read them and look at the pictures, but the best way to get a feel for balance is 'hands on.' Experiment with portable objects until you get a feel for what works and then enjoy creating your harmonious home.

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The company?s creed is to provide its clients with the ultimate life management experience. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net

Content for this article was provided by Suzanne Copenhaver, Design Consultant to ON THE GO 4 U. Suzanne has years of experience decorating in less than ideal situations and always provides us with tons of insight.

? 2005 Indra Books for ON THE GO 4 U

What Should You Know About Baby Diapers!

2010-02-12T05:17:00.001-08:00

Baby diapers are the smartest thing invented for the babies. All headaches are gone. There are no more problems with the mess and with the cleaning after every change. The baby diapers are more practical and all you have to do is open it, put it like a panty, clip the cocklebur and that?s it. It?s not only time you spare but money too. More and more brands offer different kind of diapers for almost all the moments of the growth. The purpose of all this brands is to make the baby feel comfortable, free to move, and to avoid any kind of infections.

They improve more and more in the way they open-close, smell and feel. A diaper with rough margins generates rashes and discomfort for the baby. The untreated rashes can get infected. A good baby diaper is that which makes the skin look healthy. A baby diaper must be changed as much as it needs and thrown away. The disposal containing used diapers must be emptied at least once a day. It?s important to keep the baby clean and the place also. The babies must not be exposed to all kind of germs which can make him sick. To change a baby diaper is not that hard, it needs practice and patience. In case you detect any rashes be sure you clean gently the surface of the skin with water or antibacterial substances and also change the brand of the diapers you used. Nothing is too good for your baby.

If you find this information useful you should visit the site http://baby-diaper.info where you will find lots of interesting articles related to this topic, all original and wrote by Michael Lastun.

Hot Boys' 2006 Halloween Costumes ? 7 Popular Costumes

2010-02-12T05:07:00.001-08:00

If you're looking for the hottest Halloween costume for your son or young male relative or friend - start by going online. Here are the hottest and newest costumes for 2006 - all under $50.

Superman Returns (with Muscle Chest) - The world's most beloved superhero is back. A DC Comics character costume

Power Rangers Mystic Force - Believe in your destiny to become the Red Ranger. Nick Russell was the last to embrace magic and become a Power Ranger, with his mystic control over fire, he has moves of fury.

Knight of the Dragon - You've got dragons to slay.

The Flash. The scarlet speedster is always there to race and save the day.

Star Wars Stormtrooper - An exceptional trooper in the glorious Empire. As an agent of the Empire your orders are to find the rebels and crush their insignificant rebellion.

X-Men Wolverine - One of the most popular, and deadly, characters in the whole Marvel Universe. He's the best at what he does.

Evil Jester - Jest have some friends. The costume includes a double knot poly shirt with skull trim, black and white checkered pants, black waist sash, black and white checkered headpiece, and skull mask.

* Go to a search engine like Google, Yahoo or MSN and type in Halloween costume

* Check how the costumes are organized. Select 'Boys' or you can select by category such as Pirates

* Check what comes with the costume. You may need a wig, makeup or other props - like a sword for a pirate costume.

* Order the costume with time to allow for the most inexpensive shipping. A number of sites offer free shipping if a dollar threshold is met.

* Sign up for the site's newsletter - you will get offers and promotions.

Find and compare Halloween costumes http://www.wise4living.com/kidfeature/costume.htm

Read articles about childcare http://www.wise4living.com/kidnanny/

Author Robin Derry is publisher for http://www.wise4living.com/ a specialty information site that gives solutions to health, household, sport, travel and legal needs

Clawfoot Bathtubs: A Classic Touch in Your Own Home

2010-02-12T04:57:00.001-08:00

Flat TV?s, contemporary art, remote controlled curtains, and all things modern can be found everywhere in a typical American home. They may be pleasing to own but too much of it can make your house too ?modern? to look at and sometimes dull and boring.

You may remember the times when simple things were beautiful to look at. Today, many people are considering adding a touch of history in their homes. The warmth and homey look of a home isn?t found in modern appliances and fixtures. Even bathroom fixtures are now integrated with state-of-the-art technology. Home bathtubs are integrated with personal Jacuzzis with a large plasma TV and a floating remote control. These things can be great but it just lacks that classical, homey look that a home should have.

Whenever you visit your grand parent?s house, you will notice the inviting look of a simple yet very classic look inside their homes. No plasma television, no remote controlled curtains, simple kitchen fixtures and those great cookie jars. You may even notice that their bathroom is equipped with simple yet attractive fixtures.

Even the bathtub has its traditional look. If you want this in your own home, you may try and consider buying a clawfoot bathtub. A clawfoot bathtub is very popular for people who want to have that classic American look in their bathroom. It is very simple in design and very pleasing to look at.

There are different styles in a clawfoot bathtub. You should consider choosing one that will compliment your bathroom more. There are clawfoot bathtubs that are made from cast iron or acrylic. The style also varies from roll top, dual and dual slipper. You can also choose from different kinds of feet for your clawfoot bathtub like a ball & claw, lion paw, imperial pedestal and skirt.

Choosing what kind of clawfoot bathtub you want for your home is up to you. Basically, here are the things you should know about the two different kinds of materials used in the clawfoot bathtub.

If you are a strict traditionalist and want a clawfoot bathtub to have that original look, you may want to consider having a cast iron clawfoot bathtub. These bathtubs can be painted and repainted to match the d?cor in your bathroom. Cast iron clawfoot bathtubs are heavy and are not suited for people with bathrooms in the second floor of their house. And, since it is metal, it will not retain heat too long. One advantage of cast iron clawfoot bathtubs is that it can last a long time.

On the other hand, the acrylic clawfoot tubs are light weight and are easier to move and install. It is also perfect for upper story baths because of its weight. Acrylic clawfoot bathtubs are good insulators that can keep your water warm longer.

One disadvantage of acrylic is that it will break down if strong cleaning chemicals are used, like acetate.

You can also install different kinds of faucets for your clawfoot bathtub. Try experimenting or think about what designs you want your faucets to be in your clawfoot bathtub.

If you want your home to have that classical touch, you can start redecorating it in your bathroom. Having a clawfoot bathtub installed in your bathroom can have a pleasing effect with the things around it. With a clawfoot bathtub, you will surely have an enjoyable and relaxing experience while you are bathing.

Claire Bowes is a successful freelance writer and owner of Clawfoot Bathtubs where you will find further tips to spruce up your bathtub.

Candle Accessories for Your Home

2010-02-12T04:47:00.001-08:00

Do you like decorating with candles in your home? Almost any room in the house or an apartment can accommodate candle use, as long as you set it up safely and don?t leave candles unsupervised. Although you may think of candles primarily as table ornaments or birthday decorator items for a cake, there are many uses to which you can put candles, and their accessories, to make your home more warm and inviting.

Consider adding wall sconces along your central staircase. Use the electric kind to prevent fire hazards. These candles may run from batteries in their base or by electric plug-in cords. Wall candles add a lovely, romantic feel to a stairwell, creating a sense of intimacy and perhaps an old fashion look to blend with your decorating style. Wall sconces work well outside oft-used rooms, like the bathroom, as well as home offices, dens, and family rooms. You can get faux candles for your sconces just to be sure no one accidentally lights them to create a potential fire hazard.

Votive candles add a decorative touch around the holidays, especially. Set out a candle ring of plastic, vinyl, or fabric flora, taking care that it is fireproof before lighting the candle at its center. Smaller candles can be placed around the main one as accents in color-coded arrangements that emphasize certain holiday or pastel shadings for purposeful design. Votive candles may be white, but then are placed inside colored glass holders. These make great Advent or Easter centerpieces, as well as table decorations for religious celebrations like First Communion, baptism, or church membership.

Large, round candles help to create attractive centerpieces for holiday themes, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or even Memorial Day. Trim the candle base with related decorator craft items, albeit it fabric, flowers, or a basket, and add whatever else helps to make the candle fit the occasion.

Special dinner celebrations can be commemorated with candle centerpieces or candelabra in the center of the table or on a side area, like a buffet. The candelabra may represent spiritual significance for events like Passover or Christmas, or they can simply add a romantic touch to the evening. Use a flame quencher to put out each candle when you are ready to extinguish them.

Candles do not need to be lit to become part of an attractive centerpiece or decorator item. For example, you can attach a candle to the center of a wreath without lighting it. Candles at either end of your fireplace mantel make a nice touch, as do a cluster of varied size candles in the hearth when your fireplace is not in use.

Use candles to add intimacy, romance, or mysticism to your next gathering for guests or just for your family. Few decorating objects add so much ambiance as a candle, especially one that is scented. Small and tall, or large and wide, candles that are wisely used can bring any room to life.

Let CandleCase offer helpful decorating tips when you stop by their website at The Candle Case

Small Bathroom Remodeling And The DoItAll Renovations Contractor

2010-02-12T04:37:00.001-08:00

Managing a small bathroom remodeling project

Remodeling your small bathroom, or any sized bathroom for that matter, can be a very rewarding and satisfying project. It can also be the source of much stress and many sleepless nights when things go wrong and believe me they can go wrong. Managing home improvement projects isn't as easy as it might seem and a bathroom remodel can be one of the most difficult tasks you can undertake in your home.

How to minimise the stress of your small bathroom renovation project

The most important thing to do before starting your bathroom makeover project is planning. You must decide not only what you are going to do in your small bathroom but you must also decide how you are going to do it. So what are your options?

Do it all yourself
Do part of it yourself and hire a project manager to hire a contract team.
Hire a project manager to control the whole bathroom remodel
Project manage your small bathroom makeover and hire a team of contractors yourself.
Find a multi skilled contractor to complete your whole bathroom-remodeling project.

I knew that I didn't have the time to manage a team of bathroom contractors and I would hold them up if tried to do any of the work myself. I only had the one bathroom so I couldn't afford to have the job take any longer than necessary. So that left me with the options of hiring a team of bathroom contractors and a project manager or finding someone that would do the whole job by themselves.

Preparing your bathroom remodeling plan of action

Before I took the plunge and remodeled my own little bathroom I took the time to talk to people who had some personal remodeling experience of their own. I talked to friends and their friends and I talked to the staff in bathroom showrooms. This is the best way to help you decide how you are going to get your bathroom makeover done. It's also a very good way of finding contacts for suitable contractors.

While I was doing all this talking, that went on for several months, it became clear to me that the people who had the least amount of problems and stress with their small bathroom remodels where the people who had involved the least number of contractors to do the work. They also seemed to get their remodeling project completed much faster.

Hiring a multi skilled contractor to remodel your small bathroom

I decided then that I would look for a bathroom-remodeling contractor who would be capable and prepared to take on my small bathroom renovation from start to finish. I was convinced by what I had found that they do exist but I knew that they would be in high demand. In the end I was very pleased with the result and encourage you to consider this route to your dream bathroom.

I was right about the rarity of the one-stop bathroom-remodeling contractor. Lets face it, there are a lot of skills required and it's hard to see how one person can be a master of them all. On the other hand none of it is rocket science and anyone determined enough to put their mind to it can do a very reasonable job of it all.

After a lot of searching for names and referrals I chose 3 possible contractors and asked them to quote. I found the pin boards in many bathroom showrooms to be a valuable resource in finding contractors, as many of them will leave a card there for you to pick up.

I asked them all for references so that I could go and see some of their work and talk to their clients. This is an important and very reassuring step that can help to ensure that you don't end up with a rogue who runs off with your money.

Be prepared to wait for your small bathroom remodel

The guy that I chose to remodel my small bathroom was booked up for 6 months in advance but I felt that the wait would be well worth it. So we set a time and went with it. I was not disappointed with the result.

Read more about multi-skilled bathroom remodeling contractors in the article Small Bathroom Remodeling and One-Stop Contractors

Before and after pictures of my small bathroom remodel Pictures of bathrooms before and after remodeling at http://www.bathroomsremodeling.this-info.com Steve Gee

Decorating With Lights and Shades

2010-02-12T04:27:00.001-08:00

Candlestick, lamp and fixtures for electricity must accord with the lines of your architectures and furniture. The mantelpiece is the connecting link between the architecture and furnishing of a room. It is the architect contribution to the furnishing, and for this reason the keynote for decorator.

In the same way lighting fixtures are links between construction and decoration of a room, and can contribute to, or seriously divert from decorators design.

It is important that fixtures be so placed as to appear a part of a decoration and not merely to illuminate conveniently a corner of the room, a writing desk, table or piano.

In planning your house after arranging for proper wall space for your various articles of furniture, keep in mind always that lights will be needed and must be at the same time conveniently placed and distinctly decorative.

One is astonished to see how often the actual balance of a room is upset by the careless placing of electric fixtures. Therefore keep in mind when deciding upon the lighting of a room the following points:

- fixtures must follow inline style of architecture and furniture

- the position of fixtures on walls must carry out the architect scheme of proportion, line and balance

- the material used in fixtures, brass, gilded wood, glass or wrought iron must contribute to the decorators scheme of line and color

- as a contribution to color scheme the fixtures must be in harmony with the color of the side walls, so as not cut them up, and the shade should be a light note of color, not one of the dark notes when illuminated.

This bring us to the question of shades. The selecting of shapes and colors for shading the lights in your rooms is of the greatest importance, for then shades are one of the harmonics for striking important color notes, and their value must be equal by day and by night, that is, equally, even if different.

Some shades, beautiful and decorative by night, when illuminated lose their color and become meaningless blots in a room.

In ordering or making shades, be sure that you select colors and materials which produce a diffused light. A soft thin pink silk as a lining for a silk or cretonne shade is always successful, and if a delicate pink, never clashes with the colors on the outside.

When you decide upon the shape of your shades do not forget that successful results depend upon absolutely correct proportions.

Marjan Zemljic is owner of Home-decorating-ideas-and-tips.com and author of How to break into the interior design industry. In his book you will find out how you can do exactly that. For more home decorating ideas visit his website at http://www.home-decorating-ideas-and-tips.com and learn how to create the home of your dreams.

Kids Hollywood Style Party: Glitz Glamour And Hollywood Fun!

2010-02-12T04:17:00.001-08:00

If your child is feeling a little out of place in a new classroom this year, if it is a special occasion, or if you are simply wanting to throw a special party for your child's friends, why not throw your own kids' Hollywood style party, and help break the ice with the glitz, glamour, and fun of a kids' Hollywood style party?

Whether in your back yard, or another location, you can make a special Hollywood style party for your child. By simply providing things, like inexpensive craft store hats for decorating, party favor jewelry, sunglasses, boa feathers, your child?s favorite music, and movies, together with some fun food and games, your child can have their very own kids' Hollywood style party.

? Buy inexpensive party favors such as craft or thrift store hats for the children, and allow them to decorate the hats themselves, party favor jewelry, sunglasses, feather boas, cardboard cut out stars, painted silver, with each child's name printed on them, and inexpensive party favor trophies or paper awards, easily made and printed on a home computer.

? Serve ginger ale in plastic champagne glasses.

? Serve trays of Hors d'oeuvres, such as finger cakes, cheese dogs wrapped in prepared pastry dough, and baked, small pizza bites, to be served on a table draped with white paper table cloths liberally sprinkled with glitter and confetti.

? Age appropriate music from ?singers? from your child?s list of favorites.

? The use of a karaoke machine, so stars may be born, is another good idea. There is no need to have special karaoke tapes, just let them sing along with their favorite singers! Create your own talent show, letting everyone be a winner, and receive their own award for their efforts.

What better way to help your child have fun, and get to know their friends better, then to have loads of fun with your very own Kids Hollywood Style Party? On your walk of fame, every child can have a star!

The Magic of Design

2010-02-12T04:07:00.001-08:00

There was a time people thought the world was flat. At another point in history it was believed that women didn?t have the know-how to run a business or change a tire. Then there was the one about man not being able to fly. Over time all of these fairytales have proven untrue.

So it is with interior design. Until recently, many people held the belief that having their home decorated by an interior designer was reserved for the rich and famous. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Fact is, many people of average income who live in a middleclass neighborhood are frequently surprised to learn they can easily afford the services of an interior designer. In other cases, many folks prefer to learn tips about design so they have the flexibility to redo a room on a whim. Either way, you have more choices today then ever before.

It is not uncommon to completely redo a room for a one time social event such as a birthday celebration, a graduation or a wedding. With some simple tips, even the most inexperienced person can easily spruce up a room.

Before you begin, think about the style you are interested in. Is it art deco, traditional, Mediterranean, western, modern, or contemporary? These are only a few of the multitude of choices you have. Think through how functional the room will be with what you have in mind. Avoid rugs and chairs that stain easily if there will be a lot of traffic in the room.

Be very careful to scale your furniture to the size of the room. If you have a very large space you can break up the area into little sitting groups or area groups. You can easily shift the ?feel? of a room with the use of lighting and/or plants. Area rugs are another tool many designers use to break up large spaces. A variety of paint colors and wall textures can make even the most mundane room come to life.

Small space decorating is fast becoming a favorite topic for many people as real estate prices rise. Think priorities when it comes to small spaces. Do you need to use an area of the room for more than one reason? In some cases you can easily convert the kitchen table to your workspace provided you have cabinet space handy for supplies. A chest of drawers can easily serve this purpose by holding office supplies, linens, or even computer components.

If you are considering utilizing the services of a designer, do your homework. Check their portfolio and references. Find out how they are to work with, did they deliver on time, were they easy to work with and did they listen to the homeowner. If you get an affirmative answer on all of these and their fees are suitable to your budget, then take the leap. Often, interior designs services are provided at no additional cost to you, and will give you the extra edge you need to create exactly the feeling you want for your home.

A great designer can make recommendations you may not have thought of. Ultimately, their goal is for you to be ecstatic with what you were able to accomplish together. After all, you are the one that has to live in the space long after the designer has done their magic.

Web: www.thecozyhome.net

Publishing Guidelines: You may publish my article in your newsletter, on your website, or in your print publication provided you include the resource box at the end. Notification would be appreciated but is not required.

About The Author

Melody Foster is the proprietor of The Cozy Home. The Cozy Home recently received the award for Best Interior Design for 2004 from the Parade of Homes and Salt Lake Home Builders Association for homes in the $400,000 - $700,000 range. Located in historic downtown Draper, Utah, The Cozy Home has a retail outlet that offer a unique selection to those who want the ability to furnish and accessorize their homes in a very individual way, with one-of-a-kind pieces that cannot be found elsewhere. The Cozy Home also focuses on interior design for homes in the $200,000 and up range, specializing in the enhancing the average American home. Contact Melody Foster at mfoster@speakeasy.net

Web: www.thecozyhome.net

Oriental Area Rugs Know Before You Buy an Oriental Rug

2010-02-12T03:57:00.001-08:00

Did you know that you can usually tell the country from which an Oriental rug originated from its design and style? While we often think of 'Oriental rugs' as having an overall defining style, the truth is that there are many styles of Oriental rugs, most of them growing from traditional patterns and materials common to the country or area in which they originated. Experts in Oriental rugs spend years learning the variations of patterns, materials, colors and weave that are characteristic of the different areas of the Orient.

Persian Rugs - These are the rugs that most people think of when they hear 'Oriental rug'. Persian rugs are easily the most recognized style of Oriental rug. Now known as Iran, Persia has a reputation for producing some of the most beautiful and high quality rugs throughout history. The traditional designs bear the names of the tribal regions where they are made - Tabriz, Kerman, Sarouk and others. The intricate floral and geometric patterns are a hallmark of Persian designs, which make them among the most sought after and valuable Oriental rugs.

Indian Rugs - Most Oriental rugs sold in the United States nowadays are made in India. The rug industry is one of the mainstays of rural workers in India. Indian rug producers keep a finger on the pulse of the market, so you can find rugs made in India that are made in designs that originate in nearly every other country. Oriental rugs from India are generally less expensive than from other countries. The one rug produced in India that did originate in that country is the traditional Indian dhurrie rug, a flat-weave rug of cotton, wool or other natural fibers created in a variety of traditional and contemporary patterns.

Turkey - Turkish rugs are prized not only for their beauty, but because most Turkish Oriental rugs are between 50 and 75 years old. World War I disrupted the Turkish rug industry, and it has taken nearly 50 years for the industry to begin to regain its footing. The Turkish government now encourages and supports Oriental rug weaving as an industry, and the rugs produced are striking in their rich use of color and traditional design.

Tibet - Tibetan rugs are among the most prized of all rugs. Entire villages and families are involved in the art of Oriental rug design. A Tibetan rug can take up to 3,000 hours to complete. They are made from the wool of Himalayan sheep, which is generally regarded as the best wool fiber for rug making because of its high lanolin content. Tibetan rugs feature rustic patterns and rich colors, with variations in the wool texture and coloring that increase the value and uniqueness of the finished products.

To view our list of recommended sources for the highest quality rugs online, visit: Recommended Online Rug Stores.

Carrie Reeder is the owner of eZerk, an informational website with articles and the latest news about various topics. Visit the website to read more about decorating and rugs.

Invasion of the Bar Stool Are you Prepared?

2010-02-12T03:47:00.001-08:00

Picture this: Its 1683, Dublin, Ireland - A guy walks into a bar and asks for his favorite brew. The bartender obliges and hands it off. He sits down enjoys his drink, maybe asks for another, then sits back and relaxes. I am sure that guy would have never thought that what he was sitting on was a potential household dynamo. The bar stool would in later years not only be practical but also, be an essential piece of furniture for its superior functionality in American homes.

When I first heard of a bar stool, I naturally thought of the local pub in town; I never realized that the craze of the bar stool has taken hold of modern American d?cor. Maybe I missed something, maybe I had just as much knowledge as the guy from 1683 drinking in his local pub, but there is no doubt about it ? ?The Mighty Bar Stool? has cometh.

Call it a form of furniture enlightenment, the bar stool popped up all over the place just as quickly as it popped into my mind. No place was safe; it became a bar stool invasion. Why would people accept such ancient furniture into their home, and make everyday use of it?

Well, lets see. We have the following:

-Bar stools have been around for centuries (slowly planning their attack no less)
-Modern America has integrated the bar stool into everyday living as a common piece of furniture
-I just coined the phrase ?Furniture Enlightenment? (wink, wink)

Well to my amazement bar stools impacted home furniture by its diversity of necessity. What does diversity of necessity mean? Its simple, means that bar stools became easily adaptable to common furniture needs in our homes. We can place them in kitchens, dens, family rooms, basements, outdoors, or anywhere else. The bar stool has become a token piece of furniture.

Bar Stools, as best that I can see are the stepping stool (no pun intended) for better diversity for our home d?cor. Meaning they allow more fluidity in our selections of the overall presence in the home. We need easy movable seating for a small kitchen, basement, patio, or anywhere else ? Bar Stool. We want to create an area to socialize in the home or maybe create a home bar ? Hello Bar Stool. There is no escape.

The species of bar stool comes in many forms, colors, and designs. Once thought to only flourish in a pub or a bar, the bar stool has conquered its questionable and gritty history, to find its place in our very homes. The bar stool market surges forward in local and online furniture stores as consumers put it in demand. So if you have not realized the furniture coup d'etat that has transpired over the course of centuries, do not despair you are not alone. In such times there is one motto I leave you with to prepare you for this upheaval ? ? If you can?t beat them? Join them?

Damon N. Burgess is a search engine conceptualist, writer, and an award-winning designer. The founder of Verse Designs, a Long Island web design company, where his concepts come to life. Also the marketing manager of one of the largest online furniture stores on the net ? One Way Furniture

Decorating Your Home: 5 Style Tips that Cost Less than $50

2010-02-12T03:37:00.001-08:00

Do you dream of adding style to your home but don?t have a lot of money? Don?t despair! There are 5 things you can do that will help your house look beautiful without spending much money.

1. Declutter your home.

Nothing zaps a great look like clutter. Look around you. Do you have paper plies or mail stacks? Do you just add to your knickknack collection rather than rotate your select favorites? When was the last time you saw the front of your refrigerator? Simple solutions that cost very little money are to invest in nice office trays, pretty bulletin boards and frames for your child?s artwork. Make the trash can handy to immediately toss unwanted mail. Taking away the clutter will make your space appear larger and help your treasured objects be emphasized rather than lost.

2. Make display surfaces pretty.

A key element in houses that are decorated by a professional rather than want-to-be is the art of accessorizing. Flat surfaces such as mantels, bookcases, and coffee tables are the perfect places to restyle for less. The one important point here is to keep it simple. Bookcases should only be 2/3 full. A mantle should not have mirror above it (a very dated look) ? choose artwork instead. Place no more than three items on an end table ? cluster these varied but related items together for more impact.

3. Paint to Impress.

Paint, as you know, makes the most dramatic change for the money. Be bold, be daring and most importantly -- don?t do white! Choose a complex color. This simply means if you would use several different words to describe the color than it is probably complex. For example; if you said it was a kinda ?gold, straw, beige-y color? than it is probably a complex color. If you said ?just yellow? - it probably is not a very inspiring look. A beautiful color on the walls can make the room go from ordinary to extraordinary in less than a day and usually for less than $50.

4. Make it personal

Decorating your house is a job but styling your home is fun. Personalization is putting your interests, hobbies or values into your d?cor to really make it your own. Buy simple ? read inexpensive - curtains at your local big-box store and then buy exquisite wide ribbon to hot glue on the edge. Use your grandson?s first sneakers to tie back the den curtains. Use some family photos but just promise not to use too many. A guest coming for a visit may find all those staring eyes unnerving.

5. Change with the seasons.

You know the drill ? lighter brighter for spring/summer and darker richer for fall/winter. This easy task of changing the fabric items around the home can help you make it seasonal. Change out placements, bath towels, and accent pillows. The final touch is to purchase a seasonal bouquet of flowers: fresh or fake- these centerpieces can add punch to a room.

Decorate your home by spending time not money in decluttering, painting and accessorizing. By following these simple tips, you can make a huge impact by bringing your home from average to spectacular for very little money.

Julie Dana is a professional Interior Redesigner and Accredited Staging Professional. Her company, The Home Stylist, offers online decorating consultations, do-it-yourself decorating plans and real-estate staging. Visit http://www.thehomestylist.com to take a fun style quiz, vote on a color poll, and sign up for free decorating e-newsletter.

Decorating on a Budget 15 Easy Steps

2010-02-12T03:27:00.001-08:00

Many years ago I was told that the least expensive way to redecorate is to rearrange what you have. It was one of the best decorating suggestions I?ve ever had-not to mention the one that can be the most fun to implement. How can you beat it? A new room-practically free! You get such a feeling of satisfaction when you accomplish something spectacular using your imagination and what you already have.

Of course, like many suggestions there is a good way to do this and one that isn?t quite so satisfactory. So here?s a step by step.

1. Choose the room you want to give a new look.

2. Decide on the type of change you would like. Do you want it brighter, lighter, more sophisticated, or more casual? Do you want to give it a contemporary flavor or make it a bit exotic?

3. Take a good look at what is in the room and decide what doesn?t fit the new look/theme that you chose. What is worn out, out of place or out of proportion?

4. Assess the room: Stand in each doorway and in each corner of the room and give it a good hard look. Would the furniture look better on an angle? What is the traffic pattern? You don?t want furniture sitting in the way of how you need to move about the room. Most of us can?t afford to have a room that just sits and looks pretty. A well designed room works for you.

5. Make a list of the items you want tokeep and measure them.

6. Take a buying trip through your house and see what you can use from other rooms. One very important suggestion: double check measurements and colors of the pieces you have ?bought? from other rooms. If you want to expand a little, there are frequently friends or relatives who have pieces in their homes they would like to get rid of, so if you don?t have quite what you like, check the family cast offs. Note: You might find you need to freshen your walls with a coat of paint or cover a chair or sofa with a slipcover or purchase new lampshades, but expense should be kept at a minimum, or you defeat your purpose.

7. Once you have your look and know what pieces are available to you, put it all on paper. You need to have a plan, because you could lose your ?willing? helpers if they have to move a sofa 6 or 7 times to get the right look because you didn?t do your homework. Pay special attention to electrical and cable outlets, heat and air vents and doors and windows. Lighting is important and unless you?re trying the hard way to keep the kids out, you want to be able to get in and out of the room easily and move around comfortably in it.

8. Clear your room. Take the unnecessary pieces and accessories away and put the pieces you want to keep together in another room.

9. It?s time to paint the walls and clean the windows and woodwork if needed. Shampoo carpets, wash floors and make sure your background is sparkling and clean.

10. If there are any small items you are going to need to purchase to complete the look, go do it while everything is drying. DO NOT go shopping without a list. You have your plan and you know what accessories you need to complete your look. The easiest way to get off budget and end up with clutter is to go without a list.

11. When the paint and floors are dry, place rugs on the floor (before you move in the furniture). It is also easier to do window treatments now while the room is empty. They can be adjusted later.

12. Gather your helpers. Move in the larger pieces of furniture. Add your smaller pieces such as tables and ottomans and then bring in the accessories.

13. Lamps are very important, so make sure they are located where they will work the best. Don?t under light your room.

14. Hang your pictures and adjust window treatments.

A note: less is more. An uncluttered room will give a more of an impression of newness then one with too much of everything.

15. Enjoy your new room. In fact throw a party and let everyone admire what you?ve accomplished. You?ll be able to afford it with the money you?ve saved.

Happy decorating!

This content for this article was provided by design consultant to ON THE GO 4 U, Suzanne Copenhaver. Suzanne has years of experience dealing with less than perfect home interiors and infrastructures. She provides in-home consultations on color, space, and design and teaches workshops on decorating for ON THE GO 4 U. Indra A Books, author of many other lifestyle articles is also the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The company?s creed is to provide its clients with the ultimate life management experience. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE Go 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net ? 2004 Indra A Books, ON THE GO 4 U.

Decorating With Bamboo Room Dividers

2010-02-12T03:17:00.001-08:00

Bamboo Room Dividers can add elegance and a touch of the exotic to any decorating theme. You can use them in most any room of your home to add a decorative touch to corners as well as divide a large room into 2 cozy spaces.

If you have one large room that serves double duty as a living room and dining room you can use a room divider to section each space off from the other thus creating 2 intimate spaces. And the best part is that if you get tired of the look you can always just fold up the room divider and store it away or use it in another room

There are several ways to us a room divider to decorate your room. Aside from using it in the middle of a large room as mentioned above, you can also use it just flat against the wall to add a bit of drama. If you want to soften up the corners in a room put a folding screen kitty corner to round it out. Don't be afraid to put a decorative plant or some a piece of furniture in front of the divider. If you have other themed accent pieces, try draping them over the divider.

There are many different styles of bamboo room dividers and one to suit every type of d?cor. You may think that all bamboo dividers look like pieces of hollow bamboo but this is not so!

Some feature thin strips of bamboo with an open work design at the top and have a light tropical look. These look good in a tropical type d?cor or in a sun room or any type of room that has an exotic feel. Because these types of folding screens do not have a heavy look, they can go well with island style bamboo furniture.

Other bamboo room dividers have a woven look much like those bamboo shades that are made from tiny sticks of bamboo. These actually can work with many different decors. Anything from a room decorated with a country feel to a modern type room will look great with these screens.

Bamboo room dividers can even go with a traditional d?cor. Some dividers are made from crushed bamboo and have 3 solid panels. These can be quite plain or have fancy designs and arched tops. These panels are a bit heavy in looks but go perfect with heavy mahogany furniture in a traditional, antique or plantation style d?cor.

Lee Dobbins writes for Room Divider Decor where you can learn all about room dividers as well as explore the different types of bamboo room dividers.

Interior Shutters as a Stylish Design Feature

2010-02-12T03:07:00.001-08:00

When contemplating the type of window dressing to use in your home design project, it is easy just to consider curtains or drapes, as these are relatively inexpensive, easily available and can be bought ready to hang. However, interior shutters or window blinds should not be disregarded as potential alternative window covers, and these can create a really dramatic effect used on their own or in combination with a fabric covering.

The difference between window coverings and window dressings is often overlooked in a home design scheme. While a plain functional blind that ensures privacy and prevents light from getting in can serve the purpose of window covering, some additional detail may be required to achieve a fully dressed window. Window dressing creates a complete style for the window, a valence or drapes used in conjunction with the blind may add the finishing touches and a dressed look.

Interior shutters provide both function and decoration. They can block out the light, keep in the heat, and still look fantastic. They offer a different function to exterior shutters, which need to be hardier to protect the home from bad weather and high winds.

Fitting interior shutters is a very simple task for those with basic DIY skills and a little patience. Attaching the shutter to an interior window frame you will require secure two by four studs to fasten the shutter screws. After screwing the hinges in place you can then hang the panels. The panel will slide into one side of the hinge and a pin will be required to hold it in the correct position. Exterior shutters require a little more skill to ensure stability. You may need to consider drywall anchors or similar hardware.

The easiest time to finish your shutters is before you hang them. This prevents mess within the home and allows paint to dry evenly, without risk of runs. Applying primer to the shutter panels will also improve the evenness of the painted finish. Vinyl panels are low maintenance as they never require painting. Cleaning the shutters with a duster or soft cloth is usually all that is required. For heavier dirt warm soapy water can bring your shutters up to their original condition.

Using interior shutters in your home can add a cozy atmosphere to your home and can provide character all of their own. Shutters with large slats can be known as plantation shutters, traditionally found on the plantations of the south, while shutters with narrower slats tend to be the reminiscent of colonial style houses in New England. In general, solid wooden shutters represent a traditional American style.

Leroy Calstard's papers can be found on many online publications with information about windows blinds. His articles on interior shutters can be discovered on http://www.shades-blinds-shutters-guide.com/interior-shutters.html.

Changing the Energy in Your Environment Changes How Everyone Experiences the Space

2010-02-12T02:57:00.001-08:00

You have heard the comment??You could cut the tension with a knife.? That seemingly, off-hand comment is true. When conflict is ongoing the air becomes very heavy and dense. ?How can that be?? You might ask.

Everything is energy?thoughts, ideas, words, emotions, and actions. When the words are conveying sadness, anger and conflict, your body can feel it. Positive or negative energy becomes embedded in everything?walls, ceilings, furnishings, drapes and even the wall paper or paint on the walls absorbs the energy. This embedded energy then becomes the consciousness of the space. Wow! Think about it! What do you think is embedded in your home or office? What negative energy has become a part of your physical space?

We know through our intuition and common sense when something feels off, that something is not right. So what can we do about it? In someone else?s space there isn?t much we can do, except to be aware of it at all times to prevent ourselves from taking on the negative effects of the embedded energy. However, in your space?home, cubical or office, you can do something about the energy flow.

There are several ways to set the energetic tone.

?To eliminate old negative energy embedded in walls and ceilings?painting or wall paper can create, not only a changed esthetic tone, but freshness and energy shift. Before painting or wall papering, write your intentions for the space on the walls in pencil. Such as: Peaceful communication, loving conversations, harmony, kindness, etc. Thus, you are creating ?the handwriting on the wall.?

?If you are painting your office or your space of creating abundance, prosperity, affluence and influence write business words. Such as money, referrals, clients, patients, business relationships, expansion, prosperity, wealth and sharing.

Be sure to include your own words that hold the intention of manifesting prosperity. Paint or wall paper the walls beautiful colors that support you in your intentions and the manifestation you have written on the wall.

?If your intention is to create a space in your home as a nurturing sanctuary, then use words you sense will accomplish that. Such as: peaceful, tranquil, safe, secure, nurturing, comfortable, unconditionally loving, friendly?write words which support you.

?If you office is in your home, combine the supportive, nurturing words with prosperity-focused words. It works. You will feel the shift in consciousness and energy almost immediately.

?Feng shui is a powerful and inexpensive way to create positive and harmonious energy. Feng shui is the ancient Chinese practice of placement and arrangement of space which is claimed to achieve harmony with the environment. Feng shui, meaning wind and water, is not a decorating style. Rather, it is a discipline whose guidelines are compatible with many different decorating styles. The source of the term is purported to come from the poem The winds are wild/The sun is warm/The water is clear/The trees are lush. Feng shui is a discrete Chinese belief system involving a mix of geographical, religious, philosophical, mathematical, aesthetic, and astrological ideas. For a place to have good feng shui is for it to be in harmony with Nature, to have bad feng shui is to be incongruous with Nature. People aren't usually described as having good or bad feng shui themselves. It is believed that certain people by force of personality or visual appearance are able to add or subtract from the feng shui of their surroundings.

My office and healing center is within my home. I have used a combination of wind, water and ?hand writing on the walls.? Every room has beautiful thoughts written on all the walls. Underneath the paint, the consciousness of my specific intentions and words are infused on every wall. Everyone comments on how ?beautiful? and ?comfortable? my office is. ?It feels so calm and peaceful.? I smile, knowing I intentionally created that feeling for myself and my clients?the ?handwriting is on the wall.? Of course, the best part is the benefit to me personally and professionally. My home and office feel wonderful all the time. And so can yours.

If your home or office is not ready for a make-over, it also works to write the words energetically on your walls. Take a pen, which has a receded point or a pencil without a lead point and write the words you want without it being visibly written.

We can change the dynamics of consciousness on this planet if every home, building and structure of any kind were embedded with the consciousness of unconditional love and words of wisdom. You will notice that many of the early 1800?s buildings have sayings written on the outside of the building. It is tragic we failed to carry that powerful concept forward?we stopped putting the ?handwriting on the wall.? It is time to come back to it?if not on a global scale, at least in our homes, and when possible, cubicles and offices.

Dorothy M. Neddermeyer, PhD, author, international speaker and inspirational leader specializes in: Mind, Body, Spirit healing and Physical/Sexual Abuse Prevention and Recovery. As an inspirational leader, Dr. Neddermeyer empowers people to view life's challenges as an opportunity for Personal/Professional Growth and Spiritual Awakening. http://www.drdorothy.net

How to Bring Your Living Room to Life

2010-02-12T02:45:00.001-08:00

Do you like what you have but don?t like your room? Here?s the solution: pull your rooms together so they look finished and professionally decorated by following these techniques to add the ?wow? to your rooms! (I?ve used them in hundreds of homes!).

1. Paint the walls and ceiling a rich, warm neutral color or one of the colors in your room?s fabrics. Your furnishings will immediately look more at home. I call it ?marrying your architecture to your furnishings?.

2. Next, move your seating away from the walls and group it around a fireplace, a view window or any logical focal point.

3. Now, add a generous area rug to accent and unify your entire seating area.

4. Fill any empty looking corners with large plants and soft up-lights. Add a decorative, folding screen for a fuller look.

5. Place your lamps to evenly and softly light your seating area. Use additional lighting to accent your artwork, collections and accessories.

6. Create a focal point on the coffee table by elevating one of your favorite accessories on a stack of several books (sans covers). This will give your treasure more presence?. Then add a low, full green plant or a blooming orchid and a couple of large, glowing candles. If you like a fuller look, use a decorative tray or runner underneath.

7. Lastly, be sure to decorate the top half of your room (from the furniture up), with tall plants, window treatments, artwork and that wall color. The room will feel considerably larger, more interesting and most importantly ? finished!

These few changes will make all the difference so you can start enjoying living in a beautiful home!

Mary L. Brown of One Day Design is an interior re-designer who specializes in quickly transforming rooms using the furniture, accessories, and artwork people already have to give them a professionally decorated look! She's been featured on FOXTV, NBC and HGTV. Download Mary?s FREE ?Top 10 Decorating Mistakes (and How to Avoid or Fix Them!)? and sign up for her FREE decorating eNewsletter at http://www/OneDayDesign.com

Tiffany Lamps The Artistry of Dale Tiffany

2010-02-12T02:35:00.001-08:00

The art and craftsmanship of the original designs are evident in Dale Tiffany lamps. Dale Tiffany is the world?s leading designer and manufacturer of quality reproductions and Tiffany style lamps. Based on the original colored art glass designs originated and made popular by Louis Comfort Tiffany, Dale Tiffany produces their products with the same techniques, materials and quality workmanship of the originals. Original designs, carefully crafted using the copper foil method of stained glass construction, and high quality materials make Dale Tiffany lamps stand out above cheap imitations. Although original Tiffany works can be expensive collector?s items, found in museum collections and commanding high prices at the art auction houses, Dale Tiffany lamps are affordable alternatives that are works of art in their own right.

The lamp style that was all the rage in the late 1890s and into the beginning of the 20th century was key in the art nouveau movement and given worldwide popularity by the artistry and business acumen of Louis Comfort Tiffany. Tiffany lamps are a household word more than a century later and remain a great choice for home and business d?cor. Styles vary widely and add to the decorating options available, with everything from table lamps, floor lamps, wall sconces and desk lamps, to chandeliers and ceiling pendants.

Stylish Yet Timeless

The Tiffany style lamp designs are timeless. Louis Comfort Tiffany drew upon his love of nature for his original designs, and as electrical lighting was being introduced, Tiffany saw the opportunity to take his beautiful stained glass creations and offer them in a functional art object, suitable for home use and affordable for the general public. The original simplicity of Tiffany?s designs is thoughtfully reproduced and painstakingly crafted for reproductions that remain ageless and adapt well to even the most modern decorating styles.

Timeless beauty is reflected in the intricate Tiffany designed flowers, plants and other natural features. Ageless simplicity is beautifully captured in the fine geometric patterns, designs and borders that define the art deco movement. And Dale Tiffany lamps are produced with Louis Tiffany?s original handcrafting process and attention to detail. No two objects are exactly the same, thus adding to the value of the quality reproduction. Many may imitate the Tiffany lamp styling, but few manufacturers actually are true to the high quality and artistry of the original pieces. A decorative stained glass lighting fixture from Dale Tiffany will add charm and warmth to any setting and will retain the value and timelessness of a cherished keepsake, to be handed down from generation to generation.

About The Author:
Pamela Tice is the owner of numerous lighting and home decor websites including http://www.barnesandwagner.com/. Her store offers product and information about Tiffany Style Table Lamps and Tiffany Style Floor Lamps by Dale Tiffany, as well as other high quality lighting designs and products to add beauty and richness to your home.

How to Make A Character Cake When You Have No Instructions

2010-02-12T02:25:00.001-08:00

I have a few books with glossy pictures of cool cakes, including step by step instructions and templates for decorating the cake.

Failing that, I have been able to track down several cake templates for free on line.

However, recently I have hit a road block when it comes to making character cakes: there are generally no templates or instructions to be found for the latest, greatest, hippest character.

Not wanting to disappoint my fans, I found a way to create a cake template. It takes a small amount of computer knowledge and a bit of patience ? but if you are making character cakes already, you likely have patience and enthusiasm for these kinds of things.

The first step is to locate a simple cartoon of the character. Avoid cartoons with lots of details or background image. You want there to be enough detail to make the character recognizable, but not too much that it?s going to be confusing when you enlarge the image.

You can find this image in a colouring book, but you will need to scan it. Alternatively, try an online search for the character and see what you can find from there.

The next step is to decide what size of cake you are working with. Now, you need to blow up the cartoon image that you are working with to fit the dimensions of the cake.

If you are doing this digitally, you can do it in a Word file. Just set the size of the page to the dimensions of the cake, then paste the image in (NB ? there are probably various graphics programs you can do this in as well, that I don?t know about.)

If you are working Low-Fidelity, you can take your image to the local photocopier and resize it.

Now, print out your image!

Lay your image on your cooled cake, and use toothpicks to poke through the image and transfer the design onto the cake. Cut around the sides, and then decorate to your heart?s content!

A small decorating tip: I have found that using fruit roll ups and fruit strings works wonders in place of piping in icing ? it?s fast, it looks cool, and hey, it?s almost healthy ;)

Jewel Goodwin is a mother of two and an avid crafter. She loves to take tried and true methods and add an innovative twist to make her own unique crafts. Arts and Craft Tips

Fireplace Accessories How to Create the Perfect Fire for Your Fireplace

2010-02-12T02:15:00.001-08:00

Many of us grew up in homes that did not have a fireplace. This is not a tragic thing but it does mean that the closest most of us have ever come to building a fire is turning the thermostat knob or watching the camp director create a bonfire. However, as anyone with a fireplace knows, there simply is no substitute for a warm, crackling fire on a cold winter night. But for us city slickers without any fire-building experience, how on earth do we get the flames roaring safely so that they last through the night without burning down the house?

Building a fire is a process and there are steps to follow each and every time. First, always clean the hearth area before even thinking about getting the firewood. The ashes underneath your andirons or grate will choke off your fire because they will prevent oxygen from reaching the flames (remember, fire needs oxygen!). Using your handy fireplace tools, sweep up the old ashes into the dust pan and dispose of them properly. Now, you are ready for the wood.

One of the biggest secrets to a great fire is stacking the wood properly. If you have kindling, place it first on the grate or between the andirons. Otherwise, place smaller sticks and twigs on the bottom. Fire builds from the bottom so you want pieces of wood that will burn easily at the base of the fire. Next, the medium-sized logs should be placed with the largest logs set atop the pile. The best fires will be built with wood that has had plenty of time to dry out. Freshly cut firewood is practically useless and will not remain ablaze for very long. However, you can purchase fresh firewood in the Spring and it should be dried out and ready for use by the time fall rolls around.

Now before you even think about lighting the wood be sure to open the flue because you will dearly regret it if you don?t. The inside of your home will quickly fill with smoke when the flue is closed and it could take months to get that smell out of the upholstery, carpets, etc.!

Once the flue is open, the ashes cleaned away, and the wood stacked, it is time to actually start your fire. Now you may be tempted to use newspaper to start your fire but this is definitely not in your best interest. Believe it or not, the ink in newspaper may damage the inner walls of your chimney. At the very least, newspaper ink will cause the chimney to become dirty quicker and will actually add hefty cleaning expenses down the road.

Firestarters are actually the best option when it comes to getting the flames going in your hearth. Though the exact composition varies from product to product, many are made using sawdust and wax. The firestarter generally burns for 15-30 minutes and will be more than sufficient to get the flames going strong so long as the wood is dry, stacked properly, and well ventilated. Just be sure to place a fireplace screen across the hearth opening to prevent flying sparks from damaging your flooring.

Pamela Tice is the owner of home decor websites specializing in unique Fireplace Screens and a Fireplace Toolset. Visit http://www.fireplacescreensetc.com to get your hearth ready for the heating season and turn your ordinary fireplace into an extraordinary one.

Five Tips For Garden Sanctuaries

2010-02-12T02:05:00.001-08:00

The design of your garden has an amazing affect on your family?s health and well-being. Here is how you can create harmony in your garden?which is considered a living entity?and bring peace and happiness within your home.

Vastu Shastra is an environmental science written about some 7,000 ? 10,000 years ago in India by rishis, or men of great wisdom. They observed the workings of Nature and recorded how different rays of the sun, the magnetic poles, the makeup of the land, soil, slope, structures, etc. affected all living things. It is the oldest recorded architectural treatise known to man and it is from this science that some of the world?s most enduring structures have been created.

According to the science of Vastu Shastra, all five elements (earth, water, fire, air and space) need to be in harmony. When a seed is planted, it requires that all five elements be balanced for a seed to germinate, sprout and become a strong, healthy plant. The disproportion of any one element? whether it is the quality of the earth (soil ph), the amount and quality of water, wind (air), sun (fire), or the amount of space it is planted in?will inhibit its growth. In this way a wise gardener sets up a balanced environment for his plants to grow free from disease and stress.

Briefly, each area of your garden is associated with one of the five elements. The earth element is associated with the southwest area of your garden and creates a sustaining and grounding force. In the northeast, the water element is at home. This element allows plants to flourish. The fire element in the southeast supports disease-free plants. The northwest is related to the air element encouraging cross-pollination. The space element is associated with the central area of your garden, enhancing the flow of beneficial influences that nourishes the other elements. Positive magnetic energies coming from the north and the positive solar energies coming from the east promote harmony and balance.

Here are five great steps you can use to bring the five elements into balance within your garden and make it a sanctuary that is not only beautiful to look and wonderful to spend time in, but will actually have an empowering affect on the health and well-being of you and your family.

1. Build up the southwest area of your garden to produce the stabilizing force of the earth element. You can do this with a rock garden, tall trees and even a stone statue. This will help to collect and hold the positive solar and magnetic energies coming from the east and north. Since yellow is the color associated with the southwest, choose daffodils, roses or wisteria to accentuate this area. This is also a good place for a storage or tool shed.

2. Represent the water element by using low plantings in the northeast that will allow the flow of positive solar energy. Add a fountain or reflection pool or pond in this area to reflect this beneficial energy throughout the garden. Herbs, white pansies or geraniums can be used as accents.

3. Add a barbeque or a fire pit in the southeast as your fire element. Red symbolizes this direction so plant tulips, geraniums and dahlias here.

4. Use wind chimes to balance the air element in the northwest. Since blue is the color of this area, plant bluebells, forget-me-nots and iris to enhance the influences coming from this direction.

5. Represent the space element by an open area in the middle of you garden. It can either be a patio or grass. Finally, by keeping your garden neat and tidy you will be maintaining balance and attracting the positive influence of each of the directions.

A well-designed and tended garden, using the principles of Vastu Shastra, will benefit you and all the members of your family for years to come. By reconnecting with the natural balance inherent in the environment, you will encourage better personal health, improve the quality of relationships and enhance well-being.

About The Author

Michael and Robin Mastro's synergistic approach successfully assists people in living in peace and harmony with themselves and others, and in creating balanced lives filled with unlimited possibilities. Visit us at www.VastuCreations.com

Easy Home Decorating How to Decorate Spaces for People

2010-02-12T01:55:00.001-08:00

When it comes to decorating your home, forget about the empty, lifeless rooms you see in interior design magazines and books. Instead, you should concentrate on designing all of the rooms in your home as backdrops for the people who will be living in those spaces.

Here are a few easy home decorating techniques for designing dynamic spaces:

Don't be afraid to leave some empty spaces in your rooms. Empty space allows for breathing room and lets the most important items in the room shine -- the people who live there!

Avoid large patterns in your fabrics and wallpapers. As a general rule, use no designs larger than your palm, because they will interfere with the appearance of people in the room. Using smaller patterns on walls and furniture will mean that friends and family won't have to compete with bold patterns for attention.

Use paint colors that complement people's skin and eye colors. For light skin colors, use yellows, pinks, and beiges. For darker complexions, yellows, olives, and tans can make people look great.

Use textures that stimulate the sense of touch. Look for textures that are nice to caress, such as velvet, chenille, or satin. They'll create a feeling of being pampered.

Always choose comfort over pretense. Just because a sofa looks great doesn't mean it's comfortable. When you visit a showroom, remember that in order to truly test a piece of furniture, you need to sit on it for awhile, until you feel totally rested. Only then will can you get a realistic feel for its support and comfort level.

Your home is meant to be a place for people, and if you always keep yourself, your family, and your guests in mind, you'll be well on your way to designing spaces that will be more comfortable and emotionally appealing than the staged photos you see in magazines and books.

Jeanette Fisher teaches interior design. Join our FREE home makeover Teleseminars. Learn how to makeover your rooms for emotional support and beauty. Visit JoytotheHome.com for free home decorating tips.

Feng Shui Decorating Guidelines

2010-02-12T01:45:00.001-08:00

The importance of following feng shui decorating guidelines.

Feng shui decorating guidelines show us the correct way to place objects, furniture and how to decorate in order to achieve harmony. Living and working spaces and their decorations affect the people inhabiting them, and feng shui decorating knowledge studies the way to make that factor affect in a positive and harmonic way.

If you want to learn and be able to follow feng shui decorating tips, the first thing to do is to learn about feng shui in general and its main concepts. By learning this, you will find yourself naturally acquiring information on how to decorate any different spaces according to feng shui.

According to feng shui decorating guidelines, the way and the position in which we place our furniture, the colors we choose, the different objects and places we choose for them, everything can be done in a way that ensures harmony. Actually, in China people are used to look for a feng shui expert to guide them in occasions such as when they buy a new house.

Following feng shui decorating guidelines is not the same as decorating in order to make a space pretty or nice looking but it is about making it be in harmony with us. Actually, many times a decoration done by following feng shui would not look nice or be esthetically correct at all. By following feng shui, we could end up doing some of the things we would never have thought to do in our decoration.

For example, the position we place a bed can have main importance according to feng shui decorating tips. A bed should be placed in a position that allows the person to easily look at the door, but at the same time it should not be facing it directly and it should be against a wall. Even if this leads to an option which you wouldn?t have thought of for you to place your bed, you should do so in order to be able to sleep well and comfortable.

Feng shui does not see decoration with the same eyes a merely esthetically based decoration does. Feng shui decorating guidelines are meant to help people make their spaces as much harmonic and positive for their inhabitants as possible, even if esthetics have to be sacrificed for it.

About The Author

Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.fengshuicrazy.com. Please visit his website and learn all the feng shui tips you'll ever need!

Luau Party Recipes: Make Your Hawaiian Celebration A Sensation

2010-02-12T01:36:00.001-08:00

A luau is a feast of Hawaiian foods. Luau parties are becoming more and more popular due to their festive atmosphere. Here are some simple luau party recipes you can try at your next celebration:

Kalua Pig - Kalua pig is the centerpiece for most Hawaiian feasts. Here is a traditional recipe to try.

Ingredients: 4 to 6 lbs pork butt chunk
2 to 3 tablespoons Hawaiian salt
2 tablespoons liquid smoke
Aluminum foil
Roasting pan

? Score the pork butt chunk all over
? Rub the Hawaiian salt and liquid smoke all over
? Wrap it in the aluminum foil so that no steam will escape
? Roast in the roasting pan in an over preheated to 450 degrees F for 1 hour. After the hour, reduce heat to 400 degrees F and cook for an additional 3 to 4 hours
? Shred the butt
? Add Hawaiian salt to taste

*Serves 6-8 people

Banana-Yam Casserole

Ingredients: 4 yams or sweet potatoes
4 ripe bananas
? cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter
Dash of salt
? cup of water

? Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
? Parboil the yams/sweet potatoes, cool and peel
? Slice the yams/sweet potatoes and the bananas into ? inch slices
? Butter a casserole dish
? Alternate layering yam/sweet potato slices and banana slices in the casserole dish, putting a dash of salt, small pieces of butter and a sprinkle of brown sugar between each layer. Bananas, brown sugar and butter should be on top
? Add the water
? Bake in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, until golden brown on the top
*Serves 4-6 people

Pineapple Boat

Ingredients:
1 large ripe pineapple
Apples
Seedless grapes, red and white
Bananas
Strawberries
Cantaloupe
Watermelon
Honeydew
Shredded Coconut
* Any seasonal fruit

? Cut the pineapple in half, leaving the green top intact
? Remove the pineapple fruit from inside the shell with a small, curved knife
? Core the pineapple
? Cut all the fruit into chunks
? Put into the pineapple shell and sprinkle with shredded coconut

*Serves 8-10 people

For more fun luau party recipes, check out the cookbook section of your local bookstore or do a keyword search on the internet. You will find luau party recipes for appetizers, main courses and even drinks!

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Luau Party Supplies, party planning tips, menus, free printable games to help complete your event.

A Quick Rundown on Rustic Bedding

2010-02-12T01:25:00.001-08:00

These days, anyone looking to purchase home furnishings is faced with a seemingly endless range of choices. There is enough bedding, bathroom accessories and furniture products available for you to indulge in all your interior decoration desires, but with the wide assortment available it's sometimes difficult to know where to start!

A popular method nowadays is to decorate a room according to a theme; haphazard d?cor displays just doesn't cut it anymore. For example, you can choose to go the modern route with steel, glass and leather or an Eastern-inspired theme complete with a divan and mirrored bedspreads. However, one the most popular choices among home decorators remains the tried and true theme of a rustic lodge or cabin.

Rustic-inspired furnishings usually feature warm colors and tend towards practicality and comfort. You can co-ordinate your whole bedroom with appropriate rustic bedding accessories, matching drapes, carpets, lighting fixtures and bathroom accessories. One of the more distinctive features of a rustic bedding set is its colors and motifs. They usually come in warm colors like brick red, deep greens, oranges, blues and dark grays ? all colors inspired from nature. The motifs are distinct in that they sport the themes of wildlife and the wild outdoors. They evoke the comfortable and relaxed atmosphere of a lodge or cabin.

Most rustic bedding sets are available in a wide variety of sizes and sheet combinations. A standard sheet set usually includes a top sheet along with a fitted bottom sheet and two pillowcases. It should be noted that in many cases only a single pillowcase is provided with the twin set of sheets. Rustic bedding sets come in all the standardized sizes ? Twin, Full, Queen, King and CAL king. This makes it easier for you to choose a set according to your needs and you don't have to worry about the bedding set being either too small or too large for your bed.

You generally have the choice of two types of fabric: flannel and percale. While flannel is made from 100% cotton fibers, percale is 30% cotton and 70% polyester. The pricing also differs for the two fabrics ? on the whole the percale bedding sets are somewhat cheaper than flannel ones. Apart from the usual themes like woods, moose, bear, fishing etc., some companies also offer a 'heritage' bedding collection. These are classic designs for the more traditionally inclined.

Apart from the regular bedding sets you can also buy matching comforters (available in all the standard sizes), pillow shams and bed skirts. Some manufacturers also provide throw pillows and shower curtains to match your rustic bedding set. To complete the look of your room, you can even go so far as to use compatible window treatments. The drapes usually match the pattern of the comforter, and the headers, rod pocket and tiebacks complete the set. Blanket ensembles made from the finest fabrics are also an option if you're looking to splurge. Heck, if you are so inclined, you could even invest in an heirloom quality handmade quilt with a rustic theme.

Today more than ever people are looking to lend their homes a country touch by adding sizeable pieces such as rustic home furnishings or smaller touches such as rustic bedding to their rooms. Stop by our site today to receive many free rustic design tips.

Making Your Own Mardi Gras Beads

2010-02-12T01:15:00.001-08:00

You can make fun and easy Mardi Gras beads for your kids Mardi Gras Celebration with Salt dough. You can make these beads for just about any kid?s celebration too.

You?ll Need:

? 2 cups of plain flour

? 1 cup of salt

? 1 cup of water

? oven

? acrylic paint

? knife

? board

? rolling pin

? paintbrushes

? baking tray

? aluminum foil or wax paper

To start with you?ll need to mix up your salt dough. Pour the two cups of flour into a bowl with one cup of salt and one cup of water. Mix with your hands until the dough is entirely moistened and sticks together. It should be like pizza dough easy to mold without it sticking to your hands. You?ll see the little grains of salt in the dough.

Once the dough is made you can begin making the beads. Take the aluminum foil or wax paper and roll a sheet into a small tube shape so that it looks like a straw. Next roll out a sheet of the dough with the rolling pin until it?s fairly thin. Gently roll a piece of this sheet around the foil tube. Cut with the knife to separate the dough wrapped around the tube from the rest of the dough sheet. Press the cut edge so that it?s sticking to the tube. Next use your knife to cut the dough wrapped around the aluminum tube into small sections about the size of the width of Mardi Gras beads.

When the dough is cooked it should harden enough that you?ll be able to pull each of the sections off the aluminum tube and end up with your Mardi Gras beads with a nice hole through them for stringing. Place the dough wrapped tube into the oven at 212 degrees Fahrenheit for about half an hour. When it?s done and cooled gently pull off the bead sections.

You can now paint them with your acrylic paint in bright colors and string it together.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette, and living a healthy life while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has lots of party ideas with hundreds of free coloring sheets, printable games, and free birthday party activities. Over 100 adorable Party Themes to fit your birthday celebration, holiday event, or just because parties is at the Party Theme Shop. Party themes include cartoon characters, sports, movie, TV shows, luau, western, holidays, and unique crazy fun theme ideas.

7 Simple Interior Decorating Tips and Ideas

2010-02-12T01:05:00.001-08:00

Interior decorating for quite some time has been a concept or task left to the interior decorator.

But because people nowadays are becoming more and more aware and involved in the interior decorating aspects of their homes, there are many homeowners that are forced into adopting their own interior decorating techniques and processes.

Home or interior decorating, as wrongly perceived by people ages ago, need not be expensive and need not requiring degrees and diplomas in the discipline.

Overall, the idea behind interior decorating is going for the basic or going for the simple. Being interiorly designed and comfortable, a home does not need to be really equipped with the most expensive devices and equipment.

Remember, the basic idea of interior decorating is functionality and usage. It is to be put above all, above the aesthetic and beauty of the home.

Interior decorating of homes can be as simple as one, two, three. Here are some practical and very simple solution on how the interior design of your home could be improved and boosted.

1. Free up spaces. Throw away unnecessary items and equipment. Old equipment that already obsolete or useless should already put to retirement.

2. The storage room is the room for decorations that are not in season or timely. Christmas decors should be kept out it is already March.

3. Make the home spacious by freeing it from useless materials and equipment. Huge sofas and tables are also a no-no if the space of your home is already limited.

4. Put out all the small figurines and picture frames that are distracting the atmosphere and scaring them, instead of awing and amusing them. Those are old-styles, the modern interior decoration go for less displays. Less is totally more this time.

5. Consider replacing carpets, or putting one in the living room if there is not already one in place. That would provide for a cozy atmosphere.

6. The kitchen should be clean and well-lighted because it is the most important area in the house. It should be painted with light to even darker colors to make up for a more appetizing atmosphere.

7. The bathroom should still be spacious. Remember functionality, uses are more than aesthetics.

Interior designing a house need not be really tedious. Just follow your instinct and remember, functions come ahead of beauty. Good luck!

For more simple interior decorating tips and ideas, please visit http://www.home-decorating-made-simple.com

Free Ideas for Baby Shower Decorations

2010-02-12T00:56:00.001-08:00

When trying to save money on a baby shower many people start to look at ways they can use free items to decorate. There are some great free ideas for baby shower decorations that anyone can use. They can go with any theme and still add a charming touch to the party. Free can be as nice as something bought.

One great idea is using flowers. If the hostess knows somewhere she can get free flowers then all she has to do is make up some vases, cut the flowers and set them on the tables. Flowers are nice and pleasant and go with almost any theme. They can also be thrown away after the party for easy clean up or guests can take them home, if they desire.

Another great idea for free decorations is to use the gifts guests bring as center pieces. This has two great advantages. Besides being a free decoration, they allow for the mother-to-be to go to each table to open the gifts ensuring that she can acknowledge the person who brought it. It helps the mother-to-be to mingle with everyone at the party and makes the atmosphere more intimate.

These are only two of the many great free ideas for baby shower decorations. There are plenty of resources for free ideas for baby shower decorations online that can help a stumped hostess save a little money on the shower, but it is also very easy to come up with ideas just by thinking creatively.

For more information concerning baby showers, please visit: The Baby Shower Zone a website that specializes in baby showers and free ideas for baby shower decorations

The Secret to Your Home's Interior Design

2010-02-12T00:46:00.001-08:00

The secret to your home?s interior design is Love.

If you love yourself, you create a home for your happiness.

If you love your family and friends, you create a home for their happiness.

The next step of love is to be grateful for your home. Gratitude lays the foundation for creating glorious spaces to share your love.

The final aspect of love is joy. Homes designed for joyful living are not decorated for prestige and show; homes designed for gracious living are decorated for happiness and the joy of life!

Interior Design Psychology Tips for Decorating Your Home with Love

1. Don't clutter your home with too much decorating. The important accessory in your home is you and your family or friends. Select quality furnishings for comfort, beauty, function, and emotional support.

2. Create spaces that support your emotional well-being and productivity. Determine the activity of a space and choose design details that support this use. For instance, soft gray walls in home offices give support for creative writing while slate blue striped walls offer organized tranquility.

3. Give tribute to your family heritage. Honor your ancestors by using design details that tie to your sense of tradition.

4. Bring Mother Nature indoors. Green foliage represents life and growth. People have an innate sense of feeling connected to the earth. As a bonus, houseplants help keep the air fresh.

5. Add your personal touch and creativity. Design a stencil from a loved object or make a stained glass window. Feel connected to your home through physical work and your daydreams of the next improvement.

Celebrate life; love your home.

Joy to you!

Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm

Tuscan Kitchen ? Design Tuscan Style with Color!

2010-02-12T00:35:00.001-08:00

Tuscan d?cor is rich in color and warmth. The use of color and texture is at the very heart of decorating with Tuscan style. The rich color palette for Tuscan design is found naturally in the Italian landscape. Whether you are choosing pottery, murals, or tiles ? anything found in nature can become part of your color scheme. Earthy browns and rich golds, creamy to clear warm yellows, burnt oranges, and rich reds, apricot or peach tones, olive greens, and deep blues suddenly wait to become part of your kitchen.

Terra cotta is a great color to incorporate into your own Tuscan style kitchen. From planters to trivets, terra cotta and stone textures give a kitchen that earthy feel. Add more color and depth to your kitchen with dried lavender, sunflowers, roses, hydrangea, dahlias, larkspur and delphinium. Use terra cotta and rustic painted planters for your own window sill herb garden. Lush plants tucked into oversized cast iron tea kettles and bean pots add life and color to your kitchen.

One of the easiest ways to give a kitchen the Tuscan feel with color is by adding texture to your kitchen walls. Because Tuscan style kitchens are often rustic and aged, you can easily camouflage your walls imperfections by creating a stucco appearance that is glazed with yellows or creams. Keep in mind the amount of light your kitchen has during the day when choosing darker glazes or paints for your walls.

The finishing touch for your kitchen walls will be accomplished by hanging decorations that fit your decorating scheme. First, consider adding hanging murals to your newly roughened walls. Hanging murals can immediately bring the Tuscan landscape into your home. If your kitchen doesn?t have a window in front of your kitchen sink, a mural dressed up with curtains even a salvaged metal gate or window frame will give you an uplifting illusion of being actually working in your own authentic Tuscan kitchen.

Tuscan kitchens are known for rich colorful plate displays. Choose a section of your kitchen wall then start filling it with decorative plates you find in second hand stores, Italian pottery shops and online markets. Architectural pieces found at salvage shops or online will add interest and texture to your kitchen walls. For inspiration, search ?villa rentals in Tuscany? online as many offer pictures of authentic Tuscan kitchens. It may even get you started on planning your own trip to the Italian countryside yourself.

When you settle on decorating your kitchen in a Tuscan theme, you don?t need to get new cabinets and shelving. You can use deep Tuscan red stain on your cupboard doors, drawers and cabinets then add brass or ceramic cabinet knobs or drawer pulls to create a whole new look to your kitchen!

In cooler climates, the use of Tuscan red to doors, window frames and shutters add warmth while greens or blues can ?cool? a room especially in a hot climate. Checked curtains in blues, yellows and green can balance the use of reds within a Tuscan kitchen. White or creamy curtain sheers can give a ?breezy? look and feel to your kitchen especially during warm weather.

Enjoy the canvas that is your kitchen. If the kitchen is the heart of the home and you give the home its spirit then take freedom in the decorating with color that brings you joy and contentment. That is what makes a house a home.

Tammy Ames is the owner of Family Shopping at WAHM Connections

The History of Christmas Trees

2010-02-12T00:25:00.001-08:00

You may not realize this but the history of christmas trees did not begin in America, England or even Germany. In fact America was one of the last continents to catch on to the tradition of decorating the Christmas tree. The history of christmas trees begins long before the birth of Christ and even before the Egyptian civilizations.

Many historians and anthropologists agree that the history of christmas trees begins in post-primeval times, just as agricultural societies were developing across the globe. Christmas did not exist. It was simply, in one culture or another, a pagan celebration of the winter solstice. The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year which usually occurs on the 22nd or 23rd of December. The boughs of evergreen trees were brought indoors to protect inhabitants from the evil spirits that could cause starvation and illness.

Ancient peoples also scattered evergreen boughs over their floors, doors and around the windows. In fact, the tradition of hanging an evergreen garland comes from the tradition of hanging evergreens over the mantelpiece to keep witches, ghosts and spirits from traveling down the chimney and into the house.

Evergreen boughs were also used to keep away illness. Scents such as pine, juniper and balsam are still used by aromatherapists today to fend off illness and winter depression.

Even the ancient Egyptians were thought to play a role in the history of christmas trees. Of course there were no evergreen forests in ancient Egypt but during the solstice they filled their homes with palm rushes to protect themselves from evil and celebrate the return of their Sun God Ra.

European and Mediterranean cultures also have episodes in the long saga that is part of the history of christmas trees. On the solstice, known as Saturnalia, the Romans decorated their homes with evergreen boughs. This honored the God Saturn whose domain was agriculture. Further north, the Celtic Druids used evergreens on the darkest day of the year to symbolize eternal life. These trees were not decorated as we know them today. They were not much more decorative than the famous Charlie brown christmas tree. This is because the function of these evergreen boughs was more protective than celebratory.

By the 12th century indoor trees were brought inside. Nobody is sure why but originally Christmas trees were hung upside-down from ceilings at Christmastime. This was a popular custom in Central Europe. The upside down tree was seen as both as a symbol of Christianity and a pagan symbol. At that point Christianity was not wide spread and the tree may have been a nod to both pagan and Christian traditions.

It is widely believed that the history of the Christmas tree as we know it began in Germany in the sixteenth century. However few people realize that the tree was not brought inside and that in fact, the first decorated christmas tree was a pyramid made of wood. These German indoor pyramids were decorated with boughs and candles. Often jars of pickles were set on the steps. The pyramid shape was not a direct inspiration from ancient Egypt but rather, the triangular shape was thought to represent the three points of the Holy Trinity - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The person credited with adding lighted candles to a real tree is Martin Luther - a German Protestant reformer who lived in the mid 1600s. The legend is that he was inspired to do so by the sight of stars in the night sky peeking through the limbs of an evergreen while he was on a walk.

The next big development in the history of christmas trees was tinsel. Tinsel was invented in Germany around 1610. At that time, tinsel was made of real silver and it tarnished easily thanks to the smoke from the christmas tree candles. Silver was used for tinsel right up to the mid-20th century when it was replaced by aluminum.

The history of christmas trees was non-existent in America until about the 1840s. They were sometimes displayed as curios in traveling sideshows. The christmas tree decorating ritual was considered sacrilegious for most of the 17th and 18th century. It was seen as a mockery of the sober celebration of the birth of Christ. In fact in 1659, people were fined for hanging decorations. This law continued until the 19th century when the tradition was brought more into common practice by German and Irish immigrants to the United States. The practice was also made more acceptable when Queen Victoria decided to make a right side up floor-to-ceiling xmas tree part of her d?cor in 1846.

One difference between European customs and American customs seemed to be that Europeans were more inclined to decorate their trees with food, cookies and candies (and even pickles!) whereas Americans were more into glitzy decorations. Also the European christmas trees tended to be shorter (three to four feet in height) while the Americans preferred their trees to be sky-high. Both cultures however enjoyed decorating their trees with garlands of popcorns and electric lights.

In the 1950s America saw the advent of the first artificial christmas trees. This event was celebrated by Charles M. Schulz famous fable about the Charlie brown Christmas tree. In this fable Charlie Brown is told by Linus, Lucy and Shroeder to go out and find the biggest flashiest aluminum tree to use as a decoration for their Christmas play. Instead Brown falls in love with the most pathetic tree ever and finds the true meaning of Christmas. You can buy a replica of this type of tree which is often called the pathetic charlie brown christmas tree online. True to the original cartoon, the tree boasts just one red Christmas ball ornament on a single bare limb.

The argument about which is better - a fake christmas tree or a real christmas tree still rages on today. The most recent development in the history of Christmas trees is the return of the upside down christmas tree, which is disapproved by the church just as it was in the sixteenth century. If history keeps repeating itself the next trend we will see in xmas trees is the ancient wooden pyramids that served as artificial trees in pagan times.

For more information on Christmas trees, visit http://www.o-christmas-tree.com - a year-round resource for all your christmas tree and decoration needs.

Painting Do's and Don'ts for Home Sellers

2010-02-12T00:15:00.001-08:00

It's easy, quick and cheap, but don't make the mistake that it can cure every homes woes. To do it right when selling you should follow some basic rules of using paint as part of your home marketing to-do list. Mark Nash author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home shares some tried and true tips on how to get the most mileage out of repainting a room or an entire house.

-To make the living space of a home appear larger or flow more easily use the same color or hues of the same color in adjoining rooms. The key is to keep the eye moving. Recently a home seller had painted each room on the first floor a different bold trend color, it shrunk the home visually and made it much darker. A new tone-on-tone color scheme I suggested expanded and lightened the house, and it sold soon after the redo.

-Use eggshell paint on the walls and semi-gloss on woodwork and trim. White is a fail-safe trim color. Buyers get always imagine their wall color choice with white trim and they like that they won't have to repaint the trim.

-To expand room height paint the ceiling a different but light color than the walls. A decorator tip that really works is to add some blue tint to your white ceiling color.

-Don't paint laminate kitchen cabinets, the paint peels and wears easily and looks like a quick fix.

-For a quality paint job, preparation is important. Walls and trim should be sanded, spackled and cleaned, for paint to adhere properly.

-Light paint colors require two coats, darker colors three or four. Prime everything once to even existing surface colors out before using finish colors. Gloss finishes show wall imperfections more than flat finishes, use sparingly.

-Use quality paints. It might not make sense to buy better paint if you won't enjoy it, but inexpensive paints can really cheapen a paint job and the home. The small cost difference isn't worth the gamble.

-Bring paint samples home from home improvement stores to accurately match with carpets and fabrics. Paint manufactures now offer sample sizes, do a wall test of any color your thinking of using. Colors look different in different lighting and times of day.

-Don't be tempted to use faux finishes, leafing or glazes. They're trendy and very specific in taste. Buyers will think it will take extra time and expense to remove and change them.

-Do take the time to put down drop clothes, tape trim and window mullions, remove switch plates and curtain hardware. Paint drips and stains lack attention of detail to home buyers.

-Think twice before have a bath tub or ceramic tile repainted or finished. To get a good new finish on these surfaces is difficult and buyers run from bubbled bathtub make over's.

-If you're not the best painter or time-starved to do the job right, hire a professional to come in and paint. You can focus on other jobs to be done before the marketing of your home begins and it will eliminate additional stress.

Mark Nash's fourth real estate book, 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home (2005), and working as a real estate broker in Chicago are the foundation for his consumer-centric real estate perspective which has been featured on ABC-TV, CBS The Early Show, Bloomberg TV, CNN-TV, Chicago Sun Times & Tribune, Fidelity Investor?s Weekly, Dow Jones Market Watch, HGTVpro.com, MSNBC.com, The New York Times, Realty Times, Universal Press Syndicate and USA Today.

Choosing Childrens' Birthday Party Supplies and Decorations

2010-02-12T00:03:00.001-08:00

Birthday party supplies and decorations can bring that necessary magic to make your child?s party special. Your child and their friends will more closely recall the event when it is accompanied by strong visual cues. A theme package is the perfect way to achieve this. These packages come with everything necessary including table covers, party hats, etc. With just a bit of consideration, you will be able to select just the right theme package.

The theme packages are often designed around popular cartoon characters and interests. Some of the most popular packages are Barbie and Harry Potter. The Fantastic Four is becoming hot as more kids have the chance to see the movie.

Choosing a good theme package is not as hard as it sounds at a glance. While it can be difficult for adults to identify all of the the things that kids find popular, we spend considerable time and research keeping up with the latest trends and popular figures. And when a cartoon figure is not appropriate, theme packages are available which reflect interests such as horses, fire trucks and ballet.

Our colorful theme packages come complete with beverage napkins, cups, dinner plates, desert plates, party hats, table covers as well as invitations and thank you notes. In addition to your child enjoying a wonderful birthday, a theme package presents an opportunity to reinforce lessons about manners and decorum. Kids love to fill out themed invitations and thank you notes.

Acquiring birthday party supplies and decorations is easy. We make available hundreds of carefully selected, top quality theme packages and decorations ready for fast shipping to your door. Our inventory is available for viewing and ordering at

www.sendacelebration.com. And with pride, we offer members of the military a special discount.

Jeff Bauman is the creator and operator of Send A Celebration, a leading online supplier of birthday supplied and decorations.

A Competent Party Goods Supplier Alleviates Stress

2010-02-11T23:55:00.001-08:00

I used to notice that every time I decided to throw a party my stress level would begin to rise with every decision regarding party goods and each subsequent errand I would run to locate the accessories I wanted to buy. I found myself running between discount and department stores trying to shop for the best price. Of course, what I would always find was that none of the stores had all of the pieces to throw a complete party for any one theme. So, I would run between the stores, back and forth, trying to put together there best possible set of party goods and accessories that I could from what was available locally. By the time I finally selected something, I was discouraged, tired, and generally unsatisfied because I wasn?t able to get what I really wanted, but instead I was settling based upon the available selection. Oh, and I wasn?t really getting all that good of a price on the stuff either, but I didn?t really realize that at the time.

That was then. This is now. I have became a firm believer in on-line party suppliers. Because they don?t have the overhead that the local stores have they have lower overall prices than even the discount and super stores. Not only are the price effective, they have a full selection for parties of all types of themes, ages, and characters. By full selection, I mean they have basic party ware like plates, cups and silverware with almost any type of character or theme printed on them. Then, they have decorations, favors, gift bags, pinatas, streamers, balloons, invitations, activities, and cake supplies too. But, it goes beyond that. Take for example you were having a Bratz party for your young daughter. You could order the standard tableware party goods or you could add special things like the High Heel Boot Cups to make the table look even more funkalicious! That?s just one example of the cool, unique party goods that you can choose from to add extra pizzazz to your party.

Best of all, you can order by phone or online, have a satisfaction guarantee of receiving top notch products in just a day or two. No running around town trying to figure out what you can live with for the special day. You get everything you really want so there is no added stress of playing hostess on your love one?s special day.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies (http://partysupplieshut.com), using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. The Party Supplies Hut has a huge selection of free party games, coloring pages, word find, word scramble, printable baby and bridal shower activities. Tons of Free Party Games (Party-Games-etc.com) for every occasion, birthday, holiday and party theme including free printable games and activities. Plus, over 1,000 free baby shower games, bridal shower games, birthday party games and printable party games for kids parties. All the games have easy instructions. Also, printable activities for kids parties, baby showers, holiday celebrations and bridal showers.

Kitchen Decorating Tips For Christmas

2010-02-11T23:45:00.001-08:00

Most people spend a lot of time decorating their home for the holidays, but when it comes to the kitchen many are at a loss as to how to spruce it up for Christmas. Here are some easy and inexpensive ways that you can get your kitchen into the holiday spirit.

One thing that adds a lot to the kitchen at any time of year is to decorate above the cabinets. If you have a space between the tops of your cabinets and the ceiling, then you have a great place decorate! For the holidays, you can put up some garland or greenery. Maybe add some red bows or ornaments and little white lights for the season. If you already have decorations up there, you can work around those or go all out by replacing what you currently have up there with Santa's, trees and other holiday decorations.

You might already give your kitchen table a festive look by putting a holiday centerpiece in the middle, but why stop there? If your table is big enough, you can put a small tree on it! Maybe one of those quaint Victorian bottle brush trees would look neat? Just something about 2 or 3 feet tall and not so wide that it takes up the whole table.

Of course, you'll want to complete the look by leaving your table set with a Christmas theme dishes, placemats, glasses and silverware. Just leave it setup all during the holidays and it will add a great festive look to your table. If you are on a budget, shop at your local consignment store, thrift store, or flea market for holiday themed tableware.

Another way to dress up your table is to give it a great holiday tablecloth. If you are really ambitious, you can even make or buy matching slipcovers for the chairs. Even non-upholstered chairs can be made to look cozier with fabric slip covers that slip over the backs. Some cover the seat and whole chair while others are made to only cover and decorate the back.

Another place you can add some holiday d?cor is around the windows. You can drape garland or greenery over your valances or tops of your curtains and put Christmas candles in the window. You can even buy fake snow for the panes. One little touch that looks great is to take a nice piece of ribbon and hang an ornament in each of the windows.

Our final Christmas decorating tip really rounds out the look and pulls the room together is holiday accents! Buy pot holders, kitchen towels and throw rugs with a holiday theme and splash them around the room to complete the look. If you are really ambitious, you can get cookie jars, canisters and other counter top items in the Christmas theme. Again, try yards sales, consignment stores and even antique stores for inexpensive items to use in your decorating.

Lee Dobbins is the owner of A Kitchen Decorating Idea where you can get more ideas on how to decorate your kitchen on a budget.

Ukrainian Tapestry in the 21st Century

2010-02-11T23:35:00.001-08:00

Ukrainian tapestry artists have earned a reputation for uniquely integrating traditional views of the world with modern insights into human choice and destiny. The work of a small but growing number of artists has drawn international attention and consequently, of importance to both museums and the private art collector, prices of original, handmade works by some of these artists is beginning to increase rapidly. Specialty galleries provide access to the better artists and to unconventional but beautiful works.

The rise of European tapestry in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries as a form of artistic expression was centered mainly in the north, particularly in Brussels and Paris, cities that continued to influence the art for the next three centuries. Italian tapestry production arose during the sixteenth century in numerous locations, but the only Italian city that continued to have an important impact on the art into the seventeenth century was Florence. Although early European tapestry frequently had a religious theme, during the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, a shift to a more decorative style was influenced by the fashions of the French court. During this time, the art of tapestry weaving began to spread into other parts of Europe, and the influence of the experiences and traditions of the eastern regions of Europe added a striking richness of variety to the art.

To better appreciate the nature of Ukrainian tapestry, a brief consideration of some young, successful artists will be helpful. The following three short profiles provide insights into the broader, diverse world of eastern European and Ukrainian tapestry art and the Eastern influence on modern European tapestries.

Lidiya Kryshtal has been designing tapestries for more than 17 years and has established a strong reputation in Europe as a master of this art form. She uses a spinning technique, smooth Gobelin hand weaving, which was common in the 18th and 19th centuries to produce warm and beautiful images. Her current work features religious and natural themes and expresses her creative view of the world through traditional Ukrainian folk weaving.

Alexander Kovach is a frequent presenter at European international exhibitions, most recently in Germany and Poland. His abstract work explores both philosophical views of the world and the complexity of nature.

Olga Bryntzeva was the featured exhibitor in the Scythia International Exhibition of Textile Art and winner of the 1998 Silver Medal for Best Artwork. She is known for original tapestries in wool, linen and acrylic. Her work depicts scenes inspired by nature exploring the feminine aspects of the world.

The economic impact of Ukrainian emigration since the collapse of the Soviet Union is of significant interest to the fine art collector. With increasing numbers of Ukrainian and other eastern Europeans in leading academic centers, and affiliated with successful businesses in growing markets, the demand for art from their native land is growing among this group of newly affluent collectors. In addition, as knowledge of, and appreciation for, this unique art form expands in more traditional centers of art, the demand for original handmade tapestries created by Ukrainian artists is beginning to outstrip the supply.

For the investor who is knowledgeable enough in this field to make wise purchase decisions, original Ukrainian tapestries are likely to outpace inflation from a capital appreciation perspective, and provide many years of esthetic enjoyment from an art appreciation perspective.

For more information on Ukrainian tapestry and the artists who create it, visit http://www.irynasgallery.com.

Concrete Stain Set Yourself Apart From Your Neighbors

2010-02-11T23:25:00.001-08:00

Concrete stain is a very effective way to add beauty and uniqueness to any project.
You can simulate natural stone or create a unique faux finish or a marbling effect in many different colors and combinations on your concrete.

There are many colors combinations to choose from and endless design ideas to explore.

Concrete stain can be used on:
?Stamped concrete
?Multiple colors in one design on flat work
?New or existing concrete

Concrete stain can be used over:
?Integral color
?Dry shake color hardener
?Colored release agent
?Clear liquid release

How long will it last?
Concrete stain uses a chemical reaction with the concrete making it become part of the concrete surface.

Structural Materials uses two manufacturers of concrete stain:
-Solomon Colors - Concrete Stain Unique Characteristic - Transparent marbling look
-Scofield Systems ? Lithochrome Chemstain Classic (Stain system) Unique Characteristic ? Ideal for natural stone shading and faux finishes

How do you apply it?

Ready to go out of the jug.
Concrete stains can be applied with a sprayer or a brush for small areas.
*New Concrete - allow 30 days for concrete to cure.
*Existing Concrete ? Remove sealers, curing compounds, oil, and paint.

How do I know my concrete is cleaned?
*DO NOT use acid to clean the concrete before staining.
?Test by wetting the concrete, if the water beads up, then it needs more preparation work, if it doesn?t then you are good to stain.

Limitations of the stain?
?Concrete that has been saturated with oil may not allow the chemical reaction.
?Concrete that has a color hardener may change the colored effect of the stain.
?Important: Green stains are for indoor use only because they react with moisture and will turn dark.

Concrete stains can be used in a variety of ways and conditions. Used to add that personal touch to any project for a unique look. Stains are an easy and effective way to ad design, color and appeal to your buildings, homes and driveways.

Michael Liebelt - Structural Materials Inc
http://www.smionline.com
If you have any questions please contact our Color & Stain Specialist.

Decorating Kid's Rooms On A Small Budget

2010-02-11T23:15:00.001-08:00

Now if your children are like mine they want to change the style and look of their room about every other week. One way to make them happier for a longer period of time with their room decor is to get involved with the activities that are required when redecorating their room. Too many parents do the work for them and the children have no sense of what it takes to decorate and change a room?s decor, so can you blame them when they ask the very next week to re-do their rooms? They think it?s easy! Most kids love to get involved not to mention it will give you some quality time with your child.

First and foremost is the obvious, paint is the foundation for decorating. Have them help you pick out the paint and give them a brush. Choose colors that are appealing to both you and your child, see if you can come to a mutual agreement on a color. Paint is inexpensive and this alone will give your child?s room a new look with of course a little work. My daughter wanted to splatter multi color paint on her wall because she saw it on a T.V. show, I wasn?t willing to do this. I knew she only wanted to splatter the paint because she thought it would be fun to do, eventually we were able to come to a creative compromise. We decided to take some art paper and splatter them with multi colors and frame them for the walls. Both of us were happy, she was able to splatter paint (outside) and I was able to take the artwork down when I wanted without having to re paint the room all over again?Whew!

Most kids love music and their friends, buy them a cd case to put their cd?s in and use their cd covers as picture frames. Take the paper part out of the front and cut in the center a square (or any shape for that matter) the size of a wallet size picture. Have them glue or tape pictures of their friends behind the cutout shape and put them back into the cd covers. If they like they can glue decorations on the front of the cd case to brighten them up. Open them slightly and have them place in the desired locations of their room. Now they?ve combined music and friends and they have some new decorating accessories with staying power for their room.

If you don?t like holes in your walls from the posters your children like to hang up there is a simple solution to keep the multiple thumb tacks from entering your wall. Hang a cork bulletin board up on their wall and let them post their magazine posters on it. It gives them the space they need without the 10,000 holes in your wall or the mess you have to clean up after the tape looses its stickiness. Who knows they might even hang their schedule of chores on the board?Yeah Right!

What I?ve noticed about most kids is that they are very simple when it comes to decorating but they do have a vision of what they want. Sit down talk with them before you start and find out what you may be able to compromise or substitute for the items that may be too expensive. The message here is to look around your house and be creative when it comes to kids rooms. The process of just trying to find things that will work for your child?s room decor is part of the fun and can be very rewarding for you and your child when you?re done. Try and remember to keep it simple and get them involved to create not only a room with staying power, but a lasting memory that you and your child will never forget.

Chad Young is an expert in the field of silk flower and plant arrangements. In addition he has also written several articles on the subject of interior decorating and design. He has a monthly decorating tips page on his silk plant website where you can find creative decorating tips. you can visit his site by clicking the link below.

Silk Flowers, Silk Plants, Silk Trees, Artificial Cactus - Quality silk flowers, silk plants, silk trees, artificial cactus and flower pots for your home or office decor.

Christmas Traditions: A Blend of Old and New

2010-02-11T23:05:00.001-08:00

In our world today, you can see a vast melting pot of the old Christmas traditions, new, modern spins on old traditions, but no matter what your beliefs, most people have a brief respite from the typical everyday grind of every day life, and somewhere inside, the spirit of a season that unites so many around a typical theme of good will is a feeling we find ourselves wishing we could preserve throughout the year.

There is no better way to teach children the spirit of giving then bringing to their attention those less fortunate, for whom Christmas is not an easy time. For this type of learning and giving, small groups of children work best. Let your children invite one or two very close friends to help.

Call your local Department of Human Services, if you have any questions about who to contact or where to go to adopt a child (or family) for Christmas giving, but try to choose someone who is not a foster child, they tend to get plenty of gifts, while other, less fortunate children may not. Angel Trees, or even local families you might recognize as being in need are good choices. Once you have chosen the child or family you wish to adopt, take your children, with a set budget in mind (it is perfect, if the child, children, family, are near your own child?s ages, because they can help choose things they would like, and even give you ideas for their Christmas Gifts) allow them to help you shop. If you can, it is also nice to make some simple food gifts, like gingerbread men, Christmas cookies, etc. to give both your adopted, and the elderly in your area a special gift to let them know you are thinking of them this holiday season.

Once the shopping has been done, gather to bake cookies, candies, and food gifts. Let the children help, and even enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies yourself, or try hot spiced apple juice, a cold weather favorite.

Hot Spiced Apple Juice

Bottled apple juice (you can use cider)
Red-hot candies
In a nonstick pan, pour apple juice and add lots of red hot, cinnamon candies.
Heat, stirring constantly, until all candy is melted.
Serve immediately, or pour into thermal container to keep it hot.

Cookies and candies can be put into inexpensive Christmas tins or Christmas bags. Keeping a supply of snacks at hand, get all the children in the middle of the floor with a pile of gifts, paper, tape, ribbons, and bows (or gift bags, if your children are small) and let them wrap the presents. When you all go to drop off the presents, take the Christmas cookies and candies, and allow the children to help take them in and wish the elderly in the neighborhood a Merry Christmas.

This is a wonderful time to have a sleep over, allowing other parents time to shop without their children, and can even be used as a tree trimming party, where children lie in sleeping bags watching Christmas Movies, to fall asleep to the twinkle of Christmas lights. What a special way to teach children that Christmas is a time for giving, at your children?s special Christmas Party.

The Beauty of Copper Copper Kitchens

2010-02-11T22:55:00.001-08:00

Versatile, strong & attractive, it?s not surprising that copper has been used for centuries and is today, the most frequently used metal! One of the oldest metals known to mankind, the beauty of copper is classic & timeles...

Copper holds a wonderful appeal. Both polished copper and rubbed copper items have a warmth about them, and yet a versatility that allows copper to be used everywhere, from the most modern & sleek to the most rustic farmhouse kitchens.

In the kitchen, copper pots & pans are incredibly popular for several reasons ? they are easy to cook with, strong enough to last a lifetime, and are attractive enough to make a fabulous display.

These days, it?s not just copper pots and pans you can choose in your kitchen! Manufacturers have been quick to design copper appliances to cater to interior designers and homeowners, providing everything from copper pot racks - to display those wonderful pots - to copper backsplashes, tiles, counter tops, refrigerators and of course stove hoods that add a ?wow? factor to any kitchen!

A range hood is often considered a real luxury item, which can even add value to your home should you sell. It provides a fabulous focal point, no matter how large or small, and can be adapted to fit over islands. Available in all shapes and sizes, almost all kitchens can accomodate a hood!

And not only can you create a stunning kitchen with copper accessories and appliances, the versatility of copper allows you to choose a variety of finishes ? highly polished shine, a light hand rubbed finish or a penny brown patina ? each adding warm appeal to make the kitchen the hub of the home...

image
http://www.themetalpeddler.com/sitebuilder/images/copper-and-brass-kitchen-pot-rack-5-150x112.jpg link to
http://www.themetalpeddler.com/HangingPotRacks.html

Jason Fannin is a Master Craftsman and Coppersmith, with over 12 years experience working with metal. At the Metal Peddler's Workshop, Jason specializes in creating handcrafted solid copper pot racks, range hoods, garden accessories and custom designs. All items are completely handmade in USA from high quality copper.

Decorating Themes for Teens ? Budget Ideas!

2010-02-11T22:45:00.001-08:00

If your teen?s bedroom is cluttered and messy and they desperately need a make over, but you?re on a budget, here are some great decorating ideas that won?t break the bank. Updating their existing furniture, adding co-coordinating storage and decorating items in modern colours is the way to go. Follow the advice and tips below and you?ll be decorating every room, not just your teenager?s!

Colours ?

Find out your teen?s three favourite colours.
Choose one primary and one secondary colour (white, chocolate or black are good choices), and an accent or highlight colour for accessories such as red, pink, silver or blue.
Some modern combinations are black, white and sliver, chocolate, white and pink, and white, chocolate and smokey pale blue.

TIP - When decorating, the basic rule to unifying a theme is to match an element of each piece together. The furniture should be the same colour and have matching handles on each piece to give a unified look even if the style of furniture is different.

Furniture ? What existing furniture do you have in your teen?s room? If it?s still in good condition then it most likely can be updated. If not, most charity stores have good quality cheap furniture that just needs updating (wood is best as it?s easier to paint).

Paint all miss-matched furniture in the primary colour to unify the look.
Use semi-gloss paint and replace all furniture handles with metal or stainless steel ones for a modern contemporary look.

TIP ? If some all of your furniture is made from laminate or a coated material, you will need to paint the furniture in a specialised primer first to make the new paint stick. Ask your local paint store attendant for advice on which primer is best. For wooden furniture that is already painted or varnished you will need to sand off any glossy finish first before you paint, or the new paint won?t stick properly. Use an electric sander to achieve the fastest results.

Wall Colour ?

Paint all the walls white, except for one feature wall which you will paint a lighter shade of the accent colour.
If your furniture is white, paint all the walls to contrast the furniture.
Example, if your furniture is chocolate and your accent colour is smokey blue, then the wall colour should be two or three shades lighter than the actual accent colour.
Be sure to clean your walls and remove any wallpaper.
The feature wall should be the on opposite of the door if it has no window, or one of the walls to the left or right. It doesn?t really matter so long as it?s not the wall with the door or window.

TIP - Another really cool idea (although your budget may not allow) is to use wallpaper on the feature wall instead of paint. There are some amazing designs these days with high texture and 3D designs available online and in home decorating stores.

Art Work ?

To complete the look you really need to add art to at least two of your walls. Framed prints or canvas art comes in a variety of styles and colours and custom made art is a great way to personalise the image, theme and colour. Choose colours that are similar to your accent colour or black and white for great contrast. For DIY Canvas Art under $10, see my article http://ezinearticles.com/?id=235019

The Bed-

The bed frame should be the same colour as the rest of the furniture, paint it if necessary.
The duvet/doona cover should be dominantly the accent colour.
Add some pillows and throws matching the primary and secondary colours.
Three large floor cushions stacked in the corner in two colours is great for your teen?s friends when they visit.

Storage ?

Different sized decorative boxes with lids are an excellent and cheap way to store away your teen?s collectables. There are many available in durable cardboard and plastic.

Choose six to ten boxes in a colour similar to your accent colour, and two or three in the secondary colour for contrast.
Make sure you label each box with its contents by using some funky labelling stickers.
Store the boxes on the shelves and fill one or two boxes with your teen?s magazines and stack them in the corner alongside the large floor cushions for easy access.

Window furnishings ?

Most teens like a dark room in the morning to wake up to, and adding a block out blind is the best way to achieve this.

Choose a shade similar to the wall colour, or the accent colour for great contrast.
An alternative is curtains which girls may prefer instead or of or as an addition.
Prints on curtains and blinds are great too; just remember to keep to the three rooms colours.

Floor rugs ?

To keep to the budget, stylish floor rugs at great prices are easy to find in most department or home depot stores.

Try to find a couple of plain coloured circular shape carpet rugs in all three of your colours will really add a designer touch to the room.
Spread them out near the floor cushions to make the corner come together as a ?hang out? area for when all the friends visit.

Remember to keep it simple, and if you must use patterns then keep it to the duvet/doona cover and curtains only (if applicable). Organize all your teens clutter and collectables into the labelled boxes and display only a minimal amount of things on the shelves and furniture surfaces.

TIP ? Allow you?re teen to choose what goes on display and get them to help you organize the contents of every box, that way they?ll know exactly where every thing is. Don?t expect it to stay to clean and tidy ? they are teenagers after all. At least now they?ll have a great bedroom with actual places to put things instead of on the floor. GOOD LUCK!

Monique Arrighi is an Australian artist, photographer and the proprietor of MakinArtworx.com At Makin Artworx they digitally create contemporary & original WINDOW ART BLINDS and CANVAS ART from your photos and theirs. Window Art Blinds are pull down blinds with our artwork or your photos printed on them. All blinds are custom made to your window size and are available in a translucent mesh or block-out style fabric.

Please visit the website to view their Window Art Blinds & Canvas Art, or to subscribe to their Art & Decorating Ezine =>http://www.makinartworx.com

Last Minute Halloween Decoration Spooky Bouquet

2010-02-11T22:35:00.001-08:00

Don't panic, I tell myself. Yes, there's less than one week to go before Halloween, and I haven't prepared anything for my party yet. Just don't panic ... oh, I'm afraid I actually DO panic!

If you are like me and tend to leave things to the very last minute, you might be in desperate need for a Halloween decoration that

is easy and quick to do,
doesn't strain your budget too much and
will earn you some admiring 'Ohs' and 'Ahs' from your guests.

Here comes the 'Spooky Bouquet' to the rescue! For one bouquet you'll need:

four high quality 11 latex balloons, preferably with Halloween design, but if you can't get those, three plain black and one plain orange balloon will do as well,
color matching curling ribbon (5mm wide),
a plastic or ceramic pumpkin for the base (or any other small item that fits the theme and to which you can attach the ribbons) and
a small flask of helium to fill the balloons.

How to make it

You start with inflating the first of your black balloons with helium. Before you tie the knot you should make sure that the balloon is fully inflated to its 11 size. This is important as the bouquet will only look good if all balloons are blown up to the same size. There are two easy ways to do this: you could make yourself a simple 'balloon sizer' by cutting a circle of 11 diameter out of a piece of cardboard or you could set up two chairs back to back, so that the distance between them equals 11.

So, before you knot the balloon, pass it through your sizer and if necessary, deflate or inflate the balloon until it fits. Now take about 1m length from your curling ribbon and tie it to the balloon neck, leaving ca. 30cm loose for curling. Then attach the other end of the ribbon to your base. The overall height from the base to the top of the balloon should be about 80cm.

Repeat these steps for the other two black balloons. Position all three balloons at the same height.

O.k., just one more step to finish your Spooky Bouquet. Take the last balloon, in our example that would be the orange balloon, inflate it as described above and attach it to the base, so that it floats in the center of the three black balloons and just above them. You found the perfect position, when the top balloon just slightly touches the three black balloons.

Congratulations. You're done! Now stand back and admire your floating bouquet. There are so many Halloween themed balloons, both latex and foil, that you can easily create variations of this basic design. For example, you'll get a nice effect, if you replace the top latex balloon with a foil balloon - it could be a crazy pumpkin, a flying witch or a ghastly ghost ... whatever you prefer.

One special tip: as this is a last minute decoration idea, it might be too late to order a helium tank from a specialised balloon supplier. Maybe you know a small corner shop in your neighborhood that sells balloons. They probably have helium too. If it's not for sale, ask them to inflate your balloons on the spot and take the inflated balloons home with you. Of course, you should go there prepared and take the curling ribbon and the balloon sizer with you.

If you'd like to see the instructions for the 'Spooky Bouquet' illustrated with photos, please check out the 'Halloween Decoration' page on our step-by-step 'Balloon Decoration Guide'. You'll also find tips on tying balloons without ending up 'all fingers and thumbs' or how to greatly increase the floating time of helium filled latex balloons.

Margit Streifeneder has been a successful Small Business Owner for 10 years. Together with her life partner, a professional balloon decorator, she developed the 'DIY Balloon Decoration Guide' to provide useful how-to-information for everyone interested in creating their own balloon decor.

Dewinterizing Your Home to Welcome Spring

2010-02-11T22:25:00.001-08:00

Winter's gone and outside the sun is shining and the flowers are starting to grow. That means it's time to get rid of winter inside your home as well! That's right, just because it's spring outside doesn't mean it's automatically spring inside.

Spring is the season to put away all of those winter blankets and the Christmas decorations that didn't quite make it back into the attic when the festive season finished. Pack up the winter boots, hats and mitts taking up space at the front door and make room to breath in the fresh warm air.

In place of the blankets bring out some lightweight and light-colored throws for those still chilly evenings. The same goes for the tablecloth, towels, and placemats - away with the heavy and dark, in with the light and bright!

Speaking of light and bright, open up the curtains and let the sunshine warm your home with natural light. With the weather warming up outside, there's less need to keep the curtains closed to lower heating costs. Having breakfast in a sun-soaked kitchen is a much better way to start the day than to dine under the unwavering light of a 60 watt bulb!

Don't forget to pack up the heavily scented candles and air fresheners and bring in some fresh flowers and fruits to add a welcoming smell to your home. Candles are fine for winter, but lighter scents are needed when the weather gets warmer. Opt for fresh smells instead of stuffy, heavy ones. When it's warm enough, open up the windows and get some fresh air circulating through your rooms.

It doesn't take much time or money to brighten your home for spring, just changing around your home's accessories can do wonders to welcome spring into your home.

Decorate Today: Decorate For provides tips and ideas for any occasion that can be used by everyone.

Christmas Fruitcake Giving is a Holiday Tradition

2009-12-17T23:42:00.001-08:00

Some comedians joke about regifting these but Christmas fruitcake giving is a time honored tradition. When properly prepared and aged fruitcake is really a tantalizing treat. Sometimes brandy or rum soaked cakes are aged for years.

This is a very old tradition going back to an English tradition that predates Christmas. There was even a version of it baked by the ancient Romans. Although the ingredients were very different they were still forms of fruit, nuts and grain. There are many different recipes for this very traditional holiday gift.

Christmas fruitcake giving is such a standard part of the history of the holiday season that it has become the subject of many jokes. This unfortunate turn of events is probably due to two problems with fruitcakes. The first is that many companies mass produce poor quality cakes which bear no resemblance to the traditional home made gift. The second problem is that Americans are basically addicted to chocolate and anyone who wastes their time with other flavors might be eating Christmas dinner in the dog house.

It is, in other words, an acquired taste. Start with the best quality fruitcakes for the introduction to this historic favorite. When they are properly prepared they are moist and very fragrant. Some recipes involve wrapping the cakes in marzipan and royal icing. Then the cakes are decorated. They are really wonderful but don't expect much from the drug store variety. Holidays are special and the cost of better ingredients is going to be higher. Just the difference in the type of rum can make a huge difference in quality.

For the sophisticated gourmand on the shopping list there is a good bet that Christmas fruitcake giving of a high quality product is a safe starting point. Use a nice gift basket with good teas to make a nicer presentation..

Beginning Interior Design

2009-12-16T19:05:00.001-08:00

Beginning interior design is a challenging, exciting adventure that one must be willing to endure sacrifices and even at times costly mistakes in order to complete this learning successfully.

If interior design is an activity that you are thinking about as a potential career, you owe it to yourself to invest the proper amount of time and energy into educating yourself in the field of creative design. If you are interested in learning about creative design for other reasons, such as designing your own space or home, it is better that you focus your attention on the particular area of design that is pleasing to you.

This being said, if you have the time and energy and would like to learn more about overall designing, then hey, go for it! You might become so good at it that it might be a potential career for you as well!

In any case, beginning interior design is not for the ?curious? entrepreneur who does not possess the patience to learn the essential elements and makeup of nicely formed design. It is instead, an employment that is mainly composed of educated, prestigious professionals who care greatly about their work and are passionate with their creativity.

A good starting point for beginning interior design is the object of much controversy in the industry. Many professionals moan and groan that there are too many ill-qualified persons out there representing themselves to the consumer as legitimate designers when they do not have a formal education in the subject.

I agree that many people represent themselves as having a grasp or an understanding of the field, while they are clearly incompetent. However, I do not agree that formal education shapes and molds the best designers. The best designers possess the ability to design before they are even able to understand the concept of interior design.

Beginning interior design for these candidates is basically giving them the tools to do what they naturally understand how to do already. These people are blessed with an internal sense of creative design. Beginning interior design to them is a natural process. These are the designers that seem to outperform and outshine all other designers.

If you feel as if you are not part of this group of gifted individuals and still have a yearning or driving force to learn about this growing industry, then beginning interior design is a very doable activity as long as you are open minded and dedicated to improving your knowledge and understanding of design.

Begin with the basics and propel yourself upwards on the journey to understanding the creative process.

A very bad reason for beginning interior design are money related motivations. I have heard countless people comment on their interest in interior design due to the income potential associated with the industry.

Remember, if you?re not good at something, the likelihood of getting paid well to do it is not very high. The higher salaries in this business are almost always associated with talented, well-established designers who have made interior design their life?s work. Talent and knowledge are keys to success in any industry and one should apply these rules when considering interior design as an income earning activity.

Interior designers come in many forms, backgrounds, and experience levels. Hard work, dedication, and creativity are values that you will find in any successful interior designer. Keep this in mind when beginning interior design work of any kind and it will aid in your ability. Work of any kind is exactly as described?work. Finding something that you enjoy and love to do is what makes work rewarding.

Rosemary Leake is an Independent Consultant with Southern Living at Home. Inspired by Southern Living magazine, our exclusive home d?cor line brings warmth and style to every room of your home! Visit Rosemary's Interior Design website for more articles and resources - http://www.interiordesignprofits.com. Also get your FREE Mini-Report: A Complete Guide To Interior Design.

Baby Shower Ideas

2009-12-15T07:34:00.001-08:00

Baby showers are a beautiful way to celebrate the coming of a baby into the family. The baby shower party is thrown by friends or colleagues to get together with the mom-to-be and have a good time while bestowing gifts and good wishes on the mom as well as the baby. It can be a simple affair with a few close friends and family on an afternoon or it can be a big party with all the works including decorations, cakes, and games.

Planning a baby shower takes a lot of work. The hostess should ensure that the mom-to-be is as comfortable as possible and should take care that all the important people are invited. During the party, it is the hostess?s duty to ensure that all the guests are comfortable. It is a good idea to serve a few appetizers when the guests start arriving. It is also important to know how the guest is related to the parents-to-be. There can also be a ?Guest of Honor? who can be a grandparent or a god parent. The party can be based on a theme like nursery rhymes or anything else relating to babies. The party would be more interesting with a few games like Naming the Baby, Rice Bowl, and Baby Guests. Small prizes like potpourri, candles, and candy can be given to the winners.

The gift opening can also be a grand affair with someone taking down the details of each gift and who it is from. This will make sending ?thank-you? notes easier for the mom. Baby showers also include favors which the mom gives to the guests. These may include small gifts like lotions or balms packed cutely in small bags. These are meant to say ?thank you? to the guests for attending the baby shower. There are many websites that offer information as well as products for baby showers.

Baby Showers provides detailed information about baby showers, baby shower decorations, baby shower favors, and more. Baby Showers is affiliated with Personalized Baby Gifts.

Tips For Bedroom Decorating

2009-12-11T18:11:00.001-08:00

Bedroom decorating is a project which can bring many different feelings to mind. Decorating can seem to be fun, creative, expressive, and pleasing. While on the other hand it can be daunting, time consuming, expensive and overwhelming. In any case what you need is a good plan. Whether you are redecorating a familiar and comfortable bedroom or starting from the ground up in a new living space you need to have the knowledge necessary to make your decorating project a beautiful success. Decorating is not just about being comfortable, it is also about creating spaces which reflect who you and your family are.

So where to start? First off you will obviously need to determine your budget. Keep in mind that we spend nearly a third of our life sleeping, in addition to the time that we spend in our bedrooms watching television, reading, resting, dressing and getting ready for work etc. You should keep this in mind when thinking of the money you can spend. Also as the saying goes, you often ?get what you pay for?. Quality materials and workmanship often are a bit more costly, however this often translates into extra value. Bedding and fabrics which are made well out of higher grade materials will add years of use and will need less repair and maintenance. This translates into less cost over the long run. The number of bedrooms you need to decorate will come into play when making these decisions as well. A child?s or a guest room may not require as much attention to detail and quality as the master bedroom.

The next step in decorating your room is to decide on what type of colors and designs you would like. Waverly Fabrics has some great information on their website. Their ?how to decorate? section helps you to pick out a color and pattern scheme which reflects your unique style. They start by offering you a ?color quiz? which gives you a series of questions aimed at determining a color palette for the fabrics you will use in your design. These questions cover many areas, from the color of your cookware, your favorite vacation spots, to your hobbies and choice of colors around your home. The quiz results in a color palette suggestion. There is also a similar ?lifestyle quiz? which offers you pattern choices based on your answers.

After you determine color and pattern its now time to find the exact fabric or bedding ensemble to go with. When decorating a bedroom there is more to it than choosing a bedspread and pillow cases. The most popular manufacturers, Thomasville, Waverly and Croscill all offer choices that extend beyond the bed. Croscill has many coordinated bathroom accessories to choose from. Thomasville offers fine bedding ensembles and in addition makes fabrics by the yard available so that you can reupholster chairs make curtains, lamp shades, and table and chair coverings. Today, Waverly offers Hundreds of beautiful fabrics, wall paper, paints and furniture. A popular choice for those who are proficient in construction and sewing is to choose Waverly Bedding. By utilizing Waverly?s fabrics families have created the most striking and unique living areas that ones imagination can create. Thomasville?s fabric by the yard is also a good choice if you were to go this route.

Finding a good retailer is the next step. Thomasville, Croscill and Waverly all offer their products through outside retailers. They don?t sell directly to the general public. When looking for a retailer you want to be able to compare price, reputation, availability, and service. An excellent way to do this is to go with on-line shopping. There are a lot of e-commerce and commercial websites on which these products are available. Any time of day or night from the comfort of your home you can browse the best prices, look for customer comments and research the company.

Written by Jared More For aj MOSS. To find out more about Waverly or Thomasville fabrics please visit http://www.ajmoss.com you can also call aj MOSS at 877-862-1270 and a member of our experienced staff can help you make the perfect selection today!

Baby Shower Party Menus Can Be Great Fun

2009-10-22T23:31:00.001-07:00

Although the main reason for a baby shower is to celebrate the upcoming birth of a new baby, having yummy baby shower party menus make everyone happy. With so many items you can serve, you can have a whole buffet with something for everyone.

1. Baby Carrots ? These crunchy favorites can be served raw or cooked in a casserole. They make a great appetizer when you offer them with many types of dip and dressings on the side.

2. Baby Spinach ? Tossed into a salad or cooked in a recipe, baby spinach will make a great addition to all your baby shower party menus.

3. Baby Eggplant ? Cook into a delicious eggplant parmesan recipe for all your guests to savor.

4. Baby Head Cabbage ? Think of the exquisite cabbage rolls you can make with this variety of cabbage.

5. Baby Back Ribs ? With a wide assortment of barbeque sauces available, from mild to honey to hot, you can make some ribs that will fit the palate of all your guests.

6. Baby Lima Beans ? Yummy all by themselves or cooked in a wide variety of recipes.

7. Baby Swiss Cheese ? Cut it up in cubes, slice it on crackers, or place it on a fruit tray.

8. Double Chocolate Lava Baby Cakes ? All baby shower party menus need a dessert or two. For all those chocolate lovers, this will be the perfect addition.

9. Baby Blue Punch ? Easy to make recipe out of Sprite, white cranberry juice, blue drink mix, and vanilla ice cream, this drink is almost a dessert all its own.

The number of items you provide on your baby shower party menus is limited only by your imagination and the number of food items you can find with ?baby? in the name.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Free Baby Shower Games, printable activities, party planning tips, menus, recipes, and party supplies to help complete your event.

Decorating Your Home For Christmas

2009-10-22T23:18:00.001-07:00

People have all different kinds of ideas about decorating their home for Christmas. Inside your home, Christmas decorations help to give your home that Christmas spirit that people crave during the holiday season. It is an important part of your celebration and can help your home feel more inviting during the holidays. There are many different ways to decorate your home, but making your own Christmas decorations with your family can help make the time together more special and can give a great sense of pride and ownership. There are many different ideas that you can use to help with your interior Christmas decorating desires.

You can make your home into a Christmas masterpiece with some simple interior Christmas decorations.

? One cute idea is to make a display of festive seasonal dolls or bears. You can add a small Christmas tree with little presents. This is a great way to get your children involved. It is important to let them choose the items so that you don't choose one of their security objects, because you don't want to have to take apart your display to rescue one of their favorites.

? Another idea to help give your home that Christmas spirit is to use Christmas ribbon to tie bows all over your home. You can put them anywhere you can tie them, from your stair rails to your curtains.

?Hanging stockings throughout your home is a wonderful way to add that festive feel in your home.

? If you are looking for an activity to do with your children, then you may want to consider taking a white table cloth and painting it with fabric paint. This is a great way to add your children's personality to your room. Just be sure that you explain that painting on the tablecloth is a one time thing.

? Decorate your houseplants with small ornaments to help make them more Christmasy. If you are out of Christmas ornaments, use your Christmas cookie cutters with a little ribbon. You can't go wrong. If it appeals to you, then you can use it.

? Setting Christmas books out on your table is a great decoration and you can gain knowledge. You can even create a game around the trivia that you find inside of the books.

You don't have to spend lots of money on Christmas decorations. You can create your own with just a little effort and a few ideas much like these.

Andrew Caxton is a consultant who writes on many consumer topics like the home decorating and interior design at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com .He provides tips and advice about Xmas ornaments as well as on the Christmas decor at christmas decoration

Home Decorating Tips How to Change a Rooms Dimension Using Wall Pictures

2009-09-26T19:20:00.001-07:00

The Basic Role of Pictures

Wall art plays an important role in interior design as it helps create the ambience of a room. By cleverly placing wall pictures in certain ways, you can change and create a new look and feel in a room.

The role wall pictures play in interior design are:-

pictures, mirrors or other ornamental accessories on walls help make the room look 'lived in' and they also inject your personality into the room;
color pictures and prints help connect with the rooms accent;
pictures help absorb noise in a room, otherwise a room with totally bare walls will sound empty and will have an echo;
pictures and prints can help enhance or change a room's 'look and feel'.

How to Lengthen a Room

If you have a small room in your house, you can easily achieve the illusion of length. This can be done in two ways. If you like bold statements then simply paint a couple of horizontal lines in a bold color across the middle of the wall in which you want to lengthen. These lines then naturally create the illusion of increased length in the room. An alternative way to do this, and a more subtle way, is to use pictures.

By strategically placing art pictures or photographs with any kind of strong horizontal line in the print, can accomplish the illusion of length. For example, if you chose two or three long rectangular pictures with horizontal panoramic prints such as ocean & beach pictures, fields, or scenic mountain pictures, then this will help extend the length of the room naturally.

Two, three or more of these horizontal landscape pictures will give the maximum impact you are looking for to help lengthen a small room. Also bear in mind not to overdo the room with furniture. Too much clutter makes a room appear smaller.

How to Broaden a Narrow Room

If you have a room which is a bit on the narrow side, there is a simple strategy to make the room appear broader. All you need is a tin of paint, a wall mirror and a large colorful wall picture.

Get your tin of paint, which should preferably be a darker contrasting color to your other walls, and paint one of the walls with this darker paint. Find a colorful and lively large painting and hang it on the wall you have just painted - colorful flower pictures are ideal for this.

On the wall adjacent to your picture, hang a decorative large mirror. What has happened here is that the mirror reflects on the large picture, and the additional darker color on the wall has immediately given the room some much-needed depth. This combination will then make the room appear wider.

By adding these simple additions to your narrow room, you have instantly created a balance in the room's dimensions giving the sensation of additional space.

How to Heighten a Low Ceiling

Rooms with low ceilings give an oppressive feeling, whereas rooms with a high ceiling give a light and airy feel with a large amount of space. To overcome the problem of a low ceiling, there are a couple of interior design strategies to use.

First of all put down a darker floor covering, whether it be a wooden floor, carpet or lino. Paint the walls with a lighter color than the floor, or use light colored wallpaper. If you can, use white paint for the ceiling as this always gives the room maximum light and instantly draws the eyes upwards.

Hang up wall pictures with strong vertical lines as this then gives the impression of height. Use portrait prints such as vertical landscapes, i.e. lighthouses, trees, cityscapes, or floral prints such as flowers in a vertical vase or tall long stem roses. Therefore, by combining the dark floor, light walls and ceiling and portraits prints, all adds to the sense of height in a room.

Summary

Art pictures and prints play an important role in home decorating for several reasons. They do not only reflect and put your own personality into the room, but they can also help as a solution to change the look and feel of a room by giving the illusion of height, width and length. This can easily be achieved by combining wall pictures, contrasting colors and decorative mirrors.

Claire Bowes is a successful freelance writer and owner of Online Home Improvement Ideas.

Working From Home and Renovating How to Cope!

2009-09-25T09:59:00.001-07:00

As we have been renovating, I have some tips on how to cope with living and working in your home when you have builders pulling your house and lifestyle apart!

Move everything out of their way and store it in an enclosed space. This way your precious possessions won't get broken or covered in building dust.

Pack away most of your children's toys. This does sound mean, but it is a lot easier than having crying children with broken or lost toys from leaving them under your builders feet!

Don't plan to work while the contractors are going to be doing major noisy jobs, ask them the night before what they will be doing the next day, this way you can sort out when to make your phone calls and when to leave the house for lunch!

Make sure you put protective coverings over your carpet or hard flooring. It is amazing what gets dropped by accident even by the most prudent of workmen. Building dust can really scratch hardwood floors, so make sure you keep it covered and taped down.

Take all your pictures off the walls, as the contractors carry timber and plasterboard sheet through your home they can easily be knocked, or your pictures could be on the other side of the wall that is being worked on and may fall off with the banging of hammers etc.

Try and vacuum every night. It sounds like a nightmare, but you simply do the area around the work and this will reduce long term damage to your home. Dust can engulf your entire house, but taking away as much as you can each day, when the work is finished you will have less of a disaster on your hands.

Let the contractor know before they start that this is your family home and you have children or pets that have to be considered. That way they will be aware of leaving doors or gates open, and reduce the risk of you losing something precious.

Don't set yourself unachievable work goals each day. Remember that there will be constant noise, which upsets your concentration, and you will feel more tired with the home being in disarray. Do what you can while they are working during the day and sneak in some extra work at night to keep up, remembering that this is only temporary!

Arrange to meet with clients away from your home office. You won't be able to be professional in your home with renovations happening.

Make sure you look after your contractors, a cup of tea or coffee, some cake occasionally. This way they will like working for you and hopefully stay to finish the job!

Make sure you have a agree date that the project needs to be completed by, you want to get the work done as soon as possible, reducing the amount of disruption in your home and office. Otherwise you could find yourself living in turmoil until the builder decides he is ready to finish your job.

Make sure that you have one sane place to go in your home. An untouched area. This way, when you feel you have had enough of the constant mess and noise you can go to the place and feel slightly normal. Don't forget to enjoy the finished product, you've earned it!

Lee Brown is an experienced professional designer and co founder of interiordezine.com, a website dedicated to providing free interior design and decorating information. Go and look at interiordezine.com to see if you can answer some of your home decorating questions now! You can also get a free decorating ebook at free ebook There is also a site on color

What Is A Reverse Painting?

2009-09-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the world of Reverse Painting on Glass. Reverse painting on glass has been considered a?popular 'art of the people' for? many centuries. The use of glass as a support for this intricate painting technique has not hindered its? continuing popularity.

A reverse painting is created by painting a subject?onto one side of a sheet of glass (or plexiglass) after which it is viewed from the other side of the glass, or through?the glass.

Contrary to painting on a canvas or similar support this technique requires an artist to paint in reverse, or 'back to front.'?

When an artwork is created on a support such as canvas or wood panel, it is painted from the same? angle and direction that it will ultimately? be viewed from on completion. However, in the case of a reverse painting the painting? side and the viewing side of the artwork are opposed to one? another.? ?

Similarly, an artwork that is created on a canvas usually begins with a rough outline and gradually builds towards its completion and finishing touches.? In a reverse painting this procedure begins where it would normally end and finishing touches such as finer details and the artist's signature are usually applied first and the background applications of colour are? added later, hence the use of the term 'reverse painting'.

The effect that glass can give to a reverse painting can make it a very beautiful object. Some artists use thick glass in order to give more depth to their work.

For those who see a reverse painting on glass for the very first time it can take a little while to realise that the subject has been painted on the surface of the? glass itself.

Extract from A guide to reverse painting on glass at http://www.artpostermania.com (English and French website)

Kids Bedding Experts Offer Tips on Decorating Your Child's Room To Last

2009-08-30T22:01:00.001-07:00

If your kids outgrow their bedroom d?cor anywhere near as fast as they outgrow their shoes, you?re in trouble. While there?s no way to prolong the length of time their shoes will fit, you can design their bedroom to keep them happy for a long time by following these helpful hints.

#1 Choose a color palette and fabrics instead of a theme.

Children grow so fast, and their interests change so quickly. To decorate your child?s bedroom so it lasts from the crib to kindergarten and beyond, choose a color palette instead of a theme. Try drawing from his or her favorite toys for inspiration! Pulling colors and fabrics from favorite stuffed animals or dolls can be very helpful in determining what your child will like. A foundation like this can be easily updated and refreshed over the years with new kids bedding and affordable accessories that make it seem like a brand new room.

#2 Leave it open enough to let your child?s personality really shine.

In other words, don?t ?finish? everything. Kids like their rooms to be extensions of themselves, so be sure to leave some space for your kid to have ?free reign.? Set up a designated area where they can express themselves, hang pictures, display achievements, artwork, photos of friends and family or whatever they like. You?ll find this freedom will keep them happy a lot longer.

#3 Include your child in the decision-making.

If they?re old enough to help, let them tell you what they like and don?t like?after all it is their room. Shopping online can be an easy way to find really special items that your kids will love! The Domestic Bin carries a wide selection of kids bedding for your child to choose from, with styles for infants, toddlers and teens. Whether you?re looking for cartoon characters, sports prints or delicate nature prints, you?re sure to find a pattern they will love.

#4 Go basic on curtains and bedskirts and update regularly with affordable items.

Since curtains and bedskirts are the last to wear out, be sure to choose subtle colors that tend to go with everything. You can give the room a whole new look as often as necessary by updating the more affordable items in the room, like sheets and throw pillows. Name brand kids bedding and accessories can be found at discount prices online at The Domestic Bin, making it affordable enough to replace as your kids get older.

kids bedding

Portable Home Decorating: 11 Tips for Creating a Comfortable Home Even When You Move Often

2009-08-18T08:29:00.001-07:00

If you or your spouse?s work requires frequent moves across the state, country, or perhaps even around the world, you can still create a feeling of home every time you move, and do it in a way that quickly says ?welcome home? in a strange new place.

1. Keep it Simple. Even if your company relocates you, you will incur at least a few extra expenses as each new space always has different dimensions and proportions. Allow for, say, inexpensive new window shades and properly sized curtain rods. A long length of flowing fabric can be easily draped over the rod for an ?immediate? drapery treatment.

2. Consider it an Adventure. Unlike people who live in one home for many years, this is your chance to collect things you love from many wonderful places and showcase them in your home, creating a ?life collage? over time.

3. Keep it Light. Collect only items you absolutely love and that are lightweight. Small paintings or pottery are better than heavy pieces of furniture. Limit yourself to one or two pieces per move, or one piece per family member. Remember, you?ll have to move them next time, and moving companies charge by weight.

4. Keep it Functional. For immediate ?homey-ness? you?ll want a comfortable sofa; two reading chairs with small tables to hold drinks, lamps, and magazines; a coffee table; comfortable beds and side tables with lamps; a bureau for each bedroom or family member, a dining table and chairs; computer desk(s) and chair(s); a piece to hold your TV and stereo equipment; and perhaps a bookcase or two.

5. Functional Favorites. Choose your functional pieces carefully and make sure you absolutely love their style since you?ll be taking them with you wherever you go. The familiarity of them will help make you feel immediately at home the next time you move.

6. Keep it Neutral. Consider purchasing large furniture, like sofas and chairs, in solid neutral upholstery fabric such as cream or tan. This makes it easier to mix and match items and use them in any room with each subsequent move. Pieces seldom fit exactly right in the next location. Neutral upholstery will help it all flow.

7. Color it Beautiful. Dress up that neutral upholstery with some pillows in your favorite colors and possibly a snuggly throw. This is your chance to bring in patterns and textures as well.

8. Bon Appetit. Buy a set of white dishes and cookware. They?ll make the colors of your food stand out and look appetizing, and you can change napkins and placemat colors depending on the occasion or your mood.

9. Spa Day. After a long move, there?s nothing like a hot bath to ease the tension. Buy two complete fluffy towel sets per family member, in their favorite colors, to jazz up the bath.

10. Comfy Kids. Let your children choose their own comforter and pillows in their favorite colors for their beds. Children need a sense of immediate security and comfort in their new space and choosing their own things will help ease the transition.

11. Flower Power. To immediately make a new place feel like your own cozy home, purchase some fresh flowers and put them on your dining table in a favorite vase.

By keeping things simple, functional, and portably colorful, (like the pillows and towels), you?ll quickly create a comforting new home for you and your family each time the moving van pulls into your new driveway.

Visit http://www.kathrynbechendesigns.com for more free ideas and tips for decorating your cottage style home on a dollarwise budget and to sign up for Kathryn's free e-newsletter of decorating tips and resources. Kathryn is an interior decorating consultant and author who specializes in Cottage Style, Non-Toxic, and Dollarwise decorating.

How To Add Style To Your Home's Decor With Figurines

2009-08-16T08:31:00.001-07:00

When it comes to the overall look and feel of your interior and exterior rooms, the little details DO matter. Add a figurine here and there and watch the transformation.

Although the Asian society is well known for their production of figurines, they are not alone in their quest to display their heritage and culture by way of utilizing the beauty and sense of elegance figurines add to your home's decor.

Figurines come in all shapes and sizes and tell many different stories. African Americans use them to display their heritage. Whimsical figurines are used to add humor and lightheartedness to our lives. Patriotic figurines remind us of our American pride and display a sense of loyalty to our country.

If you've ever seen the sparkle and beauty of a spun glass figurine, then surely you can see how glass speaks volumes for displaying style. Spun glass also gives the impression that you spent a substantial amount of money but, spun glass figurines are not only affordable, but can instantly become the focal point to any room.

No matter what your home's decor is, figurines are not only a great way to add style and pizzazz to your room, but are also unique for gift giving ideas. Figurines will always brighten up a room and they also make wonderful conversation pieces.

Maybe you were thinking about starting a collection but are unsure what would be appropriate. Why not try collecting figurines. Not only have they been tried and tested as a wonderful collectable item, they can be purchased for a little a $1. or as expensive as several hundred dollars. So, as you can see, figurines can be an affordable and have proven to be a collector's delight.

So the next time you're looking for the perfect gift, try giving a unique and beautiful figurine. And when you look around your room and you're wondering how you can add style at an affordable price, try adding a conversational figurine in the appropriate location.

To find out more about figurines visit Shirley's Website: http://www.acedecorating.com and explore the beautiful possibilities of decorating with figurines including Spun Glass Figurines, Animal Figurines, Angel & Cherub Figurines, Asian & African Figurines and more.

Reviving Your Bedroom Furniture

2009-08-14T08:31:00.001-07:00

It is a fact of life that things age. Over time, just about everything breaks down, and signs of this breaking down will begin to appear. This is as true with furniture as it is with anything else. Paint chips and cracks, wood becomes scratched or dented, surfaces become dirty. All of these things are the inevitable result of time on furniture.

Beyond the simple cosmetic problems though, time also has another dramatic effect on furniture. In short, it becomes too familiar and boring. This can, at times, be even more problematic than the physical effects of time. After all, aging can be covered up, or altogether ignored, but being bored with your bedroom furniture is something which is much more difficult to just ignore. Luckily, there are a number of ways in which you can solve both of these problems that are easy and quick!

Now, the steps you will need to take depend on a number of different factors. For instance, if your bedroom is full of bright colors and loud accessories, then redoing some of your bedroom furniture in muted tones may not be the best plan to follow. However you can often push the limits of your bedroom?s color schemes a bit without going over the line. The condition of the piece you will be working with also plays a large part in what you will be able to do with it, as well as the materials the piece is made from. These are all things you should keep in mind as you are setting out your course of action.

One of the most interesting changes you can make to a piece of bedroom furniture is to antique or distress it. This term actually refers to any of a vast number of techniques that essentially have one goal: making a piece of furniture appear to be older than it actually is. This is very useful when working with a piece of furniture which has already begun to show signs of wear and tear on its surface, as in many cases those signs will actually work in favor of the effect.

There are many ways to achieve an antiqued appearance. One of the easiest methods is by using a few painting tricks. First, make sure your piece is clean and sand some of the edges a bit to give it a softer look. Then, start off by applying a light colored coat of paint. Usually, you should use a beige color for this, or something similar, but the exact color can vary, depending on the color scheme of your bedroom. Then, once the first coat is dry, go back and apply another coat, using a darker color of paint. Usually a shade of deep brown is best for this, but again the exact color can vary to meet you color scheme. Before the new coat dries, wipe most of it off. What remains will give your bedroom furniture an excellent aged look.

If home design and decor interests you then be sure to stop by Restful Home, a site that discusses everything from home decor to less discussed touches such as copper kitchen accessories.

Herbs: Her Majesty The Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

2009-08-12T08:31:00.001-07:00

To me, rosemary is mostly about memories. Its distinctive smell teleports me straight to the ranch-type, yellow painted vacation home with the rosemary hedge around on the beach. All that is far away and far back in the past of my childhood. But without a mistake, this time travel happens to me every time I slide my hand over the rosemary bush in front of my house. The magical smell fills up my nostrils and the pleasure of innocent childhood happiness starts rising in my body?

Not only is the aroma, rosemary?s taste is also distinguishing. That?s a good reason to be conservative whenever using it as a spice. A fresh sprig of rosemary makes a nice decoration with many foods, especially fish. Just don?t try to put it in your mouth and chew on it.

Some sources mention the use of rosemary essential oil as a cure for stomachaches and to stimulate the blood circulation. Other natural healing uses: eyestrain, for shiny dark hair, headache, as cellulite eliminator, as pain relief. Only, I?m not a doctor and can?t prescribe you anything.

For now, plant rosemary in a sunny spot somewhere around your home. It will also grow in a pot. Rosemary plants prefer fertile, well drained soil. Different kinds of rosemary are hardy in different zones. If you?re not sure, bring it in the house before freezing. In case you have several plants, leave one or two established plants outside and see if they survive.

Rosemary twigs look great in vases (see the pictures at: www.TheSunflowerGardens.com) plus, they make the inside of your home smell fresh. Every rosemary bush can be pruned to a desired shape. Another attribute of rosemary?s aroma is - it keeps the rodents away!

As soon as I?m done typing this article, I?m going out. There?s a rosemary bush in front of our house. In less than two years it grew from a tiny plant from the nursery to the size of about a yard across. I?m going to brush the top with my hand, close my eyes and spend a few moments on a beautiful distant beach?

Daria enjoys writing and researching. Her purpose is to make life simple without sacrificing the quality. Her findings are published via Simple Living Guide series. The complete guide on shipping internationally can be found on her webpage at: http://www.TheSunflowerGardens.com

Christmas Gifts for Adults

2009-08-10T08:31:00.001-07:00

My Christmas gifts wishlist is a very long list. Condensing it to the top ten Christmas gifts that I would like will take some thought, but I will try, I have wanted a keyboard for quite a while. I know some music, but I would just love to be able to play some Mozart or Beethoven to help relax me and destress my day. A keyboard and some sheet music would go a long way to making me happy and my children sad.

Another gift that I would like is some classical music CD's. Nothing obscure, but more in the vein of Mozart, Beethoven, Choplin to help bring some calming influence into my chaotic home. Practical gifts is what I would normally choose, however, so a great pair of black leather boots would be wonderful to wear with my jeans and skirts. They would also help to keep my tootsies warm during the cold winter months.

Another somewhat practical gift is a few cashmere sweaters. Bright colored, warm, soft sweaters are just the best during the cold, drab winter months. A great warm, soft throw blanket is wonderful, too. You also can't go wrong with some books. The newest bestseller or a great cookbook would give me something to do when it is too cold to be outside. Perfume would be great, too, I have expensive tastes, however, so it will have to be something French.

Food is the way to this person's heart. Hot chocolate, milk chocolate, and anything chocolate is a good choice for me. A good wine would be nice, too. You know it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be to narrow my list down. I am really not that picky about what I like, as long as you give it with love and keep the receipt!

I enjoy giving presents much more than I enjoy receiving. I enjoy finding the thing that will make the gift receiver's eyes light up. Yes, my family gives me a Christmas gifts list, but I always buy a surprise or two that I know that they will love. I might buy tickets to a show that they have been wanting to see or a membership to a museum that they love to visit. I don't really like to buy gift certificates. It just seems that you just don't make the effort to determine what they would like, but I have had to give them when I just cannot come up with something special. The top Christmas gifts for children and teenagers usually includes the latest computer games, music, or technology gadget, but you can't go wrong with classic board games, a train set, or a doll's house either. Choosing Christmas gifts does not have to be difficult. Just do it with love and you are sure to find a gift that they will love and enjoy!

Andrew Caxton writes about Christmas decorating at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/magazine/christmas-decorating.html , where you can find also tips and advice about ornaments and the best ideas for Christmas gifts

Decor for Bedrooms: Find Your Perfect Design

2009-08-08T08:31:00.001-07:00

Some people like to design their bedrooms specifically to fit the season. Winter colors are very popular in the winter, autumn colors make beautiful bedroom d?cor, springtime colors can certainly brighten up your bedroom, and summertime colors can also add a beautiful touch to your bedroom d?cor.

If you cannot afford to or simply do not want to have two to four bedroom sets of different colors to fit the seasons, you can still have wonderful bedroom d?cor. When you stick with one bedspread, set of curtains, window seat covers etc. just be sure to choose wisely. Neutral colors are my first suggestion. Using colors such as blacks, browns, beiges, off-whites and whites can all be used as a sort of universal bedroom d?cor.

However, if you do not want to have two to four bedroom sets in your home to change the colors in your bedroom as the seasons change outside, you may very well prefer to pick the colors you like best. That is the next best thing. If you prefer burgundy, and you already have a wooden bedroom set that is stained a burgundy color, you can just go with that theme or motif for the rest of your bedroom design. It is very important to keep in mind that your bedroom d?cor will not reflect your personal taste unless you do not let anything get in the way of your personal style when you decorate. Your bedroom d?cor will not reflect your decorative ideas unless it is something you enjoy, no matter if it is snowing outside or swimming pool weather.

Bedroom sets:
Many bedroom sets come in four and up to eight pieces, which include items like nightstands, bed frames, dressers, vanities, armoires etc. Your bedroom set is the base of your bedroom d?cor, because it will often accentuate the rest of the design.

Curtains:
The curtains in your bedroom will play an essential part in the overall look of the room itself. There are many kinds of curtains to choose from when choosing your bedroom d?cor. Some styles of bedroom d?cor are more subtle, with a plain color or simple design and versatile enough to last year round. Other kinds of curtains for the bedroom bring out an especially elegant touch to the room. These are curtains such as silks, velvets etc., the velvet often bearing some sort of design and or texture.

Bedspreads:
Of course the bedspread is one of the most essential parts of bedroom d?cor. The bedspread, pillows and sheets that you use can add a beautiful or stylish touch to your bedroom. Therefore you should be sure to choose the very best bedspread for your personal taste, especially if you will be using a long lasting bedspread year-round.

Some people come halfway in the case of seasonal bedroom d?cor when it comes to their bedspreads and throw pillows. Although they change no other part of the room, they will have two different bedspreads and bedspread accessories to change the bedroom d?cor slightly as the weather changes. This may be a practical move, too if you choose to use a heavier, warmer bedspread in the wintertime and change over to a lighter bedspread when the seasons change and the nights seem to be getting warmer, making it less comfortable to sleep.

Carpeting:
The carpet you choose for your bedroom is also a very important part of the overall look of your bedroom d?cor. If you change your bedroom d?cor often, you will prefer a more neutral color carpet. Always try to buy stain resistant carpeting for your bedroom and any other room of the house, especially if you choose a light colored carpet.

Throw Rugs:
Another good idea for bedroom d?cor is to have a throw rug. Throw rugs can be great bedroom d?cor because they can protect certain parts of the carpet not covered by the bed. However, throw rugs can also add a beautiful, even luxurious touch to your bedroom. Fine oriental rugs and more expensive designer throw rugs are very popular among those wealthier persons who really take their bedroom d?cor very seriously.

Rock Gardens A Different Kind of Garden

2009-08-06T08:31:00.001-07:00

Planting a Rock Garden is a great alternative to the normal flower and vegetable garden.

Where Should This Garden Go:

Typically an ideal spot for a rock garden is on a slope or naturally terraced area with rock formations already in place.

However nature has not blessed every home with this perfect set up which means you will need to create an area from scratch using topsoil and rocks. This can be done most anywhere you choose against a wall or fence, along the house or back of a garage ? this is where I had one of my rock gardens ? having one within an existing garden would also look quite nice.

How Big Should It Be:

This decision of course is going to be entirely up to you taking into consideration how much time you have and how much space you have to work with.

You may have seen pictures in magazines of very elaborate looking rock gardens with waterfalls or streams running through them and paths made up of large flat rock for walking.

However, small, simply designed gardens look just as good and in the long run for many of use will work out better.

This is especially true if you are making one from scratch, you need to consider the amount of time needed to build it and the cost factor as you?ll be needing topsoil, rocks and plants. Remember the old saying we all head growing up ?Your eyes are bigger than your stomach? well it applies here as well, start small and build up over time.

I?ve had rock gardens at two different homes both had to be started from scratch and both started out small. The first started small mainly because I?d never done one before, in fact it didn?t start out to be a rock garden at all. It started as a flower garden right behind the garage, but the discovery of some Hens & Chicks at a local nursery changed everything. Which now leads to the next section, plants.

What Plants To Use

This type of garden is a little different from what you may normally be accustomed to ? large plants with brightly colored blooms. Here you want plants that are relatively small, there are many low growing perennials available. And don?t get to caught up in whether the plants has flowers or not, what your looking for is something to enhance and complement the rock clusters you?ve put together.

Also don?t limit your choices to just plants, small dwarf evergreen shrubs can also be used and will add another texture to the garden. In fact is space permits add a few larger shrubs to the back of the garden, which works as a backdrop to really put the rock garden in the spot light.

Examples of Plants & Shrubs:

Perennials

?Creeping Myrtle ? green leaves with violet blue spring flowers
?Hens & Chicks ? many varieties of color and texture
?Sedum ? creeping in gold or red
?Phlox ? creeping in pink, red, blue and white

Shrubs

?Juniper
?Dwarf Mugho Pine
?Birds Nest Spruce

Maintaining A Rock Garden:

Routine care like with any garden is needed. Cutting back leggy plants, dead heading any flowering plants, removal of any dead stems and dividing any plants that have become to big. Also like with all gardens water when necessary and feed occasionally. Putting down a thick layer of mulch will help during the hot summer to keep moisture where it belongs around the plants roots; this is also beneficial if you live in an area where winters are harsh.

To Add Decorative Accents or Not ? Here?s a Good Question:

Many articles and experienced gardeners will more than likely tell you that the addition of decorative accents is not necessary as the simple lines of plants and rocks is the decorative element. I on the other hand disagree, to me adding a little something like a small figurine, a mini birdbath or a tiny wind chime hanging from a miniature Shepard?s hook only add to the beauty of the garden.

However as with indoor decorating, a garden whether it is rock, flower or vegetable should express and represent the creative side to each individual gardener, so if you like the way something looks go ahead and use it.

Give Rock Gardening a try. Happy Gardening

This is a share ware article. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as the entire article is left intact including this notice. Copyright ? 2005 bonnie carrier.

Bonnie P. Carrier is the creator of Savvy Home Decorating & Savvy Outdoor Decorating. She is the mother to two grown daughters and a very spoiled 4yr old Blue Merle Sheltie named Toby. Stop by for information and ideas for both inside and outside your home.

http://www.savvy-home-decorating.com
http://www.savvyoutdoordecorating.com

A Brief History Of Reverse Painting On Glass

2009-08-04T08:31:00.001-07:00

Reverse painting on glass has been a form of art?expression since extremely ancient times. It is difficult to precisely date a number of much more ancient?artworks.

Art history has revealed that painting on glass became quite? fashionable in Italy during the Renaissance. Italian paintings on glass during the 14th and 15th centuries were associated with Venice and with the Island of Murano. These paintings were primarily?miniatures?which later? began to be utilised as alters and reliquaries in churches. Gradually a more artisanal? approach began to develop in which artists copied well-liked landscapes or painted portraits and biblical representations.

By the 17th century painting on glass had spread to Austria and the characteristics of this work now began to be influenced by a more popular form of art which also led to the development of small family industries of painters on glass.

In Europe the reverse painting technique had by this time reached as far north as Poland.In those times glass-making was carried out by methods that gave glass a very characteristic appearance due to the glass being blown and not poured.There existed certain?problems in creating high enough temperatures which allowed for the successful fusion of chemicals that were used, and which consequently permitted identification of paintings on glass from a much earlier era.

The knowledge for painting on glass began to spread through Europe when glass makers were forced to?migrate due to diminishing supplies of quartz sand, or when wood supplies were lacking which prevented them from? creating the fires they needed to make glass. With transportation becoming more efficient frontier taxes began to increase and the necessary? chemical additives became more expensive.This led to a constant movement and migration of glassmakers all through Europe.

The technique of painting on glass has created its own cultural art history not only in Europe but also in India, China and The Far East, North America, South America, The Middle East and Africa.

Extract from A guide to reverse painting on glass at http://www.artpostermania.com (English and French website)

Creating the Perfect Bedroom with Wrought Iron

2009-08-02T08:31:00.001-07:00

Wrought iron home d?cor products are available for every room in a house, including bedrooms. Bedroom d?cor items should evoke a feeling of comfort and peacefulness, to help create a relaxing atmosphere for rest and sleep. Wrought iron products can provide this feeling while at the same time bringing a sense of style to the room.

Wrought iron is a great choice for decorating a bedroom because of the versatile nature of the material. Wrought iron goes with just about any decorating style you can imagine. In a bedroom, it is important to feel relaxed. Wrought iron is a very strong and durable material, but the thin and delicate look of wrought iron can make a bedroom have a more cozy feel since the wall behind it shows through.

There are many wrought iron d?cor items available for a bedroom, from large main pieces to accent accessories. Large items available include wrought iron beds, dresser mirrors, and clothes hampers. These items are nice to buy if you are in need of new furniture. However, you can still add wrought iron to a bedroom without making these large purchases; smaller wrought iron accessories can be added to your existing furniture. Wrought iron bedroom accent accessories can include candle holders, clocks, wall art, sconces, plant stands, and knobs and handles for existing furniture.

Visit the ultimate online guide for learning about wrought iron. Find free information and articles all about wrought iron including furniture, gates, railings, spindles, and more. Get all the facts and info today at http://www.wrought-iron-depot.com.

Decorating Tips For Teen Rooms

2009-07-31T08:30:00.001-07:00

Teen rooms can be a real challenge but they don?t have to be. The most important thing to remember when decorating or redecorating a teen room is to keep an open mind and listen to your teen?s thoughts regarding her own space.

You see, teens have their own style and in most cases desire a room the reflects their individuality. For parents sometimes it?s hard to accept that our teens decorating ideas may not match our own.

You also need to consider what end of the teenage scale your child is on. Chances are a teens taste and sense of self will change considerably between 13 and 17. Hence, the reason to tread lightly with fads and trends that may be here today and gone tomorrow.

Air on the side of caution and put a spending cap on major d?cor items that may be trendy but expensive. This is achieved by keeping the core elements of the room simple and using trendy accessories to enhance not overpower the room.

* Update your teen?s furniture with a coat of paint or other decorative touches.

*Turn a small table into a cool make-up vanity by painting it to match the room?s d?cor.

*If your teen opts for a deep color on her walls, accent the room with a few bright accessories to bring a sense of warmth to her space.

*Use colorful bed linens to bring decorative elements together. Purchase extra sheets and use to make matching window and lamp shades.

*Looking for a little height and drama? Think vertical stripes in vibrant colors.

*Don?t replace worn out wall-to-wall carpeting instead opt for a low maintenance painted floor with throw rugs.

For more teen room decorating ideas visit http://www.decorating-kids-rooms.net/teen-bedrooms-designs.html

Sherrie Le Masurier is an organizing consultant who helps parents organize and decorate their children's rooms. She is a member of Professional Organizers in Canada (POC) and co-owner of http://www.decorating-kids-rooms.net - Copyright.

Preserve Evergreen Memories

2009-07-29T08:31:00.001-07:00

Preserve memories with decorative picture frames. Picture Frames add exceptionality to pictures and keeps your pictures and memories evergreen. Picture frames provide support, protection and artistic veracity. The art of picture framing was instigated during the Renaissance period, due to the need to individualize and augment ingenious works.

Picture frames are available in different shapes and materials from the simple design to the contemporary styles. The picture frames are either mass produced or custom made frames from professional frame makers. Picture frames are either square shaped, rectangular, oval or heart shaped.

Picture frames can supplement the value or lessen the value of pictures based on the frames you choose. The picture frames are available in different materials which are usually made of silver, glass, enamel, digital photo frames, wood or even funky frames in classical or elegant styles. Some fun and fancy picture frames also available which is heart shaped porcelain or house shaped wood frame.

The picture frames protects your photos and hidden memories from direct lights, moisture and natural acids in our hands. Picture frames also looks great for gifts. It will be majestic gifts for wedding or other occasions.

Buy your pictures by keeping following features in mind. First decide what type of frame you want to buy, whether you need simple or ornamental frame .Secondly decide on color, style and materials of the frames and then price of the picture frames. Since both economical and expensive picture frames are available.

Picture frames enhances elegance and splendor of your picture. The frames are also available as table tops or wall hangings. The table top picture frames are available in square, rectangular or oval shaped. The wooden hangings may be hand painted, carved or plain.

Tamil Selvi is a SEO copywriter for smdblue.com, She has written many articles in various topics. For more information visit http://www.smdblue.com. She can be reached at tamil@searchenginegenie.com

Selecting Furniture for a Play Room

2009-07-27T08:31:00.001-07:00

The furniture you choose to put in your play room depends mostly on your family?s definition of ?play room.? If your play room is for a toddler to have lots of running room, your furniture will differ greatly from the play room designed to give adults the feel of a sports bar atmosphere.

If your play room is designed with a mobile child in mind, you probably will not need much furniture. An appropriately sized table for the child to sit at while coloring or drawing, playing with puzzles or doing crafts is a must along with a sturdy chair. A good toy box that could double as a hope chest for the child later is another good furniture item to include in the room. Throw in a couple of chairs for the kids to wallow on and your furniture needs are met!

A play room for older kids will differ in its furniture needs. A table with sturdy chairs will still be vital. Older kids who like to watch television or movies and play video games will also need a solid entertainment center or tv stand on which to hold the tv set. You?ll need more seating for older kids, too. They tend to have more friends visiting and will require more seating area.

If your play room is for adults, furnish it accordingly. In addition to any favorite games, like pool or billiards, you will want your play room to have quality furniture in it too. Select a nice sofa or sectional with plenty of seating. Select coffee and end tables that can move quickly to accommodate snack trays or your favorite board game. If you are going to have video games in your play room, make sure your seating is placed for good game play.

If your play room is going to be used for hobbies, make sure your furniture is suited for the hobby of your choice. If your hobby is scrap booking, you will need a good, comfortable desk and a nice chair. A hobby such as needle point would require a comfortable chair with good back support and good lighting. If writing is your hobby, your ?play room? may take on the look of a home office instead. Invest in good furniture that includes a computer desk and a comfortable chair.

No matter what your family?s definition of ?play room? is, you can utilize it best and get the most enjoyment from it when you furnish it according to its intended use. Don?t put a lavish sofa in your play room if it will be subjected to frequent spills and gooey drops of food. Likewise, don?t expect to be comfortable on furniture that is way past its last legs. Know your space, know your needs, and know your budget. When you take those things into consideration, you will make good decisions regarding the furniture and accessories you select for your play room and you can concentrate on what the room was intended for ? having fun!

Bob Benson is the founder of Furniture online. You can check out our website at http://www.doll-furniture.info

Decorating on a Dime

2009-07-25T08:31:00.001-07:00

Decorating your home and office can be a challenge if you are on a budget. There are so many different options, and most of them are outside of your financial grasp. A good piece of art work could cost you thousands, not to mention framing. How then do you decorate on a dime?

First, you need to know where to shop. Don?t go to a high end art gallery and expect to find something in your price range. Instead window show at the galleries for ideas on paintings that you like. Take that information and start shopping online. There are dozens of discount artwork websites, many of which offer prints of popular paintings. Try an e-coupon site to get some additional discounts on artwork. You can find coupon codes for some of the top discount artwork sites, saving you a great deal. Many throw in free shipping for going through one of these discount coupon sites.

Once you know where to shop, you need to figure out how to get the most art for your buck. Buying prints is an easy way to save some money. Print manufacturers will take a copy of a famous piece of artwork and print it out on a sheet of paper. Some of these prints may be printed on canvas for an authentic look, while others are on high gloss photo paper. They come in a variety of different sizes, and work well for almost any d?cor. Prints are so cheap; you can outfit a dozen houses for what you would pay for one piece of original artwork elsewhere.

Another tip is to forgo the framing and matting and do it yourself. Many artwork sites will tack on another hundred dollars for framing. Try going to your local craft store to purchase an inexpensive frame and mat. It takes only seconds to put together, and you will be very pleased with the overall look. No one will ever know how much money you saved by doing it yourself!

Lastly, be creative with your artwork. If you are unable to find prints that suit your style, try to think outside of the box. You can frame just about anything. Try framing posters, postcards, or even play programs for an interesting look. One of my favorite rooms in my home is filled with interesting postcards. They are all from different eras, and create a fun and interesting look. Best of all, it was super cheap! I spent about $50 dollars on frames, and about $20 for the entire set of postcards. It was a great deal, and I get so many compliments on the room.

Melanie Breeze, avid online shopper and user of online art coupons, is always shopping around for the best deals. You can find art deals and most coupons available around the web at CouponChief, all in one location. Finding a coupon before your online purchase helps you get that extra discount!

Create a Garden and Patio Design To Enjoy YearRound

2009-07-23T08:31:00.001-07:00

Retreat to a garden and patio design that's beautiful year-round, and takes minimum fuss. What makes this possible? Carefree plants with continuous blooms, and a well-planned garden structure.

You don't need to be a lawn and garden expert or landscape designer to do this. Here are a few tips for creating a super yet simple garden and patio design that will be a knockout!

The first step is to take a birds-eye view of your garden and patio area. Make a rough sketch of your space, and play around with a few designs until you like what you see. As you're doing this, get some great ideas from existing garden and patio decorations. Pay a visit to other people's gardens, or public gardens. Look through home landscaping and gardening magazines, find what you like, and develop plans of your own.

Decide what style or theme is right for you... formal, casual, rustic, Southwestern, Japanese... there are enormous possibilities. Then stay with that style and theme so the overall effect does not become confusing. For instance, you wouldn't want to combine bronze garden sculptures of saints or cherubs with rustic wooden wagon wheels.

Imagine what your patio area will most often be used for. You may plan to entertain lots of outdoor dinner guests. If so, be sure your patio space has plenty of room for the largest number of people right from the beginning. Your patio may be more of a private, reflective retreat for enjoying the sun, reading a book, or gazing up at the stars. Determine the use of shade, open sun, or even covering it with a roof.

Now take your favorite ideas and put them into your rough plans - and soon you'll have a design that is ready for action.

The next step is to create your garden and patio design to scale - you can use landscaping software for this, or do it by hand. Choose the flowers you intend to plant, noting how many you will need for each month of your growing season, and select the landscaping structures that will give your design its form.

Some say the secret to a beautiful garden and patio design is having a good amount of hard structure. This is what landscape designers refer to as good bones - walls, fences, garden bridges, gates, garden arbors, landscape statues, garden fountains ... even a strong line of evergreen plants.

Garden structures such as these create forms and lines, giving your garden and patio design definition and dimension. Plus, in the winter when most plants are empty and bare, your garden will preserve its shape and sense of completeness. It's amazing how just one or two structures can produce this satisfying effect.

Most garden and landscaping structures are built to withstand the elements. Treated pine, cedar and teak garden furniture, trellises, arbors, and decorative fencing are great choices. Stone, copper, and bronze garden statuary will never let you down. Garden fountains bring incredible beauty and atmosphere to any garden and patio design - in fact, entire gardens have been built around them.

Next, choose annual spring flowers and perennial plants that will give you blooms from one season to the next. For instance, select carefree roses that need no pruning or spraying, and bloom continuously from spring through fall. Fill planters with beautiful blooming flowers such as Oriental lilies or verbena for different colors all summer long. Establish flower beds in corners or along walk ways. Always consider your local climate and plant according to the sun and shade needs of your plants.

As you plan your garden and patio design, create paths or walk ways that lead from one area to the next. Rambling garden paths are relaxing and charming... and if laid out thoughtfully, will be a big help to you as the gardener. Paths can be of stone, brick, flagstone, gravel, or mown turf, although grass paths require more upkeep. Garden sculptures or sitting benches thoughtfully placed along the way provide wonderful expression.

If you want garden and patio designs that are pre-drawn, there are ready-made plans available in books and magazines. This is another fine way to get off to a solid start. Use pre-made garden plans from start to finish, or incorporate parts of them right into you own creative plans.

Robert Mosse is a gardening and lawn care specialist and author of the Easy Lawn and Gardening Book Series. Visit Robert at Lawn And Gardening Tips for great gardening info... and get the free Guide for 101 Gardening Tips.

Decorating With Art

2009-07-21T08:31:00.001-07:00

A Little Savvy with Framed Art Prints and Photographs Can Help Successfully Pull a Room Together

Maybe you?re restricted by an older living space with existing furnishings, or overwhelmed by the possibilities a stark new space may offer. Maybe you?re decorating with unlimited funds, or on a shoe string budget. What ever the circumstances, framed art and prints can offer numerous solutions to decorating dilemmas, and they are often key elements in bringing a room together.

To use framed art successfully, as wall d?cor, color, and grouping, proportions and hanging need to be given careful consideration. Begin by thinking about the feeling or mood you wish to convey. Consider the colors and styles of existing furnishings, you may wish to reinforce, contrast or complement especially those that would be difficult or costly to change, such as flooring or bathroom fixtures. Study the space itself. Is it large and expansive, with high ceilings, or small and intimate?

So, now that you?ve begun thinking about mood, space, color and placement, here are some thoughts about materials and tools. If conservation is an important concern, the matting material should be one hundred percent acid free rag board. This is what museums use. Double mats may work well in situations where you want to maximize an accent color. The accent colored mat is usually placed under the lighter mat so only about one sixteenth to one quarter inch (about three to five centimeters) of it shows. Mats are usually four ply, but thicker, eight ply mats can really draw in the eye. They work best with photos and very small prints. Silk mats may be used in more formal and classic situations. If a mat is not used there are spacers, called fillets that may be used to prevent the piece from touching the glass. This prevents condensation from forming. UV glass does not prevent, but will cut down the amount of fading, over time. Always make sure your mat and frame are not distract!

ing the viewer's eye away. They should compliment the piece, not compete for attention. And, finally, I suggest a level and a good sturdy hammer, if you?re doing the hanging yourself.

Careful hanging, relationships, and grouping will help give a professional look. Unity is most important in bringing a display of pictures, prints and photographs together. Grouping frames for your walls are will give character to the setting. Frames in the same color and finishes unify a collection, even if pictures are of various shapes and sizes. Framing different subjects with the same color mount also helps unity.

Placing all the items you wish to group for a particular wall, on the floor in that room is an easy way to visualize a plan. You can rearrange the items until you are satisfied. Then, step back and check the arrangement, before going to the wall. Remember, a consistent spacing factor between each item is important. Picture cords and large hooks may be hidden under bell cords, ribbons and decorative rosettes. For formal settings, chains can hang pictures on traditional picture rods. Large, bold pictures can be further away, in more open rooms. Small detailed pictures should be hung in intimate halls and baths. The most common error made in hanging pictures is to hang them too high. Standing eye level of an average person is fine for halls and entryways. In living and dinning rooms, pictures should be at eye level when seated.

Celeste is a free lance designer and illustrator who earned her BFA degree, with a major in illustration and a minor in portraiture, from the Cleveland Institute of Art. Her works can be found in various corporate and private collections as well as online at The Northern Ohio Illustrator's Society where she serves on the board.

About The Author

For more works of art, please visit our Art Gallery of Fine Prints and Posters from www.crookedWall.com. Home to over 100,000 art prints and posters, easily sort able by artist and style.

The Benefits of Large Birdcages

2009-07-19T08:31:00.001-07:00

We?ve all heard the phrase, ?Free as a bird.? In the wild, birds are free, flying from tree to tree in effortless abandon. At home, we should recreate that environment to the greatest degree possible. In general, we should buy the largest cage that will safely accommodate our feathered friend.

In order to be comfortable, birds need ample space in order to be comfortable. It should be able to spread its wings easily and move from perch to perch. Like all of us, birds need exercise. It stands to reason, then, that larger or more active birds need large bird cages.

A macaw, for example, needs a cage that is at least three feet long and five feet wide! Amazons, African grays, conures, and cockatoos also require large bird cages, though not as large as the macaw. Before making such a purchase, make sure that you have enough space available in your home.

Large bird cages are available in a variety of materials, such as wood, metal, iron, stainless steel, and acrylic. You can choose based on many factors, but convenience should definitely be considered. Your large bird cage will need to be cleaned regularly, and stainless steel or metal cages are usually the easiest to clean.

Large bird cages are available at most pet stores and specialty bird stores. They can also be ordered online. For a large bird cage built specifically for your space, you might consider a custom bird cage.

Bird Cages Info provides detailed information in decorative, large, custom, acrylic, antique, wooden, and discount bird cages sale, as well as covers and stands. Bird Cages Info is the sister site of Dog Beds Web.

Baby Shower Party Planning Ideas

2009-07-17T08:31:00.001-07:00

Baby Showers can be so much fun and serve as a great way to share in the excitement of a new baby with everyone, while getting lots of gifts. A traditional baby shower brings up images of white and pastel, very calming influences for the mother to be, but you can experiment with your color scheme. Sunflower yellow may be a good color to use for a baby due in the summer. Or if you know the gender you can add liberal amounts of blue and pink. Green is a good earthy color and symbolizes fertility.

An easy game for everyone at the party can be, 'Name the Baby.' Pass a hat around and let guests put in one or more slips of paper with their suggestions of what to name the baby. The suggestions can be traditional or outrageous. Then the expectant parents can pick out the slips one at a time and if they don't like the name they have to come up with good reason for rejecting it. This will get a good laugh out of everyone and hopefully expand the list of possible names for parents to think about.

Gifts given at baby showers are usually geared towards the baby and the mom. Don't worry about what you're going to get them and remember it's more than okay to think extremely practical. If all you can think to give is a caseload of diapers the parents will be extremely grateful, especially at two a.m. when they're changing what seems like the fiftieth diaper that day.

Food at a baby shower can probably be appetizers and drinks. The focus is on celebrating with the soon-to-be-mom, not making her get up and cook for twenty people. If you want you can turn it into a potluck party and have guests bring you dinner, while all you provide is the plates, cups and silverware.

Mrs. Party... Gail Leino is the internet's leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Baby Shower ideas, games, , recipes, menus and party tips.

Nursery Rhymes: A Childhood Tradition!

2009-07-15T08:31:00.001-07:00

Mother Goose, and nursery rhymes are almost a rite of passage, but are certainly a childhood tradition. Nursery rhymes may be recited in different languages, and vary from country to country across the globe, but there is some form of nursery rhymes present in every country and culture. There is no better theme, with which to welcome a new baby into the world than a nursery rhyme baby shower!

For an easy nursery rhyme theme invitation to your baby shower, purchase plain card stock from an online source, a computer store, party supply store, or department store. Using your home computer, print the cards with graphic cows jumping over a moon, and print, ?Hey, diddle, diddle, the cat and the fiddle, and the cow jumped over the moon! Someone you know is having a baby soon! Little Jack Horner stuck in his thumb, pulled out a plum, we?re having a nursery rhyme baby shower, and it would be a shame if you didn?t come!? Then, include all the relevant information, and send or hand deliver the invitation! You could also do something very similar, and send the invitations via email!

National Mother Goose Day is May 1st, but Mother Goose is timeless, and you can hold your own nursery rhyme baby shower any time of the year! It is easy to play nursery rhyme charades or Jeopardy, or have a nursery rhyme quiz. Do you remember what happened to Jack Sprat? What about Little Miss Muffet? The winner can receive prizes for knowing the most nursery rhyme tidbits and facts.

A nice, practical decoration for a nursery rhyme theme baby shower is opening disposable diapers, arranging them into a round shape and tying with a wire edged ribbon to form the base layer to a diaper ?cake? the second tier should be smaller, and the third should be the smallest. Placed one upon the other, each tied with the wire edged ribbon (blue for a boy, pink for a girl, or sun shine yellow for either) to form bows, and it looks like a mock cake, and it?s functional as well. Every new arrival needs diapers! You can hang printed nursery rhymes or tuck nursery rhyme pictures into the folded diapers, letting them peek out, to add more to the nursery rhyme theme.

You can use a baby bath as a punch bowl. You can float a plastic cup with three tiny figures in it for Rub a dub, dub, three men in a tub.? Serve a cake marked with a ?B? and ?Pat a Cake, Pat a Cake? written on top.

When it comes to creating a baby shower with a nursery rhyme theme, be creative, and use characters from as many rhymes as you can. Everyone present will enjoy remembering the nursery rhymes from their childhood.

Decorating Walls 101 Not All Walls Are Created Equal!

2009-07-13T09:13:00.001-07:00

Wall decor is anything that is hung on a wall. This includes Mirrors, Prints, Pictures, Posters, Shelves and Sconces

It is important to remember that your wall decor should makes sense and be in balance with your furniture. Artwork should mirror the shape of the furnishing beneath it and not extend in width.

A common misconception is to hang your art at ?eye level? only problem with that is everyone has a different one. Who?s eye level do we use? Forget it! A no fail solution is to hang the piece center five to five and a half feet from the floor when there is nothing under it. All bets are off when hanging pieces above a substantial piece of furniture. You then want to center the piece both horizontally and vertically above said item. (couch, headboard etc.)

More importantly than placement is line, scale and proportion. Size does matter in the world of wall decor. You don?t want to hang a little picture behind a large sofa just as you would not hang a enormous piece behind a small chair. The placement of art is dictated by what it is next to. If you would like to make a collage try to keep the frames similar. If you are dealing with several different shapes you can pull it together by painting the frames all the same color. Remember to keep the collage in proportion with the piece beneath it.

Mirrors can be of great benefit in many rooms. Not only do they reflect light back but they also can make the room appear larger. When placing a mirror it is important to remember what will be in the reflection. You may want to strategically position a treasured item so as to see it twice.

For more information about any of her decorating services and training opportunities please visit: http://www.allaboutredesign.com http://www.allaboutwalls.net

How To Brighten Up Your Home With These Flower Arrangement Ideas

2009-07-11T08:31:00.001-07:00

A beautiful flower arrangement piece can become the focal point of the room you choose to decorate. It's truly fascinating how we can combine different flowers to create a mesmerizing bouquet. With the vast selection of colors, fragrances and shapes, you can create or readily buy a flower arrangement piece that will speak to you and others walking in the room what you want to communicate.

First thing to do is decide where you will be placing your flower arrangement. Will it be placed on the floor in your hall, on top of a piece of furniture?

What about the space where your arrangement will sit? Will you need a finished piece that is tall, round, wide or full? What is the decor of the room you've selected that will contrast powerfully with your flowers?

Don't limit your creativity!

There are several design styles you can choose from and we have included a variety of design here for you to get those creative juices flowing.

Use these as a guide to creating your own flower arrangement style. Pictures of the flower arrangements below can be found at our site.

Bud Vases

A bud vase with a single stem or several stems of your favorite flower(s) is a simple but elegant flower arrangement piece. Cut your flower stems to about twice the height of your vase. To enhance your flowers beauty, also include some linear foliage.

One tip I will give you with bud vases is to be imaginative. If you don't have a bud vase, recycle any beautiful glass containers you have lying around the house such as perfume bottles or any other.

Basket Arrangement

A basket flower arrangement brightens up your favorite room very well. They make perfect gifts for a housewarming occasion, birthday, or to send and cheer a loved one who is sick.

Baskets come in all sizes and shapes and if you are designing your own basket arrangement, you can find the one that will be perfect for you. There is so much you can do with flower baskets - let your creativity run wild!

Garden Arrangements

Don't these flower arrangements look like you've picked them from your garden?

After years of living in the city in an apartment block, I have now the great fortune of living in the suburbs and I've taken great pains to create a heavenly garden filled with white and red roses, carnations and lilies. With greenery surrounding their flower beds, my little garden looks like a little paradise.

Centerpieces And Table Arrangements

The trick for a successful centerpiece or table arrangement is not to make them too tall as to obstruct views across your dining table.

Choose or create the piece to generate the mood you want to achieve. Flowers at your table will enhance the dinning experience.

About The Author

Looking for a gift? Let Gina and Nick show you what we buy for friends/family and each other. At our site you will find popular gifts, gift information and stories from our readers. Come have a look http://www.we-recommend.com

Designing a Playroom

2009-07-09T09:31:00.001-07:00

If you are fortunate enough to have some space for a playroom, this can be a wonderful addition to any home. Consider turning a spare room, formal living or dining room, or basement into a playroom for your children. It will help keep toys out of your main living areas and provides the children their own special place. Some parents even have their children share bedrooms and turn an extra room into the playroom. Other parents have sectioned off a part of the great room for a play space. Use your creativity and what works best for your home. I?ve put a few tips below to help you in your design process.

Some aspects of the toy room such as paint and flooring are permanent, but you might like the variety of changing toys and decorations. Keep this in mind when choosing items for your playroom.
Children love bright colors in their playroom. Have them help you pick out the paint or choose cheery colors you enjoy. Don?t be afraid to use two different colors perhaps a different color on each wall or a wall divided by a crown molding strip or border with one paint color on top and another at the bottom.
Consider getting some chalkboard paint and putting this on one wall or some section of a wall. It will serve as an instant chalkboard and you can use erasers or a dry wet rag to keep it clean.
Murals can be fun and easy. If you are not the most artistically inclined person, keep it simple. Any of us can do trees, flowers, rainbows, balloons, moons, stars, clouds, etc. If you have a more artistic friend or family member you might enlist their help.
You might want to keep one wall free that you can use to display your child?s art and craft work. Children love to have their works displayed. When it gets full, you can take it down and replace it with new work.
You might also want to have one area of the wall devoted to framed pictures of your child with their friends and family celebrating special or fun times. Just as adults are comforted by pictures of their loved ones, so are children.
Hard surface flooring is ideal because it cleans up easier than carpet. However, you might consider putting down a fun rug or area carpet to protect whatever flooring you have in the space.
A playroom does not need a theme, other than just an inviting sense of play. However, there are many theme ideas if you choose to go this route. You might decide to keep a room with a more education theme with alphabet, numbers, pictures of presidents, or the states. Other ideas are having a playroom with a seasonal theme (one wall could be winter, one spring, etc.), outdoors (trees, flowers, etc.), a theme based on a more specific concept like trains or safari also works. One thing to consider if you have more than one child or plan to expand your family you may want to purposely keep the room gender neutral, etc.
Make a point to keep your playroom childproofed and safe. Cover all outlets, make sure any furniture or organizers have rounded or padded corners; they don?t smash little fingers, etc. Keep in mind the age ranges of your children. If a baby will be sharing the space with a preschooler, you might not want small toys like marbles in this area. A playroom should be safe and inviting. It should be a retreat for both you and your child, not a place of stress.
Have a place in your playroom where music can be enjoyed. You might want to have a tape recorder or CD player with a variety of children?s music available. You can also try different types of children?s music by checking out CDs from your local library. I personally don?t feel a television set should be part of a playroom. Most children watch too much and a playroom should be a place they want to be and hopefully get away from the TV.
When sitting up your toys, you will want to consider two types of toys. You want some toys easily accessible and always available. These are generally toys that require little to no supervision. However, some toys should not be kept out and may want to be stored away on a high shelf or closet for special (and often supervised times). My son can?t be trusted with games with little pieces (he?ll loose them) or art supplies like paints without my close supervision. Yet, I can put out trains, blocks, and balls to him anytime. Decide what works best for you.
Use organizers and storage areas for toys in your room. For toys you want tucked away, use covered storage units and place these in a nearby closet. For toys you want accessible consider shelving units with storage buckets your child can easily get out. These types of units work really well for toys with many pieces such as blocks, little balls, Tinker Toys, Lincoln Logs, Little Peoples, etc. You might want to double duty storage by using spaces under train tables or on higher shelves for storing toys. You want everything to have a place. The room should be tranquil and organized at the end of the day, not cluttered.
Work with the windows in your playroom if you have some. You might consider hanging a bird or squirrel feeder on the outside of a window. If possible, you might have a window box of flowers or herbs growing outside. Window crayons are another interesting idea that is becoming more readily available. These simply wipe away with an eraser.
You may decide to design your playroom around one large central focus toy-often an imagination toy, such as a train table, dollhouse, play kitchen or workshop.
Provide an area in the playroom, such as corner for snuggling and reading. Kids love beanbag cushions or large pillows. Have their books nearby. You might decide to use a book shelf, large bin or basket piled with books. If possible, try to find (or build) a book storage unit that is like a magazine racks where children can easily see the books and select the ones they want to read. You can rotate books so that some are in the bedroom or family room and some are kept in the playroom.
Another idea for the playroom is to have an art area such as an easel, art desk, or table and chairs (which can be very versatile). If you child can be trusted, keep art supplies down and easily accessible. Even if your child is older, some art supplies such as glue or glitter is better kept out of reach unless you can supervise.
Another interesting aspect of a playroom is to have a little special private area for your child. Tents, homemade forts, or ball pits work really well for this.

Gentry is a stay at home mom, with a passion for writing. For more articles on easy living, visit http://www.genstyleliving.com.

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Amazing Baby Shower Mini Cakes

2009-07-07T08:26:00.001-07:00

Are you trying to think of a fun and original idea for a baby shower cake? Have you thought about making mini baby shower cakes? These are like regular cakes but much smaller and a lot more fun. They are great for a variety of reasons.

Individualize

That?s right we all love things with our own names on it and things made to our special likes and dislikes. Well, mini cakes are quick and easy to make and this will allow you time to individualize them. You can easily make three or four different cake mixes and from there make 5 to 10 mini cakes from each mix. This gives you an unlimited amount of variety. You can have a chocolate or a white cake with just about any type of frosting or flavor in the middle. How many times have you had to choke down a cake because you did not want to appear rude? As the guest you often don?t have any choice in what the cake flavor is and you can end up having to eat something you don?t even like. With mini cakes and the easy of baking them you can customize the cakes with a few easy changes and then offer your guests the exact cake they like.

Use as Centerpieces

Depending on the exact size and specifications of your baby shower mini cakes these can serve as wonderful centerpieces for the baby shower table decorations. Just think you get more bang for the buck this way. Your decorations and your cake all rolled into one! If you decorate each mini cake in a different way with different colored frosting and different decorations you can easily create a ton of stunning centerpieces. For example if your baby shower theme was Noah?s Ark you could make 5 mini cakes for the centerpieces and then on each cake decorate different groups of animals that will go onto the ark. Just to carry the theme a little farther instead of doing the traditional Noah?s ark theme of two of each animal by sex do two of each animal as a mother and baby. So on one cake at a table you might have a mother and baby Giraffe. Then at another table you might have a mother and baby elephant. Of course at the table where the guest of honor will be sitting you could tie in the theme by adding the ark into the decoration. People will love to walk around and look at these wonderful unique mini baby shower cakes!

Table Decorations

If you don?t want to use theme as centerpieces because you have some other ideas for that already why not use them as a seat decoration. Simply make the cakes and then when decorating add each guests name at the bottom of the cake in a fun script type of writing. These will serve as wonderful table decoration and a seating name cards at the same time. People will be delighted to see their own name on the cute little mini cake.

No Waste

One of the best thing about mini cakes is you have a lot less left over. With big traditional wedding or baby shower cakes there is always a ton of left overs that you have to force upon everyone to take home. However, with cute little baby shower mini cakes you no longer have to worry about extras because each cake can be one serving! However these are so cute that you guests might want to take them home to keep for a while and savor the moment.

Easy to Store

Mini cakes are so small that they are incredibly easy to store. You can really use these to benefit your baby shower planning and timeline by making the cakes two to three weeks ahead of time and then simply stick them in the freezer. Take them out the day before and decorate. You have no taken out one of the last minute items that can cause a panic right before the baby shower.

As you can see baby shower mini cakes can be a ton of fun for all the guests and can be sued in a variety of ways to save you a great deal of time. These are truly the perfect option for cakes: time saving, personalized, and can be used for decorations. What more can you ask for in a cake.

Free 5 day Baby Shower Planning email course. Free bonuses included for signing up. You can also read more articles and advice on Free Baby Shower Mini Cakes

Outdoor Halloween Decorations

2009-07-05T08:34:00.001-07:00

Few things are more thrilling for a trick-or-treater than walking up to a house detailed with ghastly Halloween decorations. Whether you use complicated props like swooping ghosts, or simple, classic decorations, like glowing jack-o-lanterns, scarecrows, and indian corn, your house will delight visitors. A haunted yard, complete with fun Halloween decorations, makes a fine setting for outdoor parties in good weather, as well.

Plan out your outdoor Halloween decor. Choosing a theme makes it easier to chose decorations, and is generally more effective. Transform your front lawn into an old, foggy graveyard, a fortune teller's lair, or a mad scientist's lab.

Themes are easier to work with, but don't let that stop you from throwing in whatever appeals to you, and mixing things up. It helps to lay out your design on paper, to get an idea of what will go where. If you are using pranks and gags, try to set them up where guests will have to walk past them to be surprised by them.

There are some very realistic yard props out there, available for purchase form Halloween specialty stores, home decoration stores, and online Halloween shops. Foam-filled rubber sculptures of ghouls clawing their way out of the grave are very effective. Some other prop ideas are: bloody body parts, grave stones, glowing skulls, gargoyles, and faux-dungeon doors. Yard decoration kits are available, too.

With some time and creativity, you can make your own outdoor Halloween decorations out of relatively cheap supplies. Make gravestones out of cardboard or foam. Craft ghosts out of white fabric, and hang them from the trees. The possibilities are endless!

James writes for Ghoulish Halloween, a site that tries to entertain and inform. For more great Halloween articles, visit our Halloween articles archive.

Finding SouthwesternFriendly Designs

2009-07-03T08:25:00.001-07:00

It can sometimes be hard to determine what will go well with southwestern style and what will fit well among southwestern pieces. Yet, you can save a great deal of time if you don't have to take many pieces of furniture or rugs home with you to see if they fit.

One useful way of deciding whether or not something will fit with southwestern pieces is to see if the object in question has some of southwestern characteristics. Object with southwestern style often use clean straight lines, bright colors, rough and textured surfaces (almost as a mark of pride), and often are made by hand from natural materials.

An example of an object that has enough of these characteristics to fit well within a southwestern motif is a simple carved wood table. The table would be even better if the light blue paint is peeling off a little. However, as cool as that curvy aluminum chair may look, it probably won't fit well in your southwestern motif.

Another example, and one that is not often associated with southwestern design, are apple computers. Many of their present designs involve very clean and straight lines. Their minimalist appeal can fit perfectly with southwestern pieces. This is also true with many Japanese designs. Often these designs use clean straight lines, and as such would fit well. The main point of contention between these two styles is the finish often used on them. Japanese minimalist style often utilizes highly polished smooth surfaces with a rather simple color such as white or black. However, in southwestern style almost the opposite is true; southwestern surfaces are rough and the colors are bright.

Another interesting style that southwestern design overlaps with quite a bit is the design of the caucuses. This is particularly apparent in the weavings that come from the area. The weavings from these harsh mountain climates often use straight lines and unflinching colors. A deep red rug can go quite well with southwestern floors made from flagstone or brick.

On the other end of the rug design spectrum are Persian rugs. These are amazing rugs to be sure, however, their extremely detailed curvilinear (or ?floral?) designs do not often fit well within southwestern motifs. Another bone of contention between the urban Persian designs and southwestern design are the materials often used. Persian Rugs often use extremely high quality materials, such as silk, which does not go well with the rough edges of southwestern design.

There are many interior design styles that go agree with southwestern design quite well. Minimalist Japanese design and works of art, such as rugs, from the rural caucuses are some good examples of ?southwestern friendly styles?. Knowing where and why these styles agree can save you a great deal of time when picking out items for your house or business.

John Geer runs the online rug store Hazaad.com at http://www.hazaad.com/ He is also a contributor to Hazaad.com's blog (http://blog.hazaad.com/) and helps run Hazaad West, which specializes in southwestern rug designs, at http://stores.ebay.com/Hazaad-com-West

Christmas Decorations On a Budget

2009-07-01T08:26:00.001-07:00

The Christmas season is a fun and joyful time for almost everyone and decorating your home can only help to make that joy more full and exciting. You don't have to go all out, though. You can choose to just decorate a table or you can deccorate the entire home, it is entirely up to you. Christmas decorating has been around for centuries and you can take some hints from the olden days to make your home into a beautiful place of Christmas spirit and joy.

Your Christmas Table.

You can decorate your home without spending a lot of money. All you need to do is go into the woods and find some pine cones. Spray paint them with gold paint, add some fake snow, and you will have a beautiful centerpiece for your table. This will look beautiful for Christmas day and for many days after. Holly leaves, mistletoe, and tinsel will also make a beautiful, inexpensive Christmas decoration and it is a very old Celtic symbol of fertility.

Your Christmas Tree.

The Germans probably started the Christmas tree tradition and it has become one of the most popular traditions at Christmastime. The beauty and smell of a real tree is unmatched, but if you don't like those needles on your floor, then you can choose an artificial tree. You can also choose a tree with roots and then plant it after Christmas, if you would like. It is entirely a personal preference.

Candles were used to light Christmas trees in the olden days, but they were found to be quite dangerous, especially if the needles were dry and brittle. Now electric lights are the norm and most people use several strand of lights to turn their tree into a twinkling beauty. You can go over the edge with Christmas decorations, but in most cases, it is best to stay simple.

Inside Your House.

You can use colored paper, silver tinsel, and fake snow to make your home into a Christmas delight. Add snow to your windows, holly above the doors, and some mistletoe to the doorways to get those stolen kisses. You can create a Christmas full of joy simply by adding a few Christmas decorating touches to your home.

Outside Your House.

People used to decorate the outside of their home with a simple holly wreath, but now you see yards and homes decorated with thousands of lights, figurines, and blow-up figures. Too much is not a good thing. Simple is better, especially outside of your home. Pick a theme and stick with it so that you will feel good about your Christmas decorating.

Andrew Caxton is a reliable journalist who has published more articles on this issue for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . A website with tips on xmas ornaments and Christmas decorations. Find there free ideas for your interior design, where you can also subscribe to its decorating newsletter.

Where to Find Great Kitchen Canister Sets

2009-06-29T08:26:00.001-07:00

Kitchen canister sets add pizzazz to your d?cor as well as provide a smart way to organize and store foodstuffs. Where can you find the best selection of shapes, sizes, colors and materials for these kitchen storage essentials? Read below to get a list of online retailers that sell kitchen canister sets suitable for any d?cor ? and budget.

For high-end kitchen canister sets you?d be proud to place in the snazziest kitchen, take a look at Horchow?s (www.Horchow.com). With an impressive selection of classy designs, Horchow?s kitchen canister sets raise the bar in terms of quality and good taste. From their ceramic French country Provencal set that lists for $390 to their pewter and glass see-through canisters at $265, this is the site to shop for the finest in kitchen canister sets.

Sincerely Yours (www.SincerelyYours.com) sells kitchen canister sets more in the mid-price range. This site offers a nice selection of quality sets such as their $60 Jane Keltner-designed set that comes finished in black with the words in gold-lettered French. And while you?re there, be sure and check out the hand-painted Italian marble set offered at $178.

Stainless steel kitchen canister sets by Calphalon, All-Clad, and Polder top the list at www.Cooking.com in practical designs at mid-price ranges. This old-favorite cooking site also offers many other kitchen canister sets in tried-and-true brands such as Fiestaware, Pfaltzgraff, and Oggi. You?ll also find offerings by cooking diva Nigella Lawson.

For those on a budget, the kitchen canister sets found at Brylane Home (www.BrylaneHome.com) can?t be beat. This Web site features an attractive four-piece set in stainless steel for only $29.99. Large oval windows allow you to see when flour, sugar, coffee, and tea need to be refilled so you won?t be caught off-guard right in the middle of making something.

Kitchen canister sets add perk and personality to any kitchen and with all these choices, you?re sure to find one that fits the bill perfectly. After you?ve browsed and shopped and seen as many as you have time for, you may very well find the most difficult thing about kitchen canister sets lies in deciding upon which of the many to select!

Carlo Morelli writes for OnlineTips.Org, where you can read tips on ceramic tiling, metal roofing and other home/garden topics.