Home Decor Tips

Installing Hardwood Flooring – Tips To Make Your Job Go Smoother

2006-06-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

Installing hardwood flooring can take place in several ways depending on the type of hardwood flooring that you have. If you have solid hardwood, you have to look at the type of wood you have. You can have parquet flooring, which usually comes in tiles of 6 inches by 6 inches or strips or planks that can be as much as 3 inches wide. If you have laminate wood flooring then you have to look at a different method of installing hardwood flooring.

Whether you choose laminate flooring or solid hardwood flooring, the directions for installing both of them are printed on the inside of the packaging. If you have previously installed hardwood floors and now you want to install glueless laminate flooring, you do need to read the directions for installing laminate flooring. When you are installing hardwood flooring made of solid wood, you have to open the packages and let the wood become acclimatized to the humidity and temperature of your home. With laminate flooring, you have to do the exact opposite. You should not take this flooring out of the package until you are ready to start installing.

Successful installation of hardwood or laminate flooring depends upon careful planning. Even if you are installing hardwood flooring over an existing concrete or vinyl floor, you do have to sweep and vacuum the floor to remove all the dust and dirt. If you are not sure of exactly how much laminate flooring you will need, the directions for installing laminate flooring also include directions for measuring the room to calculate the amount of flooring that you need. When you intend to install glueless laminate flooring, you can also bring your measurements into your local flooring store and have the experts do the calculations for you.

If you are wondering how to install glueless laminate flooring and be able to keep it on the floor, each of the planks lock together with the tongue and groove design. When installing hardwood flooring like this, you cannot glue, nail or staple it in any way. When you start installing always consider the way the light shines into the room. Begin laying the planks toward the light and in a hallway always install glueless laminate flooring lengthwise.

The directions for installing laminate flooring will tell you that you lay the first plank with the grooves against the wall. Place spacers where they are needed when installing hardwood flooring between the wall and the plank to maintain ½ inch extension gap. You will have to mark and cut the planks as you are installing the flooring because they are of random lengths. Always begin in a corner when installing hardwood flooring and the first board in the row should be a full plank.

To find out more about Wood Flooring visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained and find out about Hardwood Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors, Wood Laminate Flooring, Refinishing Hardwood Floors and Bruce Hardwood Flooring.

Kitchen Cabinets - Did You Know This?

2006-06-03T08:47:00.000-07:00

Did you know with kitchen cabinets your choices are endless? Unlike cabinet makers of old with today's technology and tools your dream cabinets can become a reality. No longer are you chained to making only a few choices when it comes to cabinet designs, the sky is the limit now! But, if you are like me, you need a solid plan and advice before purchasing. So read on for some entertaining and hopefully enlightening tips on how to pick and choose the most wonderful cabinets for your kitchen.

First things first. Okay before setting foot out of your house go back into the kitchen and determine the average size of your pots and pans. Either write this down, or if you have a photographic memory, just make a mental note. This gives you some idea on the size of the kitchen cabinets you need.

Your kitchen theme. Kitchen cabinets have the ability to tell a story, okay kind of corny but not bad for just making it up so just bear with me. This story is usually wrapped up in their style and theme. Consider carefully the theme of your kitchen. While the style of the cabinets doesn't have to be the same as your kitchen, they should at least be related to the overall concept. French cabinets, as an example, in a old style home can flow smoothly with proper planning.

Cabinet wood - to be or not to be. Next decide on the kind of wood you would like to have. Most modern cabinets fo today have a large selection of wood and finishes to choose from. Here are some of the most popular ones: Maple, Oak, Cherry, Hickory, Birch and Popular. Some woods, depending on how hard they are, create better cabinets than others. While all woods have their strong and weak points, the ultimate factor will be the cost and your budget.

The greatest cabinet shopping tips ever! Okay maybe not but since I have got your attention here are some very important ones.

A. Learn the lingo. Commonly referred to as "cabinet-speak" here is some terms you should know.

Framed - These represent the traditional style cabinets.

Frameless - The doors cover the facings of these cabinets which hides the frame.

Stock - Manufactured cabinets in standard sizes. If you don't care about certain aspects and designs these can be a great buy and save you money.

Semi-custom - These are stock cabinets big brother. Still manufactured but with more custom options. Discount kitchen cabinets can be found in this niche.

Custom - Some of the most breathe taking and expensive cabinets can be made at a local cabinet shop. These are made to order with your exact requirements. If you have special sizing needs this is the way to go.

B. Bringing a rough layout with you when visiting a cabinet manufacture or a cabinet makers shop will make the buying experience that much more enjoyable. And, just trust me on this one, also bring your door measurements. Would be a shame to have beautiful cabinets created for your kitchen and not be able to get them through the door!

C. Little things to remember. Your standard cabinets use solid wood for doors and fronts only. Expect to pay more for studier varieties. If this is important point for you shop around, surprisingly costs can very quite a bit. And lastly the average building wait time is between 2 and 3 weeks.

Well there you have it, hopefully some good advice to help you concerning kitchen cabinets. Here's one last tip I have found very helpful. If you are having trouble deciding on the style of cabinets you would like do a search for kitchen cabinets on the internet and you will find many ideas to choose from.

Curtis Miller is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Kitchens-4u.com He provides more kitchen articles, guides, reviews and information on kitchen cabinets on his website.

Luxurious, Comfortable and Complete: Transform Your Bathroom

2006-06-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

I just know you will love the difference that your bathroom accessories can make for your bathroom when you know the right kind of merchandise to purchase. So figure out the look you want for your bathroom and choose the best bathroom accessories to buy.

There are many options. From entirely new and luxurious bathtubs or whirlpools that use advanced technology to help you feel better all over, down to the basics like matching towels and soap dispensers. I want to help you decide what bathroom accessories will best fit your personal style and best suit your bathroom needs, so that you can enjoy your bathroom entirely.

Sometimes things just need to be replaced, such as towels and shower curtains etc. However, if you have an older shower curtain, don’t just go buy another, plainly designed if at all designed shower curtain—look around for a nice one. It is surprising how many people have shower curtains of plain white or simple black. If you decide to purchase a luxurious, beautiful, or stylish shower curtain it can make all the difference in the world. Believe it or not, a shower curtain can actually transform the overall look of your bathroom without making very many changes at all!

But let’s say that you already have a nice shower curtain, you can purchase towels that are a perfect color match—or perhaps even towels that match the design of your shower curtain exactly and completely. In either case, you can purchase hand towels, soap dispensers and other small accessories to go with the shower curtain you already love. There are many simple solutions as well as several much more complex solutions for you when you re-decorate or update your bathroom with bathroom accessories to accomplish that look you are going for.

Your bathroom should be a place where you can relax and unwind, a place where you can soak all your troubles away—if even just for a little while. It is much more difficult to feel comfortable and relaxed in a bathroom that is not well designed or well kept, for that matter. And if you are the kind of person who tends to be more messy than you would like when it comes to keeping you bathroom tidy—having a peaceful bathroom that is pleasing to the eye can be a very real inspiration for you to maintain cleanliness in your bathroom. After all, you want to come home to a great looking bathroom, not a clumsy mess in which to try and relieve stress while worrying about the clutter. Beautiful bathroom decor really can help you solve that problem.

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 bathroom decor please visit Home Decor. or visit Bathroom accessories.

Home Improvement

2006-05-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

I am sure that most of us always look for some home improvements. In fact this idea oftentimes comes every day. However, most of us seldom focus their home improvements outside the home but rather inside, and the usual spot for home improvement by most people is the bathroom. For some reasons, the home improvement involved in the bathroom is really important since we spend much time in that place. So as such, the bathroom deserves to be the focus of some sorts of home improvements.

So in this article, I would mainly deal in some tips and techniques for home improvement with the particular focus in the bathroom.

For those who want to engage in their own home improvements particularly in the bathroom, it is important to consider that the windows and the mirrors are clean. As one element for home improvement, one important technique that most of the home improvement conscious applied is the blending of a 1/3 cup of white, clear vinegar and 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol for spraying the bathroom windows and mirrors to achieve a functional and good look.

In the place for tubs and shower stalls, as part of home improvement, you must apply a car wax to the shower walls and glass doors but not to the floor to seal the pours and to make the home improvement in the bathroom easier and for the water spots to keep away. This method for home improvement must be applied twice yearly. Also for home improvement with a particular focus on the bathroom, it is necessary to note that the showers must be clean once a week with an orange citrus-based cleaner. Simply spray the cleaner to the showers to dissolve all the dirt.

For the toilets, since you are engaging in some home improvements, you make sure that you pour one or two cups of white vinegar into the toilet once a month to eliminate the problem of having nasty rings around the toilet area. And as part of home improvement, you should also clean the toilet bowl to eliminate the rings by brushing all the affected areas with the use of the brush or pumice stone and of course with the solvent.

Furthermore, in home improvement with a particular focus on the bathroom, the sink is another important area to clean. So as a home improvement, you should pour one cup of baking soda followed by one cup of white vinegar down the drain and then flush with warm water after an hour to fizzle the dirt. This method of home improvement is effective for the tub; shower and kitchen sink as well.

Also, the faucet is another critical area for cleaning and as part of home improvement. As such it is important that the faucets are cleaned and this can be done with the use of the paper towel with white vinegar. In this area for home improvement you must make sure that after pouring the solvent, scrub the area by using a stiff bristled nylon toothbrush.

And lastly, since you are into some home improvements, you should also make sure that the mildew is cleaned by applying the peroxide and water on your bathroom ceiling to remove the dirt.

Add thousands to the price of your home with just a few home improvements - http://www.homeimprovementanddiytips.info

Bathroom Vanities - How To Give A Tired Bathroom A New Lease Of Life!

2006-05-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

Bathroom vanities come in a huge choice of sizes, styles and finishes, and offer a multitude of options when it comes to giving a bathroom an instant makeover. If your bathroom's looking a bit outdated or could do with a fresh new image, then fitting a new vanity unit could transform its appearance and revitalize the look and feel of the whole room. Bathroom vanities are easy enough to install in a day, so your bathroom makeover can be quick and hassle-free!

Bathroom sink vanities come in a wide variety of designs. There are those with decorative accents and intricate features in an antique style that's perfect for blending with rustic or period bathroom décor. In contrast, contemporary bathroom vanities with a sleek, modern appearance can look great in a new home. Aesthetics aside, remember that your vanity is going to be used on a daily basis, so it must be able to stand up to splashes and spills. In particular, look for a durable, water-resistant and easy to clean vanity top.

Another practicality to consider is how much storage space you'll need. Most bathroom vanity cabinets come with a combination of storage options, with both large cabinet compartments and smaller makeup drawers, allowing easy access to all kinds of accessories. If your old countertop is cluttered up with toiletries and cosmetics, buying a new vanity with a built in bathroom cabinet is a good opportunity to have a tidy up and clear your surfaces. This alone can instantly freshen up the appearance of a bathroom!

Bath vanities can often be purchased with matching accessories, such as mirrors and lights.

Fitting a new vanity unit gives you a chance to fully coordinate your bathroom's look. Attention to details such as the finish and style of your faucets, cabinet and drawer handles, can make a big difference to the end result. A well-chosen bathroom vanity can work wonders at bringing a touch of elegance and luxury to any bathroom.

Caroline Smith is a regular contributor to Showers-Bathrooms.com - an online resource packed with tips on buying the right bathroom vanity, bathroom cabinets and other bathroom fixtures to complete your bathroom's makeover

How to Install Kitchen Cabinets - You Can Do That

2006-05-26T09:39:00.000-07:00

Your kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your house. Not only do you rely on it to cook, you do most of your socializing and entertaining in there as well. And one of the first things people notice about a nice kitchen is the cabinets. Not only is it important to have cabinets that are functional and that provide adequate space, they tend to be compared to as a nice peace of furniture. Below I will step you through the steps necessary to install your own cabinets enabling you to feel proud of your accomplishment and saving you a ton of money.

1. First you must remove your old cabinets. Be sure to turn off all electrical breakers and shut off all water valves in the kitchen. Once that is done start removing the old cabinets and cap off water pipes and electrical wires.

2. Remember to always keep your work space clean to prevent accidents. Once the area is clear of all unwanted items use a level and draw a line across the wall parallel to the floor about 3 inches up from the floor. At this point you want to find the high point in the floor and from there measure 34 1/2 inches and draw a level line across the wall to determine where the top of the cabinet base will be.

3. From your 34 1/2-inch line, measure up another 19 1/2 inches and mark a level line across the wall to determine the bottom of the wall cabinets.

4. At this point locate the wall studs, then, mark their locations above and at least 5-6 inches below the mark you've made for the bottom of the wall cabinets. Draw some vertical guide lines on the wall between the two horizontal lines to give you guidance when attaching the cabinets. Be sure to place those vertical lines in the center of each stud.

5. To provide a ledge to support your cabinets fasten a temporary 2-by-4 support rail to the wall, aligning the top edge of the 2-by-4 with the line for the bottom edge of the wall cabinets.

6. Install the corner wall cabinet first. Always drill pilot holes to prevent splitting through the cabinet framing support rail and into the wall studs. Do not use nails but instead screw the cabinet to the wall using two to three screws that are long enough to penetrate the studs by at least 1 1/2 inches. During this phase make sure that the cabinet is level and plumb and to adjust the position, back off the screws, and add shims behind the cabinet at stud locations as needed.

7. Next install the adjacent cabinets. Secure each cabinet to its neighbor with a clamp and check it for plumb. Once you have the cabinets aligned properly use screws to attach them together, be sure not to use the shelf-peg holes that you will need for shelves later.

8. Once all the wall cabinets are in place, install the corner and/or end base cabinet. When necessary, use shims to level it and raise it up to the high point of the floor. Once level from front to back and from side to side screw it to the wall studs.

9. Finally place screws through the cabinet back and shims where used into the wall studs. Always trim all excess material from the shims with a sharp utility knife.

That's it, I know it sounds easy but don't be fooled it will take some detailed planning on your part and most likely a helping hand from a friend. Good luck with your project.

Dennis Watson - Just helping others succeed.

Zeoh.com Free Classifieds Web Site => http://www.zeoh.com

You Can Do That Web Blog => http://www.you-can-do-that.blogspot.com

Home Clean Up - Start in those Closets

2006-05-26T09:36:00.000-07:00

So summer is just around the corner, and for most people this means it is time to pull out the shorts, tank tops, and of course their favorite flip-flops.

For most people this also means rummaging through their closet, to sort out the right clothes they will wear this time of year. This is when disaster begins! Many people discover that their closets have turned into a storage area resembling an old library: except that instead of books, it contains clothes dating back to the time when their mothers picked out their clothes for them!

So what do you do with this giant mess? There are ways to make closet cleanup easier, and here are some steps that will help:

1. First of all you have to clean your closet! Remove all of the contents from the closet and lay them on your bed so you can sort through them later.

Once all the clothes have been taken out of the closet, clean the inside of your closet before putting any clothes back inside – remembering that it probably has been ages since this was done. Make sure that to do a good job and clean your closet thoroughly.

2. Now comes the hardest part; sorting the clothes. This is when a person has to decide which clothes to keep, and which ones to get rid of. Clothes should be separated into piles and then sorted according to the amount of use.

One of the best things that results from cleaning out the closet is that often it becomes an opportunity to make some money. Clothes that individuals would never wear again can be sold at a garage sale or auctioned on EBay!

Those who are thinking of putting their old clothes on EBay for sale should take a detailed photograph of the items they wish to sell, so it can be displayed along with the description of the item.

People will be amazed at how even old clothes that might not be in top condition will still find buyers on EBay. So when you write a brief description of these items, be honest about their condition. Include the size, brand, condition of the garment, color, and other information that will be useful to the buyer.

Individuals should not expect to get a high price for these used clothes; so list a practical starting price for these items to make them more appealing to a prospective buyer.

3. If you are in a charitable mood forget EBay; donate your used clothes to a charity. This way, the clothes you no longer want or need, can be given to those who really need them!

4. Another great idea is to swap clothes with your friends! Not only will this help clean out the closet; in return you will also items that are new to you and put them in your closet!

5. Once you have disposed of all of your unnecessary (or unused) garments the items that you have saved can now be put back in the closet. Arrange the placement of the clothes you are returning to the closet according to their function and usability.

Sweaters and coats may be tucked away in the corner of the closet; as well as other garments that will not be used in the near future. You may even discover clothes that you have forgotten you own! Clothes that will most frequently be used should be readily accessible. Your closet will now be organized!

When organizing the closet take an inventory and determine what garments are lacking in your wardrobe

One other thing, soiled and dirty clothes should be laundered before they are put back in the closet - even old clothes in your closet will then be clean.

Closet cleanups are a must! It may not be fun, but it is a chore that must be done even if it might to be painful to dispose of some items. Just think of how much time you will save in the morning when you do not have to rummage through your closet looking through your closet looking for your favorite sweater – it will be right there in front of you, newly laundered, and neatly folded!

Bill McRea is the publisher of Interior Design on A Budget – How to Tips and Tricks 15 separate lessons to help the novice know just how to start their new interior designing efforts. Take a look at what is included

10 Ways to Improve Your Home and Help the Environment

2006-05-24T15:28:00.000-07:00

The U.S. Federal Government reports that the average American family uses about 75% more energy than families in the developed countries of Europe. Our energy use costs us roughly $1,300 a year on home utility bills per family. In this day and age, with global warming a looming threat and non-renewable energy sources growing scarcer and more costly, we should ask ourselves if we can really afford this rate of energy consumption. This is an amazing amount of waste considering that there are many simple ways that we can reduce our energy use and help the environment at the same time.

In this article, we’ve listed 10 simple steps you can take to help reduce your personal energy use, help the environment, and save money in the process. Even if you make use of just a couple of these tips, you’ll be helping to make big changes in your pocket book, the amount of energy you consume in your home, and your impact on the environment.

1. Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs. The California Energy Commission reports that lighting can make up to 25 percent of the average home's electricity consumption. That’s why you can make a big difference if you switch your incandescent light bulbs to ultra efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. Studies report that by replacing 25 percent of the lights of your home with compact fluorescents, you can save as much as 50 percent of the money that you’d normally spend on lighting. Additionally, compact fluorescent bulbs can last up to seven years each! With the average cost of a fluorescent bulb being around $11.00, this means that you can potentially save around $20.00 for each bulb over three years if you switch to fluorescents. (Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration).

2. Switch to a low-flow shower head. Another change you should make is switching to a low-flow showerhead. What does reducing your water use have to do with reducing energy consumption? According to a report by the California Efficiency Partnership, about 73% of the water you use in your shower is hot water, and hot water requires energy to create. The report shows that the use of low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators may reduce water heating costs by up to 50%. Not to mention the fact that you’ll notice significant savings on your water bill when using a low-flow showerhead. And by saving water, you’ll be protecting precious fresh water resources. With a basic low-flow showerhead, the average family can save about 8,000 gallons of water a year. A higher end model can mean even more savings.

3. Compost your yard and garden waste. The Environmental Defense Fund claims that 18% of the waste that the average family in the U.S. produces comes from the yard and garden. Moreover, other studies report that most of the garbage delivered to the landfill during the summer and fall comes from gardens and yards. By composting garden and yard debris back into our gardens, we can greatly reduce the amount of energy spent hauling this material to the dump. Additionally, we can put the compost to good use in our garden, making our plants more resistant to diseases and pests, and therefore reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides.

4. Use landscaping wisely. Properly landscaping your home with shade trees and windbreaks can help you save money on heating and cooling. Deciduous trees (trees that lose their leaves) placed on the southern and western exposures of your home will shade and cool your home during the hot summer months. In the winter, when the trees lose their leaves, they will allow the sun to heat your home. In addition, if you use plants native to your area, you’ll end up using less water, and your plants will be more resistant to pests and diseases. With natives, you’ll spend less time maintaining your garden as well. Of course, we all know that growing trees and plants has other environmental benefits, including reducing air pollution and creating wildlife habitat.

5. Purchase a more efficient refrigerator. Your refrigerator is one of the most energy consuming devices in your home, so think about buying a modern, ultra-efficient refrigerator. Modern refrigerators can be up to twice as efficient as ones made ten years ago, so retiring your older model will help you save money and energy in the long run. It’s also a good idea to use the energy saving settings on your refrigerator. Most refrigerators show these recommended settings on the temperature gauge. If your fridge doesn’t list these settings, 38 degrees F and 5 degrees F for the freezer are good settings.

6. Insulate your home. The average family in the U.S. spends 50%-70% of their energy on heating and cooling, and many homes let energy escape due to improper insulation (Source: U.S. DOE). This means that properly insulating your home can make for big energy savings in the summer and the winter! Insulation keeps your house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

7. Seal your home. Sealing cracks and spaces in your doors, windows, and walls can be a big project, but it is one of the best ways to save energy and reduce your heating bills. You can actually tackle this project a little at a time. For example, you can start by weather-striping your doors, windows, and attic door. Caulking holes where pipes and wires pass into your home is also an easy way to reduce the amount of cold air that enters your home during the winter.

8. Use your washer and dryer more efficiently. Washing and drying clothes is a necessary chore, but if we rethink the way we wash, we can see big energy savings. For example, switching to a front-loading washing machine is a good start as they are typically more efficient than standard top loading machines. Also, if you hang your clothes out in the sun to dry and only use a clothes dryer on cloudy and rainy days, you can greatly cut down on your electricity bill. The sun is a wonderful free source of energy that will dry your clothes quickly and efficiently. When you do use your dryer, make sure you dry full loads and don’t overload your dryer.

9. Cook your meals more efficiently. By changing the way you cook your meals, you can actually save considerable amounts of energy. For example, using a pressure cooker can often cut your cooking time in half. Additionally, if you’re making small meals, try using smaller appliances such as toaster ovens to heat your food instead of your main oven.

10. Disconnect appliances when not in use. Another simple thing you can do to save energy in your home is to disconnect certain electrical appliances that you don’t use frequently. Many home appliances use a small amount of energy even when they’re turned off! If you unplug your T.V., VCR, and computer when you’re at work during the day, you’ll probably notice the change in your electricity bill. Over a few months, the savings will really add up. The U.S. government’s Energy Star program recommends plugging several of these appliances into a power strip that you can turn off at night or when you’re not at home. This makes it easier to disconnect several appliances at once.

For more information about ways to improve your home and protect the environment at the same time, check out the U.S. government’s Energy Star program: http://www.energystar.gov

Kent Swanson is a freelance writer. He has worked extensively for Clean Air Gardening, http://www.cleanairgardening.com. He is also the author of a website about Mexican culture, Aztec Gardens, http://www.aztecgardens.com.

Avoid a Nightmare - Hire a Qualified Building Contractor

2006-05-22T15:14:00.000-07:00

You’ve decided on your building project, whether new construction or remodeling. Perhaps you have chosen a new building to house your business, and you will need either a general building contractor or a metal building contractor.

Carefully choosing the right home building contractor is important to the success of your project, while an unqualified contractor can turn your plans into a nightmare. Here are some tips for selecting the right contractor for the job:

A candidate should have a valid building contractor license, and up-to-date liability insurance. Ask to see certificates; check with your local licensing authority for past problems or violations pertaining to any potential candidate.

Ask for references of recently completed projects; check each out.

Make sure the contractor will acquire necessary permits and arrange for any required inspections and certificates.

Give identical copies of detailed project plans to each potential candidate to get a quote for the project. You should get at least three different quotes before making your selection. Be sure the quote includes materials and fixtures that meet project specifications. Avoid contacts that allow “of like kind” substitutions.

The Contract

After you have selected a building contractor, make sure that all detailed information is included in the contract, such as complete names, addresses, and phone numbers of both parties, as well as the physical address of the project. Be sure that project start and finish dates are included, and that a payment plan is described in detail. It is normal for a contractor to ask for 10-33% in advance, with additional funds paid as work progresses.

How to Save on the Total Bill

If your project does not have to be completed on a priority basis, you may want to consider offering it to a contractor as a “fill in” job. Most contractors will take such projects at a reduced price, insuring they have other work in the event of adverse weather or materials delivery mix-ups at another project.

Many contractors will accept a project as a “reference” contract. This is a win-win situation for the property owner; work is completed at a reduced price, and since the contractor will use the completed job to showcase his expertise to potential clients, only his best work goes into your project.

Finding the Right Contractor

There are at least three sources for finding a qualified building contractor in your area: word-of-mouth references from people that have recently had a similar project done, local licensing authorities who provide a list of contractors with appropriate building contractor license, and Internet web sites that make referrals. For instance, Canadian residents can visit www.handycanadian .com to locate a qualified contractor in their area.

By following these simple steps, you can avoid a potential nightmare, and insure your project is a pleasant experience for all parties involved.

Max Sheppard is Co-Owner of Handy Canadian.com at http://www.handycanadian.com. Handy Canadian.com is your one-stop renovation information web site: where homeowners locate professional contractors, businesses connect with commercial contractors, and qualifying contractors acquire new leads. Handy Canadian.com also offers free Home and Garden tips at http://www.handycanadian.com/articles_list.asp.

Jacob Neal expands to home decor

2006-05-19T12:55:00.000-07:00

Hair stylist Jacob Neal has decided to take a whole-house approach to beauty.

The owner of downtown's Jacob Neal Salon is selling custom bed linens, fabrics, tabletop collections, home fragrances and accessories from 1,500 square feet of his 5,000-square-foot salon at the Hartman Building at East Main and Fourth streets.

Neal decided to expand into home decor because he had trouble finding the kind of fabrics and accessories he likes to use at home.

"Every brand I have in the store are things I'd personally use," Neal said.

He figures he has a built-in consumer base.

"We have an average of 300 men and women coming through here every week," Neal said. "My main motivation was to give my existing customers something else to do once they got here."

The 15-year-old Jacob Neal Salon employs 22. Neal expects the salon's sales to grow to $1.8 million this year, excluding his home collection business.

Courtesy of http://www.bizjournals.com

Home Decorating Magazines! How to Choose the Right One?

2006-05-19T12:53:00.000-07:00

There are very wonderful publications available right now for the readers and enthusiasts in home decorating. Let's see how to choose the right home decorating magazine. What are the bare minimum factors that a magazine should include?

1) A home decorating magazine is nothing without photographs. It is a common saying that "a picture is worth a thousand words", that's why a home decorating magazine must have color photographs, that are relevant to the text written.

But here is a little secret about these photographs that go in a decorating magazine. All these photos are captured by expert and professional photographers and these experts have been trained to make look these interior spaces good and impressive. If you actually physically visit the places in the photographs, you might get a different impression about the space. So what's the point here. While selecting the home decorating magazine see that you get photographs by experts and also some real life photographs captured by non-experts to show the real thing.

2) Does the magazine focus only on a certain area/niche of decorating such as wallpapers, furniture, color schemes, interior lighting then don't go for it. Such kind of "focused on a niche" magazines is good if you are an expert yourself in that niche. For example if you are an expert in "interior lighting" then it would be nice to look for lighting magazines to improve your knowledge or even as a place to advertise your services.

3) What kind of articles does the magazine publish? Who are the writers? Are there any "how to" articles that help fixing a specific problem?

Of course this is the job of the editor of the magazine, but as a reader it's your job to see what do you get against your investment.

4) Are there different sections reserved for the ads of the merchants that go in the magazines? How many pages have been reserved for the ads. It can't happen that a magazine is 100% without ads and neither should it, but check for the ratio of pages of quality information against number of ads.

5) Check some previous issues of the magazine. When was it first published? Is it consistent in providing quality information from then onwards? Is the publisher consistent and efficient about maintaining the schedule of the publication primarily promised.

6) Finally look for a general look and feel of the publication. You don't have to be an expert in this. A well managed company will always have a wonderfully designed and packaged magazine for their readers.

I hope this was enough to start your own detecting alarm in your mind to look for the right home decorating magazine you are looking for.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Visit shrinivas Vaidya's website to get a free listing of top 5 best selling home decorating magazines carefully selected, so that you get the best quality information for all your decorating needs.

Painless Wood Floor Repair

2006-05-17T09:10:00.000-07:00

Wood floors can look beautiful in your home, but when they are in need of repair they can make your home look awful. Many people think that maintaining and repairing wood floors that have seen better days is an overwhelming task that is just too much to take on. Luckily, it doesn't have to be. Wood floor repair can be a fairly simple process as long as you proceed with a well thought out plan.

You might be looking at your scratched and dull floor and thinking of all the work involved with moving out all the furniture and then trying to work one of those sanders. The dust all over the house. Thinking that your inexperience with the sander could cause you to ruin the floor altogether. The stress of keeping kids and pets out of the room.

Unless your floor is too far gone, with proper care, your wood floor repair does not have to turn into a major job. In most cases, you can simply fill in the minor scratches or shallow gouges without getting into a major refinishing job. You will need a few tools and supplies to get started, however.
If your floor has a polyurethane finish, but doesn’t look so great because it is all scratched up, you may be able to bring it back to it’s former luster with some polyurethane finish that matches (or as near as you can match) what is on your floor. Use a small paint brush and dab the polyurethane onto the areas that are scratched and any areas where the finish has worn off.

Use a clean cloth to buff out the polyurethane before it dries. This can help with small, scratched areas and can make them blend in with the floor.

In your wood floor repair, if your floor has a stain on it, you need to match the color of the stain in order to repair scratches. You should probably test out the stain a bit at a time to be sure.

Use a small brush and apply the stain to the scratched area. Let the stain dry overnight or as long as it says on the can which can be up to twenty-four hours. Once the stain is dry, take the brush and lightly apply some polyurethane - buff this out before it dries to match it into the existing floor..
Deeper gouges need a bit more in the wood floor repair department. You will have to fill in the gouge and we recommend you use wood putt that is latex based and stainable to do that. You’ll need a putty knife to spread the putty and a rag for wiping it off other areas it might spill onto.

Simply pack the putty into the gouge and smooth it over until it is level with the floor. Wipe any excess off around the area and let it dry thoroughly. Take some sandpaper and lightly buff it out. Stain the putty to match the floor using a small brush and light strokes. Let the stain dry overnight and then apply the polyurethane on top once it is dried.

These wood floor repair tips work on floors where the damage is isolated to a few spots. If you floor is covered in scratches and has hardly any finish left then you may be facing the daunting task of refinishing the floor. Sure, it’s hard work and inconvenient, but once it’s done you’ll have glorious wood floors that you can enjoy for years to come.

Lee Dobbins is a contributing writer for Home DIY 101 where you can find more do it yourself home repair tips.

Boston Cedar is a distributor of composite decking , deck building products, deck railings , siding, and millwork products.

2006-05-16T12:08:00.000-07:00

If you’re thinking of adding new siding or decking to your home this year, one of the key decisions you’ll need to make is your choice of wood, synthetic material, or other material. You’ve probably heard your friends speak about cedar as their preferred building product for decks, fences, and siding. It’s the way they speak about cedar that tells you that cedar wood is special. This year, improve your home with cedar siding and add a new deck using composite decking.

You may believe that cedar siding is more suited to quaint cottages, however there are a number of finishes that can be applied to cedar siding products that match any style of home architecture.

The truth is, that cedar siding offers tremendous benefits for the homeowner who wants the best combination of appearance, insulation, and weather resistance. No other wood compares to cedar for its natural beauty, durability and functionality. It suppresses noise better due to its cellular structure. This wood's cellular structure also offers better heat insulation value. Most respectable builders and contractors know and will advise on using cedar siding because of its lasting value and attractiveness, but the energy saving benefits are worth noting.

Decking

Homeowners today want to extend their living space into the yard to be closer to nature and to have more room for backyard barbecues, pool parties, relaxing and leisurely Al Fresco dinners, and evenings spent leisurely reading or chatting with family and friends. Decking provides a versatile living space however it is heavily trafficked and can suffer wear and tear. While cedar is a nice decking material, it may need yearly maintenance. Some homeowners don’t mind and enjoy sanding and applying a new coat of finish every few years. For someone who wants less maintenance and more living, a better alternative is composite decking. These engineered products have the appearance of real wood, yet are more durable, weather resistant, and require less maintenance. Composite decking is the choice of today’s homeowners.

Composite Decking

There are a variety of building materials you can construct your deck with. Pressure-treated pine is inexpensive but comes with a variety of problems such as rotting, warping, breakage, moisture retention, insect damage, and drying out. This leads to deck deterioration. Cedar and other woods such as Red Meranti are wonderful woods for decking, but some have to be sealed or stained every few years. Composite decking on the other hand is very durable and can withstand the harshest winter conditions. Maintenance is easy. As temperatures rise and fall and as moisture freezes and then thaws, it is composite decks that will better maintain their original appearance and condition.

Western Red Cedar Siding

There’s nothing like Western Red Cedar siding. It is in strong demand.

Cedar wood types are white cedar, red cedar, and yellow cedar. The advantage of red cedar is tight grain and high oil content. Red cedar is more porous and you can apply a wider variety of paints and stains to it. The most plentiful supplies of cedar are Western Red Cedar from the Western Pacific regions of the US and Canada. Manufacturers such as Interfor (International Forest Products) are producing an array of superior quality, primed cedar products that deliver the great value of cedar and which can be finished in the color of your choice to match all modern home decors.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding products on the other hand are available in a limited amount of colors and the grain and texture in vinyl siding doesn’t compare to cedar siding. Cedar’s grain and texture is difficult to duplicate artificially. These primed and prefinished cedar products are developed under ideal temperature and humidity conditions, with the cedar substrate dried to the proper moisture content for superior paint adhesion.

Studies show that 70% of the cost of home siding is recouped when selling the home. However, cheaper vinyl siding will not contribute to the resale value as well as finished cedar siding products will. Your investment in cedar siding may be fully recovered when you sell your home.

Vinyl siding products account for a large share of all siding products sold in the Eastern US, however they are purchased because of perceived lower cost and maintenance. The average homeowner often makes the decision to buy siding only when an emergency situation arises such as severe deterioration, plans to sell the home, or damaging moisture or water penetration is occurring. The choice is to use an inexpensive building product in the hope that it will impress and serve the short term need.

Few homeowners can afford to buy new siding every 5 years so they’re stuck with their vinyl siding product for years to come. Vinyl siding also has the tendency to break under very cold temperatures and another drawback is its appearance. Few dream homes utilize vinyl siding, and that should tell you all you need to know about the value of appearance. When you consider value, appearance and durability, it is difficult to beat cedar siding. Since you make this investment in your home so infrequently, why not consider cedar siding for your home?

Other Home Finishing Products

Some cedar wood product distributors carry a line of cedar building products for uses on patio railings, deck railings, mouldings, and exterior trim.

New Home Developers

If you’re a builder of exclusive residential communities, cedar products can stimulate sales and build enthusiasm during open house events. Buyers of high end homes are sensitive to quality and nothing says class and elegance the way cedar does. Today’s cedar siding products are manufactured and designed to suit any home architecture. The prestige of cedar wood products is worth noting and creates real sales-generating value for your new home development.

Boston Cedar

The top siding and decking distributor in the New England region is Boston Cedar. They offer a number of quality, cedar siding, decking, trim and railing products that will add immeasurably to the appearance and value of your home.

Boston Cedar is a distributor of composite decking , deck building products, deck railings , siding, and millwork products.

Laminate Hardwood Flooring – What Is It And Why Is It So Popular?

2006-05-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

Laminate hardwood flooring is very versatile flooring that gives the appearance of having hardwood flooring without the expensive price tag. Although laminate flooring does look like hardwood, it is not made of solid wood. It is called engineered hardwood because it is made from several materials bonded together under extremely high pressure. It is easy to lay and care for and when you step on it, it is almost like you are floating. This is why laminate hardwood flooring is also called a floating floor.

You can learn how to lay laminate flooring very quickly. Once you see the first few planks of the flooring going together, you can complete the rest of the job on your own. You can install Quick Step laminate flooring on just about any room of your home. However, it is not recommended for use in bathrooms, mudrooms or any other room where there could be an excess of moisture.

The extra water could damage the flooring meaning you would have to remove and replace one or two planks of the laminate flooring.

If you are looking at how easy it is to learn how to lay laminate flooring, you will also learn about the advantages of Quick Step laminate flooring. In contrast to solid hardwood, laminate hardwood flooring is about half the cost. It is easy to install and there is no finish or refinish to worry about. Installing laminate flooring doesn’t need any nails, but you can choose to glue it to the subfloor. Another advantage of laminate flooring is that you can lay it down on virtually any type of surface, except, of course, carpet. It is suitable for installing on top of concrete, wood or vinyl. All you have to do is to make sure the floor underneath is level before you start to lay the planks.
When you ask the flooring retailer about how to lay laminate flooring, you will get several different instructions about how to prepare the floor beforehand. You do have to make sure the surfaces is free of any dust or small pieces of dirt that might work their way up through the laminate hardwood flooring. You also have to check to make sure the subfloor is soundproof and that it is level. Often people who have installed the Quick Step laminate flooring report that there are squeaks when they step on it. This is not the fault of the laminate flooring, but because the floor under it was not properly levelled before they started to lay the planks.

You do have to take extra care when you install laminate hardwood flooring over radiant heating. You have to read both the instructions for how to lay laminate flooring and the instructions regarding the radiant heat before you start. When you plan to lay laminate hardwood flooring in your home, you don’t have to open the packages until you are ready to start.

To find out more about Wood Flooring visit Peter's Website Wood Flooring Explained and find out about Installing Laminate Flooring and more, including Exotic Hardwood Floors, Wood Laminate Flooring, Refinishing Hardwood Floors and Bruce Hardwood Flooring

Woman takes new career path: From nursing to home decor

2006-05-12T11:08:00.000-07:00

Lori Jarrell felt something new was coming into her life. After working as a registered nurse (RN) for the last 23 years of her career, she felt drawn to changing her career path into a direction she had never taken before.

Jarrell, of Brush, said she felt drawn to doing an uncertain "something" with her life after working as a registered nurse and in hospice care for the last six years. That something would soon become her passion -- Transforming Spaces.

Once the manager of Oak Tree Inc. in Fort Morgan asked Jarrell to start a new interior decorating service out of its business, she soon realized she would still be helping people like she did as a registered nurse, just with a different twist, she said.

"It was then that I felt like I was given a dream I never knew that I always had," Jarrell said. "I wanted to help people in their homes, but in a different way than how I was doing business as an RN."

So, in March 2005, she started Transforming Spaces, which is now her own business and something she has loved doing for the last year.

"I never had my own business before," Jarrell said. "This is a high impact, low cost business and I want people to like their homes."

Jarrell now works with people, their homes and local businesses in creating great places to live, work or sell. Her job consists of two parts: The first is acting as an interior decorator where she helps create homes for people who want to feel great where they live. The second part is "staging," or working with people in making homes more presentable bore being put on the market.

"I want my job to be all about them," she explained. "I help people with where they are and take it a step further. I ask my clients who they are and what they do and then try to meet their values and budget."

Jobs can be as simple as painting a wall in someone's home to re-working a person's entire house with furniture, art, etc. Creating rooms that work for the clients is her motto. The second part of Jarrell's job is called "staging." She helps people present their homes to the public before they go on the market. The goal behind this service is to hopefully allow homes to sell more quickly and maybe even sell for more money, she said.

"I don't replace real-estate agencies," Jarrell said. "My business is just an addition to their service. It's high impact and low budget work which involves de-cluttering, making minor repairs or rearranging furniture in homes before it sells."

Transforming Spaces is about distinguishing homes by giving them a creative edge homeowners might have always wanted.

"I love making homes stand out," Jarrell said. "I want to give people that edge where they can look at their home and know it feels better and say, 'dang, that looks good."

For more information on Transforming Spaces, all interested are asked to please call Jarrell at (970) 842-4206, or visit the website at www.transformingspaces.us. {SECTION}-- Contact Cameron Mathews at business@fmtimes.com .

Ingredients of Winning Kitchen Design

2006-05-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

Designing a new kitchen is both exiting and daunting. Where do you start and what are the must-haves? Mark Nash real estate author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home and columnist for RealtyTimes.com shares the top things that go into today's kitchens.

-Good lighting. In addition to decorative lighting which can match any style, remember to but abundant task lighting over food preparation areas. Mood lighting can accent glass front cabinets and cove ceilings.

-A functional layout. The basic mantra in kitchen design is to keep the work triangle composed of the stove, sink and refrigerator grouped near one another. It will save you countless steps through the years.

-Over-sized, deep sink. I never thought it would be important, but we put one in our home. It keeps the water in the sink, especially when washing large pots and pans. Don't forget the best faucet you can afford, with sprayer. We did a black porcelain sink to match dark granite counters.

-Lots of countertops. Clear work surfaces make cooking alone or with family and friends a snap. Make sure that you have at least one surface four feet long for baking. Don't skimp on materials either, countertops take a beating from knives, food acids and people, buy the best within your budget.

-Proper ventilation. Smelly kitchens are a turn-off. Specify adequate ventilation to the outside, near cook tops. Recirculating fans just stir up smells, not rid your kitchen and home of them.

-Storage. Plan for plenty of functional and easily organized spaces to store every day and seasonal stuff. More is more.

-Forget standing room-only. People want to stay in the kitchen. Make seating a design priority in your new kitchen. Seating around an island and a cozy table for breakfast all say, stay!

-Cabinet hardware. The finishing touch to a new kitchen.

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.

An Armoire Combines Function And Beauty To Provide Versatile Storage Space Throughout The Home

2006-05-04T14:39:00.000-07:00

An armoire is the perfect piece of furniture in many ways. Not only do armoires look elegant and stylish, they are excellent for storing all kinds of things that you don't want on display, helping to keep your home looking neat and tidy. Armoires are made from solid wood and are designed to provide many years of use. They come in a range of designs and finishes, to blend in with your décor and other furniture. They can be used to conceal all kinds of things, from TV equipment and computers, to clothing and childrens toys, which makes them brilliant for clearing that clutter from your home!

A computer armoire is an ingenious invention, which offers a great way to organize your workspace, while at the same time enabling you to simply close the doors and conceal your home office when you're not using it. Computer armoires make optimal use of the space available inside the cabinet, with a variety of compartments and shelves. Many even use the space on the inside of the doors to hang a corkboard or file holders. If space is at a premium, a corner armoire can be discreetly fitted into a family room or bedroom, in keeping with the appearance of the room.

A TV armoire works on the same principles of balancing elegance with practicality, providing a great storage place for a television, DVD player and other home entertainment accessories. For overflowing closets, wardrobe armoires are the ideal solution, offering extra space for storing clothes and linen, helping you to stay organized. Armoires also make great additions to kids rooms. They offer a multipurpose storage solution for all kinds of toys, games, books and other stuff that children tend to accumulate. On a smaller scale, a decorative jewelry armoire is a wonderful place for keeping your necklaces, bracelets, rings and earrings, to avoid them becoming lost or tangled.

If you want to get organized and clear that clutter from your home, an armoire could be just what you need!

Caroline Smith is a regular contributor to FindArmoires.com - an online resource offering a huge selection of armoires, including computer armoires,

Get Creative with Designs for Small Kitchen Spaces

2006-05-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

Many of today’s kitchen designs are showcased in larger over-sized kitchens, which make great ideas for those who have large kitchens but just not practical for some of us who don’t. What about designs for small kitchen areas? Since we all want a space that provides efficiency and optimum storage for the kitchen here are a few ways to maximize designs for small kitchen spaces.

With any kitchen space you shouldn’t have to give up your amenities, just use sensible designs for small kitchen spaces. In most cases it is better to remove anything big and bulky and use small accent pieces to bring out your style. I have also found that in just about any room you can position mirrors or even add an imitation mirror window to the wall and it will automatically make the room seem larger.

Simple enlarging designs for small kitchen areas will start with eliminating anything that is not used in the room at all. Clear all your counter space; remove junk in drawers, or anything else that is not used in the kitchen. When choosing color for your new kitchen designs stay away from dark colors and large prints on towels, curtains, walls, anything that will be showcased.

Designs for Small Kitchen

To maximize kitchen space, create lots of open shelving. Adding shelving on the walls makes use of otherwise wasted storage space. Add some storage bars, hooks, and pot racks. This will make cooking material more convenient and free up cabinet spaces for other items.

As you review designs for small kitchen spaces, keep in mind there are three main areas of the kitchen that need to be spaced to provide maximum use and allow multiple people to be in the area without cramping each other. These three areas are 1) the stove, 2) the refrigerator, and 3) the sink. By choosing a design that allows movement around these areas you’ll have a much more functional kitchen.

Designs for small kitchen areas should also carefully place lighting. Light is a very important part of making a space feel open. In many cases, just adding some extra light to a room can make a big difference. There are a couple of different ways you can achieve more lighting. One way is to add a window, a skylight, or just hiring an electrician to install more light fixtures in the room. If you are using a low watt bulb, maybe bump it up a notch.

This article was written by Gregg Hicks of http://www.reliableremodeler.com which provides Internet-based home improvement information and services. Offering homeowners a simple, quick, and free way to access, qualified home improvement remodeling contractors.

Ingredients of Winning Kitchen Design

2006-05-03T09:45:00.000-07:00

Water Heaters - Which One For You

2006-04-29T08:06:00.000-07:00

Well what can I write about water heaters. Well they heat water. Sorry, a bit of a Homer Simpson type answer about them but it shows you how interesting water heaters can be.

They are not really something you can get too exited about but they are something we cannot easily do without. We all want hot water. We need it to wash and bathe in and we need it to clean with. Some of us want to use it to warm our pools up, wash our cars, heat our homes or sit in our hot tubs but at the end of the day we all want hot water and the only easy way to get it is to use a water heater.

So thinking about it then, what types of water heater are there? Well there are four main types but most of us will only need to use one. I have three but I tend to use only one at a time, two at the most.

Solar water heaters. These types of water heaters rely on the power of the sun to heat your water. How efficient they are depends on the amount of sunlight they get so this usually depends on where you live. The more sunlight the better and the more intense the sunlight the better and if the climate is hot in the first place then the water is sort of pre heated to ambient temperature before the action of the sun. They are a good source of some hot water but are not really good enough to be classed as your main water heater so you will need a conventional water heater as a backup. Solar water heaters can also be used to help warm the water in your pool and for this they can be very efficient but again they rely on sunlight to provide a high enough water temperature. I have one of these and I am very impressed about how good it is as a water heater for my pool. It wasn’t cheap though.

Stove powered hot water. Using your stove to heat your water is the oldest method around. It has been around for a long time, (if you think about heating water in an iron or clay pot), but these days many of us have water jackets built into our stoves. I have a wood-burning stove so in effect my hot water is free as my stove is often on. It is efficient as a water heater and does the job pretty well. I do not have any grumbles about it and I am also one of these people who care about the environment enough to plant trees on my land to offset the carbon cycle when I burn timber.

Electric water heaters. This is the third type of water heater I have but it is my backup as it is relatively expensive to run but it is useful as within 15 minutes I can have hot water to use for a shower when returning from a vacation and the heating has been off. It is there as a standby for me but is very easy to use as I just switch it on and before long I have hot water. For many people who do not have a stove or fire type water heater this is one of the few choices you have and in this case they are very good. My first house had two sources of hot water. One was an electric powered shower and the other was the electric water heater which heated water in the hot tank. I had nothing else and it worked, but I found it much more expensive than using my wood stove or using solar energy.

The final type of water heater is a gas heater. These tend to heat both your hot water and provide heating for your house as well. Not all areas have a supply to gas although some people can also use a supply of bottled gas but this tends to be much more expensive than a piped supply. Gas heaters operate much faster than an electric water heater and they tend to be much cheaper to operate than electric if it is a piped supply so if you are looking to choose between the two then this may be your best choice.

Whichever system you decide to install, do your research first and work out which is the cheapest to operate. You will also need to look at the costs of the water heaters and the water heating systems you install and work out what is best for you.

Ric Wiley is an established writer and Internet author. His latest advice site about Water Heaters can be found at http://www.water-heating.info.

Hot Tubs, Good Investments, Yay or Nay?

2006-04-29T08:02:00.000-07:00

With prices averaging above $5,000, hot tubs are obviously not cheap additions to the home. Okay, they may not be as costly as a kitchen remodel or the installation of a brand new swimming pool, but they're pretty big purchases. Because of that, people often wonder how much hot tubs increase the value of their homes. Are they going to get their money back when they sell the home? Or is a hot tub a physical pleasure and good for nothing more?

Well, it's a bit of both to be honest. There's no hard fast rule for how much a hot tub will improve a home's value or if it will at all. But generally speaking (and as with most home improvements) a hot tub can't be expected to gain you back the full cost of buying and installing it when it's time to sell your home. If you decide to buy a hot tub, it should be for your family to enjoy, and you shouldn't be too worried about whether or not it will increase the value of your home.

With that said, a hot tub can certainly improve the desirability of your house to potential buyers. Unlike a swimming pool, it's not likely to pose a threat to wandering children (the covers are pretty heavy, and most come with locks for securing them). Also the cleaning and maintenance isn't as much of a chore as it is with a swimming pool. So there's really no potential downside to home buyers.

However there is a potential upside. A hot tub could increase the desirability of your house, thus encouraging a buyer to offer more for the property. So in that way, hot tubs do have the potential to increase the value of your home.

It should be noted that this depends a bit on the area you live in. Study your neighborhood and see how desirable hot tubs are in the area. If everybody seems to have one, maybe you should to. If no one has one, it might not be the best choice (sort of like putting stainless steel appliances in an old house in a ghetto neighborhood--it just doesn't match). However, it's true that no matter where people live, the promise of soothing jets on tired and achy muscles is usually a selling point (how not?). And, of course, for households that like to entertain, a hot tub can be very appealing because it gives people a reason to come over and visit (AKA Par-tay).

So, the answer to the question that started this all (whether hot tubs increase the value of your home) is basically that installing one will probably increase the value of your home, and yes it's possible to recoup your financial investment fully.

TC Thorn is the webmaster for http://www.hot-tub-reviews.com/ and writes many articles on hot tubs. This article may be reprinted so long as these links are included and made active.

Haute décor: Top designers want to dress up your home

2006-04-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

By Lauren Beckham Falcone

Can’t afford a Betsey Johnson dress? Maybe her polka-dot O-Cel-O sponge will do. Hermes scarves not your style? How about its bone china instead?

It’s no secret the fashion world has had its designs on home decor - those Calvin Klein sheets on your bed and Ralph Lauren towels in your bathroom prove it - but these days, anyone who can hem pants seems to have a line of home products.

Recently, a spate of sartorial celebs have inked decor deals. Johnson not only has designed a few cleaning products, but she will launch a full line of bedding and bath items for WestPoint Home early 2007. Cynthia Rowley, who has a line of party products at Target, recently created the Dirty Dishes line - cups, saucers, bowls and plates rimmed with topless ladies - only available at Fishs Eddy in New York and her stand-alone shops.

Rock ’n’ roll fashion bad boy Stephen Sprouse has a fabric line; Bottega Veneta will sell furniture - including simple tables and python-skin bookcases - exclusively at its stores. Donna Karan recently relaunched her home collection, and local designer Sigrid Olsen is trying her hand at home decor.

But can these fashion plates dress the bed as well as the body?

“Yes,” said Boston interior designer Tony Cappoli. “Take Joseph Abboud. He’s famous for his luxurious fabrics and colors in men’s suiting and he’s taken that into home decor. I love his stuff, and the quality and texture is incredible. He’s now doing a line of bedding and mattresses.”

Abboud and his fellow fashion crossover cronies aren’t dummies. The home furnishing biz is a $75 billion industry. According to the U.S. Commerce Department, top retail sales categories for March include building material and garden equipment and supplies, which surged 17.4 percent over last year, and furniture and home furnishings, up 10.8 percent over March 2005. Meanwhile, spending on men’s suits and women’s dresses has plummeted, the 2003 Consumer Expenditure Survey reported.

Still, not all fashion designers create the best homeware.

“To be honest, Donna Karan’s stuff isn’t great,” Cappoli said. “She just sold her name. And that’s what you have to watch out for. I met Abboud at the Boston Design Center and the passion is in his blood. He told this story about how he found rocks on Nantucket and brought them to Europe to the fabric maker and said, ‘This is the color of my fall line.’ You want a fashion designer to care that much about his home design.”

Panamai Manadee, owner of Bliss Home on Newbury Street, said she’s cautious about selling fashion-designer-licensed products.

“People tend to gravitate toward ‘names’ like Kate Spade or like Vera Wang, but my problem is you don’t know how long they are going to last,” she said. “For example, a few years back, party planner Colin Cowie launched a line of dinnerware pushed by the department stores. It was a big splash.”

Two years later, however, the line was gone.

“I just think that’s irresponsible,” Manadee said. “It’s one thing to change your handbag every season, but to spend thousands of dollars on something that isn’t going to last isn’t good.”

http://theedge.bostonherald.com

Bath Tile Designs That Transform A Bathroom

2006-04-27T07:39:00.000-07:00

Bath tile designs can be created by you or purchased by you. There are many ways that they can help to add a bit of charm to any boring, old bathroom. Those that are looking for a way to transform their bathroom into something that is a bit more interesting can do so with the help of these designs. The goal here is not to worry about not having enough creative abilities or not being able to do the work. The goal is to create a design that is truly fitting of the look you are after.

First, Select A Pattern

The first thing that you need to do is to select a decorative bath tile design that you enjoy. This can be virtually anything that you like so long as it provides a pattern that is interesting. If your bathroom already has design features in it, try to pick up on any type of design pattern that may already be there. This will allow you to have a more in depth look to your tile that matches the room perfectly.

To find a few designs that you like, take a quick look around the web. Even if you are not creative, you can find them already done for you offered throughout the web. A bit of investment in time here really can transform a bathroom tile design.

Now that you have the design that you like, you will want to make sure that you can duplicate it. A short trip to the tile distributor will tell you this. Look for the patterns that are interesting and the colors that work with your bathroom. Make sure to take measurements with you so that you can determine the amount of tile needed for the design since there are many sizes available.

Worried About Doing The Work?

To help you to do your tile design accurately, make sure to make a grid on the wall that is measured out. This way, you can mark the grid with the colors that the tiles should be to help you to see what is happening and get the design moving right.

Experiment with various colors, textures and sizes. Look for something unusual or interesting.

Make sure that you take your time with this project as it can really turn into a wonderful investment in your home if you do so. Most importantly, do not be afraid to get the job done with a little help from a professional if needed.

Adam Peters contributes adding content continuously to http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com, a free online magazine for interior design and decorating ideas, where you can find further information on bath tiles among many other complements to your home.

Decorating With Coat Racks And Vintage Clothing For A Unique Accent To Your Home

2006-04-26T12:43:00.000-07:00

by: Mark Scott

When most people think of coat racks, they think strictly of hanging coats, hats, and scarves. But coat racks can be a lot more than just a place to keep clutter off the floor. They can also provide you with an opportunity to display your own, unique decorating tastes.

One of my favorite ways to decorate with coat racks is to display vintage clothing on them. Wall-mounted coat racks work particularly well for displaying vintage hats and bonnets. And floor-mounted coat racks are a natural for cloaks, gowns, shawls and scarves.

Don't go cheap when using coat racks as a decorating accent. True, you can pick up a generic wall-mounted coat rack for under $10 and a floor-standing one for under $30. But if your goal is to create an eye-catching accent, don't expect a cheap one to have the effect you want.

Bent wood, rattan, wrought iron, or brass give you the best eye appeal in a floor-standing coat rack. And look for furniture-quality solid hardwood in wall-mounted coat racks. Don't settle for generic, dime-store coat hooks on your coat rack when you can easily combine the beauty of brass and porcelain or get the rustic strength of wrought iron.

You can find wall-mounted coat racks with rosemaling, or other styles of decorative painting. These always add to your accent, as do such features as a plate rack or decorative shelf on top that allows you to display other collectibles.

And a mirror, whether etched or plain, on your wall-mounted coat rack is always a big plus. Not only does it enhance the beauty of your accent, but it provides a much appreciated service to your guests of letting them check their appearance after coming in from outdoors.

As for finding vintage hats or clothing for your coat rack, here are some places to try.

Most larger cities have at least one vintage clothing store available. You can also find vintage clothing in many estate sales. And more and more second-hand stores gather vintage clothing donated to them into a special area.

Or you can look for reproduction vintage clothing and hats from merchants who specialize in supplying the participants of living history events with clothing and items from daily life of the eras these participants portray.

I've found Renaissance festivals and Civil War Reenactments to be especially rich sources of quality reproduction vintage clothing (and many other interesting items useful for decorating).Both events attract a large number or merchants who specialize in reproduction vintage clothing and other items of those times. And you can find many of these merchants on the Internet, as well.

Be aware, though, that while you can usually find a greater variety of items through these merchants in brand new condition, the prices for reproductions can be expensive because of the amount of labor involved in faithfully reproducing construction techniques from a pre-mass production era.

In looking for vintage hats to display on a wall-mounted coat rack, you can either go for a single era, or go eclectic with vintage hats from a number of eras and styles. And don't forget the eye appeal of including one hat in your collection that drapes a ribbon down beneath. Or consider dangling a vintage umbrella or cane from one hook to create various lengths of items hung from your coat rack.

And the hats you use don't necessarily need to be formal. Some of the most effective hats I've found for decorating have been the well-worn, but extremely unique, vintage hats of everyday laborers.

For a floor-standing coat rack, avoid reproduction or vintage clothing that really needs a hanger for it to look its best. Look instead for drapey items such as cloaks, gowns, shawls, and scarves. Experiment with interweaving a colorful scarf or shawl among dark and elegant formal wear.

Or try hanging a coat or gown by the shoulder instead of by the collar for a casual, asymmetrical look. Include a vintage purse. Or, depending on the effect you want to create, consider the effect that draping some vintage silk stockings or lingerie could add to the accent you create.

The options are endless when it comes to combining coat racks and vintage clothing. Just use a quality coat rack that does justice to what you display and let your imagination, and your decorating taste, be your guide in selecting items to display on it.

About The Author

Mark Scott is the creator of fine etched mirror coat racks and other wall decor and furniture. Check out http://www.mastervisions.com/coat_racks.htm to see high-quality coat racks with depth and shading you've never seen in etchings before.

Home Depot to buy online seller of decor products

2006-04-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

Home Depot Inc. on Tuesday said it would more than double the size of its online and catalog business with the acquisition of Home Decorators Collection, which sells decorative products.

Terms of the definitive purchase agreement were not disclosed by the Atlanta home-improvement retailer.

Home Depot, which accelerated its push into professional markets with the recent acquisition of construction materials distributor Hughes Supply, is also looking to increase its online/catalog sales to $1 billion over the next few years.

Using Mirrors in Home Decor

2006-04-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

by: Lesley Dietschy

Mirrors provide a special touch in home decor by adding light and creating the illusion of space.

A mirror is defined as a reflecting surface that forms an image of an object when light rays coming from that object fall on the surface.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the typical mirror is a sheet of glass that is coated on its back with aluminum or silver that produces images by reflection. This type of mirror came into widespread production in Venice during the 16th century.

Here are ten tips for using mirrors in your home decor:

1. Place a mirror on an adjacent wall to an interesting picture or piece of artwork and the mirror will reflect the image and add a sense of space.

2. Hang a decorative mirror near a window in a dark room. This will allow the light to reflect off the mirror creating more natural light in the room.

3. To create the illusion of depth in a room, paint one wall in a dark, contrasting color to the other walls. Then hang a decorative mirror on the dark wall to create a sense of depth in the room.

4. Create a charming entryway by hanging up a framed mirror topped with a floral swag. This will help to create light in the entryway as well as providing a last minute check before heading out the door.

5. Expand a small dining room by placing an ornate mirror on a wall. This will make the room appear larger and brighter.

6. Place a decorative mirror opposite an attractive fireplace and mantel to reflect something interesting in the room.

7. Group and hang several mirrors of assorted sizes and shapes for an attractive wall display.

8. Add mirrors (such as mirror tiles) to the backs of bookcases to add a sense of depth.

9. In the kitchen, add mirror to the countertop’s backsplash. This will reflect light while preparing food and it is easy to maintain.

10. Place a custom sized mirror on the top of a piece of furniture that is damaged or not very attractive. This can be done on dressers, tabletops, coffee tables, and end tables just to name a few.

Always be sure to analyze the placement of mirrors before hanging them up. For example, placing a mirror above a fireplace mantel may reflect the unattractive tops of furniture or blank wall space. You can angle the mirror down so that it reflects something more attractive in the room.

In addition, place mirrors so they will not cause unnecessary glare in a room. Mirrors can be unappealing if they are placed across from a window with a southern or western exposure.

As you can see, there are numerous ways to use mirrors to brighten and enrich your home decor. Decorative mirrors can be found in flea markets, retail stores, home improvement stores, and on the internet in price ranges to fit all budgets.

About The Author

Lesley Dietschy is a freelance writer and the creator/editor of The Home Decor Exchange. The Home Decor Exchange is a popular home and garden website featuring resources, a shopping marketplace, articles, decorating pictures, decorating advice, free projects, and more. http://www.HomeDecorExchange.com

INDOOR BOOM-HOME DECOR

2006-04-22T08:16:00.000-07:00

INDOOR BOOM-HOME DECOR (world's leading home fashion brands are now available in India through domestic retail outlets)

The world's leading home fashion brands are now available in India through domestic retail outlets.These home decor ranges from accessories, hardware to furniture and furnishings.The market is estimated at Rs65,000 crore out of which, only six percent is controlled by organised sector.

Players like Home Centre and Home Stop offers bed, bath, kitchen, home decor, furniture, since consumers need a complete home solution under one roof. Welspun, terry towels major in the world, has also entered the fray through its factory outlets and small Home Stores called Spaces

Source courtesy of http://www.tmcnet.com

Vinyl Siding - Adding Value to Your Home

2006-04-22T08:14:00.000-07:00

Many homeowners today want to increase the value of their home. When you want to sell your home, the first things that you think of are remodeling the inside and replacing the carpet.

However, have you thought about adding vinyl siding to the outside of your home?

Vinyl siding seals homes against water damage while making the house look great. Vinyl siding is also easy to clean with a pressure washer. Vinyl siding costs depends on the color and style that you pick. There are many colors to choose from and they will raise the value of your home.

There are blues, creams, browns, and reds. Each color will add to the value of your home, however, choosing light colors that appeal to more will help sell your home. A darker vinyl siding color will make the house look small and unwelcoming, whereas warmer, brighter colors will make your house look larger and more welcoming.

No matter how small your house may look, using a bright color will help to make it look bigger.

The most popular vinyl siding colors are the light browns and creams. These colors seem to be the ones that are making houses with vinyl siding more popular to buy. Another thing besides color is the vinyl siding cost. Costs for vinyl siding can vary depending on the brand, style, and color of the siding that is chosen.

The most expensive form of vinyl siding these days is the new vertical siding. Vertical vinyl siding, just like horizontal siding, will help keep the home safe from water damage. Vertical siding is also easier to clean. This is what makes it so special and somewhat more expensive.

Vinyl siding, in itself, is easy to clean and maintain. A simple spray down with a pressure washer, or a quick wash and rinse with soap and a hose will help to keep the vinyl siding looking clean and new. The nicer the siding looks and the newer it is, the more value your home will have.

Remember to compare vinyl siding costs before you choose your color and style, and remember that vinyl siding doesn’t just add value to your home, it will make your home look and feel new again.

Mark Kessler - his website Vinyl Siding 411 is a comprehensive resource for Vinyl Siding information, providing links for vinyl siding colors, installing vinyl siding, vinyl siding cost, liquid vinyl siding, vinyl siding paint, how to install vinyl siding, installation contractors.

Deck Railings For Elegance And for Safety

2006-04-21T08:50:00.000-07:00

The necessary accessory – Deck Railings

The deck and the railings go together. A deck without a railing is unsafe and it may even be out of the building code. If you are not following the codes for deck railings, you expose yourself to un-necessary harassment by many, particularly in society as litigious as ours. So why take chances, build the deck railings. Some times, we tend to have a lower deck railing height than the building code requires us to have. This should not be allowed.

Code On Decks And Railings

The building codes in various states are different but most of them agree that if you have a deck the is above 3 feet from the next horizontal surface, you need to have a fall protection. A wall (not necessarily brick and mortar it wall, may even be a wooden wall or PVC wall) is also acceptable, but generally, it is avoided, as wall is costly, blocks the view, has a higher weight for the same length, and does not increase safety any more than the deck railing.

Choices Available For Deck Railings

The main reason for putting up deck railings is safety, but the elegance provided by deck railings adds to the visual appeal of the building. Multicolored railings can also be used for giving a distinct look to the building. The choices of materials are aluminum, PVC, wood or even a combination of all the three, but the combination is very rarely used.

Requirement Of The Railings

When installing the railing, the two important to keep in mind are,

1. Height of railing: The height of the railings should be as directed by the code for the type of material you are using. The height requirement may be given in the code of your city or the state. In general, the height is never less than 30 inches.

2. Construction of the railings: A railing would have posts at specific intervals directed by the building code in your city and depending on the material, you intend to use for the deck railing.

The design will be based on the strength of the material used. A deck railing would have a bottom rail a top rail and the verticals. The verticals should be so spaced that a child cannot slip through it. A bottom rail is used for making it elegant and keeping the costs down. A vertical will otherwise to be anchored to the ground. The top rail may be a single one or two within a distance of about 6”. If two railings are provided, it gives you additional strength and the lower rail becomes a convenient place to attach the verticals.

Adam Peters is a freelance author who contributes adding interesting articles to http://www.deck-porch-railings.com , a DIY information website where Adam publishes ideas for railing plans and designs. Reach further articles on these deck railings , including different materials and styles at his site.

Applying Epoxy Coating to Your Garage Flooring

2006-04-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

Many times we don’t think about our garages or pay much attention to their appearance. They are merely a place to park the cars and store the extra boxes of Christmas decorations and such. However, like any other room in your house your garage floor needs to be taken care of.

Because of the use it gets, combined with water, gas and oil that will inevitable be spilled upon it, garage flooring can easily become damaged and begin to fall apart after a few years of use.

Epoxy coating is one solution to your garage flooring challenge. Epoxy coating applies a layer of sealant and protectant to your concrete garage floor to help it resist staining, moisture problems and helps it maintain its appearance.

Installing epoxy flooring takes a little up-front preparation before beginning. The most important step in the process is making sure that the floor you are going to apply the epoxy coating onto is free of moisture, residual paint and does not have a cement sealer or other finishing applied to it.

To test for moisture, take a sheet of plastic and take it to a 3-foot x 3-foot area using masking tape. Keep it there for about two days and then remove and check for any moisture collecting on the side of the plastic facing the floor. If moisture is present, than an epoxy flooring coating is not suitable as epoxy needs a dry surface to properly bond with the flooring.

Next, we’ll test to make sure the flooring does not have a sealant already applied to it. This test will also check for the presence of oils in the cement as well. Take a cup of water and pour it directly onto the existing flooring. It should soak into the floor in a reasonable amount of time. If it beads or just sits on top of the flooring then the flooring has probably already been sealed or contains oil contaminants. Epoxy flooring is not suitable for cement floors that have already been sealed or contain any type of oil residue as it will not bond.

Finally, if you are willing to spend several months testing an area of your garage floor for suitability to installing epoxy flooring you can paint a small area with regular, oil-based enamel.

If this test area lasts for several months then it is likely an epoxy coating will last as well.

However, if you decide to proceed with applying the epoxy coating you will need to remove this enamel coating which will require sanding.
Carlo Morelli wites for http://www.OnlineTips.org, where you can read more about vinyl garage flooring and vinyl sheet flooring.

Repairing Scratches in Hardwood Floors

2006-04-20T12:19:00.000-07:00

Repairing scratches in hardwood floors are easier than you may be thinking. Depending on how many scratches there are, sometimes a simple repair kit will make the necessary fix in short time. If the damage is noticeably bad throughout the room, you may have to sand the floors.

Scratches can originate from a variety of items; shoes, moving furniture, dropped items, and other accidents. Many people feel scratches and dings add character to their hardwood floors.

One of the main reasons for scratches in hardwood floors comes from moving heavy furniture, with no pads underneath the legs to protect the floor. Even animals with nails can leave their marks.

You should take some preventative steps to prevent yourself from creating the task of repairing scratches in hardwood floors. For example:

You should consider soft paw caps for dogs or declawing your cats, which will make sure their nails wouldn’t scratch the floor.

Either purchase pads that stick to the bottom of furniture or consider hiring a professional mover to carefully move your furniture.

Thanks to the ever-growing advancements in repairing scratches in hardwood floors you now have better options. A repair kit can help in fixing minor scratches. Repair kits come with different applications for any color of wood flooring from the lightest to the darkest and are generally easy to apply. Complete instructions come with the kit.

If there are multiple scratches, you may need to sand and completely refinish your floors.

Repairing scratches in hardwood flooring using this method can be quite labor and time intensive. Sanders can be rented to remove the old finish. Next, you would have to thoroughly clean the floor before you re-apply finish. This is a very important step, as the application of the finish over a dust-laden floor can result in poor quality results.

Once you are ready to apply the finish, be sure to follow the specific directions for the product you’ve chosen. Most will require multiple applications to ensure a good long-lasting finish.

Repairing scratches in hardwood floors when the entire floor must be refinished can be quite a task for a do-it-yourself project. There are many professional refinishers available. As with any home improvement project, if you choose to hire a professional, get more than one quote and compare services of each company carefully.

Wood floors are a beautiful asset to any home. Taking these few steps to bring the old floors back to life will be very well worth it. After all, hardwood floors can last as long as the home if they are properly maintained.

This article was written by Gregg Hicks of http://www.reliableremodeler.com which provides Internet-based home improvement information and services. Offering homeowners a simple, quick, and free way to access, qualified home improvement remodeling contractors.

Home Lighting Design Ideas For Each Room Of Your Home

2006-04-20T12:16:00.000-07:00

Getting the right light fixtures and bulbs for each room of your home can be a challenge, but if you plan it out correctly, they can help you enjoy the time spent at home so much more. Let's take a look at some sample home lighting design ideas for different rooms of a typical home.

For the living room, you'll want to have enough general lighting for such a large space. This general lighting can come from one or more main ceiling fixtures, or perhaps several indirect lighting fixtures that reflect light down from your ceiling and provide soft illumination for the entire room.

However, you will also most likely want to include specific task lighting for certain activities that may be performed in the living room. This could include reading or sewing. Task lighting is usually best accomplished by a floor lamp or table lamp situated right next to the task area, and equipped with a sufficient bulb to prevent eyestrain while performing the task.

Living rooms can also have features like a fireplace, or perhaps a large painting on the wall. Why not install some recessed ceiling lights that are focused on these special features to highlight and bring attention to them?

In the kitchen, sufficient lighting is an absolute must to be able to safely cook and prepare food.

Most likely a large ceiling fixture, perhaps equipped with energy efficient florescent tubes will do well to supply the overall general lighting for the room. But then consider installing strip lights underneath your cabinets that will clearly light up your countertops and work areas. And perhaps a few recessed lights in the ceiling can focus even more light on your sink area and range. Generally speaking, the more specific task lighting you can have in a kitchen, the better.

Bathrooms have their own specific lighting needs, including a recessed downlight in the ceiling over your shower or tub area. But perhaps the most common area for lighting fixtures in a bathroom is around the mirror. Here's where you want really soft and gentle lighting that leaves no shadows under your eyes, nose, and chin. Very often this is accomplished with lighting strips on each side of the mirror that contained several small wattage bulbs. Many people find that soft white fluorescent bulbs seem to work best in this area.

In the bedroom a general lighting fixture is very useful for illumination of the entire room. But then installing specific task lighting at the dressing table area can be very beneficial too. And recessed lighting on the ceiling placed on a dimmer switch can be used very effectively to set a romantic mood whenever you desire.

Hopefully these home lighting design ideas and suggestions can help you think about how you can better focus the available light in your home from room to room in the future.

Thad Pickering writes on many consumer related topics including home improvement. You can find out more about home lighting design and discount lighting fixtures by visiting our Home Improvement website.

How to Hire an Asphalt Driveway Paving Contractor

2006-04-19T08:11:00.000-07:00

Asphalt paved driveways are extremely popular and the most cost effective to install over most other driveway options. Hiring the right asphalt paving contractor however can sometimes be a challenge. If the paving contractor installs the asphalt driveway correctly the driveway should last 25-30 years with only minor maintenance.

Unlike concrete, an asphalt paved driveway is both strong and flexible and is ideal for colder temperature zones where constant freezing and thawing occur.

Asphalt paving, also known as Hot Mix Asphalt paving, consists of an aggregate of stone and sand mixed with liquid asphalt cement. The aggregate is carefully mixed and heated prior to being mixed with liquid asphalt. The mixture needs to be delivered to the job site hot else your newly paved driveway will not cure properly.

In order to ensure a quality paved driveway it is critical that the paving contractor first properly prepare the driveway for the Hot Mix Asphalt. Preparation includes removing topsoil or clay type soil and replacing it with a sub-base layer of crushed stone and gravel.

A typical asphalt paving job consists of the application of two layers of Hot Mix Asphalt over the sub-base layer. In some cases a paving contractor may suggest a full-depth asphalt application.

This type of application is best if very heavy vehicles will be regularly parked on the driveway.

With a full-depth asphalt application the entire driveway, including the gravel sub-base layer, is constructed using liquid asphalt cement. By additionally binding the sub-base gravel layer with the liquid asphalt cement a much stronger paved driveway is created.

When hiring any contractor you should plan on getting 3-4 quotes to get the best comparison of workmanship and price. Talk with friends and family members, as well as search the yellow pages or the internet to find local paving contractors in your area.

With any contractor you hire, make sure they are insured and bonded to protect you from any liability as well as to protect you from any sub-par performance on the contractor’s behalf.

Lead times for paving a driveway can be up to several weeks, so plan appropriately when talking with your prospective paving contractors.

In order to obtain accurate quotes from the asphalt driveway paving contractors it is best to have a sketch of the home and the desired driveway footprint. You should also walk the site with the paving contractor and have him or you stake or paint lines where the paved driveway is to lay.

When talking to the prospective paving contractors make sure the subject of installing proper slopes and drainage is discussed. Otherwise you may wind up with water pooling on the finished driveway, or even worse, draining into your garage or home.

It is also critical that during the installation of all the various layers to the driveway that they are each compacted prior to the installation of the next layer of material. Quoted depths should be after compaction, not before.

Also, if there are any municipal pipes that need to be raised to the finished height of the driveway, find out if the paving contractors’ quotes include performing this task.

In addition, confirm that the contractor will remove and reinstall any type of gate or door to the new finished level of the paved driveway.

With these few basic tips you are on your way to hiring the right paving contractor for your driveway.

For more help on how to hire an Asphalt Driveway Paving Contractor, see

HomeAdditionPlus.com’s Asphalt Driveway Paving Bid sheet. The Asphalt Driveway Paving Bid Sheet will help ensure that your hire the right contractor so that your driveway is paved correctly and you get the finished driveway you are looking for. In addition, it will help to ensure that installation of your driveway will be accomplished on time and on budget.

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

Custom Kitchen Cabinets: What you Need to Know

2006-04-19T08:09:00.002-07:00

Are you looking for a custom kitchen cabinet design? There are many factors that should weigh into your decision when contemplating new kitchen cabinets. First, how much time do you spend in your kitchen? If you spend alot of time in your kitchen, whether cooking or entertaining guests, you will want the best you can get. However, if you frequently dine out, there really is little need to upgrade your kitchen cabinets.

An effective kitchen cabinet design can provide you with more counter space in your kitchen. By going with a custom cabinet design, you can do certain things like hiding your appliances, storing goods, or even display your nice china. By designing your own cabinet layout, there are no ends to what you can do. Well, at the very least, your budget is the limit!

You also need to consider the types of knobs and latches you want to use with your new cabinets. You will need to decide if the custom kitchen cabinet design in your room is going to be contemporary, rustic, southwestern or some other type of design so that hardware can be chosen accordingly.

A stellar look can be accomplished by having custom kitchen cabinets. When taking into considerations different aspects of your designs, many nice design ideas can be implemented into your new kicthen cabinets. By designing your own cabinets, you control the look, the feel, and effectiveness in your new setup. Do it right and you will be pleased with the results for your new kitchen cabinets.

As an author at eZ-search, Chris Miller contributes to the growing content found within the site and shares his knowledge about wholesale kitchen cabinets.

Custom Kitchen Cabinets: What you Need to Know

2006-04-19T08:09:00.001-07:00

Custom Kitchen Cabinets: What you Need to Know

2006-04-19T08:09:00.000-07:00

Selecting Color Schemes

2006-04-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

Choosing a color scheme for a room can be a daunting task at times, especially if nothing about the room initially jumps out at you. If you find yourself without a particular color preference for a room, you might begin by picking color combinations that are inspired by a favorite fabric pattern. Patterns usually have a group of complimentary colors, and using variations within the same group of colors throughout the house will lend your entire home a sense of harmony.

Another method for selecting a color scheme when you have no real preference is to start with the colors you already have in the flooring and on other surfaces that aren't going to be replaced.

Ignore any color that you really dislike; in this case, everything doesn't have to match.

Go to your local paint store and find paint chip cards to match your colors. Then cut out the color samples and secure them into a personal loose-leaf notebook. But remember: paint chips aren't big enough to give an accurate picture of how a color will feel under specific lighting conditions, so you may need a larger sample before you make your final selection. The artificial lighting in paint stores also affects the appearance of color chips, and colors generally appear darker when seen on big expanses of walls compared to paint chips, so be sure to check your samples in the room and under the lighting conditions where your plan to use that color.

Balance the depth, darkness, and intensity of colors, mix cool and warm colors, and add enough diversity to avoid monotony in your color scheme. Adding variety to your color combinations will support your desired emotional and seasonal needs. You can change color emphasis with the changing seasons by varying a room’s accessories and lighting.

Bringing Exterior Colors Inside

Blending your home’s exterior colors with the interior ones will make the transition from outside to inside feel comfortable and natural. The welcoming color of your front door should be brought into the home through at least two small details or areas, to create balance and harmony. That doesn't mean the colors should match exactly. In fact, you don't want your colors to shout out their presence. The transition from outside to inside should be subtle, providing emotional support and creating a welcome feeling of balance.

Whatever colors you ultimately choose, remember that harmonizing those colors throughout the entire home is a combination of science and art. The key to success is in small doses of repetition, and adding touches of Design Psychology to the emotional undercurrents of color will assure a joyful home.

(c) Copyright Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

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

Remodelling For Comfort

2006-04-12T12:38:00.000-07:00

I made a fateful decision when walking past that real estate ad display window in the summer of 1991. There was a triplex for sale. It was located in a near by suburb of the town where I lived and it was within my price range. This deal was not to be missed.

I knew little about real estate or building construction. The realisation as to why the real estate deal was so cheap came quickly. The building was almost thirty five years old. The insulation in the walls was thin, consisting of a couple of inches of sawdust. The windows in two apartments were ill-fitting. Cold air blew in and precious heat leaked out. The windows definitely needed remodelling before winter set in as making them air tight would at least keep in some of the heat.

I advertised in the local paper for a contractor to do the work. Someone applied for the job and I hired him after he signed my project contract. The contract set out in writing the changes to be made to the wall and window area. It covered how much the contractor was to be paid as well as the materials to be bought. It also stipulated what storage and clean up was to be done after the remodelling was finished.

The contractor did some measuring around where the windows would go. The plan was to put in sealed windows encased in a frame. Some sketches and specs were drawn up. Next, it was off to the window and hardware store to buy the supplies needed. It wasn't cheap. The windows, lumber and plywood cost several hundred dollars.

The work started. I didn't see most of the construction process as I was working a night job at the time so was sleeping during the day.

The remodelling was completed successfully. It looked good. Two apartments each had two large new sealed airtight windows. All the clean up of materials had been completed to my standards. The remodelling was a success. There was still some painting needed to seal the new wood but I planned on doing that myself. The contractor was paid in person by me. He even filled out a tax receipt for me.

As soon as possible I bought the exterior paint which I needed to seal the new woodwork outside and protect it from wet weather. On a nice warm sunny day, I did the exterior painting. The window trim area was done with a small brush. The area around each window was carefully painted and any paint spattered on the windows was quickly wiped off before it could dry. A steady hand is needed for window frame painting. That took the most time. The remainder was done with a roller, which is a very fast and efficient way of applying paint to flat surfaces. With the roller, you don't have the exact control of a small brush. After the first coat of paint dried, a second one was applied.

The remodelling of the windows was a real success and made it much more comfortable inside during the cold winter months.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Remodelling

How to Plan and Estimate Costs for a Bathroom Remodeling Project

2006-04-11T11:24:00.000-07:00

Remodeling a bathroom can be an exciting and fun experience, particularly if your bathroom has outdated baby blue or pink tile covering the walls. Planning and estimating bathroom remodeling costs prior to starting the project however is critical for ensuring a completely positive experience.

Today many new bathroom remodeling jobs include Jacuzzi tubs or whirlpool baths, along with separate showers. In addition there are a multitude of toilet, vanity, countertop and sink styles to choose from. Costs for these items vary widely.

If planned properly a bathroom remodeling project can be accomplished on a shoestring budget and still look like you’ve completely transformed the room. It depends only on your creativity and level of sweat equity. All new bathroom fixtures are not critical in remodeling a bathroom. Many fixtures can be restored to a brand new appearance with just a little time and sweat equity. In some cases, such as with toilets, it is frequently the preferred route. Older toilets use more water per flush than the new models. Though the new ones are environmentally friendlier, they have a reputation for clogging and thus many people choose to preserve their older toilets in a bathroom remodeling project.

The bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house. It is usually where you start and end your day. Thus the return on investment for remodeling a bathroom is fairly high.

Consequently it makes a great deal of sense to spend some money and remodel a bathroom, even if you do not plan on being in the house for a long time.

A bathroom remodeling project however can be a messy and annoying home improvement project. Frequently bathrooms are right off bedrooms or in the master bedroom. Consequently they can cause significant disruptions and cleanliness issues with your home. And the length of the disruption can take as long as a month or more, even when well planned out.

To mitigate the disruption of a bathroom remodeling project, planning is absolutely essential.

The first item to consider is whether you will do it yourself, or hire a general contractor.

Regardless of what route, a homeowner needs to first sketch out some bathroom remodeling ideas to ensure the bathroom design and cost estimates will meet their targeted functional requirements and budget. If a general contractor is to be hired these initial sketches will be helpful in communicating your bathroom remodeling plans and ideas.

During the planning phase, you should identify the main objectives of the future bathroom. Is a Jacuzzi or whirlpool tub desired? Is a pedestal sink preferred over a traditional vanity? You should research the latest products on the market including: cabinets/vanities, countertops, toilets, shower/tubs and flooring. Also, homeowners are now more frequently using tile in bathrooms, both on the floors and walls. Tile adds a look of elegance to a bathroom that is not captured with vinyl or Linoleum flooring materials.

It is also important to consider any structural changes to the existing bathroom area. In particular, if a Jacuzzi or whirlpool tub is to be installed a deck area will probably need to be framed in. In addition, if overhead lighting is desired then soffits may need to be framed in.

Your initial sketches of your bathroom remodeling plan should include the basic layout of the bathroom with the toilet, shower/tub and vanity locations identified. In addition, dimensions should be included in the sketches. Also, if there are already known preferred manufacturers for the various bathroom utilities then they should also be included on the sketches. Once the sketches have been completed it is time to contact a remodeling general contractor. They should be able to work from your sketches to develop a firm fixed quotation on the bathroom remodeling project.

For more help on remodeling your bathroom, see HomeAdditionPlus.com’s Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet. The Bathroom Remodeling Bid Sheet will help ensure that your bathroom remodeling project goes smoothly and you get the finished bathroom you are looking for. In addition, it will help to ensure that your remodeled bathroom will be accomplished on time and on budget.

Over the past 20+ years Mark Donovan has been involved with building homes and additions to homes. His projects have included: building a vacation home, building additions and garages on to existing homes, and finishing unfinished homes. For more home improvement information visit http://www.homeadditionplus.com and http://www.homeaddition.blogspot.com

Cottage Style Home Decorating: 10 Tips for Memorable Memorabilia

2006-04-10T14:45:00.000-07:00

A “homey” cottage look can be created by showcasing some of your favorite memorabilia in creative ways.

10 Tips:

1. Postcard Pleasure. Frame favorite postcards in “floating glass frames” so you can see both sides of the card. You can place several postcards in an overlapping design in one large frame, or frame them individually and hang several frames together.

2. Shell Chic. Shells collected from your travels or the local beach make wonderful decorative memories. Put them in a large clear glass “lemonade jar” with a lid, display them on your fireplace mantel, or arrange some along with some colored rocks or plain colored Christmas ornaments to add color to a room.

3. Card Cozy. Get all those greeting cards that friends and family have given you over the years out of the attic. Put them in a variety of frames and hang them together in a hallway or stairway for a lovely “ art gallery” effect.

4. Scrumptious Scrapbooks. Make a colorful scrapbook for each child in your family. Include school certificates, photos, and other life mementos. Use beautiful albums that will be a decorative touch on a coffee table.

5. Bulletin Board Beauty. Purchase a huge bulletin board for a hallway and post photos of your family, travels, and life events. It makes a colorful and fun conversation piece. You can paint the wooden border to match your décor. I have done this and have received many compliments on my display.

6. Grandma’s Shadowbox. Use a ready-made shadow box to frame and display Grandma’s old hankie, crocheted doily, glasses, etc. A velvet background makes an elegant touch.

7. Creative Coffee Table. Purchase a coffee table that has a glass top with space underneath to display your favorite collectibles. Place small seashells, postcards, spoons, or any other collectible there for clear viewing.

8. Blow-Up Bliss. Enlarge an old photo to poster size and frame in an antique looking frame for an interesting piece of art.

9. Wicker Wonder. Purchase wicker baskets lined with pretty print fabric and store old love letters and greeting cards in them.

10. Photo Box Finesse. Purchase colorful photo boxes found at craft stores in prints that match your décor and use them to store old photos, letters, and greeting cards. They stack well for storage and the variety of colors and patterns will add charm to your room’s décor.

Look around your home for some clever ways to display your family’s memorabilia and give your cottage some personal creative flair on a dollarwise budget.

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.

Home Decor Accessories - How to Create a New Look in a Room

2006-04-10T14:42:00.000-07:00

Apart from complimenting your newly painted walls with soft furnishings and effective flooring, home decor accessories in a room are just as equally important. Accessories ranging from flowers in a contemporary vase to art pictures hanging on your walls, all add the finishing touches to any room. Above all, accessories add personality to a room, they inject your own personal touch making your home unique to you and comfortable and inviting for you and your family.

Decorating with Art Pictures

You will be surprised at the important role that art pictures play in home decor accessories. Not only do pictures add your own personality into the room, they absorb noise and can actually help change the illusion of a rooms' shape if placed in the right places. For example:

horizontal landscape pictures help widen a room;

Portrait floral pictures help give the illusion of height; and

one large picture reflected through a mirror gives the sensation of additional broader space.

Creating Art Arrangements:-

For a maximum effect and to make interesting wall arrangements that can become a dynamic focal point of the room, try to hang smaller pictures in a cluster.

If you hang an even number of smaller prints tightly together in a cluster, this will help balance out a large space and give a window effect in a small space. Remember to hang the prints together tightly to create one unit and one focal point.

For larger pictures, place them in proportion to the furniture. For example, hang a large picture approximately six to nine inches above a sofa or at eye level. By hanging a larger print too high above any piece of furniture can leave both pieces feeling disconnected.

Tips Before Hanging Art:-

Before hanging any art on a wall, try different combinations of arrangements. Use painter's tape and brown paper bags and keep rearranging the bits of paper on the wall until you have come up with a great picture arrangement.

Always hang prints at eye level and use your hand in between pictures as a guide to space large and medium sized pictures.

Create Illusions with Mirrors

Mirrors are great to help create the illusion of space. By cleverly placing mirrors on an adjacent wall to a picture or something which is interesting in your room, will reflect the image and add a sense of space.

For darker rooms, hang a decorative mirror near a window. The light will then bounce off the mirror into the room portraying more natural much-needed light back into the area.

To give the illusion of depth in a room paint one of your walls in a darker contrasting color to your other walls. Then hang a mirror on that darker wall. This instantly gives the additional sense of depth to the dimensions of the room.

Lighten-up with Light Fixtures

Light fittings are one of the most important elements of home decor accessories as they set the ambience of the room. By using different types of lighting you can create different moods on different areas of the room, at different times of the day.

For example:-

accent lighting such as a spot light is used to emphasize wall paintings, ornaments or other interesting areas in a room;

soft lighting used by small wall light fittings or table lamps, help create a gentle romantic mood;

general lighting such as a ceiling center light, strip light or bright wall lamps are used for everyday purposes.

Tip: use a dimmer switch to create different moods with your lighting.

Adding Color with Flowers & Plants

Fresh flowers are always a wonderful accessory in a home. They are easy to blend in with any rooms accent and you can swap and change the color, type of flower and position at any time.

They are such an easy and adaptable accessory to have. If you are allergic to flowers, try silk flowers instead - sometimes it is hard to distinguish between real flowers and silk ones...

By placing plants throughout your home helps add natural color, texture, and also softens the area making it more appealing to spend time there. Don't forget to use attractive plant pots and containers for your plants - they are a home decor accessory too!

Area Rugs and Textiles

Area Rugs:-

Area rugs add warmth and texture to a room. They help soften wooden or hard floors and add contrasting colors and patterns into the room.

First you must determine what you want the rug for - is it a focal point? or do you want to group furniture on it? Secondly, you must measure what size rug you need before you go shopping.

Other Textiles:-

By using other types of textile home decor accessories, you can create additional comfort and softness in using:-

scatter cushions made with different types of material;

throws on your sofa or lounge chair;

napkins, place mats and tablecloths in the dining room or kitchen;

Summary

Home decor accessories play a crucial part in your home decorating. Even if you don't need to repaint your walls, you can still change the look of your room. By rearranging furniture and wall pictures, adding soft light fixtures, flowers arrangements and plants, the placement of an area rug and using different textiles in a room, all help create a new look to reflect you and your personality.

Claire Bowes is a freelance writer and the owner of flower-pictures-n-posters.com and landscape-pictures-n-posters.com. In addition to fine-art prints, these two sites offer landscape photography prints and flower posters.

YWCA opens home decor store

2006-04-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

The YWCA of Pueblo proudly announces the grand opening of their new furniture store, “Repeat Home Furnishings: Gently Used Furniture & Accessories, consignments and donations benefiting the YWCA of Pueblo”.

Repeat Home Furnishings offers a wide range of gently used home furnishing merchandise and accessories at affordable prices.

A ribbon cutting will be held Wed, Apr 5 at 10 am in conjunction with the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce and the Latino Chamber of Commerce to celebrate this historic occasion.

In the interest of maintaining the YWCA’s self-sufficiency and diversifying revenue streams, proceeds from Repeat Home Furnishings will benefit the premier programs of the YWCA of Pueblo including: the Family Crisis Shelter, the Child Witness to Domestic Violence Counseling Program, the Warm Water Aquatics Program, the Children’s Learning Center at PCC and the Infant, Toddler and Preschool Development Center at Keating.

Repeat Home Furnishings will also offer the women of the Family Crisis Shelter program the opportunity to obtain job experience while working at the store. Many women seeking refuge from domestic violence are without work related skills. The YWCA is proud of this opportunity to make an even bigger impact in the lives of these women who are on the road to self-sufficiency.

The YWCA of Pueblo has been in existence in our community since 1914. Throughout the years, women’s needs have changed and in 1978, the YWCA became a place of refuge and healing for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.Now, in 2006, the YWCA of Pueblo is proud to take our mission to the next level by providing additional opportunities for women in our community.

For information regarding donating your gently used furniture and home accessory items, please contact Alis Mehess, Store Manager at 544-1776.

Repeat Home Furnishings is located at 115 Broadway, the telephone number is 544-1776. They are open from 10 am - 5:30 pm, Tue - Fri; and Sat, 10 am - 4 pm.

Seven Interior Design Psychology Ideas for Dining Pleasure

2006-04-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

A separate dining room adds glamour, elegance, and excitement to a shared meal. Celebratory, sociable space, apart from the confusion of the kitchen, makes every dinner more meaningful.

1. A round dining table is less formal and aides in full conversation, with everyone participating together.

2. For comfortable dining, the seat height feels best when it is nine inches from the table top.

3. White and light colored tablecloths reflect light upwards providing more illumination for large parties.

4. Dark wood absorbs the light for intimate dining, keeping the room moody and romantic.

5. Gold lamae fabric sparkles under lace tablecloths.

6. Stemware gives a buoyant, bubbly, and upbeat feeling.

7. White china, green napkins, heavy cut glass, even for young families (liquids taste better in glasses than in plastic), and candlelight make an ordinary meal taste scrumptious.

Copyright (c) 2004 by Jeanette J. Fisher

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

Home decor, with personality

2006-04-05T09:14:00.000-07:00

Working The Dream
By Stephane Massinon

The Daily NewsEditor's note: Earlier this year, we set out to learn what it's like to be your own boss: The ups, the downs, and the right out of left field.Based on the belief of the importance of entrepreneurialism, and the fact that Atlantic Canadian businesses have the highest first-year failure rates in Canada, we sought to follow entrepreneurs for a year to tell their stories.First we introduced them....

http://www.hfxnews.ca/index.cfm?sid=4994&sc=4

Remodeling On A Budget | Basic Ideas

2006-04-05T09:12:00.000-07:00

The basics of remodeling on a budget are not difficult to comprehend, but in most cases they are completely overlooked. Why is that you ask? The main reasoning is that people generally become very focused on the final outcome of the project and what it is going to look like when completed. Careful planning of the funds needed to get there is sometimes a secondary consideration, and one large reason why alot of projects get started but not finished. A little upfront planning can go a long way in achieving your remodeling goals.

The first step in creating your budget is to make a checklist of the prices of all the products you'll need to purchase. These don't need to be final prices at this point, just general ballpark costs. Try to be as accurate as possible, knowing that the final tally will be a small percentage different. You can walk around your local home improvement store or browse the internet to get some good quotes. You can even compare different suppliers and keep track of the best prices at this point.

If you don't plan on doing all the work yourself, you will need to factor in labor costs. The best way to do this is to ask contractors to bid on the project. Try to have all the products picked out ahead of time, as this will allow the contractor to give you an accurate estimate. Carefully examine each of the bids to make sure they include a breakdown of all the components so there are no surprises in the end. Not only should you compare the final prices, but also compare each detail. You can leverage these to make sure you are getting the most work for your money. Be courteous and professional when doing this, and expect the same from the contractor.

Once you have selected a bid, and you have your material costs mapped out as well, it's time to review your current financial position. Do you have the excess capital to pay for the remodeling project outright? If not, you will need to either borrow from family members or take out a loan.

If you go this route, make sure you can make the monthly payments without sacrificing your quality of life. You should also try to set aside an extra 15 percent of the entire budget for any unexpected expenses, or last minute ideas you have.

Now that you are ready to start, remember to stay within your budget. Question anything the contractor says regarding additional costs, and question any changes you are pondering making.

Since you took the time upfront to create a budget, it would be within your best interest to not stray from it. If you think of something that really needs to get in there, try to scale back on another area to make up the difference. Avoid adding too many extra details as these will quickly add up.

If you take the time to create a remodeling budget correctly, you will tremendously increase the chances of satisfaction with the project. Pick the right materials and contractors, or do the work yourself to save money. There is plenty of information available to help you get through just about any type of home improvement project.

James McDonald writes for easyhomeimprovements.net where you can find many DIY bathroom plumbing ideas, and other tips to give your home some new life. Browse our product recommendations and read our latest articles.

Home Decorating Magazines! How to Choose the Right One?

2006-04-01T09:16:00.000-08:00

There are very wonderful publications available right now for the readers and enthusiasts in home decorating. Let's see how to choose the right home decorating magazine. What are the bare minimum factors that a magazine should include?

1) A home decorating magazine is nothing without photographs. It is a common saying that "a picture is worth a thousand words", that's why a home decorating magazine must have color photographs, that are relevant to the text written.

But here is a little secret about these photographs that go in a decorating magazine. All these photos are captured by expert and professional photographers and these experts have been trained to make look these interior spaces good and impressive. If you actually physically visit the places in the photographs, you might get a different impression about the space. So what's the point here. While selecting the home decorating magazine see that you get photographs by experts and also some real life photographs captured by non-experts to show the real thing.

2) Does the magazine focus only on a certain area/niche of decorating such as wallpapers, furniture, color schemes, interior lighting then don't go for it. Such kind of "focused on a niche" magazines is good if you are an expert yourself in that niche. For example if you are an expert in "interior lighting" then it would be nice to look for lighting magazines to improve your knowledge or even as a place to advertise your services.

3) What kind of articles does the magazine publish? Who are the writers? Are there any "how to" articles that help fixing a specific problem?

Of course this is the job of the editor of the magazine, but as a reader it's your job to see what do you get against your investment.

4) Are there different sections reserved for the ads of the merchants that go in the magazines?

How many pages have been reserved for the ads. It can't happen that a magazine is 100% without ads and neither should it, but check for the ratio of pages of quality information against number of ads.

5) Check some previous issues of the magazine. When was it first published? Is it consistent in providing quality information from then onwards? Is the publisher consistent and efficient about maintaining the schedule of the publication primarily promised.

6) Finally look for a general look and feel of the publication. You don't have to be an expert in this. A well managed company will always have a wonderfully designed and packaged magazine for their readers.

I hope this was enough to start your own detecting alarm in your mind to look for the right home decorating magazine you are looking for.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Visit shrinivas Vaidya's website to get a free listing of top 5 best selling home decorating magazines carefully selected, so that you get the best quality information for all your decorating needs.

Introducing ArtCorner - the Oil Paintings, Art and Wall Decor Corner

2006-03-31T08:14:00.000-08:00

Home décor trends turn just as relentlessly as clothing fashions -- they just cycle at a slower pace. Staying current and abreast of what is happening in the Art World and the Interior Design Community is of great importance and assistance to Interior Designers and home decorators.

[ArtCorner’s mission is to provide a daily dose of information and insights to readers who want to stay informed concerning: What's hot in home décor? What are some tips to "spring-up" your home? What oil paintings have been influential in the news? What are the hot color trends this year? How to use the right lighting? How to take care of your oil paintings? This type of information is exchanged, on ArtCorner, by blogers and art décor professionals.

ArtCorner is not just another blog. This blog captures something more then just information. There are unique articles and insights into the art community. The blog enlightens the reader concerning art and décor trends that last. This effective and informative blog can be utilized as a tool for both the novice and the professional in enhancing space.

The blog’s features will include:

- Daily postings from OverstockArt clients and personnel regarding inside information from the art and wall décor industry.

- Comments and questions from avid readers from the OverstockArt community and Interior Design industry.

- Important links and references to the best ArtCorner

-related blogs and web sites on the Internet.

ArtCorner is also in close contact with prominent art institutes and will publish scholastic insights from students and educators.

ArtCorner will also feature categorized archives to allow readers to search focused blog topics, including:

- About various artists

- Art genera and styles

- Expert Advice and Interior design tips

- Hot news from the art community

- Changing trends in the interior design world

- Hot new artists

- Live Ideas

The ArtCorner blog is the brain child of OverstockArt.com. It can supply the art and décor lover with more then just another information source. ArtCorner combines the powerful communication tool that makes blogs so powerful with expert insight from art and décor professionals.

Want to stay on top of Art and Home Décor? ArtCorner.com and OverstockArt.com will do the work for you.
# # #
OVERSTOCK ART LLCAmitai Sasson3166166738E-mail Information Trackback URL:

Design Tips for a Spacious and Family-friendly Living Room

2006-03-31T08:07:00.000-08:00

The living room is such an important room of the house. This is where you receive your guests. These are some of my ideas for decorating the living room. In fact, the trend these days is to have a large room where all the different common activities like dining, working, playing, studying, TV watching can be done altogether. The idea is to get premium use of space available.

Ideally, these different functions can be separated by dividing the areas with cabinets, shelves or partition. Another trick is to change the floor covering too. The living room is a busy area so it is crucial to allow wide pathways for easy entry into and out of the living room. You want to be practical too. Get a carpet that is easy to clean and maintain. I recommend getting leather sofa sets as they are easy to maintain. You want furniture to be flexible and multi functional too.

Look for tables with storage space. Instead of leaving your keys, wallets and mobile phone on the table you can keep them in the drawers. It prevents cluttering. Look for sofas and couches which have drawers to keep your stuff. Choose storage chests that can used as tables, storage or seating. Save space by using storage units that come with sliding doors. Storage units with doors or drawers require space when you open the cabinet doors or drawers. Create the illusion of space by getting small furniture which makes the living room much bigger. Put decorative items such as books on open storage shelves, glass cabinets and tables. Make sure they are arranged in a neat and clean manner as they are visible. Non decorative and unsightly items should be stored in closed storage units like cupboard and chest with drawers. Find light and versatile furniture which is easy to move around.

For example, consider using steel and plastic chairs instead of wooden chairs. Look out for stools which are smaller and are stackable too. Are children playing and also studying in this area? Get them open storage boxes and baskets to keep their toys and books in them. What else can you do to make cleaning of the living room easier? Simple, throw away all your junk and rubbish.

Throw away old and unwanted newspaper, toys and books. Use light colors for painting of your walls. This makes the room look bigger too.You want proportion in your layout of furniture. You want to be able to entertain as many guests as possible. Create several seating areas by gathering a few chairs and a small table for each seating area. Small groups of people can gather for casual chit chat and small talk. If there is only one sofa suite then only one person is the focus of attention and less participation is possible among the guests. Make sure the coffee table is within easy reach of the armchairs and sofas. Do put end tables and side tables next to chairs as well. Guests can reach their food and drinks, reading material and perhaps TV remote controls.

You don't have to incur huge expenditure to update your living room decor. One simple trick is to re-arrange your furniture and presto, it seems like a new living room. Painting fresh coat of paint is relatively cheap too.

Find more living room solutions at http://www.buy-furniture.net/living-room.html and http://www.colormyhome.com/paint.html

Design Tips for a Spacious and Family-friendly Living Room

2006-03-30T08:24:00.000-08:00

The living room is such an important room of the house. This is where you receive your guests.

These are some of my ideas for decorating the living room. In fact, the trend these days is to have a large room where all the different common activities like dining, working, playing, studying, TV watching can be done altogether. The idea is to get premium use of space available.

Ideally, these different functions can be separated by dividing the areas with cabinets, shelves or partition. Another trick is to change the floor covering too. The living room is a busy area so it is crucial to allow wide pathways for easy entry into and out of the living room. You want to be practical too. Get a carpet that is easy to clean and maintain. I recommend getting leather sofa sets as they are easy to maintain. You want furniture to be flexible and multi functional too.

Look for tables with storage space. Instead of leaving your keys, wallets and mobile phone on the table you can keep them in the drawers. It prevents cluttering. Look for sofas and couches which have drawers to keep your stuff. Choose storage chests that can used as tables, storage or seating. Save space by using storage units that come with sliding doors. Storage units with doors or drawers require space when you open the cabinet doors or drawers. Create the illusion of space by getting small furniture which makes the living room much bigger. Put decorative items such as books on open storage shelves, glass cabinets and tables. Make sure they are arranged in a neat and clean manner as they are visible. Non decorative and unsightly items should be stored in closed storage units like cupboard and chest with drawers. Find light and versatile furniture which is easy to move around.

For example, consider using steel and plastic chairs instead of wooden chairs. Look out for stools which are smaller and are stackable too. Are children playing and also studying in this area? Get them open storage boxes and baskets to keep their toys and books in them. What else can you do to make cleaning of the living room easier? Simple, throw away all your junk and rubbish.

Throw away old and unwanted newspaper, toys and books. Use light colors for painting of your walls. This makes the room look bigger too.You want proportion in your layout of furniture. You want to be able to entertain as many guests as possible. Create several seating areas by gathering a few chairs and a small table for each seating area. Small groups of people can gather for casual chit chat and small talk. If there is only one sofa suite then only one person is the focus of attention and less participation is possible among the guests. Make sure the coffee table is within easy reach of the armchairs and sofas. Do put end tables and side tables next to chairs as well. Guests can reach their food and drinks, reading material and perhaps TV remote controls.

You don't have to incur huge expenditure to update your living room decor. One simple trick is to re-arrange your furniture and presto, it seems like a new living room. Painting fresh coat of paint is relatively cheap too.

Find more living room solutions at http://www.buy-furniture.net/living-room.html and http://www.colormyhome.com/paint.html

How To Choose The Right Lamp Shades That Will Compliment Your Decor Perfectly

2006-03-28T08:08:00.000-08:00

The right lighting can change a room from bright and cheery to warm and subtle simply by a turn of the knob or switch of a button. So choosing the right lamps and lighting fixtures is something you will want to spend some time and money doing. If you are remodeling your home there are some key accessorizing details you should consider such as window treatments whether they are blinds, shades or shutters, decorative pillows which can add some color and design to the space as well as floor lamps, table lamps and their lamp shades. The lighting in the room can change the mood and atmosphere in mere seconds but you need the right lampshades to create this effect. Most interior designers will recommend a lamp shade that is not white or off white. With the right lamp shades, you can create a visually stimulating effect with the space.

So if you want to make an impact with your room’s décor, picking out the right lamps and shades would be a great place to start.

If you are trying to add warmth and color to a room, colored and patterned lamp shades are perfect. Many people tend to gravitate towards white or cream colored shades where a colored lamp shade is more appropriate. The warmth is created by the way the shade can disburse the light. But not only is color an important aspect of the perfect lampshades, the shape of the shades is also critical. Having a lamp shade that is either too big or too small for the light fixture can look odd and out of place. It is important that you match shape of the shade with the shape of the floor lamp or table lamp. Don’t try and use the same shape on all your lighting fixtures.

Pick each one out individually and don’t panic if you can’t find exactly what you are looking for.

There are some interior decorating rules when selecting the right size of lamp shades for your lighting fixtures. Here are some tips when shopping for your lampshades. First, the shade must be no smaller than one-third of the height of the light fixture. Most people tend to buy a lamp shades that are too large for the base thinking bigger is better. Just keep tip number one in mind when you are shopping. Second, the lamp shade must cover the fixture’s hardware and should come just up to the top of the lamp base. The best part about buying new lamps is that you can coordinate them throughout your home or you can choose different lamps to create a different look and feel in every room. The selection of floor lamps, table lamps, chandeliers, antique lamps, Tiffany style lamps is simply amazing. Remember to have fun when picking out the perfect fixtures for your home because home decorating should be fun and adventuresome.

Amy-Jo Strutt is an expert author on home decorating and regular contributor to http://www.lamp-shades-lampshades.com your total resource on lamp shades, table lamps, desk lamps, chandeliers and Tiffany lamps. http://www.lamp-shades-lampshades.com/Floor-Lamps.html

The Effect of Light on Color

2006-03-28T08:06:00.000-08:00

Licensed interior designers and color consultants consider the direction a room faces. Whether it is north, south, east, or west, makes a great deal of difference to the choice of color scheme. For instance, a bedroom that faces east and receives strong sunlight in the early morning will look very different when next seen late at night in artificial lighting. A west-facing room that has a warm glow in the evening can look dull in the mornings. Your choice do colors should take this into account.

Of course, an ideal aspect is not always possible for everyone. City flats may enjoy little naturally available light and be overlooked on all sides. A north-facing room can expect less sun than a south or west facing one; but whatever the aspect, with clever lighting and color scheming the interior can be made to feel welcoming and attractive. The style of house you live in can also make a great deal of difference to the amount of available light in an interior. A country cottage may be in a superbly sunny location but have low ceiling and tiny windows, which can make the interior, feel dark and gloomy.

Modern homes with spacious open-plan interior and large picture windows will be even more affected by their characteristic and seasonal changes. If there is a living room with a patio or conservatory attached which is used as an additional seating area during the summer but not in winter, the decor will have to be flexible enough to accommodate the changes. For people in doubt over lighting and color schemes some top interior designers suggest painting a room white before making a final color choice.

This is a good way to observe how changes in natural light affect an interior and helps you make the most of it when choosing a color scheme. Window and walls will appear darker as they only receive reflected light; ceiling always looks darker than walls painted the same color. The effect of artificial lighting on curtains is better seen if a sample gauge of fabric is pleated and held upright. Put samples flat on the floor and move them around the room to see how different positions and lighting conditions can affect the color.

About The Author:

Roger King has been involved in home interior painting for several years, and has been helping people find and review the best value for interior painting solutions.
Visit his Web site http://www.decorativeinteriorpainting.com to learn more about this service.

Home Decorating Tips - How to Change a Rooms Dimension using Wall Pictures

2006-03-23T08:21:00.000-08:00

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 freelance writer and the owner of flower-pictures-n-posters.com and landscape-pictures-n-posters.com. In addition to fine-art prints, these two sites offer landscape photography prints and flower posters

Don't Hire Someone to Steal Your Joy: Decorate Your Home Yourself!

2006-03-23T08:05:00.001-08:00

In researching what makes people happy, I discovered that "Planning" makes us happy. Therefore, why should a homemaker turn over planning to an interior designer who creates homes to make money and impress others? Furthermore, most designers ignore the important outcome of creating a home, which is to support the emotional well-being of the residents.

Most of us enjoy looking for that perfect accessory, daydreaming about colors for our rooms, and planning a new look for our home. You know yourself best. Don't give all the happy moments of planning and choosing decorating details to paid professionals. Reserve the enjoyment of designing your home for yourself.

Homes decorated to support desired emotions create happy spaces for joyful living. Design Psychology, a new method for residential exterior and interior design helps you choose home improvements and furnishings for your happiness and productivity.

Follow the first and only rule of decorating for happy living: "Design happy spaces." Choose design ideas for your pleasure as well as individual needs. Design spaces to give you and others comfort, reassurance, and merriment.

For instance, take the use of a room and ask yourself how you need to feel in this space? Did you answer calm and serene or awake and energized?

Beyond issues of style, elements of color, textures, patterns, and lighting influence the way we feel both physiologically and psychologically. This means that your body reacts to the design details in your home; and, your emotions react as well.

Home decoration is not a permanent state because our rooms evolve as our lives change. Don't be afraid of making mistakes -- enjoy the process and focus on your goal of providing pleasurable daily moments in your home.

(c) Copyright, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

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

Don't Hire Someone to Steal Your Joy: Decorate Your Home Yourself!

2006-03-23T08:05:00.000-08:00

In researching what makes people happy, I discovered that "Planning" makes us happy. Therefore, why should a homemaker turn over planning to an interior designer who creates homes to make money and impress others?

Furthermore, most designers ignore the important outcome of creating a home, which is to support the emotional well-being of the residents.

Most of us enjoy looking for that perfect accessory, daydreaming about colors for our rooms, and planning a new look for our home. You know yourself best. Don't give all the happy moments of planning and choosing decorating details to paid professionals. Reserve the enjoyment of designing your home for yourself.

Homes decorated to support desired emotions create happy spaces for joyful living. Design Psychology, a new method for residential exterior and interior design helps you choose home improvements and furnishings for your happiness and productivity.

Follow the first and only rule of decorating for happy living: "Design happy spaces." Choose design ideas for your pleasure as well as individual needs. Design spaces to give you and others comfort, reassurance, and merriment.

For instance, take the use of a room and ask yourself how you need to feel in this space? Did you answer calm and serene or awake and energized?

Beyond issues of style, elements of color, textures, patterns, and lighting influence the way we feel both physiologically and psychologically. This means that your body reacts to the design details in your home; and, your emotions react as well.

Home decoration is not a permanent state because our rooms evolve as our lives change. Don't be afraid of making mistakes -- enjoy the process and focus on your goal of providing pleasurable daily moments in your home.

(c) Copyright, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

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

Throw Cushions - The Simple Solution for Decorating on a Budget

2006-03-22T07:34:00.000-08:00

One idea that has repeatedly been over looked by people who are trying to redecorate on a budget is the addition of throw cushions. A quality cushion, with the right mix of colours, is a small, yet significant way to enliven any room and a trick that many designers and decorators utilize to enhance and finish a room.

Cushions are an easy and attractive way to brighten, bring together, and transform the fundamentals of decor in a room. They can also be used to accentuate and highlight feature of a room by drawing attention to it.

You can also change the feel of your room in an instant!

Throw cushions are a fantastic opportunity to bring some contrast into a dull room. Try adding bright coloured cushions to bring light into a dark room and dark coloured ones for a light one and you can try adding any sort of bold colour to a neutral room!

Accessorize according to your mood or alternatively change the decor each season. Add warm, rich accent colours such as red and gold in heavy fabrics such as faux fur and velvet in the winter. For the summer, change to cool, serene shades such as light blue and yellow in fabrics such as cotton or linen

Spruce up your old sofa in an instant!

Sometimes the smallest changes revitalize a tired design. The same old worn looking sofa suddenly appears so much better just by adding a few carefully selected throw cushions. Add a touch of drama with colourful cushions if the upholstery is plain. Experiment with printed patterns such as floral, check or striped cushion covers. If you’re feeling adventurous or indulgent go for animal prints, faux furs and Mongolian wools. If your sofas covers are printed then opt for plain colours to avoid a ‘busy’ look, try faux suede, cotton, satin or lace cushion covers.

A pile of large throw cushion in any room provides the perfect spot for lounging so create your own oasis for reading, listening to your favourite music or for meditating and don’t forget that your bedroom and the children’s room can be brightened up with a host of soft, snugly and cheerful cushions too.

So next time you feel the urge for a change don’t spend all your holiday savings on wallpaper, paints and new furniture, just use some creative flair and a good selection of throw cushions.
Jenny Edwards is the operations manager of Arboreta Garden Furniture Store

(http://www.arboreta.co.uk/catalog/Home-Accessories.aspx). She is responsible for the buying and importing of new products.

Cottage Style Home Decorating: Sign of the Times-10 Tips for Decorating Your Cottage With Clever Si

2006-03-20T12:58:00.000-08:00

"Welcome" signs often charmingly grace the gate or front door of a cozy cottage, beckoning visitors to come inside. You can add even more color and whimsy both inside and outside your cottage by easily and inexpensively making clever signs yourself with a little plywood, a jigsaw, and some paint.

10 Tips:

1. Secret Garden. This is a sweet sign to put on a garden gate. Or, hand paint the words onto a cleverly cut-out sign, nail it to a stake, and insert it into a flower pot on your patio.

2. To the Beach. A piece of wood with one end cut out in the shape of a hand with the pointer finger that points and says “To the Beach” adds whimsy and charm.

3. Quirky Quotes. Paint a sign and add a short favorite quote to express your personality. I have a favorite sign in my home by poet Emily Dickinson that says, “Dwell in Possibility.”

4. Seaside Serenade. Paint a sign sea-blue, glue some sand and shells along the bottom, and write the often-seen saying, “If you’re lucky enough to live at the beach you’re lucky enough” on it for a welcome to your beach cottage.

5. Bon Appetit. Paint a sign to match the colors in your kitchen with the words “Bon Appetit” on it.

6. Post-It Notes. Paint and nail several signs pointing in opposite directions on a lamp post outside your cottage with words on them such as “Beach,” “For the Birds,” “Bloomingdales,” “Yacht Club,” or “Johnson Wedding.”

7. Bathroom Bliss. Post a sign on your bathroom door that says “Powder Room” or “Ladies’ Room.”

8. Home Office Haven. Post an “Office” sign on your office door that matches your room’s décor.

9. High Maintenance. Tired of noise and need a nap? Embroider the words “High Maintenance, Please Do Not Disturb” on a small pillow with a rope attached for hanging on your bedroom doorknob.

10. Rock of Ages. Find a flat river rock, paint “Paradise Found” and some pretty flowers on it and place it in a pot in your garden.

So…what “sign of the times” will you come up with to express yourself in “sign language” in your own cottage style home?!

Visit Kathryn Bechen Designs 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.

5 Powder Room Ideas for Powder Room Designs

2006-03-20T12:57:00.000-08:00

Powder room ideas can help you create perfect powder room designs. Another name for a powder room is the 'half bathroom' or the 'guest bath'.

The purpose of a powder room is to provide a place to groom while main bathrooms are being used in busy morning and evening times. And the powder room can function as a bathroom for guests so they do not have to use your main bathrooms. The most basic powder room designs include faucets, a toilet and a sink and mirror. Powder room ideas could include using a pedestal sink, a small corner-mounted sink or small sink/vanity with a mirror over the sink or vanity.

If your powder room will only be used occasionally, you do not have to be quite so concerned about the durability of the fixtures as in the bathrooms that are used frequently. You can pay more attention to the powder room's appearance, using more elaborate fixtures. You'll definitely want the powder room to reflect the architectural style of your home. You would not want to have a Victorian home with a contemporary powder room, for example.

Here are five powder room ideas to consider for powder room designs:

1. Powder Room Designs and Square Footage - common dimensions of small powder rooms are 3x6, 4x4 and 4x5 feet, the size of a smaller closet or laundry area. You can easily find small bathroom fixtures designed for these sizes of powder rooms. Powder room sizes should be proportional to the square footage of your house. If your home is large, you may want to build your powder room with one or two sinks, more countertop space, tub/shower and ample storage space. Powder rooms designs with dimensions of 5x7, 5x9 or 6x8 are still modest, but they will provide you more room for storage and grooming supplies.

2. Locate the Powder Room Near an Existing Bathroom - another of the powder room ideas is to locate the new powder room near an existing bathroom. If your home has different floor levels, stack the bathrooms one over the other. This way, you will be using the same plumbing lines for both of the rooms which will save considerably.

3. Budget for Good Lighting - use both artificial and natural lighting if possible to avoid shadowy corners. A small powder room should have wall sconces, task lighting for applying makeup, general lighting and a larger well-lit mirror. If there's no window, consider adding a wall skylight or a roof skylight to allow natural light into the powder room.

4. Be Careful When Mixing Materials and Textures - small powder rooms should not have a lot of materials and textures as it can become overwhelming. Use light colors and surfaces to make a small powder room appear more open and larger. Avoid frilly curtains. Use light colors, small tiles and simple patterns to help your powder room appear more spacious.

5. Use Mirrors to Enlarge the Room - using mirrors along the walls can be an attractive way to widen the powder room. Mirrors will create a sense of openness in the room, making the space appear larger than it actually is. Mirrors will also enhance the lighting in the room because of the reflecting capability of mirrors.

If you decide to sell your home, adding a powder room can be a good investment as potential buyers will enjoy buying a home with ample bathrooms for their family and guests.

Planning is the most important part of powder room designs before you actually begin the work. Try to get a clear picture of your powder room design and look. Keep all your powder room ideas in a notebook as you accumulate them. Look at bathroom books and magazines, visit showrooms and show homes and search online for powder room ideas that you like. Above all, have fun as you create the powder room design that will provide you with a very special room to enjoy for many years to come.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

See examples of powder room products available online and read more about bathroom layout, lighting, storage, bathroom vanities, small bathrooms, childrens bathrooms and more. Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.yourdreamloghome.com - a popular website for those who love homes

Using Art Prints With A Minimalist Home Decor

2006-03-18T07:24:00.000-08:00

Most decorators traditionally recommend a minimalist décor for many spaces, particularly small spaces such as apartments and guest houses. Unfortunately, many people believe that this means that the walls should be kept completely bare for a minimalist décor to work. Aren't pictures too flashy for a minimalist décor?

Art Prints: Perfect Complement to a Minimalist Decor

In a word: no, pictures are not too flashy to use with a minimalist décor. In a few more words: art prints are not too flashy for a minimalist décor, as long as you select your prints carefully. In fact, in rooms with minimalist decor, art prints add character and highlight the fact that the decor really is minimalist and not just neglected.

The trick with choosing art prints carefully is just to pick one print, or pick a few prints on a highly related subject or in a similar style, preferably all by the same artist. In a room with minimalist décor, the prints will easily get more attention than anything else in the room, so you want to be careful that the prints do not conflict with each other. An obvious example: if you really like Monet's paintings of water lilies, you could get several prints each of a different Monet painting of water lilies.

There is a special concern if your décor is not just minimalist but strikingly modernist (for instance, lots of simple furniture with clear angles or curves rather than carved woodwork). In a room with a particularly modernist décor, prints that are from an earlier era might seem out of place. Go with prints that were created more or less in the era in which your furniture was designed, or in which your furniture's design was most popular.

Obviously, there is a lot of room for personal judgment as to what goes with what, since modernist anything always was designed not to look as though it belonged to a particular period of time. It can be even more confusing if your modernist-looking furniture was really just designed to look spare in a general way rather than to hark to a particular school of design. In those cases, just try to go for something that looks like it matches, sticking to prints of artworks that are modern but that are not immediately recognizable as belonging to a specific decade.

If your furniture leans toward the 1950s and 60s style of modernism (the kind of playful curves that would be at home in a room with a sunburst clock on the wall), try prints of the work of a period artist such as Jackson Pollack. If your décor's modernism leans toward the seventies or eighties (e.g., glass-topped coffee tables and very spare design, you might be better off with Jasper Johns than Jackson Pollack.

Choosing Art Prints for Rooms with Multiple Colors

* Minimal does not necessarily mean subdued. Just look at the vibrant paintings of modern artist Mondrian, such as "Broadway Boogie Woogie", composed entirely of interlocking rectangles, square, triangles, and circles. If you'd like to keep your décor simple even with a striking color scheme, art prints can actually help. Here's why:

* Art prints pull together disparate colors in a room. A print gallery or website will be able to recommend the best art print based on the colors in your room. Some sites even have search engines that match a room's color scheme with appropriate art prints.

* When the furnishings in a room attract attention art prints make sure the walls provide visual interest, too, so the eye is not pulled relentlessly downward toward the furniture or rugs. Of course, you have to be careful not to give people a headache. As a rule of thumb, the more riotous the play of colors on the ground, the more orderly the play of colors on the walls should be. If the vibrant colors of your furnishings tend to swirl together, lend the room calm with artwork that takes those colors and presents them in neat lines and blocks.

* Art prints make it clear that your colorful décor is a well-rhymed composition, not just a loud burst of color. Visitors to your pad who see a blue couch, red end tables, and yellow lamps might well wonder what you were thinking--until they see a print of "Broadway Boogie Woogie," or other artwork that shows how these disparate colors really do belong together.

* In the end, there is beauty in the simplicity of a room with a minimalist interior design, and there is beauty in the art that takes the same simple approach. If you keep that fact in mind when choosing artwork for your minimalist room, you can make sure your décor is more than minimally beautiful.

About the Author:

Joel Walsh has written a buying guide for art prints at: http://www.a1-paintings.com?%20oil%20paintings

Decorate with Style by Choosing Appropriate Art for Your Room

2006-03-17T09:11:00.000-08:00

Like other accessories, artwork can either be disruptive and jarring to the eye or put the perfect finishing touch on any room. You can find many books in your local library or home decor store loaded with the "do's and don'ts" of artwork. However, one author's do is often another's don't, so it's not surprising that artwork can be a source of confusion.

There are many aspects to choosing artwork to complement your room, but if you get the two basic considerations right, you should be onl your way to a harmonious display.

A formal portrait in oil can look very out of place in a casual family room. Likewise, those posters that graced the walls of your college dorm probably aren't right for the living rooms of your post-student years. So the first step in choosing artwork for any room is to make sure that the piece is in harmony with the mood and style of the room. Evaluate the artwork by asking the following questions:

Is the piece suitable for formal or casual rooms?

While the formality of a piece can be modified to some extent with the type of frame and mat used, there are pieces which just don't make the transition well. On the other hand, there are many types of artwork which work equally well in formal or casual rooms. Artwork should always enhance the mood of the room and, in fact, can play a major role in establishing the appropriate mood.

Is the subject matter of the artwork appropriate for the room?

While many advise restricting depictions of food or dining scenes to the dining room or kitchen, I think it is more a question of the piece's style and that each piece should be evaluated based on its own character. It is, however, advisable to keep erotic art in private areas of the home, usually a bedroom. Very personal photos should also be confined to non-public areas of the home. If the subject matter is disturbing in any way, try to place the piece a room where the viewer has physical and emotional distance from it, such as a hallway. Never use pieces of this nature in dining rooms or bedrooms.

Is the quality of the piece suitable for the room?

An aspect of harmony often overlooked is the issue of quality. A room will look much more cohesive if everything in the room is of a similar quality. It holds true for artwork, as well. Bear in mind that the style and materials used in matting and framing can have a major impact on the overall quality of a piece.

The second basic consideration in choosing artwork for you room is the shape and size of the area in which the artwork will hang. If you draw a mental box around the wall space available for the piece, its shape will become immediately apparent to you. Vertical spaces should be filled with vertical artwork whose relative proportions approximate the shape of the wall area.

Horizontal wall spaces take horizontal pieces. Square spaces can be used for square or round frames. As to size, be guided by the size of the wall space as well as the scale of the furnishings immediately surrounding it.

Peggy Berk is an award-winning interior decorator and certified interior refiner who has worked with a wide variety of residential and commercial clients throughout the New York Metropolitan Tri-State Area and Florida. Her design firm, Area Aesthetics (http://www.areaaesthetics.com/), specializes in interior redesign, home staging and full service interior decorating. Peggy is the featured designer on the Home Decor Exchange where she answers readers' decorating questions and writes a column for "HDE Monthly." Author of many articles in her area of expertise, she also writes the monthly "Rental Redesign" column for Rental Decorating Digest.
To see before and after photos of her one-day room redesigns, read what New York's top real estate brokers have to say about her home staging services, or submit your decorating questions, visit her Web site at: http://www.areaaesthetics.com/

The Top Ten Mistakes People When Decorating a Room

2006-03-17T09:00:00.000-08:00

The saying “we all make mistakes” definitely rings true when we talk about decorating. It’s important that we realize that mistakes are just really good ways of finding out what NOT to do next time, a sort of ‘what not to let your house wear’ if you will. I’m going to start at number ten and work my way up to the number one mistake. Here they are:

10. Going Matchy-Poo-PooIf you are asking yourself ‘what does this mean?’ then you may yourself suffer from this problem. And that’s why it made the list. Most people who make this mistake don’t realize that it’s a mistake at all. For years large décor manufacturers and brand name home furniture stores have been trying to sell us a “set of lamps”, a “bedroom suite” a “complete living room”. It seems easy enough. You buy everything in one place and it’s all ‘guaranteed’ to work together. Unfortunately what they don’t tell you is that you can easily turn your new space into a ‘one-trick’ decorating disaster. Don’t be fooled into buying every piece of that living room furniture in the large floral print. Instead go for two pieces and a complimentary pattern or solid for the third. For example, you could purchase a sofa and a chair in the floral but find a loveseat from a different line, similar in scale and style but in a coordinating checked or striped pattern. This is perfectly acceptable practice and will save you from becoming another M-P-P statistic.

9. BEIGEAll that can be said here is that this color is giving ‘neutrals’ all over a bad reputation. With literally millions of colors to choose from and many of them considered ‘new neutrals,’ there are still many people picking ‘beige’ as the backdrop color for their home. Boring! Now, I have no problem with light neutrals and actually enjoy them for their versatility, but let’s take it up a notch and try something that is quiet and subdued but a little more fresh and updated. For those timid hearts out there let me suggest ICI color NW 4471 (Autumnal Equinox) or NN 4407 (Eldorado Tan). Even the names of these colors are more exciting than boring old ‘beige.’ These are a couple of great ‘neutrals’ that offer a little more life and warmth than the more commonly used light colors. However, they both still allow for lots of different color schemes and styles and won’t clash with your other ‘beige’ rooms. They also won’t put your walls to sleep with a case of the ‘ho-hums’.

8. Losing the MoodIs anything more tragic than ‘losing the mood’ in a bedroom full of miss-matched furnishings and accessories that just don’t belong together? Remember. Mood is very important. If you start decorating a room in the mood of ‘Victorian Romance’ then take a turn somewhere in the process to ‘Modern Minimalist’ design, you will end up with something that looks like what’s left in a décor clearance center the day after Boxing Day. No one wants that look. So, take a look at what you’ve got in the room and ask yourself: Is it all ‘flowing’ properly?

Is there any furniture or any accessory that doesn’t really ‘belong’ here? If so, remove the culprits and save them for another room in a whole other style. Leave only those bits that actually fit the ‘mood’ of the space.

7. Living Room’s Are For LIVINGIf your living room is ‘just for looking at’ then I’m talking to you here. If your family, friends and visitors wanted to visit a museum they would go to one. Your ‘living room’ is for LIVING! This seems obvious enough but for some reason there are a lot of people out there that haven’t spent a minute in their newly decorated living room. These are likely the same people that have their sofa wrapped in zippered plastic. Is this a sign that you think your visitors are ‘dirty’ and you don’t want them leaving their filth on your prized furniture? Now, that’s not nice. Sofas and carpets can be cleaned, coasters exist for a reason and your relatives really are not so messy and unclean are they?

6. Tipping the ScaleThis one can be tricky. There are so many ways to mess this up. First, it’s important that you keep ‘scale’ in mind when you purchase furnishings, artwork or mirrors. It is also important to think about this when picking patterns and accessories. To simplify, if your room is very big and is blessed with high ceilings, then you can feel safe purchasing a larger sized sofa and chairs. In some cases, where there is a very large room, you can consider purchasing two full sized sofas as well as a loveseat and a couple of large armchairs. It all depends on ‘scale’.

If your room is small and you can barely squeeze in a two-seater then this is where you should take the ‘less is more’ approach. Select a pair of smaller sized armchairs. Or for added style and comfort try a chaise lounge and an armchair of similar proportion. When choosing artwork, remember that if your room and your furniture is large in scale, then your artwork also needs to be big or else it will be ‘lost’ on the wall and look displaced and ‘cheap’. As I said before, this one can be tricky. You don’t want to ‘tip the scale’ too much, but you also want to avoid ‘matchy-poo-poo.’ Just remember: Big Room = Big Stuff, Little Room = Little Stuff.

5. Hey, Big Spender!Budgets. We all have them. But it would seem that some of us suffer from budget amnesia when we shop for home décor items. I speak from experience here. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is when you fall in love with that gorgeous, one of kind, perfect style accent lamp that costs more than your new furnace. This is a sure way to use up your whole budget on a very small part of the room you are creating. If you used the money towards a larger item, it would have a much bigger impact on the design. If you need to be reminded of this point again then please, the next time that you spot such a budget-buster at the décor store, pick up your cell phone and call your best friend, and she will tell you the same thing.

Trust me!

4. Too Much is Too MuchI know, it’s tempting to stuff your redesigned rooms full of all the fabulous finds you have, and to keep adding more things bit by bit as you continue to snag deals on great accessories. This is dangerous because you will very quickly have ‘too much.’ And too much is just……. too much! Try rotating your accent pieces, switching things occasionally for fun but don’t let your rooms become a virtual bazaar of goods and knick-knacks that could make anyone dizzy from ‘visual overload.’ I’m not saying that you have to take a minimalist approach all the time, but you don’t want your design to end up lost in the confusion of an over-crowded room.

3. Forgetting To RefreshJust because you redid your den a year ago, doesn’t mean you don’t need to do anything else with it. A lot can happen in a year. Trends come and go. Fads can fade.

Even some of the newest and greatest styles can disappear from the ‘style-radar.’ I’m not suggesting that you redo your whole room, just refresh it with a quick and easy ‘redesign’. Remove anything that is now ‘out of style’ but leave the basics as-is. Try changing the throw pillows on the couch to a different color or pattern. Give the walls a makeover by taking down the existing artwork and replacing it with something new. Or retrieve something that has been stored away in your basement just waiting for a chance to shine, and add new life to your room.

This should be fun so don’t stress about it, just take your time and enjoy the process.

2. Hocus, Pocus Where is The Focus?If your room has no focus then it’s missing a very important ingredient of good design. Every room needs to have a ‘focal point’ and if one does not already exist then you have to create one. In rooms that have a fireplace or a large picture window, the focus is obvious. But in rooms where there is no special architectural detail and no particular focal point, it helps to introduce a large piece of colorful artwork, a beautifully framed mirror or other interesting item that will draw the eye to it. If you are guilty of leaving a big blank wall as the focus of your room then you have made a serious mistake and you need to run out immediately and find something fabulous to put there.

1. Being Afraid to Break a RuleThis is the number one mistake…. for good reason. It’s the mistake that makes you afraid to make another mistake. That can lead to a vicious spiral of self-doubt, and bad decorating. What you don’t want is to end up back at mistake number 10. It’s a slippery slope from being ‘afraid to break a rule’ to going ‘matchy-poo-poo’. Remember that rules are just guidelines and don’t always apply to every room design.

So, there you have it. Those were the ten most common mistakes people make when decorating.

Now you know what the mistakes are and you have a better chance of avoiding them.

Remember there are very few decorating mistakes that cannot be fixed with some hard work, a little imagination and a can of paint.

Kristin WoodingThe original Decor Warriorhttp://www.room4improvement.caYou deserve affordable decor solutions that fit your life AND your style!

How To Make Over A Room In An Afternoon

2006-03-16T08:44:00.000-08:00

I’m about to share with you the nine simple steps you can take to make a real difference in the look and function of any room in your home. It’s often a surprise to people how much of a difference they can make to the way they experience their home in very little time. Just by taking ‘stock’ of what they have, editing the things that don’t belong and doing a good cleaning you can effectively give your favorite space a ‘fresh’ look.

Step 1.Remove everything and I mean everything from the room. Just place it all in the hall or another place in the house temporarily so that you can see the room free of all furniture and clutter. Once you have it down to four walls and the floor, you are ready to see the room in a new light (and you won’t be overwhelmed by the contents anymore). Note: You can speed up this ‘emptying’ process if you recruit a couple of girlfriends or family members to help you out. (I find bribery works well).

Step 2. Now it’s time to fire up the vacuum and the feather duster. Make sure you give it a thorough cleaning. Because the room is empty you’ll find this doesn’t take too long and you’ll be able to get into the corners easier. Your mom will be proud. Note: This would be a good chance to take a wet dust rag and give the old baseboards a good once over (it’s amazing how much dirt and dust collects there).

Step 3.Stand in the middle of your clean empty room and figure out where the focal point is. It may be a large picture window or a fireplace. It may even be an architectural detail (if you’re so lucky). If you do not see an obvious focal point, you may need to introduce one into the space. Go back into your hallway of stuff and find a picture that you love or a mirror or another piece of wall art that you can place in the room to draw your eye and create your new focal point. This step is important because it will act as the guide for your furniture placement.

Step 4.You are now going to build your room around the focal point you are using. If you are redoing a living room, you will want to place your seating area in a position where you can view the focal point easily. If you are doing a bedroom, then usually your bed should be placed directly below this feature. In some cases the headboard of the bed is the focal point of a room so this step can be skipped but in this case, remember to place the bed in the center of a wall wherever possible. Always keep ‘function’ in mind when arranging your main pieces of furniture and don’t block off traffic areas (unless you like bumping into the sofa).

Step 5.With your main furniture pieces in place you can now add any supplemental pieces. Bring in side tables, end tables, coffee tables, floor lamps, bookcases or other secondary furniture.

When you place these pieces you’ll want to keep in mind how they will be used. For example, the end tables should be close enough to the chairs that some one can put down a drink easily. Lighting should be placed in the areas of the room that lack daylight from windows or areas where reading or writing is likely to take place. Just think ‘function’.

Step 6.Now the fun really begins. Start moving your accessories, table lamps, throws and pillows into the room but be very careful picking which things to bring back in and which things to pack away or get rid of. If an object is the wrong color for the room or has a completely different style to it, don’t bring it back, place it to the side (you can always find a spot for it in another room or store it away). Find suitable places for these items as you bring them in but don’t overdo it. This is called editing (you can do it, I know you can). Note: There should be a number of items left out when you’re done with this procedure.

Kristin Woodinghttp://www.room4improvement.caYou deserve affordable decor solutions that fit your life AND your style!

Kitchen Decorating: Kitchen Window Treatment Ideas

2006-03-16T08:42:00.000-08:00

There is a vast selection of kitchen window treatments out there for you to choose from and all you have to do is pick one. Easier said than done though, no? It is the huge selection that makes it so hard to pick only one! If only we had more than one kitchen! The trick to choosing the best kitchen window treatments is to think outside the box. There is no reason to stick yourself with the conventional and plain window treatments, go wild and try something new, you might just like it.

When you are choosing kitchen window treatments you do not have to take into consideration the same type so things that you do when choosing other window coverings. For example, you do not usually need to worry about privacy as much as you do for say the bedroom windows. No one is going to be getting changed in the kitchen. So you can afford to be creative and you can afford to be a little different with your selections. There are no rules when it comes to the kitchen windows so enjoy the selection process and use your imagination.

Here are some of the more creative and unique kitchen window treatments for you to consider:
Grass mat style kitchen window treatments

These are gorgeous and they bring a sense of the tropics right into your kitchen. These are colorful and intriguing to the eye. They match just about nay décor and wall color and they make the entire room feel fresh and comfortable. These can come with trim or no trim depending on the look you are going for and your budget. They generally pull straight up by a simple cord pull.

Wood kitchen window treatments

These interior wood shutters give a country styled appearance to your home and they can be painted in any color that you desire. You can buy them already painted or you can sand and paint or stain them yourself. You can also use distressing techniques to create a weathered, lived in appearance to pre-painted shutters. These window treatments can open to let all of the afternoon sun in or they can stay closed to give you some relief from said sun when you are washing the dishes and the sun is blinding you. These are versatile and gorgeous every time.

Carlo Morelli writes for http://www.onlineTips.org, where you can read tips on kitchen cabinet hardware and tips for installing ceramic tile floor.

A Quick and Easy Way to Pump Life into Your Bedroom Decorating

2006-03-15T06:55:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered what goes into decorating a bedroom. If you have ever tried to decorate your own bedroom, then you will agree that it's not just throwing a bunch of furniture pieces around, painting walls, with colors of your choice, and using other accessories.

Decorating is much more than that. Even if you have arranged the smartest furniture around, you have had the costliest accessories setup, there is a secret which I am going to share with you will "pump life" into your bedroom almost instantly.

Want to learn how?

Here it is, try putting a small flowering plant in your bedroom. Be really choosy about the color of flowers.

Following factors can be considered while selecting a flowering plant.

1)Is the plant shade loving? You can find out this easily when you purchase it.

2)Does the color of the flowers create the mood you want it to be in your bedroom?

3)How much maintenance is required?

4)How much direct sunlight the plat will bear. This information directly affect the location of the plant in the bedroom.

5)Is it okay if I hang the plan and it's pot from ceiling or in window openings?

The greatest benefit of using a flowering plant is the plant keeps changing its appearance depending upon seasonal changes. This can be very creatively used if plants are used in groups. Because of the ever changing mood of the plant the bedroom also has a ever changing look and feel.

Groups of flowering plants that blossom in different seasons is also a great idea. Lot of varieties of indoor flowering plants are available today.

There is one more creative idea to using plantation inside a bedroom. And that's using a "Bonsai Tree" . A bonsai tree is always crafted by a professional and look very creative. But bonsai trees should never be used in groups. The simple reason is the craftsman of the bonsai tree always crafts it as an individual piece of art.

Each bonsai tree piece has its unique importance and beauty.

A special place for the bonsai tree must be created in a bedroom. A bonsai tree with artificial focused lights can create a great visual experience because of the shadows the light will create on the background surface.

The cost of a bonsai tree varies depending upon the craftsmanship,size, breed of the bonsai tree. Thus using plants an greatly enhance the visual and comfort levels of your bedroom.

I hope you have enjoyed this text...

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya
Amazing indoor bonsai trees! Visit Shrinivas Vaidy'a bedroom decorating superstore (in association with Amazon.com) to get some great deals on bedroom decorating products to pamper your home.

A Simple Trick to Make Your Bedroom Look Bigger in Size

2006-03-14T07:37:00.000-08:00

Dear friends, today I am going to share with you little secret that I have experienced myself recently.

It's a simple trick which is almost every time overlooked. This simple trick has proven to be a very comforting experience for me.

Let's look at it from scratch. In any interior space in our home, furniture plays a major role as far as comfort qualities are concerned. Furniture is the first thing that we see. When we say that a room is occupied it is primarily occupied by furniture.

A room without any furniture pieces in it is absolutely useless. The overall volume of the furniture elements directly affects our comfort factors in a room.

If we consider the case of bedrooms here, a double bed is the commodity that occupies maximum space. Just imagine if we remove the double bed from your room what will happen?

The room will start looking bigger because of the perceived volume.

Now here is a little trick you can try? Instead of using a full sized double how about using a platform bed? A platform bed is nothing but a bed with less height than a full sized bed.

So what's so special about it? Because of the reduction in height the overall volume of the bed as compared to other furniture pieces is less. Because of the less volume of the bed the bedroom is perceived bigger in size.

In addition to using a platform bed if bright color combinations are used such as white and yellow, a small bedroom is perceived as a slightly bigger room.

A normal double sized bed normally measure something around 1800mm(L)X1800(W)x450mm(H). But a platform bed has a slightly less dimensions in plan and the height is about 15" that's about 380mm above the floor level.

This creates a less volumetric furniture piece which is visually more light in weight than a full double sized bed. Platform beds are available in wooden as well as steel structures. Many manufacturers specifically manufacture mattresses and other accessories that would specifically help the easy and comfortable use of the platform bed.

Depending upon the design/material/finishing qualities a good price range is also available. Being light in weight it can be easily moved and transported to any location within a room.
If you are looking for a easy and affordable way to furnish your bedroom, then a platform bed can be a better choice that would fit into your budget and create a better aesthetically visual quality. I hope you have enjoyed this text...

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Using platform beds is an excellent way to save space in small bedrooms. Visit shrinivas Vaidya's blog to get a free listing platform beds in less than $200

Rustic Home Decor Makes a Comeback

2006-03-11T07:45:00.000-08:00

Gone are the sleek, cold lines of ultramodern contemporary decorating. The most popular styles of home decorating today emphasize the warmth and congeniality of the country. Decorators are embracing the charm and simplicity of rustic home decor, and combining it with some surprising accents.

For the last few decades, there's been a distinct split between high-end upscale home decorating and comfortable down-home affordable décor. The high-style magazines featured glossy photos of modern contemporary homes, replete with stone, glass and steel. The colors were stark – black and white with a few slashes of brilliant tones to emphasize the contrasts and smooth lines.

Meanwhile, the magazines aimed at Mrs. America around the U.S.A. offered the warm, cozy sensibility of country kitsch and homespun fabrics. Cows and chickens, hearts and patchwork quilts, rag rugs and solid wood furniture filled rooms that invited guests to sit down, take your shoes off and set a spell.

The gap has closed, and one of today's hottest new decorating styles blends the two into a stylish, classic blend of rustic charm and high-bred functionality. This new style – call it rustic modern - features natural materials (wood and stone, wool, cotton, linen and silk) and floor plans that flow and move into each other without overcrowding. The best examples of rustic décor have the feeling of a country lodge on an estate: open, relaxing and friendly.

Want to bring a bit of rustic warmth to your decorating scheme? Here are some suggestions from top designers.

Go for the country cabin look. Wood wall paneling is back in style – but with a twist. Rustic paneling features wide planks and a rough-hewn look, with a warm, honey tone.

Country crafts can warm your whole room. Try a classic patchwork quilt on a metal frame bed, or throw it over the back of a homespun sofa. Patchwork and appliquéd pillows with a country theme can bring a hint of rustic charm to your living and sitting rooms.

Think hunting lodge. Functionality meets creativity in some of the most charming and whimsical accents. Chainsaw carved bears sit by fireplaces, deer antlers hang on walls to hold hats and wrought iron is everywhere.

The right floor can transform your entire room. Bare wood is beautiful, and fits the style perfectly, but it's not your only choice. Stone floors softened with woven and braided area rugs, or a classic sheepskin from Australia or New Zealand can be the perfect backdrop for rustic furniture and collections.

Go Navajo. Or Hudson Bay. Woven wool throws in Southwestern designs or a classic Hudson Bay wool blanket are a subtle touch of bygone rustic charm with a masculine feel that's perfect for this style.

Keep it subtle. Opt for an open floor plan with plenty of seating space and choose your colors and materials to accent a few special pieces.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

Visit Rustic Adornments to receive free interior design advice about everything from rustic teak furniture to smaller, less expensive country home decor ideas.

Spruce Up Your Home Decor With Braided Rugs

2006-03-10T13:57:00.001-08:00

Your home is an extension of you and it's important for it to make a statement. Whether you are looking for a relaxed atmosphere, a formal atmosphere, or just want to jazz it up a little you've got plenty of affordable options. Why not spruce up your home decor with braided rugs.

Depending on size and style you can find braided rugs from as low as $30.00. Now that's a pretty cheap facelift for your room! You can purchase round, square, octagon, or oval braided rugs. And of course they are available in a wide range of colors and patterns. There are many well known carpet manufacturers that also provide a great selection of braided rugs.

Here are the 5 most popular braided rug lines.

Thimbleberries

Lynette Jensen's Thimbleberries fabrics have been used to create a fabulous line of country style braided rugs. They are made of a 50% cotton and 50% polyester blend so they are built to withstand heavy traffic. You can choose from the Four Seasons oval or rectangle, or the comfort cottage oval or rectangle.

Brook Farm

Provides country style oval braided rugs that are warm and inviting. Made from 100% nylon they are a great addition to a kitchen or den. Choose from blackberry, colonial blue, winter green, and burgundy, as well as a host of other colors.

Botanical Isle

Provides a full line of braided rugs that are homey and inviting. Perfect for a cozy room or kitchen. Choose from banana, kiwi, punch, oasis blue, or a host of other colors.

Jefferson

Jefferson provides a full line of oval and round rugs in solid colors or mixed colors. Available in copper, moss green, blue ribbon, evergreen, red streak, and dessert beige.

Spring Meadow

Provides a wonderful mix of rich solid colored braided rugs that are perfect for a bathroom or bedroom. Choose from dandelion, sprout green, petal blue, silken rose, as well as others.

There are many ways to use braided rugs to accent your room. A popular method is to place them in the center of a room, but they can be used off to the side to accent a piece of furniture, at an entrance, in a hall, or where ever else you want to make a statement.

Braided rugs are also a great way to hide a stain or wear on your carpet from heavy traffic. They also add a soft and inviting accent to hardwood floors.

Available in a variety of sizes from small to very large you can find the right size for your room with little problem. You can also combine one or more rugs together to make a unique statement.

Braided rugs work great in a home, cabin, or even in a recreational vehicle. Just think smaller.

They are available in solid colors or mixed colors and they can be found made from synthetic materials such as nylon or from wool. You'll probably get tired of your rug long before it wears out. The great thing is they are so affordable you can change them every year if you like.

So if you think it's time your room had a makeover why not check out braided rugs. You can find them at department stores, carpet dealers, and even online for a great price. Get ready for a whole new room decor!

About The Author

John Murray makes it easy to go through the carpet buying process and provides tips to keep your carpet lasting long. To learn more and receive your free mini-course visit: http://www.carpets-guide.com/.

Spruce Up Your Home Decor With Braided Rugs

2006-03-10T13:57:00.000-08:00

Home Decorating: Where Are My Surfaces?

2006-03-10T13:53:00.000-08:00

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!

About The Author

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 Resource Center, http://www.kbhoutlet.com/resource_center.html.
Copyright © 2006 The KBH Outlet

Home Decorating Ideas For Different Furniture Styles

2006-03-10T13:50:00.000-08:00

Have you ever thought about the many different furniture styles? Probably you have ever watched a program TV, where they showed people how to update an entire room of your house; let’s say the living room or bedroom. You can also read everywhere about the rustic style or about the Italian designs. However, do you know really what do these styles mean? We go deep into the different styles, which are the most demanded around the globe. Let’s start:

+ Rustic: This style is known because the using of natural materials. The pieces of furniture included into the rustic designs use to be handcrafted, with a strong cultural and regional touch in their pieces. Rustic style also brings to any home the feeling of begin more comfortable. It also reflects to be on most of their instances, casual tends, which makes it more personal than other styles.

+ Antique: Antique furniture styles are characterized by European interior houses designs. What is very important to point up is the fact of antique furniture is commonly made to be used, not displayed. This makes of antique designs look boring or without further interesting additions, such as fancy details.

+ Modern: What we need to know about modern furniture is the clean lines that offers to the room itself. Modern styles for interior designs are often made of vinyl, plastic or chrome. These materials came up around the 50’s, and since then they have found a place into modern houses, as the standard.

+ European furniture

This style of furniture can be roughly split in 3 main branches: Italian, English and French. We begin by the Italian, because it is becoming very popular over the last decade for US citizens.

Why? because the Italian style offer a wide range of materials to choose from, from wood up to marble, stone or fabric. Furniture pieces into the Italian furniture are ornate as well as large, sometimes using Roman sculpture and architecture. We go then to the French style. If you like crowed decorating prices of furniture, French is definitely yours. It often includes designs, elaborated and perhaps handcrafted with detailed carvings, with highly ornate patterns.
+ Fancy details with English furniture

The English furniture has been always made of woods, including principally walnut, oak or mahogany. This styles is very close to the American rustic one, due to its fancy details and the use of natural colors. The predominant color used on these pieces of furniture used to be is dark or natural colors. However, it depends on the era you base the English decoration. In the current world, there exist so many styles, materials and furniture designs, and it is evolving year after year. All type of influences comes up every day on furniture designers, and changes in the technology of materials affect directly on the new home decorating ideas.

About The Author

Adam Peters contributes adding articles to an online home decorating and interior design magazine. Your guide on home decorating and how to choose from hundreds of decorating ideas and tips. Adam will inspire you to capture the look you wish. Find further information on decorating and design at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com.

Digital Images to Posters - Decorate Your Home or Office

2006-03-10T13:40:00.000-08:00

Preserve Your Memories

With the proliferation of digital cameras, more people are taking more pictures. People are snapping pictures of children, nature scenes, sports and special events at an ever increasing rate. Cell phone cameras are improving quicky. These digital images can be used to create personalized artwork that will help preserve your memories.

In Search of the Perfect Picture

The perfect picture may seem elusive for an amateur photographer, but perfect moments happen all the time. Perhaps your toddler is just learning to walk or Junior steals second base.

These can be perfect moments. Rather than try to list them, let's just say that a perfect moment is whatever you define it to be. Getting a perfect picture of that moment is elusive at best. The average amateur digital photagrapher faces problems that belie the advertising of
digital cameras as easy, one-step devices that cannot take a bad shot. Not every picture you take with a digital camera is a masterpiece. Many of your digital images do have redeeming value though. Many digital pictures look dark or blurry and an odd color. There is a limit to the amount of improvement that can be accomplished, but most digital images can be improved.

With patience and a bit of practice, even beginning photographers can improve their skills. A steady camera, a little reading about compostion and above all, patience, will produce pictures that, perhaps not destined for the Louvre, will call to mind that perfect moment and help retain the precious memory.

Can This Picture be Saved?

A modern digital camera can do a lot of the work for you. It cannot aim itself, but it is quite capable of focusing and judging the amount of available light. Still, the most common problem with digital images is lighting. Images often appear dark and discolored. Though these images may be less than perfect, they often contain an amazing amount of image information. There are numerous software applications available that can brighten up these images and perform a bit of color correction. In many cases, a dark, discolored image may turn out well if adjusted properly.

This is part of the beauty of digital photography technology.

What is the Subject of This Image?

When you snap an image with your digital camera, you know the subject of the shot. Sometimes, when you look at the image later, the subject of the shot is not so obvious. This is where image cropping becomes valuable. Cropping allows you to remove the extraneous areas of the image and emphasize the subject. Again, many software applications exist that can help you perform this task. Cropping may transform a mediocre image into a family hierloom.

Image Quality and Stretching

Digital cameras come in many resolutions. Resolution refers to the number of pixels a camera will use to store a digital image. More pixels, more quality. See www.bhphotovideo.com/FrameWork/charts/resolutionChartPopup.html to view a chart that will give you some information about resolutions and print quality from bhphotovideo.com. As the chart suggests, images that you want to print in a larger size will suffer quality degradation as they are stretched. Poster layout, as provided by Pix2Posters.com allows enlargement of images with sensitivity to quality. Inclusion of several images into a piece of artwork allows higher quality images to carry the visual load while less than perfect images of perfect moments jog the memories of those happy times.

Use Your Own Photography

OK, you practiced your photography and now own several images that have meaning in your life. What next? Work with pix2posters.com to help you create unique artwork from your own digital images. Artwork based on your own memories will last a lifetime and become a cherished part of your home.

About The Author
Darrell Oller works with Pix2Posters.com where we transform up to 25 of your digital images into unique, personalized artwork for your home or office. Please visit our site for examples of our work.

Create Your Own Home With Summer Decoration Style

2006-03-10T13:38:00.000-08:00

Have you ever dreamed of bringing decor-savvy individuals like to freshen the look of your rooms? Bring summer indoors in full force - without losing the comfortable and cozy furnishings you desire in the cooler months.

You can simply brighten up your home by putting the heavy drapery away and making the widows a focal point. While the light is great during the day - especially if you don't need to turn on interior lights - you may dislike the cavernous black holes that they become late at night. For privacy and appearance, keep up the retractable blinds during the day and put them down at night behind a sheer curtain.

Decorating your rooms with mirror will also lighten your place as they capture the sunlight and bounce it around. This doesn't mean a major change in your decor but you may find moving a large mirror to a different wall will optimize the light reflection in the room. Try it across from a window or on a wall that corners against the window wall for the most light distribution.

Moving the furniture into a 'summer arrangement' can optimize your space and give it a more airy feel. If you normally place the living room furniture to focus on the fireplace consider turning them to face away. This can open up the space and make it more inviting for summertime get together. If you barbecue you might even switch the dining and living room area around if it will give you a better flow for entertaining and enjoying the evening sun during meals.

Roll up the area rugs, leave the table bare and get rid of excess blankets, pillows and other 'comfy' materials that tend to warm up the space.

If you have plenty of storage space (you've packed away all the winter clothes and drapery so you should be fine) you might like to use white cotton or canvas slipcovers on the furniture. Not only will it brighten the room, but they can come off easily to be cleaned so you needn't worry about a stain - which is never a good look!

You can bring outdoor in by decorating your rooms with a large tropical with palm leaves. Adding some colorful cut flowers will add further summer appeal. However, too much of anything is not good. Don't clutter your rooms with so many plants it feels like a conservatory
.
By adopting some of these simple ideas, your home will easily surround with summer feeling.

About The Author

Mary Williams maintains many home improvement websites, including http://www.replacementwindowsecrets.info, http://www.replacementwindowsnow.info, and http://www.wheelchairsecrets.info. Please visit her websites and read more interesting articles.

10 Spring Decorating Ideas To Bring Your Home Back To Life!

2006-03-10T13:36:00.000-08:00

Not all home decorating ideas require a heavy investment of time and money. If you're looking for a few affordable home interior decorating ideas to freshen up a room over a weekend, try these ten:

1. Rearrange The Furniture- Pull your furniture away from the walls. Try positioning it at intriguing angles. For example, a sofa arranged diagonally across a narrow living room will make the room look wider.

2. Group Figurines- Pull out your favorite collectibles. Show off your personality. Find a display area and group related objects together, in sets of three or five. Try and vary the shapes.

3. Add A Throw Or Afghan- Similar to decorative pillows, throws and afghans add texture to your furniture. They come in all kinds of natural and man made fabrics. Find a pattern and style that you like.

4. Paint A Wall- Paint one wall your favorite color and make it the focal point. Hang interesting art on that wall and move a nice piece of furniture there. (Note: Make sure that the color is one that is shared with several other objects and fabrics in the room.)

5. Hang Pictures or Mirror- Hang pictures that reflect your personality. Try frames that are more ornate. When hanging a mirror, try and position it so that it reflects and nice view or an interesting architectural element.

6. Add Decorative Pillows- The good news about decorative pillows is that they are an easy way to add textures and patterns to a room. Still better, they can be changed to jazz up a sofa or chair before your room is ready for a major makeover.

7. Replace Lamps- Lamps are probably the one thing in your home that will give others a clue that your room is outdated. Seek out new and fresh lamps that make a statement.

8. Bring In Plants- Greenery always adds a breath of fresh air to a room. If you don't have a green thumb, try silk plants and trees. The quality has gotten so good that its hard to distinguish them from the real thing.

9. Lay An Area Rug- An area rug is a wonderful way of defining a conversation area. Try one that complements the room. Lay it at an angle beneath your coffee table.

10. Eliminate Clutter- Clutter has a way of eliminating the desired mood and effect of any room.

Find storage spaces for papers, toys, and other items that take from the personality of a room.

About The Author

Michael Holland is the creator of the Web sites http://www.kids-rooms-and-crafts.com and http://www.home-decorating-made-easy.com. His sites offer lots of FREE home decorating tips and ideas.

Give Charming Elegance To Your Home Decorating With The Special Wood Curtain Rods

2006-03-10T13:34:00.001-08:00

To provide a complete wildlife touch to your home settings, wood curtain rods are the best decorating items. Not only the rods add to the beauty of the homes but they also hold the curtains in a unique way. It is because of the perfect fittings of the curtains in the wood curtain rods that the curtains flutter softly and gracefully to give a pleasing aura to the rooms.

Technical specialties of wood curtain rods

The wood curtain rods are made of walnut, teakwood, mahogany, oak or other hardwood that make them durable. The rods usually have a tobacco finish and the finials of the rods are available in either small or large sizes. The wood rods are available as either smooth rods or as fluted rods. While the smooth rods are usually of 1-3/8” diameters, the fluted rods are of 2” diameter.

The rods in general are available in three different lengths of 4”, 6” and 8”. These are the curtain rods for normal sizes but if it is a non-standard window frame, then you cut down the rods to specific sizes and then use them accordingly. However, if you need longer than the normal length rods, then use pole connector screws to get the necessary length.

Different types of wood curtain rods

The wood curtain rods are available in different finishes like historic white, burnished gold, natural white, weathered white, honey maple, matte black, gold, warm oak, gold leaf, lacquered natural, pewter, cherry and piano white. You can choose one of these curtain rods that will best suit the style and furnishing of the rooms.

Brackets in the curtain rods are very important, for they actually hold both the light and heavy curtains. The wood curtain rods are advantageous, as they allow the usage of different types of brackets like ring brackets, flat brackets, cup ring brackets, double ring brackets, centre support brackets, end caps, extension brackets and ceiling brackets.

The wood curtain rods are truly durable and with their variety of designs they simply give a different yet aesthetic touch to your home décor ideas.

About The Author

Adam Peters adds regularly articles to http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com. A free decorating magazine, where you will find reviews on different decorating and design ideas. More about wood curtains rods http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/curtains/decorative-curtain-rods.html.

Using Mirrors in Home Decor

2006-03-10T13:34:00.000-08:00

Mirrors provide a special touch in home decor by adding light and creating the illusion of space. A mirror is defined as a reflecting surface that forms an image of an object when light rays coming from that object fall on the surface.

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the typical mirror is a sheet of glass that is coated on its back with aluminum or silver that produces images by reflection. This type of mirror came into widespread production in Venice during the 16th century.

Here are ten tips for using mirrors in your home decor:

1. Place a mirror on an adjacent wall to an interesting picture or piece of artwork and the mirror will reflect the image and add a sense of space.

2. Hang a decorative mirror near a window in a dark room. This will allow the light to reflect off the mirror creating more natural light in the room.

3. To create the illusion of depth in a room, paint one wall in a dark, contrasting color to the other walls. Then hang a decorative mirror on the dark wall to create a sense of depth in the room.

4. Create a charming entryway by hanging up a framed mirror topped with a floral swag. This will help to create light in the entryway as well as providing a last minute check before heading out the door.

5. Expand a small dining room by placing an ornate mirror on a wall. This will make the room appear larger and brighter.

6. Place a decorative mirror opposite an attractive fireplace and mantel to reflect something interesting in the room.

7. Group and hang several mirrors of assorted sizes and shapes for an attractive wall display.

8. Add mirrors (such as mirror tiles) to the backs of bookcases to add a sense of depth.

9. In the kitchen, add mirror to the countertop’s backsplash. This will reflect light while preparing food and it is easy to maintain.

10. Place a custom sized mirror on the top of a piece of furniture that is damaged or not very attractive. This can be done on dressers, tabletops, coffee tables, and end tables just to name a few.

Always be sure to analyze the placement of mirrors before hanging them up. For example, placing a mirror above a fireplace mantel may reflect the unattractive tops of furniture or blank wall space. You can angle the mirror down so that it reflects something more attractive in the room.

In addition, place mirrors so they will not cause unnecessary glare in a room. Mirrors can be unappealing if they are placed across from a window with a southern or western exposure.

As you can see, there are numerous ways to use mirrors to brighten and enrich your home decor. Decorative mirrors can be found in flea markets, retail stores, home improvement stores, and on the internet in price ranges to fit all budgets.

About The Author

Lesley Dietschy is a freelance writer and the creator/editor of The Home Decor Exchange. The Home Decor Exchange is a popular home and garden website featuring resources, a shopping marketplace, articles, decorating pictures, decorating advice, free projects, and more. http://www.HomeDecorExchange.com

Home Interior Design Tips on Decorating your Space with Wall Art

2006-03-10T09:19:00.000-08:00

How to Decorate your Space with Wall Pictures

If a room in your house lacks character, by simply placing some fine art prints on the walls can actually make quite an impact. Wall pictures are a necessary accessory in your home and are great to tie in with the room's style and color accent. Before you go off to buy some new pictures for your walls there are a few things you need to plan and decide upon. Here is a home interior design guide on how to decorate your space with wall art.

Shop for Wall Art by Room

The kind of home you have and the mood, ambience and style of decor you create, should be perfectly designed to suit your lifestyle. Deciding on a style for your room should be determined by the lifestyle you choose and not by what's the latest home interior design trend.

Whichever room you are wanting to decorate, whether it be your bedroom, living area, kitchen or office space, you need to decide what you want to get out of that space. For example:

do you want to hold dinner parties or entertain?
do you want a quiet retreat to get away from the hustle and bustle?
Is this an area for the kids to play in?
Is this a room for your hobby?

Once you have decided what you want to use the room for, you can now choose a color theme to suit the function of the room. For example, mellow greens and neutrals for your 'quiet retreat room', lively yellow for the kids room, or pale tranquil blue for your office space.

So far we have established the function and color of the room in question, this then gives us the basis on choosing the right art prints for the area.

For example:

bright colorful cartoon pictures for the kids room
mellow pastel floral pictures for your quiet retreat area, or
tranquil landscape and scenic pictures for your office space

Choose your Style

Like paint color, artwork can immediately establish or change a room's mood. Not only can it pull the room together, but you can use it to create a style uniquely your own.

traditional & classic
modern
contemporary
fun & entertaining
casual
romantic

The style of the room is totally dependent on your own personal taste and this is the time when you can inject your own personality into the room through artwork and textured accessories.

Suggested art picture styles:

Fun & Entertaining: Pictures can include bright colors both in the print and on the frame. Fun and entertaining pictures can include kittens and puppies, or comedian actors such as the Three Stooges or Laurel & Hardy.

Modern: With the strong black accents in the framed iron-work and the tapestries, striking black and white photos are a natural choice for a modern and sophisticated look.

Calm Retreat: To reinforce the mood of a nestled, cozy retreat, use artwork with neutral, earthy colors and a horizontal landscape subject.

You can even mix and match different styles to create a unique style of your own. For example, frame traditional black and white photo prints in a modern black iron frame.

Arranging and Hanging your Pictures

In order to get the maximum effect of your wall pictures in terms of adding character and a focal point to the room, you need to decide where and how you want to hang them.

Here are some suggestions to help you decide how to get the best effects from your pictures:-

Modern Gallery Look: To create a modern art gallery feel, particularly nice in hallways, lobbies and stairwells, give each piece ample breathing room. Stand at the center of the first piece and take one swift, or two small steps along the wall. This is a good center for the next piece.

Above a Sofa: When placing art above furniture such as a sofa, you need to hang the picture about six to nine inches above the sofa, or at eye level.

Cluster Arrangements: Tightly group an even number of pictures together to give a statement or a focal point. This works on either large or small wall spaces, depending on the look you want.

In a row: By placing an odd number of pictures in a horizontal line to each other gives balance and the sense of space. This works well in hallways or stairwells.

By deciding where and how to hang your pictures, whether it be a tight cluster or a single print above a sofa, you can then determine the size and shape of the pictures you need to buy.

When you have decided on the room's function, color and style, you are in a much better position to go shopping for wall pictures that fit in with the overall theme.

Summary

Wall pictures are an underestimated home interior design accessory.

This is probably because most people do not know what to do with their pictures in order to get the maximum effect in a room. Before you go hanging up your pictures make sure you plan ahead what you want to get out of that room. Decide on the function, style and color of the room first before you buy your artwork. By doing this you are in a much better position to buy the right type of art picture to fit in with the theme and color accent of your room.

About the Author

Claire Bowes is a freelance writer and the owner of flower-pictures-n-posters.com and landscape-pictures-n-posters.com. In addition to fine-art prints, these two sites offer landscape photography prints and flower posters.

Making Your Own Style

2006-03-09T13:59:00.000-08:00

Decorating any room can be challenging, especially if the styles your room displays are completely different. Your sofa is more traditional while the side tables are contemporary. Maybe you’ve just purchased an antique armoire that does not match the bedding you’ve just had made. Fortunately, your decorating dilemma may be answered. Ever heard the word “eclectic”?

This seems to be the new buzz word in decorating. But what does “eclectic” mean? From a decorators stand point, the eclectic style mixes a variety of styles together to create the look that you can enjoy most. This style is a “no rules” decorating type that could be the one you’ve been looking for.

An eclectic environment is comfortable and lived-in while still reflecting your individual attitude, creating a personalized theme between color, furniture, accessories, etc. For instance, you may have a chair and a side table of two different styles, but you can add a lamp, statue, or candle holder to connect these two styles. Look through our lamps and accessories categories for just the right embellishment to complete your own eclectic room.

Another way you can develop your own eclectic style is to utilize different styles and patterns of fabrics. You can add a beautiful slipcover over your traditional sofa to help blend it in with your more contemporary furniture; recover your pillows to help match them with your current sofa pattern; or choose a fabric for new drapes. Whether you choose solids, stripes or prints, make sure to employ a unifying color. Check out the many new fabric patterns and prints we have available. We’ve added several new sheers, faux silks, and outdoor fabrics.

Eclectic designs have personal touches and intriguing contrasts, a mix of eras and cultures tied together by complementary color, pattern, and texture . By using some or all of your pieces, you can accomplish an eclectic style that is uniquely your own. It doesn't matter if you prefer modern, country, contemporary or traditional; eclecticism can be applied successfully.

Mistie Chiles works for http://www.interiormall.com Working day in a day out with numerous interior decorating products, Mistie has a real talent for decorating. Phone:(800) 590-5844 Website: http://www.interiormall.com email: decor@interiormall.com Here you will find interior design and decorating products from lamps to chandeliers, fabric to upholstery, clocks to grandfather clocks, and so much more. Everything is discounted and everything is first quality only. Come visit us and browse. We also have a how to section, glossary of terms, and many more helpfull tools to make this a rewarding and pleasant shopping experience for you

Practical Kitchen Design is Winning Recipe to 2006 Homebuyers

2006-03-09T13:58:00.000-08:00

Open shelving, gleaming granite counter tops and glass doors on refrigerators are the rage in kitchen design today. But these looks don't fool many who have interacted with them. Homebuyers in 2006 look for practical design options to make their time in the kitchen more leisure and lower day-to-day maintenance.

Mark Nash author of 1001 Tips for Buying and Selling a Home (2005) shares tips for efficient kitchen design that for home chefs. Homebuyers have told Nash what works and what doesn't in the lives of todays fast-paced, time-starved home gourmets, holiday bakers and occasional cooks. Those looking to build, update or remodel a kitchen could save time and money based on feedback from field-tested homebuyers.

-Fingers and pets easily soil and scratch stainless steel finishes. For an alternative use matching cabinet panels on appliances for a custom look or black appliances with black colored counter tops. Research traditional upright refrigerator options such as built-in separate refrigerated and freezer drawers.

-Trendy custom colors and ceramic tiles look great today but will look dated sooner than you think.

-Organized your dishes and glassware if you select open shelves. Consider cabinets with frosted glass doors for a similar look with less work.

-Polished granite counter tops show smudges, watermarks and wiping streaks. Research alternatives like matte finishes. Stone and concrete are hard surfaces and record every noise by glasses, dishes and pots placed on them.

-Include double-ovens to speed baking, two dishwashers for heavy entertaining and second sinks for multiple cooks.

-Don’t overlook basic functional design elements for distances between workstations, appliances and sinks.

-Allocate space for people to congregate or sit when your kitchen is the focal point for entertaining in your home.

-Kitchens adjacent to great rooms with hardwood floors might require hardwood floors, but remember to have extra coats of wood sealers applied as spills and water don’t mix with wood.

-Look for quality cabinets that offer features such as slide-out shelves, dovetailed drawers and solid construction.

-Specify cabinets to ceiling for extra storage. Use 32-inch tall cabinets with 10-inch glass door cabinets above to lighten look and provide dust-free display of serving pieces.

-Plan for places to store cookbooks and favorite wines within easy reach with shelves and racks built into the ends of islands.

-Pantries, under cabinet task lighting and cook top ventilation fans vented to the outside offer high returns on functionality.

-Factor in resale perceptions and values of high-end European cabinets, fixtures and appeal of commercial stoves.

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, MSNBC.com, The New York Times, Realty Times, Universal Press Syndicate and USA Today.

9 Amazing Tips To Transform A Small Space

2006-03-09T13:57:00.000-08:00

You don't have to knock down walls to make a room seem bigger. Sometimes it takes a little imagination and a lot of know how to create that spacious space you crave.

Here are 9 easy ideas that you can do right now to make your room appear larger.

1. Use light colors on your walls. Light colors on your walls will give a more open, spacious feeling to your room. Light colors on your walls will have your walls recede, where as dark colors will create a "closing in" feeling.

2. Unify your walls. When painting, paint your baseboards, chair rails and window trim the same color as your wall. If you have doors in your room, paint your doors the same color as well. This will remove all the visual distractions on your walls, unifying your walls... and making your room appear larger.

3. Simplify your windows. A small room is not the place to have fancy, fluffy window treatments. Keep it simple, with roman shades, or simple lined drapes. Have the fabric of your window treatments the same color as your walls. This will unify your walls even more, and creating a larger space.

4. Avoid area rugs. Keep the floor as clean and open as possible. This helps to create a spacious feeling to your room. This concept also works when creating a spacious feel for multiple rooms. Having your floor all one material will have your rooms flowing into each other and creating a larger space.

5. Reduce the clutter. With small spaces, you want to create as much open space as possible. To do this you need to clean up the clutter, minimize the amount of furniture and stay organized.

6. Small furniture and dark colors. Although, you should use light colors for your walls, the opposite is true for your furniture. A club chair upholstered in a light color will appear larger than if you covered it in a rich chocolate brown. The same is true for your wood furniture. Lean towards rich dark stains that help minimize the size of your furniture. The more contrast with your walls the smaller your furniture will seem and the larger your room will feel. There is one exception to this rule. You could also consider upholstering your furniture in the same fabric as your window treatments and the same color as your walls... your upholstered furniture will "disappear" into the walls.

7. Avoid patterns. Some pattern is nice for interest, but avoid loud, busy patterns in a small space. Stick with patterns that read as a solid.

8. Let the light in. If you have windows, create window treatments that allow the sun to shine in during the day. Natural light and the appearance of windows can really open up a space.

9. Use mirrors. Adding a mirror to a wall creates the illusion of open space. It also reflects light to add brightness to the room. Have a wall that you're not sure what to do with? Add a framed mirror.

Following these simple rules will create an open, spacious room. You'll be amazed at how your small room will transform into a bright, larger room.

Happy Decorating!

Jennifer Thoden

Discover free home decorating ideas for all rooms of your home. Visit http://www.homedecoratingideas4u.com to enjoy free interior designer tips, home decorating ideas and dozens of interior decorating articles.

www.homedecoratingideas4u.com

Accentuate Your Home With Floorings

2006-03-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

Different kinds of flooring evoke different kinds of ambience and emotion. Flooring available today comes in a wide array of materials that could be used for any lifestyle and function. Many floors that we see now have ceased to be the floors that we see in old photographs and historic houses. The flooring can be very decorative, elegant, artsy, functional or practical that could suit to any individual’s style, taste and budget. But no material evokes as much warmth, sentiment and a sense of history as the good old-fashioned wood flooring.

Homes with natural wood flooring can be found in any town that in spite of all the advances in fashion and technology for other types of flooring material, the wood flooring has not lost its place in the hearts of many house builders.

In spite of the rise in the prices of wood and increase in other choices for flooring, wood has no substitute in creating homes that has a homey feel to it. Wooden floors, even the traditional cuts do not fail to enhance décor and personal statements of tastes.

A House builder who opts to have a floor with a more modern touch opts for the parquet in place of the quarter-sawn wood flooring popular during the past decades. The new prefinished hardwoods are excellent viable choices even for homes ranging in design from the traditional, country, ranch, Victorian to the contemporary. Color choices and materials are amazing making it adaptable to any look that an individual would want a room to have. The darker finishes are suitable for formal settings, and the lighter the shade become, the more casual feel the wood flooring evokes. Local popular choices like the Ash, Oak and Maple can be combined with varieties of Teak, Brazilian cherry and Bamboo creating a look and texture that has never been reached when wood flooring (aside from concrete) were oftentimes the only choice.

The engineered hard wood of today are designed to perform better than the traditional ones as they are cross layered on top of each other providing a durability and capacity to hold more weight that was never achieved before. Engineered hardwood flooring is not synthetic wood but is made form real hardwood. Engineered hardwood is much easier to maintain doing away with old-fashioned waxes and pastes as these are already treated with several coats of urethane and is IV cured with aluminum oxide. Engineered hard wood will only require occasional mopping with a wood cleaner to maintain its luster.

The most popular flooring options include:

- Oak as flooring is very durable. It has a tight dark grain that is very appropriate for dining rooms and places that requires more subdued and formal atmosphere.

- Ash has beautiful texture and grain uniformity.- Pine can be found in old houses. This flooring evokes a sense of history. Pines are considered as softwood but they can be very durable and can last for hundreds of years.

- Birch. Also a soft wood with a more playful texture

- Fir is another softwood patched with decorative dark grains

- Bamboo technically is a grass but when harvested in season and treated well can be more durable than most hardwood flooring.

- The more expensive and elegant wood flooring are the walnut, cherry and teak.

Whatever the choice is, wood for flooring has a timeless quality to it that will never be easily substituted even by the most modern materials available today.

Robert Thatcher is a freelance publisher based in Cupertino, California. He publishes articles and reports in various ezines and provides flooring resources on http://www.just-flooring.info.