How to Make Your Kitchen Decoration

Kamis, 30 April 2009

Window Treatments: Putting An End To The Confusion

These window treatments are great privacy protectors:
  • Roller Shades - can be used to cover the entire window. They can be made of vinyl or fabric. The fabric versions such as Roman and Balloon shades are lined and can be custom made to your exact window measurements. Balloon shades are also great if you want to set a romantic mood.
  • Cellular fabric shades - in non-sheer fabrics will add privacy and offer energy efficiency. They will also do a good job with sound insulation.
  • Draw Curtains and Draperies - can be closed to cover the entire window. You'll want to include a lining for added privacy and longevity.

  • Mini and Wood blinds - these are the most common ways used to provide a nearly private environment. Just be aware that there is a small possibility of seeing through the slats at certain angles. Wood blinds keep rooms warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
  • Shutters - are great for giving boring windows architectural presence. They come with fixed or movable louvers for controlling privacy.
If you'd like some decorative ideas for blinds, shutters, and shades, I recommend that you check out Decorate Today - Blinds & Shutters. You'll find a wide selection, plus live online help is available to answer questions.

Light Control

When you think of using window treatments for light control, sleeping is probably the first thing that comes to mind. However, controlling the amount of light or glare in a room can also be important for other activities such as watching television, reading, or working at your desk.

Consider these treatments to control light:

  • Roller Shades - look for the light darkening versions. Try them in areas such as childrens rooms and your kitchen.
  • Perforated Metal or Wood blinds - can be tilted to keep direct sun out of your room, while still maintaining glare and light control. They are great for providing privacy and energy efficiency.
  • Bamboo and Matchstick blinds - add a tropical feel to a room. They will filter light and cut down on much of the glare, but should be backed with light-absorbing material if total blockage is required.
  • Cellular fabric shades - in non-sheer fabrics they reduce light and glare while adding privacy and energy efficiency.
In some rooms, such as your bathroom, kitchen, and kids rooms, you may find that privacy and light control are all that's needed. This may also be true if your decorating style is Contemporary. If so, the window treatments mentioned above come in many decorative styles and can easily stand alone.

However, when you want your windows to make a bolder statement and add character to a room, you'll want window dressings that provide a decorative framework.

Style

Before you select window treatment fabrics and patterns, you'll want to first decide on the mood you want for the room. Do you want it to be casual? romantic? formal?

The reason for this is because the mood you choose will influence the type of fabric and style for your window treatments, which is a matter of personal taste…

Lots of fabric flowing from floor-to-ceiling conveys a formal look. Swags of sheer fabric draped across a wide window rings of contemporary elegance. A simple cornice covered in a colorful cotton fabric might be the spark that brings life to a casual room.

Use these Home Decorating Made Easy links to help narrow your options:

Key Facts About The Top 10 Home Decorating Fabric Fibers Dress Your Windows To Match Your Decorating Style Glossary of Window Treatment Styles & Terms Techniques For Dressing Windows To Hide Design Flaws The picture below shows the treatment that I used for one of my living room windows. The room is decorated in an Eclectic home interior decorating style.

The single swag used for the window treatment adds drama to the room. One of the drapery panels flows to the floor and forms a puddle for an elegant and romantic touch. Simple metal blinds are tucked underneath when privacy or light control is needed.

Notice that the diamond pattern is repeated in the two decorative pillows and bogart chair in the lower left corner.

If you'd like plenty of great ideas for curtains, draperies, valances, and cornices and more , I recommend that you check out the book Window Treatments Made Simple. It will help you to quickly determine the window treatment to match your decorating style, personality, and window type.

Another window treatment example is shown to the right.

I wanted something simple to cover a narrow bathroom window, so I had this decorative ascot valance made.

The bronze fabric provides a subtle touch. Similar to my living room, metal blinds are tucked out of sight until needed.

Sabtu, 25 April 2009

Create A Home Office Design

Here are some other home office design suggestions:
    Arrange your work area in an L or U shape - this way you'll have all your important items within easy reach.

    Consider a computer armoire - if you don't want your home office design to look like an office or if the space doubles as a guest bedroom, a computer armoire would be perfect. It will hide computer equipment, save on space, and make a beautiful furniture addition….perhaps even a focal point You'll also have extra space for a wall bed or a daybed.

    Install the right lighting - you'll want a desk lamp so that you have adequate task lighting, and a second lamp or built-in lighting fixtures for general lighting. Use a dimmer switch for built-in lighting. You'll find great lighting and lamp ideas at Bellacor. Purchase a comfortable chair - if you plan on spending lots of hours at your desk, make sure that you get a comfortable chair with adequate back support. Consider one that swivels if you'll be turning to retrieve papers or to answer the phone.

    Install sufficient shelving - you'll need shelving for reference books and to display collectibles and personal items. Built-in shelving would be an excellent space-saving choice, but there are plenty of quality assemble-it-yourself options.

    Consider modular storage pieces - they come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from stackable cubes to shelves and have optional lids, doors and drawers.

Once you've identified the major home office design components, you'll want to go back and add the furnishings and accessories to make it homey. Hang art that you love as well as family photographs. Display collectibles in dramatic fashion.

If you could use art for your walls, I recommend that you visit All Posters and check out their huge selection of prints.

For interesting collectibles, try Sovietski Collection, which offers some of the most unusual antique artifacts from the old Soviet Union and Europe. Another winner is Novica, which is affiliated with National Geographics, and has earthy, handmade products from all over the world. .

Additional home office decorating touches to my office are shown in the picture to the right.

I hung a blackboard as a fast and easy way to track important appointments and as a general "to do" list.

For guest seating, I chose Director Chairs. These are great because I can change out the fabric in a snap for an updated look.

If your home office design ideas include a furniture makeover, Furniture Find offers thousands of brand name furniture at discounted prices. Also, you'll find lots of online images that give great decorating ideas.

A major benefit of Furniture Find is that they carry many more items than any brick and mortar shop. And through their free Personal Shopper service they will search high and low for any item that you can't find on their web site.

So even if you spot something you like at your local furniture store, put Furniture find to work to see if the price can be beaten. You have nothing to lose!

Senin, 20 April 2009

10 Home Decorating Ideas To Update Any Room

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. In the picture below, the sofa is arranged diagonally across my narrow living room. This makes the room look wider and provides a warm, inviting layout.
  2. 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.)

    For extra impact, try using a rubber stamping technique on a wall. Stamping is extremely easy, but the results can be very impressive. Check out the book Creative Stamping for Walls & Furniture for ideas.

  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. Hang Pictures or Mirrors- 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. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. Eliminate Clutter- You'll hear me say this again and again. 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. Click on this link to learn more... Home Storage Solutions: Ways To Organize Your Home.

Selasa, 14 April 2009

How to Make Your Teenager's Room "Cool"

Make your teenagers happy with the look of their bedrooms - allow them to decorate it themselves. Give your kids a sense of autonomy and watch them take on responsibility – it may pleasantly surprise you. Here are some suggestions that can change the look of a room with relatively little expense.

Painting a bedroom is an excellent way to change its entire appearance with minimal cost. Add interest by using deeper and stronger colors rather than neutral ones. Try painting the ceiling for a change. Stencils, rag-rolling and sponge painting add texture. Ask your local paint

shop about different techniques.

Consider blackboard paint for a section of the wall - or all the way around the room. This allows them to express their creativity (or do their homework) - especially if your teenager enjoys drawing. If you have the time or inclination, or if your teen is particularly good at painting, a mural might be something to consider. A logo of a favorite sports team can take up an entire wall (go Canucks!).

Some teenagers are pack-rats and accumulate a mountain of assorted treasures. They may not have enough room in their closets for all their stuff, so it ends up under the bed and all over the floor.

Shelves are one solution - and they don’t have to be expensive wooden ones either. Get creative and think of different types of crates and cement bricks that you can spray paint in neat patterns - just put a wooden board across the top.

For teenage girls, fabric hung from the corner of the ceiling in loops can make the room look classy. If it is secured well, it can also be used as a place for arranging stuffed animals. Find colorful scarves at local thrift shops, or perhaps stored in the attic.

For teenage boys, t-shirts that remind them of soccer teams or Disneyland can be hung on the wall. A plain t-shirt signed by all of his friends will add a personal touch. Add a group photo next to the shirt to attach names to faces.

Pillows can be made cheaply. Use them as decorations on the bed or for friends to sit on. Sew your own pillows by cutting out logos from old shirts and sewing them together, using an old sheet as a backing. Stuff the pillow full of cotton and stitch it up. If you don’t have old shirts, buy end of stock cloth at any fabric store.

No teenage bedroom is complete without posters of the newest band, favorite sports team, or hot actor. Framed pictures of friends look nice if arranged in an original way. Opened Oriental fans attached to the wall at different angles add character.

Have your teenager’s favorite quotes, funny sayings, or pleasant reminders plastered on their wall. Cut out comic strips and tack to the walls - this may keep visitors in the room longer than your teen wants them there. But they say laughter is the best medicine – so it can make your teen’s room a healthy place to be!

Jumat, 10 April 2009

Romantic Bedroom Decorating Ideas

You'll obviously want to decorate your bedroom in a style that suits your taste and preferences. However, remember that your bed will be the focal point of your bedroom, so go all out and make it as luxurious as possible...

Try some of the decorating ideas in the photograph as well as some of the ideas below to create the romantic sanctuary you've always dreamed about:

  1. Paint the room in a warm neutral color. Consider adding texture and depth to the walls with faux painting, stenciling, or rubber stamping.

    I think rubber stamping is the easiest and fastest of these decorative painting techniques. There are thousands of stamp designs and the results can be very impressive. If you'd like to learn more, I recommend that you check out the book Creative Stamping for Walls & Furniture.

    Faux finishes are also quite popular, and with good reason. They add depth and texture to your walls. Faux Like A Pro can provide you with the tools and instructions you need to easily do-it-yourself.

    If you'd like to learn more about the major components of decorating such as painting, lighting, etc., go to the Home-Decorating-Made-Easy.com home page.

  2. Cover your bed with quality cotton sheets in solid colors, prints, or patterns that reflect your mood. Top your bed with a comforter, duvet, or feather bed to add drama to your decorative style. Click here to read my bedroom decorating ideas for Accessorizing Your Bed. And if you'd like information on selecting the perfect bed comforters, click here. There are two sites I recommend for your linens. Linen Source offers a full line of quality bedding accessories and Linen Place specializes in luxury linens at deeply discounted prices.
  3. Nothing kills romance faster than clutter...

    So find appropriate storage spaces for papers, spare change, and other excess. If you have a small bedroom, eliminating clutter will make your bedroom look larger. If you could use some tools for getting clutter under control, check out Get Organized Now.

  4. Select the right bed and other furniture. Don't make the mistake of getting a bed that is too big for the room. And rather than buying the standard chest of drawers, why not try a large armoire.

    Don't think you have to buy an entire matching bedroom set. You'll want plenty of space to move around. Click here to learn more about Selecting The Right Bedroom Furniture. If you're in the market for bedroom furniture, I recommend that you first browse Furniture Find.They offer thousands of brand name furniture pieces at discounted prices. Also, you'll find lots of online images that give great decorating ideas.

    A major benefit of Furniture Findis that they carry many more items than any brick and mortar shop. And through their free Personal Shopper service they will search high and low for any item that you can't find on their web site.

    So even if you spot something you like at your local furniture store, put Furniture Find to work to see if the price can be beaten. You have nothing to lose!

  5. No bed can be deemed romantic without lots of pillows. You'll want to use a mix of pillow sizes and shapes.

    Start by propping two or more of the large, square-shaped, European-sized pillows against the headboard. They will look nicely behind rectangular pillows. Add texture and dimension by using various shaped small pillows covered in different weaves, finishes, laces, and tapestry.

  6. The lighting in your cozy bedroom should generally be low wattage. Consider using a three-way bulb in your side table lamps if you occasionally read in bed. And for special evenings, your bedroom decorating ideas should include romantic candlelight.
  7. Lay an area rug on your bedroom floor. The rug will add extra richness to your room. I placed an area rug at an angle, with a part of it slid underneath the foot of my bed. The effect is quite dramatic. (Note: It doesn't matter if your floors are hard or carpeted. This bedroom decorating idea is equally effective.)

    If you're interested in an area rug for your bedroom, I recommend that you check out ifloor. They have an impressive variety of rug colors, patterns, and styles.

  8. Add your own personal touches with these bedroom decorating ideas: Hang your favorite prints or photos in unusual frames; place a vase containing fresh flowers on your bedside tables; or display sculptures and figurines that reflect your personality and feelings.

    Evaluate your current bedroom decor first, then visit these highly recommended sites.

    If your decorating style is either Contemporary or Eclectic, or if you enjoy primitive or earthy artifacts, Novica is for you. I love this site. It has original hand made pieces from all over the world.

    On the other hand, if you're seeking more conservative and elegant pieces, Bellacor offers a wide range of attractive accessories and bedroom decorating ideas for every style. This site is great because you select the category and indicate your decorating style. It returns numerous items that match your request. And if your walls need a wake up call, visit All Posters for quality prints and posters. They'll even frame them for you.

  9. Sounds and scents round out the ultimate mood enhancers.

    For romantic or relaxing music, keep a small sound system and your favorite CD's on hand.

    And for scents, add 3 to 6 drops of your favorite aromatherapy oil to the softener section of your washing machine (use with hot water only). Alternatively, put 3 drops of oil on a piece of natural material (such as a small cotton handkerchief) and pop it into the tumble dryer along with the bed linen.

  10. Remember that layers of soothing colors and interesting textures are what give a room life and character. So don't be afraid to experiment.

If you still aren't sure how or where to get started making over your bedroom, you should consider Awaken Your Interior Designer. This book walk you through the decorating process step-by-step. Not only do you get lots of bedroom decorating ideas, but you'll get the little known insights that will allow you to implement them with confidence.

If you're searching for ways to hold down the decorating expenses for your bedroom, click on this link... Bedroom Ideas: Decorating On A Budget

Senin, 06 April 2009

Kitchen Decorating on a Budget

You absolutely can give your kitchen a fresh, casual feel without spending a fortune. The only trick is ***you'll need to be creative. Here are a few simple ideas:
  1. Clear the space.
  2. Choose a theme for your kitchen: Italian, Mexican, 1950s classic or modern, and get a few accessories to carry out the theme.
  3. Choose a bright new color for your kitchen. Paint is a great inexpensive way to really change the look of a room.
  4. Pull in hand towels and potholders in a coordinating color to go with your new theme. Style with food. If you've chosen an Italian theme, use oils and pasta in different shapes and sizes as decorative elements. If you're going modern, try a single type of fruit in a glass bowl. ***Lemons or green apples work great for a punch of color.
  5. Display your collections. Get those beautiful dishes and glassware out of the cupboard and use them to style with!
  6. Keep a vase of fresh greens or a potted plant in the kitchen to warm up the hard surfaces.
  7. Repaper your shelves and drawers in a fun color.

Kamis, 02 April 2009

Update an Old Kitchen

Sounds like a typical '30s kitchen that has perhaps had a few things added (unmatched cabinets) that you now have to deal with. Here are a few suggestions:

The floor
Let's talk about the floor first, even though it should be the last project of a mini-makeover. One of the first steps manufacturers of "peel 'n stick" floor tiles give is to apply them to clean, smooth, structurally sound underlayment. That said, it is possible to apply them over existing flooring if that flooring is clean, smooth and secure. You guessed it -- cracked linoleum doesn't qualify! Best to remove it or install a new underlayment over the linoleum.

Counter space
One of the biggest kitchen complaints is not enough counter space, which goes hand in hand with limited cabinets. Under-cabinet appliances (microwave, toaster, can opener, etc.) will help free up and de-clutter counters. Also, take advantage of wall space, shelving and/or grids for storing items that might otherwise end up on the counter.

Cabinets
As for the cabinets, there are many options -- here are just a few:

  • Painting is one of the quickest and best ways to help blend different types of cabinets. With the right preparation, primer and paint, most any surface can be painted. Not sure what type of surface you are dealing with? (Maybe a laminate?) In that case, the surface should be lightly sanded. Then, after applying a primer, paint and top with a clear protective coat, such as polyurethane. Discuss the existing surface with your paint dealer for recommendations on types of primer/paint/top coat.
  • Another way to "match" the cabinets would be to use the existing frames and replace the doors and drawer fronts.
  • How about removing some cabinet doors and use those cabinets as open shelving?
Light monochromatic colors for walls and cabinets will help make the kitchen feel larger, so make sure to accent it with color.