Archive for December, 2010
Mud Rooms Explained – Principle to Purpose
In case you don’t have a mud room, then you really should consider creating one in your home. Many people are creating their own mud rooms, which is an intelligent solution especially in the winter.
A mudroom is the room that bridges the space between indoors and outdoors. It is actually a barrier that keeps the indoor temperature from the outdoor cold. It is a room that is used for storage or just keeping your animals inside.
It is usually a small area. In case you are going to create such a room, here are few ideas how to decorate the mud room. Usually the mudroom is small and it is ideal to host your old books, CDs, documents, winter clothes and other home items.
You can place some shelves, storage baskets and a similar bench. In case you want to decorate the mud room in an elegant way, you can go for a rustic two-drawer console table in white.
You can store some items there like an old chandelier, books and a crystal cup of decorative figures. Add some umbrella stands and use it to store the umbrellas, the coats and some keys.
Gift Ideas for a New Home
In case you are wondering what gift can you get for a new home, don’t hesitate to choose the right accessories.
Of course, they should go with the interiors of the home, but if you choose something different, then go for a contrast. The home decorating experts advise to choose accessories that create contrast, which is the first step to a beautiful interior.
Don’t choose accessories from the same color palette; add some contrast by choosing small, but effective accessories. Check out the latest designer collection and choose the modern accessories, if the home is entirely in the contemporary style.
Start with accessory for the bathroom. You can add some fresh nuances in the bathroom by presenting just a cream hand soap, of course not an ordinary one. Get Fruits & Passion cream hand soap that comes in orange bottles and it is an ideal gift, especially if you are going to visit your neighbors’ new home.
Beautiful bookends are perfect gift for any host, in case you don’t know the interior style of the home. The bookends just match any style and they are universal. Check out Indigo’s latest collection for metallic bookends, which are the latest trend in home decorating.
Nursery Decorating Ideas – More Than Just Pink And Blue
Many of us may choose to go with a gender specific set of nursery decorating ideas, choosing motifs and colors suitable for a girl or boy depending on the ultrasound result. On the other hand, many of us choose not to know the sex of the child until its actual arrival and sometimes the ultrasound may have been inconclusive.
Some of us may also prefer nursery decorating ideas not to be gender specific because the new arrival may be going to share the room with an older sibling.
Also when decorating the nursery, remember that if you are planning to make substantial or permanent changes to the room, then they should be such that they remain appropriate for some years to come.
So here are some general nursery decorating ideas that you may find useful –
Bedding
The most important element of the nursery would have to be the baby’s cot. It makes sense to get one that is expandable and will last for some years.
Make sure that the one you buy meets all safely specifications, which is also important for the bedding you choose for the baby’s bed.
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Mirrors are basic accessories inside a home. Even if you choose to place them on the hallway, in the nursery or in the bathroom, the addition will offer beauty to the room and create a more spacious looking environment.
If you want to put a mirror on the wall, you must take under consideration what is about to be reflected into it. If it is placed on the wall in front of a window, it will borrow the image of the landscape outside and will create the illusion of another window. A valuable architectural element deserves to be reflected in a mirror and will offer balance to the room.
If the bathroom is the first room that comes to mind when you think of mirrors you may be used to see it placed above the sink. This type of mirror can be a simple one mounted on the wall or beautifully framed. It can also be a magnifying effect mirror for beauty purposes.
If you have a spacious bathroom, hang the mirror to a mobile arm so you can easily see your back. If the bathroom is very small go for a mirror placed above the bathtub and you will create the illusion of a bigger space.
Beginner’s Guide to DIY Home Library Decoration
Setting up a home library might look like quite a challenge but it can be made simple with the right steps. The beginner has to keep in mind the major three aspects: the space, the shelving and the books.
As space goes you should keep in mind to evaluate correctly. Depending on the necessity you can transform an entire room to fit the library concept or you should use the available wall space you have. The library walls should be painted in light colors to make the most of the natural light.
The shelving is exactly the factor able to maximize the space. The shelves can be ordered to cover the entire surface from the floor to the ceiling.
Keep in mind that depending on how high you place them you may need a library ladder.
When you choose the light for the library room consider a lamp that will allow you to read the smallest text.
The light should fall on your shoulders so your eyes won’t get tired. The reading lamp must be stronger than the room light and it is a good idea to use the natural light for as long as possible.
Indoor Water Fountains – Types To Choose From
Whether it is due to reasons of belief in disciplines such as Feng Shui or just because you like the look and sound of a fountain, indoor water fountains can be an excellent design element to incorporate into an indoor space. Whether it is for the home or the office, indoor water fountains can make a bold statement that draws all eyes and becomes a focal point of the area.
Indoor water fountains can be of many different types; being as ornate and intricate as you may require or as simple and unadorned as you need them to be. They can be rather like works of art that not only look great, but the sound of running water can also be a tranquil and soothing resonance that creates a wonderful ambiance.
Some people also believe that flowing indoor water can help reduce allergic reactions and indoor pollution and can help one feel more relaxed and alert.
Though outdoor fountains may typically be bigger and require more space, indoor water fountains may be of the following different types –
Kitchen appliances: the good, the bad and the expensive
The soul of our kitchen isn’t the table, where the whole family gathers together. Actually the soul of any kitchen is its appliances. When it comes to kitchen appliances, people are concerned for their functionality, design and of course look.
The perfect kitchen appliance is the one that looks modern, but it is functional and practical. In case you have to replace the old kitchen appliances with new ones, here are few things you should consider before changing the appliances in your kitchen.
In case you have an outdoor kitchen, the best appliances for you will be a refrigerator, beverage center, cook top cabinet, sink base and gas grill.
Don’t fill your kitchen with too much appliances. Try to choose your appliances by their functions, not by their look. In case you are really into a modern kitchen design, you should forget about affordable prices, because many of the most modern appliances are too expensive.
For instance, the Pass-Through refrigerator made by Traulsen looks like a kitchen cabinet by itself, but it is a refrigerator. It is big, luxurious and very expensive. When it comes to its functionality, it is simple. This refrigerator is not more functional than any other average refrigerator.
Retro Look Makes the Home Fabulous
The retro look has always been modern, when it comes to decoration. In case you are living in the country, this look is even recommendable. Avoid the cliché and design your home with retro elements, instead of following the banal tendency for contemporary design.
You don’t need to renovate the entire house, just place the right accessories on the right spots and you will see the change in your home interior. In case you have some retro furniture, don’t throw it away. If the can be rebuilt, you can use it again and add some vintage touch to your home.
The 50s are often praised as the most stylish years of the century. Add some 50′s glamor by replacing the old fabrics with cotton fabrics in bright colors. The accessories also should be changed.
If you like the spirit of the 60s or 70s, then go for accessories with abstract shapes and patterns. Replace the old painting with a copy of Salvador Dali’s painting and place the old-styled lamps in the corridor.
Neutral walls are good for any home, but if you want a retro touch, go for white or cream colors. The old sofa can be remodeled and placed in the living room. Dress the sofa with new patterned fabric and enjoy the difference.
21 Contemporary Kids Desks!
Kids desks, whether used for studying or for any other purpose, are an integral part of any child’s room. They not only form a part of the decor of the room but also enhance the overall aesthetic appearance of that room. And what more can boost a child’s creativity than his desk itself?
Have a look at these 21 Contemporary Kids Desks to give you an idea of what we exactly mean:
1. P’kolino Klick Desk and Chair Set:
It is not wise to separate education from the development of the brain and its growth. Children do not like to learn in conventional ways and this colorful table with a simple design is just the kind of a thing a kid would love to have.
2. P’kolino’s New Chalk Table:
This chalk table is one of the smart as well as playful kids desks. With a reversible top and a compartment underneath to hold supplies, it is just the ideal thing to have for a kid. To be easily able to switch from craft time to study time and vice-versa, and all this being so hassle free is so much fun for kids. Two small size benches prove just right for toddlers as well!
DIY Window Treatments for a Lovely Home
The curtains are an important part of your home décor. In case you are going to refresh your interior, start with the curtains.
The trend for the curtains this year is one: the extra long curtains are very fashionable and elegant. You can do them by yourself or purchase them from some designer collection. Check out Betsy Burnham’s latest collection, for it is all about long curtains with different patterns.
The zebra print curtains are a hit, so don’t hesitate to refresh your living room by adding these beautiful curtains. In case you are going to sew curtains, remember to choose the fabrics and the colors very carefully.
Don’t go for fabrics such as plush, for they are very difficult to sew. Try some lightweight fabrics. The rayon and silk are the best fabrics for sewing curtains, but they are not so practical in the winter. Go for velveteen fabrics in the winter, for they will be great in your living room.
The blue velvet is welcomed as a fabric for the curtains, but only in homes with very lavish design. You can also embroider your curtains with different figures. Embroidered flowers on a white curtain will be great for the kitchen and it will add some vintage atmosphere. Don’t forget to measure well, before sewing.
