Modern Home Decorating

Tastes will continuously evolve throughout your life and it is a very good idea to know just when to let one style fade and move on to something new and exciting. It can be both easy and convenient to stay in a decorating rut. After all, to make a serious transition to another decorating style, it is necessary to not only learn about something new-you also need to invest some pretty serious money to truly take it to the next level.

Generally about the time we are ready to move into our first “real home” and out of the apartment mentality, we are prepared to take the next step in the evolution of our interior design scheme. At this stage, we are tired of the lava lamps and other eccentricities of young adulthood and ready to buy some more sophisticated light fixtures, such as: wall sconces, hanging pendants, or even some high quality Dale or Meyda Tiffany reproductions or original stained glass lamps.

It is important to coordinate the base and lampshade with other light fixtures so be sure to stick with the same overall design style when buying lamps, flush mount ceiling fixtures, and anything else you want to illuminate the space with. Finding a style and color/accent scheme that will complement the other furniture in the room is also important when trying to make a subtle but distinct stylistic impression. Finally, remember that there are three distinct types of lighting: ambient, task, and accent. A sophisticated lighting scheme will incorporate all three types for a balanced effect so be sure to leave room in the budget as costs can add up quicker than you think!

If you are lucky and just love a good fire on cold, winter nights-then maybe you bought a home with a fireplace. The hearth is an excellent natural focal point of any living room so be sure to remember this when decorating the space. Buying matching fireplace tools, screens, log baskets, and other hearth accessories will unify the area and make it a more natural focal point.

A mantle makes the perfect setting to display treasured keepsakes, family photos, or even a beautiful candelabra. In the winter, you may want to arrange the sofa, chairs, and coffee tables towards this area as it will naturally help concentrate attention while also expanding and unifying the space.

As we age, our culinary interests and skills tend to grow with us. Therefore, it is perfectly natural to want a more organized, refined, and aesthetically pleasing kitchen as we near thirty or beyond. We may want to add a fine wine rack to the space for social gatherings and to bring a little culture to the kitchen area.

Any culinary master will need to organize and store their prized cooking utensils which is why you need to think about adding a pot rack into the kitchen area. A fine pot rack will not only help organize your cooking utensils-it will send a subtle signal to all that enter your domain-Beware, someone in here knows how to cook!

We have not even scratched the surface when it comes to adding style and sophistication to your space. Our five simple ideas (coordinating light fixtures, complementary fireplace tools, decorate mantle, wine rack, pot rack) to bring sophistication to rooms in your home can be incorporated easily and without great expense. Just remember-a more sophisticated home will require a more involved interior design effort!

Pamela Tice
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/five-simple-ways-to-give-home-sophistication-108561.html

French country decorating is one of the most popular forms of country decorating today, yet many are confused about how to introduce this look into their homes.

French country decorating need not be expensive or difficult, and you don’t need to go out and purchase a whole new room. It is easy to introduce touches of the French country style without changing your entire decorating scheme.

French country style is a European version of our own American country style that has been popular for generations. French country however, adds more elegance, curved lines, and contrasts with weathered finishes and lots of texture. It is NOT a Parisian apartment! It is a style of the wonderful people of Provence, who work hard, play hard, and love the colors, textures and scents of the outdoors. Common colors in the French country style are golden yellows, deep reds, French blues and saturated greens. Color is vibrant in Provence because of the harsh sunlight. (Hey, the grapes love it!) Themes are not necessary for a French country room, but some common ones are roosters, grapes and wine, lavender and other herbs. Here are some great ideas for introducing the French country style into your present décor.

*Ironwork or metalwork is very popular in French country design, and you can easily find such material in candleholders, wall grilles, and wire baskets.

*Paint a couple of your furniture pieces with a crackle finish. Pair the weathered finish with an elegant fabric table runner. Try using satin black paint on a piece or two for an elegant look.

*Details are important in the French countryside…add trim to your draperies, dress up your throw pillows with ribbon, buttons, or even old beads and jewelry, and make sure comfort abounds in soft throws and well read books.

*Use fabrics that are traditional French country fabric. Toile is quintessentially French country, and depicts country scenes in one color over a neutral background. Red and yellow florals and small geometric prints look fantastic, and black and white checks are fun!

*Use candles, flowers and fabric lavishly.

*The French love to entertain; make it easy to invite loved ones over for an impromptu celebration. Start collecting pretty plates you love, mix and match them at the table, just keep a common color theme and they will blend beautifully. Stoneware and pottery pieces are very French country. Table linens are colorful, and flowers and candles are a must.

*Finally, don’t forget the rule of contrast with French country decorating. Pair weathered paint or metal with formal fabrics or beading trim, cozy up a more formal dining chair with a black, red or blue checked fabric. Bring in baskets to hang and use, and hang elegant copper pots off a rustic pot rack sporting a wonderful old patina. Rub a glaze over a curvy lamp base to antique and distress its finish, or better yet, glaze those white kitchen cabinets. Add chicken wire to cabinet doors that hold your best china and wineglasses, and make sure you find a French landscape or floral print to hang somewhere in the room.

Adding French country style to your existing décor can add that sense of elegance you’ve been looking for, is fun, and can be done gradually and with purpose. Enjoy sharing the style of family, friends, and good food and wine!

Kathy Wilson
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/how-to-bring-french-country-into-your-home-129032.html

I want to learn how to so, mostly for home decorating and maybe gifts (purses, baby items, etc). I’ve been trying to research online and there are 3 Janome models I’m looking at:
Jem Gold 2 (661)
Jem Platinum (720)
DC2007LE

I want whatever I buy to be easy to use and not need many repairs. There isn’t a dealer close by and I’m trying to figure out how much these machines cost. I would like to stay under $200.

Anyone have more information? Are there any other comparable machines?

Buy the brand from a legitimate sewing machine shop near you. Most dealers of the new machines include free lessons, support and free service for a year. I love my Viking and it is great going to the owner’s classes, no charge, and doing hands on projects ranging from home dec, clothing and quilts. Viking dealers offer unlimited classes. Have owned different Vikings for the past 15 years and still get the free classes

Some people have a knack when it comes to home decor. They can throw just about anything up on the walls, and it looks great! With so many home decor styles to choose from, there must be something all of us can do to make our homes unique and beautiful.

Let’s take shabby chic decor. It’s so charming and relaxing, the perfect decor for the home of a true southern belle. The romantic style of shabby chic lends itself to the relaxed, unpretentious personality. Can you paint? If so, this may be the perfect home decor for you.

In shabby chic decor, most furniture and accents are worn looking, with a distressed finish. Put a light coat of white paint on a few picture frames, an end table, or a rocking chair. Sand lightly, until the finish looks a little worn. You’ve just added a personal touch to your unique style of home decor!

Love country decor? This is one of the most loved styles, especially in the south. People are absolutely crazy about roosters, sunflowers – anything with lots of warm colors. Country decor is so warm and welcoming, especially in the kitchen. This is actually my favorite style of home decor (and I am from the south, I’ll admit).

When decorating with country decor, lots of wood really adds to the look. Pine wood floors are especially gorgeous, with the glowing reflection of everything in the room. Want to add your own personal touch to country decor? Crochet a few doilles, build a country style wall shelf to hold some of your knick knacks. Add your personal touch to your own home decor!

If western decor is your favorite, this one’s easy. You love horses, cowboy decor, horseshoes, everything western. A big Texas star hanging on the wall, metal wall decor and candleholders in western shapes such as horses or horseshoes. A campfire cowboy figurine setting on the coffee table, along with some old western book favorites.

Western decor is a popular home decor style in many states like Texas, Wyoming and Montana. Big open spaces is what western is all about. To add your own personal touch to western decor, go outside! Find an old wagon wheel, some old horseshoes, some rope – and make something unique to add to your home decor! Use your imagination.

There are many other styles of home decor, too many to mention. But you get the point. Everyones style is unique and different, and each person likes their own thing. Whatever you love – country decor, shabby chic decor, western decor or something altogether different, make it your own! Add your own distinct touch to your style of home decor.

Tess Tackett
http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/home-decor-let-you-shine-through-423055.html

How to pick stencils for your home. Uses of stencils on different materials. Finding the right pattern of stencils.

One of the fastest growing trends in home decorating recently has been stencil design. Using stencils adds a creative note to any home and you can incorporate the styles and colors to suit your own tastes. You don’t have to be an artist to have beautiful artistic expressions on your walls and furniture, you just have to have a good imagination and be able to follow instructions. Stencil designs are an easy and fun way to literally “imprint” your style on your home.

There are a number of ways in which you can use stencil design. Most people use stencils on walls, but it is also used successfully on furniture, glass such as mirrors and windows, and on fabrics. There are many people use use stenciling as a hobby and they do not even use it as an interior decorating tool, but just to create beautiful artifacts that have lovely stenciled designs on them. There are t-shirts, vases and wooden furniture that look beautiful with a stencil design on them.

The most common way of using stencil design is to create borders on the edges of walls. But with a little imagination, you can decorate an entire wall with stencils, using large patterns or repeating one pattern over and over. Consider using stencils on fabrics and covering your chairs or curtains in a stencil to match a pattern on the walls.
There are so many patterns and designs of stencils that it is easy to find one that suits your taste and decor. You can find pattern in craft shops, home improvement stores, and of course, on line. If you are considering a stencil project, be sure you lay out exactly what you want for the room or for the item you are stenciling. You can choose a fantasy look, or create a forest or garden right in your home. There are many simple, classical lines that add just an elegant touch to a room, and there are very ornate ones if that goes with your theme.

You can even carry this artistry one step further and create your own stencils. Using a pattern from the wallpaper or drapery fabric you have chosen for the room, you can trace it out and make your own design.

Though stenciling is fun and easy to do, you will have more success if you do a little research to learn the right kinds of brushes and paints to use, and how to prepare surfaces properly.

Using your imagination, doing some research, and getting involved in this interesting project will give you a unique look for your home that you and your family will enjoy.

Mr.Andrew Caxton
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/a-great-decorating-idea-stencils-109646.html

When budgets are getting tighter, decorating or updating your home may get put on the back burner. Luckily, there are lots of contests, sweepstakes, and giveaways out there that feature fabulous items to keep your home looking fresh and running strong. Though our tastes tend to be a bit too discerning for most of the décor items available in giveaways, there are plenty of gadgets that we’d welcome in our home (and some chic items if you look hard enough). And with entry forms now conveniently on the internet, a click of the mouse gives you a chance to win, making it easy to enter multiple contests without spending much time or money. But just because a product is free doesn’t mean it’s right for your home. Read on and see how to find the items you can really use.

GO FOR NO-FAIL PRIZES
Home Appliances
While you might have to be a little picky about décor, newer technology is always welcome—especially when it’s free of cost. Unlike a particular accent rug that might not be right for every house and every person, appliances, which are chosen for function rather than form, are a great option. Floor care items such as vacuum cleaners and carpet steamers, outdoor goods like lawn mowers and grills, and bigger items like washers and dryers are all spectacular wins. When looking for prizes, try to enter sweepstakes for the items that you actually need. Many of these products cost hundreds of dollars if not more—not having to buy them may free up some cash for you to splurge a little on décor that might not have been in your budget before.

Kitchen Goods
Keep an eye out for any items for the kitchen. Smaller items like cutting boards, pots and pans, and handheld utensils may have fewer sweepstakes entries because they have a lower total value, which could increase your chances of winning. Or, look out for fun items you might not buy for yourself, like a margarita mixer, a cappuccino machine, or an ice cream maker. While they aren’t necessities, goods like these can be a great addition to the kitchen and make entertaining more fun—just make sure you have ample counter or cabinet space.

Electronics
A flat-screen TV, DVD player, high-quality sound system, or a new computer will fit right in, no matter what your style. Again, snagging these big-ticket items for free may allow you to spend more money elsewhere, maybe even on a beautiful armoire!

THE TIME TO BE PICKY
Consider your existing décor
When moving onto more stylized items like furnishings, pillows, rugs, draperies, or home accents, do a little editing. If your dining room is modern and contemporary, a sweepstakes for a chintzy floral tablecloth might not be your best bet. If you have a bedroom dominated in soft neutrals and warm earth tones, consider that color scheme when entering sweepstakes. An exception? Linens. Items like towels and sheets are going to come in handy when hosting guests even if they don’t match perfectly.

Select brands you know
With home décor, always consider quality. If it seems like there’s a lot to navigate, look for names you know and retailers you trust. It’s hard to learn much from a small picture online or a short description, but if you’ve always been happy with Lenox tableware or Ralph Lauren bedding, it’s likely that you will continue to be impressed. Similarly, look for smaller items from trustworthy brands rather than large pieces from ones you don’t know. These are the things that will last and continue to make you happy for years, instead of ending up shoved in the back of a closet or taking up space in the attic.

Look where you read
Many home design magazines and web sites sponsor their own giveaways and sweepstakes. These items are often from the same brands that are featured on the pages of these magazines or on their web sites, and reflect the design sensibility of the publication. So if you don’t know where to start, think of the decorating sites you love the best, and go there. It’s likely that their sweepstakes will be right on target with your personal style. Click on the link below for a list of our editorial giveaways.

DARE TO DREAM
There are dream house makeovers that offer winners the funds to redo their entire home or create their ideal haven. Sure it’s a long shot, but in this economy, it can’t hurt to try. And even if you don’t win, just thinking about your perfect house could inspire a few ideas, and a lot of creativity, so when you do have the funds to do a little decorating, you’ll know exactly where to start.

mandy
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/home-sweepstakes-how-to-decorate-for-free-698315.html

First of all, let me acknowledge that it is okay to have fear and be a scaredy-cat. Hey, if it wasn’t for fear we would easy place our hands on a hot stove. The key is to face the fear and be proactive (um, like NOT touching the flames on your stove - ouchie!) by moving forward with comfort.
 
Are you procrastinating from decorating your home to reflect your comfort and style? If so, what is stopping you from decorating your home to “fit” your comfort?
 
Is it not enough time? money? knowledge? tired when you get home? The answer – you are! You are what is stopping you from living better in your home.
 
My philosophy is that you obtain comfort at home from a physical (balanced furniture placement & color schemes) and mental state of relaxation (believing that you deserve to live great)  - and not from expensive furniture.
 
You and only you have the power to do something about the comfort of your room(s). Even if you do not live alone, you can be the motivator in your household for improving your home, while making it FUN and moving FORWARD!

So how do you move forward? It’s simple – think of the letters F-O-R-W-A-R-D, here’s the guide:

F-ind time and make a decision to love living and enjoying your home
O-rganize your items  by what you like/do not like or want/do not want
R-emove all excuses of why you can’t or shouldn’t treat yourself to living in comfort
W-elcome input of others, but keep the eye on the prize YOUR immediate household’s comfort
A-rrange your home life to reflect your personality & the lifestyle that you WANT (not the lifestyle you currently have, reach for more luxury)
R-emember your ultimate goal (e.g.: fun living room to invite friends over, kitchen to accommodate dinner parties, bedroom to relax and read, etc).
D-esign a plan for decorating your home that matches your heart 

Here are a few inspirational quotes to remind you to live happy within your home and your “self”: 
 
“Success is a journey, not a destination” – Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr. (prominent tennis player)

“the greatest motivator for me was getting started.” – V.S. Naipul (nobel prize winner)

“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certain certainties” – Erich Fromm (renowned psychologist)

How boring (and quite “twilight zone” strange) would it be if you had the same exact décor 10 years from now? Same wall colors, same toss pillows on your sofa, same artwork. Hmm, a bit boring (zzzzzz) to you and your guests, huh?!

So don’t be afraid to buy a particular framed art that you love NOW, and it may become a perfect gift that you pass on to someone you love in 3 years from now.  As your comfort level, tastes, and style grows so should your home – to reflect your life  - a successful journey living your life to the fullest potential of your current style, tastes, and preferences.

Now this doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money on furniture, it means that you decorate your home following your heart’s inner desire: 

• perhaps you cannot afford to have a built in Jacuzzi tub, but you can surround yourself with plush towels and a bathrobe that feels like a warm hug  
• perhaps you cannot afford a new sofa, but you can slipcover your current sofa to make the room look and feel brighter and larger
• perhaps you cannot afford a new area rug for your living room, but you can paint your current old rug with colors that match the newly purchased toss pillows that you love

Make a decision to improve your home and get started (move F-O-R-W-A-R-D)! Give yourself a wishful deadline to energize yourself.  Maybe even plan a dinner party with the goal that you will have a new improved home to showcase at your dinner party. 
 
When you start feeling a fear that you may make decorating mistakes:

• embrace the fear and remind yourself that it is okay to make mistakes as long as you learn from them 
• get decorating tools to help guide you and help alleviate your decorating hesitance (e.g. from your local library, decorating TV shows, from us -> view our website source page, e-book 31 Mistakes to Avoid When Decorating Your Home, decorating service options: Quick Room Analyzer, Dream Design Kit. To learn more about these services, please go to the website below.

So, take charge and be a tiger/tigress RAAAR (<- that is my tigress sound effect) and decorate your home to reflect YOU! Feel happy at home, and within your”self”. 

© 2007 Ada’s Interior Design, Inc. All Rights Reserved | Website: www.adasdecoratingsolutions.com

Ada Gonzalez
http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/are-you-a-decorating-scaredycat-hmm-are-you-677099.html