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Fashion Meets Home Decorating

Sep13
2008
Leave a Comment Written by Becky

Have you ever noticed how trends in home decorating tend to imitate fashion trends? This idea is evident in the recent surge of safari-inspired fashion. First seen in full force on the spring runways, the safari trend quickly moved from khaki dresses and raffia belts to zebra-print rugs and bamboo place mats.

Let’s take a look at some of this season’s fashion trends that might soon be making their mark on home decor:

It looks like fall and winter florals will be a big trend this year, with a shift from the painterly florals of last season to bigger and bolder prints. If you’re thinking of implementing floral prints into your furniture and home decor, forget about delicate daisies and stick with the mantra that bolder is better.

The reemergence of slouchy slacks and wide-leg pants indicates a return to comfort, but don’t confuse comfort with laziness. This trend is chic and effortlessly cool; practical, but polished. Try incorporating it into your home with a tailored leather sofa or crisp white linens.

Country fashion is also a trend to watch for, with velvet, tweed, plaid and fur all making a comeback. Another popular material is lace, which will be seen on everything from tights to little black dresses this season. A plush velvet pillow or a lace table runner might be the perfect accent piece for your living room or dining room.

Continuing on with the discussion of decorative tights, some of this season’s hosiery displays patterns that you might see in wallpaper. This look is similar to the damask trend that has populated wallpaper as of late, but the new patterns are more abstract and geometric.

Geometric shapes and sharp angles have also been taking over accessories recently, with square bangles and triangular mod earrings dangling from the jewelry racks at hip boutiques across the country.

In other accessory news, chain jewelry will be a huge statement piece this fall and winter. If you’re loving the look of chain necklaces and belts and want to bring that trend home with you, try installing a dramatic chandelier that is draped with chains or beads.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged design trends, home decorating, hot trends, how to decorate, interior design, selling a home
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Feng Shui Decorating

Sep11
2008
2 Comments Written by Alicia

We spend a third of our lives in the bedroom. This is considered our most personal space where we rest and rejuvenate in the evening for a refreshed feeling in the morning. But those following the principles of feng shui may be waking up more refreshed than others.

Feng shui (pronounced fung shway) dictates that our surroundings affect our health, wealth and happiness. Feng shui literally translates to “wind and water” in Chinese. It is considered the art of placement. It states that if you place your furniture and belongings in a particular setup, especially in the bedroom, positive and balanced energy can offer you the most peaceful state of mind to wake up to.

Even if you don’t believe in this, the rules still make for smart design sense.

You could opt to keep your feng shui bedroom design as simple as this:

1. The tiger crouches at your side for protection. Place a nightstand lower than the bed to the right side.
2. The dragon flies high in the sky. Place a tall shelving unit or dresser to the left side of the bed.
3. The phoenix needs room to fly far out and ahead. Make the area by the foot of your bed clear of clutter.
4. The tortoise brings up the rear. Place the head of the bed against a wall or, more importantly, acquire a bed with a solid headboard.
5. The snake resides in the center. Center the bed so that you could exit from either side.

If you want to become more involved with feng shui, much more advice is available. Pick and choose what you’d like to include in your bedroom, or go all out and follow every rule for the highest possible impact. Here are some highlights:

The windows and doors control the flow of energy. The most important rule states that your bed should rest in the middle of the bedroom and the bedroom door should be visible from the bed but not directly across from it or next to it. This allows you the feeling of safety but doesn’t allow the energy flow to be disrupted. The best setup would place your bed diagonally across from the door. You must never allow the bed to directly face the door. This is referred to as the “coffin” position and drains you while you sleep.

Do not place your bed directly next to a window. This will stifle the energy flow. Mirrors create negative energy. Your best bet is to cover windows and mirrors in your bedroom with a scarf or curtains while you sleep. This will forbid the possibility of energy bouncing off mirrors, therefore allowing the energy to flow naturally.

Try not to sleep under ceiling beams or a ceiling fan that will force energy to push down forcefully on your body.

Use soft, natural, earthly colors in the bedroom, such as cream, copper, tan, cocoa, peach and light shades of blues and greens. Shades of pink and red make excellent accent colors if you are looking to increase romance in your life.

Your bedroom should always include furniture for two. With your bed in the middle of the room, place a nightstand on each side of the bed. Choose artwork that has two people or objects displayed. This will create a room with unity and balance, which will in turn balance your daily life.

When choosing new furniture, such as the nightstands next to the bed, apt for rounded corners that cannot cut off energy. Only place peaceful items next to the bed and throughout the room. On your nightstand, rest a vase of flowers, scented oils or your favorite photograph next to the bed. Get rid of any item that carries negative energy, such as a mattress you bought with a friend you no longer communicate with.

Allow the clutter in your room to disappear once and for all! This includes storage under the bed and in the closet. Every area of the room should possess an airy space to allow energy to freely flow through. Shut away all electronics when it’s time for bed. Keep your television in a cabinet with doors, place your alarm clock as far away from your bed as possible and shut your phone off. Keep financial paperwork and exercise gear in another room. You should only fill your personal space with peaceful, tranquil items.

Close all the doors to your room, including the bathroom door. This will allow the healthy energy to flow only to you and not “down the drain”. During the day, open up the windows or doors whenever possible to allow the air in your room to constantly remain fresh.

If you only have a ceiling light fixture, purchase a lamp or dimmers. This allows you to balance high impact and low impact lighting for a balanced energy, and to alter the atmosphere of your room to suit your mood. Surround yourself with sensuous tastes, sounds and smells to keep your frame of mind free of stress and full of harmony.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged adding value to your home, decorating, feng shui, home decor, interior design
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Green Idea: Xeriscaping

Jul07
2008
3 Comments Written by Allegra

XeriscapeIf you love gardening but always have the current global warming crisis on the back of your mind, you may have a growing concern for the amount of water you’re using to keep your plants alive.

Did you know there’s an alternative that can put your worried mind at ease?

It’s xeriscaping.

What’s xeriscaping? Xeriscaping was invented in Denver, Colorado, by the Colorado WaterWise Council to help people improve their landscapes while using less water. The word comes from the Greek word xeros meaning dry and the Anglo-Saxon word scape meaning view. Xeriscaping uses seven gardening principles that save water while creating a lush garden.

The perks of xeriscaping:

  • Lower water bills
  • Less work because of its low maintenance
  • Little to no lawn mowing, which saves energy
  • Helps conserve water

The seven gardening principles:

  1. Plan and Design
  • Before any xeriscaping can be done, a well laid-out plan needs to be set in place. Create a sketch you’re your backyard or whatever area you plan on putting your garden in. Remember to include existing structures like trees and bushes, if they exist. Consider the costs of your project, the design appearance you’re after, the function of the space and the maintenance it will require. Next, visualize the xeriscape garden you want. Choose the plants, rock beds, etc. having a plan and design will help things run smoothly.
  1. Soil conservation
  • In a water-conserving landscape the soil should both drain quickly and store water at the same time. Healthy soil grows healthy plants. You can analyze the soil to see if its needs improvement.
  1. Create suitable turf areas
  • Turf (grass) areas are necessary for open space and visual interest but keep them to a small, yet usable, size. Plant drought-tolerant turf grass in these areas.
  1. Choose the appropriate plants
  • Plants for xeriscaping should also be drought-resistant. If possible, use plants native to your area. Trees, like gray birch, cedars and elms, help reduce water evaporation by blocking the soil from sunlight. Perennial flowers include baby’s breath, Arizona columbine, succulents and tulips. Annual flowers include cosmos, marigold and zinnias. These are just a few ideas. Don’t forget about drought-resistant plants and bushes such as hydrangea, juniper and potentilla! Plants with silvery, waxy, fuzzy or prickly leaves tend to be xeriscape friendly.
  1. Use mulch
  • Cover the soil with a mulch to help conserve soil moisture and retain temperature. Options for organic mulch include peat moss, manure, sawdust and compost.
  1. Have an efficient irrigation system
  • This helps conserve water. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems are the simplest way to water your xeriscape garden and they deliver water to the base of the plants. Never over-water your garden; that counteracts the preservation!
  1. Proper maintenance
  • Xeriscape gardens are low maintenance but still need to be tended to. As with any garden, prune and weed. Add extra mulch when needed.

Once you have successfully followed the seven gardening principles for xeriscaping, you can sit back and enjoy your attractive, water-conserving outdoor oasis.

Image (the xeriscape symbol) Source: Aggie Horticulture

Posted in Green Living, Tips and Ideas - Tagged curb appeal, eco-friendly home, exterior appeal, green ideas, green improvement, Green Living, landscaping, living green, living in a green home, xeriscaping
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COLOR: How to Choose?

Jul02
2008
2 Comments Written by Allegra

Paint colorsWhether you’ve just purchased a new home or you’re looking to spruce up a home you’ve been in for a while, paint is a simple and cheap way to add personal flair and style.

That being said, choosing paint colors can be tricky. There’s a lot to consider before you take the color plunge. You don’t want something to end up with a room that slightly resembles a medieval dungeon or the inside of a Pepto-Bismol bottle.

Here are some things to consider before you head out and pick up paint samples:

What feeling does the room give off?

For example, a bedroom may feel tranquil or serene where a living room may feel comfortable and welcoming. A game room might feel active and energetic. You want the paint to complement the room’s feel or the color will seem wrong. Brighter, livelier colors make more sense in the more vivacious rooms while softer, less in-your-face colors work in the quieter spaces.

How big is the space?

If you’ve got a small area to work with, you’ll want to make it feel bigger, which can be done with lighter colors. Also, cooler colors like blues, greens and violets tend to make walls recede while warm colors like red, yellows and oranges bring them forward. So if you want a space to feel smaller and more intimate, go with the warmer, darker shades.

Where is the space?

Location of the room can play into color choices as well. For example, you wouldn’t want a wildly painted formal dining room. Here you’d want something elegant and tasteful. In a play room, you’ll most likely want something light and fun. A full bathroom should be relaxed, while you may want to make the laundry room simple and clean. Bottom line is that you want the color choices to complement the space. If they don’t, it might seem awkward and put you off the room.

Do you have a color scheme?

Unfortunately throwing a random of assortment of colors together will only make the room seem haphazard and awkward, not a space you want to spend time in. To start, find a color inspiration. Perhaps it’s a certain curtain fabric or a great throw pillow. Maybe it’s the new rug you picked up for the room. Once you have your inspiration, choose colors that go together. Colors in different shades from the same family work together. So do complementary colors–colors opposite each other on the color wheel like blue and yellow.

Remember to look at the undertones too. Some have a pink undertone, some yellow, some black. These undertones subtly come through and vary the shades of different colors.

Do your walls have trim?

Maybe you’ve got chair rail or crown molding. If the walls have any sort of trim, you can paint these an accent color to increase visual interest. For example, if you choose to paint the walls a light color, painting the trim dark will make it pop. If trim runs halfway up the wall you can use the trim divider to use two different walls colors, adding even more interest to the space. For instance, paint the chair rail a neutral color, then paint the bottom half a darker shade and the top half a lighter shade of the same color. If not but you still want something that pops, make a focal wall with an accent color.

As with anything in your home, the paint colors you decide on should reflect your personal taste. Whether you are quiet and reserved or funky and outgoing, the paint on your walls should reflect you. Now that you’ve gotten these tips, go out and have some fun with color!

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged adding value to your home, color, home decor, home decorating, home renovations, interior design, paint
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To Wallpaper or Not to Wallpaper?

Mar22
2008
Leave a Comment Written by Sarah

Have you heard? Wallpaper is making a comeback. You’ll see it in design magazines, decorator showcases, model homes.

Yet despite its being the trendiest thing to put on your walls, you might be leery of putting the modern equivalent of your mother’s flower prints in your kitchens for the next 25 years. If you’re thinking about doing wallpaper, think about your future and the future buyer of your home.

Should you wallpaper? Short answer: yes, if you love wallpaper. Wallpaper your heart out. However, if you are selling a home, you might want to take your prospective buyer’s opinions into consideration.

If you are opting for a neutral-colored, textured wallpaper, you’ll have a better chance for longevity and an overall acceptance of your wall choice. 

Ivillage.com notes: “Unless the wallpaper has a wonderful texture or something that really makes the room, opt for paint and do a layered technique where you get some depth of color…it’s very difficult to remove. Paint can be changed anytime you like.”

Upscale wallpaper is generally more expensive than your run-of-the-mill prints but affords a classic look that can blend in seamlessly with contemporary design.

What is the most important lesson in wallpapering?  Think long-term. It might save you a lot of scraping.

wallpaper

 

Posted in Home Improvement, Selling Tips, Tips and Ideas - Tagged current trends, home decor, interior decorating, real estate, wallpaper
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