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The Basics of Window Treatments

Oct17
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Becky

curtains

Because they can be such a costly purchase, deciding on window treatments can be overwhelming. You want to be sure to choose something with staying power, something that will last in quality and something that you won’t change your mind about a few weeks or months down the road. Here are some important things to keep in mind when shopping for window treatments.

The purpose of window treatments is to provide privacy and light control, but they should also fit with the decor in your home. You should prioritize according to your budget by deciding which rooms are most in need of window treatments, and then decide what the purpose of the treatments is in each individual room.

So how do you know which window treatments will go best in each room in your home?

Privacy is important in the bedrooms, particularly in the master suite, so be sure to choose something that will provide complete window coverage. Fabric, roller or pleated shades would be a good option as long as they’re not sheer, or perhaps you would prefer curtains or drapes that block the view when closed but also let in plenty of light when opened.

In the living room, the family room or wherever you watch T.V., get window treatments that will cut down on glare. Metal, wood and natural blinds will still let in ample light but can be tilted to avoid direct sunlight. Vertical blinds are often found on sliding glass doors, but maybe try something like panel track blinds or custom drapes for a more stylish option.

You’ll want a lot of natural light in the kitchen, so try something simple and sheer for a streamlined look. Pleated shades provide privacy and still allow sunlight to fill the room. Wood shutters are also stylish, but be aware that they don’t provide complete privacy, as it may be possible to see through the slats. If you’re not worried about privacy, simply add a valance above the windows in the kitchen.

When it comes to the dining room, you’ll want something that adds elegance and sophistication for formal occasions. Lavish curtains or drapes provide the perfect backdrop for formal meals served in the dining room, and they can also be opened or pulled back for natural light.

There are really no rules when it comes to choosing window treatments, only suggestions. But keep in mind that the goal is to create a sense of unity and a cohesive design throughout your home.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged blinds, curtains, drapes, light, privacy, treatments, window
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Decorating with Cool and Warm Colors

Sep12
2009
Leave a Comment Written by Becky

clean house

When decorating your home, it’s important to consider the paint palette you want to use, as this can have a dramatic effect on the feel of a room.

When you break down colors on the color wheel, they fall into two groups: warm colors and cool colors. Warm colors are yellow-based and include shades of red, yellow and orange, with metallic tones of gold, brass and bronze. On the other side of the spectrum, cool colors are blue-based and include blues, greens and purples, as well as metallics like silver, chrome and nickel.

As a general rule, cool colors are relaxing, while warm colors are stimulating. Keep this in mind when choosing the color palette for each room in your home. Warm colors will create a more inviting atmosphere in gathering spaces like living rooms and dining rooms. Try rich shades of red, orange or yellow. Because of their calming effect, cool colors work best in bathrooms and even bedrooms. Light blue tones, for example, will provide a very relaxing atmosphere.

In addition to these two groups, there are colors that don’t fall into a definitive category, colors like shades of white, beige and gray. These are considered neutral colors and can be used as much or as little as you want. Just be careful not to overdo it, as an abundance of neutral colors can easily make a decorating scheme appear boring and plain.

More helpful hints when it comes to color

If you’re scared of using color, use an accent shade to add a splash of color that isn’t overwhelming. Incorporate this color by using a bright pillow or throw, or a decorative vase or curtains. Red technically falls into the warm color category, but because it is so bold, it is a popular choice as an accent color.

You can use cool and warm colors together, but do so sparingly. If a room displays a warm color scheme, choose two or three accent pieces of the same cool color. If the room showcases cool colors, on the other hand, use a couple accent pieces in a warm shade. This will also prevent the decor from looking too matchy.

When decorating a room that opens directly to another, choose a different shade of the same color so that you don’t break the creative flow from room to room.

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged accent, colors, cool, paint, palette, warm
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Adding Decorative Flair to Doors

Oct23
2008
1 Comment Written by Becky

It’s been said that first impressions stick. At a job interview, on a date. So why wouldn’t the same go for houses? I’m not talking about curb appeal, although that’s certainly important. What I’m talking about is the first thing you see when you enter a room, actually, even before you enter the room. It’s the door, of course! Instead of sticking with the same old boring wood, why not spruce up the door to add visual interest to the space?

There are a few things you can do to add decorative flair to your door without spending a lot of time or money:

Molding
Panels that resemble wainscoting or shadow box trim will add dimension and visual interest to a simple door. If the room is decorated with wallpaper, you can go a step further and line the door panel with matching wallpaper to tie the door together with the rest of the room.

Camouflage
Paint the door so that it blends in with the walls and unifies the space. If the walls are lined with chair rail trim, then put matching chair rail trim on the door for a seamless transition. Continuing the wall decor onto the door will help expand the space and create a more open atmosphere.

Decorative details
Decorative doorknobs or door panels can transform a boring door into an expression of your personal style. Don’t be afraid to be creative. Use tongue-and-groove paneling strips to infuse a rustic feel into a modern space, or try a glass doorknob for a more sophisticated approach.

Letter transfers
Letter transfers are a unique option that will set your door apart. Available in a variety of font styles, letter transfers can be used to mark any room in your home. This decorative idea is particularly ideal if you’re big on entertaining, as it will save you the trouble of constantly directing your guests to the powder room.

What do you think? Would one or more of these suggestions give your doors added flair? Remember, first impressions matter, and you only get one chance to make them!

Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged curb appeal, decorating, decoration, doors, exterior appeal, home decorating, interior design
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Decorating on the Cheap! (part 3)

Sep03
2008
Leave a Comment Written by Alicia

walls

Whether you’re a new homeowner, a new home seller or someone who’s enjoyed living in the same place for decades, you probably have given some thought to decorating.  Have you considered this? Home decorating doesn’t have to cost a fortune!

To help you see creative ways to improve your home’s look, we’re bringing you this four-part series on decorating on the cheap!

Walls

To get the most out of your wall space, you must emphasize what you’re already given. For starters, take a look at your windows. Though custom window treatments are a definite advantage if you can afford them, showing off any window is a great place to start. If you own a spacious yard with landscaping, why not show it off through the window? Raise those blinds up or take those full-length curtains down to allow natural light to fill your room. The room will seem larger too with a view of the outdoors.

If your windows aren’t particularly impressive, add mirrors to your walls as décor. Mirrors come in all shapes and sizes and can really make your room seem larger. They also help a room look fancier, like a dining room. Mirrors include many advantages while taking up wall space.

To fill your walls with framed pictures, first consider what your objective is. If you are selling your home, you want to keep the pictures artistic and depersonalized. If you’ve just moved in, you probably desire more personal photos. Either way, a classy choice is cheaply framed still-life photographs. If you have gorgeous pictures of nature or skyscrapers, blow them up and frame them. Others can relate to their beauty and they’ll mean more to you because you experienced these beauties firsthand. For a 3D effect, collect items from the outdoors, such as seashells, branches or pressed flowers and organize them into a frame for an even more outdoorsy feeling.

If you own fancy or nifty dishes that you want to exhibit, display them on the wall! Hang matching sets of dishware on the wall as a sort of collage. If that’s too weird for you, exhibit them in the kitchen by replacing only a couple cabinet doors with glass doors. This will cost much less than if you were to replace all of your cabinets, and it’ll give the room a glamorous appeal while displaying your favorite dishes proudly.

  • TIP: If you already have a lot displayed on your walls and it feels like too much, take it all down. Find an open space in your home and lay everything out on the floor. By doing so, you may notice two items that coincide well with each other but were displayed in separate rooms. Some items might look worn to you when looking at them close up. Other items might work better as a centerpiece instead of cluttered between other objects. A whole new perspective can come from redisplaying old objects.

If it’s an overall paint job that needs work, take one room at a time. This way, you can concentrate on the look of each room while saving up cash for the next room. Paint offers so many options now that you’ll want to take your time deciding. Do you want a solid color or do you want a pattern? Roll it on, blotch it on, spray it on … all of these methods conclude with entirely different looks. Just don’t get too out of control or your room will end up looking like a toy room with a clown theme! Decide if you want to paint all the walls or just one wall. One wall doesn’t take long, it uses less paint/money and it accentuates the room.

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Posted in Home Improvement, Tips and Ideas - Tagged decorating, making a house a home, moving, selling your home, your home for sale
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