When one enters a room, eyes are perpetually drawn to the window and its curtains. Is it any wonder that we try to dress it up as best we can? The problem in most homes however is windows are never able to contribute to the personality of the room. We look at the color of the walls and then decide what color of fabric our curtains should be and with a snap of one’s fingers, “we’ll get that one” and hang it up. Just like any adornment for our home curtains should also flow with the general theme of the room instead of trying to blend with the walls or have the exact same design as the upholstery. Give your windows more personality with our curtain tips:
• Go Bohemian-There is nothing like a splash of color to brighten one’s day. There is no set rule that says all our curtains have to look the same. Mix different patterns and colors. If you have a collection of shawls, saris or fabrics from other countries you can make use of those. Just drape them over the curtain rod or sew a hem on top where you can thread the curtain rod.
• Fun-tastic Ribbons -This suggestion may use up quite a few man hours but it is quite sweet. Each end of a ribbon has to be tied to the curtain rod and one can use as many colors as one wants. Have fun dressing your window with curtains of ribbons.
• K.I.S.S. – Keep it simple sweetheart is definitely a good plan if you want to make a room look more formal. Using plain fabric panels in rich colors can up the formal vibe of a room better than most ornate designs.
• Sheer no more. Sheer curtains are a staple in so many rooms its personality is just as inconspicuous. Why not try the crochet doilies grandma used to make by sewing them together to form a curtain? It’s a good option to sheer curtains because the breeze will still pass through it as well as light.
Be adventurous and let your personality shine through.
Window Dressing
Mother Hubbard, look at my Cupboard!
A mother of two and a design fanatic, one of my challenges is the interior of my kitchen pantry. My industrial designer husband and I put our heads together to give it a New Year’s makeover. It does not really matter if you are lucky enough to have a pantry the size of a small room or it is just a couple shelves organization is the key. One of the great motivating forces in the universe is the “WIFM” or what’s in it for me so before we start our pantry project let us discuss the “WIFM” behind it.
• Ease of access-When our pantry is organized it will be easier to locate and get to the ingredient we need. Have you ever tried to put a meal together in a hurry and you were editing the menu as you went along? An organized pantry is a necessity for that exercise and the right design layout is key.
• Save on supermarket last minute trips-I am sure this has happened to you; you start unloading your grocery bags then realize when you move bottles around in your pantry that one of them is empty. The “I did not know I was out of that” moment hits you and if that ingredient is a staple in your cooking chances are you will be making another trip to the supermarket really soon.
• Maximize space-When your pantry is organized it will be easier to track expired items therefore they can be disposed of and more pantry space is freed.
Let us prepare for our project. First off we should clear the decks. Place all the pantry contents on the kitchen table or counter and throw away all products past their expiration dates. Next, give the pantry shelves a good wipe down. The last step in our project preparation is grouping the items together. Put similar items in the same group such as all spices together, canned fruits in another group and so on. Our next step is to design the arrangement of containers and products in the interior of the pantry, the cupboard or on the shelf. The taller products or containers have to be lined up behind the shorter ones; this method makes for better visibility. When assigning which shelves are for which items make sure the items you use more frequently are at eye level and the rarely used ones at the top or bottom shelves. The higher shelves should house the lighter items whiles heavier ones should be waist level for easy lifting. We hope these guides to the design of your pantry make it less problematic to use.
Frugal yet Fantastic
Good ideas do not always come with a hefty price tag; some of the most amazing are usually quite inexpensive. An uplifting abode is definitely what the doctor ordered for those who just got home from a hectic day or is just starting one. Home decoration however is usually quite pricey hence the long span of time between redecorating. In our high stress world a change of pace or ambiance can more often than not help us cope better or at the very least give us a much needed mood booster. The following are a couple of free or inexpensive changes you can make to your rooms:
• A new sofa may be out of the question because of budget constraints but buying decorative or throw pillows of a different color can give your sofa a new lease on life.
• Do you have a coffee table, dining chairs or furniture that looks dated? Coat it with a different color of paint and breathe new spirit into it.
• Raid your kitchen cabinets and look for china that you can use in lieu of ceramic bathroom organizers. Decorative bowls, cups and other china can be used as containers of cotton balls and buds, make up holders and much more.
• Tired of your bedroom’s look? Cover the headboard with a unique material or even a comforter to simulate the padded headboards found in hotel rooms. Others also buy decorative pillows for their beds just to pull the other elements of the room together and create a harmonious vibe.
Be artistic, true to your personality and most of all have fun!
Photo Frames Arrangement
Haphazardly hanging photo frames on the hall can lead to not only inharmonious results but also a lot of holes in the wall due to our indecisiveness. So before hammering any nail let us first consider our options. There are two general types of arranging photo frames and these are symmetrical and asymmetrical. A symmetrical design is more formal and is ideal for an even number quantity in frames. Groupings of twos and threes – side by side in a row for threes or one on top of another for twos. In order to make a symmetrical design more formal use similar frames. Please note that they should be aligned and perfectly straight so using a leveling tool and marking the placement of the frames with a pencil will save you time and effort. The space between them should also be equal and be proportional to their size.
The asymmetrical design is more often used if you have frames in different sizes, materials and styles or the number of frames is odd. This arrangement is however more informal and may if not careful lean toward a cluttered look. Try to bring the arrangement together by using a unifying theme like family vacations or members of the family at the same age. To avoid making mistakes lay the photo frames out on a table just to get a feel of the arrangement, then cut out the exact shapes of the frames from paper and tape them on the wall to see if the design will work properly. In this manner you can rearrange them till you get the right pattern without too many holes in your wall.
Good Taste Reigns Supreme in Boston Home Décor
Boston, one of the oldest cities in the United States, is a place associated with culture and intellect. You can generally expect its residents to have high tastes. They appreciate the innate elegance of the city and follow suit by furnishing their homes tastefully. There are many home decoration shops in Boston and Madura is considered one of its high-end stores. Its items are exclusive to Madura shops and you can expect them to have great quality and originality. They are reasonably priced considering that they are authentic French designs realized by expert craftsmen. Madura caters to the practical Bostonian with impeccable tastes. It is known for its ready-to-install window treatments that are infinitely stylish and elegant. You can be sure to find other items such as pillows and frames that will go with your choice of draperies. Madura has an edge on the other home decoration shops in Boston for its ability to fuse practicality in its convenient offerings of ready-to-use window dressing with the high-class reputation its French label and designs bring. Madura items also make good gifts that will surely impress. The store may have a European identity, but it fits right in with Boston’s tradition of good taste.
Home Decor Shopping in the Big Apple
New York is a true haven for shoppers. Stores of every category abound. When it comes to home décor, it can offer shops of every decorative style in the book and more. Home décor shopping is particularly fulfilling if you come across a wide selection of options. Service is also a consideration. Most home decoration shops in New York thankfully have a knowledgeable and helpful staff. Nothing’s more frustrating than inquiring about something like a DIY window treatment product only to have the clerk look blankly at you. It’s even worse if they try to pretend knowledge and misinform you about an item. In any case, if you’re looking for fine quality ready-to-install curtains, Madura on Madison at the Upper East Side is the store for you. It has so much to offer and designers frequent it for its tasteful and French-flavored selections. Everything is very stylish and high-quality and yet reasonably priced. When you think of French imports, you equate the standards and prestige with exorbitant prices – and in New York you’ll find more than one shop that follows this principle – but Madura makes French chic and elegance affordable. It is definitely a must-visit among the home decoration shops in New York.
Do as the Romans Do Blinds
A window can offer so much charm and joy. For somebody who appreciates beauty, dressing a window can be a creative challenge. Unfortunately, most people’s idea of beauty can be high-maintenance and impractical – lovely to look at, of course, but a lot of work to keep up. For those who want an attractive window, but prefer to be practical about it, roman blinds are a good recommendation. These are blinds made of fabric that pleats up as you adjust it. There are so many reasons to go for roman shades. There are certainly many designs and prints to choose from. They appear softer and more decorative than other blinds which could come across as purely utilitarian. They also cut the expense brought about by more elaborate draperies. They are definitely easier to clean than other blinds. It’s much better if you choose roman blinds made of washable fabric. Nevertheless, they can be cleaned in one swoop whereas other blinds require laborious slat-by-slat cleaning. For the same reason, they are more durable than slatted blinds and also offer better privacy. There’s no need to fret over the possibility that somebody could see in between the slats or that some slat is already broken or bent. When it comes to window shades, roman leads in style and quality.
Framing Memories
Photo frames offer great values of sentiment to a room. They are but holders of the real cherished display, but you still have to pay attention to the kinds you buy. Many photo frames are lovely and true works of art, but they should not defeat their primary purpose of showcasing the picture within. They should enhance the beauty of the picture and not overshadow it. In choosing photo frames, a couple of things you have to keep in mind are the style of the room and the size of the picture. If you’re choosing a frame to add to an existing collection of frames holding family pictures, buy one that is similar to the rest. Usually, the safe frames to buy are the neutral wood or metallic kinds. They suit almost all styles and work well with any kind of picture. Those who have a penchant for eclectic mixes may be more daring when it comes to choosing frames. They just have to be careful for their combinations to remain tasteful. Size is also a consideration because as much as possible, folding or cutting should be avoided. Photo frames should also be not too big or the picture will get lost in the magnitude of the thing.
The Art of Lighting
A room’s lighting is not only essential for practical purposes, it also creates a wealth of difference in terms of mood, atmosphere, and style. It takes great panache to be able to supply and distribute subtle and yet functional lighting throughout a room. That is why many find sconces and wall lamps very appealing. In a bedroom though, bedside lamps are practically a necessity. They are simply convenient to have. Generally, the bedside light comes from twin table lamps. As in choosing other table lamps, you have to be particular about height and size. Naturally, they have to go well with the proportions of the table on which they are placed. In cases when table lamps are placed next to armchairs, the rule is for the bottom of the shade to be at a sitting person’s cheekbone level so that the light is cast on the shoulder downwards doing away with the discomfort of the eyes receiving the bulb’s full glare. Be mindful of the kind of shade a lamp has too. Depending on the amount of light you wish your lamp to emit, your shade may be boldly colored or patterned. Certainly its style must compliment that of the entire room. Floor lamps, on the other hand, can make great focal points. Even more practical are those convertible or adjustable lamps. If you’re the type to redecorate often, these would be a thrill to have. Sometimes you can use them as table lamps and other times, floor lamps.
The Virtues of Faux Fur
In life, one would usually prefer the real thing to the artificial one, but when it comes to fur, “faux” is the word. It’s understandable why people love fur. It looks so lush and feels exquisitely soft. If only it weren’t such a huge burden to your conscience to use it. Still, we have the technology that allows the enjoyment of fur without the guilt. Fake fur is definitely where it’s at. What makes it even more appealing is that it’s more affordable than real fur, but just as stylish. Home accents made of fur add an atmosphere of warm and cozy elegance. While it’s true that synthetic fur can look kitschy and can be better suited to teen fluff and sparkle, there is plenty of fake fur that feels and looks like the real thing, Stroking or hugging fake fur cushions or faux fur covers will make you extra comfortable as you relax and read a book or watch TV. In bed or in your sofa, cocoon yourself within fake fur throws and ward off the evening chill. If you would like some pattern, fake fur plaids are very popular. Fake fur comes in many designs, of course. You really have a sea of variety to choose from.