decorator design

December 29, 2008

Some Shelving Options For Your Apartment

Filed under: decorator design — by cameron7531 @ 6:02 pm

Need some shelving space for your sweet apartment? Get free standing shelving units that you can pack up and move easily from places like Target or DIY furniture stores like Ikea. They’re affordable, really easy to put together, and give you a great spot to store stuff.

If you just want a few shelves for books, DVD’s, or other small items, you should look into mountable single shelf units. Get a few of them and arrange them in a staggered pattern for that unique contemporary decor. It’s like art…or something like art at least.

You might also consider a corner shelving unit if you are looking to house just a few key items. You can buy a corner unit at virtually any big box or DYI furniture store. Some are a little more complex than others, so shop around to find the ones that fit your needs.

You could always try building your own shelves with shelving irons and some strips of ply wood. One really great idea for a room is to put a home made shelf high up on your walls, completely around a room. Then put decoration items and things you’d like to display all along the shelves.

Remember that if you custom build your own shelves though, you will need to remove them and repair any holes in the wall before you move out…if you move out.

In fact, you should never move out. Stay in your apartment forever!
Know any good shelving tips? Visit ApartmentHomeLiving.com to let us know and to see more tips on getting the most out of apartment living!

Jeff’s just a regular guy with a funny goatee that really enjoys people and life. On top of that he is a bit of an expert on apartments, living in them, and getting the most out of the apartment living lifestyle.

As a Managing Partner of Apartment Home Living, Jeff wants to help you find the right apartment by getting to know you. Not only where you want to live & what you want to pay, but what you like. This way, we can help you find an apartment that fits your personality, not just your budget.

At AHL Apartmentites have a platform to share their own stories, get great info & tips on apartment living, read Jeff’s entertaining blogs/stories, find Answers to a wide array of apartment related questions, and have a ton of fun sharing their love of apartment living with others. Don’t forget to go and set up your own MyPlace page to really get the full Apartmentite experience!


3 Piece Wood Coffee End Table Set Wooden Tables New End Table – 23.5″L x 23.5″W x 20″H, Coffe Table – 47″L x 23.5″ x 19″H

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Umbra 306176-410 Trapeze Frame Holding Three 4 by 6-Inch Photos, Nickel
Umbra 306176-410 Trapeze Frame Holding Three 4 by 6-Inch Photos, Nickel Umbra Trapeze Frame Holding Three 4″x6″ Photos, Nickel 306176-410The trapeze collection from Umbra is the latest and greatest thing to happen to frames! This modern metal and glass hanging frame system is innovative, fun to decorate with, and available in an assortment of [...]

Hawthorne Three-drawer Nightstand
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December 28, 2008

Interior Design For Children

Filed under: decorator design — by cameron7531 @ 6:03 pm

Interior design for children is one of the most fun, delightful aspects of the business if you ask me. It is so fun because children are limitless as far as their creativity and imaginations are concerned. Whenever planning interior design for children, be sure to involve the children in the planning and-if you feel very brave, the implementation of your designs.

A good beginning point or theme for interior design for children is to start with any favorite activity or toy or even character of the child s interest. Remember that many items of interest to children are topics that will change with time so try to take advantage of these interests and favorites with accessories and changes that will be easy to replace in the future as their interests and needs change. If a child has an interest or a particular activity that they are very enthused about and they have a special request that would make the design very special to them, go for it as long as the parents are as enthusiastic as the child is. Also, forewarn them of any possible headaches they might experience changing it in the future when it comes time to redesign the space in order to accommodate the child s changing needs.

When choosing your color plan or schemes remember that interior design for children offers you unique opportunities to use bold or bright colors that would usually not be ideal for use in adult surroundings. Along the same lines, certain areas of the room would be more ergonomic to use as focal points then would in an adult s atmosphere. For example, a chalkboard or toy box might capture a child s attention more so then would a table or seating arrangement.

Another aspect of design that will vary from adult tastes when planning interior design for children would be the accessories that will be used to highlight and accentuate key features. Toys and collectibles make wonderful objects to use in this application. However, many times toys that are placed on display or for decoration are toys that the child would enjoy much more by being able to play with it rather then it actually being on display. You can solve this dilemma by either using old, unused toys that no longer captivate the child s interests or even by purchasing duplicates and allowing them to actually use one version of the toy and letting them know that the others are for looking only .

Also, keep in mind that collectibles often times are of less significance to smaller children then are to adults so make sure that any item placed in a child s room is not of significant fiscal or sentimental value just in case!

Tying in interior design for children can be accomplished easily by purchasing one of millions of available bed treatments that is complimentary to the designs and themes used in the creation of the room layout as well as fitting in well with the accessories chosen. Many bed treatment packages come prepackaged with matching detailed sheets, a comforter, dust ruffle, and window coverings. These items can bring a room together in the greatest of all fashions and are an option in interior design for children that are obtainable by anyone looking to make a change.

Always remember when planning interior design for children that a child changes attitudes, opinions, and behaviors around every three years. Permanent changes of any type are a big no-no and practical, cost effective ones are ideal. A good furniture tip to remember when designing for kids is to buy reasonably priced, sound furniture that doesn t break the bank. Kids are even harder on furniture then they are on clothes! And most importantly to take into consideration when working with interior design for children–of course, HAVE FUN!!!

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Rosemary Leake is an Independent Consultant with Southern Living at Home. Inspired by Southern Living magazine, our exclusive home d cor line brings warmth and style to every room of your home! Visit Rosemary’s Interior Design website for more articles and resources – http://www.interiordesignprofits.com. Also get your FREE Mini-Report: “A Complete Guide To Interior Design.”
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Strathwood Falkner Chaise Lounge Cushion
Strathwood Falkner Chaise Lounge Cushion

December 27, 2008

Bathroom Decoration – Wall Panels

Filed under: decorator design — by cameron7531 @ 6:03 pm

Creating a bathroom style that is contemporary yet practical can often prove difficult, especially where wall coverings are concerned. Many households opt for tiles because there is low awareness of alternative solutions. Tiles are available in ever more differing styles but they do require a certain amount of ongoing maintenance to keep the grout clean and over time the appearance of the grout will diminish. However waterproof wall panels are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to bathroom tiles. In addition to being attractive and easy to maintain, they also offer many other advantages to the installer and end user alike.

Wall panels are manufactured in different formats and sizes to suit shower enclosures, domestic steam rooms and full bathrooms. They can often be supplied as complete kits that include all required profiles, sealants and accessories.

Wall panels are quicker and easier to install than wall tiles, which can be tricky. It can take several days for the adhesive and grout to dry with tiles, wall panel installation is much simpler and can be under taken by most competent Diy-ers. As panels are dry the potential for mess is minimised, no grouting means that once the installation is complete, a room can be used immediately, this also stops the development of bathroom wall mould that is often found in between tiles and is a real nuisance and soon ruin the look of a bathroom. Normal woodworking tools can be used to install the wall panels doing away with the need to buy specialist tools to be used for one job. To ensure that wall tiles are fitted straight a laser level is usually needed, with wall panels a standard spirit level is sufficient.

Wall panels are made by bonding a decorative high-performance laminate to plywood to give a surface that is 100 per cent waterproof, because of the material that they are constructed you should have no problems to fix mirrors or other bathroom fittings unlike tiles which require the use of a special drill bit and more often than not results in damage to the tile. Some panels also feature a water-resistant WBP plywood substrate and a balancer laminate to the reverse to stop moisture from penetrating through the back of the board.

Due to the size of the product large areas of wall can be covered in a fraction of the time it would take to tile. A single 2,400mm by 900mm panel covers the same area as 216 (100mm) tiles.

Panels can be fitted to most types of bathroom wall, including brick, concrete, plasterboard, studwork and even over the top of existing ceramic tiles Whatever the surface, it is important that the walls are even and provide a suitable fixing for screws, plugs and adhesive.

The internal and external profiles of panels usually require no sealant. Some panels feature an innovative two-part ‘Click-Seal’ profile system which ensures that the wall panels are correctly fitted together.

The design incorporates a PVC section on the back and a PVC colour co-ordinated or polished chrome aluminium face. The two parts simply click the two panels together and a self-adhesive barrier tape creates a watertight joint. When fitted together tongue and grooved edges reduce the need for joining strips and mean that fixings can be neatly concealed. The outer edge of the panels is fitted with an edging profile to create a neat and co-ordinated finish. Conventional tile installations often result in leaks as the seal between the bath or shower tray and wall breaks down over time, the bottom seal system on wall panels accommodates the expansion and contraction of the panel and ensures that this doesn’t happen.

Panels are very easy to clean and just need wiping with a damp cloth to keep them looking as good as new. Unlike wallpaper or paint, that can peel or flake, and tiles that can crack and chip, panels are durable and are unlikely to suffer any damage – even after a number of years.

So before you rush down to your local tile superstore consider using wall panels as an economical, hard wearing, low maintenance and attractive alternative.

I try to pass on my musings on life and experiences in a way that people may find interesting to read.
http://www.designer-bathrobes.com
You may not always agree with my writings but I hope to inform.
Harwood E Woodpecker


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Arsenio Living Room Set by Contemporary Furniture Brands
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December 26, 2008

Plants For Indoor Use

Filed under: decorator design — by cameron7531 @ 6:02 pm

Most plants that are grown indoors are from the tropics, but there are some that may be found in the region local to the homeowner. The choice of plants that can be used to beautify a living space, no matter how small or large, are manifold and are only limited by your taste in decoration.

Popular Choices

One very popular choice of indoor plant is the Angel Ivy. This plant can be arranged to form various shapes and is commonly used to make a topiary ring. It is a living decorative framework of vines and blooms for any area of the home.

The braided ficus tree is another popular choice for the indoor garden. Its braided stems, usually four, are a great conversation piece and most decorative. The stems are usually braided manually and the effect is stunning.

A herb garden in the kitchen is also a great idea. Placed on the counter top near a sunny window, they are ready to be used in cooking to add a special touch to any dish. Such mini herb gardens are suitable for any herb, provided the herb is not too large.

Care For A Tree?

Many people are attracted to the idea of a bonsai tree. These miniature plants are often crafted from tropical plants and the growth is severely controlled through the constant pruning of leaves and cutting of the roots. This style of planting originated in Asia: many examples of bonsai from that region are several centuries old.

Some species of bamboo can also be suitable indoor plants. There are many varieties with leaves that range in color from yellow to green. Plants that are called “lucky bamboo” are not actually bamboo at all, but they are nonetheless popular indoor plants as well.

The smaller species of palm tree are also suitable indoor plants. The sheer number of these plants and their extensive variety make them very popular choices and they are extremely useful as a decorative feature, especially as a specimen in an attractive container.

Flowering plants are also extremely popular as they can also be used as a table centerpiece. Indoor flowering plants such as Peace Lily are usually the smaller varieties of those we see in outdoor gardens.

These are just a few examples of the popular varieties that are commonly used as indoor plants. There are many more plants that are suitable for indoor use but some of those need extra care and attention to enable them to thrive indoors.

Ready, Set, Learn more on the topic of peace lily care. We make the topics simple, visit plant-care.com.


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December 25, 2008

Candles Warm the Heart

Filed under: decorator design — by cameron7531 @ 6:02 pm

My favorite candles are by far Joya candles. Joya is a small company based in New York City, and offer a wide range of beautiful looking and smelling candles for your home. Their design is simple and elegant, boldly colored wax in small cylindrical glass holder. Joya has a wide range of fragrances from floral to citrus and tropical. They’re really a company that aims to create high quality products for a wide variety of tastes, for the truly discerning candle connoisseur. They smell so gorgeous!

I’m a self-professed candle-lover. They’ve held a special place in my heart for years. Not only do they smell great, but there’s something about a candle’s warm glow that is so comforting. With so many blaring electric lights, it’s easy to forget how wonderful a candle’s glow can be. Ever since I was a child my mother always decorated my childhood home with candles. I think that some of my earliest and fondest memories are of spending time with my family in rooms lit with the soft light of fragrant candles. Their fireplace-like glow have a special place in my heart because they always remind me of family and home. They’re comforting and enveloping.

Candles now for me only bring back the fondest of memories. I’ve tried many candle brands, even tried making my own candles, but Joya is by far what I love the best. I first came across them in a local art museum in Brooklyn, NY. As soon as I walked in the small gift shop of the art museum I just had to know what was that gorgeous smell! Ever since then I’ve been hooked. The Joya lavendar and bergamot are my favorite fragrances. The thing that I love about Joya candles is they put a very modern spin on traditional candles, something so venerable and close to me. Starting with the ultra-chic patterned packaging, to the candles’ deep wonderful coloring, I really love these candles. Also, the black patterning on the glass holder for the candles has worked wonderfully into my modern living room and family room decor. I prefer the candles in glass cylinder holders because they really add to the interior decoration. In the evening is my favorite time of day to light a few Joya candles around the family room, snuggle up with a great book, and enjoy the candles’ wonderful glow.

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Umbra 306176-410 Trapeze Frame Holding Three 4 by 6-Inch Photos, Nickel Umbra Trapeze Frame Holding Three 4″x6″ Photos, Nickel 306176-410The trapeze collection from Umbra is the latest and greatest thing to happen to frames! This modern metal and glass hanging frame system is innovative, fun to decorate with, and available in an assortment of [...]

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December 24, 2008

Lodge Style Interior Decorating

Filed under: decorator design — by cameron7531 @ 6:05 pm

Lodge style interior decoration, also called rustic or Adirondack style, evokes a strong feeling of those days spent in a summer camp by a lake or a hiking trip taken on a wild trail. Of late, many families are switching over to this style to bring that elusive feeling of nature into their home. Lodge style interior decorating could be the ultimate eco-experience for many people; recreating the natural ambience of a nature camp seems to be one of the objectives.

However, to understand nature and recreating it in an artificial set up may be full of hassles; establishing a clear objective seems to be the first step in this direction. Just trying to visualize the natural elements and developing a clear concept is the first step in this direction. Trying to work with this motive to develop other d cor will be a bright idea.

Look out for a theme as the first correct step; it might work as a dose of inspiration for establishing accessories. An artificial wall paper border is a starting point and this can be re-modified later for a better, new decorative scheme. Probably the most important factor that affects the look and feel of a log cabin will be the choice of a compatible color palette. Nature has a range of colors; profusions of dark greens and browns, milder hues of golden grass and blues and passionate splashes of brilliant reds are all part of nature. Probably nature s own color, green is the most compatible color and no color can bring the nature inside like this color! Green is complimentary to any other color and the whole room can be more attractive along with green. However, always decorate with neutral or soft colors; cream matched with soft grey or Ming green coupled with lighter yellows is always treat to watch. A cool mountain side river border scene surrounded with green trees, bluish skies and grayish valley makes an excellent theme for a marriage of blues and greens.

The look of wood is extremely important; a mix of natural and unpainted wooden logs and pieces are often the best suited for this purpose. Furniture in craft style blends the best in lodge cabin because of its straight lines and form. Trying to find furniture that is too rustic is a better idea to recreate that log feeling. It is preferable to have minimal detailing in the larger pieces, but worn out finishes might look well. Old trunks and suitcases might serve as good coffee or side tables. They also serve as dual advantages of surfaces of storage and display.

All natural materials like old blankets, colorful vintage table cloths can be used as window toppers or pillow covers. Angling and fish trophies available in bargain sales can be hung as wall art or in display windows; this activity also enables a strong conversation with the owner. Old frames with borders can be a nice wall art and the texture of these frames can be the focal point of any log cabin. Pottery, if any, can always be mixed with books and flower vases.

Family trophies and mementos can be arranged symmetrically with photographs framed in all-wooden frames. Bamboo made baskets and art pieces, when hung look natural, lending that feeling of being in a forest. Wall scones add depth to any cabin and also help to create a strong focal point. Log style homes add variety and spice to our life; strong memories of nature are always recalled and recreated in a serene, tranquil manner. It is no wonder that more and more urban-weary people seeking solace of a Lodge cabin to seek that comfort, often missing in their life.

Rosemary Leake is an Independent Consultant with Southern Living at Home. Inspired by Southern Living magazine, our exclusive home d cor line brings warmth and style to every room of your home! Visit Rosemary’s Interior Design website for more articles and resources – http://www.interiordesignprofits.com. Also get your FREE Mini-Report: “A Complete Guide To Interior Design.”

December 22, 2008

The Oriental Vs. Contemporary Bedroom Design Theory

Filed under: decorator design — by cameron7531 @ 6:02 pm

Dear friends,

If you have read any interior design books/articles, visited
a few websites on the internet, you will find the word theme used
quite often.

What exactly is a theme-based design?

A theme according to me is a collection of various parameters of
design of an interior space. So a theme may include a certain set
colors, materials, repetition of a certain element, such as
a decorative item, etc…

Primarily there are two basic themes under which a design can
be categorized, 1)Oriental 2)Contemporary.

Oriental Bedroom Design Theme:

These kind of themes have a still drilled down niche design
themes, such as country, rustic, vintage, elegant, etc…
One of the major thing about these kind of themes is that much
emphasis is given on the natural beauty of any material.
These designs are close to nature or are shown to be close to
nature.

These kind of design styles are very rarely found in the urban
city interiors. Mostly the countryside homes adopt these kind if
themes, to replicate the flora and fauna of the outside environment.

The designer tries to include the patters seen in nature, such as
leaves, flowers, plants. All these natural patterns are seen on
wallpaper patterns, decorative lamps, curtains, furniture
upholstery, wall paintings, etc…

Homes which are build on country side such as farm houses, the scarcity
of space is not an issue, but this creates another problem as far as
designing interiors is concerned.

A bedroom, no matter of what size it is, requires some basic
furniture elements as functional needs, such as a double bed,
dressing table, wardrobes, study tables, a book shelf etc..

It is sometimes possible that because of the large spaces, the
bedroom looks empty after the furniture is arranged. At such
times “decoration” plays a major role. During ancient years
the palaces and castles had such large built spaces, where
extensive use of decoration was used in the form of paintings,
heavy decorative flooring patterns, carvings, moldings as a
decorative architectural elements.

So in this oriental design trend, decoration of the space using
various accessories plays a major role.

Contemporary design Theme:

These kind of design themes are very new as compared to the
previously mentioned oriental design theme. But how did the
designers came along using these kind of designs?

During the starting years of the 20th century, the “Industrial
Revolution” in Europe changed the face of our planet. It
was easy to design and manufacture goods on a mass scale
with amazing speed and efficiency.

This created a flood of industries in and around the cities.
These cities attracted large amount of people to migrate from
rural areas to city centers in search of a living.

Because of this migratory effect there was a sudden need of
housing requirement for the workers. This is where the concept of
an “apartment” was introduced. Because of the pressure of demand,
a school of thoughts emerged within the architects, who
believed that “simplicity” is the need of today’s era.

They thought that, the design of the building has to be simple
and easy to build, then only we can compete with the growing
demand of housing needs in cities. That’s why simple designs with mostly plane and square faces with square or rectangular openings
were used. These forms and masses were easy to build and still
beautiful. If everything from “safety pins” to “space ships”
could be built on a mass scale, why not “buildings”.

The school of thought believed that a plane rectangular form
is in itself beautiful and they proved this using infinite
permutations and combinations of the basic square form. That’s
why decoration was given a second preference. Today we call this
school of thought as “contemporary”. In contemporary design
every element has an order.

That’s why in today’s modern interior design, simplicity is the
key to an efficient design. Unlike the previous oriental design
theme, the contemporary design theme states that any kind of
architectural decoration is always dependent on the basic form
of the building. The form itself is so beautiful, that the need
to further decorate it is not required. Today’s modern interiors
spaces are simple to understand, simple to construct, and
project a kind of simplicity.

By reading the above paragraphs some of you might say that,
decoration is no more needed. But this is not true. I am not trying
to force some ideas here. But most people confuse the whole
concept of “Interior Design” and “Interior Decoration”. Both
are quite different and both have a unique value in today’s
complex society.

Decoration was something the primitive man learned, looking at
the nature around him. He saw plants, flowers, birds, animals
and tried to copy these elements. We still use “embroidery” on
our dresses. But the modern design theory says that any sort
of decoration can only “enhance” the existing form, but can not
be an element of design.

What does this mean?

In the above said example the “embroidery” pattern can certainly
add to the beauty of the cloth, but the modern theory denies to
accept the cloth to be of a cheap quality. It states that every form, texture, material, shape is in itself beautiful and must be
accepted as it is. Because of this the need to further decorate it
does not arise.

Thus decoration whether used in architecture or elsewhere is always
dependant on the form on which it is used, but design is
an independent entity which does not need any justification from the
external factors.

The two design themes mentioned above are still widely used today.
The user must look upon them from a point of view of what best suits
his/her likes and dislikes. Only then can you give yourself and
your family the best quality of living.

I hope this article was informative to everyone.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com .Visit TODAY to get an in-depth knowledge of master bedrooms, teen bedrooms and child bedrooms.


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Hanford Sleigh Glider and Ottoman Set – Ebony/ Pearl
Hanford Sleigh Glider and Ottoman Set – Ebony/ Pearl

Birds Buffet Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder – Up to 10 lb.
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December 21, 2008

Creative Clocks

Filed under: decorator design — by cameron7531 @ 6:02 pm

A custom designed clock is a unique decoration for your home, or a great gift for any occasion, and they’re simple to create! The only essential tools you’ll need are a clock, a glue stick, paper and a little imagination.

Inexpensive clocks with plastic cases can be found in almost any large store like Kmart, Target or WalMart and are usually under $10.00.

The raised, clear plastic disk that covers the face of the clock can easily be pulled off by the edges.

Next, carefully grasp the stem of the hands of the clock and gently pull. The stem simply slips over another bar, and no tools are required to remove it. Just make sure you remember the order the hands go in- top, middle and bottom.

Then remove the cardboard face with printed clock numbers. The cardboard circle is only attached with a little rubber cement and should pop right off.

Use the cardboard circle to measure your own circle, or trace on paper. Measure to the center as well, and add a small dot for clock hand placement. If creating your artwork digitally, you can draw your circle in a graphic program, or scan the traced outline. For computer generated art simply fit your artwork within the circle’s parameters, leaving about 1/2″ border. If you’re using another medium, do your design right on the traced circle paper. Children love creating their own clock faces with crayons, paints, glitter, markers, small rhinestones, charms, stamps and more.

When you artwork is complete, cut out your circle, and carefully poke a hole in the center for your clock hands. Even a ballpoint pen can be used to punch a hole in the middle of your paper – it doesn’t need to be very large to fit the clock hands through.

Use a little bit of the glue stick on the back of your clock face design so that it will adhere securely and won’t slip. Turn over, position and affix to clock. Reassemble your clock hands and gently push down into the center of the clock. If the delicate second hand bends, simply bend it back. If it accidentally snaps off, don’t worry – no one will miss it. Pop your clear plastic case back on the top, add a battery if you need one, and voila! You’ve created a memorable gift or an original piece of art to hang on a wall in your home.

Additional suggestions: Use a special photograph. For a 50th birthday gift for a NASCAR buff and race car owner, I scanned a picture of my friend holding a first place trophy and standing with his driver next to his race car. Use inspirational or funny quotes – simple text can make a striking design. Business owners – put your logo on your clock!

Anne Goodrich provides professional graphic design services for small business owners, non-profit entities and work-at-home parents through her business web sites at http://www.GoodrichDesign.net and http://www.PearlsandGrace.net


American Drew 919-831 / 919-830 Camden Black China Cabinet American Drew 919-831 / 919-830 Camden Black accents simple forms with quiet traditional references, gentle curves and a beautiful rustic black finish that lets the character of the wood show through. The brushed nickel finish hardware adds even more character to Camden. This collection will [...]

2 NEW white microfiber parson dining side chairs W/ black legs
2 NEW white microfiber parson dining side chairs W/ black legs

5pc Muller Retro Style Maple Finish WoodRound Dining Table & 4 Chairs
5pc Muller Retro Style Maple Finish WoodRound Dining Table & 4 Chairs 5pc Muller Retro Style Maple Finish WoodRound Dining Table & 4 Chairs This is a brand new Muller Retro Style round dining table and 4 chairs set in maple wood top and durable metal base curve design. [...]

December 20, 2008

Color Schemes Basics

Filed under: decorator design — by cameron7531 @ 6:03 pm

I’m spending Labor Day weekend painting in my new house. Until then, I’ll be busy trying to find the answer to a question I’m sure many of you have grappled with too: What color do I paint my walls?

It’s a bit overwhelming, in part because the first step toward determining what color to paint the walls is figuring out a color scheme for the room. This involves considering how the possible hues might work with the lighting, flooring, and decor that is or will be in your room.

What’s an intrepid homeowner to do when it’s time to create a color scheme? To get the process started, I’m relying on some color basics.

Let’s start with the color wheel.

Light reflected through a prism creates a rainbow of color known as the color spectrum. Visible light is comprised of seven wavelength groups-red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. Red has the longest wavelength and violet the shortest. This progression of color from largest to shortest wavelength is often presented in a color wheel.

The color wheel includes 12 colors: three primary colors (red, blue, and yellow), plus three secondary and six tertiary colors. Secondary colors are made by mixing together primary hues (for instance, green is a secondary color created by combining red and yellow). If you mix a primary color with a secondary color, you have a tertiary color (such as yellow-green, which is created by mixing green and yellow).

The purity or saturation of a color is called intensity. The primary, secondary, and tertiary hues on a standard color wheel show colors at their full intensity. There are a couple of ways to change the intensity of a color. Adding white to a color lightens its intensity, creating a tint. Darkening a color with black creates a shade. And adding gray to a certain hue makes a tone. These techniques also affect the value (lightness or darkness) of a color-tinting leads to a value that’s lighter, while shading produces a darker value.

The color wheel provides a great starting point for creating color combinations to use in your home. All you have to do is pick a color and build possible schemes around it.

Monochromatic color schemes use one color in a variety of intensities. The key to making a monochromatic color scheme work is to use several tints or shades of a color (but watch out for too many contrasting values!).

Complementary colors are located on opposite sides of the wheel. (Red and green are complementary colors commonly used at Christmas, but diluted versions of the hues also work great for decorating anytime.)

Split complementary schemes feature three colors-one primary or intermediate color and the two colors on either side of its opposite. Try using a single warm color (such as orange) against cool colors (like blues and blue-violets) for a split-complementary scheme.

Triadic schemes involve three hues that are equidistant on the color wheel, such as red, yellow, and blue.

Analogous color schemes are created using colors next to one another on the color wheel; for instance, blue looks nice with blue-violet and blue-green, which are located on either side of it.

OK. So now you know a bit about how color works and how to build a color scheme. But that still doesn’t help you figure out what colors to use, does it? Here are some pointers for selecting a color to jumpstart your scheme:

Pick colors that appeal to you. What hues are you drawn to? Look at the clothes in your closet or the colors you gravitate toward when shopping or looking at magazines. Just because blue is your favorite color doesn’t mean you should paint your entire home blue, of course, but at least this gives you a starting point.

Look for inspiration Do you spend a lot of time outside? Look to nature for color ideas. Do you have a favorite painting you want to display in your home? Perhaps you can pull the colors for your scheme from that piece of art. Everything from fabric patterns to a bowl of fruit on your kitchen table can create color inspiration.

Consider mood Different colors evoke different responses in people. For instance, warm colors like yellow, red, and orange are energizing and can help wake up a room (which makes them ideal for offices or kitchens). Passive or cool hues such as soft blues, greens, and purples work well in bedrooms because they’re calming. And neutral colors (browns, beiges, grays, taupes, whites, and blacks) are, as their names suggest, somewhere in the middle, which is why they’re so useful for bringing rooms together, toning down other colors, or creating a natural color palette. Remember intensity? That affects mood too-high-intensity colors are bright and brilliant, while low-intensity colors are quiet and subdued.

Get help. There are plenty of resources available to help you select the right hues. Take a color quiz to figure out your preferences. (It turns out I like warm colors, which may explain why I’m leaning toward sunny yellow for my office and a rich red hue for a bedroom accent wall.)

Or check out paint manufacturer websites such as Behr and Sherwin-Williams, which provide all sorts of ideas and inspiration.

If you’re having trouble envisioning how the colors you select will look in your rooms, try Color-A-Room, which allows you to test out different hues on the walls and furnishings in a variety of different settings.

Want to know which colors I ultimately select for my rooms? Stay tuned!

The Home Know-It-All is your one-stop shop for home design, improvement, and repair.


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482-858R – Credenza w/ Granite Top
482-858R – Credenza w/ Granite Top

Hawthorne Vanity Bench
Hawthorne Vanity Bench This Vanity Stool Provides Versatility Conveniently pull the stool out when you need and tuck it underneath when you’re finished. Or move it any place where you want extra seating. Its style will blend beautifully with your decor.Get quality you can count on with this bedroom furniture. Inspired by the simple [...]

Hanford Sleigh Glider and Ottoman Set – Ebony/ Pearl
Hanford Sleigh Glider and Ottoman Set – Ebony/ Pearl

December 19, 2008

Door Knobs

Filed under: decorator design — by cameron7531 @ 6:03 pm

A door knob is a kind of handle used for closing and opening a door. It is part of home security and is one of the most important devices among the door hardware products. A doorknob is placed a few centimeters from the edge of the door. Depending on decorative style, local culture and owner preference, the position of the doorknob on the door varies. A doorknob is operated by a latching mechanism and is generally made of metals. Wooden door knobs are also used. Design, price and quality of a doorknob vary from model to model.

There are mainly four types of doorknobs: entrance, passage, privacy and dummy. Entrance sets have keyed cylinders, and they are mainly used for outside doors. Passage door knobs, also referred to as closet and hall knobs, are placed where a lock is not needed. Closet and pantry doors also use passage knob sets. For baths and bedrooms, privacy door knobs are used. Door knobs of this type are lockable, but they do not have a keyed cylinder. For convenience, a generic unlocking tool is provided. Dummy doorknobs are fixed knobs that are an excellent solution for closet doors. A latch mechanism is not needed for this set. It is generally used on the inactive door of a set of double doors and French-style closet doors.

With the growing number of door hardware manufacturers, an extensive collection of door knobs in different color and design are available in the market. Modern as well as conventional doorknobs are also available in the market. The price of a doorknob depends on its style, propose and the quality of the metal used. When purchasing doorknobs, a customer should look for features such as durability, convenience, service and warranty. Doorknob kits are available for repairing and replacing doorknobs.

Door Knobs provides detailed information on Door Knobs, Glass Door Knobs, Door Knob Hangers, Antique Door Knobs and more. Door Knobs is affiliated with Dog Doors.


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Hanford Sleigh Glider and Ottoman Set – Ebony/ Pearl
Hanford Sleigh Glider and Ottoman Set – Ebony/ Pearl

American Drew 919-831 / 919-830 Camden Black China Cabinet
American Drew 919-831 / 919-830 Camden Black China Cabinet American Drew 919-831 / 919-830 Camden Black accents simple forms with quiet traditional references, gentle curves and a beautiful rustic black finish that lets the character of the wood show through. The brushed nickel finish hardware adds even more character to Camden. This collection will [...]

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