Decorating with Mirrors

Posted on February 24, 2011 by Craig

2384216205 e843947a38Many people make the mistake of trying to fix all of their interior decorating challenges by thinking inside the box. If you’re wondering how it would be possible to escape the four walls that seem to hold you back, then you should consider decorating with mirrors. Mirror can create more light. They can also create the illusion of more space. Finally, mirrors can function as a work of art. Let’s reflect on the contributions that mirrors might be able to make in your home’s décor.

Mirrors can create more light. One of the key principles of interior design is balance. Sometimes you need to use light to balance a heavy furniture grouping. Or you may want to brighten things up to move to a more modern or contemporary look. Mirrors can come to the rescue by overcoming poor natural lighting. You may not have the option of adding a window or skylight. But if you have at least one source of natural light in the room, you can position a mirror to direct that light wherever it is needed. Even if you have no natural light at all, you can utilize lamps and lighting in conjunction with well-placed mirrors to create the precise look you desire.

Mirrors can also create the illusion of more space. To have the maximum effect, you should position the mirror on the wall that is most visible when you enter the room. Another technique for expanding a room is to place two mirrors opposite each other. Your mind becomes convinced you are in a much bigger room than you are.

Finally, mirrors can function like works of art. By placing a mirror in an interesting frame, you can create a new focal point for the room. A framed mirror can be used in exactly the same way as you would use art. Plus, as a side benefit, you can choose to place the mirror so that any imperfections in the wall remain hidden.

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Defining “Modern” Style

Posted on February 9, 2011 by Craig

If you have ever been confused about the different names attached to various decorating styles, the following article should at least clear things up regard “modern.” Decorating in modern or contemporary style is very popular. But what can you do to achieve this look? What are some of the aspects of modern style?

First of all, modern design is all about clean, simple lines. Basic geometric shapes abound, with both straight and curved lines sweeping through the room. Modern design is characterized by lots of uncluttered space. This means fewer pieces of furniture than other design categories. Knick-knacks and small decorative items rarely have a place in modern design. Furniture and decorations for a modern living area should not be embellished in any way. That doesn’t mean furniture must be austere and uncomfortable; it just means a less complicated design.

With so many clean lines and the absence of decorative knick-knacks, some people complain that modern design tends to be cold. However, it’s a simple matter to add warmth to the room through the use of color. Although the overall scheme will tend to be light and neutral, you can add splashes of reds and other dark colors. Throw pillows are an excellent way to bring in small amounts of color. You can also ease up on the possible boredom by adding items with different textures or geometric patterns.

Since the main feature of modern design is the uncluttered look, then the main need to successfully pull it off is lots of storage options. Nobody expects you to throw away your stuff for the sake of design. And many of your possessions are necessary for living. That’s why modern or contemporary furniture can often be found with innovative storage options. You can also organize the storage spaces you do have so that you can hide things away without losing track of them.

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Three Steps to a Perfectly Arranged Living Room

Posted on January 23, 2011 by Craig

Too many people let the fear of “doing it wrong” keep them from arranging their own furniture. All too often, we accept the idea that decorating can only be done by an interior decorator and that we are destined to mess things up if we try it ourselves. Fortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. You can be assured of excellent results by simply following a few easy steps. Above all, you should make the living space livable. You need to define a focal point for the room. As you arrange things, make sure you allow for access and traffic flow. Completing these three steps will result in a perfectly arranged living room that you can be proud of.

The first step to a perfectly arranged living room is determining the room’s function. You should never sacrifice livability for the sake of design. When thinking about arranging your living room, you have to decide first what you intend to do in there. Very few people maintain traditional living rooms that are only for entertaining guests. Today’s living spaces need to be multifunctional and comfortable, yet still presentable to the occasional visitor.

The second step to a perfectly arranged living room is picking a focal point. Every room has one main feature that seems to define it. For your living room, this might be a television or a large window. Perhaps the fireplace or a framed work of art is central to the room. Once you’ve identified the focal point, arrange the largest pieces of furniture so they are facing the focal point. Fill in the rest of the room with other furniture, but try to avoid overfilling the room. You don’t have to put in every single piece of furniture you own.

The third step to a perfectly arranged living room is to allow for access. Your visitors should not be confused about where to enter the arrangement. Likewise, family members will need a traffic path through the room.

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How to Choose an Area Rug for Your Home

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Craig

Area rugs make a beautiful addition to your home. Depending on their size and location, they can really catch the eye, so it’s important to choose well. The area rug that’s best for your situation will depend on the location in your home as well as how much money you have available to spend.

Area rugs can be either handmade or machine-made. Handmade rugs have always been prized above the others. Not only do they have intricate designs and the aura of fine workmanship, they are also more durable than the alternative. The durability of a rug is related to the number of knots per inch in the rug. Machine-made rugs are actually not knotted at all; rather, the fabric is pushed through a backing and cemented.

However, there are situations where a machine-made rug may be preferred. If you are putting it in an area with relatively light foot traffic, then you really don’t need the durability and expense of a handmade rug. Area rugs made by machine have improved considerably over the years and you can find a wide variety of interesting designs. Some machine-made rugs tend to be more at home in modern design settings.

In terms of materials, wool is the most durable in area rugs. Synthetic materials may be less expensive, but they are also much less durable. They begin to show wear much sooner.

Obviously, your budget will play a big role in the purchase of an area rug. Some handmade rugs can be found at low prices, but most are priced in the thousands of dollars. When you consider the room it will be placed in, only you can decide if it is worth spending thousands for a rug.  Machine-made area rugs made from synthetic materials are available for much less, sometimes under $100 depending on the size you need.

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Sports Theme Decorating

Posted on December 22, 2010 by Craig

If you have a casual family living area in your home, one of the most enjoyable ways to decorate is according to a sports theme. You can use the colors of your favorite sports team or you may want to create the feel of your favorite sport without be tied to a certain team. You should be able to find plenty of accessories to complete the look. Let’s cover some of the steps you can take to turn your family room into a sports fan’s paradise.

The easiest way to start is by painting the walls. Pick your favorite team’s primary colors. One option is to put up a chair rail and paint the lower part of the wall the darker color, with the higher part of the wall reserved for the lighter team color. Another possible design is to paint one or more entire wall with one color, and then use team or sports-oriented wallpaper on the remaining walls.

But what if you don’t have a favorite team? No problem, you can decorate in the theme of your favorite sport. Some people like to take a single wall and recreate the colors and markings of their favorite sport’s field of play. You can also add large stickers, sports prints or paintings on the walls.

Once you’ve taken care of the walls, it’s time to add accessories. Place sports-themed lamps on the tables. Add throw pillows that use your team’s colors. You can often find ceiling fans that are decorated in the theme of a particular sport. Take pieces of sports equipment and anchor them to the wall.

By bringing in the colors and textures of your favorite sport, you can create a fun-filled space that will be perfect for entertaining and getting a group together to watch the big game.

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