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November 10th, 2009
Category
Christmas Interior Design, Interior Design Idea |
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These Christmas decorating accessories will make your home a winter wonderland:
* Wreaths – Christmas wreaths can be made of holly, berries, bells, bulbs or even candy. Wreaths work inside or outside, so stock up. Small wreaths look great hanging from bedroom doors.
* Garland – Put your railings to good use and wrap them in garland. Fake pine garland works best for inside – real pine needles will drop anytime someone goes up the steps.
* Lights – What could put you in the Christmas mood more than some soft, warm lighting? Battery operated candles on window sills are extremely popular at Christmas time, but these candles can be used anywhere in the house you want a warm glow. Christmas tree lights can be strung along your railings or run along the ceiling.
* Candles – Battery operated candles are great, but Christmas is also a good time for real candles. Yankee Candle has Christmas themed scented candles that will spread the Christmas cheer throughout your home.
* Windows – Don’t forget to jazz up your windows. Put the kids to work cutting out snowflakes and Christmas characters and display them in the window.
* Christmas Table – If you have a separate dining room table that you don’t use for every day meals, set the table up for Christmas dinner early in the month and leave it that way until the big day.
November 12th, 2007
Category
Interior Design |
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You?ve found the perfect neighborhood, selected a home plan you adore and chosen a reputable builder. So you think all the stress and decision making in building a new home is now over? Think again! With so many ways to customize a home today, there are hundreds of upgrade options from which you will have to choose . . . cabinetry, countertops, carpets, faucets, appliances . . . the list goes on and on.
Also, if you are like many new home buyers, you have fallen in love with the model home in your community and hope to add similar upgrades to your own residence. Once you discover, though, the amount of money the builder put into all those extras, you will need to decide which upgrades you really want (and can afford) or whether you should take what the builder provides and consider making upgrades yourself sometime in the future.
According to Laura Jonke, design coordinator with Bob Schmitt Homes, Inc. of North Ridgeville, Ohio, and an American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) member, there are several advantages to upgrading during the building process including customization, financial incentives, resale benefits and convenience.
Customization
One of the best reasons to include upgrades in your building plan is to infuse your own style into the home. Whether you want to give your home a country look or a contemporary flair, the options you select will help convey that style throughout the house. Upgrades also offer the home buyer a better grade of product.
Another reason for upgrading is functionality. The standard refrigerator offered by the builder (often referred to as ?builder grade?) may not give you the side-by-side door style you prefer with ice and filtered water in the door. And, you probably will not get that great showering system with the multiple body sprays and large showerhead without incurring the cost of an upgrade.
Financial Incentives
One major benefit of upgrading during the building process is that it allows you to roll the cost of the upgrades into your mortgage loan. Although you may pay more in taxes initially, upgrades can be paid off with your monthly house payment at a lower interest rate than if you sought out a home equity loan in the future. In addition, most builders will include upgrades in your home warranty program.
Resale Benefits
What you choose now may play a big role in determining the resale value of your home in the future. Name brand appliances and popular custom upgrades will appeal to potential buyers. Concentrate on rooms like the kitchen and master bath which buyers ?zero in on? when purchasing a home.
?For resale appeal, try to avoid creating spaces that aren?t functional for anyone but your family,? said Jonke. ?Spaces should be versatile enough to accommodate a wide range of people and lifestyles.?
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November 12th, 2007
Category
Art and Decorating, Interior Design, Tips |
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Tropical decorative motifs, such as palm trees, monkeys, pomegranates, and the pineapple that symbolizes “welcome,” endure for many reasons. Not only are they intrinsically graceful in their own right, but they are also evocative of a relaxed, comfortable, leisurely way of life. Their reflection of ease and warmth has made these motifs popular for generations, and they are enjoying another home fashion renaissance now.
They coincide beautifully with the trend toward such nature-friendly materials as bamboo, wicker and rattan. They also relate to increased interest in exotic places, such as Key West and Bali. Pineapples and pomegranates add an international flavor to the traditional basket of decorative fruits. Monkeys represent a gender-neutral motif, easy to decorate with and especially appropriate for shared spaces, such as the master bedroom, where men may raise objections to an abundant use of florals.
While tropical themes are ideal for decorating a vacation home in a southern climate, they can also carry their luxurious sense of comfort to the harsh winters of the north.
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November 8th, 2007
Category
Art and Decorating, Bedroom, Interior Design, Tips |
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Decorating a Childs Room to Look Like a Mysterious Jungle - and Teaching Them Something Too
When designing a child’s room, you want to create an atmosphere that inspires and stimulates them mentally. The room should be interesting to the child, and should reinforce both rational thinking, and creativity. One way to achieve this goal is with a fun science based theme, which will present a topic in the natural world in an exciting manner.
The jungle is a dark and mysterious place, full of dense shrubs, towering trees, and shadows within which any number of strange animals could be lurking. It is a place of predators and prey. It is a place of exciting adventure. It is also a place that is full of the opportunity for learning more about animals, plants, and nature in general. If you present it in the right way, a jungle-themed child’s room can be an engaging, inspiring project that may encourage them to develop a long term love of learning and nature.
When preparing to develop a jungle themed décor, the first thing you should do is research. Get as many books as you can on the various animals and plants that live in the jungle. Encyclopedias and websites can provide good background knowledge, while books and magazines will give you more specific facts. Make copies of any pictures that inspire you, and take notes on anything that you and your child find interesting.
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