Archive for July 2011

Mission Style Decorating Ideas

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Mission style decorating appeals to those who enjoy natural elements, a strong, clean, linear look and informal style of decor. A love of wood furnishings is also high on the list for this look, which is often call Arts and Crafts decor.

The two styles are very similar and share historical roots. A desire for a simpler and less ornate philosophy of decorating (enough of the Victorian curves, ruffles, swags and over-the-top finishes!) was the foundation and inspiration for mission style decor.


First, a little bit of history. The Arts and Crafts movement emerged from England in the late 19th century. Workers with trades such as carpenters, glass workers and carvers found that their skills were no longer required as the Industrial Revolution took hold. So they began to use their abilities to craft furniture that was well designed and hand produced.

Today, the art of creating mission style furniture remains a highly regarded skill, and many of the original methods are still employed, including the use of quarter-sawn white oak that is cut, sanded, fitted, and joined by hand.

By the early 20th century this style found its way to North America and earned the name of Mission style decor. While there are nuances that distinguish Mission style from Arts and Crafts, mostly in the use of the finishing touches and accents, both rely on heavy use of wood furniture as the foundation of the style as well as simple, clean lines in the design.

Read more about how you can create an authentic Mission Style decor in your home.

Til next time,
Candi

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Log Home Decorating Ideas

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Log Homes...a dream for many and a reality for some. Why? Well, unless you are going to cut down your own trees, harvest them, dry them, do the prep work and THEN think about the design,build and log home decorating process, you have to hire someone else to handle all of these things. And it is not for folks who are looking to build the most cost effective home available.

Log homes, particularly the beautiful, custom homes you see in magazines (and on this page)filled with log home decorating ideas, are more expensive than conventional homes.

There are ways to build a log home that are more cost effective, such as pre-built kits for smaller log homes. So, don't be discouraged, just be realistic. Enough of that - let's talk about the fun part - Log Home Decorating!

You can decorate a log home or you can decorate a home interior with log decor furniture and accessories, so there is more than one way to accomplish the lodge style look. 

As with other styles of decor, log home decorating is a style with different avenues. There is rustic decor, lodge style decor, country style, even a contemporary log home style, to name a few.

Read more about living in and decorating log homes

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Garden Fountains

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Garden Fountains are a great way to personalize your patio area. Not only are they interesting conversation starters, the calming effect of the sound of flowing water can transform your ‘ordinary’ patio into a haven of relaxation!

As with many other types of outdoor decor, these fountains are available in a wide variety of materials, shapes, sizes and prices ranges.

When planning for your fountain, think about the space available for the piece. If your patio area is quite small, a wall fountain can be a great choice. It won’t take up any of your precious floor space and will provide the same qualities of a traditional garden water fountain.

For birdwatching enthusiasts, consider a combination birdbath and water fountain. Again, sizes and price ranges are available for just about any budget.

If your preference is to keep the family pets at bay, consider a type of fencing around your garden fountain to protect the area. Or, go ahead and let them quench their thirst!

 Read more about Garden Fountains

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Laundry Room Decor

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When you think of the laundry or utility room in a home, the immediate image description is plain, functional, boring, task oriented, dirty clothes...ho hum. Just close the door so no one can see it.
But laundry room decor can be simple and fun, with results that will make it almost a pleasure to enter the space. Well, almost.
Here are some ideas that will make even the smallest functional space gain instant personality and charm:
Paint. I know, it’s nothing new and forward thinking, but I have seen so many homes that are well decorated and coordinated except for the laundry area. It tends to be a forgotten space.

Combine function with your decor. Most homeowners find that cabinetry is very helpful for storing cleaning products,etc. out of sight. Depending on your budget, you can create a useful yet beautiful display of cabinetry. Tiny budget? Old, boring cabinets? How about painting them to create some fun and interest in the space.

Hang some artwork on the walls. And I don’t mean the ‘LAUNDRY ROOM’ reproduction vintage plaque that states the obvious. If you love that look, cool. But it’s okay to use artwork, framed posters, collections, and other types of wall mounted decor that express your decorating style.

Read all the details about Laundry Room Decor! 

'Til next time,
Candi

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Accent Tables to Fill the Space in Your Home

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Every room has one. That space in your home that just seems empty. Yet, many pieces of furniture are simply too large or bulky to fit the space available. So, you end up doing without, rather than putting in something that is too large or would end up looking out of place.

Accent tables will fill the bill nicely. In contrast to other tables that may be larger overall, accent tables come in all sizes and shapes, from fairly small to quite large. This insures that you'll almost certainly find the table that is perfect for your home and the space you have in mind.

For example, an accent table can work wonderfully in an entryway, where you could use a place to keep your telephone books, your keys, gloves and other essentials that help you get on your way or find your way on a daily basis. They would look great with a small mirror above them, just so you can make sure you're all put together before you head out for the day.

Because of their very nature, accent tables are made to capture the attention of visitors and guests. Compared to end tables and coffee tables, they can be quite ornate, such as lovely wood tables with exotic, complex patterns of wood veneers. The can also come in any shape imaginable, from square and rectangle to round, oval and even octangular.

Round end tables even make a great alternate to traditional end tables, adding a lot of visual impact to the room, since square or rectangular end tables are usually the rule. Accent tables that are round or oval make a delightful exception to this rule. You can even make a bolder statement by going with a pedestal table instead of a traditional table with four legs.

Many accent tables come in designs that capture your interests and passions. For instance, you can get accent tables with a travel theme, with a large compass design on the top done in exquisite veneers. Or you can find one that has a built-in wine rack on the bottom, allowing you to share your love of wine with visitors and guests.

While rectangular or square accent tables will certainly fill the bill as an end table as well, you can also use them on the sides of your bed. One of the great things bout these tables is that they can each be different. Whether you use them in the living room or in the bedroom, you can actually use two different tables, such as one that's rectangular and one that's round, but in the same general style and finish. It's O.K. if they are very decorative, they are meant to be.

When selecting accent tables, you want to choose models that not only reflect your personal tastes and the decor of your room, but you also want to find tables that are of top quality. A lot of the models you'll find at discount stores aren't necessarily of the best quality. As they say, you get what you pay for. Many online retailers carry a wide selection of top quality tables from major manufacturers. One of the benefits of shopping online is selection and ease. Since you can shop by keyword, you can quickly narrow your selections, saving you time and money, since you don't have to use up a lot of gas going from store to store. And since many online stores offer free shipping, you don't have to worry about additional shipping costs, and added bonus.

One thing's for sure. You don't want to overlook accent tables as an option for decorating your home. Their versatility, beauty and variety almost guarantee you'll find the perfect table for that space that always seemed just a little too empty.

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Eclectic Decorating Style

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 If you love the look and characteristics of several different decorating styles, you’ll be happy to know that there is a method to pulling a cohesive, stylish, unique and naturally appealing look to your home.

Eclectic decorating style combines the elements of two, sometimes more, distinct decorating styles and creates a unique, unduplicated look that is unmistakenly individual.

Notice that I didn’t say, “throw anything and everything you like into a room and you’ll end up with a fantastic eclectic style space.” You’ve probably been in one of those rooms before, and your first instinct is to turn and run.

With a style of decor that is defined as eclectic, there is a method to the creation of the space. While you are mixing and matching styles, there are three main elements that you will use as guidelines.

First, think function...color...shape. Use one or more of these elements to create your eclectic space.

Next, combine two styles with accents of a third, as a general guideline. Don’t throw too much together.

Finally, find the commonality in the pieces you’ve elected to use in this space.


Want all the details? Read more about Eclectic Decorating Style

'Til next time,
Candi

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Adding Outdoor Kitchen to Your House

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When talking about an outdoor kitchen, it can be a wonderful addition to your house. If you want to give your house a whole new look then you should consider this as this will give a whole new dimension to your home. This can be considered as an addition to your house hold which is an evolution from the family BBQ that you have in your back yard. If you are looking for something more sophisticated or something that is more elegant than your regular backyard BBQ then you should defiantly move for a kitchen that will add that extra enjoyable touch to your house.


The outdoor kitchen can become more than just an addition to your party. Yes it can help to become the center of attraction to your party but it can defiantly be much more than that. If you move the kitchen outside then you will discover new joys to cooking. Also your family will enjoy eating at your backyard every day. If you go out for dinner once in a week, you would start finding the restaurants disappointing. After all, what is the comfort of eating in a closed restaurant compared to eating outdoors in your own backyard? You don't even have to dress up or drive. All you need to do is put on your slippers and walk from your living room to your back yard. This comfort is truly unmatched with any comfort that a hotel or a restaurant can provide. The sense of personalization can truly make your experience all the more better.

In countries that have pronounced summer, you would find a lot of outdoor kitchen. These kitchens help the owners make the most out of the summer. There are many products in the market today that help you create an outdoor kitchens. These products make sure that you have everything you need as your kitchen in your backyard. When you are looking to set up a kitchen you can go all out and set up an exquisite design for your kitchen or you can keep it simple and easy with the basic necessities.

The outdoor kitchens are basically evolved from the BBQ grill. Therefore you will most often find a BBQ grill at the center of things in a kitchen. You should also keep in mind the weather conditions of the area that you live in with outdoor kitchens. You can build a protective covering over your kitchen if you think you need protection. The covering will help to protect against sudden rainfall that might ruin your BBQ. However you should remember that there are many advantages when you have an outdoor kitchen. You can interact with your family and neighbors better. You can also make sure that you spend enough time with your family while enjoying over a BBQ. Getting the right equipment will help you to set up the right type of kitchen that will come to all your needs.

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Luxury Bedroom with Satin Comforter Sets

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Feel the luxuriant touch of satin comforter sets. These are among the most favored types of comforters in every home. This is due to the smooth and elegant touch of the fabric. If you have sensitive skin, you would surely feel that high degree of comfort that these sets bring. Once you get to lie down, you would feel like you are in paradise, basking in the smooth and soft feel of the comforters around you. In fact, satin has been used since the time of the royals.

If you have taken a closer look at the things that royals use before, you will notice that most of their bedding are made of satin. The royals know what opulence means and this is the reason why satin is the option at the top of their list. When using satin, they always make sure that the colors perfectly blend with their surroundings. Usually, large wooden canopies would utilize light colored satin comforter sets. Popular hues for such bedding are white, black, dark chocolate brown, cream, pearl gray, red and even purple. These colors exude elegance in every angle. Some people prefer dark-colored satin over light colored ones. Most likely because, it is easy to clean compared to light-colored satin sets.

This set is also perfect for those who have sensitive skins. The smooth and really nice feel of the fabric will make any person with sensitive skin sleep in comfort. The satin would be gliding smoothly over your skin. So no feeling of discomfort would be experienced as you sleep.

Satin comforter sets are usually comprised of a comforter, pillow, shams, neck roll and sometimes decorative pillows are included. Once the entire set is placed beautifully on the bed, a nice image will be seen. It could even be a perfect image for a home magazine.

One thing that you could do to make sure that the whole setting looks perfect is to ensure that your room decor coincide with your satin set. You could opt for decor that have elaborate designs in the event that your satin set is simple and has a single color only. On the other hand, if you have satin sets that already have elaborate designs, then you could go for decor that are simple in look and in design.

So if you desire to feel comfort and relaxation, then having those superb satin comforter sets would be a good choice for the bedroom.

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