Archive for the 'Interior Decorating' Category

Mar 10 2010

Simple Kitchen Cabinet Decorating Tips

Kitchen cabinets are one of those things that can be expensive to replace, or sometimes you simply want to hang on to them. If you have older kitchen cabinets that you want to look a whole lot nicer, there are several ways to update them to fit the style of your kitchen décor. Here are some easy ways to update your kitchen cabinets without having to commit a lot of time or money to the project.

Add New Hardware to the Kitchen Cabinets
If you’re looking for a simple and inexpensive way to update your kitchen cabinets, install some new hardware. By adding new pulls or handles, you can really change the look of a cabinet. Cabinet hardware doesn’t cost much, and it may only take you an hour or so to complete the change. Unique handmade or hand-painted cabinet pulls will really spruce up your cabinets and add a creative touch to your kitchen décor.

Paint the Kitchen Cabinets
It’s not as difficult as you might think to paint your kitchen cabinets. Depending on the style and color of your old cabinets, it may not even be necessary to sand them before painting. To get the best coverage and make the job easier overall, be sure to remove the doors and paint them on a flat surface.

If you’re looking to completely change the look of the room, go with an entirely new color. For instance, by painting the cabinets a particular shade, you can turn a country kitchen into a modern-style décor. Since painting usually only takes a weekend, by Monday morning you can sit back and enjoy a kitchen that looks brand-new.

Take the Doors Off the Cabinets
Taking the doors off some of your cabinets is another quick way to update your kitchen. With the doors removed, you can either show off what’s inside or display a collection that adds to the kitchen décor. You don’t have to take off every cabinet door; even just two open cabinets can change the entire look of the kitchen. Before you remove the doors, however, be sure that you are committed to keeping the inside of those cabinets clean and organized, and are comfortable displaying the items inside. For example, a collection of plastic cups will not make as wonderful of a kitchen accessory as antique china.

Replace the Cabinet Doors
A great way to update your kitchen and have cabinets that fit with the style you’re going for is to replace your kitchen cabinet doors. These days, there are many different types of kitchen cabinet doors available. For instance, you can find doors that have designs built in to them. There are also doors that have windows. By finding cabinet doors that match the theme and style of the kitchen, you can help the entire décor of the room look much more cohesive. Be sure to measure your cabinets properly before selecting your doors, as this will ensure that they will fit.

Any of these ideas for updating your kitchen cabinets can help take your kitchen from old to stylish and new. While none of these renovations will cost you thousands of dollars, they can all drastically change the look of the room. Once you decide which option will work best for your cabinets and your kitchen, you can start updating your look.

About the Writer…
For over 40 years Leon Tuberman has helped people with their furniture and interior design needs. He is the owner and operator of popular furniture store in California. They carry a large selection of American made solid oak furniture for your living room, dining room and bedroom. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for a dining room table for your master dining room or a wood filing cabinet for your office then they have everything you need.

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Mar 03 2010

Choosing the Right Curtains For Your House

If you have decided to give a new look to your house, one of the best options is to change the curtains of the entire house. Apart from an expensive affair, curtain designing is a difficult task because you have to take care of the interiors, furniture and theme of the house before deciding upon the curtain. Romo Fabric, brocade are some of the most preferred curtain fabrics available in market.


There are a many things you need to take care of when buying the curtains for your house:


Take the measurement of all the windows and doors to find out how much curtain fabric you need. It will also depend upon the style and design of the curtains you choose. There are some fabrics like cotton that will shrink after wash, so you need to choose the fabric wisely.


When you are buying curtain fabric, it is important to keep the look of the house in mind. You have to decide if you want to give a Victorian or a contemporary look to your house. There’s a variety of fabric available in market ranging from satin, cotton to Colefax and Fowler. Make a wise choice.


Light and opacity are two other factors to consider. If you don’t want sunlight to enter the room, then buy a thick fabric. You can hold the fabric against the sun to check how opaque it is. Attaching a lining along with the fabric is another way of making it thick.


Keep the color of the walls and furniture in mind while buying a fabric. Always choose a color that creates harmony in the room and blends well with the interiors. You can also seek the help of an interior designer for selecting the color of the curtains as this is going to decide the look & feel of the house.


Choosing the right fabric for curtain is another important thing. Because it is a onetime investment, you should always select a fabric like Zimmer Rohde, which is durable and have an everlasting shine. Do a good research and talk to professionals before you settle down for changing all the curtains in your house.

Idolum Design Resource offers a wide variety of Eyelet Machine. Idolum Design Resource is able to order from the majority of suppliers including Curtain Eyelet and Interlined Curtains.

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Feb 23 2010

Using Wedding Memorabilia to Decorate Your Home

Why toss all your wedding memorabilia or store it away where you can’t see it? It’s easier than you might think to reuse all your wedding mementos to decorate your new home. If you’re looking for ways to put your wedding items to good use in your home, then here are some tips to consider.

Decorate with Your Wedding Pictures
Frame your favorite wedding pictures and use them as decorations as an easy way to incorporate items from your wedding into the décor of your home. Hang these on an empty wall, or they can sit on a fireplace mantle or a table instead. If you have a portrait you really like, consider blowing it up and hanging it on a wall in your bedroom or above the fireplace. Also, you can make a collage to hang on an empty wall combining a few different wedding shots with pictures from your honeymoon.

Make a Shadow Box with Your Wedding Memorabilia
Create a unique addition to your décor by gathering your wedding items together and displaying them in a shadow box. You might include your invitation, the program, favors, a piece of the wedding dress, and dried flowers. Assemble these items together however you like and then place the box on a shelf or hang it on the wall. Not only does this make a great décor piece for your bedroom, but it will remind you of your wedding every day.

Decorate with Your Wedding Flowers
You can always make potpourri from dried flower petals if you used real flowers for your wedding. Find a decorative basket or vase to place the dried flowers in and add essential oils, and you will have a sentimental decoration to add to any room in your home. Fake flowers, on the other hand, offer many more decorating options. Leave them the way they are, placing them in a vase or basket, for an instant decoration for the home. Or you might choose instead to alter them a bit. Either take a bunch of different bouquets from the wedding to create on large flower arrangement, or split them up, creating two slightly smaller ones. You can add instant color and brightness to just about any room of the house when you use these flowers in the décor. Even better, you’ll remember your wonderful wedding day every time you walk by them.

Make a Decoration from the Wedding Dress
If you’re not planning to reuse your wedding dress, you always have the option of making it into an easy and attractive home décor item. This works just as well with a bridesmaid’s dress—providing you have someone who’s willing to part with her dress after the wedding. Once you’ve taken a piece of fabric from the dress, wrap it tightly around a canvas or even a picture frame. Once you secure it with a nail gun, you’ll have a nice fabric décor item to hang on the wall. When you hang one or more of these pieces on the wall, you can really add some style to your bedroom or other room.

When it comes to decorating your home on a newlywed’s budget, work with what you have. By reusing your wedding memorabilia, you can create unique decorations that have a lot of emotional impact.

About the Author…
Leon Tuberman has four decades of experience in the home furnishings and interior design industry. He is the owner and manager of popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They offer a huge assortment of solid wood furniture for your living room, home office and dining room that’s built in the Heartland of America. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for file cabinets for your home office or a dining room table for your dining room then they carry everything you need.

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Feb 08 2010

Decorating Your Home on Budget

When decorating your home, working with a budget can sometimes present trouble, especially if it’s a small one. Although decorating budgets can be difficult to stick to, you need to realize that they’re necessary. When decorating a home, no homeowner should have to go into debt. So be sure to set a budget and then follow these simple tips for sticking with it. Then you can have a wonderfully decorated home without breaking the bank.

Make the Decorating Budget Firm
You don’t want to set a decorating budget and then forget about it when you actually start shopping. Keep in mind that you are setting a budget for a reason. Remember, you don’t necessarily have to do all your decorating at once. It might be better to do some of the decorating now, and then once you save some more money, revisit the room to add more items later. It’s best to stick to your budget firmly, no matter what comes up.

You Will Have to Give a Little to Get a Little
With a firm budget in your hand, you’re going to have to be flexible and willing to compromise in some areas. If you want the more expensive items that you absolutely have to have, then you’ll have to go the cheaper route for certain less crucial items. So if you’re adamant about adding that coffee table that costs about a third of your budget, then you’ll have to compensate elsewhere, perhaps spending less on window treatments or picture frames for the wall.

Don’t Worry What Other People May Think
It’s so easy to get caught up in what other people will think and say. After all, if the figurine you find is perfect for your décor, does it really matter if you found it at the local discount store? Unless you say something, no one’s going to know what you paid for items in your home. It’s not necessary that everything in your room is of the highest quality. So if you find something you really like and it’s inexpensive and it fits in your budget, then go ahead. Buy it. Don’t worry about what others are going to say. It’s funny, but sometimes the least expensive item in the room will garner the most positive attention.

Invest in Quality for the Big Items in the Room
When you plan out your budget, it’s best to allocate the majority of your money toward the larger items like a oak bed in a master bedroom or a dining room table, thus making sure that you can afford quality that will last. Window treatments or other décor just don’t need as much money put into them as items such as wood furniture, flooring, and artwork. By investing in quality for the larger items like a , you can ensure that those items will last longer and look better. In the end, you might have a high end sofa with inexpensive decorative pillows on it, but as long as you have kept to your final budget, then that will be just fine.

It can sometimes be tempting to throw your budget away and spend more than you can afford. Unfortunately, when you do that, then every time you walk into your redecorated home or room, you are going to have negative thoughts about that debt. In the end, negative thought might lead to you not being able to enjoy being in the space. If that becomes the case, then what was the point of spending all that money? By sticking to your budget, not only will you save money, but you will retain your peace of mind.

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Jan 25 2010

How to work with Your Interior Decorator

Working with an interior decorator can be a real eye-opening experience, especially if you’ve never worked with one before. Although you’ll find that not all interior decorators and projects are the same, there are a few key guidelines for working with a decorating professional.

1. Express Any Ideas, Wants, or Styles You Want for the Project
Unless you’re planning on handing over your home to your interior decorator so they can do what they want, you need to make sure that you clearly communicate your desires for the project. For instance, if you have a certain style in mind for the décor, then you need to be sure you tell the decorator. By making sure you are on the same page when it comes to styles, ideas, and desires you have for the project before the project starts, you will save yourself both time and money.

2. Set a Firm Budget with the Interior Decorator
It’s really important to set a firm budget with the decorator. Otherwise, you may find yourself spending much more money on your décor project than you wanted. Be sure to stress to the decorator that this certain dollar amount is what you can afford and you don’t want to go over it. Your budget is one thing you want to be sure to get in writing so that the decorator can’t come back and say you never gave them a specific expense limit.

3. Be Honest with the Interior Decorator
You need to let the designer know right away if they come up with a design plan you’re not crazy about. It’s silly to go along with a design plan just because you don’t want to hurt feelings. In the end, this is your home that you have to live in. Not being honest with the decorator about your true feelings for any plans or ideas that come up may be something you end up regretting.

4. Gather Visual Aids for the Decorator If Possible
It’s a good idea to gather photographs, diagrams, and other visual aids demonstrating what you want in terms of design. This is hands down the best way to express to your decorator what you are looking for in the design project. Handing someone a picture and telling them this is the style you want is always easier than trying to sit and explain it to them verbally.

5. Stay Involved with the Decorating Project
If you simply hand the interior decorator a few pictures and leave them alone for a week, don’t expect everything to be perfect for you. You don’t necessarily have to be constantly supervising the work being done. But you do want to be sure you monitor the progress daily to be sure things are being done the way you want. When you just let the interior decorator work without regularly checking out the progress, you may find that the result is not what you had pictured.

Working with an interior decorator can be a great experience. This is especially true if you have trouble coming up with great ideas and plans for your home. If you follow these tips, you can help ensure that you have the best possible experience with the decorator you have chosen.

About the Author…
Leon Tuberman has been in the home furnishings and interior design industry for 40 years. He owns and operates a popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They have a large inventory of handcrafted Amish built solid wood furniture for your bedroom, home office and living room. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for a wood file cabinets for your office or a wood dresser for your bedroom  then they have everything you need.

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Jan 09 2010

How to Find Decor Items on a Budget

Decorating your home doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It’s easier than you thing to have a nicely decorated home that looks like you spend thousands of dollars on it, when you really only invested a few hundred. If you’re looking to find décor items for your home on a budget, then here are some tips to consider.

Shop Garage Sales and Flea Markets
When you go to garage sales and flea markets, you don’t always find exactly what you’re looking for, like a wood file cabinets to keep your things organized or a wood dresser for your master bedroom, but you might just come across d écor items that will work just as well in your home. You need to keep an open mind when shopping at these types of places, as you may just find that with a little creativity you can take an item and completely change it to fit your needs. Those of you who are crafty or even just creative can easily take any flea market and garage sale finds and turn them into personal décor items for your home. You do need to make sure that any items you acquire are safe and structurally sound, as these are things that you won’t be able to change or fix.

Shop Seasonal Sales at Department and Discount Stores
If you’re looking to make seasonal changes to the décor of your home, the best way to find inexpensive items is to shop for them after the season, when they typically go on extreme clearance. For example, department and discount stores need to make room for winter and holiday items and thus will clearance out their fall décor items around October or November. You can simply shop clearance sales and then store the items away for the next year. Certain seasonal items can even be displayed year-round as part of your décor.

Trade Your Décor with Family and Friends
If you’re looking for a fresh look in your home, there may be certain items that your friends and family members may be willing to trade with you. This is a win-win proposition, as you are able to get rid of something you may not have a use for anymore and also get a new free item for your home. Just be sure to ask the family member or friend before you take the décor item from them!

Reinvent Your Old Décor Items
Whether you’re simply trying to change the look of a room or you have moved and are trying to decorate your new home, be sure to go through old items before tossing them in the garbage. As with garage sale and flea market finds, with a little creativity you can change up your own items as well. Polish or paint an old vase to look like new, or repaint a picture frame to match the color scheme of your new décor. If you want to stick to your decorating budget, reinventing old décor items is the best way to save money.

If you are trying to decorate your home on a budget, you have to use some creativity to be able to save money. This can mean shopping wisely, or it can mean coming up with some creative ideas on how items can be reinvented. There’s no need to spend thousands of dollars on home décor when by following these simple tips, you can stick to a budget and really save some money.

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Jan 04 2010

How to do Wonders with a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans are a very personal choice depending on the styles you like or themes that you have. With new technology and more designs coming out, your options are numerous. You can choose from different blades depending on the style or size as well as the finish it has. Your motors will vary depending on the application. When choosing your ceiling fan there are a few basic things to keep in mind. Knowing the size of the room is important so you can pick the right size of fan. Also the height of your ceiling should be measured. Do you want a ceiling fan light fixture or not? Choosing a flush mount or a hanging mount can drastically change a look. Another thing is choosing the style of fan, from a tropical fan, airplane ceiling fan, or rustic ceiling fan for instance. Make sure you have a reversible speed on your ceiling fan for different ventilation options. You may even want a ceiling fan with a heater.

What grade is my ceiling fan.

A specific grade is placed on ceiling fans to help determine what our needs are. The first is the Performance Grade. These fans have larger motors usually tow speeds and very quiet when in operation. Being so durable these fans can be used 24/7 as they are built to last. The next is the Medium Grade ceiling fan priced better for the consumer will give you durability and along with the functionality that your deserve. These fans are great for rooms with heights of up to 12 feet. This fan is designed to be used for 12 hours or less at a time. The next is Economy Grade, and this is when price is very important. The fan’s components are chosen to keep the price low and affordable. The functioning and durability will still be present. These ceiling fans work well in a room with the ceiling eight feet or less and should not be in use for more than eight hours at a time.

Features for ceiling fans

A modern ceiling fan is not the same basic fans you used to choose from when they were first made. Starting with the motor, they are measured in a watt which tells you the power of the motor. Speed and design affect the overall performance of the ceiling fan. The better the design will give you a quieter running fan but will cost more. Always check and see how reliable a fan is by looking at repair records to see how much downtime these particular fans have. Also check on the availability of the ceiling fan parts you may need. I f you want more than a ceiling fan pull, maybe you should check out a ceiling fan remote control which will allow you to operate your fan from anywhere in your room without getting up. Being able to have the right ceiling fan ventilation, you should make sure that you have a variability speed control so that you have the option to move the amount of air you need to.

Daryl plaza is the owner of ceilingfanhandbook a website designed with resources/reviews to help you discover the potential and benefits of your ceiling fans.

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Jan 03 2010

Ideas And Solutions For Your Bedroom Decor And Bedding Needs

People are working harder than ever in a stressful work environment.A good night’s sleep therefore is more important than ever. After a hard day’s work you should be entitled to beautiful sleep on your bed in a well decorated bed room. We need to pay more attention to the bedroom. What are things to do to improve our sleeping experience and comfort?
Here are some ideas and tips to improve life in the bedroom. First of all, get a bed that is big enough for you. Ideally get a king or queen size bed for you and your partner. You need a comfortable mattress. There are different types of construction and materials ranging from springs to foam to latex. Choose one that suits you. Next come the bed linen. If you want your bedroom to look like a luxurious hotel room, then you need to pick high quality bed linen. It may cost more but it’s worth it as it can last for decades! How do you determine its quality? It depends on the quality of the fiber and the number of threads woven per inch. The higher the thread count, the softer and more durable. Choose thread count of at least 200. Pure linen is comfortable and cooling. Pure Linen comes from the plant Flax and its white color comes from the plant itself. Pure linen becomes stronger when it is wet. So that is no fear of damaging it during washing. Nowadays pure linen may be mixed with cotton or other synthetic fiber like polyester so that it is crease free after drying. Cotton is also a firm favorite. It is extremely durable and has the best wear resistance among all fabrics. Repeated washings make cotton fabric even softer to the touch. Pure Linen is lighter than cotton and has better texture. Cotton is better for reproducing print designs.
Some people still use bedspread to cover their beds. Bedspreads are kept away at night during sleep. Comforters let you cover the bed during the day with convenience and ease. In the night you can sleep under it and it provides warmth and comfort. You can choose feathers or down. Of course, down is better. Goose down is better than duck down. The comforter keeps you warm and at the same time decorates your bed. Consider getting reversible comforters for more choices of colors and styles.

White linen is a good choice for your bed as it can match easily with your bedroom decor.You can also have matching color schemes with the bed linen matching the walls or the curtains or even the decor of your bathroom. Sometimes , contrasting fabric colors also add an interesting element to your bedroom. Another idea is to have different patterns featuring the same color. For sheer class and elegance decorate your bed with a bed skirt. You can have a loveseat in front of your bed and a little table too. A rug on the floor adds further warmth to the room.
The bedroom is where you seek solace . In your private moment you may want to read a book or watch television. Make sure you have adequate lighting . A table lamp next to your armchair would be ideal.
You would also like ample storage space. Consider installing shelving above your headboard.
Lastly, you can personalize your room by displaying some decorative items like a vase or pictures.

You can find more bed linen at http://www.bedding-sets.com and http://www.beddingsets.net.

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Jan 02 2010

Becoming a Successful Interior Design Professional

If you have recently begun a career in interior design, you should
be very excited to be entering
such an exciting field. You’ll find that you’ll earn a lucrative income
but the rates of pay can
vary significantly. Even an entry-level design position can provide
an income that you will be
proud of!

By being an assistant interior designer, you can expect to earn as
much as $20 per hour with the
right design firm. Once you become a certified interior designer,
your income will increase to
$50,000 or more. The most lucrative income is as a partner in an
interior design firm where you can
earn in the $100,000 and up range.

Most interior designers just entering the business will find that
initially clients have to be
sought out and convinced that you are the right person for the job.
Don’t be discouraged! There is
a great deal of competition in the field but you will begin to land
clients and the more references
you provide, the easier contracting new clients becomes.

When the exciting time comes, you obtained a customer, don’t fall
into the trap of always trying to
always bid the lowest. Sometimes interior design clients feel that a
bid that is too low is a sign
of poor work. They will comparison shop and you want to bid
reasonably.

One way to win the client is to offer a good bid with the incentive
that you will be glad to accept
the job at slightly lower than the lowest bid they can obtain in
writing. This can be the key to
winning your first few clients and building your reputation.

Marketing your services is a key to obtaining clients. First, you
must have business cards, a
professional portfolio that contains samples of your work available.
You can then offer your
services through a kiosk at your local mall or find a furniture shop
interesting in showcasing your
services as an incentive to customers to purchase.

Also, starting your own business requires additional steps and
expenses. You’ll need to obtain a
business number and registration so that you can conduct
business. There may be other requirements
as well. Look in the telephone book under Government Listing or
call your local accounting firm.
They will point you in the right direction and tell you what steps
must be taken.

Another great marketing tool is to join the local Chamber of Commerce or other local organization that provides networking opportunities. Trade shows are another
means of marketing affordably.
Also, a portfolio will be valuable tool. The portfolio will also contain
the files of letters of
references. Having references will show that your work is
professional and satisfactory. Also, you
may want to include some references from your friends and family
as well as your instructors from
school.

With hard work and dedication, you’ll find yourself in-demand and
sought out by clients after a
short time. Just remember in the early days that you do have a
great future ahead of you. You can
be a success in interior design!

Valentine Campos makes it simple to learn about interior design with must have articles, reviews, newsletters. To claim your free report that will provide you tips and unique interior ideas, visit http://www.beaninteriordesigner.com.

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Dec 30 2009

Decorating Ideas for a Dining Room

Many people believe that you have to spend a lot of money on a dining room in order to make it look good. This is absolutely not the case, as there are plenty of inexpensive ways to create a stylish and put-together dining room. Here are some tips on how to decorate your dining room inexpensively to help get you started.

Decorate with Your China
Do you have a beautiful set of china stored away? Why not bring it out and put it on display for all to see? If you want to decorate using something you already own, then this is a great option. Display your china in an armoire or china cabinet, or place it on a shelf on the wall.

If you no longer use the set, then you can use wall hangers to hang the plates on the wall in a decorative pattern. You might also use your china settings to set your oak dining table in order to give it more of a finished look.

Make the Window Treatments
You don’t necessarily have to be a seamstress in order to make your own inexpensive window treatments. By simply taking a long silk scarf and draping it over a curtain rod, you can quickly add a stylish touch to otherwise boring blinds or drapes. Another option is to use placemats and tablecloths for your window treatments so that they match the same design that’s on your table.

Use Nature to Decorate the Dining Room
As the seasons turn, you may be able to find some décor items for your dining room right in your own backyard. Try filling up a large wicker basket with all sorts of natural items such as flowers, stones, leaves, fruits, and twigs. Once you’ve arrange the items to your liking, you can place the basket on the dining room table as a seasonal centerpiece. By creating a seasonal basket, you can change up the look of your dining room or oak dining room sets with each season and stay well within your budget.

Make Your Own Artwork
Creating your own artwork is a wonderful way to save money on decorating the dining room. After all, artwork tends to be the most expensive décor item for any room of the house. When you create your own art pieces, you can really save a substantial amount of money.

Even if you’re not very creative of can’t draw or paint, you can still create some sort of art piece to hang on your wall. Find some fabric that matches your dining room’s style. You’ll also need to purchase a few inexpensive plain photo frames or blank canvases. Stretch the fabric tightly over the frame or canvas and then staple it in place to the back. Then, voila! You now have a decorative fabric piece to hang on the wall. Make a couple of these in different sizes and with various fabric patterns, and hang them in a collage for a great backdrop for the dining room.

Decorating your dining room doesn’t necessarily require a large budget. By recycling things you already have around your home, you can create new décor items for the room. Even if you don’t spend a dime on your dining room’s décor, by getting creative and using your sense of style to come up with unique decorating ideas, you’ll end up with a room that not only looks expensive but reflects your personality.

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