Home Decorating Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I choose a good-quality sofa?

I want a sofa that I'll be able to keep for years. What should I look for?

Hardwood frames that are glued and screwed in place are the most hardwearing. Quality sofas have individual coil springs; mid-price versions use zigzag springs; and budget ones have webbing. Washable, loose covers are good for families, and close-woven covers are durable. But to check if it's well-made, simply sit on it!

• How do I make old floorboards look good?

Sand them with a specialist machine, starting with medium-grade abrasive paper, then going over it again with a fine-grade one. Give the floor three coats of varnish, sanding lightly by hand between coats.

• Which blinds are best in lofts?

I've just had my loft converted and need to get some blinds for the windows. Is there an alternative to plain roller blinds?

You'll need blinds in your loft as the light will be very strong and will wake you up early in the morning in the summer. If you're after something a bit different, pleated blinds have a soft, pretty effect and diffuse light, while traditional roller blinds will help prevent light reflecting on computer and TV screens. Blackout versions are worth considering - they fit into channels at the sides of the window to stop light getting in around the edges - they're perfect for light sleepers. Venetian blinds are another option, allowing you to tilt the blinds as well as open and close them for maximum flexibility.

• How do I try out paint colours without ruining my walls?

I can never decide which paint looks best in my room before I buy, and I don't really want to put patches of colour all over my walls for weeks. Is there a simpler way that will help me choose the right colour for my room?

Instead of painting tester pots directly onto the walls, use them to paint a large sheet cut from lining paper. The lining paper can then be easily moved around so you can try it on different walls, without spoiling the look of your room.

• Can I use bold wallpaper in a small room?

My bedroom is tiny but I want to use a bold-patterned wallpaper. Nice or nasty?

Nice! A big pattern will have an impact in a small room, but use it on just one wall. Choose the colour of the wallpaper carefully - brights will make a small room feel smaller, and soft colour contrasts in the paper create a sense of space. Balance the overall effect by picking plain colours, subtle textures or small motifs for other furnishings.

• How do I create a relaxing lighting scheme?

I'm fed up with only having an overhead light, as it doesn't make the room look very welcoming. How can I make it more relaxing?

Recessed ceiling-mounted spotlights or a pendant light will give you good overall light, but if that's your only source, the lighting can feel harsh. Soften the overall effect by adding a table lamp next to your sofa and a floor lamp or reading light near your armchair. You should be aiming for around two to three separate light sources for an average-sized room to create pools of light where you need them.

• What's the best layout for a formal living room?

The kids have left home so I want to create a more formal living room. What's the best way to lay out it out?

If you want a formal room, whatever your style, the one rule is symmetry! Arrange furniture symmetrically and you'll give your room the grown-up look you're after. If you have plenty of space, move your sofa so it's facing two identical armchairs or an identical sofa. You can also use tricks like adding a pair of side tables with matching lamps, or arranging a set of four prints in matching frames on the wall. If you don't have the space for all of these different elements, choose smaller pieces such as carver chairs instead of upholstered versions. Then just arrange them around a focal point - whether it's a fireplace, window or a coffee table.

• What good-value curtains work with sash windows?

I've got high ceilings and beautiful sash windows - but a tight budget. How should I dress them?

An elegant Roman blind will give a clean and simple finish to your room. Or, if you prefer curtains, don't think that having high ceilings means you can't get away with ready-mades. Sash windows look great with floor-length curtains, so choose the longest pair you can find. If they come up short, add a contrasting 'hem' to the bottom of the curtains for an elegant look. You don't even need to be a dab hand with a sewing machine as you can simply iron on some Vilene Extra Strong Wundaweb (£1.99 for 3m, www.amazon.co.uk) for a quick fix.

• How do I revamp my interior doors?

I want to revamp my interior doors. I've sanded them down and chosen the paint, but I've heard there's a special way to do the job - can you explain?

Preparation is key. Wipe the door with a damp cloth to get rid of dust, then leave to dry. To paint, wedge the door open, remove the handle and fittings and slide a dustsheet underneath. If it's a panelled door, paint the mouldings around each of the recessed panels using an eggshell or gloss paint, then paint the panels, working from the top downwards. Paint the horizontal cross rails starting at the top and working down, then paint the vertical centre rail and two side rails. Finally, paint the door's side edges. A second coat is usually needed after the first has dried. When completely dry, pain the doorframe and surrounding architrave. If it's a plain door, imagine a vertical line down the centre, and horizontal lines running across, dividing it into eight or 10 squares. Paint the top left, then top right, working down. To paint a glazed door, stick masking tape around the edge of the panes to protect them. Then start by painting the mouldings as you would a regular panelled door.

• What's the easiest way to use pattern?

I'm really keen on using plain colours in my home, but I'd also love to introduce a block of pattern to update my style. What's the easiest way for a pattern novice to get started?

Start small, limiting yourself to a few accessories such as a cushion or a lamp shade with a bold design. The easiest design to work with is one that has a white or cream background and a simple motif. Pick any patterns you want to use in just one colour, so you can add to the scheme as your confidence grows and you'll know that everything will always work together.

• How can I divide up a long, narrow room?

I have a long, narrow living room - what's the best way to divide up the space, without doing any building work?

A long narrow room can feel quite daunting, so it's best to divide it up into two 'zones'. You might have a living zone and a dining zone, or a relaxation zone with the television, plus a quieter area for working. Use a sofa or open bookcase as a divider and you'll be left with two much more manageable room shapes. Use the structure of the room to decide what function would suit each area. For example, a focal point such as a fireplace is ideal for building a living area around, while the space by the window is great for a dining table or mini home office. Don't worry if there's no obvious focal point - if you use the area for entertaining, make your sofa the centre of attention.

• What sort of carpets are suitable for hallways?

I've been told I need a heavy-duty carpet for my hall and landing, but i don't know exactly what I should be looking for. Can you help?

A carpet that's labelled 'Heavy Domestic' or 'Extra Heavy Domestic' should be able to cope with the high traffic of busy areas such as a hall and landing. To be certain the carpet has been rigorously tested, look for the Carpet Foundation Quality Mark. A carpet containing around 80% wool and 20% nylon is more resilient and less prone to flattening than other types, as nylon fibres are extremely hard wearing. Don't stint on underlay, as a good-quality version will prolong the life of the carpet even more.

• What curtains work best against radiators?

My radiator is under my window, but I don't like short curtains. What are my options?

Teaming narrow dress curtains with a blind is a good solution. Dress curtains are narrower than standard curtains and aren't designed to draw across the window, so they won't prevent you enjoying the heat from the radiator, but they'll still give you the look you want.

• Is there a knack to matching up patterned wallpaper?

I'm having a go at putting up wallpaper for the first time. Is there a knack to matching up patterns?

If the room has a focal point such as a fireplace, start papering here; otherwise, start from a window. When measuring the first wallpaper length, make sure a whole motif will be at the top of the wall, then allow an extra 5cm on the top and bottom, which you'll trim off later. If the wallpaper has a straight pattern repeat, the motifs will line up horizontally across the wall, and you need to cut each length starting at the same point in the design. If the design is offset, the motifs line up diagonally, so each length needs to be moved up or down to allow for this. Once you've hung the first length against a plumb line on the wall, you can slide the second length into position for a perfect match, or pull it away and reposition it.

• Does blue paint have to look cold?

I want to paint my bedroom blue, but it's north-facing. Will it look too cold?

Blue needn't be a cold colour if you pick the right shade and balance it with some warmer tones. A sky blue will look cheerful, and can be warmed up with cream paintwork and peachy-toned highlights. Alternatively, pick out a blue paint that's close to violet and has a pinky tone. You can then accessorise with a pink, floral bedspread or curtains for a warmer look. In a north facing room, the blue shades to avoid are those that seem dull or have a grey tinge.

• Can you help us locate a stunning feature radiator?

We are having an awful lot of difficulty finding a feature radiator for the living room. To be honest, we haven't been impressed by any of the the 'Art' radiators we've seen so far so thought we'd ask for expert advice instead. The wall dimensions are 4ft x 13ft.

There's been a huge push recently to turn radiators into sculptural pieces that can hang on the wall rather than being utility elements designed to blend into the home. Some are good, some are tragic , but they all cost a small fortune. Several of the most impressive are made by Caleido, who have produced a number of highly textural variations, such as their great Honey, Skin and Air models.

• Where can I find curtain poles with the 'Wow' factor?

I've inherited a beautiful swagged curtain in a fantastic gold and black silk fabric. I'm planning on having it in the bedroom, but wanted to source some curtain poles and fittings that will keep the wow factor. We don't have much on offer in my area and the DIY stores' offerings are a little twee. Do you have any suggestions?

Fabricant designs and produces just the sort of fittings you're after, well detailed and individual. What's more it has a superb range of finishes to choose from (gunmetal is a favourite). The traditional finials and tiebacks are all there, but the contemporary selection has some real gems, like the Portcullis and Reeded designs. A popular pole size to use is the 50mm, and I'd budget about £800 for the full ensemble.

We want to match our original brickwork to that of our extension.

We're planning an extension and want to match the brickwork of the main house, but can't find anything that looks close. The building dates back to about 1820. Do you have any contacts?

There are about 2,000 types of bricks on the market, so there's usually something similar. As well as the huge range of new bricks, there's a massive market for reclaimed brick, so check your local architectural yard. Builders merchants are also usually good sources, but your best bet is to call in the specialists like Brick Find.

• Is coloured lighting in a bathroom floor possible and, if so, is it safe?

I've seen a picture of a bathroom with coloured lighting in the floor, which I'm interested in recreating at home. Do you know of a supplier, and is this lighting really safe for the bathroom, as I have a very inquisitive two year old?

I imagine you saw fibre optic lights rather than halogen, which, although they run on a safer low voltage, get very hot. Fibre optics are perfectly safe for wet areas like bathrooms and also outdoors, because the actual light source can be housed out of harm's reach, many metres away. All that's required is to route the fibre-optic ropes (which are just like a tube that the light is piped down) to where you need the lighting, and then cap with the finishing lens fitting.

Be warned: colour changing lighting can be more disco than spa if not done professionally, so sticking with static colours is recommended. The positioning and the installation still need to be well considered and competently carried out, so don't rush into fitting this type of lighting just on a whim.

Good-quality fibre optic kits can be bought online for around £400 through Unlimited Light.

• Can coloured lighting be installed in a bathroom floor, and is it safe to do so?

I've seen a picture of a bathroom with coloured lighting in the floor, which I'm interested in recreating at home. Do you know of a supplier, and is this lighting really safe for the bathroom, as I have a very inquisitive two year old?

I imagine you saw fibre optic lights rather than halogen, which, although they run on a safer low voltage, get very hot. Fibre optics are perfectly safe for wet areas like bathrooms and also outdoors, because the actual light source can be housed out of harm's reach, many metres away. All that's required is to route the fibre-optic ropes (which are just like a tube that the light is piped down) to where you need the lighting, and then cap with the finishing lens fitting.

Be warned: colour changing lighting can be more disco than spa if not done professionally, so sticking with static colours is recommended. The positioning and the installation still need to be well considered and competently carried out, so don't rush into fitting this type of lighting just on a whim.

Good-quality fibre optic kits can be bought online for around £400 through Unlimited Light.

• How can we display our photos and children's pictures?

We've got lots of our sons' school and nursery pictures and we've been searching for a way to display them. We did see a solution in a magazine, which was almost like a washing line - a suspended wire you could peg pictures to. Do you have any ideas?

Yes, the 'washing line' idea is probably the most simple way to clip up pictures. Just hang a wire or string between wall hooks and attach the pictures with wooden clothes pegs which can be painted any colour you like. Another idea is to designate a 'graffiti wall' space to display art, painting picture areas and frames, which can then be filled up. You could also paper a wall in the now classic wallpaper 'Frames' by Chris Taylor and Craig Wood for Graham & Brown (0800 328 8452).

• Is there a company that stocks Japanese soak-in baths in the UK?

We are about to start designing our first flat. The bathroom is very small and we would love to have a Japanese soak-in bath to enable us to have a shower as well. We have looked through lots of UK websites, but nobody seems to have what we're after. Any ideas?

What you're looking for is sometimes referred to as a Roman bath and many people in the UK are interested in sourcing these. Unfortunately, although they are common elsewhere in the world, we've not yet found anyone who imports them to the UK. Your best option may be to have one specially made up. Eros2 can produce bespoke granite and marble/resin shower trays in a range of colours, so you'll be able to have something unique tailored to fit your requirements exactly.

• Can we use stainless steel as a splashback on a curved wall?

We are planning to refit our kitchen soon and would like to use stainless steel as a splashback. The problem is that the walls are very curvy and the oven sits in an alcove that's quite rounded. Where can we get sheet metal made to fit this complicated wall?

It sounds as if you're setting yourself a rather difficult task with a surface that's as complex as this. Sheet stainless steel is easily fabricated for flat surfaces and simple rolled curves, but anything more demanding than this and you could end up with messy welds, folds and seams that would ruin the whole look. Your best solution when working with curved surfaces is to go for mosaic tiles, and there's a stunning range of metallic tiles called Metallismo produced by SICIS. The tiles are rust- and scratch-resistant, are available in both gold and silver, and there's even a unique mixed range in various mosaic shapes. So, rather than have a fairly uninspiring run of plain stainless steel splashback, you could create something really breathtaking.

• Can you suggest a light fitting to complement our dark, richly decorated living room?

We'd love some advice on a suitable hanging shade for our living room. The area is panelled and has dark-wood flooring, plus we have deep reds, greys and brass fittings within the colour scheme. We want the space to keep its dark, smoking-room look, and need a light fitting that would complement this.

If you want to preserve the 'gentleman's club' feel of the room, then I'd suggest not choosing a bright shade, but one that conceals light. It needs to have a definite air of grandeur and solidity, so no wispy lighting features here. CTO's Apollonaire range would be perfect. It has an elegant embassy-look black cotton shade with a fabulous hidden gold interior.

• Can you help me find a product that provides natural light in a dark room?

I'm searching for a product I know is available, but whenever I ask at local builders' merchants, they look at me as if I'm talking a different language. The product is a cylindrical tube that has a mirrored internal surface and a clear tile cover to the top and the base. It's used to provide natural light in a dark internal space. would also assume it can be extended to allow for variations in depths between roof and ceiling covers.

The product you're looking for is called a sun pipe. It's basically a very highly polished/mirrored tube with a lens on top that collects light and funnels it down the tube.

• Is it safe to adapt Ikea shelving units?

We have an Ikea shelving system in our study that my husband wants to 'adapt' to fit a disparate collection of hi-fi equipment. Is it OK to cut and add to shelving like this, or will we end up with something unsafe and unusable?

Adapting Ikea products is not for the faint-hearted. Because of the materials Ikea uses, you may end up with messy edges and you could lose some of the structure's rigidity. It may be worth getting a joiner to make it up 18mm MDF instead, or check out the range of adapted Billy shelves at Ding3000.

• Is it possible to dye or stain laminate flooring to match existing flooring?

My son's south London flat was mainly laid with a laminate floor when he bought it. The long hallways was carpeted, however, so he replaced it wit ha laminate. Unfortunately, it's a much lighter shade than the existing flooring. Is it possible to dye or stain laminate flooring to match and, if so, where could I source such a product?

Not a chance! Laminate is actually a paper photoprint coated with resin and, because of its resistant properties, you'll have no luck tinting it. If you want to change the colour, your only option is to go for a new floor. It's possible to lay a new one on top of the existing floor, but you may then have to re-set the skirting boards and cut the bottom of the doors to the higher floor level. However, as laminate is a poor imitation of wood and you can now get the real thing for a good price, why not replace it entirely? Engineered wood boards are slices of real wood sandwiched with insulation that absorbs noise. They can also be sanded in the future. Kahrs does engineered boards from £16 per sq m. Or visit Wickes, which sell solid pine flooring for less than £15 per sq m.

• Where can I get a modern turned wood table without a designer price tag?

I've seen a gorgeous red table that's made by Zanotta with a turned wood stem. It's out of my price range, but I'd love something similar. Any ideas where to look?

The Zanotta table you mean is the Doris by Dominique Mathieu. This season there's turned detail on lots of pieces of designer furniture, so you shouldn't have to look too far to get something close to what you have in mind. For starters, Habitat does the Spin table by Alex Dreyer, £499, which is nice and sleek, but not red unfortunately. If you really want that colour, then another option is to buy an antique piece and paint it in RAL3003, which you can get mixed up in Dulux paint. Now is a very good time to buy, as prices have tumbled. And don't be put off by things that aren't exactly what you are looking for; a lot of antique furniture can easily be updated wit ha splash of colour or new upholstery, so get down to your local auction room.

I need inspiration to help create a Fifties-style diner kitchen.

I'm looking to get some inspiration and help to design a Fifties-style kitchen-diner. I don't have a lot of space, but I'm happy to take on board any ideas.

In the Fifties, Italian cafés in London featured great materials, like strongly patterned Formicas, chrome trims, sharp angles,expressive typefaces and coherent interiors that were expertly detailed..

• The glass in my Forties dining-room-divied needs replacing. Where can I get similar glass?

I'm trying to find a special patterned glass for a Forties dining-room divider. The divider is made from teak and has long, vertical panels of glass with bumped stripes , which look like a lens. Unfortunately, one of the three panels is badly damaged and our local glazier has told us we are unlikely to find anything like it. Can you help?

I think you're describing 'reeded' glass. It's not common and you may find that modern versions have thinner reeds than older glass, which tends to be more pronounced. Pearsons Glass has a few designs with reeding up to 8mm wide which costs around £45 per sq m.

• Where can I get set of large curtains dyed?

I've inherited a set of large (8ft drop) cotton curtains with swags and cords. The overall size and shape is perfect for where I'm going to use them, but the colour is all wrong. I've searched for someone to dye them to a more usable colour, but no one can do this size of curtain, and I wonder if you know anyone that could help me.

Unfortunately, there are very few options in London (surely a gap in the market here! ), but Chalfont Ltd (020 7935 7316) in Baker Street can help you. Expect a turnaround of about five weeks and be aware that Chalfont only dyes natural fabrics, not synthetics.

• I want to change my light switches, but the recesses are too shallow. What should I do?

I live in a Thirties mansion block and recently wanted to replace all the light switches with dimmers. When I removed one of the switches, the recess behind it was too shallow to contain the modern dimmer. Are there shallower switches or will I have to get all the recesses made deeper?

Most standard fittings are relatively thick unless you go for more complex electronic sensor switches, which we wouldn't recommend in your case. Any electrical work needs to be undertaken and certified by a qualified person (this is all to do with the Part P building regulations - find an electrician at niceic.org.uk). And also get the electrician to sort the recesses, too, to be on the safe side.

• What's the best method of painting over strong colours?

What's the best method of painting over strong colours? I'm currently redecorating a buy-to-let flat that has garish green and red walls, which are a still showing through after three coats of paint. First paint over the colour with a grey undercoat. This deadens the colour and stops it coming through when you paint your final colour choice. Another factor to consider is that most DIY paints can be a little thin in their consistency, and therefore coverage, so it's worth spending a bit extra to buy professional paint. One of the best white emulsions around is made by JW Bollom.

• How can I keep flies out of my house in the summer?

Now summer's finally here and I can open all the windows, I'm getting more and more annoyed by all the flies that get in the house. I don't want to put up nets or to keep windows shut all the time. Any ideas?

As we head for hotter summers, this problem is growing. After suffering the same problem myself, I discovered a brilliant (and cheap, at £1 per m) material - black 'dress net,' the stuff used for tutus and veils. Fixed across windows, it becomes almost invisible, but still allows a breeze through, so your home can look modern and have the windows open all night. Available in fabric stores and at Fabricland.

Penny_Day

Home Insurance For Home Decorating

Here are some steps you should consider:

• Add your latest contents to your policy: If you've brought new items into the home over the Christmas period ensure your policy is up to date. You don't want to break something new and then find you weren't covered.
• Ensure you have accidental damage cover: Paint spills, dropped ornaments and other breakages will only be covered under the accidental damage element of a policy. Generally accidental damage cover will add around 25 per cent to the cost of a premium.
• Cover yourself against liability: If a friend is helping you with your DIY work, make sure you are covered against liability for any injuries that occur.
• Contact your insurance provider for extensive work: If you plan to add a new room to a house or improve the property with an extension then contact your home insurance provider ahead of time to ensure you're covered for any structural changes and the work that takes place.
• Adjust the rebuild value of your home: The top home improvement is a loft conversion, which typically adds more than £22,000 to the value of a home. More cosmetic improvements such as decking and flooring can also add to a property's value. Make sure you cover the new rebuild value of your home rather than its new retail value.
• Remember prevention is better than cure: If you're decorating a home it's a lot better to avoid an accident altogether than it is to make an expensive home insurance claim. To reduce the chances of an accident occurring, remove all items from a room before you begin any DIY work, and place sheets down over carpets and furniture in case of paint spillages.

Alex_Gregory

A Cabin Theme for Your Home Decorating Needs

When it comes to home decorating there is one thing that must be said-people seem to long for the simple life and cabin living. Of all the styles of decorating and décor this is one that seems to be repeated most often but in different ways. Seriously there are all kinds of 'cabin' décor websites, magazines, brochures, books, and how to videos all over the place than probably any other style of decorating.

One reason for the phenomenal popularity of this particular type of home decorating style probably has a little bit to do with the simplicity of it. There are no hard and fast rules, there aren't fancy faux finishes and textured painting that needs to be done in order to complete the look and there aren't overly complicated rules for what is and isn't acceptable. From the bear budget to the champagne and caviar crowd there is some sort of décor available that will suit not only the home decorating needs but also the need for quality as well.

Another thing that many find appealing about a cabin themed home decorating plan is that it simply exudes warmth year round. From the dark colors to the flannel materials and the soft homespun simplicity of the design many find it simply irresistible. One thing that is obvious in this style of decorating is that it appeals to those who love home and hearth and warmth and good will far more than modern touches and design elements. This is not a hard plastic sort of design style and it shouldn't endeavor to become one as the two styles are almost systematically opposed to one another.

If you want the warmth of a Montana cabin in your home every day of the year this is one great way to do it. Bring the bears, the moose, and all the furry forest friends to frolic in your living room, on your light fixtures, and in your dreams as you fall into restful sleep each night. From the bedroom to the bathroom and the kitchen in between the cabin style of home decorating is one that is making great waves in the market place.

You will find many stores online and locally that cater to the cabin loving audience for hardware, knick-knacks, and what knots galore. The thing to remember is that the design essence isn't the little touches you add along the way, it's the warmth of wood, fire, leather, and wrought iron. These are the materials that will establish the cabin appeal more quickly than any of the little touches you can add along the way. Drywall and plaster simply cannot carry the look. Knotty pine or some other rich style of wood is the best option for walls when pulling off a cabin home appeal.

More importantly than anything though is the need to include a little bit of yourself in the design. Do not hesitate to carve your initials with a heart into the wood of your walls. It is one more thing that will be not only endearing but also appropriate to the home and the atmosphere. There is a type of innocence about a cabin style home and the little touches such as that will leave a lasting impression.

Andri Irawan

How To Choose Your Home Decorating Fabric

If you're decorating your home, it's important that you find the right home decorating fabric. Whether you're going modern, Victorian, or classic, the theme of your home decorating

will be influenced by the type of fabric you choose. If you already know what particular theme you want, do a little research online to decide which fabric will fit best. You can also choose to look at home decorating magazines or books.

For example, if you use a Victorian theme, remember that this type of theme is both feminine and quite ornate. Therefore, the home decorating fabric you choose will be brocade, velvet, or other "heavy" and rich materials. For accessories, you can choose ribbons and bows, beads and lace for trim.

If you choose to go with a modern theme, you'll want vibrant and bold colors in your home decorating fabric. Usually, when you go with a modern theme, the rooms are big and spacious and the concept is "open." This is meant to draw your attention to the room's details, including the fabrics used. The walls are usually done in light or cool colors.

Another popular home decorating theme is Oriental. With this, use elephants, Chinese dragons, screens and fans. This makes the room visually interesting and unique. The colors used are rich red, coral, jade and ivory. The Oriental theme usually uses silk as its fabric, and the rich colors stand boldly against the dark woods recommended for Oriental furniture.

For a more subdued "country" theme, choose light-colored woods, crisp fabrics such as linen, and light colors, perhaps accented here and there with dashes of dark red or blue throw pillows, for example. You can also choose sturdy knotty pine and rough tweed and denim fabrics for a more rustic look.

When you use home decorating fabric, you are putting icing on the cake, basically. The furniture you add complements the colors you use. In addition, the window treatments you'll use also fit within the theme, using these same colors.

Home decorating fabrics can be found in many places. Cushions, slipcovers and curtains can be bought premade at department stores or online. Many stores or web sites also specialize in home decor and can help you with this process. If you are skilled in sewing and wish to make your own materials, it's probably best that you go to a local fabric store so that you can see the fabrics you want to choose firsthand. Store staff will also be able to advise you on patterns, threads, and accessories such as buttons, ribbons and bows. If you are considering a particular color scheme, staff will also be able to help you choose fabrics in the right coordinating and contrasting materials and colors.

Whether you choose ready-made materials or are skilled at making your own, the right fabrics can make your home decorating project a success, so that you both have fun during the process and are pleased with the end result.

Gaetane Ross

Finding Home Decorating Ideas?

Do you need a simple and fun decorating style to use in your home? If that is so, you need first to gain some decorating idea on what is home decorating all about. Home decorating or designing has nothing to do with gender when you want to practice it- all of us desire to have a well-decorated home.

Working on home design can be on two major classification- the interior design and the exterior design. Interior, of course, refers to all design tasks done inside and for indoor usage. These include furnishing design, wall, floor, ceiling designs, etc. Exterior design can include gardening and landscaping, and other related tasks. Making a home design can not just be a good hobby, it is a potential hobby to make money. If you are good enough on this, you can make it as an additional source of income. You can start by providing service for your friends who need such a service.

We as today's modern home owner today enjoy a great deal of joy and freedom when it comes to how we design the interiors of our homes and we continue to buy and read a great deal of material on home design, interior decorating and the many related topics that there are in existence. The philosophy of home design is very much in line with a postmodern world view where rules and regulations are thrown out the window in favor of an almost anything may go approach.

We all love our homes and the amount of money that we spend on them accounts for a large part of the overall money spent in the economy. Our bathrooms has evolved as a part of home decorating over the past decades from a strictly useful and functional room to one that is similar to a spa. And just because there aren't thousands of dollars available for decorating doesn't mean that a bath can't be unique, dramatic and thoroughly satisfying. The amount of money spent on the place where we now luxuriate in water is growing in popularity as time goes by.

We as today's modern home owners enjoy a great deal of joy and freedom when it comes to how we design the interiors of our homes and we continue to buy and read a great deal of material on home design, interior decorating and the many related topics that there are in existence. The philosophy of home design is very much in line with a postmodern world view where rules and regulations are thrown out the window in favor of an almost anything may go approach.

Bercle George

Asian Inspired Home Decorating

There are very few themes for decorating a home that capture the imagination quite like an Asian inspired theme. There are many reasons for this one of which is the rich colors, fabrics, and textures that are the hallmark of these themes. There is a simplistic elegance about Asian décor that is almost impossible to imitate in other methods. It is simply put, stunning to walk into a room or a home that has been decorated in an Asian inspired motif.

This is not one of the lesser styles of décor when it comes to price. This elegance comes at a rather high price for the average consumer. However, the sparseness of this home decorating style make it possible when other styles with this sort of price tag would not be possible. One of the most important things to remember when attempting to bring an Asian style of décor into your home is the heavy reliance upon color and texture.

Dining rooms are particularly stunning when decorated in an Asian style. In this situation not only can the implements added to the room serve to improve and enhance the décor but also the placemats on the table can serve as an important tool in establishing the theme of this supremely elegant room. Chopsticks and dishes, particularly tea servings are other great enhancements to an Asian dining room. This is a room that many families will enjoy dining in.

It is recommended that because of the expense involved in many Asian themed home decorating styles that only one or two rooms in the home should be created based upon an Asian theme. This will keep the costs down as well as making those rooms focal points within the home rather than having the splendor lost among the excess.

If you are having a rough time narrowing down the two rooms, the bathroom also makes an excellent room in which to incorporate an Asian inspired theme. This is a room in which people go to relax and wash away the worries and stress of their days. For this reason, it makes perfect sense that some of the more tranquil and relaxing design accents of an Asian décor would be appropriate. Candles, figurines, calligraphy (waterproof of course), and Asian artwork make excellent touches for a bathroom, as do the more tranquil colors of some Asian inspired rooms. Fountains can be added to the room for an added taste of relaxation. Be sure that there is plenty of storage space as clean lines and an uncluttered surface are also important for the overall peaceful affect you should be hoping to achieve.

If either the dining room or bath or unappealing to your home decorating desires for an Asian theme you may want to take the theme into your bedroom. There are very few more romantic themes to incorporate into a bedroom than an Asian theme. You can use fabrics to create a very romantic atmosphere, rice paper window coverings to protect those inside from prying eyes, and candles throughout the room to finish off the creation. Furnishings in this room should be sparse and uncluttered. And Asian screens can be used in order to 'section off' the room or hide the piles of laundry or cluttered areas that you wish not to be detract from the overall romance of the room. Fans make a lovely decoration for the walls in a bedroom as does Oriental art or framed calligraphy in the words of love. Use wall sconces and indirect lighting rather than harsh, glaring overhead lights.

An Asian theme can be one of the most beautiful in the realm of home decorating if you are truly willing to invest the time and money it takes to do this theme properly. It can also be one of the most gaudy if you choose cheap and tacky decorations rather than quality accessories. If you choose to incorporate this theme into your home I hope you will keep that in mind while you are shopping.

Andri Irawan

Home Decorating for the Sophisticate

When you have a picky, sophisticated style, it can be difficult to decorate your home. Learning to appreciate the little things will keep you in the loop with life and loving your home, sophisticated or not.

Decorating your home can be difficult. We all know that. But if you're one of those people that has a slightly sophisticated taste, if you yourself may not be a sophisticated person, decorating your home can be a veritable nightmare.

As a Home Decorating Sophisticate, or HDS as it were, you have a refined taste in furniture, flooring, sashes, throw pillows, drapery, rugs, lighting, hanging artwork and pretty much everything else that comes through your line of vision. You can sense imbalance in your sleep and your aura blends with Zen decorating on an ultimately frightening level.

Never fear, though. You don't have to go to a professional decorator to get the look you want and can be happy with for your home-which is great because with your picky style, a professional decorator would be a complete waste of thousands of dollars.

First things first. Learn to appreciate imbalance and make it work with your extreme sense of balance. When you're learning to appreciate the simple things in life, the sophisticated side of you can break lose and make it difficult. One of the most important things a sophisticate must know when trying to decorate a home for reality is that there can never be perfect balance in everything. Life may be about learning achieve balance, but if you have kids, or a life that moves with the speed of the world, there's bound to be an occasional dirty sock on the floor, traffic marks and hand smudges on your walls. Decorate to suit those needs.

You may need to purchase an area rug to cover the places where people walk the most. Oriental rugs are perfect for parlors, living rooms and dining rooms as well as any other place your sophisticated little heart needs to put one. In outdoor spaces or sunrooms a well made bamboo area rug or seagrass area rug can be an excellent addition to your motif. Remember though, that an area rug is more than just a way to cover up the little imperfections that send your sophistication radar blaring up a storm. An area rug is a way to bring warmth and life into your otherwise over-perfected home.

But don't think that it's only about area rugs and covering things up that you don't want to see. Decorating as a sophisticate is also about learning to appreciate the macaroni and glitter jewelry box your daughter made enough to proudly display it next to the Faberge egg knock off your grandmother left you.

Remind yourself everyday that sophistication is less important than the little things in life. As a sophisticate you can always have a beautiful home that you love. But it is so few and far between that a sophisticate can have both a beloved home and home that's full of love.

It's not easy to have a sophisticated home that is also full of life and ready for reality. Give life a change and you may find it's more sophisticated than you thought.

Sarah Crosset

Western Home Decorating Has Many Aspects

One way to give your home a warm, comfortable look and feel is with western home decorating. As you might expect, there are some items that depict cowboys and rodeos, but there’s a lot more to it than that. Come along while we explore the wide variety of furnishings and accessories that fit right in with the western style of home decorating.

Whether you just want to add a few decorative pieces here and there, or decorate your entire house, western style décor can add charm and down-home coziness. If you don’t already have a few ideas about the look and feel you want, try browsing through a few home decorating or interior design magazines. Also, print and/or online catalogs from western furnishings stores have lots of ideas and suggestions. No matter where your creative ideas come from, the best advice I can offer is to pick at least a few items that reflect your personal interests and maybe even a side of your personality that others might not be aware of. That makes your room(s) unique while allowing you a perfect opportunity for some self-expression.

One of the great things about western home decorating is that it can be done fairly quickly and in a way to fit almost any budget. Since the flavor and feel of a room usually comes from the accessories and accents, you can often decorate a room without buying new furniture and other high-dollar items. You can create the feel you want with items such as an accent rug or two, a few table decorations, a decorative lamp, sofa or floor pillows, some wall art, and whatever else you want that will match or complement the overall desired ambiance.

Often, a fresh coat of paint on the walls will do wonders for a room. Many people like the living room and other common areas to be somewhat of a neutral color. An off-white, light tan or sand color works well for western style decorating, since those are subdued earth tones. A good paint color for bathroom trim might match something in the natural landscape such as a sky blue, forest green or dusty rose color.

Floors are often overlooked when it comes to decorating, which is a shame because area rugs and accent rugs not only serve a useful purpose, but they might also be considered as art for your floor. Rugs that go great in a western styled room include animal skins (real or faux), rugs with a southwest design, sheepskin rugs, and rugs that depict wildlife or horses. There is also a leather shag rug that is made with strips of suede sewn into a rag rug that would look great in many western rooms.

Lamps and lighting fixtures are an essential part of almost any room, but we sometimes neglect to make them fit in with the overall room décor. There are plenty of lamps and lighting fixtures to choose from, including ones made from antlers or small logs or ones with depictions of western scenes that add interest and visual appeal to the western style of home decorating.

Decorative pillows with a bold design and/or a splash of color might be just right for adding a bit of panache to the room. Bright colors or a bold design on a sofa could overpower the room, but pillows and a few other accessories and accents can give you lots of flexibility to get the overall look and feel you want. You can set the mood of the room to be as wild or as mild as you want.

Some items, such as sofa pillows, floor pillows, or table centerpieces, are usually affordable enough that it might be fun to have one set for everyday use and another set that can be put in place in a matter of minutes when certain guests are expected. That way, you can enhance the “wow” factor to fit the occasion.

Small bronze sculptures or horse figurines are a good example of decorations that you can display on a table, in a curio cabinet, or on a knick-knack shelf. One of my favorite things to display is a baseball-sized geode, which is a certain type of rock that has been cut in half to reveal the crystal formations inside.

Wall art includes paintings, drawings, photographs, and more. No matter how a room is decorated, too much bare wall space can often make a room seem unfinished. Plus, items on the wall can reflect your hobbies or personal interests as well as being decorative. Some of the rugs that have a southwestern design or a depiction of a scenic vista or animals are great for hanging on a wall, like a tapestry. It may sound a little unusual, but even things like samples of barbed wire or different kinds of horseshoes can be mounted and framed to make something that really goes well in a western style room.

Whether you prefer the traditional ranch style of western furnishings or the western style with a contemporary influence for your western home decorating, you can be assured that you’ll have plenty of accessories and accents to select from that offer down-home appeal and casual charm.

AnnaRae Mills

Experience With Home Decoration

Decorating your home can be a very personal and creative experience with the great decorating ideas found in the Better Homes and Gardens Decorating Gallery. Find hundreds of decorating ideas, design lessons, decorating projects, and much more!

Decorating house is a fun. It rejuvenates not only your surroundings but also your feelings. New look of your drawing room and living room generate new enthusiasm.

Decorative items may vary from candles and flowers to paintings and furniture. Inside the rooms at various places you can put new decorative items. Sometimes changing the place of various decorative items too can give you a feeling change, though it didn't cost you a single penny.

You can decorate your home by anything you like. People decorate their houses with iron wall decor and other metal wall decor. The chandeliers look simply awesome when hanged in the centre of the drawing room. They are available in many shapes and sizes. You can choose according to the size of your room.

The trend of interior decoration is changing these days. People like to decorate their house according to fashion. Eccentric fashion and trend is the best method to mock on the predictable glamour in home decoration. As the fashion keeps changing with time, it is advisable not to go for each and every item you find in vogue and base your decision on the mood of decor of your rooms.

Now people decorate their house with modern art, where style is becoming bold. It is also an example of modern era of experimentation. People do experiment with all the things they can. They are becoming experimenting by nature and they do not hesitate in doing many kinds of changes with their home decor. You too can give a bit of humour touch to your home decoration.

You can give various themes to your house as each room may have its own theme quite different from other rooms. For example, your children rooms can be given a peppy theme. Some baloons and cartoons along with drawing sheets and colours will not look improper there.

In a house everything should be kept in its proper place. Patio chairs would look as odd in your drawing room as study books on a dining table. Likewise, any big mirror in drawing room will look odd while quite in place in your bedroom or bathroom. It is not only the looks but also utility that will be affected. You will not find the book in your study when required and on the dining table it will not have any use.

IN home decoration colouring is very important. It provides a backdrop to all other things. You should give a deep thought to the colour-scheme of your house. It is not necessary that entire house should have one particular colour or shades of it. Colours may vary from room to room. There is no harm if there is no match, not even contrast, between drawing room and other rooms.

It is preferable that the colour of your bed room should not be very bright as light colours are considered soothing and relaxing. Happy and joyful colours on the walls of lounges and lobbies keeps you happy and in a good mood there.

Tlahui Calva

Home Decorating is a Rewarding and Creative Process of Redecorating your Home

Most home decorating design is assorted in style, with a blend of traditional and contemporary furnishings, mixing new with the old. The furnishing choices in a successful home decorating scheme are almost always a well thought-out mixture of styles. Before you begin to decorate, keep in mine that hardly ever is a room, outside of one found in a museum, decorated in one style. You should choose furniture that suits your family and arranging it in a way that works gracefully with the home decorating scheme.

When faced with a room in need of a new look, the question most often asked is which color should be use? How do I combine them? Choosing home decorating colors your selves can be a somewhat scary proposition. You have to develop the skill and confidence to create a room that is quiet but not dull, vibrant but not tasteless, it’s helpful to learn some basic home decorating color vocabulary. You should become familiar with the color ring, which is a basic version of the color wheel usually used by fine artists, and to understand the principles of combining colors.

A successful mixture of home decorating patterns, colors, and textures will result in a balanced and beautiful room; the kind of room that makes you feels comfortable the moment you enter it. You must first look at the home decorating pattern and texture that are imbedded in the architecture of the room; the pattern in the grain of a wood floor, for example, or the texture of plaster walls, and the sheen of a marble countertop.



It’s always best to plan ahead, before you actually begin a home decorating project, whether large or small, it’s a good idea to understand what is involved and to think about how it will be accomplished. Home decorating can start anywhere, with the given advice to spruce up a room; you can fall in love with a new color, or by adding a piece of furniture. But remember to think through the process of your home decorating project before you paint a wall or buy any furniture.

Walls are the largest surface area in any room, and the wall treatment you choose can enhance your home decorating choices in a way that no other single home decorating element will. Before you begin, think about the basic of the room; the quality of the light, the size of the room, and any architectural features you may want to highlight or downplay, and, of course, the furniture and fabrics you plan to use in the home decorating scheme.

You may or may not choose a particular home decorating style when you decorate your rooms, but you will certainly strive to create a stylish décor. When it’s time to rearrange the furniture, you must decide whether to refresh the look with new upholstery, or do you want to put together an entirely new home decorating scheme for a room.

All well-designed rooms exemplify more than one home decorating principle because the principles work hand in hand. For example, a room is balanced in part because its home decorating elements vary in scale proportionally to their setting and there is a sense of rhythm. When each home decorating element is in place and in harmony with all the other elements, you experience the room as welcoming and livable. A successful home decorating scheme for any room is one that is designed around your personal taste and style.

Roger King

Home Decoration

Home decor may the first wish for every housewife. Firstly decorating the home is preferred by all housewives even if there is some festive season going or not. Interior decorators are then being contacted to decor the house. Almost every woman wants the rooms of their home to be glossy, best of furniture and the color scheme of the walls which please their eyes.

There are many points to bear in mind while buying articles or items of your choice with some affordable price. Just a glimpse of a royal room in some magazine, it is not likely to rush to home decor stores. Think wisely, to buy somewhat similar or close to those pieces in every aspects in low price as per your budget. Satisfaction and happiness should work in you after doing all this for your home. Don’t sit just by staring the photos of that magazine. Stand up and figure out your room the way you like to decorate it. Firs know that particular thing that catches your eyes. Then work accordingly like selecting the color scheme of wall, wall hanging, sofa set or any antique piece that matches up with the room. All what you need is an innovative and creative thought with some helpers to décor your home.

You should have flair to properly arranging all furniture that fits the particular space given. For instance if the color of your wall does not soothe your eyes then advisable is buy some good paint like deep glossy color or creamy color for your wall which gives comfort or relax to your eyes. Decorate your wall by adding texture or a design by using a sponge, crumpled newspaper, or a stencil. New coat of paint on wall show as if you have purchased a new home.

Other things that you will love to do decor your home can know from any good magazine or under some guideline of interior decorator. Keep doing some innovative things in decorating the home. Some gift articles, antique piece or items will serve the best to beautify your room. Proper attention should be paid on linens of different room like bedroom linens, living room linens, etc. Spruce up your kitchen by keeping all the utensils, vessels in a drawer. Drawer system in kitchen will take care of your kitchen and you need to worry like say if when cutlery is missing out.

There are some discounted stores available. Or you can do is to shop all those items essential for home decor at the time of sale, even buying at the time of festive season in low price. Buying wall hangings of wooden, metal or fabric material will help to sole your problem if your wall is empty. Or utilizing for music system or wall screen T.V works more if your mind is blank of any creative idea. Other items like mirror work, piece of art, or frame work are also useful to decor home.

Thus, these tips will take you to a long way in home decorating. Family members and others will appreciate your work done behind to decor home is your return.

Bella Mclaine

Home Decorating for the Basement

The basement is often a neglected point in many homes around the country. This space in many homes is more utilitarian than functional. The sad thing is that this space could be so much more for those who are interested in taking the time and paying the attention required to change the look from functional to fabulous. In many basements this will require a little more than minor home decorating skills while in other basements around the country all that is needed is a little color and a lot of style to make the basement the most in demand room in the house.

One common complaint that people have about basements is the fact that they are so dark and dreary. The reason for this is that most basements have little natural light that is allowed to flourish due to a serious lack of windows. However, this can also work to your benefit if you decide to use the basement as a media area. In fact, with the low ceiling and low light in the basement, this is probably the most perfect area in your home to turn into an excellent media room complete with surround sound and theater style seating. The only problem in this case will be getting the neighbors to quit begging to watch this week's newest DVD release at your house rather than their own. To pull this off you will want darker colored walls, floors, and ceiling in this room, a large screen television, comfortable seating and plenty of tables upon which you can place your beverages and popcorn.

Another great idea for basements is an artist or music studio. Basements can easily be portioned off into smaller rooms and all kinds of lighting can be installed in order to accommodate the lighting needs of many artists (keep in mind that one size does not fit all and artists that need natural light in order to work will not find most basements accommodating). By creating a smaller room, particularly for musicians, you are allowing yourself the additional option of soundproofing or at the very least dampening the room in order to save not only your ears but also the ears of the neighbors and animals that live nearby. These rooms can be simply furnished and decorated with music notes, a music stand, a comfortable place to sit, and the equipment needed to create music for musicians or an easel, art supplies, wash basin, comfortable seating, and perhaps a futon for relaxation for artists.

If you are in need of a quiet place that is removed from the family in which to work (and who isn't really) the basement offers an ideal workspace for that provided you could get the lighting you need. Most people will need a professional to install the lights in a basement but most people will definitely need additional lighting in the basement in order to find the space tolerable for work. However, once the lighting situation is taken care of, the basement does make an excellent office space for many people. Try adding filing cabinets and photos, perhaps a fountain in order to make the area more serene and conducive to the work that needs to be done. Of course you will want comfortable seating and adequate desk or work table space as well. Design this room as you would any home office and it should do just well regardless of your home decorating talent.

One thing you need to keep in mind when it comes to home decorating and the basement is that many basements have a tendency to seep in high humidity or after heavy rains. Dehumidifiers assist with this problem but you may need to decorate with this in mind if the water and moisture is problematic. You will want to avoid mold and mildew at all cost, as they will ruin any potential enjoyment of your basement. Cork and ceramic tile are excellent flooring choices in this case and moisture barriers are an excellent idea to install before 'finishing' a basement.

Home Decorating in the Tudor Fashion

Tudor style home exteriors are rather easy to identify. Many people drive by them quite regularly with jaws dropped and eyes wide at the simple beauty and elegance of this style of architecture. From humble cottages to grand castles the Tudor style of architecture is very memorable indeed. When decorating the interior of a home in the Tudor fashion there is no set in stone rules though there are some touches that are the hallmarks of Tudor style and beauty.

One thing you can do to bring a touch of the Tudor style to your home, even if your home wasn't built in the Tudor style is to incorporate the use of beams in the interior as decorative touches. When the original Tudor style of architecture was about this was more a design of need than one of opportunity. Today the paneling serves as a simple reminder of the beauty that has earned this period in history and architecture such fame. This is only one method however, that can be used in order to establish a Tudor style upon the interior of a home.

The floors in Tudor homes were typically made of either brick or flagstone. Many people today opt for stone tiles in order to portray a remarkably accurate look with a modern twist. These floors were often covered with ornate Oriental rugs (in wealthier homes) or small wool rugs in more humble abodes. If attempting to imitate the wealthier Tudor styled homes nothing short of Oriental style rugs will do in the more prominent areas of the home. Keep in mind that there are reasonably beautiful imitations currently on the market at prices that the average homeowner can afford.

Ornate wall tapestries often graced the walls in order to complete the richness of the look in wealthier homes. This is a style that is often imitated in homes attempting to cling to their Tudor roots around the world. It is a beautiful affect however and one that is very well worth adding to your home if you are seeking to incorporate a Tudor style in your home decorating efforts.

As far as the bedroom goes, the beds were the focal points of these rooms. Solidly built four post beds were the thrones in these homes and made fit for the king of any castle no matter how humble it may be. The posts and feet on these beds were ornately carved and quite beautiful. This is a remarkable recreation to include in your home in order to bring about an authentic Tudor atmosphere for the interior decorating. In wealthier homes, rich fabrics canopied these massive beds in order to provide privacy and elegance.

In order to create an authentic Tudor atmosphere in a home of today you would also want to incorporate some sort of wrought iron chandeliers into the home as well as wall sconces for lighting. This is the style of lighting that was often used at the time and will lend credibility to the scene you are attempting to recreate. This to me is one of the most stunning effects that can be incorporated into a home decorating plan in this day and age. If timeless beauty and elegance are the goal, then this is definitely a style of décor you will want to consider for your home.

Home Decorating: Kitchen on a Budget

Decorating a home can be a trying thing to do with the best of budgets. The fact that you do not happen to have large lots of money lying around however should not prevent you from having a lovely kitchen to call your own. The kitchen is after all, the heart of any home and you want this room to be one that invites everyone to come, congregate, and pitch in (one can always dream right?). This is the reason that you want your kitchen to shine above all other rooms in your home though. The kitchen should radiate warmth and home to all who enter.

Truthfully speaking there are many things you can do in your kitchen that will greatly impact the overall look of your kitchen without changing anything structurally within your kitchen. If you have wallpaper, remove it and try paint. There are all kinds of great things you can do in the kitchen from plaster, which goes amazingly well in a kitchen, to faux finishes and textures, and glazes for added impact. The walls in the kitchen are your canvas and the world is at your disposal. Just remember to try to tie the walls into the floors and cabinets or at the very least to the floors and cabinets you hope to have in your kitchen someday.

In addition to painting the walls in your kitchen you may also want to consider painting, staining, or antiquing your cabinets. I know that some jaws just dropped to the keyboard. How dare I suggest such a thing as painting wooden cabinets? The answer is simple really. It is much cheaper than replacing them and much simpler than staining them. Really it boils down to a matter of choice. My first choice wouldn't be painting but then again, there are times when painting is a viable option. It will greatly change the overall appearance of the kitchen if nothing else.

Moving right along. Another great change that isn't terribly expensive to make in the kitchen is hardware. The simple act of changing the door handles and drawer pulls on your kitchen cabinet can result in an almost instant facelift. When these changes are combined with painted or stained cabinetry the effects are nothing short of stunning in many cases. It's the little things that often have the greatest impact so keep this in mind when planning your changes.

The floors of your kitchen are another rather inexpensive change that can be made despite preconceptions. Keep in mind that you do not have to go top of the line in order to enjoy huge changes in the appearance of your floors. There are laminate floors that are rather inexpensive to install as well as many forms of peel and stick tile that can bring about impressive results for very little effort and without professional skills. Any floors that you are capable of installing yourself will save a lot of money and can make a huge difference in the appearance and your enjoyment of your kitchen.

Perhaps the biggest coup of all when it comes to changing the appearance of your kitchen is the ability to apply stainless steel PVC contact paper to your kitchen appliances in order to give them the instant appearance of stainless steel. This is a very inexpensive method for updating the overall appearance of your kitchen in a matter of minutes and at a cost less than that of replacing one appliance. For your countertops an inexpensive and terribly disruptive alternative to replacing them all together is to apply peel and stick tile over your existing countertops.

As you can see there are many ways in which you can improve and enhance the warmth and coziness that you want your kitchen to convey without shattering the piggy bank in the process. More importantly, you should keep in mind that taking on one project at a time allows you to make the adjustments in your own time and as finances allow.

Home Decorating-Old World Style

The "Old World" Style of Decorating is one that brings all of the elements of nature into play. Metals, clay, stone, wood, and countless other elements combine to create an atmosphere that is as charming as it is ageless. This is what old-world means in a modern kitchen. Despite the idea that this would be an inexpensive method of decorating the truth is that this style of decorating for a kitchen, probably more so than any other room in the home, can add up fairly quickly. The good news is that the results are typically breath taking when all is said and done.

The kitchen of a home is often the family center. This is the room in which meals are prepared and sometimes eaten. It is also the room where families congregate and discuss plans for the evening and the events of the day. It is often the location in which homework is completed and heartaches are commiserated with pints of ice cream. Your kitchen is the one room in the home that will probably experience more emotional moments than any other room in your home. For this reason it makes perfect sense that it would be the most expensively and extensively decorated room within your home.

When beginning with the walls for an old-world kitchen you may want to consider plaster or some soft of faux finish that looks like plaster in order to give the walls of your kitchen a truly ancient appearance. Aged yellows and shades of gold are an excellent choice for these walls as it will blend nicely with the terra cotta and stone accents that should grace the remainder of the kitchen as well as the darkly stained woods. Of course the walls are just the beginning.

You will want to insure that the lighting doesn't go against the old world home decorating that you are incorporating by being too modern and bright in appearance. Wrought iron light fixtures and chandeliers as well as low light wall sconces work wonderfully in an old-world style kitchen. Keep in mind that many of the old style home decorating ideas can spill over into the rest of your home from your kitchen or can be used in order to set your kitchen apart as the warm center of your home. Either way a kitchen such as this will make a stunning impression.

Candles may also be used in order to enhance the old world appearance of your kitchen. Of course candles are a great touch in every room of the house as far as I am concerned. They can be used to create an atmosphere, set a mood, or simply as a method of adding a subtle hint of fragrance to the air. In addition to candles, grapes are another great addition to an old-world style kitchen. From wine to the simple pleasure of grapes straight off the vine these tasty fruits are almost a must in a kitchen of this nature. Wrought iron wine racks large and small are a common addition to most kitchens of this nature. These racks may be used to hold wine as intended or can be used for other creative purposes such as to hold kitchen towels or some other creative means for those who do not drink wine.

Pottery and terra cotta are also welcome additions in this type of kitchen. They, much like the plaster, the colors, the wood, and the stone add another degree of warmth to a room that simply exudes warmth and charm to all who enter. Use pottery to hold commonly used utensils, straws, toothpicks, fruits, and vegetables that do not require refrigeration. Use platters as art and terra cotta planters to hold herbs that are growing along the windowsill. In other words, let your imagination soar when creating the old-world atmosphere in your kitchen. You just might be surprised at where it takes you.

Home Decorating With a Moroccan Theme

A Moroccan theme is a beautiful addition to almost any home decorating plan. With the beautiful colors, rich textures, and lush fabrics there is no doubt as to the reason that this style of decorating is becoming so popular around the world. These are some of the most beautiful and in some ways the most exotic styles of decorating that you will find around the world.

The Moroccan style is quite lovely and includes many bold colors and textures to keep not only your eyes occupied but also your other senses as well. The good news is that it is bold enough that it is still relatively new as far as decorating styles within the US goes. This means that you aren't likely to have the identical interior décor of your neighbor, friends, or cousin down the way. Even if they adore what you have done and want to imitate it within their own homes, chances are they will not choose the exact designs, patterns, colors, and textures that you have chosen since there are so many fabulous things from which to choose.

Mosaics are perhaps my favorite touch from this part of the world. They are beautiful and very versatile. They can be used for almost anything. I have seen stunning tables, trays, light fixtures, candle holders, wall sconces, and wall art that was made from mosaic tiles. In fact, this style of artwork (or whatever you might wish to call it) is growing in popularity in the states exponentially in recent years. People are often trying to imitate the style or at the very least purchasing products that incorporate the style.

Fabrics used in Moroccan design and home décor are among some of the most stunningly beautiful fabrics you will find in the world. In fact, many people decide on this sort of theme for the fabric alone and even many who have passed on a Moroccan theme for their homes have still managed to squirrel away some of the fabric in order to create beautiful pillows and curtains. The fabrics are worth taking a look even if you aren't seriously considering incorporating this style of design into your home decorating plans.

The furniture when selecting this style of design for your home is very ornate and beautiful. Moroccan craftsmanship is not to be under stated, as it is very lovely. Now for some, the furnishings are a little much but the other touches of Moroccan décor are perfectly inline with personal preferences. If you are one who feels this way it is not an uncommon feeling. While the work is beautiful it can definitely be overwhelming. However, there is nothing wrong with taking the design aspects you like from the Moroccan style of home décor and not borrowing those you aren't perfectly delighted with.

One thing that very few people complain about however is the rugs. Persian rugs are by no means inexpensive but they are most definitely worth every penny paid for them when they are made well. These are some of the most highly prized and sought after rugs around the world not only for the richness of their colors but also for the intricateness of their design.

Be sure to consider the value that a Moroccan decorating style could add to your enjoyment of your home. While it isn't for everyone as a whole, there may be bits and pieces that are absolutely perfect for you.

Home Decorating With a Nautical Theme

For those who love the sea and everything it represents there is no better theme to bring into their home decorating plans than a nautical theme. The theme itself is perfectly lovely and suitable for homes and homeowners that are not so in love with the mystery and romance of the deep blue sea. For those who do love the idea of sailing off into the sunset however, this is an excellent choice for home decorating.

There are many ways that a creative mind can incorporate a nautical theme into the home decorating plans. One of these ways is by using darkly stained wainscoting for the lower half of your walls along with a chair rail in order to imitate the wooden interior of finer sailing vessels. This imitates the interior of a sailboat and some powerboats. This is an impressive addition in most homes and quite ambitious in some as it is not the least expensive method of decorating. The effects however are stunning when used for this purpose.

Another great idea is to use a marine shade of blue for curtains and window coverings and have them made of the same type of materials that sail covers are made of on a sailboat. If you are truly ambitious you could elect to paint the walls in this marine shade of blue and select another color for the curtains or wooden blinds instead. However, white walls are perfectly acceptable when it comes to creating the look and feel of the interior of a boat.

Rope is another great tool to use in order to make the nautical theme a bit more authentic. You can twine rope around picture frames, candleholders, and all manner of other things in order to incorporate the rope into the room without having it look out of place. If you are truly ambitious you could even string a hammock in some forgotten corner of the room in order to hold coats in the wintertime or merely to authenticate the theme to some degree.

Portals, clocks, barometers, and such make excellent art in a nautical themed room. Other great additions would include items such as seashells, sand dollars, model boats, and artwork depicting the sea. For many, this is where we feel most at home, we derive our inspiration, and we literally feel as though we can truly commune with Mother Nature.

No nautical themed room or home is complete without a lighthouse to guide weary sailors home at the end of a long journey. Do not neglect an important feature such as this in your nautical themed home decorating ventures and purchases. If you are lost as to how to subtly incorporate this into your room you may want to look up a talented artist by the name of Thomas Kincaid. He is known as the painter of light and has managed to capture the essence of lighthouses in a manner that no other artist has been able to duplicate. One of his paintings would make an excellent addition to your nautical theme.

A nautical theme for home decorating is a great way to go for many families and for many reasons. All in all it isn't the most expensive of decorative themes though it isn't by any means the least expensive either. The good news is that there are very few absolutely right or wrong ways in which to achieve the look and atmosphere you are hoping to achieve.

Home Decorating with Baskets

There are very few things you can add to your home décor that will have quite the versatility of baskets. Baskets are not only decorative touches, they also blend well with almost any décor and in most cases are quite willing to suit dual purposes as both decoration and much needed storage.

Below you will find some clever ways to use baskets. Enjoy!

1) Mail sorter. Try hanging a row of baskets near your entryway. As you are walking into your home while sorting the mail slip the appropriate piece of mail into the corresponding basket. Have one basket for each family member and drop the junk mail into the wastebasket you've placed just below the row of baskets on your wall. This way everyone has easy access to his or her mail and junk mail is handled as well.

2) Kitchen organizer. There are many jobs in the kitchen that baskets pull off beautifully. One such job is that of napkin holder. There are actually baskets by a famous brand that are the absolute perfect size for holding napkins for the dinner table. Additionally taller baskets make excellent holders for kitchen utensils that need to be within easy reach of the stove. There are even small baskets that make excellent holders for small jars of frequently used seasonings such as salt and pepper. Keep your eyes open the next time you're in the kitchen and consider all the great ways baskets could help out.

3) Knitting supplies. Larger baskets are excellent tools for taming the beast that can easily become your supply of knitting tools and notions. Limit your collection to one large basket and eliminate the things that will not fit. This keeps you on top of your knitting supplies while keeping them out of site and protected from dirty baby paws.

4) Umbrella holder. This is an excellent use for a basket if you have one of the proper size. Place it on the floor next to your coat rack or closet or in your entryway and you will always have ready access to your umbrellas when bad weather comes your way.

5) Magazine holder. This is one very common use for baskets but one that should very well be mentioned.

6) Toy box. This is perhaps a favorite among parents who are fortunate enough to have an extra empty basket at any given time. Anytime unexpected company shows up this is an excellent tool for quickly gathering all stray toys and getting them out of sight.

7) Office supplies. There are many baskets that make excellent organizers and holders for office supplies. From pen and pencil holders to those that are ideal for paper clips, sticky notes, and liquid paper there are many baskets that are almost ideal for a home office.

8) Laundry hamper. This is yet another great use for a basket. They are able to breathe by the very nature of their design so that if for some reason a wet wash clothe or damp towel gets thrown in it doesn't necessarily spell ruin for the whole batch of laundry.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the virtues of baskets but a good place to start the next time you are having an internal debate about whether or not to invest the money in a good quality basket for your home decorating needs.

Home Decorating with Native American Touches

There really is no style of home decorating that can be identified as decidedly Native American. There are however touches that can be added to almost any style of décor. The trick is always a matter of incorporating these things without making them seem out of place. Of all the design styles that exist, and of course depending on the tribe in question, the southwestern style of home decorating and design would actually make a good match for many Native American artifacts, touches, and artwork.

Pottery is central to a Native American theme. Different tribes had different styles of creating pottery. If you have a favorite tribe or a favorite style of pottery you may want to build the remainder of the room or design area around the pottery you love as it is quite personal to many people and not all styles of pottery will match all other styles of weaving, carving, basket making, or artwork. Pottery is very useful in a kitchen if you plan to use some of it in this room. Not only can most pottery be baked when cooking but it also works wonders for storing things like utensils that you would like to have in reach, strays, napkins, and any other things you can think to store within the pottery you have available. If you are going to pay for it you may as well put it to good use.

Speaking of artwork. There are some beautiful Native American prints as well as some 'sand art' that is a must have for a room that is trying to capture the spirit of the Native American or at least a specific tribe and incorporate that spirit into their homes. I think this is a beautiful idea for those who wish to pay their respects to those who are ancestors to many of us. Not that the pottery mentioned above isn't art work in and of itself but the addition of art that can be placed on the wall is a welcome addition in many homes.

Keep in mind also that many Native Americans played the flute. Some people display a collection of Native American flutes next to their prized pieces of art. There really is no wrong way to go about home decorating when it is your own home that is being decorated. Select the things you like, omit the things you do not like. You do not even have to be loyal to one tripe, design, style, or region when decorating your home. Some people have happy little collections that are filled with all kinds of odds and ends pieces from a wide variety of artistic styles along the way.

For those who are hoping to stick with a somewhat Native American theme baskets are once again a good selection to add to the collection. Baskets are not only lovely but also incredibly useful for holding blankets, throws, rugs, pillows, knitting supplies, magazines, and anything else you do not wish to have cluttering the living spaces of your home. They are even quite good about hiding remote controls for the electronic equipment when you place them cleverly throughout the room.

The best suggestion for those who wish to honor their Native American neighbors and ancestors by incorporating the artwork and designs into their home decorating plans is not to spend too much time planning. The Native Americans appreciated nature and allowing many things to happen naturally. Use this opportunity to learn this very important lesson while incorporating other great things you appreciate about them into your home.