• There is one particular part of a room that often gets overlooked by wicker park interior designers: ceilings! Sure, maybe you purchased the best carpeting or tile, and painted a perfect wall mural in your bedroom, but how are things looking up above you? Ceilings don’t have to be left white; they can be painted a color that is complimentary to or accents your color scheme. Ceilings also don’t have to be one solid color. To go with a natural theme, you could paint clouds or stars up there. Interesting ceiling designs are especially great in bedrooms, where people are often lying down and looking up. Another element to consider is texture. Consider adding a large, room-sized swirl, or even some “popcorn” texture that can be easily sprayed on to create instant interest. Top it off with a gorgeous overhead light/chandelier/ceiling fan and you’re all set to go! People really can notice if your ceiling is decorated nice or not.

    Comments Off
  • The lazy days of summer, that is what a summer house is about. Get away from it all, relax, enjoy the water and maybe entertain some friends or just have fun with the kids. Even a log cabin can be stylish, unique, and comfortable if it has real lake house decor. Here are some ideas for creating a quiet but elegant retreat. Before one starts buying furnishings and decorations there are some important ideas to keep in mind.

    A lake residence is supposed to be about the view, thus too much interior decoration detracts from the reason the building exists. The right decor can bring the feeling of nature into the rooms. The structure should fit in with the surroundings and look like it just sort of came right out of the earth.

    Obviously at a lake, there should be an emphasis on the outdoors so a nice deck, patio or a dock is a necessity. Yes there is always the mosquito problem in the trees, so sometimes a screened in porch is not just a luxury.

    Searching for the furnishings and accessories can be as much fun as actually decorating the interior. Nowadays there are so many decorating websites that many shoppers spend a few hours looking at the numerous sites and choose some bargains. There are also many blogs online with photos that have great ideas.

    But sometimes used furniture can be of better quality than the new, and much cheaper. And of course it is less expensive to go the flea markets, antique shops or the numerous garage sales. The bargains you get have long lasting memories and a good story behind them.

    There are many factors that many people do not think about as they decorate or change decor. They may think about it and do it poorly with a result that is not pleasing to the eye or mind. One such factor is the color scheme. Look around the outside of the building and bring those colors in an incorporate them into the cabin decor.

    Mix wood in the design. Rough sawn pine is cheap and attractive with light colors and natural textures. But even when it is painted there is still a nice texture that shows through. One can mix dark and light woods in floors, furniture, ceilings an wainscoting for contrast.

    Use things like baskets filled with dry branches or pine cones. Rope is cheap, and can be used in so many ways. It is fun to experiment with different materials and textures. One should be creative an innovative.

    Other accessories like crocheted slipcovers can make that flea market couch look good and it adds a cozy touch. Pillows are pleasant, practical and you can change the color scheme easily with them.

    Be a smart and discerning shopper and look around and take time to find the right accessories for creating a setting that many will admire. These are just a few ideas and tips that can get one started on the adventure of lake house decor. Visit Log Cabin Styles for great ideas and deals for your home.

    Comments Off
  • Usually kitchen ideas are going to use a lot of white cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. This is just because this kind of color palette really makes the area seem a lot larger. It’s also pretty easy to accomplish on a budget. However, if you are sick of this neutral style and want little bit of color this is a good way to accomplish it.

    At times, black paint is always going to be the most dramatic. However, it also seems very dark and heavy. You can still get the same look just by going with a dark navy wall. You could even go with the nautical inspired look. You could try out white or gray distressed cabinetry. Then you want to bring in striped kitchen rugs and a lot of white porcelain vases. Look for seashell chandeliers. This is important just because it’s going to help to balance out all of the dark and heavy navy blue.

    Comments Off
  • Having a wine cooler at home is definitely good for those who keep wine at home and drink it occasionally to somehow relax after a long and tiring day. Wine should always be stored properly so that it could maintain its flavor and texture. There are plenty of wine coolers to choose from at your preference and at your expense. With a wine cooler at your home, you can select the ideal temperature of your wine. This is very important as temperature and humidity affects the wine, its overall taste, so that you can enjoy your wine purely when you directly pour wine in your glass coming straight from a wine cooler. This is why cooling the wine is very essential for wine enthusiasts. Who would want a lukewarm wine to drink, anyway? That is why if you want to enjoy drinking chilled wine while chillaxing, get a wine cooler for your home.

    Comments Off
  • Now if you’re looking for appealing eye candy in the form of lighting Candice Olson lighting Sahara family will have you sated like no other design. Like going through the desert on a horse with no name, this family is both eye catching and easy to blend in, the design of chrome and Abalone shells takes a clue from southwestern earth tone designs and mixes it with mesmerizing abalone accents. There are standing desk designs as well as chandeliers and wall finials, perfect for rooms where you just need that extra lagniappe to make it perfect. Candice Olson’s Philosophy involves combining two different dichotomous traits and mixing them together until a perfect balance is met, the Sahara family of lights accomplishes this well. Both eye catching and matching they’re like chameleons in a rose bush, you’ll see them when they shine but they blend in very well with any design.

    Comments Off
  • Who does not love to have an added touch of personalization to their clothing, bedding, or any assortment of items. Wether is custom colors or special stitching, you can do a lot with just your imagination. When it comes to your bedroom, there are some really neat things you can do and that is what we are going to look at here.

    First, one of the best ways to customize something with through color. Typically it will be a color combination that will match the design or paint scheme of your room. So in order to do this, you will have to find a place that can really offer you a lot of colors. It is rare that somebody will do a custom dye job for you, unless you are willing to fork over the big money.

    Second, you might need customizations because nothing else will actually fit your bed. This is a very common issue for many people and where they once needed to just make due, with the right retailer, you can have no problem at all. This is really a big deal if you want some luxury sheets like mulberry silk sheets. You want them to fit well because it can make a difference.

    Third, and one of the most popular ways to personalize your things is through monograming. This really is great and lets you do all sorts of neat things. For one, you can put your initials on your pillowcases. You can also do sweat things as gifts like get some silk lingerie and have sweet messages monogramed on specific parts of it.

    You can really use your imagination when it comes to monograming. I think it can be a trend to have creation monograms on jeans, skirts, and even shirts. Almost like create your own log. But these are some really good ways that you can add a lot of personalization to your bedroom and your closet too.

    Comments Off
  • Haven´t you noticed recently how colour seems to be back in fashion in interior design, whether we are talkng about boldly coloured and patterned wallpaper, cushions and throws or a range of other accessories like luxury scented candles from companies like yankee candles and true grace candles? Another example of this is the recent trend for attention-grapping carpets which are currently making a comeback? That, of course, means that floors are no longer fading into the background. If you aren´t too sure about choosing a patterned design, a stong colour is less scary but still makes a bold style statement. It isn´t a good idea to choose your carpet on the basis of the latest trends- you have to think of the practicalities as well. High-traffic areas, such as halls, work best with darker colours that won´t show up marks, while lighter shades such as powdery blue or pink will give bedrooms a calm, elegant feel.You should never be afraid to break decorating rules and contrast two stong colours-the striking combination of a deep purple carpet with dark teal walls is a style winner. Make sure you stick to black furniture and accessories, as they won´t be lost in the scheme but will still allow bold colours to take a centre stage.I definitely believe that laying a vivid red carpet in the hallway will get visitors´attention and immediately set the style tone of your home. If you´re looking for added drama, add black paintwork.Why not go all out with a favourite colour and choose matching carpet and paint? Green could be the star of the show-painting the skirting boards in the same off-white as the other wood in the room means that there´s a visual divide between the wall and the green carpet. In short, these inviting colours would suit any house in winter or summer. They make a refreshing change from neutral shades and the carpets may not need to be cleaned so often!

    Comments Off
  • Every time I catch my wife watching one of those home redo shows, I cringe inside. I know it’s only a matter of time before she starts harping about making some expensive change in our own home based on something she saw on television. She was watching some program about kitchen countertops last week and I knew where it was heading even then. Sure enough, she started making noises about replacing the countertops in our kitchen. Sigh. She does have a point, though. The countertops look terrible due to years of use. When she finally got me to sit down at the computer and look for Narbeth PA quartz countertops, I was ready to make the change. We found a great company called Wholesale Granit Marble and Tile to come in and take charge of the whole job. Out of all the work we’ve had done over the years, this task was the easiest and the countertops look fantastic.

    Comments Off
  • The shower curtain is an effective way to stop the water splashing on to the floor. If you have no glass door on you bath tub or a shower area then a shower curtain is essential. The shower curtain is not limited by its functionality as it can be an effective design feature if the right design and material is chosen. There is an increasing amount of people who are investing in quality shower curtain products such as the floral print shower curtain range.

    Many people recognise that they are a fast and cost effective way to make their bathroom look more attractive and welcoming. You can do the same with your bathroom as there is a massive range of styles and patterns to choose from. Before you go out and buy one make sure that you measure up the area that needs to be covered by the shower curtain otherwise you may end up with a curtain that is too short.

    Comments Off
  • The best combination for homemakers who cannot or will not iron is a 50-50 combination of cotton and polyester. This is the choice of most of the busy homemakers who run a household and hold down a job as well.

    Don’t leave these cheap bedding setsin the dryer too long. Remove them as soon as the cycle finishes to avoid wrinkles. Also, fold these sheets instead of just throwing them into the laundry basket.

    Thread count is an important factor to consider when buying sheets . “It’s one time when more is better,” says Richard Kenny of Wamsutta Mills. “The more threads per square inch, the finer the cloth and the more luxurious the feel. Linens from domestic mills are made as high as 250 threads to the square inch and as low as 120 threads.”

    Here’s a tip to get you to the dryer before the wrinkles get to your sheets . Set your kitchen timer if you’re doing other chores or chatting on the phone. Dash at the first jingle of the timer.

    If the wrinkles beat you to the machine, you can remove wrinkles from no-iron sheets by placing a dampened terry towel in the dryer with the wrinkled bedding . Turn the dryer on for just three or four minutes.

    Comments Off
  • Our first day at Malaysia was exciting. We landed at the airport enthusiastic. We headed to the hotel, and moved to our rooms, after resting a bit in the rooms adorned with barn wood furniture, we went for lunch. My father hired a tour guide who could assist us and show us all these places. He proved to be a great tour guide. He guided us really well and also gave us information about all the places we visited. Malaysia is more of an entertaining place, there are many places where people of every age group could have fun. The scenic beauty was very refreshing. We also shopped around the place, and visited bakeries for the uniquely designed cakes. I almost daily had star bucks coffee; I tried most of the coffee tastes there, though my mother continued to warn me about the stomach aches. Our trip to Malaysia went very well, all due thanks to the tour guide.

    Comments Off
  • If you are looking for a sliding glass door curtain for your living room, here are a few tips to consider. If you frequently use the outdoor area, then a curtain with a light fabric is ideal. This will increase the air flow to the room, giving the house a light and breezy feel. People who entertain with barbeques and grills feel that a light curtain for their sliding glass door makes socialising with people inside the house easier, as they do not feel cut off from conversations. If there is a pool outside, a light fabric can increase the safety, as any sounds of alarm or panic will be heard through the curtains. However, if the room will be used primarily for indoor socialising or television viewing, then a heavy fabric is recommended. Such curtains are called opaque or ‘blackout’ curtains, and they are made from fabrics like suede and cotton solids.

    Comments Off
  • When shopping for Roman shades, there are some guidelines to follow to find the right shades for your budget. First, you need to look for a place that sells good stuff and offers price matching or price beating. In this way, you can get quality items at good prices.

    Then, you can take that advertised price back to the shop where you want to make your purchase. Show them the great price or send them a link to the great price. They will honor their price matching and sometimes beat the offer by giving me the product at a lower price.

    Another way is to shop for discounts. Some people will only go to two or three places before buying. However, you need to shop around for a while to look for really good discounts. It may take a month or more to look for the item you want to go on sale. But also know that the majority of items go on sale eventually. Sometimes, there are also an online coupon code which gives discounts.

    Comments Off
  • Not all houses have a wide dining area. With this, house owners shop for dining items that will fit their space. Butterfly table and chairs are perfect for this kind of dining rooms. Factories designed this dining set smaller than the typical size of table. A butterfly table and chairs set includes leaves with the length of 12 inches. If you are planning to have one for your dining room, you may look for dining sets online. Companies and factories present their top sellers online. They include features and dimensions of the specific model. When it comes to space saving, the pure white story oval table is one of the most popular. It makes your dining area look radiant and new. The leaf in the center of the table offers additional 18 inches of space if needed. If not, owners can fold the leaf and store it under the table. This feature gives more space in your area. Now, people can have a good dining set even if they don’t have a wide space for tables and chairs.

    Comments Off
  • Shades from bamboo can definitely insulate your household to the highest level compared to that of an air conditioner or an electric fan. Especially during heat seasons like summer, your ideal insulation buddy should be bamboo shades or blinds for they can give you tremendous heat insulation and temperature regulation in your dwelling. This is made possible because of the unique characteristics of bamboo grasses which is the wonderful trait of deflecting any amounts of heat coming from the sun and offshoots a by-product that provides a certain cool sensation or ambience, which is then regulated inside the house. We would all love to have this kind of installment in our house wouldn’t we? Plus what’s more appealing is that they come in very cheap prices without compromising its excellent quality. However, we should all still properly maintain these items to ensure that it will last long and remain durable for some time.

    Comments Off
  • Christmas season is very fast approaching. The air around is very cold, sending shivers down to the spine and signals the brain that there is a need of something to cover the body. What is the best thing to do in this type of weather? Sleep. Is it right? To have a good and comfortable sleep is to have duvet covers. They can be made up of cotton or wool. These are very useful since you cannot wash the filling of the duvet inside. Duvet covers can also be very useful to change the mood of the room without the need to redecorate the whole room and spend a lot of money. Duvet covers can easily be changed and be bought in department stores nearby. It can be bought from online shops too. From a simple style of stripes and lines down to the very complex styles that has many eccentric prints that would play a big role in portraying the mood of the room.

    Comments Off
  • It is such an ironic thing when I arrived at Derek’s place at Melbourne when I saw a Western Design in his house. Derek told me that he occasionally contact interior design toronto to do the whole thing. His house was designed in a sophisticated and luxurious way. I was excited with regards to my coming in his place. The two aborigines who accompany me all the time were at my side. During dinner the two boys sit right beside me while Derek was sitting in the chair across me. Melbourne is such a nice place. The weather is very fair and I enjoyed the view. I was about to tell everybody how amused I was with my new surroundings but I stopped myself because I don’t want Derek to assume too much. He painted a good smile in his face and a teasing look towards me. I feel uncomfortable about it.

    Comments Off
  • Since we spend a third of our lives in bed, investing in high quality sheets can make a lot of sense. Why not get the best and discover why Egyptian cotton has become the rage of the western world? The silky smooth finish created with the soft fibres keeps your body cool while keeping your bed warm and cosy. Egyptian cotton actually becomes even more comfortable as it ages, mellowing rather like a fine wine and achieving new levels of cosy comfort with each wash. Egyptian cotton is considered the fabric of choice for high quality luxury comforters, sheets, duvet covers and pillow cases. The cotton that is grown in Egyptian fields — officially called Gossypium barbadense — is superior because it produces long fibres that have a smaller diameter than other cottons, so more threads can be woven into each square inch. The result is a strong, durable fabric that can last for decades and becomes softer and more lustrous as it ages. Egyptian cotton is machine washable and comes in beautiful colours to match any décor.

    Comments Off
  • I live in the middle apartment in a 3-story brownstone in Park Slope, Brooklyn. The location is the best part of our home. We are literally a few feet away from the subway, and our place is very affordable for this area. Our neighbor Mike runs a camera security business from home. He is always awake late at night, so I feel safe when I come home from the bars. We have large windows and get stellar sunlight and lovely balustrades by our staircase. We also have a dishwasher, which is a true rarity in New York City. I love the pre-war detailing – fancy molding, high ceilings, exposed brick. The hardwood floors are a bit warn but in a charming, warm, homey way. I have a fire escape off of my bedroom, which is a great little private nook in such a crowded hectic city. I like to sit out there and smoke or read, and listen to my neighbor play his guitar. It is very peaceful.

    Comments Off