Archive for the 'Interior Design' Category

Mar 02 2010

Lighting for Your Kitchen

You probably have more lighting options than you think, depending on the style and layout of your kitchen. When it comes to lighting a kitchen, there are plenty of options, but not every selection will fit with every type of kitchen. Here’s a list of options to consider when choosing your kitchen lighting.

Under-the-Cabinet Lighting Can Enhance the Look
You can definitely enhance the look of your kitchen by installing under-the-cabinet lighting. The key to this kind of lighting is to pick a type of light that best fits your layout, particularly that of your cabinets. There are certain things you’ll need to consider before diving into the project, such as which areas of the kitchen you’re going to want lit. The three different options for under-the-cabinet lighting include incandescent lamps, fluorescent lamps, and LED lights. You can determine which will work best for you and your kitchen by doing your research on each type of lamp.

Decorative Lighting Can Add Style
You’ll want to consider decorative lighting if your major concern is making sure your new light fits the style of the room. You might choose a light that hangs from the ceiling or one that lies flush with it. Examples of decorative lighting include products such as chandeliers and pendant lights. These types of lighting fixtures not only look attractive but also will provide plenty of light for the room. To make the light look even more appealing, choose a fixture that matches the style or theme of the rest of your kitchen.

Track Lighting Is Great in the Kitchen
If you have seen any pictures of or toured any new homes lately, you’ve probably seen track lighting in the kitchen. More and more people are going with track lighting in the kitchen these days. The reason for its popularity is that track lighting allows you to direct your lights where you need them the most. Thus, you can get your best lighting by the stove or countertops. Track lighting is also now much more attractive than it once was and is available in a variety of styles and designs. You also have more options than the traditional simple straight line. If you want to get creative, you can also get a track that’s curved or that follows an “S” shape.

Recessed Lighting Is Common in Kitchens
Another popular lighting choice is to install recessed lighting in the kitchen. Recessed lighting is actually installed right in the ceiling. Similar to track lighting, most recessed lights are aim-able, so that you can point the light at whatever spot you want in the kitchen. The clean and streamlined look offered by recessed lighting makes it a great choice for contemporary and modern kitchens. Plan on hiring a professional to do the installation in the ceiling, as this will ensure that it’s done properly and safely.

These are only some of the kitchen lighting options available these days. With a little research, you should be able to find a type of light that goes with the décor in the kitchen and emphasizes the beauty of the space.

About the Author…
Leon Tuberman has been part of the home furnishings and interior decorating  business for 40 years. He is the owner and operator of popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They offer a huge assortment of solid mission furniture for your living room, bedroom and dining room that’s built in the Heartland of America. Are you looking for a wood dining table or dining room chairs for your dining room  then they probably have everything you need.

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Mar 01 2010

Shopping For a Bedding Comforter Set in 4 Easy Steps

Published by Orlando Designer under Interior Design

Cuddling up in your own warm duvet and quilt is pleasurable, but to make the sleeping time more enjoyable, you need to choose proper bedding comforter set that fits your personality and bedroom. When you enter your bedroom, you should feel the welcoming vibrations and prepare your body to escape from tiresome haunting memories of the day. The entire atmosphere must be relaxing for you and you should feel refreshed in your bedroom.


Size


Before starting your shopping for duvets, determine the size of duvet you want. This decision should be made depending on the size of bed you already have. Remember that comforters are meant to drape over the sides of your bed and hence, don’t get confused about the large size of queen sized duvets. If you have adjustable beds and standard duvets won’t fit your needs, then go for customized extra long sizes.


Fillers


Another major decision that must be made while shopping for bedding comforter set is about the filling material. Down is the most expensive filling material, while there are inexpensive down alternatives. If possible, you should go for natural filling that feels very warm and smooth.


Fabric


Choosing the right kind of fabric for your duvet is crucial to protect the duvet in its perfect shape. While cotton is the most popular choice, wool, silk and satin can also be chosen. Polyester fabric is also gaining importance these days. Determine what kind of fabric you want and make sure that the thread count of the fabric is at least above 300 for a smooth finish.


Colors And Patterns


There are numerous choices for colors and patterns for bedding comforter set, for royal looking bedroom you may choose purple comforter. You should match the theme of your bedroom with your duvets and you can experiment with contrasting colors and patterns if you want a change. If you want to revamp your bedding frequently, buy a couple of duvet covers that can be changed from time to time.

Denise Jensen is home interior designer who shares her tips on finding the best king-size comforters. For more tips, you may also check out KingSizeComforters.org.

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Feb 15 2010

Kitchen Decorating: Adding Color

Most families seem to end up spending a great deal of their time in the kitchen, so you might want to make it more interesting and add some color. Maybe you don’t want a drab and dreary kitchen, but you don’t know quite how to add the right touch. Here are some easy ways to add color to your kitchen so you can change your décor from boring to fabulous.

Add Color by Dressing Up Your Table
One of the easiest ways to create a colorful kitchen is to dress up the kitchen table. You might add a colorful tablecloth or placemats, as well as some colorful dishware. Another way to achieve instantaneous color is by adding a centerpiece, such as flowers in a vase or basket on your oak dining table. Try to find colors that will add some interest but also complement your kitchen’s décor.

Add Color with a Backsplash
Don’t let your kitchen backsplash be boring. You can always keep things simple with a neutral-colored tile or laminate, but you also have to option of venturing out a little and making things colorful. You should be able to find tile and laminates for your backsplash in a variety of different colors. Or you might choose to create a totally unique look by arranging broken-up colored glass in a random pattern on the wall. In this way, you can work some color into the décor and end up with a personalized, one-of-a-kind backsplash.

Paint an Accent Wall a Different Color
Is your kitchen painted a neutral color? Paint an accent wall a different color to add some more color to the room. Choose a more open wall, one that’s not completely covered with cabinets or appliances. Be sure to pick an accent color that will work well with the rest of your kitchen’s décor. You can go with a matching color, or if you want the wall to really stand out, pick something that’s complementary.

Take the Doors Off the Cabinets
When you take the doors off your kitchen cabinets, you can display all your colorful dishes and other tableware. The inside of the cabinets can also be painted a contrasting color if your dishes are neutral. This doesn’t necessarily entail removing every cabinet door, but you can pick a few cabinets to be colorful, preferably those more prominent cabinets above the countertops.

Use Window Treatments to Add Interest
Chances are, your kitchen has at least one window. Why not utilize that window area to add color? Whether you go with a valance or drapes, choose a window treatment in a color that will stand out. Red or purple window treatments would be a great way to add color to the room if you have, for example, a black-and-white or otherwise neutral kitchen.

Adding color to your kitchen doesn’t mean you have to change the entire décor. Rather, build upon what you already have to add your own colorful touches here and there.

About the Writer….
Leon Tuberman has been part of the furniture and interior decorating  business for 40 years. He owns and operates his family owned furniture store. They carry a large selection of American made solid oak furniture for your living room, bedroom and dining room furniture. Whether you’re looking for a oak dining table for your formal dining room or a tv stand for your family room  then they have everything you need.

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Jan 29 2010

Mural Decorating for Your Home

By adding a mural to a room, you can really create some interest and style. You can put a mural in all different types of rooms, anywhere from the kitchen to the bedroom. If you’re looking to add some design to a large area, this is a great approach. Here are some tips to help you use murals to decorate your home.

What Is a Mural?
When you paint or draw any type of design or picture directly on the wall, that is called a mural. Murals can be composed of anything, from a beach or ocean scene to a pattern of dots or stripes on the wall. In terms of application, murals can be painted on, drawn on, or even stuck on the wall.

Tips for Painting or Drawing a Mural on the Wall
Be sure to properly research your supplies first if you are going to attempt to paint or draw your own mural on the wall. You need to be sure you are using paint that’s suitable for murals. Also be sure it will go over whatever surface you’re painting on. If you really want to do your own mural but you’re not sure about your artistic abilities, there are a variety of stencils and kits that offer pictures you can blow up and trace on the wall available at most home décor and arts and crafts stores. Most people are not going to be able to freehand a large mural, so a stencil can really be a good decision.

Sticking Your Mural on the Wall
If painting and drawing really aren’t your thing, you always have to option of using wall decals or wallpaper murals. You pretty much just have to hang these murals on the wall, but they look just like real painted-on murals. For wallpaper murals, all you need is glue and water, as they are hung just like regular wallpaper. Decals, on the other hand, come with an adhesive already on the back of them and tend to be more like stickers.

Hire a Professional to Make Your Mural
If you’re not working off a tight budget, you might want to consider hiring a professional artist to create your mural. This is a great option, particularly if you have a very large mural you want done or if you’re not artistic at all. Just be aware that this approach can quickly get expensive, particularly if the mural ends up being large and intricate. Some murals can take a few days. It all depends on just how detailed they are and how large the space is. Thus, be sure that you budget accordingly.

Where to Add Murals in Your Home
Just about any room in your home will benefit from the addition of a mural. Consider, for instance, adding a great nursery mural for a new little one. Or if you can’t decide what to do with that big empty wall in your dining room, consider adding a mural that will fit the style of the room. Bathrooms and kitchens are also great places to put murals. A wall mural doesn’t necessarily need to be huge, nor does it need to be the only thing on the wall, but you do want to be sure it’s highlighted in the room.

Happily, you don’t have to be artistic in order to add a mural to your home’s décor. You can always go the wallpaper or decal route or even hire a professional artist instead. Not only do murals add some design style to a room, but they are a great way to let your personality shine through your home’s décor.

About the Writer
For over forty years Leon Tuberman has helped people with their furniture and interior design needs. He owns and manages a popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They have a large inventory of handcrafted solid amish furniture for your bedroom, home office and living room. Are you looking for wood bookcases for your family room or a oak dining table for your dining room then they probably have everything you need.

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Jan 25 2010

Silk Flowers – The Simple Way to Bring Color Indoors All Year Long

Published by Orlando Designer under Interior Design

Flowers are not only for special occasions they can add a touch of elegance at any time. Flowers are the simplest way to bring a piece of the outdoors, to the inside. However, they wither and fade in a very short time span. Silk flowers allow you to bring color and beauty into your home year round.

Artificial flowers have changed dramatically over the years. These flowers now can be arranged to look exactly like a vase of real flowers, without the care. The options for choice, color and degree of real appearance are unlimited.

In order to have gorgeous sprays of flowers of every season, you do not need to have a green thumb to take nourish your poinsettias at Christmas or the lilies at Easter. Silk flowers make it simple to change the arrangement to suit the holiday and are easily stored year after year.

Arranging artificial flowers does not mean you have to be an experienced floral designer. Simply choose the type of flower or mixture of flowers you particularly favor. Choose the vase or other container of your choice and fill with a filler of your choice. You may have to do a little trimming and shaping to get your arrangement the way you would like it to be.

Silk bouquets are gorgeous and look extremely real. They are perfect for weddings as well as any special occasion. When used in weddings they provide the color and look desired for a special day. They are much more inexpensive than buying real flowers, but will provide the same, if not a nicer, look to the wedding.

Another extra bonus, with using artificial flowers for a wedding, is the time factor. You can prepare everything, from the decorations to the bride’s bouquet well ahead of time. With real flowers you have to wait until the day of the wedding before, the flowers can be incorporated in the final look. Artificial flowers can be worked on without fear of, them wilting or not matching the final look.

When using artificial flowers you can have the look and feel of real flowers without the risk of allergic reactions. The flowers are made from a variety of materials, the majority of which is polyester. They are made extremely well of good quality material which make them look and feel real.

Today’s silk flowers are not the same artificial flowers that sat in a display window years ago. They are popular, easy to maintained and add color to any area. They are available in a wide array of real appearing qualities which range in price. There are also silk plants available which look great mixed with colorful flowers.

With the help of silk flower arrangements, one can bring the magic of different seasons to home and office. Autumn and fall leaves and artificial plants can be chosen in the form of wreaths and centerpieces to render a fresh look at your place. Find different styles available in season collections at silkflowersgallery.com.

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Jan 24 2010

Clear Glass Vases – Customized Glass Vases For Home Decoration

Published by Orlando Designer under Interior Design

If you want a simple but elegant design for your houses, then you must look in to having clear glass vases as decorations for your home. Glass vases displayed at your homes will not only serve as a great and ideal house décor but it can also be a great way to display and showcase your talent in the field of art and interior designing as well. One of the most popular and widely used techniques in glass vase customizing is the sand art.

Before the actual process, first you must have all the necessary things needed to do such masterpiece. If you are a beginner, the best thing to do is to just purchase for yourself a starting kit. To make things easier, buy the kind of sand which is already combined and mixed with powdered colored paint for it to be easier for you. You also have to have a sealant which is usually part of the whole kit. And of course, the main man of the whole process is the glass vase, so you should have this at hand. After checking all the necessary things that you will need, now you are all set to begin your very own sand art on glass vases.

Fist, you must have an idea already at the back of your mind on the design and appearance of your vase. Decide for a color scheme that you would want to start on. After choosing a color, you can now start to pour the sand on the glass vases. To avoid messing the place, you can use a funnel for easy transfer and pouring of the sand materials to the vase. In case you want to achieve a creative and unique design, you can also try to one color of sand by sections, pouring one color of sand after the other. For added beauty, you can also drop random things in to the vase like small stones, pebbles, cute little shells and other small objects that you would want to place in the vase. After pouring down the sand, you can now close the top of the vase. In doing such you might have to use a sealant for this step. For a more embellishing effect, you can also add colored sands to the sealant to give it a cute finish. You can also adorn it with little shells and stones for added effect. After sealing the top, you can now be proud of what you have done. In just a few simple steps, you have already come up with a beautiful sand art glass vase that you can use as a decoration at home or even as a gift for someone dear to you.

Clear glass vases decorated at your households is one of the best ways to showcase and show your great love and passion for the art, not to mention expressing your own personal style in contributing to the elegant look and feel of your place. With sand art, you have proven that vases are not only limited to flowers, because with the right imagination and creativity, you can easily create a new trend in vase decorations that will surely amaze you friends and visitors.

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Jan 23 2010

Indoor Plant Stand – Choosing The Best Indoor Plant Stands

Published by Orlando Designer under Interior Design

If you love plants then you should also learn how to love Indoor Plant Stands. These stands are the best addition to your house because it will help “show off” the beauty of your plants thus it can rally round to tell the whole universe how magnificent your green thumb is. These stands are created in wide range of materials and may come in various designs. Indeed, there is always something for everyone no matter what their taste is.

When looking for Indoor Plant Stands, different considerations should be made. You cannot just go for one that attracts your eyes because you should also take into the account the requirement of your plants. Consider the fact that you do not wish to have something that holds too big plant or neither do you want to have a stand which can barely hold the plant. Because of this, you must first take into account the shapes and sizes of the plants you intend to put inside. Remember that proportion is a number rule for you to achieve the best result in decorating your home space.

When you are done with the first concern, the next thing to think about is the design. You can decide which one to get by first taking a look at your house. What is the theme inside your house? How about the color of the paints within? What is the furniture inside? How do you wish the whole house to look like? These are some of the things to mull with for you to get the Indoor Plant Stands that will complement the design of your house. You should be very careful in looking for the right stand or you will end up being a fuddy-duddy of your place.

Furthermore, the next thing to consider is the price of the stand that you intend to purchase. Of course, there is a longing inside you of wanting to get the most expensive stand in the market but you have to understand that the priciest stands are not always the best one to get. The truth of the matter is that there are inexpensive ones that can perk up your place like how those expensive ones would. To be on safe side, go for one that will match your budget. After all, you do not wish to end up having something that feels like you’ve been robbed by the very expensive price.

As you can see, above are just few of the many things you have to reflect on first before buying the right stand for your house. Once you are done with the decision process, you can look for the best stand there is in the market.

—>>>Click Here to Get More information on Wood Plant Stands and Indoor Plant Stands!
Here you will be able to find all types of Plant Stands for indoor/outdoor! Find out latest deals from major online stores.

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Jan 15 2010

Simple Monochromatic Decorating

When it comes to figuring out the color sc heme of a room, a monochromatic color scheme is one option. A monochromatic color scheme involves using one color in the room for almost all the surfaces. To add some sort of contrast to the room, you use different shades of the color you’ve decided upon, from light to dark. Here are some tips to consider if you are thinking about decorating in a monochromatic color scheme that will help you achieve the best look possible.

Add White or a Neutral Color to the Room
If you don’t want to end up with a room that looks like it’s too matched or boring, try pairing the color with white or another neutral. Rather than having the neutral color be the main focus in the room, you want to use it as an accent. For instance, a blue monochromatic scheme might include a blue and white area rug where the wal ls and furniture are all blue. Another way to add a neutral is to paint the trim in the room white.

Choose the Color of the Room Wisely
When you decorate a room with a monochromatic color scheme, it’s important that you really put some thought into the color choice. After all, if you go with a color you’re not crazy about, you will most likely not end up very happy with the finished look of the room. So be sure to pick a color that you like to look at! For those of you who are new to the monochromatic look, you may want to avoid bold color choices such as red and orange. You need to remember that once you choose a monochromatic look, it’s going to be much harder to change the décor of the room, since everything in the room is going to be in some shade of that same color. Be sure that you think carefully about your color choice and try not to rush into a hasty decision you may later regret.

Mix Up the Shades of the Color
To find different shades of the color you’ve chosen, try visiting a paint store and gathering up some different color swatches. With these swatches, you can see the different shades of the color that you should work with. With a monochromatic color scheme, it’s really important to be sure that you’re not painting the walls the exact same shade as the furniture or that the floor doesn’t end up being the same shade as the walls. By mixing up the shades of color, the room will have more character and interest. Accessories such as pillows, curtains, baskets, and candles can also be used to your advantages. Simply choose items that are completely different shades from the rest of the room.

Pulling off a monochromatic color scheme isn’t always easy. You definitely need to spend some time planning out the décor so that everything flows well and you end up with the perfect balance of color.

About the Writer…
Leon Tuberman has been part of the furniture and interior design business for 40 years. He is the owner and manager of popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They have a large inventory of handcrafted Amish built solid wood oak furniture for your bedroom, dining room and living room. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for wood coffee tables for your family room or a wood bed for your bedroom then they have everything you need.

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Dec 31 2009

Simple Galley Kitchen Decorating

Published by Orlando Designer under Interior Design

When you have a galley kitchen in your home, you want to decorate it not only in terms of style but so that you’re utilizing all the available space in that small area. There are many decorating techniques you can use to make your galley kitchen, not only appear larger, but also be more functional for you. Read on to discover some great tips for decorating your galley kitchen to make it work best for you.

Maximize Your Vertical Space
When creating a galley kitchen that’s both stylish and functional, you need to be sure that you’re utilizing all the available space—and this includes any vertical space you might have. You may be wasting a lot of space in your galley kitchen if you don’t have kitchen cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling.

If you have cabinets that don’t extend all the way up, then reclaim that space by using those cabinets as a shelf and placing items on top of them. You can use baskets or bins to store kitchen items you might not use very often. If you don’t need all that storage space, then add a plant or display some beautiful dishes there to add some style to the room.

Add Plenty of Light
Most galley kitchens dead-end into a wall and thus tend to be dark. This is why it’s so important to have plenty of light in the kitchen. If there’s a window in the room, you need to be sure that your window treatments are allowing adequate light to filter in. Overhead lighting is also a great idea for a galley kitchen. Even better, go with track lighting. This way you can aim the light where you want it in the kitchen.

Make Kitchen Supplies Work Double Duty

Instead of purchasing décor items to hang on the wall, consider using your kitchen supplies instead. This is a great space-saver. You already need the kitchen supplies, so why not put them on display as well.

You might choose to display your nice dishes on a shelf in the kitchen. By hanging decorative or monogrammed kitchen towels on the stove or even on a peg on the wall, you can have both a towel and a décor item for the room. By getting creative in how you display your kitchen supplies, you’ll be able to save both space and money.

Choose Lighter Colors for the Kitchen’s Décor
You want to stay away from dark colors when painting the walls of your kitchen and choosing the main color scheme, as most galley kitchens tend to be on the small side. An important rule of thumb to remember is that dark colors painted on the walls make a room look much smaller, whereas lighter colors can make the room look bigger.

A neutral color such as cream or white will work well for the walls of your kitchen. It’s also advisable to stay away from dark cabinets and countertops. For instance, a black granite countertop may not look the best in a galley kitchen. Black appliances are also not a great idea. Instead, go with white or even stainless steel.

If you have a small galley kitchen in your home, you may find it challenging to decorate. By keeping these tips in mind and infusing your own personal style into the room, your kitchen will look a whole lot nicer and will be much more functional as well.

About the Author
Leon Tuberman has been in the home furnishings and interior design industry for four decades. He owns and manages his family owned furniture store. They carry a large selection of American made solid oak furniture for your living room, dining room and bedroom. Whether you’re looking for a oak end table for your living room or a wood bookcase for your home office then they have everything you need.

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Dec 15 2009

5 Easy Tips to Feng Shui Decorating

In home decorating circles, feng shui design has become a popular way to style a room. Feng shui involves properly utilizing the space in a room in order to maintain good chi, or energy. There are certain things that a homeowner must or must not do in order to have the right feng shui in the room. The following interior decorating tips will help you maintain good chi in your home.

Include Color in the Room
If you want to promote good energy in a room, there are certain colors that are recommended in feng shui decorating. All of the colors stand for different things. For instance, the color red stands for good luck, which is why red is such a popular color in feng shui design. If you want a fresh and peaceful look, decorate with green. Use yellow if you’re looking for another good luck color.

None of the colors used in feng shui should ever be distracting or unappealing to the homeowner. Instead, use colors that have a comfortable feel to them.

Keep the Room Simple
In feng shui design, you never want an overly crowded space that’s full of stuff. Instead, the room should be kept very simple. You just want to include basic wood furniture and a few accessories. The room should never be cramped, and a crowded space will only offer negative energy to the room.

You can start out with some basics, maybe at first one piece of furniture and then you add another  such as a wood dresser. Then slowly add a few more items as needed. You want to be sure you don’t go overboard on the accessories or décor items.

Use Natural Materials
If you are practicing feng shui, then remember to use natural materials for the room whenever possible. The negative chi that can be found with artificial products can be kept away with natural materials such as bamboo, hemp, and organic fabrics. A great way to incorporate the feng shui practice into a room is with a bamboo wood floor or an organic cotton slipcover over the couch.

Decorate with Plants
Decorating with plants will give you a room with good chi. As living objects that help the environment, plants make a wonderful addition to any feng shui room.

You can use all different types of plants in your home to help you achieve a unique look in each room. In one room, a small potted plant might be just the thing. But in another room might call for a large standing tree in the corner. No matter what kind of plant you choose, it will make a great addition to any feng shui room.

Decorate and Design According to the Bagua
A bagua is the energy map for a particular room. Those who are really serious about decorating with feng shui need to follow this bagua specifically according to the shape and size of the room. After all, a long dining room isn’t going to have the same energy map as, say, a small kitchen. Once you use the bagua to determine the life areas, you can then start decorating your various rooms using feng shui.

Feng shui decorating has seen a rapid increase in popularity in recent years. Thus, these days feng shui is known more as a design style rather than a philosophy. If you want to get some positive chi into your home, then learn more about this practice and embrace the feng shui life in your home.

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