My Best Decorating Tips Dot Com

Color and Design- Wall Art

Color and design is important when decorating your home with color. 

The first thing you need to be concerned about is the colors of your wall decor.  The first thing you need to look at is why you are adding wall décor.  Are you adding it to enhance your current color scheme or are you just adding paintings you are interested in to keep your walls from looking bare?  The latter part of that last question is what you want to avoid.  You not only want your house to look attractive to you but you also want to wow your visitors.  So the first thing you need to do is choose a color scheme.  How do you accomplish that?  It is recommended that you start with fine art that boosts colors.  Now wouldn’t a beautiful landscape painting look beautiful on your living room wall?  It is important to purchase beautiful wall art in the colors that you love the most. 

So exactly where do you purchase these love pieces of work?  The best place to start is online.  Do Google searches of the artist or painting you enjoy the most.  Or you can do a Google search for a particular type of piece.  Say you enjoy landscape pieces or still life pieces.  You can type in landscape or still life paintings and see what comes up.  If you don’t have internet access or you want to see what you are buying before you make a decision, then you have many offline choices such as starving artist shows which appear in many communities, art galleries and craft shops. 

Roam around these places until you find a color or scene that catches your eye.  There are advantages to being able to view a piece in person.  It allows you to see and feel the texture of the piece as well as feeling the mood of the piece.  Which every venue you decide to choose, your art piece will be an investment for years to come.  Every single art piece goes up in value as the years go by.  Another great place to find artist paintings is a yard sale.  Sometimes at a yard or moving sale, the seller will sell a painting that is worth hundreds for $10.  Why?  Because they more than likely do not know the value of the painting. 

 
When choosing a painting for your home, there are a couple of things you can do to make things easier.  First, if you are interested in a certain work of art, imagine that painting on your wall at home.  Does it match your color scheme?  Will it stand out in your home?  If you still can’t decide, hire an interior decorator that can help you decide which paintings will match your décor.  Or if you don’t want to go that route, take a friend or family member along with you that has good taste and ask their opinion. 

Just remember, this house is your castle and you want that castle to stand out among the rest!

Technorati Tags: Color and Design, Color and Design- Wall Art, Wall Art, wall decor

Wallpaper Trim: A Great Decorative Wallpaper
For those who would like to add some wallpaper to their home, but not cover entire walls to do so, consider wallpaper trim, or wallpaper border. This form of wallpaper lines the ceiling of the wall or it can be placed in any other location you choose, such as a chair rail height. It is one of the least expensive but easy to use ways to add beauty to your home. You can find a variety of colors, themes and patterns to select from. Best of all, they usually only cost a few dollars per roll rather than the $30 to $50 of a roll of wallpaper would cost.

Where To Use It

You can use wallpaper trim in virtually any room of your home. It is best to place it in locations where the color or pattern (or both) will work well in that space. It is also best to choose a theme that will somehow relate to the rest of the space. To help you, consider these tips when selecting decorative wallpaper trim.

Floral prints are somewhat common in wallpaper trim. These are prints that can contain a lot of print or just a small amount. You will find a wide range of color schemes and patterns to choose from.

Consider geometric patterns, too. If you have an ultra modern room, a full wall of wallpaper will not look appropriate, but if you add a well-selected geometrical pattern of trim, this could really set the tone for the space.

Kids can really benefit from the use of wallpaper trim in terms of their bedrooms. All of their favorite characters can be found in trim as well as the alphabet, fun kid themes such as sports or princesses and much more. However, since they are only trim, the theme does not take up the entire space.

When selecting wallpaper trim, be sure it relates to the space. Use the colors found in the trim in other areas of the room. For example, if you have a floral pattern in the living room with reds and blues, be sure you have red and blue punches of colors located throughout the room to compliment the trim.

Finally, be sure you purchase quality wallpaper trim. Product that is too old or too worn is unlikely to stick well. Most of these come prepasted to make applying it easier to do. A thicker product is best since it gives you more substance. You do want to avoid product that is too thick or too thin, though.

Wallpaper trim is one of the best investments you can make in the décor of any space. It is an easy, affordable way to dress up a space and add character to it.

Previous Article :  Decorative Wallpaper and Color to choose for Christmas

Technorati Tags: decorative wallpaper, Wallpaper Trim, Wallpaper Trim: A Great Decorative Wallpaper

Decorative Wallpaper and Color to choose for Christmas

 Wallpaper color may not be something that you initially think about, but it can play an important part on the final look of your space during Christmas. As you consider the many ways that you can spruce up your room, focus first on the color of the wallpaper you plan to use. Decorative wallpaper can be found in thousands of colors, both in solid color and in a variety of patterns. You just have to determine which the best colors for your space are.

Snake Skin Red Novelty Wallpaper

Color: Complimenting

One of the best ways to use color in any space is to use it as a compliment to other colors. For example, if your living room is full of earthy tones, you probably want to keep the wallpaper in a complimentary color. But, like any wall covering, you need to keep in mind that this color choice will likely set the tone for the entire space since it will cover most of the walls. Therefore, you may want to make it the primary element of color in the room and ensure that the rest of the colors in the space compliment it.

Pops Of Color

 One of the nice things about decorative wallpaper is that you can easily incorporate a lot of color into a space. For example, if the wallpaper has an intricate floral pattern with blues and reds on a white background, you can use a variety of colors in the space. The drapes may pick up on the blue while the pillows on the couches can draw from the red. You can use a variety of patterns like this to create a color scheme that works well for you.

Pink and Magenta Flowers Wallpaper

A Few Tips

There are several things you can do to ensure that the color of your wallpaper works well in the space.

Choose a pattern that you actually like, after waiting at least a week. Bring a few samples into the home and put them on the wall. After at least a week, be sure you still like the color.If you are hoping to match the colors closely, you may want to bring a color sample with you when selecting the wallpaper. If buying wallpaper online, be sure to buy a few samples to check the colors before investing in more.

 To ensure colors remain the same, purchase all of the wallpaper from the same batch number. That way, you ensure that the colors are not slightly off. Wallpaper color can be one of the more complex aspects of selecting during Christmas . Be sure to invest the time in selecting top quality product that offers the richness of color you are looking for. You will find a wide range of choices to select from both online and at your local stores.

Previos Article : Decorative Wallpaper In Murals

Technorati Tags: decorative wallpaper, Decorative Wallpaper and Color, Decorative Wallpaper and Color to choose for Christmas, Wallpaper color

Decorative Wallpaper In Murals

Murals are one form of decorative wallpaper you may want to add to your home. While murals have always been popular in homes as a main feature in the space, they were usually painted. Today, you can get the same look with much less the work and far less the cost of hiring a professional painter to design a mural for you. For those who are looking for a way to add a focal point to a room, these may be one of the best ways to do so.

A mural wall covering may work in many areas of your home, depending on what the design of the mural is. Still, do not limit yourself. You are sure to find ways to add a theme, design, color or other aspect to the space using murals. Here are a few ideas on how to use this form of decorative wallpaper.

For your dining room, you could create a mural on an odd wall that showcases a fine dining bistro.
You could add vines that wrap around the room to create a unique look to the space.

Brown and Black Flora Wallpaper
 
In the kitchen, murals can be used to make statements, especially if you use the type of mural that offers fun or inspirational sayings.Use a fun beach theme mural for that large, empty wall in your bathroom. Add a few accessories with the beach theme to the room to complete the look.

Velvet Sky 3 Piece Oil on Canvas Contemporary Art Set – $ 289.00
From: Art-and-Home

Perhaps one of the most common areas to use murals is in a child’s room. You can easily do this by adding many fun themes. Does your child love a special character? You may want to decorate their room around an alphabet theme. Or, have a full wall mural done on one of their walls that represents a forest or magical kingdom. Here you can get as creative and as unique as you would like to.

Rapture Wallpaper in Soft Blue Graham & Brown

Application Tips

If you are considering the purchase of wallpaper murals, there are several things to think about.

Always measure the space you plan to add the mural to before you buy it. This way, you do not have to worry about buying the wrong size. Both the height and width of the space should be taken into consideration.

Choose a mural that you will love for a long time. Some of these can be more expensive that you may realize. If you are unsure if you will like it, hang a picture of it in that space for a few days to see how much you like it later.

Some murals are harder to install than others. Read the directions first.

As you can tell, there are many ways to use decorative wallpaper murals within the home. The key is to be unique.

Previous Article   :    Lighting up for Christmas Decorations 2009

Technorati Tags: A mural wall covering, decorative wallpaper, Decorative Wallpaper In Murals, decorative wallpaper murals, Wallpaper In Murals, wallpaper murals

Lighting up for Christmas Decorations 2009

7 Foot Douglas Fir – Green I am, without a doubt, a total freak when it comes to decorating for Christmas. Yes indeed, I am quite an adult, yet I still believe in Santa Claus! I think I am living proof that one does not have to spend beyond your means to light up the holiday.

To do this, one certainly has to depend upon the habits of richer folks. They are always looking for “new” and “more” and that leads to some fine discards of really good decorations. I shop for my own “more” at thrift shops, yard sales, and after Christmas” sales. It does help to be able to make minor repairs.

70 LED C6 Strawberry Green Lights – Green Wire – 4 Inch Spacing – Polybag – Case of 24 – $ 298.80
Retail Price: 436.56
You Save: $137.76

The only string of lights I’ve ever bought “new” is a relic from 42 years ago, that I bought for my wife’s and my first Christmas, together. Everything else is second hand and this is a great way to save money. Replacement bulbs can often be found in boxes of miscellaneous goods at these sales. I may have to take some pure junk in those boxes to get my treasures.

I am not some spendthrift crank. It’s just that I, like many people these days, need to be careful with my dollars. So what if I have many different kinds of lights, and ornaments. I think that makes my displays more interesting, than so many of today’s, store bought, correct lighting.

I have more than 1000 lights. I have some reindeer, a couple of Santas, and a small crèche. Yes, I do pay attention to the REAL reason for the Christmas celebration. Each year, I add something to my collection. I planted my own outdoor tree, many years ago, and it serves me well, today. That is where that relic string of lights goes. I do not think I more than $100.00 invested in all that I have.

I do caution you to be certain any electrical items do have the proper UL tag for “outdoor use” lighting. I also be sure each string has a fuse link. If you are going to use many lights, also use a dedicated “plug in” with at least 20 amp breaker service, because mixed lights do need more “juice.”

My neighbors think I’m crazy, but they do love my bright yard. I like to think it helps Santa find my home, and I also hope Jesus smiles. So if you are not afraid to be unique, and perhaps a bit eccentric, get thee to the places where you can buy cheaply, and don’t be afraid to mix, and match. This can be economical, and fun to do. Merry Christmas!

Previous Article   :    Decorating the garden with a seasonal theme

Technorati Tags: Christmas celebration, Lighting up for Christmas Decorations 2009, lights and ornaments, Merry Christmas

Decorating the garden with a seasonal theme

If you have a garden, then you already have a canvas on which to enhance your home’s attractiveness. A garden has many possibilities available when you think about decoration. First of all, undertaking the planting of seasonal flowers, with a little effort, can work magic in the garden. If you have specific trees that bear fruit or flower during specific seasons, these can also be the highlight of your garden during the particular season. However, most folks don’t have the luxury of fruit bearing or flowering foliage in their gardens so a little creative decoration is what should be done.

Silk Garden Floral with Planter

The main space within a garden area is usually the lawn and other areas of grass. Grass is like blank slate and by itself looks beautiful. However the look of the grass may be enhanced with certain objects that reflect the season. In summer for instance, you could put out a bird bath on a pedestal. This will help by encouraging the birds in (which in themselves are seasonal attractions.

\
Daisy Print Garden Set by Wild & Wolf
Trees and bushes too can be decorated without making them look ugly. There are many cultures across the globe that attach colored string (or even bunches of colored string) to the branches of trees, so that these waft about in the breeze. If that’s not your style, you could place an outdoor lamp at the base of a large plant so that its leaves are highlighted from below at night when the lamp is switched on. Garden lighting in fact is fast becoming a decorative niche. Weaving lights through a hedge creates an exciting effect when the lights are switched on.

Playing with water too is fast gaining momentum as a popular mode of garden decor. During the winter, water frozen in an outdoor mould may be hand carved and left as a garden attraction for the entire winter period. The carving could be a modern abstract creation or represent an object or life-form. A summer water decoration would be a still pool or a large outdoor fish tank (if you live in a cold area, an outdoor fish tank may not be practical). An autumn and spring fascination may be setting up a decorative water fall that launches from the roof to a collection pond at ground level. Direction of water flow is maintained by stretching out string from the higher level to the lower.

Figurines have long been used in garden decoration and these may be rotated according to the season. Going with themes from folklore is popular and you could get really creative by delving in to forgotten or unique figurines from a verity of global cultures. Garden gnomes especially may be dressed up according to the season and make for a unique conversational item.

Previous Article  :  Invigorate Your Life With A Seasonal Home Decor

Technorati Tags: Decorating the garden with a seasonal theme, garden decoration, Garden lighting, seasonal flowers

Invigorate Your Life With A Seasonal Home Decor

 If you are depressed, extremely excited or simply looking for a change in your humdrum life – nothing lifts spirits like redecorating your home ! A change of season, approaching holiday or an organized party, by simply changing the way your home looks could do wonders for your spirits (and ego!). With the change of every season, let’s make your home the place to be….

 Cozying up for winters

Floating Butterfly Tea Light in Garden-Themed Gift Box (Set of Four)
Come winters and we think warmth, Christmas, the beginning of a new year and lots of festivities all the way. Perhaps this is the easiest time to redecorate as the festivities take over the house and decorations abound. If you have children at home, the best theme to follow would probably be snowmen! Different snowmen doing different things all over the house can be quite engaging and fun not only for kids but grownups as well.

Red Gold and Black Plants Wallpaper
Use heavy fabrics like velvet all over the house for that mushy cozy feeling one desires in the cold. The color of fire or a real bonfire can bring life to your home like nothing else. Wooden lamp shades and embroideries also add that festive touch! You could be different and move up on the red and gold for the décor – instead choose lime green with silver. As long as you are consistent with the colors, it will be beautiful!

Just because nature has put a stop to your garden ambitions, does not mean you give up on all that stretch of land. Create eye catching landscaping to your garden for the season and you will have a sure head turner. Add statues and metal topiary shapes to the front yard to create a magical area. Snow could collect on them and in summers they simply hide amongst the greenery!

Collect the fall

Silk Garden Floral with Planter
As leaves fall off the  trees and the weather gets crispier, use all the nature’s colors in your home. Orange, yellows, reds and browns will bring you in harmony with the outside world – add to it some aroma candles, say cinnamon, and your home smells like the season too! Add some rustic elements to our table – placements with some dried leaves loosely bound together with embellished ribbons. There will be no end to the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’!

Create a centre piece for your table with a vase filled with rich coffee beans – brown is the ultimate color for fall and with bright orange or deep red flower arrangements – well, the ‘aahs’ follow into ‘ why didn’t I think of it?’ Instead of just the colors you could use the fruits of the season too. Grape vines and bunches look amazing in different hues on a mantelpiece or even as adventurous as crawling up the living room wall – just do not get them in blue or orange!

Always remember that your home is your extension – do not simply copy a better home and garden blindly – do what you like with your home this season.

Previous Article :  New Christmas Decorations 2009

Technorati Tags: aroma candles, fabrics like velvet, Invigorate Your Life With A Seasonal Home Decor, Wooden lamp shades, Wooden lamp shades and embroideries

New  Christmas Decorations 2009

Winter  is a time for warmth and the  Christmas season brings with it festivities too. Also, there’s a considerable amount of time spent by families at home. Keeping in mind the practicalities required for winter and comfort in mind, here are a few tips towards making your home winter ready for your new Christmas decorations 2009 .  The winter is especially exciting because of the number of holidays thrown about and the Christmas festivity that comes along with the season, so brace your home appropriately.

The setting of furniture is the most important. As already mentioned, families tend to spend considerable amounts of time together during the winter when going outdoors may be downright unpleasant. The furniture needs to be arranged about the house in an intimate manner so that there isn’t a feeling of any distance between family. Also, furniture placed away from walls will remain warmer. If there is a fire place in the living space, furniture should be arranged around this area.

Change the lighting so that it glows warmer. Use slightly low wattage illumination that lets off a golden glow. This provides a warm visual effect (like that of an ember). Besides this, it would be useful to have candles about the home which may be lit on occasion to heighten the feeling of warmth. You need to be wary about the placing of candles though since this is a fire hazard.

Since warmth is so much in demand during the winter, it would be wonderful to have throws and quilted covers carefully placed (supposedly in a random manner) about the house; on chairs, sofas and in living spaces. While it adds to comfort when lounging about the house, the mental picture it creates is again one of warmth and this adds very much the entire homely effect of winter.

Your Christmas festival decoration is essential for the winter. To enliven the environment and lead away from the feeling moroseness that’s afflictive during the winter, garden lighting with soft lighting below trees and window lighting with sparkling lights may be placed prudently so as to create the most dramatic effect. Extreme caution should be taken while hanging up lighting around the house, and especially so for outdoor lighting. The gleam of a house that’s well lit during the winter on the outside provides passersby with the feeling of revelry within your home.

Last off, every home could do with an adequate supply of engaging material appropriately placed in plain sight around the home. Winter is a time when ample time is available for recreation at home and engaging material could include books, board games, cards or even indoor sport (if the space permits) such as snooker or billiards. Having activity material about the house is interesting as well as decorative.

2009 Christmas Decorations

Previous Article  :   Decorative Wallpaper Considerations for Christmas

Technorati Tags: new Christmas decorations 2009, Your Christmas festival decoration

Decorative Wallpaper Considerations for Christmas

To add character and charm to any room for Christmas, consider decorative wallpaper. The number of options you have is virtually limitless. You will find a range of great products to select from, including bright colors to soft hues. You can even find white wallpaper with various textured patterns to it. With so many options to consider, you may become overwhelmed quickly. However, the following tips will help you with any decision you may need to make regarding decorative wallpaper.

Brick Red Embossed Faux Stone Vinyl Wallpaper/ 4 yards
What Paper To Use

There is a wide range of wallpaper options on the market, including a large number of patterns. To choose the right one, consider the following.

How much color do you want to add to the area? Are you hoping to add a lot of detailing or do you want a basic decorative wallpaper that offers few bright colors?

Do you have the budget for the more intricate patterns and color designs? Some of these cost substantially more than other products.

The more intricate the pattern is, the more difficult it will be to put up. You will need to match patterns from one sheet to the next, which may mean losing a decent amount of the wallpaper with each strip.

Patterns are not all you have to think about when buying decorative wallpaper. You should also be considering the quality of the paper. The heavier the paper is, the more expensive it will be. In addition, it will require more wallpaper paste to hold it up. But, heavier paper is better if you want a rich texture or you have uneven walls you are hoping to cover up (or bright colors.) If you do go with less expensive wall paper that is thinner, keep in mind that it may rip and that it may be more difficult to put up.

For those who may be new to the process of installing wallpaper in their home, there are several other things to keep in mind, including the intricate and often complex method of putting the wallpaper up. Many people struggle with the process since it takes a steady hand and patience to get it just right. If you are new to wallpapering, be sure to try out a small area with rather inexpensive wallpaper first.

Although there are many factors to consider when  decorating your  wallpaper  for Christmas, adding it to your home can be one of the best decisions you make. It adds flavor and texture to your wallpaper decorations. It offers inspiration and it can set the mood for any room it is placed in. Take the time to buy the right type of paper and consider how you wish the room to look before buying any substantial amount of wallpaper for your home.

Wallpaper’s Comeback

Previous Article    :    My Best Decorating Tips for Winter Home Decor

Technorati Tags: buying decorative wallpaper, decorating your wallpaper for Christmas, decorative wallpaper

My Best Decorating Tips for Winter Home Decor

Doing up the home for the winter months in a manner that reflects the season would be both practical and pleasing to the eye. It’s a fact that most people spend a tremendous amount of time at home during winter and decorations for the winter should permeate into every part of the home from the living areas to the toilet areas. The general manner in which to theme a home for the winter is to go with darker shades for linen and furniture. Winter is a season with a lot of festivity too so it’s appropriate to gear for the season with a festive spirit.

You should begin with the practical aspects of winter decoration. The windows are a source of heat leakage and heavy drapes should be hung up in anticipation of the cold.

This change of drapes and curtains should be carried out throughout the home. Next in line would be the furniture. With people spending more time at home, it would be wonderful to have furniture that is more comfortable and is fun to laze in.

 


Go with throws and rugs that can blanket the furniture if you have these. They add to the attractiveness of furniture. Also, cushions should be given covers that ‘yell’ for a hug. This would depend entirely on you, but quilted material is ideal for the season.

Next off, if you have a fireplace, this ought to be decorated, since a whole lot of time would be spent in front of this. Decoration here would depend entirely on what you like, but reading material, objects of attraction (like a miniature wooden totem pole for example) or festive decorations would be in order.

A lot of food too is prepared and eaten during the winter so the dining space would especially become more attractive with a change in decor. Go with deep colors foe place mats and kitchen linen. You could pullout more attractive linen for any festive celebrations at home. Also, since this is a special time for the family and those friends that visit, getting out the good china would add to the attractiveness.
The bathrooms and toilets could do with a sprucing up too. Mats on the floor so that feet don’t get cold, a decorative heater (to provide that extra bit of warmth) and products that enhance long luxurious baths should be added in during the winter months.

Lighting should definitely be in sync with the seasonal decor. Highlighting trees and hedges with ambient light or sparkling light gives an enlivening spirit. Golden lighting within the home gives a pleasing and warm feel that’s perfect for winter. Outdoor winter figurines too may be lighted so that these are highlighted. All in all, the entire effect created should be that of warmth, and belonging.

Video :  Winter  Newness 

Previous Article    :     How to Choose Modern Designs in Home Accessories ?

Technorati Tags: drapes and curtains, My Best Decorating Tips for Winter Home Decor, Outdoor winter figurines, throws and rugs