Friday, June 26th, 2009
by Gail Jones
The house is finally spick and span and you put your feet up for a minute with a nice cup of coffee by the side of you and you pick away at your muffin. You feel tired but it's the good kind of tired where you know you've done a hard day's work and you have no regrets about it. A happy feeling settles about you and you look around yourself with contentment.
A magazine lies in front of you tantalizingly within reach and you give in and pull it towards you, intent on enjoying a well-earned rest. The main cover story springs out at you, entitled 'Country Home Decor'. Naturally you flip through eagerly to that very section, you had only just seen an article on some stylish country home decor or converting your house into a small country haven in another magazine and it had interested you.
Page upon page of the magazine is filled with what can only be described as the most perfect country home decor you can imagine. You gaze longingly at the various styles and furnishings you see gracing the magazine's pages. A quick look up from your magazine assures you that your own modest home hasn't changed magically into one of those lovely country homes you were just looking at.
A sad sigh passes your lips at the realization and so you go back to reading your magazine article. You had never realized that you were the kind of person who could stand the country home decor style but now upon consideration you think you just might be able to.
Now without your even realising it, you begin marking the pages that fascinate you the most, doing small mental calculations on how best to achieve the same effect but on the more modest budget that you have to spend. After all, it just wouldn't do to spring for that lovely Welsh dresser and have to go without your freshly ground whole bean coffee, would it?
However, you could definitely buy that appealing table runner without a problem. And if you donated all your modern chrome coffee mugs and dinner sets to charity you wouldn't really be splashing out, would you, since you've done your best for charity and donated all these things so unselfishly?
And what about swapping those jazzy blinds for something that's a bit more in the country home decor style. And while you're going about it, perhaps you could even swap that ugly lampshade you received as a Christmas gift for something a little more country.
The only thing that is left for you to do now is to lie back and enjoy the fruits of your labours and gaze with beaming pride upon your newly redecorated home. Furnished, naturally enough, in the best country home decor style that you could cull from every source that you came across, like that first magazine which spurred it all off way back then.
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Thursday, June 25th, 2009
by Marion Jones
For the people who seem to have it all or for those who are bored with their lifestyle, there are a few things that one can do to spruce-up one's life. Perhaps one of the best ways however is to start redecorating one's house. Two of the first places one should consider redecorating are your bathroom and kitchen.
These are often the most overlooked and most used rooms in the entire house. Think about it, have you redecorated at least even one of these rooms within the past few years? The answer is probably going to be no. In which case think back to the last time you even looked closely at your bathroom or kitchen other than to clean them.
More than likely, if you noticed anything at all, you put the idea off until a future date when you would be able to devote more time to decorating your bathroom or kitchen, although at that time, the place probably didn't look as bad as it does now, after all, the years soon add up and even though you've been keeping it spotlessly clean you can't stop the slow march of time.
It is probably true that if you were to take a closer look now, you'd find that the drapes are looking a might drab and ragged around the edges, as are the bathroom mats. And do not even talk about the soap dish. It is quite true that they don't make things like they used to, and with very good cause too!
So, do yourself a favour and throw out all that unnecessary junk in the bathroom and get yourself some new accessories - you will be astonished at what lovely things you can find these days. Anyway, you've probably been eyeing that lovely bathroom set you saw in the shop for some time, so at the very least now you will have a good reason to go out and splash out on yourself.
And while you're at it, don't forget to buy that lovely new spice rack you saw for the kitchen and a few mats that can be used in either room. Ideally, they should be resistant to such everyday accidents as water spillage, soap, oil grease and all the other things that somehow seem to become embedded on your carpets.
However, if you're looking for some new ideas on decorating your bathroom or your kitchen, there are a number of resources where you can get your inspiration from. The best I've found are the catalogues you can browse through to your heart's content.
With all these options, you can even swap something that is less expensive for the things you see in the catalogues. This then, is the best way to get your decorating projects off the ground and to keep yourself amusingly busy for some time to come and to transform your tired old bathroom and kitchen into new and sparkling areas.
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009
by Gail Jones
The house is finally spick and span and you put your feet up for a minute with a nice cup of coffee by the side of you and you pick away at your muffin. You are tired but it's the good kind of tired where you know you've done a hard day's work and you have no regrets about it. A happy feeling settles on you and you look around yourself with contentment.
A magazine lies in front of you appealingly within reach and you give in and pull it to you, intent on enjoying a well-deserved rest. The top cover story jumps out at you, entitled 'Country Home Decor'. Naturally you flip through eagerly to that very section, you had only just seen an article on some stylish country home decor or turning your house into a small country haven in another magazine and it had interested you.
There are pages and pages of the magazine filled with what can only be described as the most ideal examples of country home decor imaginable. You gaze longingly at the various styles and furnishings you see gracing the magazine's pages. A quick glance up from your magazine reassures you that your own modest abode hasn't changed somehow instantly into one of those lovely country homes you were just admiring.
A heavy sigh passes your lips at this disappointment and you go back to gazing at the magazine spread. You had never thought that you were a person who could stand the whole country home decor style but now upon reflection you think you just might be able to.
Now without your even realising it, you find yourself marking the pieces that intrigue you the most, doing small mental calculations on how best to create the same effect but on the more modest budget that you have at your disposal. After all, it just wouldn't do to spring for that lovely Welsh dresser and have to go without your freshly ground whole bean coffee, would it?
But, you could certainly go for that appealing table runner without too much of a problem. And if you donated all those modern chrome coffee mugs and dinner sets to charity you wouldn't really be splashing out, would you, since you would have already done your best for charity and given them all these things?
And what about exchanging those snazzy blinds for something that's a bit more in the country home decor style. And while you're going about it, perhaps you could even swap that awful lampshade you got as a Christmas present for something more country.
The only thing that is left for you to do now is to lie back and enjoy the fruits of your labours and gaze with beaming pride upon your beautifully redecorated home. Furnished, naturally enough, in the best country home decor style that you could cull from every source that you found, like that first magazine which started it all off way back then.
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Thursday, June 18th, 2009
by Marion Jones
Whenever people start thinking about living room decorating ideas and making changes to their residence, whether it be one or two rooms or even the entire house, the first question that usually springs to mind is 'what colours shall I use'. Frequently, people choose colours that they are fond of or those which correspond with pieces of their existing furniture. When searching for living room decorating ideas, one idea which is perhaps too often overlooked is decorating with the two basic colours (or shades, to be completely accurate) " black and white.
Black and white, when used in decorating demonstrates style and creates drama. Top interior designers say that every room in the house could benefit from adding a touch of black. Black is a colour which anchors and stabilizes a room. Bringing sophistication, black is definitely a colour that demands attention. Living room decorating ideas for a home using black may include accessories such as light fixtures, trim or furniture. Black serves to add definition to the focal points in a room. Black is just one of the colours that stands out or makes a statement, but it is definitely one of the most outspoken!
Decorating with the shades of black and white in your living room decorating ideas, provides a clean, fresh, elegant air to the mood of the room. This combination can be used in any room in a home making it a sophisticated area. Black and white are often used in contemporary home decorating and frequently used to accent other colours in the French Country style. It may be hard to visualize but there are many ideas for decorating a home using combinations of only these two basic shades.
The floor is a great place to start when you're having living room decorating ideas. Black and white vinyl tiles laid alternately make a beautiful chessboard pattern and gives a clean and elegant appearance. Black marble used on the floor, accented by wide white skirting boards is another beautiful idea for decorating a room. Laying white ceramic tiles with a black border or simply painting the floor black or white and using stencils of the opposite colour for decoration is also stunning. These all are great ideas for decorating a home.
Can you think of anything more perfect than white walls in the Mediterranean style? Painting the walls white or even an off-white, say smoke-white or apple-whitemakes an ideal backdrop for accessories such as shelving framed in black. Great living room decorating ideas! Elegant black window surrounds or black shutters against a clean, crisp white wall would certainly create an aura of sophistication. Maybe a glass-topped table with a black iron trim and black chairs? These are great ideas for decorating a room using only black and white.
A bedroom decorated using black and white would be beautiful stylish home decor too. A black or white iron bed-frame, covered with a striped black and white duvet or eiderdown. For the pillow cases, you could use either all black or all white and could add throw cushions in the opposite colour.
A chunky leather black or white armchair in the corner would certainly accent the room's stylish home decor. Then you could have the white walls with an elegant piece of artwork, framed in black hanging on it. That would surely add to the contemporary feel of your stylish home decor. Black furniture against the crisp white walls would look really neat and tidy and you could jazz up the room with accessories such as pewter or silver candlesticks, jugs or vases.
If you think the stylish home decor needs a little colour to complete the look, perhaps a throw or cushion in a bold color like red or gold, for the chair in the corner of the room would be enough to accent the room. Ideas for decorating a home are numerous. However, finding one that suits you and those that live in your home with you is important. It's nice to do something radical and off-the-wall but remember you must be able to live with it for quite a while.
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Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
by Marion Jones
For the people who seem to have it all or for those who are bored with their lifestyle, there are several things that one can do to spruce-up one's life. Maybe one of the best ways however is to start redecorating one's house. Two of the first places one should look at redecorating are your bathroom and kitchen.
These are often the most ignored and yet, most often used rooms in the entire house. Just think about it, have you spruced up at least even one of these rooms in the last few years? The answer is almost certainly "no", in which case, try to think back to the last time you even looked closely at your bathroom or kitchen other than to Spring clean them.
Probably, if you noticed anything at all, you put the notion off until a future date when you could devote more time to refurbishing your bathroom or kitchen, although at that time, the place certainly didn't look as bad as it does now, after all, the years soon mount up and even though you've been keeping it rigorously clean you can't prevent the steady progress of time.
It is probably true that if you took a closer inspection now, you'd find that the curtains are looking a bit shabby and worn around the edges, as are the bathroom mats. And do not even look at the toilet roll holder. It is quite true that they don't make them like they used to and for a very good reason too!
Do yourself a favour and throw out all the unnecessary clutter in the room and get yourself some new stuff - you will be surprised at what you can find nowadays. Besides, you've probably been eyeing that lovely bathroom set you saw in the shop for some time now, so at the very least now you will have a good reason to go out and splash out on yourself.
And while you're about it, you might as well buy that lovely new spice rack you saw last week for the kitchen and a few mats that can be used in either room. They should be resistant to such commonplace accidents as water, soap, oil grease, fat and all the other things that somehow seem to become stuck to carpets.
However, if you're looking for some new ideas on decorating your bathroom or your kitchen, there are a number of sources you can get your inspiration from. The best one I've found so far are the catalogues, which you can browse through to your heart's content.
With all these options, you can even substitute something that is less expensive for the items that you see in the catalogues. This then, is the best way to get your decorating projects off the ground and to keep yourself busy for some time to come and to make your long suffering bathroom and kitchen areas spotlessly new and glitzy.
Posted in Flooring | No Comments »
Thursday, June 11th, 2009
by Gail Jones
The house is finally spick and span and you put your feet up for a minute with a nice cup of coffee by the side of you and you pick away at your muffin. You feel worn out but it's the good kind of tired where you know you've done a hard day's work and you have no regrets about it. A happy feeling settles about you and you look around yourself with satisfaction.
A magazine lies appealingly within reach and you give in and pull it to you, intending to enjoy your well-deserved rest. The main cover story jumps right out at you, called Country Home Decor. Naturally you flip through eagerly to that very section, you had just seen an article on converting your house into a small country haven in another magazine and you were interested.
There are pages and pages of the magazine filled with what can only be described as the most ideal examples of country home decor imaginable. You gaze longingly at the various styles and furnishings you see gracing the magazine's pages. A quick glance up from your magazine reassures you that your own modest abode hasn't changed somehow instantly into one of those lovely country homes you were just admiring.
A heavy sigh passes your lips at the disappointment and so you go back to reading the magazine article. You had never thought that you were the sort of person who could stand the country home decor style but now upon reflection you think you just might be able to.
Without your even realising it you find yourself marking the pages that interest you the most, making small mental calculations on how best to create the same effect but on the smaller budget that you have at your disposal. After all, it wouldnt do to spring for that lovely dresser and have to go without your freshly ground whole bean coffee now, would it?
But, you could certainly go for that appealing table runner without too much of a problem. And if you gave all those modern chrome coffee mugs and dinner sets to charity you wouldn't really be splashing out, would you, since you would have already done your best for charity and given them all these things?
And what about swapping those jazzy blinds for something that's a bit more in the country home decor style. And while you're going about it, perhaps you could even swap that ugly lampshade you received as a birthday present for something more country.
The only thing that remains for you to do now is to lie back and enjoy the results of your labours and gaze with open pride upon your beautifully redecorated home. Furnished, naturally enough, in the best country home decor style that you could obtain from every source that you found, like that first magazine article that spurred it all off way back when.
Posted in Flooring | No Comments »
