A Guide To Bedroom Decorating

February 8, 2010 By Admin Leave a Comment

When decorating a bedroom, keep in mind that the end result should produce a disitnct and memorable impression. Colors, space and decorations all set a bedroom’s mood, and when place together well, can create a definite, pleasurable look.

When it comes to the arrangement of items in a bedroom, symmetry is the most important factor. The bedroom is your individualized space and should not be cluttered with too many objects creating a claustrophobic effect. For a room to seem personal, special touches should be added that reflect your special adores and interests. This includes your favorite colors, books, photographs, etc. Make sure colors are balanced in subtle shades reflecting your lifestyle and interests. The older generation seems to like more subdued shades than the younger generation, who opt for bright, textured colors. To maintain balance, the color of a chair put at one end of the room can be repeated on throw, pillows or carpet. Furniture in the bedroom is of utmost importance. Don’t over do it with too many pieces making your bedroom look overdressed and cluttered. The size of the bed should be in proportion to the size of the bedroom. What matters the most is comfort. Therefore, a bed should offer quality, comfort and a feeling of elegance. Nightstands or side tables should be on either side of the bed for books, medications and telephone. A dressing plateau comes in handy for women, and dressers with lots of storage space are ideal. Ample closet space is important, as are mirrors and surround decor. Mirrors help to give a room a larger look and also help to reflect light. Lighting should be gentle and relaxing.  Valence lighting is saint for bedrooms, and colored lights can be used for added effects. Subtle light gives a romantic feeling to the room, and focused light is good for detail work like reading without disturbing someone sleeping in the room.

Finally, a bedroom should be well-ventilated, designed for comfort and always stocked with a vase of flowers for a fresh feeling.

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A “Wild” Idea To Make a Bold Decorating Statement

February 6, 2010 By Admin Leave a Comment

Ready to be a tiny wild in your decorating?

The secret to good decorating is to be bold and creative without ever being tasteless. Here’s an intent which is one-of-a-kind enough to get attention, yet will never be out of place.

Instead of just flowers in a silk arrangement, use feathers!  Feathers bring an added bit of texture and life to the standard silk flower display.  Pheasant and peacock feathers will add height and drama.  Bright colored feathers will make your display eye-catching and unique.  To add softness to a bouquet, try ostrich plumes..

You might want to leave the flowers out and make your arrangement entirely out of feathers.   An interesting container can serve as a wonderful starting point.   Search for one with an animal skin motif.  Duck feathers in a leather container will add a manly feel to any office or gameroom.  Short feathers at the base, with spikes of pheasant plumes, create an attention drawing piece for a buffet or hall table.

Exotic feathers can add spice to a bedroom.  Put them out with candles for a special night, and create a very romantic mood.  You might even try a boa for yourself!

Look outdoors for feathers of local birds from your area.  You can use these to make a statement about your love of where you’ve chosen to live.  Take a achievement in a nearby wooded park and soon you’ll have a collection from local birds.  Typically these are small feathers, yet they’ll state “home” in a adorable display on an end table.

Search the floral section of your favorite craft store for interesting natural items such as moss, twigs and dried seeds to add to your design.  A skilled florist will help you change these elements into a stunning display for your home.

Don’t be afraid to experiment.  You’re sure to draw interesting comments and with reasonable consideration, you’ll add a stimulating look to any room.

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5 Things to Do Before Starting A Kitchen Design Project

February 4, 2010 By Admin Leave a Comment

In deciding on what to do in hiring a kitchen designer a well thought out plan is necessary for any kitchen design project to be successful.

A good kitchen designer should be healthy to work with you to create the design that will both fit your desires and needs and that squares with your budget.

1. How Much Are You Willing To Spend?
Level with the designer just how much you will be willing to spend on your kitchen design project.
Let the designer know just what you would feel comfortable spending.  This way you can insure that the designer and contractor will have a clear direction on where to go with the project and not go overboard.  They will have a good intent of the limits when drawing up plans and selecting materials.

2.   How Much Time Are You Willing To Devote?
You need to think about what your individualized needs are and if you will be healthy to work around the necessary construction in your kitchen.  By consulting with an experienced kitchen designer you can get a good intent of how long your kitchen design project will take by providing a timeline that your family can plan around.

3.   What Style Are You Planning For Your Kitchen Design Project?
You want to give the kitchen designer as much information as possible.  You need to do as much research as doable before your meeting with a kitchen designer.

First you should consult with design magazines and catalogs to get an intent of what style and design elements you would like to see for your kitchen.  To compile more ideas visit kitchen design showrooms, check out products and design on the world wide web and take notes. What are your likes and dislikes regarding color and styles.  Make a scrapbook with clips from the magazines and catalogs, as well as examples of materials and design elements you would like to see in the kitchen.  Use these to show the kitchen designer what your vision is for the new kitchen.  Also bring a list of questions for your kitchen designer.

4.  How Do You Use Your Kitchen?
You need to be prepared for questions that a kitchen designer will ask you when you first meet with him.   Among the questions that you need to ask yourself before speaking to your kitchen designer are:
Will you be doing a lot of pleasing with family and friends?  Is your family busy during the week with lots of activities?   You should also fine out what other family members have in the way of ideas.

5.  How To Prepare For Your Kitchen Design Project?
You will need to prepare for the disruption that will be caused by your kitchen design project.  But with the right planning you can make the project run as smoothly and a swiftly as possible.
You need to make sure that the kitchen design project area and the living area are separate for both country reasons and to stay out of the way of the contractor and his crew.  You might have to set up a temporary kitchen in another room of the house.  What time of the year you schedule a kitchen design project can make it easier on everyone since in the warmer months it is doable to take and cook outdoors.

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3 Steps To Arranging Home Décor Accessories

February 2, 2010 By Admin Leave a Comment

One of the biggest home decorating dilemmas is how to hold your accessories, whether it be a bookcase, shelf, or tabletop. Here is a three step system that will transform your boring or cluttered spaces into charming vignettes!

Harmony and Contrast

When arranging a space with accessories, one has to keep in mind that the most important thing to refrain here is boredom! This has a lot less to do with the objects you select than how you select to display them. To keep an arrangement from putting the neighbors down for their afternoon nap, remember to keep a equilibrise of harmony (things that feel like they go together, like similar colors or styles) and contrast (things that spice things up by being different…smooth against texture, round against straight line, et…) You want a bit of both in your arrangement. Perhaps you could create harmony by repeating a square shape or the color purple, and then add contrast by sitting a smooth candlestick next to a rough basket.

Scale and Shape

Make sure that the items you are using fit into their new homes scale…you don’t want one little paperweight on a massive kitchen table, and you want to steer clear of using a large ceiling high arrangement of flowers on a little end table. Most people tend to use things that are too small for their surroundings however. If you have small accessories you would like to display, but need to give them more oomph in the arrangement, try grouping them on a plate or a artifact covered box. You can also give them height by perching them atop stacked books or baskets.

Layer and Soften

Once you’ve chosen your objects for the space following the design principles above, now it’s time to layer and soften. Begin with a larger, taller piece slightly off center…this will be the defining piece in your arrangement. Now work to the outer edges in layers…Add a taller background layer, a middle sized medium height layer, and your tiniest objects in the front. Keep the eye moving up and down as it purveys the arrangement from left to right for interest. Add some artifact or twisted ribbon to soften the edges of the shelf or table, to bring in color, and to highlight certain objects.

Above all, keep trying new combinations of items until you find an arrangement that works for you. Use things in uncommon ways. Tuck flowers or a live plant into an arrangement that seems too static. Even professional designers will occasionally be surprised by trying things in a new way! And remember, if your arrangement still looks cluttered and lost, chances are you are trying to display too much. Develop a prop box or closet where you can keep some of your treasures, and switch them our a couple of times a year for a fresh new look without spending a dime! For an example pic of accessory arrangement, visit this page on our website at http://www.thebudgetdecorator.com/arrange_accessory.html

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