http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/en-EUMokoFeed10http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/ec/bdcaf185fcefd66eb819706326e2ff_160x200.jpghttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2008/12/10/windows-5196596/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2008-12-10:/2008/12/10/windows-5196596/Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:02:44 +0100 <p>Do you ever pay any attention to your windows? How many times have you walked into someone else's house and noticed how bad the windows look, there are cracks, they are dirty and the frame is chipped. Windows are a very important feature of a house and often neglected, a bit like the doors. A window is your gateway to the outside and a visitor's sneak preview of the inside.</p> <p>On a rainy day how many times have you sat at the window and looked out at the rain, feeling cozy inside? Well it's not so cozy when there are cracks in the window frame or the glass is dirty and all that you see are streaks of mud coming down the glass. When its hot and sunny outside and you don't want to be out but are happy to stay in the cool house, it is still nice to look out to the garden and neighbors and see what is going on. </p> <p>Windows on the whole are a very expensive part of the house to replace and therefore if you are thinking about replacing your windows it is suggested that you do plenty of research before you take the plunge. If you have bars on your windows for security reasons, today you can get windows with built in bars that are barely visible and look quite smart. If you live in a very cold country then you will want double glazing, there are many types of double glazing that can be found, each one having different properties. There are different ways to open windows, some slide up and down, some pull out, some open inwards and so on. Choose an opening system that suits the room in which the windows are and is also practical.</p> <p>The frame that also holds the window is an important feature. Today, aluminum frames are the in thing, not only are they light in weight but they look very fresh and light and to most are much more attractive than the heavy wooden frames of old. Remember, in time wood always tends to warp. So even if you love the look of wood, you should think very carefully before actually choosing wooden frames. Maybe you can get a wood look that is actually made of a much better wearing material.</p> <p>Whatever you choose, it is advisable to read up about it and even go and see examples at other people's houses. Make sure you are totally happy with your choice before you take the plunge and commit to it as you will be spending a lot of money, whichever window and frame you choose. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2008/12/10/windows-5196596/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>windowshome-decorhttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2008/12/10/windows-5196596/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2008/04/23/the-right-contractor-4083993/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2008-04-23:/2008/04/23/the-right-contractor-4083993/Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:36:50 +0200 <p>If you are embarking on some work in your home, whether it is a small or large project, it is important to make sure you have chosen the right contractor to carry out the work. If you have decided to do the work yourself then you need to make sure you know exactly what you are doing and have laid out a clear plan of how you intend to do the work, the stages of each part of the job and also where you intend to get suppliers.</p> <p>If you are brave enough to attempt some self improvements at home, make sure you know what you are doing. I am not talking about rearranging furniture but more the work that is semi permanent or permanent. Some of us think we know what to do and always say that we can do better than the average contractor but when it actually comes to the work we cut corners as we think certain things are unnecessary and in the long run it can cost us more money and has to be fixed by a professional. If you are intending to do some major construction work or even things like knocking down walls, it is a good idea to at least consult with a professional before you attempt the work yourself. Make sure you know where the supporting walls are and that you use materials that are compatible with your home and the environment you live in.</p> <p>If you are not brave, like me, and prefer to employ contractors then you need to have a slightly different checklist. One of the important things is to speak to other people that have used the contractor you are thinking about using, go and see their work, don't take someone's word for it. What may be excellent work for some could end up being sub standard for you. It is always a good idea to have a plan drawn of what you want to do, to scale, it will help when describing to the contractor what you want to do. This also forms a basis for the price quotes you will get. Make sure all your price quotes also include materials and there is a leeway for small extras so you don't end up paying through your nose for something extra that was not previously agreed. Always get more than one quote, even three or four if possible so that you can compare and play each one off against the other. Also make sure you are comfortable working with and in the presence of the contractor and his workers as you will be spending a lot of time with them.</p> <p>In order for a good job to be done, you need to be confident in what you are doing and who is doing it for you. This way you can ensure a good job is done and you will be happy with the end results.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2008/04/23/the-right-contractor-4083993/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2008/04/23/the-right-contractor-4083993/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2008/01/03/building_an_extension~3523511/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2008-01-03:/2008/01/03/building_an_extension~3523511/Thu, 03 Jan 2008 16:05:19 +0100 <p>Do you have a beautiful home but somehow you are lacking space? Do you need an extra room for a Grandparent or an older child to have some privacy, or maybe you just simply want a nice room for you and your partner? Well building an extension could be the answer if you have the finances or are able to get a loan to cover it.</p> <p>Before you even start the process it is important to examine exactly why and what you are intending to build an extension for. Work out if the money you will have to invest is readily available to you. If you have close neighbors mention the idea to them in passing to see if they have any real objections - if they do then find out what they are and if you can get around them. Once you have cleared the way and you have money in the bank then start doing some real groundwork.</p> <p>Most importantly meet with an architect and building engineer who will be able to tell you if what you are thinking of is at all possible. Get an estimate of how much it could cost and add on another 10% to make sure you have the funds necessary. Be prepared for a long haul. You will need to get numerous approvals and pay endless charges before you even lay one brick so be absolutely sure that this is what you want.</p> <p>If all goes well and there are no hitches you could end up with a very nice extension to your home and it becoming even more desirable as well as adding value to the place but most important in the whole process is to be sure that this is exactly what you want.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2008/01/03/building_an_extension~3523511/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2008/01/03/building_an_extension~3523511/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/12/02/making_an_office_at_home~3383053/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-12-02:/2007/12/02/making_an_office_at_home~3383053/Sun, 02 Dec 2007 14:00:15 +0100 <p>Yes your home is your haven but that does not mean you don't need an office. Even if it only for personal details, files, bills and so on, it is always necessary to have somewhere to store this.</p> <p>I have been to some houses where they have papers thrown all over the place, files out and it looks such a mess. To keep a good order can be as simple as putting up a few shelves. If you want something more substantial than shelves then you should look at getting yourself a whole desk unit.</p> <p>Find an area in your home, whether it is a niche close to the living room or a small room that is not used or even a corridor space and decide if that is suitable to make into a mini office. If it is then you can start measuring up and deciding what you want to put there. You can either go with a ready made desk with drawers and shelves or try one of the DIY places to put together a whole system. Whatever you do choose to go with make sure it is practical and has enough room for you to add things at a later date.</p> <p>For example you may need a computer there so make sure your desk is large enough to house a computer and a printer still leaving you space to write and do work. I stupidly bought a computer that I thought would fit into a niche on my desk with the shelves above it and because I did not measure properly, my computer does not fit under my shelf and I do not have any writing space since I also have a large fax/printer next to the computer.</p> <p>Another thing to think about is to make sure you have enough leg room. If you are planning on working in your office at any time you want to be able to sit comfortably and not be squashed. Choose a material for the unit that is hard wearing and will not chip - wood is probably best if you can afford it and make sure the shelves are thick so that they don't bow when heavy books and files are put on them.</p> <p>Having a convenient and easy office space is important for an efficient running of the household and should not be belittled. So think very carefully when choosing where and how you make an office.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/12/02/making_an_office_at_home~3383053/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/12/02/making_an_office_at_home~3383053/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/10/10/crockery_and_cutlery~3114681/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-10-10:/2007/10/10/crockery_and_cutlery~3114681/Wed, 10 Oct 2007 16:33:17 +0200 <p>You may have a beautiful home with everything almost perfect to look at to the naked eye but when someone opens your cupboards it is a disaster. They are a mess, pots and pans all over the place, plates are chipped and cutlery is not matching and dirty and stained.</p> <p>How many of us pay attention to our crockery and cutlery on a day to day basis? We are so busy plumping up the cushions that we don't think about what is behind the cupboard doors. A house can look amazing and be very comfortable to live in but if you serve a guest a drink from a chipped glass or food on a chipped plate then your whole image is ruined.</p> <p>Thanks to commercialism, today you can find beautiful crockery, cutlery, pots and pans and all sorts of dishes at very reasonable prices. You don't have to get designer stuff just to make it look nice. Many of the good supermarkets also stock cutlery and crockery and all sorts of kitchenware at very reasonable prices and so do the home center shops. Supermarkets also offer bonus schemes with your weekly purchases in the form of stamps or points that you can collect and then be eligible for one of the prizes which is invariably kitchenware. There are numerous ways you can improve the contents of your cabinets without spending that much money.</p> <p>Many of us used to pull our noses up at disposable paper goods when entertaining but nowadays you can get such nice stuff that looks so real, there is no need to be snobby about it If you have a lot of people it is sometimes nice to have all matching tableware that is disposable rather than non matching real crockery and cutlery. Making your table look nice can make the whole place look nice and give a lovely aura. It is well worth looking at the contents of your cupboard next time you open them to make sure they are neat and tidy and not cracked. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/10/10/crockery_and_cutlery~3114681/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>home-decorhttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/10/10/crockery_and_cutlery~3114681/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/09/19/rented_accomodation~3006654/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-09-19:/2007/09/19/rented_accomodation~3006654/Wed, 19 Sep 2007 16:22:15 +0200 <p>Many of us are not fortunate enough to own our own homes and be able to decorate and change things to our own tastes. But, that is not to say that when you rent an apartment or house you cannot do things to it. When you sign your rental agreement it is a good idea to discuss with your new landlord what are your limitations and what you can and cannot do.</p> <p>Many landlords are quite happy for you to decorate and put up pictures and so on whereas others are very fussy and will insist on doing the decorating for you and making holes in the wall for you or giving you special screws and so on to hang up your pictures. If you are thinking of painting in an unusual color it is a good idea to check with your landlord first as they will more often than not have to paint over it when they try to rent the place again or sell it.</p> <p>Remember that white walls are often the best and you can decorate and make the place look more homely with ornaments and accessories such as throws, floor cushions and so on. If you are allowed to put up pictures then you can put up brightly colored pictures that make your place look more attractive and interesting. If it is small then mirrors always make it look bigger and brighter. Often apartments and houses come with some furniture so you can always add or jazz up the furniture that exists by changing handles and so on.</p> <p>If you have couches that are old and dreary a simple fabric throw can make it look much nicer and you can even get some rugs to match for the floor. Homeliness is not always about pretty walls and new furniture it is about comfort and making you feel welcome. What you do with your rented home can be done on a small budget and you can end up making the place look fantastic without spending a lot and too much effort and most importantly keeping the landlord happy.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/09/19/rented_accomodation~3006654/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/09/19/rented_accomodation~3006654/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/09/04/budget_decorating~2922230/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-09-04:/2007/09/04/budget_decorating~2922230/Tue, 04 Sep 2007 11:36:55 +0200 <p>So many of us want to decorate and make our homes look nice but we don't have the money for it. Even paints with special textures are expensive and as for buying new furniture and furnishings it is out of most of our budgets. But there are some helpful ideas that we can use and put together to jazz up our homes on a tight budget.</p> <p>If you want to repaint and would like a texture it can often be very expensive to buy textured paint. An old fashioned way of making paint with texture is by adding some sand to the paint, mixing it well and then using it. This gives a mottled look to the wall which can be quite interesting and is a lot cheaper than paint textures that you buy. Using masking tape you can make stripes on your walls or even stick items on your wall and paint over them and it will look like features. You can buy plastic shapes that are used for moulds for cooking and artwork, stick one of these on the wall and paint over it and you have added an interesting piece to your wall.</p> <p>If your sofas are looking a little bit worse for wear but are still comfortable to sit on then why not recover them with fabric that you can buy cheaply in markets. Or even buy a white sturdy fabric and paint it yourself with fabric paints. It may look a bit abstract but it definitely adds a new look to your worn couches. Cushions can be updated in the same way, you don't even have to change the cushion covers just buy some cheap accessories and trimmings and you can sew them on, making the cushions look different and giving a whole new look to the place.</p> <p>There are many ways to update and change your home on a low budget. You don't always have to buy the most expensive things that you see in the shops. Look at them and figure out how they are made and then you can make them yourself, it might not be the same quality but it will look just as good and you will have a lot of fun making it too.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/09/04/budget_decorating~2922230/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/09/04/budget_decorating~2922230/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/08/28/cleaning_your_furniture~2884241/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-08-28:/2007/08/28/cleaning_your_furniture~2884241/Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:20:23 +0200 <p>Furniture is an investment and needs to be looked after and nurtured just like any other investment. On the whole it costs a lot of money and it is a shame to let it get damaged and ruined by not looking after it correctly. I am not just talking about a quick clean with a damp cloth, there is much more to furniture cleaning.</p> <p>Depending what furniture you have will determine the cleaning materials and methods that you use. If you have upholstered furniture then you have to use special detergents and cleaning materials so as not to damage the fabric. Make sure whatever you use has been tested on your fabric and if you are still not sure then test a small corner that is not visible to make sure the color does not run or disappear. Upholstered furniture should also be vacuumed once a month to get rid of dust and crumbs, make sure you use an attachment that can get down all of the cracks and small spaces. Once you have cleaned your upholstered furniture, air it by opening all the windows in your home and having it as close to the window as possible to give it a fresh clean smell.</p> <p>If you have leather furniture, the best way to clean it is with a special leather polish or cream that you can get from most supermarkets and specialist cleaning shops. Leather furniture should be polished once a month in order to keep it moist and stop it cracking. As with upholstered furniture, you also need to vacuum out the crumbs and dust that has settled in the cracks on a regular basis.</p> <p>If you have wooden furniture, tables and chairs around the house make sure that water is not spilt too close to it as this can seep into the pores of the wood and warp it. If you need to clean in the area of the furniture and it cannot be moved then use a damp cloth rather than splashing water near it. There are many wood oils on the market that you can invest in which give your wood a shine and also are very good for it, but these should be used sparingly so as not to overdo it. If you have Formica units anywhere, the beauty of that is that you can just wipe them down very easily and they will look clean again. It is important to look after your furniture as it is an investment and you want it to last.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/08/28/cleaning_your_furniture~2884241/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/08/28/cleaning_your_furniture~2884241/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/08/20/second_hand_furniture~2837581/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-08-20:/2007/08/20/second_hand_furniture~2837581/Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:28:40 +0200 <p>How many times have you heard someone from the older generation telling you ?they don't make them like they used to"? Too many times because unfortunately it is true. Not only is furniture not made like it used to be but also fabrics, carpets, tiles and even houses. Materials today are more mass produced and manufacturers are always looking for cheaper ways to make things which unfortunately leads to lower quality.</p> <p> There is no shame in buying some old furniture and restoring it. Old furniture is usually very sturdy and made from solid materials that are built to last. By sanding down wood and repainting you can restore a piece of furniture to its former glory and even make it look like it is new. Older designs are more classic and tend to suit most types of decor, whether it is modern, retro or classic. There are many new exciting colors and finishes on the market that you can use to make an old piece of furniture look like new again with a totally innovative look.</p> <p>Often you can find old pieces of furniture in flea markets and at car boot sales. But before you actually purchase an item make sure you know what you want to do with it. There is no point having a warehouse full of old furniture if you don't know what you want to do with it. If for example you are buying an old stool, make sure you know where you can get new padding for it and how you want to cover it. Imagine the color of the wood stain you want to use and be sure that it is available. There are so many options with old furniture and cupboards, such as plain white with pretty stencils or colorful rainbow colors, that the sky literally is the limit. It is like you are creating a new piece exactly as you want it but from something that is old and established. A restored piece of furniture also provides a great talking piece when you have guests over!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/08/20/second_hand_furniture~2837581/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/08/20/second_hand_furniture~2837581/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/08/09/stages_of_life~2780595/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-08-09:/2007/08/09/stages_of_life~2780595/Thu, 09 Aug 2007 14:04:59 +0200 <p>Your home often reflects the stage of life you are at. For example you are not going to have a house filled with china and glass breakables when there are young children running around or have a house painted in bright vibrant colors when you are getting on in years. Your home decor often reflects the stage of life you are at.</p> <p>When we were students and having just moved out of our parental home, none of us cared really about how the place looked. The norm was to find a dirty and old apartment with run down kitchen and ropey carpets. The joy of being away from our parents compensated for everything else. But as we got more mature we began to appreciate more the surroundings we lived in and tried to make the places look better and more appealing.</p> <p>Then we get to the stage where we are trying to buy our own apartment or renting one when we have just started working. Here we are trying to impress our friends and family, showing them we are successful so we live in a clean place with lots of ornaments and interesting decoration, sort of art nouveaux. The classic term" bachelor pad" is derived from this period in our lives when a young man has an impressive home to impress the girls with.</p> <p>The next stage has to be thought of as the nesting instinct. Here we have just settled down with our partner for life in a nice apartment or house and want it to look homely and comfortable while also being practical. Hopefully children will come along soon, so there are little reminders all over the place of potential play rooms, soft carpets and so on.</p> <p>The young children stage is when the house really could look nice but the parents just don't have the energy to keep it tidy any more since they spend most of their time running after the little ones. There are often pen marks on the walls and toys all over the place. Soon the kids grow up and instead of toys you see computer games and computers all over the house. Doors are kept shut as teenagers want their privacy.</p> <p>The last stage is most definitely the one with the most potential. The kids have moved out and occasionally come to visit; you now have more disposable income to use and time on your hands. Your house is a dream, everything you ever wanted it to be and it is kept spotless. This might be an emotionally lonely stage but for your home it is the most beautiful and inspiring stage.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/08/09/stages_of_life~2780595/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/08/09/stages_of_life~2780595/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/08/02/textures~2743257/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-08-02:/2007/08/02/textures~2743257/Thu, 02 Aug 2007 12:02:39 +0200 <p>Making a home look beautiful and inviting is not just about the look of the place you also have to think about the textures. Remember that you and your visitors touch many of the walls, furniture, floors and cupboards in your home so they all need to be touch friendly.</p> <p>If you have wooden furniture and cupboards make sure that the wood is smooth and there are no sharp or rough edges. The last thing you want is for a guest to catch themselves on a splinter from the wood or scratch their leg on the dining room table. If the wood is soft wood then it has already been treated and you will have no worries of splintering but it may warp. If this is the case, try and keep water away from it as the warped wood has a rough texture and also does not look nice. If you have wooden parquet floors make sure it is made from smooth wood.</p> <p>Wood is not the only texture in a house, think about the furnishings. Your couches are made up of many different textures whether it is leather, fabric or suede. If leather is not treated properly and polished on a regular basis then it becomes rough and begins to crack, not only does it not look nice but it also does not feel nice. Fabrics can wear with time and begin to be ropey which is very uncomfortable to sit on, so this needs to be watched and if necessary replaced or covered.</p> <p>Floors come in all sorts of textures and materials. If you have stone or ceramic floors, make sure that they are filled in correctly with grouting, every couple of years you should re-grout to give a cleaner look and also a smoother finish. If you have linoleum or Amtico make sure that you do not drop hot liquids as this can ruin the floor. Carpets come in all different piles and textures, some shaggy and some short. What you have is a personal choice but be aware that shaggy carpets tend to malt hair and wear much more quickly than short hair carpets. Although a shaggy may seem softer to begin with, in time if it becomes patchy it is not so nice to the touch or the eye.</p> <p>Taking care when choosing and using the different textures in your home is very important. Touch is very sensitive and often sits in our subconscious, you can love the look of a home but if it is rough and uneven then you will always have a nagging doubt about it in the back of your head.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/08/02/textures~2743257/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/08/02/textures~2743257/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/07/29/internal_doors~2720822/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-07-29:/2007/07/29/internal_doors~2720822/Sun, 29 Jul 2007 13:13:24 +0200 <p>You may have spent a lot of money on a fancy door that gives a great impression when entering your home but if you have bad quality and old internal doors, all the good impressions will be washed away.</p> <p>Doors may seem to be the last thing on your mind when you are redecorating but in fact they are one of the more important areas to be covered when recreating your home. The internal doors of a house are what separate each room from the other; they are like a boundary and should be thought about with great care before being chosen. If you want your house to have a light and airy look to it, like a summer home then think of cream or white doors. If you have children running around then make sure you choose doors that wipe clean very easily.</p> <p>Glass doors are very attractive but not always the most practical. You can see straight through them and every tiny mark shows up, also there is always the chance of them shattering or cracking if they are banged too hard. Wooden doors in time can warp, especially if you live in a hot climate. But, on the other hand, metal doors are heavy and not really suitable for inside doors. Look around at what is available in the market and choose something that is practical yet gives the right feeling to your home.</p> <p>Often kitchens are open plan these days but if you can, try and incorporate a sliding door that can be made invisible. You never know when you will need to shut the door. The latest fashion for a bathroom door is with a little bit of glass to let in light and make them stand out as different from the other doors. If you don't like this idea then you don't have to use it, having all the doors the same provides a certain amount of uniformity and looks very smart.</p> <p>Whatever you choose, remember that doors provide first impressions before you even walk into a room so should be welcoming as well as practical.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/07/29/internal_doors~2720822/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/07/29/internal_doors~2720822/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/07/18/workmen_and_project_managers~2657460/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-07-18:/2007/07/18/workmen_and_project_managers~2657460/Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:15:41 +0200 <p>If you have decided to do some work in your home that requires more than the simple decorator or builder, you will need to find a good and reliable project manager with a supporting team of professional workers.</p> <p>How many stories have you heard of disaster renovations? The builders left in the middle with the floor half done and no plumbing or the electrical board was all messed up and so on. There is no 100% guarantee that the contractor you take to do major work around your house will not mess it up. But there are a few pointers you should look for and investigate before hiring someone.</p> <p>If you know what you want to do in the house then make sure you have clear plans drawn up by an architect or interior designer. Today plans can be drawn up on a computer and a 3D version can be viewed so that you do not have to imagine what the place will look like, you can actually see it. When interviewing contractors, try and assess how well they understand the plans you are showing them? Do they have sensible questions to ask or does it seem like they want to make their own interpretations. Do they think on the same wavelength as you? This is very important as you want to have a good rapport with whoever you work with.</p> <p>When receiving quotes from contractors, make sure you have counter quotes from others which all talk about the same work and materials. Ask for references and go and see the work that your potential contractor has carried out in other places. Find out if your potential contractor is an easy person to work with or difficult. Doing work in your home is a very stressful time so you don't want to make it worse by using someone who is not easy to work with.</p> <p>When you decide on a particular contractor, draw up a basic contract before the work begins. Whatever you do, don't pay everything up front; there is nothing wrong with giving a small retainer or paying an amount each week but only pay relatively to the amount of work that has been done. If there are materials to pay for, ask to see the receipts so that you can be sure you are not being cheated. Having said that, it is important to trust the contractor you are working with and feel totally comfortable with his work. Don't be afraid to point out small things that need fixing even before he has finished - it is your home and you are paying for the work so you have every right to comment.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/07/18/workmen_and_project_managers~2657460/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/07/18/workmen_and_project_managers~2657460/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/07/12/cleaning_and_cleaners~2621075/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-07-12:/2007/07/12/cleaning_and_cleaners~2621075/Thu, 12 Jul 2007 12:11:06 +0200 <p>You may have the most beautiful home in the area but if it is not kept clean and tidy no one will appreciate it, least of all you. </p> <p>If you do not have much spare time on your hands then it is worth investing some of your spare cash, if you have, in a cleaner or cleaning company. You can contract cleaners to come on a regular basis to your home and clean when you are not around, so that they don't get in your way. Make sure you use a reputable firm or a cleaner that has been recommended to you so that you don't have any trust issues. If there are particular areas that you want attending to then make a list for the cleaner and prioritize for them each week what you want them to deal with.</p> <p>Many of us are not lucky enough to have the spare cash to afford a cleaner so we have to do the job ourselves. After a long hard day at work and then cooking and looking after children it often gets too much to start cleaning the house as well. If you have kids that are of a responsible age, then think about giving them chores around the house, in return for payment or favors. Have a Rota going so that each week, someone else does a different part of the house making the job more interesting and exciting. Make up songs to sing as you go around the house.</p> <p>Cleaning a home is so important and will add to the whole atmosphere of the place, even if you haven't got the best decor in the house or feel that you need to paint, a good clean and tidy home will stand out more than the dirty walls. Set aside some time each week to clean and you will benefit from it.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/07/12/cleaning_and_cleaners~2621075/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/07/12/cleaning_and_cleaners~2621075/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/07/09/floor_coverings~2601065/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-07-09:/2007/07/09/floor_coverings~2601065/Mon, 09 Jul 2007 12:08:19 +0200 <p>You wouldn't believe how many of us take our floors for granted. We walk on them, kids spill food on them and animals often soil them. But floors are such an essential part of our homes that they need to be given plenty of attention and respect.</p> <p>If you are considering doing a home make over, then maybe you should look at the floors. Floors determine a lot about the look of the home. A dark wooden floor has a certain medieval look to a place whereas a shiny white ceramic floor definitely makes a room look more modern. Before even choosing a floor you need to analyze what the room is used for and the sort of traffic that goes through that room. </p> <p>For example, a room that is a main artery in a house or apartment will be used a lot and therefore you will need a practical floor. It needs to be something that can be cleaned easily and will last a long time. A cashmere rug is not a good idea for an area like the hallway but a hard wearing ceramic floor may be a consideration. If the room is rather dark then you should immediately abandon any ideas of using dark floors, these only add to the gloom. If there is no natural light in a room then it is best to stick to a light color floor that can reflect what little light there is.</p> <p>What type of floor covering is another discussion entirely. In the kitchen, you obviously need a floor covering that is practical and can be cleaned easily after food spillages, carpets are not a good idea here. Children also make plenty of mess so consider using a fake wooden floor in a child's bedroom that can be wiped clean easily rather than smart parquet or carpet. A parent's room which is a haven for 2 people is the place to put in plush carpets.</p> <p>By changing the floor of a room you are definitely changing the character of that room, subsequently choosing the new floor covering should not be done lightly. Look around at what your neighbors and friends have done especially if they have similar lifestyles. Changing a floor is an investment in your home and educated decisions need to be made. If you do decide to change your floor, you will immediately notice the difference and then be able to tackle other areas of the house décor. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/07/09/floor_coverings~2601065/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>home-decorhttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/07/09/floor_coverings~2601065/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/stripes~2492722/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-06-21:/2007/06/21/stripes~2492722/Thu, 21 Jun 2007 12:39:56 +0200 <p>Stripes can add a lot of glamour to a room and make it much more interesting. Once people were very conservative with the way they decorated rooms. Either standard flowery wallpaper was used or plain colors were painted on the walls. As fashions and the interior decoration market developed, so did peoples tastes. Ideas have become more and more sophisticated and different as time goes on.</p> <p>One of the interesting ideas today is to take one wall of a large room and decorate it with stripes. These stripes could be made up of colors that are painted on the wall. With a bit of masking tape and some tasteful colors you can do this yourself. Place the masking tape along the wall horizontally, in a very straight line, use a spirit level to make sure it is perfectly straight. The distances between each stripe is totally up to you and the sort of pattern you are trying to achieve. If you want wide stripes then make use of the wide masking tape that is available, if you want narrower stripes, then obviously use the narrow tape. Make sure the tape is applied very smoothly to the wall and there are no bubbles or kinks where paint could potentially get in. Now all that you have to do is choose your colors. Once the paint is dry, peel off the masking tape very carefully and you will have stripes. You can paint on top of an existing color or paint a new base underneath and then stripes on top. Or you can buy a ready made wallpaper with stripes.</p> <p>The stripes do not have to be horizontal only, you can make them vertical or on a diagonal. You can have a mixture of the two. But before you start painting all over the house, draw out your ideas on a piece of paper so that you are clear in your head what you want to do. The worst thing is to start a project and then not like the way it is coming out and try and cover it up. </p> <p>Once your stripes are finished you can accessorize the room with some flowered or abstract cushions and curtains in similar colors. The whole effect is refreshing and definitely different. No one will accuse you of being boring with stripes and patterns in your rooms.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/stripes~2492722/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>stripes-in-home-decoratinghttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/06/21/stripes~2492722/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/06/14/tidiness~2451293/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-06-14:/2007/06/14/tidiness~2451293/Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:01:43 +0200 <p>You can have the most beautifully decorated home in the world but if it is not tidy then it will never look good. I am not talking about it being clean; cleanliness is also something that is very important. But tidiness makes a good impression also.</p> <p>Tidiness needs to be present in every room in the house from the bathroom right through the kitchen and living room to all of the bedrooms and the entrance way. For example it is not pleasant to walk into someone's home and see papers lying around the place. It makes the place look untidy and more like an office than a home. Find a good storage place for all of these papers; if they are letters then buy yourself a letter holder. If they are newspapers then you can buy a very attractive newspaper and magazine holder. There are plenty to choose from these days and you are sure to be able to find one that suits your decor.</p> <p>In the kitchen, mugs and coffee and biscuits and things may be easily accessible if they are on the surfaces but it does not look neat. On the other hand you don't want the place to be sterile. So find some attractive containers for the coffee and tea and sugar that blends into your kitchen. Keep the mugs in the cupboards. If you have bread on the side then buy a bread bin to hold it, this is more practical and also looks nicer.</p> <p>If you have a lot of books in the house, then invest in some attractive shelving that will hold the books nicely and fit in with the decor of the house. If you have a few ornaments spare, you can add these to the bookshelves to make it even more attractive and it can become a feature in the house. </p> <p>There are plenty of things that can be added to a house to make it more attractive and keep it tidy. If you have a tidy house then you will feel like you have a tidy life. It does not take a lot of effort to have a tidy house and is worth it for the benefits attached to it.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/06/14/tidiness~2451293/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>home-cleaninghttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/06/14/tidiness~2451293/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/06/14/decorating_the_children_s_corner~2451283/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-06-14:/2007/06/14/decorating_the_children_s_corner~2451283/Thu, 14 Jun 2007 13:00:20 +0200 <p>If you have children, grandchildren or at some point are hoping to have kids, then you need to consider this when looking at how to decorate your home. Children by nature are not tidy; they don't understand the concept of keeping things neat. Little kids are even worse and like to get hold of pens and paints and make as much mess as possible.</p> <p>If you have room for it in your house or apartment, then I suggest you create a children's corner. This could be a whole room or part of a larger room that is totally dedicated to the kids. Here you can decorate it in bright colors and make the whole place very attractive. If you consider yourself an artist then there is no reason why you can't paint a mural on the wall, one of the favorite Disney characters or some animated vehicles or dolls or some such thing. Put some comfortable floor cushions around the place and make sure all of the toys are very accessible whether from a toy chest or in easy to use cupboards.</p> <p>If you are very daring, then leave a corner of the room undecorated. Here you can get your kids to decorate. Buy some non toxic paint that kids can use. Prepare the room by covering the floor and any furniture that is close by. Now you can call your kids in and start decorating. You don't need brushes. Pour some of the paint into trays that are large enough to fit their hands and feet in and let them go wild painting the corner with their hands. They can make hand and foot prints. If you have paint left over, then get a large piece of paper and let them make hand and foot print posters. Date and name them and if they are really good you can put them up in the room framed or unframed.</p> <p>Another great idea for a children's corner it to paint a strip of magnetic paint. This is a special paint that acts like a magnet. You can make a strip of it and then all of the kid's artwork and any important notices and so on can be put up in a semi ordered fashion using magnets. The magnetic paint can be mixed with other colors to make the color of your choice. It can be bought in most hardware stores.</p> <p>When decorating your home, you have to remember the children as they are such an important part of all of our lives. So make sure you set aside some time and space for them so they can feel part of the whole decorating job that you are undertaking.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/06/14/decorating_the_children_s_corner~2451283/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>childrens-roomhome-decorhttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/06/14/decorating_the_children_s_corner~2451283/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/06/06/first_impressions~2404622/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-06-06:/2007/06/06/first_impressions~2404622/Wed, 06 Jun 2007 13:57:12 +0200 <p>Whoever said that the entrance way to a house or apartment is not important? In my opinion first impressions are very important for getting the right message across.</p> <p>I have been to homes where the garden and entrance way is such a mess that you don't want to go into the house. And when I actually did set foot in the house it was just as bad. There were dirty dishes everywhere and you could not see the floor for all of the dirt, food and shoes spread all over it. The people who lived there were the nicest people possible but after visiting their home I definitely began to think of them differently. I just thought that if someone lives like that then what sort of values did they really have. A bit unfair maybe but that is what happened to me after gaining first impressions.</p> <p>On the other hand I have been to houses where the entrance way is spotless and looks like a museum. To the point that you are scared to actually walk through it in case you break something or make it dirty. I have even been tempted to take off my shoes at some entrance ways in fear of taking a morsel of dirt into the perfect spotless house.</p> <p>There is a happy medium that can be found between the mess and the museum entrance way. Make an entrance way that is welcoming and at the same time neat and tidy. Some plants can often enhance the entrance way or some family pictures or pictures of your favorite scenery. If you like painting yourself then you could paint a mural or even some sponge painting in two tone colors which is attractive and inviting. Put some shelves at the entrance way to hold some hanging plants and don't forget to have a name plaque for your family. So at least when you visitors come they know they are at the right house!</p> <p>The first impressions that a visitor gathers at the entrance to your home will influence the time he spends in his home and how he enjoys himself, so it is worth giving it some attention.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/06/06/first_impressions~2404622/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>home-decoratinghttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/06/06/first_impressions~2404622/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/05/27/choosing_cloth_and_textiles~2341767/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-05-27:/2007/05/27/choosing_cloth_and_textiles~2341767/Sun, 27 May 2007 11:33:08 +0200 <p> Often the choice of cloth and textiles in a room is undermined and not given the attention that it should have. </p> <p> Lets take an example, maybe a bedroom. At one glance, the textiles in that room are curtains, carpets, bedding, towels and sometimes cloth cupboards or shoe holders. In order to make a room look nice you want everything to coordinate and compliment. Since the carpet is probably the largest area to be covered in the room, it is best to start by choosing the carpet colors and quality first. If the room is to be used by children then choose a carpet that is hardwearing and can be cleaned easily. Don't choose a high pile if you can avoid it as they tend to gather dust more and are definitely harder to clean. Neutral colors like blue or dark beige are often good choices.</p> <p> Once you have chosen the carpet, the next item should be the curtains or blinds. It is best to choose a contrast color to the walls and carpets as you don't want everything to blend into each other. On the other hand you don't want the room to look like a circus. So go for something in between. If the walls are plain then choose patterned curtains and if the walls are patterned then go for plain curtains or two tone colors. Before you choose the type of fabric examine why you want curtains. If you are adding curtains or blinds to the room, just for the effect and to look nice then go for a lighter fabric. If you want to cut out light at night then you need a heavier fabric which will probably need to be lined. If you want also to keep the cold air out, a heavier fabric is needed. How the curtains are made and what finish you want is a whole different subject which I will discuss another day.</p> <p> The last textiles to choose in a bedroom are the bedding and towels if you keep towels there. Choose bedding that is cotton or cotton mix with a high cotton count. That way it will be soft and not crease too much. Personally I don't like the shiny finish that is applied to some bedding but that is a matter of personal taste. Again choose something that does not disappear in the room, you want the bed to be noticed but not too much. Whatever you choose, make sure you can mix and match with other sets so that when you are washing one the other is free. I will elaborate more in the next article.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/05/27/choosing_cloth_and_textiles~2341767/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>home-decordecoratingtextileshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/05/27/choosing_cloth_and_textiles~2341767/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/05/13/your_dream_kitchen~2260675/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-05-13:/2007/05/13/your_dream_kitchen~2260675/Sun, 13 May 2007 10:00:47 +0200 <p>Everyone says that the best parties always end up in the kitchen. The kitchen has to be the most important room in the house, not only does it provide sustenance but it is the warmest and on average the room that is most used.<br> <strong><br> Kitchen on a Budget</strong></p> <p>Not everyone has millions and millions on hand to be able to redo their kitchen to look like one of the magazine pictures you so often dream about. Don't despair, in my humble opinion it is still very easy to redesign a kitchen and make it suitable to your taste on a very small budget. For example, if you like the layout of the kitchen but just don't like the colors, then you can shop around for a decently priced carpenter who can just change the cupboard doors. Choose a finish and color that you like and change the doors and handles. The difference will astound you. </p> <p>You don't have to stop at the doors to the cupboards. If you don't like the tiles then choose some new ones and stick them on top of the old ones or if you are very adventurous, take off the old ones and tile on the new ones yourself. It is fun to do and the sense of achievement will keep you on a high for weeks. Changing the floor is also an easy task to do, all you have to do is invest in some new linoleum or tiles and stick it on top of the old one. All these things can be done by you with very little effort and a bit of patience.<br> <strong><br> Update the Furniture</strong></p> <p>If you have old kitchen furniture don't get rid of it. Examine ways in which you can update it. Maybe it needs sanding down or a new coat of paint. If you find the table dreary then stick some tiles on top, but remember to do the grouting as you don't want the liquid to seep through. Or even cover it with a piece of glass or Perspex. Old chairs can be re-covered using foam and a nice fabric, borrow a staple gun from a friend and stretch it over the chair and clip it all down.</p> <p>A couple of new vases or bowls of fruit can finish off the new look to your kitchen. Even some fresh flowers. Once you are finished you can toast the new kitchen with a chilled bottle from your fridge. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/05/13/your_dream_kitchen~2260675/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>home-decorekitchenhttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/05/13/your_dream_kitchen~2260675/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/05/02/the_forgotten_garden_and_balcony~2196545/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-05-02:/2007/05/02/the_forgotten_garden_and_balcony~2196545/Wed, 02 May 2007 14:01:02 +0200 <p>Whenever decorating a home is talked about, the garden or balcony is always forgotten about. These are also essential parts of a home that need to be updated and looked after just as the inside of a house or apartment does.</p> <p><strong>Gardens</strong></p> <p>If you are lucky enough to have a house with a garden or an apartment with a garden, then you must give it the attention it deserves. Whether it is large or small, gardens need to be looked after and maintained and are an intrinsic part of a home. The type of plants and layout of the garden that you choose must be clearly thought out. Think about what you want from your garden, do you want it be a place for children to run about in or a place of beauty with lots of flowers. Some people like a water feature or even a goldfish pond while others may want to stick to herbs and vegetables that they can home grow.</p> <p>Gardens are not just about plants, there is furniture and accessories to consider. Do you want it to have a modern look or an old English country garden look? It could be have a Mediterranean charm to it or just a simple Japanese style garden. You could buy a few mini pagodas to dot around the greenery and have some low benches to sit on. There are numerous options to be considered when decorating your garden.</p> <p><strong>Balconies</strong></p> <p>Balconies are just as important as gardens, in fact more so as they are a much closer extension to the living area. You can even consider closing in your balcony and make it into a conservatory type place with a sitting area and some plants. Choose plants that do not need a lot of water as you don't really want to invest in a watering system for a balcony unless you have a lot of plants and space. There is no reason why you can't tile your balcony in an exciting color scheme and paint the walls or put up some zany pictures. Mosaics also look very nice on balconies or murals if you have a large enough wall. Make sure plenty of thought goes into how you decorate your balcony as it is a true extension of your house. How your balcony is perceived will influence how your house is perceived.</p> <p><strong>Window Boxes and Plants</strong></p> <p>Don't despair if you don't have a balcony or garden, you can still add some greenery to your living environment by choosing the right plants or window boxes to suit where you live. If you have a very plain apartment then choose some color to liven it up, but if you have a colorful apartment choose some plain plants so as not to take away from the décor in your home. Whatever you choose, it will add to a beautiful home.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/05/02/the_forgotten_garden_and_balcony~2196545/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/05/02/the_forgotten_garden_and_balcony~2196545/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/the_bedroom~2165268/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-04-26:/2007/04/26/the_bedroom~2165268/Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:42:51 +0200 <p> Decorating your home does not have to be boring and plain. There is no reason why you can't choose different themes per room. For example we can take the bedroom and make it into a tropical paradise.</p> <p>Bring the Dreams of Sun and Sand to Your Bedroom</p> <p> If you think that ultimate relaxation can be achieved by relaxing on a beautiful sunny beach with white sand all around you and the wind blowing through your hair, then why not try and recreate it in your own bedroom. Make a tropical island beach theme in your own bedroom. It can be done quite easily and with very little cost.</p> <p> For a very small amount you can repaint your room or if you have wallpaper, strip the wallpaper and paint over it. Choose a soft cream color as the background and if you have the ability, put a wash over it, in a slightly contrasting color that can give the room a more interesting look. You can even choose a border or stencil that can be strategically placed around the room. Or if you are very daring, make one of the walls a feature by painting a scene on it or just make it a deeper contrasting color.</p> <p>Accessories</p> <p> The accessories are what make the room different. Choose some pictures that remind you of the romantic beach you want to be on. If you have some old holiday pictures of nice places, use them to make a collage and hang that in the wall. Buy some shells in a local craft shop, paint them to coordinate with the room and stick them around the room.</p> <p> Curtains can often make or break a room so choose curtains carefully that will fit in with the atmosphere of the room. A thin chiffon fabric is very pretty and can add a lot to a room, especially if you use a two tone fabric with the heavier tone being at the top of the curtain, giving the effect of the curtain being carried away.</p> <p> There is no end to the number of accessories and different things you can do to the furniture to change the atmosphere in a room. Even by changing the bedding or investing in a new attractive bedspread, you can give a whole different look to your room, and get the dream that you want. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/the_bedroom~2165268/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>the-bedroomhttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/04/26/the_bedroom~2165268/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/04/12/bathrooms~2078782/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-04-12:/2007/04/12/bathrooms~2078782/Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:32:52 +0200 <p>Bathrooms are often not given the credit they deserve. If you think about them, they are really one of the most important and most used rooms in the house.</p> <p>Add a Little Color</p> <p>In my eyes, a bathroom needs to be a clean and sterile place. One that looks good and is easy to clean with little effort. Busy colors and lots of patterns often make a bathroom look overbearing. Since bathroom and toilet areas tend to be very small it is better to stick to light colors which will make the area look larger. If you are insistent on some color then use it on the floor, in fact it is recommended as white tiles will get very dirty easily. Having said that you don't have to use tiles, you could go for linoleum floor or cork .Any of these are practical and suitable for bathrooms. Carpets used to be popular but are a no no these days.</p> <p> So if you have white or neutral walls and a colored floor it still may look a bit bare, so choose to add some color spaced around the bathroom. You can do this very easily by adding a few small colored tiles in the middle of tiles, if you are retiling or by adding waterproof stickers which can be bought at many bathroom shops if you just want to make some small changes.</p> <p>Accessories</p> <p>As with any room, the bathroom and toilet accessories are also very important. Choose soap dishes and toothbrush holders with care. Make sure they coordinate with the other colors in the room. It is also nice to have a set of soaps or pot pouri displayed which can create a pleasant smell and is also nice to look at. Again make sure you choose colors that coordinate with the other colors in the bathroom.</p> <p>Don't forget that towels are very important in the bathroom, if you do not have anywhere to store them then create it. Either by putting up a rack which towels can sit on, or by having them in an easily accessible cupboard. Always remember to have hand towels handy (no pun intended) so that guests have something to use. A last tip, if your bathroom allows it, have some fresh flowers or incense sticks on display, it makes the room more inviting and adds just a little more touch of class.</p> <p>Bathrooms are very important rooms and needed to be given the correct respect they deserve. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/04/12/bathrooms~2078782/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>home-decorbathroomshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/04/12/bathrooms~2078782/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/04/05/lighting~2038122/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-04-05:/2007/04/05/lighting~2038122/Thu, 05 Apr 2007 13:41:44 +0200 <p>Today I want to talk about lighting. Lighting is so important in a home, not just as a way to see but also as a way of illuminating the home and creating a certain aura.</p> <p>Mood Lighting</p> <p>For a very little investment mood lighting can be added to your living area and bedrooms making it very atmospheric. If we take the living room first, add a dimmer switch to your lights and you can change the tone of your room with just the rotation of the switch. I find a few little lights, whether tree lights or small attractive standing lights can also add atmosphere to the room. Tree lights are decorative lights that have branches coming from their stands; each branch has a small light at the end of it. The branches can be twisted into all sorts of different configurations giving a very interesting light to look at that has a dual purpose. The light is decorative and also provides a small amount of light to give an atmospheric setting.</p> <p>A lot of people also like to be able to create an atmosphere in their bedroom. Again this can be done very simply with dimmer switches and also adding a few decorative lamps around the room. If you have a plain wall behind your bed or even anywhere in the room then it might be worth investing in some string lighting. String lighting is a classier version of fairy lights. They are small lights attached to a string that can be placed on a wall or over a bed and arranged how you want them. You can put some small hooks into the wall and choose a pattern for how you want to hang the lights or you can just drape them over something. I have seen these lights attached to the main switch of the room or on a separate circuit. Either way they work well and add a lot of atmosphere to a room</p> <p>Practicality</p> <p>Remember when you are creating your mood lighting that you will not always want mood lighting. Sometimes especially when you are cleaning, working or reading you will need a good strong light in your living room, bedrooms and around the house. So whatever you use, make sure that when it is fully lit you have a good clean light. For that reason I recommend in the kitchen to use fluorescent lighting as you will always need good lighting in the kitchen.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/04/05/lighting~2038122/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>lifehome-decorlightinghome-improvmenthttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/04/05/lighting~2038122/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/03/29/make_your_own_collages_with_old_pictures~1998147/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-03-29:/2007/03/29/make_your_own_collages_with_old_pictures~1998147/Thu, 29 Mar 2007 16:23:36 +0200 <p>Today I want to talk about my ideas for making collages. Even if you do not consider yourself creative, there are some very simple and easy things that you can do to brighten up your walls.</p> <p>Collage Themes</p> <p>The first and most simple idea is to take some of your favorite pictures and make them into a collage. You don't have to just use pictures of people, places and backgrounds also make nice collages. If you are feeling adventurous then you can buy yourself a ready stretched canvas to display your collage on, if not just use some reinforced card. Play around with the pictures in different places and get an idea of how you want to lay them out. If there is an underlying theme to all of the pictures, maybe you will want to paint a background first. I like to cut my pictures out in different shapes; it makes the whole thing a lot more interesting.</p> <p>Choose Your Layout</p> <p>Once you are happy with the layout, and if you have painted the background, then you are ready to start gluing. Use glue that is not messy, artistic glue is best as it is neat and also works very quickly. Make sure when you glue down pictures that you smooth over the surfaces. Once you have glued all of the pictures, leave it to dry thoroughly. If you don't have patience then you can always use a hairdryer to dry the glue more quickly.</p> <p>The Finish</p> <p>The finish can sometimes be more important than the content itself. If you have a great content but it is finished sloppily it will not look nice. I sometimes use a slightly colored wash to paint over all of the pictures which can give the whole collage a certain glow. Or you can just leave it plain. But it is important to give it a gloss, use a spray or liquid varnish and apply a few coats.</p> <p>Once the varnish has dried you will be able to appreciate the look of your collage and see if anything else is missing, maybe some sequins to jazz it up or some dried flowers to give it a classier look. Whatever you decide, you will have a very attractive picture to put on your walls that you can claim as totally your own invention and conception!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/03/29/make_your_own_collages_with_old_pictures~1998147/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>collageshome-decorhttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/03/29/make_your_own_collages_with_old_pictures~1998147/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/03/25/change_your_accessories_and_trimmings~1970925/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-03-25:/2007/03/25/change_your_accessories_and_trimmings~1970925/Sun, 25 Mar 2007 11:15:15 +0200 <p>Accessories and trimmings can make a big differenct to a home. </p> <p><strong>Low Budget, High Expectations</strong></p> <p>Many people do not want to spend or do not have the resources to spend fortunes on redecorating their homes, changing furniture and so on. But they do want their home to look nice, especially as a new season approaches. With spring in the air, there is no more need for the gloomy house of winter, you want something nice and jolly in the house.</p> <p>For a small investment, you can make big changes. Something as simple as changing the throw cushions on the sofa to a bright flowery pattern instead of a gloomy dull plain color will brighten up your home no end. Cushion covers can be made very easily or you can buy them cheaply. There is no need to buy a new filling, just use the existing one from your old cushion covers.<br> <strong><br> Rotate Your Artwork</strong></p> <p>If you have artwork on the walls then rotate it. In other words, move it around or swap it for something new and keep the old one for next winter. Change the photo frames you keep your treasured pictures in and your living room will already feel different. If you do not have the budget for new artwork then learn to make some yourself, it will become your pride and joy and a talking piece with your guests.</p> <p><strong>Change Your Linens</strong></p> <p>I tend to keep my dining room table covered with a tablecloth to protect it. When spring comes I always want to invest in a new tablecloth but they are very costly. So now I have found a way to reduce the cost. I buy old curtains! Yes, you can buy very pretty curtains at a very reasonable price and most are long enough to fit dining room tables.</p> <p>The last thing to remember it to try and have fresh flowers or nice silk ones in the middle of your room - make sure they are tall flowers and compliment the colors on your walls and accessories. Using all these tips, your living room will look totally different with very little effort and expense.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/03/25/change_your_accessories_and_trimmings~1970925/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/03/25/change_your_accessories_and_trimmings~1970925/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/03/18/spicing_up_your_home~1925343/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-03-18:/2007/03/18/spicing_up_your_home~1925343/Sun, 18 Mar 2007 11:08:32 +0100 <p>Maybe I am a restless person but every few months, usually when a new season approaches, I like to do some changes around the house. Budget is a big issue for me as for most people so I try to save my winnings from online casinos and put it to one side and use it for some home decor every couple of months.</p> <p><strong>A Little Bit of Color Goes a Long Way</strong></p> <p>This month I am doing the simplest thing as spring approaches. I have grubby walls and chipped corners. So I am taking one wall at a time and painting them. White is safe but not very exciting so what I have decided to do is take one of the smaller walls in the living room and make it a feature wall - I have chosen a soft dirty blue for this. Many people choose bright vivid colors as they believe this will look nice, personally I don't like it. It hits you when you come into a home and doesn't go away - its one sure way of remembering the house. To me a home needs to be comfortable, warm and welcoming so soft tones, like light blues, pinks, yellows lavender and so on make you more welcoming. And, if you do choose one of these colors, the advantage is that you can paint over it easily if it does not look good. It is much more difficult to paint over a bright color.</p> <p>If you do not want to choose a feature wall, you can just paint some color in a bookcase or a border made with stencils. Plain single colors are clinical and not welcoming.</p> <p><strong>Stages</strong></p> <p>Painting the living room and home does not have to be done all in one go. You can do a wall at a time and then take a break. This makes it easier on you and everyone living in the house as you are not disrupting the whole house.</p> <p>Where there are corners, I recommend corner pieces to avoid more chipped corners. These can be painted over or different wood shades. Choose one that is subtle and does not stand out. </p> <p>Once the walls have been done the furniture and accessories can be looked at.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/03/18/spicing_up_your_home~1925343/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>home-decorhttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/03/18/spicing_up_your_home~1925343/#commentshttp://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/03/11/what_is_home_decor~1885193/tag:homedecor.blog.co.uk,2007-03-11:/2007/03/11/what_is_home_decor~1885193/Sun, 11 Mar 2007 15:00:37 +0100 <p>Home Decor is merely a different name to home design...<br> There is absoloutly no difference between the two. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/03/11/what_is_home_decor~1885193/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://homedecor.blog.co.uk/2007/03/11/what_is_home_decor~1885193/#comments