Decorating Your Kid's Bedroom

Kids have got to be the hardest customers to cater for. Whatever is the latest kids fashion today is old hat tomorrow, couple with this the "must have because my friend has" scenario and you're in for a rocky ride. So how can you give your child the perfect kid's bedroom that will stand the test of time and not be treated with disdain in a few months time. When I was growing up the height of extravagance was a set of bunk beds but times have moved on fast since then. There are endless possibilities when decorating your kid's bedroom, every thing from color scheme, and furniture to soft furnishings can help turn a child's bedroom from a normal bedroom in to a play palace of extraordinary fun. So many little additions can be made to the bedroom when decorating to turn it in to this haven of fun and not all of them have to cost a small fortune. Children love adventures and hiding so why not incorporate a hiding den into the bedroom? This can double as a small area where your child can sit and relax, read and study without being disturbed by other family members. This will give your child a sense of escapism as well as a bit of privacy which all children cherish from time to time.

There are many differing themes available for children's bedrooms, from rescue services to pirates and from army related to truck driver, all these themes have a range of bedroom furniture to go with them For instance why not buy a truck driver bed for your child but instead of leaving it at that why not decorate the bedroom to make it look like the inside of a truck or make it look as though you are looking out of the windscreen of a truck driving down the free way. If you are not so good at decorating you can search on the inter web or in your local phone directory for a home decorator that specializes in decorating children's bedrooms. These guys are experts in their fields and will turn their hands to decorating a room with a mural theme of your choice. If you yourself are a fairly good decorator you can have a go yourself. All you need is the use of an overhead projector and a slide to project on to the wall of the room. When the slide is on the wall all you have to do is draw around the outline of the image and then colour it in using standard paint. This is a very cheap way to jazz up your kids bedroom with very little cost or effort.

A very popular theme at the moment with small kids is an army theme, this is a great look for a boy's bedroom and is quite simple to achieve. For this look there is no real need for any special kid's bedroom furniture. You can create an army style tent bed from a standard single bed by hanging a canopy over the top and then from the ceiling suspend some camouflage cargo netting. All there is to do next is paint the walls in a camouflage style and voila you have an army style bedroom with very little expenditure on kid's bedroom furniture. The possibilities are endless when decorating a child's bedroom.
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Arabian Themed Bedrooms for Newly Weds

The ubiquitous trend with newly weds is to go on a honeymoon... somewhere exotic, funds permitting. But wouldn't it be utterly exhilarating if you could extend that honeymoon period with a complete makeover of the bedroom you are going to share with your partner; so that when you do return from your honeymoon -- wherever that may be -- your nights of lavish splendor and love may continue to blossom in your very own purposely created Arabian Boudoir? I thought as much! In this article, I will show you how to effectively bring the exoticism of Arabia into your bedroom. What springs to mind when I think of Arabian decor is rich colors, synonymously reds, gold, oranges, perhaps with a splash of cobalt blue and some tan colors as a base to balance them out. I also think luxury, bed canopies, lots of pillows with tassels and embroidery. The curtains I imagine would be soft -- perhaps made of layers of translucent gauze like material -- all done in rich vibrant color. The rich array of colors is definitely essential to pulling this look off. To draw inspiration and feel for this style of decor before you set out to getting the job done, how about going out for a meal at an authentic Middle Eastern style restaurant? Be sure to take notes whilst you enjoy the cuisine.

To achieve that Great Arabian feel, Silk would be my fabric of choice with emphasis on deep lustrous colors. Although red is certainly not the only color you can use, it is typical, and as it symbolizes love, it is a great color in the bedroom. However, it doesn't have to be primary in an Arabian bedroom. Royal blue with gold accents, despite being definitely a more masculine color, can also work extremely well. What I feel is even more important in pulling this decor together is the contrast of colors, and the intricacy and style of the patterns in the various pieces... like floor cushions, Persian rugs, camel figurines or a genie lamp or bottle, not forgetting the quintessential tent-like canopy bed look to add an indelible signature to this truly exotic look. Without going into great expense like buying a new iron scroll bed complete with canopy, you can with relative ease achieve the look of luxury without the price tag by simply erecting a canopy over your existing bed. A few options you may want to consider to pull this off even if your bed doesn't have a canopy frame, is to install curtain rods to the ceiling, placing one over each end of the bed. Whether you opt for tab-top, tie-top, pinch-pleat or gathered panels really doesn't matter providing the fabric on each curtain rod is draped softly to the floor. Before purchasing fabric, however, do make sure you measure the length from the floor to the ceiling, without forgetting to add a margin of say 12" to the fabric to allow for hems and puddling (where draperies are puddled on the floor for a more luxurious look).

In summary: Silk is essential to tying the Arabian décor together, and can easily be found online--and at very affordable prices. And that goes for any of the other bits and bobs you'll need to create the Arabian bedroom of your dreams with. But do make sure that you pay particular attention to deep, vibrant colors as they are the key element in creating this look. Although red is synonymous with Arabian decor and is the color of love, it doesn't have to be primary. Using contrasting colors and the intricacy and style of patterns does play a very big part in tying the Arabian Themed Bedroom together. The canopy bed is another essential ingredient in creating the magic of the Arabian boudoirs. That said, there are ways to cut cost by simply erecting a canopy over your existing bed. Rods attached to the ceiling, as well as rings above the four corners of your bed are a cost-effective way to achieve the look without the price tag, however, it is critically important to ensure that the fabric drapes softly to the floor.

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Basic Paint Techniques 2008

Stirring: Stir from the bottom up; this assures mixing of the thinner, clearer layer at the top with the heavier, pigment-laden material that tends to settle at the bottom. To ensure uniform color among multiple cans of paint, boxing (below) is recommended, but not usually necessary.

Boxing: If you have more than one can of the same color, and the color in one differs by even the slightest degree (and this does happen), the difference will show up on your walls. To avoid this, pour all the paint into a five-gallon mixing bucket, stir it, and then return it to the cans. You can also work from one can and whenever it gets down to about half empty, refill it with paint from one of the other cans and stir thoroughly.

Straining and Thinning: Stored paint separates; if stored a long time, a dry paint layer forms on top. First, remove the dried paint layer with a stirring stick and throw it away. Then stir stored paint to eliminate the lumps as much as possible and pour through a cloth paint strainer. If the paint needs thinning, add water (if latex) or thinner (if alkyd) as necessary.

Bedroom Style : Creating Designer Bedding 2008

A charming bedroom becomes even more appealing when the bedspread is pulled back to reveal beautifully embellished sheets and pillowcases. Designer bedding complete with monograms, appliques, and lace, set a romantic mood. An overnight houseguest is especially impressed when a room is adorned with designer sheets that look worthy of the finest hotel.

Designer bedding embellished with lace, monograms, appliques, and other types of fancy trim are generally very expensive. Not everyone is willing to pay designer prices for stylish bed sheets and pillowcases, but not everyone has to. If you’re capable of using an iron or sewing stitches by hand, you can create the beautiful designer bed sheets and pillowcases you’ve always wanted.

There are sew-on and iron-on fabric appliques in almost every design and color, and they can turn ordinary sheets and pillowcases into extraordinary designer bedding. Why pay upwards of $100 for a set of monogrammed or appliqued designer bedding when you can easily add professional looking embellishments.

7 Ways to Warm Up Your Bedroom

With the cold weather here, now is the perfect time to transform your bedroom space into a warm, inviting oasis. From adding texture and lighting, to scents and sounds, here are seven ideas to help you take your bedroom from chilly to cozy in no time.

1. Scents & Fragrances – Adding aromas is one way you can instantly convert musty air into a fresh spa feeling. Scents come in various forms for rooms such as sprays or oils (some prefer homemade concoctions with mixtures of fresh oils and flower extracts). Timed air fresheners are a convenient method that only need refilling once every few weeks but often have limited fragrance options, whereas incense comes in a large variety of smells but is usually one stick or bead per use. Aromas like eucalyptus and lavender are claming, pine and woodsy fragrances capture the openness of the outdoors and vanilla or cinnamon emits sweet bouquets. Keep a variety on hand to choose from to suit your mood. Also, treat yourself once in a while to a fresh bouquet of in-season flowers to absorb stale odours and add freshness.

2. Bed Accessories – Varying textures on your bed creates an inviting sleep environment to help you slumber, longer. A multi-pattern quilt, furry throws, down-filled comforters and electric blankets are guaranteed to entice even the latest of night owls into an early night’s rest. Pillows are a quick way to blend function with comfort. Add colourful pillow patterns and fabrics in eclectic shapes to add volume and splashes of new hues to brighten the darker days.

3. Fancy Footwork – Slippers have a way of keeping us warm and cozy whether we’re just stepping out of bed or tucking in for the night. Contemporary designs yield sleek styles without neighbours having to send in the fashion police. Treat yourself to a high-quality pair with non-slip, suede or leather soles for a sturdy grip and be sure to check washing instructions thoroughly before subjecting your prized bunny slippers to the wash cycle! Happy feet don’t just have to be covered, cotton sham rugs strategically placed around the bedroom give stable footing to keep your toes cozy too.

4. Memory Lane – Fond memories and images play a huge role in creating atmosphere. Keep a treasure chest on a nearby bedroom dresser to preserve inspiring mementoes such as ticket stubs or pressed flowers, and make favourite photo albums and books accessible in the bedroom for quick peeks before bed.

5. Mood Lighting – Mimic sunlight auras in your bedroom to bring the warmth inside when the colder months lack light. Tea lights are inexpensive and long-lasting, and when coupled with multiple glass votive holders they can mimic twilight effects for hours! For a dramatic look, pillar candles or large-based waxed models, provide a more intense glow and flicker. It’s also a good time to replace burned out light bulbs, and switch to a dimmer setting for a peaceful night’s slumber.

6. Pyjamas Party! – Today’s pyjamas step away from cartoon animals and bubble-gum colours into mature patterns and fabrics. From fleece and cotton to silk and lace, new sleepwear is hard to beat for the ultimate in coziness. Yet the unsung hero of the pyjama world, sought after for its maximum comfort, is the flannel pyjamas—popular enough that flannel is now available as bed sheets for head-to-toe luxury.

7. Music for the Soul – Whether it’s a favourite childhood song or a modern melody, music takes us to familiar and loving places. Make room for your stereo, and keep a wide selection of tunes on hand to access as you get ready in the morning or turn down at night-time.