We're all hearing a lot about going green these days but are you like me and have been thinking to yourself “well that's great I'm all for it, but I'm not ready to pull up all my floors or spend thousands of dollars in green remodeling projects just to be able to say that my house is green. Well, I've come to the conclusion that going green can have different significance for different people. If you're selling your existing home in a tough real estate market and you want to be able to advertise having green features or if you're like myself and you just want to green your home in order to lessen your impact on the environment by reducing your energy use, I've put together a list of what I consider to be the top 3 tips for greening your home that are the quickest and easiest and absolutely won't cost you a fortune doing it either!
1. Install compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs): By far the easiest and most economical thing you can do to green your home is to replace all your old light bulbs with new CFLs or compact fluorescent light bulbs. These cost a little bit more up front but they last up to 10X longer and save you a lot of energy because they use up to 75% less energy than the older bulbs. Well worth the little bit of extra investment as they will pay for themselves in energy savings in the long run.
2. Install a programmable thermostat: Installing a programmable thermostat is an excellent and very easy way to go green in your home. Programmable thermostats will cost you about $100 or less, depending on which brand you choose, and allow you to set or program your heating and cooling temperatures throughout the day and evening and also while you are away. This results in a significant savings for you on your energy use particularly if you aim to set the temperatures at one or two degrees lower than what you would normally set it at. I installed a programmable thermostat in my home and was amazed by the fact that I saw an immediate 20% reduction in my energy consumption and my bill. As a general rule experts recommend, in the summer set your indoor temperature at 78 degrees F, and in the winter, at 62 degrees F.
3. Install low flow shower heads: The biggest water consumer in a home is by far the bathroom. After the toilet which consumer about 27 gallons a day per person, showers consume an average of 15-25 gallons per person. Another easy and economical thing you can do to green your home and save water is to install a low flow shower head. Low flow shower heads use a vacuum type system to aerate the water so that it explodes as it exits out the shower head, thereby creating a very intense and powerful stream of water but at a low flow rate. In addition stop valves on the showerheads allow you to pause the water flow while soaping up or shampooing. An average retail price for a low flow shower head depending on the brand is about $50.
Showing posts with label home furnishings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home furnishings. Show all posts
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Cedar Wood Can Make Great Patio Furniture
For the domestic outdoor living space the cedar wood patio furniture is the best option as it provides commendable durability of the items. It can put up against extreme weather conditions and is quite easy to sustain. The cedar wood patio furniture is the best choice for those who want to invest in something that lasts a lifetime. This kind of furniture is very rich in the texture and there can also be found a very subtle smoothness against the wood grains. That makes it a comfortable seating item for you and your guests. The cedar patio furniture is designed specially with lifelong durability and resistance against external agents. If you are looking for a set of furniture for outdoor furnishing and that too, to last for a very long time then you should opt for the cedar patio furniture which sustains through years and have a very low maintenance cost.
There is an array of cedar wood products that can be chosen for outdoor living, when it comes to furnishing for a relaxing and comfortable environment. Investing in this furniture is judicious as they are sturdy and durable and stylish as well. In case you are quite inclined to spend your morning on a cup of coffee and a newspaper, in the lawn then selecting a tete de tete with cedar wood finishing is the best selection. In case you want to spend the Saturday evenings with friends, over a late night card game, coupled with Cuban cigars or even a dining program, then you can best enjoy them at your own place with the cedar wood patio furniture set. What kind of a set of cedar wood furniture will suit your lifestyle and need has to be thought upon by you before buying the item.
The outdoor living space in a home is for relaxation and a judicious investment on the ideal piece of furniture can work wonders for the look and quality of your homely corner, and that too in a very low cost and a less time. The whole set of furniture can be made out of low cost wood as well but in that case they would be needing repairing and maintenance very often. This can be avoided by investing in a cedar wood furniture as it gives you a stylish as well as long lasting duration and also cuts down the maintenance cost heavily. The wood quality is also very reliable when it comes to the cedar wood patio furniture. It can be safely left outside even if there is a heavy rain or a hot sun. The extreme weather condition cannot have a detrimental effect on this type of wood. This is one feature which adds on to the durability of the wood. When you are looking for the ultimate comfort on your outdoor living space then the high-end cedar wood products are the best option to invest because of its everlasting beauty and quality. In case you are placing the set in your beautiful butterfly garden then the blended amber hue of the cedar wood gives an additional edge to the look of your outdoor living space.
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There is an array of cedar wood products that can be chosen for outdoor living, when it comes to furnishing for a relaxing and comfortable environment. Investing in this furniture is judicious as they are sturdy and durable and stylish as well. In case you are quite inclined to spend your morning on a cup of coffee and a newspaper, in the lawn then selecting a tete de tete with cedar wood finishing is the best selection. In case you want to spend the Saturday evenings with friends, over a late night card game, coupled with Cuban cigars or even a dining program, then you can best enjoy them at your own place with the cedar wood patio furniture set. What kind of a set of cedar wood furniture will suit your lifestyle and need has to be thought upon by you before buying the item.
The outdoor living space in a home is for relaxation and a judicious investment on the ideal piece of furniture can work wonders for the look and quality of your homely corner, and that too in a very low cost and a less time. The whole set of furniture can be made out of low cost wood as well but in that case they would be needing repairing and maintenance very often. This can be avoided by investing in a cedar wood furniture as it gives you a stylish as well as long lasting duration and also cuts down the maintenance cost heavily. The wood quality is also very reliable when it comes to the cedar wood patio furniture. It can be safely left outside even if there is a heavy rain or a hot sun. The extreme weather condition cannot have a detrimental effect on this type of wood. This is one feature which adds on to the durability of the wood. When you are looking for the ultimate comfort on your outdoor living space then the high-end cedar wood products are the best option to invest because of its everlasting beauty and quality. In case you are placing the set in your beautiful butterfly garden then the blended amber hue of the cedar wood gives an additional edge to the look of your outdoor living space.
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Saturday, March 29, 2008
Round End Tables How to Dress Them Up for the Holidays
Ready to add a little festive feel to your home for the holidays? Many people think they need to move out all their old furnishings and bring in cute new things that are trendy and covered in snow, glitter and holiday themes. But why not use the furniture you already have and dress the pieces up. You've no doubt seen all the specialty holiday tables that are on the market. They want you to pay a fortune extra for round end tables that are 'holiday' themed, when you could create the same thing out of plain round end tables for much less, and still have usable tables when the holidays have passed. Skip the furniture section and head right to the linen section. You should be able to easily find a nice red, white or green set of tablecloths that can fit on your round end tables. The question is which ones to buy. You have a few choices, you can both purchase regular colored tablecloths and use other accents to make them really pop for the holidays, or purchase holiday decorated tablecloths. Neither one is a wrong answer, so follow your instinct. If you need a little help making the decision, consider how many other times you may decide to put tablecloths on those round end tables. If you would, you may want to start with plain tablecloths and dress them up. If you are only going to do this around the holidays, the sky is the limit on designs.
Once you have the tablecloths in place, you need to decide what accents you would like to add. If you want the tables to look almost like presents you can use a beautiful ribbon and wrap it around the top edge of the table with a large bow in the front. To keep the ribbon from slipping, you will want to pin it from underneath.
It's not only the cloth on those round end tables that is going to set the mood, but you can also add other accents to complete the theme. If you have some nice gold or holiday themed candlesticks, it's time to pull those out. You could put one on each of the round end tables. Make sure the candles in those candlesticks are appropriate complementary Christmas colors. If you want to take this look a little farther, you can create a whole centerpiece for this table. At the craft store you will be able to find a wide assortment of poinsettia and other Christmas flower arrangements. A few of those beside the candle or in a short vase will add a nice touch. If you have started receiving Christmas cards, you can even incorporate the cards into these centerpieces, so your friends and family know you appreciated the thought they put into sending them. Once you have done all this work, you want to make sure that everyone notices what you have done with your round end tables. Sometimes people don't pay attention to the accents you have added to your home, but you can help them. Set out a couple trays of Christmas cookies on the table when they arrive and all eyes will be on your hard work.
Tags: Multiplication Tables Round Cocktail Table Tide Tables Wood Dining Furniture Wood Coffee Table Bedside Tables Picnic Tables Console Tables Conversion Tables Formal Dining Room End Tables Rustic Table Kitchen Tables Poker Tables Tax Tables
Once you have the tablecloths in place, you need to decide what accents you would like to add. If you want the tables to look almost like presents you can use a beautiful ribbon and wrap it around the top edge of the table with a large bow in the front. To keep the ribbon from slipping, you will want to pin it from underneath.
It's not only the cloth on those round end tables that is going to set the mood, but you can also add other accents to complete the theme. If you have some nice gold or holiday themed candlesticks, it's time to pull those out. You could put one on each of the round end tables. Make sure the candles in those candlesticks are appropriate complementary Christmas colors. If you want to take this look a little farther, you can create a whole centerpiece for this table. At the craft store you will be able to find a wide assortment of poinsettia and other Christmas flower arrangements. A few of those beside the candle or in a short vase will add a nice touch. If you have started receiving Christmas cards, you can even incorporate the cards into these centerpieces, so your friends and family know you appreciated the thought they put into sending them. Once you have done all this work, you want to make sure that everyone notices what you have done with your round end tables. Sometimes people don't pay attention to the accents you have added to your home, but you can help them. Set out a couple trays of Christmas cookies on the table when they arrive and all eyes will be on your hard work.
Tags: Multiplication Tables Round Cocktail Table Tide Tables Wood Dining Furniture Wood Coffee Table Bedside Tables Picnic Tables Console Tables Conversion Tables Formal Dining Room End Tables Rustic Table Kitchen Tables Poker Tables Tax Tables
Monday, February 25, 2008
Equestrian Home Decoration
The Wide Appeal of Equestrian Home Decor : Equestrian home decor gives horse lovers a chance to show their love and appreciation for their four-legged friends. There are all kinds of home furnishings, accessories, and accents that feature a horse of some sort. It might be a table lamp with a horse sculpture on the base, a comforter that depicts horses running across a meadow, or a piece of wall art with a horse theme. There are many reasons for the wide appeal of equestrian home decor. First, many people simply admire the form and beauty of the animal. Also, a horse might be reminiscent of time spent on a grandparent's farm or a summer camp where you learned to ride. You might have seen examples of equestrian home decor in all sorts of homes, but the horse-themed decor that we're most fond of is found in homes with one of the casual styles of home decorating, such as western, rustic, southwestern, or country. Some people might be surprised to know that an increasingly large percentage of horse-themed decor is in homes of people that do not own horses. Take a moment to think about your favorite horses from books, movies, or television. A few that come to mind for us are Trigger (the horse of Roy Rogers), Silver and Scout (the horses of the Lone Ranger and his sidekick Tonto), Black Beauty, My Friend Flicka, and the mischievous Mr. Ed. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, many children in grade school had a lunch box that featured one of these horses.
Okay, let's take a little trip down memory lane. How many of us had a rocking horse when we were kids? How about a blanket with cowboys and/or cowgirls and horses? Anything else with a horse on it? Yes, there's a chance that you had some sort of equestrian home decor back then and did not even realize it. There are horse-themed figurines, statuettes, and pottery dating back centuries from different cultures that created the pieces to honor the horse. The pieces that still exist are often a real treasure for a collector. Whether you want to decorate an entire room with equestrian home decor or just add a few pieces here and there, you can find a wide variety of items to accent your home, such as a horse-themed fireplace screen, wall art, bedding, rugs, throw pillows, and so much more.
Adding equestrian home decor in your bedroom can be accomplished with a few simple horse-themed items such as a well-placed picture or two, a comfy floor rug, and a lamp and/or lampshade. Let's not forget the bedding and comforter. With their large surface area, they can show one or more horses in a pastoral setting or running free across a hillside. Equestrian home decor is great for kids' rooms as well. Here, you can brighten a child's room with images of colts and fillies playing in a field. The kids will love a wooden rocking horse. Children's bedding has many designs with horses to choose from. You can also take the room decor one step further with an age-appropriate lamp that has horses depicted on the base or the shade. The finishing touch would be a decorative, yet playful horse design on a wall border. Whatever your reason for being attracted to equestrian home decor, you can be assured that you will have plenty of decorative items to choose from.
Tags:Home Décor Home Decoration Catalog Interior Design Hottest Colors in Home Decoration Interior Painting Ideas Traditional Home Decorations Living Rooms Sia Collection Room Design Home Furnishings Trading Spaces Remodeling Country Home Décor Home Accessories Kitchen Decor
Okay, let's take a little trip down memory lane. How many of us had a rocking horse when we were kids? How about a blanket with cowboys and/or cowgirls and horses? Anything else with a horse on it? Yes, there's a chance that you had some sort of equestrian home decor back then and did not even realize it. There are horse-themed figurines, statuettes, and pottery dating back centuries from different cultures that created the pieces to honor the horse. The pieces that still exist are often a real treasure for a collector. Whether you want to decorate an entire room with equestrian home decor or just add a few pieces here and there, you can find a wide variety of items to accent your home, such as a horse-themed fireplace screen, wall art, bedding, rugs, throw pillows, and so much more.
Adding equestrian home decor in your bedroom can be accomplished with a few simple horse-themed items such as a well-placed picture or two, a comfy floor rug, and a lamp and/or lampshade. Let's not forget the bedding and comforter. With their large surface area, they can show one or more horses in a pastoral setting or running free across a hillside. Equestrian home decor is great for kids' rooms as well. Here, you can brighten a child's room with images of colts and fillies playing in a field. The kids will love a wooden rocking horse. Children's bedding has many designs with horses to choose from. You can also take the room decor one step further with an age-appropriate lamp that has horses depicted on the base or the shade. The finishing touch would be a decorative, yet playful horse design on a wall border. Whatever your reason for being attracted to equestrian home decor, you can be assured that you will have plenty of decorative items to choose from.
Tags:Home Décor Home Decoration Catalog Interior Design Hottest Colors in Home Decoration Interior Painting Ideas Traditional Home Decorations Living Rooms Sia Collection Room Design Home Furnishings Trading Spaces Remodeling Country Home Décor Home Accessories Kitchen Decor
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Living Room Accessories Top 5
Designing your living room is a great chance for you to explore your creativity and resourcefulness. You may be surprised to know that some of the best accessories to add are well within your budget. You also don't need to exert a lot of effort trying to find rare pieces since there are so many alternatives to choose from. Here's a list of the top five.
The More the Merrier
1. Snow globes. Snow globes never go out of season. Even though they might get more popular during the holidays, people can't seem to get enough of them. Snow globes depict a very warm and cozy feeling that your living room needs. These are very simple items that still connote a sense of elegance and style. You can line them all up on a shelf for viewing purposes.
2. Aquarium. An aquarium is one attractive décor that never fails to amuse children and adults. You can choose to place a small goldfish bowl or a large tropical aquarium complete with corals, sharks and seaweeds. This is very effective in producing a sense of tranquility and relaxation that every living room needs. Choose the type that you can easily maintain and clean.
3. Painting, sculpture or rug. You may want to invest in a big painting or sculpture which will serve as the main highlight of your living room. Paintings and sculptures make very good topics for conversation and tea parties. Place one or two mild halogen spotlights that focus on the pieces. Rugs will also have the same effect especially if you're planning to invest in imported ones with very eccentric and artistic designs.
4. Chandelier. A huge hanging chandelier is one surefire way to make your living room come to life. Choose the size and design that best fits your living room. Crystal chandeliers provide a very elegant atmosphere perfect for contemporary and modern living rooms. Antique and rustic ones made of iron or brass are great for Victorian and traditional designs.
5. Piano. A piano is both aesthetic and functional. It can serve as the single décor of your living room. Choose whether you want a grand piano or a smaller model that you can conveniently place in one area. The color should maintain the integrity of your main theme as well so feel free to experiment between classic black, classic white and other earth tones that wooden pianos have.
Tags:Teenage Room Accessories Room Décor Dorm Room Accessories Teenage Room Decorating Room Accessories for Teenagers Cool Room Accessories Dorm Room Design Stuff for a Girls Room Roxy Room Wear Purple Rooms Punk Room Accessories Pink Room Bathroom Furniture Zebra Print Where Can I Find Horoscopes Online
The More the Merrier
1. Snow globes. Snow globes never go out of season. Even though they might get more popular during the holidays, people can't seem to get enough of them. Snow globes depict a very warm and cozy feeling that your living room needs. These are very simple items that still connote a sense of elegance and style. You can line them all up on a shelf for viewing purposes.
2. Aquarium. An aquarium is one attractive décor that never fails to amuse children and adults. You can choose to place a small goldfish bowl or a large tropical aquarium complete with corals, sharks and seaweeds. This is very effective in producing a sense of tranquility and relaxation that every living room needs. Choose the type that you can easily maintain and clean.
3. Painting, sculpture or rug. You may want to invest in a big painting or sculpture which will serve as the main highlight of your living room. Paintings and sculptures make very good topics for conversation and tea parties. Place one or two mild halogen spotlights that focus on the pieces. Rugs will also have the same effect especially if you're planning to invest in imported ones with very eccentric and artistic designs.
4. Chandelier. A huge hanging chandelier is one surefire way to make your living room come to life. Choose the size and design that best fits your living room. Crystal chandeliers provide a very elegant atmosphere perfect for contemporary and modern living rooms. Antique and rustic ones made of iron or brass are great for Victorian and traditional designs.
5. Piano. A piano is both aesthetic and functional. It can serve as the single décor of your living room. Choose whether you want a grand piano or a smaller model that you can conveniently place in one area. The color should maintain the integrity of your main theme as well so feel free to experiment between classic black, classic white and other earth tones that wooden pianos have.
Tags:Teenage Room Accessories Room Décor Dorm Room Accessories Teenage Room Decorating Room Accessories for Teenagers Cool Room Accessories Dorm Room Design Stuff for a Girls Room Roxy Room Wear Purple Rooms Punk Room Accessories Pink Room Bathroom Furniture Zebra Print Where Can I Find Horoscopes Online
Choose Living Room Lamp
How To Choose The Perfect Living Room Lamp With so many options to choose from, you may be left confused about which lamp is right for your living room. There are some factors you need to consider first to properly assess the advantages and effects of the pieces you're eyeing on. Here are a few simple tips on how to choose the perfect living room lamp that fits your savvy, style and budget.
First, check the size of the lamp. If you are planning to place it on a table, check if it will fit the surface or that the size is proportional to the table. Very huge lamps set on rather small tables will distort the appearance. Lamp shades that extend beyond the total area of the table are also not recommended. The same goes for very small lamps and big tables. Next, check the weight of the lamp base. You need to check that the lamp will not easily be toppled over. The base should be proportional to the overall size of the lamp in order to provide ample support and stability. Cheap lamps usually have light bases. You can add stones or sand or fix it on the floor for standalone models to make it heavier and stable.
Check the wattage of the lamp. How many bulbs does the lamp have? If you're planning to add other light sources in the room, a 25 to 60 watt bulb will usually provide enough light for an area of the living room. However, if you're only using the single lamp to light up the entire room, you may want to invest in a 100 to 150 watt bulb or a 3-way bulb. This gives sufficient light for reading or security purposes. Check the style of the lamp. If you're following a certain theme, you may need to choose the material and design carefully to match the color and accents of the room. The material used should also compliment the main theme. A basic rule is that the lamp base should match the finish well. The color of the base should also blend well or create a nice contrast with the lamp shade.
Tags:Floor Lamp Oil Lamp Lava Lamp Magic Lamp Unique Lamps Who Invented the Lamp Lighting Lamp Table Bed Chair Desk Light Bulb Dresser Sofa Window
First, check the size of the lamp. If you are planning to place it on a table, check if it will fit the surface or that the size is proportional to the table. Very huge lamps set on rather small tables will distort the appearance. Lamp shades that extend beyond the total area of the table are also not recommended. The same goes for very small lamps and big tables. Next, check the weight of the lamp base. You need to check that the lamp will not easily be toppled over. The base should be proportional to the overall size of the lamp in order to provide ample support and stability. Cheap lamps usually have light bases. You can add stones or sand or fix it on the floor for standalone models to make it heavier and stable.
Check the wattage of the lamp. How many bulbs does the lamp have? If you're planning to add other light sources in the room, a 25 to 60 watt bulb will usually provide enough light for an area of the living room. However, if you're only using the single lamp to light up the entire room, you may want to invest in a 100 to 150 watt bulb or a 3-way bulb. This gives sufficient light for reading or security purposes. Check the style of the lamp. If you're following a certain theme, you may need to choose the material and design carefully to match the color and accents of the room. The material used should also compliment the main theme. A basic rule is that the lamp base should match the finish well. The color of the base should also blend well or create a nice contrast with the lamp shade.
Tags:Floor Lamp Oil Lamp Lava Lamp Magic Lamp Unique Lamps Who Invented the Lamp Lighting Lamp Table Bed Chair Desk Light Bulb Dresser Sofa Window
Home Furnishings To Liven Your Home
Made In India - The Most Beautiful Home Furnishings To Liven Your Home!
This is the time for Indian handicraft makers to make a splash in the American domestic market In today's global economy, the flow of goods from the West to the East and vice-versa is at an all-time high. The world is truly flat as stated by Thomas L. Friedman. Manufacturers in China can now sell their goods in the United States while multinationals from the US can outsource their manufacturing operations to China to improve their bottom lines. The influence of American culture on Asian countries is universally acknowledged to be immense. From Hollywood movies to television talk shows, from American Idol to political battles, the world has been a great market for American ideas. And now I believe it is time for Indian (East Indian as is better known) cultural ideas to spread to the West and to America in particular. Indian culture has already widely spread in the United Kingdom where Indian curry is the favorite delicacy for every English stomach. Indian movies, Bollywood in particular have made deep inroads into the London entertainment world and are already showing some impact on American cultural life. Indian cuisine is also well-liked and admired by Americans. Now it is the time for the vast Indian handicraft industry to spread its roots to America.
Indian handicrafts are beautifully designed and intricately manufactured (often by hand by expert craftsmen) to tingle the senses and to give lifelong satisfaction to customers. Indian furnishings such as colorful bedsheets and bedspread, embroidered pillow and cushion covers, exquisite wall hangings are a must have in every American household. Indian arts and crafts are highly regarded in the world for the intricate work that goes into each and every painstakingly designed piece. Indian brass sculptures, wooden Buddhist statues and ceramic Hindu idols show the skill and effort needed to produce such lasting works of art. Indian paintings including oils, folk art, batik, thangka, Mughal, Buddhist, and more are second to none in the world. Indian jewelry pieces are some of the most sought after in the world because of their excellent styling, great artwork and innate beauty. I am sure as American households are exposed to the global consumer market, they will be come more and more in contact with beautiful Indian artifacts. And I am confident that they will find these Indian products so alluring that they will purchase them in sufficient quantities to make Indian handicrafts a household name in the United States.
Tags: Furniture Modern Home Furnishings Living Room Furniture Contemporary Home Furnishings Furniture Outlets Furniture Stores Home Décor Discount Furniture Ikea Pottery Barn Home Accessories Furniture Shopping Home Decor Free Catalogs Crate and Barrel Spiegel
This is the time for Indian handicraft makers to make a splash in the American domestic market In today's global economy, the flow of goods from the West to the East and vice-versa is at an all-time high. The world is truly flat as stated by Thomas L. Friedman. Manufacturers in China can now sell their goods in the United States while multinationals from the US can outsource their manufacturing operations to China to improve their bottom lines. The influence of American culture on Asian countries is universally acknowledged to be immense. From Hollywood movies to television talk shows, from American Idol to political battles, the world has been a great market for American ideas. And now I believe it is time for Indian (East Indian as is better known) cultural ideas to spread to the West and to America in particular. Indian culture has already widely spread in the United Kingdom where Indian curry is the favorite delicacy for every English stomach. Indian movies, Bollywood in particular have made deep inroads into the London entertainment world and are already showing some impact on American cultural life. Indian cuisine is also well-liked and admired by Americans. Now it is the time for the vast Indian handicraft industry to spread its roots to America.
Indian handicrafts are beautifully designed and intricately manufactured (often by hand by expert craftsmen) to tingle the senses and to give lifelong satisfaction to customers. Indian furnishings such as colorful bedsheets and bedspread, embroidered pillow and cushion covers, exquisite wall hangings are a must have in every American household. Indian arts and crafts are highly regarded in the world for the intricate work that goes into each and every painstakingly designed piece. Indian brass sculptures, wooden Buddhist statues and ceramic Hindu idols show the skill and effort needed to produce such lasting works of art. Indian paintings including oils, folk art, batik, thangka, Mughal, Buddhist, and more are second to none in the world. Indian jewelry pieces are some of the most sought after in the world because of their excellent styling, great artwork and innate beauty. I am sure as American households are exposed to the global consumer market, they will be come more and more in contact with beautiful Indian artifacts. And I am confident that they will find these Indian products so alluring that they will purchase them in sufficient quantities to make Indian handicrafts a household name in the United States.
Tags: Furniture Modern Home Furnishings Living Room Furniture Contemporary Home Furnishings Furniture Outlets Furniture Stores Home Décor Discount Furniture Ikea Pottery Barn Home Accessories Furniture Shopping Home Decor Free Catalogs Crate and Barrel Spiegel
Debunking Home Staging Myths
Home staging is a profession that still requires clarification as to just how it benefits home sellers. Calls from home sellers inquiring about my home staging services inevitably turn up a number of misconceptions about just what home staging can do for them. Home Staging is NOT... Expensive - A good stager will be willing and able to work within your budget. Creativity and inventiveness are an integral part of the home stager's job description. A stager should offer sellers the option of either providing the actual staging services or a comprehensive staging report that the home seller can do themselves. A Realtor's Job - Real Estate agents have enough on their plates without the added responsibility of staging their clients' homes. The primary job of the realtor is to market the home, not prepare it for showing! By hiring a professional home stager, you can achieve that vital excellent first impression your home will make after being staged.
For Exclusive Homes Only - It doesn't matter what the price of the home ishome staging can benefit homes in all price ranges. Creating a memorable atmosphere for potential buyers is the ultimate goal of a home stager. Regardless of the value of the home, the home stager will focus on the goal of selling your home quickly and for the highest price possible. A Task For Homeowners - When I make recommendations to my clients regarding what they can do to improve the look of the exterior and interior of their homes, I frequently hear, "That looks so much better!! I never would have thought to do that." When we live in a house for a time, we no longer see the details that make our homes special. It is therefore a challenge for the seller to imagine how to highlight these special features.
Decorating - Decorating an interior is done for those who intend to live in the home for a period of time. Personalizing the interior for day-to-day living is the name of the game. Home staging is for those who intend to move and de-personalizing the home is required in order to maximize the appeal to potential buyers. Just For Model Homes -While staging techniques are very effective in preparing vacant homes for sale, these techniques are just as effective for occupied homes. Working with sellers' furnishings and accessories, home stagers create an appealing environment that will appeal to many buyers. This will hopefully help readers understand what home staging is and what it isn't. If you anticipate selling your home, home staging can make a significant difference in the time your home remains on the market, as well as the price it sells for. For those whose homes have been on the market for a while and a price reduction seems inevitable, call a home stager before you take this step! Keep this in mind: The cost of hiring a stager will be significantly less than taking a reduction in your asking price.
For Exclusive Homes Only - It doesn't matter what the price of the home ishome staging can benefit homes in all price ranges. Creating a memorable atmosphere for potential buyers is the ultimate goal of a home stager. Regardless of the value of the home, the home stager will focus on the goal of selling your home quickly and for the highest price possible. A Task For Homeowners - When I make recommendations to my clients regarding what they can do to improve the look of the exterior and interior of their homes, I frequently hear, "That looks so much better!! I never would have thought to do that." When we live in a house for a time, we no longer see the details that make our homes special. It is therefore a challenge for the seller to imagine how to highlight these special features.
Decorating - Decorating an interior is done for those who intend to live in the home for a period of time. Personalizing the interior for day-to-day living is the name of the game. Home staging is for those who intend to move and de-personalizing the home is required in order to maximize the appeal to potential buyers. Just For Model Homes -While staging techniques are very effective in preparing vacant homes for sale, these techniques are just as effective for occupied homes. Working with sellers' furnishings and accessories, home stagers create an appealing environment that will appeal to many buyers. This will hopefully help readers understand what home staging is and what it isn't. If you anticipate selling your home, home staging can make a significant difference in the time your home remains on the market, as well as the price it sells for. For those whose homes have been on the market for a while and a price reduction seems inevitable, call a home stager before you take this step! Keep this in mind: The cost of hiring a stager will be significantly less than taking a reduction in your asking price.
Monday, January 7, 2008
The Art of Furniture Arrangement
Do you ever think that the rooms in your home and your furniture are conspiring against you? Most homes are filled with furniture-arranging challenges. You can't squeeze all the pieces you need into a room, every door seems to swing the wrong way, or your space is a long rectangle that resembles a railroad car more than a living room. Fear not! There are ways to deal with these dilemmas.1. Take Measurements
The first step in arranging a space is determining its size. Use a tape measure to get the dimensions of a room. Or, a quick tip: measure your foot and then walk heel to toe across the room. It's an easy way to estimate the basic size. If you're running out the door to the furniture store, at least walk across the room and count your footsteps. Most feet are somewhere in the 10- to 12-inch range. Counting your footsteps will give you a rough measurement before you shop.
Always check the dimensions of the hallways, stairs and door widths leading to the space. This is the eternal challenge for the homeowner, being sure the entrance and egress of the room is large enough for potential purchases. Choosing a piece of furniture that can't fit through the doors is disheartening, to say the least.
2. Estimate Volume
Objects are like people—they have the same physical characteristics as we do. All have height, depth and width. For added visual interest, "people" your room with varying furniture of varying characteristics. If you are going for a serene, unchallenging area for rest or recover, keep the furnishing volumes in a room similar.
3. It's All a Matter of Scale
The size of pieces relative to one another and the size of the space is their scale. Again, similarly scaled pieces are more serene when used together, but a nice balance of pieces creates a harmonious atmosphere, utilizing the differing physical qualities of height, depth and width throughout the room. When furnishings are out of scale—say, the rug is too small for the space or one piece of furniture is really gargantuan—you'll notice that it just won't feel comfortable or right.
4. Create a Healthy Relationship
The relationship of items to one another to form a pleasing whole is termed balance. There are two forms of balance, symmetrical and asymmetrical. Bilateral symmetry is like the human body: there are two of everything. Asymmetry refers to an imbalance, such as two candles of slightly different sizes next to each other. Symmetry is very restful (example at left), while asymmetry is used to add visual motion and excitement.
5. Paint Your Room
No, not as in getting out the brushes and tarps or changing the paint colors. Look at your space as a painter looks at a work of art. There are visual tricks that painters use to create the appearance of depth in a space. You can use these tools too. The first trick painters use is "triangulation." A painting begins with images lower in the left and right corners with objects coming to a peak just above mid-center of the painting. This draws the viewer into the scene, which is what the painter wants to accomplish. A basic example of triangulation used in interior design is the placement of two end tables on either side of a sofa with a painting over the sofa. If you can imagine this scene, it is lower on the corners with the apex of the view just above mid-center at the top of the painting.
The second trick painters use is the creation of depth in artwork, which is a two-dimensional medium. Paintings often have a foreground, mid-ground, background and vanishing point. Look at the bottom of, say, a river scene with mountains. The river will appear near the bottom of the painting, trees will make up the mid-ground, the mountains the background and the place in the painting where the "eye can see no further" is the vanishing point. Stand at the threshold of your room. Place a chair, perhaps at an angle, in the foreground closest to you. The cocktail table will provide a mid-ground and the sofa with the wall behind it, the background. A window in the scene will give you your vanishing point. Or, the vanishing point can be within a work of art placed above the sofa (example at right).
6. Think Gestalt
All furniture arrangements have a certain gestalt, or "totality," a "form." Large rectangular spaces can be dealt with by dividing the "form" of the space into another form. A long narrow living space, for instance, can be split in two by creating zones of function. Say, one half is for the sofa, or the function of conversing, and the other half is for a dining set, or the function of dining.
This helps you take the bite out of large rectangular rooms by dividing them into squares by zones of function. Humans tend to feel more comfortable and less formal in square furniture arrangements vs. rectangular.
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