Home Decor Blog

Archive for October, 2008

Bean bags are always a hit with kids. The younger or more active kids can really abuse a bean bag by continuous jumping on top of it. Teenagers are more likely to enjoy schmoozing in comfort, laying down inside a soft bean bag. This makes a bean bag a great item for kids room, as it can actually grow with them and survive future makeovers.

Here’s a great option for a boy’s bedroom, or even for a sports loving girl - they will literally get a kick out of this soccer bean bag:

This is actually a beanless bag, large and durable enough to be used outdoors. The black and white bag adds a touch of humor, with its funky shape, so inappropriate for a soccer ball, and some black and white drama to the color scheme. It can be an awesome gift too, imagine this one getting in the mail! Quite the birthday surprise!

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Window treatments are the easy way for a quick makeover in a room. Don’t be thinking flowers and lace necessarily. Adding fabric does not have to bring about a frilly or romantic look, as these curtains clearly demonstrate:

Formal enough with their easy-on-the-eyes dark chocolate stripes, the soothing baby blue hue is relaxing and can really open up a room. They bring in some color into the room, without being overly dominant, and can easily play into many color schemes, either in the browns, creams or blues. Their sheer size, at 42 x 84 inches, can really create a strong visual effect, enough to freshen up any room. Check out the product page here on Amazon: they have more items in this set, if you really want to coordinate the room’s colors.

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Simple elegance in crystal, this wonderful Waterford vase is a fairly new addition to their collection of fine crystal items. This vase is one is a series of ballet themed objects. It is named Giselle after the famous ballet by Adolphe Adam and it’s shape is as elegant and flowing as that of a prima ballerina. Note the pattern of feathers, inspired by a ballerina’s tiara.

Made in Slovenia, this vase is a perfect example of contemporary classics. Just over 5 inches tall, It is a beautiful decorative item, whether filled with roses, or put on display on its own. A great gift for any crystal collectors, and a wonderful addition to any home.

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Not everyone is looking for such a formal look for their bedroom, but if you are, a canopy bed like this, in dark wood, is a great choice. Note the overall design in the room, the subdued brown and cream color scheme and the repetition of square elements.

What really makes this majestic bed into the design center point of this room is undoubtedly the canopy. If you’re looking into buying this bedroom through the link in the post, please note that the canopy isn’t actually sold separately - for the full effect you will need it for sure. This set of elegant bedroom furniture is of selected hardwoods, with moulding and wood grain details, in a Pecan finish. It works well for distinguished and majestic atmosphere, and could be great where you need a more masculine feel for your bedroom or guest room.

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Isn’t it strange that you can go into two identical house both with warm friendly people living there and feel totally welcome and comfortable in one and in the other you can’t wait to leave. What is your house saying about you?

What’s the difference?

The difference is the way the houses are talking about their occupants. In the first house you enter you have that warn cozy feeling allowing your eyes to roam freely throughout the room.

In the second house nothing flows together. Your eyes are constantly being stopped by an out of place window treatment or “thingie” that just doesn’t belong where it’s placed. You suddenly realize that your feeling uncomfortable and can’t wait to get out of there?

Here is a quick list of decorating secrets that will make your home shout “here lives one awesome family”:

Secret #1. Don’t Sweat The Cost!

The reason I put “don’t sweat the cost” as the first secret is because that’s the number one reason I have heard through the years that people don’t decorate. It’s too expensive!

Two identical houses sit side by side on the same street. The people living in both houses are friendly people the type you would like to get to know better. Enter one house and you feel comfortable and welcome, enter the second and from the moment you enter you feel uncomfortable and on edge. Whats the difference?

That’s just a bunch of cow dung. In my thirty plus years of decorating, some of the best decorated homes were the ones that the owners spent hardly any money. Money is not the cure all for awesome decorating.

I have seen far too many homes where they spared no cost and decorated to the hilt. The result was a show place that you couldn’t be comfortable in if you cared to try.

Some of the greatest decorating treasures are in your mind - outside of the box - or down the street at the thrift store or “Good Will”.

Secret #2. Decorate For Your Family!

Decorating should be meaningful. You want to showcase the talents and hobbies of your family. High lite those activities your family is into by incorporating those sports or activities into you family room decorating. The most important people who will ever be in your home is your family. Flaunt them and show all your visitors and friends what you’re about as a family.

Secret #3. Get the Family Involved In the Decorating

When the family is involved in the decorating project you create family memories that will last lifetimes and be talked about at family gatherings for years to come.

When the family is not involved in the decorating they resent the intrusion into their space and will throw little “monkey wrenches” into the project to show their resentment.

Secret #4. Go Style Shopping as a Family!

Puzzled as to what style or theme you want to use? Make it a family fun decision. Go style shopping with your family, ending up in a favorite place for desert or snacks and discuss what your project will look like and say about your family.

Secret #5. Over Spend Not!

You could have the best looking house in the neighborhood but if you over spent on decorating and your family is feeling the pinches for doing so you will resent the beautiful surrounding.

Your resentment will show in how you take care of the room as well as your attitude about the room. This attitude will spill over and your house will lose that warm cozy feeling that is portrayed by those living there.

Secret #6. Keep It Simple!

Have you ever been to a house where it was decorated to such a degree that you felt uncomfortable? You don’t know where to sit because you don’t want to disturb the starched look. You sure couldn’t feel comfortable in your “funkies” in this room. You sit on the end of the chair hoping you don’t wrinkle the fabric.

I know you have been to a place like that, so have I, far too many times. You just want to get out of there so you can relax.

Keep it simple and comfortable!

Secret #7. Have Fun with Your Decorating!

Let your humor show through. A couple of pillows with your favorite sayings will liven up a room in short order. If it looks starchy to you it will look 10 times more starchy to your visitors and friends.

Home decorating should be exciting for all the family. What you decorate today you will replace with a new “thingie” tomorrow. Have fun with your decorating. Your humor and good taste will speak volumes about you and your family to visitors and friends.

About The Author
After decorating, fabricating and installing draperies and top treatments on the East coast of Florida for the last thirty years Terry has finally retired and is helping people become awesome decorators through his articles and http://decoratingsecretsexposed.com

What a lovely decorative item this is. The contrast between the solid functionality of the material and the soft curvy shape it has been molded into creates an interesting effect that does indeed please the eye.

These candle holders can add attractive detail to a room, without taking up any floor or shelf space whatsoever. They can match many decor styles, from retro to country, making them a great gift for anyone with a passion for home decor. Note the combination made here, where the round shape of the metal is echoed in the ball-shaped candles, as well as the effect created by placing these alongside each other with a slight difference in height.

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Santa Fe style, also known as American Southwest, has a unique and very trendy look and feel to it. Think about it. This decorating style combines Native American and Spanish influences with the original American colonial style. So much history enveloped in this one sentence. So much variety in this one style.

Decorating a la Santa Fe can be a challenge. Characterized by bright colors, Native American patterns and designs and rough-hewn furniture, this style can be daunting to attempt at home without the help of a professional.

What you could do is start with a single item like this one:

This crafted solid oak and 100% leather recliner is part of the Santa Fe Collection by Coaster Furniture. It is very softcore Santa Fe though. While it will fit in perfectly with a Southwest themed room, it is rather tame and can fit into many other decor styles too (as demonstrated in this picture). A good idea would be to start with a piece like this recliner, then gradually add more Santa Fe touches around it. Think Navajo rugs and some bright fabrics and decor items, and you’ll be heading in the right direction: Southwest.

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Some furniture have a definite contemporary look and when it comes to a Plasma TV stand, a contemporary look is almost required. After all, harmony in form and function is always pleasing, and when the function involves a high-tech Twenty-First Century object, what else would you expect but a sleek design like this:

How you work this into your living room, or perhaps bedroom, design is a different question. Fortunately, the design here uses light colors, so it should be easy enough to have it blend into an airy well-spaced contemporary room, allowing whatever is displayed on the screen to draw the eye to it.

It’s not too huge, and if your TV is larger than a 42″ screen, then keep looking. If the size is right though, then this can be a great option, allowing for comfortable storage of your media, as well as appliances.

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