Home Decor Blog

Home Decor Ideas and Shopping Advice

The RoomMates Cherry Blossom Peel and Stick Appliques are removable, repositionable and reusable wall stickers which can offer an extremely understated, artistic aspect to any room. It can also enliven a kid’s room or game room with riotous effects, by using any of the numerous other applique designs. The Cherry Blossom motif shown here is the “artistic” portion. Understated and elegant, it adds dimension and art to any wall.

Applied by almost anyone – one can stretch the distances between the matching pre-designed arrangement or tighten them at will. Repositioning the small articles can yield effects with which one can surprise oneself.

Naturally, there are an abundant list of other themes, but this Cherry Blossom theme does indeed stand out as a gentle but arresting work. Beautiful and appealing to the eye with its softer effects, this gorgeous arrangement also comes in a variety of colors and styles – Asian and Japanese themes especially, but also some kinds of country decor. What a great way to impart one’s own significant artistic impact inside the rooms of any home.

For more product information and a look at alternative appliques – click here.

Post to Twitter

Asian style decor does not have to be all Chinese reds, majestic dragons and antique fans. In fact, many prefer the very stylish modern Japanese interior design style. Contemporary Japanese home decor style retains the sense of harmony and balance, and the neutral color schemes. The idea is to create a peaceful harmonic environment in the room, while incorporating exotically unique touches of Japanese art and objects.

This style focuses on a clean design, clutter-free  with well lit spaces setting the stage for a few chosen object des arts. Many rooms end up with a minimalistic look, which should contribute towards a zen-style sense of balance rather than alienate. To achieve the right effect, be prepared to invest in a few well-chosen items that will set the tone of the entire room.

Here are a few options for you to consider. All of these items can be ordered from Amazon with the provided links and delivered to your doorstep anywhere within the continental US, so go ahead and bring the Japanese magic into your home.

Japaneseshojiscreen

This Classic Japanese Shoji Screen allows you to install an instant wall in your room, possibly delimiting the Japanese styled area, or simply assisting in creating separate living areas in a larger space. It’s versatile enough to fit into any room, as you can order a combination of three to six panels. With other shades available, you can custom fit this into your color scheme, always retaining that distinct sense of natural materials and a balanced clean look. Click Here for the Japanese Shoji screen on Amazon

japanesemat

This classic tatami floor mat provides a clean chic Japanese touch to any room. The contrast between the natural woven grass shades and the sheer black border makes this item a great match to any modern Japanese room design. It’s also eco-friendly and fairly inexpensive, so definitely an item worth considering. Click here to read more and buy it online.

japaneseclock

This gorgeous wall clock encompasses the clean de-cluttered look of contemporary Japanese style.  Large and metallic for an added modern edge, it has Japanese symbols in lieu of numbers. With the chopsticks like arms, it clearly conveys a sense of that unique look you’re going for. Click here for full specs, price and availability.
japanesetable

For your choice of furniture, try to stick to black solid items, with clean lines and a minimalistic look. This black table is a wonderful example of modern Japanese furniture. Use it as a living room table, or as a mantle piece on which you can display artwork, plants or even a small minimalistic zen garden. Click here for the Product page.

artificialbamboo

Last, but not least, consider introducing a natural element into your room setup. Goldfish will add to your feng shui design, but certainly require looking after. If you prefer not to have to deal with goldfish care, a plant is always an option. For the easiest low-maintenance element, a quality artificial plant works best, and you can’t go wrong with a couple of potted  Japanese bamboo plants. Click here to see details and price.

Finally, for more information and inspiration about Asian design do check out this site: Feng Shui Decorating.

Enjoyed these ideas? Do leave us comments and let us know what you think about this decorating style.

Post to Twitter

Here’s a neat way to outline a window, archway, ramp, or pillar. Look around your home. What is the most interestingly shaped design feature? Would it look beautiful if it were outlined in the dark by tiny white lights?

Try running this tube lighting along the lines you wish to accentuate. This would be especially pretty along the arch of a bridge in a garden pond, or overhead along archways in the room’s architecture. An atrium lit this way would be especially pleasing, as would the ceiling of a dining room. You’d feel as if you were picnicing under the stars.

This clear PVC tubing encases small light bulbs that are built in. The light bulbs last for 35,000 hours, and the diameter of the tubing is only 3/8 of an inch. This means it is easily used in places where you would trip over something larger that protrudes farther. That’s why it is often used to light walk ways in gardens, or steps in theaters and restaurants.

The rope comes in different lengths, although the one shown here is a close up view of part of the shortest (6 foot) model. They can be attached end to end to make a long continuous strand.

Click here for price and more deatails

Post to Twitter

Here’s a cool decor idea, go black. The drama and elegance of a mat black curtain can be stunning in the right place. Imagine a Gothic style bedroom where you can truly darken the room and sleep in the daytime. Hung on a rod like the one in the photo, this makes a very beautiful yet clean line, and the aged silver colored metal is the perfect accent.

Now picture an ultra modern dining room with Japanese Raku pottery or sushi plates, and a black porcelain Neko cat for good luck. The table is set with a row of transparent slender vases featuring single stemmed red flowers. Your guests are amazed and impressed by your sense of style and sophistication…..like this fantasy? Make it come true with this daring black curtain.

What if you need two layers of curtains, one as a blind, and the other as a decoration? Layer this tab top black curtain behind your decorative curtain, and viola! You can gut the glare in the living room so your movie images are sharper, and yet keep the decor coordinated. This curtain is very practical and versatile.

The curtain measures 95/96 inches, and is made of cotton fabric that is machine washable.

Click here for price and more details

Post to Twitter

Everyone loves pillows, whether they are arranged in a row on a couch, or heaped on the floor in a pile, whether they are used one at a time, or layered and grouped, pillows are great decorations. Pillows can be stamped with fabric paint, quilted, appliqu?d, sewn with ruffles, printed with photographs, or beaded to make them really stand out.

Pillows come in all shapes and sizes. When combined, they are an art instillation in and of themselves. The benefit of this kind of art is that it is so comfortable for everyday use.  A heap of pillows is fun to jump into, sprawl out on, build forts with, offer to guests to make them more comfortable, support aching backs with, rest your head on, elevate your feet with, and of course, have a pillow fight with.

Many modern day artists work in fabric to create unique signature pillows. These don’t have to be extremely expensive, as they are often designed by the artist and then mass produced to lower costs. Some artists work with a certain style or theme that runs through their cushioned creations, so you can combine pillows that have different designs while retaining the same look and feel.

Pillows can have tassels, fringes, fur, laces, or buttons. The possibilities are virtually endless. That means you can use different elements to create a unified look without giving up on variety. Try a collection of pillows that share the same shape and fabric but come in a multitude of colors; or why not a mix of different pillows in pure white, showing off different textures and trimmings?

Don’t think just beds and couches either. Pillows come in all sizes. Some are large enough to be used as chairs or beds, while some are tiny and have pockets for teeth that the tooth faerie will come for. Play around and adds elements of luxury and comfort in various rooms.

Post to Twitter

Here’s a great decor tip for cloudy climates, put images of the sun in your home to cheer you up. This one is particularly spectacular in its ornamentation and golden sheen. When you see your face in this mirror, you’ll see a smile on it.

This mirror can fit many decor themes. Antique opulence feels right at home along side this beauty. The mirror also fits well with an astronomy theme, or a pilot’s high flying adventure theme. Even as just an accent peice in a white or sand toned room, this mirror becomes a focal point for your decor design. A beach house or summer cottage will look like a vacation paradise with this Sun Mirror.

If you practice Feng Shui, this mirror will be perfect for your fame and fortune zone,which is energized by the fire element. In some cases, it would be appropriate to hang a mirror on the wall opposite your entrance way door. The fire element also represents prosperity in the kitchen, so this would be a good Feng Shui cure where you cook.

The 17 inch Sun Mirror mounts on your wall. The price is so good, you can buy one as a gift for a friend, one for your home, one for your office, and one for your mom.

Click for price and more details

Post to Twitter

The scroll top five piece tool set is the perfect decor item for a classic looking hearth. The scroll design will compliment any antique decor, and looks great with the Tuscany-design fire place screen, shown in the last post. This tool set is not only beautiful to look at, it is durable. These tools will last for years and years, keeping your hearth clean, your fire stoked, and your logs positioned just right. Being practical can also be beautiful, as proven by this ornate design.

Broom, shovel, poker, and tongs all hang beautifully like sculpture for an artistic silloete, and leave the floor clear, so it is easy to clean around and beneath the scroll shaped stand. Powder coated steel gives the set fire resistance and strength.

The scroll top design almost looks like a fountain, and the fluid lines are easy on the eye. This set would also look great near the CharBroil Firenzy out door fire place. You can mix and match the decor items to create a more formal or a more casual look. You can use the tool set outside with the Firenzy for a more rustic look, or indoors with a decor fire screen for a more formal atmosphere.

Pair the 5 piece tool set with a matching log cradle to complete the look.

This tool set makes a great house warming present.

Click here for price and more details

Post to Twitter

Here is a beautiful decor piece for your fire place. This natural brown 3 panel fire screen has a beautiful oak leaf motif, that when back lit throws beautiful shadows. The play of light is a very important design element in any room. This screen combines the beauty of translucence, with the form of a functional piece of safety equipment. Children and pets are discouraged from touching the flames, and sparks are less likely to escape and start a fire where you don’t want one.

The screen measures 32 inches in height and 50 inches in width. It is made of steel coated in heat resistant powder for durability. The oak branches are forged steel and the oak leaves are stamped steel. The combination forms a lovely design.

The versatility of this type of natural design makes it very easy to match with a variety of decor themes. This screen will look equally at home in an antique decor, contemporary decor, elegant upscale decor, rustic country decor, or a botanical decor theme. With so many options to chose from, you can rest easy knowing that this investment will carry you through many years of use, even if you change your decor theme or move several times.

This screen makes a great house warming gift, while protecting the house it warms.

Click here for price and mor details

Post to Twitter