We live in an age of global warming and worry about green house gases. Now, more than ever, people are going 'green' and attempting to improve our environment. Home décor is also going green, and if you are one of the many that wish to take a conservational attitude one step further, you may wish to create an eco-friendly space in your home.
Many people do not realize that there are now lines of eco-friendly paint. Zero VOC (volatile organic compounds) paint does not include the solvents that other paints have. The VOC solvents in paint are what have been proven as a cause in the diminution of our ozone layer. Not only environmentally toxic, VOC paints have a harsh odor that fills up your home as you use them. Zero VOC paint comes in a limited amount of colors that emphasize earth friendly tones. Choose a muted 'earth' color if you favor taupe or 'air' colors if blues are a favorite.
Bringing your floor up to eco-friendly speed is easy with a sea grass area rug. This super durable rug is all natural and not created with some of the same harsh chemicals of other flooring. Tan in color, sea grass area rugs can have a cotton border in a contrasting taupe color and are usually backed with latex foam to avoid movement on the floor. Although they aren't your softest area rug, they are resistant to stains and easy to clean. Sea grass rugs are also great for those with allergies, as they woven tightly and don't retain dander.
Lately it's hard to turn on a TV and not hear about 'environmentally-friendly' fabrics. Materials such as hemp, wool, organic cotton, and certain types of silk are all the rage and easy to incorporate into your room. A quick way to utilize organic cotton is to purchase enough to make slipcovers for your throw pillows. If the cotton is not quite the right color? Try tea staining. Boil tea bags or leaves and place the cotton in the pot. Remove after 10 minutes and you will have a lovely shade that was obtained naturally without chemicals. Contrast your throw pillows with silk drapes and you will have a stunning effect in your space.
Purchasing accessories for the room is generally where you break the bank, right? Not true. Saving a metal bucket from the garbage dump and turning it into a vase is as simple as cleaning it up and adding some eye-catching raffia or jute as a decorative ribbon. Previously loved books can be stacked artfully or used as bookends. Take someone's previously loved cast offs and transform them into treasure. Not only will you save them from a landfill, but also will be giving your home some simple pieces that can be stunning.
One of the most important keys to an eco-friendly room? Fill your space with plants. Live plants provide oxygen to your environment, and can filter the area of toxins. Plants can make a room seem cozy, and they are pleasing to look at. Investing in live plants can be an inexpensive way to complete your room.
Whether you are just beginning to become environmentally aware or are a long time promoter of recycling, creating a room in your home that promotes this life style is as simple as focusing on natural materials. You will enjoy your room for years to come, and feel happy knowing that you didn't contribute to further waste in a landfill.
Sarah Crosset has worked in the interior decorating field for many years and loves to share her home decorating experiences and ideas with home owners everywhere. Her number one tip is to [http://www.houseofarearugs.com]buy area rugs; as they will instantly freshen a room. Try some cotton area rugs from http://www.HouseOfAreaRugs.com for a fresh, clean look.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_Crosset http://EzineArticles.com/?Creating-an-Eco-Friendly-Room-in-Your-Home&id=1752541
Monday, December 8, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Feng Shui - Using the Five Elements
One of the ways to achieve more balance in your environment is through using the Chinese Five Element Theory. The elements represent the different types of energy present in our world.
Since human beings are made up of a combination of all the five elements, you'll feel better when there is a good balance of all these elements throughout your home and office.
Each element has its own distinctive characteristics. Below you'll find a short description of the elements; wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. To help energize your space you can incorporate furniture and accessories that contain each of these elements in every room of your home or business.
For instance, in your family room you can have a wood coffee table (wood), a red couch (fire), a metal picture frame (metal), a mirror (water), and artwork of an earthy landscape scene (earth). I'm sure you get the idea now.
WOOD- The color green- Wood furniture and accessories- Wood paneling or floors- Art depicting flowers, gardens, trees- The columnar shape; i.e. pedestals, stripes, columns- All plants and flowers including silk and plastic.
FIRE- The color red- All lighting including candles- Pets - Art depicting animals, people, sunrises and sunsets.- Triangular shaped objects
EARTH- The color yellow and earth tones- Ceramic objects- Brick or tile- Square and rectangular shaped objects- Art depicting earthy landscapes such as the desert
METAL- The colors of silver, grey or gold- All metal objects- All rocks and stones such as marble and granite- Natural crystals, rock, gemstones- Metal or stone sculptures
WATER- Colors of dark blues and black- Anything reflective such as mirrors, glass, cut crystal- Free flowing objects and asymmetrical shapes- Water features - fountains, fish tanks, lakes, streams, rivers, canals
Here's an exercise for you to do. Choose one room in your home or office where one element dominates. Then take some of those objects out of this room and add some objects that represent the other four elements into your space. Notice how you feel in the room. By mixing the five elements just right, you'll have an environment that feels great.
© 2008 Energy In Motion LLC. All Rights Reserved
Having experienced the power of Feng Shui in her own life, Sheri Ruston's mission is to empower you to consciously create your best life now. If you enjoyed this article, you'll love the F*R*E*E* Energy In Motion Ezine and F*R*E*E Special Report: "50 Simple Feng Shui Tips That Will Immediately Improve Your Life." For a limited time only YOU can have access to this information and get started at once making positive changes to improve your life.
Click on this link to claim your Free Special Report: http://energyinmotionfl.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheri_Ruston http://EzineArticles.com/?Feng-Shui---Using-the-Five-Elements&id=1596122
Since human beings are made up of a combination of all the five elements, you'll feel better when there is a good balance of all these elements throughout your home and office.
Each element has its own distinctive characteristics. Below you'll find a short description of the elements; wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. To help energize your space you can incorporate furniture and accessories that contain each of these elements in every room of your home or business.
For instance, in your family room you can have a wood coffee table (wood), a red couch (fire), a metal picture frame (metal), a mirror (water), and artwork of an earthy landscape scene (earth). I'm sure you get the idea now.
WOOD- The color green- Wood furniture and accessories- Wood paneling or floors- Art depicting flowers, gardens, trees- The columnar shape; i.e. pedestals, stripes, columns- All plants and flowers including silk and plastic.
FIRE- The color red- All lighting including candles- Pets - Art depicting animals, people, sunrises and sunsets.- Triangular shaped objects
EARTH- The color yellow and earth tones- Ceramic objects- Brick or tile- Square and rectangular shaped objects- Art depicting earthy landscapes such as the desert
METAL- The colors of silver, grey or gold- All metal objects- All rocks and stones such as marble and granite- Natural crystals, rock, gemstones- Metal or stone sculptures
WATER- Colors of dark blues and black- Anything reflective such as mirrors, glass, cut crystal- Free flowing objects and asymmetrical shapes- Water features - fountains, fish tanks, lakes, streams, rivers, canals
Here's an exercise for you to do. Choose one room in your home or office where one element dominates. Then take some of those objects out of this room and add some objects that represent the other four elements into your space. Notice how you feel in the room. By mixing the five elements just right, you'll have an environment that feels great.
© 2008 Energy In Motion LLC. All Rights Reserved
Having experienced the power of Feng Shui in her own life, Sheri Ruston's mission is to empower you to consciously create your best life now. If you enjoyed this article, you'll love the F*R*E*E* Energy In Motion Ezine and F*R*E*E Special Report: "50 Simple Feng Shui Tips That Will Immediately Improve Your Life." For a limited time only YOU can have access to this information and get started at once making positive changes to improve your life.
Click on this link to claim your Free Special Report: http://energyinmotionfl.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sheri_Ruston http://EzineArticles.com/?Feng-Shui---Using-the-Five-Elements&id=1596122
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
American Colonial Style Decorating - Where to Start
Using American Colonial Style Decorating in your home does not have to be complicated. At its very core, the American Colonial style is elegant and rich. Think mahogany, crown moldings and panels. Think shutters for the windows. Consider quilts and texturized materials. Creams, greens, dark yellows and barn reds are typical colors in colonial style decorating.
Why Mahogany?
Mahogany was popular amongst the more affluent homeowners in the colonial age. It is from them that we get the modern American Colonial Style. There are no rules when it comes to the wood you choose. Any darker wood will give authenticity to your design. Chippendale and Queen Anne furniture with inlays and carvings or the look of the same are classic colonial pieces.
Crown Moldings and Paneled Walls
Large homes with spacious rooms and open areas are perfect for crown moldings and panels. The colonials knew how to decorate their homes with simplicity as well as flair. Get some books or buy some magazines that have great photos of the American Colonial Style to get a good idea of how walls were done before the birth of the United States.
Shutters on the Windows
Shutters were popular in colonial days. The ability to pull shutters closed offered a sense of security and a chance to add more design to the home. Colonial style calls for shutters instead of curtains and blinds.
Colonial Colors
Colonial colors are taken from the primary colors but are muted due to the natural pigments used in paint during that period in American history. Walls can be painted or papered with elegant floral designs. Furniture is decorated with colorful velvet fabrics and tapestries. Handmade quilts don four-poster beds with or without elaborately designed headboards.
The Heart of the Home - The Kitchen
An American Colonial kitchen was and is made of wood. Think butcher block and island with iron pans hanging overhead. Wooden cabinets and cupboards. Windows with multiple planes of glass and wooden shutters are perfect for every outside wall of your home including the kitchen.
Colorful, braided area rugs can be placed in every room of your home for even more nostalgia. Such rugs can be placed at the entrance, in the living room, kitchen, bath, and bedrooms.
As with other decorating styles being used today, American Colonial Style decorating is not limited to nostalgic pieces. Modern appliances and even modern pieces of décor can be mixed with colonial décor with some success.
Simon Burke has worked in the home decorating field for many years and loves to share his interior design experiences and ideas with home owners everywhere. For more information on American colonial style decor, [http://www.beverageaccessoriesonline.com/shopping-product/american-colonial-style-decorating-from-the-floor-up.html ]click here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_G_Burke http://EzineArticles.com/?American-Colonial-Style-Decorating---Where-to-Start&id=1591193
Why Mahogany?
Mahogany was popular amongst the more affluent homeowners in the colonial age. It is from them that we get the modern American Colonial Style. There are no rules when it comes to the wood you choose. Any darker wood will give authenticity to your design. Chippendale and Queen Anne furniture with inlays and carvings or the look of the same are classic colonial pieces.
Crown Moldings and Paneled Walls
Large homes with spacious rooms and open areas are perfect for crown moldings and panels. The colonials knew how to decorate their homes with simplicity as well as flair. Get some books or buy some magazines that have great photos of the American Colonial Style to get a good idea of how walls were done before the birth of the United States.
Shutters on the Windows
Shutters were popular in colonial days. The ability to pull shutters closed offered a sense of security and a chance to add more design to the home. Colonial style calls for shutters instead of curtains and blinds.
Colonial Colors
Colonial colors are taken from the primary colors but are muted due to the natural pigments used in paint during that period in American history. Walls can be painted or papered with elegant floral designs. Furniture is decorated with colorful velvet fabrics and tapestries. Handmade quilts don four-poster beds with or without elaborately designed headboards.
The Heart of the Home - The Kitchen
An American Colonial kitchen was and is made of wood. Think butcher block and island with iron pans hanging overhead. Wooden cabinets and cupboards. Windows with multiple planes of glass and wooden shutters are perfect for every outside wall of your home including the kitchen.
Colorful, braided area rugs can be placed in every room of your home for even more nostalgia. Such rugs can be placed at the entrance, in the living room, kitchen, bath, and bedrooms.
As with other decorating styles being used today, American Colonial Style decorating is not limited to nostalgic pieces. Modern appliances and even modern pieces of décor can be mixed with colonial décor with some success.
Simon Burke has worked in the home decorating field for many years and loves to share his interior design experiences and ideas with home owners everywhere. For more information on American colonial style decor, [http://www.beverageaccessoriesonline.com/shopping-product/american-colonial-style-decorating-from-the-floor-up.html ]click here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Simon_G_Burke http://EzineArticles.com/?American-Colonial-Style-Decorating---Where-to-Start&id=1591193
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
4 Ways to Save Energy & Save Money
Today, escalating prices are draining family budgets. The cost of energy is soaring and everything from heating your home to driving to work is siphoning away your hard earned money. Though there is little that you can do about the rising cost of energy, there are some ways you can save energy, and save money at the same time.
One of the ways to save energy is to cut down on the amount of fuel that you consume. Think fuel efficiency when you purchase a new car. Stay away from the SUVs and consider buying an automobile that uses less fuel.
You can also save energy when doing your laundry, if you wash your clothes in cold water with cold-water detergents, and then hang them outside to dry. Most of the energy used to do laundry is in heating the water and drying the clothes, so with these two steps you will be saving a lot of energy, and money.
Consider changing the way you cook meals. If you use your microwave and crock-pot to cook many of your meals, you will be saving a lot of energy. These appliances use far less energy that your stove and oven.
Of course you may have heard that you can save energy if you turn your air conditioner up in the summer and heat down in the winter. This is a good way to save energy as you can cut your heating and cooling bill by as much as 20 percent. It is also a good idea to keep your shades down in the summer to help keep your house cool, and at night turn off the air conditioner and open the windows.
Turn your water heater down to the lowest setting. In most cases keeping your water heater set low will still provide you with water that is hot enough for what you need, and you will be saving energy too.
Weatherize your home to save energy. Seal your home up with weather stripping and caulk, and of course you will not want to overlook adding more insulation. A home that is weatherized will use far less energy, and will save you money.
There is no way to control the cost of energy, but you do have some control on how much money you spend on energy. All you have to do is take control and save energy.
If you're looking a complete blueprint on saving tons of energy and electricity, check out [http://www.saveenergyproductreports.com/save-energy/should-i-buy-earth-4-energy-facts-review-and-user-feedback/]the only energy-saving guide you'll ever need and other programs from our site that's reviewed all the [http://www.saveenergyproductreports.com/]top energy and gas saving products on the market.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Hawk http://EzineArticles.com/?4-Ways-to-Save-Energy-and-Save-Money&id=1586810
One of the ways to save energy is to cut down on the amount of fuel that you consume. Think fuel efficiency when you purchase a new car. Stay away from the SUVs and consider buying an automobile that uses less fuel.
You can also save energy when doing your laundry, if you wash your clothes in cold water with cold-water detergents, and then hang them outside to dry. Most of the energy used to do laundry is in heating the water and drying the clothes, so with these two steps you will be saving a lot of energy, and money.
Consider changing the way you cook meals. If you use your microwave and crock-pot to cook many of your meals, you will be saving a lot of energy. These appliances use far less energy that your stove and oven.
Of course you may have heard that you can save energy if you turn your air conditioner up in the summer and heat down in the winter. This is a good way to save energy as you can cut your heating and cooling bill by as much as 20 percent. It is also a good idea to keep your shades down in the summer to help keep your house cool, and at night turn off the air conditioner and open the windows.
Turn your water heater down to the lowest setting. In most cases keeping your water heater set low will still provide you with water that is hot enough for what you need, and you will be saving energy too.
Weatherize your home to save energy. Seal your home up with weather stripping and caulk, and of course you will not want to overlook adding more insulation. A home that is weatherized will use far less energy, and will save you money.
There is no way to control the cost of energy, but you do have some control on how much money you spend on energy. All you have to do is take control and save energy.
If you're looking a complete blueprint on saving tons of energy and electricity, check out [http://www.saveenergyproductreports.com/save-energy/should-i-buy-earth-4-energy-facts-review-and-user-feedback/]the only energy-saving guide you'll ever need and other programs from our site that's reviewed all the [http://www.saveenergyproductreports.com/]top energy and gas saving products on the market.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alex_Hawk http://EzineArticles.com/?4-Ways-to-Save-Energy-and-Save-Money&id=1586810
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Designing the Kitchen From Feng Shui Perspective
by Swapna P, Apr 8, 2008
Feng Shui is a system based on keen observation and experimentation, combining elements of nature and nutrition. It is the study of the environment, places, people, time, and how the energies of each interact.
The kitchen should not be irregularly shaped. It should also not have one side much longer than the other. In the kitchen, a designer as to tackle two opposing elements, the stove represents the fire element and the sink and refrigerator representing the water element.
Both elements will clash. One must seek a proper balance between the two opposing forces. A gap between the sink and the stove is good. If not, place a wooden divider in between.
Fit cupboards and shelves with rounded corners to avoid energy into your body while preparing and cooking your food.
Wood surfaces are ideal for kitchen floors. Stainless steel and ceramic tiles can create fast moving energy.
This may not be ideal if you want to spend a lot of time in your kitchen, it may leave you feeling drained or tired.
The kitchen should have sufficient lightning and be airy ad spacious. Clean the kitchens regularly. This room needs to be well organized, uncluttered and easily possible. Get rid of all unnecessary clutter for it attracts stagnant energy. Only have items which are used regularly and do not get in the way.
For more Feng Shui tips and ideas please visit https://www.triond.com/users/Swapna+P
Feng Shui is a system based on keen observation and experimentation, combining elements of nature and nutrition. It is the study of the environment, places, people, time, and how the energies of each interact.
The kitchen should not be irregularly shaped. It should also not have one side much longer than the other. In the kitchen, a designer as to tackle two opposing elements, the stove represents the fire element and the sink and refrigerator representing the water element.
Both elements will clash. One must seek a proper balance between the two opposing forces. A gap between the sink and the stove is good. If not, place a wooden divider in between.
Fit cupboards and shelves with rounded corners to avoid energy into your body while preparing and cooking your food.
Wood surfaces are ideal for kitchen floors. Stainless steel and ceramic tiles can create fast moving energy.
This may not be ideal if you want to spend a lot of time in your kitchen, it may leave you feeling drained or tired.
The kitchen should have sufficient lightning and be airy ad spacious. Clean the kitchens regularly. This room needs to be well organized, uncluttered and easily possible. Get rid of all unnecessary clutter for it attracts stagnant energy. Only have items which are used regularly and do not get in the way.
For more Feng Shui tips and ideas please visit https://www.triond.com/users/Swapna+P
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Winter Decorating Ideas
The arrival of the winter solstice has created an aura of calm and tranquility in our environment. The barren trees against the backdrop of the winter sky look like they may have been taken from an artist sketchbook. Embrace this season and create an oasis of calm and peace in your home décor.
Consider decorating your home in shades of winter white. White is available in a plethora of shades and tints, be sure to choose a hue with a warm undertone. Mix in cream, beige and taupe for a monochromatic look.
Monochromatic does not have to be boring when you add in different textures. Consider soft velvet drapery panels, fuzzy chenille throws, luxurious suede pillows and tapestries. I have even seen faux fur pillows and throws, now that's what I call snuggling up.
Winter Décor Tips
Instant décor is no further than your backyard. Bare tree branches can be used in many ways to enhance your home.
Need an inexpensive drapery rod? Gather some interesting tree branches and secure to the top of your window with staples, cup hooks or wooden drapery pole holders. Drape lengths of fabric around and over the branches to create an interesting look. Change out the fabric to reflect the season.
Create a stunning centerpiece with various tree branches. Place several tall branches in a crystal vase, you can even add in small birds, nests and crystal baubles. The combination of the crystal and natural elements create a very simple but pretty display.
Do you feel the need to escape to a spa for some R&R. The price can be quite costly, but you can create a spa look in your very own bathroom. Consider painting the walls an aquatic blue or green. Choose a light tint that has a sheer quality. Purchase large fluffy white towels, various bath soap, salt, and lotion. Cluster several large potted plants and candles around the room. Hang a beautiful candlelier above the tub for an elegant look. A candlelier is like a chandelier but with candles instead of electric bulbs. The only thing left is to close the door, pour some wine and settle in to a nice warm bubble bath.
Kathleen M. Moser, IRIS, SDP, ODSP
Certified Interior Redesigner
One Day Decorating Professional
Real Estate Staging Professional
Bradenton, Florida 34209
Office: (941)794-0153
E-mail: [mailto:focusint@ptd.net]focusint@ptd.net http://www.focusoninteriors.com
Kathleen is a Certified Interior Redesign Industry Specialist, Society of Decorating Professional and Real Estate Staging Professional. Kathleen has studied with industry leaders in the field of Interior Redesign, Decorating and Staging and has taught Interior Design courses at local colleges. She has decorated homes for several organizational fundraisers including Habitat for Humanity, local public libraries and women's club charity home tours. She has also been on TV, in magazine and newspaper publications and is a sought after speaker in her field. Her passion for Interior Design started at a young age and she has redesigned many homes to reflect the owner's personal style and taste. Her experience and skills have provided a keen eye and creative intuition for what will work with diverse decorating styles and issues.
Kathleen believes that all decorating challenges can be solved and that with a little help, everyone can enjoy a refreshed look that will transform your home into a stylish space. She is comfortable working with any home, large or small, simple to opulent, using any style.
Focus On Interiors is a full service interior decorating and design firm tailored to your individual needs and budget. We offer a full selection of services specializing in interior redesign, real estate staging, custom window treatments, color consultation, furniture, lighting, and flooring. Whether you are remodeling your existing home or building a new home, we will help you along the way in making the correct choices.
Consider decorating your home in shades of winter white. White is available in a plethora of shades and tints, be sure to choose a hue with a warm undertone. Mix in cream, beige and taupe for a monochromatic look.
Monochromatic does not have to be boring when you add in different textures. Consider soft velvet drapery panels, fuzzy chenille throws, luxurious suede pillows and tapestries. I have even seen faux fur pillows and throws, now that's what I call snuggling up.
Winter Décor Tips
Instant décor is no further than your backyard. Bare tree branches can be used in many ways to enhance your home.
Need an inexpensive drapery rod? Gather some interesting tree branches and secure to the top of your window with staples, cup hooks or wooden drapery pole holders. Drape lengths of fabric around and over the branches to create an interesting look. Change out the fabric to reflect the season.
Create a stunning centerpiece with various tree branches. Place several tall branches in a crystal vase, you can even add in small birds, nests and crystal baubles. The combination of the crystal and natural elements create a very simple but pretty display.
Do you feel the need to escape to a spa for some R&R. The price can be quite costly, but you can create a spa look in your very own bathroom. Consider painting the walls an aquatic blue or green. Choose a light tint that has a sheer quality. Purchase large fluffy white towels, various bath soap, salt, and lotion. Cluster several large potted plants and candles around the room. Hang a beautiful candlelier above the tub for an elegant look. A candlelier is like a chandelier but with candles instead of electric bulbs. The only thing left is to close the door, pour some wine and settle in to a nice warm bubble bath.
Kathleen M. Moser, IRIS, SDP, ODSP
Certified Interior Redesigner
One Day Decorating Professional
Real Estate Staging Professional
Bradenton, Florida 34209
Office: (941)794-0153
E-mail: [mailto:focusint@ptd.net]focusint@ptd.net http://www.focusoninteriors.com
Kathleen is a Certified Interior Redesign Industry Specialist, Society of Decorating Professional and Real Estate Staging Professional. Kathleen has studied with industry leaders in the field of Interior Redesign, Decorating and Staging and has taught Interior Design courses at local colleges. She has decorated homes for several organizational fundraisers including Habitat for Humanity, local public libraries and women's club charity home tours. She has also been on TV, in magazine and newspaper publications and is a sought after speaker in her field. Her passion for Interior Design started at a young age and she has redesigned many homes to reflect the owner's personal style and taste. Her experience and skills have provided a keen eye and creative intuition for what will work with diverse decorating styles and issues.
Kathleen believes that all decorating challenges can be solved and that with a little help, everyone can enjoy a refreshed look that will transform your home into a stylish space. She is comfortable working with any home, large or small, simple to opulent, using any style.
Focus On Interiors is a full service interior decorating and design firm tailored to your individual needs and budget. We offer a full selection of services specializing in interior redesign, real estate staging, custom window treatments, color consultation, furniture, lighting, and flooring. Whether you are remodeling your existing home or building a new home, we will help you along the way in making the correct choices.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Feng Shui Tips For Renovating Your Home - Part 2
Light plays a very important role in creating good feng shui. Dark corners in homes attract a lot of negative energy that can be harmful for the family. A brighter home is always more auspicious than a dark and gloomy one. If you were planning to renovate your house, the addition and widening of windows to let in more natural light would be a great idea. Sunlight rejuvenates the energy of a room. As much as possible, all rooms in the house should have window, especially the bedrooms. Although bedrooms are predominantly Yin areas of the home, it is inauspicious for the bedroom to be too Yin (passive and dark), as it would resemble a tomb. Having a window allows the bedroom's energy to a renewed everyday by letting in fresh air and sunlight.
On the other hand, it is also a bad idea to have too much light in the house. Floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors tend to let in too much light. A room with too much Yang energy is also a bad idea, as it may cause restlessness and petty irritations.
A fresh coat of paint would also do wonders to the room. The walls and furniture is should be painted or cleansed regularly to get rid of accumulated negative Chi. This is the quickest and easiest way to renew the Chi of the home.
As much as possible, important areas of the home such as your bedroom should not be located next to toilets and the kitchen. If this is inevitable, at the very least, make sure your bed or work desk does not share a wall with the toilet or the stove (with the toilet and the stove on the other side of the wall).
For more practical feng shui tips visit - http://www.fengshuitipstoday.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ascisco_Pecunia http://EzineArticles.com/?Feng-Shui-Tips-For-Renovating-Your-Home---Part-2&id=1531097
On the other hand, it is also a bad idea to have too much light in the house. Floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors tend to let in too much light. A room with too much Yang energy is also a bad idea, as it may cause restlessness and petty irritations.
A fresh coat of paint would also do wonders to the room. The walls and furniture is should be painted or cleansed regularly to get rid of accumulated negative Chi. This is the quickest and easiest way to renew the Chi of the home.
As much as possible, important areas of the home such as your bedroom should not be located next to toilets and the kitchen. If this is inevitable, at the very least, make sure your bed or work desk does not share a wall with the toilet or the stove (with the toilet and the stove on the other side of the wall).
For more practical feng shui tips visit - http://www.fengshuitipstoday.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ascisco_Pecunia http://EzineArticles.com/?Feng-Shui-Tips-For-Renovating-Your-Home---Part-2&id=1531097
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Feng Shui Tips For Renovating Your Home - Part 1
As many of you may know by now, a big part of achieving good feng shui is to have a healthy flow of Chi or energy in your home. Here are some great tips on how to renovate your home for good feng shui.
Rooms should be spacious and airy, while the corridors of your home should be wide and unrestricted. If you find that any of the rooms are too cramped or tight, an extension of the room to make it more spacious will be very beneficial. If you have long corridors in your home, make sure that it is wide enough so that the residents do not feel the length of the corridor. A long and narrow corridor is extremely bad feng shui, as it resembles a poison arrow, which emits a lot of shar-chi or "killing energy".
Many homes built today have irregular shapes. Therefore when you are trying to determine the auspicious directions, you may realize that your house has missing corners. Squares and rectangles are the best shapes for a house. If you find that your east sector of your house is missing, a house extension in the east will be beneficial.
The staircases of your home should be wide and gently curved. If the staircase is narrow with lots of sharp turns and corners, the flow of energy between the two floors will be restricted. The staircase should be a good conduit of Chi. Widening the staircase to create a more spacious and open feel will create excellent feng shui.
For more practical feng shui tips visit - http://www.fengshuitipstoday.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ascisco_Pecunia http://EzineArticles.com/?Feng-Shui-Tips-For-Renovating-Your-Home---Part-1&id=1531091
Rooms should be spacious and airy, while the corridors of your home should be wide and unrestricted. If you find that any of the rooms are too cramped or tight, an extension of the room to make it more spacious will be very beneficial. If you have long corridors in your home, make sure that it is wide enough so that the residents do not feel the length of the corridor. A long and narrow corridor is extremely bad feng shui, as it resembles a poison arrow, which emits a lot of shar-chi or "killing energy".
Many homes built today have irregular shapes. Therefore when you are trying to determine the auspicious directions, you may realize that your house has missing corners. Squares and rectangles are the best shapes for a house. If you find that your east sector of your house is missing, a house extension in the east will be beneficial.
The staircases of your home should be wide and gently curved. If the staircase is narrow with lots of sharp turns and corners, the flow of energy between the two floors will be restricted. The staircase should be a good conduit of Chi. Widening the staircase to create a more spacious and open feel will create excellent feng shui.
For more practical feng shui tips visit - http://www.fengshuitipstoday.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ascisco_Pecunia http://EzineArticles.com/?Feng-Shui-Tips-For-Renovating-Your-Home---Part-1&id=1531091
Thursday, October 2, 2008
How to Reduce Your Energy Bill - Tricks and Secrets to Cutting Costs in a Big Way
Energy is getting to be very expensive, and a lot of people are feeling the crunch right now. A great place where you can start to save your money is actually at home. Most homes are not very energy efficient.
They waste a lot of energy, and your money.
There are actually hundreds of inexpensive things you could potentially do to reduce the power bill in your house. Depending on the age and state of your house, doing these things can actually reduce your power consumption by more than half and save you a lot of money at the end of the month.
You need to audit your home. Check for things such as:
- holes and leaks- open fireplace dampers- Energystar rated appliances
Then decide where you'd like to spend your time and money. Usually, heating water and the air accounts for the biggest part of the bill (air conditioning in warmer climates). It all depends on your house.
Many things you can do yourself, other things you may need to hire contractors for. These are some things you'll need to deal with:
Insulation and Air leaks
You will need to check for this for sure if your home was built longer than 20 years ago. Many homes built before then are not well insulated at all. Most of the heat in your house escapes through holes in the floors, walls and ceiling and through plumbing penetrations.
Heating and Cooling
Water and air. It takes a lot of energy to maintain the correct temperatures for your home. Make sure you make the most of the energy you are using by insuling the systems properly and using as little as possible. Take short showers instead of baths etc.
Windows
In older houses single-pane windows are common, and a lot of heat can escape through them. Replace any old inefficient windows with new ones that can trap heat. [http://www.renewableenergyathome.com/alternative-power/]Download free eBook - "No-Cost and Low-Cost Energy Saving Tips For Your Home". It is a to-the-point 22 page ebook that you can use as a checklist to make sure you save big money on your next energy bill!
Also, cut your energy bill down to nothing: get expert designs and diagrams to build [http://www.renewableenergyathome.com/alternative-power/]wind power generators into your home. It will cost you much less than you would ever expect (few hundred bucks at the most to make a professional-looking turbine)!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Sullivan http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Reduce-Your-Energy-Bill---Tricks-and-Secrets-to-Cutting-Costs-in-a-Big-Way&id=1546071
They waste a lot of energy, and your money.
There are actually hundreds of inexpensive things you could potentially do to reduce the power bill in your house. Depending on the age and state of your house, doing these things can actually reduce your power consumption by more than half and save you a lot of money at the end of the month.
You need to audit your home. Check for things such as:
- holes and leaks- open fireplace dampers- Energystar rated appliances
Then decide where you'd like to spend your time and money. Usually, heating water and the air accounts for the biggest part of the bill (air conditioning in warmer climates). It all depends on your house.
Many things you can do yourself, other things you may need to hire contractors for. These are some things you'll need to deal with:
Insulation and Air leaks
You will need to check for this for sure if your home was built longer than 20 years ago. Many homes built before then are not well insulated at all. Most of the heat in your house escapes through holes in the floors, walls and ceiling and through plumbing penetrations.
Heating and Cooling
Water and air. It takes a lot of energy to maintain the correct temperatures for your home. Make sure you make the most of the energy you are using by insuling the systems properly and using as little as possible. Take short showers instead of baths etc.
Windows
In older houses single-pane windows are common, and a lot of heat can escape through them. Replace any old inefficient windows with new ones that can trap heat. [http://www.renewableenergyathome.com/alternative-power/]Download free eBook - "No-Cost and Low-Cost Energy Saving Tips For Your Home". It is a to-the-point 22 page ebook that you can use as a checklist to make sure you save big money on your next energy bill!
Also, cut your energy bill down to nothing: get expert designs and diagrams to build [http://www.renewableenergyathome.com/alternative-power/]wind power generators into your home. It will cost you much less than you would ever expect (few hundred bucks at the most to make a professional-looking turbine)!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Sullivan http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Reduce-Your-Energy-Bill---Tricks-and-Secrets-to-Cutting-Costs-in-a-Big-Way&id=1546071
Monday, September 29, 2008
Eight Common Mistakes in Interior Design
by Louie Jerome, Jul 11, 2008
Mistakes in interior design can cost a lot of money, not to mention the extra work involved in fixing them.
Don't be tempted to decorate a room just to follow the latest tends. Decorating is expensive and you need to think about how you are going to use the room and whether your design is practical. For example, purple may be an 'in' color but if you use it in a north facing family room you will make it feel dark and oppressive.
There are lots of other examples of impracticality of color and texture. These mistakes can be very expensive.
Choosing Impractical Floor Coverings
Would you, for example, use long pile carpet in a play room used by toddlers? It might make it soft and cosy but it would be very difficult to keep clean. Something easy to wash would be much more practical.
Buying The Wrong Light Fittings
Buying lighting fixtures can be expensive so make sure that the lighting you select is suitable for the room. Soft lights are fantastic in a bedroom, or adult lounge room, but if the room is used by a child, or for reading and studying, you might want to leave out the soft lights and concentrate on giving the room a bright, light atmosphere.
Hanging Artwork Too High
Display artwork at eye level where ever possible. If you fix paintings and wall hangings too high up on the wall it spoils the effect. Visitors have to crane their necks and look up at them.
Spreading A Collection Out
If you have a collection of things, or a group of matching items, display them all together in one group. It makes it easier to see what you have and it gives the display impact. Spreading the collection all around the house spoils the impact.
Separating Pairs of Items
Add pairs of things to a room to bring unity to the deign. For instance have two matching table lamps, two candlesticks, or even two matching pictures displayed together. Arranging things in pairs brings another dimension to a room.
Grouping Heavy Furniture
Don't put all the big, heavy furniture in a group on one side of the room. This makes the room look unbalanced and lopsided. Distribute larger items around the room and try to balance therm out.
Choosing The Wrong Colors
Select colors carefully. A north facing room will look dark and depressing with too many dark colors in it. Even vibrant colors like reds and bright greens can feel heavy in a room with very little natural light. If there is little natural light choose whites and creams and maximise the light that's already there. Bright rooms with lots of light are not such a problem. You can really use your imagination there.
Not Taking The Occupants Into Account
When choosing the overall feel of a room take into account what it is going to be used for and who is going to use it. For example, cool blues and sharp lines may not suit a very 'girlie' girl, but frills, pretty pink curtains and soft textures will not suit your partner if he is a very 'macho' man.
In the long run it will save you time and money if you think about the room you plan to decorate before you start. Decide who will be using the space and what they would like, then consider what is practical and efficient in the area. Choose styles and décor that will not become outdated in a very short time and buy the very best that you can afford.
Mistakes in interior design can cost a lot of money, not to mention the extra work involved in fixing them.
Don't be tempted to decorate a room just to follow the latest tends. Decorating is expensive and you need to think about how you are going to use the room and whether your design is practical. For example, purple may be an 'in' color but if you use it in a north facing family room you will make it feel dark and oppressive.
There are lots of other examples of impracticality of color and texture. These mistakes can be very expensive.
Choosing Impractical Floor Coverings
Would you, for example, use long pile carpet in a play room used by toddlers? It might make it soft and cosy but it would be very difficult to keep clean. Something easy to wash would be much more practical.
Buying The Wrong Light Fittings
Buying lighting fixtures can be expensive so make sure that the lighting you select is suitable for the room. Soft lights are fantastic in a bedroom, or adult lounge room, but if the room is used by a child, or for reading and studying, you might want to leave out the soft lights and concentrate on giving the room a bright, light atmosphere.
Hanging Artwork Too High
Display artwork at eye level where ever possible. If you fix paintings and wall hangings too high up on the wall it spoils the effect. Visitors have to crane their necks and look up at them.
Spreading A Collection Out
If you have a collection of things, or a group of matching items, display them all together in one group. It makes it easier to see what you have and it gives the display impact. Spreading the collection all around the house spoils the impact.
Separating Pairs of Items
Add pairs of things to a room to bring unity to the deign. For instance have two matching table lamps, two candlesticks, or even two matching pictures displayed together. Arranging things in pairs brings another dimension to a room.
Grouping Heavy Furniture
Don't put all the big, heavy furniture in a group on one side of the room. This makes the room look unbalanced and lopsided. Distribute larger items around the room and try to balance therm out.
Choosing The Wrong Colors
Select colors carefully. A north facing room will look dark and depressing with too many dark colors in it. Even vibrant colors like reds and bright greens can feel heavy in a room with very little natural light. If there is little natural light choose whites and creams and maximise the light that's already there. Bright rooms with lots of light are not such a problem. You can really use your imagination there.
Not Taking The Occupants Into Account
When choosing the overall feel of a room take into account what it is going to be used for and who is going to use it. For example, cool blues and sharp lines may not suit a very 'girlie' girl, but frills, pretty pink curtains and soft textures will not suit your partner if he is a very 'macho' man.
In the long run it will save you time and money if you think about the room you plan to decorate before you start. Decide who will be using the space and what they would like, then consider what is practical and efficient in the area. Choose styles and décor that will not become outdated in a very short time and buy the very best that you can afford.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Feng Shui - You Make a Better Door Than a Window
You make a better door than a window. So is it with doors and Feng Shui. Doors and the entrance ways that accompany these passageways do more than just provide a passageway or thoroughfare for people to enter and leave your abode by. In addition doors serve as the conduit by which vital qi energy of Feng Shui can enter, leave, and dissipate and in the process mold and modify the Feng Shui conditions and the temper of your home, business or establishment.
First check to see that your front door is not blocked. Ensure that nothing obstructs its view. Next ensure that the line of sight of your front door does not line up directly with that of your back or "rear "door. If this is so then the essential force of qi can easily rush in and then directly flow and easily leave your home - all in a flash before you know it. Qi has to be cultured, refreshed, saved and stored.
Next in the steps of diagnosis of what to watch out for and correct is a situation where somehow in the planning process that three doors are either in a setup row or are aligned in position so that it appears that "three doors are in a row". It this is the case you can consider it poor and very bad in terms of the storage and movement of the qi forces.
If you find that this is so and the doors must remain in place as open entrance ways then take the time and effort to shield or even obstruct these doors and openings. What can be done? Curtains, door coverings, screens, tall or even a number of plants shorter in height or even beaded hanging or bamboo curtains can be employed to create barriers and restraints to the flow of qi. At the worst if these passageways must remain open then place wind chimes or a decorative crystal in the direct flow of the doors to slow down the escape of the most vital qi. If the door is at the end of corridor you may encounter a situation where the qi is held in an area and lingers to long becoming "stale" or wasted to the rest of the home. How can you redirect the qi back into your living or working areas? Simply hang a number of mirrors on the wall, walls or even the ceiling. By doing so you will be reflecting and redirecting the qi energies back to where they can do you , your family, co-workers or customers and clients some good.
Lastly never forget that the "back" or "rear" door to your home or building is the very entrance way by which many enter. It can be said of the good luck and fortune of many that many "enter the back door, but leave by the front". One grandmother's advice to her grandchild when faced by a daunting opportunity was "child this time you come in the back door, don't lose the chance or opportunity. Next time you will come in the front door." So is it with Feng Shui and your back door. Make sure that the rear door passageways are bright, focused and obstructed. Make the rear entrance ways as open and cheery as possible, Ensure that nothing is blocking their views or paths. You never who and what good fortune can come through either of your doorways - front, rear or back.
Morris E. Brown
Winnipeg Wedding Florists - [http://www.kingcolecatering.net]Wedding Photographers [http://www.qualityhotelwinnipeg.com/default]South Winnipeg
Hotels Motels
First check to see that your front door is not blocked. Ensure that nothing obstructs its view. Next ensure that the line of sight of your front door does not line up directly with that of your back or "rear "door. If this is so then the essential force of qi can easily rush in and then directly flow and easily leave your home - all in a flash before you know it. Qi has to be cultured, refreshed, saved and stored.
Next in the steps of diagnosis of what to watch out for and correct is a situation where somehow in the planning process that three doors are either in a setup row or are aligned in position so that it appears that "three doors are in a row". It this is the case you can consider it poor and very bad in terms of the storage and movement of the qi forces.
If you find that this is so and the doors must remain in place as open entrance ways then take the time and effort to shield or even obstruct these doors and openings. What can be done? Curtains, door coverings, screens, tall or even a number of plants shorter in height or even beaded hanging or bamboo curtains can be employed to create barriers and restraints to the flow of qi. At the worst if these passageways must remain open then place wind chimes or a decorative crystal in the direct flow of the doors to slow down the escape of the most vital qi. If the door is at the end of corridor you may encounter a situation where the qi is held in an area and lingers to long becoming "stale" or wasted to the rest of the home. How can you redirect the qi back into your living or working areas? Simply hang a number of mirrors on the wall, walls or even the ceiling. By doing so you will be reflecting and redirecting the qi energies back to where they can do you , your family, co-workers or customers and clients some good.
Lastly never forget that the "back" or "rear" door to your home or building is the very entrance way by which many enter. It can be said of the good luck and fortune of many that many "enter the back door, but leave by the front". One grandmother's advice to her grandchild when faced by a daunting opportunity was "child this time you come in the back door, don't lose the chance or opportunity. Next time you will come in the front door." So is it with Feng Shui and your back door. Make sure that the rear door passageways are bright, focused and obstructed. Make the rear entrance ways as open and cheery as possible, Ensure that nothing is blocking their views or paths. You never who and what good fortune can come through either of your doorways - front, rear or back.
Morris E. Brown
Winnipeg Wedding Florists - [http://www.kingcolecatering.net]Wedding Photographers [http://www.qualityhotelwinnipeg.com/default]South Winnipeg
Hotels Motels
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Add Fall Style to Any Room in a Day
Adding the autumnal warmth to a room can mark the change in seasons for the entire family, ushering in football, holidays, and cups of cocoa after school. And it can be easy, dramatic, and inexpensive! Follow these three simple steps to take any (or every!) room in your home from summer simple, to fall fabulous in just one day!
Step One- Add rich, warm color! Whatever your main wall color is in your room, paint your focal wall a deep shade of that color. No major color scheme change here, everything you already have in that room will still work because you are just amping up the present color scheme. For instance, if your walls are a pale peach, paint your focal wall a rich terra cotta. Light sage? Paint that focal wall a deep warm green. Just have white walls? Here is your chance to develop a color scheme and bring a lot of warmth into your room. Pick any one color you love, plus white, and you have a color scheme! Still love your white walls? Then paint the focal wall a rich cream, or even a chocolate brown. Remember, its just paint, and you can always paint it back in an afternoon with a cheap can of paint!
Step Two- Change out a few of your accessories... pick up a couple of candles in your new rich focal wall color and set them out on a pretty plate, or add just one throw pillow to the couch and chair in that color. Pick up some ribbon in that hue and use it to tie back curtains, or wrap it around pillows a few times and tie with a pretty bow. Add a throw blanket from the linen closet draped over the easy chair, and a stack of books on the end table to read on a cool night. You don't need to go buy out the home section, just add a few quick touches to warm up the room.
Step Three_ Add nature! Nothing says the harvest season like displaying the fruits of natures bounty in your home. Set out a bowl full of nuts and nestle a candle in the middle, scatter pressed fall leaves over your mantel or coffee table, or tie branches into bundles, add some dried flowers and hang over doorways. Display fruits and veges on your kitchen counter or take the kids on a nature walk and fill a large clear jar with gifts from Mother Nature. (Always follow laws about collecting, however).
There you go, three quick steps and in one day you've created a room for your loved ones that breathes the comfort and cozyness of fall!
Want free home decorating ideas? Kathy Wilson is an author, home decorating columnist for LifetimeTv.com, and editor of several popular home and garden websites. For hundreds of free do ityourself home and garden ideas, please visit her websites now at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com and http://www.DecoratingYourSmallSpace.com
Step One- Add rich, warm color! Whatever your main wall color is in your room, paint your focal wall a deep shade of that color. No major color scheme change here, everything you already have in that room will still work because you are just amping up the present color scheme. For instance, if your walls are a pale peach, paint your focal wall a rich terra cotta. Light sage? Paint that focal wall a deep warm green. Just have white walls? Here is your chance to develop a color scheme and bring a lot of warmth into your room. Pick any one color you love, plus white, and you have a color scheme! Still love your white walls? Then paint the focal wall a rich cream, or even a chocolate brown. Remember, its just paint, and you can always paint it back in an afternoon with a cheap can of paint!
Step Two- Change out a few of your accessories... pick up a couple of candles in your new rich focal wall color and set them out on a pretty plate, or add just one throw pillow to the couch and chair in that color. Pick up some ribbon in that hue and use it to tie back curtains, or wrap it around pillows a few times and tie with a pretty bow. Add a throw blanket from the linen closet draped over the easy chair, and a stack of books on the end table to read on a cool night. You don't need to go buy out the home section, just add a few quick touches to warm up the room.
Step Three_ Add nature! Nothing says the harvest season like displaying the fruits of natures bounty in your home. Set out a bowl full of nuts and nestle a candle in the middle, scatter pressed fall leaves over your mantel or coffee table, or tie branches into bundles, add some dried flowers and hang over doorways. Display fruits and veges on your kitchen counter or take the kids on a nature walk and fill a large clear jar with gifts from Mother Nature. (Always follow laws about collecting, however).
There you go, three quick steps and in one day you've created a room for your loved ones that breathes the comfort and cozyness of fall!
Want free home decorating ideas? Kathy Wilson is an author, home decorating columnist for LifetimeTv.com, and editor of several popular home and garden websites. For hundreds of free do ityourself home and garden ideas, please visit her websites now at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com and http://www.DecoratingYourSmallSpace.com
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Feng Shui For Beginners - Part 2 the Tools and Remedies Used in Feng Shui
As you learn more about Feng Shui you discover that the same few tools are used time and time again to produce the desired balance and harmony in one's home. Items such as mirrors and lights are thought to not only to attract great luck and prosperity but also give out positive energy thereby having a positive effect on the home overall. Wind chimes, bells and plants are other items that are used repeatedly to deflect sha chi and encourage positive chi to circulate effectively around your home.
Feng Shui partly consists of common sense. If something just doesn't look right or feel right in a room, then the chances are it won't have good Feng Shui. Given that, it's important to note that it is at your discretion what objects you use, and there are many that would work in your home. As long as they fit in and compliment the other shapes and objects as well as adhere to the basic principals of Feng Shui then you won't go too far wrong.
Lights and Mirrors
These are the most common addition to a room in order to remove any bad or hostile sha chi and replace it with positive energy. The shiny surface of a mirror reflects the light and energy back into the room ensuring none escapes and is wasted. Mirrors should never directly face either the front door to your home or your bed in the main bedroom as this is inauspicious. Lights or candles must have soft or rounded edges and should be fairly bright although not glaringly so and as this will create too much chi which is detrimental to the overall effect.
Wind Chimes
Wind chimes are commonly used in Feng Shui and are strongly linked to creating wealth for you and your family. They help to encourage the circulation of the air in a room, the movement of which allows energy to gather and multiply and If the rods of the chimes are hollow then the positive chi will rise to the top of them and settle evenly throughout the room. The constant circulation of the air in a room also ensures that stagnant chi is unable to fester, and the pleasant melodic sounds produced by the chimes act as an energizer to any stagnant chi that may be present.
Plants
Plants are a common tool used in Feng Shui and they are particularly representative of health, vitality and growth. It is vital however that only healthy plants are used as dead or dying plants represent death and decay and are therefore thought of as extremely inauspicious.
Large of broad leaved plants are the most suitable as they are the most effective in slowing down chi that could be moving too fast throughout your home.
The 8 Treasures
There are eight symbols of treasures that the Chinese consider to be extremely auspicious and consequently often display in their homes. It is thought that all 8 energize and activate the areas of good fortune and reputation.
The 8 treasures consist of a pearl, a mirror, a stone lozenge, a leaf, an ancient Chinese coin, a stone chime, two books and a rhinoceros' horn. A way to further enhance the effects of their positive energy is to tie individual pieces of red tape or ribbon around the items or display them on a red cloth or surface. The most popular item used is the Chinese gold coin which is circular with a square hole punched in the middle. The most effective chi is emitted if three or six coins are tied together with a piece of red string or ribbon. A pearl is another popular item and is often displayed being held by an ornamental dragon. Any object that is round can used as a symbol of the pearl and it is said to be representative of purity and great intelligence.
The 8 Auspicious Symbols
The 8 Auspicious Symbols are as follows: An umbrella, a wheel, a flag, a lotus flower, a fish, a knot, a conch shell and a jar.
These are different to the 8 treasures as they area mainly used by the followers of the Buddhist faith. Their belief is that these 8 symbols had been revealed as symbols on the soles of Buddha.
The fish or anything that represents a fish is the most commonly displayed symbol and is often found in Chinese restaurants and shops as the fish is thought to encourage customers to spend more freely. A fish tank is often positioned near the till in Chinese restaurants for exactly this reason.
I have just one final word on the use of Feng Shui tools; Never over-use any of them. Simply swamping your home with fish won't result in wealth arriving on your doorstep. Any tool that is over-used will negate any positive effects that would otherwise have been encouraged. It is essential that a room looks and feels right on entering, with no one item dominating or being used too frequently. All interiors must work well together and compliment one another.
AshaMoon [http://www.ashamoon.com]Virtual Assistant is an independent contractor providing administrative, technical and creative help to businesses and individuals all over the world. The range of services we offer is broad and our prices very affordable. Working from our own offices using top of the range computer and communication equipment, you can relax knowing the nitty gritty is being taken care of leaving you time to concentrate on the aspects of your business that originally inspired the venture.
Feng Shui partly consists of common sense. If something just doesn't look right or feel right in a room, then the chances are it won't have good Feng Shui. Given that, it's important to note that it is at your discretion what objects you use, and there are many that would work in your home. As long as they fit in and compliment the other shapes and objects as well as adhere to the basic principals of Feng Shui then you won't go too far wrong.
Lights and Mirrors
These are the most common addition to a room in order to remove any bad or hostile sha chi and replace it with positive energy. The shiny surface of a mirror reflects the light and energy back into the room ensuring none escapes and is wasted. Mirrors should never directly face either the front door to your home or your bed in the main bedroom as this is inauspicious. Lights or candles must have soft or rounded edges and should be fairly bright although not glaringly so and as this will create too much chi which is detrimental to the overall effect.
Wind Chimes
Wind chimes are commonly used in Feng Shui and are strongly linked to creating wealth for you and your family. They help to encourage the circulation of the air in a room, the movement of which allows energy to gather and multiply and If the rods of the chimes are hollow then the positive chi will rise to the top of them and settle evenly throughout the room. The constant circulation of the air in a room also ensures that stagnant chi is unable to fester, and the pleasant melodic sounds produced by the chimes act as an energizer to any stagnant chi that may be present.
Plants
Plants are a common tool used in Feng Shui and they are particularly representative of health, vitality and growth. It is vital however that only healthy plants are used as dead or dying plants represent death and decay and are therefore thought of as extremely inauspicious.
Large of broad leaved plants are the most suitable as they are the most effective in slowing down chi that could be moving too fast throughout your home.
The 8 Treasures
There are eight symbols of treasures that the Chinese consider to be extremely auspicious and consequently often display in their homes. It is thought that all 8 energize and activate the areas of good fortune and reputation.
The 8 treasures consist of a pearl, a mirror, a stone lozenge, a leaf, an ancient Chinese coin, a stone chime, two books and a rhinoceros' horn. A way to further enhance the effects of their positive energy is to tie individual pieces of red tape or ribbon around the items or display them on a red cloth or surface. The most popular item used is the Chinese gold coin which is circular with a square hole punched in the middle. The most effective chi is emitted if three or six coins are tied together with a piece of red string or ribbon. A pearl is another popular item and is often displayed being held by an ornamental dragon. Any object that is round can used as a symbol of the pearl and it is said to be representative of purity and great intelligence.
The 8 Auspicious Symbols
The 8 Auspicious Symbols are as follows: An umbrella, a wheel, a flag, a lotus flower, a fish, a knot, a conch shell and a jar.
These are different to the 8 treasures as they area mainly used by the followers of the Buddhist faith. Their belief is that these 8 symbols had been revealed as symbols on the soles of Buddha.
The fish or anything that represents a fish is the most commonly displayed symbol and is often found in Chinese restaurants and shops as the fish is thought to encourage customers to spend more freely. A fish tank is often positioned near the till in Chinese restaurants for exactly this reason.
I have just one final word on the use of Feng Shui tools; Never over-use any of them. Simply swamping your home with fish won't result in wealth arriving on your doorstep. Any tool that is over-used will negate any positive effects that would otherwise have been encouraged. It is essential that a room looks and feels right on entering, with no one item dominating or being used too frequently. All interiors must work well together and compliment one another.
AshaMoon [http://www.ashamoon.com]Virtual Assistant is an independent contractor providing administrative, technical and creative help to businesses and individuals all over the world. The range of services we offer is broad and our prices very affordable. Working from our own offices using top of the range computer and communication equipment, you can relax knowing the nitty gritty is being taken care of leaving you time to concentrate on the aspects of your business that originally inspired the venture.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Feng Shui For Beginners - Part 1 Ideal Location of Home
Most people have heard of Feng Shui and if pushed would probably explain it as a Chinese art of arranging furniture in order to achieve fame and fortune. This is a rather simplistic view of the Feng Shui, but not wildly inaccurate. Feng Shui goes very much further than simply moving a pot plant from one corner to another and hey presto you're rich! It is in fact an entire way of life, but more practically it is an ancient system of arranging our environment so that we can live in harmony with our surroundings. It is the achievement of producing balance and harmony that leads to the desirable outcomes such as health, wealth and happiness that we tend to associate Feng Shui with.
The theory behind feng shui is that everything in the environment from totally natural items to man-made structures contain powerful energy lines that are omitted into the atmosphere and continually flow around us and our surroundings. Whilst much of this energy is positive, there is a substantial amount of negative energy that will have a detrimental effect on our lives if allowed too much prominence. The aim of feng shui is to encourage positive energy (chi) into our homes and enable it to move freely and gently from room to room whilst simultaneously expelling or discouraging any bad or negative energy (Sha Chi).
In this article I am starting right at the beginning; the importance of the positioning of the house itself. For those of you already in your home with no plans to move, do not fear. The beauty of Feng Shui is there are many remedies that are able to counteract the possible negative energy stagnating in the home and deflect it back to where it came from. Look out for the rest of my series of Feng Shui for beginners. I will try briefly in this article to explain the very basic do's and dont's of Feng Shui when buying a house as it is the movement of the energy lines that should determine the location of our homes.
So ingrained in Chinese culture is Feng Shui that whereas in the West we might allow a structural surveyor to look over our potentially new house, the Chinese would call in their Feng Shui consultant. This procedure is not unheard of in the West however, and more and more home buyers and hiring the services of Feng Shui consultants to inspect their potential house before signing on the dotted line. If the area around your home has good Feng Shui then it is easier to encourage the benefits indoors. Below is a list of things to look out for when finding a home.
The front of the house should face South, and even more ideal would be a front door facing South East.
Aim to live with your back to a mountain or anything that represents a mountain. This includes larger buildings, hills or other large structures. Effectively these will act as a backbone to your home giving it constant support.
There should be a either a small hill or mound or alternatively a large rock or boulder situated at the front of the house. Failing that, a picture of one should be placed on the southerly wall inside your home. This acts as a foot stool to the house providing comfort and support to all its residents.
There should be a flat and low area to the West of the house, but the land should not fall away too steeply else your life will be boring and predictable. If you have hills or mountains then unexpected calamities will befall you.
To the east of the house where the sun rises should be green hills from which you will receive wisdom, learning and experience.
Ensure there is a large open space in front of your home allowing you to see the horizon from one of the front windows. This allows positive chi to enter the home unobstructed.
It is beneficial to be able to see water from the front of your home such as a stream or a lake. Ideally there would be a stream coming in from the North West flowing across the front of the house and disappearing off to the South East. Clear, sparkling fresh water will allow the most harmony especially if it moves slowly and gently with small waterfalls. This gives the Chi a chance to gather and settle as it passes by your home. Canals do not omit positive energy however because the Chi moves along them too quickly.
The positioning described above would provide ideal Feng Shui and the most auspicious abode but you must not worry if your home is not positioned in this exact way. There are plenty of remedies that will combat the negative effects of Sha Chi or deflect it away which I will go on to discuss in Part 2 of my Feng Shui for beginners.
AshaMoon [http://www.ashamoon.com]Virtual Assistant is an independent contractor providing administrative, technical and creative help to businesses and individuals all over the world. The range of services we offer is broad and our prices very affordable. Working from our own offices using top of the range computer and communication equipment, you can relax knowing the nitty gritty is being taken care of leaving you time to concentrate on the aspects of your business that originally inspired the venture.
The theory behind feng shui is that everything in the environment from totally natural items to man-made structures contain powerful energy lines that are omitted into the atmosphere and continually flow around us and our surroundings. Whilst much of this energy is positive, there is a substantial amount of negative energy that will have a detrimental effect on our lives if allowed too much prominence. The aim of feng shui is to encourage positive energy (chi) into our homes and enable it to move freely and gently from room to room whilst simultaneously expelling or discouraging any bad or negative energy (Sha Chi).
In this article I am starting right at the beginning; the importance of the positioning of the house itself. For those of you already in your home with no plans to move, do not fear. The beauty of Feng Shui is there are many remedies that are able to counteract the possible negative energy stagnating in the home and deflect it back to where it came from. Look out for the rest of my series of Feng Shui for beginners. I will try briefly in this article to explain the very basic do's and dont's of Feng Shui when buying a house as it is the movement of the energy lines that should determine the location of our homes.
So ingrained in Chinese culture is Feng Shui that whereas in the West we might allow a structural surveyor to look over our potentially new house, the Chinese would call in their Feng Shui consultant. This procedure is not unheard of in the West however, and more and more home buyers and hiring the services of Feng Shui consultants to inspect their potential house before signing on the dotted line. If the area around your home has good Feng Shui then it is easier to encourage the benefits indoors. Below is a list of things to look out for when finding a home.
The front of the house should face South, and even more ideal would be a front door facing South East.
Aim to live with your back to a mountain or anything that represents a mountain. This includes larger buildings, hills or other large structures. Effectively these will act as a backbone to your home giving it constant support.
There should be a either a small hill or mound or alternatively a large rock or boulder situated at the front of the house. Failing that, a picture of one should be placed on the southerly wall inside your home. This acts as a foot stool to the house providing comfort and support to all its residents.
There should be a flat and low area to the West of the house, but the land should not fall away too steeply else your life will be boring and predictable. If you have hills or mountains then unexpected calamities will befall you.
To the east of the house where the sun rises should be green hills from which you will receive wisdom, learning and experience.
Ensure there is a large open space in front of your home allowing you to see the horizon from one of the front windows. This allows positive chi to enter the home unobstructed.
It is beneficial to be able to see water from the front of your home such as a stream or a lake. Ideally there would be a stream coming in from the North West flowing across the front of the house and disappearing off to the South East. Clear, sparkling fresh water will allow the most harmony especially if it moves slowly and gently with small waterfalls. This gives the Chi a chance to gather and settle as it passes by your home. Canals do not omit positive energy however because the Chi moves along them too quickly.
The positioning described above would provide ideal Feng Shui and the most auspicious abode but you must not worry if your home is not positioned in this exact way. There are plenty of remedies that will combat the negative effects of Sha Chi or deflect it away which I will go on to discuss in Part 2 of my Feng Shui for beginners.
AshaMoon [http://www.ashamoon.com]Virtual Assistant is an independent contractor providing administrative, technical and creative help to businesses and individuals all over the world. The range of services we offer is broad and our prices very affordable. Working from our own offices using top of the range computer and communication equipment, you can relax knowing the nitty gritty is being taken care of leaving you time to concentrate on the aspects of your business that originally inspired the venture.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Basic Feng Shui Symbols Explained
Feng Shui seeks to achieve balance and harmony with the environment. You can do so by changing the placement of certain objects or by introducing certain Feng Shui symbols that can improve the flow of positive energy (Qi) in a specific area.
There are many Feng Shui products that have been designed to utilize the power of Feng Shui symbols. Every Feng Shui product symbolizes something. Knowing what each object symbolizes, will allow you to ascertain the appropriate Feng Shui products you will need to improve your situation. Symbols can come in the form of colors, elements, plants or animals. Therefore, it is also essential for you to learn more about Feng Shui products and their symbols.
Let us examine some of the popular symbols used by Feng Shui practitioners and what they mean.
LongevityLongevity is the ability to live a long life. It can be applied to various life concepts such as your career or your romantic relationships. To attain longevity, you can place symbols of cranes, turtles or trees in your house.
For example, you can hang paper cranes around your room. This is because cranes are symbols of longevity. Alternatively, you can display the drawings of turtles or pine trees, as both are symbols of longevity too.
Wealth and ProsperityThe majority of Feng Shui practitioners want to obtain good fortune and wealth. In Feng Shui, water is the most eminent symbol of wealth. For this reason, having a well-placed crystal fountain in your house will help in bringing you good fortune.
Love and RelationshipFor symbols regarding relationship, it is important to keep in mind that these symbols must always come in pairs. A single object signifies a single life for you. If you want to have a successful relationship, you can try placing several crystal lotuses in your home, as crystal lotuses are power enhancers for love and romance.
Where To Place Your Feng Shui Symbol
To locate the best place for to put a Feng Shui symbol, you will need the aid of a Bagua map. The Bagua map has 9 areas that represent 9 different aspects of your life. The Bagua map indicates what each area of your house represents and with that, you will know what Feng Shui symbols to put in that specific area in order to improve that aspect of life.
Now that this article has reached its conclusion, we hope that you now have a better understanding of what Feng Shui symbols are. By understanding how the symbols work, you can make use of the symbols to amend the Feng Shui of your house to improve the quality of your life. [http://www.whatisfengshui.net/]Click Here to get Free Tips on how to improve your life with Feng Shui. Lynn Lee is a celebrated authority on the traditional Chinese art of Feng Shui, providing valuable advice on [http://www.whatisfengshui.net]Feng Shui Decorating.
There are many Feng Shui products that have been designed to utilize the power of Feng Shui symbols. Every Feng Shui product symbolizes something. Knowing what each object symbolizes, will allow you to ascertain the appropriate Feng Shui products you will need to improve your situation. Symbols can come in the form of colors, elements, plants or animals. Therefore, it is also essential for you to learn more about Feng Shui products and their symbols.
Let us examine some of the popular symbols used by Feng Shui practitioners and what they mean.
LongevityLongevity is the ability to live a long life. It can be applied to various life concepts such as your career or your romantic relationships. To attain longevity, you can place symbols of cranes, turtles or trees in your house.
For example, you can hang paper cranes around your room. This is because cranes are symbols of longevity. Alternatively, you can display the drawings of turtles or pine trees, as both are symbols of longevity too.
Wealth and ProsperityThe majority of Feng Shui practitioners want to obtain good fortune and wealth. In Feng Shui, water is the most eminent symbol of wealth. For this reason, having a well-placed crystal fountain in your house will help in bringing you good fortune.
Love and RelationshipFor symbols regarding relationship, it is important to keep in mind that these symbols must always come in pairs. A single object signifies a single life for you. If you want to have a successful relationship, you can try placing several crystal lotuses in your home, as crystal lotuses are power enhancers for love and romance.
Where To Place Your Feng Shui Symbol
To locate the best place for to put a Feng Shui symbol, you will need the aid of a Bagua map. The Bagua map has 9 areas that represent 9 different aspects of your life. The Bagua map indicates what each area of your house represents and with that, you will know what Feng Shui symbols to put in that specific area in order to improve that aspect of life.
Now that this article has reached its conclusion, we hope that you now have a better understanding of what Feng Shui symbols are. By understanding how the symbols work, you can make use of the symbols to amend the Feng Shui of your house to improve the quality of your life. [http://www.whatisfengshui.net/]Click Here to get Free Tips on how to improve your life with Feng Shui. Lynn Lee is a celebrated authority on the traditional Chinese art of Feng Shui, providing valuable advice on [http://www.whatisfengshui.net]Feng Shui Decorating.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Nursery Wall Decor - Lullabies and Stimuli
It's the most fantastic, breath taking and scariest day of your life. You are bringing home the most precious possession that you alone are responsible for. Over the last nine months you have devoured every book imaginable on how to take care of your new bundle of joy. You have also spent hours thumbing through numerous catalogs and magazines to decorate the room that your newborn will spend most of its time in. You are aware that this special place can be the key for your child's development. Before this child becomes a reality you just know that everything has to be perfect.
The main theme that has appeared from all that you have read is that you must make this room a place of learning, cozy and comforting. It must have a feeling of love and warmth and the security for the child to be his or herself and grow. Since you will also be spending most of your time there you need to appreciate the room as well. Remember if you are happy and relaxed so will your child.
The first step for the walls is to choose a color schemes. Studies have shown that it is best to choose colors that are light, clear and breezy. Dark shades offer a non stimulating environment and can make the room feel closed in and smaller. Introducing warm colors like rose, peach or primrose helps create a feeling of coziness and adventure. The sooner the baby feels at home in the room the better for everyone involved in its care.
Have fun and be creative and most of all keep safety in mind. Making the perfect space for your little one can be a wonderful experience. You want to make certain whatever wall decor you choose, this will be a place that is comforting and will surround the child with slumber and lullabies and stimuli.
Children grow faster then you expect so try to pick a theme that will grow with your child. You might choose just to do wallpaper borders or stick-ups that can easily be removed when your child has a mind of their own. Another idea is to choose a theme that you can keep adding to as the child develops. Make his or her room one that they will enjoy for years and everyone will win.
Some popular themes are characters from nursery rhymes and fairy tails. When they reach the toddler years these pictures on their walls will be recognized as friends from the stories they have been told over and over again. Animals and flowers are a couple of other soothing themes I might suggest. Whatever you finally decide on, a must for all new parents is to purchase a wall covering that is washable and easy to remove.
In early childhood children have trouble distinguishing what is real from what is imaginary. Whatever characters you decide on, the images should be gentle and definitely not scary.
Consider incorporating shapes, circles, triangles and rectangles also with geometric shapes. It is known that these shapes will allow a child to focus better on objects, which will be a boost to their development. Try to also incorporate colorful patchwork designs and a combination of textures.
The goal to keep in mind when deciding on a theme, color, design and material is that you want wall decor that will attract your babies attention but not overwhelm them so they find it too stimulating to relax.
This is the best time of your life and the excitement that is inside of you is sure to spark your enthusiasm and will automatically generate exciting decor ideas.
Barbara Tobiasz resides in the Chicago area and studied at the Art Institute. She has consulted and volunteered her services for many organizations with her creative expressions in the interior design field. For more information on Wall Decor, go to: http://www.Wall-Decor-Concepts.com
The main theme that has appeared from all that you have read is that you must make this room a place of learning, cozy and comforting. It must have a feeling of love and warmth and the security for the child to be his or herself and grow. Since you will also be spending most of your time there you need to appreciate the room as well. Remember if you are happy and relaxed so will your child.
The first step for the walls is to choose a color schemes. Studies have shown that it is best to choose colors that are light, clear and breezy. Dark shades offer a non stimulating environment and can make the room feel closed in and smaller. Introducing warm colors like rose, peach or primrose helps create a feeling of coziness and adventure. The sooner the baby feels at home in the room the better for everyone involved in its care.
Have fun and be creative and most of all keep safety in mind. Making the perfect space for your little one can be a wonderful experience. You want to make certain whatever wall decor you choose, this will be a place that is comforting and will surround the child with slumber and lullabies and stimuli.
Children grow faster then you expect so try to pick a theme that will grow with your child. You might choose just to do wallpaper borders or stick-ups that can easily be removed when your child has a mind of their own. Another idea is to choose a theme that you can keep adding to as the child develops. Make his or her room one that they will enjoy for years and everyone will win.
Some popular themes are characters from nursery rhymes and fairy tails. When they reach the toddler years these pictures on their walls will be recognized as friends from the stories they have been told over and over again. Animals and flowers are a couple of other soothing themes I might suggest. Whatever you finally decide on, a must for all new parents is to purchase a wall covering that is washable and easy to remove.
In early childhood children have trouble distinguishing what is real from what is imaginary. Whatever characters you decide on, the images should be gentle and definitely not scary.
Consider incorporating shapes, circles, triangles and rectangles also with geometric shapes. It is known that these shapes will allow a child to focus better on objects, which will be a boost to their development. Try to also incorporate colorful patchwork designs and a combination of textures.
The goal to keep in mind when deciding on a theme, color, design and material is that you want wall decor that will attract your babies attention but not overwhelm them so they find it too stimulating to relax.
This is the best time of your life and the excitement that is inside of you is sure to spark your enthusiasm and will automatically generate exciting decor ideas.
Barbara Tobiasz resides in the Chicago area and studied at the Art Institute. She has consulted and volunteered her services for many organizations with her creative expressions in the interior design field. For more information on Wall Decor, go to: http://www.Wall-Decor-Concepts.com
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Concrete Countertops - Are You Serious
I recently learned of this growing trend towards concrete as an indoor building material. I have to admit to call we skeptical would be putting it lightly. I just could not imagine why anyone would want the skyscraper look for inside their home. I mean to each their own, but I just could not get a mental picture. I recently learned that I was completely wrong.
Designing with concrete today is nothing like one would imagine. What first shocked me was the versatility of concrete. I have a friend who is a mason. He started explaining to me about all the wonderful things you could create our of concrete. I kept blowing him off until he showed me his latest job. He had just installed custom concrete counter tops for a client.
The look on my face must have betrayed my feelings because he insisted that I go and take a look at them. I was quite skeptical still own the ride over. Once we entered the kitchen, I was floored. Not even something like granite could look the way these counter tops did. The concrete had a warmness I definitely was not expecting. It was the warmest kitchen I may have ever been in. The craftsmanship of these counters really stood out. Unlike any other building material concrete has amazing customization. Being that I live at the beach and a favorite Outer Banks pasttime is collecting seaglass on the beach, he suggested that I have him install custom concrete counter tops with a vein of polished seaglass. It sounds like a good idea to me.
My friends at Signature Concrete Creations are always interested in exciting new projects. If you think you may be interested in something unique [http://obxconcrete.com/contact-us/]contact them Or you can visit here for [http://obxconcrete.com/why-choose-concrete-countertops/]custom concrete counter tops. If you love the beach you can find me writing more on the Outer Banks Beach Blog.
Designing with concrete today is nothing like one would imagine. What first shocked me was the versatility of concrete. I have a friend who is a mason. He started explaining to me about all the wonderful things you could create our of concrete. I kept blowing him off until he showed me his latest job. He had just installed custom concrete counter tops for a client.
The look on my face must have betrayed my feelings because he insisted that I go and take a look at them. I was quite skeptical still own the ride over. Once we entered the kitchen, I was floored. Not even something like granite could look the way these counter tops did. The concrete had a warmness I definitely was not expecting. It was the warmest kitchen I may have ever been in. The craftsmanship of these counters really stood out. Unlike any other building material concrete has amazing customization. Being that I live at the beach and a favorite Outer Banks pasttime is collecting seaglass on the beach, he suggested that I have him install custom concrete counter tops with a vein of polished seaglass. It sounds like a good idea to me.
My friends at Signature Concrete Creations are always interested in exciting new projects. If you think you may be interested in something unique [http://obxconcrete.com/contact-us/]contact them Or you can visit here for [http://obxconcrete.com/why-choose-concrete-countertops/]custom concrete counter tops. If you love the beach you can find me writing more on the Outer Banks Beach Blog.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Nautical and Coastal Decor
Nautical and Coastal decor style gives a relaxed feeling not only to the guests but also to the people staying in that house. The style basically involves features of the beach and its associated elements. So, in order to develop such a style for the interior proper care must be taken while choosing all the elements in the room. The room must be furnished with items which are related to the elements in a beach. Only then the natural beauty of the beach can be recreated inside your home. Also the color of the paint on ceiling and sidewalls also matters. But natural and coastal style is not a difficult one to implement.
The furniture and other decorative items should not be arranged in a crowded manner in the room. It won't look good if the things inside the room are over crowded. If the room is a bed room, then you can use bed spreads and pillow covers which have got some pictures or designs related to beach or anything related to that. Also it would be better if you choose sky blue color or its shades to paint the sidewalls and an appropriately matched color for the ceiling. You can also implement some beach theme in the walls. In case if you are going to use wooden blocks in the room, you can paint them with appropriate colors so that it matches to the room. The colors used can be white, blue, shades of blue and milky light green can be used. The added advantage of nautical and coastal decor is that it gives a very soothing and relaxed feeling for the person in the room.
Another element related to this type of decorating style is lightning. One can select from different items like the floor or table lamps which features beaches, seashell, shorebirds, lighthouse, sea urchins, sailboats, pelicans, seagulls and starfish. In case you are planning to put some chairs in the room you can select the lifeguard model chairs. The ceiling fan of white colour or sky blue color is the preferred one. Including an aquarium in the main room is a good option. You can also use items like pictures with shell border frame, ship replicas, vintage sextants, light house sculptures, beach paintings on glass and worn lantern.
Next thing to be taken care of is the flooring. For this there are different options available. It includes short pile rugs, floor mats in blue color and sisal mats. You can also use floor mats which contain some beach theme or represent something which is related to the beach. Also make sure that the curtain used in the window is an appropriate one. It is better to use curtains which contain some paintings related to beaches or beach items. Plain curtain can also be used.
Natalie interior designer is here to provide you tips and ideas for gifts or for your home about Nautical and Coastal Decor for your home please visit http://www.newnauticaldecor.com to see more of our products to offer new nautical decor
The furniture and other decorative items should not be arranged in a crowded manner in the room. It won't look good if the things inside the room are over crowded. If the room is a bed room, then you can use bed spreads and pillow covers which have got some pictures or designs related to beach or anything related to that. Also it would be better if you choose sky blue color or its shades to paint the sidewalls and an appropriately matched color for the ceiling. You can also implement some beach theme in the walls. In case if you are going to use wooden blocks in the room, you can paint them with appropriate colors so that it matches to the room. The colors used can be white, blue, shades of blue and milky light green can be used. The added advantage of nautical and coastal decor is that it gives a very soothing and relaxed feeling for the person in the room.
Another element related to this type of decorating style is lightning. One can select from different items like the floor or table lamps which features beaches, seashell, shorebirds, lighthouse, sea urchins, sailboats, pelicans, seagulls and starfish. In case you are planning to put some chairs in the room you can select the lifeguard model chairs. The ceiling fan of white colour or sky blue color is the preferred one. Including an aquarium in the main room is a good option. You can also use items like pictures with shell border frame, ship replicas, vintage sextants, light house sculptures, beach paintings on glass and worn lantern.
Next thing to be taken care of is the flooring. For this there are different options available. It includes short pile rugs, floor mats in blue color and sisal mats. You can also use floor mats which contain some beach theme or represent something which is related to the beach. Also make sure that the curtain used in the window is an appropriate one. It is better to use curtains which contain some paintings related to beaches or beach items. Plain curtain can also be used.
Natalie interior designer is here to provide you tips and ideas for gifts or for your home about Nautical and Coastal Decor for your home please visit http://www.newnauticaldecor.com to see more of our products to offer new nautical decor
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Mediterranean Interior Design Spells Warmth
The hardware tends to be heavy and often burnished, and the florals and greenery abundant in Mediterranean interior design. Walls are usually textured and the delightful and colorful mosaic tiles are often used as flooring or as backsplashes. That same mosaic pattern can be stenciled on the flooring, walls or furniture. The furniture influence is a combination of Spanish, Greek, Italian and French Country. Furniture may range in style from an informal simple look, to a very formal effect. Because Mediterranean interior design is a soothing, comfortable style of interior design, it comes as no surprise that it is one of the more popular styles today.
Your Own Decorating Project
Many people who have visited the Mediterranean, have fallen in love with the region. It's not difficult then to bring a little of the Mediterranean interior design back home with you. With this style being so prominent in the design world today, it is a simple job to find accessories, furniture, paint and fabric to help you achieve this look. While it may prove a challenge to mimic the textured walls of a Mediterranean home, with the paint colors available today, there is no reason why you cannot achieve a Mediterranean interior design feel in your living room.
To succeed with this theme in your own home, begin with the paint choices. Depending on the size of your room, you may want to choose a rich terra-cotta color. If this is too dark, go with a golden yellow or perhaps a French blue. After deciding on wall color, the next step is furniture arrangement. Will the sofa stay or go? Usually, it stays. That means the search is on for the perfect fabric. After furniture and fabric is decided upon, look for accent pieces, such as tables and lamps. Coffee tables with black wrought iron legs will work perfectly and matching table lamps can go well together.
Do not omit functionality when choosing the lighting and placing the furniture. If mosaic tiles are out of your price range, consider stenciling a mosaic design on the fireplace or on the walls around door openings. Having a touch of the mosaic tiles in your room will help to achieve your Mediterranean interior design look. Try using a beautiful flower arrangement to pull together all of the colors in the room and add plenty of greenery to finish your [http://interiordesignbliss.com/interior-design/mediterranean-interior-design-%e2%80%93-unforgettable-beauty]mediterranean interior design look. It really is not a difficult task to complete. If a new upholstery project is not in your budget; let the paint and accessories do the work for you. Mediterranean interior design is a beautiful, relaxing style and fairly easy to accomplish if you have the time and the patience.
You can also find more info on [http://interiordesignbliss.com/interior-design/interior-design-chicago]interior design Chicago. Interiordesignbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about interior designs.
Your Own Decorating Project
Many people who have visited the Mediterranean, have fallen in love with the region. It's not difficult then to bring a little of the Mediterranean interior design back home with you. With this style being so prominent in the design world today, it is a simple job to find accessories, furniture, paint and fabric to help you achieve this look. While it may prove a challenge to mimic the textured walls of a Mediterranean home, with the paint colors available today, there is no reason why you cannot achieve a Mediterranean interior design feel in your living room.
To succeed with this theme in your own home, begin with the paint choices. Depending on the size of your room, you may want to choose a rich terra-cotta color. If this is too dark, go with a golden yellow or perhaps a French blue. After deciding on wall color, the next step is furniture arrangement. Will the sofa stay or go? Usually, it stays. That means the search is on for the perfect fabric. After furniture and fabric is decided upon, look for accent pieces, such as tables and lamps. Coffee tables with black wrought iron legs will work perfectly and matching table lamps can go well together.
Do not omit functionality when choosing the lighting and placing the furniture. If mosaic tiles are out of your price range, consider stenciling a mosaic design on the fireplace or on the walls around door openings. Having a touch of the mosaic tiles in your room will help to achieve your Mediterranean interior design look. Try using a beautiful flower arrangement to pull together all of the colors in the room and add plenty of greenery to finish your [http://interiordesignbliss.com/interior-design/mediterranean-interior-design-%e2%80%93-unforgettable-beauty]mediterranean interior design look. It really is not a difficult task to complete. If a new upholstery project is not in your budget; let the paint and accessories do the work for you. Mediterranean interior design is a beautiful, relaxing style and fairly easy to accomplish if you have the time and the patience.
You can also find more info on [http://interiordesignbliss.com/interior-design/interior-design-chicago]interior design Chicago. Interiordesignbliss.com is a comprehensive resource which provide information about interior designs.
Monday, August 11, 2008
How to Create a Nautical Decor Themed Room
Close your eyes and think of the water. What comes to mind? The Ocean? The Beach? Lighthouses? Perhaps a romantic rendezvous that brought you to such a place in your past? You're off to a good start, three fourths of our planet earth's surface is covered with water. We are completely dependent on it for our survival. Not surprising that water should be so important to us. And that is where nautical decor begins: with water.
Because so much of the Earth is covered with water it tends to wash up on many varied and very often exotic places. A nautical decor themed room can be as exotic and diverse as are the places that we find water. So what aspect of your watery adventure do you wish to reflect in your room? Perhaps you have fond memories of the Navy, or perhaps you are a sailboat, or powerboat enthusiast, or maybe you just can't get that Caribbean honeymoon out of your mind. Start with that, the place, what you remember about it most and what it means to you.
Decorating a room should be a personal experience that should reflect what the theme means to you. Now that you have begun your adventure, a word of caution: don't try to recreate every aspect of the place that you have in mind. Instead focus on a few important points. Start with the colors. If it's the beach you have in mind take the tan of the sand, or the turquoise of the ocean. Light pinks and aqua are always good for a tropical look. If you are a sailor yourself you can't go wrong with navy blue. The color can be painted on the wall or better yet; it can be the color of the fabrics in your furnishings, rugs or carpet. Are you remembering walking along the beach? Take a glass jar and fill it with sand and seashells. Do you see the white hull of your sailboat cutting whitecaps through the dark water? A small model of a sailboat on the mantel or a table is a fine addition. Keep it simple. It is much better to have a visitor to your home taken in by the subtlety of your decor rather than immediately overwhelmed by it.
These are just a few pointers to get you started on your nautical decor. This is by no means a complete list. What you finally make of the room is up to you and you alone. The point is that with a little imagination and not too much expense you can bring the effect of our water-world into your home, and create an environment that you and your family and friends will feel comfortable and relaxed in. Take your time, have fun and make the changes a little at a time. Don't rush, but don't be afraid to try something new. Let your imagination be your guide.
If you get stuck or need new ideas go to a search engine and search for nautical decor or nautical theme decor. You will be surprised at the help and ideas that are available.
Mark Scott developed the art of high definition glass etching over the last two decades. Starting from a small one-man operation in his basement laundry room, he built Master Visions into the largest provider of high definition etched glass home decor in the world. See the unique line of high definition etched [http://www.mastervisions.com/nautical-decor.htm ]nautical decor wall mirrors and nautical furniture for your themed room.
Because so much of the Earth is covered with water it tends to wash up on many varied and very often exotic places. A nautical decor themed room can be as exotic and diverse as are the places that we find water. So what aspect of your watery adventure do you wish to reflect in your room? Perhaps you have fond memories of the Navy, or perhaps you are a sailboat, or powerboat enthusiast, or maybe you just can't get that Caribbean honeymoon out of your mind. Start with that, the place, what you remember about it most and what it means to you.
Decorating a room should be a personal experience that should reflect what the theme means to you. Now that you have begun your adventure, a word of caution: don't try to recreate every aspect of the place that you have in mind. Instead focus on a few important points. Start with the colors. If it's the beach you have in mind take the tan of the sand, or the turquoise of the ocean. Light pinks and aqua are always good for a tropical look. If you are a sailor yourself you can't go wrong with navy blue. The color can be painted on the wall or better yet; it can be the color of the fabrics in your furnishings, rugs or carpet. Are you remembering walking along the beach? Take a glass jar and fill it with sand and seashells. Do you see the white hull of your sailboat cutting whitecaps through the dark water? A small model of a sailboat on the mantel or a table is a fine addition. Keep it simple. It is much better to have a visitor to your home taken in by the subtlety of your decor rather than immediately overwhelmed by it.
These are just a few pointers to get you started on your nautical decor. This is by no means a complete list. What you finally make of the room is up to you and you alone. The point is that with a little imagination and not too much expense you can bring the effect of our water-world into your home, and create an environment that you and your family and friends will feel comfortable and relaxed in. Take your time, have fun and make the changes a little at a time. Don't rush, but don't be afraid to try something new. Let your imagination be your guide.
If you get stuck or need new ideas go to a search engine and search for nautical decor or nautical theme decor. You will be surprised at the help and ideas that are available.
Mark Scott developed the art of high definition glass etching over the last two decades. Starting from a small one-man operation in his basement laundry room, he built Master Visions into the largest provider of high definition etched glass home decor in the world. See the unique line of high definition etched [http://www.mastervisions.com/nautical-decor.htm ]nautical decor wall mirrors and nautical furniture for your themed room.
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