Beautiful Furniture Guide

A Guide to Home Furnishings

2009-04-30T21:35:00.000-07:00

by: Richard Romando

Function, form, fitness and fashion are the key guiding factors in choosing home furnishings. Function is the first and foremost criteria for a person to go for bare-minimum furnishings. A person buys a table, chair, bed, cupboard, settee, sofa, bookshelf, curtain, carpet, wallpaper and so on, primarily for utility or function. A bare home, bereft of furnishings, is like a stable or a warehouse, unfit for living.

Mankind’s journey from cave to condo, from hut to villa, symbolizes the progress of civilization. Home furnishings also have undergone dramatic changes over the millenniums. But some basic furnishings such as bed, chairs and tables have remained with civilized man, though their form and style have been changing with the times.

The lifestyle of a person gets reflected in his or her home furnishings. Technology, which has a direct bearing on a person’s lifestyle, also plays a crucial role in the form, content and style of home furnishings.

Earth, wood, cane, stone, metal, textile and silk, and now plastic, are materials people have used to make furniture and furnishings so that they can have a comfortable life at home and work place. Generations have experimented with material, form, technique, technology and design to come up with innovative and improved quality of home furnishings.

Home furnishing is similar to building a nest. Just as a bird collects bits of thistles, pebbles and mud to put together its nest, a person brings in pieces of furniture to make living in home comfortable. The art and craft of home furnishing are passed down from one generation to another, with each generation modifying the fixtures in tune with the times, setting new trends.

Craftsmanship, materials, and style determine the value of any home furnishing. Once you learn what to look for, you can buy wisely at auctions, estate sales, or straight off the showroom floor. Doing your homework before and during the purchasing process will pay off in a furnishing that will retain its function and looks far into the future

About the author:
www.e-homefurnishings.com provides detailed information about rustic, contemporary, antique, modern, and discount home furnishings. Home Furnishings Info is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink.

The Beauty of an Antique Murphy Bed

2009-04-30T21:23:00.000-07:00

by: Eddie Tobey

Murphy beds have been in existence since about 1900, when William L. Murphy invented the patented mechanism to hide his bed away in the closet of his one room apartment while he entertained. The beds have been in use ever since, always appreciated by city apartment dwellers and homeowners who needed an extra bed in a multipurpose room.

During World War II and directly afterwards, the beds dropped in popularity, first because of the scarcity of steel, and then because people were moving out of the city to larger, suburban homes, and space was not at such a premium. In the decades of the fifties and sixties, the beds were mainly remembered as props in slap-stick comedy, or the place to hide the body in a mystery story.

Now, Murphy beds are experiencing resurgence, as professional people move back into the cities and make their smaller living spaces more functional. Many apartment dwellers are finding these beds already existing in older buildings, especially in places like San Francisco, where the Murphy bed was invented, and where many Murphy beds were sold for the apartments built between the 1906 earthquake and World War II. Antique Murphy beds are now much sought after conversation pieces and design focal points, as well as practical, still-functioning pieces of furniture.

Antique Murphy beds are also being sold in fine antique stores all over the country. Many of the original mechanisms still function and the cabinetry used to create the units can be quite beautiful. Buyers should remember, however, that a true Murphy bed is not going to be older than the invention, patented in 1900. The piece may be housed in a cabinet that is older than the patent, but the mechanism cannot be older than that. The buyer should be knowledgeable about the furniture of the period as a whole, and about the mechanism itself. Intelligently purchased, these beds can be an investment and a functioning piece of furniture.

About the author:
Murphy Beds Info provides detailed information on murphy beds, murphy bed plans, wall beds, bed libraries, and antique beds. Murphy Beds Info is the sister site of Bunk Beds Web, www.e-bunkbeds.com.

Swimming Pool Accessories Overview

2009-04-30T21:21:00.002-07:00

by: Kathryn Whittaker

Some people say that shopping for the perfect swimming pool can be as mind-boggling as shopping for a new car. The choices of make, model, and accessories are just as overwhelming, and advice from competing salespeople often make little sense.

The most important swimming pool accessory is the pool cover. You will use the plastic cover to seal the pool for the winter and to protect the pool from the harsh elements such as wind, ice and debris. A durable plastic cover will also prevent children or pets from taking an unplanned dip. The pool cover usually needs something heavy to keep it in place, such as sandbags or plain fabric straps.

Another popular swimming pool accessory is a skimmer to collect dead leaves, branches, insects and other debris from the water surface. A skimmer looks like a huge badminton racket that collects the floating objects. A sturdy solid skimmer will save you money on the pool maintenance. Ideally you should clean dead leaves daily, because too many leaves in the pool can damage your water filters and make you use more harmful chlorine to keep water clean.

If left untreated, a concrete pool surface can be quite hard on skin and not too appealing. Many people opt for cheerful pool paints to keep the pool tidy and fun. Pool paints are usually water- or rubber based, or epoxy. When used regularly, pool paints will greatly prolong the life of the swimming pool protecting its surfaces from sun, harsh elements and chemically enhanced pool water.

Antifreeze is an essential pool accessory for those who live in colder climates. When sealing the pool for the winter, you should drain the water out of the swimming pool plumbing and pour the antifreeze into the pump and pipes. Now you are ready to seal the pool for the winter.

Pool furniture can be as basic as possible. You can limit yourself with two or three lounge chairs and a table, or you can decorate your pool side like a second living room. No matter what style you choose, remember to pick the pieces that have rubber no-mark coating on the legs so not to disrupt the pool paint. The ideal pool furniture should be able to withstand the winter under a plastic cover and still please your eye in the spring.

Swimming pool accessories and pool supplies is something that you can cut corners on. If your budget is running low, you can still keep your pool clean and safe with discount swimming pool supplies that you can buy online or in swimming pool store outlets.

However, there’s something that you can’t really save on: pool chemicals. Choosing discount chemicals may often mean choosing outdated or otherwise low-quality and deteriorating supplies which in the long run could cause pool problems that could cost you more.

On the Internet you can find a lot of swimming pool equipment stores that can sell to you for less since they don’t have overhead store costs. Choosing and buying your pool accessories can be quite time and money consuming, but carrying out proper maintenance costs much less than large repairs.

About the author:
Kathryn Whittaker writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Swimming Pools please visit http://www.swimming-pools-guide.com/and for additional Swimming Pool articles please visit the following article http://www.swimming-pools-guide.com/swimmingpool-articles/.

Organizing Your Living Room-Family Room

2009-04-30T21:21:00.001-07:00

by: Simon Harris

Generally there is one room in the house where most of the "family living" takes place. In order to have a pleasant and welcoming living area for your family, and a place you can be proud of when you have visitors, you need to come up with some type of organization and storage for your main room, whether it be the living room or family room.

Step back and take a look at your room as a stranger would. Is it cluttered? Are there newspapers, catalogs and magazines pilled up all over the tables? Kids toys thrown all over? Shoes lying around? What is the condition of the furniture, would you feel comfortable sitting on your sofa, or does it obviously belong to the family dog?

One great way to start organizing any room in your house is to start with empty baskets with the name of each family member. Anything that you find in the living room/family room that doesn't belong in that room goes into that person's basket. That pair of sneakers, those comic books, that old sweatshirt, the toys. Deliver the basket to the appropriate owner. Once you've gone through the clutter, focus on newspapers, catalogs and magazines. Throw out the old ones. If you must have your magazines and catalogs get a nice magazine holder you can put next to your chair.

Now that you've cleared most of the clutter take a look around again. Just how dusty was that furniture under all that "stuff"? Get one of those nifty magnet-like dust cloths and dust, dust, dust. It's likely that once you see clean and shiny surface you'll be more apt to keep it that way. Use some Windex on your TV and stereo cabinet. Looking much better by now isn't it? Now it's time to vacuum. If you have the time, do it thoroughly. Have someone help you pull the sofa and chairs out, vacuum behind them. If you don't have the time, vacuum around the furniture until you do have the time for a thorough vacuum.

Now it's time to focus on the furniture. If your sofa has been stained and shredded by the kids and the animals, and if the site of it make you cringe, imagine how your guests feel when you invite them to sit on it. It might be time for a new one. If a new one is out of the question, you can easily give your sofa a new and updated look with a slipcover. There are lots of fitted slipcovers available in wide varieties of colors and patterns and there is sure to be one to suit your decorating taste.

There, wasn't that easy?

About the author:
This article courtesy of http://www.vac-answers.com

Metal Outdoor Furniture - Explained

2009-04-30T21:18:00.002-07:00

by: Debbie Rodgers

Mention metal patio furniture and you probably think of the light, fly-away aluminium loungers of your youth or that half-ton cast iron table and chair set on your neighbour's lawn.

But metal outdoor furniture has come a long way. Here's a quick primer on the available types and their care.

Construction Methods

Metal is fashioned into furniture in one of three main ways: extrusion, casting, and welding.

Extrusion forces melted metal through long pipes and forms long narrow tubes of metal, sometimes solid, but often hollow.

Casting metal involves a form, or cast, shaped like the finished product. The molten metal is poured into the form and then the form is removed when the metal has solidified. Cast pieces are almost always solid.

Forging, a process in which metal is heated and hammered into shape produces the type of furniture known as "wrought" metal. It uses pipes and various solid pieces of the metal and joins them together by welding or bolting.

Common Materials

The most common metal outdoor furniture is made from iron or aluminium, although the use of steel, especially stainless steel, is growing.

Iron is a chemical element that is naturally malleable and rusts easily. Vintage pieces, usually in black or dark green, can be found at premium prices and must be carefully maintained to prevent further rusting. Modern reproduction pieces will usually have a rust-resistant finish or coating that protects against chipping, scratching and corrosion. There are a variety of finishes available such as primer and paint, powder coatings and galvanizing. They are available in a range of colors and styles.

Since iron is heavy and solid, it is well-suited for windy spots where light furniture might be blown away. Don't expect it to be highly portable, though. Well-cared for, iron furnishings can last for 100 years.

Much of the iron furniture available today is wrought iron, rather than cast iron. When you're buying wrought iron, look for pieces made with solid metal rather than hollow tubing, and that are welded, rather than bolted, together. Generally, the better furniture is North American made.

Iron furniture requires more maintenance than other types of metal furniture. Clean it regularly with warm soapy water and then dry it thoroughly. Wax the smooth surfaces and apply mineral or baby oil to textured surfaces. Oil springs and moving parts once per year. Immediately touch up any scratches or rust by lightly sanding the spot with a fine steel wool. Then apply several thin coats of metal paint, letting each coat dry well before applying the next. If you're using a spray paint, apply with short light stokes.

Aluminum is a silvery, lightweight and easily worked metallic element that never rusts. Much of the early aluminum furniture from the 1960s was made from hollow-core extrusion tubing. Such furniture was extremely lightweight but not exceedingly wind-stable. Such pieces are still available today and are best used around a pool area. Cast aluminum is better used in outdoor dining or sitting areas.

Whether you're looking for extruded, cast or wrought aluminum items, there are a few items that indicate a quality piece. As with wrought iron, joints should be welded (preferably full-circumference welds) rather than bolted. If bolts are used, for example to connect webbing, they should be made of aluminum or stainless steel. Otherwise they will begin to rust even though the main frame does not.

Best quality aluminum pieces have a powder-coated finish, which determines the final color of the piece and the durability of the metal. Powder coating is a process in which colorful polyester powders are applied and then baked onto the frame.

If you're buying aluminum furniture with vinyl webbing or straps, look for vinyl that has been processed with mildew inhibitors and ultraviolet stabilizers. Any wooden pieces mounted on aluminum frames should be treated with a finish to guarantee durability.

Suntan oils, human perspiration, car exhaust and salt spray can all eat away at the powder coating on aluminum furniture. To ensure long life, clean your aluminum furniture twice a month with a solution of mild dish detergent and warm water. Rinse well. You can then apply paste car wax to any smooth finish frames.

Steel, a hard tough metal, is an alloy of iron and various small percentages of metallic elements. The alloys produce hardness and resistance to rusting. Galvanized steel has been plated with zinc; stainless steel has been alloyed with chromium and is virtually immune to rust and corrosion.

Before the production of aluminum furniture in the mid 20th century, steel furniture was common, dating from popular French-made items manufactured in the later half of the 1800s. American companies used solid steel until the Second World War when the heavy military demand for steel dictated the use of lightweight tubular (hollow) steel in outdoor furniture. Vintage steel sets can still be found at flea markets.

If you're looking at modern steel furniture, be sure the product is either stainless or powder-coated and that any hardware used is also rust-resistant.

Metal outdoor furniture in its many shapes and designs can be a wonderful addition to your outdoor living space. Choose wisely and enjoy!

About the author:
Debbie Rodgers, the haven maven, owns and operates Paradise Porch, and is dedicated to helping people create outdoor living spaces that nurture and enrich them. Her latest how-to guide “Attracting Butterflies to Your Home and Garden” is now available on her web site. Visit her at www.paradiseporch.com and get a free report on “Eight easy ways to create privacy in your outdoor space”.

www.paradiseporch.com
debbie@paradiseporch.com

Making the Right Wallpaper Style Choice

2009-04-30T21:18:00.001-07:00

by: George Anderson

Sometimes, too much diversity can be overwhelming, and you often feel this when you are looking for wallpaper. Millions of online resources offer you hundreds of thousands of wallpaper styles, patterns, colors and textures. Books and video tutorials also cover this topic very well. However, you also need to make the process as efficient as possible. Here are a few tips that will help you choose your wallpaper accurately and without spending too much time shopping around.

One of the best moves is to ask for help directly from the store. You might be looking for a particular pattern or wallpaper motif, and the seller will have catalogs where he or she will help you find the right choice. Most good stores have complete index books with thousands of wallpaper styles and colors, so it is very likely that what you are looking for will be found. It also helps to know beforehand what kind of wallpaper category you want to purchase. You can get a classical wallpaper or one for the kitchen, kid’s room, textured wallpaper and so on. Obtain the main categories from the seller, and you will be able to easily browse through them in the index books.

In order to match wallpaper colors with the other elements in the room, it helps to be able either to take a piece of fabric similar to your carpet to the store so that you can compare and contrast colors on the spot, or to take an indexing book back home and make the decision there. Remember that your wallpaper will cover the largest area of the room, often around 60% or 70% of the entire room surface, so your choice is vital for the overall visual aspect of the room. Make sure that your chosen color and texture also fits with the carpet, tiling and furniture.

The single most important element in choosing a wallpaper for your home is to determine the color. As you know, color symbolism is a powerful tool for creating a certain mood. Green, for example, is the most relaxing color for our eyes, thus producing an overall effect of calmness and peace. Of course, different hues of green can trigger different emotions – a florescent green is not refreshing for the eyes, but it might look good in the kids’ room. Unless you have light colored furniture, dark wallpaper colors are not recommended. They tend to be more practical, since they don’t show dirt as easily as light colored ones, but they also tend to make the room darker and give it a museum-like feel.

Once you have decided on the color and texture, it is time to request samples of that particular wallpaper material. Never make the purchase on the spot. Instead, take the samples home and test them under different lighting conditions. A color that looks amazing in sunlight might be terrible under neon or artificial light. If you are really careful about choosing your wallpaper style and decorating your home, such picky tests are necessary.

About the author:
George Anderson understands the myriad of wallpaper choices and enjoys clearing up the confusion for shoppers. See his website at http://www.seewallpaper.com

Home Office Furniture: Choosing The Right Computer Desk

2009-04-30T21:16:00.002-07:00

by: Kathryn Whittaker

Your home office should be planned carefully, as the right equipment and office furniture will not only save you time and effort, but money, too. Old or inconvenient office furniture results in a messy workspace, loss of productivity and can eventually lead to back or wrist pain. When you depend on yourself for your income, any time you are not working to your full productivity, you are losing money. That is why most business owners need to pay special attention to their computer furniture, choosing the one that provides top performance.

According to a new review, nearly 75 percent of home business owners do not have a designated home office equipped with the right office furniture. With new space efficient computer desks, any room in an apartment or house can be transformed into a convenient home office.

Office furniture that you will need first consists of a computer desk, storage or shelving and a computer chair. The computer desk is the keystone of your home office, and if it isn’t working for you, it is in your best interest to replace it with one that does.

With the right computer desk, you should have plenty of flat work surfaces providing enough room to use your computer and keyboard comfortably. At your computer desk, you will have to arrange separate areas for using the computer and completing other projects including administrative jobs or paperwork.

The style of computer desk depends on the type of work you do. If you have to work with papers, you will need more flat work space. To add extra flat surfaces consider a computer desk with an additional wing or curve. A corner computer desk suits small home offices and can be easily accommodated in a den or even in a living or a dining room.

If you often use books, binders or thick heavy manuals, you may choose a computer desk with shelving or a closed overhead cabinet space on top for an easy access to printed materials without losing any of the valuable flat surfaces.

Choosing the best room to situate a home office also depends on your type of home business. If your activities require daytime phone calls operating in the same time zone you can easily operate from the living or a dining room which tend to be quiet and empty during the day in most households. If your business needs more space for storage and additional working surfaces for mailing or labeling, you will be more comfortable in the den or basement. If you are working part-time in the evenings, a computer desk can be easily placed in the bedroom where you can work quietly while other family members occupy the living room watching TV or listening to music.

Finding the right place for your computer desk and a small home office does not have to ruin your budget or the style of your home. In fact, having a home office can be of great help to all family members bringing technology to any household.

About the author:
Kathryn Whittaker writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Office Furniture please visit http://www.office-furniture-ideas.comand for additional articles on Office Furnishings please visit http://www.office-furniture-ideas.com/officefurniture-articles/.

Home Audio Furniture for Beginners

2009-04-30T21:16:00.001-07:00

by: Kevin Willard

There are many choices in home furniture for a home theatre. Some choices are better for your needs than others. In order to get the best furniture to meet your needs, you should have a clear idea of what you need, seek out a reputable company, and have clear knowledge of what all options are.

The most important concept in buying furniture that many people often overlook is the idea that the furniture should be not what’s best, but what is “best for you.” The most expensive furniture does not always yield the highest satisfaction. However, furniture that was purchased after a well-thought-out decision will often leave the buyer with a higher degree of satisfaction. Remember, while it is a good idea to take other’s opinions into consideration, the important thing is that the furniture works for you.

In order to know what you need, you should have an accurate idea of what goals you want to achieve with your home theatre system. If your goal is a state-of-the-art home theatre experience, then your furniture should reflect your systems. Comfortable chairs and high-quality tables can enhance the home theatre experience. Consider every detail, including the color of the furniture. The most appealing home theatre systems often have a color scheme that is very pleasing to the eye. Always get second opinions when deciding on colors. Depending on the type of speakers you have, you might also want to have something special to hold the speakers in. Some of the best home-theatres have surround sound. This effect can be achieved by spreading the speakers around high quality furniture. Depending on what you want, you can decide beforehand how much money you are willing to spend on your home theatre arrangement.

Additionally, before one goes to make a purchase, the layout of the room should be measured accurately. This can be done very simply with measuring tape. You could possibly mark spots on the walls where the furniture will go. It is always a good idea to draw plans and view multiple arrangements. Some furniture takes up a significantly higher amount of space than other furniture. Therefore, knowing how much room you have to work with can make the furniture choice much more efficient and enjoyable.

The final thing that you should consider before buying furniture is the company. There are lots of furniture companies out there, and some of them have lower quality furniture, and bad service. The best companies will be willing to invest their time in order to help you create the best home theatre possible. It is always a good idea to get recommendations from friends about a certain company. Some companies may offer bad advice or try to convince you to spend more money on furniture that will not best fit your needs.

Buying furniture for a home theatre can seem like an extremely daunting task. However, it can be efficient and enjoyable if you take the time to educate yourself about what options are available, what exactly you are looking for, and what are the best companies out there. Well-educated decisions are always more rewarding than decisions made with a severe lack of knowledge. If you inform yourself, your home theatre system will surely be the envy of your friends and family.

About the author:
Kevin Willard is a home audio enthusiast. To learn more about home audio furniture, visit http://www.sjgreatdeals.com/.

Gain Extra Seating With Bar Stools

2009-04-30T21:15:00.001-07:00

by: Kathryn Whittaker

Today’s kitchen can become a complete entertainment center thanks to a sleek kitchen and bar furniture, including a breakfast area with a stylist breakfast bar and bar stools. Many people remodel their kitchens to accommodate a small bar area where they can grab a bite to eat before work or entertain friends with cocktails at a dinner party.

The kitchen has become more than a place to cook due to new technologically advanced appliances and less traditional furniture. Space-saving appliances such as ovens and microwaves combined not only reduce cooking time but save a lot of space too.

With more space, smart homeowners have more space to accommodate an additional seating area to satisfy their entertaining style. It could be another table, a counter with stylish bar stools, or even a couple of lounge chairs.

If you decide to create a little bar area in your kitchen, you need to find the best location for it. Many people disassemble one wall and install a bar counter instead, or leave two pillars and a four-foot riser to be used as a counter. The bar area should not block the traffic in the kitchen. That’s why the best location for it is near the wall, or if that’s not possible, then on an island in the middle of the kitchen.

A bar counter in the middle of the kitchen requires some space around it for comfortable seating and allow the kitchen to function properly. Don’t fall prey for tricky salespeople who may try to sell you a counter with cabinets bigger than your kitchen can accommodate! The access corridor around the bar area should not be less than 3 ft wide.

Luckily, contemporary bar stools require much less space than their traditional counterparts usually seen in restaurants and pubs. Bar stools for home use are much lighter and more artistic in color and style. Since people spend less time at their home bar than behind a table, contemporary bar stools are usually backless or have a very low ergonomically designed back. The most popular ones are swivel, with sturdy legs. Contemporary bar stools can be made of aluminum, fiberglass, or metal.

There are many bar stool options available on the internet. Customers can choose specific heights, colors, wood color and type and seating fabrics for bar stools creating full custom sets. Customers can also choose from free samples of fabrics and other upholstery types, finishes and wood samples. This way, you can have a set of bar stools to perfectly match your current home style. There are web sites that allow you to send in your own fabric to be used as upholstery for the bar stool set.

A great finishing touch to your bar area is to install a radio or small TV in to watch while you cook, eat a quick meal or relax over drinks.

About the author:
Kathryn Whittaker writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Bar Stools please visit http://www.bar-stools-guide.com/and for additional Bar Stool articles please visit the following article page http://www.bar-stools-guide.com/barstools-articles/.

Furnishing and decorating your own home

2009-04-30T21:14:00.001-07:00

by: Dakota Caudilla

Asking yourself furnishing and decorating questions
Whether you’re decorating a room or a house, a dorm or a castle, the same principle in furnishing and interior decoration applies. You will need to identify and find your own personal preference. There’s no shortcut for this process. In order to find your own personal preference as to interior decoration and furnishing, you have to, first, focus in on your likes and dislikes. Do you prefer a casual style or a more artistic and modern look for your home? Would you prefer contemporary interior decoration done or French?

Only when you stop and think about what you like will you be able to decorate and furnish a room or home according to your likes and dislikes. A home should express your own unique taste and preference – not someone else’s.

Get inspired with interior decoration pictures and researching on furniture and colors
Go to a newsstand and grab a good copy of a home furnishing magazine or better yet, go and buy yourself a good book on how to decorate a home or furnish a rent apartment. This should get you started soon enough. The next step to decorating and furnishing your home is to find out what colors interests you. Select the color and shade that makes you think of HOME – and then try combining the colors together. There are tons of quizzes and questionnaires online that can help you identify your favorite color…if you don’t already have a couple of favorite colors in mind. However, note that sometimes your favorite color may not be the right color and shade to use on your home. For instance, if your favorite colors are lime green, bright sunny yellow and crimson red, it’s pretty hard to match the colors together and not make the home look like a circus tent!

Looking at pictures of well-decorated homes can help you identify your personal style as well. Select the pictures that you like and compile them together in a special interior decoration book that you will continue to look through until your home is decorated and furnished. Sometimes, looking at pictures, you’ll surprise yourself with the conclusions. From time to time, look through the pictures again and see if you can see similarities – like if most of the homes you like are with mirrors, white or dimly lit. Do the homes look very serene or open?

Take note of the make, color and design of the furniture and decoration of the room that you like
If you’re still stumped for answers and ideas, take a look at chairs, sofas, beds, closets, cupboards and try to identify the ones that you like. Note their type and make. Are they wood types mainly brown and earth-toned? Are they bright and cheerful? Or are they white or beige in color? Are they leaning more towards conventional types of furniture, bold and modern or are they classy types of furniture?

Decorating and furnishing your own home is not as hard as people make it out to be. It’s only difficult and feels like a chore when you’re not sure what you want your home to look like. Once you know what you like and what kind of furniture, color and look you like, decorating and furnishing your own home will be a walk in a park.

Dakota Caudilla, journalist, and website builder Dakota Caudilla lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.furnishings-source.com on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

About the author:
Dakota Caudilla, journalist, and website builder Dakota Caudilla lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.furnishings-source.comon which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

Feng shui decorating guidelines

2009-04-30T21:12:00.000-07:00

By Jakob Jelling

The importance of following feng shui decorating guidelines.

Feng shui decorating guidelines show us the correct way to place objects, furniture and how to decorate in order to achieve harmony. Living and working spaces and their decorations affect the people inhabiting them, and feng shui decorating knowledge studies the way to make that factor affect in a positive and harmonic way.

If you want to learn and be able to follow feng shui decorating tips, the first thing to do is to learn about feng shui in general and its main concepts. By learning this, you will find yourself naturally acquiring information on how to decorate any different spaces according to feng shui.

According to feng shui decorating guidelines, the way and the position in which we place our furniture, the colors we choose, the different objects and places we choose for them, everything can be done in a way that ensures harmony. Actually, in China people are used to look for a feng shui expert to guide them in occasions such as when they buy a new house.

Following feng shui decorating guidelines is not the same as decorating in order to make a space pretty or nice looking but it is about making it be in harmony with us. Actually, many times a decoration done by following feng shui would not look nice or be esthetically correct at all. By following feng shui, we could end up doing some of the things we would never have thought to do in our decoration.

For example, the position we place a bed can have main importance according to feng shui decorating tips. A bed should be placed in a position that allows the person to easily look at the door, but at the same time it should not be facing it directly and it should be against a wall. Even if this leads to an option which you wouldn’t have thought of for you to place your bed, you should do so in order to be able to sleep well and comfortable.

Feng shui does not see decoration with the same eyes a merely esthetically based decoration does. Feng shui decorating guidelines are meant to help people make their spaces as much harmonic and positive for their inhabitants as possible, even if esthetics have to be sacrificed for it.

About the author:
Jakob Jelling is the founder of http://www.fengshuicrazy.comPlease visit his website and learn all the feng shui tips you'll ever need!

Decorating Your Kitchen With Antique Plates

2009-04-30T21:11:00.002-07:00

by: Lee Dobbins

Antique plates can add whimsy and interest to your décor. Many people hang them right on the walls for a unique look. You can hang them up on special holders made just for this or use ribbons to hold them and hang from fancy hooks. Learning how to arrange your plates so that they look best is key to making them a successful part of your wall décor.

Lets say you have a beautiful antique platter that will go perfect in your kitchen. You run out to the store and get a hanging bracket, insert the plate and hang it on the wall over the server. Instant charm!

Pleased with your accomplishment you stand back. You tip your head to one side and then the other. Squinting, you take another look at the plate. Something doesn’t look right.

If you have ever found yourself dissatisfied with the appearance of the decorations on your walls you are not alone. Many people make the same common mistakes that the eye can read as awkward but the individual does not know how to fix. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when arranging your plates as well decor:

Hanging Large Platters:

Large platters or chargers can be the focus of your décor so you must make sure you hang them in a spot that is appropriate for the size and focus. Where do larger pieces look the best? Try above the server or dry sink, over a couch, behind the dining set, over a fireplace or on a feature wall. A feature wall is where the placement of furniture or the layout of the home naturally guides the eye to a wall - a great place to feature your antique platters.

Hanging Small Plates:

Grouping smaller plates together in one area can add interest and keep them from getting “lost”. Use a common theme like, color, pattern or style to pull them together. Hang a single smaller piece low on the wall and as close to the furniture as possible, otherwise it will seem to be floating.

Grouping Plates:

The key to grouping pieces together is to space them properly. Each item should be spaced about 3 inches away from the items on either side. Try positioning them on the floor or a table to get a pleasing arrangement before placing the nails and measure carefully before making any holes.

Height:

Plates should be hung with the center of the plate at eye level. That means the center should be about 60 to 66 inches from the floor. If you've visited a gallery you will see that the frames are not lined up by their top or bottom edges but that the pictures are all centered at the same height.

If the platter or plates will be viewed from a sitting position – like from the dining table, you should hang at the eye level of the sitter.

If you are hanging it behind the dry sink or server, make sure it is no more than 10” above the back.

Using these tips you can transform your bare kitchen walls into a designer showcase with a unique focus on antique plates!

About the author:
Lee Dobbins write for http://www.a-kitchen-decorating-idea.comwhere you can find out more about decorating your kitchen in their article database at http://www.a-kitchen-decorating-idea.com/articles4.html

Contemporary Furniture Trends

2009-04-30T21:11:00.001-07:00

by: Kathryn Whittaker

Fashion trends no longer dictate the way we dress or decorate our homes. Eclecticism and contrasting style directions reign in home design. More and more people develop a taste of mixing contradictory furniture trends in their home decor, combining contemporary furniture with vintage finds and exotic art pieces.

Uncertain economy, the rise of natural disasters, persistent war conflicts and terrorist threats has resulted in the further insulation of people within their home cocoons. This cocoon lifestyle has given a boom to houseware and furniture industry, since more and more people turn to home entertainment and dinner parties instead of “going out.”

The “cocoon boom,” which originally started after September 11, 2001, transformed the modern home into a family sanctuary and hideaway. Casual living remains as the major theme with contemporary furniture today, with an emphasis on home entertaining and informal dining.

From modern furniture to accessories and dinnerware, people look for items that possess a strong sense of personal style. The casual living trend in modern furniture translates into multi-functional furniture with clear non-cluttered design and extended seating furniture pieces such as extra-long and curved couches and sofas.

Modern furniture today encourages family values, promotes quality family entertainment, supports traditional values and generally helps people connect. Another noticeable trend in home décor is a return to ‘formal’ for special occasions. People tend to make a greater effort preparing for special occasions or dinner parties and spend more time selecting dinnerware, candles, photo albums, seasonal decorations and table linen. Another important modern furniture trend is sensuality which means luscious fabrics, soft warm colors and simple shapes.

Many furniture items are adjusted for use for the targeted group of single men. This means sleek minimalist design and an emphasis on the use of multi-media applications. Flat screen TV’s are accommodated in hi-tech entertainment centers, and flat loudspeakers are incorporated into lean, spacious sofas, covered with dark trendy upholstery fabrics. This trend is also reflected in one-of-a-kind furniture items, such as art pieces having a functional meaning. Wide use of LED lighting technology helps transform a coffee table into a futuristic object that will change colors depending on a situation.

Speaking of materials used in modern furniture today, light woods still dominate. Oak, cherry, and birch are the most popular woods, with rattan and bamboo on the rise. Many woods are artificially stained to resemble exquisite tropical woods, for example, zebrano, mahogany, or palisander. A varnished solid front is often combined with a veneered body. Stainless steel, polished or brushed, and aluminum are used widely, often combined with innovative satin glass and boldly colored fiberglass.

In the upholstery, modern furniture designers favor refined large abstract patterns or sophisticated monochrome surfaces. Stripes and checks, as well as floral patterns are slightly out of fashion. The most popular materials are wool, cotton and leather, with wool felt gaining popularity.

The main characteristic feature of modern furniture is its understatement. Giorgio Armani, a couturier turned furniture designer says, that a subtle richness, not an obvious beauty, is most important in contemporary furniture design. Like a beautiful woman, furniture today reveals itself over time.

About the author:
Kathryn Whittaker writes articles on a number of different topics. For more information on Contemporary Furniture please visit http://www.contemporaryfurnitureguide.com/and for additional Contemporary Furniture articles please visit the following article page http://www.contemporaryfurnitureguide.com/contemporaryfurniture-articles/.

Choosing The Right Vacuum Cleaner

2009-04-30T21:10:00.001-07:00

by: Catherine Olivia

According to history, the first vacuum cleaner actually wasn't a vacuum cleaner at all, it was a carpet sweeper. The inventor was a man by the name of Daniel Hess who in 1860 patented a machine that had rotating brushes on the bottom and bellows to generate suction. There is however no evidence that this machine was ever produced. It would be some forty plus years later, in 1908, that Mr. James Spangler of Canton, Ohio would receive a patent for the first electric portable vacuum cleaner. And, it was his cousin-in-law, William Hoover, who lent his name to the legendary company that still produces vacuums today.

For more than one hundred and forty years the vacuum cleaner has been improved upon. Whether you are doing your weekly vacuuming of your home, doing a thorough spring cleaning (including vacuuming the furniture, and all the dust balls that have gathered behind it), or, leaving the vacuuming up to the robot, there is a vacuum suited to your need. Upright or canister, hepa filtered, bagged or bagless, there is an endless array of vacuums on the market today.

A vacuum actually cleans in two ways. The first, and the job we rate a vacuum on most is how the vacuum actually picks up debris and dirt from a carpet, or floor. When you are looking for a vacuum keep in mind the power of the suction motor, this is critical for good performance. The second, and not so often thought about, is how well the vacuum filters the air it puts back into the home. For those with allergy problems a hepa vacuum might be the best choice. Some of these hepa vacuums can filter out over 99f pollens, household dust and other allergens.

Then, there is the choice of canister or upright vacuum. This is strictly based on personal preference. Both types of vacuums have pluses and minuses. Canister vacuum heads will be able to reach under your furniture, and will be easier to use when vacuuming the stairs. Canister vacuums generally have a retractable electrical cord, which is much more convenient than wrapping the cord back around the vacuum neck. It is easier to push the lightweight vacuum head of a canister as opposed to pushing an upright vacuum. Some say they prefer to have the vacuum in front of them, which is why they like an upright. They don't like dragging the vacuum behind them. Upright vacuum cleaner bags tend to be larger than bags used in canister vacuums so they need to be changed less frequently.

Visit our site to learn more about how to choose the right vacuum cleaner.

About the author:
Article courtesy of http://www.vac-cleaners.com

Choosing Fireplace Mantel Shelves

2009-04-30T21:08:00.000-07:00

by: Eric Morris

Stone and wood shelves are the preferred choices of material for fireplace mantel shelves. Stone and wood shelves are quite popular these days and both have quite a history with its association to fireplaces.

Wooden mantels, for instance, were widely used up until World War I, paired with overhead mirrors or paintings.

Experts say that the best wood mantels are like pieces of heirloom furniture and are available in hardwoods like oak, maple and cherry with a variety of finishes. Although the price range from $1500 and up, the rewards coming from such an investment will not only be eye candy when blended with like furniture but would be something that will remain in your family from generations to generations, to be enjoyed on cold winter days and nights.

If you choose wood, be sure to check with the fire department to find out about the rules on building your shelf.

Stone on the other hand, was chiseled from stonewalls to enhance medieval fireplaces.

Fast forward to the 21st century and stone is still winning rave reviews with shelf builders. One must agree that marble, granite and even limestone's earthy appearance can give a timeless yet exquisite feel to a room.

Depending on where you go to purchase stone mantels, the price can range from $700 to $2000 and upwards for antique stone.

Thankfully, scientists over the years have replicated the pricey stone look by coming up with cast stone, a form of concrete.

About the author:
www.e-fireplacemantels.com provides detailed information about wood, stone, custom, antique, and discount fireplace mantels, as well as fireplace mantel shelves, surrounds, and more. Fireplace Mantels Info is the sister site of Gas Fireplaces Web www.e-fireplacemantels.com.

Choosing Beautiful Furniture for you Home

2009-04-30T21:06:00.000-07:00

by: Mike Yeager

Furniture is what provides the style that you want to portray in your home. Furniture is something that every home needs to give it style and comfort. Patio furniture, bedroom furniture and dining room furniture all help to add character and elegance to your home.

When choosing furniture for your home, remember to consider the decorating theme your using throughout your entire house. You’ll find that your own personality will shine through as you choose the best furniture, tables, lamps and rugs for your home.

Adorning the interior of a building or home means selecting quality furniture. Asian and classical cultures used the decorative arts to create elaborate interiors, and they originated forms extensively copied in later times. In Europe during the early medieval period few notable interiors were created except in Islamic Spain and in the Byzantine Empire. Simple movable and hanging objects were the chief furnishings of castles. In the late Middle Ages artistic resources were dedicated to the embellishment of churches and public buildings.

With more settled conditions, Renaissance Italy, influenced by Greek and Roman styles, developed interiors of grandeur and magnificence; popes and nobles employed leading artists to decorate their palaces and villas.

For your home select from only the best furniture representatives who offer quality, elegance, quick delivery and, of course, great prices!

About the author:
Mike Yeager
Author/Publisher
http://www.a1-furniture-4u.com

Basic Furniture and Its Place In Design

2009-04-30T21:05:00.001-07:00

by: Jeff Lakie
When it comes to furniture, you have several different types. There is basic, custom handcrafted, and thrift shop types to name a few. The basic type of furniture is found in any retail store and can be an affordable and fashionable way to create just the right atmosphere in any room.

Furniture can be a utilitarian device in your home or it can define your personality. In some cases it can do both. Certainly you have been in the home of a friend or relative and wondered what the heck they were thinking when they decided to put that couch and that table together. Furniture is a personal aspect of the home, and discovering ones personality in their furniture choice and decoration attempts may be frightening at best.

There are times though when financial limitations cause a slight change in what you want in furniture and what you can actually afford. Going into debt over furniture is never a wise decision. Using your imagination and utilizing that which you can afford in an imaginative way is not only fun but also it allows a whole new meaning for your personality to pour through the grand design of your home.

Lets face it we can't all be interior design specialists, nor do we all wish to be. There is nothing wrong with wanting your living space and the furniture in it to reflect a refined element. Decorating your home in the style of say, Early American Flea Market is not really a refined definition of style. However if you possess the innate quality to lean toward eclectic and have the great luck of making that work for you… Early American Flea Market is not such a bad “style” after all.

Some people have a talent for accurate furniture choice and decorating specific rooms or areas. But mostly the coming together of a room works simply because they are not afraid to let their true colors show. Basic furniture has its place in our society and in the “true colors” part of decorating a home. There should never be any qualms about utilizing all the styles and colors of basic furniture available. And you should always let your spirit flow.

About the author:
Jeff Lakie is the founder of furniture Resources a website providing information on furniture www.cheap-office-furniture.info/index.htm

20th Century Home Decorating Guide

2009-04-30T21:04:00.001-07:00

by: A.Caxton

The custom of appropriate and harmonious treatment of home decorating, interior decorations and suitable furniture, seems to have been in a great measure abandoned during the present century, owing perhaps to the indifference of architects of the time to this subsidiary but necessary portion of their work, or perhaps to a desire for economy, which preferred the cheapness of painted and artificially grained pine-wood, with decorative effects produced by wall papers, to the more solid but expensive though less showy wood-panelling, architectural mouldings, well-made panelled doors and chimney pieces, which one finds, down to quite the end of the last century, even in houses of moderate rentals. Furniture therefore became independent and "beginning to account herself an Art, transgressed her limits"... and "grew to the conceit that it could stand by itself, and, as well as its betters, went a way of its own."

Interior Conservatory Finishing

The interiors, handed over from the builder, as it were, in blank, are filled up from the upholsterer's store, the curiosity shop, and the auction room, while a large contribution from the conservatory or the nearest florist gives the finishing touch to a mixture, which characterizes the present taste for furnishing a boudoir or a drawing room.

There is, of course, in very many cases an individuality gained by the "omnium gatherum" of such a mode of furnishing. The cabinet which reminds its owner of a tour in Italy, the quaint stool from Tangier, and the embroidered piano cover from Spain, are to those who travel, pleasant souvenirs; as are also the presents from friends (when they have taste and judgment), the screens and flower-stands, and the photographs, which are reminiscences of the forms and faces separated from us by distance or death. The test of the whole question of such an arrangement of furniture in our living rooms, is the amount of judgment and discretion displayed. Two favorable examples of the present fashion, representing the interior of the Saloon and Drawing Room at Sandringham House, are here reproduced.

How The Gather Inheritance Influenced On The Home Decorations

There is at the present time an ambition on the part of many well-to-do persons to imitate the effect produced in houses of old families where, for generations, valuable and memorable articles of decorative furniture have been accumulated, just as pictures, plate and china have been preserved; and failing the inheritance of such household gods, it is the practice to acquire, or as the modern term goes, "to collect," old furniture of different styles and periods, until the room becomes incongruous and overcrowded, an evidence of the wealth, rather than of the taste, of the owner. As it frequently happens that such collections are made very hastily, and in the brief intervals of a busy commercial or political life, the selections are not the best or most suitable; and where so much is required in a short space of time, it becomes impossible to devote a sufficient sum of money to procure a really valuable specimen of the kind desired; in its place an effective and low priced reproduction of an old pattern (with all the faults inseparable from such conditions) is added to the conglomeration of articles requiring attention, and taking up space.

The limited accommodation of houses built on ground which is too valuable to allow spacious halls and large apartments, makes this want of discretion and judgment the more objectionable. There can be no doubt that want of care and restraint in the selection of furniture, by the purchasing public, affects its character, both as to design and workmanship.

About the author:
Andrew Caxton runs the online magazine on home decorating and design http://www.home-decorating-reviews.comYour guide on home decorating and how to choose from hundreds of decorating ideas and tips. Andrew's site will inspire you and capture the look you want. At his site you can find also reviews on flooring, area rugs, blinds and railings.

9 Ways To Inexpensively Decorate Your Bathroom

2009-04-30T21:03:00.001-07:00

by: Samantha Birch

The bathroom has evolved over the past decades from a strictly useful and functional room to one that is similar to a spa. And just because there aren't thousands of dollars available for decorating doesn't mean that a bath can't be unique, dramatic and thoroughly satisfying. Here are nine frugal ways to spice up any bathroom.

1. Collections of inexpensive mirrors add both light and space to any bathroom. They reflect colors, faces and other decorations and add character and interest . Mirrors are much more effective when grouped together rather than being a scattered mass simply hanging on a wall.

2. Pictures or prints can be massed on a wall. For maximum impact hang them closely together rather than separated. Pictures can be striking if they have a 'theme', such as:

* Black and white photos - no color
* Older shots - from the 1930s or 1940s, for instance
* The frames are all an identical color
* The frames or photos have a uniqueness in common - oval shapes, women only, pets

This decorating tactic works best in a powder room, rather than a full bathroom, because of the high moisture.

3. Needlework makes a striking wall accent. For instance, sampler patterns from Colonial America are easily available and a few samplers grouped on a wall create a totally unique bathroom.

4. For color and charm, throw a rug on the floor. In a dull or drab bathroom, a rag rug or oriental carpet will add charm and beauty. Just be certain to use a non-skid pad underneath, especially if anyone will be stepping out of a tub or shower.

5. Collections can spark interest and admiration. Pottery is an unusual accent piece for any bathroom. Or you might consider old bottles, perfume atomizers, shaving mugs or other flea market collectibles. One especially exciting bathroom included replicas of old bottles with genuine antique stoppers made of silver and fashioned into old-time designs.

In a bathroom, be certain there is ample space for your collectibles, like a wide shelf with a lip or a generous window sill. Broken pottery or glass isn't helpful in any room - but it's especially destructive in a bathroom.

6. Color is, of course, the quickest, cheapest and easiest way alter any bathroom. Unusual colors on a bathroom wall, like melon, chocolate brown or peach, will add drama. Accents like brightly colored towels in a monochromatic bathroom will provide an outstanding accent.

7. Architectural details can spark interest. A piece of beaded or crown molding halfway up the wall or near the ceiling can transform a room, especially if it's painted a funky color. A more elaborate addition would be grooved paneling over half the wall. Even a shelf or picture rail adds interest.

8. Add living color with plants or freshly cut flowers. The energy of plants is soothing and creates a zen-like atmosphere that is very conducive to relaxation and letting go of stress.

9. A piece of furniture, space permitting, can add unusual detail to any bathroom. Furniture need not be expensive. Most Goodwill or Salvation Army stores will have a battered piece of furniture that can be revived with sanding, paint and some unusual and classy handles or knobs.

All nine of these ideas won't fit every bathroom, nor should they. Simply choose one or two, as your budget permits, and begin slowly adding details. And don't forget the 'before and after' pictures!

About the author:
Read dozens of articles & constant new information on home decorating, furniture, unique home decor, home interiors & gifts, including a home blog, books on decorating and weekly specials.
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