Furniture

Basic Contemporary Japanese Furniture Design Guidelines

Recently, the home decorations of Americans are starting to change; it has been departing from their lavish designs and even their ornately designed rooms for the olds. Nowadays, we are purchasing much simpler furniture and yet elegant in the eyes. This practice is seldom being seen as an old practice from the ancient Japanese. As a matter of fact, most of us is a bit familiar with the Japanese’s furniture which has been first designed in the 1500’s which are also known as the Edo period and had undergone some changes in the present period. Now, let us discuss a quick guide to contemporary Japanese furniture design.

[one_half_first]Most of the Japanese people do believe in the concept of “Ma”, which is commonly being known by them as a proper balance between any objects in a space. This is the main reason why a lot of the traditional decorations of Japanese are creating a simple and yet stunning room not just cluttered or even the plain ones.[/one_half_first][one_half_last][/one_half_last]

Japanese styled furnitureFor us to be able to create a living space which has the designs of the Japanese, there are some few details that we should consider putting in our room. Like for example, instead of using some carpets, we could simply use some tatami mats which has been made from the straws of rice and can be also used for sleeping, sitting, or even just for covering of our wooden floors. The tatami mats have a border of black fabric and a light tan color which makes it aesthetically pleasing rugs.

The Japanese have been known for their classic furniture design ideas for centuries. Decorations all over the world have been shifting from their usual lavish designs to the Japanese furniture. People are now searching for elegant but simpler furniture. Most of these Japanese designs are perceived to be ancient but in the real sense, they keep evolving. In fact, Japanese furniture designs were first created in the 14th century but have undergone numerous changes over the time.

Japanese designers best ideas

Majority of the Japanese designers and people in general believe in the “Ma” concept, to them, this is the balance between an object and space. No wonder the traditional Japanese decorations are known for their simplicity, yet stunning decorations.

In order to create a space that has Japanese designs, there are some few things that we must put into consideration. For instance, we can just use tatami mats instead of using carpets. Tatami mats are made from rice straws and can also be used for sitting, sleeping, or perhaps covering our wooden floors. Tatami mats are made up of a light tan color and a black fabric border which makes them very pleasing.

Japanese styled table

As much as these Japanese designs are simple, they can be expensive in other parts of the world due to their course of marketing and shipping. So, a piece of furniture that may be common in every Japanese household translates into a very expensive piece of item in the west.

But it does not mean you should not be aware of various Japanese furniture that are available out there. Not forgetting the decorating tips that will make your house have a sense of Japanese culture in decoration.

Popular Japanese Furniture Designs

The Japanese believe that the best way to harmonize with your surrounding is to include some natural wooden elements in your home. So, most of the furniture in Japan is wooden from chairs, tables and other household items. Some of the most commonly used wood includes red pine, cypress, maple, hemlock and even Bamboo.

  1. The Japanese Genkan   

The genkan is basically another name for the Japanese house entry point. This is the point where the visitors are greeted and welcomed in the house. In addition, the Genkan is where the shoes are placed and replaced with indoor slippers.

Within the Genkan, there is a shelf called a getabako and it is where the shoes are stored. This entry is made up of wooden and simple design and of course plenty of lighting to enhance its appearance.

The Genkan also acts as an airlock where it prevents the outside air from entering. Due to its strong cultural significance, the Genkan is still a common feature in most of the modern day Japanese homes.

  1. The Raku Tatami Bed

One thing worth noting is that majority of the Japanese furniture is normally down low to the ground level. Copying their culture would therefore be similar to incorporating ground-low furniture into our homes. One typical example of ground-low Japanese furniture is the Tatami Bed.

Raku simply means comfort in Japanese and the Tatami bed is the perfect example of this expression of this comfort. It is easy to set up and comfortable as you are laying back and relax on it.

In addition to their comfort, these Raku Tatami beds are Eco-friendly. This basically means that the Tatami beds are made in a way that is friendly to the environment compared to other products in the market. Unlike other furniture that are made of toxic chip board or particle board, Raku bed is purely made from solid Para wood. Para wood is basically wood that has been farmed and managed unlike wood fetched from forests.

Secondly, the type of finish and stain that is used on these beds cannot emit toxic gas into the environment since it’s inert. Lastly, this bed does not use any steel dowels, nails, or screws for assembly. The corners are instead joined by ingenious means of slot-locking that is not only sturdy and simple but also easy to put together. It is only the middle rail that uses steel bolts to secure the rail and middle legs for the purposes of creating an extra sturdy and strong bed.

  1. The Japanese Tatami Mats

These authentic Japanese Mats are ideal for covering your floor and are soft to rest on and comfortable to walk on or even lay your mattress over. Tatami mats are designed in such a way that they can withstand many years of heavy use. They are suitable for bedrooms, entrance areas, meditation rooms and martial art studios.

This rush straw Tatami Mats are simply unique in two ways; comfort and firmness due to the rushstraw. So, they are neither too soft nor too hard. Tatami mats have been in existence for hundreds of years now.

There are two categories of these Tatami mats in the market – the less expensive ones that are made of wood board or water board and of course the more expensive ones that are made from rice straw. The layered grass straw mats can be time consuming but they make your floor valuable and unique.

Since Tatami mats are made from rush straw, they are categorized as agricultural products and must therefore meet various regulations in the west for pest control purposes. Most of the mats meet these regulations since they come covered with various pest control pesticides before entering in the United States.

Since they are manufactured and processed naturally, Tatami mats are eco-friendly compared to others. Most of the manufacturers also use infrared heat process instead of fumigation gas or toxic powders. In addition to this, any straw components are cleaned before manufacturing. What this means is that your floor covering is made from all renewable and natural materials that are eco-friendly and non-toxic.

With the right treatment, the Tatami mats can serve you for more than 20 years. You can use these mats in a variety of places and they will still bring that sense of beauty and harmony in your home. Tatami mats are believed to bring order, balance and good luck. So, what are you waiting for? Bring fortune in your homestead today.

  1. The Shoji Lighted End Table

If you are searching for hard-to-find furniture for your office or home, then this Shoji lighted table is all that you will need. Even when this table is not lit, it is still a sleek and beautiful table. When lit, it becomes more than just an ordinary table – it transforms into a stylish piece of furniture casting a luminous and soft glow and a source of ambient or non-directional light. Elegance and simplicity are the major themes of this Shoji table.

One unique aspect of this table is that light is emanated from its core, which illuminates any office or home with a unique glow. Made from Warlon rice paper and wood-lattice, this high end table comes with the benefit of light-fixture.

In addition, the table can be used to beautify your living room or as a nightstand on the sides of your contemporary bed. This bed is exclusively designed and manufactured by the Haiku designs. Available in black and brown natural mahogany stain, the Shoji table comes with beautiful patterns on both sides.

  1. The Arata Japanese Platform Bed

The Arata bed has borrowed its themes from the harmony and simplicity of Japanese culture. This will therefore be a good way of introducing the Asian elegant style into your living room.

The most prominent thing about this Japanese bed is its low profile frame feature, which sits ground-low on a pedestal wood surface. Its padded headboard made of leather gives convenience and comfort and it’s great for leaning on as you watch your movies or read. The two side shelves on both sides of the bed offers you a relaxing comfort.

“Arata” is a Japanese word for fresh or new, and this bed will definitely bring you that fresh and new look in the bedroom. For even a more stunning appearance, you can combine this elegance with some Shoji lamps.

Basic Design Principles that must be observed

Even as you search for some elegant Japanese furniture, it is important to have some decorating tips at hand and be able to apply them successfully. There are those who are born with great designing skills and then there is the rest. If you are one of those people who have no designing skills, here are a few tips to help you.

  1. Follow the odd numbers rule

The basic idea of this rule is that objects and details that have been grouped in odd numbers are more memorable, appealing and effective than the rest. This rule comes in handy when it comes to grouping objects in varying shapes, heights and texture.

  1. Find your room’s focal point

This is the most emphasized element in a room. It’s the first thing that your eyes are drawn to when you enter a room. So, know what should be at the focal point and what should be around the focal point to complement it.

  1. Know the basic rules of measurement.

Don’t use your eyeball when it comes to arranging furniture and hanging curtains. There are certain measurements when it comes to decorating your room.

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Decoration

14 Tips on Decorating Your Home for Autumn

Autumn season is coming and so do celebrations. You may want to redecorate your home to prepare it for the thanksgiving celebration. Here are some tips that would surely give your home an autumn feel with a great look. A dried leaf arrangement is a good point to start in your living room. You can make a centerpiece out of the design that you can make out of plants like the evergreens and cones that are mixed with the twigs. You can add a vase or an urn and turn it into something artistic where you can arrange your flowers to make it look good.

Rustic styled livingroomThe next part that you can decorate are the windows. You can now hang curtains on your windows. This would add warmth inside your home. This would keep the warmth inside your home and prevent the cold from the autumn season from coming in; thus, giving a cozy feeling inside your home. You just have to choose a color of the curtain that would nicely go with the painting of your room; because only the texture and the weight of the curtain matters.

Tips on making your house flamboyant this autumn

[one_half_first]Decorating the house beautifully is something that everyone aspires and wishes to do and enjoying doing this thoroughly. Everyone wants to decorate their house in a luxurious way. But because of budget problems people are often unable to beautify their house according to their own choice and design. On the other hand, everyone is not familiar with the methods of decorating their house within budget by using appropriate and smart tricks. Seasonal changes also pay a pivotal role in the interior decoration of the house.[/one_half_first][one_half_last][/one_half_last]

Decorating your house in the same way throughout the year can make you feel monotonous in your own home and make feel dull in your own house. Will you feel comfortable in your house if it doesn’t provide you warmness in the winter season? If it fails to enhance the coolness of summer will you forgive yourself for not making it possible? If your home does not give you the happiness of coming back home Christmas or does not energize you with positivity in new-year will you enjoy living in it? Your house should connect with the nature and utilize the beauty and freshness of nature to enhance your home’s internal beauty. The interior decoration of your house should give you the correct vibe of the weather even when you are not under the sky and sitting in a room surrounded by four walls. In order to do that, you should make necessary changes in your home with the change in seasons. You should decorate your house or make necessary changes in the interior decorations of your house according to the changes in the season so that your home can make you feel connected with the nature and help you embrace the seasonal change or the change in nature graciously.

Autumn is the season between summer and winter; also called “Fall”. In the northern hemisphere it is from the September equinox to the December solstice; in southern hemisphere it is from the March equinox to the June solstice. The word “AUTUMN” is also used in a metaphorical way which means the maturity stage of life or decline of a certain time period. This also signifies the natural characteristics of autumn. AUTUMN is the third season out of the four seasons and it is also the best time to get prepared to stay warm in winter and bid adieu to scorching heat of summer. This season can give you both-the cold and cozy feeling of the winter and the shinny rays of sunlight of summer. So, this season is the perfect combination of summer and winter. This season is also the time of harvest. So, autumn is the perfect time to celebrate life and nature how intricate these two are with each other. So, your house also deserves to utilize the flamboyance of this spectacular season and give your home the makeover that it deserves to stay proportionately beautiful with this season. Tips tricks to decorate your house for autumn are given below:

1: Sketch the decoration first

Whatever or however you want to design your home for autumn, the first thing that you certainly need to do is make a blueprint or sketch of your plans. If possible draw a design of the entire house and add your inputs in it. By doing so, you can remember every single thought that will pop up in your mind and preserve it to use it while implementing the design or literally decorating the house. It can also help you to fulfill every single requirement of your own.

2: Don’t go the clichéd way

What is the first thing that comes in your mind whenever the idea of decorating your house for autumn comes in your mind? Using some autumn leaves in the front door as a decorative piece and some old rotten pieces of pumpkins right? But why does it always needs to be that way? Think out of the box. Think of something new.

3: Use different color palates

The common theory of decorating the house for autumn is that everything is bound to be orange. But there is no harm is experimenting with different color shades. You can also decorate your house with colors like blue, green, lime, wine red or even dark colors like red, orange. There is no problem with using the color orange but don’t you feel bore for using the same orange color for decades? Use different colors and give your house a different look.

4: Use neutral shades on the wall

You can use neutral or pastel shades on the wall for decorating your home. Giving your walls a neutral or light shade can balance the entire decoration of your house. Also, light color walls will help you feel the freshness of the season.

5: Going green always work

Though autumn is famous for fallen leaves and orange palates but going green will not hinder the tempo of this season. In fact, it will add a zest of freshness in your home.

6: Rocking chair will definitely rock!!

A rocking chair by the window will give you the opportunity to spice up your lazy afternoons in the porch by being ushered the soothing beauty of the nature and get astonished by the changing weather and get mesmerized by the season of autumn.

7: Think outside the pumpkin

You can use and beautify the pumpkin by coloring it or cutting it different and interesting sizes and shapes. Not all pumpkins deserve a spooky makeover. In order to, distinguish between Halloween and autumn decorations you need to make some changes in decorating the pumpkin. By adding a lace doily over the stem, the pumpkin becomes a bright focal point on your front porch.

8: Utilize what is called waste

You can use fallen leaves to make a beautiful art to hang on the neutral painted wall and give your home the zest of autumn. You can use some DIY tricks to utilize the wasted leaves in a good way.

9: Make your center pieces the center of attraction

You can use small white and orange pumpkins to use a centerpiece for your home. Use dried hydrangeas, fallen leaves to create center pieces and make a statement.

10: Use a pop of color on the walls

Though autumn is all about keeping it simple and minimalistic but you can hang colorful and vibrant wallpapers to hang on the wall. A wallpaper of tree leaves will also do the work of vibrant posters if you want to skip the pomposity and want to stay simple as possible.

11: Prepare the bar

Autumn is all about celebrating life and nature. So make sure that your house has a bar in the cozy corner or in the balcony to mark your celebrations with your best friends.

12: Rugs and lamps can always help

You can use lamps in your house to get extra lights in the house. Autumn can give your home the light that it needs but using extra lights in your home doesn’t hurt. Rugs are also something that can play an inevitable role in decorating your house for autumn and save you some energy.

13: Cozy place to sit

Make yourself feel cozy in autumn. Arrange sitting place in house by using soft pillows and warm blankets. Create a reading room in one corner of your bedroom by using big pillows and some warm blankets.

14: Go vintage

Going vintage will always be in rage. Vintage pieces are never out of fashion. You can also use some vintage details for a change to decorate your house this autumn. Remember what now is vintage was once new.

Decorating own home is an absolute pleasure. And decorating the house for autumn is a very exciting task for every person as it is the combination of summer and winter and marks the celebration of harvesting. Using the tips above everyone can decorate their house appropriately and beautifully for autumn and embrace the beauty of nature and  let the beauty of autumn enter to your own house

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Floors

How to repair laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is probably the easiest item to use for a do-it-yourself floor installation operation. It is very easy to carry around, sticks on quite easily to the flow that you apply it to (depending on the way it is applied), and most of all, it can mimic the look of any kind of floor finish without the accompanying maintenance hassle of the originals. But like other kinds of flooring, laminate flooring can also break down and get messy. Here are some ways to repair laminate flooring.

Laminate flooring is usually available in tile-like pieces. It is carefully pieced together on the floor, to make it look like one big floor of any prescribed design. So the easiest way to repair laminate flooring would be to remove the damaged part, and just replace them again with a new “tile”! Sounds quite easy for floor repair job? Think again; just how difficult would it be to break the symmetry and rework it using new pieces of laminate flooring?

Well, chances are that laminate flooring would be dead stuck to the floor as you might have expected. After all, you did it so that it would look and feel like a genuine floor without the need to maintain it so much like the floor that it represents. Chipping it off is risky, because you might unintentionally chip off the “healthy” tiles as well. But if you have no other choice, you might as well follow these tactical steps:

The damaged part is already damaged, so it is automatically slated for replacement and is considered more or less worthless. So, to remove the damaged part, start chipping it off from the center. Break it off using a chisel and work your way carefully towards the end of the tile. You may want to split it in just two pieces however, cleaning it up would be such a drag if you still need to sweep many little pieces away.

After breaking the tile off, pull it out cautiously without damaging the adjacent tiles. Remember, if you accidentally lifted off another adjacent tile, it would also mean that you have to replace that tile as well. Prevent the dreadful domino effect as much as possible.

Remove the last remnants of the material that you have used to stick the laminate flooring into place. Be careful though, the material can also get stuck to another tile, so you have to chip the defective area from the normal areas before trying to pull them off. And did I mention to prevent the domino effect at all costs earlier?

Lastly, apply the new laminate flooring as if you are applying it for the first time. Use a very thin layer of the sticking material around the area near the other tiles though. You don’t really want the sticking material to ooze out new tile and getting the floor messy afterwards.

A Guide on Installing Laminates

Are you planning to renovate your kitchen? Recreating the surfaces of your kitchen and counter tops will definitely create a great impact without compromising your budget. There are several materials available in the market and choosing one may seem like a daunting task. Why not choose laminates instead?
Kitchen laminate
Laminates are made of melamine resist and is ideal for kitchen surfaces and counter tops since it is heat resistant and needs low maintenance. With the wide array of designs and colors to choose from, you can even create a more pulled together look by picking a laminate that matches your chosen theme.

As we all know, hiring a professional to install laminates for your home would cost a fortune. However, why shell out a hefty amount when you can do it yourself. You do not have to be a rocket scientist to figure it. All you need is the proper tools and the basic knowledge on how to cut laminates.

Laminated floor

• Start your DIY project by detaching the surface that you are about to work on from the adjacent wall. However, if this is not possible or appears to be too time consuming, you may move on to the next step.

• Then, prepare the areas you need to cut by meticulously measuring it to custom fit your kitchen surface and counter tops.

• After this, apply strips of masking tape to the cutting line and to surfaces where the saw base will run along to avoid damaging the plastic laminate.

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Kitchen

Granite kitchen countertop: an excellent choice

These days kitchen is not all about being functional, people nowadays put great effort into kitchen flooring and aesthetics. A very vital aspect of the kitchen is the countertop. This is included as a major concern in designing a kitchen. What countertop should you use? Is it granite, synthetic, or marble? Nowadays, kitchen countertops are the most favored choice even though they can be heavy and expensive.

Top three reasons why a granite kitchen countertop is a very good choice

Granite kitchen countertop1. The looks. Granite is a fine-looking material. It is available in an array of stunning colors, varying from bright, and light to neutral. Granite is also easy to match with other kitchen decors. You would have no difficulty matching any kitchen cabinet to a granite countertop. Your kitchen will naturally benefit form the grandeur, and the lustrous state of your countertop. Granite also comes with natural design and such designs even survive for a long time. These designs are naturally etched on granite and these can be a good backdrop to the whole aesthetics of the kitchen. Just make sure that you will purchase titles that will match these granite designs color and style.

[one_half_first]2. Rich textures. When granite is mined, they are excavated in large blocks. They are later converted into slabs. This property makes the pattern and color of granite largely uniform. There is also a very low chance that dirt will get stuck in cracks as fewer scratches can be made in granite blocks. As a result, granite exhibit a very consistent surface.[/one_half_first][one_half_last][/one_half_last]

3. Durability. Granite is a hard and very durable rock as it comes form the deeper parts of the earth. It does not get damaged easily and is resistant to radical temperatures, may it be hot or cold. Sealed granite is not prone to any discoloration or even to damages that can be caused by hot kitchenwares. It also does not too much care as its luster will still remain even after many years of usage.

4. A good investment. Even though granite may cost a little more than other countertops, it is still a wise choice as it increases the whole value of your home. A granite countertop assures you a kitchen that does not require too many repairs. Also, when the point comes that you want to sell your house, you can be assured that your kitchen will still be in a very good condition.

Granite countertopYou have a lot of selection for your granite countertop, as seen in decorating magazines. Granite is available as tiles, slabs, as well as in kit forms. Of the three, slabs are the most susceptible to breaking, especially during transportation. Slabs are also prone to cases of mismatching, though these come in minimal risk. The crown favorite is the granite tile. They are simple to handle and very unvarying in style. Granite kitchen countertop is a very good choice due to the comfort and practicability is offers. Furthermore, you can be assured that you will have a reliable countertop for a very long time.

How to Clean Granite Countertops

Granite is definitely one of those strong and durable materials that look lovely when used in countertops. Since the stone alone is not cheap, how much more the installation it took for your countertops to have a majestic appearance. Of course, the very thought of causing damage on your granite countertop is frightening. Not only will replacing your countertop cost you a lot, your mistake on choosing inappropriate cleaning product on granite will also haunt you for the rest of your life. Learn how to clean granite countertops and preserve its look and spotlessness.

Get rid of stains

Whenever a spill happens on your granite countertop, make sure that you attend to it immediately. Even though granite is like any other natural stones that do not usually leave stain, it does not mean that you are safe from stain. A poultice can do wonders when applied to a granite stain. You can also have a mixture of baking soda and rubbing alcohol for stains that are mostly oil, or a mixture of the powder and acetone for water-based stains. After setting the mixture, let it sit overnight and rinse after removing the stain.

Be safe with soap and water

There is actually no need for you to look for specially-made products that are meant for granite countertops. In order to be safe and save a great deal of money, simply use soap and water in cleaning the granite countertops. Any rag or soft towel will do for the wiping of diluted dish soap. Clean as usual and concentrate on the spots where you usually work on. When it comes to choosing cleaning products, if ever you find it necessary, take note that high acidity can lead to scratches. This is why the use of vinegar, even though it is widely recognized as a great cleaning agent, is not a good idea for granite. With a typical dish soap, you can rest assured that etching will not occur for every wipe that you make.

Polish the granite countertops

Buffing up the look of your granite, most especially its shininess, can be done with the help of a chamois. Clean the surface first, then try it on. Baking soda mixed with water will also do some magic. There are also several commercial products that let you polish the granite without too much hassle. However, if you want to keep it simple, why not make a mixture that can be used to polish your countertops? Prepare a spray bottle and fill it up with a mixture of one part rubbing alcohol, three parts clean water, and reasonable drops of your regular dish soap. Spray the mixture and wipe the area afterward. If you do not want your countertops to be slippery, take extra measures on taking it slowly when polishing.

Understanding that will certainly save you money and effort. With the given pointers on how to deal with your precious countertops, you can have the best time keeping them spotless and polished.

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Remodeling

Remodeling your kitchen and installing new counter tops

In today’s modern living, people want everything to be done instantly. When it comes to kitchen tops, most of you would love to see a clean and well-organized top. Granite looks perfect for kitchen, table and bathroom top. It enhances the color of the place and it also leaves a gloss finish which really looks inviting and neat. Most granite tiles today are quite expensive; but if you only need a few pieces for kitchen tops, it will not cost you a lot.

Green painted countertopThere are also tile grouts that can easily match your tile color. Tile grout enhances the color of the tiles; it also makes your tiles look new. Heat resistant, moisture and stain ceramics are best for counter tops. A successful tile can be achieved through sufficient planning and preparation techniques. Before you actually purchase your set of tiles, you need to properly measure the counter top; this needs to be done to calculate the exact number of tiles to be used.

A counter top should withstand moisture, since it is intended for kitchen use; you should make it moist resistant so it will last longer.

[one_half_first]The front edge should be thick enough for edging. You should not forget about the kitchen sink; you need to buy a sink that will also match the looks of your kitchen, as a whole. Remodeling your kitchen and installing new things which will enhance it should not make you feel anxious. It is not as tough as you assume. It can be done easily if you will just use your creativity.[/one_half_first][one_half_last][/one_half_last]

Granite countertop

This can be a great way of building family ties. You can work on together with the whole family. Letting your children help you out will make you draw closer together. This activity can bring a lot of fun if you will just utilize everything you have.

How to Paint an Old Counter Top?

Remember those times when you puke into the counter top instead of the sink? Did the water stains leave their mark already? Does your counter top look like a chopping board? This article will show you how to paint an old counter top and make it reusable again. Counter tops take daily abuses and it is inevitable that they will be degraded and later become a junk or be chopped to be used as firewood. But you can still save this treasure made by your father together with the memories embedded in them. Here are some simple steps and tips on how to paint your old counter top:

1. First, clean the old counter top with TSP or trisodium phosphate. TSP is usually used by painters as a degreaser. It is a professional-grade cleanser that removes dirt and grime which prevents the paint from sticking to your counter top’s surface.

Quartz countertop2. Next, rinse the counter top with alcohol or warm diluted ammonia to get rid of the oily surface.

3. When you are through washing and rinsing, it is time to dry the counter top. It would be best to use paper towels.

4. After drying, rough up the counter top’s surface using a coarse sand paper. The paint will stick better if the surface is a little rough.

5. Wash it again with alcohol.

6. After drying the alcohol, apply the primer. Make sure what you apply is a binding primer to secure the paint will stick. Also, it would be better to open the windows for primers usually have strong smells. Let is set for about 24 hours.

7. When the primer dries and settles with the surface of your counter top, it is time to paint it. Try to match the counter tops color with the things surroundings it. Another thing you want to consider when choosing the paint is the purpose of the counter top. If it is for preparing food, try using a water-based paint for substances from the oil based paints might contaminate your food.

Granite countertop8. With all the considerations checked, apply two to three thin layers of paint using a roller. Let them dry alter applying each coat. If you like to add some spice to your masterpiece, stencil-paint something to it, a border would be good. You can also try using sponge techniques to give a granite look to your counter top.

9. After the paint dries, finish the work by applying high-gloss water-based polyurethane. Two to three coats will be sufficient. Then allow the sealer to settle for another 24 hours. This insures the durability of your counter tops so that you can enjoy it longer and maybe pass it down to our children.

Do follow these suggested steps and you will never go wrong in painting your old counter top.

How To Repair Laminate Countertop

For most housewives, the kitchen is their domain in the household and kitchen counters are like thrones which must be thought of meticulously prior to purchasing. But even with a lot types to choose from, laminate countertops is the top-choice for most homeowners. This kind of countertop is readily available in the market with a wide range of designs to choose from, is very low maintenance and is generally the most inexpensive of all countertops.

And because it is very easily cared for requiring very little from already busy housewives, while others might be spending precious time cleaning and maintaining their countertops, laminate owners get to do other things worth their while. However, affordability sometimes affects durability, so what happens when your laminate countertop gets damaged and needs repairing? Then you ask, how does one repair laminate countertop?

The question arises as to whether you have to repair a laminate countertop or to replace it altogether often comes to mind as it is quite difficult to do and with little success rate in fixing it to make it look brand new again. The decision however would rely heavily on the degree of damage the countertop has incurred.

Minor scratches of course, are easiest to deal with. There are polishes which are available and can easily be bought. This can be reapplied every now and then to hide the laminate imperfections. For bigger problems like dents and cuts, a laminate repair paste can be tinted to match with the existing color or shade of your countertop. The paste then can be smoothened over to cover and to serve as camouflage to the area which is damaged.

Another option which can be done is to cut an exact size and shape as the damaged area and replace it, as one would work on a puzzle. However, this is difficult to be done without the damaged area being noticed. The glue should be removed ever so carefully. Make sure the old glue is entirely scraped off or removed before even attempting to put in the new piece. You can soften the glue by using a heat gun or iron. For a smoother surface, sand the exposed area. After making sure that the area is clean and smooth, spread glue for the new piece to be fixed. Then fix the piece of the countertop like a puzzle piece. Utmost care is needed if this is to be done so as to not damage the countertop area even more.

All materials and tools needed to repair a damaged laminate countertop such as polish, repair paste and putty knife are readily available in shops and are within easy reach. However, professional service to change or repair a countertop can also be sought should you decide to let professionals work on the problem.

Colorful and Stylish Countertops on the Go

If you are having problems with what you are going to do your countertops to go away from its usual and simple surface, then you don’t have to worry now. There are many available alternative countertop decorating materials that will aid you in beautifying your home.

Here are just some of the samples:
One of the widely used alternative countertop decorating materials that you can use is fabric. You just have to measure the countertop then use it as guide to your fabric. Cut the fabric just right for the measurement of the countertop. If you want it to be straight and simple, then cut it just as the shape of the surface. On the other hand, if you want some designs on it, you can cut in different edges depending on the style that you want. After that, get a glue gun then run on some glue on the edges of the fabric and paste it on the countertop. If you want to still add some designs on it, you can get a textile paint and sketch some small objects over the fabric or you can just cut on some colorful pictures and glue them on the fabric.

Another is that you can use wallpaper for the countertop. Yes, wallpapers are not just for the walls. You can find your desired color and design in the nearest department store. You also have to have a glue gun or much better, rugby. The same process must be done, cut the wallpaper with just the size of the countertop then glue it carefully, not extending the edges of the wallpaper.

How to laminate counter tops

For most housewives, the kitchen is their domain in the household and kitchen counters are like thrones which must be thought of meticulously prior to purchasing. But even with a lot types to choose from, laminate countertops is the top-choice for most homeowners. This kind of countertop is readily available in the market with a wide range of designs to choose from, is very low maintenance and is generally the most inexpensive of all countertops.

And because it is very easily cared for requiring very little from already busy housewives, while others might be spending precious time cleaning and maintaining their countertops, laminate owners get to do other things worth their while. However, affordability sometimes affects durability, so what happens when your laminate countertop gets damaged and needs repairing? Then you ask, how does one repair laminate countertop?

The question arises as to whether you have to repair a laminate countertop or to replace it altogether often comes to mind as it is quite difficult to do and with little success rate in fixing it to make it look brand new again. The decision however would rely heavily on the degree of damage the countertop has incurred.

Minor scratches of course, are easiest to deal with. There are polishes which are available and can easily be bought. This can be reapplied every now and then to hide the laminate imperfections. For bigger problems like dents and cuts, a laminate repair paste can be tinted to match with the existing color or shade of your countertop. The paste then can be smoothened over to cover and to serve as camouflage to the area which is damaged.

Another option which can be done is to cut an exact size and shape as the damaged area and replace it, as one would work on a puzzle. However, this is difficult to be done without the damaged area being noticed. The glue should be removed ever so carefully. Make sure the old glue is entirely scraped off or removed before even attempting to put in the new piece. You can soften the glue by using a heat gun or iron. For a smoother surface, sand the exposed area. After making sure that the area is clean and smooth, spread glue for the new piece to be fixed. Then fix the piece of the countertop like a puzzle piece. Utmost care is needed if this is to be done so as to not damage the countertop area even more.

All materials and tools needed to repair a damaged laminate countertop such as polish, repair paste and putty knife are readily available in shops and are within easy reach. However, professional service to change or repair a countertop can also be sought should you decide to let professionals work on the problem.

The best alternative countertop decorating

You can also use linoleum in placing some decorations on the countertop. After gluing the linoleum onto the surface, you can add some small objects around the linoleum by using glue gun or plaster of Paris to ensure that these objects would not be misplaced. You can place figurines along the edge of the linoleum so that it will trace the horizontal edges.

Of course, the very familiar way to decorate your countertop without spending too much is through the use of the different colors of paint. You don’t have to be a professional painter to create some good designs. You just play along with colors and cool drawings and you can have a good output for your countertop. First, you have to paint the surface with a base color. You can choose from white, black, orange or green. Then, you can use the bright colors in drawing small objects such as fruits or vegetables to complement with your kitchen’s surroundings. These are just some of the home décor ideas you can use to come up with the best alternative countertop decorating. They are very easy to do and will certainly give your kitchen a better and stylish look.

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Tips

10 Tips on Decorating Easily Your Home

Beautifying a home is never that hard. There are things that you can do yourself that would already help in beautifying your home. If you are looking for an affordable way to decorate your home, here are some tips that you can follow for you to achieve a new look for less the price.

Modern hallway decorThe first thing that you can do is change the paint in the room that you want to redecorate; or repaint the whole house if you want. Make sure to choose the colors well; because this would set the mood of your room or your house. This would be the basis of the rest of the furniture that will be placed in the room that would include the curtains and carpet.

The next thing to do is rearrange the furniture and arrange it in a way that it would give the room a new look and a new style. You may opt to have a theme for your room with the use of the available furniture that you have. You can add carpets if you want and make sure that the colors complement each other.

Useful tip in creating interior designs on a budget

[one_half_first]Another useful tip in creating interior designs on a budget is by finding alternatives to common articles of design themes. This can also mean finding less costly raw materials for the decor. A good example would be using stencils on paint jobs rather than applying the paint directly would help minimize material consumption, as stencils make use of less paint than direct application. [/one_half_first][one_half_last][/one_half_last]

Common articles in interior design, such as rugs and cabinets can be preserved instead being replaced by new ones, by adding a touch of camouflage on them, for example, by hanging old rugs as tapestries on the wall.

Small elegant bedroomLastly, set priorities on certain themes and designs. Since you are on a budget, it is less likely that you can actually achieve the same result as those people who really pay a good sum of money for interior design. If you think that a certain article would really need to be replaced, you may still do so, as long as it is set as your priority over other articles.

6 Home Design Tips: Tea Party Bedroom

tOu of ideas on re-designing your little girl’s room? Why not opt for a tea party bedroom design? It’s perfect for the imaginative young girls who dreams of having an elegant social tea party with her friends. As we all know tea party rooms are very cozy and comfortable, this will help your young girl relax in the confines of her bedroom.

In creating a tea party bedroom, it has to be fanciful, elegant and most of all functional. Young girls love elaborate designs and fancy details and for a bedroom inspired by such a theme, you have to be creative. It has to be functional as well, what’s the use of having a tea party bedroom if she can’t invite friends to come over and have a tea party? Do some research over the internet and browse for pictures of tea party rooms to get an inspiration. Here are some tips that can aid you in this redesigning feat.
Tea party bedroom

Tea Party Walls

The colors of the walls should be soft and not too strong. This is because you want to create a relaxing atmosphere. The easiest and fastest ways to décor walls is to use colored wallpapers which are usually available in your local department stores. Search for elegant patterns to simulate a real tea party room. If you want it to be more personalized you can paint the walls by hand. Paint the girl’s room walls with the shades of her favorite color, or better yet paint a mural that features here favorite things.

Tea Party Flooring

The floor plays a big role in the appearance of the room. It should share the same glitz the walls have, so you might as well decorate it to harmonize with the walls. Take note that it is a tea party bedroom, tea, coffee and other beverages will be consumed there and spills will be a usual occurrence. Instead of using wall to wall carpet, you can use floor coverings that are spill-resistant. If you have a large budget, you can situate wood and marble tiles.
Girl playing

Tea Party Furniture and Accessories

A Tea Party Room will not be a tea party room without Tea Part tables and chairs. Find a table and chair set that is proportional to the size of the room. Keep in mind that it is also a bedroom, having big tables will congest the room. It is best to situate the Table Set in the center of the room. You can attach a chandelier-like fixture above for a more dramatic effect. Of course you will need a tea set. When buying for a tea set, survey your child’s personality and base from it, this way you can get a design that will make her feel more special. Situate a cupboard to hold the tea set on display when not in use.

Cool and Chic Budget Decorating Tips

Budget decorating can be a very challenging and at the same time a very satisfying job. You get to save money and also be inventive and artistic in the process. If the funds are endless then you can splurge on the décor but with a budget nagging you its imperative that you exploit all the resources available at hand to do up the décor to your satisfaction with the minimum funds you have. Here are some cool tips to save you money and at the same time help you decorate with panache.

Violet-grey wall painted The first thing to do is fix a budget within which you should complete your décor. This should encompass all necessities including the accessories. Fixing the budget itself amounts to half the work done.
Start with one room at a time so you can stick to your budget properly. Including the décor of all the rooms at a time may make you spend more, so start with say the drawing room or the living room first. And then proceed to the next one.

Get the color and the decorations pre-planned for the room you start with. Set a deadline for the work to be done. This will help you to focus on the task at hand and you will get more time to look into the particular style you want for the room. Decorating on a shoestring budget is not an easy task and you may be bogged down by the various tensions of deadlines, low funds and compromised style. It will make you feel better if you do some big budget ones in between the low funded ones so you need not feel the stress build up in you.

Light and relaxing colours Planning is an important aspect that should not be neglected at any cost. Make precise measurements of the area to be decorated. Include all accessories in the plan like the furniture, drapes and wall décor in the plan. This will help you to decide in advance any changes that you may have to make and thereby saving you a lot of money and time in the process. While planning details like the height of the ceiling, the ventilation and the proper placement of windows and doors are to be noted. Just because you are operating on low funds does not mean you have to be stingy on the style and grace of the décor. Elegant and sophisticated look, as the Japanese style can be produced with a low budget if you take some care in planning and if you execute it properly.

Inexpensive ideas for decorating home

A good way to learn new things about inexpensive home decorating ideas is to share what you know with others and then wait for them to share their tips with you. This exchange of ideas will be helpful to all interested parties. Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions when shopping at the home supply store. Remember, these people are always hearing ideas from other customers who work on home projects, therefore the store employees are bound to have some great tips and thoughts about your special project.

When ever you notice a friend has made changes to their home decor, go ahead and ask them about it. Not only will they be flattered that you are interested, but also, you will pick up some ideas that you might incorporate into your own home interior improvements.

Don’t always think that women are the only ones that are interested in home decorating. The next time you have a group of visitors at your home and the subject of home decorating comes up, watch and see if all the men look the other direction. Chance are the majority of men may not be interested, but don’t discount the minority. It’s good to have the opinion of both sexes.

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Kitchen

15 Unique Kitchen Decor Ideas You Can Use Today

You do not need to go bankrupt after decorating your kitchen. There simple and inexpensive yet stunning ideas of giving your kitchen that amazing appearance. There are actually various ways of beautifying your kitchen without spending a single cent. All you need to do is to concentrate on the key areas that usually draw the most attention; these include the floors, storage and walls. You can start by changing these 3 areas and your kitchen will magically be transformed. You can thereafter proceed to other areas of the kitchen. Choosing your kitchen theme can be a challenge but this article is supposed to address that with the following simple steps.

  1. Change the Lighting

[one_half_first]Move from the ordinary lighting by introducing new stylish and pendant lights as your kitchen’s focal point. For some long lasting glass pendant lights, you will only need to pay $200 or less. This will definitely not break your bank especially if your current lights are dim. Changing that overhead in your kitchen may sound mysterious but it’s actually very easy. It doesn’t have to be 200 bucks; there are vintage lights worth $20 out there. Don’t forget your under-cabinet lights as well.[/one_half_first][one_half_last][/one_half_last]The swing-arm on top of the open shelving not only offer more personality, but also provides an ambient light compared to the track or standard lighting. An average electrician can actually do the job with cords hidden. It is also practical to use the plug-in versions with the dangling cords covered by the cord covers.

  1. Add new Hardware

Enhance the entire kitchen space by upgrading the classic hardware. But even as you go shopping, be sure to keep an eye on the price tag – it accumulates quite fast especially if your kitchen is big. It would be wise to have the number of knobs and pulls at the back of your mind so as to determine whether the hardware you are eyeing on is within your budget. With many pieces available with as low as $10, it is not necessary to blow your budget.

  1. Upgrade your accessories.

Since there are limited chances of doing this kind of decorations, it is wise to use the opportunity that you get to the maximum. Put some of the items that you frequently use are inside a woven tray and display pantry accessories that have pretty packaging on top of your counter.

  1. Repaint Cabinets

Look around your kitchen; are there signs of outdated finish? It is very important to have a personal touch with your kitchen. Think of adding a white color on your kitchen cabinets, preferably white. Try duck egg, warm putty or sage green – all versatile selection will go with different finishes and materials.

A palette of white and black with a bit of metal and wooden accents looks modern and sleek for the kitchen. Paint both your kitchen base and bottom cabinets with island black and let the upper cabinets be white.

  1. Work in rustic elements

Use the farmhouse accents to add character and warmth to your kitchen. Swap the pantry door with hang copper pots or a sliding door. You may also bring in a wooden stool if you like.

  1. Use simple shelves as the storage

Don’t have top cabinets? You can easily use rustic wooden shelves with metal brackets that are cheap and easy to install. They will also provide a clear display space for all your day to day activities and dish storage.

  1. Get Roman Shades for that finished appearance.

The Roman shades provide an elegant appearance to your kitchen and home in general. If you prefer a more cohesive look, have some matching shades prepared for all the glass doors for same room.

  1. Paint the floor

Do you have a wooden floor and it’s not in the most desirable shape? If your floor is not in a very good look and there is no time or money to do a complete refinishing, you can simply paint them. White color can be chic but it will make you a cleaner person. If you need to be more creative, you can try to create a design of your choice on your newly painted floor.

  1. Get rid of the upper cabinet doors

Glass door fronts are ideal for the upper cabinet doors but they can be unaffordable especially if there are many upper kitchen cabinet doors. Alternatively, you can as well get rid of the upper cabinet doors. This is an easy thing to do because you simply need to paint the holes after unscrewing them. This will clearly create a sense of more room in your little kitchen.

  1. Try new dishes

Open counters and shelving are perfect ways of practicing the display art. Be assured you will never go wrong with classic clear glasses and white dishes. But feel free of course to hope around the market till you get what you love.

  1. Introduce a chalkboard Paint into your Fridge

No money to trade in that outdated fridge? No worries, there’s another way out; use chalkboard paint to cover it and for a creative appearance and for fun. This chalkboard paint is multipurpose, as you cook, it will keep the children busy and you can also use it for doodles, inspiring quotes, and grocery list or menu ideas.

  1. Add a rug

Replace the old, ugly laminate floors of your kitchen by covering them with a rug. You can thereafter upgrade to floor tiles which are also easy to install. When it comes to decoration and kitchen in particular, we tend to concentrate on organizing pans and cleaning cupboards and forget that floors occupy the largest part. A beautiful rug is definitely one of the things that will give your kitchen some life. The only issue is that a rug is likely to get dirty. So, your choice should be around easy to clean fabrics and cheap enough so that they can easily be thrown away once they get dirty.

One of the most ideal kitchen rugs is the oriental rugs – they are just perfect for the kitchen area. The truth is, these throw away rugs are affordable and easy to clean. This makes them perfect for kitchens that require a little texture.

  1. Replace the Faucet

This is clearly a straightforward and simple kitchen upgrading technique especially if you are in a rental house. Anyone can clearly be able to do it. Although faucets can be really expensive, you can get a faucet at $80 – very little investment for a stuff that you will use on daily basis.

A 4-Hole Ashfield design faucet will cost you $ 159.95 at amazon. Although the design is a little bit traditional, it is suitable for the modern porcelain sinks as well as the general farmhouse style of your kitchen. So, the first step when it comes to faucet replacement is choosing the replacement. Take a look at your sink and identify the number of holes it has. There are faucets out there in the market that have in-built sprayer and soap dispenser.

  1. Replace your dish rack

Replace your cheap wooden dish racks with some heavy duty ones from a reputable company. Wooden dish racks will cost you even more money because of the constant replacement. It makes even more sense for individuals without dishwasher to own a reliable dish rack. The dish rack also looks good as it sits on the counter.

The Bamboo Dish Rack is one of the best in terms of design and durability. The dish is made from natural bamboo coated with waterproof and rust-proof aluminum. Among the notable features include a drainage system made of drip tray and swivel spout under the cup holders so as to direct water towards the sink. There are also cup holders that are located along the inner frame, and there is also a place for holding the knives and utensils.

  1. Cover the ugly countertops

Changing the countertops is not an easy task – it’s close to extreme makeover. In order to improve whatever you have, try some new tips. Of course you may not be able to do permanent transformation if you are a renter. So, simply cover your kitchen countertop with a huge cutting board. It’s not only functional but also eye-catchy.

There are some people who also opt to paint their countertops to completely change their look. This is an affordable technique and particularly easy to implement. The entire painting process can cost you $60.

Use another technique to cover them up. This means you have to be creative and think outside the box. For instance, there are people who use vinyl tiles with a grout layer to cover the countertop.

Finally, if you cannot stand the look of your countertops, then you may as well replace them completely. Of course there are affordable techniques of replacing countertops out there. This is true if there are only a few linear spaces to be covered and you are in a position to do some of the job for yourself.

Brilliant idea for a small kitchen

There are lots of unique kitchen idea you can use; you just need to blend your own concept with other ideas you can see in home magazines and books. If you are not working, you can still work on improving your kitchen. You just need to think of more ideas to help you conceptualize and have a great outcome. One of the most famous concepts these days are the green and organic concept. Its main purpose is to recycle anything in the kitchen that can still be used. Like in the case of bottles, most of them are disposed off after use; they can still be used as a kitchen ornament. In the case of cans, you can still use it to plant herbs or spices.

There are lots of things in the kitchen which you can still use for other things. Thinking green is not a talent; it is having the heart for nature. It can also be a great tool to help you save a lot. Utilizing your imagination will help you make a lot of meaningful things you can still use within the house. You can also make use of this particular scene to bond with the whole family. Let your children help you in creating meaningful designs out of garbage.

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Doors

10 Window treatment ideas for glass sliding doors

Getting the right window treatment for your glass sliding door can be a challenge. You obviously need something that blocks out cold and heat, adds privacy but doesn’t obstruct the door’s function. Forget about your old fashioned vertical blinds and choose something appealing and unique.

But why are these window treatments very important?

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Also referred to as patio doors, glass sliding doors open up the living space to the outdoors bringing in the natural beauty and the sunlight. But just like anything else, it has its setbacks as well, and that is bringing in some unwanted things too. For instance, the high amount of sunlight that comes in leads to eye squinting.

Glass is also a poor insulator compared to walls, which means that a lot of heat is lost during winter. Despite our desire to welcome the outdoors, we love our privacy and wouldn’t want it to be the other way round.

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However, if we have the right glass sliding doors window treatment, we can experience the advantages of these glass doors. As you choose a window treatment for the glass sliding doors, these are some of the things that you should know about them.

  • A good window treatment should never hinder your ability to get in and out of the door. Sliding doors are normally used in high traffic places.
  • The window treatment must always open in the vertical direction since the door slides usually open vertically. This allows flexibility since you cannot open it more than required.
  • In case there are other windows, it is recommended that you select a window treatment that matches the others.

Stick with Curtains

Affordable, easily changeable, and classic, curtain panels are good options for sliding doors. To keep them out of the way in the day and prevent the young ones from getting them caught in the door, you can use the tie back system. For your top treatments, make sure they are mounted high enough on the door frame in order to prevent the top treatments from brushing onto people’s heads. Also remember to keep the curtains an inch above the ground, since it’s a place of high traffic, the curtain is likely to become grungy or pick up dirt.

Plantation Shutters

These easy-to-customize and classy shutters will bring that unique charm to your house and you won’t have to sacrifice functionality or hardiness. The shutters will easily open to give you a beautiful view and fold close at night over your windows. Once the shutters are open, they are entirely out of the way thus reducing the chances of damaging the shutters.

Side Mounted Panels

These are perfect aesthetic appeal, ideal for super neighborhoods and yards where you don’t need to block your neighbors. They are also recommended for homeowners who are lucky to have an access to a scenic view through their door. If your room has low ceilings, you can create more space through mounting the rods very high above the door frame – this gives your ceiling that extra visual increase. The mounted panels are basically for pleasing the eye and it’s therefore, wise to pick bold patterns or bright colors for that “work of art”.

Get Creative with Blinds

If you have enough money, then consider buying another sliding door that comes with inbuilt blinds inside the glass. This not only acts as a functional window that doesn’t need any maintenance, but also gives you blinds that cannot be broken by pets and children.

So, before you get rid of vertical blinds because they are probably old, look for modern alternatives in the market.

  • Cellular Verticals – these are soft fabric vanes that have got pocket cells that allow you to darken the room or filter the light. If you want to boost energy efficiency, simply close the pocket cells and an insulating layer will be formed.
  • Wood Verticals – they are the ideal light filtering solutions. Wood verticals are made from linen-look, jacquard, and chenille. For an enhanced darkening of the room, insert the fabric verticals inside the channel panels.
  • Wood verticals – these are recommended for those who have wood blinds on the windows. Now your sliding door won’t be an ugly thing anymore. All your window treatments will be blending together.

Shoji Screens

Shoji screens will add warmth and privacy to your patio door. In case you are not familiar with Shoji screens, they are wooden grids that have rice paper inserted and are currently used as window treatment.

Apart from decoration, shoji window act as insulators from heat and outdoor cold, giving you access to sunlight while maintaining your privacy. Shoji screens are also attractive due to the paper patterns together with grid change with the sunlight outside.

Shoji screen treatments are unique and there are various options that can be used together with other shoji décor such as wall hangings and lighting.

Vertiglide

These cellular shades have also found their spot on sliding doors. Vertiglide is not only an energy efficient window treatment but also an ideal choice for sliding glass doors since it’s also available with vertical pleat system. This enables it to coordinate perfectly with the various shades in the room.

Chains, wands, or chords will not be required for this huge traffic area.

Cellular shades come in different degrees of privacy and light control, but when it comes to glass sliding doors, people are ever asking for more. For instance, with Vertiglide DuoLite, you can easily have two treatments in one. This means one opaque that doesn’t allow light to pass through and the sheer one that protects you from UV ray during the day but allows the light to pass through.

Vertiglide is made with different fabrics on its different sides but every fabric is huge enough to accommodate the entire opening of its width. Depending on your requirements, you can move from sheer to privacy in just a few seconds.

 Sheer Verticals

This is where you combine the functionality of vertical blinds with the traditional sheer draperies. Basically, this type of window treatment has vertical vanes and sheer billowing in between.

To change from privacy to a light-filtered view, simply rotate the vanes from a completely closed view to completely open mode.

Skyline Gliding Window Panels

If you are looking for that modern, sleek. The Skyline panels are suitable for the expansive windows and doors. There are many designs out there in the market and most of them have numerous panels that allow you to attach a single head rail regardless of the number of window and door width which makes the stack back minimal.

  Factors you Should Consider as you find the Perfect Window Treatment

  1. Function vs. Fashion

Before deciding on the best treatment for you sliding door, it is crucial that you clearly understand your motives. A good sliding door is supposed to bring in natural light and easy and fast access from outdoors to interiors. But at the same time, it is good to get a window treatment that gives full access to the light entering your room.

For some people, their main interest in the window treatments is the beauty appeal that comes with them. You obviously need something that will bring life into your living room and complement your existing décor, but is it functional as well? The type of window treatment you settle for should never hinder the door’s functionality.

  1. Material Selection

There are a variety of fabric materials for window treatment out there. As you go shopping, free your mind and stop limiting yourself to the same old vertical blinds and actually look for something that will bring the ‘wow’ factor. The good thing about materials is that they can be textured, patterned, loaded with color or just simplified. As you make your material selection, know that your concerns are natural light, privacy, and temperature control.

Whichever window you select for the sliding doors, keep in mind that there is a variety of materials out there that will transform your room into a paradise. Before you choose your fabric, consider its purpose and room. For instance, if your room is not spacious, the Panel Glide Blinds are recommended because of their small retractable mechanisms. Such types of blinds are recommended due to their retractable mechanisms.

  1. Temperature Control

Temperature is the biggest priority for most of the homes because of various weather extremes. One of the greatest uses of window treatment that we must always look for is their capability to control your home’s temperature, resulting to lower utility bills and more comfort. It is therefore logical to select a material and style that will keep your home warmer in winter and cool in summer.

UV rays will not only damage your skin, they are responsible for your floors and furniture fading away if there is no enough protection from the windows. A good window should maximize energy and prevent sun damage. The Roman Blinds are known for their ability to maintain the regular room temperature. In addition, the Roman Blinds are known for their sunscreen materials like materials that helps in preventing the harmful UV rays.

To take away the boring effect of the bland glass doors, drapery panels can be maximized to serve as the frame of the doors. If there is a lack of drapery panels, one can just use some pieces of artworks or designs to trace the frame of the windows, just so the rectangular shape of the sliding door would not be boring.

Decorating a glass sliding doorActually, the usual vertical blinds can still be used, since there are already many designs available in the department store. However, these blinds may seem too ordinary. Vertical blinds can be spiced up with the use of swag or a cornice board. One can even put a shelf above the glass to serve as an added decoration. There are also stencils available in the department store. One can just choose from a wide variety of patterns available. However, to make it more customized, one can just design his or her own stencil. It is easy to make, and it depends on the own style of the room’s occupant. It is best recommended to try posting the stencil first on another surface before directly applying it on the wall. This would allow for some adjustments when necessary, especially on the color and on the design of the pattern These are just some of the bright window treatment ideas for glass sliding doors. They need not be complicated and most of them can be done in just a few hours. In the end, it is always up to the preference of the occupant.

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Basement

7 Tips for Lighting Up Your Basement

Basements located underground do not have the option of having a window thus making it seem like a cave when no proper lighting is used. Are you one of those homeowners who are looking for ideas on how you can make use of your basement with great lighting? Planning on the lighting is not that hard and you can actually have a basement room that you would love to spend time in. Here are some great ideas on how you can light up a dark basement.

Fake a Natural Light

[one_half_first]You can actually make the room have the feel of natural light in it. Design the room as if they have windows on it. Put some drapes to cover the supposed windows and behind the drapes, place some lights that will give an effect of a natural light coming through the windows.[/one_half_first][one_half_last][/one_half_last]

This will give your room the feel of having natural light coming in from outside. However if your basement would allow natural light to pass through, make sure that you design your windows in such a way as to ensure the maximizing of the amount of natural light into your basement. This will give your basement the warmth that it needs from natural light.

Design the Basement Lighting Fixtures

Your basement usually has a lower ceiling giving you that “cave-like” feeling. Make use of lights that would make it seem that the ceiling would look higher than it seems by making use of the indirect lighting where splashes of light will appear on the ceiling in large pools. Then you can place mirrors on the walls or on the ceiling to have some lighting effects in your basement. A fluorescent lamp may do you just great in saving energy; however, this does not fit in any decorative lighting. Table and floor lamps may give you the decorative and at the same time functional lighting that you need.

Manipulating the Walls

Another way of lighting up your basement is through painting your basement walls with light colors. It would not be necessary to paint it white but make sure you will use light colors so as not to add dark tones to your basement. And because light colors do not really make an interesting decorative theme, adding artworks to your walls would help it make a statement. Place frames where you can add lights to give it a focus. This would really be a great lighting idea for your gloomy basement.

These are lighting ideas that you can use to light up your basement for you to have that once “cave-like” basement turned into a room where you can comfortably hang out in. You can turn it into a comfortable refuge where you can stay at times when you would want some quiet time alone. Lighting up your basement can change your concept of what a basement is like. In other words, this would turn your dark basement to a well-lighted haven where you can enjoy your stay.

Basement decorating ideas

You may decide to go all out and add carpet to the floor of your basement. Most basements have hard or concrete floors (also wooden furniture), so it’s especially important to choose a high grade padding for your basement floor. It’s always a good idea to spend a little more and buy carpet padding when installing new carpet no matter what type of floor you‘re applying it to. Carpet padding adds comfort and also curtails dampness.

Basemente decorating

You can improve the interior appearance of your basement by building little boxes around unsightly pipes and wire junction boxes. When you do this, make sure to use hinges or screws in case there needs to be easy access to these areas later on.

Finishing a basement can be a big or small project. It depends on how far you want to go with it and how much you’re willing to spend. If you’re going to give the basement a major overhaul, you may want to consider the assistance of a hired contractor. It’s a good idea to talk with different contractors before making a final decision, and it’s imperative that you ask for references and follow up with them to get opinions of the contractor’s work.

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Kitchen

7 Country Kitchen Décor Tips for Modern Home Styling

There are lots of modernized kitchen with an inviting design. Most home makers today stays longer in the kitchen than in any part of the house. Making your kitchen an inviting place to stay can be very helpful especially if you are always cooking for the family. This will encourage you to cook more great tasting foods without being tired. Redesigning your home with a country kitchen style can be great. You can make it look warm by reorganizing it with style.

Country style kitchen décorOld fashioned country decorations looks more cozy than modern designs. You can combine both the old-fashioned and the modernized designs through an effective concept you must build. In making an effective and powerful design for your home, you can try the following:

1. Make your floors look like an effective country; by adding rugs, you can make an effective country kitchen look. You can also walk there with bare foot because it feels comfortable.

2. Use warm colors on the wall; by putting on some warm-colored paints or wallpaper, you can easily make your wall look cozy and attractive.

3. Making your storage space as a part of the kitchen décor is also a nice idea; wood cabinets, wooden baker’s cabinet and other wood-inspired items can be used to enhance the look of your kitchen.

Country styled kitchen4. Adding a few old-fashioned items will be helpful; there are lots of furniture and fixtures you can use to add details to your kitchen. Just make sure you will not over-decorate it.

5. Display your collections; putting on some of your kitchen collections can be very exciting. You will be able to fix your stuffs and display it in one of the most important part of the house; which is the kitchen.

Making a country kitchen is not as hard as you think

You can easily do this by using your creativity. Mixing old things and modern ones can be fun but make sure you will not overdo this because it may not be so nice to look at an over-decorated place. You do not need to spend a lot on reorganizing your kitchen. All you need is some sense of artistry; it can help you a lot.

Country styled kitchen
This is very easy to do especially if you are living in an old house or a house made of wood. A country style has something to do with woods; it will make your kitchen look like new without overdoing it. You can start with minor renovations and then continuously add something new whenever you have the means to buy new items for decorating purposes. Antiques and other wood products will enhance and complete the look of your kitchen. There are lots of magazines and books for home renovation which you might want to try. They provide lots of tips which you can adapt to make an affective country kitchen look.

Tile your kitchen counter tops easily

Adding tiles to your kitchen top makes it look inviting and attractive. It also makes your kitchen clean. Changing the looks of your kitchen can be done in few, easy steps; here are some of the most helpful steps you can use:

Granite countertop1. You have an option; by removing the existing counter tops or you can simply overlap it by putting new set of tiles. You can also choose to put in plywood first before putting the new set of tiles.

2. Choose among easy to apply and quick dry tile adhesive.

3. The next thing to do is to apply a tile grout. Use damp sponge to smoothen the application of tile grout.

Green painted countertop
Applying tiles on a kitchen counter top will give accent to your kitchen. It will give a whole new look to your old and dull kitchen top. Choose among colored tiles available in the market today. Most of the tiles today are fancy and can be easily mixed up with curtains and wall paints.

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Kitchen

Tuscan Kitchen Idea for Your Home Decorating

More people these days find the thought of redecorating their homes with a Tuscan kitchen idea. If you have been longing to have a cozy kitchen decoration, you can easily do it now. Tuscan kitchen has been the decorating trend in most homes, nowadays; because you can easily celebrate the goodness in life in the comforts of your own homes. Redecorating your home is not as expensive as it was before. With Tuscan kitchen idea, you can easily make your kitchen functional even in special occasions. With a few paint and simple touches, you can turn your kitchen into a trendy one.
Tuscany kitchen styled
After a stressful day at work, the idea of a quiet evening at home is more pleasing with an inspired Tuscan kitchen idea. Today’s entertaining features of a kitchen will be very different from before. Being the center of the festivity, not any person will be stuck in it preparing for food all day while everyone else stays in the living room. The idea of Tuscan kitchen is to share the rest of the day with your friends, family and colleagues. Delegating chores with your visitors can be fun and exciting. Sharing a glass of wine and preparing meals together is the idea of Tuscan kitchen decorations.
Tuscany style bedroom
Tuscan inspired kitchen should have an old world look. A faux paint can be used to achieve that look. There are books and magazines you can use as a reference; all of them usually teach how to make a Tuscan inspired kitchen in few simple steps. There are also Tuscan kitchen tools and furniture which you can choose from; all of them can be bought at a very affordable price. The warmer your kitchen looks, the more you can incline friends and family to come over. A great Italian inspired Tuscan kitchen is one perfect example of an inviting kitchen.

Color blending: Tuscan kitchen

You can start with the color blending of the walls and cabinets. Drawing the colors of nature will be helpful for your painting ideas. Tuscan kitchen idea is not about how expensive your furniture is. It is not about how much you have spent in redecorating kitchen. It is about how you blend the colors and how much you have adored the touch of the old world.

The walls and floors of a Tuscan kitchen are merely inspired by old stuff-like quarry tiles and the likes. Since it is hard to find, nowadays, and may cost you a lot, you can just replace it with a rug with an old stone design. Working on your creativity will help you a lot in making your kitchen an ideal place for family gathering. You should try to visit a bookstore and check on Tuscan inspired kitchen magazines and books; they will provide you with lots of interesting and useful ideas you can use without spending a lot.

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Security

10 Quote Comparisons Between Security System Firms

How and where could we ever find a great quote regarding the best security system ever? What are the things and the common factors that we must consider, for us to be able to find the right company that is offering these things? Reality check: we all want to find and compare quotes and get the best security system one could ever have. This is the main reason why we should always make some research on anything that is related with our safety concerns.

Now, let us discuss what are the factors that we should know about, and the things that we should be aware of, most especially when we are comparing quotes in looking for the best security system ever for our home. First and foremost, we should find the right company that can give us the security that we need. This company should be able to give us the best quote and security system possible. In this way, we can now simply compare quotes and get the best security system by just collecting quotes from different proven and trusted companies around us. Another thing is that, this could also help us decide which quote will fit our budget and which firm would be able to give us the peace of mind that we ought to have. But then, let us not all forget that we also need to follow some tips from the experts in the security field for us to be able to stay guided at all times while choosing the right company from which we could purchase a product to which we can entrust our safety as well as our family’s safety to.

Now let us discuss some of these tips that we must always know for us to be able to easily distinguish if that company is the right company for us or not. As mentioned above, we should always try and look for at least 3-4 dealers of the product that we want to have for us to be able to compare their prices as well as ask the other important things that come with it, such as its warranties, equipment, monitoring fees, and a whole lot more. And lastly, the most important thing that we should always remember is that we should keep in mind that reputable and great companies are the ones who will visit and meet us at our own home so that they will be able to give their assessment personally and properly and give us the best product that we should purchase for us to have the peace of mind and feeling of safety while staying inside our home.

It’s worth it: Computer camera for home security

In the many unlikely events that are now happening everywhere, we may sometimes think that the safest place to be is in the shelter of our home. News and reports showed that even houses are now being intruded and robbed. We consider our homes as places of comfort and safety so we take extra measures to make sure that this purpose are served. Home security is priority to many of us and we make every efforts to ensure that are loved ones are safe but sometimes our own ingenuity is compromised by the cleverness of thieves, for these reason why security devices are invented.

Normally we found security cameras in offices and commercial establishments where burglars attack or a simple shoplifting is likely to happen. Home security cameras has long been introduced but is not yet been widely used due to its cost. Cameras can be very useful at home especially when you have kids or you’re always away and you want to make sure that the house you left is secure and safe. Several types of cameras can now be installed in your front doors, room, kitchen, living room, veranda, garage, etc., and this comes in different sizes and styles depending on the need.

There are many options ways we can protect our loved ones. It doesn’t matter if it is in line with the latest technology in town or simply the basics but the most important thing is that we take steps in ensuring that the people around us are safe and sound. It doesn’t have to be expensive for as long as it can serve the purpose of securing safety. In investing to a gadget or technology for a computer camera to preserve safety and security be sure to get the right device that match every family member needs especially the one that will suit your budget.

Ways of monitoring activities at home: Cameras

Camera computers for home security have developed ways of monitoring activities at home. A video registrar lets you record and store images from a webcam which starts from the detection of activity. Allows you to go back to the saved images and scan through it and view it in manual modes. Net video spy is a kind of video surveillance that lets you access your home camera from a distant place through the use of the internet. A CSSS or Computer Software Security System is a kind of device that detects motion and performs many actions once an activity is detected such as playing a recorded sound like siren. This can also record the sound of the surrounding and take a video shot. The one thing that makes this very useful is that it can even call by telephone and send an email with a message of activity.

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Feng Shui

How to use Simple Feng Shui on your Home

Feng Shui is becoming a new trend on home décor today. This kind of home decoration is based on Chinese art. This type of interior decorating promotes harmony among your furnishing and belongings inside your home. Feng Shui generally means “wind and water”. These two elements on ancient Chinese culture promote happiness, good health, peace, and wealth. Proper arrangement of your home is the main concern when it comes to Chinese art. Feng Shui arrangement basically consists of several guidelines to promote success and happiness.

[one_half_first]Here are 5 simple homes Feng Shui tips for wealth and happiness on your home.
• Avoid clutter and chaos– Clutter inside your home can promote negative energy. It can hinder the success and happiness of each member of the family. It is very important that your doorway should is free from clutter.
• Plants for positive energy– Real plants, most especially those plants with rounded leaves can promote peace and good life within the family. Aside from this, it can definitely beautify any space around the house. Always open your windows. Windows around the house should be open during the day to allow the flow of fresh air inside the house.
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• Importance of color combination– color can affect the mood and atmosphere inside the house. Proper selection of colors is one of the most important things when it comes to Chinese Feng Shui. Feng Shui experts always consider the proper blending of color when it comes to home decorating. One of the most recommended colors for most home is blue and green because it provides tranquility and peace around the house.
• Proper arrangement of furniture– Arrangement is the most crucial part of Feng Shui. Furniture arrangements inside the house, greatly affects the circulation of positive energy inside your home. When decorating your home it is important that you can see the doorway from all angles inside the house. If there is an angle when the door is not clearly visible make sure to put any kind of mirror to make the door visible. Facing the door away can attract bad energy.
• Avoid having sharp corners– Your home should be free from sharp corners because this can allow negative energy to stay at your house. The use of rounded corners for furniture rather than sharp edges is one of the best ways to make your home safe. Avoid overhead lightning. This kind of lightning can promote bad energy and hinders good energy from coming.

No clutters, please: Feng Shui tips

No clutters, please. You should keep your room fixed and free from litters. Your things and other personal belongings are better kept in cabinet or organizer if not in use. Do not place anything under your bed so you will have a better and more relaxed feel. You bedroom should also make you relax, so keep it free from any distracting sounds or whatsoever noise. Also, avoid bringing inside your bedroom huge living plants but instead get something that is just enough to add to your Feng Shui decoration.
Golden feng shui chimePlace the best mirrors. Mirrors are good deal for your bedroom. It symbolizes achievement and harmony. However you should not place it directly opposite to your bed. A human-size or large mirrors is also a no, no thing especially if you are experiencing some sleeping disorders.Mirror location according Feng Shui
Have a perfect lighting. Install a good lighting system that is just perfect for you – neither too bright for this is disruptive nor gloomy for this is counterproductive.

Get our free Feng Shui tips

Feng Shui, if properly practiced, could assure you of wealth and abundance in life, improved health conditions, enhanced self expression, life-long happiness and better relationships. Feng Shui is a century-old Chinese practice of putting things at its right place to help generate more positive energies and to eliminate the negative one.

Feng Shui mirrors
Consultants and experts in Feng Shui suggested different arrangements and fixings to be done in your home. And, many of them believe that the best part to start the work is right in your bedroom. Statistics has it that on the average rate, you spend one-third of your life in your bedroom. Therefore, it is just but right that you start it there. If your love life seems so dull or nil, if your business or career doesn’t work as you want them to, if your health condition needs more enhancement or if you are dreaming of life that is something new and refreshing, our free Feng Shui tips for your bedroom is perfect for you.

It’s about your bedroom design. In Feng Shui, you have to always get the good balance of the five physical elements, namely: metal, water, wood, fire, and earth. It is better if you can do some enhancement from time to time on the overall physical appearance of your bedroom and make sure it has the five mentioned elements balanced. You have to bear in mind as well that your bedroom is an important place in your house where you can ponder, take some rest and nurture.

FengShui kitchen
Your bed is the deal here. Ensure that the setting of your bed allows the free-flow of energy in your room. Make sure that from your bed you can directly view the door to allow the flow of energy to the bed from the bedroom’s entrance. It is best if the bed be positioned across the room from the door, but should not be openly across from it. This is to allow some fresh energy to flow inside and will not be immediately detached.

Feng Shui and your Home

Feeling unlucky lately? Maybe it is the negative influences that cause the ‘chi’ imbalance in your home causing you misfortunes and ill luck. But you do not have to fear, a little feng shui can fix this ordeal.

Feng shui, (pronounced as fung shway) is a belief that is rooted from Far Eastern tradition. It has become a set of principles that has continued to evolve over the thousands of years of its existence. Feng shui experts state that everything in this world, living things, non-living things and all our surroundings, are interconnected and influence each other. To achieve a better life, feng shui says that we should attain harmony and balance in the flow of ‘chi’ or the positive life force in our environment.

Feng shui also states that our surroundings can affect our lives, positively or negatively. This depends on how we channel the positive energy; experts believe that proper order can help us to achieve health, happiness and even abundance in life. And because we spend most of our time in our homes, the balance of positive energy that flows in it greatly influences us. From the furniture arrangements, to the home’s core architecture even the lighting effects can make or break the harmony of the ‘chi’ flow. Here are some Feng shui tips to improve the flow of ‘chi’ in your homes.

Here are some home conditions to avoid:
The U-shaped home structure is considered to bring bad luck to love and marriage because it symbolizes a lock-out shape which will drive people away to find a more comfortable place. The L-shaped home is also considered unlucky, because it represents incompleteness. Feng shui says that humans are like mirrors to their environment, people who dwell in L-shaped homes will most likely feel a void in them. Feng shui experts also discourage having your front door face towards a wall. This is because it disrupts the ‘chi’, causing you to have major failures in life in three years.

Narrow entranceways that are dark and cramped is also unadvisable because it is said to suppress the normal flow of ‘chi’ causing people to feel sadness, stress and depression. Doors that are too large for the room are also considered to cause bad luck. This is because the incoming ‘chi’ will be excessive for the room to contain. As a result, residents will have a hard time holding on to their money. Feng shui principles have originated century-long beliefs and traditions that run logically to the idea of connectivity in the circle of life. And if you do have feng shui flaws in your home, don’t be afraid. Bad luck can be negated with the use of charms, ornaments, chimes and crystals that can improve the flow of ‘chi’ in your homes.

Feng Shui: Start with Basics

There is nothing wrong in believing and following traditions. Usually, beliefs help to improve life by receiving positive blessings. Feng shui basics find trouble spots in your home, as this is the well-known ancient Chinese system of aesthetics. They believed that Feng shui or wind-water uses both laws of astronomy or Heaven and geography or Earth.

Anyone can do feng shui at home. Complex levels start from basics.

To help you get started, here are some Feng shui basics in your home:

1. Clear your mess out. Get rid of all the things you hate in your home. Mess clearing is a process that consumes time and energy. It serves as therapy but it can lighten up all the loads. This procedure is important, as it creates harmonious feng shui energy inside your home.

2. Prepare a source of good light and good air in your home. These elements are significant for good chi or feng shui energy as well. Often, open windows to introduce feng shui to air-purifying plants. As much as possible, allow natural light to come into your home. Using of full spectrum lights is possible.

3. Identify the Ba-Gua. It serves as the feng shui energy map of your home through feng shui compass. By using Ba-Gua, you have the chance to find out which area of your home is connected to specific area of your life.

4. Review the five elements of Feng Shui theory as it can help you to find out how to balance these five in your home. You can strengthen specific elements in specific Fung Shui area as well. For example, if you want to attract more prosperity, introduce the feng shui element of wood and water element into southeast part of your home. Aside from studying the five elements, you need to find out the birth element of your Feng Shui. Through this effort, you can create a home that supports your personal feng shui element.

5. Find out your Kua number, as it benefits you throughout the day from your luckiest and best feng shui postions. You can adjust the position of your home office, bed, dining area, etc. accordingly.

6. Be attentive and always mind the state of your home and how the energy influences your well-being. Pay attention to feng shui triangle. It is well-known as it is connected to your heart deeply.

After you have mastered the feng shui in your home, you can move on to more complex level. Traditions are tradition. They exist and still existing and believed by most people even before we born. There is nothing wrong in following and continuing their beliefs, what important is how you respect their traditions.

Make up the interior designs based on feng shui

There are other collections of ideas that are based on feng shui. For example, round objects and articles for home decorations are generally more acceptable than jagged, edged or cornered objects. Mirrors should never be put anywhere near a bed, and especially not in front of one, but they are free to be put on closed areas such as closets and bathrooms. Long, dark corridors and hallways should never be left dark as they are, and you must find a way to keep them lit, not very bright, but bright enough to overcome the darkness that swallows the area. Ideally, kitchens are best kept at the far end of your house, and must never be near or above the house’s bathroom, if you have to cook by open flame, it’s best to do it outdoors.

Feng shui styled livingThese and a multitude of other ideas make up the interior designs based on feng shui. As you might have observed, most of the ideas just doesn’t deal with superstitious thought alone, but are actually based on practical knowledge. Round objects do tend to be safer than jagged or edged ones, for even if you are hit accidentally by one of those articles, it wouldn’t be so much painful or lethal than when you are hit by an edged article. Kitchens are commonly associated with fire, because most cooking methods involve lighting a fire, and in situations such as accidents, it is wise to put the kitchen on such a far area from the house to prevent fire from easily spreading across the house. Feng shui shows that it is yet but another way of effectively designing one’s home, both in function, and in style.

How to find the trouble spots in your home

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese method of seeking balance and harmony among the energies is your surroundings. The essential teaching of the Feng Shui is that the flow of vital energy known as the “qi” controls an individual’s prosperity, health and destiny. Our surroundings and environment influences us, attracting good or ill energies in our life. Positive surroundings produce and enhance positive energies thereby improving our opportunities for healthy, happy and financially secured life. Negative surroundings on the other hand depress and block off the vital energies thereby producing imbalance, sadness, loss of harmony and poor health in our life.

And since our home is our haven, it is essential that it maintain harmony and balance. A wrong shape, design, alignment of the doors, kind of lighting and arrangement of furniture can greatly influence the flow of the vital energies in our home. Thus, these trouble spots can produce unsettled life such as trouble in the family, failures in the career, finances and health.These simple tips can help you create a more peaceful and well organized atmosphere inside your home. Go ahead and make your own personal plan according to these tips for wealth. Make your home open to good health and prosperity by following these simple guides.

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Feng Shui
Feng Shui

Negative stuff in Feng Shui: Do You Make These Mistakes?

Feng Shui in decoration is a millenary tradition that many people today still do not know, without even realizing how important it is.

Decorating is not only adorning or embellishing, it is more than that. It consists of creating environments that are pleasing to people living in them and to others.

To decorate is to achieve functional spaces that allow us to carry out our daily tasks with comfort. At present; to decorate is a crucial task. It is to change our spaces to also change our way of life.

If you’d like to know what those techniques with more than 3000 years of tradition are, and what you should not do, then join us!

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Feng Shui

10 Feng Shui Color Principles for Your Homes

Color is a big factor in decorating the rooms. Color gives a harmonious effect. If you use the right color, it will give your room the relaxing and comfortable atmosphere but if not, it will only lead to a disastrous and eerie feeling to the one who will use the room. Thus, make sure that color compliments well with all the parts of the room. Feng Shui, however, have a different principle about color. The color for Feng Shui has different meanings. Once you use the Feng Shui color principle, you can use your room more peacefully and you will have a more relaxing atmosphere. Now, in designing with color, here are the different Feng Shui tips that you can use in your bedroom, bathroom and the living area.

Bedroom: Never use bright colors for bedroom. This is a common mistake by people. One example is red. You shouldn’t use red because it is a yang color while sleeping is yin. Thus, in choosing a color for your room, you should be using muted colors rather than the bright ones. You can also use elemental colors according to your natal chart. If you’re more of water, you can use a pale blue. You can also balance it out by using green which symbolizes wood.

Symbolizations for color in the natal chart are: red or pink (fire), orange, yellow or brown (earth), white, silver or gold (metal). For a kid’s bedroom, you can use yang colors for the wall while bright colors for the different accessories. This will let the child feel the resting as well as playing atmosphere inside his or her room.Bathroom: Think of the people who are going to use the bathroom. What are their elemental colors? The tip in choosing a bathroom color is that bathing is a yin color, so choose a yang color for the wall. Also, use earth colors on the toilet area so you can push the negative energy away.

[one_half_first]Living Areas: Remember to include the family in the color principle. Also, determine the different functionality of the room. If the living room is for relaxing, use the earth color. Party rooms won’t be much fun if you’re using yin colors and you can’t relax well if you’re using yang colors. Color harmony is a great secret that you can use in the different parts of your house.[/one_half_first][one_half_last][/one_half_last]

Positive Energy Symmetry throughout your Home: Feng Shui Interior Design

Feng Shui, pronounced as fung shway, is an ancient Chinese system that deals with aesthetics in correspondence to believed laws of Heaven (think of a night sky) and Earth, used to improve one’s life by through acquisition of positive ki. It is a system that is widely applied by the Chinese specifically in interior design. According to the feng shui system, there are several spots and positions on certain areas and establishments that can maximize the positive ki present in that area, and can indicate certain aspects and general ideas of the affected people’s fortune or destiny. Here are some general ideas of how feng shui based interior design works

Feng shui styled livingInformation on feng shui interior design is still popularly applied by some people. It provides certain ideas and innovation that can also be used practically in designing homes. If you are interested in feng shui, you might want to hear some rules in the designing and decorating homes the feng shui way.

Finding the exact center of a building or structure is one way to start determining your home’s design based on feng shui. This is for you to easily and accurately apply them, because if you have chosen the wrong center for your feng shui based interior design, then all points that follow after it would end up in the wrong location, thus putting all your efforts into naught.

FengShui kitchenFeng shui can be applied in a variety of ways that does not require any specific article to use. For instance, you can find the best bed position in your room using feng shui. According to feng shui, you should not place kid’s beds right across doors. The bed should ideally be at one side of the room and be able to see the door clearly. If possible, your kid’s bed should be placed at a corner, for a better sleeping experience.

Choosing the Right Colors to Bring Out the Chi

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese method of seeking balance and harmony among things. In its literal meaning, Feng Shui means wind and water. The fundamental teaching of the Feng Shui is that the flow of vital energy known as the “qi” controls one’s prosperity, health and destiny.

Light and relaxing colours Moreover, Feng Shui teaches another important factor which is the five elements that match up with a specific color. These elements are wood, water, earth, fire and metal. Wood is the element that symbolizes the beginning of life and is represented by the color green. Water is the element that symbolizes giver of life and power and is represented by the colors black and blue. Earth is the element that symbolizes foundations of being and essential for good luck. This element is represented by the color brown. Fire is the element that symbolizes heat and is represented by the color red. Lastly, metal is the element that symbolizes joy and is represented by the colors white, silver and gold.

Bright coloursBefore one should decide on the Feng Shui color choice, one must first plot the structure of the room. According to the Feng Shui map, the “bagua” consists of nine (9) different zones that relate to nine major aspect of the human life: wealth and prosperity, fame and reputation, love and marriage, health, family, creativity and children, career, knowledge and self-cultivation and helpful people and travel.
One must first create his own bagua map by drawing a square and dividing the square into nine squares by drawing three rows of three. Once divided, the bottom should be colored blue, the bottom middle square black, and the bottom right square gray. The left middle square must be colored green, the center square yellow and the middle square white. On the top row of the squares, color the left square purple, the middle square red and the right square pink. Once all the squares have been colored, stand at the front entrance facing in. This position corresponds to the bottom row of the bagua map. If the house is a rectangle, then all the areas will be inside. If not, some of the areas of the house will be outside.

Zones associated with a particular color in Feng Shui

Each of these zones is associated with a particular color:
• Wealth and prosperity is associated with the color Purple. Purple also represents gratitude for all that you have. Having this appreciation will lead to physical, emotional and spiritual prosperity
• Fame and reputation is represented by the color Red. Red also represents the color of life and prosperity as well as integrity, virtue and authenticity.

• Love and marriage is represented by the color Pink. Pink likewise represents love for oneself.
• Family is represented by the color Green. Green also symbolizes peace and calmness as well as nurturing and balance as one grows and expands.
• Health is symbolized by the color yellow. Yellow also symbolizes warmth and cheerfulness.
• Creativity and Children is represented by the color white. White also represents purity, joy and openness.
• Knowledge and self-cultivation is represented by the color Blue. Likewise, blue represents trust and inner peace.
• Career is symbolized and represented by the color Black. This is also the color representing depth.
• Self empowerment and confidence is represented by the color Gray. Gray also helps create synchronicity in one’s life.

Striped wall painted with cold coloursAs you analyze your bagua map, you will see the colors that surround your environment. These surroundings are manifestation of who you are as a person now and what would be your future endeavor. Remember that Feng Shui is about striking a balance and harmony rather than excess. Striking this balance will develop your deep satisfaction with stable results of the influence of your surroundings.

The most basic principles of Feng Shui involve the five elements

Feng shui is an old Chinese art that in literal terms, would directly translate to “wind water”. It is an art that uses signs read from the earth around us including the sky and the sea to determine how best to balance the energies or “Qi” (pronounced “chi”) that is found all around us. It proposes several ideas about how to make your life obtain a more positive energy by simple methods; like arranging furniture in the most productive way. There are many different types and styles of feng shui, but all of them have the same goal; that is to direct more of the positive energies toward the person or place that you want.

The most basic principles of Feng Shui involve the five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Most of the other notions are based on the productive and the destructive cycles that these five elements go through. The productive cycle says that the element wood nourishes the element fire; which nourishes the element earth; which nourishes the element metal; which nourishes the element water; which in turn nourishes the element wood. The destructive cycle on the other hand determines that the element metal consumes the element wood; which consumes the element earth; which consumes the element water; which consumes the element fire; which in turn consumes the element metal.Feng shui elements

These five elements form the foundation upon which most of the Feng Shui balance principles stand. They are very intrinsic in using Feng Shui to direct the energies and in creating the most desirable atmosphere for any location or individual.

Avoid Feng Shui blunders: learn the mistake that you’re making

Feng Shui principle, if properly practiced, could assure you of wealth and abundance in life, improved health conditions, enhanced self expression, life-long happiness and better relationships. Feng Shui is a century-old Chinese practice of putting things at its right place to help generate more positive energies and to eliminate the negative one. However, if improperly use it would bring you bad luck and misfortune. Oftentimes, people are too eager to see the result of Feng Shui happening in their life that more often than not they unconsciously violate some of the Feng Shui principles along the way. Here are some of the simple mistakes you’re probably making in Feng Shui.

1. Just too much of color red. In Feng Shui, Red is considered a very lively color and invites a lot of energy into an area. Many believed it is the luckiest color. However, the other side of it is that red emanates the fire element and is not necessarily the best way to stimulate a space. Fire element happens to strengthen earth specifically the earth-type energies that are causes of arguments, sickness, and accidents. So do not think that Red has it for your good fortune because it can also harm you if overuse.

2. Mirror here, mirror there and mirror everywhere. Mirrors are good deal for your bedroom. It symbolizes achievement and harmony. However, too many mirrors can create a distracted atmosphere to a room. You should not also place a mirror directly opposite to your bed as it can affect your sleeping patterns.

3. Feng Shui for what? Feng Shui basically functions in the area where the five elements existed and is therefore affecting every aspect of the people living in that certain space. So when using it, one should have a clear and specific goal of what he wanted to achieve. The flow of energy from the five elements will not be properly focused if the application of Feng Shui doesn’t have any specific goal.

4. Getting extremely fanatic of the principle. Remember that even a little movement or your things can produce a marvelous impact on the flow of energies. So you don’t to buy follow or buy everything suggested by a Feng Shui expert at once or else you will get impoverished. Rather, do it gradually.

Mirror location according Feng Shui5. Feng Shui exclusively for me. If you are applying the principle of Feng Shui in your home it should not only cater to you alone but as well to the other members of the household. It cannot be that you alone will be happy while your husband or wife or other member of the family is uncomfortable.

6. Not believing in personal feel. Many traditional Chinese objects such as ba gua mirrors may be used in Feng Shui but may not be appropriate as your home décor since you are not a Chinese. Other suggested colors that are not really appealing to you will not also work well. Feng Shui is basically flexible and can adjust according to your personal feel and taste.

7. Know only limited Feng Shui: Many of us only know very limited principles of Feng Shui. And from those, we follow them religiously and set aside the whole picture of the principle. In Feng Shui, it is important to know that everything are interconnected and the position or place of one thing to another is so important that they affect each other. For better guidance, it is still best to consult a Feng Shui consultants or experts who underwent intensive Feng Shui studies and training.

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Table Lamps
Lamps

5 Table Lamps Decor Tips You Can Try Today

There is no bedsides tables that are not combined with a couple of table lamps, which is probably one of the most important accessories in a room.

That’s why; knowing which type of table lamps to choose, is very important when you are decorating.

But it is also important to know that sometimes, table lamps can be placed in locations difficult to see, but this is because they vary in size and are perfect to condition them into the spaces we want.

Dark spots can be filled with style using different models of table lamps. You can choose from a stylish and sophisticated one, to a minimalist or rustic one; you can also do it yourself!

But what is really important about this table accessory; is its high functionality and how easily can be set up in your bedroom.

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Bathroom

The Perfect Vanity Mirror Made Available

If you’re a vain person, the mirror will always be your handy dandy equipment. It always let you see the reflection of your face and you can do changes in a minute or so in front of the mirror. Thus, it is your second you. There are different mirrors that are available. There are a variety of designs and sizes to choose from. It is up to the person on what kind of mirror he or she will use.


Because of the different mirrors available, many are having the hard time to choose the right vanity mirror to be used at their bathrooms. In order to choose the right mirror, you must first know how big you need. The width of the sink is always on the top consideration for the measurement. Just imagine that there’s a mirror on the top of the sink. Measure the dimensions that you want for your mirror.
There are different types of mirror designs. Some have frames and some have other accessories put on it. If your sink is over a decorative cabinet, it will be good if you used a wooden-framed mirror so it will compliment the designs inside your bathroom. If the sink is just simple, you can used an oval-shaped mirror to accentuate it better.

The mirror that is the most usual used is the chrome-edged one. It is the most usual because it can accentuate your bathroom and it is very affordable. It is also one of the least-expensive mirrors available in the market today. Using a large mirror can be quite a hassle but if your bathroom is small, it gives an imaginary additional space and also adds up lighting to the bathroom itself. Moreover, mirrors like these can be the perfect place to put on make-up because it can additional lighting inside the room.

For vanity purposes, beveled-edged mirrors are great buys. It isn’t that expensive and isn’t that affordable either. It is more on the average when we’re talking about the price. It gives a lovely accent. Beveled-edged mirrors come in different designs like sketching and many more. There are different shapes for it like oval, square or even rectangular. It is also easy to attach unlike other mirrors on which you really have to work on it in order to be placed in your bathroom.

There is a big advantage in having mirrors with no frames. They are easier to clean and it accentuates the wall space of the bathroom. Likewise, it is still up to the user on what type of mirror he or she would buy. Remember, a mirror gives additional lighting and dimension to your bathroom. It is not only used for vanity purposes but it is also used in giving accentuation to your bathroom and gives it a more beautiful appearance.

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