Decor Ideas

Use Beautiful Word Art to Express Your Inner Thoughts….

Use Beautiful Word Art to Express Your Inner Thoughts 1 Photo Courtesy: Decals for the Wall

Every home says something about the people who live there. Some homes are designed to be warm and welcoming gathering places, while others are retreats from the world, and yet others are designed as launching pads for the family’s multiple activities.

Evidence of a home’s function is found in the furnishings, the traffic flow, even the wall colors. But if you’d like a less subtle way of communicating, maybe it’s time to put some of your thoughts into words.

Word Art for Home

Incorporating word art into your home is a way to inspire those in your home and to communicate what matters to you. Say something positive in the bathroom to affirm the reflection in the mirror; a statement of “You’re beautiful!” provides an ego boost to an adolescent facing a world with a sometimes distorted ideal of beauty.

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Photo Courtesy: Lisa Finch

Scripture verses posted above the back door underscore core values as family members head out into the world. A favorite movie quote in the family room reminds occupants of good times shared together.

Plaques

Commercially produced plaques are an easy addition. They come in all shapes and sizes, from small embroideries to inspirational posters, so they can be tucked in almost anywhere.

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Photo Courtesy: Jon & Rosanne Nelson

Of course, not every phrase is available, especially if the phrase is unique to your family. For a more personal take, create your own word art. Craft stores are full of ideas and products to help you put together something that is beautiful and meaningful. Making your own allows you to control the size and the color choice. And while it won’t be as “perfect” as something store-bought, it will be a genuine reflection of you.

Wall Decor

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Photo Courtesy: Alison Evans

If you want to make a bold statement that completely integrates your words into your decor, why not personalize a wall sticker, or add something special to an existing wall quote. Available in a variety of sizes and colors, they are easy to install right on the wall, and easy to remove if you want to change things up. If you’d rather not use them on the wall itself, frame them or install them on canvases. They work in any room to give great personality and meaning to your home.

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Photo Courtesy: Anita Roberts

Wall decals are especially good for creating a gallery feel. Once you’ve placed you decal, tie your inspiring words to the people and things that you value by mixing word art with family photos, kids’ drawings, or small art prints. With the right combination of elements, your wall will become a fabulous focal point.

While a picture paints a thousand words, the written word has its own special power. Make you home more than functional, more than comfortable, and even more than a reflection of who you are. Make it inspirational!

Author Bio: Alison Evans is a Home décor Enthusiast, and is writing this article on behalf of Wallart2u – a website and blog dedicated to Beautiful Wall art decoration.

Beautiful Vintage Ideas for Your Child’s Bedroom

by Alison Evans · 2 Comments

Beautiful Vintage Ideas for Your Child’s Bedroom 1 Photo Courtesy: House to Home

Vintage decoration always adds a certain elegance to any home. The enduring appeal of all things vintage, be it furniture, wall decorations or collectables, is characterized by their classic excellence and enduring appeal. No wonder, many people take very good care of their antiques and decorate their home with them.

If you also like a touch of vintage in your décor, why not continue that theme in your child’s room with a few older pieces? Your children will learn to appreciate the beauty of their elegant surroundings and will carry many of these valuable things onto the next generation.

Here are some ideas for decorating a child’s room with vintage stuff:

Older Dresser

An older dresser with good lines is instantly updated with paint. Heirloom white is always right, but choosing a super contemporary bright can make the most of great details. Paint the drawer fronts with a contrasting color and add new hardware for a practical mix of modern and vintage.

Consider adding decals to your walls for even more color and style, and a look that’s super easy to change.

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To mix the old with the modern, you may consider using wall decals like the one shown above. (created by Alison Evans of Wrexham, UK)

Vintage Plates

Vintage plates come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are usually fairly inexpensive to acquire. Think of them as frames for other pieces. Look for colors you like, even if the pattern isn’t your first choice. Then add your child’s initial with decoupage, or use a glue gun to add a premade wooden letter you’ve painted in a coordinating color.

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Photo Courtesy: Miss Brasil

Or adhere a few small toys that are no longer in use. It’s instant personalized art that mixes both modern and vintage.

Vintage Prints

Vintage prints are also an inexpensive accessory for a child’s room. Favorite books that have seen better days can be disassembled and the pages framed. You can also use the pages as mats for favorite family photos. Or scour your local thrift store for interesting pictures with kid-friendly subjects and colors; a modern frame will bring it alive.

Old Game Boards

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An old dart board – Photo Courtesy: timlewisnm

Old game boards like Checkers and Candyland are beautiful when framed on the wall. You can even pull them down and use them for play. Or pick up vinyl albums at garage sales for a few bucks. Many of them have strong graphics; all you need is a frame for a colorful touch of the past.

Older Toys

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Photo Courtesy: Country Sampler

Older toys are another great idea for kids’ rooms. Kids love knowing about their parents’ past, so if you have things from your own childhood, consider putting them on display (in shadow boxes if you’d prefer that your kids not touch them). Or find similar toys at flea markets. They should be attractive, of course, but if they are decorative, they don’t have to be in perfect working order.

Since quality standards are much higher now, it’s best not to let kids play with older toys for safety reasons. If the temptation is too much, consider picking up wooden toys at a craft show. These beautiful low-tech pieces will look vintage, even if they aren’t.

Vintage Textiles

Vintage textiles are readily available at estate sales. Use old sheets to make curtains, or turn a table runner into a pillow. Less-than-perfect quilts can be cut down to kid-sized blankets or pillow shams. If you don’t have enough fabric for your entire project, look for a companion modern fabric with a nostalgic feel, or use classic fabrics like gingham or pillow ticking to complete the look.

Author Bio: Alison Evans is writing this article on behalf of Wallart2u – a website and blog specializing in the manufacturing and creation of beautiful Modern Wall art.

Filed Under: Nursery and Kids' Room Decor, Room Decor, Vintage Decor Tagged With: decor, room decor, vintage homeware

Decorating Tips That Won’t Cost The Earth

by William Masters · 2 Comments

Decorating Tips That Won't Cost The Earth 1 If you are a music fan and tinker with guitars, it would be nice to use the Beatles theme to decorate a room. Photo Courtesy: Maegan Tintari

With the recession tipped to go triple-dip, most home owners and tenants alike are keeping their heads down when it comes to home decor. The cheap charity-shop dining table and bargain-basement drapes will have to suffice another year as we strive to prioritize our expenses.

But just because the purse strings are kept tight, doesn’t mean you have to give up the idea of decorating your home altogether. It’s amazing what a bit of spray paint and some old jars can do to supe up your window sill. Start browsing the internet for DIY home decorating tips and you’ll find a plethora of blogs just waiting to inspire like ISpydiy.com and Designsponge.com . While there are loads of websites offering more eye candy than anything else, here are some pocket-friendly and above all practical tips, to get you started on your next interior design project.

Make a move

Decorating Tips That Won't Cost The Earth 2 Photo Courtesy: iStockphoto

Here’s a tip that simply requires you to work with the materials already at your disposal and work up a bit of a sweat in the process. Merely reassessing and rearranging your existing furniture can revolutionize both how you perceive and use a space. Try ‘zoning’ a large space with strategic placement of tables or screens, or create a streamline through a smaller area by shifting sofas or shelving.

Book some DIY

Decorating Tips That Won't Cost The Earth 3 Photo Courtesy: iStockphoto

Some skills are undeniably the preserve of the professional tradesperson, but there remains some handy work that is easily undertaken by anyone with patience and a bit of determination. From adding plaster cornices to distressing furniture, upholstering a set of second hand chairs or simply putting on a fresh coat of paint, doing it yourself is half the fun.

Use your local library and check out trusted guides from the likes of Reader’s Digest, which generally come good on their grand promises to make you able to tackle almost any DIY job you’d care to turn your hand to. Comprehensive rating magazines such as ‘Which?’ are also worth referring to before you make any equipment purchases.

In the frame

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Maha’s wall in her Vancouver home comes alive with various mis-matched framed pictures. Photo Courtesy: Maha

Beg, borrow or steal a selection of mismatched picture frames, the more ornate the better. Spray paint injects a speedy, foolproof dose of unifying colour- try glossy white or matt black finishes for effective results. Fill your frames with mirrors, inexpensive posters or prints, or the digital images that otherwise never leave your memory card. Simply hung empty, a collection of smaller frames acts like jewellery for a bare expanse of wall.

Reflected glory

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“Reflections in my home…” – Faylyne’s beautiful room reflected so nicely in this nice picture. Photo Courtesy: Faylyne

Maximising light maximises your perception of space. Introducing mirrors makes a room appear larger and bounces every ounce of available light around, meaning cramped areas feel brighter and more spacious. It may be only an illusion but it’s a particularly effective one. Enhance the effect further by replacing plain light bulbs with those suited to the space – creating the effect of ‘soft candlelight’ or ‘daylight’ as appropriate, does wonders for the ambience of a room.

Light up a room

Decorating Tips That Won't Cost The Earth 6 A beautiful DIY Owl Lamp made by Stacie of Indiana, USA – Photo Courtesy: Stacie

Trinket or jewel-laden chandeliers are no longer the preserve of the well-padded of pocket. The high street has hijacked the ‘statement lampshade’ market with great success, well-versed in a wide range of inexpensive, attractive options that can provide an excellent centrepiece and talking point. For a simpler statement that’s just as effective, globe-shaped paper shades and freestanding lanterns cost next to nothing and create a gorgeous glow in any room.

Colour on the cheap

Decorating Tips That Won't Cost The Earth 7 Photo Courtesy: iStockphoto

Stick to a neutral colour for the bulk of a room. White and the dreaded magnolia are always the cheapest options, but are easily lifted by the purchase of a few tester pots of more interesting offerings used to pick out details and break up banality. Either mix and match contrasting colours within a room, or pick one and buy in a selection of tonal shades through your chosen hue’s spectrum.

Wallpaper – read all about it

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A collage of wallpaper on Jérôme’s room wall – Photo Courtesy: Jérôme

If the wallpaper you love is pricey, don’t despair. Intricate designs look smart restricted to a single wall, or even used to highlight a smaller feature such as a recessed alcove or chimneybreast. Decide how much you can afford, and choose your placement accordingly. For completely unique wallpaper, scour charity shops for old maps, or paste up pages from a classic book or musical score. Don’t forget – all those designer papers take their inspiration from somewhere.

Celebrate your clutter

Decorating Tips That Won't Cost The Earth 9 Photo Courtesy: iStockphoto

De-cluttering isn’t always a viable option and, indeed, it’s the possessions we’ve amassed that define us. By all means, pick and choose the prettiest and stash the rest, but don’t feel everything needs to be hidden away. Remember the key rule of displaying objects in odd numbers, then round up vases, boxes and crockery into mismatched groups. Hang favourite textiles on the wall or use as throws. People pay a fortune for ‘library’ wallpaper – why not just use real books?

Eye of a magpie

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Nice vintage lock on a shower door – Photo Courtesy: Mace Ojala

Consider the fine details. Steal style from friends’ homes, TV shows, museums and public buildings, even the catwalk. Buy cheap, standard-issue furniture and personalize it by distressing, repainting, or customising with decoupage. Replace bland handles with odd vintage ones or coloured Perspex ‘diamonds’. Mismatching doesn’t matter – indeed, it creates a bespoke, designer feel. The same goes for replacing a set of crockery or kitchen chairs. Sometimes, ‘odds’ are even better.

The element of surprise

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Wide Eyed OWL Hanging Ceramic SPOON REST – Holds 3 Spoons – Here’s a cute owl spoon rest with wide Tweety Bird-eyes and long eye lashes. There are indentations to hold three spoons. Top has a hole for hanging on your wall.
If you happen to have something like it, all your guests will make it a piece of conversation. Photo Courtesy: Cheryl

Just because it says ‘bathroom unit’ doesn’t mean it won’t work in the kitchen. And vice versa, fruit and vegetable trolleys make great tidies for toiletries. Never be a slave to suggestion. It’s your home, and you know what works where. March to your own (off)beat. An ornate grandfather clock in the kitchen can surprise and delight; a utilitarian filing cabinet in a bedroom is practical and quirky; an antique chair next to a freestanding bath is eccentric, yet may actually become quite essential.

It’s the selection process and an ability to put things together that really sets a home apart. Expensive designer furniture and decorating services are just lazy ways to get someone else to put the style into your home. There’s no need to raid your bank account to fund your latest home decor project – the only place to raid in most cases is simply your imagination.

Reporting from London, William Masters is in-demand as a journalist able to cover a broad range of financial topics from international economics to personal finance. William recommends the guaranteed account by www.eccount.com, a leader in the field of companies specialising in helping people with debt. When he’s not busy putting his expertise at your service, William also enjoys a good glass of red wine and talking to his friends over a good, self-cooked meal.

Filed Under: Home Decor, Home Improvement Tagged With: decorating, decorating tips, diy, home improvement, spring colors

Blinds And Shades For A Kid’s Bedroom Or Nursery

by Brant · 1 Comment

Blinds And Shades For A Kid's Bedroom Or Nursery 1

When choosing blinds and shades for a nursery or kid’s room, try to use your imagination and enjoy creating a space for your child. You want the kids to enjoy in their rooms, so making everything around them attractive, including blinds and shades, will go a long way in achieving that aim.

Safety and function are critical, but it’s also important for the room to be warm, inviting, and visually appealing.

Variety adds More Visual Interest

It’s tempting to create completely matching ensemble for a child’s bedroom or nursery. But in most cases, variety adds more visual interest and fun to a room. Try coming up with a design that uses complementary colors instead. Consider ordering fabric blinds and shades in a print or color you and your child enjoy.

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Shade, half-drawn – Photo Courtesy: Kim Love

Accent the rest of the room with the same colors or fabrics to create a cohesive look. If your nursery or child’s room has neutral paint, consider choosing a bright, fun window treatment that brings a pop of color. If it is painted colorfully with other points of visual interest, the window treatment can provide a neutral backdrop.

Consider Blinds for Older Kids

Blinds are a perfect solution in rooms for older children. They are highly adjustable, come in a variety of styles and textiles, and are available in a range of price points. However, avoid blinds and shades with free-hanging cords in rooms for younger children. Not only do they present a safety hazard, children enjoy tugging at them, which can result in premature wear and tear.

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Creative kid Eliot happy with his nice work, in his well organized room with nice blinds letting in a perfect amount of light. Photo Courtesy: Amy Gizienski

Blinds are also easily tampered with and may be better suited to rooms where very young children do not spend time unsupervised. If you do opt for blinds in a baby or toddler’s room, place the bed or crib away from the windows and tuck the cords out of reach.

Clean Blinds and Shades

Select blinds and shades that are easy to take down and clean. Even if your child is old enough not to tamper with window treatments, regular cleaning cuts down on dust and allergens. Cleaning also extends the lifespan of your blinds and shades.

Roller Shades

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Does your child still take naps during the day? If so, choose blinds and shades with good light-blocking properties. Roller shades come in a selection of different opacity levels to control the amount of light that enters the room. Roller shades are available in a variety of appealing colors and fabrics.

Decorating a Nursery

When decorating a nursery that will later become a child’s bedroom, pick window treatments that will appeal to your child as he or she grows. Bright, solid colors or soft pastels will continue to fit with child’s changing interests and tastes.

Blinds And Shades For A Kid's Bedroom Or Nursery 5 Tabitha designed this beautiful Aqua/Brown/Orange Boy’s Nursery for her baby boy. She has more good stuff for babies and kids at her blog Fresh Mommy. Photo Courtesy: Tabitha Blue

You can also choose blinds or shades in neutral colors, such as taupe or white, and hang decorative window coverings over them. This way, you only need to replace the curtains when your child outgrows his or her current décor. It’s much less expensive and time consuming to commit to a whimsical hot pink curtain than it is to a hot pink blind or shade!

If your child is old enough, enlist his or her help selecting blinds or shades. Many children enjoy having a say in their room décor and will appreciate being included. Decorating a kid’s room can be fun!

This article brought to you by Creative Blinds, the largest family-owned and operated retailer of window blinds, shades, and shutters in Houston, Texas and the surrounding areas.

Filed Under: Nursery and Kids' Room Decor Tagged With: creative blinds, shades for nursery

Eight Do’s and Don’ts When Decorating a Nursery

by Amelia Cole · 4 Comments

Eight Do's and Don'ts When Decorating a Nursery 1 Photo Courtesy: Chad Kittel

Decorating a nursery is something that every parent has to do before a baby’s arrival. But, unlike any other remodeling project, this one requires a bit more attention and devotion. Choosing the room’s theme would not be enough; you would also need to sort through hundreds of infant care items to make sure the room is not only stylish and comfy but safe, as well.

Here are eight do’s and don’ts every new mom or dad should have in mind when decorating and stocking their little one’s nursery:

Do’s

Eight Do's and Don'ts When Decorating a Nursery 2 Nursery-Rocker and Changing Table – Photo Courtesy: M Sundstrom

Theme

Choose the room’s theme first. If you want the nursery’s décor to match the rest of the home’s design – go for it. However, don’t make it fussy and flouncy. Those uber-fancy décors with walls covered with pictures and all kind of stuff were trendy ages ago. Be modern and go for a cleaner and simpler look.

VOC Paint

Use no-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint for the walls. The other types of paint contain toxic fumes that can be harmful for a pregnant mom and her baby. Once you have selected a safe paint, add some style by painting the lower part of the wall in different colour than the top part. Make sure the colours you have chosen match each other.

Sheets and Bedding

Choose organic sheets and bedding. They don’t contain harsh chemicals, and are gentle on baby’s skin, which is not always true about non-organic bedding.

Inspect Potential Dangers

Inspect the nursery once you are done decorating. Although, newborn’s primary job is eating and sleeping, they will soon develop stretchable arms, and the crystal vase that looked so nice on the dresser will become a potential danger for your baby’s health. Now, before your baby is able to grab anything, remove the cords on blinds, curtains, or shades, plug electric sockets, put away breakable items, and hide lamp cords.

Don’ts

Eight Do's and Don'ts When Decorating a Nursery 3 Jack’s Room - a nice Superhero Nursery. Photo Courtesy: Dani

Baby Items

Don’t buy every baby item you see or think would look nicely in your baby’s room. A crib, glider rocker, and changing table are must-have items. Anything else will only clutter the room, leaving less space for your little munchkin to explore, when he/she starts crawling. A money-saving idea is to invest into multi-services furniture, like a changing table, that comes with built-in storage, or a crib that can convert into a toddler’s bed.

Avoid Cheap Furniture

Don’t purchase cheap furniture when it comes to nursery investments. Especially, avoid saving money on a nursery glider rocker, since you will be spending lots of time in this chair. Make sure it has a supportive frame and cushioning. This will ensure the comfort of you and your baby.

When shopping for a glider rocking chair, look for one that offers recline, swivel, and locking positions. It allows you to get in and out of the chair with ease, which can be a real bless for moms who have had a C-section, or are recovering from a difficult birth.

Baby’s Essential Stock

Don’t neglect the baby’s basic stocks. They are absolutely necessary, although it isn’t as much fun to shop for diapers, wipes, cream or lotion as that cute baby shoes you’ve had your eye on. Also, you will want to store these items in easy-to-reach place in order to make the life with your newborn easier.

Getting the Nursey Ready

Don’t wait for the very last moment to get the nursery ready. Being in the hospital a week earlier and knowing that diapers haven’t been purchased yet or the crib is still in its box, adds stress you don’t need. Get your baby’s room ready as soon as possible, so when your little one arrives you can devote completely on him or her.

Decorating a baby’s room isn’t difficult but it is vital for future parents. Use the tips above to make a nursery that is stylish, comfy, and above all, safe.

Amelia Cole is a freelance writer, who often writes guest post on green cleaning and home renovation. She is a part of the team at Rubbish Please, a London rubbish removal company providing rubbish clearance services for residential and commercial clients.

Filed Under: Nursery and Kids' Room Decor Tagged With: room decor