Archive for December 2010

Use accessories to create a vibrant living space
When it comes to decorating, it often feels like there are two choices for homeowners: safe and boring or risky and loud. However, those who are hesitant to make super-trendy big purchases, such as colorful couches or patterned rugs, can still enjoy bright hues in their homes if they opt for fun accessories.

Framed fabric squares can serves as visual focal points for rooms
When new homeowners are beginning to decorate their new digs, they often feel pressure to quickly decide on a motif and style for their homes. However, quickly purchasing pieces on a whim can lead to buyer's remorse later.

Homeowners can take small steps to reduce their carbon footprints
In recent years, many Americans have become more eco-conscious. It’s likely that living more sustainably will still be among the top of many New Year’s resolution lists in 2011. One of the easiest ways that individuals who are looking to live more sustainably can do so is by upgrading their homes to be more energy-efficient and utilizing natural products.

Go green with bamboo woven wood shades
Making a home greener has become a popular movement among homeowners, but many may not know how to begin making an abode more environmentally friendly. There are some effective additions that one can make that are both affordable and stylish.

Strike a balance between form and function with roman shades
Comfort is an oft-touted value when it comes to designing a home, but so is style. Many individuals have difficulty balancing these two traits, because the former seems to be intuitive and the latter can sometimes present a challenge, according to Newsday.

Horizontal fabric shades can help create unique dimensions
When it comes to outlining separate functions for spaces in a home, many individuals have trouble.

Less is more: a design philosophy fit for elegant wood blinds
When The Kansas City Star asked interior designer Katy Sullivan whether she had a design philosophy, she explained that it was simple - less is more. Instead of buying an excessive number of items to fill up space, she suggests that homeowners should put more thought into fewer items.

Savvy design can benefit from vertical blinds
Interior designer Glen Peloso, who has been in the business for 15 years and also appeared on multiple television shows, recently wrote a special column for The Toronto Star detailing some steps that homeowners can take to make a home fit their individual needs.

Motorized blinds can help older adults age at home
New research from AARP has shown that the vast majority of adults are planning to age at home for as long as possible

Make over an old home with pleated shades
When it comes to renovating an older home, interior designer Allanna Walker is something of an expert on the matter.

Wood blinds can make a room distinguished
When it comes to making a room seem unique, homeowners may find the right decorations stored away in the attic or basement, according to The Detroit News.

Roman shades can offset an elegant, five-star bed ensemble
Layering different textures and complementary colors in bed coverings is the way to create a look fit for a bedroom in a five-star hotel.

Aluminum mini blinds shed light on child's comic strip décor
By simply clipping the Sunday newspaper, a new wall treatment for a child's playroom or bedroom can be created with the youngster's favorite comic strips.

Warm up a home with honeycomb cellular shades
As winter becomes a reality, homeowners may be scrambling to find the right way to deal with the cold weather.

Faux wood blinds can be key to a better bathroom
During the holiday season, many homeowners may be looking for ways to add a little more class to their bathroom. The Boston Globe recently shared a few tips that one can use in order to refresh a tired-looking washroom.

Make a condo classy with roller shades
Those who are living in smaller homes may often have a difficult time trying to turn their residence into the upscale abode that they want, but The Manila Bulletin Publishing reports that following a few steps could make a significant difference in even the most modest apartment.

Custom drapery can be elegant touch to a drawing room
Interior designer Wendy Nicholls recently shared the details of her drawing room with The Telegraph, which was primarily inspired by a Swedish theme that can be found everywhere in the space, from the furniture to the walls.

Soft sheer shades protect against sun's impact on a personalized wall gallery
Rather than displaying the work of an artist, homeowners can create their own wall gallery of photos, art work and family memorabilia that can look just as professional.

Emphasize the subtleties of comfort with noise reduction shades
When it comes to making homes comfortable, many are at a loss as to where to begin. This elusive element isn't necessarily brought into a room by furniture alone and one has to think about the intimate details of each piece and how the family travels throughout a household.

Interior shutters can be ideal for a cottage feel
HGTV.com recently released a preview of its 15th annual Dream House, which comes complete with a new SUV and a hot tub in the rugged ski slopes of Stowe, Vermont, according to The Burlington Free Press.

Horizontal fabric shades control light brought into an entryway
First impressions count, and decorating the entryway will give visitors an immediate idea of how savvy the homeowners are about their holiday decorating skills.

Create an elegant and original home for the holidays with roman shades
While many homeowners may feel inspired to go overboard with plastic decorations, as well as reds and greens, one may want to consider trying a different approach to Christmas this year, according to The Associated Press.

Mixing high-end and thrifty items is a resourceful way to decorate
Interior decorators need more than a strong sense of style and a head full of creative ideas to be successful. They also need to be resourceful and know where they can scope out the best deals for their projects.

Custom drapery can help create a luxurious and unique feel
When Melanie Coddington decided to settle into a turn-of-the-century Victorian cottage, she had to undo the damage of a 1906 earthquake and soften a stern, traditional demeanor. Three years later, she has created an atmosphere that she has coined "girly modern," according to The Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Interior designs for 2011 emphasize need for wood blinds
The international trend board at IMM Cologne recently released a book detailing some of the interior design trends that are expected for 2011 and the most popular theme appears to be emotional austerity, according to The Independent.

Bamboo woven wood shades fit with other bamboo accessories
From decoratively painted wood to wicker, wastebaskets have become so attractive they're almost too nice to use for trash.

Match a tree and living room with roller shades
Christmas trees seem simple enough - just hang ornaments and lights and it's done - but some designers have recently offered tips to The Washington Examiner that ambitious homeowners may want to use this year as they deck the halls.

Make visitors feel comfortable with horizontal fabric shades
Decorating for an onslaught of visitors can sometimes be a harrowing experience, but homeowners don't need to dread the task after taking some steps to making a home warm and welcoming, according to The Arizona Republic.

Soft sheer shades help bring light into a glass-filled kitchen
Interior design columnist Mark McCauley believes glass doors shouldn't be relegated to the bathroom shower.

Laundry room can be lightened with bright color and window treatment
There's no reason a laundry room has to be a dark, uninviting corner of the basement or closet-sized space next to the kitchen.

Make a home more welcoming with roman shades
The holiday season is all about bringing friends and family together, so homeowners across the country are scrambling to come up with creative ways to make guests feel welcome as soon as they set foot into a home.

Keep a family and house warm with honeycomb cellular shades
It's not always easy to keep a home warm during the cold winter months. Heating can be expensive, and if there are few leaky parts by the walls or windows, much of it can be wasted. However, The Chicago Tribune recently shared some tips for those who are looking to make the season a little more bearable during the cold, snowy nights.

A valance and sheers can add a romantic headboard to a bedroom
In an eclectic decorating scheme for a bedroom, particularly one that's tight on space, a new approach can be taken to the traditional headboard.

Reading nooks need plenty of light provided with solar screen shades
As winter sets in, thoughts of setting up a cozy corner for reading and relaxation arise. There are only four ingredients for an ideal reading nook - comfortable seating with back support, good lighting, a nearby bookcase and a place to set down a snack or cup of tea.

Renovate a bedroom with wood blinds
Renovating a bedroom is an intimidating task for many homeowners, but it can also be the ticket to refreshing a space for the new year. The St. Catherines Standard reports that there are some different ways that one can begin this project.

Bamboo woven wood shades can make for a green Christmas
Christmas is a season of joy, but it's also a season of stuff - households across the country accumulate piles of ribbons, wrapping paper and other refuse. This year, many families are doing their best to conserve their resources, which is easier on wallets and better for the environment.

Motorized blinds or shades suit the roof windows of an A-frame home
The steep slope in the roof of an A-frame house creates an interesting decorating dilemma for the homeowners who live there.

Horizontal fabric shades are a good choice for decorating a new apartment
Starting out in a new apartment means decorating with a clean slate on which colors, patterns and textures come together to express a personal design style.

Design a personal mom cave with roller shades
While man caves, the practice of turning living rooms into dimly lit set-ups with television and video game equipment have become a national trend, it seems that women are starting to catch up with the aptly named mom cave, according to the Gloucester County Times.

Great rooms can be designed for different uses but with a unified look
Great rooms generally reflect the families who use them. Most often, great rooms are located adjacent to the kitchen, the hub of the household, either in the initial design of the home or through a house renovation project.

Make a creative and fun holiday room with roman shades
There's nothing quite like decking out a room to celebrate the holiday season, but many homeowners may be at a loss when it comes to finding creative and fun ways to make a space reflect the colors of this special time of year.

Tricky front halls can be complemented by bamboo woven wood shades
Some homes have long, intimidating front halls that can be difficult to incorporate into the rest of a design scheme and nearly impossible to decorate. However, with the right touch, any foyer can be the highlight of a house.

Noise reduction shades ensures sound sleep for young sleepover guests
Holiday vacations are a good time to schedule a sleepover for a child and her pals, and the extra bedding needed for a young overnight guest can come in a number of alternatives.

Horizontal fabric shades can make a room comfortable and unique
Interior designer Nate Berkus has one guiding principle when he is designing a home - comfort. MomLogic.com reports that he thinks that this is the key to any attractive abode, and shares his tips with those who are looking to emulate this tradition.

Motorized blinds can help seniors age safely at home
With baby boomers entering their golden years, it has become increasingly important for homeowners to design their abodes with the elderly in mind. This means keeping floors free from clutter and making some new changes to different rooms, according to The Daily Weston.

Soft sheer shades help add spaciousness to a small bedroom
Some decorating secrets that designers learn after years of experimentation may surprise a homeowner who wants to make a small bedroom look more spacious.

Pleated shades can be part of an inexpensive kitchen facelift
Kitchen renovations are often the most expensive makeovers that homeowners can undertake. But some small-scale changes can give a tired kitchen décor a facelift without the full-tilt cost.

Wood blinds can set the tone for holiday foyers
When friends and family arrive to celebrate the holidays, homeowners may want to be prepared with festive decorations and welcoming furniture. Chicago Now recently shared some tips with hosts that will help them wow any guest that comes through the door.

Vertical blinds can create privacy in smaller homes
Across the country, younger homeowners seem to be leaning toward smaller and more affordable houses, and many are now looking for savvy ways to decorate their living spaces, according to Kitchen and Bath Design News.

Shabby chic style has an atmosphere of comfort and nostalgia
Sinking into a soft, upholstered reading chair. Breathing in the aroma of scented candles. Reaching for a cup of tea from a side table that has a stack of books and an antique lamp.