Lend a Hand With These Wall Hooks

Just because something is functional does not mean it can not be fun.Harry Allen is a notable interior designer as well as an industrial designer whose inspired creations truly take on a life of their own. This is easily seen through his series of wall hooks.

These wall hooks can be used in a variety of ways from coat rack to holding small items or just lending a hand in general.

Each of the wall hooks are casts of Harry Allen’s hand and come in five distinct poses. The “C’mere Hand Hook” is perfect for jackets or purses while the “Grab Hand” makes sure you always have enough hands to hold even the smallest items. Read more

Splash of Color with a Splash of Comfort

A splash of color is not something to cringe from as it can provide a fun conversation piece and a way to lighten up any room.

The Salon Chairs from designer Mary Lynn O’Shea provide that needed burst while maintaining a stylish design that compliments the living room, bedroom, or any other room in the home or office.

Read more

A Dish of Advice on Dish Displays

Dish displays have always been a traditional country style mostly seen in older homes or homes in rural areas. While many view hanging dishes as a post-dated trend, when done tastefully and appropriately the look can take a modern appeal.

Most dish displays are plagued by contrasting design schemes and, at worst, tacky designs on the actual dishes.

Portraits of kittens and long faded television stars are no longer considered vogue or chic. Instead, dishes decorated in a minimalist design of small flowers or brightly painted patterns are the popular way to go when choosing what to hang.

 

Taste is the key when using dish displays. It is important to keep the entire room in mind and use patterns that do not clash or draw attention to the displays.

They are used to accent the walls and should not be the center focus. In a room sparse of color, do not choose plates with vivid bursts of color, instead, choose a more vintage look with antique white and perhaps light pinks or blues, but only as long as it fits in the overall design scheme.

Luckily, there are a few creative display options so the plates do not have to be flat against the wall. This makes the display more interesting and gives it character and personality which separates it from other wall hangings.

Holders shaped as small trees allow plates to be displayed on ‘branches’ complete with small iron leaves. These holders come in an array of colors, but the most popular are white.

Other arrangements can be done such as a circular pattern or diagonal. Try hanging the plates in unusual places and do not take cue from the local Italian restaurant; these plates do not have to be displayed in the dining room or eating areas.

 

Dish displays are no longer for grandmas. Using taste and common sense, anyone can hang dishes in a fashion that will be unique, new, and inventive.

Images courtesy of: homevisions.com, mindspring.com, reigninggifts.com

Wallter Wall Decor

An empty wall can be the scourge of any well designed room. Instead of using the traditional framed art or photographs of family, look into some modern art designs.

Wallter Wall Dcor is a great way to spice up any room. The Wall Decor is light, affordable, and customizable. Ready to be painted in any color or pattern of your choice, all you have to do is peel away the back and apply it where needed.

Read more

Illusionary Spaces for Small Apartments Designs

Decorating the home is not an activity limited to large palaces or sweeping mansions.

Apartments often need the love and attention that can be given by decorating and should not be overlooked.

The problem many have with decorating apartments is size as most standard apartments are small in floor space. You do not have to live a cluttered lifestyle if you understand and employ the principles of decorating for small spaces. 

There are several tips that will give the small apartment the appearance of space while giving it style and flavor. Floor space is important and gives a sense of freedom and flow and while this may be hard to achieve in small apartments, it is not that hard to emulate. 

Read more

Domino Room Dividers

The saying “less is more” has never been as accurate as when applied to interior decorating.

Too much clutter, too many wall hangings, and too much space can ruin the look of a room.

While dealing with clutter and decorations is easily done, space and the amount of it can be a difficult task.

 

Spacious rooms can be desirable as they allow friends and family a great place to gather for a dinner party or an evening watching movies.

Often times, these large areas lack the warmth and personal atmosphere that homes should have. Painting the walls varying colors and savvy decorating can be a solution. If the space is too large after that, walls can be added.

Though for those that do not care to do that, whether for the lack of money or hatred for construction projects, room dividers provide an easy solution.

 

Room dividers come in a variety of styles and sizes that can fit just about any style. Place these dividers in a large living room to section off the dining room or create a smaller space within the living room itself. If you have the television in a room, place a room divider there to create a separate area for entertainment or for reading.

For a cute look, place a room divider in a bedroom to create a private dressing area.

 

Room dividers can come in many shapes. The multiple panel room dividers which are free standing are the most common. There are also the sliding room dividers that can be affixed to the ceiling, however, these are not as easily moved as the free standing room dividers.

The Shoji room divider style is a great way to add flair to a mundane room or to accent a home with an Eastern décor. Of course, there are other patterns and styles to enhance the home without being too abrasive or loud. 

Room dividers easily create a new look for any room. Not every room divider is going to go flawlessly with every décor, so being mindful of the particular needs and designs is important.

Room dividers that are too tall or too long can overpower the room. If the style and pattern of the room divider clash with the rest of the décor, the entire ambiance of the room can be ruined. 

For those with too much space either at home, at work, or even in the game room, room dividers can add just the right touch to a modern furniture room

Get more information about decorating styles here.

Images courtesy fraserfurniture.net, alibaba.com, and gidesigns.net.

Decorating for Christmas

Christmas is a time of festivities, fun, and unfortunately, tacky decorations. As a child, we all delighted in the rainbow of lights and the figures of Santa and Frosty with red bows on everything imaginable.

However, for those with a carefully arranged decor, the Christmas season can actually bring chills as those old family favorites of reds and greens can clash severely with a modern decorating scheme….

So, instead of ignoring the holiday all together or gritting your teeth and bearing it, decorate for Christmas with classy alternatives.

An important part of decorating is to pick a theme or color scheme.

There are a variety of themes that are fashionable and easy to find.

For those that want a more natural feel to their christmas decorations, several stores and designers offer figurines, wreaths, and other items using pine cones and other natural materials.

You can also choose to focus on the religious aspect of Christmas using nativity scenes. Color schemes such as light blues, golds, and silvers can add that subtle Winter-like feel to any room.

For any theme it is important not to overdo the decorations. A simple Christmas tree that adheres to the theme with a modest amount of lights and ornaments will be enough. Also a tasteful center piece, matching stockings and a small amount of garland is a great way to touch up any room.

Christmas does not have to be loud and abrasive. There are plenty of options to match any decor. Have fun and keep it clean and simple.

Images courtesy thedecoratingdiva.com, ukhomeideas.co.uk, and giftgourmet.com.

Walls Decor! What are they good for?

When it comes to a room, the hardest item to decorate is also the most necessary to the whole of the house: the walls. Some knock down walls, others shove furniture in front of them or hang gaudy pictures to mask their presence.

Walls, however, can be used to display some of the most fascinating and unique décor available today.

The utilitarian purposes of walls are well understood. Walls hold up the ceiling which in turn protects us from the elements.

Just because walls are a necessary part of any room does not mean that they should be treated as a nuisance.
Many understand the importance of colors and the many uses they have. Deviating from the normal white wall is no longer seen as daring or innovative but as required in order to have a modern and trendy home. Walls, however, can be used in other ways….

Walls can be terrific canvases with a wide variety of options for those creative enough to take advantage.

Art is no longer resigned to sit in bulky frames. The wall itself can be art and thus the focal point for the entire room.

There are plenty of companies offering wall art and décor that not only look snazzy but offer function and use.

For those desiring something truly new and creative; pop art wall tiles are available.

These tiles come in an array of textures, shapes and designs some of which resemble whimsical toy blocks.

The tiles come in vivid colors and can be used as accents or to create interesting patterns.

Lighting can also be affixed to walls thus saving space and creating specific moods for the room.

LED lighting is very popular and can be used in numerous ways.

LED light bars can come in every color of the rainbow and beyond and are used to create just the right ambiance whether it’s the bedroom or the living room.

LEDs are not harsh like fluorescent lights and lack that annoying whine.

Murals Wall Decor

Murals can also be used to illustrate any wall. Murals are not just for those downtown buildings near the historic district anymore.

Anything can be painted on those blank walls whether it’s a summer’s day at the pond or clever designs that offer a glimpse into a room that is simply not there.

With the many options out there for decorators and consumers it is simply a wonder that there are walls that still resemble barren wastelands.

Walls are no longer necessary evils but are viable parts of the design process.

So when the time to redecorate comes again,  pay careful consideration and care to the walls.

Images courtesy of: nonydesigns.com

Keep reading about wallpaper borders

Displaying Your Collectibles in a Modern Way

If you’ve ever walked into the home of someone who collects things, the first thing you notice is how ‘busy’ it looks.

There are so many things to look at, so many things to take in that you can feel overwhelmed by even the most beautiful collection of Imari porcelain.  Instead of creating an overwhelming look, here are some ways to display your collectables in a kinder, gentler way.

Try adding a few shelves to your walls.  With easy to hang single shelves, you can create designs in the arrangement of these shelves on the wall without being too overbearing in the design.

Try shelves that are shaped like boxes as well as corner shelves and regular straight shelves.

The only concern is that you shouldn’t put too many shelves on the way or you will begin to look cluttered.

Next, you might want to use a small display case that can only hold a few pieces at a time.

This will help reduce the clutter, but also allow you to show off your pieces.  If you like, you can rotate the pieces that are in the case, as well as display new pieces as you buy them.

We have written a review on Imari pieces of porcelain, It’s a worth reading.

Is This Zen Enough for You?

Simplifying your life is the latest catchphrase to hit the decorating market. But what does that mean?  I tried to figure out how to make my place more Zen, but it ended up being a stressful experience in the process.  When you’re getting rid of stuff that you know and that you love, that’s never easy.

I tried to start by getting rid of everything that I didn’t love and that I didn’t use anymore.  But I had a hard time deciding what I could part with.  I loved that big plastic chair in the living room, but since it really wasn’t an ‘element’ like the Zen books told me, out it went.  I added fountains, chimes, and everything else that was supposed to calm down the energy of my life.

I also got rid of my bright orange couch because it wasn’t as soothing to the soul.  And I also got rid of my plastic blinds, replacing them with bamboo shades.

After all of the changes I made, I found myself liking the living room a lot more.  It was calm, it was…well…Zen.  And while I may not be meditating in there any time soon, I would certainly give it a second thought now.

« Previous Page — Next Page »