Making Your Home Blossom is Easy

Having trouble getting a room in your home to have that certain charm you're looking for? Searching for that perfect painting, sculpture, or table lamp can often be time-consuming, pricey, and/or lead to fights with your spouse. But, one simple and often overlooked way to add harmony to any room is with fresh cut flowers.

Flowers immediately draw attention and come in all sorts of colors, shapes, and prices. Best of all, they offer a way to change the look of a room every week. For example, if you want to liven things up get some bright orange and yellow gerbera daisies. If you want to create a romantic mood, go with traditional red roses. For a more serene setting, purple trachelium or blue hydrangea work well. Soft pastels can help create a caring, nurturing atmosphere.

Don't be afraid to experiment with more unusual flowers like lisianthus, peonies, or ranunculus and see what works for you. A garden bouquet consisting of many types of flowers can add a country-like feel to a room while a European-style bouquet of 2-3 types of flowers can add elegance and sophistication. Items from around the house such as water pitchers, teapots, urns, and oil and vinegar containers can serve as eclectic vases.

Americans have traditionally bought flowers only on special occasions, while Europeans have long known that beauty like flowers should be enjoyed regularly, not just when we have guests. Not only do flowers add color and aroma to a living room, kitchen, or dining room, they also lift our spirits and stimulate an emotional response. New schools of thought such as flower therapy suggest various color combinations help stimulate memories and generally improve our moods.

The Ultimate Comfort - Top 5 Reasons For Getting an Awning

Awnings are an economical and efficient way to shade a deck or
patio from the hot glaring sun or cold winds and rain. The
great thing about choosing an awning is that you could go with a
design whereby the awning is out all the time or if you prefer a
retractable awning that can be pulled back when you want to
enjoy sunlight and open air. As you will discover in this
article, there are many reasons why you should buy an awning.
To get you started, we will provide you with the top five!

Design and Adaptability

One of the greatest benefits of both the standard and
retractable awning is that they can enhance the design of any
architectural building. In other words, when choosing an awning
for your home, no matter what the structure design, the awning
will add curb appeal. Because of this, you enjoy the
functionality as well as the adaptability of the awning.

Standard awnings have been used for centuries for their beauty
and functionality, offering endless possibilities for enhancing
any structure and decor. However, in recent years, the
retractable awning was developed only further adding shape,
dimension, and color, thus producing style and character that
can actually increase the value of a home.

Massive Selection

Another benefit of the awning is that with such a wide selection
of shapes, sizes, and colors, they can be used in the front or
the rear of the home. With this, you can emphasize a unique
architectural feature or improve the overall appearance of the
home simply by choosing an innovative design.

For instance, if the front of your home lacks drama, you can
make an impact simply by adding a standard or retractable
awning. On the other hand, if your home is already
architecturally sound, then you could use retractable awning or
a subtle color to soften the entrance. Because of such a great
selection, you can dramatically change the appearance of your
home, both front and back.

Energy Efficient

If you have a home that receives the hot afternoon sun, or
perhaps is not protected from harsh winter elements, then you
are paying too much on your energy bill. Using an awning is an
excellent way to maintain inside temperature. When you consider
that 20% of the work performed by an air conditioning unit is
due to solar radiation through windows, you can see how an
awning would benefit. In fact, studies have been performed on
both standard and retractable awnings showing that as much as
77% of heat gain within the home can be reduced by using an
awning.

Extended Living Space

By adding an awning over a deck, patio, pool area, carport, or
grilling area, you can actually extend your living space. For
instance, if you love to have family and friends over on the
weekend for barbecues but because of the hot sun, the party ends
up in the house, crowded and uncomfortable, then an awning
provides additional space where people can mingle and eat
without feeling the intensity of the sun.

Wood and Siding Protection

When a home's exterior, whether wood or vinyl siding, is
constantly exposed to the sun, it will begin to fade and wear.
Again, if you have an area on the front or backside of your home
that is in direct sunlight, an awning would protect the home
from damage. In this case, a retractable awning would be an
excellent choice, using it during the heat of the day and
closing it up in the cooler hours.

Just as an awning will protect the exterior of your home from
the sun, it is also beneficial against hail, wind, snow, and
rain. Then, if you have outside furniture that is also exposed,
it too would be protected.

Marble Floors and How to Maintain Them

For honed marble used as traffic surfaces, care should be taken to prevent accumulations of liquids or other materials that result in safety hazards and staining. Regular daily mopping should be performed. Floor marble is any honed finish that is used as a traffic surface. These surfaces should be mopped and scrubbed in a manner that will not leave a hazardous slippery film.

Again, wet with hot, clean water and then lightly sprinkle an abrasive cleaner (i.e, chlorine bleaching type household scouring cleanser) over the wet stone, or put 1-2 handfuls into a pail of 2-3 gallons of hot clean water.

Using a scrubbing motion, mop the marble surfaces with this solution (or with hot clean water if you are sprinkling the cleaner directly on the stone). Rinse with clean hot water and dry with mop or cloths. Power scrubbers can also be used for the procedure.

Often it is also desirable to protect special interior areas and to enhance the coloration of
Honed marble in areas where a polished finish is not practical. In such cases sealers may be applied after the marble has been cleaned. This minimizes maintenance and prevents staining - especially around toilets and urinals in restrooms or in food preparation areas and busy building entrances.

Sealers should only be applied to clean interior marble. Always follow the manufacturer's directions for proper application. Terrazzo sealers are excellent for this purpose. So are silicone based stone sealers.

In all cases sealers should be made of a clear, hard finish type suitable for traffic surfaces and definitely non-yellowing. Do not use soft finish waxes, paste wax or resins. These coatings can collect dirt and grit. Some acrylic-base liquid floor waxes can be used in place of permanent sealers, but may give limited life.

Mexican pine furniture care and maintenance tips

Mexican pine furniture care and maintenance tips
To enjoy your new furniture for many years to come please follow our advice on how to

look after it.

Do's and Don'ts

Do not place this product next to a radiator or in direct sunlight. Wood is a natural product and will expand if subjected to damp and will shrink and may crack if subjected to heat. This product is made of pine, which is a timber that is common for furniture, but susceptible to temperature changes. With pine furniture it is recommended that an even room temperature be maintained with no sudden temperature fluctuations, up or down.

Do not place HOT or CHILLED items directly on to the surface, use a place mat. Or marking will occur.

For general cleaning use a duster or damp cloth (ALMOST DRY) not wet.

Do not use soap and water or detergents of any kind on this product for cleaning. To maintain the characteristic finish on this furniture, do not use aerosol sprays or any polish containing Silicon. If unsure, try on an area that's not seen and look for reactions. There is a natural stain and finish on this furniture and it will react to most manmade products.

It will from time to time require the surface re-treating again to maintain its character. You can easily do this yourself using block wax (unperfumed), rubbing it over the whole item, following the manufacturers instruction. After treating your furniture, you may notice it is slightly more waxier than previously. This is normal because wood is a natural product that breathers and absorbs depending on room temperature.

The use of any cleaning materials other materials other than those recommended could damage the surface and will invalidate any claim.

From time to time it may be necessary to tighten fittings. This is normal and regular inspections should be carried out.

Do not place furniture onto a wet or damp floor as staining may occur to your floor.

Quick And Easy Bathroom Decor Changes

Are you tired of the way your bathroom looks? Don't feel bad, a lot of folks are in the same boat. The bathroom is one room in the home that can look drab and run down very easily. And what if you don't have an unlimited budget to make changes in the fixtures and plumbing? Well take heart, there is lots that you can do for very little money that will totally and radically improve the decor of your bathroom.

One of the biggest problems with bathrooms is their tendency to get cluttered. You know, towels hanging all over the place, bath products on top of the vanity and on the shower floor, and things like that. So if you really want to make a 100% improvement in your bathroom clean up the clutter.

Fortunately, that is very easy to do and inexpensive. If you go to any WalMart or Target store, you will find plenty of organizer products for use in the bathroom. They are also very cheap. So get some of them and start to install them so that the most used products and items are within easy reach of wherever they would be used in the bathroom. If you make the storage spot convenient most people will continue to put it back in it's place after they use it. If you make the storage spot even a little difficult to access, you will see those items left all around wherever someone finds a spot for it.

Next, get some extra towel racks and install them so that there is a towel holder within easy reach of almost anywhere in the bathroom. Extra towel holders mean that even used towels can have a spot to be hung up instead of just left lying over the tub or shower stall door. Another advantage decor-wise of having extra towel bars is that you can use some of them to put up fancy towels for show that will really pick up the appearance of the room and highlight the colors that you used in your bathroom design.

Another simple and easy change to the appearance of any bathroom is the flooring. If you don't like what you see, change it. Fortunately, most bathroom floor spaces are fairly small and so not much material is needed. There are several options that you can choose from including vinyl sheets, ceramic tile, or vinyl tile squares. If you want simple and easy, stick-on vinyl tiles are probably the way to go. You can get them at a local Home Improvement store and they are usually very inexpensive too, and you can get some great looking designs that look very close to actual ceramic tile at a casual glance. Armed with a small cutter to trim the tiles when needed or shape them around an object on the bathroom floor, you are ready to go. If you make a mistake, peel up that tile, throw it away and use another one. Simple and easy!

Finally, buy some new towels for the bathroom. Get some great new colors and designs that are eye-cathcing and pleasing. Again, not much money invested for lots of return in visual appeal.

Change out the door knobs on your vanity and closet, and change the shower curtain and rings if you have one.

Just a few of these inexpensive changes in a bathroom can go a long way to changing that tired, old, cluttered, bathroom into one that makes you proud to show it off, and a pleasure to use.

Re-Using Old Picture Frames

It's fun taking something apart and putting it back together again in a new creative way. I work in an office where we had a lot of old promotional type posters that were very expensively matted and framed. Now that we're moving to a new office we wanted something new, but didn't want to spend a lot of money decorating. We decided to disassemble the old frames and re-use the mats to frame new prints.

We made a visit to a local craft store and found an abundance of inexpensive artwork in all sizes, ranging in price from $1.49 to $40.00. Definitely within our budget. We picked out several beautiful floral prints and framed them with the old mats and frames. Disassembling the old prints included tearing off most of the prints that had previously been glued to the mats, but I just tore it all off and used scotch tape to tack down the new prints.

The new prints don't have to completely fit your frames or mats, either. It was hard finding prints that were just the right size. Don't be afraid to move the print around in a mat that's a little too small. Often you can cover some edges of the print and not take away from the overall effect of the picture at all. Just trim edges where necessary to make the print fit (after you've double checked your positioning within the mat). You can also buy bigger mats to make a smaller print fit in a larger frame.

If you don't care if all of your frames match, it's very inexpensive to shop thrift stores and yard sales for cheap prints and re-use the mats and frames for new prints. Or go through some of your own old prints and redecorate!

Also, when looking for inexpensive prints, don't limit yourself to poster prints. Postcards and greeting cards also look great framed. Add a mat and you'll never be able to tell the difference.

You don't need a lot of special tools to get started. All you really need is possibly a screwdriver for disassembling frames, a ruler to make sure your print is straight, some tape for attaching the print to the mat, and a pencil and scissors for marking and trimming prints that don't quite fit.

You don't have to spend a lot of money to have great wall art. It just takes a little planning ahead to match print sizes to frames and match colors. Have fun, and use your imagination! A beautiful picture really brightens up a room, and you can create your own easily and inexpensively.

Remove Chewing Gum From Carpet

To remove chewing gum from carpet, you can use your hair dryer. Just heat the gum, being careful not to melt any carpet fibers. Then you can use a piece of plastic wrap or a plastic bag to lift the softened gum away. Allow it to stick to the plastic, and pull it up. This will often get most of the gum.

For the remaining chewing gum, apply Extra Strength Ben Gay, or another muscle rub containing methly salicylate. Use plastic or a rag to pull more gum out, repeating the process if necessary. Once you completely remove the chewing gum from the carpet, clean the spot with a mild detergent solution (a few drops of dishsoap in a cup of warm water). Rinse the area with warm water and dry quickly, first by blotting up any water, then with a fan, if you have one.

Commercial Carpet Stain Removers

Some of the common carpet stain removers will remove chewing gum from carpet. Goo Gone, in particular, works well. First pull out as much gum as you can, then heat what remains. Apply the Goo Gone, using a brush or the edge of the cap to work it in and break up the gum. You can then pick it out a piece at a time. Jut repeat the process until you remove all the gum.

Always thoroughly rinse the spot afterwards. Use water and a shop-vac if you can, or just rinse and blot with a white cotton cloth repeatedly. It's important not to leave cleaning solvent in your carpet for too long, so extract it quickly and completely.

Dry the area as fast as you can. If there is any stain left deep down in the carpet, from dyes in the gum, fast-drying will prevent it from wicking back up to the surface.

If you can't remove the chewing gum from the carpet using either of the two methods here, don't worry. Any carpet cleaner with a truck-mount hot water extraction unit (a steam cleaner) can get it out easily. Even old gum will usually come out with the hot water and powerful suction of a good carpet cleaning machine.

Softening Your Walls with Color Wash

If you like the soft look of watercolors, why not try using a color wash on your walls? In addition to a softer color, color washing can accentuate the texture of your plaster or stucco walls. And it's so simple that even I, a faux-finish-impaired decorator, can do it

There are two techniques for color wash application: sponge or brush. Each requires a slightly different glaze formula.

Sponge Technique:

Color Wash Glaze: Mix together 1 part latex paint and 6 parts water in a bucket.

1. Mask off (using painter's tape) parts of the room which will not receive the wash. Its best to cover the floor with plastic drop cloths (especially if you are as messy as I am).

2. Prime the wall with a low luster latex paint and allow it to dry completely before the next step.

3. Dip the sponge into the color wash glaze and squeeze lightly.

4. Beginning in a lower corner, apply the glaze to the wall in short, overlapping strokes. Change the direction of the strokes frequently. Work on a small portion of the wall at a time (3 foot by 3 foot is a good size).

5. Repeat moving upward until all the wall is covered.

6. Allow to dry completely.


Brush Technique:

Brush Color Wash Glaze: 1 part flat latex paint, 1 part latex paint conditioner (available at your local home improvement center), and 2 parts water. Mix in a bucket.

1. Mask off (using painter's tape) parts of the room which will not receive the wash. Its best to cover the floor with plastic drop cloths.

2. Prime the wall with a low luster latex enamel paint and allow it to dry completely before the next step.

3. Allow the paint to dry.

4. Dip a paintbrush in the glaze and remove the excess against the side of the bucket.

5. Apply the paint in a criss-cross pattern.

6. Brush over the surface repeatedly to soften the look of the paint.

7. Wipe excess glaze away, if necessary. (Better get the industrial-sized package of paper towels!)

Southwest Style Decorating Tips

When you think of the Southwest, what do you think of? Deserts, cactus, saloons? Well, Southwest style decor can actually combine these visions into a single decorating style. If you're wanting to use a Southwestern decorating theme in your home, a living room or den is a great place to use it. The bright colors and patterns are conducive to conversation.

When you are looking to use this style, you first want to think about what colors you want to be most prominent. Reds, oranges, yellows, and greens are traditional Southwestern colors. You may want to paint the room a deep turquoise and use throw rugs, maybe even some from a nearby Native American reservation, for the floor. Colorful rugs can also be used as wall hangings. Many reservations still make these types of rugs by hand, so you can purchase authentic rugs at a reservation or online. The rugs are generally striped, and you want to use one that has all the major colors in your room on it.

After you choose a wall color and some throw rugs or blankets with your colors, then you can begin looking for furniture to either match those colors, or fit the overall decor theme you're creating. You may find that this is your biggest challenge. My suggestion would be to find a slipcover that would match your colors so that you do not have to purchase a new couch, and if you ever want to redecorate you will just need a new slipcover. Tan colors work well if you use brightly colored pillows or you could choose a red or yellow slipcover for your sofa and chairs. Dark woods look good in a Southwest style room; you will probably want to distress the wood so that it looks older, adding a more authentic touch to your room. Rustic, cabin-style furniture and accessories tend to go well with the Southwest Style decorating theme too.

Finally, you will want to choose matching accessories. For each of the major colors in the rug, you'll want to have two to three items of a similar color around the room; otherwise, the color may look random and not mesh with the rest of the room. Additionally, you will want to have wooden pieces and tan pieces to break up the bright colors of the Southwest style. Ivory and turquoise pieces will also make beautiful additions to the room.

Southwest style has a bright, cozy feel. The colors are warm, earth tones so guests tend to feel welcome and you feel comfortable. Rooms in this style tend to be good for playing games or talking; the colors stimulate action and conversation, so be sure to use this in a room where you truly want that atmosphere. Find authentic Native American pieces when you can, and use desert photographs to decorate the walls. Your creativity will help you envision hundreds of ways to decorate your room in the Southwest style, and each will be interesting, invigorating, and beautiful.

The Benefits of Luxury Duvet Covers

Not all duvet covers are made of standard fabrics like cotton. Some can be made of luxurious materials like satin and silk. Luxury duvet covers are often more expensive than standard covers, but they provide can provide more comfort as well as a more luxurious appearance. Different types of luxury duvet covers have unique advantages.

Satin duvet covers are very popular. Satin is a luxurious fabric that looks and feels great. Satin is a blend of other materials like silk, cotton, and rayon. The types of materials used to make the satin have an effect on the look and feel of the fabric, but all types of satin do have some similarities. Satin is characterized by its shiny appearance. One side of the material is bright and shiny and the other side has a rougher and duller look. Most people think that the dull side is the most comfortable due to its deep grain and soft feel. The shiny side is perfect for giving a bedroom a classy, luxurious look.

Silk is another material used to make luxury duvet covers. Silk is a strong fiber that does not tear or crease easily. Silk duvet covers are smooth and soft to sleep on and look great in any room. Silk comes in many different colors and does not fade as quickly as many other materials. It is a hypoallergenic fabric, meaning that no one will have an allergic reaction to sleeping on a silk duvet cover.

Silk and satin are merely two types of luxury duvet covers available. Other materials like velvet and sateen also have unique advantages. Luxury duvet covers are among the most comfortable types of bedding available. Luxury duvet covers provide beauty as well as comfort, and they come in a variety of colors and patterns to compliment the look of any bedroom.

The right Shower Curtain will make your bathroom look great!

A shower curtain can add the perfect touch to any bathroom. Whether you like simple pastel colors or more elegant designs, be sure to choose the shower curtain that compliments the look of the rest of the bathroom. Fortunately, there are many shower curtain designs to choose from. Patterns of almost all kinds and a full spectrum of colors are available, so be sure to hunt around till you find the shower curtain that is just right for your bathroom. While bathroom supplies and bathroom accessories are also very important to the way a bathroom looks, a shower curtain will more often than not be the focal point in any bathroom. Fortunately, most shower curtains are very inexpensive, though some of the higher quality models do tend to cost a little more.

The right shower curtain for your bathroom.

Knowing that there are so many different types of shower curtains, it may seem difficult to choose the right shower curtain. Also, some people know exactly what type of shower curtain they want but don't know where to find it. After all, finding bathroom supplies and bathroom accessories can be difficult. However, be sure to keep on looking till you find the shower curtain that is precisely right for your bathroom. Also be aware that are some not so traditional shower curtains available, such as a hook-less shower curtain, shower curtain frog, fabric shower curtain, and many other unusual types of shower curtains available. When you find the right shower curtain for your shower, it will make your bathroom look so much better you will hardly be able to recognize it.

The Ultimate Strategy for Decorating a Child's Room!

When it comes to decorating a child's room, your approach should be different from decorating an adult bedroom. That's because a child's bedroom should reflect his or her personality and not yours.

For kids, their bedroom is where they play games, read, listen to music, wrestle, display or hide prized possessions, day-dream, or just go to be alone sometimes. So try these eight strategies to help create a space that will make you both happy:

1. Talk to your child. Find out what activities and fantasies he or she enjoys; what their favorite color is; and what's unique about their personality that a theme could be built around. Then work their interests into a design that will make them feel comfortable, happy, and safe.

2. Allow your child to help. Let them have a say about colors, fabrics, and how they want to display their collectibles. The design should be flexible enough to accommodate their changing tastes, needs, and interests.

3. Make the room multi-functional. Since children use their room for many activities besides sleeping, it should have several different zones.

These could include a play area; a reading area; a space to play with friends that's equipped with a radio, CD player, and a TV/VCR; a display area with a wall or corkboard for favorite photos and artwork; and finally, a place for shelving to display collectibles, trophies, and other personal items.

4. Make storage a priority. Containing clutter will be one of your greatest challenges. Try shelving, large decorative wicker baskets, plastic see-through containers, and closets that contain plenty of shelving and racks.

5. Keep window treatments simple. Avoid long draperies. Shades, blinds, and shorter curtains are safer choices. The fabric should be versatile, and patterns should be repeated in other items in the room, such as in pillows, quilts, lampshades, bed ruffles, etc.

6. Choose the right lighting. A child's room should include both task lighting for homework and reading, and soothing light for quieter times. A nightlight is also important if your child is not comfortable in the dark, and for safety reasons, so they can find their way to the bathroom at night.

7. Use wallpaper or paint to add color and texture. You can apply whimsical borders along the top edges of the walls, and clouds or stars on the ceiling.

It might be wise to make sure the walls of childrens rooms are washable, so if you are using paint, choose a semi-gloss or gloss finish. Kids love bright colors, but you should limit any strong color to only one wall. For example, paint one wall fire-engine red, and the others a soft peach or pink.

8. Allow your child to select the design theme. The choices are endless. Here are just a few: firehouse fun room, starry night, angels, rainbows, unicorns, baseball, a bedroom for a princess, underwater scenery, outer space, race cars, airplanes, trains, jungle motifs, wizards and dragons, and dinosaurs.

Decorating with your child offers a great opportunity to display your playful side, while doing some memorable family bonding. So have fun with it and remember that even if your child's choice in themes seems bizarre, there's probably a way to work out a compromise.

Three Ways to Add Charm and Style to Your Kitchen

I like decorating my kitchen with a cozy, warm, inviting, homey feeling to it. Usually I'm fighting for all the space I can get in my kitchen too. If you'd like to try this style yourself, you need additional space, or if you simply want to create a different look and feel to your current kitchen decorating style: here are a few tips for you to try.

1. Hang your pots and pans on the wall. This works whether you have a matching set of pots and pans, or whether it's an eclectic collection gathered over the years. Simply put hooks in the wall, then hang the pots by their handles with the bottom facing outwards. This is particularly useful for space saving and organization too. My favorite location to hang the pots and pans is on the wall right above the stove. If you have the room, this puts the pots on display nicely while keeping them right on hand for cooking.

2. Hang your potholders and hotpads on the wall. If your pans are too heavy to hang safely, or you simply don't want them on display, or you'd like to add other embellishments to your hanging pots arrangement - potholders work quite well as kitchen wall decorations too!

3. Hang your trivets on the wall. Another great way to decorate while saving space and keeping useful kitchen essentials right on hand, is to hang your trivets on the wall. A collection of antique trivets makes an especially nice kitchen wall arrangement, but modern ones work really well too. Use solid colors or patterns to match the rest of your kitchen decor, or choose trivets that have pictures on them so your kitchen wall will have pictures on it when the trivets aren't in use.

Other things I like to hang in the kitchen for both space saving purposes, decorative accents, and to have on easy hand at all times include: a manual can opener, measuring cups and spoons, serving utensils, and coffee mugs. These items usualy hang under my cabinets because they don't work well on the walls.

So there you have it. Use what you already have hidden away in the kitchen to create a cozy, warm, inviting and decorative kitchen atmosphere!

Tiles are the foundation stone for your stylish bathroom!

Tiles can increase the value of any home. Ceramic tiles, mosaic tile, floor tile all add an extra quality to your home. Tile can be found throughout a home from the kitchen, bathrooms, and even the flooring. Tiles are widely available in most home improvement stores and also in specialty stores throughout the company. Finding the right tile for a home with the right color, design, and even pattern can seem overwhelming. But, the results of this project can be beneficial for years to come.

Ceramic tile is one of the strongest that can be purchased. It comes in many colors and textures as well as designs and patterns. Mosaic tiles, or tiles that form a pattern once laid properly are an elegant element that can be added to a home. Mosaic tiles also offer a wide range of selection.

Bathroom tiles add quality as well as extra security. They can protect drywall and paint from water damage if properly installed. Floor tiles provide the same level of protection. These tiles are usually easy to clean and maintain. While normal mopping and washing can be effective, often an extra measure to keep them up to standard is to scrub the grout and edges with a brush. Elbow grease being the best cleaning product. While this does not have to be done each time the tile is cleaned, doing it regularly will improve the look of the tile overall.

Proper installation is important when adding tile to a home. If done improperly, the tile can often break or chip away. Consider hiring a professional so that the tile lies smooth and even and looks its best. When choosing the tile, do not forget to choose a grout that will benefit it. Grout, or the substance that is used to fill in the cracks between tiles, comes in many different colors and qualities. Again, this item is widely available at home improvement stores.

Tile, whether mosaic tile or ceramic tile, can enhance the quality of a home. It is an added investment into a home and should be done so with the overall supervision of a professional.

Tips and Tricks for Better Bedrooms

# If sheer curtains appeal but you can't sleep with the moonlight and early morning sunshine streaming in, then fit a slim blackout blind unobtrusively inside the window frame. It won't show when its rolled up and when unfurled will just look like darkness.


# Give white bed linen a new lease of life. Buy satin ribbons or braiding and sew one band or two a little way in from the hems of your white pillowcases and sheets. As white bed linen is very often cheaper you could buy white bed linen and give it a makeover.


# Want a pile of cushions on your bed? Find remnants at fabric stores and use them to make expensive looking cushion covers. The wedding fabric department often has luscious silk, satin and velvet pieces at a fraction of the usual price. Foam cushion inners are inexpensive.


# Sprinkle bed linen with rose or lavender water to give it a fresh scent. Or use scented laundry waters when ironing your bed linen.


# Buy used curtains and if they are too short lengthen by adding a band of a matching or contrasting fabric. Different textures also look good. For example a wide cream colored satin band on plain cream or white Indian cotton. This trick can also be used to increase width.


# Plenty of hanging space but not much else? Buy more hangers and hang your T shirts, blouses, shirts and sweaters, and anything else that is hang-able. Shops hang them up and so can you!


# Make use of under bed space by storing clothes in baskets or boxes fitted with castors. Alternatively buy a cheap second hand chest of drawers and fir the drawers with castors.They make perfect storage units.


# Buy clear plastic shoe bags and use the pockets to keep scarves, belts, socks or any other small items. Hang in your wardrobe or behind the door. These are also handy in the bathroom for spare soap, washcloths, toothpaste and shampoo, or anything else you can think of.


# Costume jewelry such as bead necklaces is hard to keep untangled. Buy the tallest mug tree you can find and hang your beads on its branches.


# To keep your linen organized buy plastic crates of a size to fit your linen cupboard shelves. Label them: Double Bed Sheets, Single Sheets, Pillow Slips and so on. Your linen will never get into a muddle again. If you have open shelves use wicker baskets instead of plastic.

Tips for Choosing a 'Safe' Paint Color for Your Walls

Are you STILL thinking about painting your walls with color?

Many people are afraid to make the leap from 'builder's beige' to a more daring color choice. What holds you back? Are you afraid the color will be too strong? Not match your furniture? Or you'll become tired of it and have to start over again?

While you're debating the work involved you are missing out on one of the basic elements of design that can change the entire look of your room for under $50. Your tired furniture can become new again and a mismatched room can have designer flare! So, how do you choose the right color?

The first recommendation is to choose a tinted neutral. Why is that? Instead of choosing rich, deep colors for your first project, you will likely feel more comfortable with a neutral such as beige or gray which will not date the room or create a jarring palate that you will easily tire of.

However, when you go to your local home improvement store you will be faced with a sea of color swatches - hundreds of versions of basic beige and gray to choose from. So before you go, consider these steps to choosing the right color for you.

If you like the feel of a warm and cozy room - think of fireplaces, brown leather and sunsets - then you'll want to start with a beige tone.

Now, consider your furniture and accessories. What colors do you see? If you have a lot of black or navy you may wish to choose a beige with orange or pink undertones to keep the look warm. If you have browns or reds in your furniture, select a cooler beige with ashy tones to avoid 'overheating' your room.

If you prefer a cooler, airy look - chrome, glass and shades of icy blue - then select gray tones. Some stores will have a 'true gray' color swatch which you can use to compare with their designer selections. On comparison you will notice that each gray has undertones. Some will have blue or lavender tones, others may have green or even a hint of pink.

Using the same guide as stated above, identify the main colors of furniture and accessories in the room. Use green or pink toned greys with cool toned furnishings to avoid it from feeling like an ice box. Use blue or lavender undertones in rooms with warmer colored furnishings.

If you are really torn between beige or gray, than the easiest color to work with is green. Keeping it in a muted tone will make it very easy to live with, and will work with most color palates.

Painting rooms with color will bring the finishing touch to your home - don't you deserve it?

Tips for Taking Care of Fine Wood Furniture

Now that you have purchased some fine wood furniture, it is important to take proper care of it. With some basic care, your fine furniture can last for years, and stay just as beautiful as the day you bought it. Below are some tips on taking proper care of wood furniture. 1. Wood Furniture Care Proper care of wood furniture is essential if you want it to last. Keeping it out of direct sunlight will keep the wood finish from fading out. Even though many pieces of new wood furniture come with finishes that are resistant to sunlight, it is still possible for them to fade if exposed to the sun for extended periods of time. You may wish to close the drapes or blinds in rooms containing this furniture during certain parts of the day to keep the direct sunlight off. Keeping wood furniture dry is also essential. If the wood gets wet, it can cause the finish to peel or fade, and can actually warp the wood. Be sure to wipe up any spills as soon as you are able. Do not let them dry or you may end up with a permanent stain. Protecting the tops of wood furniture is essential to avoid scratches and dings. Using a tablecloth on a wood table is a great idea if the table is used often. Besides accenting the look of your wood table, it will also protect the table surface. Never put hot pots or pans directly on a wood table top. Coasters, trivets, and hot pads can also be used to protect your table. Avoid using any type of cover that has a rubber or vinyl backing on it. These materials have chemicals in them that can permanently ruin the wood finish. 2. Wood Furniture Cleaning Dust your wood furniture often to keep the surfaces shiny and bright. Always use a soft cloth to keep from scratching the wood. When dusting, always dust with the grain of the wood. If your furniture gets dirty, try cleaning it with a soft cloth soaked in warm water. If this does not work, try using a mild soap and water solution on your cloth, and try it again. When done cleaning with soapy water, use a different cloth soaked in warm water (no soap) to remove the extra soap residue. When done, wipe down with a dry cloth to remove any extra moisture. Scratches and dings can sometimes be removed with furniture touch-up products that can be purchased at fine furniture stores, or at hardware stores. Try to avoid over polishing wood furniture. This can result in a wax build-up which will dull the shine of your wood. 3. Wood Furniture Storage Wood is susceptible to damage from humidity. Thus, damage can occur if your furniture is stored in a place with too much humidity, or too little humidty. Basements are generally fairly damp, so if you plan on storing your fine furniture in the basement be sure to get a dehumidifier. You should also cover the furniture with cloths to prevent a build-up of dust.

Tips on Budget Decorating

Home decorating on a budget is the ultimate adventure in decorating. It requires a little bit of planning, creativity, and patience. If you are like me, sometimes you wish you could be a genie and wiggle your nose and **poof** it's done. However, that takes away from all the fun! Follow these tips and you'll have a home that looks like a page out of your favorite magazine!

*Visit Furniture Showrooms

Make notes of styles of furniture you like. Also, take note of colors and fabrics that create a "warm" feeling inside of you. By visiting showrooms you can get an idea of the new trends and styles.

*Browse Through Decorating Magazines

Magazines are a source of inspirational ideas. Create a scrapbook of magazine clippings and refer to your book when shopping for your home.

*Shop Second-Hand Stores

One person's trash is another person's treasure can never be so true. One place to look is the classifieds in your local newspaper. I have found great deals on furniture in thrift stores and auctions. Don't worry if an item is not in the best of shape. A coat of paint will work wonders for some furniture. Slipcovers can update an old couch or chair.

*Color! Color! Color!

To create a dramatic, inexpensive change to your home, paint the walls a new color or buy new curtains. Keep in mind the moods that colors can create.

*Create Your Own Art

For me, one of the best parts of decorating is creating my own original works of art to hang on the walls. It could be as simple as collecting leaves when they have turned colors and creating a picture collage. A nice frame makes any work of art look classy. Take a drawing, photography or painting class at your local community college. Gain inspiration by browsing through art books at your local library or bookstore. If you're into black and white photos, but do not want to pay the high price for this type of art, buy a book or calendar of your favorite photographer and frame the pictures.

*Shop Discount Stores

Thank God for discount stores! This place will save you a ton of money on accessories. You will find little treasures such as candle holders, candles, potpourri, and knick knacks for very little money. Who will ever know?

*Be Patient!

Take your time and shop during sales. Decorating should be fun.