Table Lamps Add A Dash of Modern Style

March 26, 2014 by

When you’re decorating a home or room and want to give it a sleek, contemporary look, sometimes it’s the decorative accents that matter most. Especially if you’re on a budget, small items like table lamps can go a long way toward providing you with that dash of modern style you’re looking for, without breaking the bank on major furniture purchases.

I’ve heard many people enjoy having a Himalayan rock salt lamp because of the warm, comforting glow it provides. One of my friends even suggests that it helps in elevating the mood and reducing stress levels. If you’re interested in seeing some for yourself consider this Lovely site to visit. I’ve heard they have a great range of beautiful lamps.

Table Lamps from Crescent Harbor Modern

Table Lamps from Crescent Harbor Modern

Lamps that specialize in modern lighting can add a dash of brightness to any room. Many contemporary lamps are known for quality lighting while taking up minimal space. Lamps with a small base and thin swivel neck can be ideal for desk tops. You can even choose a lamp with a small base and thin neck that still has a slightly more traditional lamp shade, a way of combining contemporary and retro looks.

Other lamps really push the modern style to whole new space-age levels. These lamps can still provide quality, environmentally friendly lighting but they also become artistic conversation pieces. Sometimes this is due to their unique designs, such as lamps with a modular structure, or sometimes it’s due to both design and materials, such as interestingly shaped lamps made from mouth blown glass. You may also wish to add something with more of a personal touch, but still has that modern feel to it, like this photo moon lamp from foto mond lampe for example, perhaps in somewhere like the bedroom, just to it give a more unique addition to your home – as long as the lamp fits in with the modern look you’re going for.

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10 Ways to Jazz Up Your Walls

November 26, 2013 by

Tired of looking at the same old walls? It’s possible to redesign and restructure your home without the hefty price of typical remodeling endeavors. Even just adding a fresh lick of paint to your walls, perhaps with the help of someone similar to Aaron Timoffee Painters of Saskatoon, for example, can make all the difference when it comes to brightening up your home. This is just one of many different ideas your could try. If you’d like to add a little color to your dwelling, here are 10 ways to jazz things up.

1. Mirrors

Mirrors add the illusion of space, so they’re an easy and inexpensive alternative to, say, knocking out a wall. They’re also useful if you want to distract your guests from a half-finished project or renovation: No one can walk past a mirror without checking their own reflection!

2. Rugs

In addition to protecting your hardwood floors, a few rugs will add color and vibrancy to the room. You’ll also have the freedom to re-arrange them whenever the mood strikes, unlike carpet.

3. Beaded Curtains

Add a bit of flair to your doorways with a set of beaded curtains or LED lights. It isn’t just for hippies! Click here for inspiration and ideas.

4. Framed Photos

Break out the family albums and find your favorite photos. Then, for a small fee, have them blown up and glossed at a local print shop for ready-made portraits that will look great on your wall. Alternatively, look for posters online of your favourite things. For example, if you are a comic book fan, check out Harley Quinn posters, or whatever character you like, and get one framed! Having this on the wall will really make your space personal.

5. Wall Art

Anyone can throw a new paint job on the walls, but few take advantage of the personalization wall art. How about hanging a memorable day? Sounds weird right? It means you can get star maps of your special days, be it your birthday or anniversary or any other memorable occasion, and hang them on your wall. They showcase something meaningful and look very classy on a wall.

6. Chandelier

Don’t quite have the funds to remodel your entire dining room? Replace the overhead light with a chandelier and you’ll change the atmosphere of the entire space. As a bonus, it’s all your guests will talk about, too. Alternatively, you can check out these wall lights to give your space the extra light that it needs, without having too much going on from your ceiling. Either way, adding different lighting will really change up your space.

7. Hanging Items

With a few hooks from the home improvement store, you can transform a dull, drab wall into a centerpiece of modern design. Hang your mugs in the kitchen; hang your purses in the hallway; hang your old records in the den.

8. Throw Pillows

Perfect for the couch that sees a lot of company, an arrangement of lush, fluffy throw pillows will be welcomed by everyone who sits there, especially if you have fun with quirky shapes and designs.

9. Flowers

There are a number of potted plants, like peace lilies and snake plants, that require little-to-no maintenance and will instead just sit and add variety to your home.

10. Candles

Fill the room with wonderful fragrances with a collection of candles. Not only will they make the place smell like waterfalls and fresh gardens, but they’ll look classy burning on the mantle, too.

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Kiddie Proof Sofas

November 2, 2013 by

As the world gets smaller and children start growing up faster as a result, we might take for granted just how much our kids pick up themselves these days. But one thing that hasn’t changed (and never will change) is our children’s perpetual curiosity and inability to sit still for more than a few minutes without requiring some kind of stimulation. Not only does this mean ‘child-proofing’ every facet of your home (rounded edged coffee tables, protectors on the plug sockets etc.) it also means keeping your home stacked to the rafters with toys, toys that will hopefully keep them distracted enough that they won’t feel like they need to ‘redecorate’ the living room. Of course, there’s only so much ‘curiosity’ a few plastic fire engines can sate though, and the overspill of childish enthusiasm can often translate into an unholy mess, especially where our nice, clean, expensive furniture is concerned. Having children doesn’t mean that you need to give up all of your nice things though.

The heart of your home

If the living room is the ribcage of our home then the sofa is the heart. We spend on average (as a nation) around 32 hours a week in front of the TV and we will be spending the majority of that time on the sofa. The sofa is our safe haven and the last thing we want to be destroyed by our beloved children. Here we’ve sourced a few top tips on how to keep your homes heart healthy and child-proof, without sacrificing its comfort and style.

Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What to look for

When you’re purchasing a ‘child friendly’ sofa, the first thing you’re going to want to consider is the colour. Going with darker colours that are less likely to show stains is an incredibly smart move, even if you’re not particularly keen on darker coloured furnishings, would you prefer a bright white sofa covered in chocolate stains? The most important thing to consider though is your sofas fabric. Soft velvet and cotton fabrics obviously offer a soft, warm and comfortable place the rest you weary buttocks after a long day at the office but there are alternatives that are just as comfortable and far more child proof.

Go Vinyl – We’re not talking about your record collection here. Vinyl sofas might seem unconventional but there are some genuinely attractive models on the market and wiping them clean takes literally seconds.

Leather – Much like vinyl (though more common) leather sofas not only look smart and sophisticated but are incredibly durable and can be wiped clean in seconds.

Child proofing tips

Of course if you really want a sofa with traditional fabrics (and with that level of comfort, who could blame you?) you’re going to want to consider bolstering the durability of your sofa, here are a few options you might want to consider.

Plastic Slipcovers – Yes covering your sofa in a plastic sheath is hardly ideal but in the long run the inconvenience and the ugliness might be worthwhile. The wipe-clean nature of the plastic means that any spills or ‘accidents’ can be wiped down and disposed of without any lasting damage making its way through to the fabric. Plus, once the kids have gone to bed, there’s nothing stopping you from removing the plastic cover and replacing it the next morning.

Nanotex – Nanotex are a company that specialise in creating stain and water repellent fabrics and also products that increase the repellency of existing fabrics. The company’s flagship product is ‘Aquapel’, a revolutionary product that can alter your sofas fabric at a molecular level by attaching minuscule, hydrophobic ‘whiskers’ to the individual fibres of the fabric that lift any spilt liquids and rolls them right off the surface of the fabric.

Pillows/Throws – Though you might not like the idea of ‘hiding’ your sofa beneath a throw rug, it’s far easier (and cheaper) to throw a rug into the washing machine than to clean a juice stain out of your cotton sofa.

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About the Author:

Crispin Jones writes for The Suite Company an online retailer of settes and sofas. He is a keen fan of DIY and can often be found blogging about a number of home improvement projects.

Filed Under: Home Improvement, House Matters Tagged With: ,

Top 5 Curtain & Blind Style Trends this Season

September 19, 2013 by

Once in a while, your home will need a revamp, to keep it looking stylish, fresh and new. This, in turn, makes you feel better! A lot of people like to go for a full-blown remodel either with some DIY tricks along the way, or with a professional company like Remodel Works. It’s exciting to have a project underway and fun to add some beauty and value to your home. However, there are ways to do this without doing the full monty. If you’re looking for a way to keep your home looking fresh and modern but you don’t have a huge budget for remodelling, updating your window treatments is a great way to keep your home up to date with emerging interior design trends, styles and colours. This season brings a host of new window treatment trends that you can use to modernize your home. Here we take a look at the top five, and how you can easily fit these in your home this weekend!

Roman Blinds

Roman Blinds are elegant and stylish, as well as very effective at block out harsh sunlight – reducing glare in your home while showing off your style. This makes them perfect for living rooms and TV rooms. Roman Blinds work by stacking onto itself when opened and laying smooth when closed. It is available in two styles Looped and Classic. The Looped style is more of a cascade which allows for the appearance of additional depth. The Classic style presents more of a pleated appearance. The ability to block out the sun is a useful bonus to those that sleep in the daytime – one more reason that these blinds are popular this season. You can also consider automating the blinds by calling companies like A-OK Australia that supply automation systems for curtains, awnings, shutters, windows, and blackout blinds. These smart home advancements are now affordable and accessible, making them an easy choice to consider during home improvement projects.

Sheer Curtains

As the name implies, this is an opaque style of curtain affording a chic vintage look to a room. Sheer curtains are energy savers too – since they let in ample sunlight you can leave your lights off, while the enjoying the privacy they provide. Sheer curtain are also less expensive to buy since they do not have a liner, but they can also be used along with other types of curtains or blinds for a layered effect. They are perfect for downstairs rooms such as kitchens and living rooms – leaving you a view and sunlight, while blocking the view into your home for passers-by. They’re also great additions to a bedroom for a light and breezy feel.

Indoor Shutters

This style allows you to dress up your window and make a statement. The look of your indoor shutters will depend on your personal needs as well as the look you are trying to achieve. Trying to control light or privacy? Consider double-hung Plantation shutters. With Plantation shutters you can open on the top portion while keeping the bottom closed. This style is so popular it can it’s considered a good investment not only by you but the bank – increasing the resale value of your home! And you’re allowed to include the cost of purchasing the Plantation style shutter into your mortgage when you purchase your home.

Outdoor Blinds

If you’re looking for a little relief from the elements, you could consider exterior roller blinds as an option. This is another trending style that is not only attractive and functional, but also adds value to your home. Also known as café blinds or awnings, this style of blind is used in your porch or backyard dining area to allow you to enjoy the outside of your home with protection from the elements – wind, rain and sun. In order to do this they are constructed with sturdy materials such as canvas and/or pvc.

Honeycombed Shades

This window treatment can offer energy efficiency and style. The very design and use of the honeycomb system reduces heat loss and your energy bill.

How to Install These Window Treatments in Your Home This Weekend!

Grab a pencil and a measuring tape. All of these instructions are for inside mounts:

Indoor Shutters

Be sure to clearly note which is height and which is width – you don’t want to get these mixed up. For inside mounts be sure to indicate the exact size of the window opening. When measuring height and width be sure to measure in three places. For width use the narrowest measurement; for height use the shortest measurement.

Honeycombed Shades

Start by measuring the opening width at the top, center and bottom three times. Record the narrowest width. The height is measured from the left, right and center three times. Record the tallest height. Again, for inside mounts be sure to indicate the exact size of the window opening.

Outdoor Blinds

Start by measuring the inside width at the top. Next, round the measurement down to the nearest 1/8″. For the height, measure the left, middle, and right sides; then, round up to the nearest 1/8″. Record the longest measurement.

Sheer Curtains

Begin by measuring from your curtain rod down to your floor. This is the length of your curtain. There are other options for length available. Ask your manufacturer if they are able to produce apron and sill lengths if you’re considering them. Next, measure both the inside and outside width of your window. Note that the inside measurements are between the insides of your window trim; the outside measurements are from the outer edges of your window trim. Finally, multiply the width by two to three times the actual measurement, depending on how full you’d like your curtains to look when hung.

Roman Blinds

Start by measuring the inside surfaces of window frame at the top, middle, and bottom; use the narrowest width. For the height, measure from the inside surface at the top of your window to the sill. If you prefer shade not to touch sill, deduct 1/4″.

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About the Author

This article is written by Ellen Richards, who writes home renovation tips and interior design. She recommends Curtain World as a top provider of Blinds in Perth, WA.

Filed Under: Handy Tips, Home Improvement, House Matters Tagged With:

The Beauty of Quilts

August 15, 2013 by

Despite the recent warmer weather, the colder months are quickly around the corner. The cold, brisk air seems to liven the festivities. Hot chocolate, coffee, tea, sweaters and mittens warm the body while one is outside. Still, indoors brings other measures to keep the home and everyone in it warm. Several methods for keeping the home toasty warm are essential to save on heating costs. For instance, effective home insulation is a must. Any leaks within the home and between rooms will spread the coldness throughout the home.

Greater usage of various materials, such as rugs and blankets help to keep the home insulated and protect from the cold drafts that can seep into a home. During the night, it is important to cover up with quality bedding, such as decorative quilt bedding at QuiltsnQuilts.com. Quilts are fashionable and decorative, yet cozy and of good quality to block in heat while keeping the cold out.

Quilts can be used on beds, but they decoratively adorn sofas and large chairs, which provide warmth when used, but also because they serve as protective barriers that are warming by nature. Thinner quilts can be used in warmer months and several can be used for layering purposes should a night prove to be nippy. Quilts are the perfect home accessory that offers versatile usage and are exquisitely beautiful.

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