The Beauty of Wood

Have you ever walked through a forest and marveled at the beauty of it all– the green heaven, the rustle of fallen leaves, the whisper of the wind, the birds in the branches and the wonderful majesty of the trees.  That beauty can be transferred to the objects made from the wood of those very trees – mahogany furniture, cedar toys, rosewood jewelry boxes, teak decks on ships, ebony carved statues

Throughout the ages, wood has been a raw material.  The first peoples made shelters using wood and animal skins. The first tools were made of wood and the first hunting spears were wooden. Dating back to Neolithic times, bowls and plates carved from wood have been found, as have wooden idols. In some Egyptian tombs, ancient wooden chairs have been preserved. And in some cultures, coffins were carved from the trunks of trees.

In this country, the Native American tepees we made on a wood frame, and their canoes were, at first, hollowed out tree trunks.  Later, some built a lightweight wooden frame, probably of cedar, covered with bark sewn together with tree roots, and sealed with a mixture of sap and fats.  Of course, the paddles were made of wood.

Some of the most beautiful homes built by the pilgrims and other immigrants used wood from trees growing in the settled areas.  The inlaid designs in the furniture and floors certainly indicate the high level of expertise of the builders. Early settlers in the west built log cabins, and even today, log cabins are being built in some parts of the country.  Some of the so-called log cabins, however, that people are having built, mostly for vacation homes, are built with planks of wood, rather than whole logs.  These early settlers also built their own furniture and fashioned some interesting dolls and toys from wood, some of which have become prized family antiques, collector’s items, or are being copied today by talented wood workers to please more children.

Of course, everyone knows that early ships were built of wood.  Early Egyptians knew how to take planks of wood, hold them together with tree-nails and use pitch to caulk the seams. The first mast may have been two wooden poles lashed together at the top to make a triangular shape, to which a single sail was attached.  Although this was basically a sailing ship, it could be propelled by human power with oars.

Different groups designed their ships differently, but for a long time, all would be made of wood.  Some of the most beautiful model ships are replicas of the early sailing ships. The craftsmen who build these models to scale use some of the most beautiful woods.

In modern homes, wood is prized.  Hardwood floors are more desirable than cheap wood covered by carpet, solid wood furniture costs more, but it is chosen by those who can afford it.  One sometimes sees occasional tables made from a slice of a large tree trunk.  It’s fun to count the annual rings which indicate the age at which the tree was cut.

There are innumerable ways in which wood is used, but one seldom stops to think of what nature provided.

Unique Home Decor - Thinking Outside the Box

Home accents and surroundings today offer much more opportunity for self expression.  Don’t be afraid to try something different. I’d rather decorate my home with items that appeal to my own individuality, than adhere to someone’s standards of what is the norm. Artisan crafted products truly create the ability to make one’s castle their own. It is our hope that by providing you with suggestions and ideas, we are encouraging you to enhance your home in a style befitting your distinctive personality.  

The charm of artisan crafted items is in the originality it provides. Imagine decorating your bathroom in tropical decor, accented by a hand painted shower curtain. The bathroom is the one room that is often overlooked, but it need not be. Add an artistic designed mirror that reflects your unique persona. “One of the most exciting changes you can make to a bathroom is the addition of a distinctive toilet seat” says Dawn Fowler, co-owner of Unique Decor Online. “Believe it or not, there are many design possibilities, including our line of limited edition lithograph seats. Our customers are delighted by the whimsical characters that highlight our toilet seats.”

Decoupage is a popular craft that turns ordinary items into incredible works of art. A simple glass bowl becomes a cherished heirloom. You can turn a tray or platter into a relative’s favorite gift. The possibilities are limitless, and the works created are quite stunning.

Lighting is another outstanding way to set your rooms off. Don’t be afraid to add color. Versatile and vibrant, lamps are stylish accents that can turn a whole room around without much effort. Lighting comes in many different shapes and sizes for table, floor, and ceiling. There are many options and you are only limited by your imagination. It’s a simple change that can make a dramatic change.

Don’t forget your walls! Everyone has paintings and photos adorning their walls. Be different, add a piece of metal wall art. There are patterns available for everyone’s taste, so don’t be shy. Try something new and out of the ordinary. Like the title says, don’t be afraid to step out of the box. You’ll be rewarded with a home that is a representation of your unique personality.

Last, but not least, simple accessories provide the finishing touch to your unique home. The small things sometimes make the most difference. 

Switch-plates
There are many different types of switchplates that can perk up a room while keeping within theme.

Picture Frames
Picture frames have become very popular over the past several years and there are literally thousands of designs to choose from.

Clocks
We can’t forget a very simple, yet important addition to every home in the world. Everyone needs a clock, but it doesn’t have to be your average run of the mill clock. Don’t settle for dull and boring, when you can have unique and striking in appearance.  Christine Francis, co-owner of Unique Decor Online says “Another popular item that our customer’s often request is our line of whimsical clocks. We have a large variety from which to choose and each one is an artistic original design.”

There are many more accents which seem subtle, but really play an important role when decorating your home. We must not forget the many styles of mirrors, outlet covers, fans and more. The possibilities really are limitless. It is our mission to impart to everyone, don’t settle for ordinary, when you yourself are extraordinary.

Using Concrete for Interior Applications

Concrete is an extraordinary material that is practical, expressive, and aesthetic all at once. From a primal and formless slurry, you can transform it into virtually any shape that becomes a solid mass. The possibilities for creative expression are endless. You can grind, polish, stamp, or stain it. You can embed meaningful objects within it.

Concrete has substance and mass, permanence and warmth. It feels earthy, and is at home in both traditional and modern settings. It assumes forms that irrevocably touch our daily lives-bridges, highways, floors, walls... even countertops. Concrete is also surprisingly tactile. Cast and shaped, it can feel like stone rounded by the sea. Textured and colored, it can echo the patina of timeworn tile.

It first occurred to me to make a countertop out of concrete in 1985, when a friend and I were hired to design and renovate a professor's house in the Berkeley Hills. He gave us a modest budget and announced, "This is all I can afford to spend; do whatever you want." Armed with this rare creative license (and plenty of youthful exuberance) we aimed to be as innovative as possible.

This invitation to imagine, play, and explore inevitably led me to experiment in my own kitchen, where concrete and I began what is now our nearly two-decade dance. My first countertop was a single piece containing 11 cubic feet of concrete. It weighed nearly 1500 pounds and took 10 people-and 2 engine hoists-to turn it over once it had cured. We barely managed it, but the piece came out beautifully and is still being put to good use today.

Because of its adaptability, concrete finds itself welcome in all areas of the home, especially in the kitchen and bath, but also in fireplaces, patios, garden paths, or water features. Concrete can also be used as a floor material with enormous creative advantages whether seeded, stained, stamped, broomed or diamond-finished. It can be a sole performer or play the supporting role to tile, mosaics, decorative aggregates, stone, wood, or metal. It is inexpensive, durable, noncombustible, impervious to decay, and also very effective for passive solar gain in the right application.

With vertical treatments, concrete gives us an opportunity to recapture some of the feeling of the monolithic wall-the feeling of substance, of protection. Walls are also a great place to explore form. A wall doesn't have to be flat or straight, but can curve and undulate. It can be textured to be rough as stone or smooth as glass.

Surrender to the impulse... carve your initials in concrete.

Designing Your Home Office

Once you have taken the plunge and decided to work from home you are going to need to consider your working environment. Too many people think that working from home means that they can effectively handle phone calls from the kitchen table, or work well into the night cuddled up in front of the television. And while you may be able to get away with this type of working style once in awhile, you will need to design a home office space that is effective and efficient.

A well designed home office will allow you to be more organized, more productive and definitely more professional. There are a few things that you will need to consider when you are designing your space. Do you entertain clients in your office? If so, you will want a separate entrance to your home office. It is not very professional to have clients walk through your kitchen with dirty dishes in the sink in order to get to your office.

Even if you do not host clients in your office, you should strongly consider the benefits of having a separate space for your office. You will feel more professional if you have a designated room or space for your office rather than a corner of the living room. This will also allow you to tune out distractions such as the children, or the television. When you are working, close the door and focus on work.

Some things that you will need to consider are furniture, organization, lighting and ventilation. You will need to equip your office to suit your needs and for most people this means that you will need the standard desk. Your desk does not need to be fancy; in fact as long as it suits your needs, you can get away with a very simple table. Storage is also very important for a home office. Do not underestimate the power of a quality file cabinet and a good organizing system. If you have a lot of books a shelving system will go along way.

High quality lighting is also essential in your home office. You may need to install a better overhead light as most residential lights will not put out quality light that is needed for an office. Adequate lighting is essential for a comfortable and ergonomically sound working environment. Ventilation is also important, as you will need to work in a comfortable environment. If your space gets hot in the summer months, invest in air conditioning or a fan.

Last but not least, do not forget to make your home office inviting for you to come to work. Put up a few pieces of artwork or some prints, bring in some house plants or fresh flowers and create an environment that is not only functional, but enjoyable to be in as well. After all you're going to be spending 8 - 10 hours per day in there.

Decorating Your Home in Style

Creating a cohesive interior design for you home isn’t that hard if you know some of the basics. In fact, decorating your home so that all the various elements combine to create the look you’ve always wanted can be a lot of fun.

Following are some proven tips to help you turn your house into a designer home:

Taking the first step

As they say, let’s start at the beginning. Chances are good that your home is a mish mash of furnishings, art, accents and accessories that have been collected over time. To create the perfect designer look, you want to first consider the purpose for each room, how you want it to look, your personal tastes, features that can and can’t be changed, and finally, the budget you have available.

Start with the key elements

The success of a room’s design lies in the balance you create. The basics of good design are proportion, balance, contrast, rhythm, pattern/texture and harmony. Knowing how these elements work together will help you design your space so that it’s not only beautiful, but comfortable and functional as well.

Proportion

Scale is one of the most important things to consider when creating the look of a room. A room that is proportioned correctly will feel welcoming while an incorrectly portioned room will just feel crowded and unfriendly. The trick is to match pieces in terms of their scale. A large overstuffed sofa needs an equally large end table or coffee table; otherwise, these accents simply disappear as the sofa dwarfs them proportionally. When considering scale, look to the other rooms in your home for furniture that may be a better fit with the focal pieces you have in your room.

Balance

When creating balance, there’s two ways to go here. The first is symmetrical design, where everything is perfectly balanced. With symmetrical design, there’s roughly two of everything or items are mirrored in the room. For instance, one chair is placed exactly opposite another one just like it. While this creates balance, it can also make a room look static and lacking any visual interest or energy. Experienced designers use asymmetry to create this interest. Objects balance well because they are judged by their visual weight, not pairings. For instance, you may have a large sofa on one side of the room that is balanced by two large overstuffed chairs with an accent table in the middle and floor lamp behind. These pieces balance the sofa visually, even though they aren’t equal in size or shape. The design works because there is balance in the asymmetrical layout of the furniture.

Contrast

Imagine walking into a white room with white carpet and white furniture. Pretty boring, huh? Contrast helps draw the eye around a room through the intelligent use of color. Bold use of colors creates energy while the use of muted shades in complementary tones creates calm. The more contrast you create, the easier it is for the human eye to follow the intended design of the room, moving visually from one space to another, guided by the use of color and contrast.

Rhythm

While creating contrast with the use of light and dark tones can be effective, it can also create boredom. To keep the room connected, you want to use rhythm. This means reusing specific colors, patterns, textures or themes throughout the room. Pick a couple main colors and repeat them in different ways in your paint scheme, fabrics and accents.

Pattern & Texture

As the eye moves about a room, it picks up specific patterns. These are grouped together, so a blue wall is combined with a striped piece of fabric that has the same blue in it. Patterns that don’t fit create conflict in the mind, compromising the appearance of the space. Again, you want to pick one or two primary patterns or textures and vary them within the color palette you’ve already created for the room. Right alongside the elements of contrast and rhythm in home decorating is pattern/texture.

Harmony

If you’ve ever heard three singers sing different parts that sound amazing together, then you already know what harmony is. The same is true for the harmony in your home. Different colors, different designs and different proportions combine to create a new look that was never there before, just as new notes are created by singers singing three different parts. The room is suddenly complete. It has a look that if you remove just one element, won’t have that harmonic feel to it any longer. When you’ve achieved harmony, you’ve achieved your design goals.

How to Give a Room a New Look on a Budget

As a homeowner, you don’t need to have a large budget to give your home a remodel look straight out of the home and garden magazines. Any motivated do it yourselfer can redecorate a room and have it looking sleek and fashionable for under $1000. Remodeling with a budget in mind not only saves you money, but also increases the resale value of your home.

You can change the mood of your house just by painting and changing colors, especially uplifting your spirits during the cold winter season. Painting your house is a simple to do home improvement project that's easy on your budget if you do it yourself. Don’t go after the most expensive paint you can find. 

Expensive doesn’t necessarily always mean the best quality paint. A good rule of thumb as to how much you will spend painting just one room around 300 square feet will be less than $200, including necessary supplies of rollers, paint roller tray, duct tape and paint brushes.

Other materials such as a drop cloth, paint bucket, or rags are optional. You can use old blankets that you don’t mind getting paint on, or use cardboard. Rags can be replaced with old towels or damp paper towels, and paint buckets will only be necessary if you plan to mix paints for faux finish painting.

Using wallpaper is another way to change the look of a room without breaking the bank. Proper wallpapering can suit anyone’s need and budget, and can help to change the mood as well as adding elegance to a room. You can make a room appear larger or smaller just by choosing the right wallpaper, giving an illusion of height for rooms with lower ceilings. Using wallpaper can also add a design and pattern that is very difficult to accomplish with paint unless you are a talented artist.

The average price for a single roll of wall covering is about $12. The price is affected by the type of wall covering, how elaborate the design, the exclusivity of the design, and if it’s made by a famous designer.

Faux finishes are all the latest rage and are really easy to do. Almost anyone with just a little desire and some simple practice can create attractive faux finishes. Just get a simple guidebook to get you started and you will be creating beautiful faux finishes in no time.

Make Your House Your Home - Interior Decorating

There is no better haven than our home. “East or West, home is the best,” is a common saying. Whoever it may be, whatever position he or she may hold, finally everyone returns home to find peace and relax.

A home is cozier and more comfortable than any other place. We build our homes with the utmost care and sincerity. After all, it is a place where we spend most of our lives.

Home decorating means a lot to the owner. It also demands hard work and devotion, as it is not an easy task. Decorating includes both the interior as well as exterior aspects.

As far as home interior decorating is concerned, every nook and corner has to be studied so that the available space is utilized to the maximum. A good interior decorator should be able to help you in selecting the correct interior decorating solution for your home. Before actually starting the work, you need to be sure whether the emphasis is going to be on beauty, comfort, or the appearance of your home.

You need to attend to all parts, namely, doors, windows, floors, furniture and accessories. For windows, curtains, blinds, rods and panels should be attractive and appealing. Some people prefer light colors, while others prefer heavy and striking upholstery. Doors can be tastefully designed and the material itself can be exotic.

There is a wide range of flooring options available. You can choose from marble, granite tiles, bricks, slates, concrete, or steel. To add more color, suitable carpets can be spread. Rugs can be used to complement them.

Walls, pillars, and other standouts can be decorated using artifacts, paintings or wall hangings. Modern arts are becoming a common choice.

Not just the living room, but also every part of your home needs your attention. The kitchen should be convenient and easy to use. The gas tables, racks and shelves, cooking range, utensils, and all other accessories should be chosen carefully and arranged neatly to avoid messing them.

Further, furniture selection should be done wisely. The sofa sets, chairs, dining table, dressing table and cots must reflect your taste.

Pottery and decorative plants are also a welcome addition in home interior decorating. Sculptures or a mini-fountain may seem incredible. An aquarium can add beauty to your home. You need to pick the right colors and paints for your wonderful home.

While deciding on the interiors, themes like energy-efficiency can prove useful. As you see, there is no limit to home interior decorating.