Archive for December, 2010

Decorative Nursery Lamps for a Baby Girl

Monday, December 20th, 2010

Adding a lamp to the nursery may not seem terribly important, but any parent that has taken care of their baby through the night understands the importance of having the right lighting in the nursery. A decorative nursery lamp is pretty to look at, but it is also brings an important function to the nursery: namely, soft lighting for the middle of the night. Nursery lamps can be found in a lot of different colors, sizes and styles, so finding one to fit baby’s nursery should not be a problem, whether you want to coordinate with ballerina or fairy theme decorative door toppers or play up southwestern wall art featuring little cowboys and smiling horses.

Designs that Blend

For a little girl’s nursery, finding the perfect little lamp simply involves fitting it into the nursery’s existing decorating scheme. For example, if the nursery is decorated in butterflies or teddy bears, look for a little lamp that carries through with this theme. There is a huge selection of lamps available that fit just about every décor imaginable, so finding one to fit a particular nursery theme should not be too difficult. A parent who wants to add a uniquely decorative touch to the nursery may decide to create their own lamp design. Find a little lamp that is plain and embellish it as desired. When purchasing a lamp, though, make sure that it is well balanced and that the base is properly weighted so that it will not easily tip over.

Important Functions

When selecting a lamp for the nursery, consider where it will be located, how it will be used and when it will be used. For example, a candlestick lamp that emits a soft glow is perfect on a table beside the rocking chair when rocking baby to sleep at night. However if a parent wants to read while rocking the baby, then a stronger or more direct light may be needed. Asmall lamp tucked on a shelf over the changing table may offer just enough light to change a diaper while keeping the surrounding areas very dim.

Diminutive Designs

There are many different lamp designs available. The diminutive, candlestick lamp is very popular for offering an ambient glow to the nursery. Little lantern lights are also popular for this use. Tiny lamps with designer fabric shades may offer the perfect accent to a simple nursery design. Quite often the lamp and the shade can be purchased separately, so that a parent can customize the look that they want for their baby’s nursery.

Custom Building a Nursery Lamp

When a parent cannot locate a lamp that works for their child’s nursery, they can create their own using a lamp kit. These kits can be found in many different stores as well as online. Another option is to find a plain small table lamp that matches the style of the nursery, and then paint it to match and embellish the shade in whatever style works for the nursery. Something as simple as stenciling baby’s name on the lampshade can add the perfect personal touch while providing functional lighting.

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Fun Ideas for Decorating Using Toys

Sunday, December 19th, 2010

If you have been seeking a fun way to decorate your home, you need not look any further than those toys you have stashed away in the toy box or closet.  You can add a fun and lively look to the home by decorating with toys and games.   Depending on which type of toy or game that you use, you can lend a playful, cheery, trendy, or retro feel to your decorative theme.  Let’s look at some fun ideas for decorating using toys.

Game Boards

Many fun decorating ideas can be achieved using game board for unique wall art. Select a board game that fits that theme of the room, like Life or Monopoly for the home office or Candyland for your game room or kitchen; or decorate a game room by using game boards as an unexpected door topper.  Choose board games that have a sturdy board. You will find that the older versions of board games are made from heavier chipboards, cardboard, or wood, and this makes them especially good for hanging on the wall.  Another option is to frame the board to bring a particularly decorative touch to the room.  If you do not have game boards lying around, you can often find them very inexpensively at second-hand stores, flea markets, and garage sales, although some may not have their individual pieces with them.  If you want to simply use the board on your wall, it is not a problem to have missing pieces.  You can, however, choose to use the game pieces as decor too. For illustration, you might hang a chess board on your wall and use the game pieces on a shelf nearby as small sculptures.  Displaying a chess board set up on a shelf or table is also a fun element.

Dolls and Plush

Using plush animals and dolls to add whimsy and charm to your room is also a good way to decorate with toys.  Decorating with older dolls or stuffed animals that you have kept since childhood is a great way to enjoy these special items again.  It is also fun to decorate a particular room with your child’s favorite plush and stuffed toys, particularly if the child is grown now.  This is a great way to bring a sense of nostalgia to the room while affording you the opportunity to walk down memory lane.  Be sure to display vintage dolls or fragile items on higher shelves or in glass cabinets in order to preserve them and protect them from damage.

Trucks and Other Vehicles

Vehicle toys like cars, trucks, tractors, and more, can bring a fun and exciting look to a room.  This is also a great way to get the toys out of the closet where you can enjoy the toys once more.  In the country or rustic kitchen, a toy tractor can be a welcome element, and it can look great when displayed in the family room on a rustic mantle.  Display a collection of tiny cars, like Hot Wheels, for example, in a collector cabinet or a small shelving unit in the family room or media room.

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Area Rugs: Style, Warmth and Design Inspiration

Saturday, December 18th, 2010

An area rug instantly makes a room more stylish and more inviting; it adds an extra layer of color and pattern, as well as an extra layer of warmth and comfort under your feet. There are so many styles, colors, sizes and designs available, that you’re sure to find one that is the perfect accompaniment for any room in your home. And while area rugs are an excellent choice atop hardwood floors, they can also be used on top of carpet to define a seating area or add a little more style to a room. In fact, a beautiful area rug with rich colors and an interesting design pattern can be the design inspiration for an entire room, setting the stage for everything from the monogram wall grille selected to go above the mantel to the iron door toppers that grace the doors and passageways. An area rug provides a unifying element for any room.

Size, Shape and Purpose

The first thing you should do before shopping for an area rug is to measure the area where you plan to use it. The purpose of the rug will determine its size and shape. For instance, a “runner”, which is long and narrow, is perfect for a hallway, while a square or round area rug is usually the choice to anchor a seating area. A large area rug is a good choice when you want to protect hardwood flooring, as in a dining area where chairs can scratch the floor whenever they are moved. An area rug that is going to be used under a table should be large enough to accommodate the chairs when they are pushed back.

Area Rug as Design Inspiration

Once you know what size area rug will work for you, you can look for a rug that you love for its looks and let it serve as the inspiration for the entire room. The background color of the rug can be echoed on the walls; any paint department can perfectly match color to fabrics, etc. Other colors in the rug can be used as accent colors in the room and reappear in pillows, accessories and wall decor. The style and design of the rug is another source of inspiration; floral designs from an area rug can be echoed in other fabrics or wall art. A rustic braided rug may contribute to a cabin theme design or a geometric designed rug provides color and design in a streamlined contemporary room.

Area Rugs and Room Layout

An area rug can also define how a floor plan is laid out and add structure to a room. For example, if you may use a runner to direct foot traffic or use two area rugs in a large room, such as a great room, to define two different areas. An area rug by a fireplace hearth sets the stage for a cozy seating area where you can enjoy a good book on a cold winter’s night. Area rugs are also perfect for defining a seating area: Simply gather the furniture around the rug in an L-shape or an angle configuration. No matter how you use a colorful area rug, you’ll raise the style and comfort quotient of any room.

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Natural Accessories for Your Natural Decor

Friday, December 17th, 2010

While wall art for home and garden, such as southwestern metal wall artwork, can make your interiors and exteriors more beautiful, natural accessories can be a wonderful accompaniment to a natural decor scheme. The natural decorative scheme is very popular in patios and garden rooms and can be an effective way to decorate throughout the entire home. Nearly any room that is outfitted in natural fabrics colors and materials like stone and wood can reap benefit from natural accents and accessories.

Design Inspiration

A room that is decorated in a natural theme can provide inspiration when selecting attractive decorative accents for example, if your room is equipped with a stone wall you might decorate with vines of ivy and other plants. If vines are arranged strategically on a shelf, they can be made to look as if they are climbing your stone wall. A room decorated with beach cottage or garden style will also look great when natural accessories are added. Select natural objects like drift wood and sea shells to lend an authentic feel to a beach cottage theme.

Fabrics and Fibers From Nature

Accessories and fabrics crafted using natural fibers can be very appealing in any room and are also an echo friendly decorative choice. Organic cotton, linen, whicker, and bamboo are all great materials found in nature that can be used in a variety from floor mats to window treatments. Cork, wood, stone, and tile are other materials that also work well. Natural materials tend to be found in a neutral color palette, so it can be helpful to add in brightly colored accessories, like a brightly painted whicker item or a brilliant vase of freshly picked flowers. For adding a natural look to your room nothing beats whicker. Wicker furniture and its original color can be stunning when topped with cushions in bright colors. Moreover, when wicker is painted cheery shades like white, lime green, or yellow, it can lend a crisp, fresh look that can add brightness to the space.

Found Materials as Decor

You should not overlook simple objects that are found in nature when decorated a room and natural style. For example, a large basket filled with pine cones can become an ideal natural accent to display beside your fireplace. A section of drift wood that you found on the beach can become a beautiful a natural sculpture to display a natural sculpture to display on your mantel. You might use sea shells that you found on the beach to create a wind chime. Pressed leaves might be mounted and then framed as wall art. A grape fine wreath can be accentuated by seed, pod, and dried flowers to hang over top of the fireplace. Smooth rocks found on the riverbank can be artfully arranged in a clear vase and displayed on a shelf or table. A big advantage to decorating with found materials is that you can save money while allowing your creative juices to flow freely.

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