Archive for January, 2011

Fun Ideas for Ceiling Fans

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

One great way that you can add light, energy efficiency and style to a room is with the installation of a ceiling fan.  Most ceiling fans either come packaged with a light kit, or you can purchase an adaptable ceiling fan light kit alongside your fan.  You will find ceiling fans in a variety of different styles, which makes it very simple to choose one that coordinates with the general decor in your room.  And whether you are putting in a ceiling fan to increase the energy efficiency and air movement of the room or you need the fan to be the primary source of light within the room, the following tips will help you select the right fan and light for your needs.

Focal Point with Ceiling Fan

To bring a touch of style to any room, think about installing a unique or dramatic ceiling fan and combination light.  The ceiling fan will often command a vast amount of visual attention within the room.  For this reason, you should select a ceiling fan that coordinates with and complements the overall style of the room: For example, choose an elaborate fan with a rustic finish to complement Tuscan iron door toppers and Italian iron wall grille.  In general, consider hanging the ceiling fan in the middle of the room. This will allow you to take full advantage of air circulation.  You can also choose to plan the fan slightly off center in order to create a more noticeable visual arrangement.  For instance, if the seating area of the room is off to the side, then installing the fan over the seating area can help to draw the eye to that area.  This can also help to create a distinct space in a larger room.  Select a lighting kit that will provide you with sufficient lighting, and that complements the style of the room.  Some fans are equipped with remote controls that you can use to adjust the speed of the ceiling fan as well as the amount of light that is emitted, allowing you to brighten or dim the light for the specific needs that you have.

Ceiling Fan Decor Options

There are various ways that you can use ceiling fans to add a touch of style to your room, starting with the light fixture itself.  The classic school house style light is nice for ceiling fans because it diffuses light to the room while keeping the bulb hidden.  You will find other light styles that will completely hide the bulb, and many of them have a svelte, contemporary look.  You will likewise find kits that have individual light heads that can provide more direct light to the room.  In some instances, the individual lights in the fan are adjustable. Ceiling fan light kits that feature exposed bulbs are a bit handier than those that do not because it is easier to change the light bulb when needed. But the light that is emitted is more intense.  The style and color of the fan itself can also be used to add a decorative touch to your room.  Some fans feature reversible blades that have a different design, texture, or even color on the reverse side that will allow you to change the look of the fan instantly.

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Designing a Five-Star Guest Room in Your Home

Monday, January 17th, 2011

If you have frequent guests that stay over in your home, it can be fun to design a guest room that is stylish and fabulous.  There are many methods that can be used to create a five-star guest room within the home, depending on your own preferences and what look you wish to achieve.  The following ideas will help you to create a comfortable and beautiful guest room that is based on the world’s most popular hotel suites.

Resort Style Guest Room

Some of the most beautiful guest rooms at resorts around the world can be mirrored in the design of your guest room.  From a posh suite on the Las Vegas strip to the infamous suites in luxury hotels in Hawaii, you can take inspiration for designing your guest room from these top choices among travelers. With comfortable arrangements for sleeping, soft fabrics, entertainment options, a private bath, and a place to sit and unwind, you can create this type of room in your home.  The color palette that you choose will play a big role, too, and using colors that promote tranquility and peace are the best choice for the resort-inspired room, too.

Adding a great mirror to the room is a nice touch, and a wall mirror that maximizes the natural lighting within the room adds the perfect element to the space.  Choose other wonderful accessories such as drapes or other window treatments that will block out the afternoon sun for an afternoon nap, a television with movie channel access, a hair dryer, and a Jacuzzi style bath tub.   A small room safe is also another good option that will allow your guests to store their jewelry and cash without worrying about losing it during their stay with you. Also be sure to add beautiful wall art the complements the style of the room, whether you choose classic framed art or something unique and vibrant like Southwestern metal art decor.

Technology-Friendly Guest Room

Since most people get online every day, providing your guest access to the Internet from their laptop is a good idea.  Guests of your home can enjoy a wireless Internet connection just like they would in a five-star hotel, but any type of Internet connection is fine.  Be sure to also provide your guest with a place to plug in their cellular devices without taking up the outlets in the room that are needed for other appliances or lamps.

Private Retreat Guest Room/Mother-in-Law Suite

The level of contentment that your guests feel will be partly based on the privacy that they can enjoy during their stay.  A mother-in-law suite is a good option when creating a five-star guest room, whether your guest room is in the basement, attic, or even a suite that is altogether separate from the house.  The typical mother-in-law suite/private retreat guest room should have the following amenities:

  • Private bath.  The bathroom in the mother-in-law suite should be a full bath and it should have a space for a tub or shower, sink, and toilet.  The bathroom should be stocked with luxury lotions, shampoos, soaps, shower gels, and of course, lots of fluffy towels.
  • Wonderful bed.  The bed in the mother-in-law suite should be full size or bigger, with a king-sized bed being the lap of luxury.  Provide fresh linens for the bed, and at least four pillows.
  • Place for sitting and entertaining.  A comfortable loveseat and arm chair are ideal, but be certain to add some things for the guest to entertain themselves with.  You can provide a small TV with access to cable or satellite, and a DVD player along with a few popular movie titles.

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Delivering a Powerful Punch with Tribal Art

Sunday, January 16th, 2011

One unique art form that is used for decorating the home (and the body) is tribal art.  Tribal art features interesting symbols depicting health, love, power, and protection, among other elements.  Some tribal art symbols have particular meanings in various other cultures while some have been created in modern times for their aesthetic beauty.  You can deliver a powerful punch to your home decor in several ways with tribal art.

Perhaps you haven’t heard of tribal art, or maybe you have only seen tribal art tattoos. That doesn’t mean you are outdated, you’re simply one of the few that have not yet experienced this contemporary craze.  Historically, tribal art has been reserved merely for tattoo artists, jewelry, clothing and African American decor, but rarely if ever applied to everyday interior design for the home.

Diverse Artwork

Despite popular belief, there is more to tribal art than simply thorny vines and wavy lines that are combined to create a tattoo.  Tribal art actually is the incorporation of various types of native art, which includes religious symbolism, and is often the term that is used when referring to cave drawings and similar ideas.  And although tribal art is often displayed only in black and white, tribal art is available in a plethora of colors and hues to create interesting and beautiful designs that seem to narrate a story.

Tribal art can become a great conversation starter, or can be used to promote prosperity and peace, bestow blessings on a new home or a new marriage, or even to draw protection for the inhabitants of a home. Yes, tribal art can deliver a powerful punch to the home.

Finding Tribal Art

While tribal art is not as ubiquitous as Southwestern wall decor or metal door toppers, because tribal art is becoming more popular than ever before, it is easy to find great tribal art options in a variety of places. Home decor stores and home improvement stores are just the beginning when it comes to sources for tribal art. There are also thousands of online décor websites where you can find trendy tribal art for the home.  From exceptional wall sculptures to interesting prints and framed wall art, there are a lot of different decorative items that can be purchased to make a bold statement within the home.  You can also sometimes find tribal art when shopping online auction sites.

Common Symbols

The most common symbols that are used in modern tribal art are the thorn-riddles vines and curvy lines that are also popular with tattoos, but other symbols are popular as well.  Abstract male or female forms, like stick figures with longer arms and legs are quite the trend, as are pregnant figures.  Dogs, snakes, horses, and monkeys are popular animal motifs found in tribal art.

Symbols like the sun or moon, and religious symbols like talismans and amulets are sometimes seen in tribal art, as well, although they are less popular.

The colors used in tribal art are without limit, but common color schemes and themes seen in popular items include yellow, red, white, black, and often, green or blue.  These colors were found in ancient art because of the limited availability of dyes.  Now, however, any color imaginable is available.

Photo credit to srbyug.

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Easy Tips to Make your Kitchen more Efficient

Saturday, January 15th, 2011

While a stunning Tuscan initial wall grille or even trendy discount wall art can make your kitchen more stylish, function is the most important factor in kitchen design. An inefficient and disorganized kitchen is difficult to work in and makes cooking seem like a chore instead of the creative, nourishing activity that it should be. When you kitchen is working against you, instead of with you, you may think that your only option is to undergo an extensive and expensive kitchen renovation. However, some simple reorganization and affordable accessories can make a big improvement in the way your kitchen works.

Here are some improvements you can implement right away and without a big cash outlay.

Create Work Zones

Modern kitchens are designed with work zones with each zone dedicated to a specific task, such a prep, baking or cleanup. If you find that you can’t cook a meal without walking from one end of your kitchen to the other, chances are that reorganizing your kitchen into work zones will make it more efficient. Take a good look at the way your kitchen is set up and think about how zones could make it more efficient: For example, would it make more sense to prep veggies beside the sink; or do you love to bake? Then reorganize the contents of cabinets and drawers to support those functions. Move baking staples, mixing bowls and cake pans closer to the oven. Organize everyday plates and silverware near the dishwasher so unloading will be fast and easy. Such basic reorganization can save you untold hours in the kitchen and make the time you do spend cooking more pleasant.

Say Goodbye to Unused Gadgets & Hello to Clean Countertops

Everyone has gadgets in their kitchen that they’ve never used and they eat up precious space in the kitchen. Remove any items that you’ve never used or can’t imagine using. You can donate them, give them to friends or earn a few dollars from them in a garage sale. You’ve just increased kitchen storage!

Now, if there are items that you do use occasionally, move them where they are accessible but not in the way. For example, a bread or pasta machine could live in the pantry instead of on the countertop where it takes up space needed for everyday tasks. Keep your countertops free of clutter and use them to hold only those items you use frequently, such as cutting boards and a knife block set. You’ll love the uncluttered look and the ease of preparing meals.

Add a Kitchen Island

If there is room in your kitchen for an island, adding one can greatly increase general efficiency and storage. Before adding an island, however, be sure that there is enough room left in the kitchen to move around the island and to open and close appliance and cabinet doors. Lay out the design on graph paper first.

A kitchen island can include a drop-in stove or an extra prep sink and they can often include shelf and cabinet space below for extra storage. You can choose a built-in island or purchase an affordable portable island on wheels to make your kitchen more efficient. Prices vary depending on whether you choose a permanent vs. portable unit, and whether electrical, plumbing or fixtures will be added to the island.

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