Archive for December, 2011

How to Keep your Real Christmas Tree Beautiful and Safe

Monday, December 26th, 2011

Using a real fir as a holiday tree is a beautiful, traditional choice.   Living trees are not as common as they once were, as many holiday decorators choose to use artificial trees.   A living Christmas tree can be a wonderful centerpiece in your traditional holiday décor, providing you follow a few simple steps to preserve the beauty of the tree as well as to ensure safety.

When shopping for your tree, inspect any prospective trees closely before you purchase.  Look for brown patches in the needles, an excess of needles on the ground surrounding the tree, and for weak or bare branches.   The trunk should be a uniform color and texture, with no damaged or discolored areas.   The needles should be bright or vibrant (depending on the type of fir tree you’re buying) and firmly attached.   The root ball should be moist and free of any mold or mildew.  After purchasing, transport the tree home very carefully.  If you’re tying it to the roof of your vehicle, be careful placing the rope or twine to avoid damaging small, tender branches and needles.

At home, prepare your tree stand by placing in the area of your home where you plan to decorate the tree.   Fill a small pie pan or other container with water and add a few drops of bleach.  The bleach will help the needles stay bright, as well as preventing mold and mildew from growing on the trunk of your tree.  A moldy tree isn’t on anyone’s Christmas list!  Live trees need water for a couple of reasons.  Firstly, the water helps prevent the tree from drying out.  A dry Christmas tree is very, very flammable – keeping the tree moist will help make the tree more fire-resistant.   Secondly, a moist tree will hold onto its needles longer, which means less vacuuming and fewer bald spots on the tree.

When you bring the tree in the house, two or more people should hold and position the tree while a third person attaches it to the stand.   Most Christmas tree stands use three or more thumbscrews to hold the trunk in place; work in a circle, tightening each screw a little at a time, which will make sure the tree is both centered and secure in the stand.   Test for sturdiness, especially if there are pets or small children in the house who may pull the tree over.

The primary disadvantage in using a live Christmas tree, aside from environmental reasons, is the flammability.  Even a moist tree can catch fire – it’s made of wood, after all.  Make sure your tree is not close to anything that might catch it on fire, including the fireplace, lamps, heating vents or candles.  Test and examine all electrical light strings for frays, and plug in lights before stringing to find any burnt out or damaged bulbs.   If you’re connecting more than one string of lights together end to end, secure the connection with a strip of electrical tape.  This will prevent the plugs from pulling apart and creating a spark.

Many years ago, when Christmas trees were decorated with real candles, homeowners would keep a bucket of sand near the tree to put out any fires.  Nowadays, consider keeping a freshly charged fire extinguisher nearby and make sure the entire family knows how to use it in an emergency.

Jessica Ackerman from WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, has skills in all areas of large candle sconces and architectural wall art.

Photos credits – Christmas tree made of diamonds, Lazy shelf Christmas tree and Upside down Christmas tree.

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Merry Holiday Decorating on a Budget

Sunday, December 25th, 2011

It can be difficult to garner holiday spirit in tough economic times.  We’re all feeling the pinch, trying to save as much as we can to help us through the uncertain times ahead.   It’s easy to spend a lot of money on the holidays, from buying gifts to baking ingredients to holiday decorations, but it’s not necessary.  There are many things you can do and try to help cut down on your holiday spending costs without sacrificing any holiday cheer.   Even if your budget is too small for these tricks, however, the most important parts of the season are completely free – spending time with our loved ones and taking time to be grateful for the gifts we do have in our lives.

Shop Sales In January

The best trick by far is to buy your holiday decorations in January.   Prices are slashed, sometimes by dramatic amounts, as stores try to move the last of the seasonal inventory.   Bargains are everywhere, from high-end boutiques to inexpensive discount retailers.    Nowadays, even grocery stores stock impressive amounts of holiday decorations; they can be a great source for staples like tinsel, indoor light strings and garlands.   With a valued customer card and January price slashing, you can take home a cartful of decorations for a few dollars.

Flea Markets

If your tastes are unique, you might enjoy hunting down one of a kind or otherwise unusual decoration at flea markets or swap meets.   Flea markets carry a little bit of everything; I’ve seen several with entire booths devoted to holiday decorations sold year round.  Old ornaments, nativity sets, candle holders and holiday dishes can all be found at flea markets – often times you can find very old or collectible decorations at flea markets, at a price that’s much less than the actual value as well.

Discount Stores

Discount stores, like Target, Kmart and Wal*Mart, are also great places to find inexpensive holiday decorations, and not only at the after Christmas sales.  During the prime holiday season, these retailers often stock a wide variety of holiday decorations in a range of low prices.  Currently, many high-end designers are experimenting with a design-for-all philosophy.  This means you can find beautiful pieces created by the same designers who fill the high-end boutiques and trade magazines – but at a price many more of us can actually afford.

Homemade Decorations

If you are crafty, the possibilities for creating your own one-of-a-kind decorations are endless.  Even the less crafty among us can tackle simple projects.  An abundance of homemade Christmas and holiday craft sites exist online, and many craft stores offer demonstrations or classes in many crafting techniques.  These classes will usually be holiday focused in October, November and December.  Most craft stores offer a newsletter by email or post that lists all the available learning activities.

If you aren’t the slightest bit crafty, but still enjoy handcrafted decorations, you can find wonderful treasures at craft sales.   Many larger towns and cities will have a large craft show in the early fall focusing on holiday decorations and items.  Online, try www.etsy .com for unique items from artists and crafters around the world.

Decor Swap

Another option is to gather a few of your friends for a holiday decoration swap.  Everyone brings decorations from their own supply, minus personal or heirloom pieces, and you can trade amongst yourselves.  This is a great and inexpensive way to keep your holiday decorations fresh and new every year.

Conclusion

Decorating for the holidays does not have to break the bank.  With a little planning and common sense, you can make your home a holiday showcase without spending much money at all.

Jessica Ackerman, author and staff designer at WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, specializes in candle sconces and holders and contemporary metal wall sculptures.

Photos credits to Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree and Vector tree.

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Creative Decorating at the Top of the Stairs

Saturday, December 24th, 2011

Decorating around a staircase can be a big challenge for any decorator, amateur or professional. Choosing how to decorate your staircase can be simple if you follow a few simple steps, use your imagination and think practically.

The first step is to measure your space.  If you want to hang art on a long wall, measure the length and the height.  Find the center point in both directions, and mark a line from one end of the wall to the other with chalk at eye level.  Even if you are just painting or putting up wallpaper, you will need exact measurements when you purchase materials.

Prepare your space next.  If you are painting, tape off any trim, moldings, windows and ceiling lines with painters tape and protect your floor with a drop cloth.  Have a rag handy for wiping away spills as they happen.  Lightly sand the entire surface you are going to paint to make sure it is smooth, and then wipe down with a damp cloth to remove any dust.  If you have chosen a dark color for your walls, start with one or two coats of a tinted primer to make sure your current wall color doesn’t bleed through and to get better coverage with your color coat.  After applying primer, apply two or three coats of color.  Cover large areas with a roller and cut in around painters tape with a brush.  Carefully remove painter’s tape before the paint dries to ensure a clean line.  When paint is completely dry, paint trim after taping off walls.  If you are hanging wallpaper, consider where the pattern will fall before gluing.

Artistic Endeavors

If you are hanging art, consider your decorating style: For example, fleur de lis artwork lends a traditional feel, while jazz metal wall art may feel more contemporary.  In the following examples, we’ll look at eclectic, traditional and shabby chic spaces – if your style preferences are somewhere else, consider how you can bring elements into your stairway wall.

Traditional

This traditional staircase has many classic architectural details, as well as a calming, timeless color scheme.  The homeowner has chosen to hang prints in matching frames at equal distances on the wall.  Symmetry and balance are important details to consider when decorating in a traditional style. Faux finishing techniques give the impression of expensive panels on the lower walls, but are in fact an inexpensive alternative.

Eclectic/Bohemian

This wall is a hodgepodge of art in a variety of frames, hung in a free-form pattern.  The way the pictures are hung mirrors the curve of the staircase, and highlights the homeowner’s unique, playful style.  Other details represent a variety of styles, typical of eclectic decor. When attempting to hang photos like this, it helps to trace the frames on pieces of paper, taping them to the wall in different patterns and arrangements until you are happy with the flow and general shape.  It is easier to work with templates than to have to fill in nail holes later.

Cottage/Shabby Chic

If you love bright and joyful cottage style and lack proper storage, consider this cute solution for your stairway.  Striped wallpaper, brightly painted shelves and color coordinating storage containers make this functional nook a pleasure to behold.  The sweet cream paint on the stairs and the country basket tucked underneath add to the charm and whimsy of this area.  To recreate at home, measure carefully to ensure shelves are equally spaced vertically – this homeowner used every other stair tread as a guide – and that the horizontal length of the shelves does not create a hazard when going up and down stairs.

Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, is an interior designer who illustrates how simple it can be to use wall candle holders and contemporary metal wall decor.

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Cleaning Hardwood Floors the Easy Way

Friday, December 23rd, 2011

Regular dusting will keep your leaf wall sculptures and other metal wall hangings looking great.  And you might be surprised to know that taking care of hardwood floors is almost as easy. In most cases, a simple dust mop is all you’ll need to keep your hardwood floors looking great.  Dust mop floors once a week in low traffic areas, more often in high traffic areas or if you have pets who shed.  A basic broom is a good alternative, although a dry dust mop or specially designed floor cleaning device meant to pick up dust and hair may be more effective at getting your floors really clean.

Mop up wet spills as quickly as possible to keep liquid from seeping into the seams between hardwood planks.   Water can be sopped up with a paper towel, sticky fluids may need to be wiped up with a damp cloth to remove all residue.  Watch any spots where water or liquids have been spilled to make sure the finish isn’t damaged or that the wood isn’t swelling between the seams.

Depending on manufacturer instructions, you may be able to clean your hardwood floors with a gentle oil based soap meant for cleaning wood.   This kind of soap is usually diluted in water before being used with a sponge or cloth to remove built up or ground in dirt.  Some floors have finishes which may be damaged by water; be sure to spot check in a closet or corner to make sure any product you use on your hardwood floors is safe and won’t damage or change the color of the wood.

If dirt is too thick or if your floor has significant dings or damage, you may want to completely strip and refinish it.  This is a lengthy process, but it can bring even the dingiest hardwood floor back to life.  Start by using a chemical stripping agent to remove any finish like varnish or polyurethane.  It may take several coats to completely remove all traces of finish.  After the floor dries completely, use a floor sander to smooth out the surface of the floor.  Read directions carefully and follow all instructions for usage and safety to get satisfactory results.

After the floor is sanded, clean it with a dust mop followed by a damp cloth to remove all traces of dust and dirt.

Apply a new floor finish per instructions, this is usually done with sturdy rollers on long poles.  Allow your finish to dry completely, consult manufacturer instructions for exact drying times.  When the floor is completely dry, add a second coat of finish – lightly sanding any rough spots by hand with fine grit sandpaper between coats.   Some products may require several coats; some may only need two or three, follow instructions carefully and use your best judgment to decide what’s best for you.

Some hardwood floors can benefit by being treated with a wood conditioning treatment which protects the wood from air and light damage, as well as reducing damage to already affected wood.

Caring for your hardwood floors is worth it; no other flooring is as easy to care for and repair.

Senior staff writer Jessica Ackerman of WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, writes “How To” articles on decorating with large wood wall art and contemporary metal artwork.

Photo credit to justinshearer.

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Budget Ways to Decorate a Living Room with Blue Carpeting

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

Blue carpeting was a staple in many homes built between the 1950’s and the 1980’s.  Blue is a popular decorating color, but the ease of using blue on the walls, in fabrics or in accent pieces does not necessarily translate to blue carpeting.   When faced with a sea of ocean colored shag or bold navy Berber, what is a homeowner to do? If you cannot replace the carpet, your best and cheapest option is to find a way to live with it.  Fortunately, many color schemes work wonderfully with blue, so no matter what your personal style is, you should be able to find a balance between your taste and the cerulean floor covering giving you fits.

Find The Humor

This room, a very stylized piece created for a decorating showcase, shows how much fun a little blue carpeting can be.  The narrow strip of bright sea blue running down the center of the room divides the space into symmetrical halves, with each side mirroring the other.  From the cute angled sofa to the clever half pots on the walls under the vinyl sea anemones, this space is hip, fun and bordering on futuristic.  Blue is right at home in this style.

The next picture is a livable room; this time decorated in a fun, eclectic style. Blue here is balanced with many white, black and white accent pieces and again, a sense of humor.  This room is fun without being over the top like the previous room, making it a space that would be right at home in a suburban house or an urban townhouse.

You could easily copy the feel of this rug by stenciling designs in black on your own carpeting.  Painting carpets is challenging, but not impossible, and it has made much easier when you use fabric paint, which is made to stretch and bend without cracking or peeling.

The next room is even more traditional, but it still has several bold contemporary elements.  Mixing pale blue with bright red against a backdrop of neutrals is a very hot trend, the effect is high drama and high contrast, but it feels updated and fresher than standard black and white.  Notice how the homeowner’s use of shades of blue remains in the same family.  While the colors may be slightly different, they share many of the same color qualities.  This room has many formal qualities, but the edges are taken off by the abundance of soft fabrics and gentle textures.

The final room is familiar, and shows one of the most famous rooms to have blue carpeting.  The Oval Office, where the President of the United States conducts business, is traditionally re-decorated for each President.  Presidents choose art and furnishings that reflect their personal style.   This is a replica of Lyndon Johnson’s Oval Office, which was created at his Presidential library.  While the styles may change with each new President, the Oval Office has consistently had blue carpeting.

Just as fleur de lis wall art may be one person’s cup of tea and music wall hangings may be another’s, your particular shade of blue carpet cab be made more palatable to your taste by tweaking the room with a good dose of your personal style.

Professional designer Jessica Ackerman, writes for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, and specializes in decorating with contemporary wood wall art and architectural wall decor.

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