Home Room Decor

This stunningly accurate, well-calibrated hourglass allows the passage of time to be recorded in the time-honored ‘Olde Way' of our ancestral past. Its beautiful Cherry finish, thickly lacquered and grained, offers a brilliant color combination with the blonder sand behind. 12 inches high, it is of a scale not as well obtrusive, yet yet substantial enough to appreciate not only for its practical applications but also for its superb craftsmanship. This 60 minute sand timer is instructive in its interesting historical aspect as a chronometer as well as being useful for games and for such things as the timing of family functions.

For desktop or for living room beauty and style, this very elegant relic is a superb example of historical place and time and a valuable keepsake to pass along to future generations. Its playfulness competes with its overall effect as a not far object of art. This is some thing very lovely.

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Your living room is the entertainment and living center of your home. Chances are that you've had some very memorable gatherings there, and it is where you relax and enjoy the company of family and friends. due to this room tends to be such a high traffic area, and to have so much time spent in it, it is often the first room to display signs of wear and tear and to begin to look dated. Luckily there are small changes (like switching out light bulbs) and big changes (like installing a new fireplace mantel) that can give your living room a new look and won't turn into a major DIY project, or turn your home into a construction site.

Consider painting your living room. A splash of paint can brighten things up or give your living room a dissimilar vibe altogether. You can repaint your living room the very same color which will refresh the color and get rid of any scuff marks and dings. If you decide to paint the entire room, starting from the ceiling and working down is a good idea. On the other hand, if you'd like a bit of a color change without covering everything in plastic, a feature wall could be an option for you. Picking an interesting color that goes well with the room but adds a little spice can be an excellent way to transform your living room in no time at all.

The fireplace is an often neglected area of many living rooms, and this is a pity due to it can be such a lovely focal point if handled properly. Installing a new fireplace mantel – either buying one for the first time or replacing an existing one – does not take as much work as you think. If you do not have a fireplace mantel, consider getting one as it will give your fireplace a more finished, polished look. If you have a fireplace mantel, replacing it with some thing a little different can have a major impact on your living room. A wood fireplace mantel is easy to install so you don’t have to hire a contractor. You can paint or stain a wood mantel to match the de'cor of your room. Fireplace mantels are excellent places to display items of importance to you and your family such as heirlooms and family pictures. A fireplace mantel is also an excellent place to hang stockings and display cards around Christmas time.

Changing the lighting in your room can also make a major difference. Different lampshades can create a dissimilar atmosphere as they diffuse soft light with a hint of color about the room. If you find your living room a little dull, adding a few more lamps can brighten it up, and also add accent to certain areas. For an even simpler modification, attempt changing the wattage of your existing bulbs. Going from 60 to 120 watts makes a big difference; you might see things you had forgotten were there at all! Changing to a lower wattage can create a cozier, intimate feel.

A little heavy lifting can change your living room; rearranging the furniture can create a totally different feeling in the room. Create a new focal point to the room by orienting the seating around the fireplace and not the television, or perhaps put the couches and chairs so that people are more encouraged to talk to one another. And don’t just think about the seating, moving the coffee table, the end tables and bookcases can make a difference. If you need a new look without buying new furniture consider switching out the living room furniture with items from other rooms of the home

Finally, taking a look at what you have on display in your living room can give you some ideas for small changes that have a high impact. Do you have a vase of fake flowers that has been there for a decade? Perhaps now is a good time to replace it with some thing a little more modern. The artwork you have on your walls might also be due for some scrutiny as well. Prints can be obtained fairly cheaply, and can really change the ambiance of your room. Remember that every little item and picture adds some thing to the room – it is up to you to decide whether or not it should be made a change out for some thing new.

About The Author

Carol Agee is the vice president of Agee Woodworks which has been building quality custom fireplace mantels for 10 years. On the Web at http://www.ageewoodworks.com/custommantle.htm.

Small indoor fountains have become quite popular in the last couple of decades. The age of Aquarius' spiritual rise, turned words like meditation, Feng Shui and Zen into household common terms. It did the very same to indoor fountains and miniature Zen gardens. These fountains do have a relaxing effect, and can create the right atmosphere for meditation.

Now, this specific fountain is quite interesting, when it comes to its decorative value. Made of four steps that appear to be floating one above the other, it manages to incorporate an Asian feel with a definite retro style of design.

attempt this 10 1/2″ high fountain in your living room, or office, as its sleek granite-like dark surface will fit well into a more formal feel. Alternatively, work it into an area dedicated to meditation, covered with soft silks, Indian or Oriental prints, candles and incest, for a more relaxed atmosphere, that can even be incorporated into your bedroom.

Its various uses and overall sleek look and feel, make this a wonderful gift for anyone. They are bound to discover it not only useful and relaxing, but also easy to incorporate into any room decor.

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* Make the most of decorating small rooms. Color plays a vital role in a small room. It sets the decorative style and scheme, but also can change the room's appearance. Use bright colors on the walls. Darker colors may be more popular but using bright colors makes a room seem more spacious. For example: Cool colors such as blues, greens, (some) purples make a small room appear larger and airier. The reverse is true of warm colors such as reds and yellows as they will make a small room seem more intimate and intense.

* A home decorating tip for integrating color into mostly white rooms—blend, blend, and blend! There are many shades of white and cream that work nicely with “graduations” of accent colors. Visualize three shades of rosy pink pillows against a white sofa!

* Decorating ideas include painting the ceiling a lighter color than the walls. Use smaller patterns in wallpaper and furniture upholstery. Large patterns may be used in accessories such as pillows and throws.

* Select fewer, larger pieces of furniture to make a room appear more open and less cluttered opposed to putting lots of small pieces of furniture in the room. Taller furniture should be placed along a far wall while shorter furniture may be placed away from the wall giving a sense of spaciousness.

* The use of screens will help divide multi-purpose rooms in a small home or apartment. A bedroom or living room may have one corner as an office. A screen will provide privacy as well as hiding the “trappings” of the work area.

* Daybeds with a pullout trundle are the answer for small bedrooms. They will accommodate two people but take up less space in the room on a daily basis. The room can also be used as an office, craft room or quiet sitting room.

* Use textures for interest in a small room. Combining textures in your decor will give a small room interest, appeal, dimension and depth. Choose accessories and fabrics with texture for the best impact; for example: wrought iron, glass, stone, metal, chrome, copper, bronze, mirrors, detailed finishes, textured fabrics, shiny fabrics, and unique area rugs to mention a few.

* Mirrors are a great way to create an illusion of space. If you have a wall in front of the entrance as you enter your home, hang a unique mirror on that wall to open it up and add interest to the area.

*Quick change artist! Move furniture and furnishings around! do not be afraid to rearrange items in your home. Just changing the accessories or pictures from room to room can bring about a huge change.

to assist keep your beautifully decorated home organized, download a free copy of the ebook “The Essential Guide to Organizing Your Home”. Go to http://www.lynnshomedecor.com/f/Opt-in_Pages.html for your free download.

About The Author
Lynn Cressy
At Lynn's interior decor you will find shabby chic interior decor and furniture, wrought iron interior decor and furniture and unique wedding gift ideas as well as home decorating ideas and decorating ebooks.
http://www.lynnshomedecor.com
http://www.lynnshomedecor.com/homedecor.html

As it happens with the fashion universe, the interior design and decor universe is fragmented by more and more rapidly changing trends. Global competition makes it harder for manufacturers to stay on top. The internet allows for small, ethnic laced manufacturers to enter the global market bringing to your fingertips the authentic, hand crafted version of the decorative piece the big retailer mass produces to spruce up their out put.

While this offers the consumer a good pool of choices, it also creates fatigue on the part of the consumer. This sentiment is accentuated by the ever-changing trends. For example, an undecided consumer will start searching for the perfect decorative piece for, say, the wall behind the living room couch. After searching for two months, they will come up with a set of very different options. Unable to take a decision right away, they will set it aside for two more months, only to come back to their search and discover they are faced with an entirely new set of options.

After going trough this cycle a few times they will either buy on impulse, and become unhappy with the choice shortly there after, or give up all together, and feel utterly incompetent and unhappy. The ones buying on impulse will attempt keeping up with the trends for a while, and eventually give up just like the second category, as well tired to continue.

The manufacturer will continue to change the product as often as it deems necessary, for as long as there is a new wave of consumers ready to take the place of the recently fatigued ones. While following the trends is somewhat seductive, one should always keep in mind that they are signified to soon become obsolete. So buy the small inexpensive accessories you can easily change, if you want to keep up with the trends, and for the large expenditures consider the staying power of any style.

About The Author
Ramona Briciu studied art, and specialized in graphic design, and in the restoration of antique porcelain and ceramics. She headed a successful restoration studio for over six years. When personal circumstances determined her to close her restoration studio, Ramona embraced the chance of exploring a field she had always had a natural inclination towards, the vast universe of interior design and de'cor. Ramona is now heading a thriving business, her projects including commercial and residential makeovers.

Ramona Briciu is an interior decorator in Chicago. To visit her website please go to http://www.ramonadesignstudio.com

Decorative items can accentuate a room. They do not have to attract the eye and be as well obvious, as this small subdued statue shows. Hand carved in cream and beige colors, it can take time and a state of mind to be noticed. Once a moment has been seized, your guests, or yourself can take the time to look and appreciate the sentiments expressed in this work of art.

The personal theme of relationship, listening and companionship makes this into a great gift as well. some thing that can be put on display on either in the living room or in a bedroom, to remind one of the presence of a good friend at all times.

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We're fortunate to be living in an age where quality prints of great art are available at such a great price. Take this Kandinsky, for example. This large print (20″x24″) can easily become a focal point and set the color theme in any living room, dining room or office room.

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This classic Italian style contemporary Loveseat with its clean design is the perfect addition to any living room. Comfortable seating for two, in a wooden frame, bentwood arms and upholstered sides, you simply can't go wrong with this timeless item. No wonder it's so popular, being high on the bestsellers list in 2008.

Check the full details over here, and see which items you can match it with, in the very same set -

Milano Loveseat – Oak/ Olive

What a beautiful piece of contemporary Italian style design this sofa is. In bright red, it can easily become the focal point of your living room.

It's not just pretty though. This is one smart piece of furniture. It is highly adjustable and can be has five different angles for you to play with, all easy to adjust with a special click-clack mechanism. And if that wasn't enough, you can pull this sofa apart and turn it into swivel seats, each of which can be turned into a bed (or made into a double bed together). The base even features a wooden part that can double as coffee table. Did I mention this piece of art, ummm furniture, is highly modular?

If you need some quick specs, over here they are: this sofa measures: 71.5 inches wide (cab be pull apart to 84.5 inches wide) x 29 inches deep X 29.5 inches high. Seat height measures 16 inches. Each seat measures: 36 inches wide X 29 inches deep. Bed measures: 71.5 inches wide x 77.5 inches deep x 10 inches high. Wooden coffee table top measures: 15.25W X 23.25D. For more info, as well as how to order from Amazon click over here:
Quintiliano Red Convertible Sofa / Bed

A perfect gift for every man, this wonderful wood calendar set is sought after memorabilia that takes us back to a time without blackberry phones and digital spreadsheets. Amazing how practical it yet is, where you can yet use one of these in any office or study, or even on the mantelpiece in your living room, taking care to note the passing days by switching the date forward every morning.

Design wise, this item brings a sense of country style, very American? with its faded distressed look and Western style fonts. Wonderful gift for a friend, or for yourself, do not pass on this one.

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Scented candles are a wonderful way to add a personal soothing touch to any room. Bedrooms in particular can benefit from the candle effect, be it in the form of several small candles, or a single unique candle, such as this one.

The translucent gel cubes in pink and lavender add a delicious effect to the whole setting, making this candle a characteristically feminine decorative item for a bedroom, bathroom or even a woman's office. You could use this in a living room as well, though it is probably better suited for the living quarters of a woman.

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Chic can certainly be functional, as this storage bench clearly shows. Admirably fine concept and build over here, with a fine lined simple piece of furniture, available in classic black and sheer maple. It is well sized being 13.75″ wide, 12.5″ high and 14″ deep, making it a popular choice that can fit in well, literally, in any room. It works well in the office room, the bedroom, the living room and even in the hallway.

This versatility is crucial, as it means this one item can be used for years to come in various setups, making it a must for interior decor fans that tend to shift things around the home.

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In a way, this image made a change humanity. Seeing the planet earth from the moon, really showed people how we all share one blue planet together. On your wall, this image will have a definite “wow” effect. A possible focal point of design, it will give people some thing to stare at for many hours.

Brewster Wallcovering 8-019 planet earth / Moon 8 panel mural with paste 12′ 9″ x 8′ 10″

It's an eight panel mural that's easy enough to apply and comes with the right paste for your wall. Sized at 12′ 9″ x 8′ 10″ it can be extremely attractive in a teenager's room or a study, or maybe even a “geeky” living room. The only limit is your imagination. The very same company offers other designs as well, and you can check out this wall mural, as well as others on their product page on Amazon.

A real Natalie rug over here, made in Belgium, this luxurious rug combines exquisite beauty and style, along with durability and functionality, all at a great price as well.

The pattern is rich and detailed, making this a great decorative item in any living room or bedroom. Always some thing for the eye to play on, and in the right setting, this Natalie rug can become a wonderful design focal point. However, the soft antique hues of ivory, gold, green, black and red, are actually easy on the eyes in a way that can make it easy to work it into a busier surrounding

Manufacturer: Home Dynamix Rugs Collection: Natalie rugs Style: Natalie: 7525: BlackSpecs: 100% OlefinOrigin: Made in Belgium At long last, a value priced rug that is beautifully detailed and stylishly colored. From the stunningly contemporary colors of Black and Red, to the soft antique toned of Ivory, Gold and Green, Natalie proves that an upscale, luxurious look needn't be expensive. Power loomed of durable and easy to care for polypropylene yarn, these rugs are soil, stain and fade resistant.

More about this gorgeous floor rug over here

Wow. What a wonderfully dramatic effect is achieved over here, not least thanks to the extraordinary purple damask wallpaper. This isn't your old-fashioned damask pattern, but rather a big eye-catching version. Granted, using this wallpaper isn't for every room, or for every person, but it can be just perfect for that fantasy bedroom or even living room, if you dare.

Note the cream and taupe color scheme in the room, not forgetting the touches of black. It lets the wallpaper have its own space, displaying its regal pattern with grace. Working with this wallpaper, you do not have to be a professional to bring an oomph into the room. It's easy to use and install and lets you play along with your own design concepts.

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The Crystal Grandfather Clock is an exquisite decor item that adds class and beauty to your living room, hallway, dining room, office, or anywhere you need it. The play of light shining through and refracting off of the multifaceted crystal body of this clock is dazzling and spectacular.? A perfect match for a room with a crystal chandelier, or crystal table ware, this clock ties the decor them together in a lovely symphony of light and rainbows.

The clock features a swinging pendulum, that marks time the old fashioned way, making it perfect for an antique themed decor. Roman numerals are highlighted on the silver face of this transparent clock. The detail and design are breathtaking, and yet it only weighs 3 pounds. The clock measures: 3 and 1/2 inches x 5 and 1/2 inches x 10 and 1/2 inches. It will fit? easily on most shelves, but for best results, display it on an open surface not far a source of light.

In Feng Shui crystals are used to enhance and raise Chi, meaning the positive vital force will be abundant. This? plentiful resource is then free to nourish you, support your growth, increase your prosperity, and create an environment with in which you may succeed.This clock is the perfect Feng Shui cure for a room that has had stagnant Chi, and low or stuck energy.

For a pleasant and productive office, attempt this Crystal Clock. Crystals are told purify and clarify the elements around them, so putting this clock in the family room or any place where crucial meetings transpire, is a good way to support harmony in relationships, both at the office and at home.

This clock makes a wonderful gift.

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Wow, what a perfect home theatre set! No wonder it's a best-seller, this magnificent set of three extra-comfortable arm chairs, turns your home cinema equipment into real top-league premium movie watching experience. And hey, it would be the perfect item in your living room, even if all you have is a TV set.

The three seats can be individually adjusted for each person, with different reclining angles. It looks majestic enough to pass for leather, but it's actually durable vinyl, very easy to clean if you spill anything on it. And let's face it, you're going to pamper yourself and your guests with treats, when using these chairs, making good use of the cup holder in every arm.

Get all the specs about this product right over here:
Matinee Collection Black Theater Seating

Sometimes, the perfect furniture is simple. This storage bench, for example. With simple lines, beautiful three seats in one rectangular box-shaped bench and full leather upholstery, it is a classic. Leather as upholstery has this very special quality: it lends itself to the surrounding and can be anything from extremely elegant in a formal interior decor style, to cozy and friendly, in a country style or contemporary themed room. As it ages, this quality only gets enhanced with the years.

This particular bench, with its sturdy frame, quality leather-bound and foam filled upholstery, stylish finishing is an absolute find. It serves for much more than stylish seating as well, providing you with plenty of storage, be it in a bedroom, living room or even a well-furnished office room.

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We're fortunate to be living in an age where quality prints of great art are available at such a great price. Take this Kandinsky, for example. This large print (20″x24″) can easily become a focal point and set the color theme in any living room, dining room or office room.

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Victorian decorating is considered one of the most inticate of all the different interior decorating styles that you can choose from. The reason for this is due to the colors, fabrics, furniture and decorations are all elaborate and full.

Victorian decorating is based on the period during the 19th century in jolly old England. So, the more authentic you want your Victorian room to be, you can expect that the furnishings and other decorative items can be quite expensive.

You will need to be very creative and crafty if you wish to make the most of this theme. But, it's possible to makeover a room with a Victorian style, even if you are on a tight budget.

Following is an example of how you can use Victorian decorating to transform the look of your living room:

Step 1 - So that you know the size of the area you must work with, the first thing you should do before beginning your Victorian decorating is to measure the space of the room.

Step 2 - Use colors such as deep green, red, dark pink, mauve, burgundy, and purple for walls, rugs, upholstery and other accessory colors. These were the most popular colors of the Victorian period.

It's also a great idea to add crown molding and wallpaper borders around the top of walls. And don’t be afraid to use more than one color when decorating the room.

Step 3 - You can choose rich wooden furnishings such as sofas and chairs when selecting furniture for Victorian decorating. The legs, backs and arms of these furnishings are carved to stand out, while the upholstery is usually velvet, embroidered fabrics, and brocade.

Accompanying these pieces are pillows that are created with similar fabrics, and trimmed with lace, frills, beading, ribbons or bows. The other furnishings in the room for Victorian decorating are various marbletop tables or they could be made of wood such as bamboo.

Step 4 - Decorations that are placed on the tables, such as candleholders, crystal lamps, porcelain figurines, or a vase of dried flowers, should be set on embroidered doilies to add affect.

All paintings are usually in gold or wooden frames. Other exciting Victorian pieces that can be added to the living room are a grandfather clock, porcelain dolls and decorative plates.

Other Victorian decorating accessories that you can add to the room to give it authenticity include paintings of young maidens, kids, a portrait of your family, or perhaps of your ancestors.

Step 5 - When Victorian decorating windows, you need to make them elaborate with draperies, swags and braided tiebacks. Popular fabrics for the window are also brocades and velvet.

Step 6 - The floors of the living room can either be hardwood floors or wall-to-wall carpeting. But, no matter which flooring type you choose, it is a good idea to add an area rug that is fashioned in an oriental style to complete the authenticity of the Victorian decorating look.

As you can see, Victorian decorating is very involved and comes with a heavy feel to it. That being the case, make sure you pick a room that can handle this de'cor. That way, you can enjoy it to its fullest.

About The Author

Michael Holland is the creator of http://www.kids-rooms-and-crafts.com and http://www.home-decorating-made-easy.com. His web sites offers lots of FREE decorating tips and ideas for decorating your home.

You will adore this Accent Furniture Cube made by nearly Exclusive. The gorgeous patchwork design is hand made in America, and constructed of wood from torn down buildings. Instead of clogging landfills or cutting down forests, reusing wood to make beautiful quality furniture is the best way to go green with your interior decor. Hand Made in America, this cabinet (Shown in Harvest) measures 23″w x 15″d x 26″h and includes one shelf.

Imagine your design options! Combined with a patchwork quilt hanging on the wall, back of the rocker, or spread on the bed, this becomes a unique and rustic country theme. Combined with modern abstract art or cubist paintings, your interior decor becomes modern and chic.

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Combined with the matching wall mounted framed mirror, this becomes its own very personal and unique room decor. No two are exactly alike.

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These would make a great set for your bedroom, dressing room/walk in closet, living room, den, or dining room. The mirror will make a small room seem larger, as well as frame your body like a beautiful photograph. You'll be proud to display visitors how beautiful and sophisticated eco friendly decor can be.

Solid wood is a classic way to create a distinguished opulent look and feel in a room, but not the only way, as this brown chaise lounger proves so well.

The cherry finished legs are beautiful but they aren't that dominant in the overall look. What makes this piece of furniture so luxurious is the very shape of the chaise lounger - inviting for a single person to put his or her feet up and relax in peace.

The color is crucial as well, brown as wood, it's both soothing and masculine at the very same time, making this lounger a perfect choice for offices and waiting rooms, as well as a more official living room. It could also work well in a more masculine bedroom, but do not be afraid to soften it a little with a nice warm throw, ready to be wrapped around some lucky person's shoulders.

And if you think a lounger isn't functional enough, keep in mind that this one hides plenty of storage room there as well, right under that seat.

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Some furniture have a definite contemporary look and when it comes to a Plasma TV stand, a contemporary look is nearly required. After all, harmony in form and function is always pleasing, and when the function involves a high-tech Twenty-First Century object, what else would you expect but a sleek design like this:

How you work this into your living room, or perhaps bedroom, design is a dissimilar question. Fortunately, the design over here uses light colors, so it should be easy enough to have it blend into an airy well-spaced contemporary room, allowing whatever is displayed on the screen to draw the eye to it.

It's not as well huge, and if your TV is larger than a 42″ screen, then keep looking. If the size is right though, then this can be a great option, allowing for comfortable storage of your media, as well as appliances.

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This recliner is quite a unique piece. It manages to deliver both a sense of utter comfort and pleasure, as well as a stylish decorative statement, all in enrolled in one. Amazing, really, how the way the base of this item affects an immidiate contemporary statement with its round wooden curves - full circles for the base and semi-circles for the arms.

The modern touch is wonderfully matched with a classic seat, soft and padded with a suede-like micro-woven polyester and cotton blend that has a great feel and texture, while retaining spill resistance.

This design isn't just beautiful, it is also ergonomic and easy to operate - the perfect seating for leisure time in your living room, or a great addition to your study, teamed up with the right reading light.

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If you're looking to add a touch of Italian countryside into your living room decor, this beautiful item may be what you're looking for.

This 55 inches-wide handcrafted metal fireplace screen, with its antique look makes a perfect decorative item that can really bring in Tuscany into a room. It doesn't have to be the living room either, this one would fits beautifully into a romantic bedroom or even a study. And no, you do not have to have a fireplace - just position this one anywhere where you can admire it.

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