We demand a lot from our homes these days in fact,we expect them to be lifestyle central with all the creature comforts and high-tech gadgets our hearts desire.A holiday or weekend away inspires decorating makeovers to provide a resort feeling all year round,complete with 100-thread-count sheets,spa baths and music in every room.We want to pay the bills and surf the net with the same ease we're accustomed to at work,and for many,home is also the workplace so a dedicated work space is a necessity rather than an indulgence.Computerised sports and games,movies as close as a remote control-we want it all and we want it inside our own homes.The best part is that all these things,and plenty more,are possible.The first step is taking a critical look at how you currently use your rooms and deciding whether they suit the way you want to live.
Inner Beauty-What does it take to turn an ordinary room into something special?Simply add color and personality with accessories and furnishings to give your home individual character and create impact.
Example-You can create an intimate atmosphere with painting a deep red feature wall-and then add an unusual collage of mirrors that reflect both light and color.Well-chosen accessories pull the look together and a touch of glamour.
2-The right artwork can bring a room to life.
3-Yellow is the happiest color in the spectrum,combine it with a dash of sky blue and you capture the feeling of a sunny day no matter what the weather.
4-Special interests and hobbies can be successfully incorporated into a decorating scheme and even set the theme of a room,while a prized collection of valuable pieces make an attractive display that can be admired every day.
FOLLOW YOUR HEART BY DECORATING IN A STYLE YOU LOVE.
5-By decorating with objects and photos that are special to you and your family you will really make your home a reflection of your true self-and it will be all the more interesting for it.
6-Using different textures gives a room depth and visual interest.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Sunday, March 14, 2010
New flower
Billed as one of the best red roses is the Munstead Wood released in 2010.It starts off light crimson,before turning a deep velvety crimson in the centre.Bushy and quite disease resistant,it features mid-green foliage and flowers with a fruity fragrance that has been compared to blackberries and blueberries.The young leaves are an attractive red-bronze color.
It needs to be placed in full sun,its height is 1.5m and width is 1m.It is suitable for large pots,fertilise it in spring/mid-summer and it needs a light trim after flowering.
Another new flower is the Petchoas.They're a cross between petunias and calibrachoas and form a well-branched spreading plant to about 60cm wide with blooms in a range of colors,from spring through to autumn.
It needs to be placed in full sun,its height is 1.5m and width is 1m.It is suitable for large pots,fertilise it in spring/mid-summer and it needs a light trim after flowering.
Another new flower is the Petchoas.They're a cross between petunias and calibrachoas and form a well-branched spreading plant to about 60cm wide with blooms in a range of colors,from spring through to autumn.
Nature's five elements
The five elements are Wood,Fire,Earth,Water and Metal.
Wood-Wood is the element of spring and vitality,and not surprisingly its color is green.A room containing mostly wood elements is stimulating and encourages growth.Use indoor plants,timber furniture,baskets,twisted branches and vines to bring this element and its properties into your home.
Fire-Fire is the element of summer and its colors are red and orange.A room decorated with fire elements is warm and exciting.The right amount encourages conviviality,passion and new ideas.In your home use bright cushions and accessories,sun motifs,fireplaces and red decorative pieces.Candles are a perfect way to warm things up with little effort.
Earth-Earth is the element of late suumer and early autumn and its colors are yellow and brown.A room with earth elements is comfortable and nurturing,encouraging family harmony and security.In decorating use terracotta tiles,to keep your feet on the ground,pottery bowls and containers,particularly with rounded shapes,as well as velvet and suede for soft furnishings.
Water-Water is the element of winter and its colors are blue,pearl and black.Water is associated with healing and well-being,and its also the symbol of affection and sexuality so place a tall jar with water and pebbles or shells in the bedroom,or keep a small aquarium on the dresser.It encourages sleep,spirituality and tranquillity.Use mirrors,satin fabrics,shells, anything with water,it could be as simple as a bowl with a flower floating in it.And,of course,create an attractive bathroom to relax in.
Metal-Metal is the element of late autumn and its colors are white,silver and gold.A room containing metal objects is usually ordered and tidy,encouraging organisation and looking ahead.Use silver,iron and stainless steel,round spherical metal bowls,marble,granite and other hard shiny stone.Metal wind chimes help focus attention and slow the flow of energy.
Wood-Wood is the element of spring and vitality,and not surprisingly its color is green.A room containing mostly wood elements is stimulating and encourages growth.Use indoor plants,timber furniture,baskets,twisted branches and vines to bring this element and its properties into your home.
Fire-Fire is the element of summer and its colors are red and orange.A room decorated with fire elements is warm and exciting.The right amount encourages conviviality,passion and new ideas.In your home use bright cushions and accessories,sun motifs,fireplaces and red decorative pieces.Candles are a perfect way to warm things up with little effort.
Earth-Earth is the element of late suumer and early autumn and its colors are yellow and brown.A room with earth elements is comfortable and nurturing,encouraging family harmony and security.In decorating use terracotta tiles,to keep your feet on the ground,pottery bowls and containers,particularly with rounded shapes,as well as velvet and suede for soft furnishings.
Water-Water is the element of winter and its colors are blue,pearl and black.Water is associated with healing and well-being,and its also the symbol of affection and sexuality so place a tall jar with water and pebbles or shells in the bedroom,or keep a small aquarium on the dresser.It encourages sleep,spirituality and tranquillity.Use mirrors,satin fabrics,shells, anything with water,it could be as simple as a bowl with a flower floating in it.And,of course,create an attractive bathroom to relax in.
Metal-Metal is the element of late autumn and its colors are white,silver and gold.A room containing metal objects is usually ordered and tidy,encouraging organisation and looking ahead.Use silver,iron and stainless steel,round spherical metal bowls,marble,granite and other hard shiny stone.Metal wind chimes help focus attention and slow the flow of energy.
Arranging seating
Make an effort to avoid long or continuous lines of seats,this is visually uninviting but also makes it difficult for a group of people to communicate.Arrange chairs and sofas so that they form a unit enabling people to talk to those opposite them or at an angle to them.Also,avoid placing small tables between every chair in a space on its own because this creates a barrier between those sitting in the main seats and a feeling of isolation for those on their own.The backs of the chairs and sofas form a visual barrier,making suggested walls enclosing the space in front.
Elsewhere in the room,perhaps by a window or french doors,there could be a chaise or recliner that is specifically placed on its own,denoting another room reserved for private reading or contemplation.In a different area there could be a TV and bean bags or a small two seater sofa for children to sit on and watch TV or play with games.
By dividing the room into sections you can accommodate various requirements.
Another configuration that works well is the extendible seating unit,this can be L-shaped with a short side in front of the window or near a wall and the long back of the seats placed across the open room.The open end of the sofa,without an arm,makes it accessible and open to those arriving in the room.This configuration does not create such an enclosed space as the U shape,but the long back of the sofa or the backs of a similar arrangement of chairs still provides a delineation between one part of the room and another.The corner of the L also creates a small,more intimate space where people can sit side by side to talk.
Another option is the parallel line configuration.This lines up a matching pair of sofas or a sofa and two armchairs on either side of a fireplace or central room feature.This provides two equally sized and spaced seating ares that connect face to face.Heavier pieces of furniture such as sofas and armchairs can be supplemented by lighter,easier to manoeuvre chairs that can be kept against a wall or in an arrangement by a table or light and brought into the main space when guests arrive.In a small apartment or living area these chairs could be foldaways.Chairs without arms look less bulky.If your setting is contemporary or you want a feature chair,then opt for a work of a classic,modern designer chair.Adjustable and adaptable furniture is important in a living room.
Elsewhere in the room,perhaps by a window or french doors,there could be a chaise or recliner that is specifically placed on its own,denoting another room reserved for private reading or contemplation.In a different area there could be a TV and bean bags or a small two seater sofa for children to sit on and watch TV or play with games.
By dividing the room into sections you can accommodate various requirements.
Another configuration that works well is the extendible seating unit,this can be L-shaped with a short side in front of the window or near a wall and the long back of the seats placed across the open room.The open end of the sofa,without an arm,makes it accessible and open to those arriving in the room.This configuration does not create such an enclosed space as the U shape,but the long back of the sofa or the backs of a similar arrangement of chairs still provides a delineation between one part of the room and another.The corner of the L also creates a small,more intimate space where people can sit side by side to talk.
Another option is the parallel line configuration.This lines up a matching pair of sofas or a sofa and two armchairs on either side of a fireplace or central room feature.This provides two equally sized and spaced seating ares that connect face to face.Heavier pieces of furniture such as sofas and armchairs can be supplemented by lighter,easier to manoeuvre chairs that can be kept against a wall or in an arrangement by a table or light and brought into the main space when guests arrive.In a small apartment or living area these chairs could be foldaways.Chairs without arms look less bulky.If your setting is contemporary or you want a feature chair,then opt for a work of a classic,modern designer chair.Adjustable and adaptable furniture is important in a living room.
Planning your space
A living room is a relaxing space where family and friends meet but it is also a public room where the interior decoration should make a statement.As such,planning is essential-for example,furniture should be arranged in sociable groups yet without obstacles blocking any pathways through the room.
Unless you are fortunate enough to have a den or private space where you alone can closet yourself away,the main focus for daytime relaxation in the home tends to be the living room.But the living room is a hybrid space,often a public venue where at certain times guests and friends are entertained.It is also a family room where group,as well as individual rest and liesure time is spent.Because the living room is a shared space it is usually the focus of communal family gatherings and a place where a number of activites take place at the same time.Children may play games and watch TV while adults read or listen to music.As well as being adaptable for day to day family life the living room should also be able to cope with the changes that are brought about between being a night and daytime venue as well as a summer and winter location.During the day the room should be a bright and enjoyable place to be,lit by natural light.In the evening,with curtains or blinds closed,the emphasis is on a more cozy and secure environment.During this time,different levels of lighting that are focused on the various recreational tasks and activities that take place in the room are important.In the summer,the room should be appealing because it is cool and fresh and in the winter,a comforting place into which you can retreat,leaving the cold and dark outside.As such the planning and furnishing of the space needs to be thought out carefully so that the room can cope with these various requirements and levels of wear and tear.
Unless you are fortunate enough to have a den or private space where you alone can closet yourself away,the main focus for daytime relaxation in the home tends to be the living room.But the living room is a hybrid space,often a public venue where at certain times guests and friends are entertained.It is also a family room where group,as well as individual rest and liesure time is spent.Because the living room is a shared space it is usually the focus of communal family gatherings and a place where a number of activites take place at the same time.Children may play games and watch TV while adults read or listen to music.As well as being adaptable for day to day family life the living room should also be able to cope with the changes that are brought about between being a night and daytime venue as well as a summer and winter location.During the day the room should be a bright and enjoyable place to be,lit by natural light.In the evening,with curtains or blinds closed,the emphasis is on a more cozy and secure environment.During this time,different levels of lighting that are focused on the various recreational tasks and activities that take place in the room are important.In the summer,the room should be appealing because it is cool and fresh and in the winter,a comforting place into which you can retreat,leaving the cold and dark outside.As such the planning and furnishing of the space needs to be thought out carefully so that the room can cope with these various requirements and levels of wear and tear.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Sitting Rooms
The best family sitting rooms are cozy enough for lazy sunday afternoons,and chic enough for grown-up entertaining.A flexible furniture layout helps to accommodate larger numbers on high days and holidays.Don't make the sitting room a no-go zone for younger children.Choose practical furnishings that everyone can enjoy without worrying about spills.Textures should be warming and touchy-feely,from fluffy throws to a soft rug underfoot.
Color and Texture
Bringing together a color palette for a room's overall scheme will depend on the style or type of decoration that you opt for,and the key to deciding this is inspiration.You may start by finding a curtain fabric that you like and the colors in the pattern will lead you into a scheme,or it might be a painting,a piece of furniture or a handmade piece of craftwork that triggers your ideas.If artworks aren't your thing then explore the wealth of materials and finishes available.Be brave and experiment with unusual materials to create a unique look.
Color Theory
When it comes to planning a color scheme there are various options,including choosing colors that are part of the same family{have a similar base color},colors that are opposites or tonal colors.The primary colors,red,yellow and blue,are the main spokes,and between them you get colors that are made up from a mix of them.For example red and yellow make orange,yellow with a hint of blue make green.They are colors that belong together.Opposite or contrasting colors are red-green,orange-blue,yellow-violet.Tonel schemes select a single color such as red and use darker or lighter shades of it rather than mixing with other colors.
Choosing your colors
Choosing colors is very personal and people react differently to various shades.You should,above all,choose colors that you and your family fell comfortable with.Neutral colors have long been popular.Magnolia is a standard as a beige,soft yellows and off-whites because they are all easy to live with and make a room look light and bright.There is a standard decorating guideline that says that dark colors make surfaces advance and that light colors make them recede but there are exceptions to the rule.Dark colors can be effective in making a ceiling seem further away.Dark colors can also be used to disguise or camouflage uneven surfaces and architectural imbalances.For impact and drama,bold colors are the best.Many people are wary of using them and of making such a definite statement when decorating their home,but if you take the plunge the effect can be rewarding.It may take time for your eyes to get accustomed to rich,dark shades so you can always take it step by step,building up gradually to a really deep shade.Paint one wall in a strong shade and live with it for a few weeks until you get used to it or start with an undercoat of a paler shade and add a top layer of the darker color later,so that you have time to adapt and become familiar with the change.Also remember that when you first see the bare walls painted in a dark color they may appear strong,even overwhelming,but as soon as you have added carpets,furniture,pictures,lights and soft furnishings to the room,the effect will be dramatically reduced.
Color Theory
When it comes to planning a color scheme there are various options,including choosing colors that are part of the same family{have a similar base color},colors that are opposites or tonal colors.The primary colors,red,yellow and blue,are the main spokes,and between them you get colors that are made up from a mix of them.For example red and yellow make orange,yellow with a hint of blue make green.They are colors that belong together.Opposite or contrasting colors are red-green,orange-blue,yellow-violet.Tonel schemes select a single color such as red and use darker or lighter shades of it rather than mixing with other colors.
Choosing your colors
Choosing colors is very personal and people react differently to various shades.You should,above all,choose colors that you and your family fell comfortable with.Neutral colors have long been popular.Magnolia is a standard as a beige,soft yellows and off-whites because they are all easy to live with and make a room look light and bright.There is a standard decorating guideline that says that dark colors make surfaces advance and that light colors make them recede but there are exceptions to the rule.Dark colors can be effective in making a ceiling seem further away.Dark colors can also be used to disguise or camouflage uneven surfaces and architectural imbalances.For impact and drama,bold colors are the best.Many people are wary of using them and of making such a definite statement when decorating their home,but if you take the plunge the effect can be rewarding.It may take time for your eyes to get accustomed to rich,dark shades so you can always take it step by step,building up gradually to a really deep shade.Paint one wall in a strong shade and live with it for a few weeks until you get used to it or start with an undercoat of a paler shade and add a top layer of the darker color later,so that you have time to adapt and become familiar with the change.Also remember that when you first see the bare walls painted in a dark color they may appear strong,even overwhelming,but as soon as you have added carpets,furniture,pictures,lights and soft furnishings to the room,the effect will be dramatically reduced.
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