Posts Tagged ‘home decorating’

The American Southwestern region is blessed with a rich culture and scenic places. Because of the abundance of influences from the Spanish, Native American and the West, American Southwestern has every right to boast of its culture and environment.

It was the Native American tribes of New Mexico and Arizona who introduced the Pueblo architecture, an influential design up to this day.

Pueblo design is primarily noticed for its chili red color. Nowadays, modern designers experiment with blues, tans and pinks, but the chili red still remains at par with these more modern take on the Pueblo color. The chili red color was inspired by the long braids of chili called “ristas” that are a staple in the Pueblo style.

Pueblo Style can be used to decorate any home with just a few touches that won’t break the bank account.

Take heed of the walls. Make a faux adobe walls and choose earth colors like browns and beige. Terracotta or a reddish-brown color is also a good choice. How do you make this faux adobe? Add some clean sand to the paint before application. Apply a thick coat on the walls and the texture will make your walls look like they’re made of adobe.

Move on the ceilings by creating an impression of vigas. You’ll need 2×4 timbers, which are of a dark walnut color. Distress the timber. The more rustic they look, the better. Then attach them to the ceiling. Make sure it’s a sturdy work!

Take up the old wall-to-wall carpet and replace it with terracotta tile. If genuine terracotta tile is beyond your budget, there are vinyl floorings with Pueblo Style designs. Another option would be the paint the floors to simulate a tile look. Be sure to seal flooring paint with a coat of quality urethane.

Now add some Mexican serapes and a couple of Navajo area rugs. Be prepared to consider your Navajo rug as an investment. Like the hand-knotted rugs of Asia, artists who pass on their techniques to new generations weave Navajo rugs by hand. The rugs are done in bold designs of red, white, black and earth colors. You could even get some smaller, more inexpensive versions as upholstery for dining room chairs or as art to hang on the walls.

Lastly, use pots. That’s right! Pots only for flowers no more. With a Pueblo design, pots as decors, centerpieces, artworks, etc. are perfect.

Finally! Your home is the perfect abode for relaxation in the middle of the Southwest…even if you actually live right in the middle of the urban zone.

If you found this information about rug decorating helpful, then you will adore these southwestern area rugs.

Many rooms are always designed around women including the decor they sell. But there are many men whom live alone and want to make their home with a masculine feel. They don’t want floral and pastel colors evading their territory. Men want to add some excitement and character into their home decorating style. Designing a masculine bachelor pad can be very fun if you are in the right creative mind to start.

It can be fun to turn your place into a bachelor pad. Start your project by looking in magazines to get some ideas of what you want. Pick up a magazine that you like, not one that is all about home decorating. You’re not picking up the magazine to read, but to look at those ads in it, and see what the rooms look like. Sometimes there will be something you can see that will help decide which way you want the decorating to go.

Now look at how your room is decorated now. See if there is an item that you may be able to work into a new type of design, or to build around that item. How about the flooring, what is it, and can you work with that to create a more masculine look.

As women decorate rooms they start from top to bottom, men should start the opposite way. Start by choosing a rug to accent the room and use it as your focal point. Make sure it’s something that feels great when your feet are on it. You don’t want anything just for show and it is extremely uncomfortable to your feet. Solid colors are more for the masculine feel in the room other than a pattern rug. Stainless steel and black are popular colors when creating a masculine room since they aren’t girly. If you have a pet keep in mind you want to pick a rug which will hide dirt if your pet isn’t too fond of the vacuum.

Next, you should focus on your wall color. Paint is the quickest way to transform a room for girly to masculine. Choose a color that will evoke the energy you desire in your space. Choose dark blue for a calming effect or green if you love the outdoors. You could also use a bold red to provoke an energetic, passionate sensation. Avoid busy color schemes or wallpapers that will quickly become outdated.

If you add some lighter shaded curtains they will help to make the bold colors a bit softer. A nice masculine color or something that has stripes is a good choice. Make sure that the curtains go with your flooring or rug if you’ve added it to the room.

The last step is to place pictures or art on the walls to give the room a jazzier feel. Try to avoid posters as much as you can and go towards more wall decor with a theme and in a picture frame. If you feel that a poster would make the room fit your style better, than try putting them in a nice frame before hanging them on the wall. Posters will usually give the feel to others when they show up of a college boy’s dorm rather than a sophisticated bachelor pad. If you are a man into old fashioned cards or airplanes, look for pictures with these themes. You could also use a shelf or even a displace case for our collectibles you have like baseball cards, football helmets, or even model airplanes and cast iron car collectibles. Make sure at the end of this that the theme is your own personal style and you enjoy being in that area. Always design to your taste and interests rather than something you do just for the look.

If you enjoyed this article about masculine decorating, then you are going to adore these flokati rugs.

Area rugs make great decorative items. They come in wide array of selections that no two rugs are exactly the same in design or patterns. There is diversity that every preference in style and budget is met. What makes area rugs an even better catch is their functionality as home items. You know what they say, beauty and brains. That’s how I see area rugs.

Beyond the aesthetic appeal of area rugs comes the practical benefits that homeowners will surely be happy about.

Area rugs as floor coverings literally cover the flooring from “alien specimen” – dirt, soil, stain, spills, scratches, wet tracks and whatever is not supposed to be in contact with the floor. Marble flooring is expensive, so getting it dirty is cringing. Hardwood is prone to scratches and dullness if not maintained, therefore protecting it from the causes is crucial. Tiles may look simple but they are susceptible to cracks. This flooring needs to be shielded too. An area rug on all kinds of flooring, including an already carpeted floor is a big help. Carpeting is protection, but area rug is protection for the carpet. How cool is that?

Another great use for area rugs is in areas where there might be spills. In the dining area, for example, it is not uncommon to have a house guest accidentally spill food or a beverage. Often, this can leave a permanent stain on the flooring. By placing an area rug in the room, however, you minimize the danger of permanent stains on your floor. Instead, you can simply remove the area rug and have it thoroughly cleaned to remove the stain. If it will not come off, then at least you can still replace the area rug without much hassle. The same certainly cannot be said of replacing flooring.

Area rugs can also be protection against slipping accidents. Just ensure though that they are held with a safeguard pad. This is most useful in bathrooms, tile floors and hardwood.

These are just the general functions of area rugs. Your kitchen floor will benefit as much with an area rug around. It’s good to know that buying an area rug is a price for two – decorative and functional. What a good buy!

Lucky for you decorating with rugs has been made so much easier with these pink wool rugs.

Decorating a nursery in preparation for the arrival of a baby boy begins with research and being fully educated on what to look for when shopping for safe and top quality crib sets. Parents will discover that the safest baby crib bedding is that which is designed to fit standard crib dimensions.

While buying a bedding set, one should take care into consideration the quality of the bedding set at the top because by compromising with the quality of the bedding set we are actually compromising with the health of our children. Overly stuffed baby bedding is to be avoided as it could accidentally smother a sleeping baby.

While learning how to recognize those items which will keep their little son secure, moms and dad can’t help also turning their thoughts to the designs and hues which will make for the most visually appealing crib bedding for boys. With the help of List colors Or theme internet search has become less overwhelming.

When it comes time to searching for bedding online, any veteran parent can experience a mixture of horror and excitement. The Nursery linen market’s exponential growth has caused an explosion of cyber retailing, some of which is seriously lacking. If you are new to online shopping be sure you have located a seller with a good reputation before you buy.

Even parents who have decided that they want themed bedding for their son’s room may have trouble deciding which one when they see all the selections available. Construction baby bedding motifs have become favorites in the last ten years, largely due to their fanciful yet masculine nature.

Construction-themed spaces are ideal for little boys, as it allows decorators to choose from rich colors, interesting patterns and unique fabrics. The Construction theme often includes Unique Dump trucks & hardhats. The visual imagery you create using the internet is a way to engage your son.

Dorothea is a writer and researcher on parenting and family issues. She also works part-time as a freelance writer for a baby products company, Kudlee, Inc..

Giving attention to your outdoor spaces enhances the overall appeal of your home. Using outdoor rugs can create a whole new look for spaces like your patio, porch, deck or gazebo.

An outdoor area rug is designed to be damage resistant, strong and durable since it has to face outdoor weather conditions. Outdoor rugs are made of olefin, nylon, or acrylic blends – which are highly resistant to water, wind, dirt, mildew, and fading. They are power loomed or machine woven and special dyes are used to reduce the impact of sun on colors.

Outdoor area rugs also boast of durability and adaptability, wherein they can be used in different areas of the house even indoors. The strength factor does not hinder the softness of the material that having them as feet cushions is also possible, especially when placed under the table or chairs. You can have a feast in selecting from all the different colors, shapes, sizes and designs. What’s more, maintaining outdoor area rugs will never be a chore as they are so easy to wash and clean.

There are four basic types of outdoor rugs:

First are handmade rugs. This kind is popularly known as hand-hooked rugs. When you see these, you’ll be surprised with the elaborate designs and impressive patterns, as well as the lively burst of colors. The best thing about handmade rugs is their long-lasting quality.

Second are machine-made rugs. This type of rug is more affordable compared to the first one, is lighter but sturdy as well. Due to its hardwearing quality, machine-made rugs suit even the harshest of weather. Summers in Arizona and winter in Massachusetts? No problem, friend. These rugs will keep you company no matter what the weather brings.

Bamboo: Bamboo is one of the most attractive materials for outdoor use. Rugs made from this material come in delightful shades of green. However, it is best not to leave a bamboo rug for too long outdoors since weather conditions can affect the way the rug looks and feels. Bamboo rugs are padded for long term durability.

Outdoor mats: Ideal for smaller areas these mats are available in a riot in colors, very economical and trouble free. They are easy to maintain and are available in various designs to brighten up tiny areas. They are manufactured mostly from post recycled plastic.

Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the basic types of outdoor rug, you’re off to considering the essential criteria before settling on your final choices:

Size: The rug size depends on how the outdoor space is being used. Once you have an overall design plan ready, you can measure the area to be covered by the rug and accordingly look for the right size, which will set off the space to perfection.

Another point to think about is the color. Depending on where you place the rug, the colors will vary. For an area with too much sun exposure, go for not too bright colors to farther preserve its color. For a high-traffic area where dirt is expected, choose earthly or dark shades to disguise the stain or make it less obvious.

Patterns and Texture: With an outdoor rug that’s alive with design, comfort and character; any outdoor space will look inviting. There are so many styles, patterns and textures to choose from that you can keep changing the look of an outdoor space, just by changing the rug you are using there.

Built to deal with any weather, these tough rugs mange to complement most outdoor layouts; and with the right care, will last a long time.

Rug decorating has never been so easy with these round indoor outdoor area rugs.

A decorating color scheme can make your entire room feel like a pulled together space; your friends may even think that you hired an interior designer. You can create different moods in your space through the use of color. This can turn your room from a hodge podge of items into a cohesive look.

One of the overlooked tones is the color of wood. You can use stain to make your room feel luxurious or lighter. For a cottage style white wash your furniture to keep things cheerful. Scatter the stain color throughout the room on everything from grass blinds to natural rugs. Stick with medium tone flooring if you aren’t going to change it out for awhile but if contemporary style is more your speed then try an ebony wood.

You can put together a contemporary decorating color scheme by using a bright color in moderation. You can still have a lively space even if you aren’t allowed to use paint in an apartment. Your room doesn’t have to be boring just because you can’t paint. Try putting up drapes; buying new lights and focusing on overstuffed pillows and throws in a vibrant color like turquoise.

The color wheel can help you create a decorating color scheme. Complementary colors are straight across from each other and will work well together while creating vibrancy such as gold and eggplant. If you want calmer rooms then try analogous colors like eggplant and cobalt which are neighbors on the color wheel.

You’ll need to find equilibrium in your room if you use daring tones or several different muted shades. If your area is oversaturated then people may not want to spend time there. the use of neutral colors will break up the space and add an airy feeling. Taupes, creams and black make sure that you create a room that you’ll want to spend time in.

Want to find out more about interior decorating colors, then visit Sara Gilmore’s site on how to choose the best living room colors for your needs.