Posts Tagged ‘decorating’

Wintertime Home Decorating

Most people begin the home decorating process for winter with a bang only to end with a whimper. Far too few people realize that Christmas is only the beginning of the winter season and that while Christmas decorations are a nice addition, they are also a temporary decorative addition in most homes lasting little more than a month if that long. This leaves two more months of winter with a sparsely decorated home in many cases.

There are many things that are associated with winter however far too many of these things have been swept under the category of Christmas décor and their values as simple hallmarks of winter have been forgotten or relegated to the mere distinction of yet another Christmas decoration. Winter months for some are long and cold. Anything that brings a feeling of warmth and cheer into the home is for the most part an excellent idea as a winter home decoration.

Believe it or not, hibernating animals for many brings about a feeling of winter. Try using black bears as a home decorating theme to make your home feel a little more cozy and better prepared for the cold nights of wintertime. Flannel is a great companion to these delightful black bears and can be used in throws, bedding, and curtains in order to complete the look with style and finesse. In fact, you might want to throw in a few flannel pillows so that you can attempt to hibernate right alongside the cuddly black bears. These are quite popular home decorations as of late so you should have no problem finding a bear or two unless you happen to be in my neighborhood because I’ve probably snapped them all up already.

Fireplaces. There isn’t enough that can be said about the ability of a nice roaring fire to add warmth and a wintertime glow to almost any room. It really isn’t winter for most people unless there is a nice fire burning in the grate. The warmth is so much more than merely physical it is also soul soothing and comforting to watch a fire burning brightly before your eyes while warming your cold hands and feet. These nifty devices can also add a touch of romance to your winter nights so be sure to keep cozy blankets and candles close by as well.

Speaking of candles. Much like a fireplace candles add a warm cheerfulness to the rooms they touch. There are certain fragrances that are perfect for wintertime candle burning but even less appropriate fragrances are often welcome during winter months as they provide the soft glow that makes the world seem so much smaller and friendlier in the process. Keep this in mind as you are shopping for your winter home decorating ideas as well as the fact that fragrances matter when creating an atmosphere so choose the fragrances appropriately to the season.

Use pillows and blankets in your winter decorating to add layers of warmth and comfort as well as visual appeal. It is amazing the things that the mind can do in the winter but one of the more amazing things it does is convince you that you are warm when you are surrounded by warmth. With blankets and pillows lining your sofas and chairs however, if your mind doesn’t convince you there is always the option of just bundling up and letting your body convince your mind. There is also something soothing about the comfort and close softness of the pillows and blankets whether one is in perfect health or really feeling the chill of winter down to their bones.

Don’t let the celebration of winter end when the Christmas tree comes down. Find ways to incorporate warmth into your home decorating style that only winter can accommodate. Embrace the season with affection and laughter and all that enter your home will be warmed by the charming atmosphere inside.

Mobile Home Decorating

Mobile home decorating presents challenges regarding space. The rooms in mobile homes are small and will require ideas and tips about decorating small spaces. If you have plans for decorating your mobile home, they may need to be compromised somewhat because of the space. However, there are ways to achieve your ideal theme in mobile home decorating.

The first step in mobile home decorating or decorating any small space is to get rid of the clutter. Sort through your things and get rid of any unnecessary or unwanted articles. This will automatically make your space look bigger. Find places to hide things like under table skirts or behind closed doors. Making sure everything is neatly stored and out of view will open up the space. While moving things and clearing away, you may want to rearrange your furniture. Make sure large pieces of furniture are not blocking walkways or entrances. Also place tall pieces of furniture on a wall and not in an open space. Mobile home decorating is about creating space in an area that doesn’t have much space.

Choosing color is important in mobile home decorating. In order to create an open, larger atmosphere, you should use light, cool colors. Painting your walls in soft tones of blue or green will provide an open, airy feel. You should also choose colors within the same color family in mobile home decorating. Not only when picking paint colors but also when choosing fabric for curtains or upholstery.

Rooms look larger when they are well-lit. In mobile home decorating it is very important to ensure rooms have plenty of light. Stay away from heavy curtains or drapes for your windows. Use window treatments that are lighter to allow the brightness from the outside in. To provide plenty of light in your rooms, have lamps, track lighting or recessed lighting installed. Small spaces need more light.

There are little tricks for mobile home decorating. Using reflective materials is one trick to make a room appear larger. Using mirrored tiles or a large mirror on a wall will definitely make a room look larger. You may not be fond of mirrored walls but this may be one compromise you’ll have to make. Another trick is to use see-through materials. This will make objects look further away. This idea could be used in shower doors or table tops.

When choosing furniture for mobile home decorating, it is better to pick big pieces. This may sound strange but a few bigger pieces of furniture, is much better than several small pieces of furniture. Using several pieces, the space is cluttered while two or three bigger pieces will allow for more openness in a room. If covering your furniture, be sure to pick plain colors instead of prints, plaids or stripes. If wanting to add something extra, use texture but also in plain neutral tones. Choosing plain colors and neutral colors for light, sheer window treatments, bedskirts and tablecloths will provide an airy feeling as well. Owning a small home like a mobile home can provide problems when decorating but if you follow advice and suggestions for mobile home decorating, your home could be comfortable and feel much larger than it actually is.

Home Decorating in the Tudor Fashion

Tudor style home exteriors are rather easy to identify. Many people drive by them quite regularly with jaws dropped and eyes wide at the simple beauty and elegance of this style of architecture. From humble cottages to grand castles the Tudor style of architecture is very memorable indeed. When decorating the interior of a home in the Tudor fashion there is no set in stone rules though there are some touches that are the hallmarks of Tudor style and beauty.

One thing you can do to bring a touch of the Tudor style to your home, even if your home wasn’t built in the Tudor style is to incorporate the use of beams in the interior as decorative touches. When the original Tudor style of architecture was about this was more a design of need than one of opportunity. Today the paneling serves as a simple reminder of the beauty that has earned this period in history and architecture such fame. This is only one method however, that can be used in order to establish a Tudor style upon the interior of a home.

The floors in Tudor homes were typically made of either brick or flagstone. Many people today opt for stone tiles in order to portray a remarkably accurate look with a modern twist. These floors were often covered with ornate Oriental rugs (in wealthier homes) or small wool rugs in more humble abodes. If attempting to imitate the wealthier Tudor styled homes nothing short of Oriental style rugs will do in the more prominent areas of the home. Keep in mind that there are reasonably beautiful imitations currently on the market at prices that the average homeowner can afford.

Ornate wall tapestries often graced the walls in order to complete the richness of the look in wealthier homes. This is a style that is often imitated in homes attempting to cling to their Tudor roots around the world. It is a beautiful affect however and one that is very well worth adding to your home if you are seeking to incorporate a Tudor style in your home decorating efforts.

As far as the bedroom goes, the beds were the focal points of these rooms. Solidly built four post beds were the thrones in these homes and made fit for the king of any castle no matter how humble it may be. The posts and feet on these beds were ornately carved and quite beautiful. This is a remarkable recreation to include in your home in order to bring about an authentic Tudor atmosphere for the interior decorating. In wealthier homes, rich fabrics canopied these massive beds in order to provide privacy and elegance.

In order to create an authentic Tudor atmosphere in a home of today you would also want to incorporate some sort of wrought iron chandeliers into the home as well as wall sconces for lighting. This is the style of lighting that was often used at the time and will lend credibility to the scene you are attempting to recreate. This to me is one of the most stunning effects that can be incorporated into a home decorating plan in this day and age. If timeless beauty and elegance are the goal, then this is definitely a style of décor you will want to consider for your home.

Christmas Home Decorating

Christmas is the one time of year that most people pull out all the stops when it comes to decorating. There is no such thing in the eyes of many as excess and the one who gets started last is the one who often finishes last. Each year the displays, lights, and sounds grow larger and more complex. The problem is that most people cannot keep up with the newest, latest, and greatest in Christmas decorations. For these people there should be no worry. Christmas is a celebration of good will and not a competition to have the grandest display (at least that is what it should be).

Hopefully, the ideas below will help you enjoy decorating your home for Christmas once again as a passion for the holiday rather than a competition. The most important thing is that you choose Christmas decorations that have meaning to you rather than the decorations you feel your friends and family will like. Christmas is very personal and different to every person that celebrates the holiday. Not everyone that celebrates this particular holiday will celebrate in precisely the same way.

If the nativity scene is central to your Christmas celebration then by all means be sure to include it. You should not, however, feel compelled to include it if you have a more secular than religious view of the holiday. Angels are the same way though there are many who have little religious use for angels that still hold them in high regards as decorations around Christmas each year. Go with your preferences and convictions and you might find that the process is a joy rather than a chore.

I am a fan of Christmas decorations I love the blinking lights and the beauty of the greenery mixed with bright shades of red and gold. I love the fact that 200 houses can be decorated for Christmas inside and out and it is very unlikely that any two will look the same. I love the fact that for one month out of the year children are looking out their windows in awe at the bright lights and the cheery characters that light up the cold wintry rooftops all around.

If you are lost when it comes to decorating ideas of your own, my biggest suggestion is to pick what you like most about Christmas and choose your home decorating style around that one thing. As the years go by, inspiration strikes, and you find more things to like or dislike about Christmas your decorations can change accordingly. Perhaps the greatest thing about decorating your home for Christmas is that nothing is set in stone. If it worked last year, that doesn’t mean it will work for this Christmas and there is no reason you should feel compelled to do it.

Some great ideas or themes for Christmas home decorating include the following: snow globes, cherubs, angels, Santa Clauses, snowmen, birds, candles, wreathes, and stockings. While this is by no means an exhaustive list of Christmas decorations it is a good place to start when ideas are needed. Favorites of my children include cartoon characters, gingerbread men, gingerbread houses, balls, grape clusters, and ribbons.

If you want to create a truly special style of home decorating for Christmas try a homemade Christmas. This means that all the ornaments, centerpieces, wreaths, garlands, and decorations are made by hand rather than purchased whole. It will certainly make an impression on visitors and you and your family can enjoy the process of creating your very own Christmas decorations for the holiday season.

There are so many wonderful ideas, tips, and tricks when it comes to decorating your home for Christmas that it is incredibly difficult to point to one specific idea and say ‘this is it’. However, finding a theme that speaks to your heart is what Christmas is all about. Well that and spending time with those who mean the most to you in the world.