Contemporary Kitchen Design Planning And Tips


A contemporary kitchen design is by no means a simple matter of throwing together some modern appliances with white countertops and cupboards and basking in a zen-like space. It takes time, careful thought and planning to get the best results and a contemporary kitchen you?re happy to call your own.

Start out by considering the space itself. Do you have enough light, both natural and artificial. A contemporary kitchen will succeed or fail based on the levels of light it fills the room with. Windows and light from adjacent rooms are good natural sources of light, but skylights, mirrors and reflective surfaces will also help. In terms of artificial lighting, don?t just consider a bulb in the middle of the room, get far more creative. Think spotlights, task lighting and even LEDs on your kickboard to add subtle levels of light to your contemporary kitchen.

Make sure you don?t neglect picking out a contemporary kitchen floor. Many people forget about the floor and only make the decision in passing. However, the floor you choose for your kitchen has a dramatic effect on the room?s final appearance. This is something many people only realise until it?s too late. There?s no specific tips for picking out contemporary flooring, but ensure it remains consistent with the furniture and appliances you?re looking at.

When picking out your kitchen, remember that contemporary shouldn?t mean sacrificing functionality. You still need to be able to work in this kitchen and even if it looks great, it will fail if you can?t carry out simple tasks. Another important issue is warmth. Contemporary kitchens have traditionally been labelled cold and sterile spaces. To avoid this label, you might want to inject colour into the room by choosing bold tones for cupboard doors and countertops. Many contemporary kitchens use yellows, reds or greens to create warm spaces that are inviting to work in. To keep things contemporary, use reflective materials like steel, glass and marble to create a sleek and clean finish.

These are just some snippets of advice to help you on your way when creating a contemporary kitchen. There is far more to learn but the finished product will leave you feeling incredib

Roller Shades Link – Chain Controls


When it's time to cover our windows or complete the decorating process, we generally focus mainly on the colors of products available. But keep in mind, there are many differences in the control systems that are employed on similar roller shades. Thanks to these improvements, our window coverings work better and last longer. Roller shades are a traditional window covering, dating back to the late 19th century. With added springs helping to draw them up, pull shades have encountered a formidable adversary: the chain drawn roller shades.

The roller shades with springs can be lowered manually, by pulling on the shade itself, or an attached tassel. To retract the spring roller shade, simply pull at the bottom of the shade, or the tassel if one is provided. However, it is plain to see the problems that may arise with your manually manipulated roller shades.

So in answer to the concerns, developers in the shade industry have created a new kind of operation for roller shades. This mechanism is referred to as chain-driven, or clutches. Chain driven shades are operated simply by pulling the chain that is attached to the top of the roller shade one way or the other to raise or lower the shade. Chains can be produced with durable plastics or with various alloy metals. It may surprise you to know that plastic chains are stronger and more durable than their metal counterparts are. In spite of this, many consumers still prefer metal chains to control their roller shades. The manufacturers of roller shades make good quality shades, since they are aware that both are high quality. They choose usually only on the basis of price, but consider quality and performance too. Their intentions are good.

Time does not permit us to list every benefit of the chain controlled roller shade, so we will name just a few below. One benefit is that you can position the shade more precisely. Just imagine how difficult it could be to adjust a spring roller shade to a precise height. When you position your spring shade, you are very much at the mercy of the spring's "decision" on where it will be. In contrast, you can set the height of the chain roller shade to precisely where you want it.

Another perk to owning chain roller shades is that the roller shade fabric has the potential to remain in brand-new condition, even after years of use. This is possible because you will no longer be physically handling the shade's fabric to raise or lower it. By doing this, you can make your roller shades last much longer. With the innovation of the control chain, you may never have to wash another grimy fingerprint off your roller shade again.

Roller shade chain systems are much sturdier and capable of lifting heavier shades, compared to the spring systems of days gone by. This can be attributed to the variance in springs compared to the roller shades. The new springs have been placed in a sealed case, and these springs help to keep the shade from slipping. This may not seem like a big difference from the spring roller shade, but the new spring shades are not dependent on the weaker springs that came with older spring shades. Innovations in shades have now made it possible to control much larger shades, as large as 8 feet wide and 10 feet tall. Without spring roller shades, these large roller shades would not be possible.

If long-lasting, clean, and large shades are what you want, a chain controlled roller shade may be exactly what you've always wanted. They will maintain the beauty and extend the longevity of your window treatments. Just imagine medicinal developments are beneficial not only for health, but long life and beauty, as well.

The Advantages Of Buying Upvc Doors


UPVC doors have become all the rage, as a popular alternative to traditional wooden front doors in houses nationwide. Loved for their hardwearing, stylish properties, UPVC has become the material of choice for new home builders and renovation projects, particularly in suburban areas. But why is UPVC considered such a good material for door construction, and indeed why is it so popular given the fact that many people stull prefer the more traditional wooden style doors for the front of their homes? What are the advantages of UPVC doors and how do they compare to their traditional wooden counterparts?

One of the main advantages of UPVC doors as compared to traditional wooden counterparts is the fact that they pose greater insulation benefits as a result of their construction. UPVC doors are often hollow, and filled with specific insulative materials designed to keep the heat in and the cold out. Traditional wooden doors are less insulated than UPVC models and tend to be constructed of solid wood, which is less energy efficient. In terms of your heating bill and the warmth of your home, you will notice a tangible difference with a UPVC door as compared to a traditional wooden frontage.

UPVC is also a more hardwearing material than wood regardless of the elements, and is normally waterproof which will prevent damp and maintain insulation regardless of the conditions outside. Whereas a normal door will absorb rain water UPVC simple repels the elements to keep you warm and to keep the cold weather conditions outside. Additionally this means that a UPVC door is likely to have a longer life expectancy than a wooden door, leaving you with a less frequent need to replace your exterior door.

A major benefit of UPVC doors is the cost, when compared with traditional wooden doors. Because UPVC is machine moulded to fit the style contours fashion requires, there is less manual craftsmanship necessary to produce the desired outcome. What that means in practice is that whilst you can achieve a solid, stylish door as you would with a wooden counterpart, you end up paying a fraction of the price for the privilege whilst achieving the range of benefits brought on by UPVC.

Of course a wooden door can be a more personalised item and can be considered to be more of a luxury. However when it comes to practicalities there really is nothing that compares to a brand new UPVC front door for value for money, insulation and protection from the weather outside.

The advantages of buying UPVC doors are clear to see, although some people still prefer wooden exterior doors for their own individual reasons - be they stylistic, or practical. Whatever your personal preference, it is probably in your best interests to at least consider the advantages UPVC can bring for exterior doors and windows, with a view to potentially realising the differences between contemporary and traditional door construction for the value of your property and the other practical benefits it can bring

The Forecast Is Bright: Infuse Your Home With Color


Every year when summer rolls around people look to brighten and refresh their homes with the bold, fun colors that represent summer flowers, sunny days and the outdoors.

One of the easiest ways to bring new and seasonal colors into the home is with professional custom framing. Changing the matboard and framing of artwork is a nice option to make a room feel new again. Add some matching pillows or accents and suddenly the room is fresh and new, says nationally recognized interior style consultant Barbara Schmidt.

Home design TV shows have really increased people s interest in interior design over the past few years and they ve realized the importance of color in the home, says Schmidt, whose work has appeared in Architectural Digest, In Style, Elle D?cor and Metropolitan Home.

Schmidt recommends visiting a professional custom framer for a personal consultation and a variety of ideas on bringing new color into the home with custom framing. Professional custom framers nationwide carry a wide selection of matboard colors, great tools, like the Crescent 2006 Color Trends Forecast, and are trained to help customers choose the best colors to accentuate the artwork and their home.

New in framing for 2006, Schmidt recommends bringing in layers of colors -- not just a single color. Says Schmidt, People are more and more sophisticated when it comes to color and decoration. You can t just throw up plain artwork anymore and have it look like it s a finished room. You really need to look at your color scheme and bring complementary or blended colors into your framed art.

No matter the color, Leatrice Eiseman, the executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, realizes the power color can have in home design and framing. Color speaks in different ways, so people should choose colors they are naturally drawn to and that feel right.

Choose An Elegant Drink Coaster Made Of Stone


The most absorbent drink coaster is one made of stone. There are many different types of sandstone coasters you can purchase for the purpose of providing a base on which your guests can rest their drinks to avoid the moisture from collecting on your furniture and marring the finish. Coasters made from absorbent stone have a cork or rubber protective bottom so that they won?t scratch your furniture and keep the drink from sliding off.

A drink coaster made from Indian sandstone contains an explosion of colors that will complement any room decor. The trail of colors shows the stone in a smooth texture. Experience the colors of shifting sands or a complex pattern of hues that present a stunning visual effect. Other options in this material for drink coasters include ruby red coasters that give the impression of desert sand. You can also choose neutral colors that will not overpower your decor but blend in naturally with the wood on which they are placed.

A marble drink coaster is very elegant. The colors are reminiscent of ancient times, since this stone itself has existed since before history. These coasters are hand crafted and polished and if you look closely you may be able to see traces of fossils in the surface. There is a wide range of options for you to choose from in this variety from having coasters with images of clouds in the stone to those that are fiery red or midnight black.

Natural slate is also a popular material used in the manufacture of drink coasters. Since slate forms in layers in the environment, each drink coaster may have slightly different colors. This is due to the collection of chemicals present at each stage of the formation of the slate. Each layer seems to blend into the other creating seamless lines of color that present a very elegant surface. Two of the most popular coasters in this stone are those made from African slate and Indian slate.

A drink coaster made from limestone is also very absorbent. You can see the weathering of the rock in the colors of the stone coaster. A golden color will make you think of bright sunny days in the depths of winter while one that is blue-gray in color will help you recall images of the ocean and soft summer breezes.

Some forms of stone are more porous than others and thus will hold more of the liquid that condenses on the outside of the glass. Most of the manufacturers do coat the surface with varnish to add a protective coating on the stone, but this does not detract from its absorbent quality. Some of them are really expensive when made from imported stone and can become collector?s items. A drink coaster made from Chinese slate, for example, seems to look like a map of the earth with darker brown sections that look like the continents.

One thing that you have to be careful about when you buy a stone drink coaster set is that you cannot put these coasters in the dishwasher. Although they do need to be cleaned for them to retain their absorbent and porous qualities, you only need to wipe them off with a damp cloth. If you do need to give them a more rigorous cleaning to remove stains, make sure you do not use a harsh detergent and let them dry in the air.

Picking A Wooden Tv Stand


When looking for that perfect TV stand, there are many options to choose from which you may find overwhelming. It's not that hard when deciding the finish as you can eliminate styles easier then you may think. A good option to go with is a wooden TV stand, they will go with most interior designs and are very durable and long lasting if looked after correctly.

Wood remains one of the most popular materials used to make furniture around the house in today's world as they are a lot more customisable and can have many features the other materials cant such as fibreboard, metal, glass, etc. The main advantage is the strength, wood TV stands will be able to hold the largest TV's available on the market due to their quality and how they were manufactured. A wooden TV stand will really set the scene in your living room and make it look sophisticated and stylish.

Some wooden TV stands are not that expensive as they have been used for decades to make furniture, there are different levels of quality so be sure to shop around to make sure you get the best product within your budget. The beauty of wooden furniture is the fact it ages slowly, if you're planning on keeping your TV stand in good quality then a wooden stand is definitely for you. The higher quality stands tend to be made from maple or oak which will give a great finish, fit perfect with your dcor and last a very long time if you look after it.

Check as many different styles available to ensure you get the right TV stand for you, check what each TV stand can do (whether you can easily customize them or not) to help increase the overall appearance of your home entertainment system. You can guarantee you will find one to match your room as there are thousands of different shapes and colours.

You can find wooden TV stands in every reputable furniture shop, a lot of companies are beginning to sell them online so you can view a huge selection in the comfort of your own home to ensure you find the perfect stand for you.

Few Details For Modern Bedroom


You can easily make your bedroom more comfortable. Making a modern bedroom will be affordable if you take into account a few details.

  1. Use fabrics with warm colors and pleasant to touch textures. Besides the presence of wood, the color of the walls and furniture, the feeling of comfort in the bedroom is largely provided by complementary textiles. Bedspreads, curtains, cushions, plaids, duvet covers? Manage to give them the warm and welcoming touch. One suggestion: dress your bed in a beautiful velvet and linen coverlet.
  2. Decorate everything in white. It is fashionable, bright and will help you create a relaxing atmosphere. If you have a seat, cover it with a cotton canvas or better buy a cover, which you?ll be able to wash at home.
  3. Add natural supplements. Make lampshades warmer with vegetable fiber, which will provide a pleasant and happy lighting. Adding a small bouquet of fragrant fresh flowers and soft colors will create a delicate and romantic effect.
  4. Add color to the foot of the bed. You can easily add a bit of color to your bedroom by renewing the bench which is placed at the foot of the bed. Just add some warm touch fabric with a bright color or pattern.
  5. Give warmth to your bedroom with a touch of red. Because red is a hot color that has high decorative strength, it is advisable to use it in small doses, especially if we want to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere. The red color is perfect as a counterpoint in rooms decorated in white or gray, because it makes them less cold.
  6. Choose bedding in light colors. Dress the bed in white or very light color, as we already mentioned before.

Finally, use your imagination when decorating the bedroom. Some small ideas and additions can change the whole look.

Adding Country Style Curtains To A Country Decor


If you have a home that is decorated in country style, you should be sure that you hang country style curtains on all of your windows. This is sure to make all of your country decor stand out and your hard work will beautiful when you are done. Many people are into the country style of decorating, and like to incorporate it into every room of their home. This style should be used in every room of your home if you are considering it, because you have to get that effect through out the whole house before it will actually look right.

When you are looking for country style curtains to hang in your home, you are going to find that most of the curtains that are on the country style are in colors such as the mauve country pink or the country blue. While these are really popular colors to use in country decor, you will also find that plaids will work as well as hunter green, maroon, and rusty brown. You could actually even use only the green, maroon, and rust colors to do your entire home if you wanted to. This way each room would be able to blend together nicely, and you are not decorating a mix matched house with different colors that will clash from each space.

If you live in a log cabin home, you will want to preserve the country feel of it, by using country style curtains and other decor. Maybe you have many wooded stained pieces of furniture, as well as country fabric on your sofa. This will help you when you are decorating your log cabin, and once someone takes a step inside, they will get the feeling that they are off somewhere deep in the woods. Adding a wood burning stove to the decor is also a great idea. Wether you plan on using it or not, the feel it would give to the room is a warm one, and it could also be a great antique that you could incorporate into your decor.

Using country style curtains in a country styled home can be a lot fun. You will find that the more simple the curtain is, the more country it will look, and you will love having this feeling in your home. Be sure that you choose your colors wisely when you are decorating in a country style, and you are sure to pull it off with ease.

Smart Stuff For Small Spaces


With a cousin's son headed this way to start college next week, we've got a couple of decorating challenges on hand. First, there's Randy's dorm room - how to make a small space, shared with a roommate, into a comfortable, cheerful and efficient "home away from home" for the coming school year.

Secondly, to give Randy a place to escape the busy campus when he needs some quiet study time (or maybe just a few home-cooked meals), I'm making over the small sewing room at the top of my stairs into a second guestroom.

To fix up the dorm room is the easier of the two decorating challenges. It's largely a matter od a flexible closet organizer system from a local hardware store, a pair of over-the-door hooks for towels and bathrobe, a cosy quilt in a bold graphic pattern (and coordinating pillows, to turn the standard dorm room single bed into a comfy daybed couch for visitors), and a compact fridge - his new roommate will be bringing a small microwave oven. We measured up the room and found enough space for a clever room-divider Shoji screen with its own attached shelving, to create a screened corner where Randy can hide his laundry bag and other detritus of daily life.

To convert a very small sewing room into a bedroom for a night or two every couple of weeks, without making it too crowded to use properly between visits - that's the tricky project!

Fortunately, with more and more of the world living in tight quarters, it wasn't too hard to find ideas online. In particular, Stacks and Stacks has all sorts of clever products for furnishing a small space. I'm pretty keen on the idea of the Fu-Chest (new to me!) that hides a folded futon mattress in a clean-styled contemporary cabinet.

Add a few space-saving nesting tables - I found a great set with a book theme, perfect for student digs, and the table even has a secret drawer! - and a lap desk with attached light, for making notes while reading or studying in bed. The room already contains a cost old tub chair and a small television concealed in an armoire. (Note to self: take my fabric scraps and off-season jackets out of the armoire when Randy comes to stay, so he'll have somewhere to put his own stuff!)

The only other thing I think I'd add is a mirror with attached basket-shelf for the young man's hair goop and blowdryer and other styling essentials. Come to think of it, one of those might be useful in the dorm room, too!

I'm sure we'll make changes to this temporary guest room as we go along, but these smart space-saver furnishings are a great start on giving our favorite college student a bit of space to call his own. As for earning good marks and staying out of trouble? Well, that's going to have to be his responsibility!

How To Choose A Great Area Rug


There are many places in a home that can benefit from the use of an area rug. Typically, area rugs are used for style and design, but they also serve a function as well. Not only can they add a style element to the room, but they can also protect your floors from dust, dirt, and scuffing from high volumes of traffic. What you will want to consider when you purchase and area rug for your home is the size, style, color, texture and function. You will want to look at the area where you want to put it and get a complimentary rug.

It is easy to choose a great area rug if you are prepared before you shop for on. First, you will want to look at your home, particularly the room where the rug will be. Determine the size of the rug that you need. Are you looking to just put It under the furniture in the middle of the room? Or do you want the rug to stand out from the furniture in front of it? If there will be a lot of foot traffic, a wool rug will stand up better than many other styles.

Next, you will want to measure the floor space where you want to lay the rug. This is important so that you do not buy the wrong size of rug and have to return it.

When you go to the store, look for the right style. An oriental rug tends to accent expensive furnishings and antiques best. And if you are looking for a more functional area rug for a playroom or other family area, durability should outweigh the style of the rug, but you can still get a great style even with good functionality.

If you are getting a rug for a room that is already decorated, you will want to get a color that will compliment the d?cor of the room. In order to get the best color, you will want to pick out three of the major colors in the room and then look at a color wheel. This is a chart that will show you what colors compliment others. Choose a complimentary color for one of the three major colors in order to make your room more aesthetically pleasing.

If you will be walking barefoot on the rug, texture is very important. High traffic areas will usually need a texture like Berber, and those rugs that will not see a lot of traffic will benefit from Saxony that is velvety and soft. But remember?Saxony will leave vacuum marks on the rug.

Area rugs are important for the style of the room, but if you are looking to collection area rugs, you will want to be more careful in your purchasing decisions. You will to get rugs that have denser knots, ones that were hand dyed, or hand stitched. This will raise the value of the rug as well as giving your home a little bit of expensive style.