The Modern Use Of The French Period Styles


The world has often turned to Paris for its fashions, so it is small wonder that French house furnishings should play their part in society. There is sufficient variety in styles as distinctive and different as the Henry II and Louis XV to meet all tastes and even follow the swing of fashion's pendulum. One point must be kept clearly in mind in working in the French periods and that is that they are absolute. The successful introduction of anything not French into a French room, unless it be something Chinese, is such a difficult problem that it is better avoided; while a few pieces of French furniture can often be happily accommodated in rooms furnished in other styles.

But, it is not mandatory for the decorator to keep each French room in strict period because the periods overlap. While to the purist, curvilinear and rectilinear furniture and brick fireplace mantels and shelves are not properly associated, some very pleasing decorative schemes can be worked out by the combination of such pieces as are not too extreme in type. The Louis XV and XVI types frequently overlap, as do the Louis XIV and XV, and the Directoire and Empire.

Even the Louis XVI and Directoire types may be happily assembled. A perfect French period room when achieved is really a work of art, but its very perfection often makes it so unlivable that it is redundant in the modern home unless used in a mansion and a room for occasional use only. It looks palatial and it is meant for a palace. Artists of ability are also required to carry out even the smallest details of French decorative ornament to avoid banality. Nothing is more inane than amateurish work in the French styles and this should always be avoided. The most conscientious attention to detail is required, like room proportions, wall panel divisions, moldings, cornices, window and door openings, appropriate textiles for upholstery and drapery, all accessories, and the furniture and floor coverings.

None of the decorative styles are more demanding or rigid than the French styles. They are a matter of thought as well as taste. When completed, they are so ceremonious that they almost demand a certain elaborate social etiquette, with a good deal of bowing and scraping long since abandoned by society, there is a strong modern tendency to appropriate the simplified types of French provincial styles used in the country homes far away from Paris, where local craftsmen followed the Parisian models as well as they could, which means without the artist and the expert painter, wood carver, etc.

These French provincial rooms are more livable and informal, and have been growing in favor since about 1923. It is never advisable to attempt to design a room in any of the French period styles without documentary evidence at hand for reference at every step. However, a free use of French furniture, textiles, wall d?cor, door toppers, mirrors, window toppers, candelabras, and other accessories can be made in modern rooms, and so grouped as to meet the daily living conditions of the family, and to be practicable as well as in good taste.

In such rooms, furniture grouping is of first importance?window groups, lamp-light groups, table groups, fireside groups, or lounging groups, according to the use of the room. The boudoir, woman's bedroom, and the room for the young girl are never more beautifully or luxuriously furnished than when some of the elements of French furnishings are introduced, especially in connection with the draped bed, draped dressing table, and chaise lounge. Little French tables, commodes, cabinets, tabourets, and consoles are extremely useful in modern rooms when a little of everything is tastefully assembled. The chaise lounge in two or even three sections is an extremely useful and decorative piece of furniture.

The appropriate use of brightly colored leathers and Chinese rugs with Louis XV furnishings is not very well understood. Leather upholstery in single or combined colors was effectively used in that period. The decorative value of leather combined in canary yellow and powder blue, scarlet and lemon yellow, French green and lemon yellow can only be appreciated by use. These leathers may either be bright colored or antiqued. The use of Chinese rugs in appropriate pastel colorings with the addition of lacquer is very suitable especially where the chinoiscrie element is introduced in wall-papers, wooden bar rails, textiles, or screens.

As a rule the later development of the Louis XV style and the styles following are more suitable to modern conditions due to the fact that they are more consistent with the small rooms that we use today. French paneling may be introduced by the application of loose moldings applied to walls that should be first covered with muslin. French panels are usually made with a 2-inch molding and are vertical in proportion rather than square or horizontal. The spaces between the panels (stiles) are narrow and average from 2 1/2 to 4 inches.

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.

Oriental Rug Care


Oriental and Persian rugs are a rare and beautiful investment if properly cared for and maintained. Learn how to prevent problems and handle commonly encountered situations with these quick Oriental rug care tips.

  1. Act Fast. Time is of the essence when a spill or accident takes place. Resist the urge to procrastinate; instead, take care of spills as soon as they happen to reduce the rate of absorption and prevent stains.
  2. Blot ? Don?t Rub. Remember, oriental rugs often use various weaves, textures and colors to achieve the beauty and originality of the final product. Rubbing may cause friction or strain to the fibers and colors ? blot spills with a paper towel or fine absorbent cloth instead.
  3. Scoop Spills. If large spills or beaded liquid are on the surface, use a spoon or other type of smooth object to remove as much as possible from the carpet before it permeates the rug. Don?t cause frictions or press down ? instead, gently remove as much as possible with a scooping maneuver.
  4. Avoid Spot Treatment. Commonly sold stain remover and carpet treatment are often far too harsh for the needs of Oriental rug care. The natural dyes can be easily damaged by harsh chemicals ? instead, call a professional Atlanta rug cleaning company that specializes in oriental rugs for deeply set stains or odors.
  5. Sun & Humidity Control. Atlanta Oriental rug cleaning often requires specialized attention due to high humidity levels and exposure to bright sunshine. Even if you position your oriental rug out of direct sunshine, the high humidity level of Atlanta poises special challenges for carpet care. High humidity levels can increase the rate of oxidation leading to faded colors as well as increased odors and other problems.

When it comes to selecting an Atlanta rug cleaning company, it is a good idea to use a company like Kiwi Services who is capable of providing complete oriental rug cleaning and repair ? including weaving ? with one call. In addition, the nationwide reputation and guarantee provides peace of mind in knowing your investment is in good hands.

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.

Make Your Kids Bath Time More Fun With Kids Bathroom Decor


There are many different bathroom decor ideas for changing the look and style of any bathroom. Kids' bathroom decor is especially fun because there is usually a theme to the bathroom that makes it fun and exciting for the children to be in. Depending on the age of the child, the child's bathroom decor can range from action figures to Sesame Street characters, favorite animals or favorite colors.
Choices and Styles
One of the first things to look at when deciding on kid's bathroom decor is to observe the size of the bathroom and the current furniture and cabinetry in it. This is always the starting place for any home decor, to look at what an individual has and then build on that. The next thing to think about is the child's tastes and how much the parent wants the bathroom to look like a child's bathroom.
Sometimes the child's bathroom doubles as the guest bathroom and the parents may not want it to have tigers or ducks all over it. In other cases, the bathroom may be tied to the child's room so the decor in the kid's bathroom is not an issue when company is over. If the bathroom is a smaller one, as is usually the case in kid's bathroom decor, the colors that are used should be light and not too bold. This allows the bathroom space to feel larger and also allows cute accents to be used without having much of a problem matching them to the color of the room.
There are many varieties of wallpaper trims that have cute designs on them that can add a fun touch to a child's bathroom decor. Stenciling is another option in child's bathroom decor that can be used on white cabinets or around the top of the wall to give a fun accent to the room. Another fun way to add to a theme in a child's bathroom decor is to buy towels in the colors that the child likes and to find some that have pictures or other designs that fit the child's tastes and the theme of the room.
In addition, there are toothbrush holders, soap dishes, soap dispensers, and other counter items that can be bought with certain patterns or characters on them for kid's bathroom decor. Bath mats and toilet covers are other ways to add small accents to the bathroom for a minimal price. If storage is an issue, over the toilet cabinets, corner shelving, and small floor cabinets are ways to add storage to a small bathroom space to create more options for the child.

Three Dimensional wall Panel


3D wall paper panel collection brings your walls to life with a modern and eco-friendly product made from the fibrous sugarcane fibers. Extraction of sugar cane fibers leave fibrous stalks creating unique material. Procession of fibers to a substrate called biogases is the material used in our wall panels. The advantage of 3D wall panels over other wall decors: Bio-degradable and from recycled material.Paintable to enhance any panels are designed so that when put together they form a pattern. After being installed they can be painted in any color to update your decor. Because this is a natural product, it shouldn't be placed over kitchen sinks, in full bathrooms or extremely humid conditions. Dimensions & Specifications Dimensions: 19.68W x 0.78D x 19.68H in.Weight: 6.6 lbs.Brand: 3D wall panelStyle: Modern and Contemporary 3D panels are environment-friendly and safe decorating material that is unique and elegant. It is manufactured out of pure plant fiber. 3D wall panels can compliment virtually any indoor residential or commercial environment and help you to create colorful life space. It is modern, simple and economical decorating material that can be installed quickly and painted in any color to complement interior. They can be used to create accent walls, background walls for TV, bedrooms, kid's rooms, offices, restaurants and entertainment centers. Our panels come in package of 6 or 10 tiles depending on a model and can be delivered within 6-8 business days to customer address. It is as easy as 1-2-3!!! In addition, Capiz can come in a paper thin veneer, and mounted on either two- or three- dimensional PVC substrate. The veneer can cover walls and furniture, and give the look of solid Mother of Pearl. The PVC substrate boards are light weight and can resist insects and mold. PVC and veneers come in sheets of 4'x8'. Capiz panel: Need a luxe and glamorous look with subtle shimmer? Carved Capiz panels from Global Trends are your answer. Capiz shells are harvested, cleaned, and cut to enhance the delicate colors of mother of pearl. The shells can be made into a paper-thin veneer that can cover any surface, or they can be mounted to a PVC substrate board to make gorgeous wall art, or even large wall coverings. Capiz wrapped PVC substrate can resist insects and mold, making it an ideal choice for any home or business. Capiz panels and veneers come in a standard size of 4'x8', but can be customized for your project.

Home Decor Planning


Before you do anything to change your home decor - whether it's just one room or the entire house, ask yourself (and others in your family, if it's a group decision), what do you want to accomplish. Is it just to get a fresh look with a new color on the walls, or is it to really throw out the old and start all over again?

If it's a new wall color you're considering, make sure the paint you purchase will compliment your existing furnishings. Don't rush out to your nearest home supply store and purchase a can of paint because it's on sale or your think the color will do. Get several paint swatches and bring them home.

In fact, many stores now have sample jars of paint that enable you to actually paint a small portion of you wall to see how that particular color works with your scheme. Get several and paint them on the wall, let them dry and view these colors in different light; i.e., daylight and artificial light to determine which color really does enhance your room's furnishings.

A color that looks really great during the daylight hours can look entirely different in artificial light. So, do your homework and you'll be pleased with the new look. Even if it is just a new paint job!

There's really no one ideal way to start a home decorating project. You can get the bug by looking at a magazine and imagining some home decorating ideas, or seeing a beautiful fabric in a store and suddenly feeling that yours just doesn't match up.

Go online to get some really great home decorating ideas and cost saving tips. Also, the many online merchants allow you the luxury of cost comparisons without leaving your home. You'll be able to find casual and formal furniture as well as creative decorating ideas for any room in your home.There's a wealth of information available to you, including books on decorating, accessories?from lamps to rugs and from throw pillows to wallpaper. You'll find some extraordinary ideas for children's rooms, bathrooms, living rooms and even outdoor rooms.

Homework applies as well to major jobs. Consider what each room is used for and get furniture that's appropriate. Chairs and couches for a family fun room would not necessarily be right for a formal living room.

Make sure you have proper measurements and diagrams of where windows and doors are located and, above all, have a decorating plan so that all items coordinated?from carpets to wall covering.

Whatever your reason is to tackle a decorating job, it is very important that you set your goals first. At the same time, you must establish your budget. It's all well and good to have very lofty home decorating ideas and goals when doing home decorating; however, your goals may have to be tempered by your budget. Develop your budget and establish a plan.

So, before you start pounding the pavement, going from one retail store to another, go online to see what's available, determine pricing and see if your plan is a reasonable one. You may be pleasantly surprised at the cost savings ideas that are presented that will enable you to add just the right touch to make your home decorating dreams come true and to make your home one that is truly unique, functional and beautiful.

Just follow good principles of decorating and use your imagination and good sense to achieve your desired look. The online resources are numerous, so check them out before you do any impulse buying.

Good luck on your decorating.