Color codes at your home II
Stick to less than three colors, prints or textures in a small room and keep your decorating muted for serenity. If another room is visible through the room, try to create a harmony between their colors. Areas can defined in a very large room with subtle changes in the color of walls, White walls can be a good backdrop for your artwork or display of collectibles. In any case light and cool colors seem to add space to the room while warm and dark color shrink it and make them look cozy. Color trends keep changing, so it may be wiser to opt for a classic palette appropriate for the size, comfort level and function of the room, and then experiment with furnishing and accessories, which in any case constantly need updating and change.
The direction in which the room is located within the home and that of the windows of the room determines the amount of sunlight that comes into the room and at what time. A window in the east brings in not so intense morning rays. This room could be used for morning activities, and color used could be in the mid range – for instance e a leaf green or even a peach to make the most of the natural light. Very dark or very light colors will tend to look either too heavy or washed out, as the case may be.
For evening gathering, room with windows opening to the west is better as they allow you to have lovely sunset views. The light here plays along well with warm and rich colors. A room with windows to the north that brings in soft daylight for longer periods of time goes along well with light cool pastel colors. The one thing to keep in mind while choosing colors is that all members of the family are comfortable with the shades as all of them have to live with these colors in close proximity.
Color codes at your home I
Color schemes should be chosen according to the theme of the house, if any, climatic conditions, size of the room and light that comes in the room. All of these factors play an important role. If there is any specific theme in mind, for instance, black and white with red accents, then take into consideration the type of fabric used for curtains and upholstery. Natural fabrics score over man-made fabrics for their ability to breathe, and feel cool to the touch. Man-made fabrics have the advantage of longevity and are appreciably cheaper then the natural equivalent.
Prints of fabrics such as stripes, plaids, floral or checks can be used as single or mix-and-match according to your preference. Solid colors or neutrals go well with patterns. For large rooms, choose multi-colored upholstery, bed linens and coverings, wallpaper and window curtains with a large scale print. Contrast of mid-scale and small-scale prints look good too. A word of caution here would be to play with either color or print or texture. Variants of all can lead to a chaotic feel.
Walls could be painted or even papered, as this option is once again gaining ground. The tend these days is to for in for two or three different color on the walls of a single room, but monochromatic, walls can be make to look beautiful with accents in two or three complementary or contrasting colors. The detailing of cornices or window frames can be highlighted if desired, to add interest in the room. Painting them in contrasting colors can highlight attractive architectural elements such as trims and molding. However, it shrinks the space a little bit. Painting them in the same shade as the background can hide ugly elements as well as open up the space. More on coloring your dreams tomorrow.
5 tips for selecting your coffee table
1. Make purchase based on functions and design.
Not just design alone. Many people buy things on impulse. Most of the time, we make decisions that are not based on rationality. Rather we make resolution based on our feelings. We feel that this coffee table is beautiful and that is pretty. And we actually buy them. This happens even when it is not practical. When it comes to buying a coffee table, we must remember, the function it serves in the living room – so make a pick based on the design with the functions in mind.
2. Make sure it blends with the surrounding furniture
While buying coffee table one must also take note of one thing. Where are you going to place that coffee table? For most of us, it is going to be in the middle of the living room though one would not want to disrupt the ambience of your living room. So, do mull-over where you are going to place your coffee table, and also keep in mind size, color, shape etc. Try to picture the image of the coffee table as if it is in your living room. Blend it with surrounding!
3. Do not forget the Noguchi coffee table
During your research phase, do not forget to check the Noguchi coffee table. Essentially, this coffee table is made of 3 pieces. It is just a piece of glass on top and 2 pieces of curvy wood at the base for support. The design is clean, simple and fabulous; simply perfect for a modern living room.
4. Make sure you consider extra features
It is also imperative for you to check out the extra features that your future coffee table can proffer. For example, a lift-top coffee table does maximize storage space. Then you have the option of storing additional items inside the drawers or pockets found within the table itself. There are also coffee tables that incorporate glass panels for you to allow you to write on them as well.
5. Have a goal in mind
Last piece of advice, many people usually go to the store without a purpose in mind. They just see what they like and they buy it. Next time before you head to your favorite furniture store, sit down and think about these questions. Where do you want to place the coffee table? What feeling do you want it to create? Do you want to make it unique? What about the size and the shape? If you go to the store with the end in mind, purchasing the coffee table would be a lot easier.
A cuppa coffee in your living room – things to remember
The style, shape, and size of your coffee table should be based on two critical criteria: the current style of your interior decor and what usage the table is going to have within the space. If young children are at home, the table should br robust and functional, whereas if you entertain often, you should keep functionality as well as appearance in mind.
Understand designs:
Length: As a rule of thumb, they should be half the length of the couch so it does not spill out into walk ways. The height of the table must be even with the cushions of the couch.
Right Rectangle: While rectangle designs have always been the standard, a round table should be considered if you have a limited amount of space; such as in small apartments.
Perfect Round: Not only will this eliminate those painful and troublesome corners but a rounded coffee table naturally draws crowds around it.
Square cut: Large square tables are common in homes that are trying to have a modern look yet these dimensions will not work for everyone. It comes back to space. If you have enough space, then go for a square model, if not then stick with a rectangle.
Signing off for now. Tomorrow some tips on coffee tables
A cuppa coffee in your living room
A good coffee table can make or break a living room. While, traditionally, these tables are a must, many have shied away from this piece of furniture in fear of over furnished rooms.These tables are for more than a cup of coffee. Used for quick dinners, a place to prop up feet, and really just anything else, they can become the centerpiece of the entire room.
For a long time, the coffee table was viewed as an also ran in the glittering world of living space furniture. In the shadow of furniture pieces such as sofas, love seats and chairs the utilitarian coffee tables character was barely ever acknowledged. Since then, homeowners have changed their opinion Most of us now recognize the real aptitude of the coffee table. An important part of the living space in its own right, this piece of furniture is now accepted as a significant piece of furniture that sets the atmosphere of living area décor.
Tomorrow we will look at how to finer nuances of making the coffee cuppa more appealing to your living room
Fireplaces and fireplace accessories that you will love
I happened to decide on finding this information on the web because I had received a big mail into my mail box, thus aroused I ventured into to explore the contents of the mail. The most important thing about the information and content was that it wasn’t the usual kind of things, not clothes or jewelry and not even electronic goods, but it was about fireplaces and fireplace accessories.
I am not much into finding this information but took the cake as I had never imagined the information that I would come across on the latest designs in fireplaces and not to forget the various fireplace accessories. What actually made me go out there was that in today’s times of centralized heaters and various heating systems, I was wondering how a fireplace would fit in if it did. The outcome of my visit was very enlightening and I came out a converted to buying a fireplace, anytime I built my own place.
Mention of a fireplace, visualizes romantic getaways, the cold climate somewhere up in the mountains, heavy snowfall and blowing winds, a cocktail to keep all indoors with a cup of coffee with the feet on a rug sitting on a comfortable chair close to a fireplace. Well movies normally show the ones which are wood burning, adding to the experience, but in the present where both the wood and pollution are a concern, it is time for change.
Over the past half a decade, many of our appliance in the kitchen run on electricity, then why not a fireplace. In the olden days a fireplace was part of any structure, mostly in the interiors of a house or place, usually located in the living room. The fuel burned in the fireplaces was wood, coal or peat. The fumes and the ash were left to climb the chimney so that it could mingle with the air outside the house. The fireplace accessories were very few, usually the poker made out of iron, a basket or holder for logs, screens to keep the smoke or ash from traveling too far, firewood grates, chimney caps and fire backs made out of iron. In some homes a fireplace was also used to warm coffee or tea, grill food, in bigger homes there was also fire mantles which made its on comment on the entire room. All these fireplace accessories though quite a few in no were very much unseen, unless called for into use.
The current breed of fireplaces and fireplace accessories not only add value addition to your home but also add a great value to your home decor. They come in the every design to suit your taste and design. And they are available at the click of your mouse button.
The ever increasing importance of your home being lit properly
Lights are one of the most essential components of your home decor. Without proper lights we will always be denied an experience that only a well lit environment can provide. You will never hear someone say what a great view, in the dark. As much as light is important, the means thru which light comes to us becomes important.
Light fixtures in the days of Edison, might have been a simple contraption with the only importance that one should have something that is in the dark. That was in the past, but now things are different, light fixtures are not only very important, but they can also take the centre stage. As we know lights in general and any sort of lamp will have bulbs which come in pretty much standard designs. It is the lighting fixtures and the designs of the lamps, more than the source from which light comes which has taken center stage.
Light fixtures are not that new to society, if you considered the traditional light fixtures manufactured in history, since the advent of using lamps that used some oils, or candles etc. Then too if you have seen paintings, of visited old homes or structures, you will get to see an assortment of light fixtures in various styles and design. A lot of that tradition has got a new following, once what was only available for the rich has become common and easily available.
In the modern times, lighting a house or any structure is taken very seriously, thus light fixtures for all occasions, moods, looks and cost are available. All you have to do is find out the best designs on the web from stores that specialize in producing or marketing and displaying light fixtures and lamps. A considerable amount of liquid cash and trend conscious public haven take it in a big way to meticulously plan any structure to have the kind of lighting that symbolizes their taste, style and comfort. Also the stylish light fixtures adds it own aura to the entire look of any house or office, and has become more than just a light fixture.
Women have a very good sense of lights and at the same time being the home builder give them the edge in deciding what kind of lighting and light fixtures to be installed in their home. A man will not be that conscious, but women they want the style and follow the latest trends.
Harmony of space in your home IV – Windows & Doors and Furniture
When your windows and doors are planned by the engineer, make sure you opt for bay window, which offer seating inside and extend out into the outdoors. Plan your doorways similarly, though look at the safety angle before using either doors, sliding or otherwise, between the outdoors and the indoors.
Furniture
Place a few furniture pieces, say a bark of wood that is polished and buffed, inside your living room, close to an open window, or keeping a coffee table that is embedded with elements like stone pebbles, colored or neutral mosaic pieces etc. This will create a synergy between the outdoors and the indoors. Planning garden furniture that fits in with the rest of your interior décor including furniture pieces would also help in creating this compact picture.
If you discuss this concept prior to construction and also with your interior designer, many niches in the walls as well as partitions can be planned to create this seamless interaction between the two. You can add to this ambience with the use of carefully selected home décor items.
Harmony of space in your home III – The green walls
Another technique is to have a small atrium created inside your home over which you fix a skylight, allowing that place to be well lit during the day. In the atrium, you can have a bunch of potted plants that you like a small rock garden, and if it’s a slightly larger space, even a bench where you can sit for sometime. One or more of the sides of the atrium can be covered with green partition screens, made of net or even transparent glass which still offers privacy to the one sitting inside. Green painted garden nets can be placed just below the skylight to cut direct light entering inside, or can be kept on one side of your entrance to your main door, allowing the garden creeper to hang on it along with other flowering trees planted close by.
Harmony of space in your home II – Creating niches and tips on décor items
Creating niches
Another way of bringing about a harmony between the two is when you partially cover the outdoors with long leafed trees, high hedges, or bring a few of these inside the living area in the form of large potted plants. Use a large open niche window, without the grills that faces the outdoors, while you set about a table and an option to dine indoors. You can also cover the niche with shield glass or have a green partition screen whenever it gets too sunny for comfort but during some seasons it might be a good way to spend the afternoon here. Plan to have a picket fence around your house and garden instead of a wall because a picket fence allows you to experience the outdoors.
Décor Items
Potted plants kept in the balcony and a few inside your living room is another way to bring nature indoors. For instance, hanging home accessories like large prints of different element of nature – leaves, flowers, twigs etc bring the idea home. Your kitchen window can still be done to hold a box of potted herbs that hang outside to get the sun, but are also accessible to you when cooking.