Posts Tagged Decor

Choosing the Right Curtains for the Bedroom and Kitchen

Posted on November 10, 2011 | Bedroom, Interior Design, Kitchen.

If you are looking for curtains, especially for the bedroom or kitchen, then it is important to choose the right ones with their functionality in mind, or you might end up regretting your choice! Purchasing the right curtains can help save you money, time and efforts of purchase. On the other hand, getting wrong ones can make you spend hundreds of dollars as well as spoil the decor of the room. Here we will see some important aspects to consider while buying kitchen and bedroom curtains.

First, let us consider the bedroom curtains. Today there is a great variety available in curtains for the bedroom including pleated, layered, sheer, or swag style etc. that it can get a bit mind boggling. Start by deciding what you really want; it could be a romantic or mystic atmosphere, or privacy, or you may simply want to foster feelings of relaxation in the bedroom. Once you have made up your mind as to what you want then you can go in for colors and styles to suit the decor of the room.

The right color and shade of bedroom curtains can make or break the atmosphere of the room. Always remember that if your bedroom is in the eastern direction, choosing darker curtains is imperative. Many light sleepers get disturbed by the early morning streaming sun, due to the wrong shade of bedroom curtains.

As far as the material of bedroom curtains is concerned, remember that materials like silk will be subjected to fading due to the sun. So choose materials that can be washed easily and are heavy enough to withstand daily wear and tear. A bedroom curtain is also meant to provide privacy, so sheer curtains are naturally a strict no-no for the bedroom. If you insist on sheers, then you may couple them with blinds or a second heavier curtain to maintain privacy.

When it comes to kitchen curtains, you have to keep in mind that the grease and grime of cooking is going to eventually affect them. Naturally, if you choose white or light shades, you are either going to have to wash them frequently or end up with real dirty ones. So choose a fabric that can be tossed in the washing machine every now and then, or is dark enough, so you can forgo washing them for months. That said and done, as is the case for bedroom curtains, the right style, print and color of kitchen curtains will enhance the look and feel of your kitchen.

Decorating Wood Picture Frames

Posted on October 25, 2011 | Decorating, Furniture.

The cool thing about decorating picture frames is that there is very little limitation to what you can do with them. They make great wall décor, tabletop pieces, and mantle adornments. You can buy them in varying sizes, shapes, and styles. You can leave them in their natural wood color or paint and stain them. They can be mixed and matched for collages. They can be individually showcased. Seriously, if you think you cannot find some way to bring your wood picture frame to life as part of the room design then you are not thinking hard enough.

Decorating wooden frames is fun. You have free reign over how the finished project will look. Take for example the use of empty wall frames. You can take an assortment of inexpensive picture frames and line them up as you please to create a funky wall pattern. You will need contract paper, a tape measure, and wire cutters. Measure out the wall space you want to use and take note of it. Roll out contractor paper on a flat surface. This will be your layout sheet for you to play around with frame placement. Take the frames you want and trace the positions once you’re happy with the order. Label the frames so you know the corresponding layout. Take the frames and remove any artwork. Take out the backs and cut off the picture wire with the cutters. Now they’re ready to be painted or stained. You can use whatever color you want. Try to get an even coat all around the frame. Once it’s dry you can start hanging.

As mantlepiece decor you can place empty 4×6 picture frames in front of candles, to frame the light. Just be sure they’re far enough in front so as not to catch fire. You can always use lightbulb “candles” or other decor pieces like small bowls of potpourri if you want to avoid the potential hazard altogether. They can be used to frame small pieces of art, dried leaves or flowers, and other assorted miscellany.

Tabletop frames are perfect for family photos. You can personalize them for relatives with their favorite things. Go to your local arts and crafts store and pick up small decorations that could represent their interests. You can stick them on the wooden frames with a semi-permanent or permanent glue. This is also a fun craft for kids (although you should be doing the gluing if you’re not using non-toxic materials).

Take this time to sigh with relief. You have some easy and entertaining ways to decorate your rooms with frames now. Enjoy the creative process and if you get a brilliant idea do not hesitate to take these projects in that direction.