Monday, August 20, 2012

Home Décor 101

Does your house need a facelift? Are you tired of seeing the same things day in and day out? You have two options: you can renovate your home or update your home décor. Well, between the two, updating your décor is the most money-saving option. The small details that you put in your home can do a lot to change the look of your home.

Wait! You don’t know how to buy home décor? Here are a few tips to help you select the right accessories that will give your home a fresh feel. Click here!

Assess your style

This is the vital first step that you must take. If you know the style that you want to create for your home, you can pick the décor pieces that suit the style. This allows you to pare down your options and make the selection process faster. Here are the common styles of décor:
• Contemporary – this is the style that shows off your modern style. As such, it is the style with splashes of color in accessories and furniture.
• Cottage – this style is the more laidback one. It features white washed wood, light colors and other elements of nature.
• Eclectic – this style is the one that is cutting-edge. It is a mixture of different styles, so you can put together different patterns, colors and accessories.
• French Country – this is the style that is formal. You can see iron, lace, toile in hues of blue, red and black.
• Traditional – the traditional style uses furniture and accessories that blend with the color motif of the room.

Assess your space

After deciding which of the style you want to create, you have to consider the space that you want to give a facelift.
• Select a focal point. This is the part of the room that will serve as the center. This means you have to select the part that can have the greatest impact – an area rug, an artwork or your fireplace.
• Pick a theme. Think about your focal point. Find out any outstanding feature (color, place of origin, feel) it may possess. You can base your theme from that outstanding feature.
• Get rid of clutter. Before you can put in new décor to the place you want to update, you have to get rid of things that are just cluttering up your room. 

The buying process
After assessing your space, you can then go about the business of selecting the pieces of décor to add to your room.
• Choose interesting accessories. The accessories you pick can enhance the beauty of your room or give it some charm. Thus, you can put in tiny trinkets, decorative rocks or glassware. Just be sure not to overdo it as you will create a crowded or cluttered look.
• Bring in flowers or potted plants. Colorful flowers and verdant greens give any room a vibrant feeling. Or if you want, you can also put in silk flowers to blend with your main color scheme.
• Put in wall décor. Based on the style you want, you can purchase artwork that you can display on your walls. Other options for wall décor are mirrors and sculptures.

To sum up
Looking for fantastic décor pieces for your home takes time. However, you don’t have to be stressed while doing so. Just have a clear picture of the result that you want for your room. When you have that in mind, you will have a guide in selecting the décor pieces that suit the style you want. 

Buying a Bathroom Light 101

Buying a Bathroom Light 101

Friday, August 17, 2012

Desk Lamp 101

Do you need more light at your work desk? The answer to this problem is a desk lamp. A desk lamp that you can place on your desktop can help you see things more clearly in your home office, home library or study room. However, these lamps do not only provide you with ample light, they can also make your work space appealing and attractive. In short, the desk lamp that you purchase should be functional and attractive.

What are the different types of desk lamps?
Basically, desk lamps are lumped into major categories. You have traditional style desk lamps and contemporary style desk lamps.
  • The traditional style is seen in the older designs. This means they were popular in the yesteryears. However, just because they are old-fashioned does not mean that do not have room in modern homes.
  • The contemporary style desk lamps are the trendy ones that go with the times. The most popular ones are the metallic desk lamps with sleek designs.

What are the different desk lamp designs?
Desk lamps come in different designs. Here are the most common designs.
  • Adjustable Arm Desk Lamp. This is the perfect design if you want a lamp that you can bring closer to wherever you are on the desk.
  • Gooseneck Desk Lamp. This lamp lets you twist the neck to provide light it the area you prefer.
  • Clip-On Desk Lamp. A clip-on desk lamp saves space as you only need to clamp it on table or desk edges.
  • Tree Desk Lamp. Like a tree, this design has three “branches” that can be individually twisted to direct light where it is needed.
  • Task Desk Lamp. This design is specific for arts and crafts because they have lightweight structures, moveable heads and clip-on bases.
  • Decorative Desk Lamp. True to its name, a decorative desk lamp is used for space accent with its ornamental fabric.
  • Magnified Desk Lamp. This lamp is need for embroidery and reading because it reduces eyestrain.
  • Organizer Desk Lamp. This lamp is as functional as it can get. You will find extra pockets and compartments for storing pens, paper clips and small tools.
How do you find the right lamp? Here are three tips to help you decide.
  • Determine where you will place the desk lamp
This one does not seem to be really important. However, when you already know the exact place to put a lamp, you can focus on the particular qualities or features that you want to have in a lamp to provide you with light.
  • Find out the purpose for buying a desk lamp
This would mean that you need to determine what your intention for buying a desk lamp is. Do you merely want it for accent lighting or do you really need it to provide you with sufficient light while working on your paperwork? Knowing your exact purpose will help you pick the right lamp.
  • Assess the overall design style of your room
You need to do this so that you can pick a desk lamp that will make your room more beautiful to look at. Plus, the lamp you must should go well with the color motif of the room as well as with the other pieces of décor.


Check Out Desk Lamps Coupon here!

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Framed Art 101

Your wall can look amazing with framed art. There are lots of themes that make good subjects for framed art. In fact, you can find a lot of artworks of sceneries, people, animals and other pictures that are fit to be displayed on your walls.

But of course, don’t expect purchasing framed art that are pretty old to be easy. It can pose a lot of challenges. You have to ensure that you are paying a huge amount for something that is totally worth its price. To do that, you need to be skilled in telling genuine art from fakes. When you do, you won’t be wasting money on something that is an imitation of the real thing. Besides, oil paintings are not the only things that can be beautifully framed. Frame art can be original art, prints or lithographs.

How do you determine whether the framed art is an original, a print or a lithograph?
  • Original Painting
If you are lucky, you will find an original painting that was made by the hands of the artist himself. The medium does not matter as long as the artist worked on the artwork with his own hands. Plus, original paintings come with the affixed signatures of the artist.
  • Print
Prints basically have three prerequisites. One, the master print was done on a plate, a stone or a wooden block. Two, the print was made by the artist or was under his supervision. Three, the work is approved by the artist. The prints are made on paper.
  • Lithograph
This image is a reproduction made on a smooth flat stone or metal plate. The image is made using greasy material and the rest of the surface made to repel ink.

How to select and buy framed art
  • Look into authenticity
Regarding original art, it is very important for you to look for something that is the real thing. If you know your art and your artists, you will not have a hard time telling whether the brush strokes are those of your favorite painter or not. Be sure to detect variations in the strokes as that could mean the painting is a fake.
  • Consider the quality of framed art
Your purpose for buying framed art is to beautify your home with it. As such, look for artworks that will look great hanging on your wall.
  • Scrutinize the pictures
Shopping online lets you do this. When you can get a view of the actual artwork, you will get an idea of how it will complement the wall you intend to spruce up.
  • Decide how much you can shell out for framed art
Buying authentic framed art is costly. And so, if you just don’t have the budget, you can opt for fancy framed art that does not cost as much. A replica of an original could do just as well.
  • Buy from auctions
Great framed art pieces can be found in auctions, whether local or online. Just make sure that you are not exchanging your hard earned cash for a replica.  
  • Seek the help of an art dealer
Art dealers can lead you to good quality framed art pieces. As such, making appointments with a few can let you see pieces that may meet your requirements.

To sum up

Framed art pieces need not be expensive. You just need to think out of the box and find pieces that will look great on your walls.