Shabby Chic for Decorating Your Home

Are you ready to redecorate but have a limited budget? Do you have some great furniture but nothing matches? Do you love antiques but not stiff formal decor? Then think Shabby Chic, a fun decorating style that solves all these dilemmas and more.

Shabby Chic is one of the hottest trends in decorating, and for good reason. It is versatile, easy, and inexpensive. Shabby Chic is based on simplicity -- simple color themes combined with your favorite furniture and art.

Shabby Chic can be anything you want it to be, and is a great way to bring your personal style to any room. Most Shabby Chic decor is based on a white-on-white or beige-on-beige theme. Soft pastels are often used as accent colors, but with a little creativity, you can add just about any color you want. A classic example of Shabby Chic would be to cover couches and overstuffed chairs with white slipcovers, whitewash your wood furniture and hang white airy curtains. Then hang your favorite painting or artwork in the most prominent place in the room.

Choose one or two colors in the painting as accent colors, and repeat the colors in throw pillows, flowers, soft throw blankets, and candles. Another great feature of Shabby Chic is the worn and well-loved look. That side table that has an interesting shape but has seen better days is perfect for Shabby Chic. Simply whitewash it and put a vase with flowers on top. Better yet, use an old china teapot or your grandmother's favorite vase for the flowers. It's the little details like this that make Shabby Chic work so well.

If you're on a tight budget, Shabby Chic is a great choice. Make your own slipcovers with any durable white or beige fabric, and cover couches and chairs to match. Pick up interesting accessories at yard sales and flea markets, and paint them all the same shade of white. Pull out your favorite pictures and put them in frames painted white or coordinated accent colors. Throw in a few candles, flowers, and pillows and you’ve got a beautiful Shabby Chic room.

Shabby Chic is also perfect for highlighting single pieces of furniture. Do you have a gorgeous, beloved antique but nothing else that goes with it? Decorate the room in Shabby Chic and let your antique be the center of attention.

Whatever your style, whatever your budget, whatever mismatched furniture you own, there's a Shabby Chic look for you.

How to Balance Your Home Decor?

In our homes, as in other parts of our lives, we are happier when we live with balance and harmony. Just like the rest of our lives, balance in the rooms of our homes is sometimes hard to create.

For many years, decorators and home owners tried to create this physical balance by having pairs of everything: 2 matching end tables, a matched pair of wing chairs, even sets of twin beds in the master bedroom. This certainly created a balanced room. It also created rooms that were sterile, formal and visually boring. In a formal setting or a Federal or Georgian home, this is still the way things should be to look 'right.' Our ancestors valued this perfect balance so highly that they created false doors in hallways so that both sides matched or doors that looked like windows so that the right and left sides of the back of a house matched perfectly. This can still be seen if you go to visit some of our historic homes.

We, however, tend to prefer a more relaxed approach to our homes.

So how do we create a feeling of balance without matched pairs of everything? You can use:

Color
Dark colors have more 'weight' than light colors.

Actual size
Height, depth and width of an object.

Mass
A thick bulky looking object has more ‘weight’ than a fragile, delicate one. Just visualize a blown glass vase and a terracotta pot of the same size.

Number
A group of several like objects in different sizes grouped together creates 'weight.' Think of an assortment of silver candlesticks.

Light
A dark corner has more 'weight' than one filled with light.

If you want to prove this to yourself, gather together a group of assorted objects and use a tabletop/mantel and try out different scenarios. Be sure you have different sizes, colors, textures and shapes. You can put a larger framed picture against one end and a slightly smaller one in front of it. On the other end of your table put a heavy pot. Do the same thing with a matching pot at each end. Try pairing the picture group with an assortment of candles in candlesticks. Each time you create an arrangement, step back and look at it. In fact, if you have a digital camera, take a picture of it. If you do this for a while you will start to get a feel for balance. You can actually give the illusion that the tabletop is tilted slightly by throwing off the visual balance.

The same effect can occur in your room arrangements. If you doubt this, close your eyes and try to 'see' a room in which you felt physically uncomfortable or slightly disoriented even though there was no obvious reason. A room, in which the heavy items are all on one side of the room, almost feels as though the floor tilts. Once you have a feel for balance you can start to create a harmonious home.

Stand in the doorway of any room in your house that you feel isn’t 'right.' What do you see? Does the burgundy chair stick out like there is a spotlight on it? Does the entertainment center overwhelm the room? Do you have a TV and a fireplace battling for focal point? Do your easy chairs look like they were made for children next to your mammoth sofa? Does your fireplace mantel look like you are setting up for a tag sale? Your room is out of balance.

Move the furniture around and try different arrangements until you have one that works. Unless you have a room that is just for show like a Victorian parlor, you need to be able to use the room comfortably. Once the practical set-up is done, look at the room from different angles. If the room is out of balance use color and accessories, plants and pictures, groups of like objects, light and volume to create an illusion of balance.

Try grouping the accessories on your mantels and tabletops. Balance the entertainment center on one side of the fireplace with a tall plant or group of plants on the other. Note: avoid having the tops of everything at the same height. You might as well draw a line around your room. Repeat the color of the chair in pillows, throws, lampshades or the matting around a group of pictures. You really will be amazed at the difference it makes.

We may all be born craving balance but except for the lucky few, we have to learn to achieve it. There is a myriad of books on the subject and it can help to read them and look at the pictures, but the best way to get a feel for balance is 'hands on.' Experiment with portable objects until you get a feel for what works and then enjoy creating your harmonious home.

Decorative Plates on Your Walls

Decorative plates are often overlooked when decorating a home. Yet, it's the details that really make the elements of a room come together—and decorative plates are a detail present in most rooms. While there are decorative plates that are solely functional in purpose, most have the potential to add to the ambiance of a room. Think about the following wall plate options:

Cover your decorative plates in wallpaper that matches your wall for an understated elegance. You can also use this method to hide outlets on walls that display art.

Wood decorative plates are perfect for a room with a country or colonial flair.

Metal decorative plates come in a variety of textures and materials. Metal wall plates enhance contemporary, Victorian, and rustic decor.

Porcelain decorative plates complement shabby chic, bathrooms, and some Victorian design.

Mirror decorative plates can be used on mirrors, mirrored walls, or even as an eclectic detail in a uniquely decorated room.

Match your decorative plates with cabinets, doorknobs, and furniture hardware. With the wide variety available, you can also tailor them to table lamps and other light fixtures. Since wall plates come in all shapes and sizes, you can match them to the curves of your furniture placement. Matching will cleverly enhance featured pieces in a room without distracting from their appeal.

In addition to decorative plate style, you may want to consider changing the switch itself. Dimmer switches are available as dials, slides, touch pads, and combination of each. The ability to adjust lighting in each room of your home provides you a way to highlight specific room features or set the appropriate mood.

Decorative plates, often taken for granted, are a versatile design element. They can be romantic, sophisticated, sleek, or fun. First decide what you need your decorative plate to do for a room, and then shop for it as seriously as you would shop for furniture, wall coverings, or carpet.

Table Fountains can Add Understated Beauty to Any Room

With unlimited possibilities available, table top fountains can add understated beauty or grandeur to any room in your house. Fountains are a worthy investment even for those who hesitate to spend money on aesthetics. Beyond eye-catching appeal, you'll find that fountains have practical health benefits.

Cascading water reduces stress by bringing a sense of tranquility into a room as it engages the senses—sight, sound, and even smell. Research has shown that moving water can improve air quality by cleansing the room of dust particles and working as a humidifier. Fountains also do the following:

• Table Top Fountains soothe the soul with natural outdoor sounds.
• Table Top Fountains offer a visually appealing focal point to a family room or home work space.
• Table Top Fountains filter sounds like computer noise, a refrigerator hum, or next room telephone conversations.
• Table Top Fountains provide aromatherapy when candlelight is included in the design.

Options include table fountains, floor fountains and wall water fountains. You can find a table top fountain to compliment your current decorative choices. Far more interesting than a table lamp and more appealing than a decorative candle holder, these conveniently sized fountains eliminate the mundane. Easy to set up and even easier to maintain, space saving compact designs come in layered slate, granite sculpture, handcrafted wood, or any other material you desire.

Floor fountains compliment larger spaces than table top fountains. Floor fountains are a perfect choice for foyers, rooms with vaulted ceilings, and enclosed patios. Floor fountains make a statement about a space and those who have decorated it. Choose the fountain according to the overall look you are trying to achieve in your decor. For example--antique copper and river rocks present a rustic feel while a full-fledged waterfall makes an exotic impression.

Wall water fountains are the most dramatic fountains of the three. You can mount a wall fountain in a prominent place or build it into a wall. An entire wall can be transformed into a fountain of calm trickling water or a rapidly flowing display. Wall water fountains are often built with aluminum, concrete, river rock, copper, glass, or terra cotta. Features can include planters, light, and mist.

Whether the water flows, trickles, and comes down in a solid sheet of reflection, fountains offer the versatility needed to create a unique home interior. The practical benefits alone make fountains a worthy addition to your interior design.

Decorating Your Home or Office by adding Framed Art

Framed art is an ideal compliment to any room of your home or office. Decorating an environment using framed artwork is quick, easy and is usually relatively inexpensive. People generally choose framed art because it matches their decor, or because they like the actual piece and conducting this selection can be great fun because the choice is simply huge.

Today, there are currently thousands of artists who have allowed their work to be transferred into framed prints. But this is not a new thing. The world has appreciated the work of artists for many years. While many of the modern day artists go unannounced to the world, many others already have stamped their mark on the world. Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and many other classic artists will live on through their artwork forever and buying print versions of their work is both popular and common.

Appreciating the work of artists – irrespective of whether they are known or unknown is an important part of the cultural aspect of life. In order to be a well-rounded person, it helps to build a healthy appreciation for art. A great way to show your admiration is through the purchase and display of framed art. Framed art prints are less expensive than actual paintings so this lets you enjoy the many options for decorating your environment.

Purchasing framed art for your home or office is a novel way to decorate. Framed prints are available of nearly every famous painting or photograph. But what piece do you buy? You can start with neutral wall paint and then add color by placing framed art on the wall and then add some matching throw cushions to your couch. Because framed art is relatively inexpensive you are then free to change the look from season to season depending on your mood, the weather or a special event.

If you are going to decorate or redecorate a room or office, framed art is a quick and easy solution because the selection of artists and prints is enormous. Prints - otherwise known as framed art - can be a copy of any type of artwork, including paintings, photographs, and more. Prints are very affordable, and look great when they are framed. Framed art prints are sold as bundles or sets together, as well as separately. If you find a great print from a resource that does not sell frames, you can purchase a frame separately.

The frame you choose depends on your tastes and preferences. You can even consider purchasing a cheap $2 print and dress it with an expensive frame for a really tasteful look. Framed artwork can vary in price and quality. Frames can be simple, or more elaborate, depending on the price. If you are going to purchase the frame separate from the painting, you need to decide if you want it to match the artwork, or your decor. Either way, the artwork is going to look great framed and is usually really enhanced by the frame that you choose.

Making Quick Set of Curtains and Valance for any Window

Making a quick set of curtains and a valance is something that you can do even if you don’t have much sewing experience. It’s just a matter of thinking through the process and calculating for fabric needed and knowing how to use a sewing machine.

Tools needed: calculator, pencil and paper, tape measure, yard stick, pins, scissors, iron, thread and sewing machine.

Decide what color or pattern will work best with your room décor now. Going to the fabric store is always one of my most fun times, I keep my imagination open and get swatches of fabrics (and prices) the first time to see what all my options are. Take swatches home and start eliminating them by laying them next to major parts of the already decorated room (couch, chair, tables, walls, etc). Once you’ve decided on your fabric start measuring.

To measure for material, decide how long you would like the valance to be. Where will you place the curtains in the window? Will you do them café style or halfway down the window? Maybe you only want a small space between the valance and curtain, use your imagination, draw a sketch of the window and do some placements on it to see what looks good.

Once you make these decisions, measure from your top reference point (top of window, top of rod) down to where you want the valance to end. Add additional 7” for top and bottom hems (this will give you 3” for top hem, which rod will go through and 4” for bottom hem). Let’s say you want your valance to be 10” long, add 7” for hem and you have 17”. Now measure for your bottom curtains. The same goes here, measure from top reference point (where your curtains will start) to just below or above the windowsill. Add the 7” to this length. Example: 32” bottom curtain length, add 7” = 39”. Write all this down. For width across, measure across window from outside to outside molding. Depending on how “full” you want the curtains, will be the deciding factor on how much material you purchase. Normal fullness recommendation would be twice the window width, or at least ½ again as much. We are going to be very basic, let’s say a normal window is 36” across X 60” length. This means you will need to calculate double the width for the valance and curtains, but remember the curtains are split in the middle. Most material will run 36”– 44” (regular material) to 60” (drapery & upholstery material) in width. If you choose a fabric width of 36”- 44”, it will be easier to just use the width doubled. If it's wider cut a little off the ends if needed.

Now it’s time to go get your material! Take your swatch, sketch and measurements with you! I would recommend a pliable fabric that is easy to work with (cotton, broadcloth, etc). Have your material store sales person help you with calculating the amount, and give you any details in laying out, especially if it has a design going a specific way or has a nap. In most cases, 3-3½ yards should be plenty per window.

Pre-wash the material if you choose. If you do not pre-wash material and wash the curtains later expecting them to be the same length, you may be surprised! If you have pre-washed your material, take it out of dryer, fold in half, wrong side out (if you can tell), like it was previously from store off the bolt, and lay it on your surface and smooth it out (table, floor, etc.). Do the same for all widths of material; this will make it easier to handle. You may want to touch up with an iron.

Time to mark the fabric and cut! Your material is now laid out (not many wrinkles). You’ll want to get an even line across the top using your yardstick. Mark a straight line with a pencil along the top (if darker material a pen will work or even chalk if you have it). Eyeball it to make sure it looks even, sometimes the fabric store will not cut it even so it’s up to you. This will be your starting reference point (this will be a cutting line for you). Get your calculations for the length for each: valance and curtain. Now measure from that straight line down for valance length needed, do this twice because it needs to be doubled for fullness (unless 60” width fabric). Make a mark. Do the same halfway across and on the folded edge. Now put your yardstick across from mark to mark and draw a line (this will also be a cutting line). Do the same for curtains. Each curtain side gets its own length (unless 60” width fabric). Grab a couple of pins and pin just inside the edges and lines of each section you marked. Cut along lines. You should have 4 pieces cut, 2 for the valance and 2 for each curtain side.

Once again were going to mark, this time on the right side of fabric. Open up your pieces, right side of fabric up, lay them out straight, using a pencil, lightly mark 3” down from straight top on each piece, make several marks across. Use yardstick to connect marks to make a straight line. Do the same on the bottom, 4” up from straight edge. Mark 1” in on both side edges of each piece. Mark all pieces. Make sure all marks are lightly placed on outside of fabric, but dark enough so you can see them. Sew two valance pieces together, so it's one long piece. Press seam flat. Fold under side edges of all pieces turning under ½” twice (will be 1” all together, pencil line should be on outside edges), press & stitch along inside folded under edge. Press up hems to inside of material along all marked lines. Fold them under ½ of width and press again. Stitch along that folded edge on inside. Holding fabric as you stitch to make sure fabric doesn’t bunch up. You should have a 2” bottom hem for each piece and a 1½” hem for top hem to slide curtain rods through. Make sure to backstitch when you begin sewing and at the end to reinforce stitching from coming out.

Home Decoration is about Art

If you would have your rooms interesting as well as beautiful, make them say something, give them a spinal column by keeping all ornamentation subservient to line.

Before you buy anything, try to imagine how you want each room to look when completed; get the picture well in your mind, as a painter would think out the main features, for the details all depend upon these and will quickly suggest themselves. This is, in the long run, the quickest and the most economical method of furnishing.

There is a theory that no room can be created all at once, that it must grow gradually. In a sense this is a fact, so far as it refers to the amateur. The professional is always occupied with creating and recreating rooms and can instantly summon to mind complete schemes of decoration. The amateur can also learn to mentally furnish rooms. It is a fascinating pastime when one gets the knack of it.

Beautiful things can be obtained anywhere and for the minimum price, if one has a feeling for line and color, or for either. If the lover of the beautiful was not born with this art instinct, it may be quickly acquired. A decorator creates or rearranges one room; the owner does the next, alone, or with assistance, and in a season or two has spread his or her own wings and worked out legitimate schemes, teeming with individuality. One observes, is pleased with results and asks oneself why. This is the birth of good taste.

Treat your rooms like "still life," see to it that each group, such as a table, sofa, and one or two chairs make a "composition," suggesting comfort as well as beauty. Never have an isolated chair, unless it is placed against the wall, as part of the decorative scheme.