23rd Feb 2010

Doorknobs – An Inexpensive Decorating Solution


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Door knobs play a significant role throughout your home, and deserve a second look. Ordinary doorknobs that are merely functional can be boring and add nothing to the overall appearance of the furniture or your room. Even if you cannot afford to completely remodel, just the addition of new and decorative door knobs will make it seem that you have.

Door knobs can serve multiple purposes, depending on how they are being used. Obviously, the most important purpose of a door knob is its main one, to facilitate the opening of the door. Since the door knob has such a vital function, it can at least be dressed up to be decorative as well.

Every door needs some type of door knob. From large entry doors to room doors to cabinet doors to drawers to jewelry boxes…..all doors need a knob. If you were to go room to room through your home and count the number of door knobs present, you would be amazed at how much more decorating you can do!!

Starting with your entry door, examine the type of door knob that is currently in place. Most likely, it is simply a functional knob that was purchased at the local hardware store. While there is nothing wrong with a functional knob, you can really have a lot of fun by installing a more decorative door knob that will make your entry door memorable. Southwest styles, colonial styles, artistic styles and more can add an elegant look to your entry door. You may wish to expand the decorative touch by adding accenting hardware, including door knockers, for a unique look.

Inside your home, every room has the possibility of a door knob upgrade. Glass knobs, crystal knobs, and porcelain knobs are all choices that will bring function and beauty together in one door. Brass door knobs, crafted with swirls, sunbursts and Helios, bring a classic appearance. Adding decorative back plates will accent your choice of door knobs, showing off the style and design you have selected.

What about the cabinets in your home? From the bathroom to the kitchen, you have probably invested a great deal into the appearance of your cabinets. Choosing the style and finish of the cabinets is not where remodeling ends. Adding ornamental doorknobs that continue a theme in the room’s decorative style adds an extra personal touch. Bathrooms that have a seaside theme can be enhanced by installing lighthouse doorknobs, sea shell door knobs or sea life door knobs. In children’s bedrooms and playrooms, it is easy to integrate the common theme into cabinets, dressers, and end tables. Teddy bear doorknobs, sport theme door knobs, and animal door knobs can add a fun and whimsical flair that will delight your child and enliven the atmosphere of the room. Kitchen cabinets and hutches are easily brightened through the addition of painted porcelain, glass or other decorative knobs.

Add that decorative touch to your entire home by remodeling doorknobs. A functional feature that largely goes overlooked, decorative door knobs can change the appearance of your home with much less expense than redecorating the entire rooms.

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10th Feb 2010

Arts and Crafts Style Decorating


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The terms Arts and Crafts and Mission Style are often used synonymously today. They refer to a style of home design and furnishings emphasizing natural materials, especially wood, and showcasing a pronounced geometry in the design. Their tremendous revival in popularity stems largely from their association with hand-crafted elements (though many knock offs are manufactured by machine), a rarity in this technologically advanced age. The pieces offer an heirloom quality and a patina that deepens with age. Arts and Crafts furnishings and interiors are also typically very durable and classic with a timeless appeal. They suit today’s desire to simplify and get back to basics. Arts and Crafts interiors are an ideal marriage of function and aesthetic, spaces are designed to work for those living there. To create your own Arts and Crafts interior, there are several elements to consider, both in materials and design.

The materials of an Arts and Crafts interior, while not limited to nature, emphasize wood, stone, glass (made from sand), ceramic tiles (made from minerals/earth), and textiles (using wool, cotton, or linen fibers, and, of course, leather) Much of the visual pattern comes from the grain of the wood selected. Traditionally oak was used, but currently natural cherry is frequently enjoyed. The oak tends to have golden brown gleam, while the cherry is redder. Both darken naturally with age, this is to be expected.

Flooring, all architectural trim/molding, doors, stair rails and stiles, and exposed structural supports are all typically wood, oak most prevalent. Waxed or oil finishes prevail. Joints are pegged or hand-crafted metal hardware is used. Door knobs, cabinet pulls and the like are again hand-crafted wrought iron or bronze in black, umber, or verdigris. Many are square or rectangular shaped and are hand hammered. For a lighter look, some homeowners today are opting for a soft brushed pewter or nickel finish. Once you have the guidelines, you can bend them to suit. If an alternative to a wood floor is desired, tile or slate would be appropriate substitutes. The tile should be large and laid in a linear pattern, not on the diagonal.

To balance and complement the visual depth of the wood, walls are often treated with a textured paint, or plastered (the old bungalows have original plaster.) A good bet is the river rock finish that Ralph Lauren paint provides. Paint schemes bear an influence from nature with goldenrod yellows, burnt sienna browns, cimarron and Indian reds, sage and moss greens, and a neutral palette of earthy tans, toasts, and beiges. The overall feeling has a harmony, a continuity of all elements working together, none upstaging the other. It is about creating an organic home, one that works within its environment and makes the most of its surroundings both outside and inside.

Fireplaces have wood or stone mantels, with stone, ceramic, or occasionally brick surrounds. The wood is oak with a golden stain, usually waxed or rubbed, not polyurethane. Satin or matte finishes rule. Stone is field stone, stacked dry or with mortar, it presents a terrific textural visual. River rock may be used instead and the round smooth stones provide a counterpoint to the rectilinear geometry otherwise present. Ceramic tiles will typically have a motif from nature, perhaps a leaf or acorn, or have an iridescent finish. Today glass tiles are also used to great advantage. Brick, when employed, is smooth faced and laid in clean horizontal bands. Again, one of the clear features of an Arts and Crafts interior is the linear quality. The feeling that the house is part of a bigger view, part of the horizon, is all an effort to be from and of the earth.

Historically, many of the Arts and Crafts and Mission homes sported art glass windows, or at least many panes. This enabled windows to be left uncovered and still appear decorative. Today, art glass windows can be cost prohibitive except in select areas, so if treatment is desired for either privacy, light, or heat control, simpler is better. This translates to options such as a plain Roman shade, silhouettes, wood blinds, or panels on either tabs or rings, on a decorative rod (wood or wrought iron), with finials. If tiebacks are desired consider sisal tassels, simple and bold, or a band of the same fabric as the drapery. No trim or other decorative element is required. Fabric patterns may herald nature, such as a leaf print, or be based in geometry. There is a wide range on the market today including historical prints by William Morris and designs by Frank Lloyd Wright. The same may also be found in wall coverings, though use them sparingly, as they are often busy and distracting. Arts and Crafts and Mission styles today both represent a desire for a wholesome, hearty lifestyle, a return to yesterday’s values.

Furnishings in the Arts and Crafts home are wood, occasionally with a wrought iron or ceramic tile accent. Glass is rarely used. Tables being functional as well as good looking, often have at least a drawer and a shelf for storage. Shapes are squares, rectangles and octagons, though today more rounds are available. Again the geometry created by edges is most apparent. Sofas and chairs are often wood backed with exposed wood arms and cushions that can be readily cleaned or changed out depending on the season. Flexibility and adaptability are prime features. Mission style goes a step further and often offers sofas or chairs with a deep wood shelf surround, acting as the arm and a table (Frank Lloyd Wright design), which gives the illusion of a built-in piece. Leather is frequently used or fabrics in natural fibers such as cotton, linen, or wool. Rich colors and geometric or patterns drawn from nature abound. The most significant interest comes from the combination of elements, again, no one piece dominating. Busy patterns are used sparingly, increasing longevity and flexibility of the furnishings. Resources for furnishings include Stickley, American Impressions by Ethan Allen, and Cotswald Furnishings, a superior resource for hand-crafted furnishings and more in Atlanta.

Lighting in an Arts and Crafts or Mission home is critical, especially with all the dark woods and depth of color schemes popular. While ceiling lights, including recessed can give a good general light, it is far more effective and pleasing to adopt a wealth of luminaries. Torchieres (floor lamps that give uplight, and are best placed in corners) can provide valuable general lighting, while table lamps and floor lamps provide invitation and welcome. Accent lighting can be done with mantel lamps, sconces, and dresser lamps. The two most common types of lamps are the mica and metal designs, the body of the lamp being hammered bronze or copper, the shade a sheet of mica; and the art glass lamps with wood or art glass bases and shades of glass in geometric patterns and a squared coolie shape. Other lighting options include a wealth of reproduction lighting through several lighting sources such as Arroyo Craftsmen, and Yamagiwa (available through designers; they also have an outstanding line of Frank Lloyd Wright designs.)

Accents, accessories, and artwork should be kept to a minimum to allow for a fuller appreciation of the architecture of the home and materials of nature showcased. This is a good chance to provide balance to the predominance of wood with elements in glass, ceramics, and metal. Both bowls and vessels are readily available in all materials mentioned here. Iridescent ware in both ceramics and glass provides an airy complement to the weight and depth of the wood.

© 2005 Melissa Galt

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27th Dec 2009

Indoor Tanning VS. Outdoor Tanning Tips


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While we all want the summer tan. There's nothing better than to go out there and show your bronze skin. After summer hits, takes all of the indoor tanning, while some people on deck and their decision-brown with the sun, with indoor and outdoor tanning beds tanning beds options that our bronze skin we all want to give, but what is better?

More recently, the benefits that indoor tanning beds than outsideTanning has been widely discussed and debated, especially in the health and cosmetics industries. Ultimately it is up to you to decide what you like better. Make your decision about which one is most advantageous, and what is the healthiest for you.

If you decide to tan indoors in a tanning beds, your skin will be able to do in the same way, the sun can. In short, the skin absorbs ultraviolet light, which is rented by the sun or UV lamps in your local tanning bedsSalon.

One of the biggest dangers in the open air solarium is that sometimes the skin, excessive ultraviolet light can be suspended. This can cause sunburn, which mean that certain types of skin cancer can be. When Tanning outdoors, it is important that sunscreen before lying in the sun, can catch some rays. If outdoor solarium, you are not in a position to the level of UV radiation-control that your body can be affected by the sun Unfortunately we have no influence on the SO

On the other hand, indoor tanninguseful, because you are able, the amount of UV rays that your body is exposed to the solarium control. Many never worry about sunburn, but many tanning salons offer tanning beds supplies that have been added sunscreen, which is not as strong, but strong enough to prevent fires.

Compared to indoor tanning beds, tanning beds is not as reliable in the open, especially if you are looking for the perfect summer color. Sunburn is the only thing you can, if left Tanning outdoors. Sunburnmakes the skin very red, but your skin will fade eventually a brown color. Unfortunately, this is nothing other than cause rapid aging process approach.

Indoor tanning salons offer devices that UVA radiation and UVC rays, two are from the sun, but use something else. The best part about tanning salons is the fact that they are regulated by the government. Tanning at home is nothing more than an imitation of tanning outdoors.

When visiting an indoor tanning beds, staffin the salon are usually able to tolerate determine how much exposure your skin to be determined. It is in a position you against damage to the skin that often protect people who choose to tan outside.

If you still decide whether our solarium in the house outside, choose one that works best for you. With outdoor tanning beds, do the weather, UV index known, and the outside temperature. Outdoor tanning has no rules and no limits to theTo achieve amount of UV rays that your body.

With indoor tanning beds, you never have to care about the weather. You don'th

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