Winter Decorating Ideas

Winter Decorating Ideas

Too many people begin the winter home decorating process with a bang only to end with a whimper, while far too few people realize that Christmas is only the beginning of the winter season. Although Christmas decorations are a lovely addition, they are also a temporary decorative addition in most homes lasting no more than a month if that long. This leaves at least two more months of winter with a sparsely decorated home in many cases.

There are many things that are associated with the winter season. However, many of these things have been grouped under the category of Christmas décor and their value as simple hallmarks of winter have been forgotten or relegated to the mere distinction of yet another Christmas decoration. Winter months for much of the world are long and cold. Anything that adds a feeling of warmth and cheer to the home is usually an excellent idea as a winter home decoration.

Believe it or not, hibernating animals for many people inspire a feeling of winter. For example, try using black bears as a home decorating theme to make your home feel a little more cozy and better prepared for the long cold nights of wintertime. Flannel fabrics in warm reds and blues are a great companion to these delightful black bears and can be used in throws, bedding, and curtains in order to complete the look with style and finesse.



In fact, you might want to throw in a few flannel pillows so that you can try to hibernate along with the cuddly black bears. Bears and other animals are popular home decorations these days so you should have no problem finding a bear or two. Another very popular animal motif these days is the penguin. You can find them everywhere unless you happen to be in my neighborhood because I've probably snapped them all up already.


Do you have a fireplace? I can't say enough about the ability of a nice roaring fire to add warmth and a wintertime glow to almost any room. It really isn't winter for many people unless there is a nice fire burning in the grate. The warmth is more than merely physical; it is also soul soothing and comforting to watch a fire burning brightly before your eyes while warming your cold hands, feet, and backside after coming in from a nice afternoon of sledding. fireplace can add a touch of romance to your winter nights so be sure to keep cozy blankets and candles close by as well.



Speaking of candles. Much like a fireplace candles and oil lamps add a warm cheerfulness to the rooms they touch. There are certain fragrances that are perfect for wintertime candle burning. An appropriate fragrance in the winter months provides the soft glow and ambiance that makes the world seem so much smaller and friendlier in the process. Keep this in mind when you go shopping for your winter home decorating accessories as well as the fact that fragrances matter when creating an atmosphere so choose the fragrances appropriately to the season.

The oil lamps pictured here, are handmade, mouth blown glass vessels that may be used as oil lamps, reed diffusers (for fragrance), or vases. I love them because they are so versatile. I have several shapes and sizes that are offered by Coni Art Glass. In the dining room I use several small ones in different shapes and sizes as bud vases. In the bedroom, as reed diffusers, and in my living room as oil lamps to provide soft, beautiful lighting.


Don't forget to use pillows and blankets in your winter decorating to add layers of warmth and comfort as well as visual appeal. Isn't it amazing how these items convince the mind that you that you are warm, safe, and happy when you are surrounded by warmth. However, if blankets and pillows lining your sofas and chairs doesn't convince you there is always the option of just bundling up and letting your body convince your mind. Thereis something so soothing about the comfort and close softness of the pillows and blankets whether you are in perfect health or really feeling the chill of winter down to your bones.

Whatever you do this year, don't let the celebration of winter end when you take the Christmas tree down. Use one of these many ways to incorporate warmth into your home decorating style that only winter can accommodate. Embrace the season with affection and laughter and all that enter your home will be charmed by the charming atmosphere inside.



winter decorating ideas

Small Table Christmas Decorations

Small Table Christmas Decorations

Often we have a small area, such as a small table to decorate for the holidays. Here are some ideas for small table Christmas decorations.

If you live in an area where pine trees are abundant, don't hesitate to decorate with nature. Use small branches and pine cones to add fragrance and beauty to any area of your home. Holly is another great plant that grows in many parts of the US that can be cut and brought indoors for the holidays.

Another idea is to use small candles, small oil burning lamps, or reed diffusers in holiday colors. They will add fragrance and color to your small table area, creating a focal point for your room.

Small Table Christmas Decorations

Decorating with Elegant Christmas Decorations

Decorating with Elegant Christmas Decorations

Every year, millions of Americans decorate their homes for the upcoming holiday season. Are you one of those people? If so, what kind of Christmas decorations do you plan to use? While you may not think that there is a difference in Christmas decorations, there is. The difference is often in the overall quality of materials used, as well as the design. If you have not started decorating for Christmas, you may want to think about decorating your home with elegant Christmas decorations, which are very en vogue this year. You will find that there are a number of benefits when doing so.

Before we focus on those benefits, let's take a look at elegant Christmas decorations, namely what they are and from where they can be purchased. When it comes to elegant Christmas decorations, you will find that each individual will have a different view of what it is. Despite these many different views, you will usually find that elegant Christmas decorations simply look better than most other decorations. For example, instead of using cardboard to create a table centerpiece, an elegant Christmas decoration would likely include a porcelain, crystal or glass centerpiece. Likewise, handmade, mouth blown glass ball ornaments from Europe, such as the ones pictured above, look much nicer than plastic ornaments, and so on....

In addition to the refined look of elegant Christmas decorations, you will also find that their cost is different. In most cases, you will find that the more elegant Christmas decorations cost more than some of the traditional decorations. Aside from the better quality materials and design, you will find that this has to do with where you can purchase the decorations. Usually the most elegant Christmas decorations can be purchased online, from specialty retailers, or from specialty Christmas stores. Many of these retailers are priced higher than others. One of the reasons for that is because most elegant Christmas decorations are handcrafted. A large amount of time, and skill go into creating handcrafted Christmas decorations; thus the increase in costs.

Perhaps, the greatest benefit of using elegant Christmas decorations to decorate your home is the feel they will create. Elegant Christmas decorations tend to create a more formal or elegant feel or environment. If you take great pride in your home, you will also be proud of the results created when using elegant Christmas decorations. Your guests will be impressed as well.

If you are planning a Christmas party or dinner in your home, elegant Christmas decorations can help set the mood and tone, especially if your party or dinner will be more elegant or formal in nature. It is no secret that decorations are the key to any party. The decorations that you use will likely have an impact on the mood of your party; therefore, if elegant and formal is what you were going for, elegant Christmas decorations may do just the trick.

Elegant Christmas decorations can add just the right ambiance and environment that you are planning; however, you do not have to only use formal decorations. It is your home, your own personal space, so decorate with what makes you feel the most comfortable.

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Holiday Entertaining Made Easier - Find Free Recipes Fast

With the holidays just around the corner you're all probably busy decorating and shopping. There is so little time to plan a good meal and cook these days, but you may be looking forward to entertaining friends and relatives in your home.

Here is a life saver - the recipe toolbar. Just download it and you're ready to look up any recipe that you need for your holiday entertaining, or just a simple family dinner.

I've been using it for a while now, and want to share this great tool with you, too.

Give it a try, you are going to love it!

Tag: find holiday recipes

Room Colors and Feng Shui

Room Colors and Feng Shui

When it comes to Feng Shui home decorating, designers should not forget the subject of Feng Shui colors.

The entire Chinese culture is based on the metaphysical system of "I-Ching," which classifies everything in the universe into "Yin" and "Yang." This "Yin/Yang" concept further branches itself into the "5 Elements," which are Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth. From here comes the interesting concept of the manipulation of the various forms of these elements.

For example, in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the lungs are of the Metal element; the kidneys, water; the liver, wood; the heart, fire, and the stomach, earth. It's the careful balancing of these five elements in the forms of their various representations that this type of medicine, one of the finest and oldest in the world, has been founded upon.

At the same time, in Feng Shui, the directions are also classified into different elements: West is of the Metal element; North, water; East, wood; South, Fire and center, earth. Thus the whole game of Feng Shui home decorating is just how well these 5 elements are utilized according to the unique characteristics each element dictates.

In terms of Feng Shui colors, "Metal" is represented by the colors "golden, silver, and white," whereas "Water" is "blue, gray and black;" "Wood," "green and wooden-like;" "Fire," "red, orange, pink and purple" and "Earth," "brown and yellow."

Of course, the utilization of these elements can be carried out in a very general way. But one can also go very deep and be very precise in the presentation of their significance in a very detailed fashion.

For example, it is often read from many a book on the subject of Feng Shui that, in order to enhance the well-being of the Eastern part of the house, one can simply put more of what represents the Wood element over there, such as plants, green pictures, wooden furniture, etc. just because East is Wood.

But this practice is, although partially correct in theory, very misleading in actuality because that is not how Feng Shui decorating is to be done.

Ancient Feng Shui texts dictate that one is to deduce the correct choices for element employment from the further interaction of the "Yin" and "Yang," rather than just with the elements themselves.

In other words, the true Feng Shui master will order the employment of various elements based upon not just the directions themselves, but the configuration of the "Flying Star Feng Shui" which is a calculation methodology that blends together the interactions among the 5 elements in various dimensions. Namely, such methodology takes into account the time space spectrum to come up with the "Flying Star Table" which will serve as the blueprint for authentic Feng Shui tips to be applied.

To completely understand the "Flying Star Feng Shui" methodology will take a very long time of thorough study; however, to apply what it reveals can be easily done - just as one doesn't have to be an electrician to be able to use electricity by flipping a switch.

Therefore, the most correct applications of the Feng Shui colors will only be done in accordance with the configurations dictated by the "Flying Star table" itself. Hence the need to come up with the most appropriate set of numbers within the "Flying Star table" with which to reflect the various positions of these 5 elements before the right Feng Shui colors are put onto the right place.

Tags: feng shui colors

Decorative Aromatherapy Reed Diffusers

Decorative Aromatherapy Reed Diffusers

A good alternative to scented candles is the aromatherapy reed diffuser to bring an ambiance to your spaces. These lovely diffusers are not just decorative, but also are a safe choice for people with pets or children, or anyone who doesn't want to use an open flame when scenting a room. We found these at ConiArtGlass.com where glass artist Cornel Plescan offers a variety of shapes and sizes of handmade, mouth blown vessels which may be used as vases, reed diffusers or oil lamps. He provides the reeds or oil lamp hardware at your request. Prices start at $15 retail, but he also sells at discounted wholesale prices for store owners or anyone buying in larger quantities.

Tags: Decorative Aromatherapy Reed Diffusers

Christmas Home Decorating

Christmas Home Decorating

When it comes to decorating, Christmas is the one time of year that most people pull out all the stops. There is no such thing as excess and the person who gets started last is the one who often finishes last. Every year the trees, displays, lights, and sounds grow larger and more complex. Unfortunately, most people cannot keep up with the newest, latest, and greatest in Christmas decorations. However, these people should not worry. Christmas is a celebration of good will and not a competition to have the biggest or brightest display (at least that is what it should be).

Hopefully, some of the ideas below will help you enjoy decorating your home for Christmas. It is important that you choose Christmas decorations that have meaning for you rather than the decorations you feel your friends and family will like. Christmas is very personal. Different people celebrate the holiday in different ways, according to their family or cultural traditions. Therefore, not everyone that celebrates the Christmas holiday will celebrate in precisely the same way.

I am a fan of Christmas decorations . I love blinking lights and the beauty of the greenery mixed with bright shades of red and gold. I love how 200 different houses can be decorated for Christmas inside and out without any two looking the same. I love the fact that for one month out of the year children of all ages are looking out their windows in awe at the bright lights and the cheery characters that light up the cold wintry rooftops all around.

If you don't have any decorating ideas of your own, my best suggestion is to pick what you like most about Christmas and choose your home decorating style around that one thing. As the years go by, inspiration will strike, and you will find more things to like or dislike about Christmas. Your decorations can change accordingly. Maybe the best thing about decorating your home for Christmas is that nothing is set in stone. Be creative and decorate in your own style, and with what you love.

Some great ideas or themes for Christmas decorating in the home, office or elsewhere, include the following: snow globes, glass ball ornaments, cherubs, angels, Santa Clauses, snowmen, birds, candles, wreathes, and stockings. While this is by no means an full list of Christmas decorations it is a good place to start when ideas are needed. Favorites of my family include a nativity, gingerbread men, gingerbread houses, balls, grape clusters, and ribbons.

There are many wonderful ideas and resources when it comes to decorating your home for Christmas that it is incredibly difficult to point to one specific idea and say ‘this is it’. However, finding a theme that speaks to your heart is what Christmas is all about. That and spending time with those persons who mean the most to you in the world.

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Decorating with Art for Those on a Budget

Decorating with Art for Those on a Budget

Decorating your home can be fun, but so many people neglect to decorate their home because they are afraid that it will cost too much. Home decorating doesn't have to be an expensive endeavor. Even if the look you're hope to achieve is on the elaborate end of the spectrum, it is possible to create a change that will make you smile both when you look at your home and in your pocketbook.


Try to make small changes over time instead of one huge change. Artwork is one way to make a big difference in the look of your rooms and is a decorating idea that you can easily reverse if you don't like how it looks.

What is the first thing you notice when you walk into a home? Probably the walls, right? Walls surround the home, giving a thematic impression. If your walls are empty you've got to get to work to on them. Wall hangings can often be expensive, but that's only if you purchase something by a famous dead artist.

You can create your own artwork without having any art education whatsoever. First, consider your theme. Let's say you want add some small artwork to a bathroom. You could consider framing some beautiful sea shells. Simply arrange the shells creatively onto either a sheet of colored paper or onto fabric, and frame them.

If you have hundreds of pictures and have no idea what to do with them, you could arrange the photos into a huge wall photo collage. Examples include pictures of places you have visited, weddings, or children growing up. Although it's more fun creating your collage yourself, there are companies that will create one for you. One of my favorites is SmugMug. They'll mount your digital prints on canvas, ceramic tiles and more, to create a work of art that no one else will have but you!

Consider pressing leaves or flowers and framing your work; the best ones to use are flat. Place the leaves or flowers in a book, with papertowels on each side, to allow them to dry flat. As soon as they become crisp, they are ready to be framed. It shouldn't take longer than a week or two for them to dry.

You are only limited by your imagination when you decorate your home with artwork. Be creative. Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of art - artwork is easily reversible.

So, be imaginative and creative and design your artwork.

Tag: decorate home art budget

Brighten Up Your Home with Candles and Oil Lamps

Brighten Up Your Home with Candles and Oil Lamps

These days candles and oil lamps are available in many shapes and sizes, and in a range of scents. Round, votive, tapered or multi colored are all just a few examples. Here are some ways to use candles and oil lamps to brighten up your home decorating.

Candle light can make an attractive addition to the decorations in your home. Scented candles or oils delight the senses and bring relaxation at the same time. Use them in the bathroom to create a romantic focal point when you are with someone special, or they can help you relax with a good book. Be careful not to let the candles tip over the edge of the tub. The heavier jar candles or oil lamps won't slide off easily and can be a good choice.

Make great looking decorations on an end or coffee table using tea candles, which are inexpensive. The candles can be scented if you like. Place them inside heavy glass cups, votives, or quality stemmed glassware is a great way to make a beautiful impression.

Show your creativity when you use tealight candles to make a dramatic display on your fireplace mantle. Long tapered candles are good accents for flower arrangements on the dining room table. Use the smokeless and non drip candles for the best and most enjoyable eff, and keep the greenery in the floral arrangement away from the flame.

Another idea is to use glittered candles. Just roll the candles in glitter for a dramatic elegance.

Pillar candles tend to be large and heavy, but can be used in many places in your home for a glorious effect of light. You don't need a special holder for these candles, although you can find lovely decorated candle rings at stores like Michael's, or use a nice plate or tray filled with stones or seashells.

You can use small or large plates, trays, deep soup bowls or even large serving platters to create a fresh look. Displaying several pillar candles in different sizes together makes for an awesome display. A word of warning - keep the candles at least three inches apart to prevent them from melting into each other.

There are other types of oil lamps and candles that you can use to decorate your home. Create dramatic effects using floating candles in your pool for an outdoor party. Use your imagination and creativity.

A final word of caution: If you use candles or oil lamps in your home, always think safety first. Never leave candles or an open flame burning overnight, or in an enclosed room with no ventilation. Dangerous fumes like carbon monoxide can build up, or a stray flame can cause a fire.

Be careful to place candles so that they won't fall over, and never allow young children to have candles in their rooms withoutstrict supervision. Always be extra cautious when burning candles in your house.

Tags: oil lamps candles decorate home house

10 Ways to Give a Room an Inexpensive Facelift

10 Ways to Give a Room an Inexpensive Facelift

It does not have to be expensive or difficult to decorate a room in your home . You can often achieve fabulous design results by spending small amounts of money on items that make a big impact, or by using items you already own. (Don't forget to check out your Grandmother's attic.)

1. Paint will achieve the most dramatic difference and the most "bang for your buck" for your home. New paint automatically gives a room a fresh look for minimal cost; and, if you are able to do the work yourself, then there are even more savings.
2. Rearrange your furniture. Try different configurations to see what adds space to the area, or alternatively to make a large room more cozy. Sometimes we get so used to a room as it is that we tend to forget to try the easy fixes.
3. Bring pieces of furniture or other items in from other rooms. Or if a room is over crowded, take some pieces out. This is virtually cost-free and can make a huge difference in a room's look and comfort level. Use your imagination.
4. Adding or changing the window coverings can create a different look and pulls a room together. Use fabric or materials that fit in with the rest of the room's decor. Save up to 85% Off Curtains & Draperies at American Blinds, Wallpaper & More
   
5. Cover a sofa or chair with a beautiful throw or slipcover. It is a quick and inexpensive way to dress up old worn furniture.
6. Use linens such as tablecloths to decorate tables, or new towels to spruce up a bathroom. Linens are an inexpensive and fun way to change a room. And, you can decorate for any number of seasonal or holiday themes with linens.
7. Use different lighting effects to change the setting and bring an ambiance to your room. Often, just moving a light fixture or lamp to a different location in a room can make a big difference.
8. Use plants to decorate, if you have a green thumb. Nice plants are a great way to add a sense of newness to a space. If you do not have a green thumb, consider very nice silk trees, flowers and plant. Today, they are very life like, and easy to take care of.
9. Add art or pictures to the walls. Be creative. Make a collage of the places you've been, your kids, or grandchildren. Something as simple as a favorite photo blown up and put into an old picture frame can create a beautiful look.
10. Try an area rug to change the look of a room. If you try laying the rug at different angles, you can achieve a look that is out of the ordinary.

Use your imagination and some of these decorating tips. You may just be able to make it look as if you spent a fortune and put a huge amount of work into the decor. Sometimes the best designs are the simplest and least expensive.

Tags: decorating on a budget

Faux Finishes are Hot – Bare Walls are Not!

Faux Finishes are Hot – Bare Walls are Not!

Ever seen an artistic wall finish that doesn’t look like wallpaper or regular paint? It just might be a faux finish.

Faux finishes are the latest home improvement craze. A faux finish can be applied to any type of wall surface including dry wall, metal, glass, ceramic, wood, etc.; however, preparation for each type of surface varies.

Faux finishes tend to last longer than wallpaper. Because it's not paper, it will never peel off. And if you tire of it, you'll never have the tiresome chore of trying to peel it off!

A faux wall finish can be coated with polyurethane that is available in satin, matte, or semi-gloss texture for a longer lasting appeal.

There are several different techniques that can be done with faux finishing. Usually the condition of the wall surface determines the best technique to use to hide any imperfections.

With the various techniques possible with faux finishes, a small room can appear larger and more spacious, or a larger room can become cozier.

Faux Finishing Basics

Like any other paint project, the wall surface you wish to paint should be prepared to obtain a long lasting finish. With proper preparation of the wall surface, almost any type of paint can be applied to any surface and be long lasting.

How do you prepare a surface for painting? Simple, make certain that the wall is very clean. Clean interior surfaces with soap and water; however, if mold or mildew is present, use a very mild bleach solution to get rid of them. For exterior surfaces, some scrubbing with a bristle brush may be required - just make sure that the surface is well cleaned.

Once the surface is clean and dried, you can start with your project. There are no special rules to follow when doing faux finishes - do whatever you want to create the desired appearance.

There are techniques that can be applied and instructions available to help you with your first project to get the effect you desire.

First, before you start, gather together all of the necessary tools. The most common tools that you will need are the primer, glaze, coating, brushes, rollers, paint tray, water bucket, gloves, rags, soap, water, and technique-specific materials such as a sponge, feather, and wood-graining tools.

Color is one major consideration in faux finishes. Since you can be as artistic as you would like to get attain the desired effect, you may want to try color blending or other combinations. The paint stores will often have examples, too. If decide to try blending colors, be careful to use only colors within the same color group. You can probably use the same base color with different shades which will be more pleasing to the eye than trying to combine contrasting colors.

Before you start applying the finish to the surface itself - experiment first by using a small piece of the same surface that you will be placing the finish on, or if that's not possible try a small piece of wood. By experimenting, you can practice the technique and also see how it will look. Then you can decide whether to continue with that finish or try a different one.

Here are some examples of the different techniques of faux finishing:

• Color blocking – this is when there are different shades of a base color shaped as big blocks; this technique is ideal for nursery rooms.
• Smooshing – this is a simple marble effect, something like moiré wallpaper.
• Stripe – this uses different variations and shades of one color for a soft effect.
• Shadow Striping – if a striped tone-on-tone technique to make an elegant wall finish.
• Terracotta tile – a durable alternative to terracotta tiles; and only a fraction of the cost of the real thing.
• Fresco – is used for a mottled, parchment look.
• Copper patina –is ideal for kitchen surfaces because it provides a rich texture from the old country.
• Golden glaze – has a soft texture that adds a glimmering touch to a room.

Faux finishes are hot! Use your creativity and imagination to obtain your desirable effect. Don't have just plain painted walls! Try an artistic faux finish which will last for a long period of time just like a normal paint. It’s faux, it’s practical, its hot!

Tags: faux finishes

4 Easy Tips to Vamp up Your Interiors without Overspending

4 Easy Tips to Vamp up Your Interiors without Overspending

With the holidays just around the corner, you may be thinking about sprucing up your spaces; however, if you are on a tight budget you may not see any way to do so. Not a problem, there are many ways to improve your surroundings without spending a bundle.

Everybody likes to have a nice and cozy place to come home to at the end of a long grueling day, but not everyone has the talent or creativity to glamorize their home without spending excessively.

If you are on a tight budget but want your home to have an updated appearance and be more comfortable, here are four ideas for you:

1. Opt for high quality products.
   Think you're getting the best deal with cheap home products? Well, the truth is you might actually spend more by using these products rather than choosing those of good quality.


2. Use smart decorating techniques.
   Liven up a dark room with warm colored paints. Alternatively, if the room is so sunny that it always gets hot, cooler paint colors such as green or blue will give it a lighter, cooler feel. Keep in mind that paint colors should coordinate with your fixed interiors such as the furniture and curtains.
   
   Use mirrors to create the illusion of spaciousness in narrow spaces. White or lighter colored paint will make a room appear less cramped. Just must make sure all of the other furnishings' colors coordinate with the paint you choose to create this effect.
   
   One person's trash could be another's treasure. Sometimes all a bargain store or garage sale piece of furniture or other item needs is a bit of retouching, reupholstering or just a strategic spot to place it to add ambience to a room.


3. Recycle.
   Use your grandmother's old boxes, bottles, or linens. Spray painting old itmes with bronze or gold paint can turn them into instant home decor treasures. Recycle old newspaper or other paper into papier-mâché. It could be fun activity for the whole family.
   
   Make use of old decorative scarves as wall decor. Or, create a very personalized theme in your house by greatly enlarging photos to use as room dividers or have them made into mosaics.


4. Ask for nature's help.
   If you have a “green thumb”, use it when decorating your spaces. Creative use of plants will liven up any space, whether at home or at work. Just make sure they're well-maintained and put plants and flowers where they won't make a mess if they shed their leaves.
   

Tags: decorating on a budget