Hand Blown Colored Glass Balls

Hand Blown Colored Glass Balls

Hand blown colored glass balls are an amazing and inexpensive decorating accessory that bring light and happiness to your home décor. Often used in Feng Shui design, the colors in the balls promote creative energy in the home. Outside in the garden, you can float them in ponds to protect fish from predators. When the sun shines on the colored glass balls, the light scares the predators away.


Used year round in many different ways, these glass spheres also make beautiful Christmas ornaments. The colorful hand blown glass balls, spheres and hearts are a versatile and affordable decorative accessory (used in homes, hotels, restaurants, and offices), party favor, or gift. They come in many beautiful colors and patterns.

We especially like them in centerpiece displays, such as this lovely bowl. It is light and airy, the colors are lovely, and the display creative. The bowl itself, also hand blown colored glass, is a piece of art that will enhance many types of decor, from modern to contemporary, or even rustic country - depending on the color combinations that you choose.

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Ideas for Home Decorating with Color

Ideas for Home Decorating with Color

Choosing color combinations can be one of the most intimidating tasks for beginning decorators.

To make choosing colors easier, you can rely on the interior designer's most important color tool: the color wheel.

Here's a look at four basic color schemes built using the color wheel:

Primary Colors
For rooms that in which you want a strong and solid feeling, primary colors can provide that strong foundation -- red, blue, and yellow -- is an ideal choice.
Each, red, blue, and yellow, is a pure color that can't be created by mixing other hues. You may use them in pairs or combine all three; they work equally well in country, traditional, and modern rooms.

Purple is an example of a secondary color,made from red and blue.
Secondary colors -- green, orange, and purple -- are created by mixing two primary colors in equal amounts. Like all other colors, each secondary hue can be tinted with white or shaded with black for interesting variations.

While you may not be able to stomach a bold orange and green room, think about pairing up their paler tints of peach and sage. The primary and secondary colors illustrate that you can make a compatible triadic scheme by choosing any three colors equidistant on the color wheel.

Intermediate Hues: Tertiary Colors
Tertiary colors are an equal mix of a primary and its closest secondary color: blue-green, yellow-green, red-orange, red-purple, and blue-purple.
Combine these colors for a sophisticated look in your spaces.

Single-Shot Color: Monochromatic Schemes
A monochromatic color scheme pairs one color with only white or another neutral.

Use variations of a single color's intensity to prevent a monochromatic scheme from being too bland. For instance, pale blue, sky blue, and navy offer variety within the same color family.

Some interesting examples of ways to bring color into a room other than by painting your walls is with decorative accessories, framed artwork (check out BestArt.com) or with colorful rugs. Be creative and have fun with color - you can always change it!

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Ideas for Home Decorating with Color

What Color to Paint Wainscoating?

What Color to Paint Wainscoating?

If you have beadboard wainscoating you can make a dramatic impact on your room by painting it a contrasting color to your wall above.

For example, one of the hottest colors for 2007 is a soft botanical green. Try a mossy green above a soft beige wainscoating for your dining room. Another big color for 2007 is blue - once again blues from nature. The color of the sky, or water (think Carribean blue), and other blues from nature dominate the color scene this year. A blue wall with white wainscoating below is a fresh up-to-date look that will add character to your room, even if you don't change anything else.

Check out HomeClick's great selection of Rugs, Furniture, Home Accents and More.

Dress the room up with coordinating accessories like pillows, window coverings, and linens. Make the room a statement about you, and your creative spiHide allrit, but most of all have fun!

Tags: what color to paint wainscoating, budget home decorating

Looking for a new way to color your world? - Home & Garden - MSNBC.com

Looking for a new way to color your world? - Home & Garden - MSNBC.com
Looking for a new way to color your world?
House & Garden offers help with a look at the latest hues for your home

View related photos
Tim Lee / Courtesy Of Sherill Canet

Looking for a new way to color your world? Need some advice on the latest hues in paint for your home? Well, you’re in luck. There are more choices than colors in the rainbow, but there are tricks to help you choose the right one for your room? House & Garden magazine's latest issue is all about color trends. Susanna Salk is the special projects editor and she was invited to appear on TODAY to share some hints from the magazine. Here's more on what she discussed on the show:
Colors immediately impact our emotions and the mood of the room. Choosing the right color is like meeting many people at a big party: It's stimulating but overwhelming. My advice: Spend time on the ones that instinctively make you feel good or to which you are drawn, instead of trying to get to know a little bit about all of them. It’s less overwhelming that way. Here are some tips about choosing the best hues for your room...
There is no such thing as a "bad color". Forget all those color "rules" about “this can't go with that,” etc. Instead, consider:
The function of a room can sometimes help you determine the kind of color: Bedroom= serene; kitchen= cheerful; dining room= whimsical or sophisticated.
The light or lack of it: Sometimes the brighter the room the deeper the color it can handle.
Its view or orientation: Is it reflecting what is going on outside (nature/sunsets) or is the color in charge of creating its own setting?
What colors do you love? What rooms make you happy? Let these answers inform you and go with your gut.
Let's experiment a little and show you how color can impact even the simplest settings:
• Color trends for your homeFeb. 15: TODAY's Al Roker talks with Susanna Salk of House & Garden magazine about tips on how you can color your rooms with the latest hues in house paint.
Today Show HomeWall 1 Color: Decorator’s WhiteThere's nothing chicer than white on white. It makes your room look large and serene. There are so many whites out there, so decide what kind you want: There are creamy/whites, grey/whites and white/whites. Finish in flat: Flat is best for surfaces with imperfections and flaws because there's minimal shine. It's good for ceilings; not so great for walls in high traffic areas because it won't stand up to stains or washing.Wall 2 Color: Sheer Romance 837 Blue gives instant sophistication to any room and warms up when paired with a warm white.
Finish in eggshell: Eggshell has a light, satiny sheen making it more resistant to stains and more washable. It's a popular finish for walls in high-moisture areas such as baths and kitchens. Wall 3 Color: Yellow (Little Angel 318, Amarillo 32O -- split by a chair rail)Don't forget to explore the possibilities of putting 2 ranges of one color on a wall: It gives diversity and depth without having to be too overt. I love how yellow can work in any season and in any room: Kitchen or living room.
Finish for both in matte: Matte is a great alternative to flat, has minimal sheen, and was developed to be washable.
Creating exciting, but workable color combinations: Color is all about context and what its next to. Professional color forecasters predict the use of bolder colors for shutters, doors, window frames and other trim will be big in 2007. Now, a more self assured public is asserting itself by using color to make dramatic statements. Colors are more saturated and deeper. And we have tapped other cultures for ideas. Bold color is exciting to use, but there's a trick to using it without hating it the next day. Try pairing it with the correct neutral hues. This will relax the contrasts. Here are some examples:
Emerald green with black and white (See photo above.) Malachite is so big these days. Here we pair it with graphic black and white for a high energy, sophisticated vibe. This kind of color combination really specifies the way a room will be used.
Francois Halard
Tangerine with stone For a softer alternative to bold orange, try warm, sunny tangerine paired with stone.
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Eric Boman
Yellow with silverCitron and charteuse need only silver's shimmer to take on a glamourous glow. Balance the acid tones with strokes of deep brown and white.
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Eric Boman
Pink with brown Chocolate browns coupled with exotic patterns and splashes of girlie pinks give a mature feminine touch.
Other hints on color:
Enveloping a space all in one color is a chic way to solve a "mystery" room.
Dont just rely on a paint chip: Paint a bit of the color onto the wall: It can sometimes look completely different in the light, etc. But paint chips are helpful in terms of seeing the range of colors you've chosen for your house (hallways that lead into rooms, etc.)
It's nice to color code your rooms so each has an identity.
Using two tones adds interest to small spaces and helps it from getting too dark. Objects are highlighted by what they are contrasted against: Matte against glossy, etc. Pair homey with glam; folksy with ornate: Do it against a dark backdrop to add a glam effect.
The bottome line: Dont be afraid of color: It's the easiest way to renovate."

This information is very timely for any of you who are thinking about spring cleaning, and making changes to your spaces. Think color!

Tags: home decorating with color, easy home renovations with paint

Making a Decorating Trend Your Own

Making a Decorating Trend Your Own

Eight Great Ways to Incorporate the Black and White Trend Into Your Home

2007's hot trend may be black and white, but next year it may be shades of red and coral.No matter what the decorating trend, most of us can’t afford to redecorate whenever the latest and greatest hot new trend appears.

So, what do you do when a trend shows up that you love and can't live without? Take a look at one trend for 2007– using black and white – let's see how many ways we can incorporate that color scheme, without spending a fortune.
Here are eight fabulous ideas:

1. Invest in inexpensive soft goods with a shorter lifespan.
   Items like pillows, bedding, tablecloths, placemats or throw rugs. No matter if the room you are decorating is painted white, tan, or even red, bringing in soft goods in black and white should fit well into the existing scheme. Without major investments in furnishings, you can use the trend to your advantage.

2. Use paint to full advantage.
   Use black paint and refurbish a dining room table, or your old coffee table in your living room. Complete the look with a couple of yards of black and white fabric stretched around the seats of the dining room chairs and stapled on, or make sofa and chair throw pillows in the living room. You can use a patterned fabric to make a simple slipcover for each seat. On your table, use placemats in bright green, turquoise, or red, and your everyday white dishes will look polished and new - like a designer planned the whole thing.

3. Do over a small room.
   A tiny powder room, guest room, or laundry room could be just the spot to indulge your black and white fantasies. Put up some subtle patterned black and white wallpaper, or add a fresh coat of white paint to the walls and lots of black and white graphic art framed in black. Add a valance or window treatment in black and white to tie it all together.

4. Walk on it.
   Vinyl floor tiles are inexpensive and easy to install - just figure out how much you need, then buy half of the tiles in white and the other half in black. This classic look is great for an entryway, kitchen, or hall. It is also a look that pairs well with many other colors – think golden yellow walls, mirrored furnishings, or even a crystal chandelier. To create an illusion of more space, even in a small area, install the tiles on the diagonal, so when you enter the room you see the pointed corners of each tile facing you.

5. Timeless.
   Use classically timeless patterns or prints like stripes or toile. These patterns can outlive a trend and often become a treasured favorite. Toile patterned wallpapers, drapery fabrics, pillows, placemats, or tablecloths might be added into your existing living or dining room and feel right at home.

6. Add trim.
   If you are you tired of plain white drapes or boring white chandelier shades, give them a trendy pop with borders of black braided trim from a fabric store. You could even use black grosgrain ribbon attached with fabric glue, for an even less expensive upgrade.

7. Stencil it.
   Stenciling is a craft that is easy to learn and quick to do. Try stenciling a narrow scrolling black border above a chair rail or choose an arched design for over a doorway. Stencils can add the extra punch your room needs. And, if you don't like it, or tire of it – it is only paint so can be covered up in the future as your taste changes.

8. Spray paint.
   Take a garage sale find and turn it into a trendy piece by spraying it with white or black spray paint. Use white with black details, or do the opposite beginning with a coat of black paint and add white embellishments.

There you have it – eight great ways to use 2007's black and white trend – and it hardly cost anything. Everyone you know will think you’re the most creative (and trendy!) decorator around.

Tags: 2007 decorating trends,budget home decorating, paint, decorating small spaces

Decorating Color Trends for 2007 - Rental Decorating Digest

Decorating is like fashion - colors and styles go in and out of vogue as time goes by. While avocado and harvest gold were the hot colors of the 70's , here is what you can expecct for 2007.

Decorating Color Trends for 2007 - Rental Decorating Digest
Color Trends 2007: Home Hues That Comfort and Excite
By Debbie Zimmer, The Rohm and Haas Paint Quality Institute

"From spicy color combinations to hues that warm the soul, our 2007 color trends contain palettes that work independently as a “statement color” or as a subtle backdrop where home furnishings and accessories take center stage. We are excited to share the annual trend report, which contains color hues appropriate for all areas of the home or living space.

Comfort Colors
Just like the comfort foods we return to when searching for familiarity and simplicity, the comfort color palette provides a pleasant association with uncomplicated times and a respite from our hectic, technology-overloaded life. Their warmth envelopes us and provides a simple reward and feeling of security.

Biscuit and wheat neutrals, cocoa brown, pumpkin orange and cinnamon apple pie, are just a few of the comfort colors that will wrap your room with warmth and promote a stress-free space.

The comfort color palette is an especially good choice for kitchens and family rooms.

Back to Nature
A growing focus on the environment and sustainable products continues to push natural, earthy hues to the forefront. Yellows and blues, leaf-like greens, along with organic browns combine to bring the outdoors in. Add translucency and a glass like quality by incorporating varying paint sheen levels. As a subtle accent color, add rust or copper-like metallics into the scheme.

Bathrooms and bedrooms are perfect places to incorporate the back to nature hues or in rooms where an accent wall is employed.

Stark Contrast
What’s black and white and red all over? The 2007 stark contrast palette! With the 2008 Summer Olympics just around the corner and a keen and continuing interest in Asian culture, these and other events have helped to shape this bold and striking group.

From clean, clear reds and deep plums to the sophistication of black and white, this color group works both as an accent and as an elegant backdrop for many living spaces. Polished brass metallics complement this scheme.

Dining, living rooms and especially powder rooms will benefit from this bold and spicy palette."

If you have been thinking about updating your living space, try changing wall and fabric colors. These are inexpensive changes that can make a big difference in your rooms.

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Coni Art Glass Decorative Home Accessories

I found these glass balls at ConiArtGlass.com. They make a great room accessory any time of the year. I like them stacked in a centerpiece bowl or tray. They bring light and color to any space.

Coni Art Glass- Handmade Glass Balls, Christmas Ornaments, and Spirit Balls

"These handmade glass balls bring light and happiness to home décor. Often used for Feng Shui design, the colors promote creative energy in the home. Float them in ponds to protect the fish from predators. When the sun shines on the glass balls, the light scares away the predators.

Used year round, these glass spheres also make beautiful Christmas ornaments. The colorful hand blown glass balls, spheres and hearts are a versatile and affordable decorative accessory (used in homes, hotels, restaurants, and offices), and make great gift items. They come in many colors and patterns. We welcome special orders for your design ideas, and color combinations.

The glass balls are the perfect home decorating idea, or party decoration. They make unique gifts and party favors. Interior Designers love to use the decorative balls grouped in a beautiful glass bowl, as a centerpiece or focal point of a room.

Hang them in windows as sun catchers. Also known as Friendship Balls, Spirit Balls, Witch Balls, Fairy Balls or in German as "kugels", which means ornamental balls, they are beautiful called by any name. Lighting designers are making beautiful light fixtures with these handmade glass balls, too. The witch balls (also known as spirit balls or fairy balls) and Gazing Globes, were traditionally used to protect the garden."

Interesting and cost effective decorative accessory.

Tags: home accessory,home decorating

Express Yourself With Color!

Using paint in home decorating is a powerful way to express who you are, and how you want others to perceive your home. Most people are afraid to paint the walls of a room, thinking that the room will seem smaller, or because the commitment of color on the walls is intimidating. But don't depair! Redecorating with wall color can give your room a whole new updated look and feel!

Painting a room in your house can have many of positive effects. Color can make your home feel more comfortable and inviting to both you and to your guests, and your space will have a whole new updated and stylish appeal. You'll be surprised how such a simple change like changing the color of your room can improve your home!

Set a mood or tone with paint color

Something as simple as adding a splash of color to your walls can set any particular mood you might be going for.

• Earthy tones like browns, and dark reds or greens give a warm and cozy feeling
• Bold colors like bright blues, reds, or even purples are fun and funky
• Subtle pastels like yellows, pinks, or light grays and blues are light and airy
  

Establish a theme with paint color

Wall color is an excellent start for a particular room theme that you may want to achieve. For example, if you are planning a nursery with a “moon and stars” theme, you could use a dark blue paint color, or even a lighter blue (for a baby girl’s room), to simulate the night sky. Wall color can literally be the backdrop to the room’s theme!

Express your personality with wall color

Adding wall color to a room not only improves its appearance, but it can also be a fun way to extend your personality. Your home is an extension of who you are. By expressing yourself through color and décor, you are showing the world your personality. Are you fun, laid back, or intense? Express yourself!

Make a room feel larger with wall color

Often people resist wall color fearing that it will box the room in, making it feel smaller. This is simply not true! In fact, many professional decorators use bold and darker hues to actually make a room feel larger. These colors help to blend the corners of a room together, literally making it feel larger, and giving the feeling of continuous space, and therefore, more space!

Define the limits of a room

Many modern floor plans are open. It is difficult to define where one room starts and another room begins. This can make painting somewhat difficult. However, by defining your spaces with wall color, you not only break up big white spaces, but you create a stylish living environment. Remember to try to coordinate the colors you choose for each space, though. Otherwise, the walls will look choppy rather than cozy or modern, and the effect you are going for will just not happen!

If you are afraid to paint the whole room one solid color then start with one wall in the room. Paint it the color of your choice! This one wall can act as an accent wall, or even be used to establish the focal point of the room, such as a fireplace, or a piece of art. You will be surprised at what a difference painting just one wall can make! Even the smallest change can make a big difference!

Don't be afraid of color on your walls! The good news is it’s only paint, it can be changed if it doesn’t look the way you envisioned it! Anyway, you never know. Take a chance with wall color, and you might just end up tapping into a hidden creativity that you never knew you had! Redecorating a room with paint color can change the entire look and feel of your home, and how you feel in it!