Arrange and rearrange your books in whatever way you please because now you have scope for innovation. Enjoy! You will be tempted to buy new books just to arrange them in your contemporary bookcase. source

When your days are lengthy plus the air is really hot, you would like to toss open all your house windows and consequently appreciate the days from the summer time months. Bring within the fresh appear of summer time time straight into your house by incorporating efficient an important additions or possibly removals of color, style, too as accessories.

Not everybody has got the luxury of going to the lake or possibly mountains to appreciate most from the “care-free days or weeks of summer time season.” But a majority of everybody is capable to obtain the appear of summer time within the house they do have.

You do not require to transform all the rooms and even get rid of numerous from the old pieces of furniture, nevertheless there are lots of solutions to lighten up and also freshen up your own house for a fantastic summer time seasonal alter. You are able to even feel like you’ve moved away for the summer time.

Restyle

Remove any type of dark accessories for example velvet pillows, wool throws, and possibly that dark leather club chair and ottoman. Do not get worried! You’ll be capable to carry them back in once the weather conditions changes.

Repaint

It will not take really lengthy to put a brand new coat of summery paint over a passageway and even on the walls of your drab room. Choose a refreshing color scheme of lemon yellow, apple green, and even sky blue.

Revive

Throw out leggy, brown house plants that you’re trying to nurse. Get fresh, flowering brand new ones and welcome summer time!

Renew

Get rid from the dried firelogs from the fire place and substitute all of them with a remarkable artificial fern or possibly a gurggling fountain. Alter your brass fire screen with painted hinged shutters and even a piece of rusted, painted iron gate.

Furniture and Decor

Create a headboard for a garden themed room by placing a section of picket fence at the top of the bed. You can use a distressed, found piece of fence that you have cleaned up, or purchase a brand new plastic length of fence from the hardware store. Have it cut to the width of the bed or have it cover the entire wall so you can put both the bed and side tables in front of it.

Use a wedding or garden gazebo as a canopy headboard. The piece will arch over the top part of the bed and you can hang fabric from it to form the headboard and canopy drape. Adorn it with flowers and place a picket fence bench at the foot of the bed to complete the look.

A hockey goal is the perfect size and shape to use in the place of a headboard in a boys room. Just place it as-is at the top of the bed. With it facing inward, it will gently curve around the top of the bed. With it facing the wall, it will give you a somewhat sturdy headboard on which you can lean your pillows. You can add buttons with hockey sayings onto the netting to finish the look, or your child can borrow it to take outside and play and then put back in place when finished. Using hockey sticks for curtain rods would complete the look.

Bi-fold doors and standing screens also make excellent headboards. You can upholster them with fabric and batting or if they are see-through, you can staple (or glue of the item is metal
) fabric to the backside. You can attach it to the wall with a couple of screws at the top.

A cork wall would double as a great place to hang posters and notes as well as a neat headboard for a teen’s room. Just purchase cork squares or rolls and install according to the manufacturers instructions. You can then paint, stamp, or leave the cork wall in its natural state. Add special decorative pushpins in floral or sports shapes to finish off the look. You can also cut the corkboard into shapes before installing on the wall.

Shutters are also a great substitute for a headboard. You can transform it with a distressed paint finish and mount them on the wall. You will need two shutters for a twin bed
, and four for a king sized bed.

A fireplace mantel either found in the attic or purchased new, also makes a great headboard. Just attach fabric-covered plywood to the opening and place behind the head of the bed.

For a quick headboard for a king sized bed, turn a door on its side and mount on the wall. Alternatively, you can choose to build a frame for it with legs so you can stand it on the floor. The door can be plain, painted, carved, or upholstered.

source: essortment

Keep it simple: Just because the room is large does not mean that you need to fill it with lots of things like exercise equipment computer systems. These things do not promote rest. All you really need in your bedroom is a bed, the bigger the better. All other items are expendable.

Get it off the wall: In a very large room, there is no reason to place your bed against the wall. Put it in the center of the room facing the windows with the best view. It is preferable for the bed to be facing a direction so someone entering the room would not be able to see the bed, but only the headboard. You can add to more privacy to the bed by placing a large armoire or dresser with the back of it to the headboard. If the back of the dresser shows through the headboard, you can upholster the back of the dresser with fabric, to coordinate with the bed. Sleigh beds
adapt well to this placement because they have high headboards. Canopy beds would work as well because you can use fabric hanging from the bed poles as a screen. Folding floor screens can be placed at the head of the bed if you do not have a dresser or armoire that will fit in the space. For side tables, find pieces that look good from all sides like round tables instead of traditional nightstands. You can also choose to purchase a headboard unit designed for such a placement. Side tables are usually attached.

Break it up: Break the room into two or three zones, sleeping, lounging and dressing. Creating a sleeping area is obvious. Place the bed and side tables in one area of the room. For the lounging area, add sofas and chairs to the bedroom for an area to sit and talk, or even furnish an area where the children can feel comfortable. If you find you are sharing your bed with children, and want them to transition into their own beds, make sure that your bedroom sofa or lounge chair is comfortable. You may even want to add a day bed to your room. This way they can sleep in your room, but not in your bed. Once they can sleep without being next to you, transitioning them to their own bed will be easier. For your dressing areas, you can place your dressers, armoires and mirrors grouped together and add a bench or chaise that you can sit on when dressing. You can separate the room for more privacy if you wish. To do this, add a folding screen to block the view to your dressing area or use a two-sided bookshelf. The shelves can display beautiful items on the side facing the bed, and clothing related items on the other side.

Super-size it: Buy big furniture. A big room calls for big furniture. Get a California king bed with a double pillow top mattress that sits high off the floor. Add a set of bed steps or stools so you will not have to pole vault into the bed. Instead of traditional side tables, use three or four-drawer dressers on each side of the bed. Placed next to a large bed, they will look like night tables. You can use the drawers to eliminate clutter around the bed as well. Instead of a bench or regular chest at the foot of the bed, as they will tend to look like miniatures, place a low dresser without the mirror. You will have a super sized footlocker in which you can store spare bedding. Another option for the foot of the bed is a cabinet in which a television on a hydraulic system is housed. This way the TV is seen only when it is in use. Instead of traditional dressers in a room of this size, you might opt for a full wall unit or built in cabinets instead.

Take advantage of the shape: Many large rooms are also odd shaped rooms. Use the shape of the room to your advantage. You can place one of your room zones, like your dressing area out of sight in an L-shaped room. Alternatively, you can tuck your sleeping area into the nook of a T-shaped room.

source

Here’s How:

1. Start looking in your child’s favorite books, magazines, decorating books, and even get ideas online. You’ll get great inspiration for a theme.
2. Be sure to involve an older child by getting his or her ideas and choose favorite colors, favorite sports or artistic interests, or story or movie characters, like Harry Potter or Spiderman.
3. Shop for fabric, wallpaper or border paper that will reinforce your chosen theme. Select a main print that will set the tone for the whole room.
4. Choose a background color to use on the painted walls, floors, and ceiling. Use your main fabric print to guide you.
5. Select coordinating fabrics, accessories, and prints that mix well with the main fabric. Use the colors in the print for inspiration.
6. Choose a focal point for the room. While many choose the bed as the main point of interest, you could focus on a display shelf, a painted wall mural, or decorated play area. The focal point should really reinforce your chosen theme.
7. Use some imagination when selecting and planning on decorative elements. If your child loves tennis, string a net behind the bed for a headboard. You could arrange tennis rackets (collected from tag sales or flea markets) around the netting. Place tennis balls onto the tips of clothes hooks. You might use a section of picket fencing for a headboard in a cottage style room.
8. Choose bedding that will enhance both the color scheme and theme you’ve selected. Pretty flowers work for almost any girl’s room scheme and blue chambray fits with most boy rooms.
9. Be sure to save a place to display your child’s artwork, collections, and projects. You can set them on well-placed shelves or make an artistic display on the wall.
10. Don’t forget to save plenty of room to store clothes, books, toys, games projects, and hobby supplies. A child of any age needs a desk for a computer and school work. If the storage items will be out in view, be sure they’re decorated to fit the theme, too.
11. Create a window treatment that enhances the theme and adds to the decor. Decorative hardware on doors, drawers, and cabinets can continue the theme.
12. A good rule to follow for a themed, coordinated room is to repeat each color, fabric, and print, if possible, in at least three places around the room. If you do, everything will really tie together.

Tips:

1. Safety should be of primary consideration when selecting items for a child’s room. Keep electrical cords out of the way, use non-skid pads under decorative area rugs, and don’t stack storage units too high.
2. Using coordinating colors in all elements of the room will bring even unlike things together to support the theme.
3. Use a common background color when you use several coordinating prints in one room. Choose patterns and prints in different scale, such as a large sailboat print with smaller coordinating plaids and stripes.
4. You can create inexpensive framed art by using your child’s own artwork or cutting pictures out of books or magazines.

source: about

Here’s How:

1. Prepare the walls
   If you’re hanging wallpaper on new drywall, prime the wall first with wallpaper primer to seal the drywall and help the paper adhere to the wall.Wash any dirt or dust from the old walls and sand smooth any chipped paint. Remove old wallpaper using wallpaper remover, a wide blade, and rags.

   Remove electrical outlet and light switch covers.

   Use a putty knife to apply spackle over holes or cracks. Allow the spackle to dry, then sand lightly until the surface is smooth.

2. Pick a starting point.
   The first strip of wallpaper will line up with the last strip of wallpaper you hang and the pattern should match up at that place. You will want to start and finish wallpapering in a corner, near the curtains or behind a door so that the mismatch is less obvious. The focal point of the room should have the fewest seams.Measure out from your starting point and use a level to lightly draw a vertical straight edge on the wall. This line marks where the first strip of wallpaper should be placed.
3. Cut the wallpaper
   Lay the first roll of paper, print side down, on the flat work surface. Confirm the top and bottom of the pattern. Measure, then cut the first wallpaper strip to the proper length, adding a few extra inches at the top and bottom. (This will be trimmed off later). Measure and cut the next several strips in order, paying attention to pattern match.There are four pattern types — random match, drop match, straight across match and free match.
4. Activate the adhesive on pre-pasted paper.
   If the wallpaper is pre-pasted, loosely roll up the first cut strip of paper right side out and immerse it in room-temperature water in the water tray or bathtub. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for immersion time. Pull the strip out of the water, allowing the wallpaper to unroll slowly.
5. Apply wallpaper paste.
   For un-pasted wallpaper, apply pre-mixed paste using a large pasting brush or paint roller, working from the middle to the ends. Be sure that all areas are covered with paste with no un-pasted spots. Gently fold the top of the sheet down to the middle so that the pasted sides touch. Next, fold the bottom edge up to the middle. This allows the paste to cure and keep it from drying out. Do not crease the wallpaper.
6. Hang the wallpaper.
   Starting at the ceiling, carefully unfold the top half of first piece of the wallpaper and gently place the side edge of the strip along the measured line. Don’t forget to leave a few extra inches of paper at the top and bottom for trimming later.

   When the strip is in the right position, drop down the bottom half and gently smooth the paper against the wall with your hands, beginning at one edge and working your way across. Use a smoothing brush or damp sponge to smooth out any air bubbles. Use a seam roller to gently smooth down the edges of the wallpaper.

7. Trim the excess paper.
   Use a wide-blade putty knife to hold down the top of the wallpaper strip at the ceiling. Use the utility knife or straight-edge razor to trim the excess wallpaper. Repeat at the bottom of the strip. Carefully clean any paste from the ceiling and baseboard.Wipe the strip of wallpaper with a clean, damp sponge to remove any paste and remaining air bubbles.
8. Smooth the corners.
   At the corners, measure from the last full-width strip of wallpaper to the corner. Add 1 inch to that measurement and cut the next strip of wallpaper to that width. Activate or apply paste to the strip.

   Apply the wallpaper on the wall, making sure to smooth it totally into the corner for interior corners or around the corner for exterior corners.

   At the corner, make a small slit from the top of the strip to the wall to allow the strip to lay flat at the ceiling. Repeat on the bottom to allow the strip to lay flat at the floor. Trim off the top and bottom and clean the strip.

9. Hang around the corner.
   Place the next strip of wallpaper on the wall so that it overlaps the extra 1 inch of paper from the previous piece.
10. Repeat hanging the strips around the room.
    Continue hanging the next strips of wallpaper, taking care to match the pattern, trimming at the ceiling and floor, removing any creases or air bubbles, securing the seams, and cleaning the paste off the paper.
11. Replace light switch and plug plates.
    If desired, cover the switch and plug plates with wallpaper, taking care to match the wallpaper pattern.

Tips:

1. Don’t be in a hurry. Work slowly to avoid making mistakes.
2. Have a large area to work in and don’t crowd yourself.
3. Cover every area of the back of the wallpaper with paste. Any area left dry, even a small space, will bubble and not adhere to the wall.
4. Smooth paper surfaces gently. Don’t put any pressure on the face of the wallpaper.
5. Carefully clean off the surface of the wallpaper before the paste dries.

What You Need:

• Wallpaper and Paste
• Large Flat Work Surface
• Tape Measure and Level
• Ladder
• Drop Cloth
• Sandpaper, Spackle, Putty Knife
• Bucket, Water, Water Tray, Sponges, Rags
• Utility Knife or Straight Edge Razor
• Smoothing Brush
• Seam Roller

source: about

Although home theatre speakers greatly enhance the sound quality of your movies and music, they can detract from the look of an otherwise well decorated room. Here are some ideas you can use to create innovative speaker shelves that will be a lot more attractive than seeing a black box stuck to the wall.

If you have small speakers, you can camouflage them by painting the walls and the speaker mounts the color of the speakers. Of course, this seriously limits your decorating choices, but if you like the idea of a white, black, or gray wall, this will work. Simply cut a piece of plywood roughly the same size as the speaker that will sit on it. Screw a smaller supporting block into the wall just below where the speaker will sit. Then take your shelf, and screw it into your supporting block. Paint the wall and your homemade shelf to match the speaker.

You can use beautiful decorative wall sconces to hold your speakers. They come in many shapes sizes and styles. You can find wood or plaster sconces with details or cherubs and angels. You can find antique weathered sconces shaped as acanthus leaves. You can also use African motif carved sconces carved from rich ebony wood, or you can choose gilded floral sconces. Any of these will detract from the boring square speaker by drawing attention to it-self.

You can hide your entertainment center speakers. Install them into the wall by cutting out a piece of drywall the size of the speakers. Install a small’s shelf between the studs to hold the speakers. Then hang a lightweight sheer fabric painting over the speaker. You can make such a speaker cover yourself purchasing simple wooden picture frames without the glass and sheer pieces of fabric that can double as art. Staple the fabric into the frame making sure it is taut. You will have instant art and speaker covers at the same time. You may want to use a deep picture frame like a shadow box. You can also hide your speakers by purchasing wall mounted flower baskets and placing the speaker amongst the fake flowers. Just make sure no one tries to water the flowers.

You can show off your speakers by placing them on floating shelves. They are available in many styles form a simple piece of glass, to a plate ledge, to a square block on the wall. There is an infinite number of finish choices that will go well with any design style.

Another option for creating innovative shelving for your speakers is to make it a part of an art collage. It can be mounted on the wall in the midst of sculptures, pictures, and empty picture frames. It can even be mounted inside of an otherwise empty picture frame. A fun idea would be to place it on a shelf amongst a collection of different boxes. Choose wooden boxes, leather boxes and metal boxes to display your speakers along side. Even you will have trouble figuring out which item is your speaker from a distance.
by ANDREA HERMITT

Home theaters
have quickly become a must-have for practically every family. From the simple family room setup to a much more elaborate stadium-seating wonder, today’s home theaters aren’t just for the wealthy anymore. What makes one home theater stand out from another is much more than just how it’s equipped, it’s also how it looks. The décor of a home theater is conducive to how well the room functions as an entertainment mecca for family and friends as well as how it shows when the lights are up. Creating a warm and inviting home theater is easy to do on any budget. Here are some ideas for creating a theater for all to enjoy.

Start with the basics. Paint the walls and ceiling black. For the flooring, choose an easy-to-clean surface or a dark-colored berber carpet. When it comes to lighting, choose recessed lighting and simple wall sconces. Add dimmer switches for a realistic ambiance. If your budget allows, consider building two levels of “stadium seating”. With some sturdy plywood and a few two-by-four blocks of wood, you can elevate one area of seating above another to ensure everyone has a great view.

Speaking of seating, a number of furniture stores now carry theater seating — the equivalent of two to four recliner chairs linked together with cup-holder armrests. These pieces can be found in a multitude of colors and fabrics, with the most popular being leather and suede fabrics. If you have a smaller space or prefer a more intimate area, purchase two recliners in dark leather or other fabric. A simple end table can serve as a shared table between the two chairs. Drape blankets over each seat and add pillows for the ultimate in comfort.

Ready to accessorize? Old movie posters are a great compliment to any home theater. You can find them at a number of video, craft or art stores. For a larger selection, turn to the Internet where you’re sure to find the large 27×40 poster from your favorite classics. Oversized poster frames are relatively inexpensive and can be picked up at a variety of art, framing or crafts store. Check out a discount fabric store for rich, heavy red velvet that can be used to frame the television screen, to block light from windows or, in lieu of paint to cover the walls. Use excess fabric to create a red carpet path that leads from the door of the room to the seating areas.

No home theater is complete without refreshments. If space allows, install a built-in or freestanding bar. If creating a built-in bar, include a sink and cabinets for storing glassware and miscellaneous kitchen items. A complete home theater bar should include a microwave, mini refrigerator stocked with soda, juices and bottled water and for the nostalgic, an authentic popcorn popper guaranteed to fill your space with inviting aromas.

For the sake of convenience, you can purchase or build a media storage cabinet and/or entertainment system to house your audio/visual components as well as your DVD collection. If possible, choose pieces that are similar in color to your walls so they blend into the room rather than serving as a visual distraction.

Finally, when selecting the focal point of your home theater — the equipment — keep in mind that you can easily find speakers that are installed into the walls for a clean, less cumbersome appearance. The exteriors of these in-wall speakers can be painted and treated to blend seamlessly. If a drop-down projection screen isn’t in your budget, a large standard television with surround sound will do nicely. Add a tuner and some speakers for maximum sound quality. A home theater is a fun, relaxing place for families to spend time together as well as to entertain. The décor of the room should be about comfort and subtly allowing you to enjoy favorite movies or programs in the welcoming retreat of your own home.
by Jo Anne Chavez

via: yankodesign

Finding the right lighting for your bath can be tricky since your bathroom requires many different kinds of light to meet all your needs. It needs task lighting that’s bright when you’re putting on your makeup or brushing your teeth, but you also want to be able to turn the lights down when you’re relaxing in the tub. One inexpensive way to adjust your lighting is to install a dimmer switch. They’re available at most hardware stores and are easy to install.

Clean and Organized

A disorganized bathroom can feel cramped, so be sure to keep the clutter of toiletries to a minimum. Stash cosmetics and other products in the medicine cabinet, under the vanity or in the linen closet. The clean, sparse effect will help you let go of your worries so you can relax without the reminders of your daily routine.

Pamper Yourself

There’s nothing like the feeling of wrapping yourself in a big, plush spa towel. Pamper yourself by splurging on a large bath sheet that will envelope you completely when you step out of the bath. Choose a towel that’s soft and absorbent for that spa-like feeling.

Protect Your Feet

A bath mat is essential for a spa bath. Nothing can shock you back down to earth after your relaxing bath like the feeling of cold tile on your warm toes. Choose a mat that covers a large section of the floor so that you’ll have room to move around without having to step on the floor.

Set the Mood

Set a spa-like mood for your bath with the right accessories. Candles lightly flickering in the background and soft music are sure to help you forget your worries, at least for a little while.

Connect with Nature

Natural elements abound in spas. Softly running water, stone and living plants help create a calming connection with nature. Bring a potted plant into your spa bath to give it a similar feeling. Plus, plants often thrive in the bath thanks to the high levels of moisture and humidity.

Expand the Look of Your Space

Anyone with a small bath knows that there’s not much you can do to make it bigger without spending a fortune on renovation. The good news is that you can make it look bigger with an affordable alternative. Hang large mirrors to give the illusion that your space isn’t quite so tight.

Color Change

One of the easiest ways to give your bath a new look is with a color change. A coat of paint is an inexpensive option that can completely transform the feel of your bath. Try white for a clean, crisp, sparse look. Or consider a rich neutral for an earthy effect. Either way, a couple gallons of paint and a few hours of work could give you the bath of your dreams.

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