Unique Glass Home Decor

(ARA) – More and more Americans today are looking at their homes as a place of refuge in a stressful world of challenges and economic instability. Instead of going out to dinner or social events, they’re cocooning with their families. Now, more than ever, their homes need to be restful and soothing, yet stylish at the same time.

Interior designers and industry experts across the country have noted this trend as well, along with an increased focus on cost-consciousness as homeowners become more selective about how their money is spent.

Here are their top 10 home decor trends for 2009:

1. Color Your World
Colors will literally be across the spectrum next year. On their Web site, the Pantone Color Institute forecasts lively colors and sophisticated, grounded hues with Fuchsia Red, Salmon Rose, Palace Blue, Lavender, Rose Dust and Vibrant Green predicted to be popular.

Andrea Vollf, American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), believes strongly in “transforming an ordinary home into a living oasis” using neutrals, especially warm and cool grays, along with bold accent pieces. Deep shades of blue are in demand by customers of Jan Hubbard, ASID, and Candice Mathers, Allied Member of ASID, with Hubbard also noting a draw to spice, bisque, toast and green/gold tones to create a warm ambiance. On a brighter note, both Mathers and Susan Pantaleo, ASID, see yellow emerging as a very versatile color. Popping up in every shade from Sunlight to Dijon Mustard, Pantaleo lauds yellow’s attention-getting appeal and ability to add life to any room.

2. Light up Your Life
Because residential interiors are incorporating more intense paint colors — not only as accent walls, but throughout an entire room — more light is needed to properly illuminate a room. According to Jeff Dross, senior product manager of Kichler Lighting, lighting manufacturers will introduce chandeliers with more arms or multiple lights per arm, as well as pendants and wall-mounted fixtures that accept higher-wattage bulbs.

3. We’ve Got You Covered
Wall murals will continue to be in high demand in 2009, according to Todd Imholte, president of www.MuralsYourWay.com a leader in the production of decorative wall murals for more than 35 years. “Wall murals are a very cost-effective way to completely transform the look of a room,” says Imholte. “We recently introduced 90 new mural designs including bold graphic patterns, contemporary designs and murals inspired by nature such as birch trees and bamboo.” Murals Your Way offers a gallery of more than 5,000 images, as well as the ability to personalize an existing gallery image or create a custom mural from a personal photo or artwork.

4. Establishing a Pattern
In a press release distributed earlier this year, Michelle Lamb — co-founder and chairman of Marketing Directions, Inc. and senior editor of “The Trend Curve” — stated that patterns are being constantly updated and reinvented. Some ways to keep them fresh include combining classic and contemporary styles in one piece; utilizing tiny, country patterns that include calico or patchwork; and trying distinctive materials, like foil, or embellishments that cluster and layer upon each other.

5. Comfort is Key
Vollf sees 2009 as being the year of comfort, with furniture that is comfortable and functional, yet still elegant. More and more people are interested in creating a personal refuge that is chic, peaceful, inviting and easy to maintain so that they can relax and unwind at the end of a busy day in an aesthetically pleasing environment.

6. Wood is Good
According to Kathy Peterson — celebrity design expert and co-host of Lifetime TV’s “The Balancing Act” — wood flooring is blending into an eclectic mix of wood tones. She also forecasts hardwood wall coverings (wood, resin, metals) with seamless panels of custom designs becoming focal points of a room. Dross echoes the popularity of wood throughout the home, seeing floors, walls, ceilings (bead board) and furniture incorporating wood at their center.

7. Shining Stars
Metals will continue to shine next year, according to Lamb. She envisions them being translated into modern metallic finishes and textures that create a sense of visual excitement and high energy. Particularly noteworthy are platinum, dark silver, rose golds and copper, and colorful metallics.

8. Hooray for Hollywood
Carmen Natschke — editor of “The Decorating Diva” — sees a revival of “Hollywood Regency.” According to her Web site, this style is “glamorous, classy and elegant; composed of an eclectic mix of styles like Neo-Classic, Asian, Baroque and Art Deco; sumptuous and luxury fabrics, shimmering finishes, mirrored furniture, chinoiserie, bamboo and lacquered furniture; bold color; clean lines and beautiful symmetry.”

9. Embrace the Outdoors
Seamless transitions from indoor to outdoor space are envisioned by Pantaleo, who says the most successful outdoor spaces will be an extension of the home’s interior style and color scheme. Using nature as a backdrop, she suggests pulling colors from adjacent rooms to maintain a visual connection. She also recommends accessorizing gourmet cook centers and plasma televisions with weather-resistant chandeliers, rugs and artwork to create a cozy, appealing and relaxed ambiance.

10. Go Green
Eco-friendly products will continue to be in demand by today’s energy-conscious and environmentally-aware consumers. McKinley Adams, Allied member of ASID, predicts consumers will be interested in sustainable building materials that may cost a bit more up front, but will save money in the long run. He also sees a surge of interest in vintage furnishings for inside the home, while Mathers anticipates increased use of grass cloth and natural Sisal finishes.

Please visit homedecorbylulu.com for great ideas in home decor items such as modern decorative pillows, mohair and cotton throws, a variety of Romanian handblown art glass products and much more.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) – In the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping and travel, it can be easy to lose track of the traditions you loved as a child. A great way to make new memories is to bring back old world holiday traditions with friends and family.

Whether it’s buying a new ornament each year or gathering for a large family feast, drawing on old world holiday traditions is a great way to bring people together to celebrate all the season has to offer. A good way to start, and a great family activity, is to research your heritage and the holiday traditions that your ancestors practiced.

A few traditions you may wish to draw on include:

Austria
On December 24, presents are placed under the tree for the children. Kids wait in another room until they hear a bell then enter to see the tree decorated with candles, ornaments and candies. Everyone sings carols while wishing each other happy holidays.

Denmark
Each family has a special plate, used only during the holidays, that becomes a family heirloom. Families take pride in making their own decorations with bright paper and natural objects.

Italy
During holiday week, children go from house to house playing pipes, singing and reciting holiday poems. Their delighted listeners give them small amounts of money so the children can purchase gifts.

Scandinavia
Many people in Scandinavian countries celebrate Lucia Day on December 13. At dawn, the youngest child dons a white robe and a crown of (battery operated) candles. The other children accompany “Lucia” dressed as “star boys” and “hand maidens”. The children wake their parents and serve coffee and special Lucia buns.

USA
Modern holiday decorations can be just about anything. Get back to basics with traditional holly, mistletoe, Poinsettia flowers and evergreen boughs. Hang strings of popcorn, bells and candy canes from the tree. Start a new tradition and purchase a collectible ornament each year to pass down through generations.

The Glitteratzzi Gemstone Elite Collection from Jewelry Television (www.JTV.com) incorporates sparkling gemstones on luxurious, durable glass ornaments handmade in Europe. Each piece is created by artisans and takes seven days to make. Choose one featuring a loved one’s birthstone for a gift that will endure.

This holiday season, take some time to create a new tradition taking cues from the old world. The memories will make you smile all year round.

At homedecorbylulu.com you can find a variety of holiday gift ideas for your friends and family. Beautiful hand painted glassware, kids decorative pillows, scented candles, unique collectables such as pewter fairies and a variety of mango wood vases and candle holders.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Continuing with my gift basket series, another great gift basket idea is the chocolate spa gift basket. Indulge someone special with all the sweet essentials for winter relaxation.

Include in your basket:
Chocolate bubble bath, chocolate body lotion, chocolate bath gel, chocolate truffles, chocolate scented candles in a glass jar, moisturizing body butter, handheld wooden massager, chocolate bath salts, terrycloth bath pillow, chocolate foot scrub and finally my favorite, chocolate mint flavored hot cocoa mix.

I really like pampering myself, and one of my favorite places to escape is in the bathtub relaxing, refreshing and rejuvenating the mind, body and spirit. These are my tranquil moments.

Thinking of giving that special someone something different? Then you should definitely create a spa gift basket that includes:
Natural bar soaps, delicately scented bath soaps, body balm, body butter, a luxurious hand towel, a loofah bath mitt or loofah bath sponge, bath slippers, votive scented candles and a beautiful, unique tea light candle holder or incense burner.

When you create a gift basket for someone, you have to match it with that person’s personality. A gift basket can be a clever and personal idea for any occasion.

Do you have the boss that has everything?
Impress them and show your appreciation this holiday season by giving them a basket that includes a beautiful wrapped bottle of wine or martini liquor with a couple of hand painted wine glasses or martini glasses. To add a nice touch and give a lasting impression, don’t forget to include some cheese, crackers, chocolate biscotti, almonds and chocolate truffles.

Most everybody loves a fresh cup of coffee in the morning. Send someone a delicious coffee gift basket that contains their favorite coffee, biscotti, cookies, wafer rolls and a coffee mug.

One of my favorite gift baskets would be a gourmet basket that contains:
chocolate hazelnut biscotti, crisp crackers, dark chocolate, pistachios, cheese spread, salsa, dried fruit, caramel popcorn, mocha almonds, tortilla chips, olive oil chips, fancy mustard and one of the best Italian olive oils.

Treat those special friends or family to a gift they will long remember.

Women have always been striving for beauty. Doesn’t matter if we are young or old, we all have something in common, to look attractive and youthful. An important aspect of that beauty is choosing beauty products that are compatible and accent that look. Her choice in perfume is the finishing touch in the overall appearance. Because of that, the perfume industry today has grown immensely.

Surprise the special lady in your life this holiday season with this hand blown glass perfume bottle. This art piece is created straight from the imagination of glass artist Ion Tamaian, and is etched with his signature.
Choose from our wide selection of perfume bottles, the one that suits her personality best.
A very intricate piece of art, this perfume bottle would be a treasure for many years to come.

The cosmopolitan martini gained popularity fairly quickly, traveling from Provincetown, through New York, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, and on to San Francisco or possibly from Miami to San Francisco, and on to New York. Its biggest popularity rise was in the 1990s. It was further popularized among young women by its frequent mention on the television program Sex and the City, where Sarah Jessica Parker’s character, Carrie Bradshaw, commonly ordered the drink when out with her girlfriends. In the episode “Sex and the Country”, Carrie goes to a drive-through diner and jokingly orders, “A cheese burger, large fries and a cosmopolitan please”. The film adaptation of the series also made reference to the popular martini.
Give your guests something to talk about this holiday season with these beautiful hand painted martini glasses. Very unique and distinctive, they can spruce up any party.

Here are a couple of other favorite martini recipes of mine:

1. Blue Angel
2oz Vodka
1oz Blue Curacao
1oz White Crème de Cacao

2. PomTini
2oz Vodka
2 oz Cointreau Liqueur
1 Squeezed Lemon or Lime
1 ½ Cups of Pomegranate Juice
Add Pomegranate seeds for Garnish

I don’t know about you but this reminds me very much of my grandma’s knitting. She used this pattern for many years to knit sweaters for her family.
This holiday season we offer special pricing on selected hand knitted throws.
Please visit homedecorbylulu.com to view our new addition to our beautiful throw collection, the hand knitted wool throw.
This unique throw comes in three different colors, white, blue and brown.
Surprise the women in your life with this season’s latest trends. Take advantage of the holiday special season sale.

I was at a Christmas Tree Festival recently where I seen a beautiful tree decorated in silver and white. I was immediately drawn to the tree feeling an incredible warmth for the overall look. I stood, looking over the tree when I realized what was really striking about the look was the sheepskin rug that was used as a skirt.
The snowdrift effect of the luxurious rug was absolutely stunning.
Sheepskins are beautiful natural area rugs that add that warmth and texture to any modern or rustic home.
These incredible, versatile rugs can be included in day-to-day life in many ways.
Beside a bed, as a liner in a baby crib, in front of the fire place, draped on a chair, used as a bed covering, a throw, or a seat cover are a few ideas of how to benefit from these exquisite sheepskin area rugs.
Now is the time to nestle in and be at one with your home.
With our wide selection of accent and décor ideas we’ll help you get the most of your home.

Start with a floor plan for the room that you intend to furnish. A scale model is the best. Many people make the mistake of purchasing furniture that is either too small or too large for the space. If you are not sure of the size then you are better off purchasing the larger one. Larger scale will always look better then the smaller one.

Decide on a focal point. Arrange the furniture with that focal point in mind.

Select neutral colors for your sofa, love seat and accent chairs. Cream, tan, mocha or chocolate brown are good choices. You are going to live with these pieces for a long period of time so you have to make sure that the investment is worth while.

To play with colors, patterns and trends the better pieces to experiment with are with decorative pillows, unique mohair or cotton throws, draperies, coffee tables, end tables or benches.

Pay attention to eye-catching accents such as handcrafted wood vases, hand blown art glass, mirrors or wall art and to the details in your furnishings. All the pieces should compliment each other.

Another good idea is to take home the item that you are considering and see how it fits into your decor. Many stores will be happy to lend an item for a few days.

Don’t fill up every corner of your room. Avoid clutter and remember less is more.