Archive for the 'Home Living' Category

Dress Up Your Home

Author: Lulu-ation
19.01.2009
Dress Up Your Home

Vases come in variety of shapes, color material and sizes. One type of vase that is unique in quality and design is art deco vases. They are made of materials and designs that represent a part of our ancient history. This vases can be even become a collection for you, especially if you love ancients. These classy vases are of different luxurious designs and can be put anywhere in house. With their wide array of designs, they can blend anywhere in the house. They can also be a source of joy in gift giving!

As a person that appreciates uniqueness, I know that its value can never be altered. And because of its terrific artistic designs, anyone can be drawn into its magnificence. Art deco vases are truly exciting and precious things to have in the house.



original wall art-The Autumn KissSome of us are more romantic then others. Personally, I’ve always liked a gift that reminds me of a special time in my life or our lives, something that we have joyfully shared. That is why this beautiful unique paper cut wall art by Tina Tarnoff brings tears to my eyes. Invoke that emotion in your life or in that of the special person in your life who loves art and would appreciate this exquisite piece of art. If you think that this art work would remind her or him of a romantic time together from your past, either your first kiss in the park or by the river, then you should have no doubt and just go for it. Happy Valentines Day!



14.01.2009

Lady Handpainted Wine GlassToday, people of all walks of life are learning to appreciate a good wine. Some of us even take classes for wine knowledge, making and wine tasting. Because he is that special person in your life, you already know him so well and know what he likes and dislikes.

If he is one of these people that appreciates a good wine served in quality wine glasses, you came to the right place. These beautiful hand blown and hand painted wine glasses are perfect for Valentines Day, or enjoy them with any other occasion.



sheepskin area rugsBoth men and women desire a romantic, private setting for their special Valentine’s Day. According to the survey, nearly 40 percent of respondents rated “in front of the fireplace” as the most popular place to share their love for each other.
Warm up this cold February night by starting a fire and get comfy in front of the fireplace with your sweetheart on this soft, cozy and warm sheepskin area rug from New Zealand.

What better way to start the Valentine celebrations than with a bottle of champagne to make your night sparkle.

Lighting is an important factor. Darken the space to create an intimate feeling and then add candlelight. Chocolate or vanilla scented candles are one of my favorites.



unique votive candleholdersI would say, surprise her by placing a beautiful red rose, the symbol of romance and passion, on her pillow early in the morning.

Along with the rose, attach a romantic note trying your best to express your love.

Continue your romantic day with an intimate dinner at her favorite restaurant, beginning with a champagne toast and finishing at home with a chocolate strawberry fondue surrounded in candles.

The night is not over; take your love for a nice walk on a beach, in the park or on a cozy boulevard.

To go that one step further, reserve a hotel room with an ocean view or a cabin in the mountains for a special night just for the two of you.

Another nice touch is to place rose petals in your valentine’s bath or on the bed.

Buy some scented candles and place them into unique and beautiful  acrylic tealight or votive candleholders to add more romance to an already special evening.

One of the top original sensual gifts for Valentine’s Day is giving each other full body massages with scented massage oils.

So, those are a few ideas of how to spend a romantic day with your loved one. We hope you will have a fantastic Valentines Day.



07.01.2009

unique hand blown glass bud vase made in RomaniaMake your sweetheart feel special as you celebrate the most powerful emotion on earth, Love.
Valentine’s day is the day to let your heart talk.

Like a person, this beautifully hand blown bud glass vase needs a beautiful single stem flower to be complete and we hope you will be the one to fulfill that need… it is waiting for you. This unique hand blown art deco glass vase would be a great gift for your loved one on Valentine’s Day.



Finishing Touches

Author: homedecorbylulu
24.12.2008

eco friendly artificial Sano FlowersFinishing touches are like the icing on a cake. Without accessories any living space is lifeless.
So, if you think that having a sofa, chairs and a coffee table you are done decorating, think twice… you are far from it. When you are ready to invest in decorating a room make sure that you have enough of a budget to add some home decor accessory pieces such as
hand blown art glass, modern decorative pillows, cotton or mohair throws, area rugs or natural sheepskin, curtains, natural or artificial flowers and original unique wall art to add the finishing touches. Search for new ideas in home decor magazines. Bring out pieces that you already own and incorporate them into your display. Learn how to group decorative items that will contribute to the overall look of your room and add that personal touch.

A decorating trick I often use is to take a digital picture of the setting that you are trying to accomplish. The picture won’t lie. You can see for yourself if something jumps out at you. Quite often I take pictures of a group of items, and by looking at the picture I can more easily see when something is not quite right. That’s when sometimes you would remove or add another item until you find a harmonious grouping.
For example if you want to decorate your coffee table, start by displaying your favorite accessories in a variety of heights and shapes. Mix textures using glass, wicker, ceramic or iron. Display books in neat stacks. Take a picture of your coffee table and you will get an honest feel of what is working and what is not.

Don’t allow magazines and newspapers to take over your coffee table. Place them in a bowl or basket for a more organized look. Remove the candles that are at the end of their lives and don’t display mismatched ones. If you love fresh flowers don’t forget to replace them with new ones when their time comes. These are a few ideas of how to make your place more inviting. Now take these ideas and try to decorate a bookshelf, a unique vignette, or a bedside table.



23.12.2008

framed original wall art by Tina TarnoffWhen decorating, show some personality by bringing in furniture and home decor items that fit with your life style. Every trip I take, I get inspired to try to implement a new idea into my home decorating. You can easily find your style either from nature, magazines articles, home shows or simply by attending your local trade fairs.

Colors play a very important role in today’s home decor. You can use the fabric colors in decorative pillows, unique throws, are rugs, window coverings and upholstery to add interest or help create a soothing mood.

Visit museums or art stores to see what particular art style attracts you enough for you to live with for a long period of time. I personally love original art but if you are unable to find or afford it, prints will do the trick too. Choose the right location for your wall art. Place a large picture on a larger wall or if you opt for smaller prints make a statement by gathering them together. For more information on how to arrange wall art please see our article entitled: “Hanging and Grouping Wall Art.”

When purchasing new furniture, try to find pieces that you will love not only because they are this year’s biggest trend but also because they have timeless lines and colors. That is what I look for when I am purchasing any new home decor item. It has to speak to me and I have to fall in love with the piece. Not long ago, I was attending a trade show, when I noticed an incredible and unique art piece that someone had brought in from Zimbabwe. I guess I went by three or four times and every time I went by, the vision I had of it in my house grew stronger until finally I said to myself “I must have that”. Now it is sitting beautifully on my coffee table and I love to see it every day. It is my favorite piece in the house and it was the best choice that I ever made. That is a good example of knowing when something belongs to you by hearing it speak to you and call your name.

So have fun and enjoy the journey of decorating.



19.12.2008

decorative accent pillows(ARA) – If your bedroom doesn’t offer you a respite from the hustle and bustle of the day, then now is the time to transform it. The time and money you invest now will definitely pay off in big dividends in your future. Your bedroom redecorating project might just mean that you’ll find yourself a little happier, a bit more joyful and most importantly, at peace with yourself and your surroundings.

Decorating your master bedroom is probably more fun than decorating any other room in your home. Why? Because it’s the one room in your home where you can truly allow your personality to shine.

Begin with three easy steps.

1: Start by visualizing and listing all the types of activities you’ll want to conduct in your “get-away” haven. Perhaps it’s writing in your journal, reading, knitting, watching movies or contemplating your plans for tomorrow — whatever the activity, it’s important to think through the specific things that will make you the happiest.

2: Look at your bedroom space with a critical eye. Can your bedroom accommodate all the activities you listed?

3: As with most all decorating projects, one of your first priorities is locking in a color scheme. Color sets the stage and is truly the backdrop for all your furnishings, fabrics, accessories and lighting.

Make Color Considerations

* Use color unequally for better proportion and balance. While this sounds like a complete contradiction, it truly works. Consider a deeper, more dramatic hue to create an accent wall behind your bed. Then, by coloring your adjoining walls in a lighter shade of the same color, you’ve created a more visually interesting space.

* Use lighter colors to create a feeling of spaciousness. Paler shades naturally reflect light rays instead of absorbing them. A lighter color palette would be particularly important if your bedroom isn’t quite as large as you’d like.

* Use bright, strong colors to create a warm, cozy feeling. If your bedroom is large and spacious and has very high ceilings, warmer colors will help “humanize” your space, making if feel more livable and welcoming.

* Pay attention to your room’s architectural features. If you wish to emphasize interesting architectural features, enhance them with stronger contrasting colors. And, conversely, if your desire is to camouflage architectural defects, then a more neutral paint color of the same tonal value will help blend your walls, ceiling and floors and hide those unhappy features.

Light Up Your New Room

Now that you’ve got some great color ideas for your new bedroom retreat, the amount of artificial and natural light in your room will be the defining factor in your ultimate color choice.

“Lighting plays such an important role in any redecorating project,” says Sue Pelley, national spokesperson for INTERIORS by Decorating Den. “I recommend that my clients take stock of how much natural light is entering the room, and for how long a period of time. If their room is bathed in sunny natural light, I recommend working with a cooler color scheme. And conversely, if a room doesn’t enjoy a lot of natural light, a warmer color palette will help eliminate a feeling of coldness.”

Bring in Fabulous Furnishings

Bedding ensembles come in a variety of sizes and designs. From the uniquely custom-designed, outline-quilted bedspreads, to the sophisticated and luxurious duvet covers, your bedding ensemble should definitely take center stage. No bedding ensemble is complete without multiple pillow shams and decorative accent pillows.

Incorporating a custom-designed window treatment, will help your windows take center stage. Once you’ve determined privacy and room darkening needs, the design possibilities are only limited by a decorator’s creativity.

Uncover the Possibilities

Uncovering the possibilities as you begin redecorating your master bedroom is an exciting undertaking, when you plan ahead, and focus on making wise choices along the way. Remember, you spend more time in your home than anyone else. So be sure your ultimate decorating choices reflect your personality and your unique sense of style. Sweet dreams.

Courtesy of ARAcontent



18.12.2008

pewter fairies with real butterfly wingsHaving a sister is like having a best friend you can’t get rid of… you know that whatever you do, they’ll always be there. Someone once said, “There is no better friend than a sister, and there is no better sister than you.”

A close sister is always willing to talk and explore emotions in an open and honest way. Celebrate that cherished bond with this wonderful pewter fairy piece that is simply called, “sisters”. It is beautifully accented by real butterfly wings.
Butterflies are not harmed in the production of these fantasy fairies. After they live their normal life span, their wings are collected and dipped in resin for preservation. The wings are different on each piece.