Temperatures are dropping and snowflakes are falling around the country. Holiday season is knocking at the doors. Some of you have already started shopping for the holiday season and many of you have decided to wait until the last minute.
There are many things we all look forward to this time of year, lots of laughs, holiday decorations, parties and gifts.
At homedecorbylulu.com we offer beautiful and unique gifts ideas. Visit our store for exquisite gifts and home accessories that you can purchase for your friends and families.
Check out our glass collection for unique and intricate designs of the hand blown and hand painted wine glasses and martini glasses, one of a kind hand blown glass vases, candle holders, fruit bowls, platters and oil lamps.
Our cotton and mohair throws collection will warm up your mother heart. Luxuries hand blown glass perfume bottles are perfect for your beautiful wives and a unique wall art for the special men in your life. Make your kids feel special with our fun and decorative pillows and toys. Don’t forget these pewter fairies perfect for your grandmother and a unique mobile device charger/station for your grandfather.
Enhance your house for the holiday season with our exclusive collection of acrylic candle holders and sheepskin area rugs.
The euphonious name is composed from ‘lapis’, the Latin word for stone, and ‘azula’, which comes from the Arabic and means blue. So it’s a blue gemstone - but what an incredible blue! The worth of this stone to the world of art is immeasurable, for the ultramarine of the Old Masters is nothing other than genuine lapis lazuli. Ground up into a powder and stirred up together with binding-agents, the marble-like gemstone can be used to manufacture radiant blue watercolors, tempera or oil paints. Before the year 1834, when it became possible to produce this color synthetically, the only ultramarine available was that valuable substance made from genuine lapis lazuli that shines out at us from many works of art today. Many pictures of the Madonna, for example, were created using this paint. But in those days, ultramarine blue was not only precious and so intense that its radiance outshone all other colors; it was also very expensive. But unlike all other blue pigments, which tend to pale in the light, it has lost none of its radiance to this very day.
The pure royal blue pigment, also known as Natural Ultramarine Blue or lazurite is extracted from the gemstone, Lapis Lazuli. The Lapis Lazuli rock is composed by more or less 15 minerals, mainly by Lazurite, Calcite, Pyrite, Dioxide, Mica, Huynite, Homblende, Wollastonite and others.
Making The Pigment
The raw material to obtain the pigment, is crushed, grinded and cleaned to separate the other minerals using various methods, in order to concentrate only the Lazurite in pure crystals under 70 microns. The natural Lapis Lazuli pigment is a lazurite concentrate that differentiates itself from its syntetic counterparts by the vibrancy of the blue that it produces. The large size of the lazurite crystals, with irregular and angular shapes, react to light like a finely faceted small diamond, thereby producing and ever-changing display of rich vibrant blues. This creates a three dimensional gem-like effect, which is not attainable with the very small, round and uniformly shaped particles of the synthetic ultramarine blue pigment. This pigment is not affected by the UV rays.
The intense and exclusive blue color of lapis lazuli has always been a symbol for purity, health, elegance, luck and nobility. It is for this reason that this splendid semi-precious stone has been used by man for more than 600 years to highlight its creations.
The Sumerians and Babylonians gave splendor to their best jewels, by using lapis lazuli mined in Afghanistan. The Greeks also attributed to the stone healing. The Egyptian Pharaohs used lapis lazuli in their thrones and funeral masks and Cleopatra used its dust as eye-make up. During the Renaissance period, lapis lazuli powder has also been as a fade resistant blue pigment by renown Painters as Leonardo da Vinci, Fra Angelico and Albrecht Durer.
In the Americas, the Incas, Molles, Diaguitas and other pre-Columbian cultures have for ever 200 years, used lapis lazuli to ornament different artifacts, by extracting the stone from the same deposit located 3600 meters above-sea-level in the Andes Mountains in the area of Ovalle in Chile, which today is named Las Flores de los Andes S.A. In 1851, the location of this deposit was mapped, and 1894 registered as Las Flores de los Andes, In 1989 the company Las Flores de los Andes S.A, owner of this Lapis Lazuli mine, built at 60km. Access road that allowed the extraction of material in larger quantities and sizes.
We are proud to introduce at homedecorbylulu.com an exquisite line of hand blown glass products that contain natural Lapis Lazuli lazurite crystals. These products are known as Lapis Glass. What makes these pieces special is, unlike the synthetic lapis glass being used by jewelers, these products are made with 100% Lapis Lazuli.
We love to feature at homedecorbylulu.com Tina’s newest designs.
The Autumn Kiss is one of my favorite original wall art pieces by Tina Tarnoff. I am confident that this piece of art will bring back fond memories for most of you.
Now let’s tell you more about Tina Tarnoff.
I have never met Tina in person, but I feel like I already know her thru her art. Sometimes you don’t even need to speak with an artist to know their beliefs and values in life. You can feel it through their creations.
”Every artist dips his brush in his own soul and paints his own nature into his pictures.” — Henry Ward Beecher.
Tina Tarnoff was born in Zagreb, Croatia in 1974. After careening through her childhood and teenage years, she left Zagreb at the age of eighteen and embarked on the path of liberation. That path took her to London, where she dived into a vivacious city; developed gills needed for survival, and learned cultural tolerance and appreciation. The road curved and twirled and continued around the world… Switzerland, France, Greece, Turkey, across the Atlantic and deep into the Amazon. She felt great joy in seeing, feeling, smelling, and finally believing. After returning to her homeland, she started writing poetry and was published in various literary magazines. She surrounded herself with the magic of books, ran a prominent bookshop, and was carried on a wave of the word. In April 2006, she went on a two-week vacation to San Francisco, where she discovered her true meaning and endless inspiration. She decided to stay. She lives and paints in the most beautiful place in the world.
An oil lamp is a simple vessel used to produce light continuously for a period of time from a fuel source. The use of oil lamps extends from prehistory to the present day. While a basic form of lighting prior to the era of widespread electric lighting, oil lamps today are popular for mood lighting, as an alternative to candles, or as an alternate source of emergency lighting when electricity is not available. Many oil lamps provide a small wheel that when turned, moves the wick up and down so that the user can adjust the light produced. Some lamps sold now are both the traditional farmer’s lantern, made mostly of metal, with a glass chimney, and the old-fashioned hurricane lamps, made mostly of glass, with only the wick holder assembly made of metal.
A basic earthen oil lamp used for Divali.
In vedic times, fire was kept alive in every household in some form and carried with oneself while migrating to new locations. Later the presence of fire in the household or a religious building was ensured by an oil lamp. Over the years various rituals and customs were woven around an oil lamp.
Deep Daan, the gift of a lamp was and still is believed to be the best daan. During marriage ceremonies, spinsters of the household stand behind the bride and groom holding an oil lamp to ward off the evil. The presence of oil lamp is an important aspect of ritual worship offered to a deity. Moreover, a day is kept aside for the worship of the lamp in the busy festival calendar, on one amavasya (no moon) day in the month of Shravan. This reverence for the deep is based on the symbolism of the journey from darkness and ignorance to light and the knowledge of the ultimate reality – ‘tamaso ma jyotirgamaya!’
The earlier lamps were carved out of stone or seashells. The shape was simple like a circular bowl with a protruding beak. Later they were replaced by earthen and metal lamps. In the epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, there are references of gold and silver lamps as well. The simple shape evolved and the lamps were created in the shapes of the matsya (fish), kurma (boar) and other incarnations of god Vishnu and also in the shape of the many attributes of gods like conch shells, lotuses and so on. The birds like swans, peacocks, parrots and animals like snakes, lions, elephants and horses were also favorites while beautifying a lamp. For lighting multiple lamps, wooden and stone deepastambhas (towers of light) were created. Erecting a deepastambha in front of a temple is still a general practice in western and southern India. For adapting the design to the households and smaller spaces, the deepavriksha (tree of light) was formed. As the name suggests, it is a metal lamp container with aesthetically curvi-linear lines branching out from the base each holding a lamp. The Deepalaxmi is another favorite design where goddess Laxmi holds the lamp in her hands. Kuthuvilakku is another typical lamp traditionally used for house hold purposes in South India.
Oil lamps also became proverbial. For example, a Bradj (pre-Hindi) proverb says, “Chiraag tale andhera”, “the [utmost] darkness is under the oil-lamp (chiraag)”, meaning that what you seek could be close but unnoticed, in various senses (and indeed, a lamp’s container casts shadow)
These days oil lamps are coming in different shapes, colors and made from different materials.
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article “Oil Lamp”
If you are one of these lucky people that have a view from your living room window that rivals a framed piece of artwork, we have a few tips of how to ensure that the interior of your house complements the surroundings rather then competes with them.
1. Make sure that you have a theme in mind and start from there. Whether it’s a waterfront view, a mountain view or even a city scape, once you choose that theme you are on your way of accomplishing your dream of decorating your home.
2. Keep a neutral color scheme on the walls.
3. Pick furniture and accent pillows that are covered in quality fabrics.
4. For a mountain view, opt for a neutral scheme for your furniture and use decorative pillows inspired by nature. On your dining table use leaf shaped plates or you can use simple white dinnerware with a nature motif.
5. Purchase original wall art that compliments the outdoor view.
6. Add decorative accessories, such as wood vessels, gallery frames, glass bowls or glass vases.
7. Sheepskin throws and area rugs add coziness to the room. Go for natural fibers such as a jute rug, a sisal rug, a cowhide rug, a sea grass rug or a sheepskin rug.
8. Incorporate throws with a light or heavy feel that would keep you warm on those cooler nights.
9. If you have a waterfront view, bring in beautiful corals, starfish, seashell votive holders or sailboat art. You can also go for sea grass furniture for a more original look.
Use your imagination, pay attention to the details. Let your outdoor view inspire you and great ideas will come.
By the nature of their construction, log homes can be very dark. These are a few suggestions for decorating your getaway log home:
1. Break up wood by featuring other materials such as area rugs, wall hangings, wall art, decorative pillows, mohair throws or substantial window coverings.
2. Compliment the logs with textured materials like natural fibers, leather and stone.
3. If you build a new log home, make sure you incorporate large windows.
4. Opt for good lighting. Consider table and floor lamps, wall sconces or overhead lighting such as a rustic chandelier.
5. Provide romantic lighting by incorporating candles and hurricane lamps surrounded by winterberries and sprigs.
6. Clear and bold colors would add personality to your log house rather then white or pale shades that would get lost in the wood tones.
7. A noble fir wreath and a motif doormat add a festive touch to the front door.
8. Try comfy sofas, massive fireplaces and twig furniture, baskets filled with winterberries, and pinecone candleholders.
These are a few ideas to bring out the best of your log home.
When you purchase a home there are a few tips that you should take in consideration.
Hopefully you fell in love with the home and not with the previous owner home decor style.
First thing that you should do is update the look making the space your own.
1.Give the space a fresh coat of paint, consider new kitchen appliances, new cupboards and knobs, and replace the window covering for a fresh new look.
2. Hold off on purchasing furniture using your current furniture.
Let each room grow on you before you begin adding pieces and other belongings.
3. Create balance by placing the larger pieces around the room first and then add the small furnishings and decor pieces.
4. Invest in furniture with a neutral shades and styles that won’t look dated, then accent with trendy, colorful pieces such as, hand blown vases, decorative pillows, scented candles, fresh flowers or any other unique home decor items.
We all know how house prices have went up these days. Many young couples overspend when they purchase their home, leaving little money for improvements.
We came up with a few tips of how to decorate your house with limited resources.
1. Use standard subway tiles for the kitchen backsplash, forming a running-brick pattern to create a different look.
2. Combine custom and stock elements.
Select stock cabinetry for lower cupboards but upgrade to custom at eye level to improve the appearance.
In the bathroom, choose stock cabinetry but opt for a stone counter top.
Select beautiful hardware for a unique final touch. You can find knobs in different finishes. Small details make a big difference
3. Mix inexpensive items with expensive ones to add dazzle to the mundane.
A combination of a cotton throw or a luxury mohair throw and decorative pillows, thoughtfully displayed could add glamour to your home.
4. Replace the smaller, older style molding with the wider newer style ones. Inexpensive wide press board baseboards can look expensive and elegant and no one can tell they are not hardwood.
5. Consider investing in original art or frame prints using oversize matting and framing.
6. Lastly, shop around, take full advantage of sales. Another useful tool is those time limited, no interest and no payment plans that some stores offer. Use these offers with the intention of making regular payments on that purchase to pay it off before the due date arrives, thus saving any interest but spreading the total cost over a period of time. Just make sure they are paid before the due date!
Lets say that you have a favorite patterned accent pillow.
You don’t have to use every color from your inspiration fabric, choose only a few.
- For a monochromatic look, choose one color and use different shades of it.
- Each color should be used more then once in the room.
- Use neutrals on larger pieces allowing it to refresh the room easily by using other colors from the print for accent pieces, such as accent chairs, fresh or artificial flowers, art glass, accessories and walls.
Peoples have a passion for fragrance, and scented candles are the number one choice of U.S. consumers for home fragrance. Candle manufacturers work closely with fragrance companies to develop scents that can create a special atmosphere to any room in the home.
Scented candles are great for any room in the house, but unscented candles are best for dining. Scented candles can conflict with the aroma and enjoyment of your food.
Whether grouped for drama in the living room, paired in candlesticks on the dining table, or snuggled in colored glass votives on the mantel, candles add elegance and style to homes.
Large pillar candles placed in clear glass hurricanes make a bold decorating statement during the day, and enhance a room with subtle warmth and drama when lit.
By placing one or more pillar candles on a pillar plate and surrounding the candle base with flat gray or black stones you will add an Asian influence. This looks best with neutral colored or deeply hued candles and pillar plates made of metal.
Candlelight can transform the patio into one of your home’s most enchanting areas. Bring a shimmer of candlelight to your patio dining with groupings of white or cream candles protected from the wind by hurricanes or votive holders.
Turn you bathroom into a spa. Using candles with heavy or overpowering scents could overwhelm the small space of your bathroom. Decorate with candles that make your bathroom smell fresh and clean. Opt for citrus scents or some of the candles that are made to smell like the ocean, clean linen or freshly cut grass.
If your bathroom has a contemporary style, you can use contemporary soy scented candles that have a modern style.