We all have a favorite color right? Indeed this has become almost a cultural question for many of us. We’re asked it at some interviews and it’s even a question that could be used on a first date to break the ice. The question is this - have you ever wondered why a color is your favorite color or what impact it might have on your personality or even on your life?

Let’s have a look at how each color can impact your home decorating projects - both positively and negatively.

Color can motivate us, change how we view something and even change our moods.

White has been the color of purity for thousands of years. It’s a color also associated with sterility which is why it’s used so often in bathrooms for example.

Black is a very powerful color and changes the whole feel of a room. Decorating a room entirely in black is not a good idea as prolonged exposure to it can lead to depression.

Blue can be used in any room as long as it’s contrasted with another color. Overuse of blue can make a room look and feel very cold. If you have a home office then blue might be a color to consider as studies show that people in blue rooms are actually more productive.

Brown is a very earthy color and its tones suggest comfort and warmth so it is often used in living rooms and studies in many homes. A luxurious color that should be used sparingly as too much brown in any room can make it feel enclosed and dreary.

Gray is a conservative color that can give a room a very ‘clean’ and formal feel to it. This color should be used very sparingly in decorating or painting projects as it can make rooms feel very ‘boring’ very quickly.

Yellow is a very powerful color. It suggests warmth, richness and happiness and can have a magical effect on a room. A room painted entirely in yellow is not, however, a good idea. Such is the power of this color that it can cause headaches and nausea when used too much.

Pink is a very effeminate color so should only be used in rooms where the desired effect is to be very feminine. Using pink whimsically throughout a room can quickly make it look gaudy, tacky and cheap.

Green is a very fresh color to use in almost any room. It especially suits bathrooms and childrens rooms because of the feeling of nature it gives. Green can have a very calming effect so is also a color that could possibly be used, sparingly, in bedrooms.

Orange is vibrant and alive. It’s an exciting color that stimulates the mind. You can use orange in any room that you would like to have an energetic feel to it.

Red is one of the most powerful colors you can use. It suggests strength, passion and even has aggressive overtones to it. Ideas for the use of red include dining rooms and kitchens as the color red has been known to stimulate the appetite.

So now you have a better idea of just how strong the impact of some colors can be. Go forth and decorate with peace of mind!

This article was provided courtesy of HomeDecorating101.Info. If you’re looking for more ideas on home decorating including Italian decorating ideas then why not check out our site?

A platform bed is a bed with no springs that is often raised on legs or framework to provide storage or “breathing” space. Platform beds are great for people who want a simpler look to their bedroom, or who live in tight spaces or small rooms. They provide firm cushioning without the bulk and bounce of a box spring. Oftentimes, people will augment their platform bed with special mattresses made of memory foam, a gel-like substance that conforms to the curves of your body, while offering full support for the skeletal structure.

Platform beds come in various sizes and styles to fit any taste. Whether you want a twin, twin long, full, queen, king, California king, or Eastern king size bed, there is a platform bed for you. Are you looking for a simple, Zen-like bed with nothing fancy whatsoever? Or do you want something a little more lavish, like gracefully swooping curves and an arching canopy?

Platform beds usually come in various types of wood or metal. You can find wood and metal platform beds in traditional, contemporary, Japanese, and other styles. You might want it to be just tall enough to store a few boxes, or you may want it to be lower to the ground for a lower profile, lending a more spacious look to your bedroom.

So platform beds are an interior decorating and organization choice. You can use the bed in your own room, or you can buy it for use as a guest bed. Your guests will love it. No matter what you use your platform bed for, you can find and buy one at an affordable enough price to fit your own budget.

Platform Beds Info provides detailed information about contemporary, Japanese, discount, and wood platform beds and platform storage beds, as well as platform bed frames and plans. Platform Beds Info is the sister site of Futons Web.

When it comes to installing hurricane shutters on your home, there are a few things to keep in mind. If you are lucky to not live an area where there’s a seasonal threat of violent winter storms, then wooden shutters may not be necessary. People who live in the southern United States or those who live in a hot climate near the coast often find themselves under the threat of a hurricane. One of the best ways to protect yourself from the threat of a hurricane is to install vinyl shutters or wooden shutters. Wood shutters can really help to protect and save lives. They are designed to protect you against the destructive winds and debris that a hurricane can bring. In the event of an evacuation, you can rest assured that your shutters will be there to protect and guard your home.

Wood shutters are affordable and easy to install, and there are many different types choose from. Remember when choosing shutters to purchase some that will fit your windows properly and are easy to use. Ease of installation is critical because as a rule, they are installed in a hurry as soon as you hear of a hurricane warning.

There different types of wooden shutters, or you may of course, encounter the following types of materials. Aluminum, steel, vinyl, plywood and accordion style. Learning about the different types of shutters available and how each one protects differently will go a long way in protecting your home from the ravages of a hurricane. Remember that if your home has a lot of windows, take into consideration the amount of time to install them. It is great to have shutters, but if you end up installing them in the middle of a hurricane, that is no fun! This is crucial, especially on short notice as hurricanes usually arrive earlier rather than later or not at all.

By Terry Price- Remember to visit- http://www.best-window-blinds-shutters.com/articles_1.html –Are you looking for a bamboo or tropical blind? http://www.best-window-blinds-shutters.com/104-m-b-woven-wood-bamboo-blinds.html

Beds are not the only type of futon furniture on the market today. Futon bunk beds and futon chairs have experienced an explosion in popularity in the last few years. All types of futon furniture have made huge strides in recent years. Once confined mainly to college dorm rooms, futon furniture is now found in many classy and expensive living room sets. Futon chairs and futon bunk beds have many advantages over traditional chairs and bunk beds. Futon furniture is more versatile, unique, and functional than standard furniture.

A futon chair is similar to a futon couch in that it has a mattress that rests on an adjustable frame. Futon chairs are smaller than futon sofas, they are usually designed to accommodate one or two people in the upright position. Most futon chairs can be set in three positions, upright, reclined, and horizontal. There are countless different futon chair frames available. Some are made of wood and others are metal. Many wood frames are constructed with high quality oak and are great pieces of furniture for a nice living room. Futon chairs provide the comfort of a recliner with the versatility and style of a futon bed.

Futon bunk beds have become hugely popular in recent years. They feature a futon couch/bed on the bottom and a flat futon mattress on the top. A futon bunk bed is a great idea for people living in cramped areas like dorm rooms or small apartments. Not only does a futon bunk bed contain multiple beds, but it also has a couch on the lower level. There are many different models of futon bunk beds. Some have lightweight metal frames with a ladder built onto one side. Others are made of wood can have freestanding ladders.

Futons Info provides detailed information about futon covers, mattresses, frames, chairs, and bunk beds. Futons Info is the sister site of Platform Beds Web.

Some people will look at the title of this article and laugh but if you have become afflicted with this problem you know that the title of this article was written in all seriousness!

You started out like anyone else. You thought maybe you could use a rug for a room in your home that needed a bit of transformation. You became interested in rugs and did a bit of research. You may have even gone into a few rug galleries or possibly searched the ads for a good deal from an individual. You bought a few books on Oriental Rugs and maybe even joined the local Oriental Rug Society.

It is now years later and you have lost control. Every inch of your floor is covered in handmade rugs. You have rugs on the walls, rugs on the tables, draped across couches, rugs rolled up in the closets. The mouse-pad for your computer even looks like an Oriental Rug.

Your spouse, if you’re lucky enough to have one, has threatened, “It’s either the rugs or me!” on more than one occasion.

If this were not bad enough you are still interested, fascinated and searching for one more amazing, incredible hand-woven rug. Maybe now you only collect Persian rugs from the early part of the 18th Century woven by a specific tribal group that is so esoteric most of the rug dealers you know have barely even heard of them.

Can this dreaded disease be cured with a tonic?
Is there a rehab spot for rug addicts!
What can you possible do?

It always seems like the most incredible rug in the world is the one you don’t have. This was a quote from my brother so I must give credit where credit is due.

It’s not that the rugs you have in your possession have become uninteresting in any way, it’s just that this art form appears to have infinite combinations. Two weavers can take the exact same design elements; wool colors and types, even from the same dye batches and create two completely different rugs. Are you doomed to a life of buying beautiful rugs with no end in sight or is there a way out?

Hopefully, your taste in rugs is decent and this is a completely relative frame of reference but if your collection has a number of acceptable and charming pieces and your enthusiasm is such that your friends are starting to appear just to come and look at your rugs there may be some hope.

This is where the cure presents itself.

I know it will be hard at first but I want you to get the concept of finding a new home for one or two of the rugs in your collection. Let your friends know that you are contemplating this. Now, as your tastes have evolved, think carefully about which rug you would not miss too terribly if you were able to part with it somehow.

We are assuming of course that the new owner would be taking very good care of the rug and appreciate it as much as you did! Now, as you are moving forward with this and letting people know you may be selling one or two of your rugs, someone you know shows a great deal of interest and lights up like the sun at your mention of this possibility. This is the where you make your move. You will never be cured if you cannot cross the line here. Don’t hesitate.

Show him the rug you have chosen and if he remains interested, sell it and the cure has started! One rug sold and you are on your way to becoming a cured rug addict. You will now be known as a Collector/Dealer! Viola! The transformation is complete and for every rug you sell, a new rug is waiting to be discovered.

I know this story well as it is my story as a deeply afflicted, genuine dyed in the wool Oriental rug addict. The beauty of this cure is the pure joy you will find when you sell one of your treasures to someone that loves it as much as you do!

© Penny Krieger 2006

Penny Krieger is the owner of Paradise Oriental Rugs, Inc. formerly located in Santa Rosa, CA. She now shows rugs on an appoinment basis in Sonoma County and Marin Counties, specializing in Persian and Afghan vegetable dyed rugs.

For more info or to see many beautiful rugs to to:

http://www.paradiseorientalrugs.com/

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A less expensive futon is not necessarily a low quality product. Cheap futons can be perfect for people on a budget, such as college students or recent grads. Cheap futons provide the same versatility and comfort of more expensive models but at a much lower price. There are several ways to get cheap futons. Shoppers can look for futon stores that always sell futons a discounts, they can look for seasonal sales, or they can buy used futons. All of these options can have satisfactory results and the buyer can find a long lasting comfortable futon.

Many futon dealers, both stores and online, specialize in selling high quality futons at discounts. Many of these futon stores get their products from the futon manufacturers at cheap prices and pass the savings on to the consumer. These stores make money by making less profit per sale but making more sells.

Most futon stores also have seasonal sales periodically. Stores could try to clear out older futon models to make room for new models. Many futon stores have summer sales or similar events to lure customers into buying something.

Used futons are another option. Garage sales, estate sales, and classified ads are three places where shoppers can get great deals on used futons. Many used futons are sold for practical reasons, like the owner is moving and is not able to take the futon along. Used futons can be top of the line products at a low price. Many futon stores even have a selection of used futons.

When buying a cheap futon, it is important to check the quality before making the purchase? Shoppers should be aware what the frame is made of, what the mattress is filled with, and what kind of fabric the cover is made of. Some futon frames and mattresses are cheap because they are made of low-grade materials, but many are cheap yet still high quality. It is important to research the cheap futon thoroughly before handing over any money.

Futons Info provides detailed information about futon covers, mattresses, frames, chairs, and bunk beds. Futons Info is the sister site of Platform Beds Web.

If you have two siblings sharing a bedroom, there are a couple of easy appraoches to decorating a space that both will enjoy.

The first approach to decorating for siblings sharing a bedroom is to makeover the room in one theme that both can agree on.

The second apprach is to employ two separate decorating themes within the room to keep them both happy and feeling like they have individual spaces that they can call their own.

Here are some ideas that you can use to help satify both siblings, no matter which of the above approaches wins out.

Single theme decorating for siblings sharing a bedroom

Of course, this is the ideal. When siblings agree on the same decorating theme, or don’t mind having similar bedding, there are two great ways you can furnish the room. You can either choose to purchase them a bunk bed, or two twin beds. You can them dress up the beds with similar or matching bedding. Some excellent bedding choices can be found at www.homevision.com. One of the easiest, and least costly, techniques for selecting bedding is to go with “Primary Solids Reversible and Fitted Comforters”. You can always use little accessories to accentuate a particlur theme.

To further pull together the theme for siblings sharing a bedroom, you can select wallpaper in a theme that your children will enjoy. Or, you can borrow from one of the colors in the bedding and paint the walls a solid color shade.

But certainly wallpaper will add more personality to the room and make capturing the theme much easier. If wallpaper, or perhaps even a simple wallpaper border, appeals to you, then check out www.decoratetoday.com. You’ll find lots of different choices for just about every taste and theme.

After the walls and bedding are addressed, you’ll want to think about the remaining furiture. Matching furniture is always a good and safe way to go. But why not throw in some fun furniture like a funky table and chair set, bean bag chairs, etc.

Dual (two) theme decorating for siblings sharing a bedroom

To keep both siblings happy, the easiest thing to do is just split the room in half. If you can, try to get them to agree on as many of the big components as you can. For example, maybe they don’t mind the walls being the same color throughout the room. But, if that doesn’t work, don’t sweat it. Here’s what you can do to keep the peace.

You can paint one half of the room a solid color one child likes, and paint the other half of the room a different but complimentary color that the other child likes. And if you purchase two twin trundle beds, the kids will feel as if they have more of their own space. Plus, trundle beds will provide extra storage space for each child to store their personal items.

For other furniture items, it’s okay to mix and match. But if the siblings have similar personal items, be sure to label the items with their names so that there won’t be any bickering about who owns what.

Finally, some other furnishings you may want to include in the sibling’s bedroom are:

* Lamps
* Window treatments
* Clocks
* Throw pillows
* Area rug(s)
* Wall hooks
* Wall art (posters)
* Shelving
* Toy box bench
* Waste bin

These are just a few of the ways you can keep siblings sharing a bedroom happy. Just be a little creative, ensure that each has his or her own personal space, and everything should work out fine. Happy decorating!

Michael Holland is the creator of the Web sites http://www.kids-rooms-and-crafts.com and http://www.home-decorating-made-easy.com. His sites offer lots of FREE home decorating tips and ideas.

Futon frames come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Most futon frames can fold horizontally or vertically to make a bed or a couch. Futon frames are made of either wood or metal. There are a limitless number of designs for futon frames to accommodate any type of room.

One of the major advantages of futons over other types of furniture is that most of the frames can be adjusted to either an upright sofa position or a horizontal bed setting. This eliminates the need for fold out couches and other heavy, cumbersome furniture. This adjustability makes futons perfect for accommodating houseguests.

There are a number of materials that futon frames can be made of. They can be made of wood like oak or pine, or they can be constructed with metal. Both materials are used to make long lasting adjustable frames. Many high quality futon frames are made of strong woods like oak. Oak can be stained many different shades and is known for being sturdy. Pine is also a common material used in futon frames. Pine frames are not quite as strong as oak, but they still hold up well. Pine frames can be stained to match the rest of the room. Many other futon frames are metallic. Metal frames are usually lighter and smaller than wood frames. Many college students have metal futon frames in their dorm rooms or apartments. Metal frames come in many colors and are welded with sturdy, strong metal.

There are futon frames made for many types of rooms. Many wood and metal frames are as pretty and classy as traditional sofas or beds. A futon sofa can fit in with any other type of furniture in a living room. Futon frames are more versatile than other types of furniture. The frames can have a straight back like a sofa, a reclined back like a Laze-e-boy, or they can be adjusted horizontally like a bed.

Futons Info provides detailed information about futon covers, mattresses, frames, chairs, and bunk beds. Futons Info is the sister site of Platform Beds Web.

“Just imagine the chiming of a Grandfather Clock – that is the sound that turns a house into a home…”

Around 1875, the American songwriter Henry Work was staying at the George Hotel during a trip to England. He was told the unique story of their old clock and it’s previous owner, and after seeing the clock for himself, he decided to write a song about the fascinating coincidence that the clock stopped forever the moment its owner died. Mr. Work returned to America and published the song that sold over a million copies of sheet music about the clock grandfather entitled “My Grandfather’s Clock”. Until that time, clocks such as the one in the old George Hotel were given various names, but only since Henry Work’s song have large upright clocks been called ‘Grandfather Clocks’.

Grandfather clocks, also sometimes known as ‘Coffin Clocks’, come in a huge variety of sizes and designs, ranging from antiques built by famous clock makers several centuries ago, to those made today.

Pendulum clocks were developed by clockmakers in the mid 1600’s in a bid to obtain a greater degree of time-keeping accuracy. By giving them longer pendulums, clocks kept better time. These long-pendulum clocks were placed in tall wooden cases so that they could stand upright on the floor.

Since then, Grandfather clocks have become very popular items of household furniture, and have appeared in a huge variety of cases – many styles of which became fashionable, and then fell out of favor as fashion tastes changed. Grandfather clocks were sometimes embellished with ornate woodcarving, and often came complete with chimes, tunes, and moon-phase dials.

Clock collecting is a serious passion for many clock lovers around the world. Today, some antique clocks from the 1600’s to 1700’s fetch tens of thousands of dollars.

If you too have a fascination for grandfather clocks, and would like to read more, visit the Grandfather Clocks website today. You may freely reprint this article as long as nothing is changed and bio is included with all links intact.

There are a number of different types of futon mattresses on the market. A futon mattress can be filled with several different materials and has a set level of firmness as well.

Probably the most important aspect of a futon mattress is its filling. The type of filling will determine the firmness and lifespan of the mattress. There are several different fillings to choose from. A futon mattress can be filled with cotton, foam and cotton, innerspring, or foam. Cotton is the most economical, but it also loses its firmness and is more absorbent than other fillings. Most futons are filled with a mixture of cotton and foam. This mixture lasts years longer than pure cotton. The innerspring system is a set of springs surrounded by either cotton or foam that is somewhat similar to a traditional mattress, but thinner. Many high-end futon mattresses are made of latex foam that can contour to the sleeper’s body.

Like conventional mattresses, futon mattresses come in soft, medium, and firm. The firmness depends in part on the filling. It is recommended to purchase a futon mattress that is more than six inches thick. The level of firmness does not reflect on the quality of the mattress, just the preference of the user.

Discount futon mattresses are available online and at many retailers. These futons can be as good as ones purchased at full price. When purchasing a discount futon mattress it is important to know what it is filled with, as some materials last longer than others. Often, high quality futon mattresses will be sold at discounts to make room for new merchandise.

Futon mattresses are a great alternative to conventional spring mattresses. They have comparable firmness and size at a fraction of the cost.

Futons Info provides detailed information about futon covers, mattresses, frames, chairs, and bunk beds. Futons Info is the sister site of Platform Beds Web.