Bathroom fixtures perform the functions for which a bathroom is built. Updating your bathroom fittings can turn your plain, outdated bathroom into a room you can be proud of for less expense than replacing the fixtures.

Each fixture should be carefully selected to best meet the needs of the intended users. It should also be located in the bath or toilet room in a location that facilitates its use. Find advise on selecting fixtures, articles on quality and design, and information on companies that manufacture bath fixtures for use in your home.

Bathroom fixtures can underscore the style of your home or serve as a neutral backdrop that can be changed based on the accompanying accessories. Here are some tips.

Bathroom plans should provide bars or table space for towels that is convenient so seated bathers can dry their hands and face before getting out of the tub. Storage should be provided on shelves or other areas for soap, shampoo, and toiletries.

Choosing bathroom fixtures, especially for your home’s main bathroom, can prove to be a challenge, like other household furnishings, can be combined in order to create different styles.

It is a common knowledge that bathroom remodeling will probably provide the best return on your remodeling investment, your bathroom will need less repairs and will give off more decor style than any other room in the house.

About The Author:

Roger King is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-home-decor.com Bathroom fixtures and ideas to showcase your homes.

Futon Covers are made from some of the unique & supreme upholstery fabrics produced in the home furnishings industry.

Futon covers allow the customers with the exclusive opportunity of changing their room decor by changing the futon covers. The futon cover also facilitates in grand way to get customers at least peep back into the store for repeat business. Proper care and washing will greatly extend the life & beauty of your futon cover and protect your valuable deal.

The futon cover is primarily decorative but it also serves the very important function of protecting the mattress and furniture from dirt & spills. The futon covers come in wide range of prices, variety of colors and styles.

How to take care of your precious futon covers?

1. Wash monthly: The covers should be washed at least once a month by using a sponge and a mild solution of liquid ivory soap and clear lukewarm water. The solution should be applied to a clean wet sponge and the cover should be washed and rinsed well. Then it should be towel dried.

2. Do not use: Saddle soaps, oils, abrasive cleaners, furniture polish, varnish or ammonia based products should never be used for futon covers. The futon cover is already preserved in the tanning process and needs no maintenance other than the simple cleaning recommended

3. The Sun can be harmful: The new cover should be kept out of direct sunlight. Sunlight can dry and possible fade the cover, much like a sun’s effects on our own skin.

4. Use cotton covering: When you store, it should be placed in a cotton covering. Proper breath ability is essential because it will give a long life to the futon cover.

5. No oils or chemicals: Keep the futon cover out of the way of harsh chemicals. Hairsprays, perfumes, and the like can contain alcohol and/or other chemicals that are detrimental to the lifespan of the futon cover.

6. Turning: To equalize wear and maximize comfort, turning your futon cover over and turning from end to end every other month is recommended.

7. Fluffing: Fluffing the covers allows air into the fibers and evens out the peaks and valleys from sitting and sleeping. Fluffing enhances the product’s comfort and resilience.

At Futon Covers USA you get the extraordinary shopping experience with features like high quality, trust, honesty, customer value and a guarantee to be the lowest price on the internet – as the arrows in the quiver. To read more just give us a KNOCK…

Dan Noyes is a very well known author who writes articles on various topics including various categories of products like futons!

Acrylic paint comes in a tube, just like oil paint. However, since acrylic paint is water-based meaning it dissolves in water instead of oil-based meaning you need to dissolve it in oil or turpentine, it’s much easier to clean up after. You can soak your brushes and clean your hands in plain tap water, instead of smelly and flammable chemicals.

Another advantage to acrylic paint is that it dries much faster than oil paint usually overnight. If you’re working on a painting that needs to be done on time, that’s important. Acrylic paint was developed as a water-based alternative to traditional oil paints. Acrylic paints can be diluted with water, but become water-resistant when dry. Depending on how much the paint is diluted with water, the finished painting can resemble a watercolor or an oil painting.

Acrylic paint is a fast-drying paint containing pigment suspended in an acrylic polymer resin. Different from oil painting as watercolor is different from oil painting. There are techniques, which are available only to acrylic painters, and there are also restrictions, which are unique to acrylic painting.

Acrylic paints can achieve an oil-paint-like effect, and do so in much less time. Applied to look like oil paints, acrylics are somewhat limited due to the superior color range of oil paints, and the fact that acrylic dry to a shiny, smooth.

Acrylics paints are sometimes used in place of watercolors because acrylics dry closer to the desired color slightly darker, usually, while watercolors dry lighter and often unpredictably, especially for beginning artists.

About The Author:

Roger King is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-home-decor.com Acrylic paints and ideas to showcase your homes.

There was a time people thought the world was flat. At another point in history it was believed that women didn’t have the know-how to run a business or change a tire. Then there was the one about man not being able to fly. Over time all of these fairytales have proven untrue.

So it is with interior design. Until recently, many people held the belief that having their home decorated by an interior designer was reserved for the rich and famous. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Fact is, many people of average income who live in a middleclass neighborhood are frequently surprised to learn they can easily afford the services of an interior designer. In other cases, many folks prefer to learn tips about design so they have the flexibility to redo a room on a whim. Either way, you have more choices today then ever before.

It is not uncommon to completely redo a room for a one time social event such as a birthday celebration, a graduation or a wedding. With some simple tips, even the most inexperienced person can easily spruce up a room.

Before you begin, think about the style you are interested in. Is it art deco, traditional, Mediterranean, western, modern, or contemporary? These are only a few of the multitude of choices you have. Think through how functional the room will be with what you have in mind. Avoid rugs and chairs that stain easily if there will be a lot of traffic in the room.

Be very careful to scale your furniture to the size of the room. If you have a very large space you can break up the area into little sitting groups or area groups. You can easily shift the “feel” of a room with the use of lighting and/or plants. Area rugs are another tool many designers use to break up large spaces. A variety of paint colors and wall textures can make even the most mundane room come to life.

Small space decorating is fast becoming a favorite topic for many people as real estate prices rise. Think priorities when it comes to small spaces. Do you need to use an area of the room for more than one reason? In some cases you can easily convert the kitchen table to your workspace provided you have cabinet space handy for supplies. A chest of drawers can easily serve this purpose by holding office supplies, linens, or even computer components.

If you are considering utilizing the services of a designer, do your homework. Check their portfolio and references. Find out how they are to work with, did they deliver on time, were they easy to work with and did they listen to the homeowner. If you get an affirmative answer on all of these and their fees are suitable to your budget, then take the leap. Often, interior designs services are provided at no additional cost to you, and will give you the extra edge you need to create exactly the feeling you want for your home.

A great designer can make recommendations you may not have thought of. Ultimately, their goal is for you to be ecstatic with what you were able to accomplish together. After all, you are the one that has to live in the space long after the designer has done their magic.

Copyright: © 2004 by Melody Foster

Web: www.thecozyhome.net

Publishing Guidelines: You may publish my article in your newsletter, on your website, or in your print publication provided you include the resource box at the end. Notification would be appreciated but is not required.

About The Author

Melody Foster is the proprietor of The Cozy Home. The Cozy Home recently received the award for Best Interior Design for 2004 from the Parade of Homes and Salt Lake Home Builders Association for homes in the $400,000 - $700,000 range. Located in historic downtown Draper, Utah, The Cozy Home has a retail outlet that offer a unique selection to those who want the ability to furnish and accessorize their homes in a very individual way, with one-of-a-kind pieces that cannot be found elsewhere. The Cozy Home also focuses on interior design for homes in the $200,000 and up range, specializing in the enhancing the average American home. Contact Melody Foster at mfoster@speakeasy.net

Web: www.thecozyhome.net

Today’s look in window treatments ranges from a simple length of fabric arranged over a rod to elaborate draperies reminiscent of those in historic mansions. If you have a great view or want the maximum amount of natural light possible, hard window treatments allow the most flexibility.

Nothing affects a room as much as it’s windows and their treatments. If you’ve got’em, you’ve must dress them up. The variety of window treatments is immense and the possibilities are endless. No matter what your style is, you can find window treatments that will work for you, and have some fun in the process.

Living room windows might be formally dressed, and bedroom windows usually require privacy, but kitchen windows can make up their own rules with lively treatments that are just for fun and good looks. Blinds, shades, and shutters of every conceivable size and type can help you add personality to your windows.

Choosing a color scheme is usually one of the first steps in the design process, because color can be used to create a focal point and set the mood in a room. Window treatments offer the ideal opportunity to let your artistic side shine since they’re ideally colorful accessories to your home decor.

Where privacy isn’t an issue, you’ll have even more options and many different kinds of window treatments available, it’s no wonder that selecting the right solution for your home can be a difficult decision.

About The Author:

Roger King is a successful author and publisher of http://www.1st-in-blinds.com. Window treatments and ideas to showcase your living space.

If you’ve ever seen Frank’s decorations on TLC’s Trading Spaces, then you know all about the country style of design. From stenciled drawings to wooden cows to ruffled curtains, country design has all the frills you might expect from our dear friend, Frank. When I was a little girl, my grandparents sold woodwork at the flea markets all over Tennessee and Kentucky. We had wooden calendars with dolls or bears painted on them. We had quilt racks with hearts. We had every crafty country decoration imaginable. Although I thought at one time that you could just toss all these things into a room and have style, I’ve learned since that there are very definite ways to create crafty country rooms that men are still willing to enter.

Crafty country is great, but if you are not careful, your husband may be ready to kick you out of the house. Country design tends to be frilly and a bit girly, and your husband may not approve. One way to create a home that is comfortable for everyone is to use wooden flea market items and ruffled curtains sparingly. Not every room in your home needs to have a cow or duck in it. You can create a beautiful country sitting room with a comfortable plaid couch, slightly ruffled curtains, and a couple of stencils on the wall; the room is still definitely country, but at the same time your wooden coffee tables may have somewhat modern lines so that the males in your home enjoy the room too.

Another way to bring country design to the whole family is to let your husband add his own touches to the decoration. I’m not saying you should let him put antlers on every part of the walls, but if he hunts, you should allow him to have at least one or two rooms (maybe in the back of the house) where he can display his animals. If he doesn’t hunt, you could simulate the more manly country style by integrating rustic decor items such as an antler chandelier or floor lamp. Another option is to bring in old farming tools or hunting traps to display on the walls. Old items like these bring a manly air to the house, and they are interesting pieces that will give your guests something to talk about. They can also give the room a settled, sturdy feeling; something about the tools makes a room seem safe and secure. Using a few of these tools or items throughout your home can really make your crafty country them come to life.

Crafty country is a great way to design as long as you remember one word: moderation. The frills and flowery stencils of this design are not the only parts of it. Another part of country is simply that you are crafty and you create your own unique items. Make a desk out of an old door; make screens out of window shutters; use an old window with berries and holly glued on to make a beautiful Christmas decoration. Being creative is really the most wonderful part of the crafty country style. Your friends will marvel at your ingenuity as you create a style that is yours and yours alone.

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is provided courtesy of The Do It Yourself Home Decorating Network - http://www.diyhomedecorating.com - a large and growing decorating and decor website featuring articles, tips, advice, and popular decor shopping. This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the author, copyright, website address and link, and this notice are left intact.

The simplest and least expensive way to cover your furniture is with sure fit furniture cover throws. Does your couch need a new look but can’t find the right slipcover? Select from a variety of inexpensive throw covers for your furniture. Bedspreads and throws can be designed to fit any bed or couch using fabric you select at your local fabric store.

Throws are perfect accent pieces for your floor, sofa, wall or table. These products look perfect with all traditional interior designs. To update the look of your furniture, choose from a selection of woven throws such as Madison Woven Furniture Throws, Birmingham Plaid Easy-On Woven Throws, Lodge Patchwork Throws and various other colors and patterns. The selection is endless.

Tapestry throws are perfect items for the home. As well as a decorative item, it can be hung, draped or used. These throw covers make wonderful blankets that can be left on the couch for decoration when you’re not using them. Pillows and fabric by the yard are available to match your new couch-throw.

All furniture cover throws have classic fringed bottoms and are machine washable. The comforting texture of the fabric will instantly move you to a state of relaxation. Buy your throw slipcovers with confidence.

About The Author: Roger King is a successful author and publisher of http://www.all-slipcovers.com Throws and ideas to showcase your bed and bathroom.

Tired of plain, boring walls? Faux finishes are a great way to jazz up your space with little cost or effort. Here are a few of the most popular finishes.

Sponging: Of all faux finish techniques, sponging is the easiest, even children can do a somewhat messy reproduction of this technique. In order to sponge, you must first paint the entire area one base color. After this coat dries, then you can take a sponge or even a plastic bag, dip it in paint, and apply the paint randomly to the walls. Although this is a random process, you want to be careful not to get any one area of the wall extremely dark or leave it extremely light or your eye will be drawn to that spot immediately. Sponging is very easy, and for all supplies usually costs between $50-$100, which may also include classes if you want to learn from the professionals.

Combing: Combing is a little more difficult. When combing, you use a squeegee with teeth to comb through the top layer of paint. As with sponging, you want to have a bottom layer so that when you comb there will be a matching layer beneath it. Using a combing technique is also very inexpensive, and you can use the squeegee to make wavy, zigzags, and other designs on the wall.

Glazing: Glazing is actually the product that you put over your first coat of paint. In order to glaze your walls correctly, you should take a class. You may be able to find a home improvement store that offers glazing classes or you may need to talk to a local interior decorator about classes, although these will likely be very expensive. Glazing places a transparent coat over the base coat of paint, making the wall look a bit shiny and transparent. You can use as many coats of glaze as you want to get the desired look.

Trompe-L’oeil: Trompe-L’oeil is French for "fool the eye." This finish fools the eye into thinking that the wall has a marble or granite finish. This is probably the most difficult finish to accomplish on your own. For creating the marble finish, you use a technique very much like sponging, but this one takes a bit more talent. Visit local stores to see if they have classes or tips on achieving this style.

These are the four primary types of faux finishes. The first two are fairly easy, while the latter two are significantly harder. Before attempting any of these, plan well so that you can estimate the cost, and visit your local hardware or design store for classes or helpful hints. Having a buddy to take classes with you or practice with you will make the experience more fun. You can even do one room in your house and then decorate a room in your buddy’s house; the fun never ends!

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is provided courtesy of The Do It Yourself Home Decorating Network - http://www.diyhomedecorating.com - a large and growing decorating and decor website featuring articles, tips, advice, and popular decor shopping. This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the author, copyright, website address and link, and this notice are left intact.

When you shop for drapery and upholstery fabric you must consider two important criteria: form and function. What do you want it to look like and how will it be used? The right Upholstery fabric may not be the right choice for durability, stain resistance, etc. If you have small children, you might suggest a color that will not show dirt easily.

Buying upholstery fabrics for your new piece of furniture is a not always easy. When shopping for fabrics, you will find an overwhelming array of different patterns, textures, fabric weights, and fiber contents to choose from. You should be aware of its durability, clean ability, and resistance to soil and fading.

Here are a few common used Upholstery fabrics; Linen is best suited for formal living rooms or adult areas. Cotton natural fiber provides good resistance to wear, fading, and pilling. Wool offers good resistance to pilling, fading, wrinkling, and soil. Vinyl is easy-care and less expensive than leather, vinyl’s are ideal for busy family living and dining rooms.

Silk is delicate fabric, and is suitable for adult areas, such as formal living rooms. It must be professionally cleaned if soiled. Acrylic synthetic fiber was developed as imitation wool. It resists wear, wrinkling, soiling, and fading.

Nylon is usually blended with other fibers to make it one of the strongest upholstery fabrics. Polyester is blended with other fibers to add wrinkle resistance, eliminate crushing of napped fabrics, and reduce fading.

About The Author:

Roger King is a successful author and publisher of http://www.all-slipcovers.com. Upholstery fabric and ideas to showcase your bed and bathroom.

If you have a sunny window in a room where you don’t have to worry about privacy, this décor idea will provide a country home feel along with the beauty of Mother Nature’s flowers.

What you will need for this project:

1. Rope about 10 inches longer than your window is wide

2. 6 small flower pots with handles (small tin buckets work well also)

3. 6 clothespins

4. Potting soil

5. 2 decorative pots

6. 2 mug hooks

7. 2 potted plant trellises

8. An assortment of seeds or seedling herbs and leafy plants such as lettuce, spinach, parsley, and chives

9. 4 morning glory seeds or two morning glory plants

10. 1 other somewhat tall decorative item that fits into the décor of the room

11. Measuring Tape

12. Pencil

How to Create this Look:

- If you are using morning glory seeds, you will first want to put them in warm water and leave them there for about 24 hours. This helps the seeds have a shorter germination time.

- Put potting soil in the 6 small pots and 2 decorative pots.

- Plant the seeds or seedlings according to directions on seed packet.

- For placing the rope, measure how tall your window is then divide this number into fourths. Measure that length from the top of the window and make a mark with a pencil on both sides. For example if your window is 36 inches tall you will make a mark at 9 inches from the top.

- Put in the mug hooks where you made your marks.

- Tie a secure knot in both ends of your rope.

- Push one knot over a mug hook.

- Slide the handles of the small pots onto the rope.

- Carefully push the other knot over the mug hook.

Caution: If you have ceramic or glass pots be careful at this step. Slide the pots to the center slowly and have them next to each other so they do not slide and break each other as your are moving your rope up to put the knot over the mug hook.

- Evenly space your pots and keep them in place by putting a clothespin on the handle and rope.

- Push the 2 potted plant trellises into the 2 decorative pots, and place one on each side of the window.

- Put your other decorative item in the center.

- Water your plants, and wait for Mother Nature to do the rest.

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard. This article is provided courtesy of The Do It Yourself Home Decorating Network - http://www.diyhomedecorating.com - a large and growing decorating and decor website featuring articles, tips, advice, and popular decor shopping. This article may be freely published on any website, as long as the author, copyright, website address and link, and this notice are left intact.