When it comes to decorating your home, forget about the empty, lifeless rooms you see in interior design magazines and books. Instead, you should concentrate on designing all of the rooms in your home as backdrops for the people who will be living in those spaces. Here are a few simple techniques for designing dynamic spaces:

Don’t be afraid to leave some empty spaces in your rooms. Empty space allows for breathing room and lets the most important items in the room shine — the people who live there!

Avoid large patterns in your fabrics and wallpapers. As a general rule, use no designs larger than your palm, because they will interfere with the appearance of people in the room. Using smaller patterns on walls and furniture will mean that friends and family won’t have to compete with bold patterns for attention.

Use paint colors that complement people’s skin and eye colors. For light skin colors, use yellows, pinks, and beiges. For darker complexions, yellows, olives, and tans can make people look great.

Use textures that stimulate the sense of touch. Look for textures that are nice to caress, such as velvet, chenille, or satin. They’ll create a feeling of being pampered.

Always choose comfort over pretense. Just because a sofa looks great doesn’t mean it’s comfortable. When you visit a showroom, remember that in order to truly test a piece of furniture, you need to sit on it for awhile, until you feel totally rested. Only then will can you get a realistic feel for its support and comfort level.

Your home is meant to be a place for people, and if you always keep yourself, your family, and your guests in mind, you’ll be well on your way to designing spaces that will be more comfortable and emotionally appealing than the staged photos you see in magazines and books.

(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm

In order for your home to be comfortable, it needs to reflect your family’s tastes and the way different rooms are used. Your personal style is the combination of these tastes and uses.

Take time to assess your wants and needs. Decorating a room is much like outfitting a wardrobe. You wouldn’t go to a formal event without some forethought as to your dress, shoes and accessories; so too with a room. The best way to discover the “decorating outfits” you like is to create a scrapbook.

The scrapbook will be your catch all for ideas and pictures and will help you establish your own style. I started my décor scrapbook in a drawer of my china hutch. It was easily accessed and out of sight. Look through a variety of design magazines and your Sunday flyers for ideas.

Here’s what to include in your scrapbook:

· Products – These include items that catch your eye. Sinks, furniture, pottery, accessories.
· Room Designs – These are complete rooms that you like. You may not care for every detail, but the entire setting is pleasing.
· Color Schemes – Choose those colors to which you are drawn. Include paint techniques and color swatches.
· Specific Room – As your collection grows, you may want to separate it by smaller categories.

As you examine your choices, you should begin to see some similarities and elements to which you are attracted. Do you prefer formal, informal, sophisticated or cozy? For which areas of the house? These moods can be a unifying factor throughout your home.

Now you need to evaluate which rooms take priority and which are lower contenders. How are these rooms used? Are they for cozy reading or as a showplace for entertaining? Be sure to allow for plenty of comfy seating and easy traffic patterns.

Create a focal point and keep the room balanced. Fireplaces, fabulous views and a home theater are naturals. Consider the visual weight of your furniture, the scale of the pieces to one another and their proportion to the room’s dimensions.

Review the room’s architectural features – arches, ceiling height, built-ins, doors and windows. Eliminate nonessential furnishings to clear floor space and use furniture to divide the space into activity areas.

Go back to how you use your room to help refine a color scheme. Warm colors are good for actions rooms – kitchen, dining, family, and child’s room.

· Red = Energizing
· Orange = Electrifying
· Yellow = Cheery
· Green = Introspective
· Blue = Serene
· Violet = Dramatic

Consider your clothes closet for color and style cues.

· Romantic – Victorian
· Mix & Match – Eclectic
· Trendy - Contemporary
· Tailored – Traditional
· Jeans – Country

These are only suggestions as to how you can approach your color and style decisions. Color affects us emotionally and physically and reflects the emotions of the people within the home.

The important thing to remember when planning for a decorating project is to select a design style that makes you and your family comfortable. After all, you’ll be living in it!

Lisa DeClue is a WAHM and Owner of Decorating with HGPgal (http://www.HGPgal.com) – an information and resource site for decorating enthusiasts. She writes the PartyLine monthly ezine and moderates a DecoForum. Grab your Freebie for subscribing to the newsletter: http://www.HGPgal.com/newsletter.html

Have you ever wondered why interior designers place slippers on the ottoman in magazine photos? They do it to make the staged setting look as if it’s a lived-in room. Pictures and illustrations in decorating books, magazines, and other advertisements are designed to sell a product or an idea.

But what’s missing in the staged rooms of most interior design books and magazines? People.

When it comes to decorating your own your home, forget the empty rooms you see in the magazines and books. You should design your rooms as backdrops for the people who use and live in those spaces. In order to best utilize the spaces in your home, try these simple techniques:

Leave empty space. Empty space gives you breathing room and allows the most important items in the room to shine, which are the people!

Use small patterns on walls and furniture. Avoid large-patterned fabrics and wallpapers with designs larger than your head. Huge florals will interfere with the appearance of the people in the room. You don’t want to have to compete with bold patterns behind your face. Patterns on sofas and chairs that clash with clothing will also make you and your guests feel uncomfortable.

Use colors that complement people. Finding the right colors to complement your skin and eyes deserves planning. Most people look great when surrounded by color. For light skin colors, use yellows, pinks, and beiges. For darker complexions, yellows, olives, and tans can make people stand out. Since most people no longer have bright white in their eyes, avoid pastels that are whiter than the white in your eyes.

Add textures that feel good to the touch. Support your sense of touch by adding textures that are nice to caress. You don’t have to touch velvet to sense its softness, and soft textures like chenille and satins will visually support your feeling of being pampered, as well.

Arrange accessories to shore up emotions. In one of my rooms, I arranged my mantle accessories to make a statement, and it looked great in photographs, but after analyzing why the mantle didn’t seem to smile, I realized that it wasn’t personal. When I filled it with Mili fiori lamps, crystal candlesticks, and antique vases, the space looked great, but it really began to smile when I added a Mexican Rose rock under the painting.

Think comfort before pretense. Just because a sofa or chair looks fabulous doesn’t mean the piece is comfortable. Remember, when you walk around a showroom, sitting down on any piece feels good, but in order to truly test a piece of furniture, you need to sit on it for a long time, until you feel totally rested. Only then will you be able to feel the real support and comfort level of that piece.

Remember, your home is a place for people, and when you and your guests look and feel great in your home, you can be sure that you’ve designed a great setting; one that far outshines the staged sets you’ll see in magazines and books.

Joy to you!

(c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

Professor Jeanette Fisher, author of Doghouse to Dollhouse for Dollars, Joy to the Home, and other books teaches Real Estate Investing and Design Psychology. For more articles, tips, reports, newsletters, and sales flyer template, see http://www.doghousetodollhousefordollars.com/pages/5/index.htm

Right now one of the most popular shows on television is, “Trading Spaces.” If you haven’t gotten an opportunity to watch this show, the object of the game is to decorate one room in someone else’s house with a budget of a $1,000. The decorator’s truly struggle to accomplish this so you know it is hard when even they, trained professionals, are having problems creating the room of the homeowner’s dreams.

Do not despair just because your money is limited- you can still create a warm and inviting home frugally. When people come into our home and see our front room (the only room we have decorated since we are relatively new homeowners) they always comment on how beautiful our drapes, furniture, and whole look of this room is. Do you think I disclose that we put the furniture together ourselves and that the whole décor came compliments of Target? No way! Never divulge the sordid details, just simply bask in the glory and let them try to recreate your look. Here are a few tips for creating an inviting home on a budget.

· Watch television shows, read books, and look through magazines to gather inspiration for creating a stylish home. Although many of the things you look at are completely out of your budget, you can try to recreate it with lower costing materials and a little creativity. Some great looks can be found on www.potterybarn.com, www.pierone.com , www.ikea.com, and www.marthastewart.com.

· Paint is the cheapest way to really change a room. One thing I have learned is to never be afraid of color- bright colors can really liven up a room. Be wary though with small rooms because this can make the rooms look smaller and closed off. In smaller rooms use softer and lighter colors- yellows, light green, lavenders, and white/off-white.

· Getting your home organized will make your house look well-kept. To find out some great ways to get your home as well as yourself organized, go to www.organizedhome.com . This site is wonderful for learning how and what you need to do to clear out the rubbish in your home. With different styles of baskets to organize your items it not only makes the room look cleaner, but it also adds to the décor.

· Target, Kmart, and Walmart all offer great items for your home at a much lower cost. Target has fantastic drapes, tableware, towels, pillows, and furniture for your home. Kmart offers incredible linens, drapes, and sheets from the Martha Stewart line. Walmart offers great fabrics for those do-it-yourself projects in making pillows, drapes, and linens.

· To add pictures to your walls, look through old art books or photograph books. Buy a cheap frame to put it in and you will have beautiful artwork for a fraction of the cost.

· Rearrange your furniture in your home. Try to find new ways to break up a room or to make the room more open and inviting.

· Light a candle and put potpourri in a bowl. This really warms up a room, not to mention adding a beautiful smell to the air.

· Find slipcovers for your couches. Doing this is a lot cheaper then buying a new sofa and when you get tired of it you can take the covers off. These are especially nice if you have little children because it is a great way to preserve the quality of your furniture. The slipcovers are easier to clean because you can throw them in the wash, unlike your couch. A couple of great places to look for nice slipcovers are www.kohls.com and www.surefit.com.

· Want something in particular in your home, but can’t afford it? Hit www.ebay.com and bid on it. Ebay always has great things for your house not to mention beautiful antiques and collectibles which make your home more unique.

· Buy large pillows to use as extra seating. These are great for when you have a large group over and not enough seating. Don’t invest in more seating; just buy big beautiful pillows for your guests to sit on.

· Go to the garage sales, but go early. Those who wait do not get the deals that the early risers get. Don’t underestimate the Salvation Army and Goodwill either because you can find some interesting and beautiful things for your house.

· Learn one craft that will aid you in decorating your home. Several of the fabric and craft stores offer wonderful classes for learning crafts such as sewing and floral for a very low cost. By learning crafts you can make things yourself at a lower cost or you may be able to make money off of this to afford you more luxuries in your home- you just never know.

· Hit your local Dollar Tree for some great buys on things to make your home more inviting. You might laugh at this one, but you would be surprised what ends up at that store. I have bought beautiful mugs, baskets, and stationary for a buck a piece and no one knows that I spent so little money. Try to think outside the box and go to the stores that are normally not known for quality houseware. This is where you get the real deals.

· Purchase all different types of blankets and put them under your end tables or drape one on your sofa. They make your guests feel cozy and invited especially on those cold winter nights.

· Put a book or two on your coffee table that can be a conversation piece, but don’t overdo it. People tend to get carried away with this and then you lose the beauty of the furniture underneath. One or two books are nice, but four or five looks like clutter.

· If you buy the do-it-yourself furniture or have a piece that looks like it needs a face-lift try replacing the knobs on those cabinets and drawers. A beautiful brushed silver knob or ornate gold knob can make the item look entirely different.

· Replace your old plastic curtain rods with sterling silver or gold rods. Target and Kmart have some really beautiful ones with different styles of ends (leaves, fruit, glass) that really add that special touch.

· Try a theme room, but don’t get carried away. Remember that whatever theme you chose you will have to live with it for a long time. Go for classic themes that seem to withstand the ages. If you choose to pick a theme for the room do hints of it throughout rooms, but don’t make the entire room one big theme. Just give your guest’s hints of it.

I hope these tips will offer you some insight on decorating your own home. My advice to you is that you start small and with one room at a time. Do not get carried away with redoing your whole home or you will feel overwhelmed. Concentrate your efforts on one project until you are completely satisfied and then begin thinking about another project.

Amy Allen Clark is a stay-at-home mother of a two year old son. She is founder and creator of http://www.momadvice.com Her web site is geared towards mothers who are seeking advice on staying organized, living on a budget, and for those seeking work-at-home employment. The author resides in Granger, Indiana and her hobbies include reading, writing, and cooking. Please visit her web site for more information on these various topics for mothers

Home decorating, ever wanted to try it, but hesitated because of time constraints or budget concerns. The following ideas will not only give instant results, but more importantly fit into any budget.

1. Changing the Look of Your Walls

Adding a new color or changing the texture, can give the room a completely new appearance and that may be the only decorating change that is necessary. The easiest option is to paint, and with the color choices available, the possibilities are endless. Another consideration would be wallpaper; the only problem you may have is choosing a design. If on the other hand, only a little something extra is needed a simple stencil design might just do the trick. Any of these ideas can be used either individually or in combination with each other.

2. Look to Your Windows For a Whole New View

Changing your window treatments is probably the easiest of any home decorating projects. The choices range from styles that include drapes, tab-top, cafe and shears, backgrounds of solid colors, floral and stripes, fabrics that include silk, cotton, lace or velvet. The most economical is ready-made; they are very affordable therefore giving you the opportunity to make changes more often.

3. Accessories Make Your Decorating Complete

Some of the more common are area rugs, wall art, lamps, pillows and cozy throws. Items for the kitchen make beautiful additions, for example; canisters, dinnerware, dishtowels or decorative bottles filled with oils and vinegar. Add a little whimsy with oversized ceramic figures like roosters, or the adorable pigs holding chalkboard menus. Bathrooms are another area for pretty accessories like decorative soaps placed in a bowl or basket; towels come in so many colors and designs now that they alone make great accessories. Last but not least do not forget candles and bowls of potpourri.

4. Collectibles Bring a Personal Touch to Home Decorating

Collectibles can be anything involving three or more of the same thing, or items that are related. This can include porcelain dolls, Christmas villages, collector plates and who can resist those adorable little faces of Boyds Bears. Maybe items with a nostalgic feel like tin lunchboxes, cookie jars or salt & peppershakers stir up special memories of childhood.

5. Updating Your Furniture

One of the easiest ways to accomplish this is with slipcovers; they come in a large variety of colors and patterns. Pieces like end tables, hutches or even a dinning table and chairs can be refinished for a new look. One way is with paint. Pick a color to coordinate with your room or choose something bright and whimsical. Another option would be to use stain, stains come in a multitude of shades; they can also come in colors.

So, if you are ready to give some decorating a go, try these basic changes to start. Over time, more things can be changed but for right now, simple changes can make a big difference.

This article is shareware. Give this article away for free on your site, or include it as part of any paid package as long as the entire article is left intact including this notice. Copyright © 2004 Bonnie Carrier

About The Author

Bonnie P. Carrier is the creator of Savvy Home Decorating. She is the mother to two grown daughters and a very spoiled 4yr old Blue Merle Sheltie named Toby. Having been a homemaker for over 23yrs has provided years of experience in budget decorating and organization. Stop by Savvy Home Decorating - www.savvy-home-decorating.com - for ideas and tips on budget decorating: bonnie@savvy-home-decorating.com

In a recent workshop in Sedona, our group did an exercise while in an 8-sided outdoor gazebo. Looking at the shape of the gazebo, I was spontaneously guided to try something new. In the workshops, I teach how to make direct contact with this Spirit of Nature, or devic realms. In this workshop, I asked each person to go toward one of the sides of the 8-sided gazebo. Then, I asked them to clear their mind of anything previously read or learned about what that side of the trigram they were standing in represented in feng shui. We then did a simple meditation, and after centering ourselves each person in the group invited the Being representing their side of the bagua to make contact with them.

When I tuned into the consciousness of the area of the bagua where I was, the career position, I was quite surprised by what I found! There was a very powerful Being in this face of the gazebo, quite tall and impressive, which I was amazed to see. I was taken aback by this as I had underestimated the power of these Beings, having thought of them all these years as diagrams on a piece of paper telling me where to put my wind chimes or mirrors. Each person then requested the wisdom held by that particular Being in the side of the bagua they were contacting. I wasn’t sure what would happen, but we were just having fun and were very open-minded, which I’ve found to be the key to accessing these inner realms. After about five minutes of this exercise, we came together and shared what we learned. To my astonishment, every person in the group received a “message” totally tailored to their specific situation.

Even those who claimed that they’ve never seen or heard things inwardly received one of their first inner messages. Although the messages were all quite unconventional in terms of what the feng shui books would prescribe, a feng shui practitioner in the group shared how the messages were in fact related to the aspects of the bagua that we were each contacting inwardly. We each received individualized information about how that part of the bagua could help us in our lives instead of what a feng shui book would say about it. Were we in contact with the original “author” or spirit of the various feng shui texts? After all, feng shui means “wind and water” — aligning with the forces of nature and with the Heavens. Sometimes we forget that feng shui is an art of divination. If not from Nature, then from whom does feng shui divine?

This experience made it clear to me that the bagua of feng shui was an “entity” that had a consciousness. As such, It could be accessed for information. Accessing this consciousness directly could take a person beyond the book learning, and rules of feng shui taught today. This is similar to what Machelle Small Wright discovered in her gardens of Perelandra. In her Perelandra Garden Workbook, she relates how she contacted the consciousness of the plants directly to access their wisdom regarding what they needed. While the information obtained defied traditional gardening books, it was very successful nonetheless. In much the same way, Luther Burbank, after which the California town was named, trained cacti and roses to grow without thorns by talking to the consciousness of the plants.

Is this how the Shamans of the Amazon Rainforest say they learned about the “medicine” of a plant, by journeying to the other worlds and contacting the spirit of the plants to learn their wisdom of how they are to be used? And isn’t that what Native American cultures do when they address the Spirit of the Four Directions? They believe the Spirit of the North has a consciousness, as do each of the other directions, and their wisdom and strength can be accessed when invoked. Similarly, could there be a Being that holds the wisdom of Feng Shui itself? If so, then by accessing this “Spirit of Feng Shui” we gain access to that wisdom directly.

If Nature can be compared to a woman, then surely we must realize that She has far too many mysteries to be confined to the static prescriptions, rules and formulas found in any book. While a book may serve as a guide, it cannot ever describe the dynamic forces of nature, which differ in each land and culture. What if we could access our own feng shui consultant in Nature Herself, who could guide us very specifically about how to best align with Her to create for harmony and balance? I’ve found in the countless space clearings I’ve done all over the world, that Nature will inevitable guide us toward the best solution for all concerned. People are often surprised to discover how easy it is to make contact, but after all, She is our true Mother, and She is always available for the asking.
There is a benefit from formal training in feng shui, from the wisdom that has been passed down from the ancestors through the ages. By developing our own co-creative relationship with the Nature Herself, we have direct access to that wisdom which goes beyond the books, beyond what is taught in feng shui schools. We then have a tool to solve any problem, and achieve the harmony with Nature that we are seeking, and from which all things are possible.

Christan Hummel is the author of the best selling book, the “Do-It-Yourself Space Clearing Kit.” She travels internationally lecturing and teaching people how to access nature in a co-creative spirit. For more information, about her upcoming workshops see: http://www.earthtransitons.com

For a special limited time offer for the book, The Do It Yourself Space Clearing Kit, see: http://www.earthtransitions.com/specialoffer.htm

The trend these days is to discover extremely innovative ways to decorate interiors on a budget. The tips provided below are just a few of the many ways one can inexpensively achieve a truly original look for a room.

Borders on a wall are an elegant way to change the look of a room. The easiest way to do this is to paint two parallel lines either at eye level or about a foot above the floor. Deciding on what motifs or designs to paint or stencil between these two lines will depend entirely on who the occupants of the room are. For example, if it is a child’s room then you could dip the child’s hands in paint and make hand prints between the lines at regular intervals. I am yet to find a kid who doesn’t enjoy this activity thoroughly! Also, kids love to display their school art projects on their bedroom walls. Try hanging up these projects on their room walls and watch their eyes light up!

Another option for border design is block printing using vegetables or fruits. Capsicum, okra and apples when cut in half horizontally, dipped in paint and stamped onto the surface produce readymade floral designs. String beans can be used to print tiny leaf designs. Use your imagination to cut up a design on potatoes or carrots. Then use this as a homemade stencil to reproduce the design.

Here is another great way to add design to your walls. Choose any old toy car or truck in your child’s toy basket, dip the wheels into the paint and roll it along the surface to create parallel lines; or you could zigzag them for a cute effect!

Step outside for a walk. Pick up a few leaves that appeal to you. Now dip the leaf surface into the paint and press it onto the wall to create a naturally stenciled leaf design.

For a genuine work of art, try this. Dip an old toothbrush into paint. Hold the brush close to the surface you would like to produce this effect on. Now pull back the bristles and release them gently so that a fine spray effect is produced on the desired surface. Test out the spray action on a piece of paper before trying it on a wall. Sponge painting is another surface painting method to create special effects inexpensively. Sponged-on designs actually let you personalize your space with minimum effort, cost and time. All you need is a plain wall, some cheap acrylic paint, a sponge and lots of enthusiasm! If you can’t afford the expensive sea sponges, then don’t fret yet, there is help. Just get any old/new sponge, randomly pinch out pieces so you get an uneven plucked out effect. Now hold this piece of ‘personal art’ comfortably in your hand and dip it into the paint. Then dab the paint-soaked portion onto a scrap of paper, just to get the excess paint out. Proceed to applying the sponge onto the wall at regular intervals. Stand back and view your artwork before touching up the design. Have fun!

To go in for a really coordinated design scheme, you can use the same effects you used on the walls of the room on the furniture or other accessories in the room. For example, if your kitchen walls have the leaf design, then you can use the same design on the cupboards, tabletops, and refrigerator door and bread box too!

I hope that was a fun set of frugal ideas to spruce up your walls this summer. But before you rush off to start, make a note of the following tips too:

1. Make sure the surface to be decorated is clean and dry.
2. Keep your supplies [sponge, paint, rags, scraps of paper or tissue, stencils, vegetables or fruits etc] on an old newspaper so you don’t have a messy floor to contend with at the end of your project.
3. Use acrylic craft paint instead of the oil based stencil paint because it is brighter and easier to clean.

Now that just reminds me, there are a whole lot of people staying in rented homes who aren’t allowed to paint their walls! Guess what? You can still decorate with any design you want! Here’s what you do:

Using any of the tips given above, paint, stencil or block-print the designs you want on cheap sheets or old bed sheets. Make sure you use good quality fabric paint.

Let it dry thoroughly. Then cut out these designs and soak them in a solution of liquid starch and water [2 tsp starch to one cup water]. Now place them on the walls wherever you want. They can be peeled off easily when you get tired of them or when it’s time to move!

About The Author

© Rachel Paul, 2004.

Rachel Paul is a busy at-home mom and an avid interior decorator who loves to find genuinely innovative ways to perk up her home in the few free moments she finds between caring for her family and pursuing home study writing courses as well. She can be contacted at: rpaul197@yahoo.com.

Permission is granted to reprint for free with resource box intact.

Because of the variety of fabrics available today, it is a good idea to acquire a little knowledge and make the right choice when it comes to selecting your bedding. After all we do spend one third of our lives in them!

We should learn to look beyond the attractive packages promoting luxury and pay more attention to qualities such as natural versus synthetic fibers, shrinkage, ease of laundering, conductivity to warmth or coolness, just to name a few. You will find a lot of information on the package itself. Look for the type of material, the nature of the fibers used, the thread count and where the product was manufactured.

Keep in mind that better fibers require more refining to become fabric and that higher the thread count, the higher the price will be! So, the most economical sheets will always be your cotton/polyester blends. Then come most of your cottons, satin, linen, superior quality cottons and finally silk.

You will need to read the care labels carefully. Sometimes a pretty set of sheets that is labeled

"no bleach, cold water, gentle detergent, tumble dry" is not worth the investment. Remember that your sheets will be changed often, and will undergo many washing cycles, drying sessions, and stain removal experiences!

What will you need? You should purchase:

One or two allergen-proof covers per mattress.

One or two allergen-proof covers per pillow

Two pillow protectors

Extra pillow cases (you will change them more often than your sheets)

Three completes sets of sheets and pillows per bed

Two mattress pads. Every home should have allergen-proof covers for pillows, mattresses and, box springs. The new materials used will keep the allergens and dust mites from peeping through and stopping for a visit while we sleep! There is one things dust mites hate, that is very hot water. If you are sensitive to them you should always choose sheets that can take high temperatures during the wash cycle. Owning three complete sets of sheets will allow you to use one, wash another and still have an extra set for guests. Some people like to have special sets for guests. You should purchase your sheets according to your needs and life style.

Sizes

To ensure a proper fit, you will need to know not only your bed’s dimensions, but also your mattress’ s depth. Otherwise you could be forever pulling down on the corner pockets of your bottom sheets! Unless they are from Europe, most sheets measurements are now standard.

If you like a lot of overhang, you can always purchase your top sheet one size up, as this will give you a generous fold over the blanket. As far as the fitted sheets go, just make sure that you purchase a “universal” of “deep corner” type sheet. Quality All of us look for different qualities in sheets, so the final decision will be yours. I love my sheets to be crisp and white, especially in the summer. This means I am not shy when it comes to ironing!. My friends are more practical and always preferred using non iron sheets. No matter what you like I would suggest that you always purchase your bed linens from companies that specialize in linens and not from designers. Designer sheets are almost always of poorer quality and usually overpriced.

Thread count

What is it?

Simply put, it is the number of horizontal and vertical threads (or density) in one square inch of fabric. As more threads of equal quality are added the material becomes stronger and will create less lint after repeated use.

Quality is not always associated with thread counts. The only time this will be absolutely true is when you compare apples with apples. A higher thread count fabric will only be of better quality if it is compared to another fabric made with that same quality thread. Otherwise if a thinner thread is used the higher count will not mean better quality or stronger fabric. A lower count with a high quality thread will feel softer than a higher count and lower quality thread.

Fibers: Today’s manufacturers have created an array of materials by combining natural fibers, synthetic fibers and various weaving methods. Each of these fibers have different properties that we will discuss further down.

Weaves: There are three types of weaving use for sheets,, given in order of durability, from highest to lowest. In a twill weave one or more threads go over two threads. In the next row the intersection is offset one row up or down, giving the fabric a diagonal weave. Plain weave has a yarn crossing over a single yarn at the time. Satin weave: This time the weave goes over two threads and keeps a loose even pattern, making the fabric soft and smooth.

Choosing Natural or Synthetic Fibers

The array of fabrics and quality choices available today give us no choice but to educate ourselves. One must look beyond pretty packages and attractive pictures. Both natural and synthetic fabrics serve a purpose and we must decide what our primary need will be.

Natural Fibers

Cotton

To start with, a new cotton sheet will shrink anywhere from 4 to 6% when first washed.

Cotton is stronger wet than dry. It is durable, economical and known for its lightness, softness and superior comfort. The shine, color, thickness and durability of the fabric are all dependent of the cotton plant used and its fiber.

If you like a crisp yet economical sheet, look no further. This is “la crème de la crème!”

But keep in mind that when the thread count goes above 280, the cotton fabric begins to lose its crispness. Though they are economical, cotton sheets require a great deal of ironing, and if you don’t feel like doing this in your spare time you might want to look into wrinkle free sheets. You need to keep in mind that sheets treated with resin will not be as absorbent as natural untreated cotton sheets and that the treatment will weaken with time.

There is something to be said about white cotton sheets. They are a wonderful indulgence, and when trimmed with lace and ruffles they will bring a sense of romantic tranquility to any bedroom.

Combed cotton:

The shorter fibers of the cotton thread will be removed through a combing process. This makes the fabric softer and more resistant to lint, but does not keep it from wrinkling

Sea Island Cotton

This cotton is not readily available and mostly grown in the West Indies. It is said to be the best of all cottons and is used for fine cotton apparel and beddings.

Pima Cotton

Like Sea island cotton it has a long staple and is light in color.( which means less bleaching!). It is mostly grown in the States. If you wish to purchase Pima cotton sheets, you should make sure they have the “Supima” seal. This means its 100% pima cotton, and nothing else.

Egyptian cotton:

This is largely cultivated in the Nile Valley, and has a shade that varies from beige to light brown. It is one of the better cotton and you should always make sure it is 100% Egyptian and not a blend. (Any other type of cotton could be used to make up the blend combination!). All three of the following cottons are of premium quality. They are lustrous and smooth, while still resistant and long lasting.

Brushed cotton:

This thread is thicker and had been scraped to remove some of its shorter fibers, making the cotton soft and warm, ideal for cold winter nights. Because of its low thread count (not more than 180), due to the thicker threads, it will have a tendency to gather lint.

Cotton Jersey:

This is a type of weaving that gives the sheets the feel of "T shirt" material. Some people prefer a soft flexible sheet to a crisp one. You should check the laundering instructions as they might be a bit demanding, depending on the fabrication. Because it lacks resistance, the stitches will tend to run and the material will become stretchy with time.

Cotton/Flannel:

These sheets will be soft and warm, and are the best for colder bedroom. It Is especially nice to use flannel pillows on a cool winter night. Kids love them, they’re so cozy!

Linen

Linen is made from the flax seed and is the choice “par excellence”. It is very strong, absorbent, dries quickly, and will shrink less than cotton.

Linen sheets “breathe” by letting air circulate, are very crisp and will soften only aft er many many washes. Linen is very absorbent and makes a very comfortable sheet on summer nights.

Silk

Most silks are made from cultivated silk fiber (Silkworm farms!). It is a soft and light fabric, very absorbent, naturally wrinkle resistant and does not pill. Silk is not a “Hot summer’s night” favorite, since it tends to be a bit warm. Like cotton, it can be woven in many types of fabrics

Silk sheets are very costly and must be handled gently when washed. Some of them might only be dry cleaned! (Check the care instructions before you bye your sheets). This is why you will find a lot silk/Egyptian cotton sheets of Silk/Linen sheets combinations.

Synthetic fibers

Polyester

This man made fabric is really composed of natural substances like coal, water or petroleum! It is very wrinkle resistant, does not gather lint and lasts for many years. Depending on the way the fabric is made, it can be cool or warm and never will shrink or stretch. Most sheets are not too soft to the touch and not at all absorbent. Colored polyester sheets will not fade as fast as their cotton fellow. Because they are very economical, some people

Satin

It looks and feels like silk but it’s 100% polyester and not at all absorbent. The way threads cross each other gives satin its shine and softness. In Europe, people will choose satin pillow cases because they tend to keep your hair in place while you sleep! Satin is quite slippery does not readily adjust to your body’s temperature.

Blends

Cotton/Polyester

If you hate ironing, this blend is for you. You should know that this type of sheet will not wash as well as an all cotton fabric. By making a compromise and replacing some cotton fibers with polyester, today’s manufacturers have created both expensive and inexpensive fabrics that can be comfortable, light or warm. They lack absorbency and tend to pill after repeated washes and use. With time the sheet will not be as comfortable because the cotton fibers tend to wear out first, leaving behind the polyester alone.

Percale

This is a type of weaving were the cotton fibers are wrapped around the polyester fibers. This process will create sheets that will feel like cotton and where the thread count will be at least 180 per square inch. Besides feeling a little cool when you get into bed, these sheets will also lose their cotton fibers first and will not be as comfortable after repeated washes.

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Voila! I wanted to share some of my thoughts with you. And when all is said and done, you will buy what you like and feels good to you. As a side note, I wanted to mention that an other important aspect of sleeping well is not only enjoying the bedding we choose but also how we treat it. As I was growing up I was taught never put anything of our beds, especially items that had been outside of our home. It was always a given that we were to change our clothing before lying down to nap during the day. In the evening we would always take a shower before we changed into our pajamas. Even to this day I can’t go to bed without being washed and changing into comfortable sleepwear. Feeling clean, relaxed and slipping into a bed that is well made and attractive is the perfect combination to rejuvenate your body and soul after a good night’s sleep.! Try it!

Bonne nuit!

Martine

Martine Lykos is the webmaster of Lace and Linen Classics (http://www.llclassics.com).

If you are interested in find an excellent way to give your bathroom a new look is just to simply get some modern looking bathroom cabinets. There is a wide range of products that are very stylish that can match your needs. Bathroom vanity cabinets are characterized by being located above the sink. Many vanities have mirrored doors so it serves the function of both a looking glass and a place for storage. Sink cabinets are the cabinetry you’ll find either directly below the sink area or to the sides below the countertop. Although some sink styles appear more distinguished without this type of cabinet it is a popular favorite, especially for families that need storage space.

Bathroom wall cabinets are just that – cabinets that are hung from bathroom walls that can be used for storage for linens or other medical/toiletry products. They should compliment the other features within the room such as the flooring, the counter tops and sink. You make definitely make this room as stylish as you wish providing you have the time and patience.

Maybe you are in the market for remodeling your current dull bathroom? A nice touch to add might be the thought of an antique bathroom vanity. With the current trend in the real estate boom, many consumers are spending hard earned dollars to renovate an existing room or any other area. Some a simple solution is something like an antique bathroom vanity.

A home renovation project does not have to be expensive. With a little planning you will be sure to save a lot of money. You can definitely find great designs, trends and fixtures in your seeking that antique bathroom look. You can definitely enhance that room with mirrors, faucets and maybe even some really nice tile. Even more today the appearance of a modern home is changing.

Alan Zunec is a successful author and publisher on home decor via tips on Bathroom vanities- and other great bathroom ideas.

Dear friends, successful design is a relative term. What is good or successful for me may not be so from your point of view.

But when it comes to interior design, there are certain factors which are always present no matter what the use of the space is. Let’s have a look at the bare minimum design factors a space must have so that it can be called a comfortable and habitable space.

1) Proportions of the room.

The word "proportions" is always used in the design field. Every interior space which is being used by humans must be proportionate. Proportions are extremely important in any design.

Every 3 dimensional object has properties such as length, width and height. When these 3 are in accordance with the proportions of various parts of human body we call it a "proportionate" design.

For example a handle of a wardrobe must have dimensions such that our fingers can hold it properly for effortless and smooth action. or a chair seat must have enough are so that we can sit comfortably. Again the type of seating will change the dimensions of the chair. A chair in waiting lobby of a bank will be different than a sofa.

So proportions play a major role in interior design and furniture in your bedroom must also follow these rules. The dimensions of the double bed, it’s height from floor level, height of wardrobe, dimensions of dressing table, etc…all these matter as far as function is concerned.

2) Natural light entering the room.

There is no alternative for naturally lit spaces. Sun being the strongest source of light and also helps to keep the biological balance of the planet Earth, it is very much necessary in the interior spaces.

Study shows that natural light can penetrate in an interior space up to 20 feet (Approx. 7 meters). Using appropriate position for window opening can easily achieve this.

3) Natural Ventilation

A free and unobstructed flow of air can be a great way to keep the atmosphere cool and clean in an interior space. This is possible where bedrooms are located at the corner of the building where 2 sides of the bedrooms have external faces.

Where it is not possible to provide windows on adjacent faces or opposite faces, a ventilator above the window is used. The concept behind the ventilator is simple. The lower half the bedroom height is always used by the habitants. Because of the constant use of this are the air temperature rises and air becomes light weight.

This hot air rises above and must need an escape. At such times ventilators above the window openings play a major role of circulating the flow through the room in an upward direction. When the lower portion of the room becomes empty fresh air from window takes its position, thus maintaining a balance.

4) Clear Movement Patterns.

Every bedroom has certain exit points attached to it. Such as

a) Exit to balcony/ terrace.
b) Exit to toilet block/ walk in closet
c) Exit to backyard (if on ground floor)

If we draw an imaginary line from the entry point to all these exit points, ideally the should not intersect. Since all other areas are already occupied with furniture, keeping the inside circulation space clear, helps to achieve a comfortable space.

5) Good Provision For Inclusion Of Accessories.

Accessories in a bedroom have equal importance. When all other factors mentioned above are fairly met what remains is the use of accessories which can make quite a lot of difference in the comfort level of the habitants.

a) The first and the most important is a good provision of artificial lighting. This includes basic lighting as well as special decorative lighting for decorative purposes.

b) Special provision for upholstery and linen. Small details such as curtain rods, provision for bed canopies can make the room extra decorative.

c) Use materials that are easy to clean and maintain. For example if you are using PVC flooring sheets on top of standard tiled flooring, is it washable? Think of what will happen if your child uses it as a painting canvas.

The discussion above was an attempt to look for some universal factor that can affect the comfort level of the users in a bedroom. Finally the feeling which you get when you use your bedroom is most important and is a good measure to decide the success factor of the design project.

However it is important to note that these are not the only factors that need to be looked upon, but I’m sure these can help as a starting point for further creative thinking.

I hope this article was informative to everyone.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com Visit today to find some great concept level design tips for bedroom sets.