Home Interior Design Decorating

The concept behind Tuscan-style home interiors goes way back to early centuries when artisan and architecture craftsmanship were shared by various Mediterranean cultures. This home decorating style is known for its nature-inspired elements and structures. When thinking of decorating your home the Tuscan way, here are some pointers:

Typical Tuscan-style homes

Elements usually found in Tuscan homes are crumbling walls made of stone, furniture made of sturdy hardwood, intricately wrought iron accessories, and terra cotta roofs. As for decorative items found inside a typical Tuscan home, it's common to see terra cotta pottery, Italian ceramics, and textiles in colorful Mediterranean shades.

Tips for home decorating

When converting your home into a Mediterranean-inspired Tuscan home, think of yellow-based shades that add warmth to a home. These include olive green, burgundy, golden yellow, orange red, ivory, cinnammon, bronze, and ochre. To complement these shades, opt for furniture pieces that are made of wrought iron, hardwood, iron, marble, and leather.

For an authentic-looking Tuscan home, you can hire the services of an interior decorator specializing in Tuscan-inspired homes. A professional interior decorator can help you choose the right elements for your home such as tall ceilings, wall decors consisting of oversized carved stones, and iron-made lamps and candle holders for the lighting fixtures. Your Tuscan home also needs a spacious patio, portico, or loggia. This part of the home can be decorated with sandstone bricks, pathways made of brick or stone, and a water fountain surrounded by rich greenery. Tall cypress trees are the perfect addition to any Tuscan-inspired patio or portico, as these complement the warm shades of the home and provide shades throughout the outdoor area.

The concept behind art deco actually started in Paris. However, it didn't really became that popular until after the First World War. Art deco interiors are known for their angular and geometric shapes, nature-inspired motifs, stylised images of skyscrapers, aeroplanes, and cars, and the incorporation of shiny fabrics, chrome, and mirror tiles.

Art deco furniture

Major influences of art deco are the concept behind art nouveau, cubism, and the glamour of old Hollywood. As such, when looking for art deco furniture, stick to pieces with strong and streamlined shapes, items covered with geometric fabrics, and cushions in solid colors. These furniture pieces will blend well with art deco-inspired fireplaces known for their bold rectangular shapes and surroundings covered in beige, green, or pink shades.

Art deco lighting

Art deco lighting includes fixtures with female figures holding the bulb and chrome- and glass-based lamps. For an authentic-looking art deco home, make sure you have lamps and lighting fixtures adorned with enamelled or sandblasted glass.

At its prime, art deco reflected current events and influences such as the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, the completion of the Empire State Building, and the rise of glamorous Hollywood stars such as Fred Astaire, Greta Garbo, Ginger Rogers, and Marlene Dietrich. This was also the era of the Roaring Twenties, when tango and the Charleston were the latest dance crazes. When decorating your art deco-inspired home, keep these influences in mind to achieve a more genuine-looking interior. You can also mix and match different elements for a unique interior that reflects your personality.

You don’t always need expensive furniture to have a beautiful and classy living room. Having a welcoming living room is all about maximizing space and visualizing design.

Living room design ideas

If the living room is small, then have at least one area for activities. Bigger rooms have more space for flexible furniture groupings. Be sure to place the furniture around a focal point. The focal point can be the large window or the fire place. It is usually the first thing people notice upon entering the room. Area rugs are usually used to define the seating places, especially when you expect many guests. If you want to be flexible with furniture, then paint the walls with a light color.

Guide to decorating your living room

If you’re still stumped how to arrange the furniture, then establish a design theme for the room. The design theme will guide the piece you pick and how they will be arranged. If your house is mostly contemporary in design, then opt for a modern touch in the living room. Traditional apartments work best with a cottage style living room. Vintage pieces work well with old houses.

Designing your living room is all about imagination and the possibilities. Don’t be afraid to visualize. It helps to draw out a plan or consult architecture/interior design books.

Need your kitchen to be a little livelier to enhance the cooking experience? Here a few tips to keep in mind while planning your kitchen’s new look:

Kitchen makeover tip 1: Add color to the kitchen walls.

The first thing anyone notices in a room is the color. Don’t stick to a white background. Be creative in choosing a powerful or subtle color that complements your kitchen’s overall design. Modern kitchens work well with dark or neutral colors, while traditionally styled ones work with bright or pastel colors.

Kitchen remodeling tip 2: Add framed posters.

Framed posters are a unique way to add life into your kitchen. You can frame posters of your favorite dishes or still-life paintings of fruits and other foods. To make cooking easy, you can also frame recipe instructions passed down from previous generations in your family.

Kitchen design tip 3: Decorate the windows and doors with blinds and curtains

Don’t leave your windows and doors dull on their own. Match the kitchen wall’s colors with curtains or blinds. Curtains establish a softer look, while blinds pack more punch.

Christmas is here, and I’m sure you’re worried about having enough money for gifts. But what’s Christmas without having the right decorations to set the mood? For a cost-effective holiday season, here’s what you can do to spend the right amount for gifts and decorations.

Shop at flea markets for Christmas decoration accessories.

Flea markets always have good deals on decorations and accessories. Sometimes you might even find some Christmas decor that can’t be found in department stores. Prices are half the value in major stores, allowing you to be creative in stretching your budget.

Display Christmas greeting cards.

Use old greeting cards to liven up your home. Certain cards have notable designs that are bound to impress anyone who comes across these simple but meaningful decorations. Since cards come in different themes, the cards can be matched with particular design areas in your home. For example, a nativity card can go with a set-up of the Holy Family, while a Santa-designed card can go with your hanged stockings.

Make your own Christmas decoration: stockings, paper Santa, etc.

Artists can use Christmas as their own creative outlet. By making your own decorations, you can have accessories unique and more artistic compared to the ones in stores.

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars decorating your new home. It’s actually quite easy to stretch your budget by opting to go for the following economical options. All it takes is extraordinary creativity and resourcefulness.

Paint your old home furniture.

Some of your old home furniture is usually guaranteed antique classics. By painting them with a new coat, you’ll be able to retain its vintage charm and still establish a new look in your own home.

Use mirrors for home interior decoration to trick the eye.

Mirrors create the illusion of a bigger room. Place mirrors in strategic locations to emphasize your interior’s new design. Mirrors come in a number of sizes, giving you enough options that will fit your budget.

Add lighting on corners for space enhancement and home design improvement.

The right kind of lighting will enhance the room’s space and the design’s overall aesthetic. You can either use lamps that complement the design or have a lighting color that softens the home’s look.

If you've been watching MTV, I'm sure you'll never miss my favorite segment called "Room Raiders." It is a mystery dating show wherein the searcher gets to pick his or her date by making a surprise visit to their rooms. The lucky searcher gets to search and go through the stuff of three contestants, before he or she makes the final decision.

By getting hooked to "Room Raiders," I realized that rooms or personal space has so much to say about our personality and character. There's no way that you can hide your flaws. Your accessories and even some furnitures scream of the person's creativity, emotions, and sentiments. Having revealed all these, I think we should all take a look at our rooms. How would you like to portray yourself?

Make your room a personalized space. We cling on to too many sentimental valuables because, one way or another, these bring a special memory. I believe that we should preserve and treasure these, but of course, your space need not be cluttered. You can arrange and decorate your room with covert cabinets or concealed drawer designs. This way, they won't be messy. Mix and match some displays. Just make sure your style reflects a creative personality through designs and fixtures.

I understand why most people are having trouble with space. They either find it too small and filthy with personal junks or too large and barren with emptiness. It is a common household problem, for not all of us are gifted with the decorating magic of Nate Berkus or Thomas O'Brien. But we can always borrow a few tips from these interior decorating experts through a book called "Home Rules." It definitely feels better to know how to solve design and space problems.

Not all rooms are created to the glam of a majesty. Many times, people are stuck with cramped space and undersized corners. But space doesn't always need to be overcongested and crowded with your multi-layered room accessories. Don't be too hard on yourself; you can still afford a cozy atmosphere even with a tiny space. The secret is in choosing the right pieces of furniture for the persona of your room.

We can always play tricks with the eyes but do you know how? For small spaces, use large-scale pieces. This will make your place look larger than it actually is. You don't need a clutter of too many room accessories and junks if you can sort out your items in a bold set of furniture. Have a sense of balance and proportion, and distibute finely to add detail to the scale. You can also mix and match with slim chairs and drawers so your room looks compact and wide.

A space has so much to tell. It may radiate emptiness, mystery, or charm. Any way you choose, space captivates the aura of its own dweller. Happy, sad, or glum, you always have to illuminate that sacred space and rekindle the spirit of your intimate life. Get a match, rub a stick, and light up a candle. You'll walk like a debonaire in the dark. The lighting effect gives illuisions of warmth and mystery.

You don't need to go on spending for expensive centerpieces. Antiques and oriental displays -- ah, they're perfect for your table and furniture! But if you can't find the right collection, tealight or candles can do the trick. In different shapes, sizes, and fragrances, when you put it aside or down at the center of space, it will capture the eye with its flickers. I remember entering my girlfriend's pad. She's not a fan of overcongested details and with candle-lit decoration, her room became so sweet and sexy.

Why do we need light? A light does exude an aura. If you know how to play with it, it may even trick the eye and mind into a figment of fantasy and impression. It makes small space look bigger and it radiates an attitude of mystique, serenity, and energy. If you want to spice up your interior a bit, candles are impressive means to have a stylish and glamorous home. You don't need to pay much for style; just play and be inventive.

The last time I saw a simple yet sunny and stylish Spanish interior design was back in Barcelona when I took Spanish interior design course for three months. Ironically, I didn't find it in one of those highly exquisite and complex wrought iron clad walls with imposing chandeliers and Victorian-style lighting. I found it in a semi-rural corner of Spain. In this quaint abode, the windows were kept open and the walls were lined with old photographs and varnished (but chipping) cabinets. There were vintage valises and even an antique-looking bowl of cat food.

To me, that old Spanish house is a symbol of the rural Spain. I still admire the Mediterranean version, as evident in "Accents of Salado" designs. The courses I took opened my horizons when it comes to the beauty of old world Spain. Sure, the iron grills rust and the candle holders get dusty in time. I dote on the sight of it. I guess I've been so used to the sight of Hollywood cribs that it was a breath of fresh air to see something barely contrived.

There aren't too many eyes in favor of this preoccupation with the "rural", though. Some interior decorators I know still pine for the giant chandeliers and the dizzying medallions on the semi-lighted Spanish walls. My tendency is to adore the collection of potteries. Lots of Spanish women like to put potteries and dishes into their decorative cupboards. Also, the Spaniards are into tapestries. One visit at any Spanish house and you can recognize the culture by what is hanging on its living room walls.

Mirror, mirror on the wall, will it make space more beautiful? Of course, Snow White nor the Evil Stepmother can stop the debate because mirror is the fairest of them all. It gives glamor and beauty to your home. A mirror tricks the eye into looking for more. If you're dealing with soace and decorating problems, you can try searching for a mirror that may just be the answer to your call.

Candice Olson is a known Interior Design doctor who gives clever tips for those people in dire need of help. And don't you just want to know about her favorite? She fancies mirror on walls. She's not vain like the Stepmother but she believes in its magical tricks. Many times, you are left with no choice but to deal with your suffocating space and according to Candice, it's all about the atmosphere. You can create drama and life through mirrors who make things reflect an eternity like a fairy tale scene.

Mirrors are decor saviors for a small space. You can mount it anywhere, even on the ceiling. For instance, on a dining room, a ceiling mirror can illuminate the whole table of china, crystal and candlelights. It gives depth and attitude to a boring corner or room. When you walk in, it will never be the same as before. Like David Blaine, it creates an illusion like there's a window somewhere. And definitely for most designers, mirrors are their bestfriend for the sake of interior design vanity.

Fancy for Leonardo and Michaelangelo? You'll have to go all the way to Louvre Museum, where Dan Brown unlocks the Da Vinci code, just to catch a glimpse of these masterpieces. Of course, these precious paintings will be breathtaking but you certainly can't take them home! You need millions of dollars or you can go hiding if you steal it. So for the desperate painting enthusiasts, captivate the same beauty and life with artistry of cross stitch patterns.

Not all peolple can afford the price of beauty. We can't put up with a Paris Hilton theory. But with diligence and a little chink of creativity, you'll find just the right alternative to make life a lavish source for a dainty taste on art and history. Cross stitching can be a good household craft to illuminate your gloomy dubious walls. It fills the empty space of your corner and revive the magic of the over-all ambience. You can also make personalized picture patterns if you like. Whatever you do, make it an ecclectic collection!

Instead of an elborate but expensive painting, you can frame and hang cross stitch patterns on your barren walls. Now, how's that for art? There are various cross stitch patterns to soothe your taste. There's Sistine Chapel, Madonna and even Medusa to create an archaic yet sohisticated persona in your home. Just verify the size of your cross stitch masterpiece and frame it with just the right color and border. You'll relive your art master's passion for excellence right at the corner of your very home.

My room holds they key to my deepest, darkest secrets. Nothing else knows me better than this sacred spot of my house. And if walls could talk, I'm sure they will share with you the most intimate moments of my life. The ones that speak of laughter, sorrow, pain, and joy. Because when I'm in my room, I'm not afraid to bare my best and my worst because that's who I truly am.

You spend most of your hours in this private nook of solace. So what else can you do to make your experience worthwhile? Add some luxury of fun and convenience. Make it a functional haven where you can relax and enjoy whenever you feel like drifting from a grueling world for a while.

Deep within you, there is an aura that is only fitting to be expressed through the mood of your room. Mix and match so long as it speaks of your thoughts and feelings. Your room is your solitary paradise.