Interior Decorating With Wood Blinds and Shutters

Author: David Kraft

Adding wood blinds or shutters to a room's interior is a great and popular way for homeowners to add a sense of warmth and elegance. Both options will help to add sun protection to any room and will add privacy and additional insulation from heat or cold. You can't go wrong with either choice, and ultimately the decision comes down to what you like the most for your home.



Available in a wide variety of colors, finishes, and sizes, wood shutters have withstood the test of time and are a staple of modern interiors. Plantation shutters differ from traditional shutters in that their louvers are a bit larger and have a more contemporary look. Both plantation and wood shutters are extremely easy to clean, adding to their appeal.



Shutters come in painted or wood stains in both wood and faux wood styles and will enhance nearly any room. If you have odd shaped windows, do not fear - shutters can be purchased in custom shapes to fit a wide variety of window shapes. Finally, shutters are the only window treatment considered an improvement to a home that ads value to the house by the IRS, so they truly are an investment.



Shutters can be found in different variations to fit a wide array of window styles as well as personal preferences. Shutter openings can be split vertically in the middle of the shutter or in multiple vertical panels. They can also be split horizontally, allowing independent control of the top and bottom of the window. Although shutters look like a simple DIY project, you are likely best served by hiring a professional to install them, ensuring proper leveling and attachment.



Similar to wood shutters, wood blinds are a bit less expensive and are normally available in the same variety of materials, colors, and finishes. When installing wood blinds or shutters, pay attention to make sure that the finish matches the trim of the window to create consistency. Like shutters, wood blinds can be bought with different sizes of slats to get the interior look that you want.



If you are looking to add visual appeal and warmth to doors or windows, you can't go wrong with wooden blinds. They can be mounted inside or outside of a window casing and are available in custom sizes to fit most windows. They can also be mounted vertically or horizontally to get the look that you want.



The truth is that you cannot go wrong with either wooden blinds or shutters. In the end, it comes down to what kind of personal preference you have. Both will add visual appeal and will give you more light and insulation control. Both can be custom fit to most windows and are available in a number of colors and finishes. For an even better look, enhance your blinds or shutters with fabric window treatments. This is especially important in rooms with a lot of blinds or shutters as the fabric can help to break up all the wood.

About the Author:
David Kraft is a freelance writer with many areas of interest and specialization. For more information about Denver Plantation Shutters please check out his Denver blinds site.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/interior-decorating-with-wood-blinds-and-shutters-811168.html

Selecting Living Room Curtains

Author: David Beart

It is time to select your living room curtains and you are in a panic. You have visited all the stores, viewed all the choices and still don't know what to choose. As with all design decisions, there is no right or wrong choice. But there are some guidelines that might make selecting your living room curtains a little bit easier.



Style is one of the first things to consider. This will be determined by the style of furniture you have chosen, the size and shape of your windows and even the architecture of your home.



The most common style of curtain is the pinch pleat drape. Fabric is gathered at the top of the drapery and "pinched" together creating a pleat. It is then attached to a curtain rod with a small metal clip at the back of the pleats. This treatment offers a full and luxurious look but can be expensive due to the amount of fabric needed.

A less expensive option is the tab top curtain. In this style a tab of fabric simply loops over the curtain rod allowing the drape to hang to the floor. This look offers a casual and relaxed feel to a room.



A contemporary version of the tab top drape would be the grommet top. Large grommets are placed at the top of fabric and a rod is woven through. A grommet is a hole in the fabric surrounded by a metal ring. Using this style in your room will create a clean and contemporary look.



If you have a beautiful view from your windows and/or privacy is not an issue, hanging stationary panels might be a good choice for you. Panels of fabric are gathered together on a short rod and hung on either side of the window or door. They are not functional but add color and softness to a room.



Rod pocket panels are a very inexpensive window treatment. A pocket of fabric is created at the top of the curtain and a rod is slipped through and attached to the wall. They are generally held open with a tieback of some sort. This can be a matching piece of fabric attached to rings on the wall or something more decorative.



Adding a "topper" to your curtains is something you will want to think about. This can be a simple ruffled valance that covers the rod to a more elaborate swag scarf look. Perhaps a tailored box cornice is more your style. Or maybe you want the beautiful wood or metal rod to show. This decision will be based on the type of curtain you have chosen and the overall design style of your living room.



All of these styles are available off the rack, reducing the cost. But if you are looking to add creativity and uniqueness to your room there is nothing more beautiful than selecting living room curtains that have been custom tailored for your home.



Budget is something we can't ignore. As with all things, the amount you are able to spend will determine the type of curtain you choose.



A curtain purchased off the rack that is unlined can be very inexpensive. They are ready to hang and offer an immediate solution to any light or privacy issues you may have. However, they are often poorly made and will have to be replaced often. The color and pattern choices are limited.



Conversely, curtains custom made for your windows in a fabric chosen by you and properly lined can be very costly. There can be a long delay in getting these made, leaving you without window treatments for a while. But the end result will be curtains that give your room a unique look and the custom workmanship, including lining, will allow you to enjoy these curtains for a long time.



Lining your curtains is something to consider.



If you live in an area that is prone to lots of cold weather you may want to add a thermal lining to your curtains. While this will add to the cost, it can reduce the amount of energy used in your home as well as add life to the curtains by protecting them from the sun.



If you are fortunate to live in a sunny area, adding a cotton lining to your curtains will protect your fabric from the harsh rays of the sun. It can also help reduce the amount of sunlight entering the room, thereby protecting furniture and carpet from fading.



However, living in a sunny area can make it difficult to sleep during the day. The bright light can create problems if you work nights or have a baby in the house. Often the light coming into the room can make it difficult to watch television. For these reasons, you may want to consider a blackout lining. These opaque linings keep out any unwanted light and while they will add to the cost of your living room curtains, the extra sleep may be worth the extra cost!



Lastly, appearance is something to take into consideration. Lining adds body and weight to curtains, allowing them to hang properly. Your home will have a uniform look from the outside if all your curtains are lined.




Window treatments can be a costly addition to any home but taking time to make the right choices when selecting your living room curtains will save you money in the long run. The end result will be a beautiful living room you can enjoy for years to come.

About the Author:
David Beart is the owner of the Professors House. Our site covers cat information, household finances, family forums, recipes and other household issues.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/selecting-living-room-curtains-807503.html

Tuscan Home Decorating Ideas

Author: Joey Pebble

Tuscan decorating is inspired by the Tuscany region of Italy. In the time of the ancient Roman Empire, people would escape from big city life in Rome, by going out to live in the hills of central Italy, where things were calmer and more peaceful.

There people would live simpler lives, more in touch with the natural world around them. It is these elements of peace, simplicity, and natural weathered beauty, which are the cornerstone marks of Tuscan decorating.

Natural stone is probably the most common element associated with this decorating style. Slate is especially Tuscan, with its natural clefting face, which resembles the rocky hills and mountains found in the Tuscan region. A weathered, worn, comfortable look is also often associated with this style, and most natural stones actually get more beautiful the longer they are weathered and worn.

Marble is another type of natural stone which is often associated with the Tuscan style. Rich marble floors were a hallmark of wealthy roman homes, and the beauty of the polished glistening material is still prized in homes today. Tumbled marble drink coasters are another popular stone item for this particular trend.

Other Tuscan stone decorating elements include cobblestone pathways, sandstone lined windows, and marble arches. Terracotta is also a popular material, and is most often found in roofing.

Part of the draw of Tuscan decorating is the philosophy of durability over glitz. Those who moved away from the city of Rome were tired of all of the pomp and fanfare of city life, and were instead interested in well made, weathered, and worn objects, that could stand up against the ages.

Copper and distressed hardwoods are also signs of Tuscan Decorating. Copper pots, kettles, and bowls can be mixed and matched with hardwood furnishings to create a look which blends naturally with the earth.

The colors used in a Tuscan decorating all get their cues from nature, and the earth. Deep browns, rich greens, and burnt oranges collide, with sunset reds, to create a warm and inviting atmosphere that just feels like you are at home.

The Tuscan decorative style was born of people’s desire to escape from the flash and glitz of the big city, into a quieter, simpler, more peaceful world. This was true for those who lived in the ancient roman capital, and it is true of us today. Even as the world gets faster and brighter, people still just want a little piece of serenity in their homes.

About the Author:

This article brought to you by Joey Pebble, a designer of rustic slate wall clocks, chess boards, and natural stone decorative accessories. His line of home décor products is noted for the beautiful natural stone features which are the centerpiece of every work.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/tuscan-home-decorating-ideas-799737.html