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If you are looking for a less expensive way to give your tired old kitchen cabinets a new look then resurfacing them can be a great way to add some zip to your kitchen.

Resurfacing your kitchen cabinets means simply to give a new surface to them. This can be accomplished in a couple of different ways – and not all of them have to cost a lot of money!

Typical cabinet refacing or resurfacing needs to be done by a professional. This means replacing cabinets drawer fronts and doors and adding a new veneer to the base cabinet. The choices for refaced cabinets are many – actually you can get any type of wood you want but it can be rather expensive ranging anywhere from $4000 to over $10,000. Refacing your kitchen cabinets can take 2 days to a week depending on how big your kitchen is.

Resurfacing your kitchen cabinets by a professional might seem expensive but it will still save you a bundle over replacing the cabinets. It is a good way to go if your base cabinets are in good condition and very solid and you also don’t want to change the layout. On the other hand, if your existing cabinets are of low quality or are not in good condition, this is probably not your best choice.

But what if you don’t have $10,000 for cabinet refacing?

Don’t worry, there are still several things you can do to make your kitchen cabinets more attractive without spending thousands!

Perhaps the easiest and least expensive way to perk up your old cabinets is to simply paint them. Paint can add a huge change to the look of your kitchen, especially if you are gutsy enough to cover them in a bright splash of color! If you are artistic, you can even paint a design on the cabinet – either freehand or by using stencils. Wouldn’t your retro 50’s kitchen look cool with aqua cabinets? How about some roosters stenciled on your painted and antiqued cabinets in your country kitchen? Just add some coordinating drawer pulls and knobs and you’ve got a whole new kitchen for under $500!

Another idea to consider is to remove the cabinet doors. This would look great in a casual cottage style kitchen or even an old fashioned Victorian style. Try lining the shelves with fabric or lace that hangs over the edge. Or you can make curtains to hang instead of the doors or even try to find an old window that might make an interesting door.

If your cabinets aren’t organized and you don’t want everyone looking at your mess, it’s probably best to leave the doors and if you don’t want to paint, you could even try wallpapering them. Can’t find any wallpaper that suits? Then try applying contact paper. It might be best to stick to a plain pattern and make sure it is washable or you will be sorry later. Remember to prepare the cabinets as you would a wall. You don’t have to wallpaper the whole door either, use your imagination and cut out shapes or patterns from the wallpaper and paste it on.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to give your cabinets a whole new look – even simply changing the hardware can do wonders. Just use your own creativity and you’ll be sure to have a unique kitchen that fits your own unique style!

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/get-a-new-look-in-your-kitchen-by-resurfacing-your-kitchen-cabinets-58697.html

My home growing up was with filled with Hardanger embroidery. When I was older, I realized what a treasure these linens were and I now keep them carefully stored and display them for special occasions only. My grandmother was from Norway and despite emigrating to a new country and helping run a fishing camp, she still found time to carry on this lovely tradition.

You can see some examples of the linens by clicking this link (opens new window).

Hardangersøm (or Hardangersaum), is Norwegian for ‘embroidery from Hardanger’, and refers to the style of needlework that many of us know as Hardanger embroidery It takes its current name from a town on the southwestern coast of Norway, in a mountainous area at the head of the Hardanger fjord.

Hardanger is a form of cutwork embroidery which is believed to have originated in Asia and Persia. Hardanger has also been referred to as Norwegian lacemaking because of the way it looks. Portions of the background fabric are cut away and discarded, with the edges worked over in buttonhole stitches. It is worked on white even weave fabric, usually linen or cotton, using linen or pearl cotton threads.

The patterns were used as a favourite decoration worked in bands of embroidery across tablecloths, napkins, towels, bedspreads, pillows and curtains and clothing items such as aprons, shirts, and Norwegian folk costumes.

In simpler forms of hardanger, the holes themselves decorate the fabric but in more advanced techniques, the holes can be filled in with threads in various patterns to create a more elaborate design. You can see both examples in the pictures.

The traditional designs are geometric and based on several shapes: square, rectangle, triangle, diamond, diagonal, zig-zag and cross. These shapes are put together to form many different designs but never created pictures. Patterns varied greatly from one family to another and from village to village. Eventually specific designs came to be associated with specific places.

Hardanger uses many easy-to-learn stitches of two basic types. The first is counted thread embroidery with simple stitches which can be altered slightly or combined in many interesting ways to create limitless designs. Together with drawn-thread or cut-work embroidery, this leads to a stunning effect!

It often featured:

*diamond, triangular or square motifs of cutwork

* satin stitching in rectangular blocks (kloster blocks) and other shapes

* pulled thread work in the form of four-sided stitch

* cable stitch

* eyelets

Karen Lonergan
http://www.articlesbase.com/hobbies-articles/hardanger-embroidery-information-pictures-120845.html

Mostly the country theme is employed when a cottage or even a log cabin decoration is undertaken. To be consistent with natural aspects with the freshness and simplicity nature offers, a log cabin would be a peaceful and tranquil place. Log cabins are mostly in country areas or forests. Use of a country style envisages bringing the natural outside beauty, into the inside of the log cabin. Since a country theme uses color schemes and ideas which exist right out of the window, it should not be very difficult to decorate a log cabin.

Taking a cue from the nature, use of natural wood for furniture and flooring would be the most natural choice while decorating a log cabin. Pine, cedar or birch definitely compliment the space, especially of a cottage or a log cabin. Wood can be left in its original state to maintain its natural look or a rustic look can be obtained by using stain. Irrespective of whether your choice is a new look or an authenticity, wood is the best choice while decorating a cottage or a log cabin.

You might want to shift your old home furniture to your cottage or log cabin. New slip covers meant for the chairs or the couch give a brand new look to the furniture. For a log cabin, the furniture could be painted. This will also make for a fresh appearance. You can choose warm colors ranging from light to medium shades for the paint or slip covers. Warm colors comprise of browns, yellows, or terracotta and contribute to the warmth of the place. Decorating a log cabin lays emphasis on coziness and warmth. The log cabin has no need of wall paints, but if a cottage is to be decorated, you might like to go in for similar wall colors.

For a log cabin decoration, bold colored fabrics of natural themes could be used. Floral patters would also look nice in a cottage or in a setting of log cabin. These fabrics could be used in curtains for the WINDOWS, slip covers or throws, and bedspreads. You could enhance the natural theme with outdoor accessories like pieces of old wood or dried flowers to be made into candle holders. People generally gather such wonderful things from the nature while taking a stroll by the river or while on a hike. These items when made into accessories will also serve as mementos.

Budget has no real importance when you undertake decoration of a cottage or a log cabin. Any number of items from the home or even from a garage sale or a flea market would do for decoration using the natural theme. Handmade decorations or trinkets have their own importance in log cabin decoration. As far as the items used as accessories contribute to achieve an overall effect of coziness and warmth, they would do well. A cottage or a log cabin is meant for relaxation and this aspect should be foremost while decorating it. Whatever it is that gives you joy and contributes to the joy of the space, and at the same time, makes you feel comfortable, is the right choice for decorating your log cabin with. Having fun should be the main objective.

Abhishek Agarwal
http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/log-cabin-decoration-pointers-galore-753972.html

Country home decorating is a very popular design choice. It is a style that conveys welcome and warmth. It also adds a touch of whimsy and thoughts of simpler times. These things help create a relaxing environment for family and friends to enjoy.

One of the first places that people use country home decorating is the kitchen. Kitchens are the hub of a home and should be warm and inviting. Some popular kitchen country home decorating themes are roosters, chickens, cows, and apples. These items usually have an antiqued finish on them to enhance the country theme. Some frilly gingham curtains will add just the right country touch to your kitchen.

Wreaths are appropriate in country home decorating in all seasons. You can get them to match any color scheme and reflect any theme. Not all wreaths are pine based. Some are simply branches woven together. You can make one yourself using craft supplies. There are many online sites and books that will give you step by step instructions on making wreaths. Wreaths are pretty on doors to welcome people to your home. They can also be hung as decorations inside on walls or interior doors.

Gingham is a classic way to create a country home decorating style. This fabric instantly gives a country impression. It can be used in upholstery on couches, arm chairs, dining room chairs, and more. It is also used in WINDOW TREATMENTS, and even shower curtains. Gingham is a very versatile fabric that washes well and is durable. You can use it in many decorations including wreaths and swags.

Gingham patterns can be used for more country home decorating things than just fabric creations. You can use a gingham checked wallpaper to decorate your walls. You can use the same wallpaper to accent practical things like a file organizer or a wall shelf. You can also find gingham printed shelf liners that make opening your pantry a nice surprise.

Vintage hardware is a great country home decorating idea. It adds a whimsical touch of eras gone by. You can get hardware in all different styles and finishes. You can find great vintage hardware to suit all your country home decorating needs.

Stenciling is another popular country home decorating trick. You can stencil around the top of a room like a border. You can also stencil pretty designs to match your décor on wooden shelves or homemade wall plaques. This is a great way to incorporate your personality and beliefs into your home’s decorations.

Finding country home decorating ideas is not difficult. Look for items that appeal to you and include them in your current décor. There is a lot out there, so have fun looking!

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/secrets-to-great-country-home-decorating-123899.html

Employing the charming style of Italian country decorating is a fantastic way to improve your home with informal and elegant atmosphere. If you really like earth tones with splashes of color in addition to old pottery and chippy painted items with a country flair then you will be sure to want this design for your home. By adding Italian home decor in your home, you can make it feel like it is part of the Tuscan countryside no matter where you reside.

Window treatments are an important aspect of any design and help to give a professional look to your home. With the Italian country style, you want an earthy and decorative ambiance, so think aobut this when choosing curtains, drapes or shutters for your WINDOWS. Since country is simplicity, simple curtains are best. You could even just use simple sheers and then put a valance on top of the windows if you want a more polished off look.

If you really want your home to stick out, you should include the right accessories like paintings and knick knacks which reflect a simple, country look. Choose country style items as well as those with an Italian flair. Decorating with majolica pottery can add a colorful touch to any room and bring in a taste of Italy to boot. Adding your own design touches will add unique appeal in your home.

Fabulous lighting fixtures can truly round out the Italian country decorating theme. While you are considering your lighting fixtures for this decor, you can really go two ways - one way is to stick to the simple country theme and the other to go with a more ornate “Italian” feel. If you want a more simple design, stick to more traditional lighting that isn’t too fancy, but if you want to infuse some elegance into your décor, include lamps and chandeliers that are dripping with crystals.

You want to use your furniture to add interest to your room and enhance your interior decorating scheme. For this design, pieces that are oak or pine can work well, but if you want more formality try to include a few pieces from cherry or mahogany.

Finally, draw your interior decorating scheme together by using the proper area rugs. Remember that your flooring is a feature of your interior design, so you’ll need to decide on a product that matches or coordinates with both the colors and also the decorating theme. Try subtle colors with your unassuming rugs and your floor choices will likely compliment the design favorably. Oriental rugs can go nicely depending on your other furnishing, but for a more country look you’ll want to stick to plain rug in beige tones.

Accessorizing your home with Italian country decorating style isn’t that difficult if you use your creativity. By going for the most fitting pieces, you can make your room look like it was decorated by a designer without having the big designer price.

Lee Dobbins
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/adding-charm-to-your-home-with-italian-country-decorating-118619.html