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More people decorate their homes during the fall and winter months than at any other time of the year, and with good reason! We spend more time indoors, we owe it to ourselves and our families to create a comfortable place to be! Here are the best ways to save BIG bucks on your home decorating

Start with plan. I know you’ve heard this before, but having a plan doesn’t necessarily mean you know exactly everything you want to do in your rooms ahead of time. What it does mean is having a starting point to keep you in the ballpark, and that will save you A LOT of money in mistakes in the long run. So start with the three things you need…Color, Style, and Formality. Color is easy…if you don’t already have a color scheme you love, find one in a book or magazine, and borrow it! Still unsure? Pick your favorite color, plus white, never fail combo. Style? Maybe you know you love Country FarmHouse. Or maybe you like a little of everything! That’s ok, just make sure you give the room style a name that includes the feeling you want in the room, and that will keep you on track. For instance, I have a Fresh and Sunny Cottage Room for my family room. (I use sunny as a feeling as well as a visual clue!) Keep the feeling in the name, and you will pick the right style every time! Finally, formality. Know if you like a more formal room, where things on both sides of the room match, or a more informal feel. So my family room description would go something like this…I want an informal Fresh Sunny Cottage style full of soft blue, green yellow and white. So every time I buy something, I know if it doesn’t fit in that description, it doesn’t fit period!

Look for alternatives to everything!!! Flat sheets on sale are a great buy…I can get one at my discount store for $2.89. A flat sheet is generally 66×96 inches…that’s over 3 yards of fabric for less than 97 cents a yard! Can’t beat that, and flat sheets come in so many colors. When in doubt, buy white! Use them for tablecovers, curtain panels, making comforter covers, throw pillow covers, or even casual slipcovers! If you find a great color, stock up during a white sale…you will always find uses for fabric that fits into your color scheme.

Look for furniture at yard sales and in the classifeds. You can get quality furniture this way for a fraction of what it would cost you new. Learn to make do with the furniture you have with the art of disguise. Slipcovers, paint and floor length tablecloths go a long way towards dressing up an otherwise forgettable piece of furniture. By the way, you can paint ANYTHING these days! The trick is to use a specialty blocking primer before painting…I recommend KILZ Original. Yes, you can even paint that ugly laminate bookcase or computer desk! All your furniture mismatched in style and form? Paint it all one color, and it will help marry and unify your furniture grouping. (I love white or black for furniture, depending on the style of your room.)

Finally, look for good resources to help you learn to create your own accessories, custom paint finishes, and inspirational ideas such as TheBudgetDecorator.com.

With a little advanced thinking and a bit of creativity, anyone can have a well decorated home!

Kathy Wilson
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/save-big-bucks-on-home-decorating-58351.html

One of the questions which I am asked quite a lot is how do I hide all the plumbing and/or wires around the back of the tank so that they are not visible from the front.

And I agree it does not look natural. You set your aquarium up and all the rock is aquascaped perfectly yet all you can see through the back of the tank is the wall, wires, pipework etc.

Of course there are areas where you don’t want to apply a background to an aquarium. A good example of this is when an aquarium is installed into a wall where the aquarium can be seen from both sides.

When you start out in this hobby thinking about a background is probably the last thing on your mind. You are learning that much about this hobby that a background is well down the list. Actually the background should be thought about as part of the planning stage.

You may even end up purchasing a salt water aquarium package where a background is not included.

The planning stage is an exceptionally important part when it comes to setting up a salt water aquarium, however it is also unfortunately one of the things which is not performed.

When you consider starting your aquarium you need to research as much as you can (when you finish researching then research a little bit more!) and then you can start planning. When you start planning you do this based upon the animal you wish to keep and not the equipment you need. You purchase the equipment which is necessary for the animals which you hope to keep not just know but also in the future.

The reason I have talked about planning is that the background is part of this. For example you may want to incorporate overflows into the rear of the tank. Your chosen background needs to accommodate this.

It is also easier to apply a background before the aquarium is installed and full of water.

There are various DIY aquarium backgrounds that you can use which are listed below:

* Incorporate a painted wooden background onto the rear of the stand.

* Paint the rear glass of the aquarium.

* Paint a thin wooden background and attach it to the rear of the aquarium using silicone.

* Attach a curtain or some other type of fabric across the rear of the aquarium.

* Purchase reef rock, cut them in half and stick to the inside rear of the aquarium.

* Make a cave/reef structure out of salt water rated concrete/resin or foam.

The most utilised option out of the above DIY aquarium backgrounds is where the rear glass of the aquarium is painted.

The next thing to think about is what colour do you use?

This is up to you really. It is personal preference, however the most common used colours and blue and black. The trick is to attempt to make it so that the background is not obvious and seamlessly integrates into the aquarium. The rear of the aquarium will probably get covered in corraline etc within time.

If you choose to paint the glass then ensure that you clean the glass first with some glass cleaner and ensure that all fingerprints and oil based marks are removed. If you not 100% sure that it is clean do it again to make sure. You can now either spray or hand paint the glass. Do so in several thin coats ensuring that the previous coat is dry before applying the next.

When all the coats are applied wait until it is completely dry before touching it or moving the tank. The paint does not attach that well to glass and can easily peel.

Whichever of the DIY aquarium backgrounds you choose to use attempt to plan for it prior to starting your aquarium. It is much easier to paint the aquarium when it is empty and not in it’s final position.

Peter Cunningham
http://www.articlesbase.com/pets-articles/diy-aquarium-backgrounds-138290.html

Whether you are having a cosy Christmas meal with the family this year or planning Yule Tide party for all of your friends, remembering to set a festively themed table will really help set the correct mood whilst giving proceedings a natural centrepiece to gather around. With the help of the guide below, setting a beautiful Christmas table couldn’t be simpler, quicker or cheaper so let’s not hear any humbugs, Christmas begins here!

Firstly, you need to decide on a colour scheme for your table. For a traditional look, pairing two of the following- red, gold, green and white, in any combination will result in a very warm and traditional finish. Alternatively, you could go for a winter wonderland theme by using blue, purple, white or silver in any pairing, though if you do choose such a look, be sure to include lots of candles and warm lighting to avoid a “cold” feel. If planning a party with a little more sophistication, match your table décor to your existing furniture, soft furnishings, curtain fabric or colour scheme for grown up subtlety and elegance that won’t overpower your room. Whatever you decide on, limit yourself to just two colours to avoid an overly busy table top.

When it comes to choosing decorations, start with your centrepiece and build around it with matching details. A Christmas wreath laid in the centre of the table can be the beginning of a perfect centrepiece for your table arrangement. It can be decorated with any object you may want to use as a theme. If you’re a little busy or short on creativity then ribbons and bows provide a failsafe option. Inside the wreath, place a large candle or several tapers. For added decorative effect, vary the height of the tapers. Another great centrepiece is a festively coloured table runner. Add a modern touch by lining the runner with evenly spaced tea lights in decorative glass holders.

Further your theme by carefully selecting and preparing your napkins. Use two napkins of different colours for each place setting. Place one napkin on top of the other. You can roll them separately or roll them together, but the important thing is to tie them together. Tie them with a beautiful wired ribbon and attach a decorative bell or piece of holly or mistletoe bell attached to the ribbon. With your napkins inside your ribbon napkin holder, artfully arrange them and place them in the centre of each plate. If you want to continue the theme of bells or holly, tie them to the backs of chairs, or hang them from the chandelier to create an apt continuous theme.

Make sure your cutlery matches! It sounds obvious but mismatched cutlery can really spoil the theme you have spent so long deciding on. The cutlery you use does not have to be expensive; just make sure it is all the same type.

Once your table is set, light your candles- after all, that’s what they’re for. Always keep a handy stash of spare ones in a nearby cupboard to maintain the ambient glow throughout the whole holiday.

Terry Henman
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/set-the-table-set-the-mood-707288.html

Roman Blinds are a perfect blend of practicality and sophisticated style appropriate for almost every room, taste and situation. The simplistic shape which consists of a flat fabric panel cleverly corded vertically to pleat in to neat horizontal folds offers versatility from both a practical and design perspective.

The easy to use draw cord mechanism of the blind enables light to quickly filter or be blocked from the room making them ideal solutions for more practical areas such as bathrooms, hallways and kitchens. The blind can be pulled to the very top for maximum light or left cascaded for a more stylish effect. Once lowered to its full extent, the blind lies completely flat. Their slim-line form makes them ideal to sit inside or outside a window alcove meaning minimal room is taken up by the window dressing; a perfect solution for modern, sheek designs or small confined areas.

As the shape of the blind is relatively simple there is huge potential for creativity in all other aspects of the window dressing. It is possible to make a Roman Blind from nearly any material although most successfully with denser fabrics such as linen, faux suede, leather and calico. The fabric chosen can greatly influence the style of the blind. Consider texture, transparency, pattern and colour when choosing your design as there are many options to choose from.

For example, choose a modern bamboo Roman Blind as a minimalist yet stylish window dressing suitable in nearly every room and cleverly understated. Or, be bold and choose a vibrant and rich patterned fabric to create a statement window scene. Alternatively, or indeed as well as, be creative and give an ornate or eastern twist by adding fringing, beads or tassels to the blind tail. It is also possible to build interest and style by adding a band or border in a contrasting fabric from the blind. This addition is often most effective when contrasting with different textures or shades. The band could even replicate other fabrics or patterns used in the room to help bring a design together. Finally, be creative with the shape of the blind tail; choose from a simple horizontal edge, curve, fan or even embossed detail.

One of the key elements that make Roman Blinds such a popular choice for the home is the potential they leave open for the rest of the window dressing. The blind can act as the practical yet modest window cover enabling you to be adventurous with other window features. For example, the window could be dressed with a full curtain with added swag and tail draped around the pole for the ultimate in elaborate design. As the blind sits behind this feature, it is not necessary to move the curtain to allow or deny light in to the room. Again, attention should be taken to consider the use of contrasting fabrics, textures and patterns. This option is particularly successful in more traditional properties.

There is a large variety of ready made Roman Blinds available in an array of styles and fabrics. If you would prefer to customise your design, it is also possible to purchase a Roman Blind Kit which includes the fixtures and mechanisms needed for the blind whilst enabling you to choose your fabrics and accessories.

Terry Henman
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/add-individual-style-with-a-roman-blind-698469.html

Have you decided to buy curtains only to find yourself overwhelmed with all of the options available to you? There are so many kinds of curtains with so many different fabric options. How can you decide? Well, before you make a final decision, there are some practical answers you can ask yourself that will help you to choose the perfect curtains for each room in your home.

For instance, what type of room are the curtains for? Is it a formal room that is more for looks than function? Is it a casual room that takes a lot of “wear and tear” from children? Will the curtains primarily be for decoration, or do they need to be functional to keep the sun out as well?

Chances are that you’ll want your curtains to have a flow that is consistent with the room. On occasion, curtains are used as a style contrast, but generally speaking, most curtains are purchased with room design in mind. Knowing the style of the room you are buying curtains for really helps narrow down your choices.

Casual Rooms

Cotton and cotton mix curtains are good “neutral” fabrics for curtains. They blend into most rooms and well-made cotton curtains will often hang in a way that gives the impression that they are of a higher grade. Cotton is a good alternative if you want more curtain for your dollar. There are a variety of style choices within the Cotton mix. A couple of examples would be Corduroy and Denim fabrics. Being a heavier fabric, Cotton and Cotton Mix curtains are very practical for rooms that get a lot of sun.

Formal Rooms

Silk curtains, although on the higher end of the price spectrum make a statement when hung in a room. Silk curtains are elegant and rich and aesthetically pleasing. This being said, it is important to remember that silk is a fabric that is harder to clean than some of the more practical fabrics.

Velvet is another option if you are looking for sheer elegance. The fabric is heavier than silk and therefore offers a middle of the road solution if you are looking for something that can keep the sun out, but also offer a rich formal look. Both Silk and Velvet are good fabric choices for curtains that will hang in a room that will not have a lot of “little hands” reaching for them.

In Summary

You will be much more likely to be completely satisfied with your curtain purchases if you take the time to really assess what is most important to you. Do your curtain priorities lie in visual appeal or in more practical uses? Regardless of the answers to these questions, a little research will go a long way towards finding exactly what you want.

Ross M. Goldberg
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/curtains-different-fabric-for-different-rooms-93530.html

The significance of curtain rods when giving your windows new life with new window coverings is often overlooked, however can make or break the look of your homes entire décor if done wrong. If you know exactly what you can do with the curtain rod will help you in choosing the decorating dilemma that you’re now facing with your home.

There are three distinctive parts to a curtain rod. First is the pole, that actually does the holding of the fabric. Next are the finials which will be used to cap off the ends of the pole, and lastly the brackets that actually mount the pole to the wall.

Most rods are adjustable and are made of two separate pieces that slide into one another in order to adjust the length of the pole from shorter to longer. You can actually change the entire appearance of the whole window just by sliding the poles, making the WINDOWS look longer.

Now the finials can be fabricated out of many different materials. They can go from being very elaborate all the way to being very simple in structure. They can be made of blown glass, or carved from wood. You’ll want to be sure to match the rod part or the entire look can be thrown off entirely. You can change these without having to change everything as well.

Usually the brackets are hidden, however you can choose to get ones that are more decorative and visible if that’s what you so wish to do.

You can easily manipulate the appearance of your windows by the placement of which you hang your curtain rods. You can elongate the look of the window by hanging the curtains higher if there is space between the ceiling and the top of the window. There’s really no right or wrong way, however there is usually a way in which you can make the things look better.

As well, if you want wider looking windows, you can slide the pole out and hang the drapes wider. Do not let the edges of the window show, and therefore measure by pulling the drapes all the way open to the edge of the window and going wider from there.

If you like you can use the double and triple rod styles to layer curtains, which will let you layer two different styles or patterns of material. This also holds the function of not letting a draft through on older windows that tend to do this. It also leaves a darker rich look for rooms such as dining rooms, living rooms, or even bedrooms creating layers to shield the sun.

You can also use a curtain rod to hang and support wall coverings that are made of decorative fabric. This can help cover an ugly wall, add and accent and ambience to an otherwise plain room, or help control the noise of a room since noise does not easily deflect off of fabric.

There are many ways to aid you in your home building needs just by using curtain rods and being creative. I’m sure you’ll find plenty ways to use them in your home.

Linden J. Walhard
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/enhancing-your-window-coverings-with-curtain-rods-121576.html

There are various ways to trim basic curtains to obtain many different styles and themes. Basic curtains can be adapted to be feminine and frilly, grand and theatrical or sophisticated and smart, to name but a few. These effects can be created using a selection of the following methods.

Plain curtains can have borders of braid that contrast with them attached or complementary borders, made from fabric, can be inset into the curtain’s leading edge. In both of these instances it is very important to get the dimensions spot on. A good rule to follow is that the width of the braid should be approximately the same as the width of the curtain border. Borders can be applied to both the bottom and the leading edge of your basic curtains but it is important to carefully mitre the corners so that you end up with a professional looking finish.

It is possible to trim the leading, central edges of curtains in a variety of ways. The most common method that is employed is to use a frill that either matches or contrasts with the fabric of the curtain. This approach can be varied by adding multiple frills, one which matches and one which contrasts or one that is plain and one that is patterned. If your curtains have a rounded corner it is possible to extend a frill from the top of the corner to the base of the curtain and it is also possible to add piping that joins the edge of the frill to the leading edge of the curtain. It is possible to turn your leading edges into something more chic by employing fan pleats that extend down the curtain’s leading edge so that they do not collect dust in the pleat pockets. Picot edging can also be created using a pico braid, or by creating overlapping fabric triangles that are attached to the leading edge. This is an extremely elegant effect but it is quite difficult to achieve and may be a bit beyond the reach of the amateur curtain maker.

The leading edges of your curtains can have bullion edging attached. This is usually custom dyed to obtain an exact match to the curtains that you are applying it to. Make sure that you do not employ fringing that is too heavy for the curtain it is being applied to or you will end up with a very displeasing effect where the edge of the curtain is dragged down away from the pole or rail.

It is possible to tie and loop your curtains in various ways to create some extremely theatrical effects. The easiest way to achieve this is to use a stiff silk curtain that is then tied in two places to give a puffed out balloon effect. These are most commonly employed with a blind or other window covering as they are primarily for effect and not for practical purposes.

Whichever method you employ it is possible to completely change the appearance of your basic curtains with the minimum of effort and outlay.

Jeff King
http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/basic-curtain-adaptations-drawing-the-facts-together-69266.html