I’m a DIY sort of person; nearly everyone that has seen my basement knows this immediately. Strewn around my basement is a myriad of projects, all of them only 5-10% away from being finished. It seems that I love to try and make my own versions of things, but I get caught up in the creation process, that when it comes to actually finishing the project up, my brain decides that it was a dumb project to begin with. However, those are simply the successful projects. There is a special place where I put the projects that were so large a failure that I can barely contain my shame. This special place was designed out of necessity, and has prompted many complaints from my wife; the fire pit. I’m completely serious. I end up doing so many projects a year that turn out so horrific that I fear that putting them in the trash would constantly erode the sanity of my very friendly garbage man, Luke. The most recent project to get immolated was an attempt by me to take a leftover roll of wallpaper and make my own wallpaper borders. There are a few specific reasons why this is a bad idea; learn from my mistakes: 1) Wallpaper Borders Have a Specific Design: Just like there are different classifications for wallpaper depending on what it is supposed to endure, wallpaper borders have specific designs that make them perfect for what they’re used for. For instance, I bet you wouldn’t think that cutting in a straight line is a big deal. However, trying to cut of wallpaper into a straight line without some sort of giant paper cutter is a practice in patience. Now, I have a great workspace in my basement, a strip of space about 30 feet long running between two well-supplied work benches. However, it wasn’t the lack of space that was the problem, but both the pattern of the paper and the roll in the wallpaper itself. As anyone who has wallpapered will tell you, the hardest part is getting it on the wall. Partially because the glues that are recommended for using with wallpaper seem to be made specifically to not stick to wallpaper. However, the other part is because wallpaper comes in a tightly bound roll, and its very hard to stick wallpaper on a wall when its constantly trying to curl away from it. Trying to cut wallpaper also lands you headfirst into this problem. No matter how many books or bricks you use to hold the paper down, there are always a little bubble or bump in the paper. When you are trying to cut a strip that is 16 feet long in a perfectly straight line, it’s impossible to accomplish when the wallpaper itself seems to be working against you. Second, wallpaper is meant to be seamless. The pattern is printed in such a way that even through wallpaper is put up in strips, the edges seem to disappear and the pattern melds into the other rolls without any effort. When you are trying to cut a straight line, this turns into an illusion that your eyes have a hard time combating. 2) Perspective is more Important Than I Knew: Now, after struggling for 2 hours, (no exaggeration), trying to cut four 16 foot strips, I had the material in my hand. It was time for a dry run. I’d like to take a moment here to give you a pro-tip for wallpapering. Always tape it up first. Cut your strips, and tape them to the wall in the way that you plan on doing so permanently, so you can see how it looks. When I did this with my brand-new DIY Border, my eyes were treated to a visual smack down. Not surprisingly, wallpaper borders are designed to do a certain job. Sometimes they are going to be put against the floor like a baseboard, other times they will be used as a creative picture frame, or a room accent in general, or in my case, it would act as molding against my ceiling. Each of these wallpaper borders are printed differently, because the angle at which you view them is different. For accent borders, the color is evenly printed; so that it looks uniform no matter which direction it enters your eye. However, for baseboard and molding borders, the color is actually lighter facing the room, and becomes darker towards the floor. The reason for this is that dark colors tend to make a room look smaller, so to avoid that, printers have slightly changed the saturation of the colors to make them a little lighter on the wall-side. If you didn’t know that either, don’t worry, but learn from my mistakes, as soon as I put the border up near my ceiling, I almost involuntarily tilted my head like I was ducking under a tree branch. It’s astonishing what color can do to a room. 3) It’s a Waste of Time and Money: This is what both previous points have been leading to. So, to start my project, I had a leftover wallpaper roll that had cost me $55. I had planned to get the most out of that money by using the wallpaper again to border another room that had paint. Instead, I ruined the wallpaper roll over 2 hours of failed cutting. Each 7 inch strip seemed to come out worse than the one before it, and it was only when I had my son come and set up a perfectly straight string tied to the walls of my workshop that I made any meaningful progress. Then, after putting the wallpaper border up on the wall, which took another hour, I realized right away that it made the room feel terrible. So another 30 minutes of ripping it down, and then another 20 dragging it to the fire pit and disposing it. Overall, I wasted 5 hours and completely ruined the rest of the wallpaper roll. My advice is to just purchase the wallpaper border, and save yourself the time, energy, and uses that leftover wallpaper roll for craft projects with the kids. At least you don’t have to learn the hard way. Pete Wise is a Content Creation Beast and White-Hat SEO Jedi. This article was researched through trial and error for Discount Decorating Online, who sell deeply discounted wallpaper and wallpaper borders. Please follow Pete on Twitter: @MySEOHeadache Read more »

Whats the Difference Between Wallpapers? Wallpaper is not what it used to be, before there was a fabric or print with some backing to adhere to the wall. Now, there are foils, vinyls, grasses, paints and all means of adhesives to get your wallpaper on the wall where it belongs. Finding the best combination of style and functionality will depend on the room, but here are a few things to look for in your wallpapers. Wallpaper “Type” and Safety Features There are different designs for wallpaper to meet certain needs. The criteria that wallpaper are examined were designed by the government and detailed as Federal Specifications. These were used to asses risk of wallpaper types in commercial and public buildings. There are two “Types” of wallpaper. Type 2 is the commercial classification. These wallpapers are examined for tear strength, washability, wearability, flammability, abrasion strength, and stain resistance. Most of these wallpapers last almost a decade of use before needing replacement. Type 1 is the residential classification, and though there are not many regulations to this class of wallpaper, many manufacturers take pride in their product and detail the safety specifications met if it were a type 2 wallpaper. There are just some bits of extra information that could help make your decision. If you want to lay some paper in the kitchen, finding one that not only fits your style, but is flame resistant and stain resistant would be perfect. Maybe your kids play room needs a wallpaper that is very tough, so it won’t tear when you are scrubbing the crayon off of the walls. Print Method and Cost As careful consumers, we all want to understand the reason behind the cost of what we are purchasing. In the world of wallpaper manufacturing, there are a variety of methods to get designs-to-paper, and each has a different cost. For custom printing or limited productions, hand printing and silk screening is common practice. These designs are surface prints, and a custom stamp or roller is created to achieve the desired design and consistency. Because of the flexibility of this style of printing, it is labor intensive and costs more than wallpapers that were manufactured in mass quantities. For most other wallpapers, huge machines print the design onto a massive roll of paper, and in very few steps, goes from raw materials to finessed product. If you find a paper you like created via this method, you can be pretty sure that the price tag will be a lot lower than custom prints. The one exception to this rule of thumb is if the wallpaper is very intricately detailed and contains a huge variety of colors. These wallpapers were printed in large quantities, but with a printer more akin to those that print magazines. These can be just as expensive as custom prints, but are of amazing quality and clarity in their design. Finding Defects in Manufacturing Now that you understand the way wallpaper is judged, and what manufacturing methods can affect the cost, the only thing left is to spot defects in the product. You want to make sure that your wallpaper is going to be consistent from every angle. When you first examine the sample, see it under different lights. Some stores have places dedicated for this purpose. See how the colors change in different man-made lights, and the sun. Then examine the print, color, and design near the edges of the roll. Wallpapers are printed in huge rolls, and near the edges of the paper is where wear and tear on the machines show. As print rollers are used again and again, rubber is worn off of their surface, causing some prints to have an unequal distribution of color. Finally, examine the back of the paper, and make sure that there are no tears, or wearing to that side. As anyone with experience hanging wallpaper will tell you, the real battle is with the adhesive, and if it acts differently at different points in the roll, you might get bubbles or seams in your wall. Sticking it to the Wall I won’t go over it too much in detail now, as I plan on writing an article dedicated to the art of gluing wallpaper. However, here are a few things to consider. 1) Have I used too little glue? – Too little glue will curl the end of your rolls, causing huge seams to appear all over your wall. 2) Have I used too much glue? – Too much glue is just as detrimental as having too little, in this case, the glue will dry unevenly, and you will get pockets of glue and air being forced away from the wall. It will look like bubbles. 3) Am I using the right glue? – Different glues really do make a difference. When putting wallpaper on drywall, almost any wall adhesive will work. However, when you plan on putting a second layer of wallpaper over the first, you will need special glue that sticks to other wallpaper. Pete Wise is a Content Development Specialist and White-Hat SEO. He represents Discount Decorating Online, who sell a huge selection of Wallpaper and are currently running a sale on Brewster Wallpaper. Follow Pete on twitter: @MySEOHeadache Read more »

Modern apartments have a tendency to be on the small side, and this makes it difficult to decorate them. Fortunately, with some creative decorating and careful furniture choices, even the smallest of apartments can be turned into a cosy and comfortable home. One of the most important considerations for creating a cosy living area is to minimise the amount of space wasted. This means making use of made to measure blinds instead of heavy and imposing curtains, and using floor-to-ceiling cupboards and concealed storage rather than free-standing space. The Beauty of Modular Design Modular designs are a great way to maximise the amount of space you have in a cramped apartment. Some modern designers have created “room-in-a-box” furniture suites, and there are some amazing loft-style bedroom packs which offer beds, storage, and desks all in one convenient pack. If you make use of one of those modular furniture suites, combined with a set of blackout roller blinds to ensure that you get a good night’s sleep; even the most inconveniently situated, cramped apartment can become cosy and comfortable. Lighting is Everything When space is at a premium, effective use of lighting can make all the difference. Instead of relying on just one light, consider dotting free-standing lighting around key areas of the room. Lighting should be functional as well as cosmetic. Dark walls and carpets tend to absorb light, and make rooms feel smaller than they are. In a small apartment, it’s best to opt for light wooden floors, and bright and airy paint or wallpaper on the walls. If you are allowed to, consider putting a mirror on one wall to give the illusion of having more space. If you have one large room, and would prefer to separate your furnishings to create a sense of privacy, then consider a faux glass dividing wall, or a compact “loft” style bed. Avoid clutter Clutter can make even a large room feel small, so whenever possible try to avoid it. Make good use of storage, and throw out anything that you don’t really need. Excessive ornamentation counts as clutter too – in a small room, it’s best to keep accessories to a minimum, and only put things on display if they will add to the appearance of the room. Don’t hang up too many paintings on the wall, and use made to measure blinds rather than ones that are oversized and eat into the amount of wall space left over. It can be difficult to find the right balance between Spartan and comfortable, but over time you will get there. Spend a little time looking around for design ideas and you’ll soon get an idea of what people like to do with smaller apartments. The futuristic look is in at the moment, and this is good news for apartment dwellers, as it means that there are a lot of interesting and creative space-saving solutions on the market today, making it easy to conceal everything from bathroom fixtures to storage space in an attractive and fashionable way. This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of Moonshadow Blinds, who offer made to measure blinds in a wide variety of styles, materials and colours. Read more »

It was Friday night and I was invited over to a close friend’s house for dinner. She had just finished redecorating her house and wanted to show it off. As I walked inside the foyer the first thing that caught my attention was the Chimes Tabletop Fountain sitting on top of a side table. It was made of copper and slate with lights at its base that gave it a dramatic effect. Polished rocks filled its rectangular basin. But what really made it unique were the tiny wind chimes that hung down the middle. The sound of the chimes mixed together pleasantly with the trickling sound of the water and it had an overall relaxing effect. Wherever we go indoor fountains are often appreciated for their relaxing effect and exquisite designs. Are you thinking redecorating your home? Then perhaps you should think about adding indoor fountains to your décor. Not convinced? Here’s how decorating your home with indoor fountains can melt your stress away. Soothing Sound Most people agree that the sound of water is one of the most relaxing sounds we hear. Personally, whenever I feel stressed I go to the beach. The sound of the waves crashing on shore just seems to take away all my anxieties and fill me with a sense of peace. But we don’t always have the time to go to the beach. And with an indoor fountain, you won’t have to. You will be able to hear the relaxing sound of trickling water right in your own home. Pleasing to Look At If you’ve noticed many spas decorate their rooms and reception areas with indoor fountains. Having one at your home or office would give your room a spa-like appearance. Simply looking at it can ease your stress and relax you mind. Positive Physiological Effect Flowing water is said to produce negative ions. Negative ions attract impurities in the air such as dust and grime. So having flowing water at home will actually clear the air and make our living space healthier. Aside from this, when negative ions enter our blood stream, it elevates serotonin levels which helps in improving our mood and alleviating stress and depression. “Amy C. is an interior decoration aficionado and online marketer. She also likes testing and trying new home and office decorating themes. In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing calming indoor fountains and glass art. Amy invites you to browse her delightful collection of glass vases “ Read more »

There are a lot of instances when you would need to decorate your home in just an hour. Most of the time, friends, relatives and associates could suddenly call you and tell you that they are already on their way to your home. Whatever their reason is for coming over, there is no time for you to fuss and mull over it. You have to get crunching as soon as possible since there is absolutely no time available for you to waste. The first thing that you have to remember in order to effectively put decorations in an hour is to relax. I’m sure you will agree that during times of panic and stress, you get all cluttered and you end up not doing what you are supposed to do. Remember that the people coming over are your friends and people who know you therefore there is no need to go all out and impress them. Besides, they would understand if you have been unable to prepare much since they were the ones who gave you the short notice. Second, decide on what you want your guests to feel as soon as they step inside your house hold. Focus on that and you will never go wrong. May there be an occasion or none, always think of what you want them to feel and never go beyond that. In this way, you will be able to achieve your goal without getting too hay wired because you have no idea where to start. Since you can’t do the whole house, focus on the focal points or those that will be immediately seen or noticed by your guests. If you have an entry table, attend to that. Clear it off and retain a simple, dramatic vase that will immediately grab the attention of your visitors. Never overdo it. If there is an occasion like Christmas or Halloween and you haven’t put up decorations yet, don’t fret since there is a way to come up with the decoration quickly. Your next focal point should be the staircase. For Christmas, grab a roll of garland and wrap it around the stair handle. Add to it some lights and you will easily conjure a more festive atmosphere without breaking a sweat. For Halloween, you could simply hang Halloween banners instead of the garlands. The final step in decorating your home is to create a focal point that is elegant and overwhelmingly beautiful. This usually works best if you have a fire place and a mantle your home. Find key pieces that are overpowering and eye catching. If there is an art piece on your mantle, remove it and replace it with a mirror that is bold and flamboyant. On the mantle, put pieces that have elegant designs. They could be candle holders, big glass canisters with ornaments inside and flowers. It will seem as if nothing much is going on there but enough to captivate the attention of your guests. Add to it candle lights and you will make it even more beautiful. Amy C. is an interior design aficionado.  She enjoys testing and trying new themes of decorating the home and office.  In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing calming indoor fountains and glass art.  Amy invites you to browse her delightful collection of glass vases and water fountains to decorate your indoors. Read more »

Thinking of repainting your room? What painting style do you have in mind? Are you thinking of color washing or rag painting? Or do you have something else you want to do? If you want to do something fun and sophisticated, you might want to try sponging. Sponging is a clever way to paint your wall. It puts stains or blotches out of sight while giving your wall a 3D effect. You will need either a small sponge or a roller sponge for large walls. You can use the steps below to give your wall an irresistible finish. 1. Before starting a paint job, remove everything inside the room. This includes the furniture, frames and wall hanging, and electrical outlet cover. Place a cloth on the floor to catch paint drips. Aside from that, put painter’s tape to moldings, window frames or casings, and base. All these will prevent paint from being smeared to those areas. 2. Prepare all your materials and start pouring your paint to the paint tray. Start the application by using 3/8 inch nap roller. Let the paint dry and resume work the next day. 3. Remove the painter’s tape from the previous day and replace it with a new one. 4. Transfer your glaze replica into the paint tray. Drench your sponge with the glaze but extract excess paint. Start the application but make sure that you apply in different directions to create different patterns. 5. Using a small sponge, rub on glaze in the corners. Take off the painter’s tape and let the paint dry. Hang your frames and wall hangings, fix the outlet covers, and position the furniture back into the room. The steps above are just for the sponging-on technique. If you want to try sponging-off techniques, you might want to try the steps below: 1. Do steps 1 to 3 from the above technique. 2. Fill your paint tray with the fake glaze. Use a 3/8 inch roller and start applying. Create designs similar to that of jigsaw puzzles. Your design or patterns should be about 2 to 4 feet wide. Make one side of your design touch the side of another pattern but do not overlap. 3. Using your sponge roller, add gentle and soft strokes to your wall. Do this before the glaze dries or you will not get the desired result. Vary your strokes from time to time to create a random look. Just clean your roller from time to time. 4. Use your small sponge to wipe off glaze in tight corners. As usual, take off the painter’s tape and let the wall dry before returning all the furniture and wall hangings. If you think that the sponging technique tutorial is done, you are wrong. In fact, we are about to start with another terrific sponging technique. The steps below are for a Tuscan faux surface. 1. Do step 1 from the first technique. 2. Fill your paint try with your base paint. Again, use your 3/8 inch nap roller and start applying paint. Let your wall dry overnight. 3. The next day, use a sponge roller to apply a second coat. I suggest that you alter your strokes every now and then to make the design random. 4. Before the paint dries, create patterns on your wall using a trowel. Apply gentle pressure while dragging the trowel from corner to corner. Let it dry for approximately 2 hours. 5. Using your nap roller, apply the faux glaze. Afterwards, get rid of the glaze using a squeegee. 6. Take away the painter’s tape after painting your wall. Let your wall dry before returning everything into their original places. These 3 techniques are easy to do. Which do you like best? Do let me know! Read more »

Everyone wants their home to feel like their own. Putting personal touches on your house or apartment gives you a sense of pride in the place where you live, and, most likely, makes you want to take care of it. However, many renters are hesitant to make changes to the homes they are renting, usually because they are restricted (or think they are restricted) by a landlord. The fact is, though, that there are plenty of things you can do to make your home “your own,” even if you don’t technically own it! Here are some great ideas for quick updates that will beautify your rental property and help you feel truly at home. Paint While most renters believe that this is not an option for their rental home, the fact is that many landlords could be open to the option, if their tenants would just ask! A fresh paint job can give a room a whole new life, and that might be as beneficial to your landlord as it is to you. Talk to your landlord about the changes you want to make. Offer him/her the chance to approve color or design options. Communicate why you think this change is needed, and what you think it could do for the property. If your landlord is hesitant, consider repainting the room using its existing color, or something very similar. The fresh paint will still add an updated look to the room that won’t take much time or cost much money. If your landlord is still reluctant, hold off on the paint. But don’t despair – there are plenty of other decorating options that he/she should be more open to! Vinyl One of today’s hottest trends involves vinyl “stickers” that can add words, pictures, or embellishments to your walls. Vinyl is fairly inexpensive, and there are many different options out there – from pre-made creations sold in craft stores, to elaborate custom designs available through websites. Vinyl is a great way to add visual interest to any room in your house! One of the best things about vinyl is that it is as temporary as you want it to be. It is easy to apply, and it will stick to the wall very well, but it will also come off when you want it to. Most vinyl can be removed with a hair dryer, a steady hand, and some patience. Furniture Even if you’re lucky enough to be renting a furnished rental property, add some of your own furniture pieces to bring your own identity into the space. Play with fabrics, colors, and textures with your furniture, to add interest to your rooms without having to touch the walls or floors. If there is a piece in a furnished rental home that doesn’t really “work” for you, talk to your landlord about possible storage options for the duration of your lease. Small décor Throw pillows, plants, and picture frames can make a huge difference in a room! These little finishing touches really provide you with the chance to personalize any space in your home without making permanent changes. Make sure, though, that you know your landlord’s rules when it comes to things like burning candles or hanging pictures. If you are restricted in terms of the décor you are allowed to use, take a trip to a craft or home decorating store and let your creativity take over. There are plenty of unobtrusive ways to fill spaces! There are certainly ups and downs to renting a home, and many people consider decorating options to be one of the “downs.” You do always need to remember to communicate with your landlord and, above all, keep the terms of your lease. But the fact is, a little creativity and some quick changes can bring a whole lot of personality into any rental space!   Katie Harris is a freelance writer for RPM East Valley, a property management company in Gilbert Arizona. Real Property Management East Valley manges hundreds of properties throughout the Phoenix Metro area including Tempe, Mesa, Chandler and Scottsdale. Read more »

Decorate you room with jungle theme and let your imagination take you to the African safari. Since history, our ancestors would already use animal skin not only for comfort but for the design and style it gives. Nowadays, animal prints have become classic interior decorating themes. Rosettes on a leopard’s coat, usually in brown, black and tan, give a strong color scheme that gives you options to coordinate or contrast the remaining décor. In any bedroom, the center pint is the bed. It is important not only to accessorize you bed for a pleasant look, but it also needs to be comfortable. This is what the biggest cat could give you; style and comfort all in one. A leopard bed set, is a must to complete the exotic look of the bed. Choose a bed set that has the finest quality you can afford. The bedding has a complete set so you won’t have to worry about finding for the perfect pillowcase or blankets to match the bed sheet. To bring out the beauty of the print, surround it with color scheme with warmth ones like tan, khaki, brown and black. Don’t hesitate to add some cooling colors like green. It will not only offer comfort but perfect jungle look as well. The zebra print comforter is another hit too. The fluffy comforter would give your warmth and security as you sleep. Under a zebra print comforter, it would give you the feeling of being hugged at the back. Choosing a quality comforter would require you to look beyond the design. Before purchasing, consider the thread count and the material used, baffle construction and most importantly fill power. A traditional black-brown and tan color will blend greatly with sheets in tan and beige color. Whatever style you choose, knowing the qualities of a good comforter and bedding set will keep you warm and toasty under those spots! Read more »

I just love the look of black and white wallpaper.  It is truly amazing the effects it has on a room.  It adds such elegance, style and sophistication.  You really have to see it to truly appreciate it.  If it is time for you to upgrade the look of a favorite room in your home you should definitely consider it.  If you have never looked at black wallpaper then you will be surprised at the choices that are available.  There are literally hundreds of different styles and patterns.  Chances are pretty good that you will find one that will be perfect for that room of yours.  The following are some tips for you if this is the first time you have thought about black wallpaper. 1.  Nothing is more popular right now —  Especially when it comes to dining rooms.  When it comes to dining rooms black is in.  This is a room that many people like to showcase and this color really stands out.  It gives a very warm feeling and is also very elegant and sophisticated.  The fact that black can be used with any color really leaves a lot of options. 2.  This simple addition can create an entirely new look to your room — Black wallpaper is truly amazing with what it can do for a room.  Even though you make this choice and look forward to the result, you have no idea just what a difference it can actually make.  I think you will find that it turns out better than you ever imagined.  Plus, putting it up is actually very easy.  It is a lot less hassle than painting and all the work that comes with it. 3.  You don’t have to replace your furniture —  The nice thing about this color is it goes with anything.  You can use it no matter what color your furniture and accessories are.  It can really accentuate what you already have no matter the color.  It’s versatility is one of its strongest points.  This is important because if you really like the look of a particular wallpaper but don’t have the matching colors you will have to replace everything.  This is not the case with black. If you are anything like me you will just love the look of black wallpaper.  You will be amazed at the difference it makes in your room.  Its versatility is also a big plus.  Since the color black practically goes with anything your won’t have to do an entire makeover.  The furniture and accessories you have now will work just fine.  Now you can have a fresh new look without spending a lot of time or money. Read more »

Designing your home is a huge project!  Many people find this task so difficult that they hire interior designers and pay them ridiculous amounts of money to design their living space.  Well if you have the money then go ahead and hire an expert, but if you are like most people in our economy an interior designer doesn’t fit into the budget.  So you have to take on the huge job of designing your own living space and if you are at all a creative person this can be an exciting thing to do.  With so many options, styles, schemes and designs it’s nice to have a little bit of help.  Well we want to introduce to you an interesting concept that is becoming a very popular alternative to traditional home decor. Using water fountains for the home has quickly become a very popular way to decorate wall space, entryways, desks, offices and tables.  These indoor water fountains come in such a huge variety of styles, sizes and designs that it is possible to find one to fit almost any design need. Indoor water fountains typically use a combination of natural elements and incorporate the beauty and tranquility of running water to provide a peaceful atmosphere that is hard to recreate with traditional home decor elements.  The quiet soothing sound of running water is a great way to get rid of stress and unwind from the daily pressures we put upon ourselves.  If you have ever seen a decorative water fountain in a doctor’s office or maybe at a fancy restaurant you will know how much attention they draw.  People want to be close to them, see how they work, and sometimes even touch them.  They create a focal point that sets the tone for any room. You can usually check out these fountains at major furniture retail stores or even browse through them online at a number of online retail stores.  Prices range anywhere from $80 for small tabletop fountains up to $6000 for larger wall mounted water fountains.  If you are looking for alternatives to traditional home decor then you might want to consider checking out decorative water fountains for the home. Read more »