DECORATING & INSTALLATION ARTICLES

Installing Ceramic Tile
Ceramic Tile brings a texture, richness and color to a room that Linoleum has yet to truly mimic. Tile floors can be installed in any room, however they are most frequently seen in Bathrooms and Kitchens. I particularly like them in entryways, where they serve as a transition point from the outside to large carpeted or hardwood floored rooms. They make for easy clean up and are impervious to water damage.

Choosing Carpet
Carpets are available in all styles and colors, but when shopping for carpeting, you should try to buy the best quality carpet for the money. Even if you are on a tight budget, don’t skimp on your carpeting or your carpet pad as quality products will last longer, wear better and even save you money in the long run!

Choosing the Right Flooring
When redecorating or putting in an addition, you are faced with many decisions, not the least of which is what type of flooring to buy. Should you buy hardwood or carpet? Vinyl or tile? There’s many things that you should consider before making your final flooring decision.

Adding Color to the Walls
Looking for the most impact from a small decorating budget? Or are you tired of the `builder's white' that is still on your walls since the house was built? Painting walls a color other than white can be both exciting and daunting, here's how to do it and get the job done without having an anxiety attack!

Color Wash the Walls
If you like the soft look of watercolors, why not try using a color wash on your walls? In addition to a softer color, color washing can accentuate the texture of your plaster or stucco walls. And it’s so simple that even I, a faux-finish-impaired decorator, can do it. There are two techniques for color wash application: sponge or brush. Each requires a slightly different glaze formula.

Using Flooring to Enhance Decor
Your flooring is a vital part of your decorating scheme. You want your floor to blend into your rooms decor and enhance it, not detract from it so you need to put in a flooring that is appropriate to the style of the room. If you have a shabby chic style room, you’ll want soft flooring such as wall to wall in a matching color or oriental style area rugs over hard wood floors – nothing too harsh or sharp in the pattern. A modern or retro style might go great with a bold splashy area rug. A contemporary style might look good with a simple rug over hard wood floors.

Frugal Wall Art for Gifts or Home
There are some lovely pictures available in retail stores, but they can be very expensive. I'd like to suggest some less expensive ways to make your own decorative wall art that will be more charming and beautiful in your home than any picture that can be purchased. To get started, you'll need frames. Frames are also expensive when purchased retail, so I suggest buying them used. You can find good picture frames at yard sales and thrift stores for a fraction of the retail price. If there are minor problems with the frame, such as chipped paint or nicks and scratches, don't worry, you can cover that part up with the decorative ideas that follow.

Installing Vinyl Flooring
Installing an new floor can spice up a tired room and you can even save some money by installing it yourself. Of course, if you are not handy and have never done any type of installation, you may want to leave it to a professional as installing the flooring incorrectly can ruin the whole look! If you do try to attempt installing vinyl flooring yourself, here’s some tips that might help your installation look like it was done by a pro.

The Meaning of Color
Colors have many different meanings. Have you ever been in a blue room, feeling calm and relaxed, and then walked into a red room and you began to feel chatty and excited? The change in your mood wasn't just coincidence - it was an actual psychological and physiological response to the colors of the rooms. When you are planning to decorate your home, the colors of your rooms should be one of your first considerations. You want to choose colors that you're not only comfortable with, but also colors that will create the right types of moods for both you and your guests in each room.

Thrifty Decorating
There is so much variety at thrift stores that it's hard to not find anything that would fit into your home. With a little creativity, the sky's the limit. Here are some items I have found with ideas for use in decorating.

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