Wednesday, October 19, 2011

New Ideas for Decorating in Orange

Have warmed to the thought of using orange in your home.i hope you like this slide show that features a variety of looks in this citrus hue ... Enjoy !!!!


Morning Room 

A warm color scheme is right at home in a breakfast room where a jolt of energetic color can help to get a jump on an active day. A range of oranges, from deep russet to light peach surround the banquette, which in turn is bathed in a glow of sunlight and yellow walls. The drum shade of the pendant light fixture incorporates all the colors of the palette.


Fabric Focus 

Vivid persimmon fabrics capture the eye in this appealing dining room. An analogous color palette of warm hues supports the bold orange color. Solid yellow fabric covers the curved banquette and pillows in a yellow-on-white pattern with contrasting piping giving definition to the yellow shapes. A russet rug, banded in yellow repeats the color scheme underfoot. Overhead, the chandelier is an energetic design of leafy tendrils in a single matte orange. Sophisticated black elements ground the room.

Color Coordinated

Choosing from within a coordinated collection of colors and patterns ensures foolproof decorating in this enticing living room. The sherbet shades offer a balance of soft tints and intense hues in playful patterns and restful solids. Neutral walls allow the mix of orange, pink, yellow, and green furnishings to take center stage.


Better with Color 

Bold splashes of orange and red give this all-white room a new look with little effort. An orange table with modern lines adds a sassy touch to the decor. Underfoot, a graphic red-and-white organic-pattern rug layers on top of a larger sisal floor covering. Solid orange linen throw pillows and a fuzzy throw give the upholstered furnishings a bit of visual punch.


Small Space, Bold Color Scheme 

Bold accents make a big impact in this tiny space. Two unfinished wood hutches, painted soda pop orange, add display and storage space. The hutches complement the room's blue accent wall. Orange stripes in the window treatments and rug bring all the elements together and add a touch of drama to the space.


The Warmth of Orange

Goldenrod yellow walls and burnt orange accents work together to give this family room a warm and inviting motif. The solid burnt orange window treatments and throw pillows create a common thread among the patterned chairs, window seat, and ottoman. The bright hue adds both drama and consistency to the room.


Bold Fireplace

This fiery orange is the perfect complement to the fireplace. Natural accents, such as the marble fireplace surround and the antique wood mirror frame give the color an earthy feel. Pairing orange and brown is a good way to tone down the bright hue.


All in the Accents

Graphic tangerine bedding is the focal point in this master bedroom. Other orange accents, such as the statue on the nightstand and the throw pillow, work with the bedding to give the room modern style. Neutral walls and dark furniture provide the perfect backdrop for a bold hue.


Colorful Modern

Tangerine and hot pink combine to give this bedroom an energetic vibe. Black and white are a neutral foundation for the bold color combo, and double mirrors multiply the light throughout the room.


Orange Crush

Warm off-white walls provide a clean, neutral backdrop for a bold mix of bright and deep colors in this playful living room. A plush sectional in rich brown adds depth to the neutral base and provides contrast for the vivid pops of orange. Wall screens powder-coated in orange hang as geometric art.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Bright Basement Work Space Decorating Ideas

hardworking office and crafts haven with bright colors, DIY touches, and tons of storage.


Sunny Style 

Unlike some basements, this space is blessed with an abundance of sunlight. That makes this spacious corner the perfect space for a home office/crafting studio. The homeowners used countertops and cabinets to create an L-shape configuration that allows multiple workstations.

Savvy Storage

To keep clutter at bay, the homeowner/designer mounted rods on the wall. Now her favorite supplies are out of drawers and off of surfaces yet still within easy reach. Baskets, bins, canisters, and magnetic strips provide perfect homes for ribbons, stamps, paper punches, embellishments, beads, and other art essentials.


Clear Solution 

These canisters are meant for the kitchen, but the homeowner/designer uses them to stash art supplies. Clear storage makes it easy for her to see and grab whatever she needs in an instant.


Light Bright 

The homeowner/designer wanted to take advantage of the sunlight streaming in through the basement windows. But she didn't want to sacrifice privacy. So she had a plastics store cut these 12-inch panels of plexiglass and drill holes into the top and bottom of each piece. For color and fun, she affixed vellum and scrapbook paper to the back of each piece. Finally, she connected the panels with binder rings to create this completely unique window treatment.

Color Cues

Mixing and matching vibrant color comes naturally to the homeowner/designer. For her work space, she chose a palette designed to inspire creativity. Two bright shades of orange coat the far wall panels, while lime green accentuates the adjacent wall.


Orange Blossom 

Mod, graphic flowers bring the palette to life. The homeowner/designer first hand-drew the floral design on a transparency sheet, then used a projector to enlarge the image onto the wall. She drew the design on the wall in pencil, then covered it in a coat of light orange.

Barstool Style

To dress up plain stools, the homeowner/designer sewed custom skirts. She used fabric that complements her decor, then added ribbons to hold the slipcovers in place.

Cabinet Creativity

These storage units looked awfully plain before the homeowner/designer got her hands on them. First, she and her husband found three unfinished wood cabinets. They added molding to give the pieces architectural interest, then painted them in their favorite orange hues. She used frosted window film to create the diamond designs on the glass cabinet doors. Pretty curtains suspended from tension rods give the cabinets a soft look.

Store More

Picking up on the floral theme from her DIY window treatment, the homeowner/designer used scrapbook papers to perk up plain white magazine files. Now the storage pieces look like they were created just for this space.


It's A Wrap 

It couldn't get much simpler. Dowel rods suspended from inexpensive curtain hardware allows easy access to wrapping and crafts papers. She painted the dowels blue to align them with her color palette.


Clean Sweep 

The homeowners chose easy-to-clean vinyl flooring for their work space. It resists scratches and scuffs, and it wipes up in a jiffy if paint happens to spill. The natural, woven-look pattern provides a subtle way to ground the bright wall colors.


Colorful Fall Projects 2011 Ideas


Maple Leaf Pillow 

Add fall color to you home with inspiration from one of the season's prettiest elements -- fallen leaves. Place a leaf on a photocopier and enlarge it to a make a pattern. Cut it out of wool felt and attach it to a purchased pillow using iron-on fusible backing. A blanket stitch finishes it in style. 
Editor's Tip: Create a trio (or more) of pillows featuring different felt colors yellow, red, and deep green to capture the season.


Branch-Painted Vase 

Acrylic paint markers are great tools, especially in a freehand design such as this one on a pretty fall vase. Choose two shades of brown and draw bare trees; cut tiny leaf shapes from pressed leaves or cardstock and use adhesive dots to attach to the vase.


Patterned Fabric Wall Display 

Pretty patterned fabric offers inspiration for this wall sculpture. Make color copies of fabric and attach to plastic mailing tubes with double-sided tape. Stack and stagger on a wall, using strong adhesive dots to hang.


Design a Fall Display Box 

Put on a show of autumn color with a collection of small jewelry boxes. Paint the inside and outside of the boxes; glue autumn images  ferns, pinecones, leaves  to the bottom of each box, then glue each box together. Hang it as a display or use it to collect keepsakes.


Fall Flag Centerpiece 

Creating a just-yours fall centerpiece is easy. Start with muted colors and patterns of scrapbook paper; cut into pennant shapes and use adhesive scrapbook letters to spell out words. Punch two holes in each pennant and tie to a twig; tuck all into a glass jar filled with popcorn.


Fall Stools in Autumn Designs 

Your digital camera is your ultimate DIY tool to create these colorful stools. Take a photo from overhead of pumpkins; enlarge and crop to fit a stool top and print. Choose paint in the same color as the image; paint the stool and dry. Adhere the digital image with decoupage and seal with clear polyurethane.


Natural Fall Table Display

Rely on nature to do the work for you with this lovely centerpiece. Place milkweed seeds inside a glass vase and nestle creamy and striped gourds of various sizes around to fill a short-sided basket.


Fall Branch Table Display

The berries of autumn are a stunning element in this centerpiece combination. Start with white beans in a tall glass vase and add a sturdy stalk of a crabapple tree.


Pumpkin-Theme Plate Design

Digital images are a great accent for inexpensive projects. Take this place setting: An image of a pumpkin was printed and adhered to the bottom of the plate with decoupage.


Mushroom Design Fabric Display

Take a wall from blah to boring with a few easy-to-find materials. Download a mushroom stencil from free clip-art online (or draw your own using ours as inspiration), and cut out the shape in vivid patterned fabric. Iron the fabric onto fusible webbing and use Mod Podge to adhere to a surface a wall, for example, or a large dresser, too.


Fabric-Covered Fall Lamp

Fun fabric can instantly transform a ho-hum lampshade. Use an existing shade as a pattern; cut a scrap of fall-color material to fit (overlap the edges). Adhere with spray adhesive or fabric glue; fold the bottom and top edges under and glue, too.


Fall Leaf Art

Add one-of-a-kind pizzazz to your walls with stencils and medium-density fiberboard. Look on designerstencils.com for an image; enlarge several copies in various sizes and arrange on a piece of stained fiberboard. Paint in some of the stencils and around others, and use painter's tape to create stripes of various widths.

Monday, October 17, 2011

How to Make a Halloween entry and welcome trick 2011 ideas

Add some personality to your entry and welcome trick-or-treaters with a pumpkin topiary in the shape of a totem pole. All it takes is a few faux pumpkins, basic craft supplies and a little imagination.


Materials Needed:
  • 3 faux pumpkins
  • spool of 3/8" wide black craft ribbon
  • black acrylic craft paint
  • white acrylic craft paint
  • small craft paintbrush
  • hot glue gun and glue sticks
  • pumpkin-carving tool or sharp knife 

Select Pumpkins

Select three similarly shaped faux pumpkins.


Cut Hole

Use a sharp knife or pumpkin-carving knife to cut a hole in the bottom of the first pumpkin. Make sure the hole is big enough for the stem of the second pumpkin to fit into. Repeat this step on the bottom of the second pumpkin.


Adhere Ribbon

Cut random lengths of craft ribbon and hot glue them to each of the pumpkins to form mouths.


Paint Eyes

Paint eyes on each of the pumpkins using a small paintbrush and some black and white acrylic paint.


Hot Glue Pumpkins

Use hot glue to attach the first pumpkin to the second and the second pumpkin to the third.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Easy Ideas to Add Seasonal Warmth to your Room

designers nationwide for How do you add warmth to a room?


Pick the Right Pillows 

A room isn't done without pillows. Choose pillows in warm colors made of a soft down mix so they're comfortable to lean into. 
Designer Carla Lane, Los Angeles.


Create a Hide-a-Way 

I always tell clients that you can't control the outside world but you can create a world on the inside of your home that is good to you. In the fall, when you'll be spending more time indoors, it's important to carve out a corner for yourself. Maybe it's a tabletop in the corner of your living room or in your bedroom. Fill a bulletin board with images of things you love: photos and mementos from trips, ticket stubs from a great show, cherished letters. Small collections of shells, rocks, and candles are simple things that are good for your soul. 
Designer Stephen Saint-Onge, New York City.


Add a Layer of Texture 

Anything with texture adds dimension. Nubby fabrics and textured wool area rugs make a room cozy. 
Designer Patricia Gaylor, Little Falls, New Jersey


Make it Your Own 

Warmth can also come from personalization. Displaying a collection or hanging family photos in unusual frames -- anything that gives a room your personal touch -- is meaningful. 
Designer Patricia Gaylor, Little Falls, New Jersey.


Sprinkle on Spicy Colors 

Reds, burgundies, or golds instantly transform a plain room. You don't have to paint the walls; you can add these tones in the drapes, furniture, pillows, rugs, or art. 
Designer Patricia Gaylor, Little Falls, New Jersey.


Cover Those Windows 

Drapes warm up a space. If you currently have wood blinds or mini-blinds, consider changing those for a fabric Roman shade, or even better, add floor-to-ceiling drapes. The fabric softens the room and adds glamour. 
Designer Erinn Valencich, Los Angeles.


Think Accessories 

It's all in the accessories. If a room is empty, it's going to feel cold and unwelcoming. Style every table with personalized vignettes: Choose a few special items, keeping in mind that contrasts in shape and texture work best. I always look for funky, slightly off-the-wall pieces at antiques stores and flea markets. These have the most personality and are conversation-starters when put on display. 
Designer Erinn Valencich, Los Angeles.


Light Up 

Candles bring mood and character to a space. To avoid the risk of fire, try battery-operated flameless candles (look for versions made with real wax); they emit a nice warm glow. 
Designer Patricia Gaylor, Little Falls, New Jersey.


Go the Extra Mile 

Place a luxurious throw over a chair or a couch. I always include a high-quality throw in all my clients' family rooms. 
Designer Carla Lane, Los Angeles

Chalkboard Projects :Easy Ideas

Liven up your living quarters with these sophisticated yet simple chalkboard paint projects.
I hope you like it .. Enjoy  !!

Name Frame

 Upcycle a plain wooden photo frame with chalkboard paint. Prime the frame, then paint on a coat of chalkboard paint (Krylon and Rust-Oleum both have great color options). Let dry. Use chalk to update the caption as you change the photo.


Chalk Magnet 

Vintage mirrors with great shapes abound at flea markets. Score one for a few dollars, then transform it into a sophisticated message center. Remove the mirror from its frame, or use painter's tape to cover the frame. Spray several coats of magnetic spray paint on the mirror. Let dry between each coat. Then apply a layer of chalkboard paint and let dry.


On Tray

Up the elegance factor at your dinner party or wedding table by converting a vintage platter into a beautiful menu display. Trace the oval base of your platter onto a thick piece of paper. Cut out the oval and center it on top of the platter, then trace an oval guide for the paint. (If the platter has a central oval edge, you have a built-in guideline.) Use a steady hand and a small brush to stroke chalkboard paint inside the edges of the guideline. Roll the center with chalkboard paint using a small smooth-surface foam roller.


Vanity Lesson

Turn an old medicine cabinet into a sweet spot for lists and notes. First, remove the mirror or inner panel. (If you can't remove the mirror or panel, cute a piece of chipboard to fit.) Paint the mirror or your chipboard piece with two coats of chalkboard paint, allowing each coat to dry between applications. Tip: If you use a mirror, prime the surface first. Pop the mirror back in, or use Krazy Glue to secure the chipboard cutout in place. Use chalk to spell out the day's duties.


Scheduling Pains

Transform a six-panel window into a home office calendar to ease your planning pains. Each day of the workweek is assigned a frame, and the sixth makes room for extra notes or magnets. Tape off the wooden frame with painter's tape. To make your calendar magnetic, spray several coats of magnetic spray paint on the front of the glass, allowing each coat to dry between applications. Then paint each pane with chalkboard paint using a paintbrush to edge and a small foam roller for smooth surfaces.


Clever Containers

Add a little erasable oomph to your kitchen canisters with repositionable vinyl stickers that accept chalk marks (check dickblick.com and wallies.com for colorful options). Use a punch to cut out the labels. Remove the paper backing and position the label on the glass or wooden canister. The labels are easy to rechalk as you change their contents.


Mix it Up

You can find chalkboard paint at almost any crafts or art store or home center. But if you're longing for a hue that's not available on store shelves, concoct your own. To create your own custom color of chalk-ready paint, simply combine 1 cup latex paint in your desired shade with 2 tablespoons of unsanded tile grout. Use a paint stirrer to mix. During application, gently sand the dry layers of paint between coats with 150-grit sandpaper. Apply several coats for best color.