Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Modern kitchen design

Kitchens have become a place to gather as a family, entertain, socialize and for some a place to do home work. Use can lights to accent certain areas such as the stove or sink and other main areas used in food preparation. Use a simple rope light or specially made under counter light to accent the cabinets and counter tops. In selecting kitchen cabinets for a modern kitchen, most designers like to choose a single style of door, usually a flat design, to maintain consistency of color and form. Hardwood with evenly sized planks or large tile flooring materials will be the most commonly used styles.Here are some photos of modern or contemporary kitchen designs. These designs have a sleek clean look to them.

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Love the kitchen faucet.

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Decorating Inspiration

You may feel that you have no idea what you like when it comes to decorating. But if you look a little, you'll find great ideas. Check out the sources here for sources of decorating ideas and inspiration.Have you ever been in the position of knowing that you just have to do something to your living room or bedroom, but don't know where to start? Our sources of inspiration will guide you to ideas, pictures, and resources for beginning your decorating project.

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Decorating Styles

With so many things on the market available for home decorating, it may be difficult to decide just what your favorite style is. Read here for information about different styles of decorating, find resources for products, and get help deciding which is best for you.Whether you're decorating a single room or a whole house, a cottage or a castle, you'll find our guides to decorating styles helpful.

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The style guides will help you focus in on your likes and dislikes and learn elements that will help you achieve your dream room or make your home express your very unique taste.You learn so many things through the years in school. But you seldom get education on styles of decorating. This short guide from About will steer you to quizzes and resources to help you determine your specific decorating style.






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Wedding Decoration Tips

Traditional Hindu weddings are grand affair. It normally takes place over several days with elaborate ceremonies, which lasts up to one week. Indian wedding function is divided in to three sections pre wedding functions, main day functions and post wedding functions. These functions include the entire family, friends and relatives in the celebration and involve many costume changes. The bride and groom are treated royally for the days preceding the wedding and are showered with gifts and attention. The main day ceremony is nothing less than a fairytale. On the day of the wedding the groom mounts a grandly decorated horse and rides to the wedding ceremony accompanied by his family and friends. Nowadays the grooms mostly travel by decorated car. The bride on the other hand is dressed in traditionally attire, which is normally a pink or a red sari with heavy zari work and embroidery on her wedding day and sparkling jewelry given to her by family and close friends.


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Earlier main wedding function use to take place on a mandap, which is normally decorated with flowers. Today modern Indian wedding decoration is a mixture of Indian ethnicity, richness and Western culture and custom. Mostly today's Indian wedding decorations are theme based, as people mainly don't have the time or resources. The mandap is decorated with red color cloth because red is considered auspicious for the wedding occasion. Hire a henna artist a day or two before wedding to entertain out of town guests and get them in the mood of the wedding. Flowers have always been a part of Indian wedding decorations. So there is an extensive use of flowers of different kinds like roses, jasmine, and many more. Decorative tents or "shamianas" are often rented for Indian weddings celebrations. Different pattern of tents are available like bandhani print, Gujarati work and ethnic mirror work and satin cloth depending on the budget and theme of the wedding. And if your wedding is an outdoor one than shamianas are a wonderful idea. The full wedding place is decorated with elaborate carpets to line the tent. Gold and red are the colors associated with Indian wedding decoration so most of the Decor is of these two colors. The tents are lighted with Indian inspired lanterns and candles. Exotic incense stick is burn in the room to create a refreshing and pure atmosphere. In true sense the Indian wedding decoration is an amalgamation of Indian culture, tradition and custom and encompasses all the senses, which makes it an occasion to remember for lifetime.

Engagement Decor Tips

Engagement is an important ceremony, as it marks the beginning of the relationship not only between two individuals, but also between also two families. Different kinds of decorations can be seen in different parties, depending on the budget and the chosen theme. However, flowers and artifacts find a special place among the decorations used for the engagement parties, irrespective of the theme.

Mandap Decor Tips

Traditionally, Hindu weddings are solemnized at a well decorated mandap - a four-pole canopy erected at the center of the stage. Although the Decor of the mandap varies from region to region across India, the basic concept remains the same - to bless the bride and the groom, who tie the wedding knot. Mandap is erected at the wedding venue, primarily to conduct rituals like tying the mangalsutra, pheras and exchange of garlands (jaimala).

Mehendi Decor Tips

Mehendi is one of the important pre-wedding rituals followed in many parts of India. It holds significance, primarily in the northern parts of the country, where henna is considered auspicious for festive occasions. While mehendi is an indispensable part of the pre-marriage celebrations of Hindu and Muslim weddings, people following other religions have also adopted it, with the changing times.

Sangeet Decor Tips

Predominantly a ladies-only affair, sangeet is an important pre-wedding ceremony observed in different parts of north India. It is a fun occasion, wherein the close female relatives of the bride and the groom gather at their respective places, to celebrate it. The conventional way of celebrating lady sangeet is to sing traditional songs related to the auspicious occasion of marriage.

Wedding Kalash And Thali Decor Tips

The ceremonies and rituals performed in Indian weddings have certain social significance. The rituals that are performed before, during and after the wedding symbolize the physical, spiritual and mental unison of the couple, who has tied the wedding knot, as well as the special bond between the families of the two. To indicate the union, certain things are used as 'symbols' of shagun for the ceremony.

Tilak Decor Tips

Centered on the groom, tilak is a pre wedding ceremony and signifies that the prospective groom is affirmed by the father of the to-be bride, for his daughter. Mainly held at the groom's residence, the members from the bride's side bring gifts for the groom and his family in the form of fruits, sweets and clothing. Traditionally, the bride and her mother do not attend this ceremony. Mostly, it's the male family members and relatives of the bride, who attend the function.

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Holiday Wedding Decorations

Are you stuck for a theme for your wedding? Not sure how to decorate or what colors to use? Don’t panic, this should be the least of your worries! There are several ways to choose your wedding décor, especially if the happy occasion falls on or near a holiday? Holidays are the perfect backdrop for weddings and can only make the day more special. Read on for some holiday wedding decorating ideas.

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You don’t need ghosts and goblins for elegant Halloween décor but you can take some of the nicer elements of the day’s decorations and incorporate them into a Halloween wedding theme. For instance, at the reception, use orange, purple or black linen table cloths for color and class. Instead of carving a jack o’lantern, use a small pumpkin with an elegant, elaborate carving and a candle inside for a centerpiece. For favors, give your guests a crystal candy dish filled with your favorite treats. Use red, orange and gold fall flowers and incorporate autumn foliage into the bouquets and hang orange, black, yellow or purple twinkle lights.

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Holiday and Special Occasion Decorating

Birthdays, weddings, Halloween, and Christmas are perfect occasions to do something special for your home. Your family will love the ideas here for special decorating for all the holidays and special occasions that you celebrate.

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Seasonal Decor

Summer suggests light and airy interiors, fresh colors, and lots of flowers. In winter we want a cozy, warm look. Find ideas here for decorating your home for all the seasons, including projects you can do yourself.It's nice to adapt your decor to the calendar and it doesn't mean a total redecorating. You can give any room a seasonal change by using some of these simple ideas.
It's fun to feel cozy in the winter with warm colors and soft, fluffy fabrics. In the summmer, a cool, airy look is appealing. In this How To from About's Interior Decorating site, get some simple ideas for transforming the look of your home with the seasons.

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Home Depot Locations

The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer with over 2,000 retail stores in the U.S. Find Home Depot locations near you.Headquartered in Vinings, Georgia, Home Depot is the largest retailer of home improvement products in the world serving both do-it-yourself consumers as well as home improvement professionals. Home Depot carries many exclusive brands including Ryobi, Glacier Bay faucets, Behr paints, and Thomasville cabinetry. Home Depot's slogan is: "You Can Do It. We Can Help."

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Monday, September 21, 2009

Spanish Home Design

The best way to identify a Spanish/Mediterranean house is by the following characteristics. Exterior walls are usually stucco or brick, often painted white or cream to contrast the roof of the home. The roof itself is generally covered with terra cotta or brightly colored roof tiles and normally have a low-pitched gable or hipped roof. Another distinguishing characteristic is the extension of the side or front wall to form a courtyard entrance or porch. Windows are sometimes casements, framed by wooden or wrought iron grills or second story balconies.The garages can be attached, or detached, sometimes combing guest quarters in the form of a small casita. There is a pronounced use of stucco arches that is usually over main entrances, doors, and windows. As for the floor plans, they are generally asymmetrical, with gabled wings in the form of an L, or U-shape configuration. The courtyards are designed centrally to provide ommunication to the outdoors, from most rooms. Carved doors, pilasters, columns, decorative railings, and carved pattern stonework are also traditional characteristics of Spanish style house plans.Mediterranean/Spanish house plans plans became very popular in the states of Arizona, Texas, California and Florida between 1917 and 1950. Spanish/Mediterranean house plans are built in a variety of forms, and still remain very popular in the United States today, especially in the southern states.

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Home Landscape Design

With the ozone layer creating issues for the world and America being the leading country, we should work upon getting the green going. If you plant a tree, you are helping cure the ozone layer, helping global warming, and creating an image of a cleaner society.

1) Of course the Internet. it's sometimes called the information superhighway, so make use of this vast amount of information freely available to you. I'm not saying to copy someone else's design , but get inspired and add your personal touch to it. Work with your landscape contractor in this.

2)Landscaping and gardening magazines is another great way to get a lot of inspiration quickly and easily. The editors of these magazine take great care in showcasing the right kind of work by designers around the world, which can be a great source of inspiration.

3)Visit tread shows and product exhibitions related to landscaping and horticulture industry. Just by looking at the new product catalogues and their various benefits you can easily solve tour problems in particular are of your home.

4)next time you watch a movie slightly shift your attention and watch how the interior and exteriors are chosen. The art director of these movies and television shows are very specific about selecting the locations for shooting the films. You can get some good inspiration by looking into these movies and television shows.

5)Finally keep your eyes open to new things around you. Whenever you visit your friends, relatives, shopping malls, public parks, there are hundreds of places where you can easily get inspiration. If you don't live in a busy city then it is already easier for you, because the natural environment is the greatest source of inspiration.

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Design For Home

Your abode is a reflection of your lifestyle and personality. Regardless of it's size, it is your personal touch and indulgence in your home that makes it look unique and warm. For many, the very thought of home decoration leaves them into frenzy considering the huge expenses, however, if your home is designed using a well-sorted designing plan, you will surely achieve the right look at a much affordable price.Here are some home design tips that help you build your dream home.The right color: Color is one of the most important home design tips that can add spark to the dull appearance of your home. Every room expresses something and the right hues and shades used gives it the right feel. Search what is the latest in terms of textures and colors and choose what best reflects your personality.Home lighting: Your dream home would be incomplete if it looks dull and dark. Use the proper illuminating system for adorning the interiors of your rooms. Another useful home design tip is avoid putting dark items in the corners where lightening is bleak. Similarly, avoid putting bright pieces where light is in abundance.Place the main furniture first: One of the most effective home designing tips to avoid cluttering at your home is to place the main and the most important furnishing first. For example, beds, couches, desks at all should be placed first and at the center of the room so that enough space is left for the placement of the rest of the furniture. Make sure that large pieces of the furniture are evenly placed in the room to strike the right balance. After the placement of the main pieces is done, then place the rest of the sundry furniture to ensure smooth flow of the traffic in the room.


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Home Design Software

Nowdays the computer age is making software for a dazzling array of uses. One such genre is house floor plan software. With this type of program, you can quite literally be your own architect! Whether you're a home hobbyist or a trained professional, anyone can now use software to do everything from create house floor plans to landscaping the back yard of your dreams. Home design software ideas can go from dreams to reality with the touch of a button. Creating house floor plans from home design software can be accomplished in just a few easy steps. Most programs have a number of notable features. Some software programs offer an optional landscape and garden program which allows the user to create a detailed design of yard desired right down to the flowers and ornaments. The landscape created can then be viewed through the change of seasons in order to create a colorful landscape year round. Most programs offer drag-and-drop capabilities that make designing your dream yard easy and fun.
Because most house floor plan design software runs on the local hard drive of your computer, you should keep the software system requirements in mind when making a selection. The system capabilities of your home computer should always meet or exceed the system requirements of the software you intend to purchase in order to properly execute the program. Knowing these facts will save time and frustration.

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