When it comes to home improvement, a designer kitchen is often the most desired project you will ever undertake. It is very likely the one project that adds the most value to the property since kitchens are what everyone is after.

Redesigning the kitchen space is an intimidating prospect, which requires a substantial investment. When you keep in mind that you are working on the one room you visit every single day; you will want to invest time and effort to make it all work out well. If you play your cards right, the project does not even have to cost you much. Here is the course of action you should take:

Plan your budget – before you get to consider how you can save on your kitchen remodel project, you need to plan your budget. You need a clear idea of how you can afford to spend, or else any visit in a showroom will be in vain. A list of all the things you want to have in your kitchen is the first step in that regard. You can then have a consultation with a kitchen designer to get a rough idea of how much everything is going to cost.

Be very upfront of your budget – whenever you are working with a designer, you should be very upfront about the amount you can afford. They should be able to work with what you have and outline what areas you should focus on. If you have already devised a list of items that you want to have in your kitchen, definitely bring it with you.

Follow a budget plan – allocating a certain amount of money to certain aspects of your designer kitchen is a great way to stay ahead in the budgeting game. For instance, the most money will probably go for the constructing when you are extending: about 40%. Kitchen units will take about 10% more, while heating and ventilation half as that. Appliances should cost about 5% of your budget, the same for flooring, decoration and fittings combined. Of course, do not forget the included VAT in your calculations in addition to 10% contingency budget should any unexpected costs arise.

Ask for multiple quotes – you should not accept the first quote you receive. Do not feel pressured to do so, as a better deal could be waiting just around the corner. Check out different stores and browse for online providers to get the best price.

Keep an eye out for discounts – if you are not that bothered by buying last season’s look, then you are definitely in for some discounts. Stores often have such designs offered for less. Do not worry about design, as it is very dynamic and changes constantly.

Apparently, properly budgeting for your kitchen can not only make things way easier for you but also save you money. It is one of the most important aspects of implementing a designer kitchen in your home, so don’t overlook it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9843505

For home décor, size does not always matter. Do not worry if your house is small or if you do not have enough space to give your young girl a beautiful room. With some clever home improvement tips, you can make your small rooms beautiful and mesmerizing. Here are some ideas to help you make small rooms wonderfully spacious and adorable.

Understand Your Girl’s Nature

Before you think about decorating your girl’s room, it is better to consider the interests of your girl. Not all girls have the same nature. For some girls, pink and pastels colors are not on the top of their list, and definitely not all the time. Choose paints, furniture, accessories, and wallpaper designs according to your girls taste. This is one of the most important home improvement tips ever. Some girls like the Barbie theme while others may like a contemporary or traditional look.

Choose the Furniture Wisely

You may face fewer space issues in small rooms but that is not a big problem. It is only a matter of making a smart choice for your room furniture. Girls need more space in rooms than boys usually need. It is better to make arrangements that make maximum storage along with keeping the room airy.

You can choose tables with drawers that can store many things. Choose something that serves a double purpose. For example, the convertible sofa beds are one of the greatest home improvement tips. You can use them as sofas during the day and convert them into a bed at night. Besides, you can hang the TV on the wall instead of placing them on a table. You can even use the space below the beds to store clothes and other things.

Keep Things Bold and Fun

Colors play a great role in your room’s décor and they affect the girls’ personality. Girls’ rooms are not supposed to be pink all the time. You might have read about many home improvement tips that endorse pink for girls, but times have changed. A girl’s room can be of any bold color or can even have walls with multiple colors for a picturesque look from different angles. You can work with contrasting colors and themes.

Installing some amazing flooring is a good option. You can add bright rugs or add texture that would complement the rooms. You can also add plush animal mat for your kids to play on if it matches the kids’ personality and taste. The fluffy texture of mat gives the room a soft touch. You can create mats of your girl’s favorite character with some easy DIY methods available online.

Accessorize the Walls

Surprise your girl with something different. This is also one of the most important home improvement tips. You can choose wall stickers or paper flowers to make the walls look enchanting and attractive. There are a lot more ideas, which can help you to make your rooms amazing. You can try 3D art, wall hangings, hanging flowerpots, lighting, dotted style, and more.

The perfect living style is a combination of comfort and a pleasing environment. Home Décor not only makes your lifestyle stylish and luxurious but will also increase the fun of living in your house.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9872659

In simple terms, a duvet cover is a type of fabric bag or cover for a comforter. Aside from the appearance, it works like a pillowcase that is used to cover a pillow. What sets a duvet apart is that it is closed with ties, zippers or buttons.

So, what do the duvet covers do for you? Primarily, they have two functions: they provide protection against dirt, dust and sweat, which is quite important because you can’t wash down comforters more than once per year. Second, duvets add to the visual elements in any bedroom in addition to serve as one of the main anchors that beautify a room.

If you are going to buy duvet covers, the two main factors that you need to take into account are fabric and style, but there are also some other important things to consider. Below we have discussed those things.

Pets or kids

From the perspective of care and durability, this is one of the most important factors. Kids and pets often climb onto beds and sofas, and they may cause damage to the fabric. Therefore, we suggest that you look for high quality, solid seams as they are difficult to tear apart. Moreover, their prints have designs that hide the stains. Besides, their accents are strong and your pets may not be able to tear and snag them by claws or paws.

Making the bed

Some people have a top sheet over the beds. If you use the “euro style” design for making your bed without using a top sheet the duvet cover and sleepers, know that you will need to do the cleaning more often. So, in this case, you will have to use a top sheet as well.

Changing the covers

How often do you intend to change the cover? If you are going to change it every six months, you can choose from a variety of materials. For instance, a flannel comforter or velvet comforter can be a good choice for winter, but it won’t be a good choice for summer. Cotton blend or just cotton, on the other hand, can work throughout the year. So, this point should be in your mind when making a choice.

Wrinkles

For a wrinkle-free look, we suggest that you give a go to acrylics or cotton-poly blends that won’t show millions of wrinkles.

Maintenance

How are you going to take care of your duvet covers? How big is your washing machine unit? If you are going to invest in quality duvet covers, the maintenance factor is an important one to keep in mind. When buying, make sure you read the label to find out if you can wash it in a washing machine or you just need to dry clean it.

For machine washable duvets, make sure your dryer or washer is big enough for the job. If you have a small machine, you may have to turn to a Laundromat instead.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9882766

Modernising your home has never been easier. Not only is it affordable but it also doesn’t require you to buy new furniture. The secret is repainting and reupholstering.

The stylish trends seem to be reversing into the classic and traditional looks. Wood is a major element to complete this look and you won’t have to get a brand new wooden unit for your computers and large book collection. There are paints and adhesive materials that can make the unit as if it is made of wood.

Plants make any room look complete and calm. Leafy plants add more colours to a room and don’t require any other matching colours. You can choose whether you want a tall plant that can be placed in the corner of the study or a small Bonsai to complement the desk top.

Walls no longer need to be vibrant colours for modern trends. You can either choose between the classic, neutral colours or bold colours. This trend allows you to be creative with the colour palette you choose.

Unique lights are a must. Installing a curved designed light on the walls will give you the appearance you are looking for. The light should escape from the top and bottom so that you can see clearly when you are working.

Trimmings of the room should be a colour on their own. The trimmings include the legs of the tables or chairs, frames, light accents, electronics and handles. This should be either a dark colour such as black or chocolate brown or a light colour such as white or silver.

Art went out of style for a while because designers felt it was old fashioned. Then, interesting and simple concepts were discovered. These modern conceptual paintings and drawings don’t distract a person too much whilst they are working and it is ideal for any style of study.

Reupholstering your office chair to look like a classic study chair will complete the new fresh look. Upholsterers will be able to suggest a material that will suit the style you have in mind. The classic study chair was either a deep red with subtle patterns or emerald green that brought out the sophistication of the room.

Important and practical factors to consider when redesigned the study include keeping carpets away from rolling chairs as the wheels don’t glide over carpets easily and could cause you to fall backwards. The computer screen should not be facing the window because the light will reflect on the screen making it more difficult to see. In addition, the light could increase the temperature and cause the computer to overheat.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9880405

A home improvement is all about you creating the home that you want to live in, creating the best possible atmosphere for you and your family. It is generally a worthwhile venture that has many advantages.

Whether big or small, any home improvement project requires considerable planning, especially time and money-both of which are resources that cannot be replaced once spent.

Home improvements are not as difficult as you may think. Read through the following tips if you want to get a great start:

‘Tis The Season To Improve
Change up your home with each season. You can give your rooms a lift according to the season, simply by changing a few things. Get new pillows for the couch, and swap out autumn/winter candles for vases of fresh flowers. Change the duvet in your bedroom by replacing a heavy winter one for a light weight one in a bright, summery color.

Good Value or Bad Quality
When planning a home improvement project, time is money and the more time spent on the project, the more it will cost. Do not choose the cheapest contractor bid you get for home improvements under the assumption that you can hire someone later to fix his mistakes. The repairs may just end up costing you twice as much or more than the original work. Hire a reputable contractor with great references.

Perfect Colors
Is painting your next home improvement design project? Paint is one of the most inexpensive and simple way to change the look of your home. Make sure you have all the right tools and the right type of paint for the area. By making a few preparations before you begin, your job will be easier and go much smoothly. A good rule of thumb is to remember the color wheel.

• Do you want to feel romantic and calm? Choose a light warm or cool shade.
• Do you want to feel homey and comforted? Select buttery yellows such as for your kitchen.
• Do you want a feel of calmness and balance? Select shades of green that are light or moss or sage colored.
• Do you want to feel energized and express your vibrant personality? Choose vibrant shades.
• Do you want an air of elegance and serenity to a room? Select neutral shades or cool light greens.

Modernize Your Kitchen
If you have a limited budget for updating your home and want to make the biggest impact value-wise, tackle your kitchen. New counter tops, cabinets, flooring, fixtures and appliances can add both value and appeal to your home if you decide to sell it, and you can enjoy the updates yourself if you plan on staying a while.

Do Not Neglect The Exterior
Plants are a great way to add color and texture in any outdoor space. Adding layers of plants will give more dimension to your porch. Pick plants that’ll do well at any time of year. If you really want something low maintenance, consider a terrarium, which is easy to set up, and requires very little maintenance after it’s off and growing on its own.

Home improvement doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul of your home. It is giving something great to your home, putting in what you want to enjoy for some time to come.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9856330

Are you looking for some home decoration tips? If so, you are on the right web page. Since there are numerous options out there, you may get overwhelmed at first. But that’s something that can make this art so much fun. Below are some simple tips that can help you get you started.

Use Canvases

Blank walls don’t look good. You can brighten them by hanging beautiful canvases. Make sure that the wall gets covered with the canvases.

Use Side Tables

You can use modular storage units for making stepped-side tables for lighting and display. You can use miniature still life or put reading stuff based on your choice.

Opt for Hang Plates

For a beautiful wall arrangement, we suggest that you go for plates of different colors. You can use different hues, textures and sizes. In the center, you can place a dramatic unit. It will look amazing.

Use Wicker

You can go for cheap wicker and it will still change the environment in each room. If you have chairs, put them in a corner or near other upholstered units.

Create Your Own Art

You can make your own art easily. Even if you use photocopied art, it will look great when floating amidst a pair of glass. In this case, the wall color will look great through the glass and, which will look like a custom mat.

Use Mitten

If you are looking for a different idea, you can opt for mitten with no mates. For the frame, use cut felt for the purpose of fitting, and then make use of craft glue for sticking the felt. Once centered, you should let it sit for 12 hours to dry.

Go Natural

For kitchen, you can choose shells as well as other beach stuff. This will create a relaxed yet rustic type of display.

Use Lampshade

You can make the lampshade more interesting with the help of glue, ribbon and a good eye chart. If you don’t have one, you can download and print one.

Make a Headboard

This is a simple point project. All you have to do is put together a trompe. With a bit of search online, you can also make your own headboard.

Use Photos

You can take a closer look at your album in order to choose the best shots. Once you have chosen a few photos, you can place each photo in similar frames. Then you can hang them one by one in a long line or tight grid. It’s even better if you use a geometric arrangement.

Show Your Style

You can define a space. For instance, you can use a mirror for light and drama. All you have to do is be a bit creative.

Use Colored lampshades

Going for colored lampshades is also a great idea. Ideally, we suggest that you use only one color for each room. Lampshades should be of neutral tones like white or parchment.

Use Your Books

Books can also be used to decorate your room as they draw attention. If the shelves in your room are not high enough, you can consider stacking books on a flat surface like an end table or a bench.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9886435

With every passing year, the interior designers bring in new decor trends, and 2016 is not any different. With advancements in every field, interior design has probably not been left behind. As we all know, changing your entire household decor after a year is a cumbersome process and one that is not always affordable for everyone. So how do you keep your interior decoration up to date without putting a hole in your bank account? But let’s get back to the topic at hand, and that is, what are the changes in the home decor trends.

The Kitchen

A kitchen’s look is made through its cabinets and cupboards. So following the trends, you should aim for contrasting hues and colours. Instead of opting for a single colour theme, go for two shades. Also, when it comes to the appliances, the look has changed from the typical white coloured, metallic look. Nowadays, you can go for a more shaded, steely appearance if you are trying to follow the trends. It adds a refined, yet more colourful look to the kitchen.

Also, if you’re thinking about renovating your entire kitchen, you might want to go with some extra drawers. Deep drawers are favourite nowadays, and they seem to be added everywhere. You just can’t seem to have too many of them.

The Living Room

It seems that people are gravitating towards the idea of actually using the living room for what they were named for, living! Avoiding the use of technology, living rooms are now to be used for family bonding and spending quality time with your loved ones, instead of just using your phones and gadgets in there with no family interaction ever happening.

The minimalist approach has gone out the window and so last year. You’re looking at entirely decorated living rooms; nothing left bare. Lots of furniture, lots of decoration items, art on the walls and you’ve got yourself a living room right out of the decor magazines you read daily.

Also, since you will be using your living room for more family activities than just sitting on couches, designers are using more durable, outdoor fabrics for indoor furniture, rather than sticking to the old structures.

The Washroom

Designers have started incorporating new ideas into washrooms as well. Separate toilet bidets are now becoming increasingly common. Another thing that has become very popular is large bathroom mirrors that stand out. Wallpapers in washrooms with bold patterns and colours give a very glamorous look. Big ornaments on the walls that stand out are entirely in.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9890278

Cloisonné are metallic objects made with intricate designs and artwork which have been a unique piece of art and creativity since ancient times. It is a unique way of designing metal objects with gemstones, glass materials, enamel paints and other decorative objects which make this art an edge over other handicraft materials. The decoration on the metal objects by initially adding compartments to the metal objects with gold and silver wires. Once the soldering is done, they are finalized with enamel paints and then they are fired in a kiln. This piece of art has its existence since ancient times and has been as old as since 13 century BCE.

The existence of this piece of art has been majorly in Europe, Asia and North America. However this delicate piece of artwork has its existence majorly in china and Japan. Although Chinese and Japanese cloisonné are almost similar, yet there are some difference that will help you to buy the right piece of artwork.

In this article I will provide you with the common difference between Chinese and Japanese cloisonné.

Read on!

1. The simplest and the easiest to way to differentiate between in the Chinese and Japanese cloisonné is to look at the border and rim of the two metal objects. Chinese cloisonné are finished products of smooth and bright turquoise interior. On the contrary, Japanese cloisonné have an orange peel texture on the enamel. Chinese pieces have their borders decorated with Ruyi. Ruyi are colored decorative items which are 1 inch in width. They look like an upside down cloverleaf with a dot in the centre of each clover. However, Japanese cloisonné do not have any such wide borders on their metal pieces. Instead they use thin decorations at the rim which are mostly of reddish brown, blue or green in color. These thin decorations are dots which are decorated at the edges of the metal piece.

2. There is a strike difference in the birth of the cloisonné objects in china and Japan. Chinese cloisonné were well developed and were open to trade before Japan. In contrast, Japan has always kept itself secured and protected from the entire world and hence they developed this art and started to trade few centuries later. Chinese cloisonné began developing this artwork as early as 1300s and gradually it was adapted by other artists. Japan too initially adopted Chinese method of decorating metal vases and bowls in 1830s and lately in 1870s they developed their own unique style of creating and finalizing the artwork. So in other words, we can say that the roots of the cloisonné lies in china and later on in other countries. However, Japanese have proved themselves an ace in cloisonné objects.

3. Though Japanese cloisonné came late into existence, however, they have excelled past china. And henceforth, Japanese cloisonné have a larger variety of cloisonné in comparison to chinese cloisonné. Most famous kinds of Japanese cloisonné is Ginbari, Akasuke and Totai. The different in the three styles lie in their finishing. Totai was coated with a brown tree bark texture, Ginbari with bright, translucent enamels and Akasuke with a clear red enamel.

4. Difference also lies on the marks or the seals of the cloisonné from two countries. Chinese cloisonné were often sealed or marked in bright enamel. The sealed was impressed between 1897 and 1921 for export trade and often encrypted with “made in china” after 1921 and only “china” from 1897 to 1912. On the contrary, Japanese cloisonné were not marked or sealed. This was mainly due to the reason that Japanese cloisonné were exported from local clients which did not require any exportation marks.

5. There is a slight difference in the enamel coating of the cloisonné of the two countries. The bottom of the Chinese cloisonné is coated with enamel in order to strengthen it for high heat of kiln. Enamel coating was done to protect the base to crack or wrap from excessive heating. Japanese cloisonné did not have any such enamel coating and instead they were decorated with cloisonné wires with orange peel texture coating.

6. The designs of the two art pieces were also different. Chinese cloisonné were mostly designed and decorated with symmetrical designs symbolizing nature like seasonal flowers or Buddhist lotus pattern or mythical animals such as kara-shishi, winged horse or phoenix. Japanese cloisonné used symbols such as the Japan’s empress or emperor symbol. They use mostly asymmetrical designs with more crowded appearance than Chinese cloisonné. A common design which was used by the two countries was a dragon motif. The only difference in the dragon motif lies in the number of toes depicted. A Japanese cloisonné had three toes depicted whereas Chinese cloisonné had four or five toes depicted.

7. In terms of the gilding and finish of the two cloisonné; Chinese cloisonné use gilding with gold in order to protect them from heat. Often the surfaces of Chinese cloisonné are glassy and are bright in color. In case of Japanese cloisonné, all the metal objects are not gilded instead had a combination of copper, silver and brass wires.

8. Most of the Japanese cloisonné were of unusual shapes and sizes in contrast to the Chinese cloisonné’s which had a symmetrical shapes comprising of incense burner, a vase and two candle sticks.

9. The bodies of Japanese cloisonné were mostly made up of copper or bronze and Chinese cloisonné had bronze bodies. However, sheet- copper bodies in Chinese cloisonné were introduced in the early sixteenth century.

10. In comparison to Chinese cloisonné, Japanese cloisonné are more polished and reflect light.

I believe, that more we come to know the difference between the Chinese and Japanese cloisonné’s, the better we can differentiate between the two and can gather more knowledge while purchasing them. Though there is a difference between the two countries, yet you will find a wide variety of antique designs and creativity in both the of these metal pieces.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9869188

Nowadays, the popularity of home offices is growing because of the increasing number of people who are working remotely and flexible. Mums and dads who are trying to make a balance between their family and career are those who most often dare to create a home office. Home designs points out few things you should consider when designing your dream home office.

If you are planning to spend a lot of time in your home office, it is clever to establish it in a larger room. But what if you don’t have so much available space in your home? Then you have to place your office in the hallway or under the stairs. Maybe it is smart to place it away from the noise of other rooms. If you are facing this problem – install sound proof walls or door.

Measuring your workspace is important if you are going to shop some office furniture. You should choose the right size for your office desk. If you choose a very small small desk it can be uncomfortable to work. Or choosing a very big desk will mean smaller space for everything else. Do you want a sit-down or a stand-up desk? A modern or a traditional desk? When you choose the perfect desk type and size you can determine where to put it.

Your home office has to have a comfortable and supportive office chair. So many people are choosing a style over the functionality of a chair. This is wrong because your back can suffer due to the longer sitting. It is important to invest more in a chair that best suits to your needs.

When it comes to painting your walls you don’t have to use a complicated colour palette. Improve your mood by picking your favourite colour and use a lighter and softer tint of it. Then hang a few personal photographs on the wall. Motivational quote or beautiful wallpaper can boost your creativity and productivity.

Natural lighting is essential in any room. Let as much natural daylight as possible. If you cannot reach for natural light – invest in a quality desk lamp. Good lightening depends on the orientation of your house and the window placement and size. To control the level of light when sunny days are here, you can use window coverings. Having fresh air coming in your office space is important if you want to clear your mind. Opening the window at least once a day is always a good idea. Also, having plants in your office will bring calming and peaceful feeling.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9897388

Before beginning your project, think about how you will use the room. For example, in the bedroom obviously you will have the bed; however, will you select a lovely armoire to become a central point for the room or will you need to spare a large area for your work out equipment? Will you use your dining room for formal entertaining or will you turn it into the home office? If you are decorating your family room, will your entertainment area be huge or will a pool table occupy most of the room? It is always helpful to make a floor plan for each room before actually getting started. Measure the room so that when picking out your furniture you will have enough space to fit all of your selections.

Next, think about how often you plan to use the room. This will help you in deciding the amount you will spend for your decorating project, the colors to use, and the pieces of furniture you will need. If you are on a tight budget; you will spend less on the guest room, which will only be used once in a while, compared to what you will pay for a master bedroom which you will use every day. Also the guest room is a great place to experiment with bold shades, extravagant items, and different design. However, a master bedroom needs to be done in a color that is familiar and soothing; while including furniture that is practical and useful.

Often, we want to decorate our home using our favorite color. Depending on the color, you probably aren’t going to use that color to paint an entire room. However, you can use your favorite color to accent any room in your house. Using paintings, flowers, towels, and multi-colored accent pieces will bring that desired hue to any room. Adding pillows and area rugs to your decor will not only give your room color, but will also add comfort. Accents will help your favorite color stand out and will become the focal point of your room.

Another thing to consider when choosing colors for your room is what feeling do you want your space to express? Warm colors like red, orange, and yellow will create a cheerful mood; and cool colors like blue, green, and violet tend to be more relaxed or calming. If your space has dark corners or shaded light throughout the day, you should choose colors that make the area bright, even on very dark days.

When you consider interior design, you should view your home as a totality instead of attempting to decorate every room with unique colors and themes. Make an effort to have the same theme or style in all of your rooms. You can make your rooms uniform by forming a color scheme. Select three or four colors then utilize them in different ways all over the house.

If your room gets direct sunlight all through the day, your window decor is a great way to make your room pop while helping to control the light. You definitely want your window decor to be functional. Whether you are adding elegant draperies, simple fabrics, or shades; the window decor will make a great, eye-catching decorative piece. Alternatively, decorative lamps will add the artificial light your room might need.

When decorating a room, often the big wall space becomes intimidating. Adding wall decor like a big clock, a painting, family pictures, or many other decor can take a boring space and bring it to life. With a little imagination your wall can be transformed from a dull wall.

These tips for the beginner are just the first step toward creating a home that expresses your personality and style. Once you get started, you will come up with your own ideas and will soon have the home of your dreams.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9892246