About.com Interior Decorating

6 Fun Ways to Decorate with Candy Hearts

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:05:19 +0000

It's easy to be charmed by these sweet Valentine candies. Inexpensive, colorful, and adorned with endearing sentiments - small children, grade schoolers, and adults are likely to recognize and smile at the sight of them.

And, though meant for the candy dish, we've come up with a few ways to use these little treasures on just-for-fun treats and decorations. All are easy and fun - try one this week!

Start with the "Ribbon of Love" project. Hot glue candies to a sturdy grosgrain ribbon. Once the glue is set, use the ribbon to decorate your table: wrap around a napkin, lay on a placemat, or use double-face tape to attach to the outside of a vase of flowers. Read more For Valentine's Day: 6 Fun Ways to Decorate with Candy Hearts

6 Fun Ways to Decorate with Candy Hearts originally appeared on About.com Interior Decorating on Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 at 00:05:19.

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Valentine's Day Decor Tips

Tue, 09 Feb 2010 00:00:26 +0000

Are you planning a whimsical Valentine dinner for some wonderful friends or a romantic dinner just for you and your sweetheart? Whichever it is, you can make the evening memorable with a little planning and effort.

You can set the mood for an extra-special Valentine's Day dinner by simply lighting candles and nibbling pizza in front of the fire. Or you can put in some extra effort, take time to plan, and make everything absolutely perfect for a special meal.

Whatever way you intend to prepare for Valentine's Day dinner, the suggestions here will get you started on your way to a wonderful evening. Read more Create the Perfect Setting for a Romantic Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day Decor Tips originally appeared on About.com Interior Decorating on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 00:00:26.

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French Countryside in Your Very Own Home

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:56:41 +0000

When you think of Provence and the French countryside, you're sure to see lavender fields and bright sunshine. While there are many elements that contribute to the French Country style of decorating, the resulting look is always rustic, old-world, and welcoming.

The look fits well into both country houses and elegant, old chateaux. The French Country style of decorating, with its warm and casual feel will fit beautifully into your home as well.

Colors used to decorate in the French Country style come from the full spectrum of the color wheel. Sunny yellow and soft gold, firey red and burnt rust, bright grass green and dark hunter green, cobalt blue and soft ocean tones -- all these are found in this wonderful decorating style.

Bright black and dull grays punctuate the bright colors and define accessory pieces. Read more Decorating in the French Country Style

French Countryside in Your Very Own Home originally appeared on About.com Interior Decorating on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 00:56:41.

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Choose the Right Paint Color

Fri, 05 Feb 2010 00:49:58 +0000

When it comes to decorating, choosing paint color can really be a challenge. While you may feel that there are so many choices you're bound to find the right one, you may end up feeling that there are too many color choices and you don't know where to start!

The tips here will really help you if you feel stumped by this important choice. After all, the paint color will set the tone for the room.

First, be patient. It's great to collect paint chips when planning a room, but hold off making final choices until you've developed an overall room scheme. Paint is available in literally an infinite array of colors and is the most versatile element of your room decor, the easiest to change, and the least expensive. Read more How to Choose the Right Paint Color
Photo: (c) C. Nafie

Choose the Right Paint Color originally appeared on About.com Interior Decorating on Friday, February 5th, 2010 at 00:49:58.

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Say I Love You All Around the House

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:45:36 +0000

Valentine's Day isn't just for lovers. It's a special day of the year to express your love and appreciation to many people in your life. Whether it's children, siblings, friends, or co-workers, a special message will be appreciated by all.

With little touches around the house, on a desk, or around a dinner table, you can let the people in your life know how special they are to you. I don't know a person who wouldn't enjoy it!

Here are our ideas on tiny little ways to bring the Valentine spirit to your home.

It doesn't matter a bit if red or pink don't go with your decor. You'll only have these special touches up for a day or two. They'll surely bring a smile to faces! Read more Decorating Tips: How To Say I Love You All Around the House

Say I Love You All Around the House originally appeared on About.com Interior Decorating on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 00:45:36.

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Budget Art Ideas for Your Home

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:41:08 +0000

There are many ways to stretch a budget when it comes to decorating a home, and one of the easiest may be to create your own budget artwork.

If your finances have been blown on a move, wedding, furniture, or other necessities, you may be looking at bare walls and no money to decorate them.

You'll have to get creative and find or make some of your own budget artwork. How should you begin this project?

If you already know what style of decorating you like, you're in luck. It will make it much easier to select subjects, colors, mats, and frames for your art.

If you're unsure or have an "eclectic" style (sometimes also known as a hodgepodge) you'll have to choose as you go along. Read more Add Budget Art to Your Home and Don't Spend a Fortune

Budget Art Ideas for Your Home originally appeared on About.com Interior Decorating on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 00:41:08.

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How Do You Read Decorating Magazines?

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:38:37 +0000

Decorating magazines offer a terrific source for decorating ideas. However, it can be overwhelming to see hundreds of "perfect" rooms and photographs in each issue.

So instead of feeling inundated with ideas and projects, try some of these techniques for looking at magazine photographs. Some of these are designed to help you zero in on your personal preferences and style, while others will teach you, train your eye, and give insight into decorating principles.

Rather than just browsing a magazine, this is looking with a purpose . It's not just paging through a publication, it's sitting down with an assignment. By consciously deciding what you want to learn, you can focus on a particular topic and teach yourself more about design.

Next time you're looking at a magazine, pick one or two of these techniques and see how much you'll learn. Read more How to Read Decorating Magazines

How Do You Read Decorating Magazines? originally appeared on About.com Interior Decorating on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 at 00:38:37.

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Kitchen Island Tips

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:33:45 +0000

Add extra work space and decorative interest to your kitchen by installing an island. The kitchen island can be as simple as a small table or as elaborate as a custom-build, electrified, plumbed, tiled cooking center.

It seems as though families are getting smaller and at the same time, kitchens are getting bigger. Designers are using industrial appliances, state-of-the-art cabinets and countertop materials, and including a kitchen island whenever possible.

A kitchen island looks beautiful in most settings and adds work space, storage area, and room for additional appliances. Read more Kitchen Islands Go Front and Center

Kitchen Island Tips originally appeared on About.com Interior Decorating on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 00:33:45.

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What's Your Focal Point?

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:28:44 +0000

A room will feel much more inviting and offer a more comfortable place to rest if you arrange the furniture or accessories around a focal point.

Sometimes a focal point is an architectural feature. At other times, a focal point can be a special picture, mirror, or dramatic piece of furniture. Learn how to find a focal point in your room and how to make the most of it.

Start by looking around your room to determine the 'biggest' feature. It may be a fireplace, a picture window, or a built-in bookcase. This will generally be your focal point. Read more How To Find a Focal Point in a Room
Photo: (c) C. Nafie

What's Your Focal Point? originally appeared on About.com Interior Decorating on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 00:28:44.

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Make Gift Giving Personal

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 00:25:37 +0000

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, do you have the gifts for your sweetheart yet?

Thanks to the wonders of customization, it is easier than ever to give something unique to someone you love. We have collected our favorite ideas. Choose the one that is right for your occasion. It will be a personalized memento of your thoughtfulness!

For example, you can treat your significant other with a monogrammed gift from The Silken Thread. A variety of bed linens, table linens, handbags, throws, ribbons, and more are available from their site. Sweet gifts come in all price ranges. Read more Personalized Gift Giving Tips

Make Gift Giving Personal originally appeared on About.com Interior Decorating on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 00:25:37.

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