The Rule of the Third Explained

By Morten Elm

The Rule of the Third (also called the Golden Section) might seem a little complicated: But actually it is not as complicated as you probably think. If you are able to divide a square in nine equally sized parts, you will be able to use the Rule of the Third.

If you are looking for a simple, real life example of the Rule of the Third, you can find a news channel on your TV. Look where the newsreader is sitting; either in the right or the left third. It is a classic example of the Rule of the Third.

Since the earliest days (long before the photograph) painters found out, that if you place the main subject either about one third or two thirds from the top and/or from the left side, the painting will be more balanced.

To be absolutely correct the right place to put the main subject is not exactly one third (or two third) from the border. There is a complicated mathematically rule that describes the exact place. But it is so close to one third that is fine enough for practically use. So as long as you are not showing your pictures to a mathematician, you will be fine.

So learn from the painters and place your subject in the third parts of the photography. It can be either vertically or horizontal; or both.

The Rule of the Third is especially important, when you are photographing the horizon. A classic mistake is to place it in the middle of the photo. But as you have learned, it will divide the photo in two parts. The result is an unbalanced photo.

So take a look at the subject and decide which part is the most interesting. Is it the sky or the ground? Are there beautiful clouds or are the subjects on the ground more interesting? Place two third of the photography with the most interesting part of the subject.

On some cameras the subject has to be in the middle to make it sharp. In this case you shall just place the subject in the middle of the frame, press the releaser half down and then turn the camera so it points to the subject. Then press the releaser completely down.

Like all other photographic rules it is okay to break the Rule of the Thirds; as long as you do it on purpose and knows what you are doing. - 30435

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How to Paint Your Furniture In A Distressed Wood Effect?

By Truman Crawford

If you have a piece of furniture which you would like to turn into a piece with a trouble wood effect, then you can follow these steps here. Rather than buying an antique which is an extremely old piece of furniture that may have indications of cracks and have issues with losing functionality, you can create a distressed look yourself. They look great in any decor which needs a touch of the elegant French or other western european feel to add character to the room or home.

Here's how to make the distressed finish on wood furniture.

1. If the wood has been painted over formerly, sand the wood lightly so the new paint ( later ) to adhere correctly.

2. Wear safety glasses before you begin, and fill an old pillowcase with nuts and bolts, and use this to pound areas of the wood to creates dents. You can make a tiny number or many areas of dents according to the look that you need.

3. Employ a chisel and gently chisel away some dents to the furniture on the surfaces as well as on some edges. Or, you may use a hammer and gently hit the wood with the fringe of the hammer to create these indents. Don't overdo these dents, but create sufficient to give you the look you need.

4. Apply a coat of paint to the whole piece and allow to dry. The color is up to you and many folks use creams, beiges, and white, including the translucent finishes which will allow the character of the wood to show thru.

5. Once dried, sand areas of the surface and edges with sandpaper to make areas of weathering on the wood according to your preference. If you use fine paper, the effect will be delicate, but if you employ a rougher paper, then you can create some fine lines if you so wish.

6. Eventually, apply a layer of wood stain or varnish. Just check with that this is compatible with the paint that you have used. Ask the store workman expert on paints and varnishes if you're uncertain.

So as you can see, you can custom any of these steps to form the type and quantity of weathering and trouble in the wood as suits the piece of furniture and your taste. Distressed finish on wooden fittings can make a French romantic feel to your room or home, or a feel of western european elegance, particularly when mixed with wall art. When you add these touches to your house, you can make a unique feel that will provoke yourself and your guests. - 30435

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Sash Windows London - Endless Choices

By Jason Latham

Are you building a home? Are you shopping for windows and just don't see the right kind for you or are you feeling overwhelmed by all the choices? It makes it difficult to decide which ones that you like. Wooden sash windows are becoming the number one choice because of all their great qualities. Sash windows London are taking the nation by storm.

What is a sash window you may ask yourself? A sash window has been referred to as a hung sash window that it built from one or more removable wooden panels or as they are referred to a sash that holds glass. The glass is then separated into areas by slim wooden bars or left by themselves as one single window pane.

Edwardian, Victorian and Georgian homes are all traditional homes that sash windows can be found on but more and more homes rather modern or traditional is placing them on their homes because they look good and are durable. A sash window is strong and durable as well as made of high quality glass.

Affordable price, durability and security are just a few of the features that sash windows provide us with. Lots of homeowners are finding themselves investing in these types of windows instead of others because of these few features, they attract the homeowners. Sash windows also have a low maintenance standard that many find a great quality.

Sash windows have been known to because of their security, you can either place locks on them or just leave them as they are, it is strictly up to you. More families are beginning to like them because of this feature.

In London you will find many companies and businesses that specialize in building and making of sash windows in order to find the best deals or price you need to take the time to shop around and comparison shop so that you find the best deals for you. Many things can be achieved with a sash window like the look of antique wrapped into a package of modern flair. It is up to you to find the right one for your home. - 30435

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Ideas for Interior Painting

By Michael James

Redecorating or renovating your home is never easy and it just gets especially harder and more boring when you need to paint as well. Sloshing on one coat of paint after another can be draining if you're doing it alone and still have the whole house to think about.

And let's not even start talking about the ceilings! But even if you do stick to the same old fashioned exterior paint job, it doesn't need to be the same for the interior - you could always try some wild and wonderful interior painting ideas. If nothing else you'll be guaranteed a reaction from all who enter your house.

By reducing the exterior painting plans to the necessary minimum, you can spend more time and creativity to the inside. You can let your imagination run wild with all those interior painting ideas you always wanted to implement but never got around to. And, as they say, there's no time like the present, and be honest, when are you going to get round to redecorating your house again?

Don't become alarmed though, when I'm talking about out of this world interior painting ideas I'm not saying that you should go with something that resembles a Picasso painting. I'm talking about something more along the lines of a paint job that will reflect back who you are.

So your interior painting ideas need not be anything bolder than a splash of vibrant colour on one wall, surrounded by soothing colours on the other walls. This works very well in any house and the vibrant colour that you pick out can be either soothing or primal, depending on what you want to show of yourself. You could, of course, always go to extremes and emulsion all the walls a bright vibrant shade or even mix and match different shades on different walls.

If you're going to do this, then you may want to think about the effect you'll have and whether you can actually bear to live with the colour scheme for very long. Outlandish yet inspired interior painting ideas are all very well and good, but you should always take into account whether you're going to be able to bear the sight of your newly panted walls or not after a month or so. If you are going to have to repaint everything again, it sort of defeats the object, doesn't it?.

This doesn't mean that you should restrain your creativity or stifle your interior painting ideas, all it means is that some of the bolder ideas you have, should perhaps be the subject of a small test-run somewhere else.

Don't think of painting your house as a chore. If you really want to, you can always think of yourself as Michelangelo or Da Vinci or any one of those great artists and paint a stunning picture on your walls. The only requirement is that you turn your great interior painting ideas into reality and that you have fun while you're at it. - 30435

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Chuck Rosenthal's Landscapes

By Penny Logan

Though landscapes are not his most common subject for paintings, Chuck Rosenthal excels. From Clearwater, Florida, the artist more often paints people and still life, but his landscapes are definitely worth seeing.

Landscapes of Florida are most often depicted in his paintings. Outstanding and radiant colors are his signature style. In his landscapes, you can see that glowing Florida sun reflected in the grasses, building, trees and water - brilliant oranges and yellows that would warm up any room.

"Bellaire Beach" is a painting not actually of a beach, but of a glowing stately Bellaire home possibly as seen from the beach. The home is a typical Florida villa type of architecture, with perfect landscaping, grasses and palms. What makes the painting enchanting is the reflection of the light on the building - those radiant shades of orange and yellow.

Another of Rosenthal's landscapes, entitled "Florida Waterworld," depicts typical Florida wetlands with a white house in the background. It is not a subject most artists would chose for a painting - most people do not dream of walking through the mushy, muddy marsh in this painting. But Rosenthal makes it reflect that wonderful Florida sun, and the painting is as inviting as any landscape you could find of an English countryside.

"Houses on the Marshlands" is another Rosenthal landscape with shining yellows and oranges. Typical white Florida houses in the background make the sparkling marsh in the foreground stand out.

"Water's Edge" shows a reflective lake, autumn trees and again, white houses in the background near the edge of the lake. The colors again mirror the sun. The composition of this painting puts forward the beauty of nature, leaving the creations of man (the houses) in the background.

Most viewers will not be able to ask the artist in person what thoughts inspired him to paint these landscapes. But perhaps we should appreciate that the artist is inviting us to contribute to the artwork by creating your own ideas of what the painting communicates.

What does the painting make you think of? What can you imagine when you look at that house in Bellaire Beach, or the houses at "Water's Edge"? The mark of a great painter is that he invites you, the viewer, into the painting, and accepts your contribution to the artwork. - 30435

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Wall Painting Ideas For Your Bedroom

By Truman Crawford

For most of us, our bedroom is the most fave place in the world. It is the place where you can unwind yourself after a tedious day of difficult work. Therefore, if you're bored with the color of the walls of your bedroom, it's time to paint the bedroom walls using some creative bedroom wall painting ideas that may boost your spirits.

Choosing the Right Color

The color of the bedroom wall depends on the kind of mood that you're looking for within the bedroom. It should also be well-coordinated with the bedroom furniture, overall bedroom decoration and other accessories. Different colours set different moods for the bedroom. Varied shades of blue and green are the most preferred colors for the bedroom. The reason being because they have got a relaxing effect on our mind. Another color which has an identical comforting impact on your intellect is taupe. You may use a mixture of taupe with black or dark, and make pinstripes on one of the walls to get a better effect.

Orange color has its own vibrancy and it signifies a satisfied mood. It will be a good choice especially for the kids' bedroom. In this example, keep the color of your accessories either dark green or blue. The colours to be avoided on the bedroom walls are red, lime and black. Black makes the room look less roomy and gives a depressing mood. Whereas red color gives too much of excitement and restlessness which is not appropriate for the bedroom. Yellow is also a good selection because of its heat and lightness.

Different Bedroom Paint concepts

When you are painting a bedroom wall it is not obligatory that you've got to use one single color. You can use your creative ideas and use different colors on different walls. You can select different shades of the same color and use them on different walls. Some favored color combinations for the bedrooms are brown and blue, pink and aqua blue, lavender and lilac, white and blue, etc . If you use brown and blue together on the bedroom wall, it gives a spa like effect in your bedroom. The wall behind the bed gets maximum attention. So try and employ a different color on this actual wall. If you are using soft shades of purple as your bedroom wall paint, then a yellow border close to the ceiling can add plenty of dramatic effect.

You can experiment with a lot of bedroom wall painting ideas to make the accent wall in your bedroom look interesting. You may use some bold color that aren't usually employed in a bedroom. It can be red or poppy seed black or ivory moss green. You can select some fake painting finishes like venetian plaster or stone finish. Adding one or murals on the accent wall can make the atmosphere of the bedroom truly lively. You can break the accent wall with the help of wood strips. Give a suitable background color to the accent wall and use trim color on the woods that suits the background.

For interior painting of the walls of your kids' bedroom, you must ask for their standpoint. If you find that their choice is too dark to be used on the bedroom wall, then use a whiter shade of the same color to make them ecstatic. You must use some designs or graphics on their bedroom walls to give a personalized touch. Boys of all ages love to see the pictures of their favorite sports gear like basketball, baseball bats, and so on. They will also love to see their names painted on the walls. Even different geometric shapes look nice on the walls of their bedroom. For the girls room, paint a giant butterfly or an enormous flower or a giant rainbow and they will certainly like it and the room look bright too.

You are also free to use your own imagination and come up with more amazing bedroom wall painting ideas. If you're sharing your bedroom with a partner, do not forget to take their opinion before you paint your bedroom walls. - 30435

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Great Techniques On Finishing Your Drywall

By Truman Crawford

A well-installed drywall helps make the interiors of your house look pretty. Sometimes, the joints of the drywall sheets are not aligned the way they need to be. As a consequence, it looks quite messy and tacky. Drywall finishing involves correct filling of the joints to make the surface smooth so the walls look attractive after the inside painting is done. Good drywall texture finishes can be accomplished with proper drywall finishing techniques.

Drywall Finishing Tips Confirm each one of the panels of drywall is properly hitched to its support. Use long nails so the dry wall can be more secured more strongly. You can buttress the dry wall further, by using two set of nails. If you suspect that screws are a better option, then you can use screws as well. Try and insert the heads of the screws or nails into the outer surface of the drywall. Protruding nail heads create bumps on the surface and are difficult to hide. Whereas, the hole created by insertion can simply be filled up using a joint compound.

Fiberglass-mesh tape and paper tape are 2 different types of tapes used on the drywall. Fiberglass mesh tape can be put directly on the drywall as it has its own adhesive, but paper tape has to be fixed over a joint compound. Sometimes, folk go for fiberglass tape in order to save time. However it is suggested to use paper tape as it gives a miles better finish.

There are 2 types of joint compound or mud available - powdered and premixed. Among them, premixed is the more preferred one. Mixing the compound is extremely necessary to get a good drywall finishing. The consistency of the compound should be such that it is neither stiff nor loose. A stiff cement will be tough to apply on the joints and a loose one cannot be scooped with spade. In the mixing process, do not whip it too much as it will attract more air, which in turn will form bubbles on the joints of the drywall.

the best way to Finish a Drywall The areas where 2 sheets of drywall meet, a dent is made due to compression. To get an even and smooth surface, the depressions need to be filled up. It can be done with aid from tapes and joint compound. Firstly , a thin layer of joint compound is applied over the joint. Then place the tape end-to-end. Make sure that there is not any overlapping and butt its ends strongly at the corners. After the tape is applied, press it softly with a taping knife so that the additional compound is squeezed out from below the tape. The very next step is to apply the 1st coat of joint compound over the tape to cover its surface. Smoothen it up as much as feasible so the edges of tape are not visible.

The same method can be applied to every joint of the drywall and also on the corners of the drywall. Once you have taped all the joints, put a little of the joint compound on the nail or screw heads to hide ridges and the little holes formed. Permit the compound to cure up totally for one day or as much time required. Sand the dried compound with a light hand so that loosely attached compound can fall off. Then, apply another coat of compound and leave it so that it can dry up. This should be followed by another round of sanding. In cases when the 1st coat is applied carefully and the sanding is done well, the final coat of mud doesn't require much effort. Simply a thin layer of mud will serve your purpose. Apply it using a broad drywall knife or trowel. After it is dried up, sand it once again.

The genuine challenge of finishing drywall, lies with the finishing of the perimeters and the corners. If you apply the drywall finishing methods discussed here, you'll be successful in getting the desired result. - 30435

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Few Painting Your Bathroom Wall Ideas

By Truman Crawford

Lavatory paint color ideas may appear to be quite a funny subject and issue to several but if you want to make your house look gorgeous then you've got to look into every detail of the house, starting from your bedroom to even your store room. And your toilet is a personal space where you get to spend some special time with yourself. So there is all the more need to get it decorated so that your quality time is contented and positive.

Now, toilet paint color ideas are a lot of but it depends mainly on what kind of color you like and what color you would be comfortable with. Generally it is expounded, that you must choose a color which helps you feel that your bathroom is spacious and large enough for your ideas.

If you are decorating your lavatory and thinking of the color in which to paint it, you need to bear in mind the dimensions of the bathroom. If your toilet is roomy then you could use a combination of dark and bright colours while if it is small then you would do better to keep off dark colours and stick to the lighter ones. Actually a little, dark colored loo will make you feel cloistered and is therefore not healthy.

You could thus do good to try some color like a yellow or a pink or a light blue or even lavender, these colors are light, bright and will create the appearance of a larger and bigger space. This can work the best as your top lavatory paint color idea if you have a well lighted loo, but is also cool when your toilet isn't that well lighted by natural light.

But if you have selected say perhaps mixing two colors for your lavatory then I think you can go for a white or a very beige sort of color. This addition will make your lavatory look much more glamorous and will certainly have a relaxing effect on you when you come and relax in your bathroom after a day of hard work. - 30435

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Use the Rule of the Third Correctly

By Morten Elm

The Rule of the Third (also called the Golden Section) might seem a little complicated: But actually it is not as complicated as you probably think. If you are able to divide a square in nine equally sized parts, you will be able to use the Rule of the Third.

If you are looking for a simple, real life example of the Rule of the Third, you can find a news channel on your TV. Look where the newsreader is sitting; either in the right or the left third. It is a classic example of the Rule of the Third.

The Rule of the Third is not a new invention. Many years ago painters found out, that their paintings would be more balanced, if the main subject was placed one third or two thirds from the left and/or the bottom.

Actually one third is not the absolutely correct place to place the main subject. There is a very complex mathematically rule that describes the Golden Section. But as long as you are not showing your pictures to mathematicians, it is just fine to use one third as a rule.

So learn from the painters and place your subject in the third parts of the photography. It can be either vertically or horizontal; or both.

The Rule of the Third is especially important, when you are photographing the horizon. A classic mistake is to place it in the middle of the photo. But as you have learned, it will divide the photo in two parts. The result is an unbalanced photo.

So what is the most interesting part; the above the horizon or the one below? Is the sky full of beautiful clouds or is it gray and boring? Place the most interesting part of the subject according to the Rule of the Third.

Some cameras cannot figure out the make the subject sharp, if it is not in the middle. If that is the case, you should just place the subject in the middle of the frame, only press down the release half and the turn the camera subsequently. This way the camera knows that your subject is.

It is okay to break the Rule of the Thirds (like all other photographic rules). But you shall know why you are doing it and therefore only do it on purpose. - 30435

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8 Tips For Improved Digital Photos

By Joachim Rodriguez

Whether you consider yourself as an aficionado in photography, or you just drive at take better family photos, there are a score of things you can do to get superior photos. Here are some cool tips to exercise the following time you head out with your digital camera. Yet a noob can make professional-looking photos - proper for framing. If you wish to create a terrific painting out of your photo then visit ART ARMADA - Individuelle Oelgemaelde nach Foto und Foto malen.

Be Prepared Keep all your photography apparatus ready for use. Pull together everything you?ll lack into one location. A camera bag is perfect, because it keeps all your junk together and lets you bear it all with you. Anything in its place. A fine camera bag will allow you arrange a miniature tripod, extra battereis, memory cards, etc. - yet a plastic bag or waterproof housing to guard your camera in wet weather.

Keep your Camera Steady Blurry photos are all but always the bottom line of camera movement. Just your own unsteadiness, causes your camera to shake sufficient to blur your pictures.

So even yourself and your camera previous to you make the shot. Stand your feet safely on the ground and tuck your elbows in close to your sides. As an alternative of using the LCD viewer, even your camera against your forehead and frame the shot using your camera?s viewfinder. You able to moreover steady your higher body by leaning against a wall or a tree. Or totally zero out any camera movement by using a tripod.

On one occasion you?re all prepared, gently press the shutter release in single motion. Pressing the shutter release too tough could jerk the camera downward.

Step Closer One differential in ?snapshots? and really splendid photos is the symphony of the shot. Unless you?re shooting an outdoor landscape, you can enrich most photos just by getting closer to your theme. Hingeing on the circumstances, you are able to physically budge closer to your topic, or use the zoom feature on your camera for the same effect. Try to get within a a small number of feet of your subject so you zero out most of the background. You?ll like the results.

Make extra Pictures Yet professionals make loads of shots of the same subject - to obtain just a few that they will wear out. With a digital camera, you can zero out the images you don?t like, and simply print the winners - so don?t tarry to take several shots of the same subject. Swap the angle of the shot. Get a little closer. Adjust the lighting. Why not fill the complete memory card with pictures of your kid at the pool, or your daughter in her cap and gown? The more pictures you create, the superior the odds that you?ll get a few shots that will really delight you.

Alter the Lighting Using natural light will produce improved skin tones when photographing persons, so try not to apply the flash if you don?t have to. Out-of-doors daylight shots are stress-free, but you?ll have to be a little more creative when shooting indoors. Try using the light coming in from a window for warmer tones than you would get using the flash.

Carry out trial with natural lighting. You may get stronger shadows by stirring your theme closer to a window, and turning your subject can render more dramatic shadows.

Zero out Red-Eye Red-eye is the effect of light passing through your subject?s eye and reflecting back. You?ll get it extra often when using your flash, just as the light from the flash isn?t as diffused as natural light. So the first hint for eliminating red-eye is simply to circumvent using your flash when you don?t absolutely have to.

A further manner to allay red-eye is to have your theme look anywhere but at the camera. This reduces red-eye for the reason that any reflection isn?t directed back at your camera lens. If you have to use up the flash, some digital cameras have a built-in attribute to robotically efface red-eye. Exercise it.

Attempt in favor of Candid As a substitute of posing two (or more) persons looking unequivocally at the camera, get a shot of them interacting with one another. Yet two persons having a conversation is more remarkable than having them stand next to each other facing the camera. Some of the best professional portraits have the subject captured deep in thought, with their attention focused inward, rather than on the camera lens. It renders a more motivating shot. Your portrait will watch more natural - less posed.

Set up a Scene Putting your theme in the center of a photo is just boring. You?ll get a much further pleasing result if you put your subject off center when you frame the shot.

This is a exceptionally professional method. Place your subject so that they occupy 1/3 to 1/2 of the total structure, but NOT at the exact core of the frame. Capture an interesting background object in the rest of the frame. Everyone may practice these techniques. They?re stress-free and you?ll get superior, more professional photos. If you wish to add some gorgeous words to the photo then visit MagicOfWord - Zitate nach Themen, Filmzitate, Sprueche zur Hochzeit, Stilblueten - 30435

Home Decorating Ideas

By Michael James

If you're interested in redecorating your home, you'll need some great home decorating ideas. These aren't all that hard to obtain and if you're an artistic person with an eye for what looks right, then you shouldn't have any problem getting great home decorating ideas for yourself. However, most people are probably more like me and don't have a clue where to start and what to do in order to make their homes a brighter place to live.

The first time I started a home decorating project, I was completely clueless and didn't know what to do first. Should I strip the wallpaper first or take out the carpet? Should I fit those new double-glazed windows or should I buy a sanding machine to clean off all those wooden bits around the room. The list, as you may have guessed, is endless and I could go on forever but in the interests of your valuable time, I'll leave the rest up to your imagination.

Home decorating ideas are all very good, but if you want to do major renovation work, then you should almost definitely call in professional renovators - people who can handle the job properly for you. If you're going down this road, then make sure that the renovators you go with are willing to adhere to the home decorating ideas that you give them, and won't go off on a tangent of their own.

Alternately, you can just choose to overlook that hideous wallpaper that's been surrounding you for some time now, but carry on with some of the smaller items on your list of home decorating ideas. This will have a double benefit for you.

The first is that you'll be in full control over the situation and you'll be able to oversee every step in meticulous detail if you wish. The other benefit is that by starting off small, you can see whether you really want to continue renovating your home and go in for the bigger home decorating ideas that you have in your mind.

Whichever method you decide on, you must first be aware that once you start to redecorate your home, money will run out of your pockets like water out of a tap and won't stop until you actually put the last nail into the wall and hang the last picture up. So, if you're going to take on this whole renovating process, then be prepared to find yourself cash-strapped until you have finished.

So, although home decorating ideas are a great way to do up your home, keep a tight grip on your wallet. And keep an even tighter one on yourself, as you'll want to implement any and every good idea you come across that you think will look great in your home.

Once you get started you'll be practically unstoppable - a force to be reckoned with and your home will look just the way you've been imagining it ever since you took over those keys. - 30435

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3 Affordable Inside Home Improvement Projects

By James Miller

We tend to spend most of the summer months outside of our homes and sometimes do not pay attention to our home's interior until it becomes colder outside. With the holidays on their way it is time to start thinking about all the guests you're going to have in your house. Now is the perfect time to update your home's interior with some quick design tips that will make your guests think you bought a new house! Here are 3 clever options:

Paint A Room: You can totally change the look of any space with a new coat of paint. Paint can modify the elegance of a room in many different ways. A deeper paint color can add warmth while a lighter color can make a room feel more open. Painting tools and paint are surprisingly affordable these days and applying paint is one of the most basic ways you can improve your home.

Put Up Some Shelves: You may want to look at the walls of your home as an empty canvas, just screaming to be decorated. Hanging shelves, artwork, tapestries or any other visually interesting items on a wall is a wonderful way to liven up a room. Before mounting anything too heavy on a wall you may want to make sure you can find the studs in the wall that can hold the weight of the item you are hanging.

Try New Lighting: If you already have lighting in place then you can simply exchange your old wall lights with new ones. It's hard to deny that brightness makes a big difference in any interior space. Bright lighting may make people feel more awake while darker lights can give a feeling of relaxation and calmness. Lighting can come in many forms from desk lamps to floor lamps to track lighting.

As you can see, a few easy small home improvements like these can turn a boring room into one of the most inviting parts of the house. With just a little time and an equal amount of creativity you can completely transform the living space in your home. None of the above home improvements projects are very difficult to finish for a do-it-yourself homeowner who is able to use a few basic tools. - 30435

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Home Decorating Ideas

By Michael James

If you're interested in renovating or redecorating your home, you'll need some great home decorating ideas. These aren't all that hard to obtain and if you're quite an artistic person with an eye for what looks good, then you shouldn't have any problem getting great home decorating ideas for yourself. Most people however are probably like me and don't have a clue where to start and what to change to make their homes a nicer place to live.

The first time I started a home decorating project, I had no idea at all and didn't know what to tackle first. Should I strip the wallpaper first or take out the carpet? Should I fit that new double-glazed door or should I buy a sanding machine to clean off all those wooden bits around the room. The list, as you may have guessed, is endless and I could keep on but in the interests of time, I'll leave the rest up to your imagination.

Home decorating ideas are all well and good, but if you're looking to do major renovation work, then you should almost definitely call in professional renovators - people who can handle the job properly for you. If you're taking this route, then make sure that the renovators you go with are willing to adhere to the home decorating ideas that you give them, and won't go off at a tangent of their own.

Alternately, you could just choose to overlook that ugly wallpaper that's been surrounding you for a while now, but go ahead with some of the smaller items on your list of home decorating ideas. This will have a two-fold benefit for you.

The first one is that you'll be in full control of the situation and you'll be able to oversee every step in detail if you wish. The second benefit is that by starting off small, you can decide if you actually want to continue renovating your home and progress to the more ambitious home decorating ideas that you have on your agenda.

Whichever method you decide on, you must first be aware that once you start to redecorate your home, money will pour out of your pockets like water out of a tap and won't stop until you actually put the last nail into the wall and hang the last picture up. So, if you're going to take on this whole renovating process, then be prepared to find yourself a pauper until you have finished.

So, although home decorating ideas are a great way to jazz up your home, keep a tight grip on your wallet. And keep an even tighter one on yourself, as you'll want to implement any and every good idea you come across that you think will look great in your home.

Once you get started you'll be practically unstoppable - a force to be reckoned with and your home will look just the way you've been imagining it ever since you took over those keys. - 30435

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Home Decor - Hire A Pro Or Go It Alone

By Nadine Alleyn

Okay, so youve decided on a budget for your home dcor project and youve decluttered the junk. Now you can see what you have to work with, its time to decide if youre looking for a do it yourself specialist or go big and hire a pro.

In part one of this article series, we talked about setting your budget. What you came up with is now going to have a significant effect on how you answer the next question.

Is it going to be Pro or a Joe for your interior reno?

Either way, a solid can be made for the path you choose. Unless, youre fastidious, keep in mind however that the end result often shows when a pro is involved.

While you may get close to a professional look on your own it will take you longer and may, in the end, cost you more than having a professional help you out.

Interior Designers are different from Interior Decorators. A Designer will work with you on the overall layout and design of your home. From the layout of your bathroom to the placement of interior walls, a Designer has the knowledge of structure and construction necessary to determine how you home is laid out.

A good designer will do your color scheme, your flooring and window coverings. They often charge far more than a decorator but theyre the real deal.

An experienced designer will prove their worth if youre planning a major project such as redesigning your master bathroom. They under construction requirement such as local building codes and most will have connections to solid tradesman who can do the work for you.

On the other hand, if youre not planning structural changes but, what you require is someone with an eye for color and design elements then an interior decorator is just what you need.

Decorators generally will not be the ones to recommend changes in structure to your home. These guys are experts are trained to tell what colors and accessories are the best choice for your home.

Another point about hiring a pro is that they often get good discounts on home dcor items, furniture, window treatments, flooring etc. Im just sayin, hiring a pro might save you money in the long run.

If your decision is to forgo the pros and do it all yourself you should still come up with a good plan. There are ways to do it even if interior design is not your cup of tea.

Doing your research before you pick up a paintbrush is well advised. I once painted my bedroom a fetching shade of what came to be known as "baby poop green." Not exactly the mood setter I was hoping for in the bedroom.

Pick up as many home dcor magazines as you can carry and sit with scissors, clipping rooms that strike your fancy. Once you have a ton of rooms to look at start to edit through them to find a consistent look for your new dcor.

Consistency is important. As any Decorator or Designer will tell you, pick a theme, or two, and stick with it throughout the entire house. Crazy colors are great, as long as you carry it through. (unless youre planning to sell, then maybe neutrals would be a smarter choice. - 30435

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Shutters and Blinds: What Are The Differences?

By Tess Reardon

New homes have bare windows and the new homeowners always have to figure out what kind of window dressings they want. Most people go right out and order blinds but more and more are discovering they like shutters more. Shutters can do a similar job to blinds but in many cases provide more beauty to a room than blinds can.

While interior shutters are often more expensive than blinds, in most cases they are more elegant looking. Blinds still remain the obvious choice for most people but as more people are exposed to shutters, they realize there is a difficult choice to be made. So many houses have plain blinds on them that if you choose interior shutters instead, your house will stand out from the others.

In a kitchen, caf shutters work great as they let the much-needed light in from the top of the window while providing the privacy you need at eye level. This is why many people opt for a combination of shutters and blinds in their homes. The most common split would be to have decorative shutters on the main floor of the house with blinds in the bedrooms upstairs where there is less need to be fancy. One thing is for sure; interior shutters provide you with a window covering option that should be considered when you buy your new house.

You can also use plantation shutters to add style and elegance to any room or house. Shutters are better than blinds for creating a unique look and you would be astonished at the difference if you could compare the two. Caf and plantation shutters are slowly gaining in popularity and the more people that are exposed to them as an option, the more are buying them.

If you want cheap plantation shutters, you should do some searching online to find where you can get the best price. Looking online for shutter will reveal that there are many different web sites that sell shutters and will have them shipped to your door. If you don't want to order them over the Internet then your options will be more limited and you will have to see what you can find in your local area. Ordering them online will mean you have to install them yourself so if you want someone else to do it, your best choice is to buy them from a local store in your area. - 30435

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