Interior Design and Decorating

Whether you’re a first-time homeowner, a renter, or a newbie interior designer, nailing your very first interior design project can be challenging. With too many elements and even more styles to choose from, it can be difficult to come up with a layout that would achieve both functionality and aesthetic.

Fortunately, the Internet is filled with tips and tricks you can try to create a timeless design that reflects the homeowner’s personality without looking like a circus of colors, patterns, and pieces. Here are five of the best ones from interior design experts on the web:

1. Choose a Style Based on the Homeowners’ Life

When designing the interior of a house, you should focus more on how it will “feel” rather than what it would look like. When speaking to a client, you may be able to pick up cues about the vibe they want to have in their home.

If that fails, try asking them if you can take a look at the contents of their closet. While this may seem like an odd request to make, expert interior designers swear by the effectiveness of this strategy in designing an interior that would reflect the homeowners’ taste.

If they agree, check whether the majority of items they have are comfy and loose. You should also look for colors and patterns that appear more frequently than others.

Do they seem like fun people with apparel that are playful? Or do they lean more on a modern, monochromatic geometry in their clothes? Maybe they like more elegant pieces worn mostly on formal events? The answer to these questions will greatly help amateur designers to pick a style for their first project that their client would absolutely adore.

1. Pick a Color Scheme

There are plenty of color schemes you can choose from and many more to discover. However, it can be difficult to ascertain which colors match well. To make it easier, you can use the color wheel technique.

The color wheel technique entails picking one primary hue from the wheel and matching it with the one opposing it. For example, if you choose a shade of red, you can use green with it in your interior design.

Of course, using this technique should be managed well, so it doesn’t appear too jarring. The technique works best in achieving a vibrant aesthetic, with the colors used at full saturation.

Another excellent way to create the perfect color scheme is to use neutrals. For instance, the classic blue-and-white combo is perfect for achieving that popular nautical theme among men and women.

You may also take advantage of soft grey tones that exude an elegance that is perfect for a modern living room. Match that with pale-hued wood pieces, and you get a contemporary space that is also bright and airy.

1. Work Your Way Up from the Floor

When styling the interior of any space, it is recommended that you start by working on the floor. Picking a floor covering first helps you get your canvass ready for a harmonious play of patterns, colors, and textures. It also helps you think about how you can layer pieces in the room.

Upholstery and other fabric pieces like carpets and rugs not only add color and texture to a space, but it can also help designers create a color palette. For instance, you can place an antique rug in the center of the room and draw colors from it. This will give you a starting point as well as an endpoint when it comes to choosing furniture and décor.

Planning these things should be done collectively. This will help you avoid that circus-like effect where there’s just too many things going on in the space.

1. Bring Personality in with Wallpapers

Wallpaper has not – and will never – go out of style. In fact, it appears to be making a comeback as more designers and DIY homeowners pick out this fast and easy way to spruce up an interior space.

When choosing between modern wallpapers and old-school patterned ones, it goes without saying that you must always consider the theme of the space. Bedrooms, for example, should have a wallpaper that goes well with the bedding designs.

For ultra-modern living rooms, graphic print comprised of linear and geometrically patterned wallpapers is the safest bet. For a more classic appeal, you can choose designs that are plain-yet-classy. The best example of this is the ombre wallpapers.

Of course, covering the entire wall with this nifty material isn’t the only way you can use it to enhance a space. To make a bolder statement, you can choose to frame your favorite wallpaper print. If you’re after less cost and effort, this is probably the best choice for you.

1. Make Small Changes to Achieve Big Effects

Changing the floor or wall paint isn’t the only way you can create an entirely new feel for a room. In most cases, adding a small item or changing up a couple of tiny pieces can create a huge difference.

For example, placing soft and plush items like throw pillows with seasonal designs can change the mood of the space instantly. Placing plants without flowers in the room can create depth and add drama to the setting. In the same way, installing simple Roman blinds that complement textured flooring can result in a more elegant living room.

Design Like a Pro

Whether you’re creating an interior design for yourself or others, you have to make sure that you do it like a pro. Use this article as a guide for your very first design project and share your experience with others.

AUTHOR BIO

James Prathap is the General Manager at NGC Nafees, top importers and exporters of wallpapers, flooring, and fabric in the Middle East. Formed three decades ago, the business also offers high-quality panoramics, coordinated fabrics, and creative stickers for residential and commercial projects.

Thinking of ways the looks of your home into something extraordinary? Faux finish painters have the solution you seek. Faux finishes have been in existence for man centuries, however it only came into limelight in the early 1990s. It is mostly found in luxury homes.

Faux, literally means false, does not mean the interior will have a fake look. That’s far from it. Instead faux finishes allow homeowners to express their creativity and imagination. It allows you to mix the old looks with the new one to create an impeccable living space décor.

Faux finish comes in different variations including ragging, crackles, combing, washing, soft suede, leather effect, metallic, color washing and sponging. Use any of these variations to get that unique new look you crave. The good thing is that faux finish painters can extend their magic beyond walls. You can use it to transform the looks of your furniture, make it stylishly old by giving it a distressed finish. Wood floors are also not left out. Other areas include picture frames and candlesticks.

Faux Finishes Choices

Faux finish offer endless opportunities to enhance the looks of your home. To get the best result, here are a couple of choice you’ll need to make

Color: Before going for any color, understand than any color other than off-whites that you see on a color chip at the paint store will intensify significantly when painted over an entire wall. A good example is a color chip of light aqua green might come out as a screen turquoise after application. With this in mind, you want to consider going for a slightly lighter version.

Oil or latex: Some faux finish painters will recommend oil paint. The truth is that you don’t necessarily need to use oil paint to get a desirable result. Here’s the deal: dilute the paint, work in layers and apply small sections at a time. Here are other reasons why water based is the best choice

• Easy maintenance: Clean off dirt and dust easily. No need to mix with thinners that are not just flammable but also toxic to our health

• Faster drying time: while oil based takes up to 24 hours to dry, latex paint allows painters to apply a second coating within an hour of first application. You don’t need to wait long hours for it to dry.

• Harmless: Latex paints are less harmful to human health and produces low odor. more importantly, they are environmentally friendly and affordable. Oil paint fumes, on the other hands, can remain indoor for weeks or even months especially during the cold winter season.

Preparation: How well your wall is prepared determines the quality of the finished work. Prepare the walls in the same way as you would for a normal painting job.

Faux finishes are a great choice to enhance the looks of an interior space. If you don’t have the time or expertise to perform this tasks, you can always reach out to professional faux finish painters for help.

With the New Year fast approaching, you might have decided that it’s time to breathe some new life into your living room. Perhaps it’s been the same style for a few years and it’s just not exciting you anymore. We all know that a lick of paint can make a quick and easy improvement, but if you’re seeking something a little different for your living space, then check out these ideas:

Graphics

Why not consider introducing words into your décor. Buy or make your own wooden lettering, some oversized letters to be displayed as art on walls or to add to shelving. Whether you choose the common ‘love’ or any other word that has special meaning to you, you can paint them, customise them and bring a truly unique, personal touch to your décor.

Interesting Entry

If your layout means your front door opens straight into your living room, why not create an entry hall effect by building a half wall. You don’t need to make major structural changes to achieve this, cubby boxes work well, as do open dividers that can also be used to display ornaments.

Let there be light

Old lighting can really date a room, so consider replacing old lights and ceiling fans with something a little more contemporary. When looking for fans, why not choose something more exotic or one with clear blades? Remember to buy a reversible one, so you can keep cool in summer and warm in winter, helping you save on your energy bills.

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Fireplace

Contrary to popular belief, this job doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Replace an outdated brick fireplace with natural stone, attractive tiles or slate. Just make sure the new material is heat resistant and suitable for proximity to open flames.

Radiators

We tend not to see the large things hanging under our windows as we become so used to their presence. However, when you look at how much radiators protrude into the room, they really are on show. If they are old, starting to rust or the paint has faded, replacing them will breathe surprising amounts of new life into a space. Available in a wide range of materials, colours and contemporary designs, take a look at column radiators from apolloradiators.co.uk/designer-radiators/roma-horizontal-steel-column-radiator

Go dark on the ceiling

For a living room that sees mostly evening activity, consider painting the ceiling in a dark shade. It doesn’t have to be black, consider dark charcoal or a stormy blue for example. Combined with ample ambient lighting, this will create a cosy, intimate space for evening relaxation. Add a couple of uplighters in the corners for some dramatic effect and to prevent the space becoming too dark and oppressive.

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Feature Wall

Make a wall more interesting with a pre-pasted mural. You can find virtually anything, from your favourite animal or flower to maps, graffiti art or fine art classics. The results are surprisingly impressive.

 

Turning your home into a bed and breakfast can be a great way to make some extra money while meeting new people. It is also a great business idea if you have a welcoming nature and are naturally a good host. But while bed and breakfasts are a great business model, there are still a few things you have to consider before opening one. Here are a few tips on how to open a bed and breakfast the right way.

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Understand Kitchen Hygiene Rules

Hygiene is absolutely essential in the hospitality business, but there’s one area where it’s particularly important, and that is the kitchen. This is especially important if you’re going to be running a bed and breakfast; the last thing you want is for your guests to catch a bad case of e-coli and letting the whole world know. So, make sure that you understand the proper safety measures first. There are plenty of courses that will teach you basic hygiene rules for commercial kitchens, so make sure you follow one if you want to keep your bed and breakfast reputation, and your customers’ health, intact.

Fire Safety

You also have to make sure that you have the proper fire safety measures in place, not only so that you make sure that your guests are safe at all times, but in order to be compliant as well. This could mean adding reinforced doors to prevent the spread of fires and making a few adjustments like adding doors that can be opened from the inside without the use of keys.

Consider Overhauling the Whole Decor

You can either decide to go for a rustic feel or give your clients a more upscale experience. The difference here will mainly be in the decor. And if you want to go for decor that is as luxurious as possible, it would be a good idea to work with a qualified hospitality interior design specialist. They’ll be able to give you the recommendations to improve your interior design and could have your home looking like a true 5-star hotel. Make sure that you work with someone with a solid track record for great results and someone who shares the same creative vision as yours.

When it comes to bedroom design, you have to make sure that it’s as functional as possible. That means lots of storage space and drawers for your guests to store their things. They need to feel at home as much as possible. You can try to go wild with the design, but something conservative for the bedrooms often works, so stick to neutral colours for the sheets, duvet covers and pillowcases.

You also have to make sure that your guests have somewhere to eat. While some won’t have an issue with eating in the kitchen, it would be wiser if you had an actual dining room with a large communal table in case you’re in a pinch, or individual tables if you have the space for it.

While starting a B&B business can be exhilarating, it’s important that you do your homework and know what to expect. Follow these few tips and you’ll be closer to building the bed and breakfast you’ve always dreamed of.

Interior design trends change every year in a never-ending race to keep up with changing tastes and technology advances. For instance, in 2016, pendant lighting and classic country furniture were all the rage. This year it definitely will be something else. The same is true for next year and the year after that.

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Keeping up with these changes can be a daunting task. You need to have a keen eye and an ear on the ground. If this is not you, do not worry. Here is a list of the interior design trends to look out for this year, courtesy of design specialists Baytree Interiors.

Colour Trends

Pantone Inc, a leading authority on colour, has declared Greenery to be the main colour for 2017. As a lively shade of green, Greenery is fresh, bold and brings a hint of nature indoors. However, its brightness makes it unsuitable for painting entire rooms. Pantone recommends you use this shade on feature walls or to add colour to furnishings.

But according to Dulux, another authority on colour, Denim Drift will be the colour of 2017. This shade of blue has a calming effect, makes a room seem bigger, and is great for experimentation.

That said, Greenery and Denim Drift are not the only colours trends to look out for this year. Others include textured wallpaper, textured furnishings, geometric patterns and tropical prints. Finally, kitchens and bathrooms will be decked in both marble and brass.

Furniture Trends

2017 is officially the year of unobtrusive furniture. This is furniture that is simple in both design and fabric, which allows it to stand out and become the centrepiece in a room. But despite being the focal point, its simplicity prevents it from taking over the room hence the name unobtrusive.

Since we use interior spaces for different activities, we want furniture that can adapt to different activities. For this reason, multi-functional furniture is the next big thing in 2017. So, expect to see more of tables that you can extend when the need arises or stackable seats.

Upholstered headboards will also make a comeback, for they add a touch of colour and texture to an otherwise boring bedroom. The last furniture trend will be the integration of technology into home interiors. Baytree predicts that technological devices will play a greater role in a room by making a statement. An example is the designer TV being produced today. It is not only functional but also hard to miss in a room. In fact, it is often the centrepiece.

Lighting Trends

Three lighting trends will define the year 2017. The first is the return of the chandelier. Although this lighting fixture has been around for generations, it is yet to lose its charm. As a matter of fact, it is more popular today than it has ever been. However, the current trend in chandelier design is to steer clear of the classic candlestick look. Today’s chandeliers have a modern design that uses modern materials such as alloys.

The second trend is the use of geometrical designs in lighting. A particular favourite has been the cage light which comes in many sizes and shapes. The third and last lighting trend is the adoption of smart LED light bulbs. These lights have two key advantages. On one hand, LED lights are energy efficient. On the other hand, you can control their colour and when they turn on or off using a smartphone.

Technology Trends

We use technology in almost every area of our lives. So, why should our homes be any different? In 2017, homes will incorporate technology in the form of smart appliances. Bluetooth and Internet-enabled appliances, which can brew coffee or toast bread remotely, are already on the market. All you need to activate them from anywhere is a mobile app. And more such devices are on the way.

In addition, virtual assistants such as Amazon Echo and Google Home will become important in homes. Using only your voice, you can instruct such assistants to play music, schedule a task or even check traffic or the weather for you.

Although interior design is a rapidly evolving field, you can expect to see these trends everywhere this year.

<2017/05/It’s-Time-to-Decorate-and-Evaluate-for-the-Profit-in-the-Sale.jpg">It’s time to move and there is work to be done, as big as a pain that is, you know it’s essential. If you want to achieve the best price for your property then you have to make it look its best, if it’s time pull up those sleeves and apply the elbow grease, then you best get cracking.

The better your house is presented then the greater chance you have of making a sale, not to mention increasing the value of the property in the process, I read about a lady with houses for sale in Bootle, so she set about the task of improving the look of the house to aid the process.

She never needed major surgery for the project, she set about painting the exterior of the house to give it a fresh look, which made a vast difference to the kerb appeal of the property. Making small improvements can make a big difference to the value of a house.

Just by clearing any excessive clutter to the home can increase the feeling of space dramatically, if a potential buyer is looking to move, then it’s almost a given that they require more space. If you have your rooms cluttered with mess, then this will only serve to down value the potential sale possibility of your home.

So the more you can do to help sell your house fast the better, make sure you allow for plenty of light and air to enter the rooms, a light airy room gives the feeling of comfort and homeliness to a house, and after all, this is what a potential buyer is looking for, so you must do all that you can to convey this.

Paint the rooms in light neutral colours, you have to let any potential buyer imagine what they can do with the place, so if you have exotic tasted in décor, this is all well and good for you, and as tasteful as you may think it is, it can often be off putting to buyers to have your décor thrust upon them.

So in order to help the potential of any sale, make sure you go with the light neutral colours that give the impression of space whilst letting the imagination wonder.

Clear all clutter from all the rooms, throw any junk in the attic while people are viewing, you don’t want vendors seeing your dirty laundry on the bathroom floor, and you don’t want anyone tripping over bikes in the hall, the last thing you want is a potential buyer spraining their ankle because they slipped on a random shoe that was left on the stairs. That most definitely won’t help the sale.

When it comes to selling you want to use a reputable estate agent like James Kristian Sales & Lettings in Liverpool for a fast house sale, then at least you will know you are in good hands to complete the sale.

Never the less though, you should always try to present your house in the best fashion possible, after all the better the value of the property, then the more money you will make from the sale.

So it may be in your best interest to invest in some paint brushes and get cracking on bringing that house up to scratch, you know it makes sense for you to be able to make as much from the sale as you possibly can, after all, the money is going into your pocket to spend as you wish.

You can book that well deserved holiday, or buy that new car you have been after, the more effort you put in to making your house look great for a sale the better, after all it means the more profit you will gain from all your hard work.

 

When you are planning on home improvement project, it is better focusing on the wall. For old houses, the wall needs more attention especially when you find spots of water damage or molds there. It can be a sign of potential danger for your family. When the wall structure is still in good condition, then what you need is removing the mold and repairing the water damage before at last, repainting the wall with the new paint color.

The wall improvement must be done the right way for optimum result and it may involve removing all layers of paint including the old ones hiding beneath the surface. This when you need to give more attention because old paints may still contain lead and it can be very dangerous. It would be much better option to hire restoration company to address the mold problem as well as removing the lead paint surface safely. Western Environmental Solutions is the leading name for Restoration services in Canada. Among its expertise are professional mold removal services and lead removal services. Using advanced technology and methods, the professional team will completely remove the mold and makes sure it won’t grow again. They will also remove the lead paint completely without leaving any trace of contaminants to expose your family and surrounding environment.

Once the walls are perfectly cleaned and improved, it is time to finally paint the wall with the new colors of paint. A Burst of Colour is the leading professional painting company with years of top reputation serving commercial and residential clients throughout Calgary and surrounding area. They have team of professional painters familiar with exterior and interior wall painting and highly trained to use the paint efficiently while ensuring optimum result. This company is committed what they do is more than just painting the walls but helping its clients creating an ideal space for their activities.

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Built-in audio and video entertainment give a house feel of permanence and solidity. This gives character and variety to the house interior as well as reduces clutter. Custom dry walls also make the wall appears thicker and the house feels more substantial. There are number designs of built-in for your house, but the most useful are the media wall. The custom media wall helps keep the clutter around TV in order. Paired the media wall with bookshelves gives you the chic look and chance to display books and entertainment.

Custom media wall also serves as focal point similar to the fire place and clarifying the furniture arrangements. It is simply warm up the living space. If you are looking for a custom media wall contractor, one best option is the Thunderbird Custom Design.

What is thunderbird wall?

Thunderbird wall is a kind of media wall which blends well with the architectural style. It is combined with various textured walls and finishes to create the main point in the house. The thunderbird wall stands as unique design, anti-mainstream, and different from the traditional house. To meet the purpose, we use different materials and element to create numerous design styles which blend perfectly to your unique house. We also love to add the “wow” factor for every project to make your living space appear differently from the ordinary and show the unique style.

Why are we different?

The Thunderbird Custom Design has been in the business since April 2005. We have been serving people with the best drywall design for more than 11 years. With years of experience, we like to say that we are different from other drywall companies. This is because we are a one stop shop where we design as well as build. Our customers tend to prefer one same person to design, build, and hook up the equipment, so, they can just sit back and relax while enjoying the new wall.

Our Custom Thunderbird Media Walls proudly announce that we only hire the best people which are a true craftsman and most care to our clients’ house. Our sales and office staffs are knowledgeable and willing to help to choose colors and material finish. We put the schedule on the front line. Last but not least, we are the leading when it comes to ideas and designs. That is why we use almost any materials to get the unique look for the living space.

What do we offer?

As our name suggest, we focus on building the entertainment centers for home use. Our main product is the Thunderbird Wall but we also available to build a wood entertainment and traditional media walls. The best thing of all we provide best service sales and installation of the video and audio products.

Warranty – for every project, we provide 2 years of warranty for materials and labor. However, we always evaluate and handle customers’ rare complaints even if it beyond the warranty period. In short, we do not hide anything from the paper. Whether it is small or big fix, we are there to get the spot fix. Also, we are works for your warranty issues for audio and video stuff. We never leave a customer behind.

Advice – before starting the project, our design consultants will meet the client first. This helps our designers to get a good feel of the house as well as the style and personality. We show the portfolio to the clients including the functional style and needs to give customers idea. If you already have ideas, our designer will gladly welcome it.

Smooth finish – we believe that smooth finish of drywall is everything. Our staff will make sure that there is no sign of screw holes as well as other noticeable cracks, dents, or markings.

Reference – we understand that customers value reference and referral. The fact is most of our job are the result of referral for our clients. Feel free to ask for testimonials from previous customers since we have plenty thank you letter. You can also check online for reference as we proudly listed as A+ in BBB. Also, you visit our website to see the pictures of our previous works. We always show the portfolio for every customer.