Archive for August, 2008

Here are the items that you need to help organize your interior decorating ideas and to complete your interior decorating project file:

• Pens and Paper – There’s nothing more frustrating than finding a perfect paint or carpet and not being able to write down the particulars for ordering them. Have several pens and pencils tucked in your file and a pad of paper or spiral notebook for taking notes. You may want to make notes of a furniture arrangement, trim detail, or window treatment that you see.
• Tape Measure – Try to find a lightweight measuring tape if you can, as a … read more

When you’re getting ready to begin a decorating or remodeling project it’s a great idea to get everything together. And keep it together! Any building, remodeling, or decorating project will be easier if you get organized before you start with an interior decorating project file.

Your interior decorating project file will hold everything you’ll need to coordinate the project. Include carpet samples, fabric cuttings, paint samples, floor plans, wallpaper cuttings, photos, and pictures of inspiration rooms. Having everything in one place will help the job go more smoothly from conception to completion.

You can choose any style of file you want. The choice is … read more

There are 6 basic elements used in all aspects of interior design and decorating.   If you correctly incorporate all or most of these elements you will have created a beautiful and functional room. 

Balance
There are two types of balance – symmetrical and asymmetrical.  Perfect symmetry is like the human body – two eyes, two arms etc.  Symmetrical balance is typically very formal.  Asymmetry, on the other hand, refers to an imbalance, perhaps two candlesticks of slightly different sizes placed next to each other.  Asymmetry is used to add visual motion and excitement to a space, and therefore it is considered … read more

Cool earth tones are a range of colors achieved by mixing white, or pigments from the cool side of the spectrum such as blue and green, with the basic earth colors. Think of cool stone and slate floors, or the washed creams, gray, and pale sand of a seashore on a winter morning, to get the feel of the colors. They create a soothing but elegant ambience of natural beauty in your interior decorating scheme.

Beige, putty, cream, and parchment all make perfect background settings, so the range of paints and papers that falls into this category is enormous. If you choose … read more

The easiest way to find your interior decorating style is to start collecting ideas. Flip through interior decorating magazines or home improvement websites and collect pictures of things that catch your eye like a particular sofa style, a really cool lamp, a wall color, window treatments, a fabric, or maybe just the feeling that the whole room gives you. Make notes right on the pages so you remember why you saved it.

Also, start collecting samples of existing fabrics or colors that are going to stay in the room. For instance, say you’re not changing the carpeting and you want to … read more