DECORATING THEMES

There are a variety of decorating themes from formal to informal and everything in between. Which one best describes your decorating style?

official habitual Furnishings and designs from the Renaissance, Baroque, Early and Late Georgian, Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian eras. This style is shown with fine furnishings, elegant, refined and exquisite wall coverings, elaborate moldings, formal window treatments and Oriental rugs. relaxed habitual The same eras as above but this style has less refined versions of furnishings. There are more touchable elements, more earthy colors, and some urban archaeology without restoration is common. This style is comfortable and inviting. American Country This style holds furnishings from the 17th century through the present, all simple with the appearance of hand-crafted work. Two versions are popular today: Upscale Country with the use of more tactile, comfortable elements and very close to Informal Traditional but with a clearly country theme in all the furnishings; and Rustic Country, which sports a reused, recycled quality. The wall coverings and window treatments set the theme and the furnishings have a just-found-it-at-the-antique-market feel. Country French This style is exhibited in Classic Rococo, Neoclassic or Empire-inspired country furnishings. Wall coverings include florals, ticking, toile, and moirés depending on the level of formality. Arts & Crafts This simple style is also known as Early Modern or Organic Modern. The era focuses on hard, stained oak furniture with simple, straight lines. International Modern This is a look of ultra simplicity, hard lines, and smooth surfaces contrasted with abstract patterns and unusual textures. ecological Designs in this theme contain colors, textures and very subtle patterns of the earth. Romantic Victorian This style still is a favored theme for rooms with lots of pattern featuring English garden florals in dreamy colors. Both fabric and wall coverings can be patterned, and clutter decorating – especially with accessories – is part of this look. Ethnic and ancient This masculine approach has many faces from African to the American Southwest, from the lodge-look to the South Seas. Heavy or tactile textures coupled with patterns that are charming because of their lack of sophistication fit here. Fabric and Wall Covering Themes This is a amazing way to decorate – by selecting a great fabric or wall covering that inherently features a theme. Some examples include sea and shore, sports, outdoor recreation, kitchen or familial elements, juvenile elements, feminine floral themes, exotic designs from far away lands, and more.

by: Yopi Prayatna (T.S. UNRI)

KIDS ROOM DECOR

So you are planning to decorate your kid’s room. Where do you start? If you are decorating the room for your baby or very young toddler, the initial planning decisions will be yours (you may of course consult professional interior designers if your budget stretches that far) and the project will be designed and carried out by you. However, if your young child has reached an age where they have started to develop their own personality and tastes, it’s a good idea to have your child involved in the process from the beginning. After all he or she will be the one using the room and obviously a child’s needs are very different to those of an adult. Children use their rooms for a number of reasons apart from sleeping. They will want to use it for playing alone or with their friends, reading and a host of other activities. It is useful at this stage, before you give free rein to your child’s imagination and tastes, to bear in mind safety and the practical issues of maintenance. Children will want to play as freely as possible without you having to worry about the decor therefore hardwood floors and vinyls are useful. Wallpaper that can be wiped clean may also be a consideration. Wall-to-wall carpeting may be a problem for children with allergies and also difficult to clean. Curtains, rugs, pillows and bedding should be easily removable and machine washable. Some safety considerations both in terms of kids room decor and room accessories might be finding furniture with curves instead of sharp corners or making use of recesses in walls to build in furniture and storage areas. Practical issues now dealt with, how can you help your child create an environment that reflects their personality, keeps their interest and uses their imagination? Start by sitting on the floor with your child and ask questions about their favourite colours, themes or activities. Involve your child as much as you can in the initial planning process and their ideas in the final design. Try to find balance between what you know is possible and practical against what is in your child’s taste. In terms of colours, use pastels to create cosy and inviting spaces. Neutral colours soothe and relax your child. If your child likes vivid colours you could create wall murals or ceiling pictures bringing their favourite toy figures or favourite images and themes to life. Remember children lose interest easily and change their tastes and `favourites` quickly. Unless you want to change your kid’s room decor frequently, steer your discussions in favour of neutral colours on walls and furniture and be more creative with room accessories. There are numerous children’s room accessories that add colour, creativity and individuality to your child’s room. Clocks, height charts, name plaques, wall hooks, bookends and door knobs all help to personalize your child’s space. Many of these products are decorated with your child’s favourite theme. You may wish to spend time with your child browsing for ideas for kid’s room decor. When you have found your products ensure they are supplied by companies that guarantee safety, quality and child-friendliness.

KITCHEN DESIGN

If you are looking for some dreams to redecorate your kitchen, it doesn’t have to be expensive or time overshadowing. Some minor changes that you can do on your own can really change the overall affect the room has. Many of us spend a great deal of time in the kitchen cooking, eating, and visiting with our family and friends. It is important that our kitchen has a very relaxed feeling to it. Some simple projects include adding a new kitchen sink, counters, and even bar stools.

Changing the design of your kitchen sink can change the look of any style of kitchen. There are many designs to select from so you will be able to find exactly what you are looking for. You will likely want to choose a kitchen sink that fits the space you already have designated for it. However, if you need a deeper kitchen sink or a wider one it is possible to do so by cutting away some of the counter space.

Some of the newer models of kitchen descends feature one deep side and one shallow side. Others feature three separate booths instead of the traditional one or two style. The type of material you choose for your kitchen sink will really influence the overall look. Choose from stainless steel, cast iron, or copper.

Probably one of the most common kitchen decorating options is redoing the counters. This can be simply redoing them in a new color and material or changing the layout of the kitchen so you have more counter space. In many open kitchens one complaint is too much space that isn’t being used. To remedy this type of situation a straight counter can be turned into a T shape or an L shape to let you take advantage of some of the open spaces. You can also place an island in the middle of the kitchen to serve as a work area.

There are many different types of contradict top materials you can choose from. There are also so many colors that you will definitely find one to match the overall décor of your kitchen area. The most common type of counter material is granite. This is very solid and it will last for years.

Adding bar stools to your kitchen area is a great way to give it some flare. It will also provide you with some additional room when you have a few too many people for your kitchen table to hold. Bar stools are available in a variety of colors so look for something to match with the flooring and the cabinets in your kitchen.

They are available in metal or wood materials and they come in a variety of styles. Many of them don’t have backs but many people prefer those that do have a regular chair back on them. Look for bar stools that have a durable and comfortable seat. You also need to carefully consider the height of your counters. The bar stools need to fit under them properly and provide a comfortable reach from the sitting position to the counter area.



by: Yopi Prayatna (T.S. UNRI)

INTERIOR DESIGN HOME STUDY

For those that wish to study interior design, home study interior design is becoming increasingly more popular. Many students continue to work and even raise families thus taking an online program is much more suited to their lifestyle. A degree in the interior design profession is more important today as well due to the strict regulations imposed by many states. You must pass a qualifying exam in order to call yourself an Interior Designer.

One of the first steps you must take is to research the school you wish to attend. Make sure they are an accredited institution. Find out whether home study interior design is available.

A nonprofit accrediting body develops guidelines and standards that the interior design schools must maintain. If the school does not meet the guidelines then the school is not accredited. The nonprofit agency is called the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. Some schools that do not have the accreditation may not have applied for it. It is up to the student to do their due diligence. Contact Interior Design firms and ask them what schools they recommend.

The prospective student should research the various programs offered to get a better idea of exactly what program best fits their needs. Find out if financing available for the student. If possible speak to former students, were they able to secure a position that they wanted after graduating. Can the student learn the proper techniques through home study interior design? Set up an appointment with a faculty member.

Find out as much information as possible before committing to a particular school. Try to find out whether students who take home study interior design actually get the same type of jobs as students who physically attend school. Do you have the workspace and time allotted to take on something as challenging as interior design home study? You must answer this important question. Are you ready for the commitment? If you are then it could be one of the most important decisions of your life.

by: Yopi Prayatna (T.S. UNRI)

HOME DÉCOR TIPS AND TRICKS

Is one of more of the rooms in your house smaller than you would like? There are several different home interior tricks to making a small room seem larger than it really is. Changes can be made cosmetically (painting, lighting) as well as physically (furniture, organization) to maximize the appearance of your room.

No matter if the small room is a bedroom, the living room or kitchen, several basic principals need to be followed for the perfect home interior. One – Keep clutter to a minimum. This may mean buying drawer organizers to keep “things” neat in their places in a drawer instead of on a countertop. Buy a bookshelf to stack books up instead of on the floor or table. Limit the amount of knick knacks to only what fits comfortably on your current shelving.

Second home interior tip – Keep only what you need. If you haven’t used it, worn it, opened it, tried it, tasted it or needed it in 18 months, get rid of it. This helps keep the clutter under control also.

To cosmetically alter the appearance of a small room, cover the walls with a light color, such as beige, cream, pale yellow, mauve or pastels. Light colors reflect light from the sun and lamps, thus making a room appear more open and roomier. A white or very pale beige on the ceiling also reflects back more light and enlarging the presence. Dark colors can make a room feel closed in and small from limiting the light sources. Light colored rugs or carpeting also extend the appearance of a larger area.

Tricks that can make a room appear bigger include vertical stripes in wallpaper or paint. If painting, use thin strokes that compliment the wall or furniture colors. Stripes can run from floor to ceiling or start from a chair railing and either go up or down. When choosing wallpaper, choose a small print or thin stripe to use. Small prints are easier to match up also.

Lighting also plays an important role in room’s appearance for the perfect home interior. Use lamps with light colored shades to adequately filter the wattage from the light bulb. Dark shades can hinder reflection, giving a dark appearance, which makes a room poorly lit. Use light bulbs with 75 watts or power or higher, but allows follow guidelines recommended by the lamp manufacturer.

When placing furniture in a small room, try groupings of a large piece followed by a small piece. For example, a tall lamp next to a short backed chair. A tall bookcase next to the couch. If you are limited in budget and have to make do with furniture already bought, arrange it in conversation style as best as possible. A couch with an end table, facing one or two chairs with an end table and lamp.

If your budget allows, buy tall furniture to give the added appearance of height to the walls. Add real or fake plants to sit atop for an extra few inches. Buy a loveseat instead of a full sized couch to save on room. Use narrower end tables or none at all if possible. Floor lamps work well beside or behind a large piece of furniture and reflect the light off the wall and down from the ceiling in one piece.

Buy baskets that can be placed inside shelves or under couches and beds to store extra items and knick knacks. Clutter takes up a lot of precious room, and by maintaining its organization, a room will appear more open.

by: Yopi Prayatna (T.S. UNRI)

SAFE BATHROOM FOR CHILDREN

In a perfect world, everything that works for adults would work just as well for children. But the reality is that traditional bathrooms are specifically designed to function for adults. Toddlers and small children face a host of possible safety issues every time they enter a bathroom. Thinking about potential pitfalls of the bathroom from a small child's point of view helps to create a safe and enjoyable environment for the whole family.
Fixture Fixes
Children often have a hard time navigating sinks, toilets and tubs made for adults. Here are some easy fixes.
Hang it Low
Make it easy for the kids to use the sink by installing a wall-hung model several inches lower than you would for an adult. For added fun, choose a sink with a whimsical pattern.
Potty Training Made Easy
If you have a bathroom dedicated to the children in the house, install a toilet designed specifically for three-footers. American Standard's Baby Devoro toilet has a rim height of 10 1/4 inches making it perfect for toddlers as well as grade-school aged children. And it is compatible with standard plumbing so it can be easily replaced with a full-sized toilet when the kids grow up.
Step it Up
Place a step stool near the bathtub so little ones can climb in and out easier. Make sure the tub is slip proof and never leave children unattended while bathing.
Just Add Water
Here are some quick and fun ideas to build safety into bath time for any age child.
Safe Space
Give children a lower drawer or cabinet for their storage. Kids' towels and toys can be left unlocked for them to play with at bath time.
Smaller is Better
Refill small plastic bottles of shampoo so children can learn how to handle and pour their own shampoo with your supervision. Kids' soaps and shampoos are less likely to sting eyes and come in fun shapes and scents.
Pocket Storage
Many of today's colorful new shower curtains come with breathable pockets for wet toy storage. These mesh curtains are a great way to keep toys put away and mildew-free.
Safety Underfoot
Many popular bathroom flooring materials can become slippery when wet. Smooth tile or granite may look great and be easy to upkeep, but it can be dangerous under little feet. Choose a safer alternative like vinyl or textured tiles.
Don't Get Burned
To avoid scalding, water heating systems should not exceed 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Check water heaters to retrofit an anti-scald device. Homes built after 1985 may have such a device already built in. For added safety, install a faucet with safety stops that offer adjustable settings and restrict how far the handle can be pushed toward hot.
The Great Lock Up
Some areas are just not safe for young children and should be locked when not in use. There are devices available that are inexpensive and easy to install for bathrooms, kitchens or just about anywhere in the home.
Toilet Seat Locks
Kids can drown in less than one inch of water and toilet seat lids can easily be locked with a plastic latch to keep this water inaccessible. Lids will lock automatically when shut and open with a swing lever.
Cabinet Latches
Locks for virtually every style of single and double door cabinet as well as drawer latches are available. Whether you have a knob or pull type of handle, these locks can secure any cabinetry.
Outlet Covers
There are several varieties of outlet covers these days, some that just insert into the outlet, some that cover the outlet while in use and some that swivel closed when the outlet is not in use. All of these covers keep children away from live outlets.
Doorknob Covers
These make round doorknobs hard to open for smaller hands. Adults have to squeeze grip buttons on either side to allow the doorknob to turn.
Cord Wind-ups
These devices keep dangling cords from hanging down to within a child's reach. The excess cord is coiled inside the plastic sphere clipped high on the blind's cord.

by: Yopi Prayatna (T.S. UNRI)

ISPIRATION OF PAINTING

So you have just bought a new home, or you have a room that you just haven't gotten around to decorating, with blank walls just screaming to be worked on.
The most common question usually is, "What color should I paint the walls in this particular room?" More often than not, the person hasn't selected any bedding yet, upholstery pieces, area rugs, draperies, or anything for the room. This is the first thing they're concerned with in their decorating effort.
Why? This really puzzles me! I can't imagine why anyone would want to saddle themselves with one color right off the bat, thereby limiting every other choice for the room's decor. I'm sure their reasoning is that it's easier to paint when the room is empty, but it's completely the reverse of how a room should come together. When shopping for clothing, do you buy a belt first and then set out to find an entire outfit to go with it? Of course not.
Selecting furnishings first is key, and the primary reason for this is simple: choices for fabrics, upholstery pieces, bedcoverings, area rugs, etc., are very limited. They're limited by what's available to you in your area, what will work with other existing elements in your home, and by your budget. You can have an "idea" of what color you want for the walls, but decide on these harder-to-find items first, and then pull the specific wall color from those pieces. Paint, on the other hand, is available at any hardware store, any day of the week, all year long, in everyone's price range, in any imaginable color you could ever want - literally!
If you decide to paint first, you are limiting your choices drastically. Bottom line: your walls should not be the focus of any room. The focus should be on the furnishings, and the wall color should be a background that compliments & enhances everything else, like the mat on a framed picture. You want people to walk in and say, "Wow! I love your house!" And then later, if asked what color your walls were, say, "Hmmm... I don't remember - but their living room was fabulous!" The only rooms where wall color can become more of a feature are the dining room, bathrooms, and maybe the kitchen.
Simply find something that can be your inspiration for the room, and build around it.

by: Yopi Prayatna (T.S. UNRI)

DESIGNING LIVING ROOM

Some living rooms are little more than a coffee table where the mail gets tossed and a sofa where you collapse each evening. Others are too stilted and formal to be of any real use, and because they go unused, their occasional visitors feel uncomfortable, as if, like the glass candy bowls and potted plants, they too are on display.

And then there are the living rooms that combine the best of both worlds, and allow for both relaxation and entertaining.

This living room really knows how to live. Here is a room designed for comfort, yet gracious and formal enough for hosting even the most important parties.

Looking at it through Sheffield's Three Principles of Interior Design, we see first that the function of this room is to welcome guests and make them feel comfortable and at home. The room is built for relaxed conversation: the two easy chairs angled toward one another, the two straight-back chairs facing one another across a small table, and the white ottoman allow for conversation among a group. And, there are enough tables so that guests can have a place for their drinks or snacks. As the Sheffield Course creator Bill Turner often remarked, "A table for every chair!"

But another function of this room is simply for relaxing alone or with a companion. Those easy chairs are so inviting that you can easily imagine pulling the ottoman over, putting your feet up, and tucking into a new novel on a winter's afternoon.

The mood of this room is clearly one of relaxation. It's formal enough for entertaining because it's so well-designed, but the feeling is one of luxurious relaxation. The casual aspect of the mood is enhanced by the slightly messy fronds in the vases, which bring in an air of the wild outdoors and prevent the room from feeling stuffy or overdone. The open curtains, which are barely noticeable at first glance, add to this airy feeling, letting in loads of natural light.

Finally, everything in this room works in harmony. The deep egg yellow of the ceiling and upper wall matches the yellow background of the fabric. The chairs are upholstered in the same fabric used on the table and for the curtains, and the plain off-white rug prevents the floral pattern from becoming overwhelming. The flowers in the vase add a nice counterpoint to the printed flowers on the fabric.

All in all, this is a room that would give its visitors the relaxed feeling of an early summer's afternoon, at any time of the year.

by: Yopi Prayatna (T.S. UNRI)