Griya Anda

It seems that once again, the virtual world has outperformed the real world. Online furniture retailers are offering canvas transfers and prints from respected artists alongside their furniture.

I have to confess, I am an avid online shopper. Being a New Yorker, there are two elements to the online shopping experience that make it so much better than going to a local retailer. The first, unquestionably, is convenience. Trying to get any item of substance around this town is nearly impossible. Delivery fees charged by New York retailers are notoriously murderous, so that usually removes most items out of the competitive range of what is offered online. Additionally, I often have to travel far to find what I’m looking for, and traveling here can be a nightmare. Many singular online retailers have an exceptional selection of goods that might take several trips to several different merchants here to purchase.

The second element that makes online shopping more feasible is price. Delivery fees aside, most online retailers are not paying for expensive Manhattan real estate. The products they offer are no different in many cases to what is being sold online, and yet I am expected to pay a premium for having it right now. Sorry, but I can wait for a few days to have the exact same (or often a better) item delivered. In fact, Ii can probably pay for the most expensive and fastest delivery method offered and still save money over buying locally.

I recently had a good experience that solidified my position on online shopping. I was recently shopping online for furniture when I noticed that a few of the online retailers were offering prints and canvas transfers alongside their furnishings. These were high quality, framed or un-framed artistic works by recognized artist and the prices were well below what I would be paying here. The selection of artist was incredible, from impressionist masters such as Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh to abstracts from Maitland and Li-Leger. I ended up ordering two prints and one canvas transfer, all framed, in addition to the furniture piece I was originally looking for.

I would have a hard time finding an art selection as nice as the one this online furniture retailer had anywhere in the city, and especially not at a furniture store. They even had a section with the works of new artists.

The bottom line is that as long as online retailers continue to offer superior convenience, pricing and selection, the number of people who shop online will continue to grow. The art I found at my favorite online furniture dealer is just one example of how online shopping is really starting to surpass the local buying experience.

They are part of an Chicago graphic design and web development agency, with plenty of experience in the field of graphic design, and they are more than prepared to take care of your needs.

ArtVersion Chicago, IL is a well-known creative agency, having only the best professionals working on graphic design, web site design and logo development (among many other services and business solutions offered). They are extremely efficient at what they do, not only taking care of web development, but also of various projects, logotype design and the creation of business promotional materials. In all aspects of graphic arts and company branding, they clearly depict their creativity, working to help businesses around the globe survive the competition through effective and strategic presentation. No matter if you are interested in corporate identity, corporate ad design or any other services provided by this Chicago design firm, they’ve got it all covered.

After analyzing your company and the objectives you intend to reach, the specialists working for ArtVersion will make sure that they adapt to your requirements. Your company profile will be represented with precision, regardless of the services you desire. The main intention of ArtVersion’s Chicago graphic design specialists and professionals working on web development is to attract and maintain the interest of your clients. They will assure that your website is created to maximize leads, and you will soon occupy a top place on the market, reaching your target audience.

In a competitive marketplace, first impressions speak volumes. To reach clients, businesses must set themselves apart from the rest through quality branding and strategic marketing. By choosing ArtVersion.com, you can be certain that you will benefit from the most comprehensive solutions for your company. By offering website design and various other services, they will help with building brand loyalty and recognition. You can be certain that all corporate content will be represented accordingly, with specific attention given to corporate identity. If you want consistency and efficiency at the same time, then you are right to choose this Chicago design company.

Careful planning stands behind any service offered by a graphic design agency. The best graphic designers focus on your company’s objectives, trying to solve any existing problems and to develop better solutions. The end result will be a professional business image – one that can only be achieved by using graphic design specialists and experts in web development. You need such kind of artwork services if you plan on being successful in the future. The competition is tighter than you imagine; each business needs that “wow factor” in order to achieve the highest level of success.

The custom of appropriate and harmonious treatment of home decorating, interior decorations and suitable furniture, seems to have been in a great measure abandoned during the present century, owing perhaps to the indifference of architects of the time to this subsidiary but necessary portion of their work, or perhaps to a desire for economy, which preferred the cheapness of painted and artificially grained pine-wood, with decorative effects produced by wall papers, to the more solid but expensive though less showy wood-panelling, architectural mouldings, well-made panelled doors and chimney pieces, which one finds, down to quite the end of the last century, even in houses of moderate rentals. Furniture therefore became independent and “beginning to account herself an Art, transgressed her limits”… and “grew to the conceit that it could stand by itself, and, as well as its betters, went a way of its own.”

Interior Conservatory Finishing

The interiors, handed over from the builder, as it were, in blank, are filled up from the upholsterer’s store, the curiosity shop, and the auction room, while a large contribution from the conservatory or the nearest florist gives the finishing touch to a mixture, which characterizes the present taste for furnishing a boudoir or a drawing room.

There is, of course, in very many cases an individuality gained by the “omnium gatherum” of such a mode of furnishing. The cabinet which reminds its owner of a tour in Italy, the quaint stool from Tangier, and the embroidered piano cover from Spain, are to those who travel, pleasant souvenirs; as are also the presents from friends (when they have taste and judgment), the screens and flower-stands, and the photographs, which are reminiscences of the forms and faces separated from us by distance or death. The test of the whole question of such an arrangement of furniture in our living rooms, is the amount of judgment and discretion displayed. Two favorable examples of the present fashion, representing the interior of the Saloon and Drawing Room at Sandringham House, are here reproduced.

How The Gather Inheritance Influenced On The Home Decorations

There is at the present time an ambition on the part of many well-to-do persons to imitate the effect produced in houses of old families where, for generations, valuable and memorable articles of decorative furniture have been accumulated, just as pictures, plate and china have been preserved; and failing the inheritance of such household gods, it is the practice to acquire, or as the modern term goes, “to collect,” old furniture of different styles and periods, until the room becomes incongruous and overcrowded, an evidence of the wealth, rather than of the taste, of the owner. As it frequently happens that such collections are made very hastily, and in the brief intervals of a busy commercial or political life, the selections are not the best or most suitable; and where so much is required in a short space of time, it becomes impossible to devote a sufficient sum of money to procure a really valuable specimen of the kind desired; in its place an effective and low priced reproduction of an old pattern (with all the faults inseparable from such conditions) is added to the conglomeration of articles requiring attention, and taking up space.

The limited accommodation of houses built on ground which is too valuable to allow spacious halls and large apartments, makes this want of discretion and judgment the more objectionable. There can be no doubt that want of care and restraint in the selection of furniture, by the purchasing public, affects its character, both as to design and workmanship.

Out of all the home improvement projects, few can provide the benefits of a bathroom remodeling project. Remodeling the bathroom is a great way to add real value to your home. On the plus side of that, it will increase the enjoyment level of yourself and your family.

There are a number of things to consider before undertaking such a major project. They are:

1. Keep your eye on the ball. It is important to see the bathroom remodeling project as a whole project. Even though there are many small hurdles to tackle, it is important to see the project as a whole.

2. No remodeling project can be successful without a realistic budget. Take the time to draw up an honest budget, and try your best to stick to it.

3. Get a reliable contractor. For most people, remodeling the bathroom is not a do it yourself project. It is important to find a contractor who has experience with plumbing and remodeling bathrooms.

4. Get a detailed inspection of your bathroom done before you start. A good idea would be to have a plumber inspect your bathroom for leaks and other problems before you start.

5. Now is your chance to be more energy efficient. Chances are you will be able to save money in the long run by installing low flow toilets, water saving showerheads and other energy efficient fixtures.

6. Stay organized. Proper organization is essential to a successful bathroom remodeling project. Use a calendar to keep track of important deadlines, and remain organized as you go forward.

7. Draw your proposed bathroom design. If you want a larger bathtub, or even a jettub, be sure to draw it out and make sure you have enough space. There is also software where you can input your design including fixtures, furniture, flooring and more. Either way works great.

8. Storage space is at a premium in many modern bathrooms. See if you can remodel to gain more cabinet and storage space.

9. Be sure to shop around for what you need in order to get the best price. The prices on the same fixtures can vary quite a bit between stores.

10. A fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference when remodeling the bathroom, but many people fail to take this important and inexpensive step.

I also suggest that you go out and have fun looking at the bathrooms in show homes. They have all of the latest trends in the marketplace and will save you much time and effort in trying to come up with ideas yourself. This would be a great aid in the placement of fixtures and you can see, for example how important cupboards and storage are. The main thing to remember is have fun and enjoy the project and your new bathroom!

Copyright 2006 Melissa Galt

One of the best things about being single is that when you decorate your house, apartment, townhouse or loft, it’s all about you, and you can create a space that is completely yours. Being single and living on your own is the perfect time to start expressing your personal style in your home space.

In part 1 of this 2 part series, we covered the first 5 steps to take when decorating your home. We started with the basics, deciding what types of furniture you need and keeping an idea file of furniture, artwork and rooms that speak to you. After we laid the groundwork, we talked about establishing a starting point in the room for expressing your personal style, such as a piece of artwork or an amazing rug. Then we went on to cover furniture and how different textures, styles, prints, colors and sizes contribute to your overall design. In this 2nd and final part of this series, we’ll pick up where we left off and cover the last 5 steps to creating a living space that is totally yours.

6. Okay, time to make it functional and add tables and surfaces. Remember that every seating surface needs a place in arms reach to put a drink, a book, or even a TV remote (or many remotes as so many homes seem to have today). Mix your elements in casegoods too, wood, of course, but don’t forget metal, glass, ceramic, and painted finishes. You want to coordinate, not match. (Again this is where that expert help can really be valuable.) Mix up your shapes– don’t make it all square and hard edges. Rounds and ovals are much friendlier to small children (even if they aren’t yours, you may be an aunt or uncle), and adult shins. Many pieces are available today with drop leaves or even a height adjustment for multiple purpose use. Small spaces require multi-function, and the same pieces can be added to later for a larger room.

7. Now layer in some soft goods, such as the pillows, throws, table runners and draperies. These elements add interest, character, and personality as well as carrying the color scheme and pattern to a vertical level. They create balance and warmth. They don’t have to be fussy or froufrou in order to add invitation and warmth. Pillows can be simple and tailored or fringed and decadent. Throws are great for curling up with for that nap on the sofa. Table runners help a large expanse of wood or glass look friendly. (They do need to be long enough to run off the ends of the table.) Draperies can frame views, control light, give privacy and have acoustical benefits. They can be straight panels with no bells and whistles, or you can pull out all the stops and do it up with tassels and trim, swags and more. Call that professional for advice and recommendations.

8. No matter how terrific your design is, no matter how colorful, elegant, lively or peaceful, it won’t matter if you don’t have good lighting. Overheads are fine for cleaning, but you really need lamps, both table and floor to set the mood and welcome. You can mix your lamps just as you mixed your other materials. A single room can have a variety of shapes, shades and light qualities, which makes the room lively. Remember you want to create a collected look, as if it evolved over time, not like you bought the entire room setting in one afternoon. Don’t match your lamps, unless your tables are matched.

9. The last step is in the decorating process perhaps the most vital of all make it personal. Add mementos, collectibles, well framed personal photographs and artwork. This is the part that really makes it yours and no one else’s. What makes you smile? What do you want to see everyday? Watercolors from street side vendors on trips you’ve taken are a wonderful reminder of good times, just as a ceramic or glass piece that you picked up native to a country adventured captures the moment. (Please no airport souvenirs.) If you collect sports memorabilia, put it up on display. This is your pad, your house, your haven from the world, your space to do with as you please. Perhaps you have a grouping of autographs, Lladro figurines, German beer steins, or even ball caps, whatever it is, if you like it, use it. If working with a professional, let them know what you like, they can often bring in original works that are specific to your interests, and even your travels. At the least they can take what you have and maximize it to advantage.

10. Once you have it all together, it’s time to celebrate it! So get planning, make that invite list and have a housewarming. If you prefer to do this over time, have a room warming for each room as it is completed. Be sure to tell friends what you’d like to have, maybe even consider registering at Pier 1 Imports, Home Expo, Bed Bath Beyond and more. Don’t make them guess what you’d like! Pick a variety of price points to please them all. You’ll get some finishing touches and a great chance to share you new décor with friends, family and more. Get comfortable and make it a beautiful life now.

One of the biggest home decorating dilemmas is how to arrange your accessories, whether it be a bookcase, shelf, or tabletop. Here is a three step system that will transform your boring or cluttered spaces into charming vignettes!

Harmony and Contrast

When arranging a space with accessories, one has to keep in mind that the most important thing to avoid here is boredom! This has a lot less to do with the objects you choose than how you choose to display them. To keep an arrangement from putting the neighbors down for their afternoon nap, remember to keep a balance of harmony (things that feel like they go together, like similar colors or styles) and contrast (things that spice things up by being different…smooth against texture, round against straight line, et…) You want a bit of both in your arrangement. Perhaps you could create harmony by repeating a square shape or the color purple, and then add contrast by sitting a smooth candlestick next to a rough basket.

Scale and Shape

Make sure that the items you are using fit into their new homes scale…you don’t want one tiny paperweight on a large kitchen table, and you want to steer clear of using a huge ceiling high arrangement of flowers on a tiny end table. Most people tend to use things that are too small for their surroundings however. If you have small accessories you would like to display, but need to give them more oomph in the arrangement, try grouping them on a plate or a fabric covered box. You can also give them height by perching them atop stacked books or baskets.

Layer and Soften

Once you’ve chosen your objects for the space following the design principles above, now it’s time to layer and soften. Start with a larger, taller piece slightly off center…this will be the defining piece in your arrangement. Now work to the outer edges in layers…Add a taller background layer, a middle sized medium height layer, and your tiniest objects in the front. Keep the eye moving up and down as it purveys the arrangement from left to right for interest. Add some fabric or twisted ribbon to soften the edges of the shelf or table, to bring in color, and to highlight certain objects.

Above all, keep trying new combinations of items until you find an arrangement that works for you. Use things in unusual ways. Tuck flowers or a live plant into an arrangement that seems too static. Even professional designers will occasionally be surprised by trying things in a new way! And remember, if your arrangement still looks cluttered and lost, chances are you are trying to display too much. Develop a prop box or closet where you can keep some of your treasures, and switch them our a couple of times a year for a fresh new look without spending a dime! For an example photo of accessory arrangement, visit this page on our website at http://www.thebudgetdecorator.com/arrange_accessory.html

Many people these days are finding themselves longing for a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world. Even as the world seems to become smaller, as technology grows more powerful by the day, people long for simpler ways. With great technology, after all, often comes great complication, and with great complication often comes great stress. For this reason, people are buying or leasing vacation homes at a remarkable rate. And what better place to find a simpler life, whether it be as a place to retire, or just a place to spend a weekend, then a rustic cabin? Of course, if you are planning to buy a cabin, you will need to find the right rustic cabin accessories to fill your new space. When you are looking for rustic cabin accessories, there are a few principles you should keep in mind: simplicity, functionality, and atmosphere.

The first principle, simplicity, is most likely the most important of all. Luckily, it is also usually the easiest of the principles to grasp and put into action. All of your rustic cabin accessories should have a simple elegance to them, from lighting fixtures to doorknobs. A quaint piece of decoration can go a long way in a rustic setting to make your cabin feel like a warm and relaxing place to be. For instance, a simple vase of dried flowers, or a few wood carvings here and there can make your cabin beautiful without running the risk of making it too flashy. Rustic décor is about elegance through simplicity.

The second principal you must follow is functionality. This works into the rule of simplicity well, as things that are simple are very often also things that are functional. When choosing rustic cabin accessories, you must always be sure that your choices will not hinder the functionality of your space. Small, subtle decorations are best, as they will also be unobtrusive. If you can find decorations which also serve a practical function, then so much the better! For instance, a set of nicely painted mugs can be hung from a mug rack, to add to your décor while also adding function.

Finally, you have the principal of atmosphere. You might say that atmosphere is the say in which the principals of simplicity and functionality interact in a room. Your rustic cabin accessories should each help promote your atmosphere of relaxation and warmth. Any accessory that does not add to these themes should not be included at all, particularly if it serves no real purpose in your space. When it comes to rustic cabin accessories, the last thing you want is to have too many objects cluttering your space. The atmosphere should be clean, neat, and uncluttered, which is best accomplished with a rather minimalist approach. Also, be sure not to use accessories with loud colors that will stand out or draw attention too much to itself. Your space should have a feeling of harmony to it, and loud accessories will just become a distraction.

Copyright © Jared Winston, 2006. All Rights Reserved.

The Japanese are the ones who started the futon bedding system. Actually, they used the word “shikibuton”, meaning mattress; it was the Americans who named it a futon. Unlike the Japanese, the American concept included the mattress, the convertible furniture it sits on, or both.

Basically, a futon acts as a sofa during the day and is converted into a sleeping space at night. Some of the futons have wooden frames that can be folded and put away to save space. The futon sofa has cushions that are usually stuffed with cotton batting and that can be found in a wide range of colors, sizes and fabrics. Those used to sleeping and sitting on a futon sofa rave about the good back support it provides. Another plus point of futon mattresses and cushions is that they can be conveniently moved outdoors to air out. Sometimes, the futon sofa may need some assembly. The most important thing to do while assembling the sofa is to take your time; it is best to devote a whole afternoon to assemble it. It is advisable to take an inventory of the parts of the sofa before starting. And, you should read the instructions not once, but twice for clarity. If using power tools while assembling the sofa, be careful as these tools are so strong that they may over-tighten or strip out the hardware used to hold the frame together.

The Americans first became interested in futons in the early 1970s, due to the increased interest in Eastern culture and because the inexpensive furniture produced a novel furnishing idea. Most of the futon sofa users are students, first-time homeowners and apartment dwellers saving on space. The American futon has improved with the usage of top-of-the-line hardwoods for the frame with a wide palette of wood finishes from oak to mahogany. In the beginning, futon mattresses were covered with durable but plain materials; however, today, its covers are available in luxuriant colors and fabrics from rich brocades to lush tapestries. Futon furniture, and futon sofas, have become quite popular and are here to stay for quite some time.

The kitchen is probably one of the most important and complicated rooms (besides the bathroom) to design or remodel in a home. Few rooms see so much activity and also challenge designers with such an array of practical, technological, and esthetic considerations. A new kitchen can be an excellent investment in most homes, which is why it must be a well designed kitchen or it can become a financial liability. Whether it is a remodel or a completely new kitchen in a new home, designing a kitchen that meets the requirements of being functional, aesthetically pleasing and be within your budget is on easy task.

Because kitchen design can be so highly specialized and complex it is a good idea to hire an independent kitchen designer before hiring a general contractor. Contractors tend to lack sufficient design experience and creativity needed for good kitchen design.

Kitchen designers understand how a kitchen works. The kitchen designer can analyze the family’s lifestyle, interests in cooking and entertainment. The designer can ask questions, discuss needs and goals, appliance integration, and budget as well as considering ideas that the contractor or family members might not be able to come up with. By bringing in the kitchen designer early in the project it is possible to keep cost down considerably.

The kitchen designer while not having experience in engineering details can nevertheless assist with layout, choice of materials, and how the room will look and function. Because it is so easy to become overwhelmed by the number of available choices when it comes to design elements the kitchen designer is needed to help the homeowner when looking at design options such as, appliances, cabinetry, countertops, and flooring. The certified kitchen designer is trained to take your concept and turn it into a workable vision. They can coordinate materials and color to the best effect and define the best space usage as well as assist in other aspects of the kitchen design project such as electrical, plumbing, structural, flooring, appliances and tile.

In hiring a kitchen designer it is important to look for one who is certified. To receive certification the kitchen designer must have seven years of hands-on experience as well as course instruction in room layout, storage planning, cabinet installation and lighting design. The designer must pass a series of test administered by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). As members of NKBA, kitchen designers keep up with all of the latest design trends as well as the most recent developments in materials and techniques. They can draw up fully developed plans in compliance with the NKBA’s kitchen planning standards.

Most kitchen designers will have either be affiliated with a showroom or have an extensive portfolio to show off their work. They can manage an entire remodeling project, or just provide design services only. They have the ability to be able to create a warm, pleasant, interesting kitchen design and at the same time solve problems having to do with storage capacity, accessibility, functionality, ventilation, and lighting.

Say goodbye to the bland living room. The colorful days of décor are upon us, and you need to comply with the rules or the home fashion police will raid your house and charge you. These days, black and white, monochrome, stainless steel, and white are all gone. Now, bright vivid colors are where it is for décor. However, all is not lost. You do not need to go out and buy new furniture. You can update your look, and keep those heirlooms from your grandmother. The bachelor furniture can stay, as long as you know what to do.

Consider the basic white room. A white wall no longer looks great when it is featured with a white couch in the front, both of which are coordinated with a glass coffee table. That room probably also has white wood blinds. Well, you need to discard those wood blinds. Surf the web and find some window treatments with colors. Find vertical blinds with a vivid red. There are some sites with so many colors that you are sure to find one that makes your heart beat again, now that the room no longer looks like an operating room. Bright vivid blinds can coordinate well with a pillow or a small rug, but get the blinds first, as the colors of those are more variable than the colors of blinds.

A white room can also use a colorful stained wood blind. However, consider using a medium color wood blind, and not the dark colors of the stains. There are rich mahogany wood blinds that can make an interesting complement.

Then there is the black room, which has only a small splash of white. These rooms can be a bit harder to decorate, because you cannot jump straight to the white blinds for contrast, and the colors of blinds can be lost in the darkness of the space. Consider a blind of vivid color that allows light through to solve this problem. This provides a series of benefits. By colorizing the room, you can splash it alive- getting away form the vampire look. By allowing a translucent treatment, you can see the light that passes through lighting up the room a bit more. And, of course, the slight glow of the light as it glows in the rich color will help change the moods.

When decorating these difficult rooms with blinds, consider coordinating the space with a little artwork that has colors similar to the blinds. This can balance the room, and will help the vivid colors of the blinds dance off the artwork, and enhance both.

While you are hanging artwork, consider spot lighting for the art. These lights can help display the art, and can be done with picture lights, or uplights, quite easily. Don’t stop there, the blinds will get mad. It can look quite interesting to feature blinds with casual but direct lighting. When the blinds are lit up by spots, the colors glow even more.

Certainly if you are a victim of these previous fashion styles, you can add to the blinds with a new coat of paint on a wall. That wall can be on any side, and it can be of a different color from the blinds. Remember, paint first, hang the blinds after the paint is quite dry. If you want to paint your blinds, don’t buy nice new ones, If you paint your blinds, you will cause unintended effects, and you will be very sorry that you did it.

This article should not be construed to insult your taste. If you have this style, you are not alone. These were quite popular. In fact, they are still popular. However, the trends are changing, and we recommend being ahead of the trends by splashing your rooms with the wonderful color of beautiful blinds. Select high quality long lasting blinds which you can use to coordinate and make look wonderful in your formerly attractive pad. By simply splashing color on your windows, the new style will jive with the new tastes. No longer do you have to hire an interior designer to be in compliance with fashion trends. You do not need to watch hours of television shows about home décor. Simply buy a set of colorful blinds, and you can have it made in the shade. Blinds can bring life and energy. Blinds can also solve many other problems for your home and office.