ArtaBerryHome Improvement Blog..

It’s a tough old slog for women in 2012 – while aiming high and spending our days trying to get far in the hard-hitting career world, we must also perfect the art of homemaking. Cleaning, cooking, looking after the children and being the perfect host come top of the list for what is required for the domestic goddess.

Back in the 50s, keeping the home clean, uncluttered and tastefully decorated was the norm. Dinner on the table for 5.26 when you’re husband walks through the door? No problem. But as the work place gets more competitive and the need for two incomes is almost essential to keep on top of mortgage payments, home insurance and utility bills, there isn’t always time to clean and bake and look glamorous at the same time. For those of us out there that struggle for time and motivation to be a carbon-copy of a post-war housewife, here’s a few little tips on how to be a domestic goddess on the run.

Pretend you’re organised.
Mess is an inevitable evil when faced with a family and a hectic schedule, but clutter is something else entirely. To create the illusion of order, go through your kitchen cupboards and get rid of any out-of-date-products – do the same with any empty bottles lurking in the bathroom. Coats and shoes are difficult to make presentable when there are two people living in the same house, let alone four or five. If keeping them neat this isn’t an option, try to create storage space away from the prying eyes of guests.

Make a good impression.
It’s probably a regular occurrence that you’re expecting guests in five minutes and haven’t had time to make the house presentable during your day of working, picking up the kids and cooking for the family (not to mention you’re lunchtime Zumba class). There are however, a few small cheats to creating the illusion of cleanliness and order.

Quickly polish a couple of surfaces in your main entertaining room – the smell of the polish has a psychological effect on anyone who comes through the door – they will think that the room has just been polished and it will automatically look cleaner. Plumping cushions and picking up obvious bits on the floor instead of vacuuming are must-dos to save time when entertaining. Try putting a damp cloth sprinkled with your favourite scent on a radiator so your guests have a friendly welcome.

Make Sundays a food day.
If weekday meals are chaotic and rushed at best, then fool your family and friends into believing that your cooking is something else, by focusing on a well prepared Sunday lunch. Whether is be a Sunday roast, a buffet with wine for guests to enjoy or a BBQ in the sun – make Sundays a foodie event. Take pleasure in the thought that everyone you know will think you’re organised and a dedicated wife and mother. Only you need to know the truth about that one.

Sort your bag.
You may need to carry everything about with you when you head to the shops, but nobody needs to see your organised chaos of a handbag every time Choose a stylish bag with plenty of compartments big enough for all your cosmetic and communication needs as well as anything small (or that you want to hide from your other half) you may pick up at the shops.

Make time for you.
Mastering the art of the fraudulent domestic goddess can take its toll, so make room for some well needed you time. Driving to and from work doesn’t fall into this category, neither does your weekly workout. Lock the bathroom door and indulge in some sweet smells and a long soak. Have a glass of wine and a cheesy magazine on hand to escape from work and the noise of the house. Alternatively, go for a walk in a park or along the beach and enjoy the great outdoors.

Interior design is such an important part of designing your home – it can really make the whole house feel beautiful and homely – so here are our tips for the hottest interior design trends to look out for next year.

1: Simplicity.
Using the concept of simplicity is one which surprisingly quite hard to grasp. The key is to get rid of all clutter from your home – or alternatively, find clever ways of disguising the clutter. You can purchase great draws and storage which can slide under your beds or sofa which offer this solution and means you don’t have to throw things away. The key to this trend isn’t to make the house look good, but it is to make you feel good. Simplicity is all about clearing the mind and allowing you space to think and function in your home.

2: Modern Metal.
A new trend for 2012 is the concept of modern metal. This trend can be achieved in many ways – you could purchase some art, perhaps a metal sculpture that would look fantastic on your coffee table, or maybe a stainless steel dining table instead of a wooden one. Another way to embrace this trend is to change your electric heating systems and bringing in new radiators. Radiators are a fantastic thing to change round when you want to give your house a new look: get rid of those boring white ones and invest in a modern metal one which will really add some interest to your home interior. Who’d have thought electric heating systems could have so much hold over the look of your home? It is really key to remember they offer a contemporary yet subtle design option for those seeking to create a modern aesthetic.

3: Light.

2012 will all be about the celebrations of light and how much your home can benefit from it. Another major trend, lighting will be something that completely changes the way you house feels and how it effects the way you enjoy being at home. For something modern and quirky, try purchasing a “light bulb chandelier”. They make a room look instantly arty and stylish and can give any room a “NYC loft” kind of feel. Perfect to liven up any home!

4: Mismatched colour schemes.
Lastly, the most fun of this year’s design trends. The key to this trend is to coordinate your furnishings using only colour. Try for example choosing one colour (for the purpose of this, lets pick Blue) that you really like and then instead of buying 5 cushions which are all the same shade of Blue, you buy 5 different cushion which are all blue, but that are all very different shades. By doing this you get a lovely boho look and country feel. And it works for more than just cushions! Try buying lots of different shaped photo frames – but making sure they’re all white in colour. It’s a really cute way of giving your home personality.

The thought of pumpkins, fiery leaves and hot cider are difficult to imagine during these oppressive summer days, but nothing makes us more eager for the refreshing cool of fall than planning ways to celebrate the season at home. Here are four trends with project suggestions to liven your home with the love of autumn.

Borrow from Nature: As leaves fall and the woody structure of shrubs and trees are exposed, borrow from their natural beauty. Snip a few branches from a tree with smooth wood like willow and display them in an angular white vase. Taller branches can be displayed from the floor and liven up a corner.

Project Suggestion: Gather a set of 6-10 spent stalks of daylilies that have dried since the mid-summer blooms. Spray paint them rustic orange or white and allow to dry (if your decor is more natural, you can also leave them paint-free).  You now have several options: bundle them together and tie with a contrasting ribbon or twine and display as an accent piece on your mantle, or place two stalks each into 3-5 slender white vases and line them up for a contemporary centerpiece.

Pair Neutral Colors with Bold Accents: Brilliant, fiery red is a hot color this fall. Paired with more muted wine tones and taupes, it can create a coziness that beckons to any houseguest. Other color combinations to consider are com husk yellow, chartreuse, and earthy brown, or even navy blue and gray with accents of dandelion orange. One of the simplest ways to integrate color without redecorating an entire room is to focus on the small accent pieces.

Project Suggestion: Create curb appeal with an autumn-inspired front entrance. Find a set of 5-6 old flower pots or check out end of summer sales at a local garden center. Choose your favorite fall flower: pansies and mums make fantastic options. Limit yourself to no more than  two different colors of flowers, repetition of color will create a more harmonious look. Spray paint the old pots the color of your choice to give them new life and pot your  flowers. Arrange in sets of 2 or 3 down your front stairs for a welcoming splash of color. What colors to try? Orange mums with navy blue pots, yellow mums with muted orange pots, and red mums with taupe pots all make good combinations

Updating your home with a new look can be an enjoyable task. After all, the options are so varied that the results can range from a simple upgrade to an entirely new look. One of the easiest ways to provide a new look to a room is to concentrate on the woodwork within the room.

When you decide that it’s time to redo the rooms in your home, do it one room at a time. If you focus on only one particular room, you will be less likely to miss an important aspect.  Customizing a room with wood involves some very specific planning. Take the time to do your research so that the project is completed properly.

Customizing a room with wood can be as simple as redoing the woodwork or as complex as installing a deluxe wooden bar or several bookcases or shelves Size up the room and take into consideration the other items that you want to include in the  room. For example, what other pieces of furniture will the room include or what electronics including television, stereo, or sound system are going to be located in the room?

Building wooden bars and back bars into a room requires some special considerations as far as location goes.  If you are installing a wet bar, then you need to check into your plumbing possibilities. Certain areas of the room are going to be more amenable to the installation of pipes and sinks.  Additionally, if you are going to include a refrigerator with your set up, special electrical requirements might be involved, particularly if you have an older home.

Deciding how many stools you want to set up at the bar is another consideration. Is there sufficient seating capacity in the area of the room that you have selected for your bar’s location? If not, then you might want to consider selecting a different spot, doing without the wet bar to free up your options, or lower the number of seats that you want to include. The configuration of the bar is going to be a combination of your personal preference and the configuration of the selected place in the room.

Wooden bookcases and cabinets can add an elegant touch to any room. With these items, your biggest concern will be that of proper measurement. You need to measure the height, width, and depth of the area that you have to work with to ensure the bookcase or shelves fit into their intended location. Also, you need to take into consideration the location of any electrical outlets or switches since a large wooden bookcase can easily block them. Plus, the presence of doors and windows should be taken into consideration so that they so not become partially blocked either.

This is for all the fans of  IKEA brand from all around the globe, I believe most of you folks like it, Well! I have a an update about  their famous furniture, accessories & interior designing catalog of this world largest furniture & home accessories retailer. The IKEA catalogue  for 2012 is already released. Ikea was founded 68 years back (in 1943)  by a Swedish boy Ingvar Kamprad. Their annual catalog was published for the first time in 1951, Soon after their first publication the vendor got high fame & now it turns into worlds biggest home furniture & accessories company. IKEA catalog is now published in 27 languages in different countries across the world making it the first choice of interior designers, architects & home owners in the list of furniture & interior design magazines

Yeah if you are among those who always waits for the new version of  Ikea catalog? i am glad to reveal that you can get the 2012 version now. If you want to know where and how to order, here it is.

Availability of the Ikea catalog
- Distributed to mailboxes on August 25
- Diponible in stores from September 8.

Yeah it is also possible to order the Ikea catalog 2012 on the site of Ikea or by calling their customer services from September.

Just as clothing fashion reflects the tastes as those who wear it, indoor furnishings, including window treatments, mirror the style and sensibility of homeowners. In fashion, it is fairly easy to spot those who prefer to follow clothing trends over those who favour classic designs. In interior design, where change comes less frequently and perhaps at a higher expense, tastes may not be as evident. But even when a budget is a barrier to decorating, hints of the homeowner’s style can be detected.

Making a purposeful statement is the best way to ensure that a home’s window treatments send the desired message. Accomplishing this may require a bit of introspection to determine style preferences – a personal wardrobe can offer clues. Those who enjoy the latest clothing trends will most likely appreciate sleek and modern designs. Those whose tastes run to classic designs in fashion may prefer more traditional window curtains.

Naturally, just as tastes in clothing fashion change according to the occasion, window fashions change according to the room in which they are displayed. Keeping in mind the overall function and mood of a room helps to accommodate personal style to each room in the house. Sheer, white organza curtains add an air of femininity to a romantic bedroom, softening the environment with diffused light. The same material, when flanked by rich, brocade draperies, offer a feeling of romance in a living room as well, but with a more formal feeling.

Sometimes romantic taste leans toward simple, country charm, rather than the high-brow romance of a Victorian novel. The rustic romantic look features more upbeat colours and patterns, as well as fabrics with a crisper, fresher look. Window treatments in the country style include café curtains. Hung midway between the top and bottom of the window, café window treatments offer a measure of privacy, while allowing light to enter the room. This style of curtains is best suited to kitchens and dining areas.

Tab-top curtains, curtains that hang from cloth tabs sewn to the drapes, rather than from hooked pleats and curtain rungs, are popular choices, both for their simplicity and affordability. They are also well-suited to a variety of decorating styles. Paired with an under layer of sheer or light fabric, tab-tops make a formal statement. On their own – perhaps with tabs in a contrasting colour than the draperies – tab-tops look contemporary and sleek.

Just as there are fashion designers who specialise in couture designs, there are designers who specialise in high-end window treatments. Most of the clientele for these designers prefer traditional designs, the more richly-appointed, the better. Valances, tie-backs, jabots and swags abound. When a rich, sumptuous look is the goal, the quality of the fabric is key. Damasks, velvets and silk brocades are favoured materials.

Whatever the preferred style, when it comes to selecting window treatments for the home, reflecting personal tastes will ensure that rooms will please those who inhabit them, and will offer visitors an invitation to share that personal experience.

Space is at a premium and utilising the home you have is often more economical then moving into a larger home.  Many think of increasing their homes size by building extensions and venturing into the loft space, but there is an alternative, either converting an existing cellar or excavating a basement.  Creating this extra space gives a flexible approach to living, with extra bedroom space or home office space.

Many homes are suitable for conversions; even those who live in ground floor flats may have the opportunity to explore this avenue of increasing living space.  It can take about 6 weeks to complete if a cellar is already in existence, but it is a major project.  If the basement has to be retrofitted (excavated) it can take up to 24 weeks.  However, the disruption is not as bad as you may think as the access to your home is normally via the garden.

Planning permission is probably unlikely if you are thinking of converting an existing cellar into a spare bedroom but if your homes external appearance changes because of light wells then this requires consent, also if it is to be a bedroom you will need to have egress windows fitted, as these are large enough to escape through if there is a crisis. The ceiling height is important and it needs to be a minimum of 2.4 metres, if your current cellar is less, then excavation can be undertaken to increase this, otherwise bulky items such as bedroom furniture or bookcases will be impossible to fit.   Retrofit basements always require planning permission.

Getting the right people in to do the work is essential, never just go for the lowest quote, you need to make sure they specialise in cellar conversions and retrofits.  If corners are cut, the costs could mount up in the end, as an inferior basement could cost you more in the long run than hiring experts within their field.  Problems could include your basement becoming an indoor swimming pool every time there is a downpour.

To ensure your conversion is successful, try and have a shower room or cloakroom installed, it makes the space more versatile when you decide to sell your property or if your needs change.  Make sure you let your neighbours know that there might be some disruption and also if you do not own the freehold on your home you will need to get the consent of the freeholder before any conversion takes place.

Choosing an aesthetically pleasing window treatment can be a difficult and often expensive task. One is left wondering whether they should match the curtains with the sofa, the wall colour or the carpet, how much they are going to have to spend to get curtains with a quality lining, and how much larger than the window the curtains should be to get the best appearance. After considering all of this, it is clear to see that wooden blinds would be a far easier and more practical choice.

The greatest fact about wooden blinds is that they are suitable for almost all homes. Blinds can be sized to fit most windows, and they are practical for every room in the house. Wooden blinds will provide the privacy needed, without the arduous task of matching multiple fabrics in each room. Although one can opt to match their blinds with certain wood furniture in the room, they can also match the blinds with wooden floors, or the window frame, which often gives the most cohesive look throughout the home.

There are several styles of blinds, and the type of wood used should be considered to some extent. Different woods have different shaping limitations; similarly, some styles are better for keeping out unwanted light than others. For a patio door or very large window, one may want to consider vertical blinds, as they can be moved apart for ease of access to a door or window. For other windows, a popular style is Venetian blinds, as they can be raised and lowered, and the slats can be easily adjusted for varying degrees of sunlight exposure.

Many companies offer a made-to-measure service, where a trained professional will come to the home, measure the window and door openings required, and take the appropriate measurements to the manufacturer so that the customer receives the precise sized blinds that are needed. These companies will often provide a fitting service, also; this means the customer will not need to tackle the task of hanging the blinds themselves. Therefore, the only task the customer needs to worry about is choosing the style and colour, in this instance.

Another pleasing feature of wooden blinds is that they can be combined with curtains or decorative drapes, if desired. The task of keeping out light and providing privacy can be left to the blinds, while curtains can be hung over the blinds for added texture and colour. The choice to add a decorative window dressing is purely an aesthetic one, and is not a necessity for privacy. One would not need to be concerned with a thick curtain lining, in this instance, as the blinds provide the adequate protection.

It is clear to see why wooden blinds are becoming a popular choice in many homes. They have versatility, offer an array of functions to suit a variety of windows and doors, and they are clearly a very practical option

Bathroom is surely the most important part of the house, it is used quite frequently & we can say that it the place where we spent a part of our day. As a matter of fact, interior designers & home owners are always keen to introduce designs driven by technological advances & manufacture materials that can give utmost level of standard in terms of comfort, convenience & reliability. The latest trends in bathroom construction & renovation is not all about investing in expensive showers, adding a steam bath or implementing a rainy sky theme of titles at walls & floor but it is meeting with the objective that both satisfy the luxury & convenience matter.

Modern bathrooms can be termed as the enjoyable place in the house that represents a special relaxation of choice in the home. Designers want to make the bathroom that consumes the least possible energy & water, so we see that, the latest bathrooms are equipped with sanitary products like Faucets, showers, flush toilets that have the capacity to integrate flow controls of water for reduced water consumption. There are water & energy shortage problems in most of the places & I believe implementing these types of practices can give positive results to curb the problem of water shortage & huge drainage.

I you are thinking to upgrade your bathroom, avoid mistakes! I must say that think about tomorrow and make the bathroom more accessible. You can get the example of bathroom suites. Remember that in most of the places the deep tubs and sinks to the columns are outdated and not a matter of style. Give the priority to a new pool which allows you to sit outside showers or flat which is easy to enter, also a steam bath at the corner. Do small changes for maximum deco & try to make the bathroom look more spacious. A decent color polished concrete or ceramic tiles on the wall & floor. Soft towels & floor mats & you are done.

With the summer season, you want a fresh and healthy air to breathe and a patch of grass where you lie lazily. It begins with dream of a small house in the countryside and the charm of staying on the farm. To imagine an authentic home decor to feel closer to nature, to feel the benefits of the good country air! Who says country style do not necessarily mean rustic and outdated. You can get quite a sober, contemporary living room while giving it a more rustic spirit, more pleasant, more authentic, in a room warm and friendly.

For a country style lounge, you will need fabrics in natural and noble materials such as cotton, linen, leather. Unhesitatingly opt for the heavy and comfortable sofas and leather club chairs or imitation leather with antique effect. Decorate them with cushions in cotton or linen, with large squares for a rustic style or small flowers for a more rustic.

You would more imposing furniture solid oak, antique wooden or limed for an antique effect. If you want to stay in a fairly modern style, take a dresser with moldings straight enough sober. The same goes for the coffee table you choose, preferably with feet thick and solid. Prefer terracotta and stone for dressing your walls and your floor.

Nothing better than to accessorize your living room with themes like the chicken and the rooster. You can obviously find nice round ceramic statuettes have here and there but even better, you play on decorative objects made from chicken wire.