ArtaBerryHome Improvement Blog..

Anybody who has spent time, effort and money on their home will want it to be perfect for parties, gatherings and inspections. A clean, sleek and polished look is what many home owners are striving for as they prepare their property for guests. Whilst some people will frankly purchase decorative accessories to display around the home, others will ensure that the smallest of detail does not go unnoticed.

When expecting guests it is important to make sure that the temperature and lighting are at the correct level to ensure comfort. Lighting, on the other hand, can affect a person’s mood. Therefore there needs to be a substantial amount of natural sunlight filtering through a home during the day for it to appear fresh and comfortable.

The majority of department stores and furniture retailers now sell roller blinds that fit any standard size window at a reasonable price. Convenient, cheap and easy to install, these blinds are ideal for those who need a window treatment fast. However, made to measure roller blinds, although slightly more expensive, will make windows appear much more attractive.

The most noticeable problem with standard sized blinds is their tendency to let unwanted light seep through the fabric and the sides. Another disadvantage is their length. As windows vary dramatically in size, standard blinds will appear frumpy, crinkled and uneven when rolled down. This will not only be noticeable by guests and home owners but will also allow for passers-by to invade privacy.

Not only that but made to measure roller blinds are extremely helpful in keeping heating and energy bills down. Due to their shape and fit, these blinds are able to trap any cold air that enters a house through the windows, whilst also keeping warm air circulating through the room.

The amount of colors, designs and patterned blinds that can be purchased made to measure is huge so it won’t be difficult to find the ideal blind for a home. Plus, many retailers now offer quick delivery, some even promising next day delivery. We all want others to admire our home once in a while so it is important to purchase the correct size and colored furniture whilst also applying consistency.

Learning how to paint a room is a simple task once you  begin reading up on it. There is a lot to think about, but most of your painting task is simple enough. Doing it yourself is easy as long as you complete the proper preparation and follow a few guide lines,

Preparation Strategy
Planning is an important part of any task as it typically makes the job go more smoothly. Make your preparations prior to beginning any painting. Compose a list of all of the supplies you need to purchase. This should include the proper brushes, paint, painter’s chalk and tape, tarps, and cleaning supplies. Purchase all of the items at the same time so that you don’t forget anything.

Choose an area of the home for a landing station where you will keep all of your supplies. If the room that you are painting is large enough, simply use a small section of that room. If it is a small room, you might want to consider storing the majority of these supplies elsewhere.

Even though you are going to paint the room and the dirt would get covered, it is important to start with clean walls. Paint goes onto clean walls more easily. Plus, the walls will look nicer when the paint job is finished. Remove obstacles from the room to simplify the painting task. This includes blinds, drapes, lamps, wall hangings, knick knacks, and any furniture that might get in the way.

What Size Brushes and Rollers to Use?
For the best results when painting a room, you should have several types of brushes and paint applicators. For painting the walls, you can use a wall brush in any width between 3 and 5 inches, a paint roller, or a paint pad. Paint pads usually create less spattering.

For the ceiling, a paint roller with an extension handle is the easiest tool to use. The roller can also  be used to paint the walls. Consider buying a power roller that holds the paint in a reservoir to simplify this task. A paint pad on a wheel is perfect for painting the wall near the trim, ceilings, and corners. It allows you to paint on an angle, up to the edge, without getting any paint on the area that you are trying to avoid.

A smaller brush is needed in order to paint any trim work. Purchase one with a width of 1 inch if you  have narrow trim. You can also purchase trim brushes up to 3 inches in width depending on the size of your wall trim. Typically, this type of paintbrush is referred to as a sash brush.

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.

When decorating a room many things have to be considered; the colour scheme, the furniture and the type of window treatment to use. Roller blinds are extremely popular within households and are available in a variety of designs, colours and styles. However, you may still struggle to find the suitable one. You may have an idea in your head of a pattern or design that you want but just can’t seem to find anywhere. Then why not create your own?

DIY kits for roller blinds are available from most hard ware and retail stores which include step by step instructions as to how to do this. However, it is important to remember that the fabric needs to be bought separately. Visit clearance sales or look out for online deals on plain blinds. Remember to choose a colour that you are happy to be the background to your design whilst sticking to the colour scheme and décor of your home.

Measure both the width and the length of the window frame, jot it down and take it with you when purchasing the blind. It is essential to buy a roller that fits correctly to avoid the blind becoming wrinkled and untidy.

Methods
Appliques can be either bought or hand made. These allow you to cut out motifs, patterns or shapes and transfer them onto the blind. This can be done by either using double sided iron on applique fabric or glue. If using glue, be careful not to clump it in areas and ensure all edges are firmly stuck down onto the fabric as they will begin to fray after a while.

If using iron on appliques follow this route:
Iron a sheet of applique fabric onto the back of the purchased fabric and cut out the desired shape or design. Either follow the instructions on the DIY kit or place the patterns onto the roller blind fabric using a hot iron. (It is important that you check whether the roller blind you are using is suitable for ironing). Repeat this method for each blind you wish to customise.

Ink prints, stamps and fabric can all be used to decorate your roller. These can either be bought or hand-made. Household objects such as soap, potatoes and wood can all be used to carve out the desired shape you wish to implement. Simply dip the stamps into the paint, allow the excess paint to drip off and press firmly onto the blind to pattern.

Ideas
A particular favourite amongst households is the use of leaves and flowers. Use an applique or stamp to transfer the leaves or flower heads and then, using a thin paintbrush, carefully create stems for added effect. If decorating a children’s room, why not use their hands as a stamp instead? That way a room can be personalised whilst also clean and polished.

Painting or creating your own custom-made roller blinds can also be a great way of sprucing up old and tatty window treatments. With a thorough clean and a little extra detail, these old and lifeless blinds will be transformed into delightful centre pieces for any room within your home.

Strong presence in the new decorating trends, the 1950s were on the rise. Red Edition offers us a good start for a 2012. Simple shapes, wood and a Scandinavian-inspired, here is the legacy of the 1950s found in many contemporary furniture. Red Edition and remembered it to create his latest Sofa Design 50. With a length of 210 cm and a height of 83 cm, this sofa is first of all great! It can comfortably accommodate 3 people and therefore suitable for a large enough room. The design is simple without being simplistic. We note the work done at the base in an aesthetic. The structure is made of acacia wood.

Next color, the sofa Design 50 ‘is displayed in neutral colors. Very consistent with contemporary design. Mottled version, there are beige, gray, chocolate, black and anthracite chine. In more traditional version, it has the choice of beige, beige and chocolate.

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