ArtaBerryHome Improvement Blog..

The use of stencils can bring colour and interest to even the plainest of walls They can add additional colour to blend in with the colour scheme of a room, or they can help to expand a “theme’ in a children’s bedroom. Stencils are performed by the use of a template and are available in many different designs You can purchase them from most  DIY stores, art and craft shops and through the internet. Alternatively, you can buy sheets of pre-drawn stencils that you can cut out yourself, or you could even  design your own

Before you begin stencilling, you will need to look at the surface of your walls. Stencilling works best on flat paint surfaces, wood and non-vinyl wallpaper. Think carefully about the stencil design you have chosen, as some stencils are obviously going to be easier than others Some will require more than one color of paint,  which could be very fiddly if it is your first attempt at stenciling – even though stencil paints do dry quite quickly.

Always try your stencil out on a piece of paper before you start, to ensure that it is going to give you the desired effect. Once you are happy with the effect, you will need to consider the pattern area on the wall and then mark it out using your stencil and a pencil. Then carefully tape your stencil to the wall to hold it in position – check that the tape is not going to ruin your wall surface first.

Ifyou are using the same colour you can use a roller brush, but it may be easier to use a paintbrush or special circular brush, which is designed for stencil painting. This brush will help to get the paint into all the corners more effectively. Take care not to get too much paint on the brush in case it runs down and do not move the stencil to the next position until the paint is dry, or you make risk smudging your design.

Home owners and decorators alike know just how much style a window treatment can lend to a home’s decor. With this in mind, many are now opting for the modern and sophisticated style of Roman blinds. Like the name implies, Roman blinds have been around for centuries. Their popularity continues to grow, namely because of all the wonderful benefits Roman blinds have to offer when compared to traditional window treatments.

Roman blinds are available in a variety of materials, each one lending its own element of style and purpose to any home. Roman blinds come in vinyl, plastic, fabric, and even bamboo. All varieties of Roman blinds can be raised and lowered vertically, either manually or remotely. With an unlimited range of colours and textures, any room in any home can be magically transformed with the addition of Roman blinds.

There are two main types of Roman blinds. These are louvered blinds and single-panelled blinds. Louvered blinds are reminiscent of the traditional blinds in many homes. There are multiple horizontal slats that can be opened or closed by turning a rod, and they can be raised and lowered vertically with a pull cord or remote control. When raised, the slats “stack” on top of one another in order to customize the amount of light entering the room. Single-panelled Roman blinds are one all one piece and are generally made from fabric. Either option has the capability to transform a room or an entire home, yet remains versatile and functional enough to become anyone’s window treatment of choice.

Style is an important factor in choosing a window treatment. Fabric Roman shades come in a range of contemporary styles, colours, and patterns. Plastic and vinyl versions come in any colour imaginable, while bamboo shades lend a style all their own to any home. Any Roman shade can be custom made from nearly any material in any colour, and they can be fitted to any size and style window. Because there are so many choices, there are Roman shades for any budget. Manually operated Roman blinds are generally less expensive than their remote-operated counterparts. Bamboo tends to be more expensive because of the materials themselves, and because of the difference in the way they are manufactured.

Roman blinds are available in just about every home furnishing store. There are also internet websites that specialise in window treatments, and even a few that only deal with Roman blinds. This may be a great option for the highest levels of customization, but after shipping costs, may be more expensive than purchasing pre-packaged styles and sizes of blinds.

Roman blinds are definitely one of the most stylish options available for window treatments today. They are affordable and practical, and are very easy to install and clean. Virtually infinite numbers of patters, colours, and shapes provide the highest level of customization in any home. Changing the decor of any home can either begin or end with the selection of window treatments, and Roman blinds are always a wonderful choice.

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.

Why is the reading area should have a boring look at most of the houses? If same is true for your home, it’s time to infuse this space with a little imagination and creativity. A Spotlight on a library steeped in fantasy comics.

Arranging the space
Aligning uninteresting books on shelves identical and classic is over. It replaces the old wooden library shelves to a dusty trendy library, suggestive of a new storage & deco shelf. With disproportionate shelves and geometric, Manga, comics and novels seem to be moving to captivate your attention.

Create an atmosphere full of fantasy
Within the library, the watchword is to alternate. Some boxes or shelves are for books and albums, while on others, there must be some space for accessories. The wall is also not immune to this bias Deco. Tables comics pop art comic posters or Magnetic stickers as bubbles to write in chalk on a board, cheer up the wall. The final touch? An armchair, a carpet and some cushions decorated with designs of comics reading and invite you to relax, & you are done.

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.