Interior Designer Victoria Hagan Captures Comfort and Style With Quiet Sophistication

Interior Designer Victoria Hagan Captures Comfort and Style With Quiet Sophistication

Interior Design Decoration

To be truly inspired for interior design ideas, one has only to look at the interiors by Victoria Hagan. One of the top New York interior designers today, Hagan's interiors epitomize refined sophistication and exhibit her talent for combining various styles. Her interiors showcase her ability to balance the old with the new and to create spaces that are full of texture, harmonious color and strong silhouettes. Interior designer Victoria Hagan captures comfort and style with quiet sophistication.

Victoria Hagan graduated the Parsons School of Design in 1984 and began an internship with designer Simone Feldman. This relationship led to a partnership up until Feldman's death in 1991. At that time, Hagan opened her own design firm and has been recognized by many as one of the leading interior designers. She was inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 2004 and has been listed in Architectural Digest's "Top 100."

In 2002 Hagan introduced a line of furniture, fabric and accessories that represents the inspiration that she finds in the people and places around her. She refers to her collections as the "new American classics." Victoria Hagan's designs illustrate her trademark tailored upholstery, strong silhouettes and innovative textures.

When implementing Hagan's style into your own home think simple, comfortable and interesting. You won't see an overabundance of embellishments. What you will see is an expert use of color, clean lines, interesting textures and the unexpected. You won't see one particular style of furniture or décor. What you will see is an eclectic mix that is well blended.

Hagan's interiors seem to be filled with light and have a well-balanced blend of comfort and style. Texture is definitely a trademark of the designer's, whether it is achieved with a luxurious throw, a unique piece of art, a decorative pillow or even the upholstery.

When you work with texture and concentrate on the scale of furniture, color should be used with discretion. That's not to say a room should be boring. Certainly, Hagan's interiors are far from boring. However, they exude a restful respite from overwhelming color proving that a dash of color in an unexpected form or place more than makes up for a roomful of overindulgence.

The trick to capturing the essence of Victoria Hagan in your own interiors is to keep it sophisticated, subtle and mix it up a bit. Choose neutral wall colors, blend subtle upholstered pieces for a sophisticated look and accessorize for touches of texture, color and interest. You would be surprised what a few interesting pillows will do for a sofa.

Don't be afraid to mix styles. It's okay to blend a contemporary acrylic coffee table with a traditional style modular sofa. That antique desk of Uncle Bob's would fit beautifully next to that upholstered club chair. The modern art sculpture that you just had to buy at that new gallery in town will work its magic as your "something unexpected."

Above all, make your space livable and make it yours. Add your treasured collections or furniture pieces. Keep the space uncluttered, enabling you to move freely about in total comfort. Experiment with different arrangements of furniture and accessories, as well as with mixing styles. Use Victoria Hagan's own mantra as your guide, "the beauty is in the mix." Above all else, take a cue from Hagan's approach to decorating: keep it fun. That's advice you can use from one of the top New York interior designers.

Spanish Interior Design - Step Into the Sunshine!

Spanish Interior Design - Step Into the Sunshine!

Interior Design Decoration

Do you want to make a wonderful, colourful statement in your home?

Have you ever holidayed in Spain? If so, I am sure you will be familiar with the fresh and vibrant Mediterranean style. Think about sun-kissed, rustic Spanish villas, slow, sleepy siestas, excitement-filled fiestas, and a good, old-fashioned sense of family.

This bold and colorful look will bring a really vibrant, warm and friendly feel to your home. Buzzing with energy, but at the same time, a warm and comforting place, to hold you in the bosom of your family.

This is a look which is as easy to achieve, as it is to live with. Just follow these few, simple guidelines.

Walls

Try a textured, rustic style wall, for a really authentic Spanish interior design look.

Combine this with beautiful, vibrant colors, to fill your home with Spanish sunshine style. Choose Mediterranean type colors for your look - red, orange, blue, green, brown, turquoise, terracotta, peach and pink. Use a neutral base of black and white to lighten and freshen the colors, and stop it all becoming too much of a jumble!

Flooring and Furniture

Carpet and Spanish interior design don't really go -so try to stick to a hard floor for the most authentic Spanish feel. Hardwood flooring, stone, or terracotta or ceramic tiles will all look great.

Soften the look up a little - and keep your toes warm! - by including plenty of rugs, in warm, rustic styles and tones.

The Spanish interior design look is quite simple and uncluttered - so go for a few basics of furniture, in a good quality, rustic style. Look out for dark woods, and a slightly distressed or worn finish.

If you want to go a touch more elegant, try some more decorative pieces with ornate wrought iron features.

Accessories

Wrought iron is a good look for accessories, as well as for furniture. Try chandeliers, wall-sconces and candlesticks, as well as beautiful, decorative wall-art, made from wrought iron. It will make a really unusual focal point for your room.

Also consider textile wall-hangings and tapestries - this gives a really warm look (ideal for chillier parts of the world!) and an air of real old-fashioned elegance - you know the kind - that comes without really trying...!

Religious paintings and statues (in a classic, old Catholic style) will also help you to get an authentic, elegant look in your room.

Look out for pieces of beautiful rustic, Spanish pottery - in plain terracotta, or in vibrant colors and glazes. These will give a simple, friendly, family feel to your home.

The Spanish interior design style is a great look to go for. It will give you a wonderfully bright, vibrant, warm and friendly feel to your home. It is a very dramatic look, really reminiscent of the sunny, relaxed Spain of your holidays.

Things To Consider Before You Start Your Bedroom Interior Design Project

Things To Consider Before You Start Your Bedroom Interior Design Project

Interior Design Decoration

In the world of home interior decorating, bedroom interior design is the single most commonly attempted project. As the room that you'll spend a great amount of your time at home in, it makes sense - even if most of the time you are there, you will be sleeping!

You may wake up and decide you don't like the color, or you don't like the furnishings, or that you want things oriented in a different way. Either way, you want to recognize which elements of your current bedroom layout you want to change, and use that for your baseline.

Now you might want to come up with a budget. It doesn't have to be excessive, you can simply paint and rearrange furniture for a new look. Storage space is one thing to consider when redoing yoru bedroom. Several innovative solutions - such as cabinets that can hang in a closet, stackable wooden storage crates with doors that face out, and shelving units can help with that, as can simply arranging the furniture to clear more floor space in the walk way areas - it doesn't matter how much space is in your closet if it's inconvenient to get to.

In order for your bedroom design plant to flow smoothly, it's important to take the time to plan the room out. You might try getting some design software to help you figure out just where to place everything. Decide if you want your bedroom to match the overall décor of the house, or if, being a private sanctum, it's allowed to develop its own ambiance and style.

Next, pick out color schemes and patterns. As always, darker colors make a room seem larger, as they recede from vision, while brighter colors make the room seem more stimulating and friendly - a handy set of adjectives when one has to get up in the morning! Consider the lighting carefully - you want a bright overhead or recessed lighting but also accent lamps for a more romantic glow. When shopping for bedding, window treatments and carpeting make sure you choose items that have at least 1 matching color - this will help pull the room together and give it a professional look.

Think about replacing accessories and furniture to get the interior design you want - in particular, wall art, knick knacks, lamps and chairs. Consider colors and themes that go with the rooms overall design, and look for utilitarian advantages, such as a cedar chest for the foot of the bed, or headboards with shelves on them for reading lights, alarm clocks and books. If you want a TV in the room, you will have to plan it so that it is situated in an area that is comfortable for viewing from the bed - putting the TV remote on a tether tied to the head board can also be useful.

The Importance Of Lighting In Interior Design

The Importance Of Lighting In Interior Design

Interior Design Decoration

How you light your house is an important part of redecorating. A change in the lighting can change how the room is viewed. Lighting interior design contributes greatly to the look and feel of a room. There are many types of lighting which can be used in various rooms. We are no longer restricted to a few lamps around the room.

Ambient lighting is a hidden light source that washes the room with a glow. This creates very few shadows and tends to flatten a room. Japanese paper lanterns and wall sconces both produce ambient lighting. For temporary ambient effects, use a dimmer with your ordinary lighting.

Accent lighting provides interest to a room. This method of lighting interior design highlights and object or architectural feature. To use accent lighting, you only need a bulb and a shield to direct the light to the desired focus. Halogen spotlights and opaquely shaded table lamps both provide accent lighting.

Another kind of lighting used in interior design is task lighting. This is a more practical lighting strategy, highlighting an area for daily activities such as reading, cooking, and sewing. Effective task lighting prevents eyes strain and helps with the performance of vital activities. The kitchen is a particularly good place to incorporate task lighting in your interior design. Task lighting sources should be unobtrusive and shielded to prevent glare. Task lighting can be effectively combined with accent lighting to produce lovely effects.

Some lighting can be a work of art in and of itself. Aesthetic lighting is purely decorative, such as a neon sculpture or a spotlight illuminating a statue or painting. This type of lighting must not be used alone, but accompanied by other lighting strategies in your interior design.

Of course, no survey of lighting interior design would be complete without a mention of natural light. Rooms can be arranged to take advantage of the position of the sun at different times of day. This type of lighting is also called kinetic lighting because the light from outside moves. It is one of the less reliable types, as it is affected by the seasons and the weather, but natural lighting can produce an effect unequaled by any artificial light source when used properly.

Lighting is an important tool in your design collection. The way you do your lighting interior design affects the perception of any room. Lighting is also versatile. Using several strategies at once in a room allows you to turn any of them off, changing the look and feel with the flick of a switch. This can be effective for creating different moods in different rooms at night.

Timeless Decor and Furniture Pieces: Interior Design That Lasts

Timeless Decor and Furniture Pieces: Interior Design That Lasts

Interior Design Decoration

Like in the fashion world, trends in the interior design world come and go. Of course, just like in the fashion world, there are certain pieces and decorating ideas that are timeless. Fortunately though, trends in the interior design world tend to last just a little bit longer than they do in the fashion world. These classics come back year after year and never look dated or out-of-style. Plus, these pieces can be mixed with current trends to keep your overall look updated and fresh without having to remodel entire rooms or reupholster existing larger pieces.

Furniture

Furniture tends to be the largest purchases you make for each room, excluding the kitchen and bathroom. Therefore, it's important that you make furniture purchases that will last you several years.

To do so, interior designers everywhere, including those big-time New York interior designers or San Francisco interior designers, recommend choosing furniture that feature clean, simple lines. This means choosing sofas that feature clean lines or tables and chairs that feature simple, clean lines. It's all about the lines!

Then, you can pair your timeless sofa or dining chairs with funky new prints on pillows or seat cushions for a fresh, unexpected twist. This is how you create a room that always seems up to date, despite the fact that you may have purchased that sofa 7 years ago. Remember, good decorating ideas aren't spur of the moment--they're planned and well thought out.

Color Balance

Timeless interior design also features a good color balance between neutrals and color trends. To do this, your large main pieces should be in neutral colors. This allows you to choose accessories in different colors and even paint your walls bright, funky colors. Remember, a gallon of paint typically costs less than $20, so it's not too expensive to replace those bright pink walls. It is, however, expensive to reupholster a bright pink sofa.

For example, your sofa could be black, white, beige or any shade of brown. These colors will work best when you change the paint in the room from turquoise blue to poppy red. Neutral colors will also hep you make your color trend of the moment pop when it comes to the accessories you've chosen.

Personality

Last but not least, remember that you need to infuse your own personality into the space. The truth is that timeless pieces and decorating ideas are simply that: ideas and concepts. Without infusing a little of your own personality, the space may feel boring and in some instances, a little dated. Good interior design works with you, not against you! So, be functional, be visually appealing, be timeless and be yourself.

Home Bedroom Interior Design

Home Bedroom Interior Design

Interior Design Decoration

Often times the bedroom is one of the last rooms to be decorated. You'll usually focus on the spaces that need a huge remodel such as that kitchen or bathroom. Plus, you want to focus in on the living room where your guests will be. However, the right bedroom interior design can help you sleep better and totally change your mood. It can be that finishing touch to your house as well as your secret getaway. You can accomplish this without spending a lot of money if you just follow these few tips.

One of the keys to bedroom interior design is to pick a defined style. Your style might just be a specific color or a feeling such as a spa retreat. Of course, you can also go with the basic decorating themes such as Tuscan, shabby chic, country, and traditional. Designing with a theme is really a great way for a beginner to get started because it will really help dictate all of your choices from furniture to bedding.

Sometimes less is more. You may feel a little bit discouraged and think that you can't do bedroom interior design just because you don't have several hundred dollars to spend on a new comforter. However, if you already have the focal point in your room you can probably just get away with a plain comforter or a white goose down blanket. It's important not to get discouraged and just focus on what you do have. When you really open up your eyes and start refinishing items and using basic DIY skills such as sewing and painting you can create a designer look for less.

Compromise is another element of bedroom interior decorating. You'll probably have to talk to your spouse about the colors and overall style of the room. It's important to do give-and-take so the finished product is a space that you enjoy and want to live in. He might not be convinced about pink walls, but maybe he's okay with a vase of pink flowers on the table. Remember to work together so that the outcome is something that you can both live with.

You might not even need to bring in anything new to do your bedroom interior. You may just need to take items out of the room. You can scale down your nightstands or even eliminate them completely if you don't use them. Get rid of any bulky furniture pieces and replace them with more petite versions so you get all of the function without all the clutter. This will help small rooms to feel larger and also provides you a free way to decorate.

Guide to Online Interior Design and Decorating

Guide to Online Interior Design and Decorating

Interior Design Decoration

There are a bunch of tools available online that can really help you in the decorating world. This is a way to become your own interior designer. Design it so that you can save a lot of money. Here are a few tips and a basic overview of the different interior design tools that are available online and how to use them to really maximize your time and budget.

Use online interior design tools to find the perfect color. You'll need to be aware that the perfect paint color depends on the light and size of your space. However, you can get a pretty good idea of what your room will look like in various colors just by using a basic imaging program. Some of these tools are available online but you'll usually have to pay money to add your own picture in. You can combat this for free just by using your favorite photo editing software and masking off the walls of your room. This will give you a basic idea of what the color will look like in your space. Then you might notice that that pink rose paint really clashes with your hardwood floors. It allows you to have a little bit of a design perspective between you and your space.

Another invaluable source of online interior design information are all of the free magazines. If these magazines were delivered to your home you'd probably have to pay a few dollars a month and then figure out a way to store them. However, most of these magazines also have a corresponding website. You might even be able to access a lot of the same articles for free. You can just use basic of bookmarks to save all of the rooms that you love and be able to create a design inspiration portfolio without having to go through the hassle of cutting them out of magazines and gluing them into a binder.

The advantage when you choose to use online interior decorating is that you have people from all over the world who can help you. You can explore different forums and even show pictures of your space so you can get a lot of different input. All of these people will have different views and design styles and really give you a range of ideas and creativity to draw from. They can also keep you aware of pitfalls of different do-it-yourself projects, which is really invaluable information for the beginner. This really opens you up to an entire community of amateur designers. This way you don't feel like you're the only one that is facing that particular decorating dilemma because you can talk to people all over the world, some of which have probably already solved the problem for you.

Interior Design and Home Decoration - Basic Ideas

Interior Design and Home Decoration - Basic Ideas

Interior Design Decoration

Homes are decorated through interior design ideas thus turned into a place that invites and helps relaxing. Such ideas assist you on your way to designing a modern interior.

A wide area of your home is subject to interior decoration. Examples include carpeting, painting, tiling, furniture, wallpaper, lighting fixtures, paintings and other. The ideas for designing the interior of your home are always a subject of change and improvement. Nearly each day design styles that are new appear. Through them an individual expresses his vision of the home interior and his personal tastes in numerous ways.

To have a home that is large is not a necessity in order for you to have good furniture and fixtures. You can make it so that you adapt a limited space by integrating your bookcase within a wall thus saving a lot of space. Creativity is necessary should you desire a modern home. Next we'll talk about ideas concerning the modern design of the interior.

Have a basic idea what your room should look like before you start shopping. What is it that must be accomplished? Small details often rely upon basic features so start with them first. Shapes and lines should be taken into consideration. Find what qualities a particular room has. Examine the way textures help creating visual effects. Consider that a room that should gather the whole family probably will have to be full of children and even pets. A room that will host so much action perhaps will have different needs from a quiet room so it's worth considering the paint color, lighting and the fabrics used. If you begin with this in mind it might prove to be a method for decoration your home that is the most simple and economic.

You can start thinking about items such as furniture, lampshades, wallpaper and linens. When making your choice among them consider your budget too as you don't have to spend a fortune just to have it all. Having extra money at your disposal means you can go for wall moderation or even add an additional room.

Art deco is a style that is popular for interior design. In it most lines take angular fashion that look beautiful. The colors resonate.

Another popular design style is the Asian. Both colorful and bold it is used for effect to maximize a limited space. The wooden design is common for this furniture type and so are the details painted by hand. Often the accessories rely on featuring animals.

An interior design not so common is occasionally named an eclectic style. A variety of styles that differ make up for a unique look that adds creativity.

Things You Should Know About Interior Design and Decorating

Things You Should Know About Interior Design and Decorating

Interior Design Decoration

Budget is usually at the top of the list while making plans to decorate or redecorate your home. It is easy to look at a picture in a magazine and say you want your room to look like that. Sometimes the small finishing items in the pictures can be very expensive may pose a problem for your budget. There's no need to be discouraged because there are always alternate ideas to help you achieve your goal or vision. Resources such as magazines, books, television programs and Internet websites are very helpful with suggestions and ideas for interior decorating ideas. By using these mediums almost always you can find lower priced alternatives to any high priced obstacles you may come across while decorating your home. For instance, using silk plants and artificial flower arrangements instead of real ones will make a huge difference in the cost of purchasing and maintenance. If you're one that loves color there are numerous designs to choose from.

Rustic decorating is fascinating because it focuses on old and handmade type objects. This is the perfect opportunity to display your collectables and trinkets that have been handed down throughout the years. This style suggests using traditional style silk plants or items that may have the look of worn, distressed or antique finishes. If you're a person who fancies antiques, rustic interior decorating may be the fit for you. When choosing paint color for this type of design, darker and warmer shades are suggested. Deep grey or red brick works well in the area of this type of decor. Whimsical is another type of decorating you may find appealing. This type of design lets you go crazy with your imagination using any and all of your favorite colors. You should decorate you space thoroughly with all the colors of your liking, within the same color palette of course. The rule of thumb is if you choose daring bright colors you need to stay within that shade of color. If you decide to use pastel colors stay with colors in that pastel palette.

Traditional design may be for you if you find it hard to move entirely into the modern look of decorating. This decor style combines the modern look with the elegant look of earlier times. Space is the primary concern in this type of design. To help create a spacious atmosphere, colors such as beige or light cafe is recommended for the walls to give them a neutral look. To add a splash of color to the space, darker colors like burgundy, light purples, blues and greens are recommended for fabrics, rugs, etc. When picking out accessories china and crystal objects will compliment this style along with traditional silk plants and trees to fill in the empty corners where there is too much wall showing. You might also like to add some artwork such as paintings with wood frames or turn of the century pictures framed in dark wood.

These are just three of many design types you can choose from. There is one that is right for you and your space. Looking through some sources regarding interior decorating will give you a greater idea of the link between furnishings, flooring, color and accessories. Using your individual tastes and interests you should be able to find a style that works for you. Redecorating your home can transform it into a haven of elegance, enjoyment with a little imagination and a small budget.

The Cathartic Effect of Fountains Beyond Interior Design and Decorating

The Cathartic Effect of Fountains Beyond Interior Design and Decorating

Interior Design Decoration

We often search for peace and relaxation after we have wrestled with big responsibilities and exhausting tasks in the office. Most of us are looking for things or ambiance that will soothe our tired mind and body. Scientific studies show that aside from sleeping, there are several ways to calm and relax our body from stress. Are you one of those who always come home late from work and grapple with mental and physical strain? If you are, you have probably experienced staring at the office water fountains as you pass it by. It certainty makes you to stop and gaze upon it. You may never know the reason for its inducement but two things for sure, you are amazed and at the same time, appeased!

While there is a way of catharsis, many believed that water has the power to purge and cleanse our mind and our body. From the benefits of drinking it, water has therapeutic effects especially when it is flowing water. Asians especially the Chinese believe that flowing water from your indoor floor standing fountains is a lucky sign for continuous money and financial luck aside from the sanative noise it creates.

This belief has actually made a lot of people arrange fountains inside their homes not only for interior design and decorating purposes. Office water fountains may have built to correspond with this reason. Say, the Buckingham Fountain in Chicago, Illinois that is built in the heart of the city surrounded with business establishments or the Bethesda Fountain, one of the world's most popular fountains as the crown jewel of New York's Central Park. These fountains and many others in the world aim to give out the benefits of nature's healing capacity.

At home, you can definitely make this ambiance possible. By building an indoor floor standing fountains in your favorite part of the house, the dream of a calm and purging environment is now in your hands. The benefit of having your own fountain at home like those office water fountains is firstly an addition to indoor decoration and to refurbish your house with the state of equilibrium.

The calmness is felt when everything at home is ruled by sense of balance. Your aim of building one at home should be well planned and prepared. Fountain will not operate without electricity which means it should be built safely. Unsafe wirings of your fountain might cause fire. You may never want your house burn caused by your fountain, right? Or it may be the most ironic accident that could happen.

Creating Sumptuous Spaces - Tips on Interior Design and Decorating

Creating Sumptuous Spaces - Tips on Interior Design and Decorating

Interior Design Decoration

Our homes are our castles, our keep and refuge to which we return after doing battle with corporate dragons, traffic, bureaucratic brain scientists and recalcitrant nursery school tots. And how much more pleasant the experience when the space is to die for. And getting those spaces beautiful is one of life's great pleasures. There is nothing quite like a spot of interior design and decorating therapy to brighten the dingiest day.

Well, most of the time anyway. Sometimes things can really go badly wrong and slips between the drawing board and the paint bucket can cause some spectacularly unexpected and, well, interesting results. Never fear though, there a couple of basic pointers when it comes to decorating that can save the day.

Make your own choices. Although glossy house and home magazines can offer up tons of great ideas, your home is your space and anything you apply should center around your needs, taste and the constraints of the space itself.

Lighting and the effect of furnishings and features affects everything you put into a space, so don't choose fabrics, carpets etc. in the store. Ask for samples or swatches and check them in your home environment.

The same applies to colour. Don't choose paint in a store. Buy a sample and paint a small section of wall and assess the effect in your room. Also remember that texture plays a big role in how colours present themselves. Paint on a smooth wall will look subtly different when applied to a textured finish, particularly as light shifts through the area.

Don't crowd your walls. Unless you have absolutely no choice, don't allow furniture to hug the walls of a room. Group the furniture to create social space and don't be afraid to utilise the centre spaces. Walls are easier to maintain in this way as well.

Don't box yourself in. Points of entry and exit should never be obstructed and logical traffic flows should be left open. This not only makes for an easy flow through the area but facilitates cleaning.

Avoid trends. Trends are gone as quickly as they pop up. Stick with classic, timeless themes and quality furnishings. Neon animal print faux fur may be "in" today but will probably be a source of great embarrassment tomorrow.

Create focal points in an area. Any room benefits hugely from having a feature or furnishings that create strong focal attractions. Arrange the furnishings in the room to maximise the effect of that focal point. At the same time try and keep the focal attraction generic with wide appeal. Uncle Ernie's stuffed whale head is not a good idea for the living room wall.

Interior Design And Decorating - Economical Picture Frames

Interior Design And Decorating - Economical Picture Frames

Interior Design Decoration

People say that home is where the heart is. Therefore careful planning is essential for the success of our home because, after all, no matter the troubles and the obstacles we encounter everyday, we always come home and rest our weary bodies. Our homes are the picture of us and an expression of our individuality. In relation to this, there are elaborate houses with the best interiors and decoration while there are houses that are simple yet classy and beautiful. Whatever you like, the most important thing is that you are happy at the end of the day coming home and resting your exhausted body. There are others who seek the skills of interior designers to beautify their houses which will bring pleasure to the owner's eyes and that of the visitor while there are others that simply contemplate on their own ideas of interior designing and decorating. If you are on a budget constraint but still want to uphold the beauty of the house you are aspiring, you can choose picture frames as a good alternative to pricey decorations.

Frames can either be placed on surfaces like desks, tables and even on walls so choose your pick. Frames are casings of images such as photographs, paintings and drawings and they exist for the sole purpose of preserving the beauty of such while providing beauty to an empty wall, table or desks. You can choose from materials such as the classic gold, silver and bronze, woods, aluminum, plastics, seashells and other materials available.

Prices of picture frames depends on the size, colors, styles, shapes and materials used. First thing to consider is to determine the size you want like for instance you can choose from 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, 11x14 and 16x20. Good news for you, you can consider multiple picture frames as an efficient indoor decorating that is affordable at the same time beautiful. There are 3 openings, 7 opening and 9 openings available with various styles and colors according to your needs and the needs of your household. You can choose from vintage picture frames, bala picture frames, wooden picture frames, petal picture photo frame and other styles that you can be proud of.

If you specifically want pictures that can be mounted on walls, you can choose to consider wall picture frames as an efficient choice. Walls with frames will really spice up the look of your hallways and walls that will serve as your focal area. Simple houses with beautiful and appropriate frames will be appealing not only for you but for the people around. There are also colors, styles and sizes with different materials available according to your preferences. For instance you can choose from Dakota wall trapeze, family crossroads collage, vintage picture frames and other wall mounted frames.

Achieve elaborate interior design and decoration with the help of picture frames that are cheap and affordable but exhibits good results at the same time. You can find one in nearby stores but if you want unique ones you can search and look in the internet for more quality and beautiful works. Indeed, these frames will give beauty to your empty and dull desks, tables and walls not to mention the memories it can bring. Pictures that are well-preserved with the help of frames will certainly last a lifetime.

Interior Design and Decorating in Limited Urban Space

Interior Design and Decorating in Limited Urban Space

Interior Design Decoration

When new home owners try to picture out the interior design and decorating, they might cringe at the thought. Most people who can already afford their homes have set aside a budget for the interior design and decors but do not like the idea of having to plan and start the theme for their house. That is when the idea of hiring interior designers comes in handy especially when the owner has no background or idea of the right way to spice up their living space in the big metro.

The idea of limited space in urban homes is a reality. Most of these city houses have a few square feet spare for patios or small yards in the front or back. The idea of urbanized living space is to find a functional limited space and transform it into a chic but livable place for young professionals or starting couples. This can be challenging for lay persons who could only look at the confined area of small condos or apartments in the big city.

But with the development of decors that are affordable and easy to find, decorating your urban space can no longer be that of a hard work. Metal materials generally swamp decors sections in most shops since they are durable, malleable for easy designs, and look sophisticatedly modern. A great example would be metal wall clocks that can last for a long time, great in many interior designs, and modern pieces. Innovative décor companies also include organizer furniture and decors like the shoe rack and many others that can help your place more organized and spacious.

Cabinets and pantries are usually incorporated into the interior design of a room and seem to be concealed for the most part. The many compartments for the modern kitchen in most condos, for example, are placed underneath kitchen counters or overhead to strategically maximize the tight kitchen space. Good thing that most appliances are made in mini modes and are easily placed in small places around the kitchen. Targeting for a minimal but functional theme can truly help in maximizing the rest of the limited space in the condo or apartment units.

Getting the right kind of designer to do your design and décor can also be a great contributor for your urban zone revamp or start. Ask for recommendations from friends or families who have a great place to boast about and ignore the pricy tags of commended professionals who ask for too much for their service fees. Settle for a designer who can recommend lesser but not less creative alternative design schemes for your living space.

Remember that your living space and the interior design and decorating are essential to keep yourselves happy and calm in your own little private sanctuary. Couples should seriously consider the right designer to guide them in design and decors. Do not try to invest in novice designers who can disappoint you with too much enthusiasm and your place might end up looking like an art experiment. You must also stay clear of the most in demand designer to do your living space for you as they can end up doing too little for too much payment. Settle instead for someone who understands you concept and respect it no matter what.

Low Cost Interior Design and Decorating Tips

Low Cost Interior Design and Decorating Tips

Interior Design Decoration

Thinking of a home or office renovation, but worried about the cost of the interior designing and decorating? Do you think you can't afford to spend much on the interior designing but wish for an elegant make over for your room? You don't have to get vexed about not having too much money to spend on your decoration, because you can do a fabulous job of decorating your house without spending much of your pennies, if you do it wise.

Plan your budget
Low or high, you should always have a specific budget plan for your work, rather than saying 'I want the room's interior design to be done at a low cost it is better to have an idea of how much you are ready to spend. Coming to the correct value may not be possible but giving an almost accurate estimate will always help. Divide your budget under different task like, $ 100 for new furniture, $ 50 for paint etc rather than quoting the whole amount. But remember your budget plan should be realistic and should be strictly followed for a successful low cost interior designing.

Be the interior designer yourself
Hiring a firm or a specialist to do the makeover might give you a completely remarkable room or office, but remember the more established they are, the more you will end up paying them for the service alone. So it is best to take your imagination into play and come up with how much you are going to spent and what would have to be changed or introduced. You can refer articles in magazines or the internet to get ample ideas on how to do the job at minimum cost.

Shop low and wide
You are planning to decorate the interiors of the room, so it calls for full day fun shopping. Are you aware that most of the goods you buy at the branded Shoppe may be available at an unbelievably slashed price in local shops and auction houses? So take your time to hunt in the second hand shops, bargain market and any shop with a year ending sale or shop renovation sale sign board. You are going to hit on something great at an unbelievable price. But just getting the thing at a low price should not tempt you to buy it; you should buy only those things you came to shop for. Otherwise, the low priced shopping experience will turn to a conflicting one.

Get your things auctioned
If you are renovating the place, you may have to remove a piece of furniture, curtains and a lot of junk you may no longer require. Rather than shifting them to the storeroom, you can get these things sold at a low price to get a tip on your budget; you can either auction it or sell it to a second hand shop. Remember your stuff might not fetch much, but removing these will help you to de clutter the room and at the same time get a small raise on your budget. But if you are doing the interior designing and decorating from start, don't worry for not having anything to sell; you can have an option of choosing very wisely and designing the room afresh with no time loss.

Reuse your stuff
You can use a lot of things at hand in a novel and creative way to make the interior designing a fun and creative experience. You can make a cushion cover out of your old curtain by stitching together the pieces but while choosing the fabric, see to it that it either gives an arresting effect to the otherwise blunt room or else combine with the mood of it. You can also use an old piece of furniture and polish it to make a centrepiece of the room. Your grandmother's chest drawer can boast the main attraction in your drawing room if you space it well and take care to project it.

Decorative pieces
Decorative items and wall painting can come in any range and sometimes it may cost you a fortune. But it's not just costly decorative pieces and antique collections that can make your interior boast a good appearance. You can use a family portrait or a painting your little one did to give a new look to the walls. These paintings and photos don't just come free, they are worthless and just a good frame will do the job. Similarly you can also use decorative candles and gift pieces in a creative way to change the face of your room.

The Great Rewards of Interior Design and Decorating

The Great Rewards of Interior Design and Decorating

Interior Design Decoration

Interior design and decorating has been among the famous ways to improve the internal aspect of the house or any establishment. This practice of designing and decorating the interior of the house has become common and public since most if not all households desire that they live in a residence that provide them the best of comfort and security. Interior design and decorating primarily focuses on the improvement of the appearance or aesthetic of the furniture, design, decors, appliances, and other equipment inside the house.

Practically, interior designing and decorating improves not only the owner's satisfaction of living in the building but such practice also increases the market value of the house. Most houses have enormous price tag not only because they are strategically located or that their foundations are strong but also because the interior of the house has a magnificent appearance of strength, quality, and beauty combined. Thus, some houses have interiors that cost double than the structure itself since the appliances include an integrated 3D television, the sofa is classical, top of the line couch, and a complete set of home entertainment among others.

Among the different great benefits that interior design and decorating provides for the homeowners are the feeling of outstanding comfort and relaxation, the pride of owning such a splendid house, the certainty of higher market valuation in case of selling or mortgaging such property, and the security of having a safe and sound residential building. With the top of the line appliances and furniture arranged in the most elegant manner, the dwellers should undoubtedly enjoy every moment they are inside the house.

Having an elegantly designed and decorated home interior also boosts confidence and pride of the owner to invite guests and host parties. This gut comes from the satisfaction that the house is very prepared for such functions and can very well accommodate every desire of the guests. The homeowner will also enjoy the financial benefit of having a highly valued and appraised real estate property at his disposal. Interior design and decorating is but another form of investment in your housing unit. This ensures that your home does not only incur depreciation but also an upswing of its value in the market.

Finally, this practice updates the safety and lucky arrangements of the interior fixtures and decorations. The safety features of the internal aspect of the house are checked and upgraded with modern security equipment that suit the overall design concept of the building. In oriental practice especially that of the Chinese, the belief that the arrangements of furnitures and fixtures inside the house either attract or repel luck and fortune.

With all of these great promises and rewards of interior design and decorating, no wonder almost every household has an utmost interest and desire to redesign and redecorate their interior so that it suits and fits with one's standards of excellence, comfort, and style plus it also provides them advantages in the financial and fortune matters.

How to Find the Right Designer for Your Interior Design and Decorating Projects

How to Find the Right Designer for Your Interior Design and Decorating Projects

Interior Design Decoration

Looking for an interior designer or interior decorator can be overwhelming if you are not sure which designer you need for the scope or your project. Are you building, renovating or moving and need professional advice? Are you planning to sell your property and not sure how to get ready for the first inspection?

This document gives you answers to frequently asked questions in regards to interior design, interior decorating, colour consulting and property styling.

It will help you finding the right designer for your interior design and decorating projects and eventually create your individual style in your home.

What is the difference between an interior designer and an interior stylist?

You may have asked yourself this question already when facing a building or renovation project. Do I need an interior designer, an interior decorator, a colour consultant or an interior stylist?

The answer is that it depends on the scope of the project.

An interior designer is a skilled professional who is designing interior environments according to your briefing. The interior designer either modifies what already exists (renovation) or provides an entirely new design for a space (new build). In this case the interior designer works closely with the architect and comes in at an early stage of the project. Interior designers work either along a team in design firm or on their own.

What is the job of an interior stylist? An interior stylist is a designer or consultant in a field subject to changes in style, especially fashion or interior decoration. An interior stylist cultivates or maintains any particular style and in most cases stylist are finders, keepers and collectors of beautiful objects.

The interior stylist can help you finding your own style, creating beautiful interiors that are unique and meaningful. This can be achieved with the simplest things and does not have to be expensive. The only thing you need to do is keep your eyes open to beautiful things in nature, architecture, design, museums, art, exhibitions, books, textiles and travel. There is only one rule: Only collect or buy things that mean something to you!

How does a colour consultation work?

The colour consultation focuses on creating a colour scheme for a specific room or space or the whole house according to your briefing. A qualified colour consultant can help you with interior and exterior colour schemes.

Prior to designing a colour scheme for you the colour consultant should always talk to you about the mood and atmosphere you would like to achieve in your space. He will explain to you the differences between the paint companies and their products and choose the right product for your needs. After designing the colour scheme you will receive a written recommendation including a specification sheet and brushouts ready for your painter to start.

Why is it important to seek advice from a designer when choosing colours?

Colour is the most powerful tool when it comes to non-verbal communication and the design element that makes a space come alive. Colour brings individuality in a space and it is one of the most useful tools to master when finding your own style.

Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, says in her book Pantone Guide to Communicating with Color: "Among other uses, color stimulates and works synergistically with all of the senses, symbolizes abstract concepts and thoughts, expresses fantasy or wish fulfillment, recalls another time or place and produces an aesthetic or emotional response."

When choosing a colour for a room or house it is important to think about the mood and atmosphere you would like to achieve. Is it a dark room or flooded with natural light? In which direction is the room facing? How are the proportions? Do you live in a small apartment or a contemporary newly built house with open plan living areas? All this needs to be considered when choosing colours for a space.

If you are overwhelmed by the choice of colours available - yes, there are thousands on the market - how can you start finding your personal colour scheme?

For some people it is a longer journey, for others it comes more naturally. The most important thing is to take some time, open your eyes, walk around your home and absorb the colour combinations you see. Then start gathering all the pieces you love. This can be anything from old porcelain, travel souvenirs, photographs, artwork, clothes, tear sheets from magazines, fabric swatches, stationary, a collection of stones, feathers or glass objects.

And don't forget nature as inspiration for a colour scheme (interior or exterior). If you live near the ocean, shades of blues and greens can be used to link your interior with its surroundings. Flowers, butterflies, stones, shells, driftwood are fantastic inspirations for colour schemes.

Once you have gathered all your beloved treasures in one spot, play around with the pieces, group them by colours and you will see a colour palette emerge. This "moodboard" is a great starting point for your interior designer, interior stylist or colour consultant to help you creating an individual and personal space, a home that reflects who you are and a place that you love coming home to.

Stylist's tip: Before you start painting always buy a test pot and paint a large sheet of paper or cardboard (one square metre) with your colour. Tape it to the walls in your room and study it for a couple of days. Look at it in daylight and artificial light. This is very important as colours change depending on the light, the orientation of the room, other colours in the room and spatial elements like furniture and artwork for example.

What is the difference between a colour and a styling consultation?

The colour consultation focuses on creating a colour scheme for a specific room or space or the whole house according to your briefing. A qualified colour consultant can help you with interior and exterior colour schemes.

The styling consultation focuses on creating a certain (Your) style in your home or simply on answering all your questions about colours, style, furniture sourcing and placement, art sourcing and placement, displays of your collections, accessories, proportions in a space, lighting etc.

Again it is vital that the designer listens to what you would like to achieve (briefing) and makes sure that he understood what you want (debriefing). Don't let the interior designer or interior stylist talk you into something you don't like!

How do I maximise the output of my styling consultation?

Are you planning to colour, redecorate or renovate, but don't know where to start? Do you have lots of questions about colour schemes, furniture placement, how to display your collections, books or other beloved things? Are you not sure whether to redecorate with your old furniture and accessories or to renovate and create a new look? Do you need inspirations where to source furniture and accessories, second hand pieces or antiques?

If you prepare your first consultation with your stylist properly, you will get answers to all the questions you have. Here are my tips how to maximise the output from your styling or colour consultation:

• Be clear what you would like the outcome of the consultation to be.

• Decide which room or space you would like to focus on. Is it only one room or the whole house?

• Prepare yourself with tear sheets from interior design magazines like Real Living, Inside Out, Belle or Vogue Living. There are plenty on the market so choose the one that speaks to you most and start collecting pages of everything you like: colour schemes, furniture, accessories, room layouts, rugs, flooring, wallpaper, decorative items and everything that speaks to you. If you do this for a couple of weeks you will clearly see what you like and find your own personal style.

• Keep your eyes open to the beautiful things around you: nature, architecture, design, museums, art, exhibitions, books, textiles and travel.

• Make sure that your stylist is listening and explain what you want to achieve with your styling project, what you would like a room to do for you and what mood you would like to create in your space.

And finally one of the most important things: Don't let the stylist talk you into something you don't like! You have to live in the space and you need to feel comfortable and at home! It is all about creating your home with your personal touch.

How do I find my own style?

The answer is as simple as this: explore the world around you and appreciate the beauty that lies within everything you discover!

Keep your eyes open and your mind excited! Discover and appreciate the beauty that surrounds you every day! Find inspiration in nature, buildings, shops, exhibitions, museums, art, events, markets, magazines and of course books.

One of my favourite books I spotted in a museum shop is called: How to be an explorer of the world by Keri Smith. On the back it says: "At any given moment, no matter where you are, there are hundreds of things around you that are interesting and worth documenting."

A stylist's tip: always carry a little notebook and a pen with you in order to be able to sketch, doodle and write down what you discover.

Keep all your findings, notes and pictures in a folder or box and keep searching for at least four to eight weeks. Then start to group things by colour or theme and you will discover what your style is. And there are no rules. It is all about finding what you like!

Books for your inspiration

This is a list of books that I personally own and love! They are all a fantastic source of inspiration and creative ideas for your home.

Sibella Court: Bowerbird

Shannon Fricke: Sense of Style

Megan Morton: Home Love

Holly Becker: Decorate

Susanna Salk: Be Your Own Decorator

Geraldine James: Creative Walls

Hans Blomquist: The Natural Home

Is it necessary to seek advice from a stylist when I want to sell my property?

If you plan to sell your house it is worth investing in a styling consultation. A professional property stylist can help you to achieve maximum impact when presenting your home to potential buyers. A property stylist will help you to get ready for the first inspection by giving you advice on how to style your house with what you have. He will help you with colour schemes that attract potential buyers. He will also advice if you need rental furniture to style each room according to its function and help potential buyers to envisage themselves in the space. Property styling is all about creating a wow factor in key areas of your home and help the buyers to envisage themselves in your space. Once the styling is done don't forget to book your stylist for the real estate photography shoot to make sure everything looks perfect on this day!

Interior Design and Decorating

Interior Design and Decorating

Interior Design Decoration

Have you ever known or met a person that just as a natural gift for interior decorating and designing?  Those people don't even have to go to any special school to learn this trade; it is just within them!  However, if you are not one of those gifted souls and would love to learn this trade, for the intrepid interior designer and decorator there are many career choices.  Some people prefer working as a general interior designer and decorator.  Others prefer to specialize in one kind of designing and decorating such as those shown in southern home designing and decorating or perhaps the western interior designing decorating theme.

Office interior decorating and decorating has lots of different specialties for example: blue print drawing, hallway design or lobby desigtning decorating etc.   It is important to remember the goal of designing and decorating an office that would make the the clients and employees environment feel more at home than instead of a work space.

If you choose to a specialized field of interior design and decorating there are some downsides you need to be aware of.   Most important to remember if you limit your scope for a certain specialized area of interior design and decorating, you are also limiting your number of clients.

There are also upsides to specializing in one particular area of interior design and decorating.  Due diligences will be an asset in helping you make a name for yourself and perhaps become one of the top few interior designers and decorators in your specialized area of expertise.

Interior design and decorating is a specialized career with many opportunities.  If you have natural creative and artistic talent this is a great way to express your personal creativity. ~Anthony Benjamin~

Anthony Benjamin is an avid world traveler, lover of nature and animals. He loves to write and share his wealth of information and adventures in his writings.

Cheap Interior Design and Decoration

Cheap Interior Design and Decoration

Interior Design Decoration

Most people spend a lot of money for the interior design. Sometimes even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Can someone make a beautiful interior design and decoration without spending a lot of money? Of course he can. I do not claim that the result will be the same with an interior design made by a professional and getting the most expensive furniture, but you can have a "good" result with just a few money. Some people take loans in order to decorate their house. This is unacceptable for me.

Here are some ideas for cheap decoration and interior.

1) Take a used sofa and get some nice covers. It will look very nice, believe me. Even if the sofa is partially damaged nobody will notice. But you must be careful just to be comfortable, and not to be damaged and have problems when someone is going to sit. I am talking about visual damages that will be covered by the covers.

2) Use many pictures on your wall to fill it instead of getting expensive furniture. A picture can replace a lot of things. It also makes the room look bigger as it does not require any space. In children rooms and bedrooms you can even use cheap posters. Posters also have the plus that you can put on the wall whatever you like, for example your favourite singer or band, your favourite team etc.

For the living room it is not good to use posters. You need normal pictures with frames. But don't worry there are also cheap pictures, unless you want to buy an original painting. But why should you do that? who will understand if the painting is original or not. Unless you invite in your house art experts. But even in this occasion you can not impress them anyway without spending a lot of money, so concentrate on the appearance and the interior design.

How to choose a picture for your living room and how to place it is an other topic that will need time to mention now. If you want to see more you can visit my website and find completely free interior design and decorating ideas. I don't try to make money from that, just share my ideas. Maybe you should also have a look there. And remember do not spend money if you don't have money. You can make wonderful things with just a few hundreds dollars!