Adding Style & Personality to Apartment Walls

Last Updated on Monday, 17 May 2010 05:05 Written by admin Monday, 17 May 2010 05:05

Blank walls can cause a design mental block for anyone, but for apartment dwellers, the challenge can be especially daunting. Many apartment renters are restricted from painting or wallpapering and being surrounded by all white walls feels impersonal and inhospitable. But there are ways to bring interest, color and personal style to apartment walls without violating the lease agreement. Here are some solutions and suggestions.

Add Texture and Color with Tapestry Wall Hangings

Choose colorful fabric tapestry wall hangings to bring style and texture to your walls. Whether you love the look of an open air café in France or an abstract geometric design, a woven fabric tapestry gives the appearance of a wall mural and has large scale impact. Fall in love with a tapestry and make it the focal point of your room that will influence your other furniture and accessory choices. Best of all, when it’s time to move you can simply take the tapestry down, roll it up and take it with you.

Original Paintings

Rather than decorate with framed prints that are massed produced, shop at galleries or art shows for original paintings that will lend an air of permanence and sophistication to your apartment. An investment in quality art never goes out of style and if you choose pieces that you absolutely love they will be appropriate in any future home as well. A large original painting hung over a sofa or used as a focal point is an excellent choice that will inspire the rest of your decor.

Wrought Iron Wall Decor adds Drama

Wrought iron wall decor is available in every imaginable price range and style. It has the unique ability to add depth and dimension to a wall and underscore any theme. The black matte finish of wrought iron will unify a color scheme. You can choose pieces that are ornate and elegant or streamlined and minimalist, with a flair that can range from traditional, to colonial, to ethnic or modern. Choose a large piece for a focal point or add accents of wrought iron in wall clocks, sconces, wall grates, mirrors, frames, decorative wall hooks and shelves.

Decorative Wall Clocks

A decorative wall clock is an often overlooked option in wall decor, but let it be a focal point and you’ll be amazed at the elegance and polish it will bring to your plain white walls. Large enough to stand alone, wall clocks can be used above a hall table or sofa. Or choose a smaller decorative wall clock and make it part of a grouping that includes wall sconces and candles, a wall shelf, wall plant vases or framed mirrors. For example, a large English train station wall clock in black and parchment can make a country statement when combined with tin and mirror wall sconce, or it can take a casual approach when hung off center above a buffet or desk.

Metal Wall Art

Add depth, shadow and interest to your walls with metal wall art. Any style of decorating can be enhanced with these three-dimensional works of art. When combined with wall sconces or even candlelight from below, metal wall art glistens and creates an interesting silhouette, making it easy to create a focal point in a living room, bedroom or entry. Available in any theme or style, metal wall art adds color as well. You will find in a variety of hues that will accent any color scheme and style preference.

How to decorate a home

Last Updated on Sunday, 16 May 2010 07:01 Written by admin Sunday, 16 May 2010 07:01

It’s not uncommon to overlook decorative details when it comes to the master bedroom. Because it is not a public space, it is often not a priority when it comes to stretching decorating dollars. But it is possible to add style to the bedroom and make it more that a unadorned space that serves basic functions by providing a bed, a closet, a dresser and little else. Your home is your sanctuary, especially in these trying economic times, and your bedroom is the intimate space in your home. It should be clean and conducive to rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. Whether you live alone or are part of a couple, here are some timeless items that can bring style and beauty to your master bedroom walls without costing a fortune.

Wrought iron wall decor adds style and dimension

Wrought iron is a great classic choice in a bedroom because it not only adds style, it adds dimension to your walls. If you love the look of Tuscan decor or Old World style, wrought iron wall grills, framed mirrors, and wall sconces fit right in. But they are also a great choice for contemporary or casual looks. The simple matte finish of wrought iron accentuates a sleek modern decor or can give your bedroom the breezy cottage look of a California bungalow. Because wrought iron works with any decorative style or theme, it will complement the furnishings you already have.

Metal wall art works with any theme

From tropical to nautical, cottage to contemporary, you will find metal wall art to complement your personal sense of style or your favorite theme. Create a focal point over the bed with a large piece of metal wall art that will bring texture, shape and color to your bedroom. Many pieces incorporate candle holders or can be accented with harmonizing candle sconces. Adding fragrant candles to any bedroom is a wonderful way to bring in aromatherapy and the romance glow of candlelight.

Go beyond the basics with a decorative wall mirror

A mirror is a necessity in a bedroom but it can also be a beautiful decorative piece. Incorporate a pair of wall candle sconces with a wall mirror to reflect candlelight throughout the master bedroom. Place an elaborately framed mirror above a traditional dresser or make a modern statement with a large perfectly round mirror hung above a low bureau or console. Combine a wall mirror with a wall shelf to make an elegant statement: Hang the mirror so that appears to be resting on the shelf and group candles, sea shells, or collectibles in front of and beside the mirror.

Create groupings for impact

Add to your options and style factor by combining new elements with items you already have. For example, if you have a striking painting or framed print in the bedroom accent the space next to it with metal wall vases or pockets that can be left as is or filled with dried flowers or artificial blooms and foliage. Interesting platters or dishes, whether new or vintage, are just the right size for accenting larger wall art. They can also be displayed on a shelf or ledge or arranged along the arched outline of a curvaceous headboard.

Adding Chandelier Lighitng to Your Home and Installing

Last Updated on Friday, 14 May 2010 09:07 Written by admin Friday, 14 May 2010 09:07

Copyright (c) 2009 Julia Ritzenthaler

Once you purchase your new wrought iron chandelier, you need to decide who will install it. Consider your skills and determine if you are going to take on the installation yourself or if you would feel better having a professional do it. For information on how to install a large wrought iron chandelier, read on below.

You will need several parts and tools to install a chandelier. Of course you need the chandelier itself and all of the parts that come with it. You will also need a step ladder, a metal outlet box, wire nuts, a small wood strip, an expandable bracket (typically used for ceiling fans), a circuit tester, and a small bracket that has bolts attached. The tools needed are pliers, an adjustable wrench, wire cutters, wire strippers, a putty knife, a drywall saw, a carpenter’s pencil, a power drill, drill bits, a flat-head screwdriver, and a Phillips screwdriver.

For the metal outlet box, select a box used for ceiling fans, a standard ceiling outlet box will support a fixture weighing less than 30 pounds. A metal box for ceiling fans will support a fixture up to 60 pounds.

Step 1: Turn Off the Power

Any time you work on a do-it-yourself electrical project, be sure to turn off the circuit breaker before beginning. Test the circuit with a voltage tester to be certain the power is off.

Step 2: Remove Existing Lighting Fixtures

Before you can install your new wrought iron chandelier, you’ll need to remove any lighting fixtures that already exist in the desired location. This involves exposing the electric box by removing the canopy and then disconnecting any wires. Remember, if your new chandelier is more than 30 pounds, be sure to change the box out for a 60 pound box.

Step 3: New Electrical Box Installation

For this, the first thing you need to do is use your carpenter’s pencil to draw a circle in the exact location where you plan to install the wrought iron chandelier. Use the drywall saw and cut out the circle. Next you’ll need to install the electrical box using the expandable bracket and small bracket.

Step 4: Wiring

This step involves connecting the wires. You’ll need to thread them through the electrical box. Then separate the wires and remove about a half inch of the insulation with the wire strippers. After this is done, the wires can be connected.

Step 5: Hole Patching

Now you need to patch the hole where your old fixture was. Take a wood strip that iss wider than the hole, put it up inside the ceiling or wall to cover the hole and glue it down and then cover with a sheet rock patch.

Additional Tips:

Make sure that your new chandelier fits the scale of the room nicely. You can adjust the level at which the chandelier hangs to help it fit the room better.

Don’t forget that, after installation, a chandelier requires regular maintenance. You will need chandelier cleaner to properly care for your light fixture. You need to turn off the power to the fixture before you clean it. Cover the bulbs with baggies secured with rubber bands, this protects the fixture from cleaning solution running down into the electric parts of your chandelier.

Spray down the entire chandelier with the cleaner and either let it drip dry if it’s not too dirty, or wipe the entire thing down with a clean cloth. Micro fiber towels work very well for this. Once the light fixture is dry, remove the baggies, spray some cleaner on a clean cloth, and wipe down each bulb. Be certain that the entire wrought iron chandelier is completely dry before turning it back on.

Safety is always the most important part of any project, especially when electricity is involved. If you are not comfortable with any portion of this project, be sure to look into a professional electrician.