There are many resources available that help and guide homeowners on some of the best ways in which to decorate a home; yet it’s important not to purely pay attention to the ‘what’s’ and ‘how’s’ – make sure you also know what not to do when decorating a home.

Be a Copycat:

It may be tempting for homeowners to just copy an existing design; whether from a book, a magazine or if they’re feeling really cheeky, a friends home.

Ideally though, you want to shy away from turning your living space into a carbon copy home. We’re all individual and our homes should be a personal space that reflects our uniqueness.

Remember that you want your home to feel as warm, inviting and comforting for those who live in it, and the best way in which to achieve this is by making the home as personal as possible. A house would not feel like a home if it was a replica of a show-home used in a brochure. Moreover, it is important not to let other people dictate how a home should be decorated.

It is also important to show individuality with the smaller details around the home. Invest in cushions, throws, unique window blinds, candles or house plants that match the décor of the home.

It’s these small details that do the most to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Read the rest of this entry…

When it is time to light up the house with Christmas lights, there are some concerns you should be aware of to ensure the safety of your family during the holiday season. Decorating your home with bright lights and colors is a great way to celebrate the holidays. Safety first:

1. Make sure the wiring of any tree or mantle lights is not too old. Replace old wires with new and make sure that there are no bare wires.

2. Overloaded circuits and faulty wires are the main cause of fires during the holidays. Whether your tree is artificial or real, a spark from faulty wires can and will set it on fire.

3.  Test all lights before you put them up. Too many faulty sockets is a sure indication you need a new, and working, string of lights.

4. Keep children and pets away from the tree and lights. Ensure there are no dangling cords for small feet to trip, or play with.

5. Avoid using nails or staples to affix lights to walls, floors or mantles. There are many products on the market that are created for the use of holiday wiring that are safe to use.

6. Only keep the lights on while you are at home, where you can keep an eye on them.

If you are looking for wiring products to ensure a safe and happy holiday display in your home, check out the homepage and catalog at Waytech Wire for all your battery management needs.

Stippling is a very easy effect to achieve, requiring only a large stippling brush with a flat, square head measuring about 100 x 75mm (4×3 in) to produce a delicate, flecked effect. The bristles are flat on the underside so you can hit the wet paint surface of the top coat to produce the stippled effect. Purpose-made stippling brushes are available from good decorators’ outlets. However, it is worth experimenting with other types of brush you may find around the house. For example, the old-fashioned type of gentleman’s hairbrush could be ideal, or an old clothes brush.

The effect looks best if a pale oil glaze (from good decorating shops) is applied over a base coat of a slightly lighter colour to keep the effect ‘open’.

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If you’re looking to renovate your home, but think it is too expensive, there are a few things you should know. First of all, it will not cost you a fortune! That is, if you plan ahead and build your project considering a certain budget. You should start considering a renovating project, based on a previously decided budget, because that will make it easier for you to keep track of the expenses and to keep within reasonable financial grounds.

Home renovation is not as stressful as you may think. There are a few things to consider before engaging into a full interior design operation, and one of the most important ones is that you must have a clear design plan before actually starting the renovating works.

You should discuss your plan with your significant other, in order to prevent any negative impact your decisions or ideas might have on your relationship. Have a clear plan in mind, and try to find good reasons for every though you might have on decorating; for example, if you plan of taking out a wall, you should have a clear image why this is necessary (to widen the living space, make the room look bigger and better and so on). Discussing your plan could help a great deal, as the other could point out your possible mistakes and they could even help you improve your plan. Read the rest of this entry…

Color washing is one of the most effective faux paint 1nishes and one of the easiest. The technique involves building up thin layers of translucent color, one on top of another, to produce a subtle, dappled effect. The rich, mellow look complements country rooms and other informal settings. Color washing has one drawback—it’s messy. Cover the floor and furniture with plastic sheering (taped to the baseboards) and carps. Count on spending two days preparing and painting an average bedroom.

Typically, color-washed walls have a white, off-whites or light-colored base coat. Cover this base with a minimum of two or three layers of paint thinned to a wash consistency. Read the rest of this entry…