2007-Sep-13 - Using Garden Decor For a Complete Garden
For many people, the garden is an extension of the home; a living area to be beautified just as they would want to decorate the interior of their house. Much of the beauty, both in their eyes and those of the passer-by and visitor, comes from the garden layout, the plants and flowers, the trees, the terraces, and the lawns. Such beauty can be brought to life by the birds and butterflies that visit the garden. It can also be further enhanced by the choice and use of garden decor. Types of Garden Decor There are many types of garden decor that you can consider when designing or improving your garden. The use of the word ‘decor’ is traditionally used for the decoration of a house interior, incorporating everything from the furniture to the paint on the wall, and the fabrics used for curtains and bedding. There is no reason that a garden, an extension of the home living space, should not also be considered in the same way. You could argue that all the flowers and plants in a garden are decor; in fact, I would not even argue. You are trying to create a beautiful entity in which you can spend leisure time, and which gives aesthetic pleasure as you look out of your window, relax in the summer sunshine, or arrive home from a concrete jungle on a summer’s evening. However, for the purposes of this article, we will consider garden decor as the decoration added to the garden plants, shrubs and flowers for both functional and aesthetic reasons. Once that is done, then garden decor falls into a number of popular types or themes, and all are worth considering. Fountains and Waterfalls The use of water in a garden with no natural water feature can greatly enhance it. Most people appreciate both the sight and sound of water, and it is definitely an aid to relaxation. I know I am not the only person in the world who finds it relaxing sitting or strolling by water. Artificial garden fountains and waterfalls can make an impressive difference to your garden, either as standalone features or as part of a larger water garden and are well worth considering to help turn your garden into a complete outdoor haven.
Garden Statues and Ornaments With a long historical background, statues have stood the test of time as a popular decor item. While classic statues may have been on a grand scale, and for public sites or stately homes and country mansions, they have found their own niche as garden decor in the modern and smaller garden. Garden statues come in many styles and designs, some of them following ancient and classical traditions, such as cherubs and angels. Other popular subjects include animals, such as domestic cats and dogs, and wild animals such as lions and frogs. Small statues, which some may call garden ornaments, can also be found for those of us with small gardens, and no scope for the great sculptures you may see in large country gardens.
Garden Containers or Planters An important feature of any garden, especially those with patios, terraces or little visible soil, can be the containers or planters used to house some of your plants. Container gardening is a type of gardening in its own right, and you will find many books on the subject to choose the best plants to grow in a confined planter. When it comes to the planters themselves, then you will find, as with statues, a wide range of designs, made from a choice of materials. There are attractive containers in concrete, fibrestone, fibreglass and plastic; if you like the reddy colour of terracota, then that can be used successfully in a formal or informal garden. Planters, used carefully, can add height and shape to areas of the garden that may seem barren, and they can certainly bring a terrace or patio to life. Other Garden Decor Possibilities Really, there is no end to the possibilities of what you can use to decorate the garden. For particular holidays, such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day, you may find ornaments and decorations to hang outside or stick in the ground. Then there are other types of decor that may be multi-purpose, with a functional or decorative use. Examples of these are decorative bird houses or garden lighting.
Allow your imagination some leeway as you design your garden, observe from visiting public gardens, plus what you see online, in magazines and around you, and I am sure you can come up with a unique mixture of garden decor and plantings that will be the envy of your friends and neighbours, and give you pleasure as long as you live there. This garden decor article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner author of the Gardens and Decor web site.
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2007-Sep-13 - Using Garden Decor For a Complete Garden
Using Garden Decor For a Complete Garden:
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2007-Sep-9 - Home Interior Design Idea - Simple Yet Effective Home Design Idea
The latest trend in home interior design is the use of themes. Theme ideas range from sports to fabulously feminine and contemporary to eclectic. One of the most popular themes is the \"Tropical Island\" theme.
When using the Tropical Island theme idea, there are many directions you can go. From elegant to fun, you have a wide range of choices. You can use art work, painted murals, wall paper, textured wall paint or any combination of these materials.
Select colors that represent the tropics such as various shades of blue, dark turquoise and deep shades of green. Burlap fabric is a good choice for wall covering. For an inexpensive Tiki look, attach bamboo shades to the wall, than attach a chair rail above the shade using bamboo shafts.
Tropical plants are a must-have for the Tropical Island theme. You can use live or silk plants or sculptures of trees. Some craft and hobby stores have fake palm trees with strands of lights attached to them. Fake palm trees are fun and festive and provide a small amount of additional lighting.
Window treatments should be light and airy. Bamboo shades are a logical choice for this home interior design. Other options include brightly colored sheers or draperies made from bright, sheer fabric or an island print.
A wide range of art work is available to create any style of Tropical Island design. You might want pictures of sugar plantations or pineapple fields. Maybe you prefer oil paintings of cargo ships or fancy yachts. Perhaps your tastes are more suited for seagulls, pelicans, dolphins, turtles or other sea life. Regardless of art preferences, there is an abundance of art work depicting the beauty of the islands.
The Tropical Island home interior design can be used in nearly every room. It makes for an inviting living or family room, as it is bright and cheerful, yet relaxing. It is a calming theme for use in a bedroom and can easily be adapted for children or a nursery. Many children enjoy being surrounded by pictures of sea life and are calmed by the soothing colors.
Bathrooms are a natural setting for the Tropical Island theme. Accessories can easily be located in most retail and department stores. You can find everything from toothbrush holders to wall paper in a variety of island designs. A popular trend in bathroom designs is the use of glass bowl sinks. These are perfect for the Tropical Island theme and add exquisite beauty to the room.
Kitchens lend well to the Tropical Island theme. Bamboo kitchen tables and bar stools are quite popular. Another option is to use a picnic table or outdoor table with an umbrella. You could even go so far as to use a Tiki hut design umbrella to bring in the tropical island feeling in your dining room.
Laundry rooms and storage areas are usually boring areas within the home. Add a splash of tropical color or use a tropical island print wall paper border to breathe some life into a dull and boring space. Use wicker baskets painted in bright colors such as turquoise, orange or yellow, or paint shelves or walls in tropical shades.
The Tropical Island theme works well in the home office setting. It is inviting and friendly to guests and provides an uplifting environment in which to work. Use a variety of lush tropical plants and an aquarium or water fountain. Paint your office furniture white and add a tropical design for a fun and festive look.
Grab some home interior design magazines and catalogs and let your imagination go wild. Cut out photos of items you like and tape them to a piece of paper or foam board. Create a floor plan to help you determine what items you have room for, then go shopping.
Look for deals at your local thrift shop or visit yard or estate sales. You might be surprised at the great bargains available and you\'ll probably find several unique accessories. Most importantly have fun and get creative with this home interior design idea and soon your tropical oasis will await you!
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2007-Sep-9 - Why We Need Interior Designer?
An interior designer is responsible for the interior design, decoration, and functionality of a client’s space, whether the space is commercial, industrial, or residential. Interior designers work closely with architects and clients to determine the structure of a space, the needs of the occupants, and the style that best suits both.
The position is a combination of engineer and artist, and it takes a unique type of mind to handle both of those concepts well. Interior designers have to be good with more than color, fabric, and furniture; interior designers must know materials, have budgeting skills, communicate well, and oversee the ordering, installation, and maintenance of all objects that define a space. They also have to know about electrical capacity, safety, and construction. This broader range of required knowledge distinguishes them from interior decorators.
Of course, interior designers cost too. But hiring a professional interior designer from the start will prevent from having to pay unexpected costs like: the wrong color, the unsuitable piece of furniture, the "no-style" decorations and the out of place accents. In the modern competitive society, you might as well get lucky and find a decorator that offers a first consultation free of charge. Now, that's a price worth paying!
Required Skills in Interior Designers:
• As members of a service profession, interior designers' fortunes depend on their ability to satisfy clients. Thus, they must possess three important skill sets-artistic and technical skills, interpersonal skills and management skills.
• Designers must know how to plan a space and how to render that plan visually, so that it can be conveyed to the client. They must also be knowledgeable about the materials and products that will be used to create and furnish the space, and about how texture, color, lighting and other factors combine and interact to give a space its "feel" or "look." In addition, they must understand the structural requirements of their plans, the health and safety issues, building codes, and many other technical aspects.
• Designers must be comfortable meeting and dealing with many kinds of people. They must communicate clearly and effectively, as well as be attentive listeners. Because they often must work collaboratively with architects, contractors, and other service providers, designers need to be both good team leaders and good team players. They must be willing to negotiate and mediate when necessary to resolve problems.
• Designers must have excellent time and project management skills, since they frequently work on more than one project at a time, under demanding deadlines, while looking for new projects or clients. They must be able to develop and execute business plans in order to protect and grow their practices. They need to know how to market themselves to clients, to create informative and persuasive proposals and presentations, and to maintain good client relationships.
• Interior designers are often confused with interior decorators, but there's a difference. An interior decorator requires no formal education, usually works on homes, and focuses mainly on furnishings and decor. Interior designers, on the other hand, are professionally educated and trained. They coordinate with architects, engineers, and contractors and must understand fire codes, ergonomics, lighting, acoustics, and the implementation of technology. Finally, they must oversee the actual implementation of their design.
How Designer Works:
• Analyzing the client's requirements
• Formulating design concepts
• Presenting concepts, getting client feedback, and revising the plan as needed.
• Preparing final drawings and specifications, including materials, finishes, furnishings, and fixtures for the people in charge of procurement and construction.
• Preparing and revising budgets
• Overseeing the implementation of the design
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