This room demonstrates the classic folk art style. Unlike country décor, the folk art approach is much more Spartan and simple. You won’t see ruffles. Instead the feeling is almost colonial frontier, with every element looking hand crafted.
Although this room has many traditional American pieces, folk art is not limited to one country. The rugs are clearly from the Middle East, and their colors and well-worn look work well with the room.
One critical factor for creating a successful folk art look is flooring. Wood is the only real choice. This old pine floor is a natural part of a folk art style. You can reproduce much of this look with a good honey-stained heart pine floor with wide planks. Although you won’t have the patches that are part of this original floor, the flavor will still be there.
Certain colors link the different features. The muted light green and the red of the carpets are echoed throughout the room, pulling things together. An exciting element comes from the contemporary art over the dining table. Although it is not traditional, the colors work well in the space, adding an eclectic feel.
To add a folk-art flavor to your home, visit craft fairs and antique shops to find original handmade furniture, quilts and accessories. Also, as you travel take the time to explore the regional and national crafts to find pieces that will work in your home. You don’t need to carry the theme as far as this room has to capture the same warmth that emanates from this inviting space.
Do you wish you could redecorate your home but don’t want to go through all the hassle? A fresh coat of paint can make an enormous difference in a space. Painting is the simplest, most effective home improvement out there.
The most difficult part of painting is not the actual labor of painting; it’s selecting an appropriate color for the space. When trying to decide on a color, keep in mind what color fabrics are in the room.
Before purchasing enough paint to coat the entire space; buy a small pint of the color you are considering. Paint a large enough area, so you can get a feel for what it will look like on all the walls. This will allow you to see what the color looks like with the type of lighting in the space. If you are lucky enough to have natural light in the space, check out how the color looks during different times of the day (morning, mid day, afternoon, dusk and evening). Doing so will prevent making the wrong choice and having to buy more materials and painting over.
There is more to decide than simply what color to paint. Sheen is an important aspect to consider. High gloss sheens tend to highlight imperfections on the walls; but it is easily cleaned with water and a towel. Satin and eggshell sheens go on smoothly and have a nice matte finish. These are the safest choice for paint sheen.
Painting a room or two can be done over one weekend. There are paints available now that have primer built and usually only require one coat. You may need two coats if your color is really bright, intense or dark. This home improvement really is worth considering if you are looking to enhance your space.
People typically associate wallpaper with being out of style and dated. This is not the case, with faux finishing on the rise. Wallpaper companies are trying to keep up and compete with faux finishing, and doing a great job at that! There is an abundance of variety and styles available in wallpaper today.
The days of floral dated wallpaper are over. Sheik wallpaper is available in all decorating styles from traditional to contemporary. If not done right, faux finishes can look cheap and rushed. In many cases, wallpaper looks better than faux finishing.
Textured wallpaper is available in all types of styles and many different materials, such as Grass, Cork, Stucco, Rock and Embossed Leather, and the list goes on and on. Tromp L’oeil style wallpapers are popular. Tromp L’oeil means realistic imagery that creates an optical illusion of being the real thing. For example there may be a wallpaper that looks like an old rock wall or a marble wall.
Patterned wallpapers are really sheik and interesting. The traditional Damask pattern has gone under a makeover. A wide variety of modern damask patterns are available in an array of sizes, colors and even metallic.
Use wallpaper to turn an ordinary room into an extraordinary room with character. Dinning rooms and powder rooms are great spaces to install wallpaper. These rooms can handle drama; use wallpaper to add instant drama and appeal!
If you took a chance with color in your decorating, are you now concerned that holiday decorations will clash with your home? Don’t be – you can make any color décor complement the season.
Do you have color in accessories rather than in permanent elements? If so, you can just put those pieces away for the holidays and choose any colors you want.
If your throw pillows don’t work with your plans, do a quick change-up by picking up some yardage in your holiday tones. Cut the fabric into large squares. Set the squares on the diagonal and place your pillow in the center. Tie opposite corners together in the back, and when you turn it over you have a new cover on your old pillow for the rest of the holidays.
Even if you have permanent room elements such as flooring or furniture in a color, you can incorporate those shades into your holiday look. Blue works well with silver and white, orange with gold and white. Holiday greenery works with any color combination.
If you love color, consider using the holidays to bring in hues you normally don’t have in your home. In this photo, pink and purple create a festive yet modern holiday look, and the more traditional red and green elements still work.
Why not take a chance with color in your home this season? Bring in an unexpected favorite tone to make your home’s holiday décor special and unique.
Do you find yourself less than satisfied with your holiday decorating? Approaching your home with some planning will help you create the holiday home of your dreams.
The most important thing you can do is to rethink your space before you add in any decorations. If you have a tree, be sure to spend time choosing the best location, and don’t hesitate to remove or rearrange furniture to accommodate it.
While you’re at it, pack away all of the accessories in your living space before you decorate. Festive holiday elements can be distracting and start feeling like clutter unless they are the only decorative pieces in a space. Take a look at the photo. With only a few decorations, this space says holiday without shouting it.
Don’t think every corner has to have a decoration. Instead, select a few focal points to bring the holiday into a room. Create tableaus with your decorations – for example if you have a collection of nutcrackers, instead of scattering them throughout the room, group them and lay pine boughs between them. Add a few shiny ornaments among the pine and you have created a special holiday moment.
If your home has an open style or space is limited, connect your holiday decorations with color, style, or approach, to allow all of the elements to work together to create a consistent mood. This photo has connections with color, and the rustic natural pieces contrast with the shining ornaments and candleholders. This feeling could be carried throughout a room, leading to a designed as well as decorated holiday home.
Outdoor living is not just a trend anymore. In today’s world outdoor spaces are being used almost as much as indoor spaces. Below are some guidelines to follow when designing your outdoor space.
Create Harmony
Take some time to observe your home. What style architecture is your home? What style of decorating is your interior? When shopping for outdoor furniture take a picture of your interior. Look for furniture that has similar styling and characteristics of your indoor furnishings. Your interior and exterior should mesh well together to ensure an appropriate look.
Buy the right furniture
Most likely there will be a seating area somewhere in your outdoor space. Buy outdoor furniture that will hold up in all types of weather. Fabrics and cushions should be rated for outdoor use. Be sure to ask the sales person what type of fabric and cushions are used on the furniture you are considering. This cost a little more but you will get your money’s worth by selecting furnishings that will last for years to come.
*Outdoor rated fabrics and cushions allow water to pass through. Standing water on outdoor furniture is a bad sign that it is not rated for outdoor use. Standing water allows mold to grow. It also wears down the strength of fabric and cushioning.
Outdoor = Natural
Use natural elements where you can. Making a path? Instead of cement, use natural pebbles. Pebbles allow water to filter into the ground. Cement prohibits that natural cycle. The pebbles will make a beautiful contrast against grass and it is environmentally friendly
Cater to your four senses.
Add flowers and greenery that are pleasantly fragrant. Don’t forget to create contrast for a pleasing view. Comfortable furniture will allow you to spend more time in your outdoor space. Running water always creates an immediate sense of comfort and relaxation. Install a small fountain or a fishpond with a small waterfall that adds oxygen to the water.
Reign of England’s Queen Victoria is where the decorating style “Victorian” evolved. During the 19th Century, this type of architecture and interior styling was most popular. Victorian style of decorating is not done half-heartedly. It is true to interior furnishings and architectural details specific to this time period. Below are some truly Victorian decorating tips.
1. Wall coverings: Wall coverings during this time period were dark hues of red, purple, green and blue. Patterns, if any, were stenciled on. These patterns tend to be smaller, motif type details.
2. Area rugs: Victorian style homes tend to look incomplete without an area rug or a carpet. When shopping for a rug, look for the deeper colors and smaller, tighter patterns.
3. Window coverings: Draperies of this time period were most likely embroidered, or lacey, transparent fabrics. Heavier velvet type fabrics were used to overlap the embroidered or lacey sheer layer. The heavier fabrics were also used on simple cornice boards.
4. Vintage accessories: Old framed photographs and dark oil paintings were popular décor of this era. Beautifully carved clocks atop mantels were one of the most popular accessories of that time. Antiques and replicas of this time period are still around today. Finding them may require a little more effort, but they are out there for the finding!
Last week we posted an article on our website tool Ask Kerry. This week, we’d like to share our Style Gallery tool with you. Our Style Gallery allows you to browse five different styles and see which matches you best.
If you click on the “Design Tools” box in the bottom left corner of our homepage, it will direct you to all of our website tools. From there, click on “Design Styles” and it will direct you to the correct page. 
The five styles are:
Choose whichever you think will fit your style best, you will then be directed to a page explaining the particular style, why it suits you, and how you obtain the style in your home with decorating tips. We hope you find this tool useful!
Nov-25-2010
How to Remove Gravy Stains from Carpet
Posted by Carpets N More under Care and Maintenance
Thanksgiving is finally here! We’d like to share our stain removal techniques with you and your family, just in case a dish gets dropped on the carpet. It’s our goal to keep you and your family happy on this special day. Don’t let a little gravy stain spoil your holiday!
Nail Polish Remover – Two types of nail polish removers are available. One type contains acetone, a dry cleaning solvent. Use the same precautions as with other dry cleaning solutions. The second type contains amyl acetate, which is used in many paint, oil, and grease (POG) removers. Many POG removers leave residues that may cause rapid soiling. When using a POG remover, always rinse the area thoroughly with a dry solvent.
Solvent – A non-flammable spot removal solution, or dry cleaning type solvent, is preferred. Exercise caution when using a solvent. Never pour it directly onto the carpet or allow it to reach the backing, because it can damage the latex that holds the primary and secondary backings together. Acceptable solvents include Carbona®, Energine®, K2R®, Goof-Off®, etc.
Detergent Solution – Mix one fourth (1/4) teaspoon of a liquid dishwashing detergent per one (1) cup of lukewarm water. NEVER USE A STRONGER CONCENTRATION! Thorough rinsing is necessary to remove detergent residues that may cause rapid soiling. It may be necessary to rinse with warm water several times to completely remove residues. (See Residue Precautions.) Care should be used in selecting a detergent. Never use a laundry detergent of any type, because laundry detergents may contain optical brighteners (flourescent dyes) that dye the fiber. Do not select an automatic dishwashing detergent because many contain bleaching agents that destroy dyes and some fibers.
Vinegar Solution – Mix one (1) cup of white vinegar per two (2) cups of water. White vinegar is a 5% acetic acid solution. It is used most often to lower the alkalinity caused by detergent solutions or alkaline spills.
Warm Water – Lukewarm tap water should be used in most cases to rinse the cleaning solutions from the fiber. Failure to completely rinse the solutions from the fiber may cause accelerated soiling.
Ammonia Solution – Mix one (1) tablespoon of household ammonia per cup of water. Please note: Be aware that ammonia, if used improperly, can cause a color change. Be sure to test a hidden area.
When in doubt, call a professional – Professional cleaners have the ability and the equipment to use more aggressive cleaning solutions to remove stubborn spills. Always consider consulting a professional cleaner regarding any spot removal question. Carpet and Rug Institute – 1-800-882-8846.