http://articles.eleganthomedecorgifts.com/rss.xml A blog about eleganthomedecorgifts.com daily 365 1901-01-01T00:00+00:00 http://articles.eleganthomedecorgifts.com/?a=35946 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>When it comes to presenting a room, every area in your house should have an interest point. Another term used in this instance is &quot;focal point&quot;. Both terms basically refer to an element within a room that draws your eye to a particular place. Often, these interest points are naturally created through the architecture of a room, but sometimes, it is up to the homeowner to create these focal points. <br /><br />For those who are not sure how to identify the interest points throughout your home, you may be surprised what is considered a satisfying focal point. If you should happen to have a fireplace in any of your rooms, such as a den or family room, this is your focal point. When you enter your bedroom and are greeted by a large painting of the family, this may be your focal point if no other large competing points are present. Sitting in the den, the warmth of the sun is felt through a large picture window that provides great views of the open sea; this is definitely the interest point of the room. When your architecture does not automatically provide you with a clear focal point, you can create one by adding one or more elements to a room. <br /><br />Creating a focal point within a room can be achieved by hanging something substantial on the wall. Some ideas to consider include flanking one side of the room with a hanging rug of some value. Fur accents are also interestingly eye catching. Pick a remake of a well known painting, such as Starry Night and place it on the wall. Sometimes, creating a row of shelves with an unusual design can achieve the same affect. Try installing shelves with a circular display. Often, entertainment equipment makes for a nice focal point, especially if it is one of those fancy flat-screen varieties that fit on the wall like a live motion painting. <br /><br />Focal points allow homeowners to create specific atmospheres throughout their house. They complete a room and without one, the area seems rather drab. It's like walking into a box with no life to it or interesting surroundings. <br /><br />Once you have situated an interest point for your room, now it is time to enhance its qualities. This means arranging furniture to fit the composition of the focal point. Sometimes, you can actually influence your guests to pay attention or take notice to your focal point by the way you arrange the rest of the room. Try to place furniture in a way that creates a nice scene for communication. Items should have several meters between them to avoid a smothering atmosphere. If they are placed more than 3 meters from one another, conversation may feel strained and distant. Seats should be turned to face your focal point. <br /><br />To enhance convenience, tables should be placed within a reasonable distance from your seating options. Usually, when it comes to furniture placement, the most common approaches are to create &quot;U&quot; or &quot;L&quot; shaped arrangements surrounding the focal point. Once this is accomplished, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the atmosphere you have created.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as home decorating at <a href="http://www.eleganthomedecorgifts.com/">http://www.eleganthomedecorgifts.com</a></p> 2006-09-30T22:50-04:00 http://articles.eleganthomedecorgifts.com/?a=35945 <p>by Gregg Hall</p><p>When you want to create a different splash of color or produce a favorable change within your home environment, there are plenty of ways to create exciting, exclusive accents. Many people believe that the only way to go about this is to add pieces of accent furniture to their dwelling, such as art work or paintings. This is far from the truth. There are numerous objects as far as the eye can see that can provide assistance on building an atmosphere that is unique to only you and when applicable, your family. When you are ready for a change, don't forget that there is a correct way and an incorrect way to go about this. With careful thoughtfulness, you will be able to create the look you want for your house with a few minor additions to your home. <br /><br />Did you know that plates could be used for more than just setting the table? There are thousands of decorative options to take advantage of when you want to spice up a living room, family room or den. There are two ways to approach this decorative concept. The first is the placement of a large plate that highlights a room with detail, color or design. The second approach is to collect several different decorative places and create a small display that complements the rest of the room. <br /><br />Let's say you want to create small accents throughout a room that reflect your love of violets. You may choose a purple plate, which could be lavender or violet in color. Place a bowl filled with violet potpourri. You may also decorate the outside of the bowl with smaller accents, such as stones or pebbles that are rose or violet in color. If your room allows the placement of sheets, throw rugs or seat covers, try to match the scenery with violet themed items. <br /><br />In a room, there is always a spot to place a pillow here or there. This is a great way to decoratively express yourself throughout your room because pillows possess a lot of character. Depending on the theme you wish to convey, there are plenty of options to choose from. Continuing the violet theme, you may choose pillows that showcase your favorite flower or settle for one basic color that matches the rest of your accents. There is a never ending supply of pillows that can be found almost anywhere. <br /><br />Sometimes decorative tea boxes, as well as tea candles can add certain style to a room. It is especially grand when you can find the right colors to match your other decorative efforts. Candles are also a great way to present a controlled mood throughout a room. Did you know that various colors actually create different physical responses in people? This is good to know when you want to create themed areas throughout your home, such as a relaxation den or entertainment nook. <br /><br />You can also add your personal touch throughout the decoration of a room by placing decorative photo albums, coffee table books and decorated frames to liven up tabletops and shelves. Just about anything can be transformed into a decorative accent, all you have to do is use your imagination and don't be afraid to sample different techniques. Also, remember to stay within acceptable boundaries and don't go too overboard with the decorating. Too much of a good thing may scare off your guests.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as home decorating at <a href="http://www.eleganthomedecorgifts.com/">http://www.eleganthomedecorgifts.com</a></p> 2006-09-30T22:46-04:00 http://articles.eleganthomedecorgifts.com/?a=35342 <p>by Gregg Hall </p><p>Hanging a picture may seem like the simplest of all home improvement projects. While it is quite easy, there are factors like wall type and object weight that you need to consider before hammering away. If you're a beginner or if you've hung pictures before but always done some in a hit or miss kind of manner, these tips will come in useful.<br /><br />The first thing you need to do is purchase the right fasteners for your picture and your walls. The most common fasteners for hanging things are picture nails and hooks. While these are the most common type of fastener, they are not the most appropriate or effective ones to use in all cases.<br /><br />If you are going to hang anything on a concrete, stucco or brick wall, then you should not try to use a regular nail. A concrete screw will securely anchor your object and will prevent you from chipping the wall's surface. If you use a nail in a concrete or stucco surface, you can end up removing chunks of the wall around the nail when hammering. <br /><br />If your object is heavy, then you might want to insert a plastic anchor or molly bolt-for fastening into the hole to ensure that there is no damage to your wall. Make sure that you are using the right type of fastener for your wall surface.<br /><br />Once you've figured out the type of wall surface and the most appropriate fastener to use, you will need to decide on placement.<br /><br />The first thing you want to decide is how high you want to hang the object. The basic rule of thumb is to hang pictures so that the center of the picture is at eye level. Have someone hold a tape measure against the wall and then stand back and see what number is at your eye level - that's where the center of your picture should be.<br /><br />Once you decide on the height on the wall, you need to measure the picture itself to determine the mounting height. You will then measure from the bottom of the picture to the highest point of the hanging wire. You can then figure out the hanging height by subtracting half of the picture's height and adding the difference of the eye-height level you measured before.<br /><br />Your measuring isn't done yet though. You want to take that figure and measure that distance on the wall so you can make a mark where the bottom of the hook will hit. After you have that vertical mark, you want to measure horizontally to ensure that your picture is in the center of the space. Next you will mark where the vertical and horizontal lines cross.<br /><br />Holding the faster in place, you will nail or screw the fastener into the wall. After the nail or screw is in place, you want to carefully hang the object on the wall. Make sure you are careful not to mark or scrape the wall with the frame.<br /><br />Once the picture is on the hook, you should step back to see whether it is level. You can shift the picture to either the left or the right to adjust the level.<br /><br />If you find (after hanging) that the picture is either too low or too high, you can adjust the wire on the back of the picture rather than making a new hole.<br /><br />If you are planning on hanging multiple pictures and/or objects on one wall, then you want to plan out your measurements very carefully. Start by holding up your pictures or laying them on the floor in the pattern you want. Measure the wall space and measure each picture to ensure that you have enough space. You want to make the vertical and horizontal marks for each picture rather than just guessing. It is often easier to offset the pictures when you estimate. If you do want all of the pictures even, then you need to use a level and be really exact in your measurements. A laser level can be useful in these types of situations.<br /><br />Don't be intimidated with all of these steps if this is your first time hanging a picture. Taking your time and doing all the prep work outlined above will ensure that your picture is centered, level, and really adds character to your space.</p><h3 class="popup">About the Author </h3><p>Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. For elegant home d&eacute;cor gifts go to <a href="http://www.eleganthomedecorgifts.com/">http://www.eleganthomedecorgifts.com</a></p> 2006-08-06T00:32-04:00