Rugs: The Classic Choice

Posted by admin | Home Improvement | Thursday 16 April 2009 4:36 pm

It is history and centuries of craftsmanship woven together, spread out in the middle of your living room floor. It could be a magnificent colored canvas that speaks of age and timelessness, adding a breath of the classic to the modern structure that is your home.

Kings and queens could have reclined on one such rug at one time, while the secrets its making remain closely guarded among the tribesmen working quietly in the remotest regions of what is now known as the carpet capital of the world – Iran.

Carpets take years to weave one, and it is all done meticulously excruciatingly by hand. It is made of authentic natural wool, silk, cotton, or a combination of these materials.

For these reasons, a Persian carpet has been long regarded as precious. The least expensive costs around $200, while a 4 x 6 ft piece that took a family in the city of Qum at least a couple of years to create would be sold for $4,000 - $5,000. As for antique pieces of braided rugs that are preserved in the museums, the figure would simply be astronomical.

The modern carpets or rugs may not have the sense of history like Persian carpets, but they can just as effectively meet a homeowner’s requirements.

Rugs, a smaller version of carpets – are for specific areas, with standard sizes varying from 3 x 5 ft to 9 x 12 ft. The smallest rug is similar in size to a coffee table. In effect, a rug is simply a patch over a certain perimeter. It can be spread under a particular piece of furniture, as opposed to a carpet, which may cover the entire floor.

Experts say that rugs are totally made for accents, aesthetics, to soften the look of a room. They can also be used for comfort as some people find it uncomfortable to walk on a wooden floor.

Area rugs, as well as carpets, can provide some means of safety or heighten the sensuality factor in certain parts of the house.

5 Considerations When Choosing Contemporary Lighting

Posted by admin | Home Improvement | Thursday 16 April 2009 4:24 pm

When redecorating a room, or even an entire house, contemporary lighting is a major concern. Dimly lit areas are uninviting and even depressing since human beings naturally crave the light. Some rooms, of course, invite subdued lighting … a bedroom doesn’t need glaring light whereas a dramatic entryway or living room might be stunning with bold, dramatic spotlight.

The older the home, the greater the challenge when planning for modern chandeliers. Here are 5 issues to contemplate when planning your lighting update.

1. Consider your natural lighting first. In what direction are your windows facing? Northern light is usually cooler and whiter whereas daylight from southern-facing windows will be warmer and yellower. This is perfect for plants, but not as satisfactory to artists, who prefer the truer white of the north. Northern light is a more even hue and is more shadow-free, which isn’t as comfortable in a relaxing den.

2. How light fixtures are affected by your architecture and landscaping? Do you have trees that shade the light, or bushes that block the lower parts of the windows and decrease the over-all quantity of illumination? Does a roofline cast a shadow in an important area of a room? Can you increase the quality and quantity of accessible light without spending a fortune?

3. What activities take place in your rooms? Do some of them require more light than others? A desk that hosts homework or needlework requires strong and steady light that covers the entire work area. However, someone relaxing on a recliner and watching TV at the end of a busy day does not want this kind of focused brightness.

4. Do you need variable lighting? You might require a bright light focused on a dining room table while it is being set and dinner is served. However, once all diners are seated and have loaded their plates, a softer lighting is more appropriate and a dimmer switch will nicely provide for multiple intensities.

5. Are there details in your room upon which you wish to focus attention? Perhaps you own a spectacular fireplace or exceptional art? In that case, spot lighting might be appropriate. There might be other necessary, but not-so-attractive areas, that you might wish to downplay by muting the light. Or you might own a spectacular view that is especially enchanting at night. In that case, lights reflecting from the windows will make it more difficult, or even impossible, to see out.

Tables Buying Guide

Posted by admin | Home Improvement | Thursday 16 April 2009 4:08 pm

The best dining companions and energy jabs—modern tables can fill up a space with so much substance and meaning. Dining & Coffee tables, console side end tables and contemporary multi-functional tables, you can name a table and realize its importance in the long.

A piece of sound advice would be not to haste with buying table as most of us will live with one for many years to come, and it is advisable to visit many stores before you make the pick. This guide is a practical handy article on how to round upon a great table, starting with some common points that you can follow before you buy,

Size : Yes, size matters! For dining areas, you don’t want a bigger table that crams space; or something too small for a large room. Also, a dining table should have enough room for seating and food circulation. The host should have enough space to move about, there should be at least 48 inches between the nearest wall or furniture piece; also there should be enough room between two diners. A contemporary conference room table, for instance, need not be a regular round shape. You get smaller and much more convenient tables that can be used for meetings and conferencing.

Capacity :
It is important that a table should be scaled to the room. It is important to also consider the number of people will be using the table.

Shape : Shape and size is important. Dining tables come in a wide array of interesting shapes. The regular rectangular tables are ideal for larger rooms, and then for smaller dining areas, you get all fancy shapes and sizes—oval, square, round and semi-circles. Side tables and console tables come in different shapes to utilize space and add functionality. You also get extendible tables with leafs that can be a smart option.

Following is a list of important tables,

Console Tables : Console tables have the power to transform any open space into a beautiful corner. To fill up bare spaces in large living areas, a console table can play an interesting role in breaking the monotony and adding some meaningful furniture. Equipped with drawers, some console tables can come in handy to store knick knacks. Also known as a side table, console tables look the best when arranged against a bare wall.

Dining Tables : Allow the architecture of your home to dictate the choice of dining tables. You can pay attention to elements that bespeak the general styling of the dining area. Both traditional and contemporary tables o look great, depending on the theme you have used in line with other dining furniture. Traditional tables use certain woods like walnut and mahogany, while others use cherry, oak and pine that look more warm and casual. Contemporary tables use glass, metal and combination of materials.

Coffee Tables : A coffee table can serve as important family furniture and deserves more than a mention. You can team it up with accessories that match up a theme and reflect your personal taste. It helps to define the purpose of a table before you buy one. Bigger coffee tables look great in larger rooms. Before you start with your search, it is important to determine the function, requirement and budget. For average sized homes, small coffee tables in different shapes like oval, round, square or a low-slung oriental design may be all you need to make a statement.

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beds are an important piece of furniture!