Decorate Ideas

When you see the word “accessories”, do you immediately think of clutter and dust catchers? Let’s look at decor accessories a little differently. Think of accessories as conversation starters in your home. Think of them as interactive and objects to have fun with rather than just to look at. A niche category of accessories that is popular is called “interactive accessories.” These types of accessories are great when preparing for a family gathering or a neighborhood dinner party. Here are a few interactive accessories ideas to try in your own home:

1. Maps - Hang up framed vintage maps of your town or state. They are really fun to search for a street you are on or where you grew up. Maps are great conversation builders.
2. Chalkboards and Dry-erase boards - Use them to list the dinner menu, post questions for family or friends to answer, play a word puzzle game. Be sure to have chalk and markers handy.
3. Coffee table books - Place these - yep - on the coffee table. They are making a huge come back (did you even know they left?) Choose interesting books with awesome pictures. Look for topics that are relevant to a wide variety of family and friends. I like the tip of placing a bookmark on a favorite page. You will be amazed how many people will open the book to see what you flagged.
4. Puzzles - Yes, they are a little old fashion but is hip if done with class. Try an extra hard jigsaw puzzle about half-completed on a side table. Just watch your guests try to add a piece or two. It helps to break the ice and draw people together for a common goal.
5. Photographs - Scrapbooking is very popular in many parts of the country. A great casual alternative it to simply place your latest batch of photographs in a fantastic looking bowl or tray. People will feel free to sift through them and take a look. Be sure to include pictures of your guests; they will know you care.
6. Original artwork - art can be expensive but there is a very fun alternative way to spice it up. Purchase a large poster of a famous painting like daVinci’s Mona Lisa or VanGogh’s Starry Night. Cut it up into several large pieces - don’t cringe it is only a poster! - to fit into store bought picture frames. When you hang them as a grouping be sure to mix them all up. Just watch your friends gather around to try to figure it out.

Try these fun interactive decor accessories at your next party. It will make your home more attractive and make your entertaining more fun.

Julie Dana is a professional Interior Redesigner and Accredited Staging Professional. Her company, The Home Stylist, offers online decorating consultations, do-it-yourself decorating plans and real-estate staging.
Visit http://www.thehomestylist.com to learn more about the decorating services, take a fun style quiz, vote on a color poll, and sign up for free decorating e-newsletter.

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I like decorating my kitchen with a cozy, warm, inviting, homey feeling to it. Usually I’m fighting for all the space I can get in my kitchen too. If you’d like to try this style yourself, you need additional space, or if you simply want to create a different look and feel to your current kitchen decorating style: here are a few tips for you to try.

1. Hang your pots and pans on the wall. This works whether you have a matching set of pots and pans, or whether it’s an eclectic collection gathered over the years. Simply put hooks in the wall, then hang the pots by their handles with the bottom facing outwards. This is particularly useful for space saving and organization too. My favorite location to hang the pots and pans is on the wall right above the stove. If you have the room, this puts the pots on display nicely while keeping them right on hand for cooking.

2. Hang your potholders and hotpads on the wall. If your pans are too heavy to hang safely, or you simply don’t want them on display, or you’d like to add other embellishments to your hanging pots arrangement - potholders work quite well as kitchen wall decorations too!

3. Hang your trivets on the wall. Another great way to decorate while saving space and keeping useful kitchen essentials right on hand, is to hang your trivets on the wall. A collection of antique trivets makes an especially nice kitchen wall arrangement, but modern ones work really well too. Use solid colors or patterns to match the rest of your kitchen decor, or choose trivets that have pictures on them so your kitchen wall will have pictures on it when the trivets aren’t in use.

Other things I like to hang in the kitchen for both space saving purposes, decorative accents, and to have on easy hand at all times include: a manual can opener, measuring cups and spoons, serving utensils, and coffee mugs. These items usualy hang under my cabinets because they don’t work well on the walls.

So there you have it. Use what you already have hidden away in the kitchen to create a cozy, warm, inviting and decorative kitchen atmosphere!

For more home decorating tips, advice, articles and supplies, visit The Do It Yourself Home Decorating Network @DIYHomeDecorating.com.

© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard

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For homeowners around the world, a big part of owning a home is landscaping the yard. Front yard landscaping or backyard landscaping, the work must be done. While the front yard is important because it’s more visible to neighbors and others who drive by, the backyard is no less important. The backyard is where families and friends gather for barbeques and birthday parties and where some families place their swimming pools. Most backyards are landscaped with careful thought and preparation. Special consideration is put into the positioning of every blade of grass, each decorative stone and all of the species of flowers that beautify a backyard.

Flowers, stones and grass are just some of the ways to landscape a backyard. Large shade trees, waterfalls and herbal gardens are some other ways. The theme of your landscape will depend on your hobbies, interests and goals for your backyard. Backyard landscaping can be a lot of fun, especially when you make it personal. Landscape your yard to reflect your personality and your homes personality. If you and your family like to entertain, add a bar to your back patio. Clean up the barbeque grill and don’t forget the citronella candles to keep the bugs away. Maybe you’ll want to build a croquet course, mini golf course, or put in a sand lot for some sand volleyball. Whatever your preference, make backyard landscaping fun for the whole family.

Keep your family in mind too, when it comes time to maintain the backyard landscaping. Large yards will require a lot more maintenance and grooming. Taking care of the yard can be a nice family activity. You can mow the lawn, pull the weeds and get the kids involved in watering the plants. If you have a fruit tree in your backyard, you’ll probably be spending some time picking up the fallen apples or cherries. And of course, you’ll also need to reserve time to tend to your herbal garden. It can be surprisingly rewarding to grow your own herbs and use them in special recipes that you cook when you’re entertaining friends and neighbors.

If you are the type who would rather keep your backyard to yourself, then maybe you don’t need to worry about the huge, green lawn. Perhaps you’d rather have a quaint yard with basic backyard landscaping. You can put in some grass, strategically place some shade trees and plant some of your favorite flowers. You may want to include some bigger bushes, if space allows as they will add some gorgeous green to your colorful backyard. This type of backyard may require the same maintenance as a large backyard, but not nearly the time commitment. No matter what your personality says about your backyard landscaping, one thing’s for surehomeowners everywhere will tell you to create your backyard just the way you want to.

Landscapes and Landscaping http://landscapes-and-landscaping.com/ helping you to make the most of your garden space.

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