Posted on Jun 16, 2010 under wreaths |
Small porch decorating is fun and challenging. Most homes today have small porches for a variety of reasons.Although they do not have a lot of decorating space you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you can do to create a huge visual impact, add storage, and even a few amenities.
Start with hardware
Another small porch decorating idea is replacing your door bell. Most need to be replaced periodically. They are easy to replace because they are low voltage; no need to turn off the power in most cases. Consider replacing it with one that lights at night.
Look up. Replace your porch ceiling fixture with one that fits your decorating style. You have so many options for lighting. If your porch ceiling is high enough you might choose a hanging light. As a minimum clean your light fixtures; most go untouched for years. The same goes for wall sconce lights if your porch has them.
Color selection is extremely important for small porch decorating. Make a dramatic impact by painting the front door a contrasting color. It’s easy to do and can create immediate curb appeal. You may want to get sample paint colors from your local building supply store so you can try a few different colors to find just the right look. We recommend you also invest in a very good paint brush to give your door a professional look.
Select a wreath that complements your door’s new color. A beautiful wreath adds warmth to your front entrance and can easily be changed for the season or holiday.
Add outdoor art for small porch decorating. This can be in the form of a wall sculpture or outdoor painting. This will give your porch a focal point, another great decorating feature. If you want to really show your decorating skills, select art that contains the color of your newly painted front door to create a cohesive look. Attach it firmly so that it will not blow in the wind. Hanging it on a hook like an indoor picture will not work.
Another way to create a focal point is to add a decorative flower container or sculpture. Select a piece that is proportional in size to your overall porch. It needs to be large enough to be a visual focal point but not too large as to overpower the porch or take up too much space.
Add a shelf. Not only does it provide a place to put packages while opening the door it can be painted to match you color scheme. No room for a shelf? Then perhaps a small bench will serve the same purpose.
Small porch decorating includes your porch columns. Often times, people overlook porch columns. Make sure they are in good repair and freshly painted. Consider changing the color or style. Column wraps are available to turn square or rectangular columns into round ones for a different look. You can also add stone bases to give your porch a craftsman-style look.
Replace or purchase a new door mat. Because they come in all sizes, colors, textures, materials, and styles, you can use them as a decorative piece as well as being functional. Like your wreaths, you can change them out to suit the season or holiday.
We cannot forget the porch flooring. Consider using interlocking deck tiles to change the look of your porch floor. This is an easy do-it-yourself project and one that can add both appeal and potential value to your home. They also come in a variety of styles so you can create your own special look. They work on almost any existing surface, wood, concrete, stone, and composites. However, they are not recommended for steps.
Remember, your porch is the first space a person sees when visiting your home. Use it to create a lasting impression. Small porch decorating can be fun, inexpensive, and will create great curb appeal.
Technorati Tags: decorating, ideas, Porch, simple, small
Posted on Jun 14, 2010 under wreaths |
Thanksgiving is a time of year in which families from all across the nation gather together and enjoy the presence of each other and give thanks for the fact that we live in this great country and have the means with which to celebrate in this manner. It is a great time that is representative of the hand of friendship that was extended to us in the past and the season of harvest.Thanksgiving takes place during the autumn season, which makes it an ideal time to decorate in the splendid colors of fall. These colors are not the bright colors that represent spring and summer or the sparking colors that epitomize Christmas but the colors of nature once she has seasoned and matured a bit. The colors are nothing short of spectacular and provide an excellent palate upon which you can decorate your home.The leaves and foliage of fall make excellent arrangements and garlands. If you want to hold onto the look for years to come and incorporate them into your regular fall decorating rather than simply enjoying them for one Thanksgiving holiday there are plenty of excellent and life-like silk leaf garlands that will make excellent additions to your home decorating contributions. The better quality you find in these the more likely they are to stand up to years of service and storage. The same holds true with any imitation items you purchase. Better quality typically indicates a much longer shelf life. Fall fruits and vegetables also make excellent decorations when it comes to giving thanks and home decorating. In fact, the food from the harvest and the friendship of the Indians was the very reason for the first Thanksgiving why on earth shouldn’t it be included in your celebration of thanks? Wreathes in fall colors are another excellent idea for decorating your home for Thanksgiving. It makes all who enter feel welcome and it is appropriate for the season. There is no such thing in this day and age as an all season wreath though there are many that can be adjusted to meet the needs of each season with simple steps. A grapevine wreath is a good start and can easily have seasonal things tied or attached to it in order to experience greater longevity. Pilgrims also make an excellent addition to your Thanksgiving decorations. They were after all the original celebrants of this tradition that has become a holiday for this great nation. You can have your children help select or even make the pilgrims that you will be adding to your decorations as well as a handprint turkey or two. Not all home decorations need to be expensive or elegant. Sometimes the simplest decorations drawn by the hands of a child are the ones that make the most memorable impressions on friends and family alike.Cornucopias are another great centerpiece and decoration for the Thanksgiving holiday. Not everyone has a large enough dinner table to accommodate one of these but they also work well on a buffet, a hall table, and almost any other location your heart can desire and you can manage to fit it in.If all else fails however, the food for Thanksgiving is all the decorations that some at your table will need. Do not forget the meaning of this season a time to give thanks for all the blessings in your life and enjoy the food and the decorations but more importantly enjoy the friends and the family.
Technorati Tags: decorating, Home, thanksgiving
Posted on Jun 11, 2010 under wreaths |
Small porch decorating is fun and challenging. Most homes today have small porches for a variety of reasons.Although they do not have a lot of decorating space you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you can do to create a huge visual impact, add storage, and even a few amenities.
Start with hardware
Another small porch decorating idea is replacing your door bell. Most need to be replaced periodically. They are easy to replace because they are low voltage; no need to turn off the power in most cases. Consider replacing it with one that lights at night.
Look up. Replace your porch ceiling fixture with one that fits your decorating style. You have so many options for lighting. If your porch ceiling is high enough you might choose a hanging light. As a minimum clean your light fixtures; most go untouched for years. The same goes for wall sconce lights if your porch has them.
Color selection is extremely important for small porch decorating. Make a dramatic impact by painting the front door a contrasting color. It’s easy to do and can create immediate curb appeal. You may want to get sample paint colors from your local building supply store so you can try a few different colors to find just the right look. We recommend you also invest in a very good paint brush to give your door a professional look.
Select a wreath that complements your door’s new color. A beautiful wreath adds warmth to your front entrance and can easily be changed for the season or holiday.
Add outdoor art for small porch decorating. This can be in the form of a wall sculpture or outdoor painting. This will give your porch a focal point, another great decorating feature. If you want to really show your decorating skills, select art that contains the color of your newly painted front door to create a cohesive look. Attach it firmly so that it will not blow in the wind. Hanging it on a hook like an indoor picture will not work.
Another way to create a focal point is to add a decorative flower container or sculpture. Select a piece that is proportional in size to your overall porch. It needs to be large enough to be a visual focal point but not too large as to overpower the porch or take up too much space.
Add a shelf. Not only does it provide a place to put packages while opening the door it can be painted to match you color scheme. No room for a shelf? Then perhaps a small bench will serve the same purpose.
Small porch decorating includes your porch columns. Often times, people overlook porch columns. Make sure they are in good repair and freshly painted. Consider changing the color or style. Column wraps are available to turn square or rectangular columns into round ones for a different look. You can also add stone bases to give your porch a craftsman-style look.
Replace or purchase a new door mat. Because they come in all sizes, colors, textures, materials, and styles, you can use them as a decorative piece as well as being functional. Like your wreaths, you can change them out to suit the season or holiday.
We cannot forget the porch flooring. Consider using interlocking deck tiles to change the look of your porch floor. This is an easy do-it-yourself project and one that can add both appeal and potential value to your home. They also come in a variety of styles so you can create your own special look. They work on almost any existing surface, wood, concrete, stone, and composites. However, they are not recommended for steps.
Remember, your porch is the first space a person sees when visiting your home. Use it to create a lasting impression. Small porch decorating can be fun, inexpensive, and will create great curb appeal.
Technorati Tags: decorating, Porch, small
Posted on Jun 08, 2010 under wreaths |
Body:Most of our holiday decorating is usually centered around the main living areas of our home. Usually the living room and family rooms are the first areas to be decorated, and the many other rooms of the house often times go forgotten. Today, however, many homeowners are decorating other rooms of their home, in addition to the living room. Here are a few ideas to help you get started decorating some other rooms of your home:
Kitchen:While most people don’t have a lot of wall space in their kitchens due to cabinets and windows, there are certain things that can add a festive touch to this area of the house. If you have an open area above your cabinets, this might be a perfect spot for that Victorian sleigh and Santa Claus that you want to put out, but don’t want the children to play with. A beautiful holiday plate or bowl on a clear plastic plate stand would really dress up the back corner of the counter top, along with a coordinating holiday cookie jar. Trading out your normal kitchen towels and rugs for ones that coordinate with the rest of your holiday decorations as well as your table linens gives a unified look.
Four Season Porch or Sun Room:A sun room or porch is the perfect place for a lighted tree at night because all the windows make it very visible to the surrounding area. This is also the perfect place to get a little whimsical with your decorations, too. The children will love a bright tree and funky decorations. Perhaps you would prefer a country or historical décor in this room. Popcorn and cranberries strung on a green tree are a sensory pleasure. Whichever you choose, be sure to add all the small touches you like, this is an area where adding more clutter just makes the end result look better.
Bathrooms:Like the kitchen, trade your everyday towels and rugs for holiday linens. If you have room on your bathroom countertop or vanity, add a small, decorated topiary-type tree. Some Christmas hand soaps are a nice touch. Since most of these rooms are small, a wreath is always a nice way to add a bit of the holidays without taking up too much space.
Bedrooms:Bedrooms are great places to add some holiday cheer that will be enjoyed by each member of the family individually. A small artificial tree is always a welcome pleasure to a child who is old enough to understand safety. Letting the child pick the ornaments or make paper ornaments to decorate the tree will make it that much more special. A stuffed Santa Claus and holiday bedding or throw can top off the child’s room. For adults, a small lighted tree, wreath and candles can make a peaceful place to get away from the holiday rush.
One thing that remains a staple in holiday decorating is the Christmas tree and wreaths that can be used just about anywhere in the home. As you expand your decorations throughout the house, your need for holiday storage will also grow. This requires a concerted effort on your part to be organized and efficient in storing your holiday decorations. When decorating an entire house, one of the most efficient ways to store your decorations is by room. With appropriate labeling, the trees, wreaths, and ornaments can be distributed to the appropriate location and then opened up. This same procedure can be reversed when it is time to un-decorate the house.
Technorati Tags: decorating, holiday, Home, Throughout
Posted on May 18, 2010 under wreaths |
Decorating your home and office for special occasions can sure warm up your holiday celebration environment, not to mention add fun to your holiday activities. But in order to avoid adding to much stress to your holiday event, you need to decorate at your own pace and don’t go overboard, putting a lot of time and effort into this, so that you can reap the most rewards – and not stress.
To help, here are some suggestions for your own decorating activities. Take each one and make it unique to your own home or business and festive environment. For example, you might take the mantle display and add some coordinating fall-colored throw pillows or blankets to your couch plus light a pumpkin scented candle and your whole family room will have that special thankful (Thanksgiving) feel to it.
Suggestions to customize:
Mantle Display
The mantle over your fire place is the perfect place to decorate. For a simple display, arrange some pumpkins or decorative ornaments on the mantle along with a few candles. A fall or winter garland or wreath is also a nice touch above the mantle.
Seasonal Flower Arrangement
Stop by your local florist for some flowers in yellow or orange or order some from an online gift shop. Arrange them in a vase along with some greenery.
Yard Display
Decorate the front yard with a wooden figure or sign. For a little color, plant a few mums, either in the ground, or in pots and planters.
Special Gift Basket or Wreath
Purchase or make a simple grapevine wreath and / or gift basket and decorate it with seasonal leaves and miniature fruits or plants. Add a nice bow and place the basket on a center table and hang the wreath on the front door. A festive wreath is a great way to welcome your guests in. And a gift basket is a nice way to invite guests to enjoy a quick snack of fruits, crackers and candies.
Fruits & Veggies
You can make a beautiful arrangement by setting out some fresh fruit and miniature pumpkins and ears of corn. Look for yellow and purple varieties of corn for an authentic fall feel. Scatter them across your dining table, or arrange them in a bowl for a nice centerpiece.
Display Kids Artwork
Not only will your home be beautifully decorated, but you’ll be building your children’s self-esteem at the same time. Buy a few inexpensive frames and set them out or hang them on the wall. This is of course also a great way to display your child’s artwork year round.
Traditional Themes
There are quite a few ways to incorporate traditional themes like the first Thanksgiving in your decorations. Create a small scale version of this special occasion by setting out a few figurines of pilgrims and Native Americans. Complete the scene with a small table, some turkeys and miniature trees to show that the first Thanksgiving took place outside.
Check books from your local library for more ideas. And add some festivity to your home and business environment. Make your own or visit fun shops online. Decorating can be as simple as that!
Technorati Tags: decorating, Occasions, Special
Posted on May 15, 2010 under wreaths |
Holiday Decorating Tips
I can think of few things more inviting than a home decorated all cozy and warm for the Holidays. There is something special about Christmas decorations that just makes people feel comfortable and at peace. Have you ever been to someone’s home during the Holidays and just felt all your stress and cares vanish as soon as you walked in? I think that is what we would all like to accomplish with our own Holiday decorating. I have put together some of my own ideas which will hopefully inspire you to add your own personal touches to create the Spirit of Christmas in your home this season.
Ribbon Bows
Holiday Ribbon makes a beautiful accent for just about everything and everywhere. Make simple bows in various sizes, use wire edged Sheer Frost Gold Ribbon or Sheer Frost Red Ribbon and tie them to your door knobs, door knocker, chandeliers, candle holders, stair rails and mantle piece. You can get more elegant and use wire edged Sheer Pizzaz Gold Ribbon or Sheer Pizzaz Red Ribbon to tie around your crystal stem ware, around napkins as a napkin ring. A Perky Poinsettia Ribbon would dress up your vases and flower pots.
Decorating with Small Trees
Buy inexpensive 2 foot Mixed Pine Trees and put them in your guest room, guest bath, kitchen or family room, just about any place that could use a little touch of Christmas warmth. Decorate them in a theme with favorite Sports Ornaments, Nutcracker Suite Ornaments, Western Ornaments, Gingerbread Ornaments or candy. Why not decorate one for your hubby with Hunting Ornaments or Fishing Ornaments.
Using Table Runners or Sheer Drape Fabric
Easy decorations for the dinner table or any long narrow table, even your coffee table or fireplace mantle include using elegant Embroidered Table Runners. Or you can create your own table runner by using Sheer Pizzaz Drape Fabric down the center of the table or mantle. Add a pot of Silk Roses or a Beaded Fruit Swag in the center of the table or run a length of Pine Garland down the center of the fabric. Then decorate by scattering some decorative Glass Ornaments or create a special theme for your Christmas Dinner with a beautiful set of glass Holy Family Ornaments. Top your mantle piece off with a Santa Nutcracker or Dignified Nutcracker King. Adding whimsical Santa, Snowman or Nutcracker Stocking Holders with attractive Christmas Stockings adds to the festive mood.
Christmas Wreaths
Put a Christmas Wreath on your doors, fireplace mantle and windows. You can use fresh Wreaths that add a lovely pine scent or Artificial Christmas Wreaths. You can decorate your wreaths very simply by tying beautiful Upscale Satin Ribbon bows or Elegant Velvet Ribbon bows. You can add convenient Battery Lights or even small ornaments or other decorations that go with your theme.
Christmas Garlands
Use Artificial Garlands to dress up your doors, windows, archways and stair railings. Its easy and safe to put garland on your stair railings by using Bannister Garland Hangers. Hang your Garland around windows and doors by using small clear thumbtacks. Just wrap a tip around the thumbtack to secure it. Decorate them with ribbon bows or twine elegant Sheer Drape Fabric through the tips.
How to Make a Simple Bow
First decide on the size of your bow. This will include the length of the loops and the tails.
Cut a decorative “v” into both ends of the ribbon.
Lay the ribbon on a flat surface or table with the bottom side up.
Bring the right end over the middle and hold in place. This is the first loop.
Bring the left side over and hold it the way you did with the right. Now you have formed both your loops. Decide where the exact center is and adjust the loops on the left and right side so they are even.
Once the middle is adjusted gather the 2 ends and also the bottom side and pinch all the layers between your thumb and index finger.
Take a thin piece of floral wire and wrap it around the front of the ribbon.
Twist the wire closed on the backside. Leave the ends hanging.
You can tie a small piece of the ribbon over the wire to hide it if you choose.
Technorati Tags: decorating, holidays
Posted on May 08, 2010 under wreaths |
Crackling fires, snowflakes, colorful lights, and the anticipation of Christmas is all around. As the excitement of the holiday draws near, and pets young and old await the arrival of Santa Paws, here’s some decorating ideas to help get your pet involved in the holiday spirit.The Treat Tree: Mix homemade dog biscuits into your tree decor. There are some great recipes online. Place a hole into the unbaked cookie with a straw, bake, and set to cool. Place ribbon through the biscuit to hang on the tree.
To make these treats interactive, attach a small label to each ribbon that lists a trick or behavior you would like your pup to perfect. Each day you can pull a treat, or allow your pup to pick, and have him complete the task before receiving the treat.
For cats, simply use a soft treat and add ornament hooks. Many cat owners express a problem keeping their cat out of their tree, if your kitty likes to use your tree as a hiding place, the treat tree may not be a good option; consider a pet tree without edibles or create a second tree as the treat tree to act as a decoy for your cat.
The Pet Tree: In addition to homemade treats, add candy cane rawhide, embellished pet ribbon, small picture frames with your pet’s photo, and pet related ornaments to your tree. Finish it off with a small picket fence to keep create a barrier for your pet for the ultimate pet themed Christmas tree.
The Treat Wreath: Make a wreath out of dog treats. Purchase a Styrofoam wreath form at your local craft store. Simply make additional dog biscuits or purchase Milkbones at the grocery store. Hot glue each bone to your wreath form until the entire wreath form is covered, layering and overlapping bones. Add dog embellished ribbon and your wreath is ready to great your guests at the front door or anywhere in the home.
For cats, substitute Milkbones with small cat toys.
A Mantle to Bark About: In addition to stockings and traditional holiday décor, include your pet by adding black and white photography of your pet in a silver or gold frame. Take a photo of your pet dressed in the holiday spirit or simply in front of your Christmas tree. You can easily alter this photo to black and white using your computer or take it to your photo center. Print your photos to the size of the frame and add to your holiday mantle collection. You can also search for pet related holiday accessories at your local HomeGoods store. Don’t forget to add a stocking for your pet. Petco offers some great stocking stuffers.
Incorporating your pet into the décor can be fun for the whole family, whether you go all out in a pet themed holiday décor or simply include your pet by adding a few pet friendly embellishments. It’s the purrfect holiday reward for your perfect pet.
Technorati Tags: decorating, holiday, Pets, Purrfect
Posted on May 06, 2010 under wreaths |
The purpose for decorating at Christmas time is to provide an atmosphere that will make all your friends and family feel warm, cheerful and most of all welcome in your home. With this in mind the first place to start is the outside of your front door. One idea is to drape a lush 9 foot strand of real or Artificial Pine Garland around the top of the door and let the ends hang on either side. Either type of Garland can be lit with Mini Lights or C7, C9 Outdoor Lights or a combination. You can easily hang Shatterproof Ornament Balls by using some green floral wire. You might also want to add some small floral picks with holly berries or other types of red berries or even some snow frosted greenery picks. Adding a couple strands of Iridescent White Berry Spray will add the effect of glistening snow. Velvet Ribbon bows add a nice touch of color and are easy to make.
If you prefer the look of a Wreath hanging on your front door, they can be just as easily purchased online in either real Pine or Artificial Christmas Wreath styles. If you have a double door you can purchase one for each door or one that will separate when one door opens. If you choose one that separates just make sure if you light it or use ribbon that you don’t run either all the way around the wreath. Add smaller Wreaths of identical style to each of your front windows. You only need to decorate these with a Velvet Ribbon Bow. Wreaths can be lit with Battery Operated Lights, small Mini Lights, C7 or C9 Lights or a combination. Wreaths can be decorated much the same way as Garlands. Just remember that a little green floral wire will make your job much easier and more enjoyable. If you have a theme for your Decorations inside your home, such as why not introduce it on your front door by adding Nutcracker Ornaments to your Garland and a small Nutcracker to the inside of your Artificial Christmas Wreath.
Decorating Your Front Yard.
Another fun way to add some Christmas Sparkle to the front of your home is to decorate the pathway or sidewalk leading to your front door. Use C9 lights which come in a variety of colors, attached to hard plastic Yard Stakes. This forms a fence like effect. As well as a range of colors to choose from, you can also choose whether the lights will twinkle or not. There are several styles of Luminaries you can choose from which cover the C9 lights and give a reflection of snowmen, angels or Christmas trees to name a few. There are even Snowmen or Large Nutcrackers or Toy Soldiers that you can use to line your pathway or stand beside your door to greet your guests. Your lawn can easily be decorated with Halographic Yard Art. These come in everything from Disney characters to Santa, Rudolph and all the other traditional Christmas characters. Don’t forget the Manger Scene that reminds us all of the reason for our Christmas Celebration.
Technorati Tags: christmas, decorating, outdoor, tips
Posted on Apr 24, 2010 under wreaths |
If you really want to bring people into the Christmas spirit when they come to your home during the holidays, here are several Christmas door decorating ideas that can be an excellent first step.
Your entrance way is the first thing that people see when they come to your home so it might be the most important part of your Christmas decorating.
Whenever it is that you choose for Christmas door decorating ideas this holiday season remember to have lighting on your porch. Extra lighting gives your porch a festive look and also makes it a little safer for guests.
Enjoy the holidays without adding extra stress to your schedule. If you enjoy making decorations for your home and have set aside time to do that, then have a ball! Purchasing a beautiful wreath or other ornament for your door is fantastic as well. Enjoy the season!
Technorati Tags: Bedazzle, christmas, decorating, Door, ideas, Porch
