With the winter season fast approaching, many women are looking for the perfect winter beauty trends.

Here is the video on

Advice on Home Repair & Improvement, Home Loans and Mortgages. Copyright ©. All Rights Reserved.

MDF crown molding, a wood-based composite material that uses wood fibers with a synthetic resin, is another example of how a builder or decorator can accent any room or hallway. MDF is environmentally safe and requires less preparation. It is often primed to a smooth surface which can then be painted with any high quality latex or oil paint. MDF won’t split when cutting, is resistant to warping and is consistent in size and shape. However, during installation of MDF, nailing creates blemishes that will require repair, by hand, prior to finishing. Although it is a less costly alternative to other materials in use, most professionals do not recommend its use.

Polyurethanes are found in many items. They are used in resins, adhesives, fibers, foam padding and insulation. They come in several forms, such as rods, sheets and liquids. Polyurethanes are frequently used as an alternative to such materials as wood, plastics, metal and rubber. And for good reason. Polyurethanes are resistant to wear and tear, weather, impact, scratching and erosion. They are also more cost-effective as an alternative as well.

Other uses for polyurethanes include: fibers, seals, gaskets, condoms, hard plastic parts, carpet underlay and sealants. Items such as domed ceilings, moldings and ceiling medallions are easier to construct of polyurethane foam rather than wood. In fact, polyurethane is considered to be the best replacement for plaster. It’s low cost, lightweight and anything you can do to wood, you can do to polyurethane. It is easy to install, can be used either interiorly or on the exterior and is available in the widest range of products.

In its most flexible form, polyurethanes are found in upholstery fabrics, while the more rigid foams are used inside the metal and plastic walls of most refrigerators and freezers. They are commonly utilized to make up paints, varnishes and glue. Your computer mouse-pad bottom is most likely made of polyurethane foam.

Flexible molding, which is one type of polyurethane, makes it a cinch to decorate around curved walls and arched doorways and windows. Flexible molding is made from a compound polymer resin that has been engineered to bend or curve around more challenging shapes. It can be bent or twisted without breaking or splintering. Flexible molding can actually be purchased in a range of grades, from very flexible to totally rigid.

One of the best features of flexible molding is it’s superiority to wood. Flexible molding can be stained, painted, or sealed just as ordinary molding, but without having to prime the surface first. It also resists warping, wearing, splitting, or mildewing, so it’s great for outdoor use as well.

Click here to continue the article.

Advice on Home Repair & Improvement, Home Loans and Mortgages. Copyright ©. All Rights Reserved.

Texture is an interior design element everyone enjoys. We all like how things feel. However, we often forget to consider texture as its own interior design component. All interior design elements have some type of texture. When creating a room design it is vital to coordinate all the textures in a room to achieve visual and tactile interest. A well designed room incorporates a careful selection of different textures.

Texture can be visual or tactile or both. It may have dimension or it may have none. It goes way beyond smooth or rough. Texture is not always obvious sometimes it is only implied. This occurs when an object looks one way but feels completely different. Tactile impression is the way an item makes us think it will feel. Texture is as important on items in a room we would never touch (ceiling, walls or architectural details) as it is on items people would be in consistent contact with (floor, carpet or upholstery).

People tend to get caught up in the way a few items feel and forget the rest. This works in reverse too, like when one is overly concerned the scratchy feeling on a wool drapery fabric. You aren’t going to snuggle up with it! The scratchy aspect happens to be part of the filament fiber which gives wool its’ superb ability to hang beautifully. It is important to pay attention to the texture of every item in a room. The aspect of this people are often most familiar with, other than in furniture is paint. Do you want flat, matte, semi-gloss, or gloss? If you haven’t considered the texture of everything else in the room, you aren’t ready to answer that question yet.

For the same reason one doesn’t fill a living room with all and only chairs, you need to be mindful of mixing textures. Variation is essential. Texture and the mix of such is a secret to creating a comfortable interior and a vital component in a monochromatic color scheme.

The materials as well as the actual composition of an item contribute to the texture. Wood is considered hard but in certain furniture, cabinet or floor applications it provides a soft and warm quality. Shiny is a common description for metal though one would not ordinarily attribute soft as a tactile element of metal, but when woven with silk into a fabric it can feel soft and have a shiny luster. Mohair resembles fresh cut grass the way each wool fiber stands up tall and straight. It has a crisp edge yet it is really wonderful to use in upholstery because it is very comfortable, feels luxurious to the touch, shapes well and is incredibly durable. In a monochromatic scheme using such opposing textures and materials can allow for what appears to be color changes when in fact they are all the same color.

Mixing textures creates interest and is a requirement of any well designed interior regardless of the color scheme. It is equally important to place the right texture in the appropriate location. Items people are going to sit on or feel should be of materials that are comfortable and pleasant to touch. Shiny pink patent vinyl may be the look your daughter has to have in her bedroom but rather than use it on a chair seat which would feel sticky on bare legs, it would be better as an upholstered headboard where one leans against pillows and doesn’t actually come in consistent contact with the vinyl.

Items that aren’t necessary great to touch can be fabulous to look at. Reclaimed, unfinished barn siding can look great on an interior wall in the right room but it would loose much if its characteristics if it was planed for flooring or cut-up for furniture. Glass beads are cool on wallcovering as created by Maya Romanoff (www.mayaromanoff.com) but would not work well on upholstery or as floorcovering. Tiny glass beads are invisibly attached to wallcovering in various colors or patterns which achieve a very glamorous effect on a wall or ceiling as light passes through the clear glass. This look belongs in an often seen location because it will have all your friends salivating.

A simple tip to remember when combining textures is that old saying that opposites attract. High gloss can be great paired with rough hewn timbers. Thick and luxurious rugs look fantastic on wood or stone floors. A cork kitchen floor provides visual texture as opposed to the flatter/sleek aspect of kitchen cabinets and countertops and against the hardness of those surfaces cork has a soft sound absorbing quality. The opposing combinations are endless.

The next time you are planning an interior design project or just adding something to an existing room make sure you carefully study all the textures involved. Be especially careful to mix different and opposing textures so you can pull off a well designed, comfortable and happy living space. Mixing is where the real fun comes in. So go out and mix things up!

About the Author

Lisa M. Smith is an interior designer and owner of Interior Design Factory, Ltd. She specializes in creating beautiful and inviting residential interiors that are timeless and look collected, not like a showroom. Real design for real people. She produces individualized results using creative solutions that are liveable and tell a story. Good design is for everyone and available in every budget.

Hire an Interior Designer Now for only $4.95. Click on website to ask your personal design question. You can even send pictures. Get design advice and answers just for you!

www.InteriorDesignFactory.com

Advice on Home Repair & Improvement, Home Loans and Mortgages. Copyright ©. All Rights Reserved.

Outdoor kitchens increase your living space adding tremendous value and appeal to your home. That’s why building outdoor kitchens is the second most popular remodeling project after indoor kitchens.

However, a great outdoor kitchen is a complex project.

You can certainly enjoy your backyard and grill up some tasty BBQ on any charcoal or gas grill, but to truly bring your kitchen outdoors requires significant planning, skill and expertise. This project is not a do-it-yourselfer.

Here’s what you’ll need to consider:

Your basic outdoor kitchen set-up will include a built-in barbeque grill, countertop, sink, refrigerator, outdoor kitchen cabinets and cozy outdoor furniture or barstools for yourself and all your guests to kick back.

The barbeque grills on the market today offer so many bells and whistles that you should start shopping around early to determine your favorite options and how much you want to spend.

Next, the type of countertop surface is a crucial decision when building outdoor kitchens. Options include tile, quartz, solid surface, granite and other natural stones. Choosing the right countertop will ensure years of enjoyment and admiration. The wrong one…years of hassle and headaches.

If price is a primary consideration then take a look at tile. Just know that a tile countertop may not stand up as well to the elements and will require significant maintenance to keep the grout clean and the tiles intact.

Granite and quartz are more expensive, but offer the best long-term value with excellent durability and superior styling.

For the ultimate in luxury, you may also consider installing pergolas, stereos, ceiling fans, fire pits and more. Even TVs are moving outside.

Comfort & Flow

Comfort is key to enjoying your outdoor kitchen and entertainment space. But before you empty your wallet on that imported teak dining set with bar stools, take a look at the space you have available and decide how it’s going to “flow.”

Everyone needs a little space so, make sure your outdoor kitchen plan accounts for some basic and standard construction measurements to allow plenty of room to sit and move about.

Outdoor Kitchen Location

Of course, the idea of an outdoor kitchen is to relieve you of all the shuttling back and forth from your kitchen inside. Nonetheless, you’ll want to locate your outdoor kitchen as close as possible to the indoor one for overall convenience.

Also, when building outdoor kitchens keep in mind things like, electricity, water and gas. The closer your outdoor kitchen is to your house the easier it will be to hook up to these utilities.

Sun and rain exposure is an important consideration. Certainly you’ll want some protection from the rain so grilling can continue even if the party must move indoors.

In northern areas you may want to maximize sun exposure, while most southern backyard kitchens should be designed to shield the sun either by location or the addition of a pergola or large umbrella.

Wind protection is another reason to stay close to the house. You don’t want to be so close that smoke from the grill is easily blown around seating areas, but taking advantage of walls and fences will make grilling more pleasant. However, fencing, trees, shrubs and planters can be added for greater protection.

Utilities & Permits

If you’re not building a new home that includes an outdoor kitchen, chances are your outdoor kitchen plan will require installation of water, electric and possibly gas supply to your cooking area.

Water supply to the sink will need to be installed so it can drain in winter to prevent freeze damage and building codes will probably require the sink drain be connected to the main house drain.

You’ll need to hire an electrician to install GFCI outlets above the countertop and for your lighting. If your outdoor kitchen plan calls for cooking with natural gas vs. propane then you’ll need a plumber to run an underground gas line.

Permits will be required so everything should be mapped out in advance. And although some aspects of building outdoor kitchens can be handled by the competent do-it-yourselfer, the complete project involves extensive and specialized installations that are best left to professionals.

You’ll have many discussions with your contractor about all of these items, but this should get the juices flowing on your great outdoor kitchen plan.

About the Author

Ryan Burden publishes CountertopSpecialty.com, which provides information on custom countertops AND . . . produces a nice income. Perhaps YOU have a business or passion that you’d like to turn into online profits. Discover the right tools at My SBI Story.

Advice on Home Repair & Improvement, Home Loans and Mortgages. Copyright ©. All Rights Reserved.

Today’s modern kitchen serves as a family hub of household activity and entertaining. They are now well lit, open places. The kitchen’s size and design should address your family’s lifestyle and how your kitchen is used for cooking, eating and entertaining. Since the kitchen is called on to fill more roles than any other room in the house they have had to increase in size as well. Today’s kitchen design challenge is in creating an open-faced kitchen – one that’s part of a dining area, family room or so-called great room.

Both the function and style of the modern kitchen play important roles when tackling a kitchen design or renovation project.
If you’re remodeling an existing kitchen or planning a kitchen addition or a new home, here is some current kitchen design trends to keep in mind.

One of the more recent trends in modern kitchen design ideas is to make the kitchen part of a ‘great room’, that is to combine the kitchen with an adjacent family room. To create the great room the wall separating the kitchen and family room or dining room is completely removed creating a more open space centered by a spacious kitchen island or peninsula.

There are some definite advantages to expanding the kitchen. You can open up the space and in so doing you make both the kitchen and the other room look and feel more specious. Also since kitchen cabinetry, countertops and appliances are beautiful pieces of furniture in their own right you can now show off your new kitchen. Your remodeling costs won’t really increase all that much by opening up the kitchen other than the cost of extra cabinetry. Anyway the added cost that would be put into this type of kitchen design would be more that offset by the increase in the value of your home.

Furniture-style cabinetry will continue to be a popular trend in kitchen design at least according to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). These furniture-style cabinets are considered to be especially popular in the development of kitchen islands. Features that give cabinets a furniture-like appearance are legs or bun feet, corbals onlays and mouldings. Cabinet doors are made with solid hardwoods, the most popular being maple and cherry. As for finishes light and medium finishes continue to be popular, although kitchen designers and trendwatchers also see a growing interest in deep, rich browns as influenced by the furniture industry to some extent and to create a more formal look for the kitchen.

Cabinet manufacturers and kitchen designers are starting to design more individual and freestanding pieces of furniture instead of the usual built-in cabinetry for expanded ‘great room’ kitchens. This is known as the ‘unfited’ kitchen design first popularized by English designers and cabinetmakers. This also leads to another trend of incorporating features from heirloom quality furniture such as glazed, distressed and antique finishes.

Undermounted sinks in both cast iron and stainless steel are among recent changes in kitchen design because homeowners like the clean smooth look which blends with modern designs. The advantages of an undermounted sink are that it is functional, beautiful and very easy to install. The bowl is attached underneath a countertop. No sink rim shows above the countertop and there is no lip to collect water and catches dirt and crumbs. Instead debris is easily swept into the sink so that the counter can be cleaned faster.

Other recent trends in modern kitchen design include:

Countertops: Natural stone remains most popular countertop material with the most popular being granite. Limestone is another popular choice. Mixing different materials is becoming more common, using stone on some counters, butcher block or concrete on others.

Appliances: Commercial quality appliances are becoming popular particularly ranges, as are built in refrigerators and European style dishwashers. Warming drawers and convection microwave ovens that can be used as a second oven are also popular.

Putting pots and pans into drawers. With heavy-duty drawer glides one can put large, heavy pots in drawers instead of cupboards now.

Cabinet door thickness is likely to be 1 inch instead of 3/4 inch since this size is more considered as being of higher quality.

Glazed, distressed and antique finishes are being used more and more to replace traditional ornate details once used on many high-end cabinets.

Painted finishes now include colors as cranberry, white, off-white and oyster.

According to kitchen designers as today’s kitchen expands in size and complexity, “mixed orders” are becoming more commonplace. Kitchen islands, wet bars, baking centers and butler’s pantries are being incorporated into more and more kitchen designs creating the need for more contrasts-in cabinet styles, colors, types of wood and finishes.

About the Author

James Mahoney is the author of many kitchen design articles and has a site about kitchen design ideas at http://www.kitchendesignersideas.com
He also publishes a newsletter on kitchen design.

Advice on Home Repair & Improvement, Home Loans and Mortgages. Copyright ©. All Rights Reserved.

A great list of 21 things you didn’t know you can recycle has just been published in Coop America Quarterly, a Journal on Sustainability.

Are you also feeling overwhelmed by the amount of household waste that seems to have no-where to go?

Here is a quick summary of their list of how to recycle some seemingly unrecyclables:

1. Appliances:
If working: http://www.goodwill.org
If not working: http://www.recycle-steel.org

2. Batteries:

http://www.batteryrecycling.com

3. Cardboard boxes:
Local nonprofits
Men’s or women’s shelters
http://www.Freecycle.org listserv

http://www.Craigslist.org

UsedCardboardBoxes.com, if you supply 100+ boxes/mth.

4. CDs/DVDs/Game Disks:

http://www.auraltech.com

5. Clothes:
General: Goodwill & Shelters
Wearable women’s business clothing: http://www.dressforsuccess.org.
Unwearable clothes and towels: local animal boarding and shelter facilities, for pet bedding.
Hold a clothes swap at your office, school, faith congregation or community center.
Swap clothes with friends and colleagues, and
save money on a new fall wardrobe and back-to-school clothes.

6. Compact fluorescent bulbs:

http://www.ikea.com

7. Compostable bio-plastics:

http://www.findacomposter.com

8. Computers and electronics:

http://www.ban.org/pledge/Locations.html

9. Exercise videos: Swap at

http://www.videofitness.com

10. Eyeglasses:
Lion’s Club
Eye care chains
Lenses are reground and given to people in need.

11. Foam packing:
Your local pack-and-ship store will likely accept foam peanuts for reuse. Or, call the Plastic Loose Fill Producers Council to find a drop-off site: 800/828-2214. For places to drop off foam blocks for recycling, contact the Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers, 410/451-8340, www.epspackaging.org/info.html

12. Ink/toner cartridges:

http://www.recycleplace.com

Pays $1/each.

13. Miscellaneous:
Give your unwanted items to people who can use them:

http://www.Freecycle.org

http://www.Craigslist.org or try giving them away at

http://www.Throwplace.com

http://www.iReuse.com (will help you find a recycler or user)

14. Used Motor Oil:

http://www.recycleoil.org

15. Phones:
Cell phones: http://www.collectivegood.com (for developing countries), or
http://www.donateaphone.com (for domestic violence victims).
Home phones: http://www.reclamere.com

16. Sports equipment:
Resell or trade it:

http://www.playitagainsports.com

17. “Technotrash” (iPods, MP3 players, cell phones and chargers, digital cameras, PDAs, palm pilots, and more):
Use Project KOPEG to recycle and to help you raise funds for your organization.
CDs, jewel cases, DVDs, audio and video tapes, pagers, rechargeable and single-use batteries, PDAs, and ink/toner cartridges: http://www.greendisk.com

18. Tennis shoes:
Unwearables: http://www.nikereuseashoe.com for playground and athletic flooring.
Still wearables: http://www.oneworldrunning.com for athletes in need in Africa, Latin America and Haiti.

19. Toothbrushes and razors:

http://www.recycline.com

Buy a recycled plastic toothbrush or razor from Recycline (made from used Stonyfield Farms’ yogurt cups), and the company will take it back to be recycled again into plastic lumber.

20. Tyvek envelopes:
< 25: Send to Shirley Cimburke, Tyvek Recycling Specialist, 5401 Jefferson Davis Hwy., Spot 197, Room 231, Richmond, VA 23234. Quantities larger than 25, call 866/33-TYVEK.

21. Stuff you just can’t recycle:
When practical, send such items back to the manufacturer and tell them they need to manufacture products that close the waste loop responsibly.

For more information, visit Coop America Quarterly’s website.

Obviously decorating comes into the equation, but you also have to add the right kind of fixtures and fittings that should fit in harmoniously with the colour, lighting and theme of your home. Above all any room should be designed with the safety of its occupants in mind. Fortunately it is possible to find glass that is both beautiful and incredibly tough so these days, glass and mirrors can be used for everything from tables to staircases; we are limited only by our imagination.

Naturally, the end purpose of the room will dictate whether or not it is practical to make extensive use of glass and mirrors but nevertheless, even on a smaller scale they can add a whole new dimension to your interior design project.

Using glass and mirrors in your home

One of the advantages of both glass and mirrors is that they can blend in very well with other types of materials and enhance existing fixtures and fittings and of course they also help create a bright and airy atmosphere.

Mirrors for example, can be so much more than just functional accessories; they reflect a lot of light and create an illusion of space, which is particularly beneficial if a room is small. You could consider mirrored surfaces or walls to give an interesting new perspective to a room or place large ornate mirrors over fireplaces or sideboards to serve as a main focal point.

Light travels right through glass so a well positioned glass panelled sideboard or other piece of glass furniture set off with subtle artificial lighting or placed where there is a lot of natural sunlight could enhance the overall appearance and ambience of a room and again, create an illusion of space. Utilising glass panels in doorways can increase the amount of natural light entering into a room in the first place. Glass is versatile too; it can be etched, frosted or even stained to add decoration and style.

Together, glass and mirrors in the right light can create an air of elegance and sophistication and rooms can be transformed from dull and dreary to bright and beautiful. There are literally countless ways of using glass and mirrors as furniture pieces or accessories to enhance the appearance of any room and of course to mirror your own individual style.

Reflecting your style

In order to get the right look for you, the one that will reflect your own style, you first have to identify what your style is. Popular styles include traditional, modern, country, minimalist, retro or even a contrast of styles. Regardless of which style you want to go for, glass and mirrors work well with any of them.

Pay attention to what have other people done with glass and mirrors that you could imitate or expand on to create your own effect. Most of all ask yourself how a particular room or look makes you feel. The idea is to identify what you are comfortable with and what pleases you.

Imagine what your own focal point might be. Can you make use of an existing feature in your room such as a window or a fireplace or will you create a focal point using furniture, or perhaps a painting, a mirror or even a work of art?

The finishing touches

Once you have taken into consideration the purpose of the room that you are designing and any practical issues associated with it, you have identified your style and the fixtures and fittings and colour schemes you are going to use, and you have worked out what your focal point will be, you can begin to put the finishing touches to your room.

The finishing touches to any room can make or break it but it is you that will decide. You could make use of drapes, plants, mirrors, paintings, floral displays, scents, lighting, cushions, curtains, and even sounds to enhance the beauty of a room and you can be as creative as your imagination will allow. If you like the end result and it makes you feel good and it fits in harmoniously with the rest of your home then you will have succeeded in creating a space that beautifully reflects who you are.

About The Author

David McEvoy is an expert in interior design. If you are looking for a leather sofa to give the finishing touches to a newly decorated room then please come and visit our site.

To get an idea of what you like, browse through magazines and brochures dedicated to homes, visit showrooms and exhibitions, take note of what you like about friends and families homes, search the Internet, watch TV programmes that focus on transforming homes and you will soon get an idea of what kind of style appeals to you and what doesn’t.

The following list represents just a small sample of the kind of interior design ideas and styles that might be of interest with a very broad description of each one. This list is by no means exhaustive and the descriptions are there just to spark some ideas as there are no firmly fixed rules regarding different styles, it is all about what looks and feels right for you.

A traditional style

The traditional style is arguably one of the more popular choices. It is characterised by practical furniture, which is also functional and of course comfortable. There are no big statements being made here. The colour schemes are not loud and fussy and the overall impression is a homely one that is restful to the eye, in other words it isn’t at all outrageous or bold in design but has a more elegant look and feel to it.

The modern approach

A modern style allows for a more daring approach with brighter colour mixes, symmetrical, angular and straight lines and possibly stark colour contrasts. Leather furniture and metallic fittings can add a nice touch and lighting can be used effectively to highlight different areas. Modern styles are generally clean cut and slick and sleek and so don’t go well with too many extra accessories.

A cottage in the country

Imagine a quaint cottage in the country and what it might look like on the inside and you can begin to get an idea of a country or cottage style. The country style has more of a rustic, informal look and feel. It could include attractive fabrics on the furniture, subtle colour schemes, country patterns and prints, and flowers. The “worn” look works very well as do antique style fittings, wooden furniture, rugs and cotton table cloths.

The minimalist look

This works on the basic principle that less is so much more. It has a very simple, clean cut and spacious look to it with minimal furniture, and very few accessories. There are no extras, just the absolute bare essentials and nothing else.

A themed style

Perhaps you’d prefer a themed style, for example, a nature theme based on water, the forest or wildlife. You could also choose Japanese, Asian, Mexican, or Wild West themes, in fact, whatever you can think of. There are no restrictions, just whatever has an individual appeal for you.

What about Feng shui?

Feng shui literally means “wind-water” and is a Chinese school of thought based on the idea that how a room is laid out and furnished has an impact on the health and wellbeing of its occupants. If this appeals to you then colour is important and so is the layout of the furniture and the fittings. Furniture must be placed in such as way as to create an atmosphere of comfort that is also in harmony with the surroundings. There are a number of “rules” attached to Feng Shui so you would have to familiarise yourself with these first.

Using a mixture of styles

Interior design ideas often bring a mix of two or more styles together to produce striking results. However, a word of caution, mixing lots of different styles together can also look cluttered, messy and downright chaotic unless you have some artistic flair and an eye for detail in order to get it right. The best way to spark off your own interior design ideas is to take a look at other styles and find out what appeals to you and expand on that. Take a note of what colours are used, what “feelings” you get from the rooms and of course, you will also be able identify what you simply don’t like and want to avoid.

Getting it right

Think about and try to imagine what impression or mood you want to create in each room, for example romantic, risqué, tranquil, vibrant, earthy, homely, playful, and exciting and so on. Looking at lots of other rooms will give you an idea of what appeals to you and you can then base your own interior design ideas on that. Once you have identified the kind of style, colours, fixtures and fittings you like, you can choose to hire a designer to do the work for you or you may decide to do it yourself, in any event, with a little thought and fore planning you will be able to create rooms that are both functional and beautiful and that totally reflect who you are.

About the Author

So what do we mean by ethnic?

Ethnic basically means native or indigenous people from a particular area so in relation to Interior Design it means to bring the natural elements that are representative of whatever culture, land or peoples you choose to portray into your own home to define your space.

Naturally the world is your oyster as they say so there are countless cultures to choose from, all you have to do is bring a particular ensemble of colours, patterns, materials and artefacts together to create a “look” that is recognisable and distinctive. What about a Mediterranean flavour, Native American Indian symbolism, or perhaps Tibetan Buddhism? Popular themes include African, Mexican, and Asian but you can go with whatever inspires or appeals to you. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

African Theme

Think of Africa and all that it conjures up in your mind, the landscape, the sounds, the smells, the colours, the mood, and then if you try to pick out the key points, what would they be? Colour schemes might include earthy colours like green, beige, browns and tans, set off with orange and splashes of red. Think about floor and wall coverings, natural substances would probably work best. Finishing touches can include wall hangings, African artefacts, drums, rugs, African fabrics and prints, animals made of stone, clay or wood, ceremonial masks hung on the wall, brightly coloured African bowls and pots, and so on.

Mexican Theme

What does Mexico mean to you? Perhaps desert colours with sandy tones, beige and khaki, along with reddish, rustic colours and hues. Blankets and woven fabrics in bright colours, perhaps terra cotta pots and bowls, pine wood is popular for furniture. Artefacts can include symbols of the South West or from the Spanish influence, or from the Aztecs, Mayans and other ancient civilisations, all of which can add an interesting and authentic Mexican look and feel.

Asian Theme

There are many variations within an Asian theme but two quite popular ones are Japanese and Chinese. Japanese themes tend to lean towards a more minimalist look and have a tranquil and peaceful feel. Consider a futon and using screens to get that Japanese ambience. Colours tend to be natural and objects from nature often feature as focal points, for example, smooth stones and pebbles, water fountains and bonsai trees. Chinese themes on the other hand might involve brighter and bolder colours, lanterns, dragons and other mythological creatures, artwork depicting the traditional people colours and landscapes and Chinese handwriting.

How to get started

Once you have established which particular ethnic culture appeals to you, browse through books and magazines and the Internet to get ideas that will spark off your own imaginative flair. Identify what elements go together to make up that particular look or feel that you want to create.

Consider the walls, ceilings and floors carefully as this will provide a base for you to work from and then you can add in the details to finish it off. For example, is the texture and appearance of the walls and ceilings rough or smooth? What floor covering is appropriate, should it be wood, stone, tiles or carpets? Will rugs and mats make a difference and if so what are they made of? Are the windows better suited to drapes, blinds or shutters? What style of furniture works? What about plants, motifs, pictures and wall hangings?

The theme you adopt and the way that you choose to portray specific elements of that theme is entirely up to you and your imagination, the end result will be your own unique interpretation of a culture or a place and you will have added a touch of the exotic to your home.

About The Author

David McEvoy is an expert in interior design. If you are looking for a leather sofa to give the finishing touches to a newly decorated room then please come and visit our site http://www.leathersofa.uk.com/

The minimalist room will feel spacious and airy because it is filled with few items of furniture, which are usually spaced quite far apart and perhaps with only one or two ornamental pieces or paintings to add character and act as a focal point. There are little or no patterns to the fabrics, if fabrics feature at all, and no bright colour contrasts or clashes to disturb the eye so the over all appearance is one of elegance and simplicity, peace and tranquillity.

If the minimalist look appeals to you, the following tips and ideas will help you create it within your own home.

Tips and ideas on how to create the minimalist look

Make a thorough assessment of the space you want to transform and what it is going to be used for. First of all get rid of everything that isn’t required in order to make maximum use of the available space and fill it with as little as possible. Naturally, one thing to consider is where exactly you are going to put everything so good storage space is an absolute must. If you haven’t got a lot of cupboard space already, it may be worthwhile remedying this and installing some fitted cupboards and wardrobes.

Use paler neutral colours on the walls and keep them as clear as possible as this gives a relaxing and uncluttered backdrop to a room, a bit like a blank canvas, and will not clash with anything else. Furniture should be functional and comfortable with few ornate details and patterns. Floor coverings and surfaces, including tables are best kept clean and free of clutter so texture and appearance of all surfaces are important considerations.

Conceal any wires and plug fittings that might be on view as these not only look unsightly, they will stand out and look out of place in an otherwise streamlined room. Limit ornaments to perhaps one or two key pieces to draw the eye and perhaps one painting or framed photograph carefully positioned on a wall. Windows should be unobstructed and clear so blinds or shutters instead of curtains will work well. If the window looks out onto an attractive view and is private, perhaps no window dressing at all is necessary.

Light can be used to great effect in a minimalist room to enhance the simple, spacious and airy atmosphere or to highlight a specific area within the room like a painting, a table or some other eye catching object. Avoid using too many floor and desk lamps to light the room as this takes up unnecessary space and adds to clutter. Dimmer switches are a good idea as they allow you to control the amount of light to suit the occasion and the mood.

In the bathroom make sure that all toiletries, toothbrushes and other items are concealed in a cabinet. Bedrooms should serve as a wardrobe overflow, clothes and other items must be stored in the wardrobe or out of sight. In the kitchen all surfaces should be kept clear and if you haven’t done so already, consider concealing kitchen appliances behind matching doors.

One disadvantage of the minimalist look is that it is very easy to spot when something is out of place because it relies on the fact that there is no mess or clutter so isn’t really a realistic style for people who are not disciplined or who are particularly untidy or who like collecting or hoarding bric a brac and is more suited to someone who works on the philosophy of a place for everything and everything in its place.

Conclusion

Creating the minimalist look might sound simple but it is anything but. It takes great skill and imaginative flair to create a beautiful room with the minimum of furniture, fixtures and fittings. Each element of the room has to be carefully thought about in order to create the desired effect. It also takes self discipline to keep it clear and free from clutter.

The ideal is to create a beautiful room that has a fresh appeal, that is relaxing, inviting, functional and practical and that still carries an air of elegance and sophistication. If you get it right, it can be a welcome haven to come home to after a busy and chaotic work schedule, a place where you can truly relax and enjoy the ambience of a stress free and uncluttered space.

About The Author