Myia’s Renovations and Realty

Thomas MacIntosh our expert of the day, writes:

A creative bent of mind and an eye for detail and beauty are the inherent qualities that could help you become a professional interior decorator. Patience and good communication skills are other prerequisites. No formal training or education is required, and with people having more money, but less time to decorate their homes and offices, you are unlikely to be short of work.
First decide whether you want to work part-time or full-time and whether you want to work from home or rent an office. You could set up an attractive home-office, and advertise your services in local newspapers and magazines, as well as the Internet. Decorate your own home or office with extra care, as it would be a kind of advertisement in itself. In addition, when you start off as an interior decorator, offer to decorate some of your relatives’ or friends’ homes for free. Word-of-mouth publicity can do wonders in this profession, and you are likely to gain many assignments.
An interior decorator is hired to decorate or redecorate homes, offices, hotels, nursing homes, and wedding locales. Clients may vary from the super-rich to middle-class families. A client expects a decorator to know about space layout and planning, color coordination, lights, flooring, hardware, paints, object d’ art, furniture, fabrics, plants, and accessories.
As an interior decorator you need to carry out the following tasks:
- Meet the client to understand his/her requirements - Survey the area you have been told to decorate - Provide a rough sketch to the client about how you intend to decorate or redecorate the space - Provide an estimate of costs involved - Choose furniture, lights, hardware, upholstery, and accessories based on design aesthetics and your client’s preference - Coordinate with carpenters, metal workers, boutique owners, and artists
An interior decorator’s job is not easy. You may have to juggle ideas and costs. In addition, you may come across fussy clients who are hard to satisfy. The super-rich, for example, are known to be hard to please. On the other hand, some clients trust the interior decorator’s knowledge and skills, and they are easily satisfied.
To conclude, before embarking on a career as interior decorator, get together an impressive portfolio. It should indicate your sense of style by including samples or pictures of the colors, fabrics, lights, glass, and accessories that you employ. It does
not have to be a portfolio of projects that you have been paid for. Include letters of recommendation and client comments, if any. While working, deal tactfully with your clients. Remember it’s their space not yours that you are decorating.

John Billington our expert of the day, writes:

As the human body gets older, many physical and functional changes take place within it. A lot of these changes involve a decreased ability to perform tasks that once seemed basic. One essential ability that lessens as a person ages is his or her vision. Since most people rely on their ability to see throughout their entire lives, it can be quite disheartening when this important sense no longer performs as it once did. As the human eye ages, its cornea becomes hazy and the lens begins to absorb more light. Deposits in both the cornea and the lens cause an increase in light scattering inside the eye, making it difficult for a person to identify objects. In addition to a decreased ability to focus on an object, one’s ability to adjust to different levels of light is compromised.

Extensive research continues to be conducted to unfold the science behind regression of the eye’s functionality with age. Lighting industry leaders have taken notice of important findings regarding the role of lighting in vision enhancement, and in response have released product lines specifically designed to produce the type of light that counteracts some of the decreased visual ability that comes with aging.

Lighting solutions that illuminate in excess of one hundred footcandles, the level experts have determined to be optimal for reading, are already on the market. A footcandle is a measure of the amount of illumination on a surface. One footcandle can be equated to one lumen per square foot of surface area, but was originally measured by the intensity of light a candle produces from one foot away. New lights designed for the aging eye utilize a diffuser and a reflector, which make them capable of concentrating light only on the task at hand, such as a book or newspaper. Since these lights include a dimmer and the reflector can be physically maneuvered, they can be adjusted to concentrate light in the perfect position for optimal visibility. In addition to making the surface area of reading material more visible, this lighting makes it less necessary for the aging eye to try to adjust to varying levels of light.

Lighting that includes this new technology for the aging eye can be found in many different styles. Free standing floor lamps are available with or without an adjustable arm that is the perfect height for reading while relaxing in a favorite chair. Hanging ceiling lights, table lamps, desk lamps and sconces are also available with this technology to ensure that all household lighting needs can be fulfilled by this revolutionary lighting technology.

About the Author: John Billington is the president and CEO of Five Rivers Inc., a leading online provider of home lighting and decor. For more information, please visit www.fiverivers.com.

Stephanie A our expert of the day, writes:

Preferably a national chain and one that has decorators on site. Thanks for the help!

Mr.Andrew Caxton our expert of the day, writes:

Have you been considering using Japanese gardens as an inspiration for your own landscaping ideas? Japanese gardens have become increasingly popular recently because of the aura surrounding the gardens with an element of peace and tranquillity.

The benefits of a Japanese garden do not need to be expensive and they do not need lots of maintenance if it has been done properly. To enjoy it without spending a fortune, it is a good idea to plan the project or landscape properly.

Japanese Gardens and Japanese Interior Decorating

The problem that comes with Japanese gardens is that people have their own misconceptions about what should go into it. A lot of people think that to have a great Japanese garden you need lots of exotic flowers, but the truth is that this is simply not the case. If you look closely, Japanese gardens make the most out of the structures to help give out that distinctive look. However, to be able to achieve the look and get everything looking great and feeling right it is important to understand all of the principles of a Japanese garden. If you understand the principles, it will be a lot easier to manage the look and keep it looking great.

Nature is an important thing to look into when it comes to planning a Japanese garden. If you get into your mind that you want to go for all things that are natural, then it will help you considerably. Imagine if you are going to do a pond. With a pond you should go for the natural round pond instead of the conventional square one. Another thing that should be carefully considered when planning the garden is space.

Some people see any empty space and have the urge to fill it in with something. Well, the thing with Japanese gardens is that if there is empty space, it can help to compliment other parts of the landscaping. If you did not have any empty space, it could compromise the look and maybe even look too cramped. It is a wise idea to never put something big into such a small space. So, in order to get the correct look, it is a good idea to use elements that will complement everything else.

For the basic look of a Japanese garden, an enclosure will need to be fitted into the plans. It can help to get that feeling of a nice relaxed retreat and also have a nice seclusion area away from everywhere else. You can achieve this by using fences and gates and it is a good idea to use an entrance and an exit point. So, remember some of these pointers when it comes to planning your Japanese gardens and you will enjoy the look for years to come as well as enjoying a peaceful and relaxing garden.

Kimberly Quang our expert of the day, writes:

Brass bathroom lighting fixtures are a beautiful addition to any home. The bathroom is the most used room within the residence. Many daily tasks, such as shaving, hair styling, and facial enhancement, along with cleansing, are performed in this space. Homeowners need to have the proper type of lighting in their bathroom, in order to go about their daily routine. Lighting fixtures come in a variety of styles and finishes, including brass, bronze, copper, and stainless steel. Brass lighting fixtures are perfect for any contemporary or traditional style home. These illumination fixtures can complement your interior décor and throw a soft touch of warm illumination over your vanity area.

There are brass bathroom light fixtures and many other types of lamps, as well. The huge online selection caters to both indoor and outdoor home illumination. RLLD specialize in commercial lighting for your business location. All of the brass products have been designed by top-notch manufacturers, who have taken the time to handcraft the finest illumination items to correlate with your décor theme. The lighting professionals are also available to answer any questions you may have about lighting technique and product function.

The bathroom is one area that can be easily overlooked, when it comes to installing adequate brass illumination fixtures for decorative purposes. Most people think the bathroom is an area where routine tasks are performed everyday. This might be true, but this room may also have a tub or maybe even a hot tub. Many vanity spaces also have magazines, books, and other types of reading material. All of these items paint a vivid picture of relaxation for the individual. We love to come home from a hard day at work and run a warm bath to unwind. It would be pretty mundane, if your bathroom had blank walls with no sign of character. However, this does not need to be the case. Homeowners love to decorate their vanity spaces with objects that you would see in a spa. In order for your background and accompanying objects to stand out, homeowners need to install the proper bathroom lighting fixtures to blend in with the design theme. Brass fixtures are a great choice, because the smooth, shiny finishes of these pieces are appealing from a décor aspect.

There is a great selection of brass bathroom illumination fixtures for your home. RLLD has numerous vanity products with brass accents that will turn your frown upside down. Vanity lighting, also called “frontal lighting,” is necessary, when you are looking into the mirror in front of you. Vanity fixtures provide task illumination for both men and women. RLLD has stylish bath bar lights that give your mirror a showcase appearance. These decorative lights are typically installed around the perimeter of the mirror to enhance task illumination. We also have beautiful brass wall sconces that will give your bathroom an Old World look. Wall sconces come in a variety of styles, and many have gorgeous glass lampshades for an elegant feeling. RLLD also carries library lamps for your bathroom area. These lamps give your restroom a touch of modern elegance and will complement your décor with radiant results.

Your bathroom should never be overlooked from a décor aspect. Many illumination fixtures within this space serve their purpose through task lighting, but homeowners can purchase stylish brass products to give their vanity area a designer’s touch.

Russell Neal our expert of the day, writes:

Under cabinet lighting illuminates the work area below with fixture installed on the underside of the cabinet. Ideally, the fixture(s) used in under cabinet lighting should minimize their physical presence and conceal physical wiring as much as possible. While this form of lighting is technically geared toward practical activity, it is important to maintain aesthetic harmony with the surrounding environment and also produce the right type of illumination over the work area. Counter tops and food preparation need an evenly distributed field of linear lighting rather than hot spots of light that appear brighter than the rest of the work area. This light should blend comfortably with the general lighting of the room without producing discomforting glare.

Until recently, the most cost effective under cabinet lights were fluorescent. In fact, fluorescent was the lighting industry’s power saving mainstay since being invented in the early 20th century. People never really preferred them to incandescents because of the glare and flicker they became notorious for producing. Today, better circuit designs and superior fixtures have since made it possible to use incandescent and LED replacement bulbs in under cabinet lighting fixtures. Low voltage technology can also make any bulb type less of a power hog. Selecting LED under cabinet lights now requires more of a designer’s eye than an electrical engineer’s technical skills. The ultimate goal in choosing the right fixture has now moved toward producing optimal lighting levels for work areas and creating balance and comfort with surrounding layers of light.

Under cabinet lights fall into one of two categories: puck lights and linear strip lights. Puck lights are circular in shape and mount in the center of the cabinet’s under side. Linear strips mount underneath either on the front end or the back end of the cabinet. Until recent years, display cabinet lights used fluorescent lamps designed to create an even spread of light and reduce energy costs at the same time. Both types of fixtures now, however, present certain drawbacks when it comes to optimal under cabinet lighting.

Puck under cabinet display lights experience difficulty creating an even field of illumination. If a puck light is installed in the center of the cabinet underside, it will create a bright circle of light called a “hot spot” immediately beneath itself. Also, by design, surface puck lights require exposed wiring and low voltage transformers that may be unsightly and appear as an afterthought. If sitting at tables, banquets or bar stools, one’s viewing angle changes and provides a clear view of these light sources. The only way to compensate for this is to install several of smaller puck lights in a series. Why do this if you can use a strip light products? In fact, with only rare exceptions, linear LED strip lights for under cabinet generally provide the best levels and distribution of light all around. Fluorescents will fit the bill in many respect, but in many instances will also create glare and seldom come with dimmable functionality. Furthermore, fluorescent strips are typically mounted near the back wall with the light thrown forward; putting too much illumination into a person’s eyes from a sitting position.

LED strips for under cabinet lighting offer a number of advantages over both fluorescent strips and puck lights. For one, LED linear strips mount near the front of the cabinet and throw the light backward. This keeps the light from directly blinding the eyes works very well on surfaces such as granite and marble counter tops that are highly reflective by nature. Because each under cabinet light strip uses lamps that snap readily into the light strip itself, they do not require inconvenient bulb replacements that are common with puck lights. Also, unlike halogen bulbs in puck lights that become easily damaged by the oil from human fingers, some manufacturers such as Phantom Lighting design lamps of all varieties (incandescent lamps, xenon lamps, and LED light bulbs, to be handled and switched out by the end user without hassle to the person or damage to equipment.

Remember always, please, that under cabinet lighting innovation, options, and energy efficiency should always be balanced with aesthetic and topped off with end-user friendliness.

Eddy Kicker our expert of the day, writes:

There is one thing that you can count on when trying to sell your house: the kids’ bedrooms will always look disastrous! If you do have a ‘creative’ child, one way to balance this is to ensure that the rest of the house looks spick and span.

The real estate agent may explain all about how to ‘home-stage’ our house for a viewing, but there is never enough time to get around to every corner of the house.

Kids have loads of ’stuff’, but perhaps that is not the real problem. The biggest complication is that they want all the ’stuff’ out on display at the same time. They think this looks great and very interesting and we think it looks like a cluttered mess!

How to solve the problem and still keep the peace? Just for the duration of the sale time, perhaps you could push some extra shelves inside the closet. The closet doors could be left open with all the toys and fun jumble on display - but it is quickly closeable! This way the ‘interesting’ stuff is out of sight.

Book shelves can look untidy, and they will always be on display. Keep only books and ‘book shapes’ on the shelves. This means boxes or storage tins can be stacked on the bookshelf, but keep them all together. A good idea is to use the lowest shelf and stack them with the large books. Stack all books according to size - it helps!

One of the newer ideas that seems to work is the ‘hammock’ that spans from corner to corner with a selection of stuff crammed into it! At least this is not taking up floor space, so it does not reduce the spacious feel of the room.

Find a space in your garage to keep seasonal clothes, sports equipment or treasured (or cumbersome) artwork. You can also stack stuff under the stairs, in the attic or in a dry basement area. Some people even go to the extreme of hiring a short term storage space to get some of the clutter away from their home.

When you move into your new home, plan storage into the design of your child’s bedroom. Include lots of lower level storage space. Look for beds with large and easy to open drawers underneath. Use chests that double as a seat when a cushion is thrown on top.

You can be creative with storage space - a child’s rocking cradle can be used to house all her dolls/soft toys. Another way to store toys that can look fairly cute is to hand paint a wooden rocking chair and keep all the soft toys on that. A toy box (with a hinged lid) can hold all manner of toys.

Stacking boxes with very large ones at the bottom of the pile can look great. Paint each one in a different bright color and use each box for only one type of toy, e.g. building blocks, model cars, doll clothes, Lego bricks, etc. Sets of six boxes can be bought with the largest box being about eighteen inches square.

These blocks can be painted in more subtle tones to match more sophisticated color schemes as the child ages. This way the boxes could always be a part of their bedroom furnishings. (I.e., eventually becoming filled with art and craft accessories, CD’s, stationery, make-up, hair accessories, etc!)

Some of these ideas may help to allay that panicky rush to the kids’ bedroom after the realtor phones. If the rest of the house is immaculate, it is okay to have one room looking like a disordered jumble. It makes the rest of the house look impeccable!

Holman Craig our expert of the day, writes:

For centuries now, images of the high seas and the wealth of treasures that they contain have graced the dens and living rooms of countless homes. There is just something that is very calming and relaxing about looking at a beautiful seascape. The popularity of nautical decor has been growing through the years, with many stores now specializing in providing unique nautical-themed merchandise to their customers.

Nautical decor can consist of just about anything that relates to the sea. Many individuals incorporate items relating to boats and ships into their decor, such as anchors, bells, and ship clocks. Others opt to primarily utilize those types of items that relate to the water, such as seashells, fish, and beach rocks. There isn’t a wrong way to arrange decorative nautical items and each arrangement should reflect the personal style of the people living in the home.

Decorative Lighthouses

Lighthouses are one of the most popular items found in nautical themed decor. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors to blend with any decorator’s scheme. Many decorative lighthouses are used as small statuettes and figurines that are displayed on shelves or in curio cabinets. Individuals can also purchase birdhouses or wind chimes that are designed to look like a lighthouse. A number of companies even create lighthouse items meant to be used in the kitchen, such as cookie jars, sugar canisters, salt and pepper shakers, and napkin rings. There are also lighthouse planters that can be purchased to hold your favorite plants.

Many artists create beautiful lighthouse paintings, photographs, and silk screens that can be displayed in the home or office. These art pieces come in many different styles, classes, and price ranges. A unique lighthouse painting can cost anywhere from $100 for a small piece created by an up and coming artist to many thousands of dollars for a large work done by a master artist.

Nautical Themed Fabrics

Nautical themed printed fabrics are also very popular in nautical decor themed homes. These prints are available from most major manufacturers and can be used for nearly anything. It is not uncommon to find nautical themed curtains, bed sheets, comforters, and rugs in many homes that are implementing a nautical theme. These prints can also be found on towels, shower curtains, table cloths, and cloth napkins. Far less common are couches, loveseats, chairs, and ottomans covered in a nautical print, but they are commonly covered in one of the few colors associated with nautical decor, such as white or navy blue.

So whether you have the heart of a sailor or just enjoy the visions of the sea, there are many types of nautical themed decor that can be used to decorate your home. Choosing the right items is simply a matter of personal preference and should reflect your own unique style and personality. With the vast amount of nautical decor pieces available at retail stores, finding the items you like should be relatively easy.

Foryourhome our expert of the day, writes:

With the rise of new technology along with the ability to manufacture lighting fixtures in all kinds of styles, sizes etc has really altered the way we look at decorating lighting Perhaps the best way to describe this dimension is aesthetic or decorating appeal. Homeowners have discovered that the right kind of lighting can transform a humdrum home into a palatial palace. Choosing the proper decorative accent lighting for a home requires your patience to determine your needs. It is important to remember when choosing decorative home lighting that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to selecting fixture styles. Today, it is considered trendy to match opposing but complimentary styles to create an interesting and surprising look and touch to your home lighting needs. Decorating, stylish lights are nowadays available in different shapes, sizes, materials and prices for you to choose from however it is recommended to take the below three guiding principles before buying them;

Casual but elegant where decorative lighting creates the much needed warmth, relaxing and comfortable environments in our stress full life but also that is little bit upscale on design side. For example, colourful decorative table lights which softens your mood while reading or while having a romantic chit chat/dinner with your loved ones after a tiring day really gives you that much needed comfort and relaxation. Next principle while choosing decorative lights is to go for a simplified traditional design lighting that removes the excessive, heavy look. For example instead of multi coloured fancy looking lightings, go for metallic finished like solid brass, but stripped down and rich with an antique touch ones. Lastly and which has become a trend nowadays is to go for classic contemporary lighting. A Clean, modern and simple but stylish in design, these lighting fixtures are no longer boring and dull. For example cone shaped whitish touched side wall lights with pull cord adds to that contemporary look.

While looking around for decorative, classic lighting, take your time. Give it as much consideration as other decorating decisions like flooring, wall covering, and furniture. Create a master plan along with the budget of how you want the decorative lighting compliments other lightings in your home and adds an overall feel. Also, it’s better to ask the experts who will normally assist you free of charge in the lighting shops. If you are shopping online, then call the shop’s customer services or if live chat is available, trouble them. To make the best decisions and also to save considerable time, its bets to shake hand with lighting personnel. Make sure form and function marry as well as possible. When it comes down to balancing between the two, you will have to make your own judgment. For example, think carefully about why you need the lamp. Is it to create more light in an area or to add height and decorative interest to an area? If you are one of those people who want a long lasting trouble free decorative lighting experience then no matter what your budget, opt for timeless materials like bronze, glass and other metals like brass over their plastic/synthetic counterparts. Test the decorative lights in your home before finalizing them which insists you to buy from those shops which provides refund/replacement options.

When it comes to decorate your house with decorative lightings, start with your house entrance or foyer. You can select from any number of small rectangular or tops or bottoms or swinging pendant lights which makes that statement of warm, subtle glow on anyone who walks through your door. Regardless of the reason for your guest to come around, it will make them feel welcome and comfortable the minute they experience your hospitality. You can also light up the foyer with one of those exotic, exquisite decorative drop glass pendant fixtures that distributes bright light without glare. When it comes to your living room, fire your imagination by highlighting the fireplace or home theater or may be your fish tank with a pair of Indoor flood lights. These lights add solid presence to your decorative home lighting scheme and augment the objects central focal point with both illumination and physical form. If you have family photos or pictures on the walls with contemporary wall lights or flush lights. If you have you own small library with books shelves then make sure you enhance these with small designer colourful table lights.

Using decorative lighting is one another way of enhancing the beauty and character of your homes and gardens. Earlier on lighting was done from the functional point of view. Today you the homeowners want your lighting fixtures both interior and exterior to make a statement, a life style to create better homes and gardens, and wish you all the best.

Robert Najafinia our expert of the day, writes:

In search of an inexpensive housewarming gift? Are you planning to give home accessories for friends who are about to tie the knot? If you’ve begun to realize that the new ceiling fan you’ve just bought for your neighbor appears to be a prime candidate for regifting, we’re here to provide some cheap home decoration gift ideas which may just be worth your while.

Table Accents

Tables offer great flexibility when it comes to decorating. For dining tables, metal fruit baskets and wicker bread trays are excellent storage accessories that offer great decorative value. Pillar candle holders and cheap glass vases are excellent for coffee tables and consoles in living rooms and lobbies. The list for unique yet inexpensive table accents can go on and on. As with any room interior, the key is to match your décor with current furniture theme.

Wall Decorations

In lieu of expensive paintings, items like wrought iron decorations and full sized mirrors offer practical alternatives for both traditional and contemporary room designs. Sandstone wall decorations make great accents for both modern living room interiors and Asian garden themes. For contemporary walls, you may want to try to infuse a bit of African art by hanging decorative tribal masks.

Storage Accessories

Though your friends’ clutter free home may appear to be wondrous sight at first, they will eventually find the need to organize at one point or another. Every home always has room for a new wall mounted shelf. Chest drawers and metal magazine racks rarely ever outrun their use. Corner racks are cheap home accessories that are often assured of a space in kitchens and living rooms.

Traditional and Antique Décor

Though the terms traditional and antique connote ideas of elegance and luxury, you’ll be surprised of the number of ways you help spruce of your friend’s Victorian room theme without going beyond your budget. Resin vases and sculptures are steadily gaining popularity because of two key factors, “beauty and affordability”. As one of the most versatile synthetic substances today, resin can be fabricated to replicate the texture of wood or metal in any shape or form imaginable. When used as decorative fixtures or furniture, the difference between resin and wood is often hardly discernable.

For more home decoration tips and ideas, please feel free to visit www.homedecorcenter.com.