Lana Intl Home and Garden

A fine spectacle, a marvelous collection of artistic items, a visual treat for eyes. Are you wondering what I am talking about? I am talking about the forts in India, castles in Ireland and other places which have great interiors and are decorated with fabulous items which enhance the beauty of the place many folds.

A visit to these places will make you feel like you are in paradise (though, I must admit that I have not visited paradise). Each item that you see in the castles is so artistic and fabulous that you wish you had acquired at least one such item and place it in your home. The royals used to have the items gathered from around the world and display it in their palaces to exhibit their passion for artistic items. Art pieces on the wall, big chandeliers, hand-crafted wooden chairs and tables, gold plated candle stands, desk clocks, and the list goes on… All these items collectively bring the palace a great charm.

Most of us will not be able to afford the decorative pieces that the royals used to have. But, there is no need to get disappointed. You can buy a good looking piece of decorative item, without spending a lot of money. You can choose art deco clocks art deco tables from a wide variety of options. You have to choose a piece that is suitable to your house and the color of the walls. You can buy curtains with nice finishing or small pieces of wooden dolls that could be placed in a showcase.

There are plenty of local art pieces that are available in most parts of the world. You can buy these items and decorate your house to reflect your culture and traditions. For sure, the visitors to your house will like the nativity and appreciate the beauty and essence of these artistic items. Also, do not think that these items are expensive and you cannot afford. You will find a lot of beautiful items for sale in the markets, which can suit both your budget and your home. Having a good interior decoration brings a lot of happiness and piece of mind to you and your beloved family members. So, get ready and set out to grab the items and rev up the beauty of your house.

Every family gathers together int their own homes. So, keeping our homes beautiful can be perfect for every family.

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There’s no question that Swedish style is popular for decorating homes. The refined elegance and casual aged appearance seems to have universal appeal.

Carl Larsson (1853-1919), Swedish artist, is generally credited with popularizing the Swedish style of decorating. The style is also heavily influenced by the light and weather of Scandinavia. Long dreary winters with early dusk and a lack of natural light necessitated combined to create a need to bring the lightness indoors.

Anything pale, light, airy, and lustrous is popular with Swedish style decors. Since pale walls, floors, and furnishings reflect the natural light, interiors decorated with this style are cheerful, calm, and even warm even on the darkest winter days.

Read about some of the specific details that combine in homes decorated in the Swedish style.

* Walls, floors, accessories, and furniture are painted or stained in pale tones of white, cream, soft yellow, pale pink, soft green, and dove gray. These surfaces are accented with gold and red.

* After white, blue is the color most often used in Swedish style interiors. The tone reflects or emits the feeling of a clear, fresh day and coordinates easily with the other colors of the Swedish color palette.

* Against the clean white ground, accents of red look fun and bold in Swedish interiors. The color is found in wallpaper, fabrics, stripes, and floral prints.

* Straight lines and gentle curves combine in Swedish style furniture. Legs on case goods are delicate and tapered at the floor.

* Simple light-stained wood or padded headboards are common on beds in Swedish style interiors. Canopy beds are popular and use yards of white fabric mounted on a coronet or hanging from poles or rings on the ceiling. It’s common to find a bed tucked into a small cove and trundle beds and day beds are often seen.

* Extra seating is provided by benches of simple, delicate design. Padded cushions and bolsters soften the look.

* Wooden frames and delicate, carved legs are found on a typical Swedish style sofa. Upholstery is simple on seat cushions and back pillows.

* Light colored hard and soft woods are used for case goods and flooring. Birch, white pine, beech, and alder are readily available and common. Woods are often bleached or painted or stained with white or pale paints.

* Most wooden furniture is painted in white, cream, soft gray and other delicate, light colors. Stencils are added for color.

* Fluted, delicate legs, carved table borders and mirrors, and beaded edging are common on furniture.

* Simple woven, textured white fabrics of linen or cotton are common. Textures, stripes, checks, and plaids add more color.

* Patterns used in Swedish decorating are usually color on a white ground. Small floral prints have lots of white ground, too. Stripes, checks, and plaids are almost always white and one other color.

Homes decorated in the Tuscan decorating style are inspired by the elements of nature. Crumbling stone walls, intricate wrought iron accessories, sun-washed hillsides, rustic stone farmhouses, marble flooring and sturdy hardwood furniture are just some of the wonderful elements of this decorating style.

Because almost anyone can visualize himself in such a peaceful setting, it’s no wonder that Tuscan style decorating is so popular for today’s homes.

The appeal lies in its simplicity. By combining comfortable, worn, loved pieces, a room becomes warm and inviting. There’s no attempt at pretense here.

From ancient Roman times, people moved to the beautiful hills of central Italy to remove themselves from city life, escape the intrigue of politics, and embrace the idealized culture of the country. They enjoyed the beauty of nature and incorporated the elements into their villas. These same elements are what makes Tuscan style decorating so appealing for our homes today.

Using sturdy materials that stand the test of time, the look of Tuscan style decorating is rustic, warm, and inviting. Nothing should look shiny and new.

Using the natural materials found in this area of Italy, the Tuscan home is built of sandstone or limestone, available in a wide range of hues. Marble is found in abundance and is used for decorative details, flooring, arches, and pillars.

Homes have an enduring quality about them and look solid and substantial. Terracotta roof tiles] can be seen everywhere in Tuscany, and should be incorporated into any home being designed in the Tuscan style.

Deep-set windows framed by sandstone are often protected with rustic wooden shutters.

Outdoor spaces are critically important, and a home incorporating Tuscan style decorating must include a patio, loggia, or portico. Walls built of sandstone bricks frame today’s home, where in ancient times they served as a defense.

Water is a critical element in Tuscan style decorating, and many homes have a water fountain in the central courtyard surrounded by beautiful, wildly growing greenery. Marble statues grace outdoor spaces. Tall, graceful cypress tress sway in the breeze.

Walkways, driveways, and garden paths are set with stone or brick. Nature takes its course and grass grows up between the stones. How charming!

The outdoors is brought into a home decorated in the Tuscan style. Woods, stone, and color are important elements.

Natural stone walls are left natural. Stuccoed walls are colored with Venetian plaster, color washing or faux painting techniques to give a worn, well-loved look.

True old Tuscan style rooms can have low ceilings and can be small and dark. But today’s Tuscan rooms use wooden beams, plastered ceilings, and can have an open, airy feeling. Windows are left uncovered to take advantage of natural light.

Wooden surfaces such as cupboards, door and window frames, shutters or ceiling beams are often left with a natural patina.

Colors in Tuscan style decorating come from the earth. Terracotta, brick, ochre, greens, and golden yellow are seen everywhere. Blue and green are added to contribute a visual cooling effect in areas with hot weather. Surfaces that have been painted add a dash of color even when the finish wears off.

Often walls are painted with a soft white or gray, while accent colors and natural woods and stone provide the interest. Ceilings have dark open timbers. Venetian plaster is a technique for adding texture and color to new walls.

Homes incorporating a Tuscan style decor often use flooring of wide wood planks, timber boards, rough stone, unevenly-colored terracotta bricks, or clay tiles. Antique rugs add warmth and color.

The furniture in a Tuscan style home is usually of straight, simple lines made from rough-sawn local woods. Accents of tile, wrought iron, and marble are common. To achieve the worn look, new pieces of dark woods or pine are often “distressed” at the factory.

Open cupboards and armoires are found in almost any room and are used for dishes, linens, and clothes. Door fronts are often left open with chicken wire.

No Tuscan style kitchen is complete without a long, family-style wooden table.

Open shelves and free-standing cupboards provide storage in a Tuscan style kitchen and a place to display ceramics and pottery. A kitchen sink is made of natural stone or porcelain. Cabinet and sink hardware are often of dark wrought iron. Install a copper range hood surrounded by tumbled marble tiles at the stove area.

Display copper pots from a wrought iron rack, use terracotta containers as accents and storage, and add color with majolica dinnerware.

Incorporate Tuscan themes in accent touches in your kitchen with displays of pasta in glass jars, a braid of onions or garlic, jars of olives, and flowers.

The natural elements of stone, wood, water and color are essential in any Tuscan style home. By using all of the elements, you’re sure to achieve this look that feels warm and welcoming.

The image of a Paris apartment brings the thought of intrigue, romance, and European beauty to mind. Rooms have high ceilings with grand architectural details. A small balcony with a wrought iron railing overlooks a quaint street or the River Seine. Windows are tall. Pedestrians bustle on the streets below.

Paris apartment decorating style ranges through many decorating periods, including baroque, rococo, and neoclassical. Contemporary Parisian apartments incorporate art deco, Mediterranean, old world, and cabaret influences.

Rich jewel colors like emerald green, crimson, and royal blues are accented with black, white, and gold.

Burnished gilt touches accent architectural details and carving on furniture.

Furniture and accessories have time-worn elegance and a vintage look. Chairs, tables, and armoires painted in black or cream bear golden accents. They blend beautifully with dark, carved wood. Rich, shimmering silks and luxurious brocades and velvets enhance upscale interiors.

To finish out a Paris style interior, accessories and motifs include vintage posters of French nightspots, French signs, large train station clocks, black wrought iron tables and shelving, and any scenes of France, Paris, or the Eiffel Tower.

If you’re trying to bring the Paris apartment decorating style to your home, try to incorporate some of these elements in your space:

* Black is the accent color and a unifying element in Paris rooms. Bring black into your home without making things look dark. Find painted wood furniture, picture frames, fabrics, lampshades and accessories in black or with black trim.

* To really bring Paris to your room, use large posters of French landmarks, nightspots, and Parisian buildings. If you can find paintings, etchings, old black and white postcards, or sepia-toned photos of anything French, all the better.
* Large clocks are often a focal point in a Paris room. Find a reproduction clock with lettering in French or that shows a French scene. The older it looks, the better! It doesn’t have to work. It just has to look great!
* Toile, roosters, fleurs de lis, chateaux, pastoral scenes, views of the Eiffel Tower, Monet impressionist paintings, and pictures of riverboats on the Seine are popular decorating motifs that are easy to find.
* Don’t try to match the elements in your room. Furniture and accessories should look old and used, but not shabby.
* For light fixtures, select wall sconces with black silk shades, crystal chandeliers, and fringed lampshades on table lamps. A gold foil lining on a black lampshade will help to reflect a romantic glow. Add your own beads, fringe, and cording to simple lampshades if you can’t find any already embellished.
* Round tables should have layers of skirts. Add a plush cushion to an intricately twisted iron benches. Nothing says Paris more than a little bistro table and chairs. Use a large ottoman covered in rich fabric in place of a coffee table.
* Velvet, damask, brocade, lustrous silks, and traditional toiles are found in Paris style rooms. Toile is often paired with coordinating color checked fabrics in both large and small scales. Add a luxurious old-world look with tassels, cording, fringes, and other details. Textured linen, weathered leather, paisley designs, and bold stripes can be used.
* Furniture should be upholstered with beautiful fabrics, dressmaker details, and have carved legs. Cushions of down provide the slightly rumpled look of comfort and elegance.
* Wood furniture pieces of carved, dark tones or stains are often tinged with touches of gilt. Black and ivory paint, distressed and crackled, give wood pieces an aged look. There’s no such thing as matching furniture. Pieces should look as though they were found through a lifetime.
* Every Paris style bedroom has a decadent vanity table. Add a luxurious look to a simple table by dressing it with silk, mirrors, and voluminous ruffles. Dress it with vintage accessories, frames, and perfume bottles.
* Use large vintage mirrors, architectural elements (columns, corbels), garden statuary, black wireware, clocks, hat boxes, luxurious silk pillows, soft throws, vintage candelabra, flowers, plants, china, and delicate porcelain figurines to accessorize a Paris style room. Find dramatic hats or vintage linens at swap meets and antique shops.

* Depending on the style of the room and its use, windows can have elaborate, flowing drapery panels topped with swagged valances, ruffles, tassels, silk cording, or bouillon fringes. A simpler room could use linen or toile panels over shutters or wooden blinds.
* Hardwood flooring is stained dark and covered with old Oriental carpets. They add a grounding pattern, color, and age.

Paris apartment interiors appeal to our sense of glamour and European style. By using some of the elements here, you can bring the look to your own home.

When you think of Provence and the French countryside, you’re sure to see lavender fields and bright sunshine. While there are many elements that contribute to the French Country style of decorating, the resulting look is always rustic, old-world, and welcoming. The look fits well into both country houses and elegant, old chateaux. The French Country style of decorating, with its warm and casual feel will fit beautifully into your home as well.

Colors used to decorate in the French Country style come from the full spectrum of the color wheel. Sunny yellow and soft gold, firey red and burnt rust, bright grass green and dark hunter green, cobalt blue and soft ocean tones — all these are found in this wonderful decorating style.

Bright black and dull grays punctuate the bright colors and define accessory pieces. Rusted metal furniture, lighting fixtures, and furniture give warm color and wonderful lines.

An important element in pieces used in French Country style decorating is the use of natural materials. Rough stained or painted plaster walls, hefty beamed ceilings and walls, delicate carved wood details, and chair seats woven of rush give texture and simplicity to the look. Natural stone floors are covered with wool or cotton rugs.

No real French Country home is complete without a stone fireplace. A heavy beam at the top of the opening serves as a mantle. Tiles, either stone or ceramic, form the border. The hearth is clay or brick, and herbs, copper pots, and iron accessory pieces hang on the side walls.

Read on for more ideas on how to create the look of the French Country style of decorating in your home. Use some or all of the elements to feel comfortable with this style.

Architectural features like stone walls and floors, raw wood distressed ceiling beams and timbers, and irregular plaster walls form the frame of a home decorated in the French Country style.

New or reproduction ]rustic furniture has the ambiance of curved panels, hand-carved decorations, and raw wood. No room decorated in the French Country style would be without an armoire to store pots and pans, clothing, bed or bath linens, or tableware.

A large dining table, rectangle or round, must have a dull waxed or low-sheen finish. Curved and carved details grace dining and occasional chairs. Chairs are either ladderback style or have vertical slats, often with rush seating.

Rustic flooring is of stone, clay, or brick. Old wooden boards work well, too. The focus here is on old and charming.

Typical of French Country interiors are pieces with contrasting texture and color. Pale plaster walls and ceilings are punctuated with dark rough wood beams. Colorful Provencal printed fabrics are set off against light-toned natural seating.

Deeply cut window sills hold tall, narrow windows. Shutters close to keep the hot sun out in the summer. Windows and doorways are encircled with wildly growing vines.

The beautiful colors of the French countryside decorate fabrics used in French Country decorating. The traditional fabrics combine well with basic plaids, checks, and stripes in modern homes. Provencal prints combine shades of primary colors with greens, lavenders, and bright orange.

Traditional French country products and motifs include roosters, olives, sunflowers, grapes, lavendar, and beetles. The designs are often arranged in regular intervals, bordered by a wide panel of the motifs in different scale. This is typical for textile products such as tablecloths and curtain panels.

Toile is a traditional design for French Country fabrics. A white, cream, or yellow ground has large motifs in a single contrasting color, such as black, blue, red, or green. Toile themes include farm animals, monkeys and Chinese patterns, bucolic country scenes, or courting scenes of the 18th century. Most toile patterns are printed on linen or cotton.

Generous baskets woven or wire baskets, colorful ceramics and tiles, carved wood pieces, and Chinoiserie pottery, and natural grasses are used for accessories in a room decorated in the French Country style. Old, dark or colorful paintings adorn the walls.

Lush natural flowers are everywhere! Baskets, an old pitcher or copper pot, or clear glass vases hold flowers inside and out. The aim is to bring the wonderful colors and textures of nature into the home. Window boxes outside shout with the colors of whatever will grow. Geraniums and lavender are especially popular.

Both colorful and muted pottery adorns a French Country table. (No fine china here!) The same themes of roosters, olives, and vivid flowers are found on tableware. Don’t forget iron candle holders, wire baskets, heavy pottery water pitchers, and colorful tablecloths.

By incorporating some or all of the elements mentioned here, you’re bound to have a wonderful French Country interior in your home. C’est bon!

If you’re looking to bring an exotic yet elegant feel to your home, you should consider the elegantly mysterious elements found in Moroccan style décor. From vibrant colors to intricately designed wood and mosaic products, this luxurious, dramatic, and exciting style is becoming increasingly popular in modern homes.

Nestled between Europe and Africa, the Atlantic and Mediterranean, Morocco is a country of blending, influenced by the many cultures surrounding it. Acting as a crossroads between the east and west, north and south, Moroccan décor blends styles from France, Portugal and Spain from the northwest, with strong Mediterranean, African, Persian, and Islamic influences from the south and east. This results in a unique and inspirational style specific to Morocco.

The blazing African sun causes Moroccans to bring the outdoors in where they can enjoy an exotic oasis inspired by the landscape around them, in cool comfort. Vibrant colors are mixed with highly adorned furniture and accessories, potted plants, and gentle lighting to achieve the perfect indoor oasis.

From the glittering coastlines of Casablanca and Tangier to the snake charmers and spices in the air of bazaars in Marrakesh, inspiration can be found, whether you are looking for just a touch of exotic flair or a full make-over.

Achieving the perfect Moroccan look is simple with the right elements.

* Strong Color for Moroccan Style Interiors
Color is the focal point of Moroccan decorating. Drawing inspiration from Morocco’s landscape, look for shades of blue and green from the Atlantic and Mediterranean, shimmering gold and silver invoking the Sahara sands, and rich reds and oranges that conjure images of African sunsets.

* Moroccan Style Furniture
Interior spaces are busy in pattern but simple in furniture. Sofas and tables are inviting and set low to the ground. Moroccan furnishings rely on elaborate wrought iron scroll work, mother of pearl inlay, ornately carved wood in high relief, richly hued upholstery, and intricate mosaic or terra cotta tile details.

* Luxurious and Lush Fabrics
Fabrics in rich colors with intricate textures and designs are typical of Moroccan décor. Add throw pillows and cushions in abundance, and drape luxurious fabrics from furniture, window frames, and even the ceiling. Tie loose draped fabric back with heavy cords in high traffic areas to keep them out of the way and for extra space and added style.

* Lighting for an Exotic Interior
Lighting is a an important element of Moroccan décor. Moroccan lighting focuses on dim lighting created by lamps and pendants made from colored glass, cut metal and carved wood. Using candles in traditional lamps will add the romantic element of moving light to your décor and exotic scents.

* Floors in Moroccan Interiors
Floors of dark hardwood are covered with plush Persian rugs and stacked floor cushions to create the perfect base for a Moroccan style room. Ceramic tile is often on used for flooring and gives a coolness much welcomed in the hot weather.

* Reflect Colorful Décor
Mirrors enhance the ambiance of a Moroccan interior by subtly reflecting light and adding adornment to walls. Look for mirrors with decorative wrought iron work, deeply carved wood, onion dome-shaped frames, and metal or jewel embellishments.

* Plants for Moroccan Decor
Placed in large, colorful pots or baskets, exotic plants such as banana trees or papyrus help to create an oasis-like feel in a Moroccan style home.

* Canopies Overhead
Richly hued sheer silk swagged over seating or dining areas or mosquito netting over beds adds a mysterious touch, reminiscent of desert bazaar tents.

* Sensual Moroccan Scents
The right fragrances can instantly link the mind to Moroccan bazaars and can give your new Moroccan styling the perfect finishing touch. Choose candles, incense, or diffusers in scents rich with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, saffron, or any exotic spices.

If you are converting the nursery into a toddler room, you can save time and money by carrying over the nursery’s theme if your child has not outgrown it. Crib quilts and sheets as well as the crib mattress will all fit toddler beds so by continuing to use that theme, you will save yourself the cost of buying new bedding. This will also save you the trouble of completely redecorating the entire room with new paint, wallpaper, lighting, and window treatments.

If you would like to completely redo the entire room or if you are decorating a toddler room in a separate room than where the nursery was located, there are a lot of cute themes available for a toddler room.

If you are decorating the room when your child is old enough to talk and give you their input and ideas, let them help you make some of the decisions. My son was climbing out of his crib by the time he was 21 months old, so we had to design a toddler room a little earlier than we had planned to. I wish he had been old enough to give us his input. We went with a sports theme because my husband had his heart set on it. Now that my son is three, his interest include cars, trucks, trains, and airplanes. He is not the least bit interested in sports so his room holds little appeal for him.

There are many great toddler room theme ideas available whether you are decorating a toddler girl room or decorating a toddler boy room. Choosing the theme is the first step you will want to take in decorating your toddler‘s room.

Once you have settled on a theme, choose the bedding and décor such as art work and wall hangings that you will use. If you want to paint, use the bedding to help you choose a paint color that will compliment your room. You may want to consider wallpaper, a cute border, or a mural for the walls as well.

Furniture will also be a major consideration when decorating a toddler room. If you have a convertible crib, you can convert it to a toddler bed and save yourself the expense of buying a toddler bed. If your crib doesn’t convert, there are a wide variety of toddler beds available. You can find beds that match your theme (disney princess, bob the builder etc.) as well as beds that are shaped like fun objects (cars, fire trucks, doll houses, castles, trains, etc.). Standard toddler beds can also be found starting at around $40. If your crib mattress is holding up well, there is no need to buy a new one since they fit toddler beds.

If you have a dresser from the baby nursery or a changing table that converts to a dresser, there is no need to purchase a new one. If you are in need of one, you might be able to find one that matches or at least compliments the toddler bed that you have chosen. If you already have a dresser that you are planning to use, you can revamp it by finding knobs or drawer pulls that match your toddler room’s theme.

A children’s size table and chairs set is also a very functional furniture addition to a toddler room. It gives your child somewhere to do art projects and puzzles.

A toy box and a bookcase are other pieces you may want to consider for the room. Be sure that your child can not climb inside the toy box and become trapped. You will also want to check the lid to be sure it can’t slam down and crush their fingers. The bookcase should be anchored to the wall so that your toddler won’t pull it down on themselves if they attempt to climb it.

It’s not just first-time homeowners who have to find budget furniture. In fact almost everyone, at one time or another, had to furnish a home or apartment on a budget. I know that I borrowed furniture from my parents, gratefully took grandparents’ offerings, and shopped at garage sales.

But eventually I wanted something to trade out the hand-me-downs from family and strangers for things that would actually help me create a more mature and coordinated home.

I had to find ways to stretch my mini-budget without sacrificing my taste for nice things. I was surprised to find out how many places there were to find bargains.

Don’t expect to find exactly what you want or need. You might have to be creative and adapt what you can find to what you need.

Learn to see pieces for the details and lines they have, not just for what you can put in them. If you see a beautiful teak table instead of the mahogany desk you need, thing about refinishing it and adding filing drawers. A period side table can be painted and moved into the bedroom.

Don’t buy a piece if you’ll need to do too much work on it. Think about your skills and the time you have and the space you have to work in.

See if your neighborhood has some of these sources for budget furniture:

* Garage Sales
You might be able to walk next door on a Saturday morning and find just the piece you need. What your neighbor is getting rid of may be just the piece you need. When shopping at a garage sale, always bring cash, look for defects, and be ready to negotiate on the price. It’s usually expected and you can often get a great bargain.

* Flea Markets
Many communities and colleges stage flea markets on weekends at large parking lots. Vendors set up their wares and you can wander around looking for what you need. Beware: you might not find what you need but you probably won’t get away without buying something.

* Your Neighborhood Dumpsters or Curbside
As you take a walk around your neighborhood, keep your eyes open for furniture pieces left on the curb. The end of the month is a good time, since that’s when people are clearing out their homes to get ready to move. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” as the saying goes. I found a great wrought iron table and bench on the curb once–both at the same house. I sanded off the rust and painted the pieces with rust-proof finishing paint. The table is on my patio and the bench at the end of my bed.

* Thrift Stores and Junk Stores
Local charities, Goodwill, and the Salvation Army often provide thrift stores where people can bring their household discards and unneeded furniture to donate for tax deduction. The money raised from making sales goes into your local community to help those in need. It might take a few trips and perseverance, but if you’re successful you’ll really get a bargain. Enlist friends to be on the lookout, too.

* Consignment Stores
A great strategy for consignment store shopping is to introduce yourself to the owner and ask them to call when your needed item comes in. People bring their things to be sold and they get only a portion of the sale. A hospital in my community has a consignment store that receives beautiful estate pieces. I’ve sold and bought things there.

* Model Home Furnishings
Home builders contract with designers to decorate and furnish their model homes. If you see a model you like, ask the sales office when they’ll remove the furnishings. Ask where they sell their pieces. You might even be able to buy a roomful of furniture, coordinated by a designer. And you’ll get the pieces well below market price. Beware of fading, spots, or wear-and-tear.

* Design Center Showroom Samples
Most large cities have Design Centers and Merchandise Marts that have “sample sales” monthly or quarterly where discontinued furnishings that have been used as showroom samples are sold. The sales are often advertised in local newspapers.

* Furniture Store Scratch and Dent Rooms
Almost every furniture store or department has a back corner where damaged pieces are sold at deep discount. Visit often to keep an eye on what goes back there.

* Furniture Store Clearance Outlets and Sales
Many major department and furniture stores have outlet center with ongoing or periodic furniture sales. Often the tags are marked with dates and prices are reduced every 30 or 60 days. Furniture in these outlets may be either scratched, a second, and overrun, repossessed, or otherwise imperfect. However, prices will generally reflect any imperfections and may also be negotiable.

* Auction Houses and Online Auctions
These are a great place to find unique furniture and decor items. If you actually go to an auction, visit on preview days to check out each piece for damage. If you’re buying large furniture, you need to find out where your item is located. It wouldn’t make any sense to pay more for shipping than the actual cost of the item. You’ll pay dearly for real antiques but can get a great bargain, especially if there aren’t any other bidders.

* Trade with Family or Friends
I gave my brother a large cabinet for his living room and he gave me my grandparents’ living room table. When they moved out of state, we traded back. Great deal!

You might like a contemporary style of decorating if you like to keep current with styles, enjoy things that are modern, of today, right now.

While it’s been thought that modern interiors are cold and minimalist, today’s contemporary interiors are comfortable and welcoming without being cluttered and dark. It’s a style that is equally appropriate for offices and stores, lofts and homes.

A contemporary style home can be a quiet and comfortable retreat. To achieve the look of a contemporary home, it’s important to stick to some basic rules.

Fundamentally, simplicity, subtle sophistication, texture and clean lines help to define contemporary style decorating. Interiors showcase space rather than things. By focusing on color, space, and shape, contemporary interiors are sleek and fresh.

Learn about some more of the characteristics and elements of a contemporary style of decorating and how you might bring the look into each room of your home.

* Color
Neutrals, black, and white are the main colors in contemporary style interiors. The palette is often punched up and accented with bright and bold color. Black is often used to ground and define a contemporary style room. With walls painted in a basic neutral, you have a wonderful backdrop for bold colored accessories. If the walls and windows are painted in pastels, the trims should be neutral. If a wall is a bright, bold color, neutrals should be used everywhere else.

* Line and Space
The most obvious and distinctive element of a contemporary style interior design is line. It’s found in architectural details, use of bold color blocks, high ceilings, bare windows, and geometric shapes in wall art and sculpture. The bare space, on walls, between pieces of furniture, and above in upper areas, becomes as important as the areas filled with objects. In contemporary interiors, less is more. Each piece stands out as individual and unique.

Take advantage of structural elements. Air ducts may hang from a ceiling, broken bricks provide texture and stability, and exposed plumbing pipes are perfectly acceptable in a contemporary style interior. To draw the eye, paint these structural details in bold contrasting colors, or to diminish their importance, blend them with the walls.

* Contemporary Style Furniture
Smooth, clean, geometric shapes are essential for contemporary style furniture pieces. Upholstered furniture often wears black, white, or other neutral tones in textured natural fibers. Cover it in a neutral, black, or bold fabric. Fabrics often have a natural look found in wool, cotton, linen, silk, jute, and add textural appeal.

Furniture pieces should be simple and uncluttered, without curves or decoration. Sofas, chairs, and ottomans have exposed legs. Beds and chairs usually have no skirt, trim, fringe, or tassels.

Pillows add a shot of color and texture in clean geometric shapes.

Keep in Mind

* Use furniture and accessories to make a bold statement in contemporary style interior. Use a basic background and shout out with your favorite color on a piece that will stand out.

* Less is more! In a contemporary style interior, don’t use ruffles, excessive carved details, fringe, or floral prints. Abolish cute and small. Go basic, bare, bold, and structural.

* Floors in a contemporary style home should be bare and smooth in wood, tile, or vinyl. If you must use carpet for sound control or warmth, choose commercial grades. Add color and texture with plain or geometric-patterned area rugs.

Contemporary style decorating has distinct characteristics and elements that are evident. Read below for ways to incorporate some of those contemporary design elements into your interior space.

* Generous use of metal, stone, and opaque or clear glass works well in a room decorated in a contemporary style. To soften and warm up the space, add heavily textured fabrics in plain colors for window treatments, pillows, or rugs.

* Colorful, fussy prints should be avoided, since they confuse a plain space that is key to a contemporary style home. Two-tone prints work well. Think about a zebra print pillow on a black leather chair, a large leopard-print pillow thrown on a plain floor, or bold, heavily textured striped rug to anchor solid colored, sleek furniture.

* Individual pieces are very important in a contemporary style interior and lighting fixtures should be selected to focus on specific pieces. Each light fixture could be a work of art itself with sculptural details and clean lines. Add color and metallic elements on the light fixtures.

* In a contemporary style room, use spotlights or can lighting directed at a painting, poster, or print. These will help to draw the eye to the pieces you want to focus on.

* Track lighting and recessed lighting help to wash a wall in light. In home renovations or new construction, consider installing cove lighting or indirect light.

* Contemporary style sculptures or art on a stand can be placed at eye level by using a structural column or pedestal. Again, be sure the piece is well-lighted.

* Don’t clutter the contemporary style rooms with collections or too many pieces. Open space is just as, if not more, important as the pieces you put in the space.

* Plants and flowers should be large and dramatic in simple containers placed in contemporary rooms. Large blooms with interesting leaves work better than small arrangements. If space allows, place upward focusing lights around a large plant on the floor. Keep the arrangements neat with rocks or bark chips arranged over the dirt.

* Frames in high-gloss or matte black, natural wood, or metal finishes are great for artwork. If you must put several pieces together, hang them close together so they give the feeling of one large piece instead of many small pieces.

* In a contemporary style dining room, keep dinnerware contemporary, too. There are a number of geometric shapes, bold colors, and interesting styles available. Bring in texture with silverware, napkins, placemats and centerpieces.

Do you long for a casual style room that is homey, warm, comfortable, and inviting? Who doesn’t want to be comfortable in their own home? If you want to put together a casual style room, learn the basic elements that combine to create a truly casual room.

For starters, casual rooms have simple details, textured elements in fabrics and accessories, restful horizontal lines, soft upholstery, low-luster surfaces, and arrangements that avoid perfect symmetry.

Details are simple, and elements are rectangular or softly curved.

A room decorated in a casual style is the perfect place to have a touch of whimsey. Use an old or reconstructed birdhouse or wooden candlestick for a lamp base, stack pieces of old luggage for a side table, use a low vintage ironing board for a coffee table.

Casual decorating is easily incorporated into rustic, French Country, cottage, Shabby Chic, or American Country decorating styles.

With people enjoying more relaxed lifestyles, many homes today are totally decorated using the elements of casual decorating. But any home can incorporate the elements into a guest room, country kitchen, guest room, or bath. The elements of a casual style of decorating can sneak into most any room and make it feel comfortable.

The elements of a casual style of decorating are discussed below. Use any or all of these tips to bring the casual decorating style to your rooms.

* Furniture in a casual interior is soft and comfortable. Upholstered pieces are usually oversized and slipcovered.

* Many pieces of upholstered furniture are covered in neutral colors, such as tan, gray, beige, or off-white. But other colors are used, too. Soft pastels give a peaceful feeling. Or try darker tones such as navy, rust, olive or forest green, wine, and cranberry for punch.

* Fabrics on furniture and pillows are usually textured, rather than shiny. Interesting weaves of natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool are typical. New synthetic weaves give a natural look and add durability.

* For special accents on upholstered pieces, add ruffles, pleats, buttons, ribbon, or cording. Contrasting colored details incorporate the full range of colors in the room.

* To achieve a casual look, pieces are often long, large, and horizontal, rather than vertical and tall and petite. Tables are chunky and of a large scale, which gives a comfortable feeling, while providing space for storage and spreading out. This helps to create a restful look.

* A room decorated in a casual style is the perfect place for found items of wicker, iron, and rattan, or flea market finds. Old antiques fit in well.

# A room decorated in a causal style often has furniture arranged on the diagonal, cutting off sharp corners. Matched pieces are not required, as the focus is on easy.

# An ottoman is essential for comfort. Add a large wooden or rattan tray to convert it to a coffee table.

# Light woods are often used for furniture pieces and wood flooring. Oak and pine are the most popular, either painted or finished with a flat, low luster varnish to protect the grain.

# Hammered iron, antiqued brass, wrought iron, porcelain, or carved wood are used for the hardware on doors and drawers.

# Collections of treasured or found items are often arranged to add the casual look. The shelf of a bookcase or corner tabletop is the perfect place for an arrangement of treasures.

# Bedrooms in a casual style home must have a mountain of pillows and a comfortable quilt.

# Windowcoverings in a casual room usually start with shutters, blinds or shades for privacy and light control. They’re enhanced with simple valances of fabrics, often layered over non-traditional drapery hardware. Add a touch of whimsy here using a tree branch or old iron pipe for a curtain rod. Drapery panels often hang at the sides, or use long iron nails or notched tree branches for tie-backs.

# Details on window treatments are simple. Contrast lining fabric peeking out from the sides, cording or wide contrast banding, or tab tops with buttons or ribbon details dress up the window–but not too much! Add a simple swag of fabric or fabric tie-backs if you must.

# Floors in a casual style room are hardwood, tile, stone, or stained concrete. If carpet is used, it should not be too plush. Rather chose sisal, berber, or long, shaggy styles or subtle geometric woven patterns.

# Rooms decorated in a casual style have light fixtures made of wrought iron, tin, pewter, or wood. Simple chandeliers look old in wrought iron or antiqued metals. Or electrify a hanging pan rack or hang a rack of antlers. Add small fabric-covered lampshades on the small candle lights. Or select a chandelier that burns real candles for a really warm, homey feeling.

# Almost anything you have around the house becomes a decorative accessory in a room decorated in a casual style. Gather pillows, books, boxes, candlesticks, bird houses, and flowers and put them everywhere. Easy-to-keep plants or silk plants add color and texture and candles give a warm, welcoming glow and fragrance.

# Artwork of country, casual themes is simply framed using wooden frames, either painted or stained.

# The dining table of a room decorated in a casual style would be set with rugged stoneware, textured woven or fabric placemats, coordinated napkins, heavy glasses, stainless flatware, wooden bowls, and accessories of iron or pewter. The colors of the table should enhance the theme of the room, using either bold floral patterns, plain pieces, or soft, comfortable pastels.

Keep in mind that a room decorated in a causal style should be:

* comfortable, homey, welcoming, and sturdy.
* Fabrics should be soft and textured.
* Furniture is long, overstuffed, and low.
* Surfaces worn and rugged.
* Accessories are old and rustic.
* A touch of whimsey is in order.

Use a casual style wherever you want to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.