Antique Quilts
Add Antique Charm to Your Home with these Decorating Ideas
by Chris Robertson
If you own an older home and want to restore its original look, or if your home is newer and you want to add some old-time charm, antiques can provide a wonderful decor opportunity. Antiques come in many shapes and forms, and they are often far more detailed in design than modern decor products. Utilize antiques to get the look and feel you want in your home. These tips will show you how.
Ornate Antiques for the Ritzy Home Decor
Want an ornate look for your home decor? Silver, gold, bronze, and cloth antique products can do the trick. And it doesn't have to cost a fortune. Use antique table linens with embellished designs to enhance your coffee table, end tables, or night stands. Decorate with those antique family heirlooms that are hidden away in the attic or basement. Use antique-style photo frames to frame those really old family portraits. You can hang these on the wall with a couple of shabby chic wall sconces to create a wonderful antique look in a room. Or, set your old photos on tables along with an antique lamp to set the mood.
Be sure to shop garage sales, thrift shops, and flea markets to find great bargains on antique lamps, figurines, vases, and furniture. You can often find brassy or silver antique items for a bargain and polish them up to remove tarnish. They'll shine like new and give your home the antique look you want.
Another idea is to replace cabinet and doorknobs, faucets, and other fixtures with antique-style fixtures made of bronze or silver. Pay attention to the details in every room. This really makes a difference. Set off any room with lavish drapes and beautiful rugs.
Antique Country Decor
If you go for the rustic antique look, there are plenty of wooden antiques to fill any room. Try wooden antique lamp tables or end tables, an antique wooden fireplace mantle, bookcases, wooden rocking chairs, stools, and chests. Add antique wooden figurines and knick-knacks to any room, such as wooden shoes, rocking horses, animal figurines, clocks, a rustic antique floor lamp, or wooden photo frames. Country wooden antiques create a rustic look, and a beautiful, creative decor.
A Soft Vintage Look
Certain antiques, such as homemade quilts, pastel-colored furniture, and lacey linens can give any room a soft vintage look. It's antique without the rustic or ornate look. It's elegant, but comfortable. Soft-colored antiques can work well with floral-colored wallpaper and pastel-colored rooms. Vintage rose, yellow, light green, and baby blue colors give a room a spring-like touch every day of the year. Beautiful ceramic lamps and wall sconces can provide soft light to set off this decor.
No matter what look you're trying to achieve, antique decor items can be used to dramatically change a room's look and feel. Frequent thrift shops and garage sales, or read the classifieds in your local newspaper to decorate your home with beautiful antiques for less.
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies.
For tips/information, click here: antiquesVisit Majon's Antiques directory.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Monday, March 31, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Quilt
Quilt
Unique Quilts have been an expression of American women over the past hundred years
by Jack Boldune
Quilting has been an expression of American women over the past hundred years. Quilts are being reappraised by historians, art critics and a growing public as a form and expression of American folk art. The creativity of generations of women in America is gaining recognition for their handmade quilts. Quilts are no longer stored in closets and trunks. Happily quilts are finding their way back into our lives and homes. Many quilts can also be found on the walls of galleries and museums in the world. Quilts have come to be a amazing design tradition which has developed in the United States, since colonial times.
By the mid-eighteenth century there were three major distinct English needlework styles used in quilts which had found their way to America. First there was the appliqué covers, pieced patchwork (stitched shapes) and quilted whole cloth coverings.
By the 1770’s a religious revival movement called The Great Awakening was offering a more generous and loving picture of God. This was important in the story of quilting because it transferred the responsibility for moral and religious education directly from the clergymen to the women in the home. Women established an environment where training would be offered to America’s future citizens. The nineteenth century encouraged the creation of a well-ordered and comfortable domestic setting.
This developing domestic way of life was the chief reason for the development of needlework and quilting as occupations for women. By the 1800’s it was considered necessary and proper for a young woman to do needlework in order become a better homemaker and companion.
Following the Revolutionary War and again following the War of 1812 the American market was flooded with manufactured items. These included fabrics. It became family traditions for neighborhoods to gather for functions – these were often composed of women – needlework and quilting were take the shape of becoming what is known today as quilting bees.
Quilting took a social and involvement of complete family for weddings and births. Husbands and brides-to-be drew complex patterns on a quilt top or cut out templates from which patterns were cut. Grandmothers and children threaded needles and cut out patterns, while mothers sewed pieces together and quilted the top. A quilt represented the creative efforts of an entire family.
The manufacture of cotton was America’s first national industry. It became a well-applauded talent to make something ornate out of a basket of old scraps, and the creation of a unique quilt symbolized womanhood.
The developing middle classes with a network of women’s sewing circles, often associated with churches, became a reform. Quilts were made to memorialize historic causes. Together with continuing tradition of bees, quilting, get-togethers, fairs, and auctions, handmade quilts were the new social acceptance.
As an accomplished teacher, lecturer and quilter Linda S Branscomb has become admired in her local community as well as nationwide. She continues to volunteer and teach in her local community. You can find some of her original work here -http://www.scorpionllc.com/store/Crafts/Quilting
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Unique Quilts have been an expression of American women over the past hundred years
by Jack Boldune
Quilting has been an expression of American women over the past hundred years. Quilts are being reappraised by historians, art critics and a growing public as a form and expression of American folk art. The creativity of generations of women in America is gaining recognition for their handmade quilts. Quilts are no longer stored in closets and trunks. Happily quilts are finding their way back into our lives and homes. Many quilts can also be found on the walls of galleries and museums in the world. Quilts have come to be a amazing design tradition which has developed in the United States, since colonial times.
By the mid-eighteenth century there were three major distinct English needlework styles used in quilts which had found their way to America. First there was the appliqué covers, pieced patchwork (stitched shapes) and quilted whole cloth coverings.
By the 1770’s a religious revival movement called The Great Awakening was offering a more generous and loving picture of God. This was important in the story of quilting because it transferred the responsibility for moral and religious education directly from the clergymen to the women in the home. Women established an environment where training would be offered to America’s future citizens. The nineteenth century encouraged the creation of a well-ordered and comfortable domestic setting.
This developing domestic way of life was the chief reason for the development of needlework and quilting as occupations for women. By the 1800’s it was considered necessary and proper for a young woman to do needlework in order become a better homemaker and companion.
Following the Revolutionary War and again following the War of 1812 the American market was flooded with manufactured items. These included fabrics. It became family traditions for neighborhoods to gather for functions – these were often composed of women – needlework and quilting were take the shape of becoming what is known today as quilting bees.
Quilting took a social and involvement of complete family for weddings and births. Husbands and brides-to-be drew complex patterns on a quilt top or cut out templates from which patterns were cut. Grandmothers and children threaded needles and cut out patterns, while mothers sewed pieces together and quilted the top. A quilt represented the creative efforts of an entire family.
The manufacture of cotton was America’s first national industry. It became a well-applauded talent to make something ornate out of a basket of old scraps, and the creation of a unique quilt symbolized womanhood.
The developing middle classes with a network of women’s sewing circles, often associated with churches, became a reform. Quilts were made to memorialize historic causes. Together with continuing tradition of bees, quilting, get-togethers, fairs, and auctions, handmade quilts were the new social acceptance.
As an accomplished teacher, lecturer and quilter Linda S Branscomb has become admired in her local community as well as nationwide. She continues to volunteer and teach in her local community. You can find some of her original work here -http://www.scorpionllc.com/store/Crafts/Quilting
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Monday, March 24, 2008
Quilt Fabrics
Quilt Fabrics
Selecting Quilting Fabrics Using a Color Wheel
by Jan Myers
Choosing colors to use in your quilt is another opportunity to observe the similarities that the craft has with "fixer-upper" projects undertaken by do it yourselfers. In this case, quilters can use a tool that has been employed by painters and decorators for many years; the color wheel.
What is the color wheel?
The color wheel is a circle-shaped piece of equipment that depicts several different colors that the quilter or painter can choose from. These wheels are printed on many different types of surfaces; in fabric shops there may be wheels made from solid wood or even metal; they are very durable and can withstand numerous touches and spins from all the people that handle it. Paper color wheels are less durable and are meant for personal use.
Some color wheels have more colors on them than others, but all color wheels will include the primary colors; red, yellow, and blue. These colors will be separated by an equal amount of spaces. The spaces in between the primary colors are the colors formed by mixing varying amounts of each color together; secondary colors )orange, blue, and violet) are located halfway between each primary color combination, as they are the result of mixing equal parts of each color.
The color wheel as a quilting tool
In any quilt there are going to be sections that draw the eye and stand out, even if the quilt uses only one color (monochromatic). Monochromatic quilts can use shades and tints to make particular pieces stand out, highlight, or recede.
As the most dominant of the pure colors, yellow is placed at the top of the wheel. The dominance of the colors is also determined by the amount of gray added to each color. Along the right side of the color wheel are the warmer colors. These colors will naturally draw the eye to where they are placed on a quilt, while the cooler colors on the left will complement and help to highlight dominant colors in a quilt with a multi-color scheme. Warm colors can even mean that darker patches on the quilt will recede, due to the natural progression of the eye.
The best use of your color wheel in your pattern will happen after you determine the type of quilt you want to make. Monochromatic quilts are the easiest; one color means that all you are dealing with are shades and tints, none of which are depicted on the color wheel. A color wheel is not really needed when it comes to these designs.
On the other hand, a color wheel is pretty important when it comes to analogous or complementary quilts (unless of course you are naturally gifted at color determination!). Complementary quilts utilize colors that lie directly opposite each other on the wheel; an example is a primary color with the secondary color created by mixing the other primaries. These colors can be used most effectively as borders.
Analogous quilts use colors that are located beside each other on the wheel. They create a natural blending, as each one has a color in common with the one beside it. The color wheel in this case is crucial in determining which colors are analogous with each other.
There is a lot of confusion when it comes to using a color wheel. It is simply a tool that makes choosing different patterns and color schemes easier for the individual quilter. Using one does not mean that you have to go out and buy a whole bunch of new fabric, and it certainly does not mean that you have to dye your own fabrics in order to use it. Instead, just think of a color wheel as a way to cut a lot of guesswork and time out of the process so that you can jump straight into the quilting without fear of the final work appearing out of synch.
Jan Myers is the author of numerous articles and books on topics from organizational development and leadership to quilting. It was her avocation, the love of quilting, that inspired the popular online membership site for quilters known as the "world’s largest quilting bee" at http://www.quiltingresourcecenter.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Selecting Quilting Fabrics Using a Color Wheel
by Jan Myers
Choosing colors to use in your quilt is another opportunity to observe the similarities that the craft has with "fixer-upper" projects undertaken by do it yourselfers. In this case, quilters can use a tool that has been employed by painters and decorators for many years; the color wheel.
What is the color wheel?
The color wheel is a circle-shaped piece of equipment that depicts several different colors that the quilter or painter can choose from. These wheels are printed on many different types of surfaces; in fabric shops there may be wheels made from solid wood or even metal; they are very durable and can withstand numerous touches and spins from all the people that handle it. Paper color wheels are less durable and are meant for personal use.
Some color wheels have more colors on them than others, but all color wheels will include the primary colors; red, yellow, and blue. These colors will be separated by an equal amount of spaces. The spaces in between the primary colors are the colors formed by mixing varying amounts of each color together; secondary colors )orange, blue, and violet) are located halfway between each primary color combination, as they are the result of mixing equal parts of each color.
The color wheel as a quilting tool
In any quilt there are going to be sections that draw the eye and stand out, even if the quilt uses only one color (monochromatic). Monochromatic quilts can use shades and tints to make particular pieces stand out, highlight, or recede.
As the most dominant of the pure colors, yellow is placed at the top of the wheel. The dominance of the colors is also determined by the amount of gray added to each color. Along the right side of the color wheel are the warmer colors. These colors will naturally draw the eye to where they are placed on a quilt, while the cooler colors on the left will complement and help to highlight dominant colors in a quilt with a multi-color scheme. Warm colors can even mean that darker patches on the quilt will recede, due to the natural progression of the eye.
The best use of your color wheel in your pattern will happen after you determine the type of quilt you want to make. Monochromatic quilts are the easiest; one color means that all you are dealing with are shades and tints, none of which are depicted on the color wheel. A color wheel is not really needed when it comes to these designs.
On the other hand, a color wheel is pretty important when it comes to analogous or complementary quilts (unless of course you are naturally gifted at color determination!). Complementary quilts utilize colors that lie directly opposite each other on the wheel; an example is a primary color with the secondary color created by mixing the other primaries. These colors can be used most effectively as borders.
Analogous quilts use colors that are located beside each other on the wheel. They create a natural blending, as each one has a color in common with the one beside it. The color wheel in this case is crucial in determining which colors are analogous with each other.
There is a lot of confusion when it comes to using a color wheel. It is simply a tool that makes choosing different patterns and color schemes easier for the individual quilter. Using one does not mean that you have to go out and buy a whole bunch of new fabric, and it certainly does not mean that you have to dye your own fabrics in order to use it. Instead, just think of a color wheel as a way to cut a lot of guesswork and time out of the process so that you can jump straight into the quilting without fear of the final work appearing out of synch.
Jan Myers is the author of numerous articles and books on topics from organizational development and leadership to quilting. It was her avocation, the love of quilting, that inspired the popular online membership site for quilters known as the "world’s largest quilting bee" at http://www.quiltingresourcecenter.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Friday, March 21, 2008
Quilt Pattern
Quilt Pattern
How To Create Stained Glass Quilts
by Jan Myers
One of the joys of quilting is being able to spend your craft time doing various styles or types of quilts. You may have noticed that stained glass quilts are growing in popularity. These look complex to create but following some simple guidelines will have you mastering this part of quilting in no time!
You will need to select your pattern for the project. It is best to actually use a pattern that is specifically for stained glass quilts for beginners. There are many different types and colors of fabrics to select from when making stained glass quilts. It is best to use fabrics that do not have fine details and patterns within them since you want the finished product to look like a piece of stained glass. Many people find that Muslin fabrics work well for the foundation fabric.
Once you’ve selected the pattern, increase the design size by 150% on a copier. Position the stained glass pattern in the middle of a 10" x 8" piece of woven fusible interfacing. It is best to avoid the fusible web because it can tend to make your project too stiff. Trace just the design without the numbers onto the fusible area of the interfacing.
Get a large piece of wax or freezer paper that will fit the design. Trace the design onto the paper, again without numbers. Using sharp scissors, you will need to cut the design out following the lines you just traced onto the paper.
Place all the appropriate freezer paper pieces on the different color fabrics. Make sure to place with the shiny side of the paper down. Iron the sections onto the fabric. Make sure your iron does not burn the fabrics. You will then need to cut the design pieces out leaving a 1/16" additional edge border around each piece. Don’t cut the pieces flush or you will not have enough lead fabric and overlay fabric.
Now that all your pieces are cut, you will need to remove the paper backing. Place the patches on the fusible area of the interfacing. You will want to use the traced out lines for positioning. Partly overlie the appliqué sections a little. You do not want to leave any openings to have better looking stained glass quilts. Once this is complete, you will use a pressing sheet to iron the appliqué sections to the interfacing. Make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions when doing this part of the process for this part of your stained glass quilts.
Set the pieces out and pin them onto the foundation fabric. It is recommended to baste around these so that the pieces will not shift when you sew on the bias tape later. You will now to stitch down the edges with bias tape so that the edges of the bias tape are completely covered with the other sections that are laid down. You will want to use thread that matches the bias tape. Use the backstitch to lock the starting and ending portions of the bias tape. Be certain to trim the thread ends close to the surface for a neater appearance on your stained glass quilts.
You are almost completed with your project. Cut away the extra foundation fabric and continue to add the other pieces. A nice addition is to add additional bias to the border pieces. With stained glass quilts, you will have leading at any area the glass is a different color or piece. It is important to quilt on both areas for the bias leading in order to make the leading extra noticeable.
Following these general guidelines should have you creating beautiful stained glass quilts with confidence. You might find the fabric calculator helpful for when you purchase your foundation fabric and stained glass fabrics for your stained glass quilts.
Jan Myers is the author of numerous articles and books on topics from organizational development and leadership to quilting. It was her avocation, the love of quilting, that inspired the popular online membership site for quilters known as the “world’s largest quilting bee” at http://www.QuiltingResourceCenter.com ..
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
How To Create Stained Glass Quilts
by Jan Myers
One of the joys of quilting is being able to spend your craft time doing various styles or types of quilts. You may have noticed that stained glass quilts are growing in popularity. These look complex to create but following some simple guidelines will have you mastering this part of quilting in no time!
You will need to select your pattern for the project. It is best to actually use a pattern that is specifically for stained glass quilts for beginners. There are many different types and colors of fabrics to select from when making stained glass quilts. It is best to use fabrics that do not have fine details and patterns within them since you want the finished product to look like a piece of stained glass. Many people find that Muslin fabrics work well for the foundation fabric.
Once you’ve selected the pattern, increase the design size by 150% on a copier. Position the stained glass pattern in the middle of a 10" x 8" piece of woven fusible interfacing. It is best to avoid the fusible web because it can tend to make your project too stiff. Trace just the design without the numbers onto the fusible area of the interfacing.
Get a large piece of wax or freezer paper that will fit the design. Trace the design onto the paper, again without numbers. Using sharp scissors, you will need to cut the design out following the lines you just traced onto the paper.
Place all the appropriate freezer paper pieces on the different color fabrics. Make sure to place with the shiny side of the paper down. Iron the sections onto the fabric. Make sure your iron does not burn the fabrics. You will then need to cut the design pieces out leaving a 1/16" additional edge border around each piece. Don’t cut the pieces flush or you will not have enough lead fabric and overlay fabric.
Now that all your pieces are cut, you will need to remove the paper backing. Place the patches on the fusible area of the interfacing. You will want to use the traced out lines for positioning. Partly overlie the appliqué sections a little. You do not want to leave any openings to have better looking stained glass quilts. Once this is complete, you will use a pressing sheet to iron the appliqué sections to the interfacing. Make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions when doing this part of the process for this part of your stained glass quilts.
Set the pieces out and pin them onto the foundation fabric. It is recommended to baste around these so that the pieces will not shift when you sew on the bias tape later. You will now to stitch down the edges with bias tape so that the edges of the bias tape are completely covered with the other sections that are laid down. You will want to use thread that matches the bias tape. Use the backstitch to lock the starting and ending portions of the bias tape. Be certain to trim the thread ends close to the surface for a neater appearance on your stained glass quilts.
You are almost completed with your project. Cut away the extra foundation fabric and continue to add the other pieces. A nice addition is to add additional bias to the border pieces. With stained glass quilts, you will have leading at any area the glass is a different color or piece. It is important to quilt on both areas for the bias leading in order to make the leading extra noticeable.
Following these general guidelines should have you creating beautiful stained glass quilts with confidence. You might find the fabric calculator helpful for when you purchase your foundation fabric and stained glass fabrics for your stained glass quilts.
Jan Myers is the author of numerous articles and books on topics from organizational development and leadership to quilting. It was her avocation, the love of quilting, that inspired the popular online membership site for quilters known as the “world’s largest quilting bee” at http://www.QuiltingResourceCenter.com ..
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Braided Rugs
Braided Rugs
More Braided Rugs Less Carpet
by Mitch Endick
Prior to World War II many American homes featured wood and other types of hard surface flooring and area rugs where used as room accents. During the home building boom that followed the end of the war, the use of wall to wall carpeting became very wide spread. Until recently, over seventy percent of American homes had wall to wall carpeting. Area rugs are seeing a renewed popularity and this includes braided area rugs.
Given the cost of replacement, the need to clean it routinely and possible adverse effects on indoor air quality, many homeowners have made a switch back to hard surface flooring. Hard surface flooring like wood and composite materials are much easier to keep clean and sanitary. This is especially important for homeowners who have problems with allergies and other respiratory conditions.
While carpeting can add warmth and comfort to a living space, maintaining the appearance and cleanliness of wall to wall carpet can be difficult over time. Uneven wear patterns, the accumulation of dirt and breakdown of padding materials can make your carpeting look very old well before its time. Ground in dirt and critters like dust mites can be nearly impossible to remove from deep in the carpet.
Some studies suggest that carpet has a wear life of anywhere from three to five years. So given the amount of carpet in service and the need to clean it, perhaps twice a year that translates into a substantial amount of labor and, perhaps more importantly millions of gallons of chemicals and water. This can have a enormous impact on the environment.
Concerned about the potential for increased indoor air pollution, many folks are taking a green approach to their living spaces, choosing carpet fabrics that emit fewer volatile organic compounds or VOCs and have a higher content of recycled fabric materials. Carpeting needs to be replaced periodically and old carpeting often ends up in the landfill, not to mention the cost of replacement.
With the movement toward hard surface flooring has come a greater demand for various styles of area rugs. A traditional favorite in area rug styles is the classic braided rug. Braided rugs have had a place in a variety of home decorating plans, from shabby chic, to Early American and country cottage looks.
One of the more unique and beautiful characteristics of braided rugs is color. Makers of early braided rugs might have used whatever fabric or yarn was at hand. The result was a blend or variegation of many colors, often resulting in random patterns. The variegation in color made every rug unique much like patchwork quilts which did not rely on any particular pattern. Variegated rug patterns are perennial favorites among those folks prefer a very traditional look.
Quality braided rugs are easy to care for and just last a very long time with proper cleaning. Unlike woven area rugs, braided rugs can be turned over. Since you are able to reverse the rug, the wear will be more even and this will further extend the life of the rug.
Depending on the type of weave and materials used to make your braided rug, the rug can help to reduce the wear and tear on wood and other types of hard surface flooring. Braided area rugs can be made from renewable fiber materials like bamboo, jute and hemp. These fast growing renewable fiber sources are environmentally friendly and can be grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides.
Mitch Endick is a short article writer for the popular braided rug web site: http://www.braidedrugsale.com. He provides informative advice on purchasing quality braided rugs.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
More Braided Rugs Less Carpet
by Mitch Endick
Prior to World War II many American homes featured wood and other types of hard surface flooring and area rugs where used as room accents. During the home building boom that followed the end of the war, the use of wall to wall carpeting became very wide spread. Until recently, over seventy percent of American homes had wall to wall carpeting. Area rugs are seeing a renewed popularity and this includes braided area rugs.
Given the cost of replacement, the need to clean it routinely and possible adverse effects on indoor air quality, many homeowners have made a switch back to hard surface flooring. Hard surface flooring like wood and composite materials are much easier to keep clean and sanitary. This is especially important for homeowners who have problems with allergies and other respiratory conditions.
While carpeting can add warmth and comfort to a living space, maintaining the appearance and cleanliness of wall to wall carpet can be difficult over time. Uneven wear patterns, the accumulation of dirt and breakdown of padding materials can make your carpeting look very old well before its time. Ground in dirt and critters like dust mites can be nearly impossible to remove from deep in the carpet.
Some studies suggest that carpet has a wear life of anywhere from three to five years. So given the amount of carpet in service and the need to clean it, perhaps twice a year that translates into a substantial amount of labor and, perhaps more importantly millions of gallons of chemicals and water. This can have a enormous impact on the environment.
Concerned about the potential for increased indoor air pollution, many folks are taking a green approach to their living spaces, choosing carpet fabrics that emit fewer volatile organic compounds or VOCs and have a higher content of recycled fabric materials. Carpeting needs to be replaced periodically and old carpeting often ends up in the landfill, not to mention the cost of replacement.
With the movement toward hard surface flooring has come a greater demand for various styles of area rugs. A traditional favorite in area rug styles is the classic braided rug. Braided rugs have had a place in a variety of home decorating plans, from shabby chic, to Early American and country cottage looks.
One of the more unique and beautiful characteristics of braided rugs is color. Makers of early braided rugs might have used whatever fabric or yarn was at hand. The result was a blend or variegation of many colors, often resulting in random patterns. The variegation in color made every rug unique much like patchwork quilts which did not rely on any particular pattern. Variegated rug patterns are perennial favorites among those folks prefer a very traditional look.
Quality braided rugs are easy to care for and just last a very long time with proper cleaning. Unlike woven area rugs, braided rugs can be turned over. Since you are able to reverse the rug, the wear will be more even and this will further extend the life of the rug.
Depending on the type of weave and materials used to make your braided rug, the rug can help to reduce the wear and tear on wood and other types of hard surface flooring. Braided area rugs can be made from renewable fiber materials like bamboo, jute and hemp. These fast growing renewable fiber sources are environmentally friendly and can be grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, herbicides and insecticides.
Mitch Endick is a short article writer for the popular braided rug web site: http://www.braidedrugsale.com. He provides informative advice on purchasing quality braided rugs.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Quilts
Quilts
Start A Quilting Business, Easily
by Mike Dodd
Quilting is a craft that turns your passion into large profit. Quilting is a personal craft. It is a symphony of threads and fabrics mixed combining colors of imagination and craft know-how. Quilts are often an expression as unique as the individual creating them.
There is a huge demand in some areas for various quilting services (including machine quilting.) Find out how far quilt finishers are backlogged with orders in your area. Some are back-ordered for several months at a time. If there's a demand in your area, a quilting machine can pay for itself in just over a one year. Usually quilters receive an average of $135 in fees for quilting a mid-sized quilt (queen-sized) plus markups on batting and materials. Finish just 2 1/2 quilts every week and you'll earn over $17,000 the first year enough to pay off the cost of the high quality quilting machines. Smaller machines pay for themselves even faster. Usually, in most areas, you can stay as busy as you want to because of the demand for quilted products.
If you are serious about starting a quilting business there are several factors to be considered before becoming engaged to the fascinating hobby/craft: financing, licenses, accounting, insurance, and marketing.
Run your quilting business from home and leave the rush hour traffic and public transport to those people who still work for someone else. How would you like to have people pay you to stay home and make quilts for a living? Then, have those same quilts are then displayed in homes to be admired by people you've never meet and possibly be carried all around the world. That would truly be a fabulous feeling!
You can start your home business part-time while working on your current job. That way your hobby can become a great second or third income. Imagine bringing home another $1,000 to $4,000 per month? (There are quilt makers that make over $5,000 a month.) When your new business really takes off you can quilt full-time and earn a nice living doing something you love to do...quilt!
Quilts can be for many things ranging from beds (crib to king size) to wall hangings to table runners to fun doll quilts to shin-warmers and lap quilts. The quilting patterns can often be modified to accommodate as much or as little hand work as the budget or materials will allows. For example, for those who want one small piece that is quilted by hand, something with a small amount of original hand quilting is sufficient. A pattern incorporating a moderate amount of quilting is a good choice for many, and for those who desire a grand expression of this art, the grand designs with intricate patterns are a work great.
The aurthor, Mike Dodd, spent the first 12 years on his great grandmothers farm and helped the quilting and worked with many quilting patterns as he was growing up.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Start A Quilting Business, Easily
by Mike Dodd
Quilting is a craft that turns your passion into large profit. Quilting is a personal craft. It is a symphony of threads and fabrics mixed combining colors of imagination and craft know-how. Quilts are often an expression as unique as the individual creating them.
There is a huge demand in some areas for various quilting services (including machine quilting.) Find out how far quilt finishers are backlogged with orders in your area. Some are back-ordered for several months at a time. If there's a demand in your area, a quilting machine can pay for itself in just over a one year. Usually quilters receive an average of $135 in fees for quilting a mid-sized quilt (queen-sized) plus markups on batting and materials. Finish just 2 1/2 quilts every week and you'll earn over $17,000 the first year enough to pay off the cost of the high quality quilting machines. Smaller machines pay for themselves even faster. Usually, in most areas, you can stay as busy as you want to because of the demand for quilted products.
If you are serious about starting a quilting business there are several factors to be considered before becoming engaged to the fascinating hobby/craft: financing, licenses, accounting, insurance, and marketing.
Run your quilting business from home and leave the rush hour traffic and public transport to those people who still work for someone else. How would you like to have people pay you to stay home and make quilts for a living? Then, have those same quilts are then displayed in homes to be admired by people you've never meet and possibly be carried all around the world. That would truly be a fabulous feeling!
You can start your home business part-time while working on your current job. That way your hobby can become a great second or third income. Imagine bringing home another $1,000 to $4,000 per month? (There are quilt makers that make over $5,000 a month.) When your new business really takes off you can quilt full-time and earn a nice living doing something you love to do...quilt!
Quilts can be for many things ranging from beds (crib to king size) to wall hangings to table runners to fun doll quilts to shin-warmers and lap quilts. The quilting patterns can often be modified to accommodate as much or as little hand work as the budget or materials will allows. For example, for those who want one small piece that is quilted by hand, something with a small amount of original hand quilting is sufficient. A pattern incorporating a moderate amount of quilting is a good choice for many, and for those who desire a grand expression of this art, the grand designs with intricate patterns are a work great.
The aurthor, Mike Dodd, spent the first 12 years on his great grandmothers farm and helped the quilting and worked with many quilting patterns as he was growing up.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Backyard Landscaping
Backyard Landscaping
Backyard Landscaping and Planning
by Hana Lee
Today's home owner is all about making his or her home his or her "castle". This includes the outside of the home as well. Today, as we have more leisure time more and more people are spending this leisure time enjoying the pleasures of their own backyards. As the price of gasoline goes up and up more and more people are spending vacations closer to home, or taking vacation in their back yards. How we landscape our yards says a lot about us to neighbors and strangers alike. You are judged by how well you keep your front yard, and your backyard, and if you want to co-exist happily with neighbors it's best to keep it looking good. There is another reason to consider keeping up with your landscaping, or doing new landscaping if it's needed. Today's home buyers are savvy and it's a buyers market. Home buyers are looking for a well manicured lawn and a well thought out and appealing landscaping, and this can be the actual deciding factor on whether or not people buy a home.
Every neighborhood has a home store like Lowe's or Home Depot or a wonderful garden center where you can get supplies and advice on how to landscape. And don't every think it's a waste of money. Any money spent on your home always comes back to you in the end. If you do a bit of planning before hand you can make sure that you spend wisely. So, making your backyard your oasis away from the world has dual purpose! You make a splendid place where you can entertain family and friends and add to the value of your home at the same time, a win-win situation!
Perhaps you already have the makings of a fabulous backyard but you don't know it. Most homes have a deck or patio. If you have a deck you don't use, why not? If you don't like the way it looks a cleaning and water sealing can bring it back to new life. You should make cleaning and water sealing something you do at least every third year to keep your deck work in good condition. Many homeowners find that their deck or patio is just too hot to use. Many are in the blazing sun all day. That's also easily fixed. Building a simple pergola over an existing patio, or putting an awning over your deck can give you much needed shade. Sunair, Sunsetter and Durasol carry a wide range of retractable patio awnings, which can be manual or motorized. Sunbrella is the most commonly used fabric as it is guaranteed not to fade.
Maybe you've fallen out of love with your patio furniture and it's time to buy a new set. Cast aluminum patio furniture is very popular. Practically care free cast aluminum gives the look of wrought iron. All it needs is an application of car wax once a year. Choose from any number of fashionable and affordable patio furniture sets from manufacturers like Hanamint, Mallin and Tropitone. Update your old patio furniture with replacement patio furniture cushions. A new set of cushions will breath new life into your patio furniture.
Ok. Now we've got a shady spot with comfortable furniture. What's next? Something to cook steaks and burgers on! If you go out today looking for a gas grill be prepared to find choices you've never seen before. Gourmet cooking has come out of doors. Look at grills from Char-Broil, Vermont Castings, Weber, Broilmaster, Fiesta or Ducane and see the features you can get. Side burners, built in refrigerators, rotisseries to name just a few. Want to have an outdoor kitchen? Outdoor kitchens are all the rage. From a grill built into a counter top with cabinets underneath to full fledge kitchens the only thing standing in your way of the perfect outdoor kitchen will be your imagination.
Homeowners are also spending more time doing their own lawn care. Again, it's easy to do and today's manufacturers such as Scott's, Green Light, Schultz and Espoma have a wide range of products that area easy to use. Some people prefer the thought or organic lawn care. This can be done using very little chemical, perhaps only organic fertilizer and some simple lawn care tips. Visit your local garden center and get some helpful hints from the experts about lawn care. Depending on the amount of landscaping you want to do you may want to have a professional visit your home to give you hints and ideas before you start your project.
What about trees, shrubs and flowers around your backyard? If you don't have lots of space, or the inclination to take care of a flower garden try container gardening. Container gardens are easy care and nothing looks more lovely than lush colorful flowers spilling over flower pots. Use annuals in your container garden for color all season long. Just remember a simple rule of gardening, make sure that you can give any tree, shrub or flower you use in your landscaping proper lighting conditions. If you don't have full sun, don't plant something that requires full sun, the same goes for shade. Your plant will not thrive and you'll be disappointed.
Now that you've patio furniture, a gas grill and you're taking care of your lawn, how about a proper place to store all your equipment? For most of us all out outdoor equipment ends up in the garage taking up way too much space. Look into a garden shed. You'll be amazed at the styles you find. You can have one built to your specifications, down to the colors which you can have echo the colors of your home. Garden sheds come in metal, wood or carefree vinyl finishes.
About the author: Hana Lee wants you to enjoy your backyard. To learn about frontyard and backyard landscaping ideas and metal garden sheds, outdoor storage sheds visit her site.
This and other unique content patio furniture articles are available with free reprint rights.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Backyard Landscaping and Planning
by Hana Lee
Today's home owner is all about making his or her home his or her "castle". This includes the outside of the home as well. Today, as we have more leisure time more and more people are spending this leisure time enjoying the pleasures of their own backyards. As the price of gasoline goes up and up more and more people are spending vacations closer to home, or taking vacation in their back yards. How we landscape our yards says a lot about us to neighbors and strangers alike. You are judged by how well you keep your front yard, and your backyard, and if you want to co-exist happily with neighbors it's best to keep it looking good. There is another reason to consider keeping up with your landscaping, or doing new landscaping if it's needed. Today's home buyers are savvy and it's a buyers market. Home buyers are looking for a well manicured lawn and a well thought out and appealing landscaping, and this can be the actual deciding factor on whether or not people buy a home.
Every neighborhood has a home store like Lowe's or Home Depot or a wonderful garden center where you can get supplies and advice on how to landscape. And don't every think it's a waste of money. Any money spent on your home always comes back to you in the end. If you do a bit of planning before hand you can make sure that you spend wisely. So, making your backyard your oasis away from the world has dual purpose! You make a splendid place where you can entertain family and friends and add to the value of your home at the same time, a win-win situation!
Perhaps you already have the makings of a fabulous backyard but you don't know it. Most homes have a deck or patio. If you have a deck you don't use, why not? If you don't like the way it looks a cleaning and water sealing can bring it back to new life. You should make cleaning and water sealing something you do at least every third year to keep your deck work in good condition. Many homeowners find that their deck or patio is just too hot to use. Many are in the blazing sun all day. That's also easily fixed. Building a simple pergola over an existing patio, or putting an awning over your deck can give you much needed shade. Sunair, Sunsetter and Durasol carry a wide range of retractable patio awnings, which can be manual or motorized. Sunbrella is the most commonly used fabric as it is guaranteed not to fade.
Maybe you've fallen out of love with your patio furniture and it's time to buy a new set. Cast aluminum patio furniture is very popular. Practically care free cast aluminum gives the look of wrought iron. All it needs is an application of car wax once a year. Choose from any number of fashionable and affordable patio furniture sets from manufacturers like Hanamint, Mallin and Tropitone. Update your old patio furniture with replacement patio furniture cushions. A new set of cushions will breath new life into your patio furniture.
Ok. Now we've got a shady spot with comfortable furniture. What's next? Something to cook steaks and burgers on! If you go out today looking for a gas grill be prepared to find choices you've never seen before. Gourmet cooking has come out of doors. Look at grills from Char-Broil, Vermont Castings, Weber, Broilmaster, Fiesta or Ducane and see the features you can get. Side burners, built in refrigerators, rotisseries to name just a few. Want to have an outdoor kitchen? Outdoor kitchens are all the rage. From a grill built into a counter top with cabinets underneath to full fledge kitchens the only thing standing in your way of the perfect outdoor kitchen will be your imagination.
Homeowners are also spending more time doing their own lawn care. Again, it's easy to do and today's manufacturers such as Scott's, Green Light, Schultz and Espoma have a wide range of products that area easy to use. Some people prefer the thought or organic lawn care. This can be done using very little chemical, perhaps only organic fertilizer and some simple lawn care tips. Visit your local garden center and get some helpful hints from the experts about lawn care. Depending on the amount of landscaping you want to do you may want to have a professional visit your home to give you hints and ideas before you start your project.
What about trees, shrubs and flowers around your backyard? If you don't have lots of space, or the inclination to take care of a flower garden try container gardening. Container gardens are easy care and nothing looks more lovely than lush colorful flowers spilling over flower pots. Use annuals in your container garden for color all season long. Just remember a simple rule of gardening, make sure that you can give any tree, shrub or flower you use in your landscaping proper lighting conditions. If you don't have full sun, don't plant something that requires full sun, the same goes for shade. Your plant will not thrive and you'll be disappointed.
Now that you've patio furniture, a gas grill and you're taking care of your lawn, how about a proper place to store all your equipment? For most of us all out outdoor equipment ends up in the garage taking up way too much space. Look into a garden shed. You'll be amazed at the styles you find. You can have one built to your specifications, down to the colors which you can have echo the colors of your home. Garden sheds come in metal, wood or carefree vinyl finishes.
About the author: Hana Lee wants you to enjoy your backyard. To learn about frontyard and backyard landscaping ideas and metal garden sheds, outdoor storage sheds visit her site.
This and other unique content patio furniture articles are available with free reprint rights.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Bedding
Bedding
So what’s so special about silk bedding?
by H Watson
With increasing frequency I keep finding silk bedding on the shelves of retailers and bedding companies alike. Five years ago silk bedding was the territory of specialist bedding shops, sporting a varied image from one of the ultimate luxury to the downright tacky. Nowadays silk bedding is everywhere to be seen – so what’s changed?
Well, manufacturing techniques for one. From the harvest of silk all the way through to the finished product the techniques have been honed and mastered. After all the Chinese have had five thousand years of practice in silk production. With the onset of modern machining and technology silk fabric is finer and more durable than ever before. Because of the increased durability, silk bedding can now be offered as a legitimate alternative to cotton or polyester bedding products.
Apart from the increased durability silk bedding offers some surprising benefits not found in more conventional bedding. The natural amino acids that occur in silk are sympathetic to our hair and skin, allowing a rejuvenating process to occur throughout the night. In addition to this silk has the amazing ability to keep us warm in when it’s cold and cool when it’s warm. Cotton and polyester act as insulators, whereas silk naturally allows our bodies temperatures remain more constant.
Adding to the amazing natural qualities of silk is the benefit of modern manufacture. Silk bedding can now be woven to an almost incredible finish. Thread counts of above 400 are now common in true mulberry silk bedding sets. It is worth noting that quality silk bedding will almost always have a thread count of above 400, and a momme weight of between 12 and 21. Momme is the measurement used to measure the density of silk.
Silk, like all other bedding products ranges in quality and price. On the lower end of the scale is Haboati, or wild silk. Although Habotai silk sports many of the advantages of silk fibre, it lacks durability and is therefore more suited to lighter use such as scarves. Habotai silk should not be a first choice for bedding products. At the top end of the market is 100% mulberry silk. Mulberry silk is extremely durable, and ideal for silk bedding. If you would like to know more about what to look for when purchasing silk bedding, the silksleep (dot) com website is a good resource.
Part of the reason silk bedding has not been “main stream” until now has been the difficulty in correctly cleaning the products. Today most washing machines have a silk function and there are a number of excellent silk detergents on the market. Perhaps the best of these is a product called Tenestar, which has been specifically manufactured to maintain the properties of silk while cleaning. Any fine purveyor of silk bedding should offer both advice and products for the care and cleaning of silk.
The next time you come across silk bedding, don’t dismiss it out of hand. The enhanced care, benefits and durability of silk bedding in recent years has made these wonderful products well worth a second look.
Hugh Watson is a featured writer for silksleep.
To learn more about silksleep silk bedding products visit http://www.silksleep.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
So what’s so special about silk bedding?
by H Watson
With increasing frequency I keep finding silk bedding on the shelves of retailers and bedding companies alike. Five years ago silk bedding was the territory of specialist bedding shops, sporting a varied image from one of the ultimate luxury to the downright tacky. Nowadays silk bedding is everywhere to be seen – so what’s changed?
Well, manufacturing techniques for one. From the harvest of silk all the way through to the finished product the techniques have been honed and mastered. After all the Chinese have had five thousand years of practice in silk production. With the onset of modern machining and technology silk fabric is finer and more durable than ever before. Because of the increased durability, silk bedding can now be offered as a legitimate alternative to cotton or polyester bedding products.
Apart from the increased durability silk bedding offers some surprising benefits not found in more conventional bedding. The natural amino acids that occur in silk are sympathetic to our hair and skin, allowing a rejuvenating process to occur throughout the night. In addition to this silk has the amazing ability to keep us warm in when it’s cold and cool when it’s warm. Cotton and polyester act as insulators, whereas silk naturally allows our bodies temperatures remain more constant.
Adding to the amazing natural qualities of silk is the benefit of modern manufacture. Silk bedding can now be woven to an almost incredible finish. Thread counts of above 400 are now common in true mulberry silk bedding sets. It is worth noting that quality silk bedding will almost always have a thread count of above 400, and a momme weight of between 12 and 21. Momme is the measurement used to measure the density of silk.
Silk, like all other bedding products ranges in quality and price. On the lower end of the scale is Haboati, or wild silk. Although Habotai silk sports many of the advantages of silk fibre, it lacks durability and is therefore more suited to lighter use such as scarves. Habotai silk should not be a first choice for bedding products. At the top end of the market is 100% mulberry silk. Mulberry silk is extremely durable, and ideal for silk bedding. If you would like to know more about what to look for when purchasing silk bedding, the silksleep (dot) com website is a good resource.
Part of the reason silk bedding has not been “main stream” until now has been the difficulty in correctly cleaning the products. Today most washing machines have a silk function and there are a number of excellent silk detergents on the market. Perhaps the best of these is a product called Tenestar, which has been specifically manufactured to maintain the properties of silk while cleaning. Any fine purveyor of silk bedding should offer both advice and products for the care and cleaning of silk.
The next time you come across silk bedding, don’t dismiss it out of hand. The enhanced care, benefits and durability of silk bedding in recent years has made these wonderful products well worth a second look.
Hugh Watson is a featured writer for silksleep.
To learn more about silksleep silk bedding products visit http://www.silksleep.com
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Area Rugs
Area Rugs
Asian Area Rugs
By Jimmy Sturo
A lot of people make use of Asian design to decorate their dwelling places. The Oriental designs are considered exotic and interesting. Thus, Asian carpets and rugs are popular choices.
Many of these Asian rugs are expensive because they are handcrafted. The price of a high-quality Asian rug can even go up to thousands of dollars since it takes a long time to create these rugs. Only a few people have handmade and authentic Asian rugs. Most people buy mass-produced Asian rugs, the quality of which leaves much to be desired. They are inferior to the real handcrafted Asian rugs that can last for many years because of their unique knotting process.
What determines the beauty of the carpet is the quality of yarn used. The warp consists of a set of yarns tightly held on a loom, while the weft is a yarn that is cross-wise and weaved between the warp yarns. A row of knots forms the pile. The knot is secured by placing yarn into the weave and wrapping it around sets of warps.
The piles determine the design, colors and patterns. This is the reason why Asian carpets that are really two-dimensional look three-dimensional. The knot type also determines the design. Asian carpets usually use two types of knots, namely the Turkish knot and Persian knot. The field and border patterns in handmade Asian rugs are the result of the repeated design of these knots.
Vacuuming regularly helps rugs retain their beauty and extend their use. Remember to clean spills at once. Blot the stain with a clean cloth, clean the spot with a non-bleach dishwashing soap, then rinse with water and finally blot dry. Do not dry clean or bleach to clean the rug; instead, use the professional method of extracting hot water. [http://www.i-AreaRugs.com]Area Rugs provides detailed information on Area Rugs, Discount Area Rugs, Cheap Area Rugs, Contemporary Area Rugs and more. Area Rugs is affiliated with Contemporary Wool Rugs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Sturo http://EzineArticles.com/?Asian-Area-Rugs&id=353938
Asian Area Rugs
By Jimmy Sturo
A lot of people make use of Asian design to decorate their dwelling places. The Oriental designs are considered exotic and interesting. Thus, Asian carpets and rugs are popular choices.
Many of these Asian rugs are expensive because they are handcrafted. The price of a high-quality Asian rug can even go up to thousands of dollars since it takes a long time to create these rugs. Only a few people have handmade and authentic Asian rugs. Most people buy mass-produced Asian rugs, the quality of which leaves much to be desired. They are inferior to the real handcrafted Asian rugs that can last for many years because of their unique knotting process.
What determines the beauty of the carpet is the quality of yarn used. The warp consists of a set of yarns tightly held on a loom, while the weft is a yarn that is cross-wise and weaved between the warp yarns. A row of knots forms the pile. The knot is secured by placing yarn into the weave and wrapping it around sets of warps.
The piles determine the design, colors and patterns. This is the reason why Asian carpets that are really two-dimensional look three-dimensional. The knot type also determines the design. Asian carpets usually use two types of knots, namely the Turkish knot and Persian knot. The field and border patterns in handmade Asian rugs are the result of the repeated design of these knots.
Vacuuming regularly helps rugs retain their beauty and extend their use. Remember to clean spills at once. Blot the stain with a clean cloth, clean the spot with a non-bleach dishwashing soap, then rinse with water and finally blot dry. Do not dry clean or bleach to clean the rug; instead, use the professional method of extracting hot water. [http://www.i-AreaRugs.com]Area Rugs provides detailed information on Area Rugs, Discount Area Rugs, Cheap Area Rugs, Contemporary Area Rugs and more. Area Rugs is affiliated with Contemporary Wool Rugs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Sturo http://EzineArticles.com/?Asian-Area-Rugs&id=353938
Friday, March 7, 2008
Persian Rug
Persian Rug
Effective home decoration: the Persian rug
by I-net_com_au
A floor rug is a common and highly popular decorative object, which serves, nonetheless, practical purposes as well. Rugs usually come in small sizes, and are placed in homes on certain areas of the floor, which are most likely to be trod on. A frequently met type of floor rug is the Persian rug, which is woven according to traditional patterns. The most common patterns of the Persian rug include figural motifs and geometrical shapes, nowadays mostly machine made. A Persian floor rug is, however, more highly appreciated if it is handmade. The price of a high quality handmade Persian rug rises considerably in comparison to similar rugs made by machines.
Those keen on the numerous floor rug types are also interested in finding out as many details as possible about the techniques of carpet weaving and the various basic designs of the Persian rug. Frequently made of wool, the typical floor rug is woven on a loom and is based on a foundation of warp, on which the carpet weaver ties a series of knots. Although homemakers are frequently encouraged to weave their own floor rug, according to the basic instructions of carpet weaving, this is a task not easily undertaken. Weaving a Persian rug requires both technical skill and an artistic view of the whole ensemble, and this is why carpet weaving has often been considered an art.
The reasons why someone may choose to place a floor rug in a certain room in their home are both the decorative and the functional purposes of such an item. A Persian rug may be used as a surface on which children can play, and in this case it is all the more attractive if it is woven in bright colors and has an interesting design. When used to decorate a more formal room, such as a study or even an office, a Persian rug is usually chosen in simpler, minimalist designs, with a view to give it a touch of style to the entire area.
If you find it difficult to make up your mind about the floor rug that would suit your purposes, you can resort to the services of an interior designer. A specialist in interior design can offer you the perfect piece of advice regarding the Persian rug you need, by taking into account the type of furniture in the room where the area rug will be placed, the color in which the walls are painted and the size of the room also. Harmonizing all decorative items in a room is a matter not only of taste, but also of artistic vision, so make sure you take all possible aspects into consideration before purchasing a Persian rug.
Modern designs of the common floor rug are mostly available with machine made items. Although the traditional handmade Persian rug is more expensive, many people choose this type due to the high quality of the weaving. If you have trouble deciding which kind of floor rug would be more suitable for your home or office, you can resort to the services of carpet experts. They usually advise purchasing a handmade floor rug, on account of the fact that machines are never as meticulous and efficient as people. For those with no expertise in carpets, it is fairly difficult to tell the difference between a handmade Persian rug and one made by a machine. Resorting to specialists can, again, solve the problem.
Once you have decided on the floor rug you want, you must make sure you find out all the tips related to the care of a Persian rug. An oriental rug can be a sensitive piece, which is why experts recommend rotating your floor rug frequently to avoid partial wearing out, or keeping it out of the reach of sunlight to prevent colors from fading. The way you clean a Persian rug is also a delicate issue. For regular maintenance, specialists recommend either wet pieces of cloth or brushes, but no detergent. Should you have more serious problems with your Persian rug, take it to a specialized carpet cleaner rather than attempt to clean it yourself.
If you cannot find the floor rug you want among readymade models, you can order a special pattern or size from specialized carpet providers who also offer customized area rugs. You can make your choice for your Persian rug by combining the colors and patterns available, or by devising your own model from scratch. Whatever option you decide on, remember that using a floor rug as decoration is always effective as it fills up and embellishes the room you place it in.
A Persian rug is always a special asset for your home. This is why you should buy a floor rug to your own taste and make your home elegant and refined.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Effective home decoration: the Persian rug
by I-net_com_au
A floor rug is a common and highly popular decorative object, which serves, nonetheless, practical purposes as well. Rugs usually come in small sizes, and are placed in homes on certain areas of the floor, which are most likely to be trod on. A frequently met type of floor rug is the Persian rug, which is woven according to traditional patterns. The most common patterns of the Persian rug include figural motifs and geometrical shapes, nowadays mostly machine made. A Persian floor rug is, however, more highly appreciated if it is handmade. The price of a high quality handmade Persian rug rises considerably in comparison to similar rugs made by machines.
Those keen on the numerous floor rug types are also interested in finding out as many details as possible about the techniques of carpet weaving and the various basic designs of the Persian rug. Frequently made of wool, the typical floor rug is woven on a loom and is based on a foundation of warp, on which the carpet weaver ties a series of knots. Although homemakers are frequently encouraged to weave their own floor rug, according to the basic instructions of carpet weaving, this is a task not easily undertaken. Weaving a Persian rug requires both technical skill and an artistic view of the whole ensemble, and this is why carpet weaving has often been considered an art.
The reasons why someone may choose to place a floor rug in a certain room in their home are both the decorative and the functional purposes of such an item. A Persian rug may be used as a surface on which children can play, and in this case it is all the more attractive if it is woven in bright colors and has an interesting design. When used to decorate a more formal room, such as a study or even an office, a Persian rug is usually chosen in simpler, minimalist designs, with a view to give it a touch of style to the entire area.
If you find it difficult to make up your mind about the floor rug that would suit your purposes, you can resort to the services of an interior designer. A specialist in interior design can offer you the perfect piece of advice regarding the Persian rug you need, by taking into account the type of furniture in the room where the area rug will be placed, the color in which the walls are painted and the size of the room also. Harmonizing all decorative items in a room is a matter not only of taste, but also of artistic vision, so make sure you take all possible aspects into consideration before purchasing a Persian rug.
Modern designs of the common floor rug are mostly available with machine made items. Although the traditional handmade Persian rug is more expensive, many people choose this type due to the high quality of the weaving. If you have trouble deciding which kind of floor rug would be more suitable for your home or office, you can resort to the services of carpet experts. They usually advise purchasing a handmade floor rug, on account of the fact that machines are never as meticulous and efficient as people. For those with no expertise in carpets, it is fairly difficult to tell the difference between a handmade Persian rug and one made by a machine. Resorting to specialists can, again, solve the problem.
Once you have decided on the floor rug you want, you must make sure you find out all the tips related to the care of a Persian rug. An oriental rug can be a sensitive piece, which is why experts recommend rotating your floor rug frequently to avoid partial wearing out, or keeping it out of the reach of sunlight to prevent colors from fading. The way you clean a Persian rug is also a delicate issue. For regular maintenance, specialists recommend either wet pieces of cloth or brushes, but no detergent. Should you have more serious problems with your Persian rug, take it to a specialized carpet cleaner rather than attempt to clean it yourself.
If you cannot find the floor rug you want among readymade models, you can order a special pattern or size from specialized carpet providers who also offer customized area rugs. You can make your choice for your Persian rug by combining the colors and patterns available, or by devising your own model from scratch. Whatever option you decide on, remember that using a floor rug as decoration is always effective as it fills up and embellishes the room you place it in.
A Persian rug is always a special asset for your home. This is why you should buy a floor rug to your own taste and make your home elegant and refined.
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Area Rug
Area Rug
How to Add A Unique Look To Your Home On A Budget
by Lee Dobbins -
Everyone wants a beautifully decorated home but having a home with a designer look costs a lot of money. However, if you are creative and a smart shopper you can have a great decorative look in your home and still stick to your budget.
The first thing you need to do, is to decide on the look that you want. It’s probably best to do this one room at a time so you don’t become overwhelmed. So pick a room whether it be the bedroom, the living room or the kitchen and decide what you want it to look like. The more specific you are the easier it will be for you to achieve the look you want without spending a lot. One way to do this is to get a bunch of design magazines or books and leaf through them to find a look that you think would be great in your room.
Once you’ve decided on the look, you need to do the basics which is paint the walls and change the floor. Since you’re decorating on a budget, you might not have the money for a new floor and in this case you can try to use area rugs to give the room the look and feel that you’re going for. Painting the walls of any room will make a huge difference but be sure to pick a paint that is very close to that in the picture of the room that you have because painting at the wrong color could be a disaster.
Now comes the furniture and accessories. List out everything you have in the photo, or the picture in your mind of what you want in the room. Every little knickknack, wall paintings, lamps and chandeliers as well as pieces of furniture should be written down on your shopping list including the general size, color and style of the pieces.
Now for the fun part! You get to go shopping and buy the things on your list. Of course, shopping isn’t very much fun if you don’t have any money unless you know where to shop. When shopping for decorative furniture and lighting, one of your best bets is to find a consignment store that sells good quality used furnishings. You can often get pieces that are nearly brand-new at a fraction of the price. However, you’ll have to make it a habit to check in every day because the really good stuff gets snapped up pretty quick. Other places to check include yard sales, flea markets and the for sale section in your local paper. If you have computer, you might even try Craig’s list and eBay.
One thing to keep in mind when shopping for your budget decorative items, is that you want to get the scale right. For example, if you’re looking for end tables you want to be sure that they are sized appropriately in proportion to the sofa and lamps in the room just like in the picture that you are going from. The same goes for artwork, decorative items like pieces, lamps and chandeliers.
Finally, you want to add some interesting touches to your room and one place where you can get really unique things is at an antique mall. Now you might think that antiques are very expensive and won’t fit in to your budget, however if you go to a mall that has a lot of general dealers you be able to find some really interesting older items that don’t cost a lot. You may even be able to find a huge bargain on an item that is really worth a lot more than it is priced at. Either way, you’re sure to get some unique budget accessories for your room.
Budget decorating can be fun and easy, but you have to have a little bit of patience and be willing to do the legwork to shop around to get the items that will make your room perfect at the price that fit your wallet. If you do, though, you be rewarded with a unique and interesting room that will have a little bit of your personality and be the envy of your friends and family.
Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.home-improvement-solution.com where you can get more home improvement and decorating ideas
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
How to Add A Unique Look To Your Home On A Budget
by Lee Dobbins -
Everyone wants a beautifully decorated home but having a home with a designer look costs a lot of money. However, if you are creative and a smart shopper you can have a great decorative look in your home and still stick to your budget.
The first thing you need to do, is to decide on the look that you want. It’s probably best to do this one room at a time so you don’t become overwhelmed. So pick a room whether it be the bedroom, the living room or the kitchen and decide what you want it to look like. The more specific you are the easier it will be for you to achieve the look you want without spending a lot. One way to do this is to get a bunch of design magazines or books and leaf through them to find a look that you think would be great in your room.
Once you’ve decided on the look, you need to do the basics which is paint the walls and change the floor. Since you’re decorating on a budget, you might not have the money for a new floor and in this case you can try to use area rugs to give the room the look and feel that you’re going for. Painting the walls of any room will make a huge difference but be sure to pick a paint that is very close to that in the picture of the room that you have because painting at the wrong color could be a disaster.
Now comes the furniture and accessories. List out everything you have in the photo, or the picture in your mind of what you want in the room. Every little knickknack, wall paintings, lamps and chandeliers as well as pieces of furniture should be written down on your shopping list including the general size, color and style of the pieces.
Now for the fun part! You get to go shopping and buy the things on your list. Of course, shopping isn’t very much fun if you don’t have any money unless you know where to shop. When shopping for decorative furniture and lighting, one of your best bets is to find a consignment store that sells good quality used furnishings. You can often get pieces that are nearly brand-new at a fraction of the price. However, you’ll have to make it a habit to check in every day because the really good stuff gets snapped up pretty quick. Other places to check include yard sales, flea markets and the for sale section in your local paper. If you have computer, you might even try Craig’s list and eBay.
One thing to keep in mind when shopping for your budget decorative items, is that you want to get the scale right. For example, if you’re looking for end tables you want to be sure that they are sized appropriately in proportion to the sofa and lamps in the room just like in the picture that you are going from. The same goes for artwork, decorative items like pieces, lamps and chandeliers.
Finally, you want to add some interesting touches to your room and one place where you can get really unique things is at an antique mall. Now you might think that antiques are very expensive and won’t fit in to your budget, however if you go to a mall that has a lot of general dealers you be able to find some really interesting older items that don’t cost a lot. You may even be able to find a huge bargain on an item that is really worth a lot more than it is priced at. Either way, you’re sure to get some unique budget accessories for your room.
Budget decorating can be fun and easy, but you have to have a little bit of patience and be willing to do the legwork to shop around to get the items that will make your room perfect at the price that fit your wallet. If you do, though, you be rewarded with a unique and interesting room that will have a little bit of your personality and be the envy of your friends and family.
Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.home-improvement-solution.com where you can get more home improvement and decorating ideas
Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)