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Mourne Park House

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January 30, 2022

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The Four Winds of Heaven

The first time I visited Mourne Park, some 15 years ago, Julie Ann Anley took me on a whistlestop tour. “It’s great!” she laughed. “No one ever bothers us here because the house isn’t architecturally important.” This was no tourist attraction like Belvoir Castle. The country house as time capsule may have become a cliché, coined in the Eighties when Calke Abbey came to the public’s attention, but it certainly applied to MPH.

The last time I visited the house, in April 2003, it was teeming with members of the public prying over the soon-to-be-dispersed contents. The period perfection was starting to unravel. Small white auction labels hung from everything including the kitchen sink. A striped marquee consumed the courtyard and the building itself was looking the worse for wear.

The auction was the result of a long and bitter family feud which erupted following the death of Nicholas Anley in 1992 that dragged through the law courts until the beginning of 2003. On 14th February, without much filial or sibling love, it was finally settled.

“It’s something which all our family very much care about,” Marion Scarlett Russell, Julie Ann’s younger daughter told the BBC’s Northern Ireland rural affairs correspondent Martin Cassidy back in 1994.

“We’ve always known that this house and its land were non negotiable and it was something we would do everything to keep,” agreed her older sister Debonaire Norah Needham Horsman or ‘Bonnie’.

But this harmony of thought abruptly ended following disagreements over how the estate should be managed. Events reached a dramatic climax when Marion removed what she considered to be her fair share of the contents from the house in a midnight flit. Her refusal to reveal the whereabouts of these ‘chattels’ as the courts insisted on archaically calling them, resulted in her spending a week at Her Majesty’s pleasure.

Five years of arduous legal wrangling costing hundreds of thousands of pounds only ended when it was finally agreed that Marion could keep her share and the other two siblings would auction off their two thirds of the contents.

MPH was the seat of the Earls of Kilmorey (pronounced “Kilmurray” – what is it about the upper classes and their delight in nomenclature mispronunciation whether Calke as “Cock”; Belvoir as “Beaver”; or Blakley as “Blakely”?).

The family can trace its roots back to an Elizabethan soldier, Nicholas Bagnel, founder of Newry. The 4th Earl of Kilmorey died in 1962. Just before his death the family inheritance was rearranged because he had no sons, allowing his nephew and heir, Major Patrick Needham, subsequently 5th Earl of Kilmorey, to waive his right of succession to MPH in exchange for assets of equal value. And so the title returned to England where Charles I had created the original viscountcy in 1625.

This compromise allowed the 4th Earl’s widow, Lady Norah, and her two daughters to continue living in the house. Patrick’s son, the 6th Earl, is better known as Richard Needham, former Conservative Northern Ireland Economy Minister. He is now the deputy chairman of a vacuum cleaning company and declines to use his Anglo Irish title. However his son styles himself Viscount Newry and Mourne.

Nicholas, the son of the elder daughter of the 4th Earl, married Julie Ann at the start of the Sixties and moved into the converted stables at Mourne Park. He inherited the house minus the title in 1984.

Julie Ann may have modestly described the house as being architecturally unimportant and it is no competition for the baronial battlements of Ballyedmond Castle or the symmetrical severity of Seaforde House. But it is a rare example of a substantially Edwardian country house in a county where Victorian or Georgian is the norm.

MPH oozes charm with its long low elevations hewn out of the local granite and its lavish use of green paint on window frames and porches, bargeboards and garden furniture, and the abundance of French doors. Much of the interior decoration dates from the early 20th century which lends the house a nostalgic Edwardian air.

And the setting is second to none. Looming behind the house are the craggy slopes of Knockcree Mountain rising 130m above the oak and beech woodlands that make up the estate.

A Victorian visitor, W E Russell, waxed lyrical on Mourne Park, as archived by Dr Anthony Malcomson. ‘The scene… from the front entrance is indeed very fine. Before you, in the precincts of the mansion, is a lake. Beyond this lake, the demesne stretches away with a gently rising slope, which hides the intervening land, till one can fancy that the sea waves lap the lawns of the park.’

The genesis of the mansion dates from 1818 when the 12th Viscount Kilmorey (1748-1832) employed Thadeus Gallier (later anglicised to Thomas Gallagher) of County Louth to build the central block. It most likely replaced an earlier house on the site.

Gallagher, an architect or ‘journeyman-builder’, had already built Anaverna at Ravensdale a decade earlier. Baron McClelland commissioned this five bay two storey house near Dundalk in 1807. It’s now the home of the Lenox-Conynghams. Too grand for a glebe, too modest for a mansion, this middling size house, tall, light and handsome, stands proud in its sylvan setting overlooking a meadow. The large fanlight over the entrance door in the middle of the three bay breakfront is partially obscured by a glazed porch, but otherwise Gallagher’s design is untouched. Semicircular relieving arches over upstairs windows introduce a motif he was to later employ at MPH. At Anaverna he proved himself to be a designer of considerable sophistication.

Gallagher’s son James, who recorded in his autobiography that his father worked at MPH for nine months in 1818, emigrated to New Orleans where he carried on the dynastic tradition of designing fine buildings. His grandson, James Gallier Junior, was a third generation architect and his 1857 New Orleans townhouse is now the Gallier House Museum.

The first of six incarnations of MPH, Gallagher’s design was a typical late Georgian two storey country house with Wyatt windows on either side of a doorway similar to Anaverna’s with a fanlight over it. Next, a third storey was added was added and then some time after 1859 a new two storey front of the same height was plonked in front of the existing house, so that the rooms in the new block have much higher ceilings than in the older part.

The replacement façade is three bays wide like the original front but in place of Wyatt windows is bipartite fenestration set in shallow recesses rising through both storeys with relieving arches over them. It is the combination of these paired windows and gentle arches, like brows over the eyes of the building, which gives the front such a distinct look.

In the central breakfront the shallow recess starts over the entrance door which is treated as another window, flanked on either side by a window of similar shape and size. A low parapet over a slim cornice partly conceals the hipped roof which wraps around the roof lantern of the Staircase Hall.

Contemporaneous improvements were made to the estate itself. In the 1840s the 2nd Earl (1787-1880) – the Kilmoreys had gone up a rung on the aristocratic ladder when his father, the 12th Viscount, was made an earl for his services to the development of Newry – commissioned a ‘famine wall’. It was a method used at the height of the Irish potato famine by many Big House families to create work to keep locals from starving. The cheaply built granite walls also profited the estate. Kimmitt Dean records that the 2nd Earl built Tullyframe Gate Lodge, the third of four gate lodges, at this time. Whitewater Gate Lodge was built in the 1830s and Ballymaglogh Gate Lodge in the 1850s.

But it was the alterations of the 3rd and 4th Earls which gave MPH its Edwardian flavour. “Not fit for a gentleman to live in!” exclaimed the 3rd Earl (1842-1915) upon his inheritance. His remedial gentrifications began in 1892 when he added rectangular ground floor bay windows onto the front and continued until 1904 when he built a single storey wing perpendicular to the back of the house. This wing contains Lady Kilmorey’s Sitting Room and the Long Room, the latter completed in time for his son’s 21st birthday celebrations.

Between 1919 and 1921 that son, by now the 4th Earl (1883-1961) built a sprawling flat roofed extension onto the avenue side of the house and relocated the entrance to this elevation. Double doors framed by pairs of squat square pillars formed the new entrance, balanced on either side by the two windows of the Billiard Room and Lord Kilmorey’s Study. The 3rd Earl completed the estate buildings with Green Gate Lodge, a two storey house finished in the same granite as MPH.

A century of each generation making their mark on MPH has resulted in a fascinating building full of surprising changes in floor levels and ceiling heights. The main block is arranged like three parallel slices of a square cake, each different in essence. The oldest three storey slice at the back of the house has low ceilings and small windows, some retaining their Georgian panes. The middle top lit slice contains the Long Corridor which runs parallel with the Hall, the Staircase Hall and the Inner Hall. Finally the newest slice contains the enfilade of reception rooms: the Billiard Room (formerly the Large Drawing Room), the Dining Room, the Ante Room, the Blue Drawing Room and above, the principal bedrooms with their plate glass windows.

The back of the house overlooks a courtyard enclosed by the Long Room on one side, a low two storey nursery wing on the other side and the obligatory row of outbuildings parallel with the house.

All the rooms on the ground and first floors were open during the auction preview weekend. I began the tour that I had gone on a decade earlier, only with a written rather than personal guide and without the troop of 13 Persian cats which had followed us around the first time round.

“Come on, get out of this room!” Julie Ann bellowed to the cats as she shut the door of each room. “Otherwise you could be locked in for a year or two!” I commented to her, “At least you won’t have mice.” She replied,” They just watch the mice race by.”

Now people were talking in hushed murmurs as if at a wake, quietly leafing through issues of The Connoisseur in the Estate Office and thoughtfully gazing at caricature prints in the Rosie Passage.

The Hall, arranged like a long gallery with paintings hung on white panelled walls, is the first in a processional series of spaces which culminates in the Staircase Hall, the most exciting architectural moment MPH has to offer. The staircase was extended between 1919 and 1921 to stretch out in the direction of the new entrance while the original flight of stairs through an archway into the Inner Hall was retained. Above, more archways and openings afford tantalising glimpses of bedroom corridors filled with the shadows of ghosts.

Close to the new entrance, Lord Kilmorey’s Study had an air of formality in contrast to the intimacy of Lady Kilmorey’s Sitting Room which is tucked away at the back of the house. A 7m long oak bookcase, used as a temporary display cabinet for the preview (sold for £3,000) and a chesterfield sofa (sold for £800) completed the butch mood of the good Lord’s room. On the other hand, the femininity of Lady Kilmorey’s Sitting Room was exaggerated by the delicate double arched overmantle (sold for £1,000) and the 17th century Chinoserie cabinet on a carved giltwood stand (sold for £11,000) similar to those in the State Drawing Room of 11 Downing Street. HOK auction staff were making last minute notes on a pile of books in the middle of the floor. The house no longer felt private.

The three main reception rooms were quintessentially Edwardian. Chintz sofas and family portraits mixed comfortably with period pieces. ‘Shabby chic’, another Eighties cliché, is an apt description. Decades of decadence had descended into decay, where once the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) had whiled away halcyon days.

In the Billiard Room an off-centre timber and brick chimneypiece defiantly declares this room to date from the 1920s. Paint was peeling, curtains were crumbling.

An air of faded grandeur pervaded the Long Room. Triumphal flags now in tatters and coloured wall lamps dulled by the passage of time hinted at past glories and parties long forgotten. A suite of oak bookcases was supplied by John McArevey of Newry to fit between the rows of windows running the length of the Long Room. One pair sold for £3,000.

The kitchen had lost its lived in look which I remembered. It was neater now with rows of copper jelly moulds and tin pots arranged museum-like along the painted pine dressers. High up on the wall above, the clock had stopped.

The principal bedrooms with their straightforward names – the Avenue Bedroom, the Corner Bedroom, Caroline’s Room, the Best Bedroom, His Lordship’s Bedroom and Her Ladyship’s Bedroom – had plain sturdy furniture. A mahogany breakfront wardrobe and matching half tester or four poster bed dominated each room, accompanied by a matching desk and pot cabinet. On average the wardrobes sold for £3,000; the beds for £5,000.

The bedrooms looked slightly sparse. Perhaps they had been fuller in happier times. Minor bedrooms and servants’ rooms had brass beds (the one in the Housekeeper’s Room sold for £70), lower ceilings, less dramatic views, and were full of clutter. Not for much longer.

“People say it’s as if time stopped in the house,” Philip Anley said on the opening day of the auction. “That’s a tribute to mum,” he added, acknowledging Julie Ann’s efforts to maintain MPH.

Sales had taken place at Mourne Park before. Shortly before his death, Nicholas had sold more than half the 800 hectare estate to Mourne Park Golf Club which extended from a nine hole to an 18 hole course. A decade before he had bought out the interest of his aunt, Lady Hyacinth, which meant her family removing various heirlooms in lieu of any stake in the house itself. The inheritance of the title and estate had already split in 1960. However this sale was different. It heralded “the end of an era” according to Philip.

Herbert Jackson Stops’ introduction to the 1920s sale catalogue of Stowe springs to mind. ‘It is with a feeling of profound regret that the auctioneer pens the opening lines of a sale catalogue which may destroy for ever the glories of the house, and disperse to the four winds of heaven its wonderful collections, leaving only memories of the spacious past’. A rare level of honesty compared to recent excuses of selling off the family silver from ‘wanting to share chattels with others’ to ‘streamlining the collection’.

Sara Kenny from HOK Fine Art conducted the auction, raising a total of £1.3m. Prices were high with dealers bidding against collectors against locals. “My dad worked on the estate so I want some sort of keepsake,” I overheard one bidder say. It seemed everyone wanted their piece of MPH’s history.

Auction excitement reached fever pitch on the last day when lot 1391 came up for sale. It was the Red Book of Shavington, in the County of Salop, a seat of The Right Honble [sic] Lord Viscount Kilmorey’. For those who don’t know, Red Books were the creation of Humphrey Repton (1752-1818), a pioneer in the field of landscape architecture. He created or transformed over 200 English estates. His mantra was natural beauty enhanced by art. His practice was to complete a Red Book for each client.

The Shavington Red Book was a slim volume encased in red leather containing his proposals for ‘improvements’ outlined in neat copperplate handwriting and illustrated with maps, plans, drawings and watercolours. Several bidders appreciated its historical importance and exquisite beauty. In the end it went under the hammer for £41,000.

The 3rd Earl of Kilmorey had sold Shavington, the family seat in Shropshire, in 1881 to pay for debts his father had accrued. He crammed much of the furniture into MPH. Shavington items auctioned included two early 19th century pieces by Gillows of Lancaster which both sold for £11,000: the Corner Bedroom wardrobe and the architect’s desk from the Library.

Mourne Park estate may not have benefitted from the romantic touch of Humphrey Repton but its rugged character, derived from the granite face of Knockcree, remains unchanged from faded 19th century landscape photographs. The same can’t be said for the interior of the granite face house.

“I’ll always remember the day you visited Mourne Park,” Julie Ann said. Strolling up the old drive she continued, “As the day the boathouse collapsed.”

And sure enough, the gabled boathouse, which had stood there for centuries, not so much collapsed as gently slipped into the lake like a maiden aunt taking a dip in the water. After a few ripples, it disappeared. Forever.

Fifteen years later, masterpieces and miscellany, a record of Edwardian living in its original setting, are now gone, just like the boathouse. It is a sad ending for the collection that formed the soul of one of Ulster’s Big Houses. Sad for the family and for the people of Newry and Mourne whose toil allowed the family to amass a fortune in antiques.

In the middle of the 320 hectare estate still stands the house itself, stripped of its contents, naked as the classical statues that once graced the lawns around the lake, awaiting its fate.

Since this article was published, Marion Scarlett Russell placed MPH on the market with Knight Frank for £10 million. The asking price has now been reduced to £6.5 million. It is still for sale.

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Source by Stuart Blakley

Tags: House, Mourne, Park, wall decoration items for living room

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What Does the Pineapple Symbolize?

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January 29, 2022

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The influence of the pineapple fruit is apparent in the enchanting array of decorations available that use the pineapple form as part of its creation. We hear of architectural elements like pineapple pedestals, pineapple brackets and corbels as well as pineapple wall sculptures, and of its use in the kitchen in the form of pineapple napkin holders and trivets as well as bookends to grace your desk and library with hospitality and an air of friendliness and warmth. The pineapple has indeed a colorful history spanning from colonial times and is today heralded as the princess of fruits and credited as the symbol of hospitality and welcome. To give the pineapple as a gift conveys your intention to promote friendliness and graciousness to the recipient. The pineapple began initially as the fruit of the wealthy and guests were revered and charmed when a pineapple was placed amidst their presence in the dining area for that indicated the amount of respect and consideration the hostess besot upon them. Colonial America drew a refreshing and inspiring means in using the pineapple motif in indulging their guests to the table and for a night spent at their home. Fresh pineapples were welcomed and appreciated as an expensive dessert for guests while the thought of spending time in a room heavily decorated with pineapple designs in the bedposts or headboards were considered luxurious and gratifying.

The Origin of the Pineapple: The pineapple fruit may have originated from Brazil and Paraguay in South America where it reportedly received a boost into the European markets through Christopher Columbus who discovered the pineapple fruit in Guadeloupe in 1493. It was nicknamed the “pina” since it looked very much like a pinecone and brought to Spain. Sir Walter Raleigh was also very interested in the pineapple which he affectionately termed as the princess fruit. The interest in bringing this fruit into Europe then began. However, the Europeans were not sure how to grow the fruit and its arrival into Europe only began around the late 16th Century taking the Europeans almost two long centuries to study and grow this much desired fruit. Once in Europe, this delicious fruit eventually wove its way into Holland and England. The English society was very impressed with the first pineapple created by the Royal Gardener, Mr John Rose for Charles II that it also inspired Hendrick Danckerts to paint the picture of the presentation of the fruit in 1675. The much celebrated pineapple was then grown in India and spread to China and in 1777, made available in the Pacific Islands through Captain Cook.

The Inspiration of the Pineapple: The English who were overwhelmed with the lovely pineapple fruit drew inspiration from its looks and unique shape. As a result, the pineapple fruit inspired the coat of arms and was used as an architectural element in pottery and planters. The artistic appeal and decorative effect that the pineapple fruit rendered were significant and the pineapple symbol inspired bed posts, tablecloths, napkins and napkin holders as well as bookends and candle holders. The symbol of this cherished fruit grew to be represented on any form of decorations that were visibly displayed for guests to enjoy and feel welcomed. Even till today, the pineapple fruit raises much interest in states like Virginia, Hawaii and Florida where the use of pineapple themed accessories and gifts are instrumental in highlighting the peace loving and hospitable people who reside within.

The Medicinal Powers of the Pineapple: The pineapple is also credited with possessing healing powers and records indicate that its tasty juice was used for curing throat infections, arthritis, bronchitis and indigestion. The use of the pineapple for the treatment of diseases was however confined to the natives who originally grew them. It is not certain as to whether this fruit was used for any healing purposes in colonial America. Modern studies also confirms that the fruit contains an enzyme known as “bromelain” which may be used in the treatment of heart disease, combating sinus congestion and also be used in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Fresh pineapple is loaded with Vitamin C and speeds up tissue growth and repair. Worthy of note however is that bromelain is contained in fresh pineapple and canning appears to destroy this enzyme but not the Vitamin C content.

The Entry of the Pineapple into the Americas: Colonists began importing this delicious fruit from the Caribbean in the 17th Century and it soon took root as one of the revered and lavish fruits known available to the wealthy. Since it was difficult to bring in this fruit into the country given that the trade routes where this fruit was procured was considered dangerous, it was considered a marked achievement to bring forth such a rare fruit for the guests. That occasion was almost always reserved for the wealthy class to partake and enjoy but there was also occasion when the pineapple was rented to elevate a person’s rank in society for showing the ability in bringing to the table such an expensive fruit for display. The pineapple fruit then eventually began to take on a new meaning as a symbol of warmth and friendliness. It was the crowning piece used for the large displays of food that the wealthy brought forth to the table. The hostess took much pain and trouble in elevating her family’s social status in colonial American society by introducing pineapple displays as it indicated a resourcefulness in engaging a unique display of food for all to admire and share. History records that New England sea captains would impale a pineapple outside their homes on gateposts or on their front doors as a symbol of safe return after returning from perilous trade routes in the Caribbean or Pacific. Today, commercial production of pineapples is credited in the state of Hawaii and Florida where Hawaii is notably one of the world’s largest producers of canned pineapples.

The Use of the Pineapple Theme in Decorating: Even till today, Americans continue to show interest in decorating the home with pineapple designs. Not only are pineapple designs prevalent in the home in places like the foyer and living areas as well as kitchen, they are also visibly displayed in the form of pineapple finials on gateposts or as fountains for the garden. The use of pineapple plaques highlighted with the warm, inviting words “Welcome to our Home” has become a common sight. Virginia still continues to be one of the primary states that ardently displays pineapple motifs and designs in many of their household accessories, still highlighting the pineapple symbol as the highest form of hospitality rendered. The pineapple symbol is also an accent that is strongly welcomed by their hospitality industry where displays of pineapple themed fixtures and decorations on wall papers and furniture, are legendary. Virginia highlights many tourist destinations that imbibe the use of the pineapple into its architectural landscape. The Shirley Plantation highlights 3.5 feet of wooden pineapple constructed in the late 1700s on the peak of the roof line as a show of hospitality and as an invitation to river travelers coming to the plantation. The establishment also highlights the use of beautiful pineapple motifs within its premises.

No one can therefore dispense the historical, social and economic impact of the pineapple fruit which was once compared to the pinecone. While the production of pineapples have fueled the economies for the states of Florida and Hawaii, the symbolic designs and good looks of the pineapple has also led to much inspiration in decorating concepts and designs using unique pineapple themed accessories for the home and garden. The pineapple also continues to inspire the hospitality industry in many of these states which were responsible for providing this fruit to the rest of the Americas, highlighting the deep meaning attached to the symbol of the pineapple.

Written by Romilla D. for Kaviik’s Accents

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Source by Romilla Devy

Tags: Pineapple, Symbolize, wall decoration ideas for living room

wall decoration ideas

Activating Your Eight Life Aspiration Sectors in Feng Shui

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January 28, 2022

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After determining where the Eight Life Aspirations sectors are in your house, you will need to decorate and place items that correspond with those sectors. Remember that activating these sectors will benefit all the people living in your household.

Please do not confuse this with enhancing your PERSONAL directions. Personal directions must be enhanced by using your KUA number.

Don’t spend a lot of money!

You don’t have to go out and spend a lot of money to “Feng Shui” your house! How many people who have a specialty store will tell you THAT?? : ) Just look around your home and see what items you have in various places. I am speaking of figurines, plants, wooden objects, metal objects, photos, candles, oil burners, flowers, etc. Then look at your layout of your house that you have done, and move the object to the sector that you think best suits it.

When I first started activating my sectors, I found that there were MANY things already in my home that worked great for certain sectors. Problem was, sometimes they were not in the RIGHT sector. So, all I had to do, was rearrange things a little – and boy, what a difference! For example, I use aromatherapy a lot in my home. I have an earthenware crockpot potpourri burner that I had to move to my Northeast area because of the earth element. I have another Sterling Silver oil burner that I had to move to my Northwest sector – the Metal Element. Didn’t cost me a dime – just the energy to move them to different areas.

Become color conscious.

If you have blue curtains in your Northeast sector and they will fit a window in the North sector, move them and replace them with some beige curtains. Keep the colors for each sector in mind as you go about the house rearranging things.

“Feng Shui” your MIND.

Get yourself used to looking for items that will help you. Also, keep in mind that Feng Shui is not about oriental art. It is about where you place certain objects – doesn’t matter who made it – it just matters what it is made OF, what color it is, what shape it is and/or what it represents. If you go to a garage sale and find a beautiful picture of a waterfall and bring it home, THINK about what sector that should go in – Water – Career – North! Reversing that situation, if you are wanting to activate your Career Sector in your home, go to the garage sales and look for things that have to do with WATER. It is really easy to do, once you get used to it. Make yourself a little 3×5 “cheat sheet” card that has your sectors and what colors, etc to use and carry it around in your wallet if you need to.

NORTH Sector:

The North part of your home is considered your Career Prospects Sector

Use the colors blue and black as much as possible in this area. Do not use those colors so much that they are overwhelming.

Have water features here as the element of the North is water. Some examples of water features are: water fountains, paintings of a lake or river, water globes, animals that live in the water (turtles, fish, etc) whether live or ceramic, anything that has wavy lines.

NORTHEAST Sector

The Northeast sector governs education, spirituality, knowledge and self-growth

Use the color beige or very light brown in this area

Use Earth type decorations here. Examples could be plants, brown colored objects, globe, and map of the world. Hanging crystals and a Buddha is also good for this area.

EAST Sector

The East Sector governs family relations and health. I am going to break the two of these down a bit further:

Family Relations – Harmony

Clearing the clutter is the most important way to create harmony in your home. I have found personally that when my office is cluttered, my children seem to get a little unruly. (They spend a lot of time in my office because that is usually where I am! LOL) Also, sounds silly, but when I get behind on the laundry they tend to get unruly as well. Coincidence? I doubt it! The second most important way is to KEEP the clutter gone.

Use green and brown colors in this area.

Activate this area with: dragons, wooden objects, crystals, objects representing family unity – like a dog family, turtle family, figurine of children playing, pictures of your family in wooden frames, plants in earth tone pots or pottery

Take steps to activate all the sectors in your home by placing objects and using colors that correspond with those sectors. If all sectors are energized it should create harmony in your home.

Health

Green and brown are good colors to use here, as well as black and blue.

Follow the guidelines above under Harmony. Also, check around the house for what is called “poison arrows” – anything sharp, pointed and angular that seem to be threatening. Exposed beams are considered poison arrows. Redirect the bad shar chi by using crystals, bamboo flutes or wind chimes.

Displaying a Happy Buddha in the living room of your home is said to bring happiness and health to all that live in your home.

Bamboo plants are symbolic of good health

Display a tortoise or turtle in the East corner of your living room for good health.

Use aromatherapy to enhance your health, relieve stress, create harmony and promote overall well being

SOUTHEAST Sector

The Southeast corner of your home is the Prosperity and Wealth Sector.

Try to use as much green as you can in this area without over doing it.

Flowers are great in this area. The best types of flowers and plants to use according to Feng Shui are bamboo, orchids, chrysanthemums and plum blossoms. However – any type of plant will do. Don’t use dried flowers, bonsai plants or cactus they are not good to have in the home.

If your bedroom is in the SE corner of your home, do not place plants or flowers there. Just try to find curtains, rugs, pillows, etc that have green tones to them to enhance the room.

Put a Lucky Cat in the SE corner of your home to bring about good fortune.

Create a wealth vase to put in a cupboard somewhere in your Southeast Sector. See the previous newsletter for tips on creating a wealth vase

Prosperity – General Guidelines

Hang a set of doorknob coins activated with red thread on the knob on the inside of your front door. This helps to keep the money in your home. Do not put either of these on a back door – which will bring about the opposite effect. Also, this needs to be on your front door whether you actually USE that door or not.

Hang a prosperity bell on the outside of your front door knob to invite prosperity into your home. Make sure it is tight against the doorknob – otherwise it may get bent when closing the door if it gets caught in between the door and the door jam. I will be introducing a bell with a stretchable cord this month on my web site.

Placing a small Buddha directly across from the front door will also create positive chi and welcome prosperity into your home. Do not put the Buddha the floor. Try to have him at eye level if possible.

Place 3 Good Luck coins in your wallet or in your purse to signify that it will have money in it at all times.

Place some 3-Legged money toads in various places around your house. These can go on the floor and be very inconspicuous if you want them to. You need to put one right beside your front door facing into the room. Then, if you can, put another one diagonally across from it – not facing the front door – but off to the left or right of the opposite wall that your front door is on.

Place FuDogs right inside your front door. They symbolize protection of the family and protecting your wealth.

SOUTH Sector

The South sector governs recognition and fame. This also covers popularity and reputation.

Use red and various shades of red in this area including burgundy, pink, hot pink, maroon. Take it easy on the bright red as it is a very powerful color and could overwhelm things.

Place a crimson bird sculpture, eagle in flight, dragon, rectangular shaped crystals, fire features like candles, oil burners, bright lights, crystal chandeliers, plants, a fire place, wood burning stove in this sector. Do not display water features here.

SOUTHWEST Sector:

This sector governs Marital Happiness and Romance

Use yellow, beige, red and orange colors in this sector, being very careful not to overdo the red and orange colors. Do not use green or brown in this area if possible.

For plants, use earth tone or pottery for the planters.

Make sure when enhancing this area that you always put things in pairs. Not one and definitely not three – just two of different items that symbolize love and romance to you. Mandarin ducks, love birds and peacocks are good symbols here

Crystals in the SW sector of your home or bedroom will activate the earth energies of that sector. You can hang these in a window or just have crystal ornamental items there.

WEST Sector

This sector governs the luck of children and also new projects, hobbies, stages of life and pleasure.

Use white, silver, yellow and gold in this area.

Place white, silver or yellow flowers, hollow wind chimes, bells, metallic or earth objects, round objects, ceramic objects, quartz crystal, a sleeping white tiger (MUST be sleeping or don’t put it here), TV, computer, stereo, soapstone objects representing family in this area.

NORTHWEST Sector

This sector governs mentors, networking, beginnings, meeting influential people and important meetings.

Use metallic colors here like white, silver and gold.

Place hollow wind chimes, stone and metal sculptures, any objects that are metallic in color or in material, metal candle holders and picture frames in this area.

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Source by Judy Gunderson

Tags: Activating, Aspiration, Feng, Life, Sectors, Shui, wall decoration items for living room

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2021 Home Decor Color Trends

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January 26, 2022

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Perhaps you may know that the Granny Chic style is considered the trend in home décor for 2021 and beyond. People are going back to using sticky wallpaper to decorate their homes like it used to be way back when. As the famous adage goes, “The more things change, the more they stay the same” and this applies when it comes to Home Décor Colors Trends of 2021. The global pandemic has forced people to stay put in their homes, and it is crucial to have colors that enlighten the mood and draw the mind away from the pervasive gloom.

Brown Is Not Gloomy

The term “Brown” was coined from an Old English definition meaning “dusky or dark” color. The color is related to low status and poverty. However, Brown is no longer a color to bring about negative thoughts.

Brown is a color that depicts strength, dependability, and mother earth. Your home will be enlightened when you use brown in your interior décor. You can combine brown with other colors such as red, yellow, or gold. It is a splendid color to accent your furniture.

Using Beige Can be an Inspiration.

Beige is considered to be a sublime color and may pale when compared to other bold colors. However, there is a reason for that;The term beige comes from a definition meaning “wool without a dye” or manipulation. It is a sandy sublime color that brings about a relaxed or neutral mood. It is best paired with other sublime colors such as gray or green.

Getting the Proper Tan

“Tannin” is a Germanic word from which the term “Tan” was derived. The less than humorous colloquialism “Tan your hide” is also derived from it. Oddly enough, tan does not bring about dark and humorless moods but evokes feelings of security and warmth. It is best paired with colors such as white, blue, light purple, and coral.

You Can’t go Wrong with the Fluid Aqua

Aqua is the Latin word depicting water. It is a flowing soft choice for any home decorating purpose. If your home has a tumultuous mood or environment, you can tone it down by bringing in the calm and dreamy nature of an aqua color tone. You would do well to pair aqua with colors such as yellow and orange to imbue a vibrant mood to the somber aqua.

Mustard is Derived from the Color Yellow

When you come across the term “mustard” you immediately think of the seeds or the condiment used in your favorite burger or hotdog. The color is derived from yellow and comes along with all the vibrancy of yellow. However, traditional yellow is bright like the sun, while mustard is muted and may sometimes seem like an eyesore.

Consequently, mustard yellow is a color that you should have in your home. It imbues a positive and creative atmosphere in the home. Mustard yellow goes well in any room and can be used as an accent color for your walls. Most home designers use it well with stormy blue, gold, or light gray, as can be seen on Pinterest.

Do not Forget the Blue colors

Once in a blue moon

Blue blood.

Sad and blue.

Blue colors are commonly used in common speech to depict a wide range of feelings. Where was the color blue derived from and how does it factor into home décor trends for 2021?

Blue Azurite was first found in Egypt and was popular for its intensely bright tone. Blue is also a color that has been associated with law, royalty, military, and wisdom throughout history. Blue can be used to depict the mysterious, unfathomable, stormy nature of the seas, and sometimes the character of a stoic, cold person.

However, blue can also bring about an aura of harmony and calm, just like the aqua color does. According to research, blue can reduce your heart rate – think about the feelings of protection you get when you see a blue police uniform.

When you want a calm and protective aura in your home, you should try out some blue colors. Blue can also bring about the illusion of space, making your room seem larger than it actually is – try it in small rooms such as the bathroom or the baby nursery. Blue goes well with mustard yellow, moss green, mint green, and white.

Let’s get Peachy

“Peche” is a Middle English term from which peach is derived. The name comes from the tone of light fleshy fruits such as peaches. The color imbues a soft, feminine, protective, and joyful nature to the home.

Peach can be used to bring a lot more than just a sweet and feminine touch to a home. It can enlighten and bring joy to an otherwise dark room. It does well with colors such as green, yellow, and apricot. You can make it more vigorous by adding a splash of blue.

Green Enigma

When it comes to home décor, green is a color that people generally shy away from. The common opinion is that green is not a great color for home, perhaps because it reminds people of the pale green skin tone of a sickly person or the yucky green pea soup. So why would you want green as part of your home décor?

Green is an intriguing color, which symbolizes nature, wealth, or even envy.

Pesto green can be considered to be an inviting color.

You get green when you mix yellow and blue and therefore it can instill feelings of vivacity, rebirth, and evolution. Breathe life into your home by adding some green to it. At a time like this, when people are locked up in their homes, adding green serves as a mood enhancer. Green goes well with colors like brown, gray, and black. You can also use it with almond, pale taupe, or red tints.

Light Gray not Necessarily Eerie
Raging seas, stormy days, and cloudy skies all seem gray and eerie.

Gray is a color that sits between the extreme colors of black and white. It can be easily overlooked due to its neutrality; this, however, does not mean that it does not have value when it comes to home décor. When brought together with complementary colors, light gray can brighten the mood in any home. It can imbue a wise, professional, and balanced atmosphere to a home.

White, midnight, and seafoam complement well with gray. If you have a room that is primarily gray in color, add in a splash of seafoam accents of furniture to liven it up. Gray is a versatile color and is popular as a home décor color today.

In summary, colors that may have previously been deemed as drab, ancient, or somewhat revolting are slowly making their way back into homes. This brief list of Home Décor Color Trends of 2021 will give you an insight into the colors, their meaning, and the moods they convey.

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Source by Bre Hartel

Tags: Color, Decor, Home, Trends, wall decor

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20 Home Improvements To Avoid!

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January 25, 2022

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If you are looking to get the most bang for your buck by investing in a home improvement project, here are 20 design and feature trends to avoid.

1) Inconsistent Architecture

Having your home contain a hodgepodge of architectural styles can be off-putting to a potential homebuyer. For a ranch-style home, featuring columns on the front porch can be just as jarring as a log-cabin-styled home with art deco accents. Each architectural style has its own inherent beauty, so be sure to emphasize these factors. If you don’t, it can be like eating Pickles on ice cream!

2) Oversized kitchens

Hold the rise of celebrity chefs responsible for this one. Kitchens with every appliance imaginable and too much space can be off-putting to perspective home buyers who do not engage in serious entertaining. Unless you are hosting lavish get-togethers with a team of cooks, it may be time to divide the kitchen into segments, like a cozy breakfast nook and a sit down family table.

3) Faux “Old World” Design

By decorating or emphasizing a European style left (for example, the right region of Tuscany has a distinctive and popular style), we may hope to capture the elegance of this area, but bear in mind that unless you are sourcing the materials (and a vineyard to boot), there will always be something inauthentic about channeling Europe in another region of the world.

4) White appliances

If your appliances are white, it’s time to upgrade. White may have been at one time a color of choice to emphasize a spotless home (everything shows up on white!), but that is precisely the problem. Home buyers will subconsciously feel the toil associated with wiping every surface down, or see lingering stains that will never come out. In addition, plastic materials fade overtime, turning into a non-uniform yellow. Instead, choose black appliances, stainless steel, or the latest in “black stainless.”

5) Wallpaper

Wallpaper makes a bold statement in a home. However, that same boldness may put off buyers, especially if the wallpaper is cheap old or common. Any addition, removing wallpaper is a labor intensive process that can also put off potential home buyers, especially considering that the removal of old older wallpaper may damage the walls and create more headaches. Moreover wallpaper can be a source of undetected mold growth. Stick with paint instead.

6) Carpeted Bathrooms

There may have been a time when stepping across the master bedroom and onto an icy-cold tiled floor made a carpeted bathroom seemed like a brilliant idea, but that time is over. That’s what bathmats are for. Carpets and water in the same place is simply asking for mold growth or damage. Some modern homes have heated flooring’s, which is a huge selling point to potential home buyers and far preferable to the hygiene nightmare of a carpeted bathroom.

7) Gaudy Gold Fixtures and Hardware

Metallic finishes can give your home warmth and sophistication, but if you have shiny gold fixtures and hardware consider removing them. Gold carries a needlessly flashy and gaudy look that may appeal to nouveau riche buyers, but most home buyers find it as outdated as the ’80s. Instead, opt to replace these fixtures with warmer metals, such as polished brass or brushed nickel.

8) Tiled Countertops

Your kitchen and bathroom countertops play a huge part in the eye of a potential home buyer. If their tiled, consider removing them. At one time, this trend seemed modern, but the nitty-gritty involved with maintaining tiled countertops can be off-putting. Think about it – what do you do if a tile chips and it needs to be replaced? Are you prepared to clean the porous grout regularly to prevent mold and bacteria growth? It just makes the already-unwelcome chore of cleaning the kitchen that much worse.

9) Cheap Wood Paneling

Wood-paneled homes are beautiful. If you have stunning wooden wainscoting throughout your home, leave it alone. However, if the walls of your house contain cheap wood paneling meant for a church basement bingo game, remove it immediately. Lower quality wood paneling instantly dates your home and screams “cheap” to those looking. Worse, it may imply that the paneling was put up to cover up larger problems, like a lack of insulation or unfinished walls.

10) Taxidermy

Animal heads on display will not appeal to every home buyer, so it’s best to remove that moose head when selling. That said, it may not be a hindrance to a sale in certain regions of the US, where hunting is popular. On the same note, similar items like a bull’s skull strategically placed over a mantlepiece or in a garden, will only be appealing to certain types of home bars. Remember that your goal is to make your home an open template so a perspective homebuyer can envision living in the house.

11) Linoleum Flooring

No one likes walking across sticky linoleum barefoot. Simply put, get rid of linoleum flooring. At one time, it was a popular option, especially in the case of patterned linoleum that could mimic wood or tile flooring. Nowadays, linoleum is almost synonymous with inexpensive apartments and a careless sense of decorating. Instead, opt for flooring materials like hardwood that are not only comfortable, but also visually appealing.

12) Popcorn Ceilings

If a home contains a popcorn ceiling (also known as a “textured” or “stucco” ceiling), it instantly communicates to a homebuyer that it is not been modernized. Popcorn ceilings were popular from the 1950s all the way to the 1980s as an inexpensive, ubiquitous alternative to cover up imperfections and unadorned drywall. To modern eyes, it looks more like a dreary Motel 6 than a warm home.

Removal of popcorn ceilings, like wallpaper, is a labor-intensive affair. So be sure to get it done before your open house. In addition, be sure to look for asbestos, which can make or break a closing if detected by a home buyer or inspector.

13) Glass Mosaic Backsplash

One of the most common trends from the mid-2000s is a glass mosaic back black splash for your kitchen or bathroom. While it may have looked good then because of its relative scarcity, today it is nearly everywhere. Consider replacing it with marble tiling or plain white subway tile to obscure your home’s last appointment with an interior designer.

14) Bold Paint

The first thing that a home buyer sees when viewing a house for the first time is the color – first the exterior and then the individual rooms. Essentially, this first impression of colors sets the stage for the home’s other features, including furnishings, decorations comma and architecture.

If a bold color is applied to the exterior, like a light-pink, potential buyers that like to blend-in may be put off. If a room is too dark, such as dark red; or too bright, such as a chromatic yellow, the features of the home may be muted or unnecessarily hidden as they compete for visual attention. Neutralizing your home is the best option (see “Neutral Colors” below), as buyers can project their own color palette to their tastes without being influenced by your preferences.

15) Converted Spaces

It is a modern notion to have our spaces fit our personalities, lifestyles, quirks, and interests. That works just fine when you’re living there, but you may want to reconsider the current usage of each space that you have re-purposed when it comes time to sell. Having a garage converted for another purpose besides storage and parking vehicle may be fine

for your needs, but home buyers may just want a garage for what it was originally intended. If you’ve converted your garage into a place to run your small business, exercise room, or music practice room, be sure to bring it back to its normal garage-only state to appeal to the largest number of home buyers.

This is especially true for cities that have limited parking. Similarly, a bedroom converted into a small office or storage space can be off putting. This happens because it puts the intended purpose of the room into the mind of a home buyer and that is not your goal when selling your home.

16) Carpeting

Most home buyers prefer hardwood floors when purchasing a home, even if you have recently taken the trouble of installing new carpet. People may assume that the germs, pet dander, and dirt of the previous residents are still present within the carpet. Furthermore, the carpet color choice for the room may clash with their sensibilities or decorating ideas, leading to another item on their mental to do list when the time comes to customize the home.

Hardwood flooring is a happy medium of natural hues and the ability to customize. Should the home buyer want carpet, then all they have to do is install it on top of the wooden surface.

17) Too Much Landscape

There’s been a trend in recent years of introducing the “outdoor living room” to holisticly connect nature with the home. Trimmed bushes in ornate shapes, carpet-like moss walkways, elaborate gardens, and ponds are all visually appealing, but there’s a catch. A property requiring constant maintenance may make potential home buyers hesitate especially if their future finances are uncertain.

This also includes the recent trend of urban farming. While you may enjoy fresh eggs, honey, and chevre daily, others may be put off by the daily upkeep that animals require and the implications about your homes cleanliness, so it’s best to leave no signs that your home was once part of a farm.

18) Hot Tubs and Pools

There may have been a time when a pool was considered a selling point for new homeowners, but many home buyers realize how much of a maintenance issue and eyesore it can be. This is especially true for above ground pools, which tend to take up a large amount of space, create a safety and liability hazard for children and guests, and leave an ugly spot of dead grass when removed.

This is true for hot tubs, too. Hot tubs are notorious as a breeding ground for bacteria, can be difficult to maintain, and removal from a deck or backyard may lead to even more expense down the line (e.g. rebuilding a portion of your deck where the hot tub once was).

19) Whirlpool Bathtubs

Whirlpool bathtubs may once have been considered an item of luxury and a major selling point, but tastes have changed in recent years. Those who have owned or used them may have enjoyed the luxury, but realized how much water they use (between 80-100 gallons) and how much space is taken up that could be used for other bathroom features such as a bigger shower space or a dual-vanity counter.

20) Minimalist Design

Outfitting your home like an urban loft space has long been a trend in interior home design, but this may not be your best option for selling your home. Minimalist design in this style can make homes seem unnaturally empty, without emphasizing the natural personality of the home that’s attractive to home buyers. Instead you should aim to add accents without creating a barren look. Subconsciously, an overly minimalist design communicates to buyers that the home shouldn’t house furnishings and decorations, something that may be at odds with the buyers intentions.

These home improvement tips are written as a guide in selecting new designs and features that will give you the best options of for selling your home for the highest price!

For more information on home improvements and real estate needs, please visit https://trishpappano.com

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Source by Trish Pappano

Tags: Avoid, Home, Improvements, wall decoration ideas for living room

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How To Stage Your Home For A Quick Sale

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January 24, 2022

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Selling your house can be a tiresome process. People traipsing through the house at inconvenient times. Always having to keep the house clean. General disruption to your families schedule. Most anyone who has ever tried to sell a house will agree that the quicker you can get it sold the better!

One important aspect of making your home attractive to buyers is to make is so that the buyer can picture himself living in the home. This home staging I soften done by professionals that your real estate agent will help you hire. Staging a home can bring you a much higher selling price. A home staging professional can be hired to tour your home and direct you to make the changes that will increase your homes marketability. If you do hire a stager, always make sure the stager you hire is accredited.

Now, you may be thinking that you just redecorated so your house must be perfect, but staging a home is not redecorating it. Redecorating a home focuses on the seller and their personality. Staging focuses on the buyer. It provides the current home owner with the knowledge to rearrange the furnishings, pictures, accessories, etc. in the best possible manner to enhance the rooms function, appearance and balance.

Sellers are attached to their homes and may not realize how their treasured mementos might look like clutter to someone outside the family. Many times, sellers don’t want to pack away their family things foer viewings, and this can really affect the sale of your house. Real Estate agents will often hire a stager as part of the selling package because they may be uncomfortable disclosing to the seller that their home needs work and avoid upsetting them.

A staging professional works things from the buyers perspective in order to help the buyer see themselves and their belongings fit into the home they are viewing. They do this by rearranging the home to appeal to a broad base of purchasers. Stagers can be expensive, so if you want to go it alone please follow the tips below.

The first thing you must do is unclutter your house. You will have to try to look at your house with new eyes – many times we are so used to the clutter that we block it out! Go through each room and remove any clutter you see. Organize toys in decorative boxes that are hidden away in a storage room (perhaps a room for storage in the basement). You can always take them out again when you don’t have any booked showings. Bookcases should be neat and attractive interspersed with a few ornaments. Closets should be cleaned out so that only clothes are visible. Remove storage at top and bottom of closets. Place clothes out of season in storage.In fact, place any clutter you have found in storage as well. You have to move anyway and you will have to pack less later when you do move!

Lighting is important so make sure the rooms are well lit, provide some nice ambient lighting with lamps and avoid bright glaring fluorescent overhead lights. The foyer provides the buyer with the first impression. It should be clean, uncluttered, bright and inviting. If any rooms are dull brighten them up with higher wattage bulbs in lamps.

You want the buyer to picture themselves living in the home so you should remove all your personal photos and replace them with prints or other decorations. You want the buyer to focus on your home, not your personal life. This can be distracting.

A fresh coat of paint is mandatory. Paint your home in a neutral color but don’t make it too dull. Tans, sages, and beige are good colors. You can add some interest with colored accessories, pillows, throw rugs, candles, etc.

Bathrooms should be sparkling! Counters should be clear with no personal items visible. Tub tile grout should be clean and shower curtains and glass shower doors should be free of mildew. Hang fluffy, colorful towels on the towel rods. Put out decorative soaps in cute containers. Buy a new shower curtain and rug for the floor.

The kitchen is a key selling point in your home and must be spotless. Remove all notes, magnets, etc.off the front of the fridge. Keep counter space clean and clear of all items. Clean out under the sinks and organize the pantry and cupboards. Paint outdated cupboards with a neutral color and put new modern knobs on doors for a fresh look. Dishes on the floor for pet food should be eliminated during a showing.

Make your furniture look cozy, but don’t put too much in one room. Leave space between pieces and remove nick knacks. Your most attractive piece of furniture should be placed on the wall you see when you enter a room if possible. Put all your CD’s and videos away out of sight. Hang pictures at eye level or in geometric shaped groupings. Group accessories in odd numbers (one, three or five).Fireplace mantles should be depersonalized by removing pictures. A flower arrangement, mantle clock or piece of art would be appropriate here.

Curb appeal is important and the buyers first impression of your house will be from the outside. Garages and front and back yards should be cleaned and well trimmed. Put away any toys that are laying around in the yard. Plant flowers or shrubs in the yard for a welcoming effect. Prune any shrubs you may already have. Clean the pool if you have one. The lawn should be cut and watered to give the home a well cared for look. A coat of paint on the outside of the house may also be in order.

When someone is coming over for a showing make sure the house is spotless. Turn on the table lamps for ambient lighting. Play some soft music for ambiance. Spray a little bit of air freshener before hand to give the house a nice smell – not too much or it might look like you are covering up an odor! Try putting some vases of fresh flowers on the tables for added appeal.

Not everyone can afford a stager, but it is well worth the money and could pay for itself and then some with a higher sale price!

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Source by Lee Dobbins

Tags: Home, Quick, Sale, Stage, wall decoration items for living room

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Rustic Lodge Decorating Tips

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January 23, 2022

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“Rustic” is so often accompanied by the word “charm” so that the two words have become inseparable. With the addition of a couple more words like “comforting” or “relaxing” and you will have summed up the appeal of this decorating form.

Even if you have never done home decorating, getting the rustic decorating style in your home is easy and fun to do.

Rustic in the old days used to conjure up “unsteady and mean cheap,” but believe me, this kind of thinking is now gone. Rustic decor is now on the verge of being sophisticated and trendy.

The great outdoors might seem an alternate world away from the city but bringing it home shouldn’t be difficult. Nor is it necessary to sacrifice modern sensibilities in the acquisition of a little charm.

Develop a plan and do your research. Start by choosing your colors, furniture and accessories wisely. These are the key parts of decorating if you want to pull off the natural and cozy look of the rustic lodge style in your home.

Some people mistakenly believe that rustic home décor means that there are wildlife or farm animals plastered all over it. It is not. If you want your décor to revolve around items that don’t depict animals, you can find lots of items that can fit your desire for a rustic lodge home décor.

Rustic decorating is all about connecting with the outdoors. A memory of a deep woods fishing lodge, summer vacation at a mountain retreat or just a love of the outdoors, there’s something comfortable and cozy about a rustic theme.

Wood furniture, warm colors, items inspired by nature, as well as Native American prints and pottery are just a few of the things that can add that warm, rustic touch without any animals coming into play. If you do want furnishings and accessories that portray wildlife or farm animals, you will certainly have plenty of décor items from which to choose.

Hardwood floors are perfect for the rustic look, but you want to add some area rugs for comfort and softness as well as to reduce the “echo” effect.

Dating from a time in history when it was “the best we could do with what we had”, rustic has been around “forever”. Maintaining a minor but consistent following, rustic decor should continue to hold its place on the decorating scene -without marked peaks or valleys- far into the future.

You should use earthy and natural colors for your palette. You can add a unique touch with photos, artwork and knick-knacks in addition to your sofa and chairs. You may want to end up with a natural and rustic style by using natural log furniture. Picking your furniture and accessories with care will help hone your own Rustic decorating design style.

Your decorating accessories should focus on pieces from nature or pieces that have an outdoorsy feel like old fishing items, baskets and snowshoes. Window treatments for this decorating style should be plain and natural – nothing frilly or formal. You might think about using wood blinds, plain sheers or a simple valance or a stained glass window panel.

When decorating, you should also consider the lighting. Lighting is as important as choosing the accessories for the house. The lighting should give an earthy look that will enhance the beauty of the room.

Living rooms usually have table lamps for lighting and you want to use ones that are earthy with natural themes to accentuate the rustic room design.

A rustic home with sufficient ceiling space opens the door to the world of chandelier lighting. Choosing the right chandelier light is another matter and depends on your lodge theme or rustic motif. There are magnificent chandelier collections available that will solve that dilemma quickly.

If you are looking for rustic charm with a little more sophistication, try metal chandeliers shaped like elements of nature. Chandeliers with pinecone shaped light holders or chandeliers designed to look as if leafs are hanging from the lights make attractive choices.

Deciding upon the right style, size and design of chandelier lighting for a room is a critical decorating decision, as one would prefer to install a hanging chandelier only once. There are very large and varied chandelier collections of rustic lodge chandelier, unique stained glass chandelier as well as very elegant chandelier designs.

You will find many chandelier styles from which to choose. The amount of decorative chandelier, kitchen chandelier and dining room chandelier models, sizes, colors and designs to choose from will astound you. Whatever your theme is rustic, southwestern, country, traditional, Tiffany, Mission or contemporary; there are chandeliers and other lighting fixtures to fulfill your needs.

Rustic wall sconces in one to four light configurations fit any rustic theme, from cabin to sophisticated rustic. Nature scenes and wildlife in metal and stained or painted glass are great for next to the hearth, in hallways and bathrooms. Or any place you need light.

The actual lighting can take on all shapes, sizes, and forms of woodlands. A charming centerpiece capable of holding tapered candles can be the perfect choice for your dining room table. This can be complimented beautifully by a rustic lodge chandelier in the main living area or by a rustic lodge lamp on an end table. Lodge look floor lamps can also be used to lighten up a dull drab corner and at the same time add the rustic charm to the atmosphere.

Therefore, whether you are decorating a foyer kitchen, bedroom, bath or living room or a magnificently furnished rustic great room or trophy room, we can help you light up your home brilliantly.

It is not necessary that every part of your home decor should necessarily be rustic. Even adding a few indoor or outdoor rustic decorations can give a rustic feel to your home. All you need is a bit research on the accessories and color theme.

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Source by Eugene Haug

Tags: Decorating, Lodge, Rustic, Tips, wall decoration items for living room

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Decorate Your Home With Earthen Wares

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January 22, 2022

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Decorating your home with earthen ware like ceramics, terracotta, conch, blue pottery, is like calling nature to your home interiors. With different shapes, colours and sizes earthen ware not only add a class to but also add colour to your home interiors as well exteriors. With these ideas you can boast of a home that will become your pride and your neighbour’s envy.

Flower vases

Flower vases in earthen ware in different shapes, sizes, and colours are classic items and make for a good decorating material. You can buy them from Home Store, Lifestyle or any other shop selling home décor stuff. Or if you are little budget minded then go for roadside vendors selling diyas and other earthen materials. They have vases of some interesting shapes and sizes. The only thing is that you will have to do the decorating part yourself. But then that is where you can let your creativity flow and decorate those vases in your favourite colours or matching your home furniture. You can buy vases in earthen material in three different sizes and contrasting colours and can put either fresh flowers (if easily available) or can put long dried flowers and keep them either at the entrance or in your drawing room to add beauty to your interiors. You can also keep vases with some interesting flower arrangement in your bedroom to add colour to your sleeping area as well.

Candle stands and Candelabras

Ditch the brass and other metals this season and go for designs in earthen ware. Candle stands and candelabras in made of mud, intricately carved as if an antique piece is a delight to eyes and add a touch of class to your interiors. The earthen candelabras are as much a delight as the metal ones. And if you don’t want to go for completely earthen candelabra then you can opt for candelabras and candle stands in metal with earthen finish for that real look. Available in different shapes and sizes they do add glamour and class to your interiors. And with decorative, fragrant candles of soy candles you can further enhance the interiors of your home.

Wall hangings

Yes, wall hangings made of Lac, conch, even earthen ware add colour and beauty to your interiors. These days curtains made of conch are also available which not only add beauty to your interiors but also helps in separating the dining area from the drawing room. Wall hangings from Rajasthan in mud painted in vibrant colours are also good buy to enhance the beauty of your interiors.

Photo frames

Photo frames are the best way to not only display your precious memories but if chosen correctly can enhance your interiors as well. Frames in earthen ware painted in vibrant colours are available in different shapes and sizes add to the beauty of the interiors. You can go for hanging frames or the ones with a stand. Frames made of earthen material with dried flowers and leaves used to decorate the borders not only bring colours to your interiors but also gives a feeling of being close to the nature.

Blue pottery

The famous blue pottery of Rajasthan is your best bet if you have decided to decorate your home with earthen ware. Not only is it beautiful vibrant blue colour but is painted with intricate paintings or royal Rajasthan that they are an absolute delight and definitely a must for your home. You can either go for vases, bowls, or matkas, or surahis in various shapes and sizes with intricate Mughal paintings to decorate your home interiors. Since Rajasthan is famous for its mirror work as well the potteries are available in decorative mirror works as well. The makers can also make custom blue pottery which can include candle stands and various other items.

Terracotta items

Terracotta items offer a wide range to enhance your home décor. You can use them either in their original form or if you are feeling overly creative you can paint them in vibrant colours to not only enhance their beauty but also to enhance the interiors of your home. Terracotta items can also be used to enhance your home exteriors as well. Various products like decorative ash tray (round shape and tortoise), vases, pots, wall hangings, lamp shades with human heads, leaf, bowls, and bottle with rings add to the rustic look of your interiors. Enhance the beauty of these rustic materials with either fresh flowers or artificial flowers in bright colours of red, blue, and lemon yellow.

Ceramic items

Hand painted ceramics are always a delight to own. Whether you use them for home décor or use them in your everyday living they always add colour to your home. Ceramic bowls, dishes, and pots painted in vibrant colours of blue, red and green can enlighten any dull corner of your home and make it come alive. Hand painted vases in oval shapes, or set of two glasses in vibrant floral or fish paintings can enhance a small corner of your home and add a touch of class to your interiors. You can also for other knickknacks in ceramics like photo frames, ash trays among other things to enhance your home interiors.

Tile murals

Tile murals are another way of introducing earthen decorative ideas to your home interiors. If you want to make a statement then you can go for a decorative ceramic wall tile mural. And you can show your individual taste and style with decorative wall tile murals and accent pieces. Bit on the expensive side they do add a certain touch of class to your interiors. Advantage of using tile mural as a decorative item is that you can decorate your kitchen as well as bathroom. Make a statement in your bedroom with a romantic tile mural or in your children’s room with a mural designed for children. You can decorate your coffee table with these tile murals thus including your furniture as well in the decorating ideas. If you have a plain mirror you were about to throw then don’t. As you can enhance the beauty of that mirror by using these tile murals as a border and keep it either in your lobby or near the entrance.

Other knickknacks

If you keep your eyes open while shopping you will be surprised there are so many things made of mud, which will enhance your home interiors and make your home look a living heaven. Small decorative items like a miniature kettle and tea cups, set of small decorative stones in vibrant colours and different shapes and sizes kept at the corner of your entrance will only add beauty to the beauty of your interiors. Napkin holders, rings can also add beauty to your interiors.

Dos and Don’ts

Although earthen ware does add a beauty to your interiors and can take your décor to a next level, the important thing to remember here is not to overdo the decorating part. Either mix and match the materials at one corner or do not do it all. For instance, a blue pottery placed with another blue pottery item would be a pleasing to eyes but placed with ceramic items would be jarring and not create a desired effect of pleasantness. Another thing to remember is that whatever item you choose whether terracotta or ceramics or blue pottery make sure that the overall effect is pleasing to eyes. For instance terracotta items go well with wrought iron and jute furniture while ceramics can go with any modern and rustic furniture. For blue pottery there should be some blue colour in your furnishings. And for tile murals you should go for an expert opinion before you decide to go for them in your home interiors.

So get started with these decorating ideas and create a new look for your home interiors.

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Source by Swati Nitin Gupta

Tags: Decorate, Earthen, Home, wall decor for living room, Wares

wall decoration ideas

How to Install an Iron Wall Candle Holder

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January 20, 2022

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Iron wall candle holders have been around for thousands of years. They date back to medieval times where these wall candle holders were used for lighting the hallways of castles. Today these charming pieces of decorative art are used to add a feeling of warmth and tranquility to the room whose walls adorn them.

In order to install these types of candles, you must first know the circumstances of the room in which these will hang. Since this form of indoor wall lighting will use candles for lighting, you must examine the room to make sure that these wall candles will not be placed on the walls near anything that could possibly catch fire while the candles are burning, such as surrounding art, curtains, coat racks and anything else that could catch fire.

Keep in mind that candles melt and melted wax can get on your walls and floors. To avoid this you may want to have some sort of glass cover around your candle. Glass covers are available in clear frosted or colors of your choice.

Another good idea is to determine how high on the walls you wish to place these holders. If children are a part of your household, you may want to place these holders above the reach of children.

After you know whether you want or don’t want a glass covering your candle and exactly how high you want your holders on your walls, the next thing is to measure each wall for placement. Depending on how many you wish to place on each wall, with a tape measure, measure how high on the wall you want to place them. I suggest that you measure from the floor up the wall and mark the wall at the proper height using a pencil. Go about 12 inches over from your first wall mark and repeat this procedure. Now you have 2 pencil marks on the wall at the same height about 12 inches apart.

Next, measure the width of the wall at the same height you placed the 2 previous height pencil marks and write the width measurement on a piece of paper. Depending on how many of these holders you wish to hang, divide the width of the wall by the number of wall candles you wish to hang. Once you know how far apart each holder will be, then using a tape measure, mark the wall with a pencil dot on each place the holder will hang.

If you are placing iron wall candle holders along the sides of wall art or a wall mirror, then what you need to do is measure how far from the left and right side of the artwork you wish to place each holder. With your measuring tape go to the left and right side of the wall art (or wall mirror) and measure from the edge of the art outward on both sides. Make sure your outward measurements on both sides are identical. Repeat this step over again on both sides, only this time go about 8 inches either above or below your first marks on both sides of your wall art (or wall mirror).

Now using the 2 pencil dots you have on both sides of your wall art, line your tape measure from the floor up the wall using the 2 pencil dots as a guide for a straight line and mark a pencil dot on the wall exactly how high you wish to hang your candle holder. Repeat this procedure on the other side of the wall art and you will have identical spacing for your holders on both sides of the wall art (or wall mirror).

Iron wall candle holders are not light in weight. In order to hang these holders securely you must use what is known as a wall anchor. Remember, never try to hang an iron wall candle holder with a screw directly into drywall or plastered walls. It just won’t hold the weight.

Wall anchors are small devices that are placed into the wall at the exact same place a screw would go to hold up these types of wall candles. By using a wall anchor you will be able to hold heavy objects such as heavy metal sconces securely to the wall without having to worry about the fixture becoming loose from the wall and eventually falling off the wall.

Wall anchors come in different styles and sizes to accommodate different size screws that will screw into it after the anchor has been placed into the wall. My favorite wall anchor for hanging wall mounted candle holders looks like a short stubby plastic screw with a screw hole in the center.

This anchor is easy to install. All you have to do is drill a small hole (about half the diameter of the anchor) where you want to place the screw to hold your candle on the wall. After you have drilled the small hole, all you have to do is screw in the anchor into the small hole you just drilled until it is flush to the wall. Repeat this procedure for all the screws needed to mount your iron wall candle holder. When you have inserted all the anchors needed to mount your wall sconce to the wall, then you simply hold the wall sconce in position over the anchors and proceed to screw your holder up to the wall. It is as simple as that and rest assured that your candle sconce is on the wall securely.

Iron wall candle holders are works of art that come in many different shapes and sizes. They add comfort to the overall feeling of any room in which they are placed on the wall. With a small amount of effort you can add these to several rooms of your home and enjoy a simple but pleasing touch of art passed on down through the centuries.

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Source by Joe Tobiasz

Tags: Candle, Holder, Install, Iron, Wall, wall decor

wall decoration ideas

Wide Vinyl Wall Coverings and How to Hang Them

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January 19, 2022

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Paper Backed Vinyl

Always read manufactures instructions first.

Most D.I.Y people have never hung the wide width vinyl wall coverings, as also a majority of decorators haven’t, and although the process is quite a lot different to hanging normal width domestic vinyl wall coverings, it’s really not that difficult to hang. As for the professional decorator, who has successful experience at hanging domestic width vinyl it should be a breeze for them.

Tools Decorator shires Straight edge Pencil Tape measure Spirit level Snap of Stanley blade Knife (the larger of the 2 options) 2 plastic spatulas 1x 2″ Paint brush 1x 9″roller with short pile long life sleeve 1x bucket and decorator sponge 1x Squeegee mop or sponge Straight edge Slip Knife

1. Work out where you are going to start from and where you are going to finish, allowing for the pattern, (if any) to be lost in the least noticeable corner.

2. When you have planned how you are going to do the job, from your starting point, measure where your first piece is going, and allowing for wastage around a corner, and for this allow about an inch.

3. Now mark where the vinyl will go, and with a spirit level draw a line from near the top to around half way down the wall.

4. That now is where your first drop will go. Now measure away from the line 2″ (5cm) less than the width of the vinyl to allow for the second drop to overlap the first drop by 2″ and repeat all the way around the room, marking off with the spirit level each time, and number each drop in order of hanging.

5. Now you have the room completely marked out and numbered for each drop and a spirit level line to work to for each drop.

6/Now put a dust sheet or a big sheet of hardboard on the floor and roll out the vinyl and cut to the required length including waste, reversing alternate lengths if recommended and number with a soft pencil on the back, at the top.

7. Now you have all the room marked out and numbered, and all your pieces of vinyl cut to length, numbered in sequence, and laying on your dust sheet or hardboard with the backing paper facing upward and number 1 on top.

8. Now with either a hand sponge or preferably a squeegee mop, wet the back of 2-3 pieces of wall covering and roll each one into a tube.

9. Now paste the wall on the section number 1, cutting in with a brush the paste to the ceiling, corner, above the skirting and roll about 6″ past the spirit level mark.

10. Now get the wall covering tube no 1 and unroll onto the wall up to the line using a plastic spatula to spread in a top to bottom motion (not sideways) and trim the vinyl with a Stanley knife, top bottom and corner.

11. After you have trimmed up, then sponge of with clean water any residue adhesive, and towel off the skirting board of any water to prevent water stains on the skirting

12. Now paste wall section no 2 and repeat. At this point you will have an overlapping joint that needs to be spliced together (see joint cutting). Carry on hanging the wall covering like this all the way around the room bearing in mind (joint cutting).

If you plan out the room and mark out, number, all the walls and pieces of vinyl, then hang the wall covering this way, you will find it easy and a quick process to hang a wide paper backed vinyl and achieve good quality results.

Joint Cutting

There is two ways to splice cut the wall covering,

1. A Slip knife or Joint cutting knife (as some retailers call it). This Knife hooks on to both layers of the wall covering and pulls them away from the substrate as it cuts, so that it does not score it. Cut the join with a stanley knife and straight edge from the ceiling to about 3″ down the wall and 1″ from the edge of the top wall covering then hook in the slip knife and cut the rest of the way down the wall till you get to 3″ above skirting and finish off with a Stanley knife and straight edge again. This is my preferred way and gives a great cut once you have mastered and become familiar with this knife.

2. slide a flexible piece of plastic about 1 meter long (available from the wall covering company) that you place under the join and then cut through both pieces of covering 1″ from the edge, all the way down with a Stanley knife and straight edge and sliding the plastic down as well to protect the substrate behind.

That is the way i would hang paper backed vinyl, as for the fabric and hessian backed vinyls you hang in exactly then same way apart from a couple of differences, just hang as described above but bearing these variations in mind.

Fabric backed Vinyl,

Hang exactly as paper backed vinyl above except, there is no need to dampen the back of the vinyl, just roll into tubes and stick onto the wet pasted wall.

Always read manufactures instructions first

Hessian backed Vinyl,

Hang exactly as paper backed vinyl above except, there is no need to dampen the back of the paper, just roll into tubes and stick onto the wet pasted wall, and when it comes to the joint cutting leave joints as long as possible to cut, wait for the under piece of vinyl of the join to start setting to the wall, and just as it does then pull it up and cut your join as described, and if needed paste a bit more addhesive under the join.

On site where the heating may not be good this can take most of the day, if the join is cut to early it can result in the joint shrinking when fully dried out.

ALWAYS read the manufactures instructions first

Hope these painting tips come in handy

steve at interior paint decorating

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Source by Steve Field

Tags: Coverings, Hang, Vinyl, Wall, wall decoration ideas for living room, Wide

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