Showing posts with label home decor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home decor. Show all posts

GARDEN DECORATING

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It is inherently rewarding to have a vegetable, flower and/or herb garden:  The garden can be a real sanctuary for the gardener. But perhaps you want even more out of your garden.  Personal taste dictates how you start decorating a garden. You may want to add color or perhaps you relish statues or a certain style of art. Of course personal taste will help you decide how to decorate your garden, but here are some ideas to get you started:
  1. Garden Flags and Banners: Garden flags add a decorative flair to any part of the garden. Garden flags come in many sizes, from small flags you place in between rows and around beds, to banner size flags that announce the entrance to a garden area.
    You have two main options with garden flags. You can buy garden flags at any home and garden store, greenhouse, department chain store, or in the home and garden section of some grocery stores. You can also make your own garden flags. Buy some heavy weatherproof material to make the flag. Burlap is recommended as it is weatherproof and heavy enough to withstand heavy rain and winds. Decorate the flag with waterproof paints, such as oil paints or markers that are permanent.  You can also buy a sealant that helps protect the garden flag from weathering. Ask your local hobby shop for ideas and paint tips for outside use.
    You will also need a pole to hang the garden flag. Some people choose to make their poles from garden stakes, tree branches and even regular flag poles. As long as the pole is sturdy enough to withstand the weight of the flag, then it doesn't matter what material the pole is made of.
    1. Garden Signs: Garden signs are much like garden flags and banners and can be designed as such. You will need a piece of wood, something to fix the sign upon (such as a pole or garden stake) and some outdoor wood paint. It helps to know the design you want ahead of time. You can use a charcoal pencil to lightly sketch the design you want and then paint it in. Take a look at the plants in your garden; you can use these garden signs to mark what is in your garden. Perhaps you like flowers and just want a few garden signs in your garden that have flowers on them; it's up to you.  Be sure to give the garden sign a finish coat of sealant to protect it from the water and weather.
    2. Garden Statues and Fountains:  You can find statues and fountains at any home and garden store, greenhouse or department store. Some statues have built-in fountains so they work both ways. Some statues are painted while others are just gray in form and not painted. Placement of the statues is a personal preference but should complement the garden in some way. Perhaps you might think of a theme. Maybe you have a favorite animal and might want to find a statue of that animal. A popular statue is the goose statue. There are even clothes and costumes you can put on the goose for year-round fun.
    3. Garden Containers and Tools: When painting garden containers or tools, use outside weatherproof paint, as with the garden signs and garden flags. Painting your pots to match the garden theme gives your garden a more artistic look and covers up the sometimes boring plain pots. For example, you could paint your herb pots with herbs and flowers to complement the beauty of the herbs growing in the pot.

    Smart Buy For Less is your source for Home Decor and Garden Decor accessories as well as Unique Gifts. We distribute high quality imported wholesale home decor, wholesale garden decor, wholesale candle holders and lanterns and wholesale gifts, Home Decorating Accessories, Furniture,Kitchen and Bath Accessories We have popular decorating themes including African tribal masks, Asian Home Accents, Country Home Decor, Native American Statues, Shabby Chic, Contemporary, Modern decorating ideas, Scouthwestern Theme Decor, Tropical Home Decor and Western Collectibles.
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Antique Black Wood Cabinet

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This charming hand-painted cabinet has so many uses - an appealing end table next to sofa, beside the bed as a handy nightstand, or an attractive catch-all cabinet for a home office or bath! Attractively weathered matte-black finish and a simple shape allow this windsome furnishing to blend in with most any decor. Features one drawer above a generous single-door storage space. Some assembly required.


The Best Place To Shop For Home Decor Is Smart Buy For Less New Arrivals Daily.
Home Decor Furniture at Great Prices! www.SmartBuyForLess.com



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Campaign Desk by Manchester Wood

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Manchester Wood designed traveling desk from the Revolutionary era of the early Americas. Work from a solid wood desk that is handcrafted in both historical and more contemporary Americana lines.







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Vintage Home Decor Ideas

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A vintage style decor for your home can instantly transform the feel and look of your house. When you add vintage items to your home, you bring back the charm of the years gone into your home. If you would love to make your home decor sexy and charming, add some vintage elements to make it look attractive.

Below are some ideas for improving your home decor by incorporating a few vintage items around the house.

Living Room
If you want your living room to look splendid, try the shabby chic style because they are a great match. Vintage items will be great especially if you wish to create a quaint country feel in your home. Add a few personal items to make your room outstanding. Incorporating vintage elements nicely into your living room will bring back the charm, simplicity and elegance of the bygone years. And don’t forget to shop for vintage furniture and curtains for your vintage living room decor too.

Bedroom
There are endless possibilities with the vintage style decor when it comes to decorating your bedroom. If you have enough money to spend, you can buy a personalized rosewood or mahogany bed for your bedroom. You can also incorporate oriental elements such as toile drapes or beautifully made rugs with your vintage style bed. You can also buy a vintage style mirror which will look really good, especially with the ornate look around it. And the linen you use in your bedroom should be very floral in addition to feminine looking for a vintage style.

Kitchen and Dining Space
You can also incorporate the vintage style to both your kitchen and dining area. If you have many antique pieces collected or handed down to you by your family, make sure to proudly display them. Your kitchen should be done in the country style of old, with large windows and wooden panels and floors.
Get a dainty little table for the dining area and use nice wooden distressed chairs. Then make sure you use a vintage lace table cloth over the dining table and then put a few bright sunflowers into an old vintage china vase.

Old floral dinner sets as well as old china tea sets can really look nice when you display them in your vintage kitchen. You can also use tasseled polka-dotted curtains in your kitchen window to make it not only vintage but dainty.

If you’d really love to have a vintage home decor theme for your house, then get vintage elements to adorn it. Decorating your home with vintage stuff takes your visitors back in time to the simplicity and elegance of old. It also gives your home a feel of charm and comfort, thus making it look elegant and at the same time classic.  If this is the look you are looking for, use these ideas for your vintage home decor.
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Cheap Home Decor Idea #7:

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Cheap Home Decor Idea #7: Final Touches

If you followed the above, your newly decorated home is almost complete. All that remains is putting the final touches on your home. Do not spend too much on this as well. Flaunting a striking frame over a table in the house can be a priceless finishing touch to your decor. Use a color that will get attention without throwing off the rest of the room’s dynamic.
Other finishing touches can be in the form of vases with or without flowers. Aesthetic vases can be found at cheap bargains either in second hand stores or in garage sales. Your decorations should include a unique piece. This adds to its elegance. Flowers on the vase will depend on your preference. However, ensure whatever flowers you choose are in line with the decorative style of your room.
If you want to be the envy of your friends you should not be afraid to take your time to model your home; regardless of your cash outlay. Follow your instinct and be creative to achieve elegance with cheap home decor.

For Home Decor That Fits Any Budget Check Out www.SmartBuyForLess.com

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Shabby Elegance

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An appealing table for any small space! Lovely carved details on top and sides; a center drawer keeps small items close at hand. Distressed-finish painted white wood. 16" diameter x 19 1/4" high.




Wonderful Home Decor Items For Any Budget At SMART BUY FOR LESS


Check Out the Great Home Decor Items At www.smartbuyforless.com



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Textural Tapestry Home Decor Ideas

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Add depth to a classic white-and-cream cottage palette by playing with texture. Here, an old rug remnant repurposed as artwork provides a rich backdrop for a caned white-painted bed frame, while crisp white sheets perk up when topped with a mix of toile and damask pillows. The simple matte finish on a painted side table takes on an elegant patina when topped with an ornate iron candelabra crowned with petite silk shades.



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Seagrass Trim Photo Frame

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Seagrass Trim Photo Frame

Tuck a treasured photo into this richly textured frame for a casually chic display! Woven seagrass trim adds just the right touch of natural charm.  Get this and many more wonderful home decor items at 
Smart Buy For Less Holds a 4" x 6" photo. Easel back.
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Cheap Home Decor Idea #6: Wall Hangings

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CheapHome Decor Idea #6: Wall Hangings

When it comes to cheap home decor, you should remember the notion of less being more. Try as much as possible not to clutter items. Achieving a minimalist look will do wonders for your space. A few pieces of carefully chosen hangings will add the final touch of glamor to your home.
When you are choosing wall hangings, do not go overboard with the pricing. A wall painting does not have to be from the 19th century to make your home look elegant. You can get a piece of canvas and make your own painting, or have a fun activity painting on it with the rest of your family. An advantage of your custom made wall hanging is how well it would fit with the rest of your theme.
If you have old furniture, the wood can also be used as painting surface for a retro style. This will further save on costs in terms of canvas. The key in your own art or any other cheap wall decor is simplicity.

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Cheap Home Decor Idea #5: Furniture

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When it comes to furnishing your house, you do not have to spend a lot either. If you are remodeling, it means you have old furniture somewhere. Do not discard this or sell them in a garage sale. Old furniture can be turned into new beautiful pieces with ease and minimal costs.

If your new style is not that different from your old style, adding a fresh coat of paint over the furniture can give them new life. Cost of paint will be much lower than what you would spend on a new set of furniture. The old furniture can also be reconstructed to make the new furniture. This way, you will only pay for the carpentry and not worry about buying new wood as well.
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Cheap Home Decor Idea #3: Flooring

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Depending on the type of floors you are targeting with your theme, you should find a substitute for the pricier option. You can center your decorating on ideas that you would use if you had all the money in the world. Instead of the more expensive marble or granite floors, you can settle for simple tiles that are white in color. These would achieve the same clean, classy look as would have granite or marble. If you prefer wooden floors, you can think of laminating the flooring instead of investing in hard woodwork. After all, the secret behind cheap home decor is creativity.
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Cheap Home Decor Idea #2: Ceiling

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This is an important part of your home that great focus should be put to. You may not think your ceiling gets noticed very often, but you would be wrong here. To keep decorating this part of your home inexpensive, you can use plastic molding to to give the ceiling a a great look. This has a look similar to plaster but is a lot cheaper. Your guests will appreciate the beauty of your ceiling and none will be able to spot the difference between the plaster and your cleverly molded plastic.
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Cheap Home Decor Idea #1: Choose a Style

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Before you get started decorating your home, finding a style to center your modifications around is important. Like any creative idea, setting up your home decor needs to be well thought out. The more specific and focused the idea, the better the results will be. You can choose a rustic style, modern style, or classic style. Whichever style you pick for your home, ensure you understand what it entails. Rustic home decor styles, for instance, are focused mainly around woodwork.
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10 Tips For Painting a Room

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One of the easiest ways to save money re-decorating is to paint a room yourself. It can cost anywhere from $200-$500 to have one room painted. Painting it yourself, you can do it for under $30. Here are some tips that we have used to save money painting.



1. Check your local hazardous waste recycling center for free or low cost paint. I’ve painted many rooms and pieces of furniture just by checking their free paint section. I painted my entire house for $45 using three of their low cost five gallon buckets of brand new but leftover construction paint.
2. Use a vinyl tablecloth or sheet (see notes below) or spend $1.00 for one at a thrift store to use as a drop cloth. They are are heavier than the plastic drop cloths at the store and will last for many rooms of painting. Hang over a clothesline or fence to dry before folding and storing.
3. When removing the outlet and switch covers, put the screws back into the holes so they don’t get lost. You can also put the covers and screws in a zip top sandwich bag.
4. Line your roller pan by putting a plastic grocery sack or trash sack (inside out if it has writing on it) on the paint tray. Then you can just invert the sack when you’re done and throw it away.
5. Poke four or five holes with a nail in the groove on the top of the can. That way the paint doesn’t get stuck in the groove around the edge of the can and make a mess when you put the lid back on.
6. Use the paint at the bottom of the paint can when nearly empty to paint the trim. I got enough paint out of this “empty” gallon to do the entire room’s trim.
7. Don’t use painter’s tape. Painting is just like coloring inside the lines in school. Use a small, one-inch, angled paintbrush and slowly go around the edges. It takes less time than putting up and taking down tape. Keep a wet rag by your side in case you make small mistakes. Some tape also lets the paint bleed through, so it’s not a very clean finish.
8. Store your rollers and brushes in a plastic grocery sackbetween paintings. You don’t have to clean them after each use if you keep them from drying out. Refrigerate overnight or freeze them if you are going to not be painting for several days or weeks.
9. Turn the ceiling fan on in a room to speed up drying time.
10. When you’re done with your painting clothes, turn them inside out as you take them off. This way, you don’t accidentally get wet paint on anything but your head. 
First about putting the rollers and brushes in a bag in thefreezer or fridge if you aren’t going to be painting for a few days. One reader said she ruined her meat because the bags broke down. When we say put them in the freezer we mean for a few days or weeks, not months or years! Also double bagging would be a good idea. Another reader said that she thought the fumes would not be good. I personally don’t see a problem with this. If the bag is sealed then not much gets out.


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TIPS ON PAINTING FURNITURE

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Painting walls is one thing, but there are a few different measures you need to take in order to ensure that your furniture-painting project is successful.
  • It is best to prime all painting surfaces to prevent stains from bleeding through the new paint.
  • Primer must match the type of paint you have chosen. For furniture it's best to use a satin or semigloss finish in either a latex or an oil-based paint. Never leave primer unpainted.
  • If you choose a latex paint, a latex primer is an excellent choice for most uses. It goes on easily and blocks most stains, but it doesn't have the odor of an oil-based primer.
  • Although you can use oil-based primers with latex paints, you must use an oil-based primer with oil-based paints. Oil-based primers offer superior adhesion and stain blocking, but they do have a strong odor. When using oil-based primers and paints, make sure you have good room ventilation.
  • When you're painting, start at the top and work down, smoothing paint drips as you work downward.
Expert Painting Tips: Latex paint comes in a variety of sheens, including flat, low sheen or satin, semigloss acrylic latex and oil-based enamel. Oil-based paint can be used for both exterior painting and interior trim work; it's also very durable and easy to clean.
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STAINING WOOD

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Staining Options
Water-Based Liquid Stains are growing in popularity because they clean up with soap and water and they dry quickly. They're now available in a wide range of colors as well. The main drawback is that they can raise the surface grain and require sanding to smooth out. 
Oil-Based Gel Stains are also popular because they're easy to apply with a rag, they don't run on the surface and they don't raise the grain. But they're harder to clean up and they don't come in as many colors.
Penetrating Oil Stains, also known as "Danish oils" or "rubbing oils" are often used on antiques and on trim with more attractive grain patterns. They penetrate more deeply than the other types of stains, color evenly and do not raise the grain.

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Wine Plantation Vintners Chest

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Courtly wine chest brings back the art of gracious entertaining and effortless elegance! Gorgeous nostalgic armoire cradles fourteen wine bottles ready to savor; roomy storage compartment holds an assortment of accessories. Dark wood finish, handsome antiqued hardware and leather strap trim bestow the look of a timeless antique treasure.Weight 14 lbs. Wood. Wine not included. 18 5/8" x 13 3/4" x 27 1/4" high.


Find it at: Smart Buy ForLess



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More Types Of Wood

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  • Oak

    Oak is the wood most commonly used for finer, more durable furniture. It’s a very hard, heavy, open-grained wood that grows from deciduous and evergreen trees in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It's found in both red and white varieties. Red oak (also known as black oak) has a pinkish cast and is the more popular of the two. White oak has a slightly greenish cast. Prominent rings and large pores give oak a coarse texture and prominent grain. It stains well in any color.
  • Parawood

    Native to the Amazon region of South America, this wood is used for much of the furniture made in that region. Parawood can be traced back to the days of Christopher Columbus, when its seedlings were used in rubber plantations to produce latex. Today it’s used to build fine furniture, a new tree planted in the place of each that is cut. Parawood is just as hard as maple or ash, and takes a very even stain. Yellow in color, it has a medium grain similar to mahogany.
  • Pine

    Pine is a softwood that grows in many varieties in various parts of the world. In the U.S., Eastern White Pine, Ponderosa Pine, and Sugar Pine are some of the types used to make furniture. Pine’s &quotknotty" characteristics provide warmth and individuality to each crafted piece. Usually light-yellow in color, the wood has a broadly spaced striation pattern. It’s ideal for children’s rooms, family rooms, beach cottages — anywhere you’d like an airier, lighter feel. Its natural grain and shades ensure that no piece is exactly alike. Excellent for staining.
  • Poplar

    Poplar is a light-colored, softer wood that is more costly than pine, but less costly than oak or maple. It's generally straight-grained and "woolly" with a fine, even texture. Pale in color, similar to beech and alder, poplar grows throughout North America, Europe, and Asia.
  • Redwood

    A hard, valuable, reddish-brown wood, redwood has a straight grain and a fine, coarse texture. Its coloring ranges from light-red to a deep reddish-brown, with very prominent growth rings. Weathering more gracefully than other woods, redwood is often used to build decks and outdoor furnishings. Stains can enhance its natural beauty and durability. Redwood grows along the Pacific coast of the United States in California and Oregon.
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Types Of Wood

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  • Alder

    Alder, part of the birch family, is a softer hardwood from the Pacific Northwest. Consistent color, stability, and uniform acceptance of stains and finishes are some of the characteristics that have made Western Alder a preferred wood for furniture. Its elasticity makes it ideal for carving intricate details. Ranking second only to oak as the most commonly used wood, alder offers the look of many fine hardwoods at a value price.
  • Ash

    White Ash is commonly used in the furniture market. Ash is a long-fibered, light-colored, medium-density wood that grows in the United States and Canada. Its coarse, porous grain is similar to that of oak, but it varies from white to light-red in color. Hard and heavy enough to be used for baseball bats, it’s also flexible enough for bending. Ash takes stain well and is used mainly for chairs and stools.
  • Aspen

    Hailing from the north-eastern and north-central United States, this is a softer, light-colored, even-grained hardwood belonging to the Populous family. Unfinished, aspen appears to have little or no grain, but the natural grain appears after the stain has been applied. Aspen can be finished to resemble cherry, walnut, and other more expensive hardwoods. It accepts most stains well, but may need a sealer to achieve an even coloring.
  • Beech

    Found primarily in northeast U.S. and Canada, beech is a heavy, pale-colored, medium-to-hard wood used widely for chairs and stools. It has a fine, tight grain and large medullar rays, similar in appearance to maple or birch woods. Beech wood has a high shock resistance and takes stains well.
  • Birch

    Birch is a stiff, close-grained hardwood that grows primarily in northeast U.S. and Canada. A heavy wood, it has a high shock resistance. Birch is very light in color (predominantly a light yellow) and takes any stain well.
  • Cherry

    Also known as fruitwood, cherry is a strong, fine-grained hardwood with a pink undertone, often played up with a medium or dark finish to enhance its mahogany-red tones. Its rich coloring darkens with age and exposure to light. Cherry resists warping and is easy to carve and polish. Often used for 18th-century and formal, traditional-style furniture, cherry is often considered a luxury wood. Fine-grained hardwoods, such as maple and alder, are common substitutes for cherry. Black Cherry grows in Canada, the United States, and Central America; European Cherry is distributed throughout Europe and southeast Asia.
  • Eucalyptus

    This is a hardwood that earns high marks for strength, durability, and excellent weathering characteristics. Eucalyptus is pinkish-brown in color and ages to a reddish-brown with time and exposure to light. Its resistance to decay is similar to that of teak wood. In fact, when finished with a high-quality oil, eucalyptus takes on a teak-like appearance.
  • Hickory

    One of the hardest, heaviest, and strongest woods in the United States, hickory is a hardwood whose varieties can also be found in Canada and Mexico. Distinguished by extreme contrasts of light and dark colors, it has a dramatic natural look. For more even coloring, hickory can be easily stained.
  • Mahogany

    A tropical medium-to-hard wood indigenous to South America, Central America, and Africa, mahogany’s strength makes it an excellent carving wood. It has a uniform pore structure, a medium grain, and less defined annual rings. Mahogany ranges from tan to reddish-brown in color, and may display stripe, ribbon, rope, ripple, or blister figures. Its stability and resistance to decay makes the wood ideal for high-quality cabinetry and furniture.
  • Maple

    This is a very light-colored medium-to-hard wood, abundant in the eastern United States. Known for its shock resistance, maple has diffused, evenly-sized pores that give the wood a fine texture and an even grain. Eastern maples are generally harder than western maples, due to the colder winters and shorter growing seasons. Both are highly durable and take any stain well. Maple can be finished to resemble walnut, cherry, or other more expensive hardwoods.
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Materials and Tools Needed to Distress Furniture

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Materials and Tools:
object to be distressed (wooden frame, piece of furniture, etc.)
satin latex paint for the base coat
satin latex paint or a wood stain for the top coat
painting tools
candle
medium-grade steel wool
sandpaper
tack cloth
polyurethane to finish (optional)
Steps:
1. Lightly sand the object you want to distress. If the object already has a finish (previously painted or varnished), sand all surfaces well. After the sanding, wipe the piece with a tack cloth.
2. Paint the entire piece in the base coat color you've selected.
3. For the bare-wood look: When the base coat is dry, start sanding off areas that would naturally end up distressed — places where hands would have held it, or corners that could easily get nicked. For the color look: Rub candle wax on the areas where you'd like to see color show through. Don't forget to do the sides and back; you want the entire piece to be finished. Then apply the top coat.
4. For the bare-wood look: Be sure to stop before you go too crazy with the sanding, and then wipe the entire piece with the tack cloth. For the color look: Paint over the base coat and the wax. Cover everything well. After the paint dries, rub the steel wool over the areas you've waxed. (The steel wool won't harm the rest of the paint enough to worry about — remember, the piece is meant to be distressed, so use it to find the waxed areas.) Wipe off the piece with the tack cloth.
5. Apply a finish if desired.
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