You can tell a lot about someone by the random things that capture their attention on vacations. Sure, everyone will tell you about the sites they see, the people they meet, and that one day where everything went wrong or everything want right. Nonetheless, most of us have a few quirks in addition.
My quirk is that I always come back with stories about hotel bathrooms. In particular, I'll always have something to say about the hotel towel shelf or the hotel towel rack. It's kind of embarrassing to explain why, but you can probably figure it out for yourself anyway. You see, I spend a lot of time studying the hotel towel rack on vacation. Between my weak stomach, my tendency to party hard on vacations, and the fact that I often get sick when I am traveling, I am in the bathroom quite a bit.
I know every wall mounted rack that has ever been put up in a major hotel from here to Memphis. There was even a period of time when I used to rip out hotel towel racks and take them back home with me. I had a different hotel towel rack in every room until I realized that I was being crazy and neurotic. The fact that one of the hotels charged me for the damage done to the room and then threatened to sue me didn't help either.
Nowadays, I'm content to bore and mildly amuse my friend with an anecdote about the hotel towel rack thrown in between stories of sightseeing and drinking. It is kind of funny, but the hotel towel rack gag that used to annoy everyone I know so much has become the most popular part of my stories. Whenever I come back from vacation and start to talk about it to one of my best friends, he or she will inevitably say “never mind all that, what about the hotel towel rack?”
To be honest, I'm starting to get a little bit sick of it. I don't really care at all about interior decorating. What started as my own quirky joke has come back to haunt me. I'm constantly forced to answer questions about wall mount racks whether I want to or not. I can not just refuse either, because my friends were such good sports about my hotel towel rack stories in the past. I have to find a way to turn the joke back around, or I won't be able to tell vacation stories at all!
Saturday, May 10, 2008
The Little Giant Ladder
I sometimes have trouble sleeping and I find that I often can’t sleep because I am watching something that really does me no good to watch. There are so many show-length commercials on during the wee hours of the night. Most of them are not appealing to me and many of them are downright annoying. However, I did come across one product that got my attention. The Little Giant Ladder is a great invention and even though I despise infomercials, I do like the Little Giant Ladder.
The more research I did on the product, the more I liked it. The Little Giant Ladder is unique in that it can be set up in a number of unique ways. The ladder can be safely put into any number of positions that guarantee that the user can reach the area he is working on without the fear of losing balance. The ladder is extremely strong and it carries a nice guarantee assuring quality and durability.
The Little Giant Ladder is on the top of my list of gifts for my husband. He does not have a lot of tools. He has the standard tool set that just about every man has. He has a couple drills and saws as well, but I often see him paging through Lowe’s and Home Depot advertisements with a dreamy look in his eyes. In spite of his dreaming of any number of tools, I do think that the Little Giant Ladder is the next man-toy I should get.
My husband has three ladders. Two are aluminum and one is wooden. They are each unreliable. This year, he painted the entire exterior of our house using these three pathetic ladders. I couldn’t watch him while he was painting and I thanked our lucky stars that we don’t have a two-story house. The ladders were awkward and wobbly. He could only work in small areas before he had to move his entire set-up. A Little Giant Ladder would have saved him hours in time and it would have saved him a lot of aggravation.
One of the Little Giant Ladder features that are really appealing is that the ladder can be set up on uneven surfaces. We have no even surfaces on our property. We actually have no even surfaces in our house at all. The Little Giant Ladder can be arranged to accommodate uneven surfaces. It can be placed on steps as well. This will come in handy when we paint the interior of the home. By “we” I mean my husband paints while I watch.
I think that my husband will be ecstatic when he gets his Little Giant Ladder. I think that I will include a list of projects that can be accomplished much easier with the handy ladder. Now I just need an excuse to give him the gift. The Little Giant Ladder would make the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. It does tell him that he is loved and that I want him to be safe.
The more research I did on the product, the more I liked it. The Little Giant Ladder is unique in that it can be set up in a number of unique ways. The ladder can be safely put into any number of positions that guarantee that the user can reach the area he is working on without the fear of losing balance. The ladder is extremely strong and it carries a nice guarantee assuring quality and durability.
The Little Giant Ladder is on the top of my list of gifts for my husband. He does not have a lot of tools. He has the standard tool set that just about every man has. He has a couple drills and saws as well, but I often see him paging through Lowe’s and Home Depot advertisements with a dreamy look in his eyes. In spite of his dreaming of any number of tools, I do think that the Little Giant Ladder is the next man-toy I should get.
My husband has three ladders. Two are aluminum and one is wooden. They are each unreliable. This year, he painted the entire exterior of our house using these three pathetic ladders. I couldn’t watch him while he was painting and I thanked our lucky stars that we don’t have a two-story house. The ladders were awkward and wobbly. He could only work in small areas before he had to move his entire set-up. A Little Giant Ladder would have saved him hours in time and it would have saved him a lot of aggravation.
One of the Little Giant Ladder features that are really appealing is that the ladder can be set up on uneven surfaces. We have no even surfaces on our property. We actually have no even surfaces in our house at all. The Little Giant Ladder can be arranged to accommodate uneven surfaces. It can be placed on steps as well. This will come in handy when we paint the interior of the home. By “we” I mean my husband paints while I watch.
I think that my husband will be ecstatic when he gets his Little Giant Ladder. I think that I will include a list of projects that can be accomplished much easier with the handy ladder. Now I just need an excuse to give him the gift. The Little Giant Ladder would make the perfect Valentine’s Day gift. It does tell him that he is loved and that I want him to be safe.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Good Interior Designing For Restaurants
One of the things that we really enjoy when we get to eat outside of our homes and eat in a restaurant is the ambiance, besides the food that they are offering. Ambiance really plays a big part when it comes to making you enjoy your dining experience and for some, it determines if they will be returning to the restaurant or not.
Here are some great tips that you can take note of for a great design if you are one of those people who are thinking of opening up a restaurant. These tips play a big part in design and are proven to be very effective when it comes to creating a great ambiance where people will keep coming back for more of what your restaurant can offer.
Know This
One of the best restaurants interior design tips that you should first take note of is knowing and understanding your target market. Just by determining what your customers are demanding, you can instantly create a design in your mind that will suit best suit their lifestyle. Are you going for the young urban professionals who wear a coat and tie most of the time that will require your restaurant interior design to be more flashy and elegant? Or are you going for the market of kids who enjoy having quick fixes for their tummies but will like play rooms or arcades at the same time?
Getting a feedback from your target customers will clearly help you in formulating the best design in your mind. Chances are, once that you have finally determined what they want and once you have implemented all those elements in your restaurant, the higher the chances that they will, time and time again, visit your place and spread the word that yours is one of the greatest restaurants that they have been in.
Ask Help From The Experts
It is also important to recognize that you cannot do all the restaurant interior design by yourself and sometimes it will be best to get help from the experts. Vision Design is one of the most reputable interior design companies in the industry and they are specializing in designing restaurants, spas, homes, and others and have already received numerous awards for their outstanding designs and service.
Here are some great tips that you can take note of for a great design if you are one of those people who are thinking of opening up a restaurant. These tips play a big part in design and are proven to be very effective when it comes to creating a great ambiance where people will keep coming back for more of what your restaurant can offer.
Know This
One of the best restaurants interior design tips that you should first take note of is knowing and understanding your target market. Just by determining what your customers are demanding, you can instantly create a design in your mind that will suit best suit their lifestyle. Are you going for the young urban professionals who wear a coat and tie most of the time that will require your restaurant interior design to be more flashy and elegant? Or are you going for the market of kids who enjoy having quick fixes for their tummies but will like play rooms or arcades at the same time?
Getting a feedback from your target customers will clearly help you in formulating the best design in your mind. Chances are, once that you have finally determined what they want and once you have implemented all those elements in your restaurant, the higher the chances that they will, time and time again, visit your place and spread the word that yours is one of the greatest restaurants that they have been in.
Ask Help From The Experts
It is also important to recognize that you cannot do all the restaurant interior design by yourself and sometimes it will be best to get help from the experts. Vision Design is one of the most reputable interior design companies in the industry and they are specializing in designing restaurants, spas, homes, and others and have already received numerous awards for their outstanding designs and service.
Tips And Ideas To Interior Designing For New Homes
If you're about to renovate or build a new home, then no doubt you would have given great consideration to the style and feel of the home you'd like to be in.
Whether you choose to use an interior decorator or not, here are 5 top tips that you should keep in mind, to ensure that the home that's finally built is one that you've always wanted in terms of its style.
See, most people, when they're building their first home, are not aware of how important these features are when it comes to the overall feel of the home that they're trying to create. But if you're aware of them, you'll be able to visualise and achieve the style you want in your home.
Tip 1
The interior doors in your home.
Yes, apart from the architectural design of your home, the next most important factors that will influence the style of your home include the doors.
Ensure that the internal doors fit the overall style of your home.
For example, a classical and elegant style home would require character and French, rather than plain doors , to create this elegant feel. Every detail in the home is noticed by the eye, either consciously or not, and the doors are part of this impression too.
So have a look at a door display center to find the front and internal doors, which could include feature and French doors, to create the feel you want in your home.
Tip 2
The windows in your home.
The windows directly compliment your doors. With the example above, if you want a classical look, then classical windows with panes may suit your needs. On the other hand, a modern themed home may need more modern and minimalist windows.
In any room, the windows, being a feature which frames the outside view, are usually consciously or unconsciously noticed both by you and your guests.
So again, research and find the windows that compliment the style of your home.
Tip 3
The internal cornices, architraves and skirting boards.
Here's where it starts to come together. Your doors and windows should fit the overall theme of your home. The architraves, cornices and skirtings come next to further compliment this feel. For example, more ornate cornices, architraves and skirtings will be a gorgeous match for a classical home, but will not be necessary for a modern home.
There are a large variety of these features available, and again it depends on your personal taste and instinct.
Tip 4
Your choice of flooring.
The floor is up to one third of what the eye will see, and generally, light to medium floors will open up a space, whereas dark flooring will make a room look smaller or more sombre.
The best way to judge the effect of any floor material is to see a showroom with the tiles, wood flooring or carpet that you're considering. This is the best way to see what the overall effect will look like in real life.
Tip 5
Curtains and blinds.
If all the other features are all set, then one of the last finishing touches which make a great impact on your home is the curtains or blinds. Why? Because they cover a large area of the room, and they frame the windows which is where a lot of people naturally look at in a room.
Curtains provide either color or pattern to a room, so check to see that they blend well with the colors in the rest of the room, which includes the walls and floor, and also whether the pattern is pleasing to you, as well as to others around you.
If it passes this test with more than 5 people, then the pattern is one that will stand the test of time and will not look dated in years to come.
So there you have it.
You now know the 5 major elements in a new home or a renovation that makes the most impact on the style of the home that you're creating. Keep in mind the overall theme of your home, and always test out your choices by seeing examples of them in a quality showroom and bringing samples home as well. So enjoy your home renovation or construction and use these tips to help you achieve your interior decor goals.
Whether you choose to use an interior decorator or not, here are 5 top tips that you should keep in mind, to ensure that the home that's finally built is one that you've always wanted in terms of its style.
See, most people, when they're building their first home, are not aware of how important these features are when it comes to the overall feel of the home that they're trying to create. But if you're aware of them, you'll be able to visualise and achieve the style you want in your home.
Tip 1
The interior doors in your home.
Yes, apart from the architectural design of your home, the next most important factors that will influence the style of your home include the doors.
Ensure that the internal doors fit the overall style of your home.
For example, a classical and elegant style home would require character and French, rather than plain doors , to create this elegant feel. Every detail in the home is noticed by the eye, either consciously or not, and the doors are part of this impression too.
So have a look at a door display center to find the front and internal doors, which could include feature and French doors, to create the feel you want in your home.
Tip 2
The windows in your home.
The windows directly compliment your doors. With the example above, if you want a classical look, then classical windows with panes may suit your needs. On the other hand, a modern themed home may need more modern and minimalist windows.
In any room, the windows, being a feature which frames the outside view, are usually consciously or unconsciously noticed both by you and your guests.
So again, research and find the windows that compliment the style of your home.
Tip 3
The internal cornices, architraves and skirting boards.
Here's where it starts to come together. Your doors and windows should fit the overall theme of your home. The architraves, cornices and skirtings come next to further compliment this feel. For example, more ornate cornices, architraves and skirtings will be a gorgeous match for a classical home, but will not be necessary for a modern home.
There are a large variety of these features available, and again it depends on your personal taste and instinct.
Tip 4
Your choice of flooring.
The floor is up to one third of what the eye will see, and generally, light to medium floors will open up a space, whereas dark flooring will make a room look smaller or more sombre.
The best way to judge the effect of any floor material is to see a showroom with the tiles, wood flooring or carpet that you're considering. This is the best way to see what the overall effect will look like in real life.
Tip 5
Curtains and blinds.
If all the other features are all set, then one of the last finishing touches which make a great impact on your home is the curtains or blinds. Why? Because they cover a large area of the room, and they frame the windows which is where a lot of people naturally look at in a room.
Curtains provide either color or pattern to a room, so check to see that they blend well with the colors in the rest of the room, which includes the walls and floor, and also whether the pattern is pleasing to you, as well as to others around you.
If it passes this test with more than 5 people, then the pattern is one that will stand the test of time and will not look dated in years to come.
So there you have it.
You now know the 5 major elements in a new home or a renovation that makes the most impact on the style of the home that you're creating. Keep in mind the overall theme of your home, and always test out your choices by seeing examples of them in a quality showroom and bringing samples home as well. So enjoy your home renovation or construction and use these tips to help you achieve your interior decor goals.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Colouring Options For Your Home Interior Designs
1. Find a starting place. Pull your color inspiration from something already in the room such as an area rug or painting. If you are planning to replace the furnishings in a room as well as fresh paint, start by finding the new items for the room. Finding a paint color to match a rug you love is infinitely easier than trying to find a rug you like to work with the color of your walls.
2. Think about what you like, and what colors you like to wear. If you don't look good in yellow, do not paint your Master Bathroom yellow or you will be unhappy with yourself every time you look in the mirror. You might be seeing a lot of blues and browns in home furnishings lately, but if you don't love blue do not paint your room blue just to keep up with the trends.
3. Get inspired! Mother Nature is the world's best colorist and she pulls together the most incredible palettes. Look around outside for color combinations you might have never considered.
4. Start small and take baby steps. If you want to try a bold color for the first time, start in a small and manageable space such as a Powder Room. The small space will allow you to live with you new bold color in a small amount, plus you will need very few accessories to pull the look together.
5. Ignore all "rules" you may have heard such as dark colors making a room look small. Do not be guided by what you have been told is right or wrong when selecting colors. Yes, some of these rules do have some amount of truth but the world is not black and white, and nor should your home be.
Solutions For Better Interior Designing At Home
When I told my friends that we were going to build our own house, they thought that was crazy. They assume that I was just being impulsive again – something that I definitely have a reputation for. Nevertheless, we did not come to a decision rashly. We had been contemplating designs of houses for a long time, and have concluded that we couldn't find one that really worked for us.
When we first began to look at blueprints of houses, we had no idea that we would build our own. We were just simply looking at designs of houses as a way to get ideas for what our ideal house would be. We knew about what size we wanted, we had some idea about the neighborhoods that we were interested in, but none of the house plans that we had seen had looked quite right. Part of it was that we lived in an old neighborhood, and many of the interiors of houses were a little bit too closed for us. We liked the more modern, open design.
It was more than that, however. As we talked about designs of houses more and more, we realized that we both had a very specific vision that we had worked out over years. We knew exactly what our house design should look like, and so there was no reason that we should buy one. Although we didn't have the money to contract with a builder to create the whole thing, we knew that with a little bit of help we could probably build it ourselves.
My wife has some background in drafting, and this helped us to make a design of a house. Of the two of us, she is definitely a planner and I am the hands on one. She comes up with the ideas, I come up with the best ways to implement them. It works for both of us, and with designs of houses the specialization of tasks was almost indispensable. Designing a house, you see, is an extremely, complicated process. Just coming up with a floor plan takes a lot of work, but coming up with the structural design is even more difficult. People are so afraid of construction of houses that they never even contemplate making their own designs, but I am here to tell you that you can do it. Our house is beautiful, and according to the building inspector, it is completely structurally sound.
When we first began to look at blueprints of houses, we had no idea that we would build our own. We were just simply looking at designs of houses as a way to get ideas for what our ideal house would be. We knew about what size we wanted, we had some idea about the neighborhoods that we were interested in, but none of the house plans that we had seen had looked quite right. Part of it was that we lived in an old neighborhood, and many of the interiors of houses were a little bit too closed for us. We liked the more modern, open design.
It was more than that, however. As we talked about designs of houses more and more, we realized that we both had a very specific vision that we had worked out over years. We knew exactly what our house design should look like, and so there was no reason that we should buy one. Although we didn't have the money to contract with a builder to create the whole thing, we knew that with a little bit of help we could probably build it ourselves.
My wife has some background in drafting, and this helped us to make a design of a house. Of the two of us, she is definitely a planner and I am the hands on one. She comes up with the ideas, I come up with the best ways to implement them. It works for both of us, and with designs of houses the specialization of tasks was almost indispensable. Designing a house, you see, is an extremely, complicated process. Just coming up with a floor plan takes a lot of work, but coming up with the structural design is even more difficult. People are so afraid of construction of houses that they never even contemplate making their own designs, but I am here to tell you that you can do it. Our house is beautiful, and according to the building inspector, it is completely structurally sound.
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