Archive for the ‘Home decor’ Category
Saturday, August 7th, 2010
To make your sewing projects go smoothly, here are a few tips to allow you to work more efficiently.
- Set up a permanent work area for the duration of your project. You’ll lose time and momentum if you have to break down your work area after you finish each day.
- Work on as large a surface as possible. If you’re using a dining room table, extend the table to its maximum size. If all else fails, move away all the furniture and use the floor.
- Make sure you have a good light source in your work area.
- Keep all of your tools orderly and within reach.
- When sewing large volumes of fabric, keep the weight of the fabric from pulling on the needle by positioning a chair in front of and behind the sewing machine to “catch” the fabric as you sew.
- Wind three bobbins before you start a large project; you will always have a spare at your fingertips.
- Start each project with a new needle; needles become dull through use.
- Press by lifting the iron up and down. “Sweeping” the iron back and forth stretches the bias edges and seams.
- Always work with clean hands during the construction process. Avoid eating and drinking in your work area because spills and stains can be the downfall of any sewing project.
Donna Babylon is a DIY and sewing guru. Her latest book, Decorating Sewlutions: Learn to Sew as You Decorate Your Home is now available at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com.
Tags: decorating sewlutions, Home decor, home decorating, sewing for the home, sewing needles, Sewing Tips
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Friday, August 6th, 2010
To select the proper paint finish, you first need to know the difference between them.
- Flat finishes have no shine, which makes them perfect for hiding minor surface imperfections.
- Eggshell or velvet finishes work in just about any room. They are easier to clean than flat finishes and provide a soft glow that warms up the room.
- Satin or semi-gloss finishes are easy to clean and are good for highlighting architectural details such as trim and moldings. They work well in kitchens and baths.
- Gloss finishes are shiny and scrubs easily. This finish is the perfect choice for doors and trims.
Donna Babylon’s More Splash Than Cash decorating concept is designed to help everyone have a beautiful home. More Splash Than Cash doesn’t mean cheap. It means that the time and cash you invest–whatever the amount–are well spent and the results will be enjoyed for many years. Learn more at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com.
Tags: adding color, choosing correct paint for project, decorating, Home decor, home decorating, how color affects room, types of paint
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Wednesday, August 4th, 2010
Photo excerpted from Learn To Sew as You Decorate Your Home
Sometimes, it’s the simple things that can take a room from being so-so to becoming sensational. Consider these suggestions for creating an interesting room.
- Determine what shapes dominate the room you are decorating. Look at the shapes of your sofa, television, tables, bed, dresser and so on. If the majority of the lines are squares or rectangles, add some interesting accessories that are circular in shape.
- Do you have either (1) a lot of fabric-covered items in the room or (2) a lot of matching wood surfaces? This sameness can be boring to the eye. An easy solution is to introduce other surfaces or textures such as smooth glass, shiny metallics, or even baskets and rugs. Consider using opposite textures within the same room: rough and smooth, dark and light, shiny and dull.
- Arrange the accessories in the room so they are different eye levels. For example, use two different-sized table lamps in the same room or group together some accessories that are of different heights on a shelf, mantel, or side table.
- Make sure to include area rugs that are in proportion to your furnishing. They will tie the room together.
- Include plenty of green plants in your decorating scheme for texture and a touch of nature. Make the plants part of the grouping-don’t place them off on their own.
Donna Babylon is a DIY and sewing guru. Her latest book is Decorating Sewlutions: Learn to Sew as You Decorate Your Home. Learn more at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com .
Tags: adding color, decorating, decorating sewlutions, decorating solutions, Home decor, home decorating, how color affects room
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Monday, August 2nd, 2010
Mix, match and mingle fabric to your heart’s content! Part of the fun in decorating is to pick pretty fabrics and think of creative ways to use them. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- One of the easiest fabric flourishes is to include a profusion of pillows in your decorating scheme. Select your favorite fabrics and accent them with trim of all kinds.
- Fabric accessories make an inviting dining table. Include napkins, place mats, table runners, a tablecloth, and chair cushions.
- Cover a lampshade with a coordinating fabric–a perfect accessory for any room!
- Slipcover your sofa and chairs for a fresh new decorating scheme.
- One of the most versatile furniture pieces in a home is an ottoman. use it for extra seating, to rest your feet or as a coffee table.
- Add a mantel scarf to make your fireplace a colorful focal point.
- For privacy, make a roman shade from your favorite fabric print.
- A reversible table runner is an easy way to do some quick-change decorating.
From fabric...
to fabulous!
Donna Babylon is a DIY and sewing expert. Her latest book Decorating Sewlutions: Learn to Sew as You Decorate Your Home. Learn more at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com .
Tags: decorating, decorating sewlutions, decorating solutions, decorating with fabric, fabric, fabric uses, Home decor, home decorating
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Friday, May 18th, 2012
Mirrors are an essential decorating accessory which creates a multitude of looks and images. Here are a few tips and tricks,
- For the best reflection, position a mirror opposite a light source.
- Hang a collection of small antique mirrors together to create an illusion of extra space.
- Install a mirror between a pair of windows to give the illusion of one large window.
- Select a space on the wall for a mirror that will provide an interesting reflection. For example, hang a mirror opposite a door or window.
- Create an art deco effect by arranging mirror squares diagonally on an otherwise bare wall. For added impact, paint the wall a dark color so the mirror will truly sparkle.
- Install a floor-length mirror in your foyer. Frame the mirror with decorative molding and add louvered doors on each side. The visual effect is a pleasing sense of spaciousness.
Donna Babylon is a DIY and sewing guru. Her latest book is Decorating Sewlutions: Learn to Sew as You Decorate Your Home. Check it out at www.MoreSplashThanCash.com.
Tags: decorating, Home decor, home decorating, mirror
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