African Decor Update - What's the Inspiration Behind African Home Decor?

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2BFBmHCp4w_tT_ntfjBtoW6Z6Ta7H7MZ5u0Kfr-Je1IJeNRqzcllcbK5ZoMC2tNrVqG83sZJ7TQKjsG-0sTEm99dBby7hzpJAPphegXypaMsrLdwcZ8oDNl-beTBccRfzExFMuanT_o/s1600/gview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2BFBmHCp4w_tT_ntfjBtoW6Z6Ta7H7MZ5u0Kfr-Je1IJeNRqzcllcbK5ZoMC2tNrVqG83sZJ7TQKjsG-0sTEm99dBby7hzpJAPphegXypaMsrLdwcZ8oDNl-beTBccRfzExFMuanT_o/s320/gview.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>African home decor gets its inspiration through nature</b>. For example, the trees, the animals, the soil is the reflection it gives through it's craftsmanship. History proves most cultures and tribes of Africa have long felt true power comes from the soil, trees, stones, rushing rivers, powerful animals and more. As a result craftsmen and women work to reflect that power as they fashion wooden sculptures, figurines, mask and other hand-made products.</div><br />Due to the natural symbolism these products exude, they have the strength and depth to survive the passing trends and fads of time. The power and depth of hand-made African decor is what gives it longevity long after most other home decor styles have faded away.<br /><br />African Interior Design Reflect Powerful Symbols of Nature<br /><br />The powerful symbols of nature from the African continent reflect the feeling and inspiration through a growing market of African home accents, and room decor. African art and the culture that comes from it is inspired through hand-made craftsmanship. Most of these techniques, handed down for centuries from generation to generation, continues to produce quality pieces of home decor that's demanded around the world.<br /><br />The expansive decorative designs, patterns and textures make up the popularity and uniqueness of most modern African American home decor. The rich vibrant beauty adds life and authenticity to a lack luster space or room in a growing number of homes. The range of choices in patterns, textures, designs, and colors is what makes the African decor style so adaptable to various home decor themes and homeowner taste. The colors of nature continues to inspire more African interior design choices.<br /><br />African decor takes on many symbols and forms. They include African figurines, masks, wooden sculptures, baskets, iron art, ceramic pottery and even furniture to name a few. The huge assortment of African textiles also play a large role in African room accessories. Colorful, bright and uplifting is the best way to describe the exotic designs and patterns of this popular decor. Whether you're choosing to add an accent piece to brighten up a dull space or introduce a whole room theme, African home decor has a solution for ever room design problem.<br /><br />African Decor Color Choices Reflect Nature<br /><br />The color range of African American home decor alone is expansive, it can go from soft natural earth tones to all the colors of the rainbow and beyond. The nature-friendly textiles, used for an assortment of items, add warmth to any room. For example, wall decor, window coverings, sofa and chair covers, even decorative pillows, bedspreads, tablecloths, and table runners. The list continues to grow and expand as consumers needs continue to grow and expand.<br /><br />Many woods go into the classic African influenced furniture. For example, if you need to brighten your space, woods such as cedar, pine, and ash can add a light colored mood to your room. For the classic look - consider the dark, rich, timeless look of mahogany and ebony wood as your African decor choices.<br /><br />For earth-friendly or organic African home decor there's bamboo, wicker, rattan and other environmentally friendly materials. Theses materials come from fast growing trees that's easily replenished. The exotic artwork of Northern African contributes to the timeless look of a room. Famous for world renowned mosaic art in colorful floor tiles, rugs, wall and ceramic products.

African Decor Update - What's the Inspiration Behind African Home Decor?

African home decor gets its inspiration through nature . For example, the trees, the animals, the soil is the reflection it gives through it...

Read more »

Home Decor - Display Your Talents, And Your Tastes

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmPK6li9Q4683l-PW0FpRXQ3QytcIs832cnJn3wKNeBmIcUXRwVerj6R0mNi7F2EQJlZ96GNPE0UKAev8lxFhe_xkDPjZ7Mq8dm87sf3tIVsJZHZzJ1Xk2emIgousaqjvqM3UkeES0EQ/s1600/0070-potterybarn-roooom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmPK6li9Q4683l-PW0FpRXQ3QytcIs832cnJn3wKNeBmIcUXRwVerj6R0mNi7F2EQJlZ96GNPE0UKAev8lxFhe_xkDPjZ7Mq8dm87sf3tIVsJZHZzJ1Xk2emIgousaqjvqM3UkeES0EQ/s320/0070-potterybarn-roooom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Some people have a knack when it comes to home decor</b>. They can throw just about anything up on the walls, and it looks great! With so many home decor styles to choose from, there must be something all of us can do to make our homes unique and beautiful.</div><br />Let's take shabby chic decor. It's so charming and relaxing, the perfect decor for the home of a true southern belle. The romantic style of shabby chic lends itself to the relaxed, unpretentious personality. Can you paint? If so, this may be the perfect home decor for you.<br /><br />In shabby chic decor, most furniture and accents are worn looking, with a distressed finish. Put a light coat of white paint on a few picture frames, an end table, or a rocking chair. Sand lightly, until the finish looks a little worn. You've just added a personal touch to your unique style of home decor!<br /><br />Love country decor? This is one of the most loved styles, especially in the south. People are absolutely crazy about roosters, sunflowers - anything with lots of warm colors. Country decor is so warm and welcoming, especially in the kitchen. This is actually my favorite style of home decor (and I am from the south, I'll admit).<br /><br />When decorating with country decor, lots of wood really adds to the look. Pine wood floors are especially gorgeous, with the glowing reflection of everything in the room. Want to add your own personal touch to country decor? Crochet a few doilles, build a country style wall shelf to hold some of your knick knacks. Add your personal touch to your own home decor!<br /><br />If western decor is your favorite, this one's easy. You love horses, cowboy decor, horseshoes, everything western. A big Texas star hanging on the wall, metal wall decor and candleholders in western shapes such as horses or horseshoes. A campfire cowboy figurine setting on the coffee table, along with some old western book favorites.<br /><br />Western decor is a popular home decor style in many states like Texas, Wyoming and Montana. Big open spaces is what western is all about. To add your own personal touch to western decor, go outside! Find an old wagon wheel, some old horseshoes, some rope - and make something unique to add to your home decor! Use your imagination.<br /><br />There are many other styles of home decor, too many to mention. But you get the point. Everyones style is unique and different, and each person likes their own thing. Whatever you love - country decor, shabby chic decor, western decor or something altogether different, make it your own! Add your own distinct touch to your style of home decor.<br /><br /><br /><br />Some people have a knack when it comes to home decor. They can throw just about anything up on the walls, and it looks great! With so many home decor styles to choose from, there must be something all of us can do to make our homes unique and beautiful.<br /><br />Let's take shabby chic decor. It's so charming and relaxing, the perfect decor for the home of a true southern belle. The romantic style of shabby chic lends itself to the relaxed, unpretentious personality. Can you paint? If so, this may be the perfect home decor for you.<br /><br />In shabby chic decor, most furniture and accents are worn looking, with a distressed finish. Put a light coat of white paint on a few picture frames, an end table, or a rocking chair. Sand lightly, until the finish looks a little worn. You've just added a personal touch to your unique style of home decor!<br /><br />Love country decor? This is one of the most loved styles, especially in the south. People are absolutely crazy about roosters, sunflowers - anything with lots of warm colors. Country decor is so warm and welcoming, especially in the kitchen. This is actually my favorite style of home decor (and I am from the south, I'll admit).<br /><br />When decorating with country decor, lots of wood really adds to the look. Pine wood floors are especially gorgeous, with the glowing reflection of everything in the room. Want to add your own personal touch to country decor? Crochet a few doilles, build a country style wall shelf to hold some of your knick knacks. Add your personal touch to your own home decor!<br /><br />If western decor is your favorite, this one's easy. You love horses, cowboy decor, horseshoes, everything western. A big Texas star hanging on the wall, metal wall decor and candleholders in western shapes such as horses or horseshoes. A campfire cowboy figurine setting on the coffee table, along with some old western book favorites.<br /><br />Western decor is a popular home decor style in many states like Texas, Wyoming and Montana. Big open spaces is what western is all about. To add your own personal touch to western decor, go outside! Find an old wagon wheel, some old horseshoes, some rope - and make something unique to add to your home decor! Use your imagination.<br /><br />There are many other styles of home decor, too many to mention. But you get the point. Everyones style is unique and different, and each person likes their own thing. Whatever you love - country decor, shabby chic decor, western decor or something altogether different, make it your own! Add your own distinct touch to your style of home decor.

Home Decor - Display Your Talents, And Your Tastes

Some people have a knack when it comes to home decor . They can throw just about anything up on the walls, and it looks great! With so many ...

Read more »

The Home Decor Time Warp

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kD4Gt4E6r07vVPpZd1Wlqgkjkid7brpW6Pca5QVo50LVKPD21Qd3-6A8_tSBRjRgU9gs3v5rPHvxgQ50rYXQn-JmhwbJm-h8i83cRuTTbhqXXX9GxjZA_6PkJuEyZrQclSIfOr8nU-U/s1600/external-home_rect540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kD4Gt4E6r07vVPpZd1Wlqgkjkid7brpW6Pca5QVo50LVKPD21Qd3-6A8_tSBRjRgU9gs3v5rPHvxgQ50rYXQn-JmhwbJm-h8i83cRuTTbhqXXX9GxjZA_6PkJuEyZrQclSIfOr8nU-U/s320/external-home_rect540.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>One of the great benefits of my profession is that I get to visit all of my clients homes</b>. Each client is as different as their home decor, so I get to see, first hand, what works and what doesn't. Trendy, transitional or just tired and tattered, my clients share their flooring needs with me and we choose the type, style and color that will best suit their decor needs. As I traverse from one home to another, I have noted a phenomenon of science fiction proportions. Upon entry into each home, I seem to be time-warped to another decade. Another plane in the time-space continuum. I enter one home to find that I should have worn my platform shoes, because I am suddenly stuck in the seventies and it's time to boogie. Upon entry to another home and I feel I need a pair of six-shooters strapped to my hips. Visit another home and I feel as though I should have grown a mullet to fit in with this eighties household. Another, and it's back to the future. Of course, this is normal because most people who have called for me want to update their home decor. My experience tells me that most homeowners update their decor to current trends, and then get stuck there for ten to twenty years or more. Then there are those homes that always seem to look stylish and exquisite no matter what the current trend is. These are homes that have people who follow basic and timeless home decor techniques that never go out of style. Trendy is fun for a few years, but timeless decor can last a lifetime. Let us see if we can pin down some of those techniques that will make a lasting impression in interior design and decor.</div><br />The first element I will discuss is paint color choices. As an example; I have noticed that many people are painting all the walls in a room or rooms a red color. There's nothing wrong with red, but the colors most people are choosing are trendy colors of red. These colors will most likely be unfashionable in a few short years. I understand the look they are trying to achieve, but the color choice is simply not one that will stand the test of time. Bright or pastel colors are almost always a trend. Do you remember the salmon pink from the sixties and seventies Or how about the peach and mint green colors of the eighties southwestern rage. If you want to be trendy with red, I suggest using the same color group, but let's tone that down to a color that is somewhere around a muted hue of cinnamon or burgundy color. Now we have a color that doesn't jump out at you as you enter the room because it is a more subtle shade that gives warmth and presence to the walls without overwhelming the entire room. Color choice is a very personal element, but if you want to use bright yellow in your home decor, save it for accent items that you can change out easily when you tire of them or when they are no longer in style (nobody wants to enter a room where they feel like they have just penetrated the center of the sun). Use tones or hues of color that accomplish your goal without going "over the top". If you love the color purple, you can use it. Just use a very subtle hue that blends into the background.<br /><br />The next element would be window coverings. We have already discussed color so I won't go into it here. What we do need to consider is how popular your window treatment is now, and how it will look in three to five years. The generation preceding the present thought that mini-blinds were the best window treatment. Now we see that they have mostly fallen out of favor, with the exception of using them as if they were shades set behind another type of window covering such as draperies, or with valances and trimmed with other fabric coverings. Most roman style shades will stand the test of time. I see a lot of plantation shutters being used, and they are much better for long-term use (depending on the look you are shooting for in your decor). Fabrics (or draperies) are another home decor element that can be trendy or timeless, depending on the textures and patterns in fabric coverings. If you stick with what has always worked throughout the decades, you can be trendy and still expect long term usage. Stick with subtle fabric patterns. The use of a trendy patterns like brightly colored circles (polka-dots) may look good this year, but what about next year. You can use any pattern your heart desires as long as it is subdued and does not scream out "look at me"! Also, watch out for trendy fabrics such as those with a metallic sheen because texture is also a very important factor in home decor. For Example: Velvet is timeless, as is lace.<br /><br />I suppose we should say a word or two on Texture. I am happy to see many people using stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops in their kitchens. These are textures that have a lasting effect on home decor. Although I'm afraid that most people don't realize the extra upkeep on granite or any real stone. These materials must be sealed well and periodically re-sealed to protect them. Real stone and some through body porcelain tiles are porous and require a sealer to protect them from spills that could leach into these textures. Glass is also a timeless texture for home decor. Brass and chrome seem to fade in and out of favor, but overall is generally safe. Watch out for exotic textures that are more on the trendy side.<br /><br />As for flooring, the biggest mistakes people make are in the area of color and pattern. If people walk into your home and notice your flooring before they pay attention to your decor, you have probably made a bad color choice. You don't have to choose safe earth tones for flooring, but you do need to make certain that your color selection blends into the background and not the forefront of your interior design. There are also different textures in flooring. Choose a texture that will last. During the time period when southwestern decor was all the rage, many people chose patterned Berber carpet for their floors. When trends changed, many people were having a hard time decorating around a floor that they no longer cared for because it was not stylish. Plush carpets are always safer for home decor and do not tend to go in and out of style. Hard-surface floorings should always have a natural look. Because hard-surface lasts a long time and is a greater investment, be careful about color and composition. You may have to live with a bad floor choice for many years. One terrific tool for flooring is the Area Rug. They are extremely versatile and if you stay to classic patterns, they will serve you for a long time. I always suggest the use of wool area rugs for their durability, stain resistance, and most oriental or middle eastern patterns always make a good appearance, without dependence on current styles and trends. Area rugs can be used to define space and for color accent or background color utilizing larger rugs. They are a good, timeless tool for home decor.<br /><br />I am not saying that you can't be trendy or up to date with your interior design. I am not saying you have to get stuck with traditional design. Simply use more subtle colors, textures and patterns to establish the background for your decor, and use accent pieces and furnishings that can be easily and economically swapped out when they are no longer "the rage". If you stick with techniques that have always worked in the past, you preserve your home decor for the future. It can be fun For Me to zip around in time and space, but it's no fun for you as a homeowner or tenant, if your decor is stuck in the past. Don't let your home decor get trapped in a time warp.

The Home Decor Time Warp

One of the great benefits of my profession is that I get to visit all of my clients homes . Each client is as different as their home decor,...

Read more »