Posts filed under 'Holiday Specials'
Here is an unusual take on the traditional Halloween decorating ideas. To trick or treat? With the winter settling in, and gas/electric bills rising to the occasion, it’s getting harder to justify even the occasional decorative purchase. So comes the question, to trick or to treat? Obviously, if you have the money, treat yourself and your home to a new item or look seasonally. On the other hand, if nobody’s left you any significant inheritance lately, but you’re still itchy for some restyling, perhaps you should try the trick option. No bank robberies, embezzlements, or scandals, just a little skillful decorating that will trick others into thinking you’ve spent wads of cash. Sound good to you? If so, then you’ll enjoy these Halloween decorating ideas for the discerning ghouls and gals.
Clean up and reorganize the clutter This is your first step because it’s free, you may find useful things you’d forgotten about, and because everyone feels better when their living space is clean and organized. Remember, it has to be out with the old if you want in with the new.
Rearrange The next totally free option is changing things up a little. Sometimes just moving around your furniture can give you the variety you were looking for. Play around with a few different options (maybe draw a picture before lugging that huge armoire across the room, though).
Creative touches You’d be surprised with the talent that you have within you. Let the inner artist come out!
Paint is one of the easiest ways to drive out that stale feeling. Ask your local hardware or paint dealer for their premixed batches. These are paints that were mixed for a customer but didn’t come out they way they were expected to. While these may not be what the original customer was looking for, the colors might be perfect for you, and at a fraction of the price of the other paints.
Creative picture frames increase ambiance in a fun and funky way. Simply paint old frames or create new ones from wood scrapes, material, keepsakes, old dishes, the list goes on forever. This allows you to display your special moments in a totally unique and personalized way.
Cloth and material are a dollar-conscious designer’s best friends. Buy from a thrift or fabric store, or better yet, recycle old sheets, table clothes and clothing! Chic and environmentally friendly, life is good. With your new supply of cloth, you can create literally hundreds of home décor items including curtains, unique wall hangings, and lampshades. Cover rough surfaces or edges such as the wooden/metal panel over your window shades, corners, or any area that just has too much of one type of material such as wood, metal, or stone, for a softer, more welcoming effect. Reupholster chairs or couches for thousands of dollars-worth of savings. Even if you are not sewing savvy, there’s hope. Go to a crafts store or hardware department and buy a glue gun or seamstress tape for needle-free hems and finishes.
Spend a little, get a lot A cozy throw or complementing pillow can be the little touch that a room needs to bring everything together. Cotton rugs can easily accomplish this goal as well. Fixing such as cabinet knobs, wooden shelves, and doorknockers can also be little inexpensive ways to add big differences to the look and feel of a room.
ATD I call it Attention To Detail. Little touches are what really give your home style. Using your old hat box as an ottoman or stool, your favorite worn out CD’s as coasters, or newspaper cutouts from your hometown, school paper, or significant events can be framed and hung. All these little things give your house that personal touch that offers both class and comfort to all who enter. ATD doesn’t have to be limited to sentimentality, though. A few freshly picked flowers from your backyard or an inexpensive pair of ceramic mugs can also be that imperceptible but integral key.
Refinish is not redundant Stripping wood items and varnishing, shellacking, or painting it infuses the furniture and the room with new life and a splash of cool fresh air.
Sales anyone? The end of the season forces tons of stores to have huge clearance sales. These sales can often provide you with spectacular finds that you would ordinarily not have given a moment’s thought to due to price.
Dare to do something different this Halloween. Decorating ideas abound for the homeowner (or renter) bent on making their living space more livable. Whichever method you choose, happy trick or treating.
October 14th, 2007
Somehow I got lucky and married the greatest guy in the world. What I totally didn’t bargain for was that he would also make one of the best fathers, too! so what do you get for the guy who gives without being asked, takes what he’s given without a complaint, and loves without end? Tough question. I racked my brain for any Father’s Day gift ideas that would be suitable for my hero, and came up with a few. None were exactly what I was looking for, though.
Then I remember that the best gifts are things that fill a need (the need could be for a nice steak dinner, but it’s still a need!) and it came to me all at once. When we moved to our new home, my husband and I chose our bedroom for location and practicality. When we arranged the furniture, though, it turns out that my husband’s night table didn’t fit next to his bed. We discussed moving things around or switching rooms, but in the end we decided that he would just live without the night table.
As I said, my husband doesn’t complain, but I saw that this was a big convenience for him. A glasses-wear, my husband had to keep his specs and book on the floor next to the bed. I pray that he doesn’t step on them each morning. His nightly bedtime tea had to be moved from the comfort of bed to the kitchen, and there was now no place for him to keep his little gadgets that he was fond of toying with just before bed. The need was there; the solution: a new nigh table.
Of all the Father’s Day gift ideas, this was the best. Needless to say, my husband loves it. He can once again drink his tea in bed, tinker with his latest project, and rest assured that his glasses will be in one piece come sunrise. Often, it is the little things in life that are most enjoyable, and most appreciated.
Here are some of the other good Father’s Day gift ideas that might be the perfect thing for your man.
Tie rack- For the super neat and organized men in our lives, a tie rack is a thoughtful and appropriate gift. For those less meticulous, it could be a tactful hint.
Tools tools and more tools-I’ve yet to meet a guy who didn’t love tools. Whether it’s a 540 pc. Craftsmen tool set, or a simple screwdriver, next to us, tools are a man’s best friends.
Ergonomic Computer chair- People spend hours in front of the computer, for business and for recreation. Give the guy you love a little bit of comfort and class with a computer chair. More than luxury, an ergonomic computer chair can help prevent serious back, neck, and leg muscle problems. Show him you care; get him a chair!
Pool supplies: Most men enjoy being outdoors, and take great pride in belonging. As such, pool supplies can be a great gift. It allows them to spend time outside taking care of one of their favorite toys. My father is one of these guys, so this year we bought him a new pump for the sand filter. He looked like a kid in a candy store as he set about fixing it.
Hammock- Call it cliché, but who doesn’t love spending a lazy afternoon swaying on the hammock with a cold drink and the warm breeze?
No matter what you decide, remember that the most important thing is to get something personal and thoughtful for your man. Cause even our strongest guy can appreciate a little sentiment. Happy Father’s Day to all you dads out there!
June 15th, 2007
Decorating your house with Valentine’s Day sentiments is a great way to spread the love throughout your home and family. Here are some quick and easy DIY home decor tips that you can use (and don’t worry if your living room color scheme doesn’t work with these shades, it’s only one day a year!)
<3 A red ribbon is an easy way to create sentimentality (and it doesn’t even make a mess!) Wrap around the banister, tie around a plant or stuffed animal, or weave through the bars of a piece of furniture, and presto. The house is already starting to feel more festive.
<3 Heart-shaped balloons will literally fill the air with love, friendship and good cheer.
<3 Candles are an instant mood enhancer. Use a variety of colors and sizes to really light up your flame! Scented candles really add to the ambiance.
<3 A tip for the guys: Buy a stuffed animal, heart-shaped pillow, or anything soft that you know she’d like, and place it inconspicuously on the couch, recliner or bed for a sweet and romantic surprise.
<3 A bouquet of red/pink and white flowers* (no, it doesn’t have to be roses, although, they are symbolic-see below) arranged neatly in an attractive vase can be placed on the table for a fresh look and sweet feelings.
<3Red roses say “I love you”, and, when mixed with white, symbolize unity. Pink ones speak of appreciation and admiration. Here’s something exotic. Yellow roses with red tips mean friends who are falling in love. Choose your flavor!
Parents, children, and lovebirds alike can enjoy these subtle sentiments of love and affection. Happy Valentine’s Day!
(*A decidedly unromantic tip is in order here. Flower petals sprinkled across the bed or sofa may seem like a nice idea, but think again. Petals easily run and smudge leaving permanent stains on your furniture or linens. You’re better off with a pleasant CD and some candles!)
February 4th, 2007