Architecture & Web Art

Archive for the ‘Wall Coverings’ Category

When you live alone in your own apartment, you have a lot of freedom concerning how you are going to decorate your space.  If you are a single woman, there are so many choices that they can, at times, be overwhelming.  Before you resort to just hanging dragonfly metal wall art on your walls and calling it a day, try the five easy tips below to give you some decorating guidance.

Color, Color, Everywhere

The colors that you choose for your apartment are among the most significant decisions that you will have to make concerning your decor.  While it may be tempting to just leave the walls the plain beige or white that the landlord painted them, think about being a bit more creative.  If you have permission to paint the walls, choose colors that work well together and provide a calming atmosphere.  At the end of a busy day the last thing you may want is to walk into a room that is pulsing with florescent pink paint.  Instead, choose a pale, calming pink that will soothe your nerves and help you unwind after a hard day.  Soft yellows, creams, greens and blues are also beautiful choices that go well together and are easy to coordinate with fabrics and accessories.

It may seem like a strange decorating idea to consider neutrals a great decorating color palette, but in fact, they are.  Neutral colors offer a unique look that bold and bright colors simply cannot give a home.  If you are thinking about redecorating that living room filled with wine wall decor and rich crimson coloring, consider a neutral palette to give your room an entirely different feel.

What is Neutral?

Neutral colors are those colors that go with just about any other color.  In decorating, they are usually whites, creams, and tans or beiges.  While the variations between the different colors may seem minute, they are actually very different in their undertones.  Whites tend to be cooler colors than creams and tans are always slightly darker than their beige counterparts.  Understanding the different variations and how they work together can make a big difference in the success of decorating with neutral colors.

Having a family means having a budget and that can wreak havoc with your redecorating money.  Instead of buying that new sofa or winged back chair shoes, school uniforms and lunch money come first.  Never fear though, because there are some great ways to decorate your house for your family while still on a budget.  If you are looking for some frugal ideas besides hanging handcrafted wine bottle wall art, try some of the fun and kid-friendly tips below.

Slipcovers

Slipcovers are a busy family’s best friend.  Ideally, you will have at least two slipcovers at all times.  This is especially important if you have small children, because the inevitably, spills, stains, marks and smears happen.  Slipcovers allow you to have great looking furniture that can easily be cleaned or swapped out when the kids make their presence known.  You can have two slipcovers that are the same to make a smooth transition from one to the other, or you can have two completely different looks ready to go.  Slipcovers are definitely a frugal family’s best friend.

Eco-friendly and easy on the wallet, found metal can be the foundation for a unique decorating style.  While images of soda cans mounted on the wall may rush to mind, instead think bold and crafty when creating a one-of-a-kind look.  By manipulating found metal and shaping it into different designs and patterns, you can create metal wall sculptures that dramatically change the look of a room without altering the state of your bank account.

Tools of the Trade

If you have never worked with metal before, it is a good idea to invest in some heavy gloves that come to the elbow, as well as a knee-length leather apron and a pair of safety glasses.  Metal is extremely sharp and it can pierce cottons and other non-leather materials very easily.  A high-quality pair of metal snippers is also a great investment, as it will make any project go more smoothly.  If you will be bonding pieces of metal together, a small soldering tool is necessary.

When it is time to redecorate the kitchen, consider adding a coffee house theme to the decor.  While expensive coffee shops may be all the rage, they can also take quite a bite out of your budget.  Why not enjoy the ambiance of the shop right in the comfort of your own home for a fraction of the cost?  Creating a coffee house decor can be accomplished with a little bit of rearranging, a fresh coat of paint, and some new accessories.