Decorating Your Home with Unique Art

If your home is a bit bland you might want to try some unique art like sculptures as well as indigenous art. It doesn’t have to cost the earth and you don’t have to be bound by art that hangs on the wall. Sculptures, pottery and even quirky Australian souvenirs can make a statement. Just remember, good art is art that appeals to you and looks good in your home.

What makes art unique?

Unique art is generally accepted as something original – a piece that you will not find anywhere else. Unique art can also be closely related to other similar pieces, or part of a very limited release. No matter where it comes from, what’s important is that you like it – good art is appreciated and enjoyed by the owner, regardless of what everyone else thinks of it.

Unique art is not limited to just paintings and works by widely recognised artists. It can take any shape or form, from sculptures to even pottery. Hanging art, however, is the most common medium when it comes to decorating your home and there is a wide range available, from unique pieces by local artists to prints of well-known artworks, and Aboriginal art.

Consider the space

When buying art, it is vital that you consider how it is going to work in the space you plan to hang it or show it. There is no point buying a sculpture, for example, that will overwhelm a small room. Paintings should also be in proportion to the wall it will hang on. Consider the colours that dominate the artwork as well. Will it blend with your current décor, clash with it or complement your current style?

It is also a good idea to “go with the flow”. Consider how the artwork will look from another room – or even from the outside - if your home is an open-plan design. Don’t just stand three feet back to determine if it works – look at it from all angles and all distances. Don’t be scared to try it in different positions as well to ensure it sits in the best possible place.

Your style is your own

While the input of others can be quite helpful, sometimes too much advice can affect your decision when buying artwork. This is especially true when it is an integral part of home decorating. If you like a certain style, stick with it. Remember, it is your home and you are the one who is going to live with the decisions you make. So listen to your heart rather and take notice of opinions – but don’t be guided by the thoughts of others.

Good art doesn’t have to cost the earth

Always remember that good art is art that YOU enjoy. If it only costs a few dollars, even better. Unique art - especially traditional indigenous pieces, one-off works and those by well-known artists or with historical significance - are going to cost more. If that is your style then don’t be put off by the price tag.

Make sure you get the works authenticated if it is by a highly-collectible artist to be sure you aren’t buying a fake – there are plenty of forgeries in the art world. But quite often the pieces that suit individuals best are those found at regional art shows, markets or even home studios. They don’t break the bank but they still look good.

Under-Stairs Decoration

Compared to blank under-stairs, I prefer to hang these decoration items on it. Most of them are wedding souvenirs that we get from attending a friend’ s or relative’s wedding reception. 

Top 10 Common Mistakes of DIY Renovations

DIY is for many a great way to save money and have a lot of fun at the same time. DIY can be, and often is the cheaper option, but it can also turn out to cost four times as much if you do it wrong. Whether you are replacing your garage roller door locks or renovating a bathroom, it is important that you are well prepared and in control of the situation. Here are 10 costly and common mistakes that DIY enthusiasts make:

1.       Lacking permits

Whilst you may feel as though permits are just a way of drawing money out of you, it is important that you seek them for safety and insurance purposes. If you are taking on a large scale project then it is likely that you will need a permit and these exist to ensure you are carrying the job out in a safe manner. They are there to protect you. Insurance companies will likely require proof that your work was done within regulations and permits are the only way to prove this.

2.       Using the wrong tools

Being properly prepared for the job that you are undertaking is important. It is also sensible to follow the suit of workmen and builders by buying better quality hand tools and cordless tools than you will probably need. The reason for this is safety and control, so if you’re saving money, why not equip your shed nicely?

3.       Failing to prepare

Renovations will likely require the delivery of large orders so it is necessary to be ready to store them. Leaving materials and tools outside invites theft and will damage the goods. Make sure you are prepared for deliveries of goods and materials well in advance of their arrival.

4.       Going cheap

DIY will save you money but the money should be saved in labour costs. Your materials should not suffer because it is a DIY project. Cutting costs and corners will only create larger repair costs and higher maintenance bills. If anything, buy better materials for DIY jobs so they stand up stronger.

5.       Using the wrong pain

It is fairly common to see something which looks very badly painted and damaged following a DIY project. Remember that the Australian weather will constantly pound at your newly painted feature and be sure to protect it properly.

6.       Prepare the surfaces

Failing to prepare the surfaces which are to be painted is as bad as using the wrong paint. It is important to prepare the walls by sanding them and repairing any cracks or damage because otherwise they will never look good.

7.       Failing to remain safe

Safety is number one for workmen and should be for you too. Wearing goggles, a hard hat and proper boots will save you from injury. This is also true of understanding power tools properly and storing tools correctly. Always keep safety at the forefront of your mind whether you are painting or constructing.

8.       Poor measurements

Everything should be measured twice and cut once. This simple process will help to cut costs dramatically. Cutting something too short means buying new materials and starting afresh.

9.       Ladder safety

Ladders are not designed to be used as step supports. If you are stretching beyond your ladder then you simply need a bigger ladder. Don’t end up in the emergency room because you couldn’t quite reach the corner…

10.    Admit your limits

The biggest mistake of DIYers is taking on more than they can handle. If you are uncertain how something will be achieved then seek professional help because it will be cheaper and far easier. A basic thing to remember is that if you have a tool in your hand and a question mark in your head, you should stop. 


Related article: Fiberglass vs Aluminum Ladder

 

Adding a New Dimension to Your Home with Outdoor Blinds

Adding outdoor blinds to your patio area can provide style, functionality and versatility. Even better, they can be made to fit everything from the smallest alfresco area to the biggest custom-made patios. There are a wide range of styles and options to choose from that not only look good but help keep the sun, wind and rain at bay, making your outdoor entertaining area perfect for year-round use.

If you are considering outdoor blinds for your home, a bit of research and preparation can go a long way. The internet makes it easy to find information about everything – from pool supplies to home loans – and patio blinds are no different. Measure your patio to give you an idea of how many blinds you may require, and then search in the comfort of your own home for the best blinds to suit your lifestyle.

The Benefits of Outdoor Blinds

Depending on what you hope to achieve from your entertaining area, patio blinds can be made to suit your individual circumstances. In many cases they are used as a windbreak, preventing everything from blowing away during an afternoon barbecue or by blocking a cold winter wind. They can be placed on just one side of the patio or made to completely enclose an outdoor area, creating a whole new room that is available for year-round use. Many outdoor blinds actually block UV light – up to 90% in many cases – which makes it cooler when sitting out on the patio. They can even help keep your home cool in the summer months by blocking out the heat before it hits your windows.

Versatile and Practical

One of the biggest advantages of patio blinds is that they can be custom-made to fit any area. They don’t have to left down all the time either, giving you greater control over the environment in your outdoor entertaining area. Depending on the type of blind, they can be rolled all the way up or partially opened to make the most of the weather. They are simple to operate as well – they may use zippers, rollers, a hand-cranking mechanism or even a motorised system that makes their operation as simple as pushing a button. A full set of blinds can make your patio a place for entertaining, even in the winter months. With the blinds latched in place and a heater in use, your patio can be a pleasant place to entertain.

Seek Expert Advice

Because every patio and outdoor area is different in size and shape, it is a good idea to get expert advice on what suits your area and needs best. An accurate measure is also important and the people make and install your patio blinds can take the measurements, to eliminate the risk of a poor fit. They can also advise on the best way to fix the blinds in place and the mechanics of opening and closing them.

Interior Designer’s Best Kept Secrets to Make a Room Look Bigger

It is not challenging anymore to make a small room appear large. When a room is small, everything counts, and that is the basic reason why people look for ideas to make their small room look bigger. Today, it is easier to stretch out your small space to look large. The following are some clever tricks to achieve this goal without moving the walls:

De-Clutter the Room

A messy room with too much stuff spread around will make even larger rooms look small and cramped. Clutter is the first thing you should get rid of in order to determine the actual available space in your room. Clear the walk ways and get your needless collection out of the view. Arrange things neatly and keep any unnecessary things out of sight. This is the simplest way to open up the space and keep it in order.

Unify the Room

If your room has big windows that bring in the beauty of nature, unify the look of your room by bringing the sane colors in your room. This will expand the entire look and will make your room look neat and more spacious.

Use Right Colors

Colors like icy blues and cream shades are just few color combinations that can enlarge the look of a tiny room. Lighter colors have the ability to bluff the eyes by creating illusions. Rooms with lighter colors tend to look brighter and bigger. A combination of both bright and light colored walls will create a reflective feel, which will make the space look larger.

Use the Right Furniture

Stuffing up a room with huge and extra furniture will eat up all the available space in the room and will make it appear very small. It is highly advisable that you carefully choose the furniture for your smaller rooms. Since smaller rooms also lack storage areas, look for furniture that provides additional storage place along with fulfilling its basic purpose. Moreover, use same material and/or color of furniture to unify the look of the room.

Use Appropriate Lighting

Natural light gives personality to a room. Do not deprive your room of its character and let as much natural light in as possible. In case, there are no natural light resources in your room, use artificial lighting wisely to make your room appear brighter and bigger.

Use Mirrors

Mirrors create a reflective illusion in the room. This eventually opens up the tiny space in your room. Identify the focal point and adjust the mirror accordingly. Mirrors are also effective in reflecting both artificial and natural light, which makes the room brighter. Use mirror cabinets in the room, which will not only create additional storage space but will also make the space look uncluttered and large.

Chris has been working in the interior design industry for years. He specialises in frenchprovincial beds at christopheliving.com.au.

Decorate Your Nursery on a Budget

Every parent wishes to nourish their child with the best nursery available, but unfortunately not everyone can afford it. It is not necessary for you to buy one of those nurseries in some big brand’s show room; you can also develop your own beautiful looking comfortable nursery. Here are some tips to decorate a nursery on a low budget:

* Borrow From Friends

You should not feel shy to borrow something from your relative, friend or a neighbor that has no further use for them. You might find a complete nursery set resting in dust in their attics. Also, they will love to give it to you because in that way they can put something they bought to a better use.

* Make the Most of Sales and Discount Offers

Keep an eye on different baby stores, whenever discount coupons are distributed or sales are offered, rush to avail them. You can save a lot of money this way. You can also buy stuff in bulk.

* Buy Convertible Furniture

Convertible furniture is becoming more and more famous these days. It is aesthetically appeasing and in the price of one, you can use it in place of more than one piece of furniture.

* Put the Gifts to Some Use

When you throw parties for your baby, don’t forget to put before them the list of requirements of the nursery. This way, you can assign them to arrange larger baby gear collectively while others individually. This will not only relieve you from the task of decorating the nursery but this will also make them be a part of a bigger thing.

* Buy Everything that has Unisex Characteristics

Usually parents buy baby stuff colored blue for boys and pink for girls, but buying everything colored white, yellow or other unisex colors since this can save a lot of money in future, in case a baby of the opposite gender arrives.

* Decorating Walls

Usually parents have to hire people to paint or paste wallpapers, it is not a very tough job neither does it takes any special skills. Cut the cost where you can and paint or wallpaper yourself. Don’t forget to choose a unisex color.

Decorating walls also includes many things like picture portraits and faux frames. You can easily build your own accessories for wall decorations. Use shiny CDs, paint old picture frames, put in some natural touch with flowers and leaves, use china plates, stickers, posters and there are many more creative and beautiful accessories you can easily design yourself.

* Buy Things That are Timeless

You don’t want to buy something that will turn useless in a time of one year only. Always watch for something that will last longer and your baby will not reject after growing a little older.