Yellow Bridge

One of three bridges that lead visitors to riverside eating place at Ah Poong Floating Market Sentul City (Bogor, West Java, Indonesia).

Monday Mellow Yellows

There's a Good Reason Why Security Is Always on Your Mind

We live in a world filled with technological wonders. This not only implies some of the latest electronic gadgets, such as smart phones and tablets. These neat gadgets which allow one to access the wonders of the Internet from just about any place in the world have changed the way in which we communicate. It also describes the modern world in which we live in, replete with powerful and safe automobiles, modern airplanes and many home conveniences. Items such as washing machines, irons, slim television sets and even electricity has changed our lives for the better.

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Our modern world has become so complex, that most people don't understand exactly how all the things we use work the way they do. Want to watch your favourite show on the telly? Just push a button on the remote and presto, there it is. But you really have no idea how the images were captured, how they were transmitted, or how they wound up being displayed in brilliant colours on your modern television set. Chances are you really don't care. All you want to do is be comfortable and be entertained for a while, especially after a long day’s work. 

Our Modern, Complex World

And yet, in our ignorance about how things really work or how they wound up taking the shape and form that they do we carry on regardless. Collectively we leave these decisions up to others; typically scientists or technicians who decide for us exactly how our modern appliances, among other things will work. Even those that might want to have a voice in what consumer-products we are offered struggle to understand the technologies behind our various modern conveniences. Each one has its own set of technologies; one would literally have to devote the rest of their life to studying physics, chemistry and even electrical engineering to begin to understand their complexity. 

The Need for Safety Is Natural

There is one area however that most people understand without any difficulty. That issue is the one surrounding the safety and security of themselves and their family. They recognise that they have a right to feel safe within the confines of their own home, and that there are many simple solutions that can help them achieve this goal.

Amongst these are making sure that all the entrances to the outside are as hardy and secure as possible. By going to companies such as Todd Doors for your external door needs, one is guaranteed of finding a wide range of doors and safety solutions which will accomplish any goal.

One of the benefits of our modern industrialised society is that many essential items can be produced in a bewildering range of styles and shapes. The myriad shapes and styles doesn't hamper the fact that these items are extremely affordable.

For those who fear the ongoing industrialisation of our modern world, this one example alone proves that it is not necessarily a bad thing. If you need a new door or merely contemplating change, you have an awfully big choice of doors available.

 

Simple Ways to Make Your Bedroom More Luxurious

When it comes to kitting out a new house or revamping somewhere I've lived for a while, the bedroom is always my first focus. Why? Well, I guess it's partly because it's the place I wind down and, since it's not somewhere for guests (unlike the rest of the house), it's the spot that's totally mine.

That makes it a pretty exciting place to design or decorate. This time around, I'm keen to create a luxurious bedroom look, so I've been doing quite a lot of research into how I can best achieve that. I thought I'd share what I've found out so far, just in case anyone else is planning a post-Christmas decorating session too!

1)  Don't try to cut costs on the bed

In all bedrooms, the bed is - unsurprisingly - the most important piece of furniture. So, even if you are trying to limit the amount you spend on designing or redecorating your bedroom, I don't think it's too effective to try to scrimp on the bed - especially if you're going for a luxurious finish.

Personally, I have always been tempted by the classic four-poster bed - there's something about it which just seems to shout luxury. Iron options with decorative flourishes can look great too, though, while you could also go down the sleek and minimalist route.

Don't forget about the sheets, too. For something ultra-lavish, you could pick silk or satin, but anything high-quality and super-soft will do, so go with your personal preferences. To make the end result really look the part, ensure pillows are plumped up and that there are plenty of them - this is a simple yet really effective trick.

2)  Pick soothing colours

Another good tip is to pick soothing colours for your walls and linens - after all, your bedroom is the place you go to rest. Neutral, earthy tones can be a particularly good choice and, if you're stuck for what shades to pick, think about the kinds of colours you see in spas, since they are usually decorated to feel soothing.

That said, I think deep, rich colours can also look fabulously luxurious. So, if neutral tones really aren't your thing, consider something like a deep red or plum; but remember that dark hues can make rooms appear smaller.

3)  Lights galore!

My next tip is to get creative with your lighting scheme. Typically, a really bright, central ceiling light can leave your bedroom looking a little clinical and less than cosy. So, opt for more lights, strategically positioned around the room.

Companies like Moroccan Bazaar offer lots of really decorative shades and lights that perfect for creating a snug, luxurious-feeling space. There are intricate designs made from copper and brass, as well as options featuring pretty, coloured frosted glass.

To create a coherent look with these kinds of fittings, it's worth picking out several and dotting them around the room. You could get a pendant lampshade for your ceiling, for example, then a few lamps for your bedside table, dressing table and such.

4)  Pretty accessories

Lastly, pick some eye-catching accessories. It's often said that the small finishing touches are the keys to achieving your desired look for your interiors, and I think I agree with that.

So, it's a good idea to select a few cushions or throws, vases and mirrors to ensure a polished finish. As a quick tip, hanging groups of small mirrors on the wall is predicted to be one of the top design trends for 2013, so that could be a good thing to try!

Choosing Drapes for Adorning Your Home

Drapes are an important part of your home furnishing since they greatly enhance the appearance of any room and make it more pleasing and beautiful. The pattern, colour and functionality of a drape can undoubtedly create or destroy the complete appearance and feel of your room.

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Since there are a variety of drapes available in market, selecting the right pattern, style and colour of curtains for your home is a tedious task. Therefore, it is important to understand your objective of selecting drapes for every room along with your budget.

Here are a few of the following tips to help you choose drapes for your home:

Most people hang the same type of drapes in every room irrespective of the colour theme and interiors. Nowadays, it is a trend to use different draperies for every room that best match their décor, necessities and colour theme. For instance, you may choose bright and colourful draperies for your kid’s room, a sophisticated look for your formal room and bold colours for your bedroom.

Choosing the perfect colour of your drapes is very important. The main objective of hanging drapes in a room is that they should complement the interiors and décor of a room. If your room has furniture with deep and dark colours, then you should consider buying light-coloured drapes since it will make your room look bigger. You should also consider the size of your room before purchasing draperies. If you want your room to look bigger, you can choose light shades, and if you want to make the room look smaller, you should purchase dark-coloured drapes.

When you choose drapes, ensure your purpose of hanging them in your room. Are they for maintaining privacy in a room, or just for creating appealing look? If you want to purchase attractive and light curtains, but are also concerned about your privacy, you should also use window blinds.

It is essential to wash and clean drapes regularly to maintain their appearance. However, people who are extremely busy can find it an exhausting task. Thus, it is recommended to choose drapes that match with your lifestyle. If you are ready to shell out some money for dry cleaning, then you can buy drapes that need special care. Otherwise, you may also buy curtains that can be easily washed and dried at your home without much hassle.

Setting a budget before purchasing draperies for your home is also essential. There is a large assortment of colours, patterns and style of drapes available. The quality of the fabric and lining as well as the popularity and brand also add to the cost. If special accessories are added, the total cost can be more.

Checking the installation process before buying drapes will help you save your precious time and frustration. Some drapes looks awesomely beautiful, but their complicated installation procedure might take your lots of time and extra money.

When curtains are added in a room, they create a comfy look and augment character to it. It is essential to consider factors like colour, lighting and other requirements of your room prior purchasing them.

Abbie is a passionate interior designer who loves to decorate interiors. She shares her experience on how to select the best furnishings and accessories for your home including decoration items, kitchen accessories, curtains, ready made curtains and striped curtains.