House-N-Home

The most glamorous artistic anddesign movement of the twentieth century, Art Deco flourished in the 1920s and1930s, declined in the 1940s, but experienced a resurgence of interest in the1960s with a revival of the style. In the 1980s there was another phase ofinterest with the growth of graphic design and typefaces as an art form, andsince then it has never really gone away. Nowadays, it works equally well withany modern furnishing such as a leather recliner sofa or DVD cabinet, and many people are embracing the art form. So, what’s it all about?

 Art Deco introduced elegant, linear symmetry with rich colors and much gold high lighting, drawing inspiration from several sources including futurism, cubism, ethnic arts such as ancient Egyptian and Aztec Mexican, as well as the clean lines of technology. Curves were huge, bold, and sweeping. It was a sharp contrast to the flowing pastels of Art Nouveau.

 Unlike many artistic movements that have political or philosophical elements, Art Deco was purely decorative. But artists and designers working within this style turned their talents to a wider ange of areas: architecture, industrial items, household goods, paintings and,of course, interior design. The Chrysler Building in New York, built between1928 and 1930 is an iconic Art Deco structure, as is the Empire State Building.

 Art Deco successfully married functionality and glamorous style. Many of its motifs, such as huge, symmetrical sunbursts and other geometric shapes such as chevrons and ziggurats, could be seen acrossthe whole spectrum of design, from clothes and shoes to skyscrapers and cars. Despite the glorious ornamentation, the style was practical and, in some ways,simple to achieve.

 Typical materials used in art decointerior design are hard and metallic: aluminum, stainless steel, chrome, Bakelite, and lacquer. It might be difficult to reproduce this at home, but brushed steel and glass can help with the look. One of the easiest ways to achieve an Art Deco design is to use one of the many available wallpapers with original patterns. Team it with a gleaming hardwood floor, colorful rugs, mirrors and stained glass, futuristic furniture, lacquered cabinets, lamps, and a print of one of the Deco skyscrapers. Being careful not to clash with wallpaper, if patterns are used they should reflect the geometric motifs orhave huge curves.

 Genuine Art Deco items from the 1920s and ’30s are now hugely desirable and expensive. But items fromthe 1960s and ’70s are still cheap enough to collect (though prices are rising), and while they don’t have the cachet of the original, they are still Art Deco pieces (just Revival).

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Whether you love it or hate it, the kitchen is a necessary part of daily living for just about all of us. So, it would be a good thing to walk into your kitchen first thing in the morning and feel a little lift in your spirit as you start the day. If your current kitchen doesn't elicit that type of positive response, read on!

These kitchen decorating ideas are simple, easy to implement and most are very cost effective. And, some of the tips for decorating a kitchen that follow are just plain common sense! But when put together into a plan of action, the results are worth each step!

First, make a list of everything that you want to change, no matter what the cost. Just make a list. Then determine how much you want to spend, or can afford to spend, on your kitchen decorating project. With that number in mind, go back through the list you just compiled and decide what is going to get done at this time. Some of the items on the list for decorating your kitchen may have to wait until the budget catches up.

So, now you have a list in hand of things you want to change. For most folks, the list will include items pertaining to the colors, style, drabness, worn out (or tired of) accessories, etc.

Here are the kitchen decorating ideas and tips that will help you take action and check off those items on your list!

1. Give the entire kitchen a thorough cleaning, including the floors, cabinets and windows. I know, it's not a fun way to start decorating your kitchen, but you will be amazed at how much brighter everything will look when it is freshly cleaned.

Remove everything from the walls and countertops. You are going to start fresh there as well.

2. Assess the color scheme for the kitchen. Does it relate to the rest of your home? Even if a neutral background is your preference, accents of other colors found in your home would be a good addition to the kitchen decor. If everything is white or neutral in the kitchen it could be one of the reasons why you don't love the space so much.

Consider putting some color on the walls. If your kitchen space is small, don't worry about that. Go ahead and make it as colorful as you please.

Have you been thinking about introducing a new accent color in your home? Try it out in small doses in the kitchen area and see how it works. Use your new color in accessories that can be easily changed in case you are not so thrilled with the results.

3. How much light does the kitchen get, natural or otherwise. If the kitchen area has poor lighting overall it can feel almost cave-like. So, here is your next kitchen decorating idea, and it is two-fold.

First, replace one light fixture in the kitchen area with something new and fresh. It may be in the nook, over the sink or under the cabinets.

Then, add one new source of lighting in this area. This can be a simple as do-it-yourself under cabinet lights, or possibly some 'mood' lighting on top of your cabinets if you have space above the soffit. Rope lighting can be a good choice in this area.

As for the windows, in most instances you will want to have as much natural light coming in as possible during the daytime hours. Utilize a type of blind or shade that can fully open during the day and then close to give you privacy in the evening.

Soften the windows with a valance. That will keep your area feeling open and light but will provide a counterpoint to the hard surfaces of the kitchen.

4. The next kitchen decorating idea is to use accessories to finish decorating your kitchen.

You can go about this in the typical way and purchase a matching set of kitchen accessories such as place mats, dishtowels, salt/pepper shakers and the like, that contain the colors/theme/style you enjoy.

Or, you can spend a little bit more time and search for kitchen accessories that include the elements you want in terms of color/theme/style, but a not a matching set. Look for accessories such as small rugs, artwork (real artwork if you have room for it - not the 'kitcheny' looking stuff), place mats, dishes/serving pieces that have your colors in them. Put some different patterns together, use some solids, and look for one or two pieces that may seem more traditional for the kitchen.

The key here is to find unique pieces that may even be unexpected in the kitchen area, but fit in with your own unique decor personality. Have fun and enjoy your newly decorated kitchen!

Candi Randolph is a Design Consultant and the author of 'Ten Simple Steps to Design Success', a simple and easy to understand guide with home decorating ideas and interior design tips. Please visit Great Home Decorating for home decor advice, tips, articles and help for all styles and budgets.

Read more: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/great-kitchen-decorating-ideas-and-tips-1111098.html#ixzz1C9MVzyRJ </p>

… if you're likemost people, you want to give something unique and special. There are a lot of tried and true gift ideas out there, like gift baskets or winter wear, but forsomething truly unique, you've got to think outside of the box.

Time pieces are a gift that everyone appreciates for their home decor. They are one size fits all and everyone can use more clocks around their home and office. Insteadof wracking your brain over what to give this year, try one of these time piece ideas on for size. You'll be sure to find one that works for someone on your gift list.

1. Mantel Clocks - Mantle clocks come in all shapes, sizes and complete the look of your fireplace. A fireplace mantel just doesn't look complete until it's adorned with a fine quality mantel clock. We offer a complete selection of Handcrafted mantel clocks with both Key woundand Quartz movements in many different styles.  You can choose a piece tosuit the style of the gift recipient. Think about the home style decor theyalready have in their living room or den where the clock will be displayed andtry to match the style. Whether you choose a sleek, modern Seth Thomas mantle clock or one that is more elegant in design, your gift recipient will be sure to be pleased.

2. Desk Clocks - If you know someone with ahome office, you have an instant gift idea. Desk clocks make a wonderful giftsince they can be customized to the personality of the recipient. Desk clockscan be accompanied by other matching desk accessories. With a few simplechoices you can give your friend, coworker or family member a complete officemakeover.

3. GrandfatherClocks  -  have been in existence for hundreds of years, standing tall as one of history's most distinctive heirloom pieces of furniture. The fine craftsmanship and the decor that they provide to a home have been renowned across the globe.

GalileoGalilei is given credit for discovering, in 1582, that the pendulum was aninstrument that would record time. The pendulum (the long swinging weightinside the wooden case) is what keeps a grandfather clock's time regular.

In1670, William Clement discovered that clocks work more accurately with a longer pendulum, and so the "long case clock" was created. It stood about six-feet tall in a well-crafted wooden case, with an enclosed pendulum and weights. Over the years clockmakers enhanced the craftsmanship of the wooden case and added chimes.

Long case clocks (later called grandfatherclocks) were very exclusive to nobility, as their complexity made them very expensive. Eventually their construction became more cost effective, and in the1880s, England and America began calling them "grandfather clocks." The name became popular because of the song written by the American Henry Workin 1875 called "The Grandfather's Clock."

Todaygrandfather clocks are a great symbol of time and antiquity, acting as family heirlooms and museum quality relics.

4. Wall Clocks -From a romantic French hotel to a quaint town clock, wall clocks celebrate theinterpretation of time from the four corners of the globe. Embellished withdistinctive, antiqued hands, aged brass accents and decorative winding lugs,the wall clocks in our clocks collection are as distinctive on your wall todayas the originals were a century ago

5. Pub Clock - These unique wall clocks are great for any beer or spirits over. With a little research, you can find a clock for just about every winemaker or brewery. These clocks not only show that you know a little about the recipient's interests, but they can provide a finishing touch to are creation room, a kitchen or a bar area.

Time pieces make a terrific gift for the holidays, anniversaries, birthdays and more... They come in so many different designs and various price ranges that you'll be sure to find one that fits your gift recipient and your budget.