My Style

The mechanisms that are used to open and close blinds range from simple cords and easy to use chains to remote controlled electronic devices. Mini blinds will block out sunlight, prevent people from looking into your house, and also add style to your home. Mini blinds come in various styles and you can even make them yourself at home.

Mini blinds are available in a wide range of sizes and colors, along with custom sizes and
styles. This allows you to control the direction and amount of natural light while still
providing a sense of insulation. There are some blinds styles that even adjust to allow breezes to flow from the window into the room by raising or tilting the slats.

With one style, slats are sandwiched between two sheer fabric layers that diffuse light when the slats are open. With another style, the slats are laminated vertically to a single
fabric layer for a curtain effect.

Mini blinds can come in wood, faux wood, vinyl, and even aluminum. Wood type blinds offer rich, subtle colors along with unique textures. The classic types of blinds look elegantly simple and can help to enhance a contemporary look or even add a classic flair to your home.

A less expensive alternative to wooden mini blinds is faux wood, or a synthetic wood
made of PVC or a composite material. Aluminum is a good choice as well, as it provides a
low cost and durable solution to your window problems. Aluminum mini blinds are also
easy to clean and easy to maintain. The least expensive variety is vinyl blinds, that come in standard sizes only.

There is a lot to think about when designing a home and many people simply overlook window treatments. In this article, I’m hoping to help you avoid some common pitfalls and save some money.

When using decorative casing such as shutters and 2 inch plantation size wooden blinds, you should always make sure that you have at least 2 1/2″. When you
have a double or triple window encased within one window opening, you may want to use a vertical trim strips between each window. Make sure that you include this when measuring the depth. Even though it is less common decorating sliding doors, make sure that you include the handle when you measure, as the usual depth for this is 4 inches.

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Interior wooden shutters will give the defining touch to your home. Wood shutters are a great investment, and should be thought of and treated as fine furniture. Also,
they are the only window coverings that are actually appraised into the value of your home. The rich natural appearance and matching quality features they offer make them a perfect choice for your home.

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In a tight housing market many home owners are increasing their proerties value and by transforming unused space into living areas.

According to AA Home Insurance, 20 per cent of homeowners have done this, at a cost of around £90 billion. The most popular conversion option was revealed to be the attic, with many people also turning their garages into living space and making “offices” in their garden sheds.

“Many homeowners relish turning unused or ugly areas of their homes into liveable rooms as it means more space for family and less dusty boxes and clutter,” said Janet Pell, head of home insurance at AA. “But it is important that you ensure you have the appropriate building regulations approval before going ahead,” she added. Self storage can provide an alternative to converting dead space, or be used in addition to a renovation project to create a more organised home

Tulips, orchids, gladiolas and roses are some of my favorites but if you want an instant splash of color, go for a vase of daisies.

Clean out your fireplace, put away the firegard and get rid of old charcoal and ashes.  Fill the space with decorative candles or a potted plant.

Welcome in spring with throws, pillows and rugs in whites and brights.

Rearrange the furniture in living rooms to look toward the outdoors instead of being focused on the fireplace or tv. 

Clear winter out of your garden and plant some spring flowers and shrubs.

Have the outside windows cleaned so you can take full advantage of the spring and summer light and sunshine.

On a Bed:

This is the most traditional and expected way to use a quilt. Since there is now a HUGE variety of quilt styles, from ultra-modern to 30’s prints, to civil war era (with reproduction fabrics!) they can compliment any bedroom style.

As always, colors are important! The quilt style can be a secondary consideration if the colors are “just right”. Also, what an easy re-do when the seasons change! Just put a different quilt on your bed.

On a Wall:

Some quilts are designed to be displayed on a wall. They can be traditional quilt patterns, or pictorial quilts. They are constructed with a special “sleeve” that is a basic tube running all along the back of the quilt. It is made to have a rod of some type to run through it and make it easy and practical to hang on the wall. Any quilt can be retro-fitted with a sleeve, and because it will never show, so it does not have to match the front in any way.

Many of these wall quilts can get quite fancy, with embellishments such as beads, etc. adding to the attractiveness and excitement of them.

On a Table:

Quilts can double as tablecloths. Because of the possibility of permanent food stains, I would recommend covering with a transparent plastic to protect the quilt!

For a side table, there are special quilted “runners”. They are long skinny (usually one block repeated in a row) quilts. Typically they are constructed on a holiday theme, such as Thanksgiving or Christmas.

In the Living Room:

Special smaller quilts, called lap quilts are stars in the living room. Not only are they beautiful and colorful, but they are made to cuddle up under when the temperature is low. They can be draped over the arms or backs of chairs or couches. I like to roll mine up (instead of folding) and have them sticking out of a large basket.

In the Baby’s Room:

Smaller size quilts in a HUGE variety of fabrics and designs are available for babies and small children. Plus they are usually made clearly either for a boy or a girl, so selection is easy. Because they are basically the same size as a lap quilt, they can be used for years.

Some are actually constructed to be used to play with the children. A special type is called an “I Spy” quilt. The idea is that each square has a specific SOMETHING…bug, train, apple, etc., whatever the quiltmaker wanted to put in there. You say to the child…”I spy an apple”. Then they get to look on the quilt to find the apple. These quilts are lots of fun, and great to use for a nap after the game.

So where do you find these quilts to decorate with? Not so easy unless you know lots of grandma’s! (Just kidding, grandma’s). Actually because of the recent innovation and increasing use of the long-arm quilting machines, quilts are becoming more available for sale. Quilters don’t have to spend months hand quilting to finish a quilt.

I would like to invite you to browse the quilts for sale (all sizes) at www.BuyAQuilt.com You will find the contact information right there to communicate with the quilt maker if you see something that would be perfect to decorate with.

About the Author:

Levada Pendry © 2006 http://www.BuyAQuilt.com You are free to use or distribute this article in any way that you wish, as long as this signature area is left intact.
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