A WELCOMING AUTUMN PORCH

Fall is on its way.... washing everything in bright colors. The summer's almost gone and the sun doesn't shine so brightly any more. The pleasant transitional season is coloring everything as if to comfort us for the fading sun and to remind us that it is time to tune ourselves with the changing nature. One cannot stop to admire the shades of the rich fall palette - orange, yellow, brown, green, rich red, burgundy....

Nature is changing and so are we. We are changing our clothing, our mood and why do not we change the atmosphere of our home.

The best place to start with is the porch, the very entrance to our homes.  A well-decorated front door  will give your home a welcoming and stylish  look, whatever the size and shape of your front door space. It is a way to show people how much you care for them to feel welcome and cozy once they see your remodeled porch. 

Use your imagination and you can  decorate with what you have.  Pumpkins, for an instance, are great for the season and they add a lot of color. You can also use fall wreaths to decorate the door. Gather everything you can find in your back yard from leaves (wine leaves are bigger and therefore,  better) and branches to apples, berries and of course, flowers! Perfect Porches by Paula S. Wallace is a valuable issue, where you can find a stunning collection of porches and porch decoration ideas. 

Check some fall-inspired porches and patios and plan your own fall design.

CANDLES IN HOME DESIGN

If you love candles maybe it will be interesting for you to know that you can make your own candles at home, just the shape and the fragrance that you want. Candles are romantic and unique details in interior design. Candle chandeliers, pillar candles, dinner table candles, tea-light candles, gel candles, container candles....you name it! They are everywhere, warming our interior with their soft,  burning colours. 

The history of candle making can  be traced back to ancient Egypt or maybe earlier but it was not before Middle Ages when people began to use beeswax. Back then candles were vital for they were used mainly for lightning and later on for religious purposes.

Nowadays we still enjoy their warm and cozy light but it is rather for their shapes and colours that  complement our interior. Although the materials have changed through the ages, the art of candle making has remained surprisingly similar. The most important choice that you have to make in candle making is what kind of wax to use: soy wax, bees wax, paraffin wax or palm wax. 

gel wax candle

beeswax candles

paraffin candle

soy wax candles

Paraffin wax is for example one of the most commonly used waxes. By the way, it is a by-product of oil refinement process and by using paraffin wax we are actually making full use of the product instead of simply discarding the remainder. Soy wax is processed from soybean oil, comparatively new material that was developed as an alternative to the expensive beeswax. Also a natural product by its nature.Gel wax is a form of  mineral oil and actually is not really wax but with it many interesting looks can be achieved. It is mainly used for container gel candles. Palm wax (product of palm oil), being a natural product  is very similar to soy wax.
Once you have decided what is the material that you want to use, you need to decide on forms, shapes and whether to add fragrances or not. That's where art comes.

If you are new to candle making the best way to start is a book or classes where you can learn about the craft of candle making. If you are living in a big city, it is relatively easy to find a class and learn about handmade candles. If not,  you can always buy a book on the subject. Here are some titles: 

Candle Making at Home, Sarah Johnstan

Home Candle Making Made Easy, Jeff Beckwith

Basic Candle Making

Candle Making for Profit

You can also google the subject to find out more. 

Candles and Interior

stylish chandelier with candles

Candles are a great way to transform spaces. Although, it is rather inexpensive to invest in a bunch of beautiful candles, the result can be stunning. They are a great accessory, even if you never light them. Their colours and forms can complement any room, porch or garden. Scented candles are very soothing and it is believed that aroma heals depression, treats symptoms like sadness, stress, anxiety etc. So candles are not just eye-pleasing.

table decoration

candle chandelier

Candles and Exterior

Candles are also used outdoors. Although they are mainly associated with indoor spaces, like parties, special celebrations, weddings, birthday parties or anniversaries. The market nowadays offers candles specially designed to repel mosquitoes and insects. Hurricane candles are also very popular as they are designed to withstand the wind. 

Go candle shopping, whatever the space or the occasion you want to add character to!

SAVE ON HOME ENERGY

Most of the people who I know are constantly complaining about their electricity bills (including me) and their dream is to reduce energy consumption and energy waste at home. 

sustainable living

Yes, we have the power to save money and energy at home. Saving energy at home reduces the world’s overall demand for resources needed to produce energy and by going green we’ll make our small but significant contribution for a better world. Sustainable living is still something that we rather hear and read about then something that we are actually doing.  Would have been good if we all try to go as green as possible for the sake of Earth’s future.

This article is not about hi-tech advanced methods and products but rather about the small and easy steps that we can take to save energy. From low to no-cost ways that will make your life easier by paying less to the Electricity Company and leading sustainable life that really matters in the long term. Those practical solutions for saving energy include energy saving tips that you can start using from today. They are good both for your wallet and for the environment. I encourage you to implement only what feels good and easy for you and even the small changes of how you are using energy at home will pay you back.

Go Green

TIPS TO SAVE ENERGY

• Install a programmable thermostat to lower utility bills and manage your heating and cooling systems efficiently.
• Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher.
• Your refrigerator uses more electricity than all your other kitchen appliances combined. To keep its energy costs down, clean the coils twice a year, which improves efficiency by 30 to 50 percent.
• Turn things off when you are not in the room or at home: lights, TVs, computers.
• Plug home electronics, such as TVs and DVD players, into power strips and turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use.
• Lower the thermostat on your water heater or use an electric water heater at certain times of the day. You’re wasting electricity keeping the water hot 24/7. Therefore, install an electronic timer switch that can be programmed for daily or weekly schedules so you only heat the water when you need it.
• Take short showers instead of baths and use low-flow shower heads for additional energy savings.
• Wash only full loads of dishes and clothes.
• Air dry clothes.
• Check to see that windows and doors are closed properly when heating or cooling your home.
• Regular maintenance of the air conditioner. The best way to keep your air conditioner running efficiently is to spend a couple of hours each year on basic maintenance—cleaning and straightening the fins, changing the filter and lubricating the motor.
• Drive sensibly to save on fuel. Speeding costs you more fuel waste.

renewable energy 

These are some simple things everyone can follow, if they want to. Of course, there are many other solutions for energy saving at home, like installing solar panels on your roof or investing in wind turbines.  Using renewable energy sources is probably the smartest thing to do. So far only 16 % of the world’s energy comes from renewables and that’s a pity. Probably the most commonly used natural resourses are sunlight and wind power. For the more skilled, there is a way to build their own solar panels, which is usually costly on the market (for no sensible reason), but if you can follow instructions, it is not that difficult to make it by yourself. You can also learn how to use wind power and source the parts inexpensively to build your own solar panels or wind turbines. Once we see our electricity bills going down it becomes an obsession. If you become an alternative energy expert, you can even sell back your excess power to the utility company, and get paid each month for energy conservation. Another thing you should consider when building or remodelling your home is investing in better insulation or other hi-tech solutions and advanced conservation methods/products, even if it seems a considerable investment at first. There are many books published on the subject if you want to go into details about home energy savings. Click here to browse titles. 

BEDROOM MAKEOVER

THE BEDROOM is one of the most intimate and private spaces in a house. Therefore it is very important that we enjoy the bedroom interior. Not many of us can afford to use designer services to give life to a worn out and tired bedroom but all of us should feel comfortable and relaxed when entering their bedroom.

One of the easiest ways to dress up your bedroom decor is simply getting rid of the old bed linen.  If you do not have the time (or the means) to fully refurbish the sleeping area just invest in luxury quality linens and you will be amazed by the transformation of the space. Changing just one thing will do wonders as the bed is the eye catching element in your sleeping area.

As the bed is the central point in a bedroom, investing in fine fabrics will make your room shine. It is important for the mattress to be comfortable for the body but how you dress it is also important for the way it makes you feel once you enter the room. 

Everything's need to change once in a while, right? Bedrooms need change, too. If you want to know more about how to successfully remake your personal space, you can take the advice of the professional designer Jay C. Conti.  You can also buy any book on interior design where you will be introduced to at least one or two inspiring ideas to beautify your sleeping room. Here's a great book depot with free shipping worldwide where you can search for popular books on interior design.

WINDOW SHUTTERS



Interior shutters

Today I was thinking about how beautiful a window looks if it is adorned with shutters and even more beautiful if with blooming flowers! Then I realized there’s much more to it than beauty. Window shutters, interior or exterior, control the amount of light that enters into the room,  help reduce heat gain and loss in your home and of course, they are used for privacy reasons.

Choosing window shutters is not easy. They vary in colour, design and material and the decision making is as complicated as choosing proper draperies or curtains. Window coverings could add or spoil to the look of the house. Properly designed exterior shutters may provide the best possible window insulation. Your home will be protected against bad weather and it will be more secure. The best thing about exterior shutters is to be integrated into your home's architecture. You need to bare in mind that interior shutters need clear space to the side of the window when they are opened. Their mounting will require special consideration and you'd better address the issue to a professional. 

Exterior shutters

Roll-down metal exterior shutters are often used as protection against damage and other hazards but they don't provide much of a barrier against heat and are surely not good for the natural ventilation of the house.

Once you have made up you mind to dress your house with shutters you will face difficult questions like: what is the right kind of shutters for me, what colour should I choose, how to mount them, do they have to be full size and with solid panels…..

Old style romantic shutters

The best thing is to call a specialist in your area! But what if you cannot afford it or simply if you want to save some money and use it for other urgent tasks.

In case you have some woodwork experience you can make shutters by yourself. Here's an online step by step guide how to make your own old style plantation shutters. Plantation shutters have a classic design and can transform the average window into a work of art. And the most important thing is that hey never go out of style! It is one way to decorate on a budget and by learning how to make shutters yourself, you can then help another thriving soul :) And because you are building them by yourself you can choose the materials and colors that best suit your home without paying extra for the special material or color.

Shutters can be a beautiful accent in your interior

COLONIAL HOMES

The French Quarter, New   Orleans, Louisiana, USA

I really love colonial architecture. One of the best examples of colonial architecture is The French quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. As suggested by the name, colonial architecture refers to the colonial period - a time when many European settlers arrived in America.  Therefore, the colonial architecture can be French, American, Dutch or Spanish, depending on the influence. For an instance, in New England, colonial houses were mainly wooden, while Dutch colonial houses used brick and stone. The best thing about colonial architecture and design is that it was influenced by many cultures and in a sense, it is truly eclectic.

For example, plantation houses in New Orleans, Louisiana are a very beautiful example of the French and Spanish influence in the building traditions combined with the Creol or Cajun culture. Creol townhouses, especially in the French Quarter, the oldest part of New Orléans and it historical heart, was built before Louisiana was sold to The United States in 1803. At the time of its development, the new French settlement was known as Nouvelle-Orléans or New Orleans. Later on when the town was under Spanish control, the local architecture became influenced by the Spanish colonial style.



The mixture during the ages preserved well the historical centre so that one can still feel the distinct creole atmosphere of the quarter. The most distinctive features of the architecture are straight lines and hipped roof. Many homes had wrought –iron decoration on their windows and porches.

Another very characteristic feature is the raised living area of the houses, while the lower floor was mainly used for storage or cooking, thus the houses were cooler. Large porches were not only welcoming but also allowed better ventilation of the house. As far as interiors are concerned, colonial style is characterized with the use of natural and earthy colours, rustic furniture, plain walls and clean lines. Ceramics were also popular and often displayed in the houses to break the simplicity of the lines.  Cushions, bed covers, curtains and draperies were popular.Colonial interiors are still very popular nowadays, as they have preserved the romantic French flair. Colonial homes are the main inspiration of today’s home decor styles, such as shabby chick, vintage and country style. The Cajun homes along the banks of the Mississippi River are still a true inspiration nowadays.



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