Lodge Decorating Tips

Posted on April 23, 2012 by chb

Lodge decorating brings a feeling of warmth and a simple way of life to your home. It’s a casual style that evokes a sense of history. In part this can be attributed to the materials used and the vintage look of pieces in the room. Stone and unpainted wood should be used liberally when designing in the lodge style. This article recommends picking a color palette first, something in deep tones such as burgundy, rich earth tones, greens, or blues. Trim for ceilings, doors, and windows should be made of wood, as should any doors in the home. Flooring can be wood, although rough stone such as slate is also in keeping with the style. Furniture should be oversized and overstuffed and look aged. Distressed leather makes a nice touch for this style. Use of antique items on walls, end tables and book shelves adds to the comfortable feel of the room. Use American Indian style area rugs or blankets as accent pieces to your room.

Penalty for Poor House Numbers

Posted on April 20, 2012 by chb

In Greensboro, North Carolina a crackdown is in the works over renters and homeowners not following the city’s guidelines when it comes to posting house numbers. According to this article, the issue is a big one for emergency response services such as the fire department. In Greensboro the fire department also responds to medical emergencies, making every second count. There are about 50 incidents a year where improperly posted house numbers effect that response time. The Greensboro ordinance states that house numbers must be at least three inches tall, placed within three feet of the front entrance of a home, and be a contrasting color with the background. People with house numbers that are not in compliance will first be warned, then face up to $500 in fines. Does your town have a house number ordinance? At penalty rates of $500, you might want to look into that.

Craftsman Style: Pride In Ownership

Posted on April 19, 2012 by chb

Owners of craftsman style homes often show pride of ownership by the way they take care of the interior and exterior of their homes. Curb appeal is often strong as these homes showcase hard work and the loving care of their owners. This is a natural tendency as people who are attracted to this style of home recognize that it is a celebration of all things handmade. While the craftsman style isn’t minimalist, neither does it lend itself to an overabundance of decoration. For this reason, the things that owners of this home style choose to display in or around their homes usually have deeper meaning for them. One way to express pride of ownership in craftsman decorating is to install a bronze plaque near the front door announcing ownership, the date of the house, or even just as a unique way to display the home’s address.

Bungalows With Personality

Posted on April 18, 2012 by chb

According to this article, bungalows built at the turn of the last century have found resurgence in popularity. People are snapping them up, refurbishing them, and marking them with their own personalities. The arts and crafts architectural style has even found its way into the mainstream marketplace and is popping up in neighborhoods across the country. Bungalow decorating in the arts and crafts style is a rejection of the excess of the Victorian era and a return to true craftsmanship. If you are lucky enough to have one of these bungalows, here are a few tips for decorating the interior. Though it seems odd, look to an area rug to find inspiration for your color palette. Gather samples of different fabrics and textures that you like and lay them out in different combinations to see what appeals best to you. Take your samples with you whenever you shop. Interior paint colors should be natural, but don’t be afraid to use colors such as muted yellows and greens. Finally, make sure you add your own touch to your bungalow. Display a current collection or start a new one of hand hammered copper pieces or pottery pieces reminiscent of the period.

Decorating With Animal Heads, It’s Not For Everyone

Posted on April 17, 2012 by chb

I recently stumbled across this article about the resurgence of using animal heads as wall decor. There has always been a heated debate about this subject. Interestingly, taxidermy first gained popularity during the Victorian decorating era when everything, from large animals to butterflies, were mounted and displayed. This tended to evoke a feeling of scientific research and a fascination with mortality. However, that doesn’t seem to be what’s behind the new trend. The author’s speculation leads me to believe that the newfound popularity stems from the desire for an aura of old world money and privilege that traditionally came with having mounted animal heads in a home. It’s important to note that a home owner’s lifestyle and furnishings should be cohesive with having mounted animal heads as decor.

Country Victorian Decorating

Posted on April 16, 2012 by chb

Country Victorian decorating is a different twist on traditional Victorian decor, lending a more relaxed and airy feeling to your home. According to this article, to achieve this look you will want to use a pastel color palette such as pinks, greens, and blues paired with a darker shades such as mauve. As country Victorian is inspired by the seaside or countryside, a great way to get started is to find inspiration from a favorite vacation spot. As in traditional Victorian decorating, patterns are common in everything from furniture to wallpaper. Choose fabric options such as cotton, chintz, and lace to keep the room feeling light and airy. Country Victorian styling can be found in the details such as embroidered pillows, tassels on throws, and ribbons to tie back curtains. Furniture should be overstuffed and comfortable with wicker being an acceptable option. Accessorize with nature inspired items such as dried flowers in a basket, pebbles, or other knick knacks in beautiful containers.

Creative House Number Ideas

Posted on April 13, 2012 by chb

Installing house numbers on the front of your home is important for a variety of reasons. They make your home easier to find for friends or relatives who haven’t been there before, they provide valuable information to public servants such as police and fire departments, and if you want a package delivered on time they become of vital importance. Just because you need house numbers doesn’t mean that displaying them has to be boring. There are all sorts of creative ideas for getting your house numbers to be seen, while still keeping the personality and style of your home intact. You might consider finding a style of number that suits your home and installing them on a large rock at the base of your driveway. Matching your house numbers to the style of your home can also be fun. Take it one step further and match the style of your house numbers to the installation. However you decide to display your house numbers, be sure that they are visible from the street in order to keep their functionality intact.

The Role of Cold Air Returns

Posted on April 12, 2012 by chb

Cold air returns are essential to the functionality of a forced air furnace. This article does a terrific job of articulating how a forced air furnace works and the role of the cold air returns in your home. During the winter months people can be tempted to cover up their cold air returns, thinking that they are causing drafts in their home. This is a terrible idea, and will adversely affect your furnace, heating bill, and the air quality of your home. A forced air furnace takes in cold air, heats it up, and then blows it out through your heater vents. If you cover up your cold air returns you are essentially starving your furnace, creating a vacuum in your home, and could even fill your home with trace amounts of carbon monoxide. Ideally your home should have an equal amount of cold air returns and heat vents in order to provide the proper exchange. Most homes don’t have cold air returns in bedrooms which is why many homes have cold bedrooms in the winter.

Lodge Decorating Basics

Posted on April 10, 2012 by chb

The look of a lodge decorating scheme is appealing to many people. This style creates a laid back feeling for your home which tends to make visitors feel welcome. This article gives tips about personalizing lodge decor for your home. To achieve a rustic feeling include furniture pieces made from a variety of woods. Log, twig, cedar, knotty pine, or any other type of wood can be used. Try not to match too many pieces of your furniture. Part of the beauty of lodge decorating is the ability to mix and match and still bring a cohesive feel to the room. Use fabrics such as rough wool, woven burlap, plain linen, or cotton to stay within the rustic feel of the style. Be sure to reinvent uses for old materials when accessorizing; an old washtub can easily become a magazine rack. Finally, including animal motifs or nature scenes in accessories such as dishware and pillows can help to tie your look together.

Features of Traditional Bungalows

Posted on April 9, 2012 by chb

Bungalows built between 1900 and 1925 are homes usually created in the craftsman style. Lately, there has been increasing interest in the restoration of these charming homes. This article does an excellent job of articulating the architectural features that distinguish bungalows from other homes such as open concept floor plans, sweeping horizontal lines, and a large front porch. Sloping roof lines and gables are also traditional features of bungalows. The interior of a bungalow usually features materials that give the home a refined rustic feeling. Exposed beams on the ceilings, fieldstone or brickwork on the fireplace, and floors that are covered in wood, stone, or tile are also typical bungalow decorating features. A muted color palette is traditionally used on the interior, and items such as wall sconces can complement the entire design.

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