Posts tagged ‘candle’

July 15th, 2008

Design Ideas: Choosing Wrought Iron Chandeliers

Wrought iron chandeliers are classic pieces that do not come and go with the latest trends. Wrought Iron has been around for a long time because of its durability, and can be mixed with many design styles.

A chandelier greatly enhances the appearance of any room. A few things you should take into consideration before choosing the best fixture includes the following:

Size
What is the size of the room where the chandelier will hang? The bigger is usually the better option, but not so large that it will over power the room. You want the perfect balance. The fixture needs to be hung at least 4 feet away from the walls.

If you are hanging the chandelier over a table in a dining room, the rule of thumb is to choose a fixture that is 12 inches smaller than the width or diameter of the table. You want to hang the chandelier between 30″-36″ above the table, so that it is not in the line of site of the people sitting at the table.

Wrought iron is heavier than most fixture material. Take this into consideration when choosing a fixture, as the ceiling electrical box will need to support the added weight.

Style
What is the style of the room where the wrought iron chandelier will hang? One of the benefits of wrought iron is its versatility. A simpler style chandelier, such as a square or rectangular base with candle style lamp shades is best combined with a contemporary or transitional look; while a grander fixture with heavy scrolls or multi-tiers is best in a more traditional look. Wrought iron is a timeless fixture material that will stay in style for years to come.

Maintenance
Wrought iron is an ideal fixture material because of its hassle free maintenance. For weekly cleaning, dust with a clean, soft cloth or the dusting tool on your vacuum. For a more thorough cleaning, clean with a cloth soaked in a mild detergent and water solution, baking soda and water (4 tablespoons baking soda in 1 quart of water), or an all-purpose cleaner solution; rinse and dry with a clean, soft cloth.

For added protection to wrought iron, apply a thin coat of paste or liquid wax with a clean cloth. Do not hang in a damp area or wrought iron can rust over time.

Julia Ritzenthaler is Owner of boutique online furniture stores, http://www.UniqueVanities.com, http://www.UniqeMirrorsOnline.com, & http://www.UniqueLightFixture.com. For more information about unique wrought iron light fixtures, visit us online or email us with your questions at uniquevanities@msn.com.

Tags: candle, design, free, lamp, ROR, test

Related posts

July 15th, 2008

Decorating Trends: Choosing Unique Dining Room Light Fixtures

The dining room light fixture serves two purposes. First, it provides light by which to dine by, but more importantly, it sets the tone for the homeowner’s personal style. A grand dining room light fixture is the first thing noticed when you enter the room.

The current trend is candle style chandeliers. They are usually made of hand forged wrought iron, and can be found in single, double and even triple tiers complemented by candle style shades. Candle style shades can vary across designers. Options include resin candle shades that have the look of dripping wax. Onyx style candle shades are unique because of the beauty of natural stone mixed with wrought iron. There is also a line of shades made from real paraffin wax. These shades have the look and feel of real candle wax, but are specially formulated to accept low voltage light bulbs for the convenience of electricity using a light switch.

Some chandeliers are designed to use with real candles. Though they can be very beautiful, they are difficult to use as you need to hand light each candle and be sure to blow out when not in use. For most people, this is not very convenient.

When choosing a chandelier, you need to choose a finish that complements the other fixtures in the room. In example, you would not mix silver and brass in the same room. It is also important to match finish with the colors of the room. Cool tones are complimented by black or silver finishes. Warm tones are complimented by brass or gold finishes.

What is your dining room style? Are you more traditional or contemporary? Or are you going for an elegant look? Wrought iron chandeliers can compliment either a traditional or contemporary style, depending on the chandelier design. A more simple wrought iron piece would go well with the contemporary style, whereas a grand multi tiered chandelier would be considered a more traditional look. An elegant look would be a glass or crystal chandelier.

Though a chandelier is used as a light source, putting the fixture on a dimmer switch allows you to choose a fixture on looks first, while providing the flexibility of how much light the chandelier provides with the dimmer switch.

Lastly, be sure to determine if the chandelier you choose requires any special light bulbs, as they can be expensive and difficult to find. Ideally, the chandelier will come with the appropriate bulbs.

Julia Ritzenthaler is Owner of boutique online furniture stores, http://www.UniqueVanities.com, http://www.UniqeMirrorsOnline.com, & http://www.UniqueLightFixture.com. For more information about unique wrought iron light fixtures, visit us online or email us with your questions at uniquevanities@msn.com.

Tags: candle, candles, design, flex, ROR

Related posts

April 16th, 2008

Why French Design Is Perfect For Your Bedroom

In the world of interior design there is constant change of evolution and style, the latest craze in bedroom design is the French decoration style. There is little more romantic that a room with a luxurious French bed and accompanying stylish fittings. Not only will a French bed bring an air of romance to your bedroom but is a brilliant way to revitalise a tired looking room into one of sophistication and elegance.

Most French decor has a concurrent colour throughout, from the bed to the walls. These colours are usually light blue, shades of green and even gold although peaches, pinks and lilacs are becoming increasingly popular.

As long as the shade of colour matches the whitewashed furniture and adds to the distressed look the choice is yours, there is no need to stand on ceremony. Another great French design feature is to contrast the walls and soft furnishings with the bed, wardrobe and chest of drawers. Paint is not a prerequisite, French interior design regularly uses soft wallpaper patterns to compliment other fixtures in the room.

The bed is of course the most important aspect of any bedroom; for that distinctive French feel it is worth getting a rococo style bed with a plush, thick mattress and comfortable oversized pillows. The bed frame can be made of antique wood and should have a distressed look to it; ornate carvings are typical in paisley patterns and floral designs. The French love luxuries so do not scrimp on the sheets, plenty of linen in brilliant white or lace gives a simplistic clean look to your bed.

Added to the bed, other pieces of furniture should be oversized when trying to achieve the French look. A huge wardrobe combined with a chest of drawers should be in place while a dresser adds luxury if you have the space. If you have a large bedroom it is even worth adding a comfortable armchair or settee as well as other antiques made from wrought iron.

French bedroom design emphasises the window as a focal point of the room away from the bed. The use of long, flowing drapes tied back to frame the vista creates a stunning effect. Keeping the window clear is also vital in letting large amounts of light into the room, making it as light and airy as possible. Curtains should extend all the way down from the ceiling to the floor, adding a sense of height to the room and that luxurious French feel.

A hand painted screen near the bed can also create this sense of height and makes an outstanding design feature. It can also be placed in the corner to soften the edges of the bedroom and add a feeling of comfort. It can also add a romantic centrepiece allowing lovers to undress behind it in a seductive way, after all romance is a vital part of any French bedroom. Other accessories should include porcelain or pieces of artwork that are typically French and will help add to the look more generally.

In terms of lighting Tiffany lamps placed close to the bed are a brilliant way to recreate Art Nouveau style within your room. This classic elegance is easy to achieve and adds soft lighting to emphasise the romantic nature of your new French bedroom. A chandelier is also an advisable lighting solution if your room is large enough and can carry such a large light fitting. Candle holders are also ideal for adding romance and decoration for cosy nights in.

When considering your new French bedroom, remember to always follow your own taste. Thankfully it does not have to be an expensive look to achieve, even when considering the initial outlay of the bed. For a bedroom that is certain to bring romance and relaxation, the French style is the perfect solution.

Interior design expert Thomas Pretty emphasises the importance of a luxury French bed as the centrepiece of a romantic French styled room. To find out more please visit http://www.sandmanbeds.com/frenchbed.htm

Tags: candle, design, Interior Design, lamp, test

Related posts

April 16th, 2008

Interior Design And Decorating Tips For A Better Looking Home

Getting the inside of your home looking good can be a challenge and does require a certain amount of skill and knowledge in order to pull it off. Using the right colors and combinations for the curtains, draperies, even your bed sheets and duvet colors can make a big difference in the general appearance of a room.

If you have a small living space then consider getting something like a sofa bed as it will save you a lot of space. Plants can also make a big difference in the appearance and feel of a room. There are many great benefits to using plants such as getting cleaner and fresher air as well as reduced humidity levels.

The plants that you choose should match and highlight the general colors in your home. Sometimes keeping a space design simple is often the best way to go. Try to remove as much clutter as possible and use simple color combinations like black and white. Installing some rope lighting under the bed can also be great to add a night light source.

Using candles effectively can also be great to add a nice decorating style to any room. Create a grouping with the candles on a side table or you can use floating candles on a bowl also. Adding relevant artwork and paintings can also greatly enhance the appearance of your home. Make sure the artwork does match with the theme you are going for in each room.

Keeping a room bright is often a great design choice and also keep in mind that it helps to elevate your mood when you are in a bright space versus a dull and dark area. Decorating your fireplace effectively can make a dramatic difference in the appearance of a room since the fireplace is often considered one of the main focal points. Try not to block your fireplace and leave the space around it clear and free from too much furniture.

Hanging a nice piece of artwork above the mantle can be a great accent and can make a nice difference in making the fireplace look better. Also try to avoid adding too many things on or around the fireplace as this will make it look cluttered and unattractive. Wallpaper is often difficult to replace and can get damaged easily thus repainting is often a better choice if you are looking to change the color of your walls or do a little touch up.

Remember that each room has its personality and style. For instance a bedroom style and theme depends on the individual. If you have a child that loves Spiderman then you will probably want to consider a red and black theme for the room with some relevant posters and even toys and action figures can really help to create an effective theme. Getting Spiderman bed sheets and pillow covers can also have a dramatic effect. Of course the design of these kinds of rooms will be for younger children as when the kids get older they will be able to make their own decisions.

Using proper electronics in a room can also help to improve the appearance. For instance switching to a good looking flat screen tv can make a big difference as far as increasing the size of the room and making the room look neater. Also do not forget to always add some personal items like photos, souvenirs and such that reflect who you are and show off your interests and personality. Follow some of these interior home decorating tips to help you get a better looking home.

Shakil is an online researcher, author and webmaster. If you are looking for discount bedding then be sure to visit www.mattresslinen.com where you will find many great bedding products including discount duvets and much more.

Tags: candle, candles, design, free, Interior Design

Related posts

April 15th, 2008

Interior Decorating on a Budget

When it comes to interior decorating on a budget there are a lot of ideas that are both simple and inexpensive that will liven up a room without breaking the bank. Many couples have a desire to decorate their home so that it looks antique, modern, and beautiful. However, they are surprised to find enormously high prices on the items that they would like to have. It is possible to go cheap and without looking cheap.

Even if you are completely redesigning a room or house, interior decorating on a budget is not only possible but is easily done as used house parts will save you a lot of money. Many times all you have to do is ask a local contractor for the ideal place to locate these items. A high quality door, windows, used sinks and other items bought secondhand are much cheaper and will provide a more efficient match the period of the home. There are plenty of antique and discount stores that offer a lot of good products on items that you may want to try to incorporate into your home. Most of the time their prices are an absolute steal!

When interior decorating on a budget the flea markets, auctions, yard sales and online retailers such as eBay, offer the perfect opportunity to find quality used home furnishings. Many of us have a home filled with a few family heirlooms, flea market or tag sale finds, and possibly one or two treasures from a quick dumpster dive. In these cases you have to figure out how to combine high and low design pieces to create a unified and polished look for your home.

When buying used furniture, finding a matched set can sometimes be difficult. Just remember to try and balance color and scale, while at the same time sticking to a theme. One of the first thing that you will want to do is identify a color theme. Then think about fabrics, candles, flowers, pictures. You may want to see what is available for you in accessories before you try and tackle the color scheme. In addition, you can easily mix and match colors, patterns, and items.

Buying products secondhand is a key component of interior decorating on a budget. You might be surprised to learn that mismatched items can actually enhance a room’s decor. Mirrors, candles, and photo frames are all cheap items and can make any home look lovely. Drive through your neighborhood or online and you will find a variety of unique decorating options.
Whenever there is a budget, imagination is the key to success. Always look for detail pieces or find new uses for traditional items.

You can save much more money by doing it yourself decorating and it can be both enjoyable and rewarding. Try to think about all the things that you would like to see in your decorating and then identify those things that you can make yourself. There is a lot of things that you could do to help lower the costs of your decorating bills, but use the tricks that everyone uses so as not to re-invent the wheel.

For more information about Interior Decorating visit our comprehensive website at “Budget Interior Decorating for the Beginner”

Tags: candle, candles, design, ROR, website

Related posts