Vase-ifying Your Home Today

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Vases are so in demand and have always been appreciated by civilizations. We observe and marvel at the wonderful creations of the ancient Greeks and the Chinese and often wonder what it would be like to have such flower vases in our homes too. We can decorate and try innovative floral designs and patterns like any professional would. Here’s how.

What kind of vases should you use for your living room?

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You can spend hours selecting vases from the wide range that is waiting just for you. You can choose a flower vase that is made of silver with intricate patterns on the side depending on your taste and style and the kinds of moulds used to make the vase. You can have floral patterns etched on its side to match the flowers that you place within the hollow of the vase.

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Select delicate shades of flowers with silver like blue or violet. The other popular kinds are ceramic, mosaic, wicker and gigantic clay vases which can fit right into a corner next to the fireplace or near the stereo. You can add a small vase as a centrepiece to your coffee table.

What kind of vases will suit your kitchen and dining room?

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The kitchen is light and airy so glass is most suited to a more open environment like the kitchen. You can place crystal or beautifully etched glass vases for delicate primroses or sunflowers to brighten your room. Keep them on the counter or on the kitchen island for cheerful conversations during breakfast.

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If you have wooden cabinets or a cellar, be creative and add wooden vases with fresh lilies to give a warm feeling to the room.

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The dining room demands simplicity and style. Keep petite deco bowls as the centrepiece for a conversation that is to be remembered for a lifetime. You can add colour to your vases and make them stand out by placing smooth gems or rocks inside them to give it a lively feel.

You can also select pinecones and potpourri that complement your vase for a lasting freshness as you dine with the ones you love.

How can you decorate your bedroom and bathroom using vases?

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Choose from a variety of ceramic, glass or wicker vases for delicate roses or tulips to decorate your night tables or leave a cluster of daffodils in vases right next to your comfortable bed. There are beautiful metallic vases which can be combined with artificial flowers. The flower vase design will also determine the mood and the creativity of the person who is designing a room. Small ceramic vases can be used for the delicate bonsais to make the ambience positive and energetic.

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Tall cylindrical vases are well suited for bathrooms. They can be neatly kept on both sides of the sink. Since the bath unit is generally made of ceramic or metal, you can choose metallic or glass vases. You can decorate them with shells and small stones to complement the bather’s requirements. Small shelves or towel racks can also be decorated with delicate crystal vases.

Vases are such a beautiful way of expressing one’s artistic visions. They make every room in the house look complete and well loved. You can invite a warm feeling to any room with a beautiful vase. It is a guaranteed fact that you will be appreciated if you invest in vases for your home today.

What do you think about decorating your home with vases? Leave your comments below.

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Spice Up Your Living With Your Stunning Kitchen

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Kitchen is that adorable nook in your entire house where you not only spend moments to make your family happy & satisfied, but the place also is reminiscent of some of your fond memories. So you definitely make this special nook of your house extra special with your touches of love, care & yes a little bit decoration.

From entertaining guests to gathering together on Saturday mornings as a family, your kitchen is the soul of your home. So give your kitchen a modern & fresh touch & that too without emptying your purse. Now let the magic of feast begin.

Open Your Place Up

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If your kitchen opens up to your living area, it is reckoned to be an extremely exciting space to decorate. Place a generous size of table, that will serve a lot of purposes, like letting your enjoy dinner or game nights or even the science project of your kids. Try to keep the vibe of the corner modern, casual & cool with the colors & you can also experiment with an over sized drum shade, up above the table.

The Story Of The Space

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You definitely don't want to waste a bit of space of your kitchen. So try out a space-shaving shelve, to accent your kitchen with a smart & modern look. This kind of wall-shelves come with 16 or 12 cubes, holding plates, linens, and serving pieces. To furnish it even more with an unexpected touch, line the backs with wallpaper so it can coordinate with your style.

Light Up With A Dash Of Sublimity

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Give your kitchen the subtle hints of modernity with a distinct way of lighting. Pendant lighting can adorn your cooking corner with cool & contemporary touches. Want a dash of illumination over the sink or the kitchen surface to transcend your tiring task of cooking & washing? These pendant lights in different shapes & sizes can spell a magnetic charm in your kitchen.

Choose A Color, Create A Mood

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It was once said by Leslie Harrington, a color consultant in Old Greenwich, Conn. and a noted expert on the use of color in residential and industrial decor, "What color you paint your walls isn't just a matter of aesthetics. It's a tool that can be leveraged to affect emotions and behavior." I guess everybody will agree with me on the fact that, the colors we use to decorate our sweet home can have a profound effect on the emotional well-being of us and our family. And as far as our kitchen is concerned, the colors not only decorate the space, but they also help us to relive the moments, that we spent in there.(Source: bit.ly/1hZICkI) 

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If you want to relive your old days & enjoy some fun cooking moments as well, you can go with colors like vibrant red or sunshiny yellow, as these colors capture joy & communicate happiness. Here are some colors option that can surpass your kitchen into another level.

Accentuate The Brightness With A Dash Of Sunshine

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If you want to use some visual warmth in your kitchen, yellow is the perfect choice. It's the most luminous shade that possesses the benefit of chasing any chill. Use the hue to brighten up the space where you and your family gather, and fuel yourselves with a burst of sunshine.

Go Easy With Green

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The green pallet will give a subtle sunny feeling to your kitchen, inviting nature that have positive associations. According to eminent interior designers, apple and olive greens can be really refreshing. So add a dash of life to your kitchen with comforting green.

Make It Classic With Blue

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Accentuate the environment of your kitchen with the soft hue of blue. This color will give your kitchen a classic look, that will comfort the entire ambiance.

And The Final Touch

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Kitchen is a distinct space in your home, where all the equation of your relations take place & get escalated with your personal touch of love & care. Add some marble touch or implement the idea of a kitchen island- make your kitchen the place to be cherished.

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How To Make Your Balcony More Eye-Catching

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Are you looking for some awesome ideas that will make your balcony more functional and attractive? Well you have come to the right place my friend. By applying the right design and home decor elements, you can easily turn your awkward balcony into a stunning and comforting outdoor living area. Here I will tell you about a few easy and simple tips that will transform your balcony into a cool hangout that will feel like an extension of your home, instead of a separate space. So keep on reading....

Make Proper Seating Arrangements

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If you want to turn your balcony into an inviting and comfortable space, then one of the most fool-proof ways is to ensure that there is enough adequate arrangement for your family members and guests. However, you need to first consider the space available in the balcony before you pick the seating set. If you have a smaller space, then bistro sets can be great for you; whereas comfortable benches would be better if your balcony is narrow and long.

Get The Best Flooring

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With the help of strategically and smartly placed flooring, you can redefine outdoor space and convert it into one of the most comfortable living areas in your home. One of the best ways to centre the balcony is by getting a safe rug for outdoors. You may also apply decorative painting on the floor where you wish to create the seating space. Another great way is to get outdoor carpets to make the balcony a comfortable space to walk on.

Add Some Green

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Small plants can prove to be one of the best design elements to decorate your balcony effectively. These can add some freshness and vivacity to the space and make it feel lively for you and your family. You can also use larger plants to create a private space, in case there are other balconies close by. You can get some hanging plants if the floor space is limited.

Get Ambient Lighting

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Lighting helps to create the right ambience and can make your balcony the perfect place to hang out at night during the summers. There are various types of outdoor lighting solutions available in the market that will be just perfect for your balcony and for the garden. You can pick lights that are charged with solar energy. It is important that you have enough ambient lighting near the seating area.

Set The Mood With Sound

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The right sounds in your outdoor space can make it feel alive and peaceful at the same time. Getting some wind chimes can be great idea if you can find the right place to hang them. You may also opt for small sized table centrepiece chimes as well.

Add Oomph With Art

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Installing some great pieces of art on the wall of your balcony can accentuate the overall of beauty and decor of the space. However, it is imperative that you find the right artwork which will complement the theme and decor of your balcony. You should go for water-proof artworks of pieces that are meant for outdoor areas. Setting up outdoor sculptures near your plants is also a great way to make your balcony look classy and elegant.

So there you have it...these are some simple but effective tips that I found useful in decorating my own small balcony. Do you have some more ideas that you want to share? Then what are you waiting for? Simply comment below and let me know what you think. I would love to hear from you.

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Create A Home Library And Encourage Your Child To Read More

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Do you want to set up your children’s books neatly at home? Do you wish to make it simpler and easier for your child to find and access books? Then you need to plan for having a home library for your kids that will inspire them to read and learn more.

Why Make A Home Library For Your Child

Why jam children’s books in bookcases or keep them scattered around the floor? A home library will not only make finding books easier but the decorative aspect of your library will encourage your child to use the library frequently. Eileen Kennedy-Moore Ph.D, a renowned child psychologist, says “ Books are important for children. Books can be entertaining, intriguing, engaging or comforting. They help kids understand their own experiences and the world around them.” 
 

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As it is challenging to understand which books will be more interesting to your child, you must build a home library for arranging all of their favourite books neatly. Making your own library is not as tough as it may sound. Simply follow these helpful tips-

Select The Right Place
 

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Choose the right place to set up the home library for your child. Make sure that the design of the space is exciting yet welcoming which will motivate your child to read. You can place some book shelves for kid, beanbags, pillows, cushions and funky kids’ chairs where your little angel can settle down and read his/her a favourite story. Ensure that the space gets enough light.

Make Books Accessible 
 

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Make sure that you keep the books within the reach of your child. If the books are kept too high and your kid cannot access them by himself, then there is no point in making this library. You should ensure that you use sturdy, low and durable book shelves so that you kids may choose their favourite books safely on their own.

Repair Damages In Books
 

I am sure you don’t want damaged and ripped books in your library. So check the books thoroughly and repair all the rips and tears that you find using library tape. This will make sure that the books last longer and your library stays full.

Keep Rotating Regularly 
 

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It is a good idea to rotate the books on display frequently. By changing the books you will encourage your child to check out new books and read new stories thus making him/her more knowledgeable and learned.

Focus On Your Kid’s Interests
 

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It is imperative that you correctly respond to the reading interests of your child. Fill book shelves for kid with magazines, books, comics and latest catalogues regarding topics that fascinates your kids. You can find proper books on specific topics and subjects with some help from the local librarian or your child’s teacher.

Change Books 

Establish a system for lending books with other kids and their parents. Children can choose to share and swap their favourite story books with their friends and explore new stories.

Enhance The Experience 

Encourage and inspire your kids to think about and retell their favourite stories by offering art materials, character puppets, cut-outs and a flannel board for acting out the stories.

Create Story Books
 

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Motivate your kids to make their own story books by dictating, drawing and writing their own stories and books as well as by designing bookmarks. Provide them with adequate paper, crayons, pencils and markers and just watch the magic happen. Make sure you add their creations to your home library as it will boost their confidence.

There you have it...some of the best tips and ideas for creating your own home library for your child. If you have any additional ideas, tips, queries and/or concerns, then post your comments below.

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A Quick Guide To Upgrading Your Kitchen

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The kitchen is undoubtedly the heart of our homes. This is also perhaps the most used room which is abused with oil, grease, smoke and other cooking by-products. If you want to remodel your house or just give a new look or feel, then upgrading your kitchen is an excellent place to start. One of the best ways to redesign your kitchen is by updating the tiles. You need to plan beforehand and decide what you want in order to get the best tiles at the cheapest price.

Your kitchen usually has a variety of tiles which are meant for different applications. It is essential that you first choose which type of tile will go where; you certainly won’t put flooring tiles on the wall.

So here I have listed a few tips that will help you to choose the perfect of tiles for your kitchen-

Decide Where The Tiles Will Be Placed

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You need to decide where you will place the tiles before you select the tiles and start your remodelling. Tiles are widely used for flooring, for countertops, for walls and also for backsplash at the back of the stove. One of the best ways is to place samples to get a better perspective how your kitchen will look. You should know that ceramic tiles are not a good option for backsplash as these tend to crack.

Choose The Right Materials

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You will have a number of options to choose from for your kitchen tiles. These include glass, porcelain, ceramic, bamboo, vinyl, cork, stone and quarry. Usually porcelain and glass tiles are used on walls; while quarry, stone, bamboo, cork and vinyl tiles are used for flooring. You can use porcelain, ceramic, and quarry tiles for countertops; whereas glass is a great option for backsplashes. You can also choose to give the tiles a unique look and add your personal touch by crafting your own tiles.

Decide Your Budget

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You will find both expensive and inexpensive kitchen tiles, so you must determine your budget first. It is obvious that with higher budget you will get better looking and durable tiles that will make your kitchen look stunning. Do some research about the price of different types of tiles to find out the ones that will best fit your need.

Consider Your Lifestyle

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It is often a good idea to take your family’s lifestyle into account. If you have many members in your family and the kitchen experiences high traffic or if you cook a lot, then you must choose long-lasting and durable tiles. Moreover the tile you choose should be easy to clean and must not show grease or dirt easily. In case of floor tiles, it needs to endure heavy footfalls, spilled foods and other abuses. So your family’s habits are a determining factor for the type of tiles you get.

Get The Best Backsplash

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As your kitchen backsplash will not have to endure any footfalls or other abuses, you can simply go wild while choosing your backsplash. You can easily find numerous materials for this purpose. You can go with painted and glossy tiles for your backsplash, but they still need to endure grease, oil spatters and regular cleaning. Usually stone, metal, glass, ceramic and porcelain tiles are used as backsplash in most kitchens as these add a decorative look to your kitchen area.

Upgrading your kitchen tiles can completely transform the look of your kitchen and give it a rather stylish look. Keep these tips in mind when you plan about updating your tiles and you will have the kitchen of your dreams

Do you have some other tips of your own that you would like to add to the list? Then feel free to comment below.....

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Ikebana- The Floral Arrangement That Reflects Life

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Have a slice of Japan in your home. Don't get confused. As flowers are reckoned as one of the most notable décor items for your home, why not adapt some unique ideas to add an exotic touch. Noted as treasure of culture, tradition & heritage, the land of the rising sun- Japan has a plenty of authentic cultures, that leave its beholders awestruck. One of the astonishing elements is its age old practice of Ikebana, that means the life of flowers. This distinguished floral decoration will not only transcend your décor a marvelous one, but a sense of harmony can be felt in the whole setting your interior.

Conveying The Vibration Of Life

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The people of Japan are known to beautify their surrounding not only from outside, but from within also. Most elements of Japanese culture like the Kabuki theater, the tea ceremony or origami- all behold the philosophy of spiritual beautification of life. So does the practice of Ikebana, bringing the nature nearer to human life.

•  Rikka- The Standing Flowers

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Rikka, a seven-branched structured Ikebana, symbolizing the mythical Mount Meru of Buddhist cosmology, had been created by Buddhist priest Ikenobo Senkei in the 15th century. The huge arrangement was constructed of evergreens, foliage, flowers, and bare branches representing the natural landscape of white holly blossoms symbolized snow-capped mountains, and cascades of white chrysanthemums stood for waterfalls. Your window sides will be more embellished with this floral ecstasy.

• Shoka- The Flowers Of Life 
   

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This serene floral arrangement is triangular in shape, depicting three main components of the universe- heaven, man, and earth. Shōka designs symbolizes the balance of natural order, harmonizing the elements according to season. On distinct aspect of this arrangement is that, the numbers of branches used are always an uneven number. Adorn your table tops with this magnificence in petals.

• Moribana- Heap Of Flowers

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Moribana, in which naturalistic landscapes are constructed in low dishlike vases, was basically developed byOhara Unshin, founder of the Ohara school of floral art. This floral embellishment will certainly give your home a fresh yet edgy look, as it incorporates flowers imported from Western countries, breaking the rigid structural rules of classical floral art.

• Nageire- Adorn The Soul

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The term "nageire" implies "throw in." You need to use a tall, cylindrical vase with a narrow mouth to hold this arrangement together. There are no artificial devices to keep the branches and stems in place, being balanced supporting branches only. Make your interior stand apart with this narrow vase floral embellishment.

The Final Touch

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The people of Japan with their innate appreciation of beautiful things would have always liked flowers. Today the tradition of Ikebana is adapted in many home decors. You just have to take a few beautiful flowers tastefully plant & present them in very simple containers to enhance home décor or any special occasions like Mother's Day, Valentine's Day, birthday, anniversary, or any event that calls for a flower bouquet.

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