6 tips on how to become an interior decorator

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If you happen to receive constant stream of compliments regarding the way you design your own home and how good your taste is when it comes to shaping up interiors, then a career as an interior designer might just be waiting for you. Though it’s not an easy task, becoming a professional interior decorator only requires you have an eye for fashion, an intuitive sense of style and the ability to adapt and create/recreate. Here are some simple and easy tips that could help you start your journey towards a whole new career…

interior designer 6 tips on how to become an interior decorator Train your eye to pick up on details instantly

A good interior designer has a natural talent for picking up what is right with the room, which stuff looks out of place and what needs to be altered to change the current look. No matter how good you are (instinctively), it is only honing these skills will make you better. Whenever you walk into a room from now on, just observe what you like, what you would change and how you would improve its beauty. Start the practice for now in your own mind. Flip through magazines and the internet for more new ideas.

Obtain an appropriate degree or certification to get started

While this is not a must, if you are setting big goals and wish to go completely professional in interior decorating, then this is a must. The education will not only polish your existing talent, but it will open your mind up to new ideas, past designing trends and latest in the world of style. Certification can be obtained at various skill levels depending on the goals you have set for yourself. Start modest and soon you can aim for the peak. A degree in this regard will also help you get a job at a designing firm.

interior decorator 6 tips on how to become an interior decorator You will need to study a lot beyond what meets the eye

Decorating a home not only means understanding style, elegance and looks but also materials, their respective nature and how well they fit into the given atmosphere. For this, one must take a look at stuff like the toxicity and flammability of materials apart from their nature of wear and tear and how they interact with different climate conditions. When it comes to setting a house in place, functionality is as much an issue as form.

Get lots of practice- even if it pays nothing

Like in every other profession on the planet, practice is the difference between success and failure. No matter how good you are, you will not understand many practical hassles unless you get down and get things done across the home. Keep altering your own home constantly and also decorate the homes of your friends and relatives – even if it does not pay a dime. There will come a day when all this ‘free work’ will pay off in a big way.

profesional interior decorator 6 tips on how to become an interior decorator Make a portfolio and build your own contacts

In the world of fashion and design the two most important aspects that define your success are your portfolio and your contacts. Make a great portfolio initially and if that means working as an assistant to someone for a small amount of time, so be it. Then make sure you have some good contacts. As your contact list and the amount of work grow, your portfolio looks more impressive and clients can be roped in. It is a like a chain that sustains and grows!

Always keep leaning- Design locally, but think globally

It is important to work keeping in mind the local sensibilities, tastes, climate patterns and needs. Try to mix and match with new trends and be connected with the world; stay with the pulse of the industry. Interior decorating is a very dynamic field and those who fail to keep up will have to face the ‘axe’.

Decorating interiors for a living is a great feeling as you take home not only the cash but also the satisfaction that you have touched, altered and improved the life of someone. It is feeling that not many professions have to offer-a combination of aesthetics, cash, creativity and functionality.

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Published by Alex Ion 10 Feb 2009 in Tips & Tricks

5 Tips for Decorating a Small Studio Apartment

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The biggest problem that not just interior designers but the whole of mankind faces today, is the tricky situation in regards to limited space. With the room around us shrinking so rapidly, small studio apartments challenge with their limited spaces. So how exactly are we going to fit so much into so little? Here are some tips that will help you figure out just that…

small studio apartment 5 Tips for Decorating a Small Studio Apartment

Choose wisely and edit ruthlessly

The most basic way of making a small studio apartment look real awesome is by making sure that it does not actually appear small and cluttered. The best way to do this is by ensuring that you only bring in what is absolutely necessary and by phasing out all that is not essential. Unlike a large space, there is no luxury of putting up stuff for mere aesthetics. Utility has to be your priority.

Create a well-defined and sufficient storage space

When you are picking and choosing as much as you do in case of a small studio apartment, it is important to have a sufficiently large storage space that is concealed and will hold all the stuff that you won’t throw away. Must be spacious and well-maintained.

Make specific areas and stick to a single flowing theme

A small studio apartment feels right, when you have a single theme flowing throughout. Do not overdo the design aspect and complicate things. Keep it single and simple. Also create well defined areas and rooms to ensure that one does not encroach on the other. This will once again make it easy for you while shopping for furnishings as you will have an idea about what goes where and how much space is available for a particular piece of furniture.

studio apartment 5 Tips for Decorating a Small Studio Apartment

Lighting and dividers

Usage of dividers will demarcate the space and while sometimes it is a good idea to use thin glass, you can try wood as well. It all depends on your need and taste. Use the right lighting as it brings out the beauty of the apartment and makes it look less congested.

Buy smart, space-conscious furniture

This is the age where furniture is also programmed to multi-task, so invest in something that saves on space. There are many ways you can do it. Starting with a sofa set that will double up as a bed to smaller bathtubs that fit quietly into a corner. If you are willing to go the extra yard and search, you will always find a good deal on smart gear.

Designing a small apartment studio into a cozy little hub is not a very easy task. For the transformation to take place, it requires imagination, patience and an ability to be highly resourceful. These simple steps along with specific solutions for individual spaces will surely help you get over your small scale designing woes.

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Published by Alex Ion in Apartments, Tips & Tricks

Spotless sanity: How to clean and maintain your outdoor furniture

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The furniture in your home is safe, secure and often enjoys the pampering care of the brush, vacuum cleaner and even the wet cloth once in a while. But what really needs extra care is the furniture outdoors in the patio.

Having been exposed to the fury of the elements all year long, patio furniture often needs that extra bit of attention to keep it going for long. Different materials need to be cared for in different ways to sustain their beauty and utility. But the basics of it are simple, easy to follow and will help save both the attractiveness of your home and the cash in your wallet.

outdoor furniture Spotless sanity: How to clean and maintain your outdoor furnitureSo let’s get down to understanding the business of cleaning and maintaining outdoor furniture.

Brush away dirt with acre and gentleness

One simple way of taking care of your patio furniture is by brushing away dirt and cleaning them gently on a regular basis. This does not require either much time or great effort. Simply use a nylon cloth or duster along with a leaf blower to just clear the surface. This ensures that dirt won’t stick nor accumulate into something that is hard to get rid of in a few months time. Simple regular care has great benefits compared to the once in a year extensive makeover!

Use a gentle hose to remove stuck dirt and try pressure wash

Hose-away dirt that is stuck on the surface and cannot be removed using just the dusters. Do not ever try to forcefully remove the stain using brute strength or by scratching it mindlessly. This only helps destroy the surface of the furniture. Water is often the best way to cleanse and pressure wash is becoming a popular way of cleaning outdoor furniture. But once you do get this done, sun dry the furniture and then double check it to make sure everything is bone dry.

Scrub off stubborn stains using the right agent

Mild soap and water are excellent agents to scrub off the sticky stains, irrespective of the material of outdoor furniture. It could be aluminum, metal, wrought iron, wicker, plastic of wood, the technique works for all. But makes sure that use very mild soap and the leave the furniture dry.

outdoor furniture2 Spotless sanity: How to clean and maintain your outdoor furniturePolish, Protect and Pain- 3 P’s that never fail

Once you are done with the cleaning part, make sure the wooden and wicker furniture along with the metal and aluminum stuff are properly polished with a protective coating of wax or appropriate agent to protect them from the elements. This offers the automatic protection for a long time. In case you see faults in metal and wooden furniture like rust and irregularities, restore them to prevent the spreading of damage and repaint.

Know the material of your outdoor furniture and treat them accordingly

Apart from teak and cedar, wooden furniture should be stored indoors during the winter. This helps a great deal in protecting and making them look great for years together. Other material like resin and plastic are less harmed by changing weather patterns. While aluminum is an exception, other metals should be kept away from extreme and prolonged exposure to moisture.

By taking care of outdoor furniture and cleaning them regularly, you not only add glittering shine to your own home, but make sure that your investment pays off well. Just remember that if you are bothered enough to clean the furniture inside your home regularly, then it should be no different in case of the expensive stuff on your patio!

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Published by Alex Ion 09 Feb 2009 in Tips & Tricks

Wooden delights: How to buy a quality dresser

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Most often it’s a touch of wood that truly brings class and comfort to interiors of a home no matter what artificial material one uses; it is that touch of natural elegance that gives every home a complete look. Yet, the problem with picking a wonderful dresser is that people often tend to concentrate too much on how attractive it is and forget about quality and endurance.

new dresser Wooden delights: How to buy a quality dresser Picking quality dressers is not as hard as one might feel, as simple care while making a purchase can save you plenty of trouble and tons of cash. Of course, there is also the added incentive of adding beauty to your bedroom. So, how about getting started on how to pick a quality dresser?

Make sure that the wood of the dresser is kiln-dried and of high quality

If your dresser has a humidity content that is more than 8-12%, then it simply means that it is not made from kiln-dried wood and that makes it an automatic no-no. Never buy a dresser that is not kiln-dried as the wood will very quickly peel off and split making you investment a complete waste. Even if it costs a tad bit more, quality wood will last longer and give your interiors a great look.

Push and pull it a little and test it out thoroughly

A good dresser should not just stand the test of time, but also the test of decent wear and tear. So push and pull the dresser a bit before you buy it. It should not give way or make any squeaking sounds. Also pull out the drawers and see how smoothly they work and if the wood used is consistent throughout.

Check the joints and veneers for quality

All quality dressers should be made out of wood-on-wood joints such as dovetail and doweling joints. If the dresser uses any butt joints or even staples, then you can rest assured that the dresser is not worth taking home as these will not last any considerable period of time. Check for how well the dresser is put together and make sure that the joints are properly in place.

dresser Wooden delights: How to buy a quality dresser Style and texture to match your home

Obvious focus of your purchase will be regarding how well the dresser goes with your existing furniture. Remember that a contrasting shade in wood, compared to your existing furniture also makes for a good style statement. As long as you are assured of the quality, the color, shades and texture can always be adjusted.

Ensure that the finishing is spot one and scratch-free

The finishing on top of the dresser is a lot more than mere way of improving its looks. It offers durability and protects the wood making sure that your dresser lasts really long. Check for the quality of finish and make sure that it feels nice and smooth when you touch it. Rough and broken finish often indicates poor quality. The edges of the doors and the insides of the drawers should be just as smooth as the other surfaces. Make sure that the quality is constant throughout.

A high quality dresser is an investment that will last a real long time with very little care and it adds a great deal of charm to the space that it adorns. So next time you go shopping for a dresser, remember that there is a lot more involved than just the looks!

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Published by Alex Ion in Tips & Tricks

Sweet dreams on soft fabric: How to buy quality bedding

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There are so many places in our daily life where we tend to compromise on quality for cheaper buys. But when it comes to picking something on which you spend almost one-third of your life and tend to get all the rest you need, there must be absolutely no compromise in quality. Purchasing high quality bedding might look like an expensive deal, but when it comes to giving you the perfect night’s sleep no amount is too much. Right? Considering the fact that it can affect the quality of your life, here are a few tips that will help you in this endeavor.

new bedding Sweet dreams on soft fabric: How to buy quality bedding

Materials define your comfort levels

The single most important factor that determines the quality of your bedding is the quality of material that it is made of. It is by now an universally agreed fact that bedding made out of Egyptian cotton and Pima cotton are the best in terms of comfort. Of course, if you cannot afford the very best, then you can look at other varieties of cotton.

Check for the thread count on the bedding

A very simple and basic indicator of the quality of bedding at an instant look is the thread count that is mentioned on it. Greater the thread count, greater will be the comfort offered by the fabric. Thread count is basically the amount of threads per square inch, or the density of the weave. In order to get more threads per inch, the threads have to be thinner. Thread counts for bed linen can range from as low as 80 for a basic fabric to as high as 400 for Egyptian cotton. Choose a fabric with a thread count of at least 100 and you can aim for more depending on your budget and taste.

cool bedding Sweet dreams on soft fabric: How to buy quality beddingLookout for the term ‘percale’ on the fabric

Percale is a type of fabric with a high thread count and a specific type of weave, and can be made from a number of different materials. This is normally a simple and easy indicator that offers you a good assurance of high quality. Percale can be either a fabric that is 100% cotton or even a cotton polyester blend. So read on carefully in case you want only cotton to make sure you do not bring home blended fabric.

Pick bedding that suits your interiors and existing décor

Apart from the quality check, make sure you pick out bedding that suits the theme of your bedroom, the existing décor and comes in designs, colors and patterns that you like. Pick something that is the appropriate balance between quality, style and price. This ensures that you get the best possible deal. Also stay on the lookout for some decent deals on the internet when it comes to bedding, as you find quite a few around.

black white bedding Sweet dreams on soft fabric: How to buy quality beddingAlways prefer cotton over any synthetic fabric

Whenever you wish to buy new bedding, remember that cotton is always the most preferable fabric and is safe both environmentally and is the healthy choice. Artificial fabrics like polyester are uncomfortable, not really very durable and can often give you nightmares in bed with their texture. So prefer organic and sleep sound

Good bedding can make a world of difference to your life as you wake up each morning refreshed to face the challenges of a new day. So do think about quality beyond price when it comes to the fabric that coaxes you to sleep.

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Published by Alex Ion 08 Feb 2009 in Tips & Tricks
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