by: Keller Hawthorne
Many of you probably remember visiting your grandma's house as a child. I can still see how my grandmother had decorated her home. Every inch of surface and space was filled! The mantle, the kitchen counters, and of course the floor. She was a self-proclaimed pack-rat! When you walk into a home drowning in "stuff", it immediately bombards you and creates overwhelming vibes. So, how do we show every little nick knack we love, without going overboard?
I have a very strict rule with myself that every surface in my home should be clean and almost completely cleared. I enjoy showing off my candles, vases, and other items. However, I have learned when it becomes too much. As a teenager I had covered every inch of my dressers and desk with decorations. My bedroom had become more of a showplace then a home. My decorations were nicely placed as sort of a retail window display, but I could never find a place to set something down.. Which of course meant the floor was the only other option. As you can imagine, my old room never stayed clean for very long. Years later, when I got my own place, I was finally sick of my beautiful items appearing more as clutter then as strategically placed home decorations. I cleared my surfaces and started fresh!
I now place only a few of my "can't live without" decor pieces on my desk, dressers, dining table, and kitchen counters. The rest have been stored away. If you don't think you can part with your treasures, remember these great benefits to the "minimal design":
1. Once you have items stored away, you can replace which items you show off each season, which will give your home a new and fresh look. Mix and match and it will look as if you redecorate every month, just by switching which items you have out!
2. When you place a ton of distinct and unique items together, they each lose their charm and eye-catching appeal. If you want people to notice your great design sense and adorable treasures, make sure they can actually see them amongst every other item you have in your home.
3. Your home will appear more spacious and much tidier with this method. Plus, now you can see that beautiful wood table you've been covering up!
4. You can actually set stuff down! And to make sure you don't get in the habit of making a mess, set designated decorative baskets for items such as car keys.
It is easy to get caught up with buying every little nick knack you can find and covering your dressers with jewelry boxes and the dozens of perfume bottles you simply have to keep. But, keep in mind that a cluttered home can infringe on your efficiency as a home business owner, full time parent, or simply a person who needs to find their shoes! But remember, you don't have to throw these items out. Spend some time today removing half of the things you have displayed on your surfaces. Neatly store them in an easy access linen closet for future use. In a few months, when you feel like you need a change, replace the decorations with your stored items and voila! It will look as if you just redecorated. By using the "minimal design" you will be surprised out how much better your home will look and feel!
About The Author
Keller Hawthorne is the owner of http://www.kbhoutlet.com, which specializes in Elegant Home Decor Accents, Outdoor Garden Decorations and Wood Furniture. Find more home decorating and gardening ideas at our Resource Center, http://www.kbhoutlet.com/resource_center.html. Copyright © 2006 The KBH Outlet Please keep hyperlinks active and content as is when reprinting this article.
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Are You Scared to Start a Home Based Business?
Are You Scared to Start a Home Based Business?
by: Michele Miller
Every year more and more people are working from home, starting their own businesses.
Men and women, even teenagers are starting their own home business ventures.
In the last ten years work-at-home businesses have tripled, according to statistics.
I think it's probably more than that actually.
Just look at how many people make a living selling things on EBay!?
It's no wonder really why so many people want to work at home and there are a vast amount of good reasons why.
The costs of traveling, including vehicle maintenance, the cost of gas, child-care, and dry-cleaning, are just a few good reasons why it's cheaper to stay home and work, right?!
Not having to answer to a boss or a supervisor is another great reason too.
Being able to set your own hours and work when you want to work is a definite plus as well.
Some people...
Are You Scared to Start a Home Based Business?
Candles > Are You Scared to Start a Home Based Business?
Tips For Accessorizing Your Home
Tips For Accessorizing Your Home
by: Sintilia Miecevole
Accessorizing your home is a very important aspect in the decorating process. You can add character and beauty to a home in many ways:
Look at your home and decide what theme you want to accomplish. Is it a contemporary, country, southwest, traditional or ethic style? Look in magazines, books or the internet to find accessories you would like. Have at least one piece you treasure in every room! Purchase accessories that go with the theme and color of your room. Color choices should compliment the main color in the room.
It is recommended to group your accessories in odd numbers. Different heights and textures are also attractive. For example, a night side table can have a lamp, picture frame and small pot of flowers as a grouping.
Entry ways should be uncluttered. This area of the home is the first hint at what the rest of your home is like. A side table with your most dramatic...
Tips For Accessorizing Your Home
Candles > Tips For Accessorizing Your Home
Creative Problem Solving
Creative Problem Solving
by: Stephen Pierce
So, you have a problem that you need to solve quick. You have agonized over this issue for hours, days, months, or even years and you still can?t resolve it. Well, don?t worry my friend; the answer is already within you. You simply need to call forth your creative energy in order to bring the answer into your focused mind.
How do you do this? It is easy. You simply utilize creative problem solving, that?s how. Creative what? Creative problem solving. You see, creative problem solving is the powerful act of utilizing internal out-of-the box creativity to solve everyday problems.
Creativity that is already inside of you and the good news is that it can be done by anyone with any type of problem. It matters not if you?re a toddler or a sassy sexy citizen, it matters not if you are a housewife or a neurosurgeon, you can solve problems creatively and you can do it without stressing out. All you have...
Creative Problem Solving
Candles > Creative Problem Solving
Arranging Design Accents
Arranging Design Accents
by: Damien Pfirsch
Homes are often judged by the condition of their interior finishes. More than anything else, we notice and remember the details of a room?s decoration: the singular touches that express the homeowner?s tastes and personality. D?cor accents, furnishings and works of art significantly impact upon the atmosphere of a room. They make the difference between a space that looks aesthetically designed and thoroughly thought out, and one that looks uneven or half-finished. But certain rules need to be followed to create an organized and neat d?cor scheme.
Some of the best details are works of art: exquisite ceramic wares, striking abstract paintings, picture frames, and fabrics, among other items. Or they could be collections of accents such as vases, trays and boxes.
When arranging objects and creations, keep proportions in mind. The size of pieces relative to each other and the space itself is their...
Arranging Design Accents
Candles > Arranging Design Accents
25 Christmas Stocking Filler Ideas For Your Teenage Girl
25 Christmas Stocking Filler Ideas For Your Teenage Girl
by: Emily Goodwin
You may think that Christmas stocking fillers for teenage girls will be expensive but they don?t have to be.
Save the DVD?S and CD?S to go under the Christmas tree and use this list as a starting point for buying smaller treats and necessities for her stocking.
Remember that a lot of the items you would have to buy anyway (or get talked into buying!) so by adding them as small gifts at Christmas time you are keeping ahead of the game.
1. Candles and candle holders
2. Photo frames
3. Underwear and socks/ tights
4. Toiletries, hair accessories and cosmetics (nail varnish, makeup brushes, deodorant, face masks, bubble bath, lipstick and moisturiser)
5. Notebook/diary/journal
6. Magazines / books
7. Chocolate and sweets (Always a favourite!)
8. Handbag
9. Purse/wallet
10. Key ring
11. Ornaments / things...
25 Christmas Stocking Filler Ideas For Your Teenage Girl
Candles > 25 Christmas Stocking Filler Ideas For Your Teenage Girl
Are You Scared to Start a Home Based Business?
Are You Scared to Start a Home Based Business?
by: Michele Miller
Every year more and more people are working from home, starting their own businesses.
Men and women, even teenagers are starting their own home business ventures.
In the last ten years work-at-home businesses have tripled, according to statistics.
I think it's probably more than that actually.
Just look at how many people make a living selling things on EBay!?
It's no wonder really why so many people want to work at home and there are a vast amount of good reasons why.
The costs of traveling, including vehicle maintenance, the cost of gas, child-care, and dry-cleaning, are just a few good reasons why it's cheaper to stay home and work, right?!
Not having to answer to a boss or a supervisor is another great reason too.
Being able to set your own hours and work when you want to work is a definite plus as well.
Some people...
Are You Scared to Start a Home Based Business?
Candles > Are You Scared to Start a Home Based Business?