Creative Uses for Mirrors

Mirrors are wonderful simply hanging on a wall. They make rooms look bigger and help you look your best before running out the door, but did you know that there are many more creative ways to use them? For example, using a mirror as a tabletop can give your room a jolt of character. Changing out the original and plain see-through glass for a mirrored one makes everything you place on top it sparkle. Imagine placing some simple candles on the mirrored table, your home would look stunning with the candlelight being reflected everywhere.

You can also use a mirror as a focal point for your room. Framing small mirrors and placing them in a geometric design can create a look that is both intriguing and fun, all while creating additional depth in the room. This is especially great for long hallways. It helps create additional light through the reflection and helps distract the eye from the length of the hallway. Mirrors are extremely versatile in that they can go with any decor, so get decorating!

Dress Up Your Curb Appeal

Give your mail carrier something to look forward to with a mail box that exudes both style and charm. Mail boxes are one of the first things that people generally see when they approach your home, so why not spruce it up to make this addition to your property truly stand out. Dress up your curb appeal with a mailbox that gives people a glimpse of your creative side. Don't have a mailbox outside your home? There are so many styles and sizes of mailboxes to choose from. Many can be mounted directly on an outward wall of your home. This not only makes it convenient for you to retrieve your mail, but it also allows you to add a stylish accent to the front of your home.

Wonderful craftsman style mail boxes can give your home the warmth of a country abode. Perfectly suited for a home that is surrounded by lush landscaping, these mailboxes can also simply be used as decorative accents. With their soft colors that make it seem that they have been there a lifetime, no one will guess that this old world charm was added so recently. 

Lighten Up With Outdoor Lamps

As days become shorter it is becoming noticeably darker in the mornings. So while we fumble for our keys to leave the house in the morning (pre-coffee) it is so simple to run into that door that's been there since you bought the place. Save yourself a trip to the ER and get some outdoor posts to illuminate your outside walkways and driveways. These classic posts come in a variety of styles and best of all can be used with a timer. 

So when you get ready to fall back an hour in November, be prepared. A timer can be set on most lights and is very easy to set up. Inexpensive and easy to use, they not only make sure that your lighting is on when you need it the most, but they are also a great safety feature. Having lights on a timer when you are out of town or simply away for a few hours has been shown to effectively thwart possible robberies. So keep safe by making sure you have abundant effective lighting. Watch the video below and learn how to use a light timer! 

Planning Ahead

It is never too early to start planning for those wonderful family holidays that are just around the corner from us. With the holiday season fast approaching it is time to high-tail it to your favorite retail and online stores to make your home picture perfect for the many fantastic soirees you are sure to host. Holidays are some of the only times family and friends get the chance to spend time together, so make it extra special. Some splashes of color and some wonderful lighting go a long way especially when you are short on time.

With something as simple as some gorgeous candle holders and some holiday colored accessories you can easily have the most festive home on the block. Candle holders are wonderful accessories that add warmth to any room, as well as a wonderful soft glow that will easily shield any imperfections left from attending all those holiday cocktail parties!

Bringing the Bling

The new Swarovski lighting collections....are amazing. How can anyone not love glittery crystals that wink at you in the light? These decadent lighting fixtures make me want to design a room around them. With their sultry designs and elegant dark shades these pendants are perfectly made to romanticize any room. The pendants also come with interchangeable skirts to provide an ever-surprising living installation in your home.

 

With the ability to change the skirts to portray different colored crystals you can change the overall hue and feeling of your room. With wonderful rose hued crystals one can bask in the romantic glow that sparkles like a Parisian sky or with the lovely topaz crystals the deepest blue reminiscent of the ocean can sparkle in your home. Discover the newest collection of Swarovski lights and bring some glittery charm into your home. 

Accent Lighting

Accent lighting in a tall room can make a huge aesthetic difference in your room. Too much lighting can make a room look washed out, but with accent lighting you can illuminate certain areas to bring out the best in your home. Take advantage of architectural touches in your home with the proper lighting. This not only accentuates the beauty of your home, it brightens it up while maintaining its true colors.

So if you are fortunate to have beautifully designed ceilings, show them off in the best lighting for them. Being able to shine some light to illuminate the craftsmanship of your ceiling not only draws your eye upward, but it also makes the room itself look much airier. Indoor spotlights work very well for this task. With adjustable stands and small designs, there are many products available that are easy to install and can make a huge difference in the overall look of your home.

Reading Lights

After a busy day of work and errands, reading a book in your quiet oasis of a bedroom sounds like heaven. So you open the book and read a chapter or two before your eyes get heavy and you decide it is time to sleep. That is when you realize, while battling off sleep, that you have to stand up to turn off the lights. Simplify your life with wall swing lamps. Great for reading in bed and easy to turn off, this lamp not only performs an essential function it also comes in some dashing designs.

Swing lamps offer a versatile design that allows you to position the lamp at an angle that suits your needs best. Get the most out of your lighting and save your eyes from strain with these easy to install fixtures that are sure to make your nights more relaxing.

Finishing Touches

So you have worked hard to install the lighting you wanted and the fumes from the new paint on the wall has finally dissipated. Now what? Now it is time to add those finishing touches to your freshly coiffed room. Whether you are the new recipient of a contemporary living room or have just completed your kitchen in a Tuscan style, finding those perfect accessories to add to the room will complete the look you were going for. For a contemporary room consider a modern work of art for an empty wall or for a Tuscan room consider an art piece with all the warm colors of Tuscany in it.

Table accents also make a huge impact in rooms. Find accessories such as decorative bowls and figurines to add to your end tables. With so many designs and styles to choose from, your imagination will run wild with possibilities.

Decorative Bowls

It may seem silly to some, but decorative bowls are essential accessories that are found in every home. Some may not be as ornate as others, but we can all find them in some shape or form holding our keys or pleasantly perfuming our home with a mountain of potpourri. Essential little bowls have housed all sorts of forget-me-nots throughout the home, but it is time to put away grandma's mixing bowl and bring some stylish order to your home. Built in a variety of designs from quirky to contemporary to some that are just plain fussy, the right bowl for your home does exist.

Use simply as an eye catching accessory or use it as a place to stash some sweets for your grandchildren. With a million uses for them, it is always fun to pick up a few bowls to add to home. Whether strictly for design purposes or to give your husband some much needed organization, find the ones that are right for you. Find eye-popping designs at your local vintage shop or simply browse online in the convenience of your home.

Big Design for Large Spaces

If you find yourself with a space in your home that just seems impossible to give character to because of its size, it might be time to think of large accessories for it. Larger items, whether it is a large lighting fixture or an over-sized painting, can instantly transform a room from boring to fabulous. With a large lighting fixture, such as a chandelier, you can have people's eye move upwards. This not only draws them toward a high ceiling or architectural touch, but it can create that look of substance your room might have been lacking.

Large paintings cover a large expanse of wall space with color and design. Some paintings are available as multiple panels which covers an even greater surface area than a typically sized painting. Some prints are also available in that design. So if you find a space in your home that you are unsure what to do with, consider a work of art or a print. Large scale and with a design that matches your style, it is a sure way to make the best use of a large space.

Art for the Young at Heart

Decorating your home does not have to be boring! Your home will be that home you have always dreamed of....in due time. So take a deep breath and be okay with the idea that decor is a journey and not a quick stop to your local mega-mart. A home is a representation of yourself. So if you are an avid traveler, be sure to pick up some lovely mementos of your journey to add to your home's flair. If you are someone who frequents local music events, perhaps an enlarged photograph of a vintage concert is more up your alley. Allow your home to slowly take shape so that it can truly have all the details and charm that you want to be surrounded by.

A great way to add individual spice to your home is with art. Art does not have to be stodgy or chock full of pastels. There are plenty of alternative art pieces that speak as loudly and uniquely as you do. So keep your eye out for accessories that make your heart skip a beat and build your personal gallery at home.

American Craftsman Style

American craftsman style is an architectural design that came about in the late 19th century and remained very popular until the 1930's. Making a strong comeback and seeing a definite spike of interest, many homes built in this style are now being renovated to bring back this highly desirable architectural design. These bungalows are known for their hand-crafted stone and woodwork, as well as its use of mixed materials to contribute to the overall effect of this architectural style.

Interested in adding some of these accents to your home or need some accessories to add to the wonderful craftsman home you are decorating? Take a look in your local vintage stores, where you would be surprised at the amazing treasures you can find there. Whether it is a fireplace screen with ornate scrolling detail or a bronzed umbrella stand to add some sparkle to your foyer, it is that attention to detail that reflects the craftsman style. Find some vintage charm, whether old or new, and enjoy giving your home a look that has passed the test of time.

Display Your Pride and Joy

A home is slowly built through the individual touches of creativity and style that the homeowners add. Accessories that have specific meanings are all over people's homes, but they do not hold a candle to the photographs placed throughout a home to punctuate what the homeowners live for. Friends and family all have a special space in our hearts and also our walls, coffee tables, etc. Picture frames not only provide you with snaps of those happy faces you love so much, but they are also one of the first things people look at when they enter your home. 

Placing your photographs in creative frames adds a stylish accent to any space. Try grouping a collection of framed photographs together to build an art piece that is a mosaic of your loves. With so many styles to choose from it easy to get carried away. So find a wall that needs some attention and give it some charm. You will enjoy the homage to your favorite toothy grin every time you walk past it. 

Bath Time

Give your bathroom a face lift with new accessories! Simple changes can make a huge difference in these smaller spaces. So grab your nearest trash bin and start getting rid of all those towel bars that were placed there when shag carpeting was the new big thing. Bathrooms are meant to provide a spa-like and zenful experience. This is the place where you go to get your much needed time out. So splash some cool color on those walls and discover the wonderful bathroom accessories that are available to you.

With clean lines that emit a classic style, towel bars and hooks are a great way to tidy up any busy look. Find your serenity with a decor that flows nicely with the style that you already have in your home. With their gleaming finishes and functional style, it is easy to transform your bath into something so much more than a typical powder room. Create a space that works for you with simple changes that can bring you the calm we are all looking for.

Tablescapes

Getting one's table ready for company is an art. Watching your guests take in the lovely decor that you have so painstakingly pieced together is a great way to start any event. One particular mood-setting accessory that really sets the stage for any event is a candle. Under its warm glow, your beautiful place settings are bound to get you praise. Candle holders come in a multitude of designs. Some are for single candles, while others allow for a long or tall stretch of them. A candelabrum is basically a fixture in which multiple candles can be held. These were once routinely used to illuminate rooms before electricity. Nowadays, thankfully due to electricity, we only have to use them for decoration. So lower the lights and set the candles aglow for a dinner party that everyone will be talking about.

Grace your holiday table with sophisticated designs that add mood lighting to any space. Find candle holders in a long design and use as your Thanksgiving dinner centerpiece. Add some decorative touches around it, such as small pumpkins or autumn foliage and set a table worthy of your family's famous apple pie. 

Jump Start Your Fall Decor

With only a couple of weeks until the official start of Autumn stores are beginning to fill up their shelves with products in all those wonderful shades reminiscent of the turning leaves. Fiery orange, golden yellow, and shades of Merlot easily transform any space into a fall time winderland. Color is an inexpensive and easy do-it-yourself project that anyone can take on. Get inspired by the outdoors and by accessories available. Find a piece, whether a recently fallen leaf off a maple tree or a jewel toned accessory from your favorite local shop, and build a design around it.

With the proper lighting, any color that you choose to slather on your walls will give off that lustrous appearance that you were aiming for. One thing to remember is to be careful with lighting fixtures and the shades that they have. If you have a fixture that has yellow shades it will most likely give off a yellow hue. This hue will change the way your perceive the color in the room, thus making that lovely ocean blue you so meticulously debated over... a light shade of green. So decorate wisely and enjoy hunting for those lovely fall time colors!