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Design Center - Accessories & Wall Decor

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Accessories / Wall Decor: Pull a Room Together with a Great Area Rug . Many people think of area rugs as a good "finishing touch" for a room. Actually, a rug is a great way to begin decorating a room since it can give you a great color palette to start from. But wherever you are in the decorating process, an area rug can bring fresh excitement to your rooms, add texture and warmth, and tie together various elements of your furnishings and accessories. Area rugs effectively separate areas of a room - they can define a conversation area in the living room, a seating area in an office, or an eating area in the kitchen or dining room. They can separate rooms that have no defining wall and mark off areas by placing them on wall-to-wall carpeting. (Placing rugs on high traffic carpet areas is also a great way to extend the life of your carpeting.) Area rugs are available in a wide range of styles and prices to suit every budget, making it easy to transform a room from cold and dreary to warm and colorful in an afternoon. Consider these factors as you search for the perfect area rug to pull your room together: Select a size · Smaller-sized rugs can draw attention to and highlight furnishings, i.e., sofas, fireplaces or coffee tables. A small or medium rug can serve as the focal point of a room, and a large rug usually will be used in a living or dining room to bring the whole room together. A 9' x 12' rug will usually work well in an average-size living room. · A 4' x 6' or 6' x 9' rug generally works well under a coffee table. All four legs should fit on the rug, which should be around the same length and width of the furnishings within the space. · An 8' x 10' area rug works for most dining rooms. The chair legs should not fall off the rug when people are seated or when pulling chairs away from the table, so measure the length and width of the table and add at least four feet to each measurement to get a good size estimate. · Smaller area and "scatter" rugs can be ideal for use in small spaces or at hearthside, bedside or in front of a kitchen sink - anywhere you want a little splash of color. Select a style · The style of the area rug is equally important in your goal of "pulling it all together." Whether you prefer contemporary, traditional, Victorian, or something in between, you can find area rugs to accentuate your style. If you have rather eclectic tastes and your furnishings are from several style groups in the same room, area rugs can offer that binding look that makes it all seem to work together. · Don't get too hung up on defining "style." Consider the rug as a piece of artwork. You don't have to be married to the decision forever, but you should certainly like the colors and patterns of the rug you choose! Many people choose neutral colors/patterns for their large furniture pieces such as sofas and chairs because they don't want them to become outdated. Use the rug as a bolder statement to add color, patterns, and boldness into the room. However, if you do have a bold pattern or color scheme in your furniture, choose a more subtle rug that won't compete with it. Consider the materials/traffic · Consider the traffic in that space. The higher the traffic, the denser the rug will need to be. Choose a rug that will look and perform well, with the right combination of fiber and density. Wool and the synthetic yarns (nylon, polyester, acrylic, and polypropylene) are durable, soft and easy to clean. The denser the pile - with closer tufts, knots or stitches - the better your rug will wear. · Gaining popularity are rugs made of natural fibers, like wool, linen, cotton, jute and silk. · Consider the rug's texture. The textural properties of the raw fibers of the rug make it an interesting design element in a room. Think of how natural wools from flat-weave to plush, or wool blended with pure silk or high-tech synthetics, shags or earthy jute rugs contribute to the "mood" of a room. Color and pattern options · Light colored rugs will make a room look more spacious while a darker color scheme can add coziness to a bigger space. · A rug with a bold overall pattern can be the focal point of a room, with a sofa and chair in solid or subdued patterns. Consider using round, oval, octagonal or other shapes for a different look. · Ask yourself what effect you want the room to have - a warm, cozy room rich with bold colors and textures, or a calming, uncluttered space with softer hues and simple patterns? · Don't be afraid of patterns. Adding geometric patterns can take a traditional setting and make it appear more modern, while floral patterns and Persian designs have a more traditional appeal. · Use the colors in your rug to select small accent pieces for your room. This will help tie the room together into one cohesive space.

Accessories / Wall Decor: Show Off your Favorite Photos in a Beautiful Wall Collection . What good are those adorable shots of your four-year-old or precious pup if you never take them off your camera? Or those photos from your childhood that bring back cherished memories? And what about those gorgeous (and expensive) wedding pics now hiding away in the closet somewhere? The photos you love most are best appreciated when you have them around you, of course. And what better way to share the people and places you love most than by putting together an interesting collection in your home for guests to admire? Hanging photos intimidates many homeowners, often because they're afraid to make a mistake in grouping different shapes and sizes. But with a little guidance, you can easily transform a blank wall into a striking collection of art that is special to you and fun to share with guests. In general, artwork should be hung so that the center point of the picture or grouping is at about eye level. So first pick the one photo that you want to make the center of the grouping, preferably a larger print to serve as an anchor for the eye. Then pull together items that have something in common. All-gold frames with black-and-white images would tie unlike subject matter together. Or maybe you'd rather all black wood frames and white matting. Then, add a couple items with some dimension, such as a similarly framed mirror. Don't overdo the variety so that the common thread of the grouping is lost. Also, don't feel that you have to use all the items you've collected - if something doesn't fit in, save it for another wall in the room. A grouping of pictures should be thought of as one unit. That being said, there are several different shapes or arrangements that you can choose for the space you have: · Block - similarly shaped and sized pictures often look most effective in a simple block arrangement. Take care over the spacing and deep the gaps between the pictures even. · Framework - set your pictures within a well-defined shape, such as a rectangle or oval, inside an imaginary framework. Balance the display by placing the largest pictures in corners or in the middle of the arrangement. · Single row - For a horizontal row, range the top or bottom edge of your frames along an imaginary line. For horizontal, vertical or slanted rows, such as stairwells, display them with the centers on an imaginary straight line. · Double row - Two rows of pictures can either be line up centrally, by running an imaginary line between the rows, or be aligned at the top and bottom of the double row. Line up the sides of the outer pictures too. · Cross - Group pictures round an imaginary cross, with the largest near the center of the cross, balanced by smaller pictures at the outer edges. Consider also that horizontal lines tend to elongate, widen, and emphasize a casual decorating scheme while vertical lines tend to be more formal, add to the illusion of height, and can seem more elegant. So let's get ready to hang some photos! While you're holding the piece up on the wall, have someone else put a tiny pencil mark along the top of the frame right in the middle. Next, measure the distance between the top of the frame and the spot on the back of the frame from where the photo will hang. Then go back to your pencil mark, subtract the difference, and make another pencil mark where your nail or hook will go. Always test an arrangement of pictures by laying everything out on the floor, playing with combination until you hit upon one that works. Cutting out sheets of paper to the size of your frames is even better because you can work with them easily on the ground, then tape them up on the wall to help you put all your nails in the right place. Also, when hanging art over a piece of furniture such as a sofa or table, keep in mind it should not be longer than the width of the furniture - follow the general principle of being about 75% of the furniture's width. Once the frames are all hung, it's easy to change or update the photos as you want to mix it up over time. Now for the best part. Put all the tools away, stand back and admire your beautiful collection.

Accessories / Wall Decor: Wallpaper Renaissance . Many remember the wallpapers of the 1960s and 1970s, when bright geometric patterns, pop-art designs and vinyl were all the rage. But by the mid-'80s, wallpaper slowly began to fall out of favor. Instead, homeowners stripped their walls, opting for a more minimalist look. According to the Wall Covering Association, the downward trend for wallpaper took a noticeable plunge in the mid-'90s when homeowners began painting their walls in neutral colors. Now, wall coverings have once again come into vogue. Helping this trend gain momentum is the high-end interior design community. Today's designers are realizing that well designed interiors should include a variety of wall treatments: painted walls, faux finished walls, and wall covering. Designers are re-acquainting themselves with the array of options available in wall coverings. The choices are almost endless and the impact almost limitless. In addition, tremendous technical, design innovations have been made in the wall covering industry in the past ten years. Wall covering manufacturers today offer so much more than what was available to your grandmother's generation. Designers certainly have taken notice. Timeless, classic wall covering designs are being rediscovered by "main stream America." Traditional homes are once again enhanced by classic stripes, damasks, and toiles. Contemporary environments are embracing retro geometrics and bright color. Designers say the right wallpaper can make a room appear larger or a ceiling feel higher. Wallpaper can add interest where there are no architectural features, and it can help disguise damaged walls and other structural imperfections. Paper can bring out a homeowner's personality and create atmosphere. And there are enough choices, including large-scale graphics, metallics, silks, linens, velvet flocking, leather, grass cloth, bamboo, lacquer and burlap, to please almost any taste. Some faux-finish designs resemble silk, suede or marble, and others mimic metal, natural stone or brick. And talk about versatility: Use wallpaper on all four walls, one accent wall or just the ceiling. Paper the inside of a closet or kitchen cabinets or use paper to line shelves. Frame leftover pieces for use as art on painted walls. And say so long to your paper scraper, because many styles have non-woven backing, which allows for easy removal. Grab a corner, pull it and it comes right off. Leading trends include murals, coverings with an aged elegance or gentle worn look, and especially textured looks. Others are pushing the design envelope, adding all sorts of tactile dimensions. In fact, some cutting edge wall coverings are made of anything but paper. Grass cloth is especially popular. It's been around for 100 years, but only the wealthy could afford it. Now, it's easily available on the mass market. Mural Wall Coverings Be it a Parisian street scene, a baseball field or a children's storybook fantasy, murals are a popular choice in customizing any room. Textured Wall Coverings Anything textured in wall coverings is extremely popular. Elements range from grass cloth to sand to animal textures and even glass. Almost any element that can be glued can be made into a wall covering. The sky is the limit, and so is the price. Although the average wallpaper may cost between $20 to $30 per roll, "couture" wall coverings can cost more than $200 a yard. Many of these looks, however, are being knocked off and sold at much lower prices. Some Wallpaper Q's & A's From the Wallpaper Council Q: How can wallpaper make a small room look bigger? What are the best patterns? A: In general, light colors add a feeling of spaciousness. In particular, striped wall coverings are a sure bet for adding height to a room. Stripes visually raise the height of the ceiling by drawing the eye upward. At the same time, pastel colors broaden the room, and make the expanse of the wall seem larger. Together, subtle stripes and pastel colors can make a room seem bigger overall by drawing the eye both upward and sideways. If you want to achieve a feeling of spaciousness in a small area, a hallway or throughout an entire room, stick to neutral and light colors Q: When and where can textured wallpaper be used? A: Textured patterns can be used almost anywhere in the home. A textured pattern is a wonderful color carrier to bring together a study or den. Q: How do you choose a color scheme? A: Think first about practical aspects of the room such as: · Function: How is the room used? Warm colors work well for active rooms, cool colors for relaxation areas. · People: Who will use the room? Consider their color preferences when selecting your color scheme. · Location: What is the exposure to sunlight? Northern and eastern exposures benefit from warm color schemes; western and southern exposures from cool schemes. · Size: Do you want to increase or decrease the apparent size? Warm colors advance, making the room seem smaller; cool colors recede, making the room appear larger.

Accessories / Wall Decor: Screen Plays . Decorative screens are rarely used for their original purpose: privacy, but that hasn't decreased their popularity. Today, these flexible furnishings are utilized in a number of ways. To cozy up a corner back a chair or chaise with a decorative screen. By adding a small table and lamp, you can create an intimate and appealing reading retreat. You can also use a decorative screen to divide a single, large space. The result will be two new areas that flow beautifully from one area to the other. When living space needs to be divided into functional zones, nothing accomplishes this task better than use of folding screens. Folding screens enhance your home with their incredible versatility, mobility, adjustability, and aesthetic value. Best of all, folding screens do not require any installation and can easily be folded and moved any time you want. Decorative folding screens can be absolutely beautiful and satisfy any style preferences and decorating taste. Decorative screens are also great ways to section off a part of your home for storage. Because of their height, they can hide stacked boxes of items such as winter clothing or seasonal decorations. If you don't have a closet for your cleaning supplies, hide your vacuum, broom, and mop behind a tall screen. However you use them, these decorative elements can add color, pattern, and dimension to an otherwise lackluster room. With the right screen play, you can be assured of a happy ending. Here are a few additional tidbits about using decorative screens: · Screens hide things that you don't want people to see, while adding beauty to your room. · Use screens to divide rooms. In 18th century England, people were taxed for the number of rooms they had. They often used screens to divide rooms and therefore, paid less taxes. · Black lacquered screens make beautiful accents to a room. They are painted with many layers of paint, lacquered, and then carved to reveal the underlying colors. Use this type of screen as a headboard or in a corner that's difficult to decorate. · Take the hinges off larger screens and use the pieces separately. · Old iron pieces can be used as fireplace screens. Place a plant behind it for a touch of color and texture. · Hand painted French screens add a lot of color to a room. They add a splash of color to a living room or use in a bedroom to provide a private dressing area. · Contemporary, solid-colored screens make a sophisticated backdrop for a piece of sculpture. · Combine a screened section in a bedroom to provide a private dressing area. History 101 The history of folding screens began in China, where they appeared in the 7th century. These sophisticated pieces of furniture were made in many sizes, from extremely large, oversized folding screens that were used in spacious palaces, to miniature decorative screens that could comfortably fit on a table top. Folding screens used as room dividers were constructed from several panels attached to each other. In the 7th century folding screens were also introduced in Japan. Due to Japanese customs and architecture, folding screens remained a very important decorative interior addition. Traditionally, in Japanese homes people sat on the floor while eating, entertaining, and during official ceremonies. Accordingly, the hand-painted design was concentrated to the bottom part of a screen. This allowed for the most detailed part of a screen design to be visible at eye level. Some believe that folding screens were introduced to Europe by Marco Polo. Decorative screens instantly gained popularity because of their size and beauty. Moreover, skilled artisans could easily reproduce the uncomplicated construction of the folding screens.

Accessories / Wall Decor: Picture Hanging Quick Tips . · Hang pictures so that the middle is at eye level. That's between 58 and 62 inches from the floor. · Cluster three to four smaller pictures together instead of spreading them out across the room to create a finished look. · Pictures in a dining room can be hung lower on the wall since they will be viewed while seated. · When creating a picture grouping, place the heaviest picture at the bottom. · Cut out newspaper templates and tape them to the wall to help determine the best placement. · Vertical artwork creates a more formal setting; horizontal artwork creates a casual and restful setting.

Accessories / Wall Decor: Accessorizing Quick Tips . · Cluster objects to create a related table-top scene. · Vary the height of the objects you are working with. You can add height by placing some objects on top attractive books laying on the surface. · Work with odd numbers of objects: 3, 5, or 7. This makes the eye travel over triangular paths, creating visual interest. · Symmetrical arrangements are more formal in nature; asymmetrical arrangements are more casual. · Pay attention to scale. Make sure your objects are not too small or too big for the area in which they are being displayed.