Astro Findings
My sister and her husband recently bought a new house. Actually it is an older house that needs some work but they are excited because it is their first house. The house warming party is next week and I wanted to get something special. It has to be unique and it has to be useful. It would also be nice if no one else showed up with the same gift. There is nothing worse than showing up with a gift that someone else has already given. Anyway we started thinking of some gift ideas and came up with a few good ones. I need to avoid choosing something that I would personally like and think about items that they would want or could use.
The first room that everyone defaults to for house warming gifts is the kitchen. This is because there is a seemingly endless supply of different gadgets, some useful some useless, that you can buy for the kitchen. You can choose from toasters to cutlery sets to pot holders if you are very cheap. I think a neat gift that would be a safe bet is a small 12 bottle wine cooler that sits on the counter. I am somewhat confident that no one else is thinking of a wine cooler. One thing I do know is that my sister and her husband love wine so this is a gift that they would love and actually use.
Another way to go would be to think along the lines of different tools that they will need as they fix up their house. This could include some carpentry tools or drywall tools which I am sure will come in handy. Another really useful item would be a new drill driver. I know that they already have one so maybe I can get a cordless sander, which they don’t have, and some extra Makita drill batteries which will definitely come in handy. They actually spoke about the fact that they will need to by a lawn mower but that is a bit outside of my budget. The only way that I could possibly get them such an expensive house warming gift would be if we teamed up with my parents and chipped in for it.
Some other miscellaneous things would be everyday glassware or dishes, but then you run the risk of either someone else giving the same gift or, picking a style that they end up not liking and ultimately exchanging. A sort of cop out would be a gift card to a home goods store or a department store. That is the lazy approach. I would rather really think about something that they will use and really want to have. We settled on the wine cooler. It just seems like a nicer gift. Also, why should I buy tools for them that I will end up having to use when they tell me I need to come over one weekend and help with one of their projects.
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Tags: wine storage
Posted in Accessories · March 17th, 2010 · Comments (0)
If you don’t have an Interior Design or you abhor your living room then don’t stress too much about it. You can make a lot of adjustments to improve it without breaking the bank. These 10 simple tricks can help modify your living room into something spectacular.
1. Focal Point
Every room should have a focal point which means pick a plan for the room. Make sure that your guests are able to speak to each other without raising their voice. The furniture should be positioned around the focal point which is an architectural detail like a fireplace, flat screen TV, or a work of art. Once you’ve chosen the focal point arrange the furniture accordingly.
2. De-Clutter
Sadly many people don’t know how to throw away things. Having too many things in a room can make it feel smaller and messy. If you can’t throw or give away certain things then put them in storage because a messy room will mess up the look that you’re going for.
3. Define the Area
Area rugs are a spectacular way to define the living room. It can bring awareness to the conversation area. It doesn’t matter if its basic or showy it creates visual definition that either adds or ties the space together.
4. Details
Details like architectural features increase detail. But furnishings are also a great way to enliven the room. You don’t want a gaudy room but you also don’t want a bare one. Having assets on the wall can make it feel both homey and chic.
5. Paint
As a universal rule the flooring should be darker than the walls. The color of the flooring grounds the space and balances it. And having a new coating of lighter paint can change your living room. A fresh coat of paint can totally change the look and feel of a room.
6. Lights
There are different kinds of lighting and you should vary them throughout the room. There should be lighting for different activities like reading, watching TV, and parties. But be certain to stay away from one single light fixture overhead.
7. Flora
Adding some plant life to your living space adds color and life. Plus it makes the room feel more natural and keeps the air cleaner. Silk plants can add some appeal to the room but it doesn’t compare to a live one.
8. Mirrors
Mirrors can really open up a room, but be wary not to hang them. If you put it where you or your guests can constantly see yourselves, it is distracting and makes everyone uneasy.
9. Angle Furniture
Avoid placing your furniture next to the wall and make the room more attractive by placing it on the diagonal. It improves the design and adds vigor to the room.
10. Insert Color
In this world there are people that avoid color and those that overdo it, but finding the correct balance can be delicate. Pick neutral furnishings and add color through pillows, accessories, and art.
Living rooms should be lived in but not appear like they’re lived in. They should epitomize who you are but if your living room needs some sprucing up then these top 10 tips can turn your ordinary room into a finished masterpiece.
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Tags: Accessories, Decorating, Home Decor, House, interior design
Posted in Accessories · January 27th, 2010 · Comments (0)