Home-Design - When To Call In The Professionals

When you’re redesigning your home, the first question you need to ask yourself is whether you’re going to hire a professional or do it yourself. The answer depends on what you’re planning on doing.

There are plenty of things that you can do yourself quickly and easily: painting, putting up shelves and cupboards, all that kind of thing. Anything you can find in the DIY shop will come with instructions that should let anyone who is reasonably experienced in DIY put it up.

However, if you want to do something more complicated – converting a room into a bathroom or a kitchen, or building an extension, for example – then you’re going to need a professional.

When it comes to home design, however, it can be tough to know exactly who to hire. For basic things, you need a handyman, but for more complex projects you might need a builder. To do anything in the bathroom, you probably need a plumber. If you’re giving your whole house a makeover, you might even want to hire a professional designer, who will look at the overall picture and come up with ideas to make your house a better place to live in.

While pro designers can be expensive, they are usually worth the money – you wouldn’t think it from the amateur jobs you see on some TV makeover shows, but they really do know what they’re doing. There are some cowboys out there, though, so make sure the person you’re used has all the relevant qualifications: it’s best to ask for references, as that means you can go and see for yourself houses that they have worked on previously, and see if you like them. Be careful on judging them simply because they’re not your taste, however – remember that a good designer will reflect what the people asked for, not just force their own tastes on people.

Always Remember:  Put A Little Attitude In It 
Author:  Unknown

Change Your Living Room Decor on a Limited Budget in Six Steps

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Bob_Pardue]Bob Pardue

In most homes, your living room is the first room people see. Even though the
living room is used mostly to entertain guests, you still want the room to have a comfortable environment for you and all family members.As you look around your living room, you realize that many things need to be updated, but your budget won't allow a full remodeling job. So, you have been checking out some home decorating tips in magazines and on the Internet that will suit your budget.Below are a few ideas you can use to give your living room a whole new look for guests and family without spending a ton of money on remodeling.

Six Budget-Minded Ideas For a New Living Room

1. Add Slipcovers and Pillows

Change the color of your sofa and chairs by adding pre-made slipcovers. You can choose these in many different styles and colors that will match your living room decor.

Another home decorating idea is to use large colorful pillows or decorative throws on your sofa and chairs. This option, which may a little less expensive than slipcovers, will also give your living room a fresh new look.

2. Use Area Rugs Instead of Carpet

Do you have a very large living room with more than one seating area, but you prefer not to put down wall to wall carpeting? Your solution may be area rugs that will define each sitting area. The area rugs, which add color to your decor, look great on tile or hardwood floors.

If you happen to have carpet and small children, the area rugs come in handy for covering up stains.

3. Wall Decorating Ideas

Hang some modern artwork or mirrors on your walls facing the furniture for friends and family to admire. Cloth wall hangings are also very popular and can be hung above your couch or chairs. You will be amazed at how much this can change the aura of your living room.

Show off special moments you've shared with friends and family, by placing the photos in special frames and hanging them on your living room walls. Another home decorating idea that will add style to your house decor is clocks. A favorite is the grandfather clock, which can either be wall-mounted or freestanding.

4. Change the Living Room Lighting

A significant difference can be made by simply changing the lighting in your living room. Brighten up your living room home decor with more floor lamps by placing them in dark corners.

Displaying candles also provide perfect lighting and a warm atmosphere for special events or a romantic evening held in the living room.  Read More

As Always:  Put A Little Attitude In It

Time Goes By - Decorate With Wall Clocks

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Doris_F]

The American College dictionary describes "CLOCK" as:
An instrument for measuring and indicating time, having pointers which move round on a dial to mark the hour, etc.
 Such a timepiece not carried on the person (distinguished from a watch)Prior to clocks, telling time was not very accurate, people were using the sun. Around 3500 B.C., the sundial came into use, and the word clock was first used in the 14th century. As time and technology progressed, our timekeeping methods and accuracy also changed. The first practical clock was in the 1600's and was driven by a pendulum, which had to be restarted or rewound periodically. Today we have a variety of options for keeping track of time. Powered by electricity and quartz battery, key wind mechanical, there is much to choose from. Our modern clocks are accurate, but reached the height of accuracy with the Atomic clock, which resets itself automatically on a daily schedule. What does the future hold for time keeping? Is there something better and more accurate coming? Most likely there will be because we always strive for something better.

It would be wonderful if we didn't need to be constantly reminded of time going by, but in this busy world, most of us find ourselves on schedules that need to be met. We need to keep track of appointments, deadlines in our business and private lives. All the equipment we use: watches, PDAs computers, and more show our schedules and time.

Wall clocks are one more way to keep track of time, but can do so in a functional and decorative manner to enhance your room or office. Wall clocks come in a variety of styles, materials, sizes, and themes.  Read More

As Always,  Put A Little Attitude In It.

Patio Decorating Ideas

By Albert Lee

Patios are all about being one with nature, and being surrounded by nature as it helps create a more relaxing atmosphere for both homeowner and guest. Of course it wouldn't be a patio without a few patio decorating ideas that would be in tune with the surrounding vegetation.

The size of the patio, as well as the area surrounding it would determine the number of decorations that would fit within and around the patio. Of course it wouldn't be a patio if it has something out of place, like a tool shed or the like. Greenhouses are just fine as long as it doesn't obstruct the view. Patio decorating ideas are created to make the patio owner feel more at home aside from the house itself.

Hammocks are the best thing to start with, and never without one near a patio. It can come with all shapes and sizes, and materials that would allow the homeowner to just approach and take a nap to pass the lazy afternoon away. More than just a decoration, they would likely think of it as a lure for the sleepy patio owner. Read More

As Always: Just Put A Little Attitude In It

Bathroom Decorating On A Budget (Getting A New Look With Mirrors, Lighting, & Vanities.)

By: LoLo5

Is your bathroom looking a little outdated and tired? Can't afford a complete makeover. There are a number of affordable ways to give your bathroom a face-lift without breaking the bank. By simply changing, (or redesigning,) the vanity, adding some updated lighting and new mirrors you can add a lot of extra value to your home. You will definitely be adding a lot more enjoyment to your day.

As with redecorating any room in your home, you'll want to decide your design style. Is the rest of your home more traditional , or contemporary, or maybe a mixture of the two. Whatever your style you'll want to continue it in your bathroom.

One of the first items you'll want to address is the vanity. It's possible that with a little paint and some new hardware, you're old vanity can be re-purposed and given an updated look. If this is not possible there are several options for you to choose. Read More

As Always: Put A Little Attitude In It

Let's Find The Bedroom Of Your Dreams:

By: LoLo5

Decorating a bedroom can be a scary endeavor whether it be a master bedroom, guest bedroom, or a kids room. The most important thing to remember is that in this fast paced world we live in a bedroom is not just for sleeping anymore. Large or small a bedroom can be made into your personal oasis by using the right colors and textures. Add that just right furniture, area rug, luxury bed linen, and decorative accessories, and of course you'll want some really great artwork on the walls and don't forget the lighting, properly placed functional lighting can set just the right mood for the whole room. With all this in place and a few personal touches you will have your own beautiful bedroom retreat. It doesn't have to be expensive or extravagant to be relaxing and beautiful. After a busy day at work, spending time with the kids, chores at home, and all the 100's of other things we do everyday, we all need to unwind. Our bedroom should be our haven, a place to relax, and just get away from it all for a little while. Large or small a bedroom can be made into your personal oasis by using the right colors and textures.  Add that just right bedroom furniture, bed linen, and accessories, and don't forget the lighting, the right lighting can set the mood for the whole room.  With all this in place and a few personal touches you will have your own beautiful bedroom retreat. It doesn't have to expensive or extravagant to be relaxing and beautiful.  Just make it a room you love to be in.



Always Remember: Just Put A Little Attitude In It

Living Rooms: The Most Social Room In Your Home:

By: LoLo5


Our living room is usually the first room we invite our guest into when they visit our home. This is the room where we should show off all of our style and sophistication, because it's the first chance our guest has to form an impression of our personality and of our home. You should give great consideration and careful planning to your living room decorating endeavors to achieve the look that best suits your families personalities and need. First pick a theme, then spend enough time choosing your furniture and accessories to achieve the look you want.  After you've chosen your furniture then you'll need a area rug, table lamps, and great artwork and accessories to finish the look.  With a little thought on space planning and furniture arrangement you'll be ready to entertain with the confidence of knowing that your room looks great. Just be sure to,  

Always Remember: Just Put A Little Attitude In It