Home Decor Trends, Tips and Decorating Ideas Blog

Summer Colored Hand Painted Canister Set

  The Primavera Canister Set designed by artist April Cornell features a delicate color palette with soft shades of green and pink with highlights of yellow.

The three piece earthenware canisters with their floral designed bodies are completed with a single butterfly on the canister lid and a flower finial making them the perfect accessory to soften your home decor for summer. 

In addition to their traditional kitchen use these canisters also bring a hint of the tropics to your bathroom counter tops and are perfect for storing cotton balls, soap or other bath essentials. 

With their traditional floral design and soft color scheme, the Primavera canisters make a nice focal point on a side table or china hutch.

If you want to add a fresh floral arrangement use one of the canisters as a container while placing the other two canisters around the room or carry out the color theme by placing another of the canisters in a guest bath or bedroom.

Ceramic canisters with a decorative design make a great addition to your home decor whether you place them in your kitchen or use as a decorative accent in your bedroom, bathroom or living room.  The possibilities are endless with your imagination.

Princess Castle Tent Bunk Bed

Imagine how much she'll love her bedroom with this tent bunk bed fit only for a Princess!

If you are looking for away to give your little princess a room she'll love to play in this bed will be a hit, not to mention how much fun she'll have showing it off to her friends. 

The Princess Castle Tent Bunk Bed with Slide includes a tent over twin bed and a covered hiding place below. The top of the slides is tented with a Princess Tower with peek through, fold down window covers. Finished in White Powder Coat with Purple & Pink Microfiber fabric tent- 100% polyester.  The Princess Castle Tent Twin Bunk Bed uses a standard  twin mattress (not included).

This is the perfect solution for any size room as it gives a really "cool" place to hide and play and store her favorite toys while keeping them hidden under the hiding place below.  

I don't think you'll have much trouble getting your Princess ready for bedtime now with her very own castle bed. 

What Do You Prefer In Outdoor Furniture: Wicker, Aluminum Or Teak?

  So... What's Your Style?

I'd like to ask a favor...we are expanding our line of outdoor furniture and to better serve our customers we'd like to get your input as to what kind of outdoor furniture you prefer? 

In addition to the articles and tips found on the blog - I really want to get to know the readers and hear your thoughts.  When we are considering expanding a line we strive to bring products that people want not just what we think they want. 

So if you would not mind taking a minute to tell me if what kind of outdoor furniture you prefer that would be fantastic and I'd be ecstatic to hear from you.  For your time and effort I'll personally send a special message to you with a savings coupon to use anyway you choose.  Simply post a message to this post and tell me your preference and what you'd like to see us bring...that way the articles, and products offered at Decorative Visions are centered around your wants and desires.

Home Decor Graduation Gifts for Her

It's that time of year when the mailbox gets filled with wedding invitations and graduation announcements.  Wondering what to give as a graduation gift can be difficult and most people just opt to giving the new grad money to do or spend as they please.  But for those that would rather give a gift for someone dear and show how proud you are of their accomplishment a practical and thoughtful gift can be more appropriate.

Whether they are graduating from high school or a college graduate jewelry armoires are a fantastic gift to give her.  If she will be going to college chances are she will need storage for her jewelry so why not give her something that will remind her of home, provide ample storage for her jewelry, lingerie and important papers. Most of the jewelry armoire cabinets have a lift up mirror which comes in handy in a dorm room.  One of the best parts about giving a jewelry armoire is that she will be able to use it for years to come. 

For the recent college graduate, a jewelry cabinet makes a nice "first" piece of accent furniture for their apartment or new home.  There are lots of styles, designs and color choices making them suitable for any home decor style.

The Sienna Jewelry Armoire (shown) features a hand painted design with various sized front drawers for storing jewelry, lingerie and important papers.  It comes with two swing drawers for hanging necklaces and the lid pops open to reveal a lavish mirror and more storage for rings and bracelets.  The bowed leg of the Sienna Jewelry Armoire give this cabinet a classic style to compliment any decor style.

Need help in selecting just the right jewelry armoire?  Post a comment or give Decoative Visions a call at: 1-888-285-2269 and we will be happy to help you select the perfect jewelry furniture cabinet.

Home Decor Wedding Gifts

Chances are with summer just around the corner you will be invited to at least one wedding this season. 

Many couples are waiting until they are in their 30's to tie the knot and some are getting married in their 20's fresh out of college.

Taste in what they want their perfect day to be differ greatly for each happy couple but what they would like to receive as gifts tend to be similar in that they want unique, yet practical gifts.

There will always be wedding guests that will buy traditional gifts like toasters, coffee makers and irons.  However, if you want to give a gift that will be truly appreciated by the couple, and a gift where the couple will always remember who gave them the gift, a home decor accessory is a wonderful choice.  Forget about the old way of thinking where it was considered "rude" to ask about what they like and don't like, it is okay to ask what style and colors they are planning for their home.

When you are shopping for a wedding gift and come across something that you feel represents the personality of the soon-to-be husband and wife let them take a look.  While couples may register at a few stores chances are with all of the wedding planning, they really haven't had the time to look around to find a lot of stores that have what they truly desire.  So go ahead and ask for their opinion, this way you will get a better idea of their likes and dislikes and you will be able to get them a gift they'll love.

The GG Collection features brilliant ceramics and metal work to bring years of enjoyment for your home entertaining.  The warm colors found in this collection and intricate metal work is suitable for both young and old which makes any of the accessory pieces a fantastic wedding gift.  Many new couples think about beautiful kitchen canisters and serving dishes but few ask for them as a gift.  The GG Collection is filled with practical gifts any newly married couple could use and appreciate.

Arthur Court has a fantastic reputation nationwide for providing quality products that range from food safe aluminum decorative accessories to high quality ceramic products.  Unlike past years when newly weds received a lot of silver bowls and platters that require a lot of maintanence, Arthur Court's products do not require much care to retain their beautiful luster.  Arthur Court makes a fantastic wedding gift which will bring years and years of enjoyment to the couple.


If you'd like suggestions about giving the perfect wedding gift please feel free to contact DecorativeVisions.com and our friendly staff will be delighted to help you choose the perfect gift!

Teak Furniture for Years of Outdoor Fun & Entertaining

I don't know about you but I love summer!  Not that I especially like the mosquito's and humidity but I do enjoy spending time outside surrounded  by family and good friends. 

Like a million other people I've been spending more time at home and need to create a relaxed welcoming atmosphere for my outdoor living area and after spending lots of money replacing my outdoor furniture I decided my next set or pieces would be teak.  Yes, it is initially more expensive but the return on investment is far superior than any other kind of furniture for the outdoors.

Depending upon how much you use your outdoor space, how many people usually gather, you are sure to find everything you need with Teak.  I personally like to expansion tables like the Pramana 11 piece Oval Extension Table and Chair Set (shown).

 If you want a relaxed conversation area I can not suggest deep seating enough.  Imagine sitting outside enjoying your favorite beverage with friends laughing and just enjoying each others company and getting away from all your day-to-day stresses!  Sounds great!    You bring dessert I'll supply the drinks. 

The best feature about teak furniture is it never goes out of style...it truly is an all time classic and it never rots or rust!  How many times have you had to replace your wood or aluminum furniture?  Don't like the color?  Let it age and the teak will turn an antiquated gray.  Maintenance of teak could not be easier, simply clean with mild soap, hose off and apply teak oil.  In addition to its easy care, you'll be hard pressed to find furniture that can compare to the durability of teak.

I don't know about you but I am going to go check out the outdoor furniture and get ready for relaxed times this summer. 

Decorate Your Counter Tops with Kitchen Canisters

 

Earth-Toned Avalon Kitchen Canister Set

Today's home decorators are looking for home decor accessories that help them stay organized at the same time bringing warmth and comfort to their home.

Kitchen canisters help add functionality to your kitchen while creating a beautiful focal point to your counter tops.  With the decorating trend focusing on eco-friendly designs and styles, earth-toned colors are highly sought out by interior designers and do-it-yourself decorators.  The Avalon Kitchen Canister set features warm colors that bring the outdoors into the heart of your home.  The warm color palette of the Avalon canisters provide you the opportunity to mix and match solid colored kitchen accessories for a stylish kitchen.

Decorating Tips That Make Your Home Look Organized & Tidy

If truth be told I get a little uncomfortable when visitors come to my home unannounced even though I've been in the home decor-interior design business for quite a while.  While my house is not dirty it normally has a few things lying around that should be put away but I guess that's how it is when you have a 5 year old and a 3 year old that pretty much have their stuff not only in their bedrooms but the living room, my bedroom and even the kitchen.  Once I get home from work I want to spend time with my children, do a load or two of laundry and get dinner ready.  My mornings over the weekend are reserved for heavy dusting and moving furniture where I usually find the lost Barbie doll one of my daughters was crying about during the week. 

The decorator in me knows that when someone comes to your home when you are not expecting them to does not  even notice the things that I notice.  It's during this time I see the dust on the lamp shade or the sticky fingerprints on the end tables.  If this sounds a little familiar there is no need to panic or feel embarrassed because like I mentioned your guests don't even notice they only see your decor and not the paranoid things you or I see.

Tips To Camoflauge The Little Things

Adding or arranging  decorative accents like candles, books, decorative canisters, etc. in a way that looks natural not only adds personality to your room it helps distract the little things like fingerprints or even dust that otherwise can drive you crazy when you see it.

If your walls are a negative factor in your room consider changing the paint color or try adding texture for aesthetic beauty.

Mirrors are a wonderful design element that if chosen properly can become a unique focal point to your room. 

Decorative Boxes can be used to store items in a hurry and also act as a side table beside a conversation chair or used as a plant container for a nice artificial arrangement.

These are just a few ideas you can do to make your home look more tidy so when someone knocks on your door you'll welcome them with open arms.

If you liked this post or have other ideas please feel free to leave a comment.  You may also enjoy these decorating ideas.

Ideas For Inspiration In Home Decorating

  Last night after work I was trying to write a list of topics to talk about and I was having a major writing block moment.  After struggling for awhile I decided to go outside a while and the scenery was beautiful which kept my mind off of the economy and the daily struggles that so many of us are facing.

Without a thought about home decorating or home decor products  the simplicity of just looking at the colors nature gives us gave me an inspiration for interior colors.  The golden yellows with soft blues and the fading green of the islands nearby got me thinking about how beautiful walls look when painted in shades of yellow.  The slight ripple of the water from the lake also gave me an idea to transform a flat wall into one of texture to add interest and dimension.  Adding green accessories will bring the outdoors in and if done correctly shades of blue can be intertwined to create the serene retreat inside my home that I was lucky enough to have witnessed outside. 

Sometimes when we want to change the decor in our homes we spend too much time over thinking what we want and stressing out over how we are going to achieve it when we should be stopping and taking the time to stop and smell the flowers and looking at the beauty that surrounds us for our best motivation and inspirational decorating ideas.

If you find yourself in a decorating quandary stop what you are doing and take time to enjoy what is around you.  Take pictures of natural things  be it a bare tree, the woods, a single flower, your family anything and I bet you'll discover you have the best canvas for your decorating project right in front of you.

Please share your thoughts.  Was this helpful?  Do you agree?  Disagree?

Home Lighting & Lamps

Home Lighting 
Accent, Table, Floor, Buffet & outdoor Lamps

When you are looking to change or update the look of your home decor consider using lamps.  By simply replacing your old lamps for something new you can transform the look and feel of any room.

If you are looking for a softer approach use shades that are a bit darker such as taupe rather then ivory or white.  The shade of the lamp is what can  transform a cold, uninviting room to one that is cozy and welcoming. There are various shapes of shades but it is a good idea to make sure the lamp shade you choose is proportional to the base. In other words, if you are looking at a table lamp try to make sure that the shade is 2/3 of the height of the base it sits on or you will have a beautiful lamp looking out-of-sorts.

The style you choose is up to you.  Don't be afraid to mix modern with traditional if the overall look makes you happy.  One important note I must mention that a lot of people (including myself) forget when choosing home lighting is what tasks will the lamp be used for!  I can not emphasis this enough.  I found really cool lamps that I loved for my family room.  The floor lamps and table lamps have an amber shades and I absolutely adore the soft ambiance they give in the evening...only problem is if I want to read a book  I have to turn on the overhead lights as the lamps and their shades are really not meant for the task of reading.  If you can deal with that then it is not a problem.

Basically there are four types of lighting to consider when redecorating or designing your room and they are: (1) Ambient lighting used for those undefined areas of your room mainly used for navigational purposes. (2) Task lighting which illuminates bright light for the task at hand( i.e. reading, cooking etc.) (3)Accent lighting similar to task lighting as it gives directed light but it focuses on focal points of interest like artwork and sets the mood for the space. (4)Decorative lighting can be achieved with Ambient, Task or Accent lighting but decorative lighting usually is the focal point such as a chandelier in the dining room. 

Thankfully there are endless possibilities for achieving the look you desire with home lighting that can and will make your life much easier and enjoyable.