Archive for the ‘Decorating’ Category

Choose A Fleur De Lis Candle Holder

Sunday, May 30th, 2010

The stylized French lily that is known as the Fleur De Lis was the symbol of French royalty and this decorative design from throughout centuries remains a motif that still looks relevant today. It certainly finds its way into many different types of decorative pieces taht can be found in the family home. Finding a candle holder with a Fleur De Lis design recalls the proud tradition and takes on further meaning today as the symbol for Mardi Gras.

Choose an elegant Fleur De Lis candle holder from the selection below and you can be sure that it will sit well in either a modern or traditional room design.

You will find decorative wrought iron candle holders that have been curled to form the three pronged design and the motif is also used as an etching on the sides of the holders to form an attractive geometric pattern. Take the striking 65" tall candle holder that is topped with the Fleu De Lis.

Another popular type of Fleur De Lis candle holder is the etched glass designs that have been scribed on the outside of an otherwise plain glass holder. Take a look at the following delicate glass candle holders with the Fleur De Lis providing a subtle and understated pattern.


A completely different type of candle holder is the wall sconce candle holder and the curled iron with which it is adorned creates another Fleur De Lis pattern that gives the entire arrangement an added boost. You can see this very attractive single candle wall sconce.

Fleur de Lis 1 Light Fleur de Lis 1 Light
List Price: $325.00
Sale Price: $265.00

For an even more elaborate arrangement, also made from wrought iron is a two candle Fleur De Lis candle holder.

Fleur de Lis 2 Light Fleur de Lis 2 Light
List Price: $375.00
Sale Price: $285.00

For the ultimate in table candleholders is a six candle holder that features the Fleur De Lis as the central decorative piece rising through the centre of the candles. This sophisticated metal piece sits with the dimensions of 15” high x 4-1/4” wide x 32-1/2” long.

The Fleur De Lis can be displayed in all kinds situations whether it be as a recollection of an ancestral tie or simply as a decorative feature that looks appropriate atop any metal spike or spire.

Decorating Seasonal Use Cabins

Saturday, May 29th, 2010

Post provided by Home and Garden Co

Many families are buying summer cabins to give their families a more permanently place to spend their summer vacations. While some cabins rival year round homes in their construction, others are more rustic structures that may not be completely winterized. Furnishing a cabin that will be vacant throughout the cold weather months requires additional care, as harsh winter conditions can cause indoor furniture to age prematurely. There are ways for anyone to create a beautiful looking cabin for little money with furnishings that will look fresh and new for years to come.

Outdoor furniture is a good choice for furnishing a rustic cabin. It is created to withstand exposure to water, and is generally easier to clean than upholstered options. Keep in mind that sticking to outdoor furniture does not necessarily mean that your cabin will be filled with dated wicker options. Many outdoor furniture makers are now offering options that are made with chic, modern synthetic materials that require almost no maintenance. Table and chair sets in interesting round or square configurations are available in a number of different colors that can immediately update the look of any cabin's decor. Padded couches and love seats that look just like their indoor counterparts, but are covered with an upholstery that will withstand more abuse, can be found in most department and home improvement stores.

It is even possible to find rugs that are designed to be used outdoors. Often made of jute, these rugs are marketed as indoor/outdoor floor coverings and can be found in many of the same patterns that one would expect to see in a high end designers collection. Not only are these rugs beautiful, but they can increase the comfort of walking across an unfinished floor. If your furniture is on the understated side, opt for a colorful rug with an interesting pattern.

When decorating cabins that will only be used for a small portion of the year, stick to cheap and durable outdoor furniture.

What You Should Know About Buying Large Clocks:

Friday, May 28th, 2010

If you have a large or medium sized living room and not a lot of pictures put up, the walls can tend to look rather bare.  That is where having a large clock comes in.  Large clocks come in all different styles; they are well suited for both the living room and dining room and if you make sure to get a color and style that matches with the existing furniture, it will complement your room's decor.

There are quite a few different kinds of large clocks and of course the prices vary a lot depending on what brand name and style of clock you get. You can get more antique styles with Roman Numerals on them.  These go great in the room if your other furniture is antique, country or rustic in style.  There are also more contemporary styled large clocks; these are usually more affordable and there is quite a variety on the market to choose from.

If you are a sports fan, then getting a large clock that features your favorite sport or sport team can be a good option.  These particular clocks cost a bit more than regular large clocks but you may find it it to be worth the extra expense.

Some people like to use a particular style of clock as a means of creating a style viewpoint while other are simply hoping to get a clock whose face can be read from anywhere in the room.

You can buy large clocks at a regular store or online; buying them online offers a number of advantages.  For one, it is easier to find exactly what you are looking for.  By doing an internet search you should come up with a number of online retailers that sell these items.  For another thing, it is easier to compare prices online than it is to check out a number of different stores for the same purpose, and it is often cheaper to buy these kinds of clocks online too, especially if the online retailer you buy from offers free shipping.

Ideas about an Antique Mirror

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010

A beautiful and stunning antique mirror can be one of the grandeur decorative pieces that you can add to your home. The search for beautiful creations began in the era of England’s. King Henry VIII and France’s King Francis the 1st. They would be fond of collecting mirrors. Back in the days, an average sized Venetian mirror has the same market value as to an aristocrat’s country home. Some known French nobles were even selling off their country estates just so they could buy a single mirror.

In 4000 B.C., ancient natives used to make mirrors with the use of polished stones. It was not until the First Century that a rudimentary they were made. The Romans made this rudimentary mirror with the use of glass. Sad to say, the early Church priests see them as an epitome of sin and vanity. A pope proclaimed that the devil can hide his self inside them and banned the use of mirrors. Glass mirrors were not used in the early middle ages. When the 14th century passed by, the development of glass blowing techniques in Europe gained back the interest of creating these useful decorations.

When you choose an antique mirror, expect that it is not perfect. You will notice that the silver is worn out and small chips can be seen. This should not be a problem because it is possible to take the mirror in so that the silver backing is added to it again. You have to think too that blemishes or diamond dustings in a mirror are indeed preferred. Avid collectors see it as beauty marks and not flaws. It is a testament to the original. If you are just using on your dressing table, you can have silver placed in the antique again. But an antique mirror can bring so much charm.

Also, remember to avoid mirrors that are wavy and ones that look grayish. Do not go for thin antique walls. They will not give a good reflection to the room. If you want a framed antique mirror, choose the one that is complementary to other furniture pieces. You can go for an ethnic and whimsical looking one if you have an unconventional themed house. The antique mirror should also go well with the color of the room.

If you want one of these charming decorations, it may cost you more. However, it is a good investment that you will never regret. Over time, you will appreciate the allure of an exquisite antique mirror.

Antique mirrors are more than simple the old glass with silver backing that looks aged and attractive. An antique mirror is about the ornate antique mirror frame and the work that has gone into presenting the mirror itself. An antique mirror will also perfectly complement antique furniture such as a chest or a wardrobe that would look somewhat less impressive without the mirror to set it off.

A particularly attractive mirror to consider is an antique cheval mirror if you have the room for one. Imagine one of these beautifully ornate mirrors sitting in the corner of the bedroom where you will be able to admire you full profile as you dress. In particular the gothic cheval mirrors will provide some added flair with the impressive woodwork setting off the rest of the room for your enjoyment.

For some the enjoyment of a mirror is the fact that it gives you a reflection of yourself. For others they like the fact that the style of the mirror is a more telling reflection of who you really are.

Sticks and Stones: Candle Holders

Friday, May 14th, 2010

Amazingly enough, candle holders are made of sticks and stones. The sticks might be turned wood candle holders for tapers, or old mill bobbins adapted to hold taper candles. The stones may be candle holder for taper or tea-light candles made from any stone with sufficient hardness to work with electric equipment and enough interest in the final product to temp someone to buy it. This can be a rock or mineral roughly shaped to size and with a candle cup drilled into it or finely finished lapidary products that have all the intricacy of turned wood candle holders and with a fine, smooth polish to bring out the innate beauty of the stone.

Candle holders made from glass are beautiful, and the light of the candle enhances the effect of the glass even as the glass enhances the beauty of the flame. Glass and candles may be one of the happiest marriages of two extremely different materials in the world today. Tall or short, large or small, the glass enclosing the candle or merely holding it, glass candle holders make the candle more noticeable and can multiply the presence of the burning candle. Even when the candle is not lit, the glass around it makes it beautiful.

Porcelain candle holders have the same range of shape as glass candle holders and more. The clay body can be formed in any shape glass can, but the resulting candle holder is stronger, allowing candelabra with four arms or more arms bear candles where glass would be hard put to survive. China candle holders can be as plain or ornate as the maker desires, and can be embellished with cherubs, roses, ribbons, little animals or even small scenes. Porcelain is a candle holder material of choice.

Metal candle holders can be as elegant as porcelain and have the weight to keep a candle safely upright so it does not spill molten wax or start a fire. In addition, the metallic sheen can enhance and reflect the light of a burning candle to great effect. Silver candle holders have been essentials for formal dining for centuries, and they are still used today to lend a formal quality to dinner parties. Other metals can change the effect of the candle holders to a less formal quality while still holding the candle safely.

Candle holders can be made from many materials: wood, stone or rock, glass, pottery, china, porcelain, and nearly any metal. Spend a little time on the search and you can find the perfect candle holder for your decor.