Wood Kitchen Table - A Great Way to Make a Decorative Statement

When it comes to your kitchen or dining room, you want it to have a fantastic appearance. For that reason, you go to great lengths to nicely decorate the space with matching themes and motifs. But, if you really want it to stand out, then it needs a good focal point and a wood kitchen table is an ideal selection to do just that.

There are many different wood kitchen table options to choose from, most of which have a stunning appearance that would really add to the overall look of your kitchen or dining room area. The reason why there are so many options to choose from is that they are made from different types of wood that can be finished in a wide variety of ways, featuring ones that have different styles and designs. For example, you can get one made from pine that has a very modern feel to it with bold, symmetrical lines and an espresso finish. Or, there are options available at the other end of the spectrum as well. Like, one that has a very antique feel to it made from oak that features a pedestal design and a soft, lighter finish with a few scrollwork accents.

Really, there are a lot of choices when it comes to a wood kitchen table and those just mentioned are just a few that are available. Some of the other materials that they can be crafted from include maple, ash, and walnut along with all sorts of finishes like cherry, rubbed white, and even dark merlot and black. One great way to see them all is by logging onto the internet and doing a little comparison shopping through all the online stores. It is a great way to browse and you can see a lot more products then you would if you went to an everyday furniture store.

Plus, not only is a wood kitchen table a stunning selection that would be a great starting point for designing your entire space around it, but it is a practical one as well. Why? It is a durable home furnishing that will stand the test of time in your kitchen and dining room. Whether you are eating dinner on it, doing the bills, working on a school project with your kids, playing cards with your friends, or just sitting and reading a book, it is a sturdy surface that can handle the abuses of everyday living. That is great for you because then you will not have to worry about having to replace it sooner rather than later.

If you take great pride in the appearance of your kitchen or dining room area, then you probably went to great lengths with how you decorated it. If you like your space, but really want to have it stand out, turn to a beautiful wood kitchen table. One would be a fantastic focal point to your space, plus, it is a durable furnishing, making it a selection that will be sure to please.

As an owner of many indoor and outdoor home furnishing and design sites, Jennifer Akre, discusses valuable product information and comments on kitchen tables and wood kitchen table. Learn how to decorate your home with style and elegance. Click today - Shop: kitchen table and chairs.

 

Decorating With Handmade Furniture

Whether selecting a complete set of handmade furniture for a new home, or updating existing decor with a new addition, today the Internet offers an increasingly broad selection of styles, options, and prices to fit just about every budget.

Practicality, comfort, and esthetics should play equal roles in your decision making process. When working on a limited budget, first outline the most essential furniture elements to your particular lifestyle -- and how many you will need of each -- remembering to include beds, night stands, dressers, couches, tables, storage trunks, and chairs.

Next, consider your stylistic preferences. Have you already completed an interior design plan for your home? Are you adding to existing themes and furniture designs, in which case new additions must harmonize with older choices?

If starting from scratch, think about what one style or several complementary styles resonate most with you. If you do not yet have a clear preference in mind, the decor sections of your local library or bookstore offer a plethora of concepts and styles to consider.

Browse through enough well-photographed books to determine what styles most attract your visual interest, and then consider whether or not your needs will also be met in terms of comfort and practicality.

Once you have determined a favorite stylistic direction, you can then begin to select appropriate decor within those guidelines, including furniture.

Some designers place their stylistic emphasis on the furnishings, rather than the furniture, allowing window treatments, area rugs, table runners, and general decor items to set the style tone, while granting furniture elements a background role, to harmonize, warm, and soften, rather than stand out.

Other interior designer experts create decor themes based on the furniture itself, which then is often strongly stylistic, ornate, or colorful in nature.

Within the World Style realm, simple, rustic, hand-carved woods and even wrought iron can help gently enhance dramatic style elements, really helping bring a room together.

After selecting your essential elements and themes, the next step is to begin comparison shopping -- a fast, easy, and efficient process today, online. Most major brands, as well as mom-and-pop retailers, now boast a presence on the web, saving customers considerable time and expense, and providing virtually unlimited options.

Novica's online furniture gallery is a great place to gather an overview of World Style themes, featuring an extensive selection of handmade furniture -- with considerable cultural information included -- from such nations as Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Thailand, Bali, Java, India, and Ghana, West Africa.

Many other great purveyors are likewise available online today. Be sure to select from reputable retailers, but do keep an open mind. Above all, select furniture that most appeals to your sense of esthetics, comfort, and function, and you will surely be pleased with the results!

Catherine Gallegos serves as editor-in-chief of Novica.com (part of the National Geographic family), a retail site featuring the handmade creations of artisans worldwide, including handmade furniture.

 

How To Increase Your Home's Space

If you are one of those people who feels closed in at home, you may want to consider looking at some home design tips that can change the way your home looks and feels. This can be accomplished by making some cosmetic changes that will give the home an unrecognizable appearance to those who live there.

Changing the Look of Your Home

Light, style of the furniture, arrangement, paint, and minor accessories affect the way your home interiors look more than most people realize. These are factors that keep interior decorators in business.

The Effect of Clutter and Disorganization

One of the simplest things you can learn from a professional decorator regarding home interiors and gardens is that you don't need to spend a great deal of money in order to make changes that are beneficial. In fact, the most important piece of advice regarding home interiors design is to keep your home organized. Clutter reduces the amount of space in your home, so when you re feeling cramped, close your eyes and try to visualize how a bed looks when you take the time to make it and how nice your home looks when everything is in a proper place. When our space lacks order, it is never going to feel comfortable no matter how appealing it may be to the lazy part of our personalities that is within each of us. Instead of your countertop, choose a drawer and begin storing unwanted items where they are out of sight.

Besides every day clutter, books can be a big problem because of their tendency to scatter throughout the house. Good interior design for booklovers must include a bookshelf. It's quite common to find home interiors with plenty of storage space or other accessories that are not being used. This is especially true of those who tend to be packrats and become so confused when they must make a decision about what to keep and what to discard, so they do nothing. The best way to make that decision is to follow the one-year-mantra, which says if you haven't used it, worn it, read it, or needed it in the past year, you will not likely be needing it in the future, so get rid of it. For other items, storage products of various types such as minimal list interiors should take care of the problem.

The Effect of Light and Furniture on Interior Design

Light is an essential part of home interiors design. Just like plant life in your garden requires light, the room interiors tend to feel more breathable if they are brightly lit. Darkness tends to be closely connected to claustrophobia, so avoid dark shades and lighting fixtures with low wattage. When purchasing furniture for rooms that are lacking in space, choose pieces that are high rather than wide, placing pieces in a conversational placement.

Andrew Caxton is the journalist of consumer websites, who has written more articles on furniture for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com For additional information on home decor minimalist interiors subjects have a look at his web.

 

Interior Wall Painting Techniques - Project Prep to How to and Do it Yourself

PROFESSIONAL NOTE: To achieve the best results from your interior paint project, apply the primer and base coat with good quality paint, brushes, rollers and application tools. You will be surprised how your interior paint project will be effortless in helping you to apply a thicker, more uniform coat of paint for a better-looking, longer-lasting paint job.

Gather Materials and Supplies:
Ladder
Plastic water bucket
Gloves
Rags
TSP (optional for cleaning oil and Grime)
liquid soap
Screwdriver
Drop cloths (plastic and cloth) or sheets
Blue painter's tape (with and without paper attached)
Old paintbrushes or china bristle brushes for dusting
Spackling compound
5-in-1 tool or wide blade
Latex caulk
220-grit sandpaper

Latex primer
Latex paint, eggshell or satin sheen
Plastic 2 gallon Paint Bucket
Paint tray, paint roller and 3/8" roller cover
2” – 3” Quality nylon/polyester brush

Paint Basics

Acrylic Paint?
Latex paints are not all the same. Now the term "latex" includes all water-based paints. High-performance interior paints are 100% acrylic; they have better color retention, better adhesion and, in the case of faux finishing the better choice for an undercoat than vinyl-acrylics.

Not to mention, manufacturers consider 100% acrylics to be their best products.

Which Paint for this room? How will the room be used?

In functional, high traffic rooms such as kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms, you want durability and easy maintenance first. In more decorative and romantic rooms, such as living rooms, master bedrooms and dining rooms, appearance is often the key factor. In a child's room, safety is critical."

Here is Final advice on paint quality.
When you buy paint, go for the reputable brands. Suit your choices to the project, but at the same time, “don't waste your time” or your money on low-quality paint. There are significant differences between cheap and quality paints, particularly in characteristics such as hiding and wash ability. Obviously, one-coat hiding is a major labor saver and well worth paying a premium to get the results.

Be sure not to forget to check the warrantee on the label—this gives you a fair measure of the differences between quality levels of various paints. Last but not least, you are also likely to find a wider variety in color choices with your quality paint lines.

Estimating PAINT COVERAGE

How do you determine the amount of paint you will need for a particular room? The first step is to add the width of all walls in the room together. Multiply this sum by the height of one wall from floor to ceiling (or, the circumference of the room times the ceiling height). If you have a number of windows and doors, subtract the square footage of those openings. This final number will give you the exact area of wall space you will paint.

A flat surface usually requires one gallon for every 400 square feet (the product label will show the coverage). Take into account the number of coats you will need to do the job right and this depends on the color and the quality of the paint. Remember, it's always a good idea to have a little leftover paint for future touch-ups. Once you've properly prepped your walls, the actual painting is easy.

Follow these steps in order, and don't skip any of them. Wait until the first coat dries before deciding whether you need a second one.

Steps To professionally Painted Walls:

CLEAR THE ROOM

STEP ONE: When transforming the walls in your home, start by removing any furniture or obstructions from the room. Cover the floors and any remaining furnishings in the middle of the room, cover with drop cloths or plastic sheets. Next remove outlet covers, nails, and screws. Tape the screws to the outlet cover and store in separately marked plastic bags, for easy re-installation. Then tape over the outlets and light switches to prevent paint from getting on electric outlets and switches.

FIX THE WALL IMPERFECTIONS

STEP TWO: Scrape off flaking paint, repair holes and cracks with spackle with a wide blade or five-in-one tool. Feather back rough paint edges by sanding. Always fill the imperfection flush with the surface even if it means having to refill 2-3 times due to shrinkage. It is much easier to refill than to sand back too much spackling. After the spackle dries, finish by lightly sanding with a medium (220 grit sandpaper), dust off surface and then prime each repaired area with small roller. Re-caulk any spaces you find where countertops, baseboards and moldings meet the wall.

NOTE: Use protective face mask while sanding.

NOTE: If you are repainting a glossy surface, be sure to sand it so that the new paint will adhere better.
CLEAN THE ROOM

STEP THREE: Use an old paintbrush or china bristle brush to dust baseboards, trim and crown molding before taping them off (use painter's tape to protect the baseboards and moldings). Remove all dust from surfaces using a soft cloth or use a soft bristle broom to brush down new plasterboard. Paint doesn't stick to dirty walls so clean them with soap and water (or TSP and water), then rinse with clean water, changing water regularly.

NOTE: Wear rubber gloves, protective clothing and protective eye-wear.

TAPING

STEP FOUR: Use low adhesive blue painters to tape trim around ceiling, baseboards, windows and door frames. (If you do not have ceiling trim or crown molding, you must use safe release tape on bare ceiling). Tape over phone jacks, thermostats, and moldings. Remove tape immediately after painting, before the wall dries, so you don't peel off any paint with it.

PRIMING THE WALLS

STEP FIVE: If your walls are bare sheetrock or previously wallpapered surface, then you should use the recommended primer for that type of surface. Existing semi-gloss or gloss paints should be lightly sanded to a duller finish, and then proper primer for that surface. If the walls have not been painted in five years or longer a primer sealer should also be applied.

NOTE: Always work in areas from the top to bottom. Paint Ceiling first, then walls, then the trim or moldings. Always brush the edges (cutting in) first prior to rolling. When cutting in make sure you feather out the edges.
NOTE: When you begin start from a corner left to right, or right to left, according to the most comfortable starting point for you. With a pole attached to the end of the Roller, start from the center of the surface and roll the paint from the center towards the top and bottom of the wall. Roll the wall much like you would vacuum carpet, this will give you the smoothest wall. To avoid a patchy wall finish, make sure you finish the complete coat before walking away to avoid a patchy finish.

BASE COAT THE WALLS

CUTTING IN TECHNIQUE

STEP SIX: Thoroughly stir your paint with a stir stick. Then, pour the paint into a larger 2-gallon bucket for easier handling. Make sure you pour no higher than 1/3 full in your new paint container. With a 2" wide (or angle) brush, load by dipping 1/3 of the bristle length into the paint. You can remove excess paint from the brush by tapping the bristles against the inside of the bucket. Starting from the top corner of the wall, cut in approximately 3 inches around the top of the wall where the wall meets the ceiling and cut in the bottom of the wall where the wall meets the baseboard. Cut in the corners of the wall and around all window and door trim while always working from the non- paint area to the previously painted areas, smooth out the cut in by lightly brushing the tip of the bristles (tipping off) over the newly painted area, creating a feathered edge. Repeat steps until the perimeter of the walls are complete.

ROLLING THE WALL:

STEP SEVEN: You have the choice of pouring the paint into a paint tray or a 5-gallon bucket. Place an appropriate nap roller onto a roller frame. Attach an extension pole onto the roller frame. Dip roller cover completely into paint covering the entire nap area. When using a 5-gallon bucket, pour no higher than 1/3 full and use a bucket grid to offload the excess paint and to evenly distribute the paint onto the roller. When using a paint tray, offload the excess paint by rolling onto the ribbed section of the paint tray Starting at the top corner of the wall, place the evenly loaded roller approximately 3-4" away from the cut in area. Working in a 3' x 3' area, roll a "W" onto the wall.

Continue rolling from the top edge of the wall to the bottom cut in area. Back roll through the completed area prior to reloading the roller, creating a smooth uniform finish. Reload the roller as necessary. Continue applying the paint, each time starting with the "W" technique 3-4" away from the last section completed. Working from the top section of the wall and working down the wall. Always, back roll the width of the roller being used into the last section completed. Continue until your wall is completely covered.

NOTE: Paint the trim last. When the walls are completely dry, paint or touch up the moldings, the door and window frames with a two-inch angled brush.

FINISHED DEAR? CLEAN UP AFTER PAINTING

1. Carefully remove all tape from hinges, doorknobs, light switches, and trim.

2. Remove drop cloth coverings from floors, furniture and light fixtures.

NOTE: It is best to score taped areas where the tape meets the painted surface with a utility knife, to help prevent peeling when the tape is removed.

NOTE: Cloth Drop cloths should be taken outside to remove dust and debris, then folded and stored for future use. Place all disposable coverings and loose debris into the appropriate trash can.

3. Re-attach all switch plates, and outlet covers.

4. Vacuum, mop or clean the floor where coverings were removed.

5. Re-hang items to the wall such as pictures and mirrors.

6. Move furniture and rug back to its original position.

7. Replace all valuables that were removed from tabletops and cabinets.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PAINT SHEEN

The difference between paint sheens. What’s in a name?

Once you choose color for your paint project, you have one more decision to make: the paint sheen! The names are: flat, eggshell, pearl, satin, semi-gloss and gloss. What does this all mean? The paint sheen refers to the gloss level or the degree of light reflected from the surface once the paint has dried. Each company has slight variations.

It is obvious to tell the difference between a flat and a high-gloss, but it's the levels in between, when and how we use each sheen that can get confusing to all of us. So, here we have listed the key factors in choosing a paint finish.

The glossier a finish, the more durable and washable it tends to be. Flat paint is great at hiding irregularities and surface imperfections. Pearl and eggshell paints are a compromise; they partially hide imperfections and are more washable than flat paints.

For painting interiors, the best choices are often flat paint for ceilings, eggshell and satin for walls and semi-gloss or gloss on doors and trim. The most popular paint sheen is satin, a good choice because it's not too shiny but cleans easier than flat and a perfect base for popular faux finishing techniques.

FLAT

Durability of Flat Paint: If you have children or pets, this paint sheen isn't the best choice for walls as it tends to show dirt and scuff marks easily. This sheen is not an easy paint to keep clean.

Where to Use Flat Paint: are great choice for areas with dents, dings and rough surface texture. This sheen is perfect for surfaces that do not have a lot of contact with human hands, such as ceilings.

Comments on Flat Paint: Although this sheen hides surface imperfections, stain removal is difficult. Use this sheen for a uniform, non-reflecting appearance.

EGGSHELL

Durability of Eggshell Paint: More durable and washable than most flat paints, but not as durable as Satin or Semi-gloss. Where to Use Eggshell Paint: are great choice for wall surfaces in foyers, hallways, and Dining rooms. You can clean this paint sheen. Eggshell paints reflect more light than flat, but only slightly. The best way to describe paint is the reflective qualities of this sheen are similar to that of a real eggshell.

Comments on Eggshell Paint: This sheen resists stains better than flat paint and gives a more lustrous appearance offering a soft glow that warms up any room

SATIN

Durability of Satin Paint: are durable enough to stand up to most dirt, cleaning and are great for high traffic or food preparation areas.

Where to Use Satin Paint: are typically used for kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, kids' rooms and even some woodwork and trim.

Comments on Satin Paint: are not truly "shiny," but more like actual satin, in having subtle reflective qualities. This sheen adds just enough light to the walls to be called a slight "glow". Satin or semi-gloss finishes are easy to clean and are good for highlighting architectural details.

SEMI – GLOSS

Durability Of Semi-Gloss Paint: tend to be much more durable as they can be easily cleaned with most cleaning products and resist dirt and stains.

Where to Use Semi-Gloss Paint: are typically used for doors, cabinets, woodwork and trim. Many people find Semi-Gloss to be too shiny for walls though it works quite well on surfaces that are prone to get a lot of handprints

Comments on Semi-Gloss Paint: A semi-gloss reflects between 35 to 50 percent of the light that hits it. Which means it will have a much shinier appearance.

HIGH - GLOSS

Durability of High-Gloss Paint: While the high sheen allows for an easy surface to clean, any dents or dings in the paint will be very visible.

Where to Use High Gloss Paint: take extra precautions in choosing where you use this sheen. High Gloss should be limited to areas such as kitchen cabinets, banisters and railings, trim, furniture, door jambs, window sills and specialty uses. You wouldn't typically paint a wall with high-gloss paint because the reflective qualities create too much glare.

Comments on High Gloss Paint: High-Gloss reflects approximately 75%-80% of the light that hits it.

Stephanie Tyree Unique Designs and Decorative Finishes 12034 Madison Drive Atlanta, GA 30346 http://www.designershistoricalstencils.com

 

Choose A Decorating Style

Quite often when you think about needing a change, decorating comes into your mind. That creates the problem then of attempting to decide what styles is bested suited to your home-contemporary or rustic theme decorating. In that case, you need some great tips on interior decorating that will guide you through the process, thus turning your home into the home you always wanted. The top home decorating tip of 2007 involves fantasizing, being original, and returning to nature.

An Important Decorating Tip

When you make plans to redecorate your house, a tip to remember is to use a theme. Whether you decide on a more modern look, or to stay with the rustic theme decorating, your home needs its own personality, something it can gain if you choose a theme for the rooms that will share the decorating style. You want to take advantage of a trip from a professional decorator when it comes to choosing a decorating theme such as a Mickey Mouse theme for the nursery or something of a more traditional nature for the dining room. It is extremely important to use the decorating tip you obtain to create a theme that is both tasteful and creative.

This new decorating tip strategy is not limited to the inside of the house by any means. You don't want a newly decorated house on the inside that looks like it's ready to fall apart on the outside. You can find many excellent ideas from which to choose, and a list of the interior decorating tip that ranges from decorating your entrance door using a colorful doormat to using your personality to take a stand about the use of color are at your fingertips. Another interior decorating tip you may find helpful is to paint your house in contemporary tones or if you're going with the rustic theme, the nature colors such as yellow, soft greens and dark browns.

Should You Choose Rustic or Contemporary?

Choosing the contemporary style gives you freedom to innovate frequently, while the rustic look will bring the nature feel and tranquility. Another top tip of decorating your interior is to make sure your home harmonizes with your lifestyle. For example, if you're active and enjoy partying and entertaining friends, you should most likely choose the contemporary style due to its airiness and additional space. The rustic style will suit you if you are the kind of person who enjoys sitting on the sofa with a good book. This is especially true if you are a lover of plants, plain wood, and the mahogany style furniture.

Is There a Right Decorating Tip?

As you can see, decorating tips do not fall into the category of "one size fits all," however, you do have several from which to choose. It's important to let your house speak out about you and that both the interior and exterior walls are in harmony. If you follow the interior decorating tip strategy that is outlined, it won't be long before you will be able to develop your own decorating possibilities. It takes only courage, time, and a good tip about interior decorating.

Andrew Caxton publishes articles for http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com You can find more information and resources on rustic theme decorating at his website.

 

The Monogram Theme Wedding

Monograms are a huge trend in weddings, to the point where they feature strongly in some, and in others, provide the actual theme. And what’s not to like about monograms? They’re elegant, understated, versatile, and a dramatic visual reminder of your new life together.

Ideas for including monograms

You’ll find them popping up in more and more places throughout the reception, and sometimes even prior to it. Here are some ways that brides include monograms:

- embossed, stamped or printed bridal stationary
- custom postage stamps (see www.funstamps.com)
- stationary seals or stickers
- painted aisle runners
- printed bridal bouquet ribbons
- bridal underwear or garter - bridal handkerchief
- accent to bridal train, veil or gown
- ring bearer’s pillow
- stamped or printed out-of-town bags
- bridesmaids’ totes
- guestbook
- engraved guestbook pen
- tablecloths
- chair covers
- place cards and menus
- cocktail napkins
- coasters
- centerpieces
- engraved cake server set
- cake embellishment
- wood, wire, metal, chocolate or acrylic monogram cake topper - monogram wreaths of silk or real flowers
- fabric wall or door banners
- champagne flutes
- bottled water labels
- “tears of joy” packs
- monogrammed wedding favors: cookies, ornaments, shot glasses, votive candles,

chocolates, petit fours, notepads, favor boxes
- dance floor “gobo” projections

How do I get a monogram?
You make it! Many brides find they can “roll their own” using a readily-available software program such as Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. If you’re a graphic designer or have access to high-end tools, you’d probably prefer Adobe Illustrator, but Word or PowerPoint are also fine. If you’ve played around but don’t like the results, call on an arty friend.

To design your monogram in Microsoft Word:
Choose Insert -> Textbox. Type and format the letter the way you like it. Do this three times. Now click on all textboxes and choose Format->Textbox. Choose Color: No Fill (so you can overlap letters) and Line: No Line. Select all letters, right click, and choose Group to lock in the arrangement. You can now copy your image into Microsoft Paint and save in several formats, such as JPEG.

To design your monogram in PowerPoint:
You’ll want to use “Word Art” to create your letters. Click on the blue tilted “A” on the bottom toolbar for each letter. Format them to your liking. When you’re done designing, select all the letters, right-click, and choose Grouping->Group. Now you can click on your image and right-click for Save as Image. PowerPoint lets you save directly in formats like JPEG, PNG and TIFF.

Some more design tips: The bride’s initial goes first in a monogram. When the bride takes the groom’s last name, the order is: bride’s first initial, shared last initial (usually larger), groom’s first initial.

If the bride keeps her own last name, one option is four-initial monogram (bride’s first, bride’s last, groom’s last, groom’s first). Or just join the couple’s first names with an ampersand (Jenny & Mike).

Some etiquette tips: It’s somewhat frowned upon to use your couples monogram before you’re actually married. So, your reception’s clearly a green light, but you might want to skip using it on your invites. The ceremony itself is sort of a Ms. Manners gray area. Some brides uphold the spirit (if not the letter) of the “law” by including the monogram in a not-so-public ceremonial spot, such as a garter, or inside the dress.

Of course, these being modern times, some brides just include the monogram wherever and whenever they want.

Great places to get the fancy fonts brides crave, for free:

www.dafont.com/en/
www.chank.com/freefonts.php
www.abstractfonts.com/fonts/
instant.coffeecup.com/content/fonts/
www.1001freefonts.com

DIY monogrammed aisle runner
It’s not hard to create your own monogrammed aisle runner, and it makes a big splash. If you have a sewing machine, you can buy and hem the fabric for next to nothing. Now you just need some fabric paint in black or your wedding colors, a pencil, an exacto knife and some cardstock. You also need to decide where you want to place the monogram. Some aisle runners feature a monogram at the bottom, where the procession begins; the top, where the couple stands; and in the middle.

Print out your monogram and blow it up to your desired size on a copying machine. (If your aisle fabric is on the sheer side, you can now trace your monogram directly onto the fabric with pencil. Fill in with fabric paint, and you’re done.) Otherwise, tape the enlarged monogram onto the cardstock and cut out the shape with an exacto knife. Trace inside your new template lightly with pencil. Fill in with fabric paint. Follow the same procedure to make your own monogrammed table runners or even chair covers.

The dance floor monogram
A dramatic and memorable way to include your monogram is to project it onto the dance floor during the reception. As fun as this is, though, it’s not cheap and sometimes not easy. To project a monogram, you need to buy a custom metal plate, called a “gobo.” Custom gobo manufacturers are easily found online. The gobo itself usually costs over $100, but once made, you then need specific lights equipped with a pattern holder to use the gobo. It’s possible that your venue, or your DJ, will be able to provide these lights or help you locate a place from which to rent them.

A final tip
Now that you have some ideas for incorporating monograms in your wedding, remember the essence of elegance is restraint. It’s easy to overdo monograms, so mix them up contrasting touches, such as soft and romantic floral arrangements, to warm up the monogram’s cool and classic feel.

Blake Kritzberg is editor of FavorIdeas. Stop by for fresh fall wedding ideas and a completely indulgent collection of fall wedding favors.

 

How To Decorate Your Guest Room In A Rustic Theme

Many people choose the rustic home decor, even those who have an urban lifestyle. There is no need for you to live in the country or a log cabin in order to take advantage of some of the unique accents that you can purchase in the rustic home decor style. For those who love nature, camping, and hiking, the deep woods decor is an interesting and functional way to display the things you enjoy so much.

Using a rustic decorating theme doesn't mean that your house has to look like a cabin in the woods. In fact, you don't even have to put it in every room in your house, you can try it in just one room or an area of the house and see how you like it. The bathroom and guest room are perfect places to utilize a deep woods theme because you do not see these rooms as frequently as others, so there is less of a chance that you will tire of them.

Guest Room

With this theme, you can choose to paint the interior walls forest green or burgundy to coordinate with the theme colors—or you can choose to paint only one of the walls. Purchasing a quilt with a tree or bear design to use as a bedspread will also enhance the rustic theme. If it's within your budget, purchase or customize a bed frame from wooden logs in order to give your room the feeling of being in a cabin even while you're in a Penthouse on Park Avenue.

Windows Decorations

You can use the same fabric as the rest of your theme to decorate your windows. Wall hangings and pictures that match your rustic home décor is also a good choice for use in the room. Another possibility for the walls is photographs of you and your family as you enjoyed an exciting or funny camping trip. A search online for rustic theme items will yield results such as towel hangers, clocks, and a great deal more including those with beer, deer, and tree themes. There is no limit to what you can do with this theme, including that of painting the ceiling so that it is likened to the sky at night, thus giving the impression of sleeping underneath the stars.

Advantage of Using Rustic Home Décor

Unlike many other themed decors, the rustic theme is not one that is trendy and subject to becoming outdated. It is a style that will remain popular, so you don't have to concern yourself with changing the décor of the room any time soon. Depending on your budget and creativity, you may include many more options than are listed here to become closer to nature while in an urban or suburban setting.

Andrew Caxton is the author of many articles on subjects like living rooms and published at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com For additional information on interiors deep woods decor subjects have a look at his web.

 

Pick Your Price

While the cost of promotional conference bags can be offset by conference sponsors who pay to include their products and literature, providing bags for all of your attendees can be a pricey proposition. Whether your budget is tight or limited only by the sky, you’ll find promotional conference bags in a wide range of prices to suit any budget you need to fit.

Keep in mind, though, that the promotional value of the conference bags that you choose is high. If you’re the organizer, the quality of the bag you choose directly affects how your event is viewed, not only by the attendees but by the sponsors who have paid for exposure and image. It’s important that the quality of the promotional conference bags and other items that you choose reflect the value of your sponsors’ contributions to your event. A sponsor who contributes £20,000 to your event coffers might be understandably miffed to find his or her name plastered on a shoddy plastic bag that reflects badly on his or her firm.

Your best option is always to choose the highest quality promotional conference bags that you can afford. If your budget is limited, look for the lowest range from a high quality manufacturer rather than the highest range in a lower quality product. You can save by choosing well-made bags in a less expensive material, or with fewer pockets rather than buying poorly made promotional conference bags that offer lots and lots of little gimmicks.

What You Should Expect to Pay

Expect to pay anywhere from £2-£20 per bag depending on the choices that you make. At the low end, you’ll find quality City style bags made of polyester. The best choices travel well, are made with reinforced seams and have both a carry handle and a detachable shoulder strap. Most have at least one or two interior pockets, and many feature a zippered front pocket for easy access to important items.

At the higher range, you’ll find conference bags by such well-known names as Slazenger and Mercury made of 600D polyester with a wealth of options. Stylish and modern, they include zippered pouches, Velcro pockets and loops for holding your iPod, mobile phone and other important business musts. Padded and adjustable shoulder straps are only one of the features that make the highest range of promotional conference bags an excellent choice for those who are looking to impress clients and attendees.

Price Considerations

In addition to the cost of the bag itself, there are other considerations that will add to the price of your promotional conference bags. Most suppliers include the cost of a single print area in one color in their quoted price. Generally, you can expect to pay an extra £.20 or so per piece for each additional color, in addition to an extra setup fee for your entire order. In some cases, your choice of bag may preclude additional colors in your printed logo. If you intend to print more than one logo or on more than one surface of the bag, you can also expect to pay more for your order. Finally, if you’ve left things till the last minute, you can expect to pay a premium for an express or rush order.

To get the best price for your promotional conference bags on a budget:

1. Select a low-priced range of conference bags.
2. Confine your printing to the standard print area.
3. Limit your printing to one color.
4. Order the largest quantity you can afford to get the price discount.
5. Give plenty of lead time to avoid express or rush order fees.

If you require additional information on conference bags or business promotional items, promotional gifts and promotional products then check out the leading expert suppliers online where you can make massive savings.

Tina Rinaudo is one of the leading lights in the UK promotional conference bags industry. Tina is a key member of YesGifts, the UK's fastest growing online promotional items resource specialising in promotional pens, mugs, mouse mats, umbrellas, conference items and much more. For more information please visit http://www.yesgifts.co.uk