Summer trip memories

Aug31

Both kids and adults gather many memories during summer trips. There are piles of seashells, pebbles, postcards, maps and other whatnots at home by the end of August. Here are some ideas for displaying the various collections at a decorative way, not to store them only in a box at the bottom of the wardrobe.
The objects belonging to the same trip can be placed in a glass topped wooden box, just like creating a landscape. This can be put on the windowsill or desk but can be hung on the wall also. Write the date and place on the frame to remember it later.
Using a jar is a similar solution. Let’s choose a translucent one without color for making all the small objects well visible. The lid can be painted to any color if we don’t like the original one. Label it with marking the place and date. They will look good on the shelf or on the mantelpiece.
We can group similar objects also independently from the trips. Postcards can be put in a folder but if we would like to see them every day, then rather make them the part of the decoration. Cord, thin wire or color ribbon should be tensed for example above the headboard, maybe under a shelf or on the curtain rod and postcards, photos, napkins or tickets can be fixed on it by clips. An ordinary, framed cork board can be also used, this can be easily made unique by painting. Cards should be pinned on it.
Coffee table or night stand can be purchased or made DIY which has small boxes under the glass top. Small memories should be put in these: minerals, star fish, tiny copies of famous buildings etc. They can be changed to the memories of the new experiences in next year.
Ask for help of an interior designer for decorative displaying of similar collections fit for the interior.

Door wreaths 4.

Jun3

Summer door decors – even DIY

Door wreaths 3.

Mar4

Spring door decors – even DIY

Scents of our home

Feb5

When guests arrive to our home, beyond the colors, forms and lights, the scents are the first they encounter even subconsciously. Because of this, our home should have a pleasant fragrance, not only a nice look. This is even more important when selling an apartment, because it depends on the first five seconds, if the potential buyer will have a good impression of the home or not. For this, scents are essential. With some simple tricks we can provide a delectable environment for ourselves.
Instead of artificial sprays and electric fragrance gadgets, let’s use the treasury of nature. The most simple solution is using natural, essential oils into the evaporators. We can choose from lots of scents, but the best are the light, fresh ones (e.g.: citrus, lavender), since they are concentrated and they shouldn’t be too dominant. In heating season, the peel of orange, tangerine or apple can be placed on top of the radiators. The result is less intensive, only the pleasant impression remains in guests. Fragrance candles can also act as visual decoration.
Our clothes will remain fresh out of season by inserting dried flowers, spices among them in small fabric bags. Cloves, cinnamon, lavender, rose, rosemary are great for this purpose. They keep the moths away also.
Just before the estate agent arrives with the potential buyer, let’s bake some sort of cake, even if only a few pieces. The fine scent (e.g.: cinnamon) will fill the home. According to scientific researches, as an effect of the fragrance of the cake, people will “fall in love” with the home much more easily.
Wherever we safely can, let’s place fresh flowers, both cut, or potted. Beyond the intensive scent of rose, lily and hyacinth, there will be no need for any other trick.
In the bathroom, let’s place a soap with intensive fragrance on a shelf, without its packaging. Even it’s not used, the scent will result a boudoir mood in the relatively humid environment.
Of course, these tricks don’t eliminate the need of regular cleaning and airing. There is no fragrance or scent that covers stale or musty air. If you plan to sell your real estate, consult with an interior designer for home staging before the potential buyers arrive.

Spare fabrics

Feb3

Some ideas for using spare fabrics

Flower decorations

Jan30

Flower decoration always makes a cheerful mood in the home. We can bring in the nature to our home with it.
The most effective way is to use seasonal flowers for decoration, this way the actual season can be seen in the interior also without the need of complicated changes. The cut flowers can be put in a jar covered with color paper or fabric, in an old metal kettle or those with shorter stems in a decorative mug or glass also. If the present bouquet is wilting, untie it and place the flowers one by one in soft drink or beer bottles which are already washed. The sight will be stronger using color bottles if they are rowed on the mantelshelf, dining table or windowsill. The flowers with soft stem can be strengthen with a thin green wire rolled over the stem, this way they will keep their poise. Let’s cut off the flat or smaller flower heads (campanula, daisy, marigold etc.) at their base: they will be a nice table centerpiece putting in a glass bowl full of water, even combined with floating candles. Inner doors can be decorated with door wreaths as well. Potted succulents, ornamental cabbages and topiaries fit to every interior thanks to their moderated colors.
In case of some flowers, care should be taken to the stamens because pollen can stain the cloth under the vase. For example: lily or tulip. Lily never should be put in the room of a pregnant lady, an ill person or babies because its strong fragrance might cause headache or feeling of sickness. On the contrary, the fragrance of lavender and chamomile not only calming but they are perfect moth hunters also.
Instead of flowers, catkins and budded branches can be collected in spring, grasses and big leaves in summer and berried branches or color leaves in autumn. In winter, the patio, the place around the front door or the garden itself can be decorated by frozen flower heads or berries in ice. Only an ice cube tray and water are needed for this. They freeze in the freezer in an hour or two. Put in a pyramid, they will be vivid dash of colors on the top of the outdoor table, under the bold trees or near the stairs. Ice wreath can be made in the same way in a tube-pan. The ready pieces should be tied with a ribbon on the branches of trees, the garden gate or the stair-rail.
If you wish a classy flower decoration in your home, ask for help of a style adviser for implementing your ideas.