Bamboo is one of the oldest materials used by man. It grows best in the warm and temperate climates of Southeast Asia and China and is one of the fastest growing plants taking only 4 years to reach full maturity and living as long as 120 years. Bamboo was used for centuries to create huts until more modern practices began to take over. Ancient Chinese cultures used it to create coverings for windows much as we do now. They even serve as a tasty treat for pandas.

Today, bamboo still has many practical uses in our homes. It is used to decorate, accessorize, and complement many different design styles. One of the most common ways that bamboo is still used is in window treatments. Much like the ancient Chinese, we appreciate the look and practicality of bamboo blinds . Even if you don’t have an oriental inspired design style in your home, bamboo gives a room a light, more airy feel that can create a nice contrast to heavier furniture and paint.

There are several options when it comes to choosing bamboo window treatments and they vary in look and price. For something nice yet simple, consider bamboo shades. They are ideal for smaller windows and rooms were there is not a lot of extra space. Another option that has been steadily increasing in popularity is bamboo panel track blinds . Ideal for large windows and doors, bamboo sliding panel track s offer the coverage and size of vertical blinds without worrying about them swinging back and forth and getting damaged.

Many home goods stores also carry a wide variety of bamboo accessories. Picture frames, figurines, and candleholders are a great way to tie the bamboo theme together.

Whether you have a bungalow by the sea or house in the city, bamboo is a great material to enhance your personal style and give your home a warm, inviting feel.

Making the Most of Bamboo is a post from: Cup of Snarky

No home room decoration is just right without the perfect blinds. It can change a bland and dull room into a room with energy and passion as long as you choose the right colors and material for the room you are decorating. It can also take a cheap room and make it look classy, so it is obvious why this would be so important. The best part about redecorating a room with drapes is that it is a lot cheaper than trying to redesign the whole room. The biggest problem is that there are a lot of different types of blinds and shades and they all serve different purposes and lend a different look to a room. Most of the types are available in any color of your choosing. Some, such as most shutters are not available in any color that isn’t the natural wood, but if you wanted purple shutters there is no reason why you couldn’t paint them yourself.

Bearing that in mind, color seems like the obvious place to start. While you might want to place purple shutters in your living room, if all the other furniture is varying shades of green, this might not be such a good idea. Try to stick with something complimentary. This does not mean that it has to blend in. If you want to spice a bland room up full of light tans and whites, place some bright yellow shades on the windows and wait for the light to flood the room with the warmth this will bring. This really only works for places that have a lot of sun though. If you don’t try a deeper shade with a stronger tone to brighten the room. On the other hand, if you do have a green living room already, maybe finding a complimentary green or similar tone of red can be the best way to go. If you aren’t sure what color would be complimentary to the color scheme of your room, go to your local hardware store, or find a color wheel . The color opposite on a color wheel is complimentary.

The last key is deciding on a style of shades you want in your house. There are a number of ways to cut down the many styles to the one you want . If you live in a sunny area, you will want to think about if you want the sun getting into that room. If you do, this will cut down on a number of options. If you do not, or if you want to be able to make it completely dark, there are other blinds for you. You will also want to think about if you like a contemporary look, modern, maybe even classical. This is how you will decide on the right curtains for you.

Curtains Complete the Room Design is a post from: Cup of Snarky

Interior design is a vast and varied field. Designers spend years in school learning to develop their own style and methods for creating the perfect room. They then have to stay on top of, and help create, the newest trends in home design. Regardless of your personal taste there are a few basic principles that most designers follow. Whether you want to keep the design minimal or go all out, most would agree that good accents are an essential part of the room.
Even if you enjoy more of a minimalist approach to style and design, you can still create accents very easily. Often you can choose just one wall to be the accent wall by painting it a solid bright color. You can compliment it by adding a simpler piece of artwork. Another option is accenting the windows by installing some custom plantation shutters or shades or dressing them up with some curtains or drapes. This is a good option if you have a particularly stunning view out the windows.
If you tend to live more on the wild side and like a style that goes all out, you can be a bit freer with your design. All of the above techniques would still apply – creating a strong accent wall or dressing up the windows – however you can incorporate more accents into the rest of the room. Add some shelves with some fun and personal mementos. Liven up a dull and lifeless coach with some brightly colored throw pillows.
No matter what your style is accents are a great way to liven up a room and draw attention to it’s best features. Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different designs before you make your final decision. You can even find more ideas and tips online that can really get the ideas rolling.

Creating Accents is a post from: Cup of Snarky