Although they complement a wide variety of decors, wooden window treatments are particularly suited to certain styles.

Asian Artistry

There isn’t any single type of Asian decor since the region covers such diverse cultures as Japan, China, and Thailand, however there are a number of common elements in these decors. Asian themes favor natural materials like wood and bamboo.  Wooden window blinds are particularly appropriate for Japanese rooms which favor simple window treatments.  Chinese decors on the other hand tend toward more ornate decorations, such as window blinds that have been painted with elaborate designs.

The Western interpretation of Asian styles often uses neutral foundation furniture offset by Asian accent pieces.  Chinese rugs are an essential part of almost every Asian style and an entire room can be designed around a beautiful oriental Chinese rug.

Tropical Treasures

The tropical decor is another one that leans heavily on natural materials such as rattan or wicker.  Blinds of dark wood block the hot afternoon sun then open to catch gentle evening breezes. Tropical colors are also inspired by nature.  The brown of wood, the orange of a sunset, the bright hues of tropical flora are all common in rooms using this style.

Tropical style furniture tends to have an ornate and grand presence.  This is not the tropical decor of Robinson Crusoe, but rather that of a Caribbean governor’s mansion. A few, large accent pieces finish off the design better than a lot of small knick-knacks.  A vibrant mural or lush plants in ornate planters are typical examples.

Southwestern Style

Today’s southwestern style is a blend of Spanish, American Indian, and modern influences. The earth tones common in southwestern themes go well with the look of wood blinds.  Desert-inspired reds and browns, perhaps with accents of orange or turquoise, are an ideal canvas for the look of wood.

Southwestern homes favor rough textures such as adobe walls, terracotta tile, and exposed beams in the ceiling.  Wood blinds fit these textures much better than modern materials do. Southwestern style furniture is covered in rough, utilitarian fabrics that may follow the same red and brown theme or may imitate the bright colors of a serape.  Rather than fabric, furniture is often covered with leather, inspired by the region’s history of cattle ranching.

Almost any design style will compliment the unique look of wood or faux wood blinds, but some décor styles really make your wood blinds seem even more dramatic.  The wide variety of materials and colors of wood blinds and faux wood blinds give homeowners a huge range of options when looking at the best in window treatments.

He fought against Rome from the years 29 BC to 19 BC. The Roman historian Dio Cassius relates the story of this robber who caused numerous difficulties for the Roman Army. Such was his fame that during the campaign of Emperor Augustus in Cantabria from 26-25 BC, a price of 200,000 sestercii was put on his head. To the emperor’s astonishment, none other than Corocotta himself walked into the Roman camp, presenting himself and demanding the reward. In a gesture to Corocotta’s bravery, the Augustus let him go after granting him the money. Beautiful story …and beautiful piece of furniture.

Take soaking to a new level with your choice of translucent blue or green acrylic and a chromotherapy light system.

Copper Soaking Tub

Sure, take a power shower to speed your morning routine, but indulge later with a relaxing soak. Resting on curvy claw feet, sturdy wood frames, or skirted pedestals, these tubs can provide timeless hydrotherapy for one or two bathers.

White Acrylic Tub

If space allows, plan for a separate shower and tub, and award the latter aposition of honor: bathed in natural light or showcased in the center of the room. Interpreting the iconic shape, manufacturers offer a range of materials and details that evoke sleek modernism or antique flair.

Freestanding White Tub

The sensual curves of the Escale freestanding tub from Kohler ($2,950) are perfectly shaped for relaxation. The unit is outfitted with a Roman bath filler, hand shower, and optional air-massage or chromotherapy features.

Elegant Soaking Tub

Indulge your senses with a long, lingering soak in the Monaco tub ($3,000)—the perfect way to while away the day’s stresses.

Asian-Inspired Tub

The resin feet on this freestanding dual-end Asia tub ($2,300) lend a contemporary feel to a classic claw-foot tub. Although similar in looks to a typical cast-iron tub, the Asia tub weighs less and the mineral composite material can easily be painted to add color to your bathroom.

Cast-Iron and Wood Tub

The combination of cast iron and wood in the Iron Works Tellieur Bath from Kohler ($6,899.30) adds a touch of luxury and elegance to any bathroom. This freestanding tub is so spacious and inviting you may never use the shower again.

Marble Tub

Handcrafted from a single piece of marble, the rolled-rim tubin Perlato Svevo from Stone Forest ($18,000) is the ultimate natural soaking experience. Sleek fixtures from Philippe Starck provide contemporary contrast to the rough-hewn exterior.

Tub on a Cherrywood Platform

The stunningly simple Asia soaking tub from Neptune ($4,800) rests on a cherrywood platform that’s available in six finishes. A coordinating bathing tray and floor-mount tub filler and hand shower further personalize your bath time.

INSUFFICIENT OR INEFFECTIVE. Do you have insufficient storage space or ineffective storage space? There’s a big different. Insufficient storage space means you don’t have enough space for your things. Ineffective space means you have enough space for your things, but you’re not making the best use of that space. Most closets and cabinets have the volume to hold twice as much as they are usually constructed for. And you probably have quite a few nooks and crannies for storage that you haven’t even thought of. Of course, it’s important to make sure you don’t have things you don’t like, are outdated, etc., but it is also important to have effective storage space for the things you do like and enjoy.

1. ADD-A-ROD. Looking for extra storage space in your closet. If you have the type of closet with two+ walls for hanging clothes, on one wall hang a rod at head height for long clothing (dresses, pants, etc.). On the other wall, hang two rods–one above the other–for shorter clothing (shirts, skirts, blazers, etc.) In other words, you’re not restricted to only one clothing rod.

2. INSTALL SHELVES. Most shelves can be moved up-a-notch or down-a-notch. If you have three inches of space above your linens, you may consider adjusting the shelf so the shelf below it has more space. Or, perhaps you can add another shelf in between. Plastic, multiple level shelves are wonderful for kitchen cabinets. And corner shelves are great for picture frames, knick knacks and other small treasures.

3. USE STORAGE UNITS. Storage units, which can be picked up from housewares or hardware stores, are great space savers. Your spices can be removed from drawers and placed on a spice rack. There are racks for canned goods that, when a can is taken from it, the next can in line rolls forward. Some of these hold over 40 cans! Ice cube trays are inexpensive storage containers for smaller items such as earrings. There are coffee tables on the market with storage space hidden inside. Under bed containers are perfect for storing quilts and linens. Be creative and make use of these great tools!

4. DON’T FORGET ABOUT WALL SPACE. Look around and you’re sure to find quite a bit of empty wall space. There are many uses for this new-found space. Pots and pans can be taken out of cabinets and hung on walls. Tools can be placed on pegboards. Shelves can be installed for picture frames and knick knacks. Many stores now carry corner shelves that can be installed in a snap.

5. PUT FREQUENTLY USED ITEMS WITHIN ARMS REACH.Whenever possible, store regularly used items where you use them most. Recently, my husband created a toilet paper holder on the back of our bathroom cabinet door, with a small dowel, 2 nails and 2 loops of rope. It holds three rolls of toilet paper, and it’s right near the area it’s needed most. You shouldn’t have to walk from one room to another to retrieve items you use every day. Store linens in the bedroom. Store videos near the television. If you use the scissors in the office area and in the sewing room, have two pairs of scissors, one in each room.

6. ADD-A-DRAWER OR SLIDING SHELF. Many hardware and housewares stores carry drawers that can be installed underneath a cabinet. These are great if you have a home with limited drawer space. In addition, you can also install shelves under cabinets that slide out when you need them, and slide back in when you’re finished with them.

7. KEEP YOUR DESK CLEAR. A clear desk is directly related to your productivity. You will get more done, if you’re not constantly under a pile of papers and files. A sturdy, full-suspension filing cabinet is a must for any home or office. Portable file boxes that hold hanging file folders also come in handy. There are plenty of storage choices for CD-roms and diskettes. Desk supplies belong in an on-the-desk caddy or in trays inside your desk.

8. REARRANGE. Everyone is different, and has different needs. Make your home or office work for you. One woman I know told me she never uses her dining room, not even when she has company over. And she had no intention of ever using it since her kitchen was big and elegant enough. She also said she hated her dark basement office. So, I suggested she rearrange a bit, and turn her dining room into her office. And that is exactly what she did. So think about your surroundings and make them work for you, even if they seem a little out of the ordinary.

9. ROTATE. You may have many items you love in your home or office, but not enough space. Rotate them. In other words, keep some things in storage for a month or two and display some of your things. Then, once that time is up, make the switch. The items on display go into storage; the items in storage go on display. What a neat idea!
   

Kent Bouldin, designer at the Luxury of Leather, says one-third of all residential seating sales are leather, and more retailers are vying for the expanding leather market. With slow sales, manufacturers will take a small profit margin over no profit. What, really, are you getting for your money? Bouldin cautions that buyers need to do their homework, because not all leather furniture is 100 percent leather – which retailers are under no obligation to disclose.

Be on the lookout for keywords such as “bicast” or “bonded.”

“One of my pet peeves is that people get fooled all the time,” Bouldin says. “Most of the leather out there, at least 85 to 90 percent, is not going to last very long.”

Here are some common types of leather you’ll encounter while furniture shopping:

Top-grain leather is the most desirable and most expensive, says Mark Sobiech, a vice president at Robb & Stucky in Plano.

Split leather is the underside of the hide that’s sanded down, painted and then finished with protective coating, which works great for car upholstery.

Bicast leather comes from the second, third or fourth layer, which is then covered with vinyl or a plastic product. “It sort of defeats the purpose of leather because leather’s a natural product that breathes, even if you put protective finish on it. But if you put a piece of plastic on it, then it’s not very comfortable leather,” Bouldin says.

Bonded or blended leather uses leftover scraps from other products, such as shoes and purses, mixed with a polymer. Then it’s glued to a fabric backing.

“It’s sort of like particleboard,” he says. “You take the leftover material and then grind it up and put a bunch of glue in it and glue it on a piece of fabric.” The actual leather content is less than 20 percent.

Some stores sell pieces that are leather in the seating area, but have a non-leather product on the back and sides.

Tanning leather

The most durable leather is top-grain leather that has been aniline-dyed, especially if the leather has a protective finish, Bouldin says. Aniline dye, the preferred tanning process, colors leather all the way through, which is a plus if leather gets scratched.

Crate & Barrel’s Dylan chair, $1,999 through crateandbarrel.com, comes in top-grain, aniline dyed leather; the company will send you aswatch for approval before finalizing the order.

On the flip side, natural leather is tanned and dyed but doesn’t have much of a surface finish.

“A totally natural leather with no protective finishes on it is going to be more susceptible to oils from your body and stains from liquid,” Bouldin says. That will work well in an adult-only environment, but not in a roomful of kids.

Choosing leather is like selecting a diamond, says Lizette Flowers, a former director of merchandising at Robb & Stucky in Plano. It really boils down to what’s important to you. But instead of the Four C’s – cut, clarity, color and carat – leather has the four S’s: serviceability, surface grain, special effects and softness.

“It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish,” she says. “If you want to have an absolutely clear diamond that is perfectly blue-white and you only have $1,000 to spend, you’re probably going to sacrifice size.

Shopping advice

If you’re confused about what is what while you’re shopping for a sofa, there are telltale signs, such as softness, pattern-texture or surface color. The first big clue can be found on the back of a sofa.

“A combination of leather and vinyl is real easy to tell,” says Bouldin with Luxury of Leather, which manufactures all of its furniture in Dallas. “If it’s one big piece, guess what? It’s vinyl. There’s no cow out there that’s big enough for you to make the back of the sofa all one piece.”

Then there’s the price. Special effects, including hand-burnishing, patent leather, embossing and laser-cutting, all play into cost.

In a sampling of stores across the Dallas area, a basic brown leather sofa about 85 inches long ranged from $499 to $3,699, depending on styling, type of leather, treatment and the springs inside.

“The leather itself is so durable, it needs to be on a frame that has the same durability qualities built in,” says Jerry Coffey with Havertys Furniture.

Consumers don’t need to look far for leather furniture. Lamps Plus, a California-based lighting accessories store with locations in Texas, now offers bicast bucket chairs. Leather furniture has been showing up in local discount stores as well.

THE FOUR S’s OF LEATHER

Softness: The softer, the more luxurious. Top-grain leather is softest.

Surface grain: Which layer from the hide is used, starting with the most desirable top grain?

Special effects: How many steps are taken in its evolution? These include embossing, hand-coloring or hand-burnishing.

Serviceability: How will it stand up to everyday use? The softest (i.e., nubuck) may not stand the test of time. Leather with a protective coat (such as car seats) can take more of a beating.

CARING FOR LEATHER

Make sure you understand what type of leather you are buying. Read the manufacturer’s care instructions and ask questions.

•Unprotected leather: Dust only. Water will leave stains.

•Protected leather: Dust and use a mild soap with water (try in a safe spot first).

•Sometimes furniture dealers include a leather-care kit with a sale.

•All leather should be kept out of direct sunlight.

Carpets were made in Persia as early as the 13th century, but due to the materials used, like wool, cotton and silk, all of which break down over time, few examples of those early carpets remain. Many museum rugs are mere fragments of the earliest pieces. The most popular Persian antique rugs available today are from the Tabriz region of Iran, generally made from the mid 1800s to the more vintage mid-1900s – those made in the early 20th century and later, more common in the market.

Persian carpet has a wealth of information on the history of how the Persian rug evolved through each successive dynasty.

Persian Antique Rugs from Tabriz

For nearly 500 years, Tabriz, in the north-west region or Persia (now Iran), was known as the capital of the Persian rug industry. And through the centuries, Tabriz carpets have always been known for their quality and classic designs.

The traditional antique rug from the Tabriz region was most often depicted with a medallion design in the center. The carpets were richly woven with the softer shades of red, blue, cream, green and copper – all colors found in nature. The artful and intricate details on the main surfaces of the rugs often depict flora, fauna and fruits hanging on branches. The carpets might be layered with borders, all with different designs from scrolls to swirls. Some borders might include Persian poetry in ancient script.

Price Guide to Rare Antique Rugs from Tabriz

The finest antique rugs from Tabriz are rare and expensive. These are generally densely woven with silk or wool. The 100% silk rugs are less easy to find. The very good rare and authentic antique Tabriz rugs are often valued between $60K and $200k. It’s important to remember that these are rare prices and based on auction results at Christy’s and Sotheby’s. That said, antique Tabriz carpets are available for prices much lower than stated above, but they will not be as rare and they may not be as fine. Expect to pay a minimum of $2K for a good antique Tabriz carpet from the early to mid-20th century.

A 16th century Tabriz rug, measuring 11.9′ by 21.8′ sold for $2.4 million at Christy’s Auction House in London, the highest price paid for an antique Tabriz rug.

What to Consider When Buying Old Tabriz Rugs

Several factors are considered in pricing or estimating the value of old Tabrizrugs:

1. Condition plays a huge role in determining value as it does with any antique. The rug should be intact and in it’s original state with no or few repairs, and the edges should in good clean condition.
2. Provenance or proof it was once owned by someone of prominence is also a key factor in determining the value of Tabriz rugs. It can add greatly to the demand.
3. The most expensive and luxurious Tabriz rugs were generally made of pure silk, rather than wool.
4. Age is important as well, because the older the rug, the rarer it becomes. Silk has a way of breaking down. In woven textiles, it’s known as shattering.
5. Overall quality of detail should also be considered. It should have lots of interest in the design with strong colors and high knot density.

Affordable Tabriz Rugs

Tabriz is still known for its weavers and it’s still an industry in the region. Not all Tabriz rugs are antique, but the contemporary rugs do share similar characteristics. However, most of the new “antique style” Tabriz rugs are machine woven with a mix of wool and silk, and can be found much cheaper. Those that actually arehandmade by contemporary weavers are priced accordingly.

For information on how to buy rugs USA style with discount coupons, please read USA Rug Dealer Discounts. It’s possible to find coupon codes for antique Persian rugs online.

Ideally decorating job should be submitted and handled by people who are experts and professionals in their fields, an interior designer. But use the services of interior designers certainly need the extra cost, and not everyone can afford to set aside the budget to hire a professional interior designer. Create the look you are bored with the room and want to change it, here are some tips that will help you decorate the room.

• Install accessories with an odd number. This affected the balance. Accessories with odd numbers will be better and nice views compared with the even number.
• Match your decor with your lifestyle. If you frequently move, choose furniture that is neutral, because the decor is neutral match any decor. If you have children or pets, select the carpet that is easy to clean and colors that can camouflage the dirt.
• Make the paint to minimize the weaknesses and highlights the advantages of the room. For example: bright colors to make the room look great. Dark color to make the room feel comfortable (cozy).
• Put a picture / painting of your eye-level view. By hanging on my level eyes, painting / drawing will be more enjoyable. This will also make the painting more harmonious with the sofa or chair.
• Use wallpaper and customize to your home. Use wallpaper with bright textures and small-sized pictures for a smaller room. Instead use a wallpaper with a big picture and the dark background for a large room.
• Collect pictures of rooms you like. Often it is difficult to define and create a room that we like in words. See the photo to determine the similarity / resemblance. Is it the same color, same shape, the similarity of furniture, etc.. As you can specify one by one, you will be easier to describe and concluded style / style what with your right.

* Hang stained glass panels or stained glass sun catchers from a window. In the day time, the sun shining through coloured glass casts a beautiful glow in a room. You can see this easily in churches as the stained glass window panels blanket the church hall with a wonderful moody light. You can create a similar feel at home on a smaller scale of course, with sun catchers hanging from a window.

* For a beautiful view from outside your home consider that at night you’ll also benefit from beautiful colors sparkling from your stained glass hangings. When your home is lit up from inside and a stained glass item is viewed from outside, the colors will look vivid, glistening and eye catching.

* Instead of using curtains or ugly, boring window blinds that seem to collect lots of dust, use a larger stained glass panel, decorative window film or hanging for privacy and window decorating.

* If you live with an ugly window view, and I guess to say most people have atleast one window eye sore, block the view or camouflage it with a stained glass art piece. I have a dining window that faces my neighbour’s garage wall, not exactly what I want to gaze at while eating dinner. To make my window view more appealing I am on a hunt for a stained glass window hanging that measures the approximate size of the window pane glass.

* Add privacy to a room or use stained glass panels as a room divider. Again we can use stained glass for its functionality and aesthetics. The benefit of using stained glass as a room divider is that it allows for privacy but won’t block all the natural light that we usually want in our rooms.

* If you can afford this option it can really create a room with “wow factor”. Have custom stained glass panels created and used as inserts for kitchen cabinet panels. Depending on your preference you can choose to be able to see inside the cabinet or not depending on the opacity of the glass. No more boring white kitchen.

* If you can’t hang a stained glass art piece for whatever reason (like apartment renters who are sometimes limited from nailing or screwing into walls) you can still enjoy the beauty of stained glass casting wonderful colourful washes of color on a room. A larger stained glass piece can be set to lean on a window shelf or consider buying a stained glass figurine or urn that can sit on your window shelf. If it’s placed in a good spot you can still enjoy the sun rays shining through the stained glass art decoration.

I hope these ideas will inspire you to use stained glass in your home. The stained glass art form have stood the
test of time, and while some other home trends come and go, stained glass is here to stay. From old stained glass
medieval windows to contemporary stained glass designs, enjoy its classic beauty and share it with others.
Popular stained glass designs continue to be stained glass with magnolia blossoms, stained glass sunflowers,
tiffany stained glass floor lamps for home lighting and suncatchers of course.

If you’re looking to get started in this wonderful craft consider the affordable beginners kits in stain glass.
The world will never have enough original stained glass designs.