Wall fountain Care

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Wall fountains are the exceptional means of adding pieces of nature when it comes to home decoration. With the added benefits that one can get with the use of wall fountains, these stuff have become increasingly popular these days. Homes, office spaces, hospitals, meditation and yoga centers- wall fountains are found everywhere. When it comes to buying wall fountains there are lots of choices available and choosing the right one for your home or office décor won't be a difficulty. However, these wall fountains need appropriate care and maintenance for proper functioning. Here are some tips to maintain and care a wall fountain.

Change water periodically

When it comes to wall fountains there are both indoor and outdoor options available. However, changing the water that's circulated is a vital part of maintenance of any kind of wall fountain. If the water fountain is not used for a long time and kept idle, all the water has to be drained and the fountain must be kept dry. Leaving the water idle in a wall fountain will destroy the quality of the water and also will produce a foul smell. It's always advisory to keep the wall fountain operating continuously. This eliminates the foul smell of stagnant water and also prevents the growth of micro organisms.

Extra cares for outdoor wall fountains

While most of the wall fountains are associated with common maintenance procedures, the outdoor wall fountains need some extra care. Foliage gets collected in the outdoor water fountains, distracting the water flow. This not only impacts the beauty of the wall fountain but also damages the pump. The foliage clogs the water flow in the pump which in turn will cause non-reparable damage to the same. The green alga is another obstacle that comes with the outdoor conditions. Green algae grow faster in the outdoor wall fountains when compared to the indoor ones. The outdoor wall fountains have to be maintained in a dry condition for atleast two days every month for overcoming this difficulty.

Keep the pump in trim working condition

The pump is the heart of a wall fountain. It is very much important to maintain the pump in good working condition. Cleaning the pump regularly is very much essential. Improper maintenance of the pump will make the wall fountain totally stop functioning. The pump should be checked and made sure that there are no debris within the rotor area. All the debris like dust, sand and foliage has to be removed for proper functioning of the pump. Cleaning the pump is an uncomplicated task and you should be able to clean the pump with a little bit of time and concentration.

The wall fountains can be easily maintained when compared to the other types. Reading the manufacturer's instructions regarding installation, maintenance and care thoroughly will help you maintain your great piece of art (wall fountain) in all its splendor. .

About The Author:
About the Author:
Abigail Brown writes wall fountain articles for waterfountainplace.com, a leading online retailer for indoor fountains, wall water fountain and garden fountains. Decorate your home and gardens today with water fountains from the Water Fountain Place.

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Tips When Choosing Wall Sconces For Your Room

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Wall sconces are a great way to add drama and style to any room. These lights give a soft glow that creates a warm and welcoming environment that you can relax in. If you like softness but not the formality of chandelier lighting, then sconces may be the perfect alternative. In this article, we'll discuss some the different styles available and how to choose the best one for your unique decor.

Wall sconces have been used for centuries but nowadays you can find styles to suit any decor. You can also choose from many types, including candle, electric bulb and electric candle sconces. All provide a soft glow that creates a warm environment.

Once you have decided which style suits you, you have to consider placement. These lighting fixtures are usually wall mounted just about the midpoint of a wall. You can go higher or lower, but remember that a poorly placed wall sconce is glaringly noticeable and may not achieve the desired lighting effect. You want a light that will be soft, so place it at a level that won't glare in your eyes.

The electrical needs for sconces are specific, so make sure you have the correct wiring in place before purchasing the pieces. These wall fixtures come with mounting hardware to install your new light. The mounting bracket is secured to the wall, then the electrical box is secured with two screws provided.

It is powered by an electrical wire via a switch containing a hot, neutral and ground. Once wired, a center stud is screwed into the bracket that the light fixture is attached to with a locking nut. If you are not familiar with handling electricity, then it's a good idea to hire a professional electrician who can do the job safely.

If you are using sconces to accent a point of interest, like an interesting table, then make sure the effect is a soft glow that is not overpowering. You should also consider the layout of your furniture. Sconces should add to the atmosphere and experience of your room, not detract from it.

Do not place sconces directly where someone will be sitting. A better choice is to place the fixtures off to the side. If you're using sconces to light a hallway, which is a very popular choice that can make this space look spectacular, then make sure that your sconce layout is balanced. You can do this by placing the wall fixtures 8 to 10 feet apart in a staggered pattern for the length of your hallway. The effect will be stunning.

Wall sconces are very versatile and can be used to provide soft background illumination, as well as directional task lighting. They are perfect for hallways, kitchens, bedrooms and even bathrooms as a supplement to vanity lights for extra brightness.

A wall sconce is ideal for small spaces because it adds light without using up precious floor or table space. Speak to an experienced lighting salesperson to help you choose a good style for your space and feel comfortable about using sconces to light up your home.

By: Michael Selvon

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The Role Of Wall Art In Interior Design

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Interior design is a buzzword in today’s modern world. The top interior designers around the Globe consider the walls as the perfect places to decorate a home. Apart from installing different kinds of fixtures and accessories, the interior designers consider the wall art as an excellent, cost effective interior design option. Unlike the costly interior design objects like lighting fixtures, these wall arts are very cheap and are very easy to maintain. People have a misconception that the wall art will fade in time. With the advancements in technology, the wall art can last for a lifetime in all its glory with very little maintenance. For high durability, the wall arts are done using the modern canvas print technology. The canvas art is washable and hence very easy to maintain too. Moreover, the canvas art will be more realistic than ordinary wall art methods.

An artistic approach of interior design

Art forms are known to easy grab the attention of the people. The wall art used in interior design is no exemption. Hence the canvas art in your home will definitely admire the visitors. Unlike olden days when people used to spend thousands of dollars in buying art works for decorating their homes, today, with the introduction of canvas art, people are able to bring home the various art forms to the homes at a very cheap pricing. People can get their desired picture printed as a canvas art within minutes. Moreover, as the canvas art is washable and fade resistant, they require only less maintenance.

Increasing the value of you home with Wall art

The values of the homes are found to be greatly dependant on the wall art. According to a recent survey, the home owners claim that the wall art have the ability to increase the value of a home by more than 30%. Due to this reason, American home owners have spent more than 50 billion dollars in decoration their homes with canvas art. They consider the wall arts as wise investments in their home. Not only in America, but also in all parts of the world, the wall art has gained huge popularity. Hence there is huge demand for the wall arts worldwide.

Selecting and installing wall art

With the increase in demand of wall art, there are different types of wall arts available today. Selection of the best wall art has to be done considering some key factors. First of all, the color of the wall art should match the other interior design objects and furniture in the room. The placement of the wall art is another important factor to consider. The canvas art has to be placed in an elevated position which can be seen from anywhere in the room. The wall art should be able to make the visitors feel comfortable and relaxed as soon as they enter the room.

Bottom Line

Considering all these benefits, the canvas art is a cost effective artistic approach for interior design.

By: Jesse Witham

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Decorative Wall Shelf - What Everyone Should Know

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You know, as far back as I can remember, there has been some kind of decorative wall shelving in every home of mine. I can remember my father putting up decorative wall shelf in our living room, all the bedrooms, dining room and kitchen. You might say that my father was a handyman and he loved to remodel our home over the years just to give it a new and interesting look.

If you are looking to add an attractive look to your living room, then I suggest decorative wall shelf. Adding one or two 24 inch wide wall shelving units to one of the walls of your living room and putting a floral arrangement or some sort of decorative vase or crystal art will add a warm comfortable feel to the room. There are so many decorative pieces to place on decorative wall shelves. I’m sure there is something you could think of to make your wall shelves special.

Depending on the theme and type of furniture in the room, wood finishes in oak, maple or walnut are available to blend in well with your decor. Of course, you can go with solid colors of white or black or with the choice of any color you wish to paint these wall shelves.

In the bedroom, you might want to install a shelving unit called a display ledge. These wall shelves are floating because you do not see any means of support below these shelves.

Depending on the size of the wall and the location in the room, you might want to install multiple shelves on the same wall in different sizes and levels. This gives a classic look and a comfortable feel to the bedroom.

In the dining room you might want to go with a decorative wall shelf called the wrought iron wall bracket. This wall shelf features a dark wood shelf with an artfully crafted wrought iron support.

The support is below the wood shelf is artfully twisted wrought iron in a rust color making this magnificent piece 33 inches tall. Depending on how much wall space you have, either one of these or two of these offset would add an elegant feel to anyone’s dining room.

There is so much to choose from when it comes to wall shelving for your dining room. Only you know exactly what will complete the look of your dining room.

Decorative wall shelf for your kitchen is also a matter of what style or theme you have established in your kitchen. Contemporary kitchens have a great deal of stainless steel. Retro kitchens have bright colorful walls usually wallpapered with metal kitchen sets.

Country kitchens have farm animal themes, wild flowers and wild birds. These kitchens have decorative wall shelves available in an assortment of charming styles.

Some kitchens are tiled walls and backsplashes, while others are painted walls with food and beverage art around the room. Some kitchens have stained wood cabinetry while other kitchen cabinets are painted solid colors.

In order to select the perfect match decorative wall shelf to complete your kitchen, you have to compare your style kitchen with a wall shelf style that will add to the feel of the room.

Decorative wall shelf serves two purposes. First and foremost, the wall shelf must compliment the decor of the room. There is nothing better than walking into the room and a feeling of pride and joy comes over you. The second purpose of decorative wall shelf is to display your prized possessions. That could be something as simple as a decorative candle or some sort of small artful objects that you wish to display.

When you take the time to explore the wonderful world of decorative wall shelf, you will see that you have an abundant amount of styles and features to choose from. Do yourself a favor and go online right now to see how amazing these wall shelves truly are. You will definitely be surprised and pleased.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/interior-design-articles/decorative-wall-shelf-what-everyone-should-know-905489.html

Getting Confused With Home Décor, Try Wall Clocks

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History of Wall clocks

History has seen that wall clocks have played an important part in our homes. Wall clocks have been in existence for hundreds of years and have evolved into highly attractive, accurate timepieces that are available in any number of styles and designs from its crude beginnings. They have been around for decades and are excellently used for both functional and decorative purposes. Early clocks were natural progression from Huge Sundial which had a totally natural technology of telling the time of the day based on the shadows that the sun’s rays cast on the marked surfaces. Most wall clocks were then evolved from sundials – in fact, some wall clocks were purposely designed to look like old sundials. As technology changed from natural to analog, mechanical, they became large and expensive and were usually only on large public places like churches and other public buildings. Domestic wall clocks began to appear in British houses in about 1600. These early clocks, called 'chamber clocks', were of the 'lantern' type or its easier meaning, brass type because of its make from Brass. They were hung from a hook on the wall and weights hung down below them on ropes, later chains which than evolved into the most popular pendulums. There were up to three weights - for the time, the striking and sometimes also an alarm. The first clocks were made of iron; later brass became the preferred metal, often with thickly gilded dials. It took craftsmen several months to finish one. Only the kings and queens would afford the luxuries of these brass dials in their mansions and palaces. Then history saw the second revolution of large scale changes. Great Britain was the first to revamp the traditional brass dials and introduce the modern clock dials that we have today. Painted dials, heavy work wooden wall clocks soon grew in popularity and were produced for the use of the masses. During this era, wall clocks started to be used not only for timekeeping but also as decorative and commemorative pieces. British industrialist and imperialist started to use them to mark and celebrate various religious and cultural events and even famous sports and war victories. Thomas Kent wall clocks right from the famous Paddington Station Wall Clock today symbolizes the significance of these celebrations in our life. And finally the modern day wall clocks, which are nowadays highly cheap due to mass production and material used like plastic.

Wall Clocks importance in our life
Wall clocks are not just for keeping and telling time either. Well definitely they are functional, but they can be stylish and fun too. Using wall clocks is a great way to add some color, compliment your decor, or bring a whimsical touch to any room. Themed wall clocks work excellent in your children’s rooms. Let’s say your son has a cowboy style room. It’s very easy today to find cowboy themed clocks with moving pendulums and you know, your imagination is the only limit here. Also, have you ever run out of ideas while buying gifts for your loved ones including children’s then wall clocks fits perfectly to that ideal gift. Whether it a children specific themed like butterflies wall clocks or teaching guide wall clocks to create excitement in childrens or any religious background based wall clocks. Wall clocks can fit to any body’s interests and moods.

Wall Clocks ranges and types
No matter what kind of styling, color scheme, or type of decor your home has, you will be able to locate the perfect wall clock that will express your own, unique personality. There are a variety of wall clocks from which to choose, whether online or from your trusted wall clocks shop. You will be able to find a wall clock for any room in your home. You could choose a formal style to add charm and a sense of elegance to your family or dining room, a fun, brightly colored wall clock for your kitchen or play room, or a modern, contemporary design to compliment any room in your home or office. Today Wall Clock range from finished brass to different materials from which wall clocks are made. The more common ones are made of wood, plastic, metal wall clocks or glass. Seeing the types of Wall Clocks available today, there are many like;
Theme Clocks: These clocks are created keeping in mind a particular theme. They can take shapes of animals like bear, Lions and more beautiful butterflies wall clocks , Food Shape or even a steering wheel. There are then Sport theme clocks to support your favorite sports teams. Then there are some historic themed wall clocks like based on famous Paddington wall Clocks, Victoria station themed wall clocks. Lastly comes children themed wall clocks like teaching dial wall clocks. Whatever the theme, clock of this nature are both amusing and fun to collect and are ideal home gifts for someone you love.
Decorative/Ornamental Wall Clocks: The clocks in this category cater to stylish design conscious people who are also concerned about the practical use of these clocks. The numerous varieties of wall clocks include but are not limited to elegantly cut glass case wall clocks with glass pendulums, gold rotating pendulum wall clock ,clocks that also double as a calendars. You will find huge range of these types of wall clocks and are not to be missed element in home decorating process.
Religious/inspirational wall Clocks: This variety of wall clocks usually utilize small quartz elements beautiful pictures of a religious figures or of inspirational quotes or poems as background. The most popular comes with Arabic or Roman numerals.
Commercial Wall Clock: These clocks are specifically built for practical purpose with robust and sturdy features like metal case wall clocks with white background, 24 hours display wall clocks, and many more. These are mostly suitable in office or professional space.

We at For your Home hope that above provided information about wall clocks will encourage you to appreciate its presence in our Homes.

You can also read this article in our website’s news and article section at:
http://www.foryourhome.co.uk/wall-clocks-forgotten-piece-in-home-decor-puzzle/articles/38.html

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Wall Mount Accessories - Have You Thought of These?

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So many times I have been contacted by my web site enthusiasts interested in knowing what is available in different and unusual wall decor. They want some information on wall decor that will set them apart from the usual boring “Same old, same old.”

They also say that they would like to decorate their walls in a way that would express themselves as individuals who don’t necessarily follow the crowd. They ask for my suggestions of what I believe to be tastefully and uncommonly artful wall decor.

For some time I researched their need and after careful study, I have come up with some suggestions that just might help them out. Keep in mind that when it comes to wall decor, there are unlimited directions that one could pursue.

Because I have limited space here on this page, I will give some examples of what I believe to be unusual wall decorations. From there I hope to get the imaginations of those of you who are looking for this information, a sort of kick start to your own exploration of unexpected wall decor.

So I started out by locating Metal Wall Art and Sculptures. These are fascinating creations that will give the room a three dimensional artful appeal. There is something here that is sure to please anyone who is looking for different.

The first metal art I will go over with you is Laser Cut Metal Wall Art. From pieces sculpted into the shapes of suns, animals such as horses, deer, dolphins in tropical scenes, cowboy boots and hat, elk in forest scenes, butterfly and flowers, Azaleas with hummingbird and so much more laser cut metal wall art. You just have to go online to see for yourself how different and beautiful this art truly is.

Staying in metal wall art, the next pieces I found are called steel image wall art. This particular art form is produced from medium gauge steel. The image is then laser cut and formed into art. The steel is then hand brushed to a rich textured finish. The unique colors available are from a process called Kaleidikolor. The final process is powder coating to assure durability for both inside and outside wall hanging applications.

I found a variety of different topics made into Kaleidikolor art forms. Some of these topics included gecko metal art, different forms of sun and moon metal art, a variety of different trees such as Aspen and Aspen branches of different sizes, Hummingbird metal art, North American animals of the wilderness and so much more.

I don’t have enough space here to provide you with all that is offered in this Kaleidikolor art. You’ll have to go online and see for yourself all the magnificent metal Kaleidikolor art offered to truly appreciate this art form. There are literally hundreds of pieces in different topics to choose from.

Wall Planters are another form of wall art that will enhance the atmosphere of a room. These beautifully crafted plant holding devices are a welcome addition to the total presentation, giving the room in which they are displayed an elegant touch of harmony only nature’s plant life can provide.

Most of your wall planters are made of Iron. Many of these iron wall planters are constructed of iron rods bent into artful shapes or crisscrossed and welded together to form wall planters of exquisite style. Some of this metal artwork has metal framework while others do not.

Other forms of metal wall planters have artfully curvaceous wall mounted hanging brackets with metal mesh baskets hung by artful chains. After you have securely anchored the bracket to the wall, all you have to do is put a plant into the hanging basket and enjoy the heavenly scent of fresh flowers in bloom.

Staying with metal wall planters, let’s explore one more version. This version is called the Wall Mounted Planting Bowl. This is different from what I have written about so far.

These beautiful wall mounted planting bowls are cast iron molds. All these wall mounted planting bowls use cultural period designs and castings that once graced Europe’s cities, towns and estates. The handcrafted detail of these wall mounted planting bowls brings out the extremely artful display of a bygone era.

For a more rustic look you can go with a wooden three shelf wall plant holder. This shelf wall plant holder has the look of a picket fence. If you have rooms in your home with a country or rural theme, then this shelf wall plant holder will fit in quite well.

My last example of is often overlooked, but should never be ignored. This wall mounted art gives you a world of possibilities.

Let me ask you, “When was the last time you switched on or switched off a light in a room of your home? Did you notice something different on the wall? Did you have a feeling that something magical happened every time you used the light switch on the wall?”

If not, then you probably haven’t opened yourself up to the world of Wall Switchplates. Most people decorate rooms of their home without even thinking about what the right wall switchplates would do to enhance the room. Are you one of those?

Well, today I will educate you to what is available in wall switchplates. I’m sure this information will surprise most of you reading this. You probably have no idea on the enormous amount of themes that these small but room enhancing artifacts are available in.

Get ready to have your mind blown. Here are a few examples of the themes that wall switchplates are available in. You have Abstract, African, Animals/Farm, Animals/Pet, Animals/Wild, Antique, Art, Asian, Baroque, Beverages, Birds, Books/Letters, Borders, Caribbean, Celtic, Children's, Christian, Classic, Country, Dancing, European, Extra Functionality, Fantasy, Fish, Flowers/Plants, Fruit, Games, Geometric, Global Spirit, Grab Bag, Hearts, Holidays, Insects, Kitchen, Latin-American, Music, Ocean, Odd Shapes, Patterns, Retro, Rustic, Scrolls and Swirls, Solid Color, Southwestern, Speckled, Sports, Sun/Moon/Stars, Victorian, Western, Whimsical and Wine/Grapes to choose from.

As if that wasn’t enough, you have colors to choose from. The colors offered are Beige/Brown, Black, Blue, Gray, Green, Ivory/Almond, Metallic, Multiple, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Teal, White and Yellow. Take your choice…

We’re not done with wall switchplates yet. You also have a choice of finishes. Your choices when it comes to wall switchplate finishes are Antique Brass, Polished Brass, Satin Brass, Bronze, Dark Bronze, Oil Rubbed Bronze, Chrome, Satin Chrome, Copper, Mirror, Nickel, Satin Nickel, Pewter, Verdigris, Weathered Black, Weathered Rust, Distressed and Hammered. And we’re not finished yet.

And now, you also have choices of what material your wall switchplate is made from. Here your choices are Aluminum, Brass, Ceramic, Decoupage, Masonite, Mirror, Pewter, Plastic, Polymer Clay on Plastic, Questech, Steel, Wood and Wrought Iron. Are you beginning to see the big picture?

Wall switchplates are a fascinating subject to study. Always take notes…

Well, there you have it. I attempted to introduce different and unusual wall mount accessories. These items are not your usual run-of-the-mill wall decorations. If you want to express yourself outside of the box, then go for it…

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/accessories-articles/wall-mount-accessories-have-you-thought-of-these-768898.html

Tapestries for the Wall that Misses Aesthetical Appearance

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The only place in the cosmos that you can truly call your own, is your sweet home. The decoration on your walls is the most essential element of your home décor. Objects such as water color painting, canvas, print, welcome sign and outdoor art, any of these would suit your walls as per your convenience and choice. The selection of wall tapestries portrays the class and elegance of your life style. Let these distinctive art tapestries be your gateway to those tender and blissful thoughts, you designed in your imagination. Concretize a replica of these thoughts on your tapestry wall hanging . A classic art tapestry is an ornate upholstery or wall-hanging created from fabric equally rich, depicting pictures for interior décor. It is the end product of several interwoven threads that are weaved in a homogenous pattern to depict various scenes and designs. You can embellish your wall or drape your furniture elegantly with jacquard; a fabric with an intricately woven pattern, used in a tapestry.

Thefinetapestry.com is an online shopping mart that gives you varied options. It is not only limited to wall tapestries but to customize them also; with the help of rods and tassels, toppers and frames, all to match your furniture or the color of your walls. Bannerettes and bell pulls are yet another classic feature offered on site. Give that Victorian touch to your walls with traditional art tapestries or a bell pull. Bell pull is an artifact woven out of natural fibers that is linked with a bell; and attached is a tassel that when pulled, rings the bell. These things are useful for your home decor and would give a fresh, enigmatic look to the otherwise general décor. Incorporate your musings on a wall tapestry with the assistance of our site.

There is a gamut of themes to choose from; be it classic to contemporary, or something to match your temperament or occupation. All types of home décor including the outdoor and indoor at your office, home or even the school staffroom and corridors are taken care of. Browse through the varieties you can avail from at thefinetapestry.com, and the featured products and best sellers. You will certainly find something to suit your taste. Imprint the images from your mind onto your walls; let the walls of your homes or offices speak for yourself. We specialize in tapestry art and realize the importance of investment on art. Hence, facilitate selection of tapestries on the basis of artists too. If you like a particular artist or love the work of someone, you can opt for their masterpiece. Invite their proficiency home and transform a mere room into a living space with exclusive wall art tapestries! You may want to gift these to your closed ones and make them feel special on special occasions.

About the Author

A tapestry is a classical old art form. It is a timeless gift, just as your relationships, with people who mean the world to you. We, at thefinetapestry.com believe in re-creating the traditional tapestry art form with a contemporary touch, for that perfect blend and amazing home décor.

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Making a Statement With Wall Tapestries

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Wall tapestries are increasing in popularity with their intricate designs and timeless appeal in the home. There is an abundance of choice on offer which can make selecting that perfect piece quite a challenge.

It is ultimately personal choice that should override any decision regarding a tapestry. Some speak with deeper meanings, others appear to be that perfect fit in the jigsaw, and the finishing touch to a modern home. Here are a few tips on choosing a tapestry.

So much to choose from

A number of options are available which include Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque styles, to name a few. The pivotal point in tapestry design was during Medieval times, hence the rise in popularity of the tapestries from that period. For an emotional and evocative design, the Asian tapestries exude richness as well as complex design and colour.

Tapestries often have central themes such as human nature, love, death and tragedy and sometimes appeals through the imagery. Some relate to the scenery from their personal experiences.

A modern edge to the home is possible through the placing of the right tapestry. Contemporary designs include groupings of wine bottles, surreal landscapes and abstract work as well as nautical scenes.

Some modern artists have licences their work for adaptation to tapestry design. These include Malendra Trick, Thomas Kinkade, Stewart Sherwood and others. Historical artists such as Leonardo Da Vinci have also had work developed into elegant tapestry designs. This provides a way for art lovers to use tapestry as a way of expressing their taste for their chosen style.

An affordable investment

A tapestry doesn’t break the bank and is an affordable piece of art that you will treasure. Tapestries are much more accessible to people and it really is possible to have a high quality piece of art in the modern home.

The right size

It is a good idea to consider the size of your home when choosing a tapestry and where you intend to place it. Large hangings will create a cramped feeling in a small space, so if you are decorating the smaller room a smaller tapestry will blend in with the décor.

Hallways may benefit from the longer banner style tapestry whilst larger rooms suit large tapestries. Some styles of tapestry may make a room larger than it really is with their ability to create an illusion of depth.

Lighting and furnishing

When choosing a tapestry the lighting is very important to consider. Having a good light will enable you to appreciate the detail and vivid colour. Chrome light fittings can accentuate more abstract designs. Sometimes a smaller room can be made to look more open with a landscape or seascape design.

Your Choice

Ultimately the choice is your personal statement, however it is important that you feel you will enjoy the tapestry as it blends into and enhances your home. If you connect with your tapestry it will extend your personality when it radiates its warmth and elegant nature into the room.

There are so many ways that nature can be invited into the modern home and expressed through a well selected tapestry. The simple design to the classical detailed work, the exotically elegant and bold statements, and the metaphoric messages spoken through light and nature, all provide a pastiche of choice for those selecting that timeless piece for the home. Light and space is enhanced by these artistic expressions of nature and will enhance any contemporary wall, as well as provide a mode for reflection into the metaphor of meaning behind each masterpiece.

Princess Room Wall Decals

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Want to introduce the magic of princess room wall decals to your daughter's bedroom? Of course you do! And nothing's easier than doing it with removable wall decals of all her favorite princesses and their fantasy friends. From fairy princess stickers to entire princess wall murals, with just a little imagination you can create the ultimate princess-themed bedroom complete with all the royal trappings. Fantastic online stores like the Wall Sticker Outlet carry a full line of princess room wall decals, appliques, and borders - and always with free shipping too!

First, start your princess room off right with the perfect wall colors - pink and purple. Lighter shades of pink and lavender are great for toddlers and even baby nursery decor, but darker and bolder shades can be substituted as your little girl grows up a bit. Get creative - not all walls have to be the same color, and some walls can even be made two-toned or be bordered with ornate lacy designs. Princess room wall decals come in colors to match any little girl's decor, just as princesses themselves come in all shapes and sizes.

Perhaps the most popular of all are the Disney-themed princesses. Wall decals and borders exist for Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, The Little Mermaid... the list goes on and on. Even Barbie princess wall decals are available! But for a little less traditional princess room wall decor, try checking out Fairy Princess appliques by Wallies. These adorable peel-and-stick princess decals come off just as easily as they go on, and are completely removable and repositionable with no mess or cleanup. What better way to accent your little girl's princess room?

And if you've got a large area of wall space available, you might consider setting her royal highness up in a kingdom of her very own. Princess room wall murals come pre-designed in beautiful castle scenes and scenery. This type of room wall decal is usually also a vinyl applique, ready to stick on and peel off whenever necessary. Princess wall mural decals can include several additional stickers that your little girl can place in a variety of ways, creating her own personal wall scene. Supplement these with some extra individual princess appliques and wall decals, and maybe even a knight in shining armor or two! The flexibility of design is limited only by the imagination.

Finish your princess room off with lots of special little touches. Mount a magical fairy wand on the wall. Find a princess hat for an adorable pink shelf. You can even add some butterfly fairy wings. All of these things and more can be found in a variety of beautiful colors at The Frog and the Princess baby boutique!

No matter how you arrange your princess room wall decals, make sure it's something you do with your child. As great as everything will turn out, the real treasure is the time you spend together... and creating her princess room with YOU will be something she'll remember and cherish for the rest of her life. Enjoy yourselves!

Retaining Walls - Concrete Retaining Walls, Decorative Retaining Walls And Stone Retaining Walls

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Introduction to Retaining Walls

First, a retaining wall is a structure that holds back, or "retains," lateral faces of dirt, water, or other materials. Retaining walls are used to prevent erosion or collapse of higher level ground onto a certain building, structure, or general area. The earth that is retained is often referred to as backfill. The word backfill is also used as a verb to describe placing more dirt behind a retaining wall to make the ground more level.

Retaining walls can be the answer if you are blessed (or cursed) to a contoured lot. They can turn a steep slope into a terraced yard, creating a stair step effect instead of a slope.

Retaining walls can be constructed from many different materials using many different techniques. There are several factors that influence which choice will be the best choice for each situation, including cost, height of the wall, soil characteristics, and ground water conditions.

Generally, most municipalities require that any retaining wall over four feet in height be engineered or approved by a licensed engineer. It is important to check local building codes before starting any retaining wall projects, even if it is below four feet tall. After all, retaining walls should be structurally sound before there is any thought of aesthetic appeal. The retaining wall must be able to stand up to the pressure exerted by the backfill, also called lateral earth pressure. This lateral earth pressure is a majority of the force that the retaining wall will need to bear. Lateral earth pressure is determined by studying the weight of the soil unit, slope of the soil, soil type (for plasticity and adhesion purposes with clay soil types), and ground water levels. Engineers do many calculations with these factors to determine what design to implement with the wall. To homeowners and contractors that do not want to go through engineering steps, it is generally a good rule to overdo it. Many structural methods to build retaining walls with withhold earth, at least temporarily, with a height up to four feet, are adequate, which is why most local building codes require engineering if the wall will be over four feet tall.

However, even methods that may seem adequate for retaining earth can fail if they are not built properly. Many times, it is elements below grade that can make (or break) a retaining wall. Problems including bowing, slanting, or cracking are evidence of retaining wall failure because it was not successful in retaining the dirt. Cutting costs with a bad contractor, insufficient materials, or neglecting the below grade elements can turn out to be more expensive over time if replacement or repair is necessary often or if collapse of earth causes damage to nearby structures. For example, erosion can cause foundation issues if dirt erodes from under the foundation. This is just one example how a retaining wall failure can cause expensive problems aside from the cost to repair or replace the retaining wall.

Another aspect that is often neglected or underestimated that can cause failure of a retaining wall is drainage. Inadequate drainage of retaining walls can mean that water is trapped behind the wall, adding to the weight that the wall must hold back. Usually weep holes and/or drainage pipes are used to flush rain water and ground water from behind the wall. It is important that the drainage system, whatever it be, have a filter barrier to keep dirt from clogging the drain or weep hole.

Options for Retaining Wall Materials

• Railroad Crossties – Railroad crossties, also shortened to railroad ties, can be used as a retaining wall material; however, as with most every retaining wall material, it must be installed correctly in order to be a solution. For example, most railroad tie retaining walls will need a substantial footer to tie the crossties to in order to keep the bottom from sliding out. Also, there needs to be perpendicular members placed into the ground behind the wall to keep the wall from overturning. These members, called deadmen, should be at least 1.5 times as long as the wall is high and should be placed at minimum every 6 feet or so. Because railroad ties are wood (even though they are treated most of the time), there is a risk that they may rot over time or be subject to termite infestation, which can lead to a weak wall likely to bulge or break. And, even though there are areas for water to slowly seep though, it is still a good idea to have a filtered drain or weep holes designed into the wall.

• Treated Wood – Treated wood retaining walls offer many of the same risks as retaining walls because over time it is susceptible to rot and termite infestation. It is a labor intensive construction, but it is usually lightweight and decently strong if built correctly. It is recommended to build a concrete footer to attach the wall to in order to keep it from shifting. Construction usually requires a clear area to be backfilled after the wall is built, so it is not always the best material to use if you are replacing an existing retaining wall. This wall still needs weep holes or drains designed into the wall. Standing water behind the wood will only increase risk of rot.

• Concrete – Concrete is a great material to use for retaining walls. Of course, there is a right and a wrong way to build a concrete retaining wall, which makes choosing your contractor a big job. There are many different designs that can lead to a successful concrete retaining wall, but one thing is for sure: there needs to be a footer beneath the wall to ensure success. Concrete is one of the most durable man-made products known to man. Most concrete poured today is engineered to last for over 50 years. Plus, concrete offers many decorative options as well. Aside from a plain, white concrete retaining wall, you can also pour a colored concrete retaining wall, stain a retaining wall after it has cured, pour into a patterned form, apply a vertical stamp material and pattern after poured, etc. Sealing the concrete wall can lead to an easy-to-maintain surface that rinses free of most dirt and grime.

• Blocks or Paver Stones – Engineered blocks that stack together to make a wall must be as simple as building with Legos, right? Nope. These retaining walls should also have a significant footer in order to support not only the weight of the dirt but also the weight of the wall. These blocks can be a unique look, but it may even be necessary to place a concrete retaining wall behind the blocks if there immense lateral earth pressure. In such a case, the concrete would be the structural element, using the blocks as a visual feature.

• Rock or Brick – One of the favorite looks for a retaining wall is natural stone or brick. These materials usually look more permanent and traditionally classy. However, just as we have seen with the other materials, it is necessary to have a concrete footer below grade to carry the weight and ensure success of the retaining wall. Like architectural blocks or paver systems, it may be necessary to back a masonry retaining wall with a concrete retaining wall for structural support.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-improvement-articles/retaining-walls-concrete-retaining-walls-decorative-retaining-walls-and-stone-retaining-walls-799062.html

Stone Retaining Walls - How to Clean Them

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Some people just don't' realize what 'a prize' an old stone retaining wall is on their property. Instead of letting this piece of history fall into disrepair it should be maintained or even 'spruced up'! A thorough cleaning of an old stone retaining wall can bring the wall back to life and once again add beauty to your yard and landscape.

You have to be mean to clean! - Old stone walls have years of soot and mold buildup. These stains can be tough to remove depending on how deep the mold and soot has penetrated. There can also be fungus and algae growth, as well vines or ground cover rooting into the wall. So what to do? Well you do realize that these parasites have to go! So let's get out the pressure washer and prepare for cleaning!

Use a medium size pressure washer - Is the pressure washer ready? Ok good... now... STOP!! The worst thing that you can possibly do at this point is to start the pressure washer and blow out all the joints with a high pressure spray!

In addition if you begin clean the wall without the proper soaking, you will only drive the surface soot deeper into the walls pores by wicking action making it harder to clean... so hold your horses! No... the approach that I'm going to explain to you is a little more subtle and softer.

Ok. Now begin the cleaning process by first saturating the wall. This is achieved by gently washing the wall down with a wide angle nozzle. Stand back from the wall maybe 3' - 4' and let the water flow over, around and run down the face of the wall.

Now your wall is thoroughly soaked which will allow the detergent to penetrate deeper into the wall system lifting the soot and grime away. Also a saturated wall will keep the detergent from drying out prematurely allowing it ample time to perform its' function.

The trick is to use a commercial grade degreaser - Now apply a concentrated heavy degreaser purchase from a commercial pressure cleaning supply company. Do not dilute. Pour the detergent straight from the bucket into a garden sprayer and begin to spray the wall. Make sure that every inch of wall is covered and try to keep a 'wet look' as you go. This degreaser will cost a few dollars but this is not the place to scrimp. If you want the wall cleaned buy the degreaser... simple.

Now it looks even worse! - Ok, now the wall has been soaked and the degreaser applied, so what do you do? You wait. That's right... you wait.

After about 10 - 15 minutes the wall will start to turn dark amber then a dirty brown. You will see streaks of grime dripping down the face of the wall. The wall will look terrible and you'll be worried that you screw it up! That's good. As soon as you begin to feel that it's a hopeless cause and are ready to throw in the towel, you'll know that your work is almost done!

Now that the degreaser has had a chance to work by lifting the grime, it is time to agitate it just like a washing machine. Using your 15 degree nozzle begin to hit the wall with quick, random strokes and from top to bottom. You are not looking to saturate the wall this time. As you see the soap suds appearing from the pressure of the spray, move up and down the wall and proceed along its' length.

You may do this a couple of times along the length of the wall to get the deepest cleaning possible. This agitation will dilute the degreaser to a lower viscosity and create soap bubbles that will lift the surface soot and grime away.

Ok... now you can blow it away! - After the degreaser has been agitated you can now proceed to the final step of pressure washing the wall. Beginning where you first applied the degreaser you place your wand about 12" - 16" away from the face of the wall.

You clean by watching the soot lift from the wall as you move your nozzle from joint to joint and from stone to stone. You will see the soot and grime lift away as you proceed down the wall. If a section further along looks like it is drying out too quickly then agitate again, to keep it wet until you can reach that section.

You will be amazed by how quickly years of soot, grime, mold and debris wash away. Areas with stubborn stains may require another application.

When you have finished you will step back in amazement! That old dingy wall will look new and refreshed and your job is complete. After all that hard work sit back and enjoy the beauty your restored wall provides... after all you deserve to relax!

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/diy-articles/stone-retaining-walls-how-to-clean-them-829554.html

Striking Printed Wall Art

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A great way to make the most of wall space is to hang printed wall art which is pleasing to the eye and forms both a focal and talking point. Inspirational designer canvas printed wall art is available to suit any type of interior design style and with the majority being printed as blocks the make a bold statement to a room without the necessity of trying to match fame colours and styles.

These excellent quality printed wall art designs are more than just a picture, they can provide a room with the finishing touches which are essential in any modern or contemporary area of a home or working space. They are chic and elegant, creating either dramatic or subtle effects and without the traditional glass covering they do not reflect unwanted images or light from them. They are made with a professional coatings which are both practicable and durable.

The subject matter when choosing a printed wall art picture is vast, there is a printed wall art subject to suit all tastes and interior design styles. Many of the subjects available are used to not only compliment the design of the room but also can remind people of their holidays and a tranquil way of life. These wall art designs are perfect for reducing stress, they can calm the mind and create an informal and relaxed atmosphere in a room, scenes of tranquil beaches or the setting sun can create a sense of well-being.

Printed wall art is designed for contemporary living, the modern approach to interior designs is to have one quite large striking picture hung against a plain wall, this can be achieved by using one solitary printed wall art design or by using the same wall art design which has been divided into four squares. These printed wall art designs are intended to be hung together with just a small gap exposing the wall in between them. The visual effects is equally as dramatic as one large print, however, can suit smaller rooms or wall space more effectively.

An alternative to four blocks is to have printed wall art panels. These are produced in rectangular blocks and look stunning when displayed on smaller walls or small spaces, their shape is an ideal way to bring the illusion of height to a room.

Printed wall art which depict scenes of the most famous focal points in America are extremely popular, these photographic printed wall art pictures are extremely striking and are suitable for modern interior designs, providing a visual impact in monotone. These prints are also available in subtle tones as well as night scenes for a unusual and dramatic look.

Close up photographic printed wall art images of flower blooms and bouquets are very popular choices of printed wall art as they provide a clean, bright and fresh look to a room. These are available in a whole host of different flower species and colours enabling a favourite flower to be displayed all year round. These printed wall art designs make a real impact and when only part of the flower 'blown up' by immaculate photography is used to design the wall art takes on a whole new concept from traditional flower pictures, interesting and unusual shapes are formed over the area of the canvas or block which provides a focal point to a room.

San Diego Wall Murals

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Wall murals have been used since ancient times. This is seen with almost all civilizations like the Egyptian, Indian, Greek and Roman. Popular murals of the ancient days are the murals of Buddhist monks and by Michelangelo during the renaissance period. Using mural our ancestors were able to convey a meaning. This very meaning has today been used by the advertising community to propagate information to the masses. The walls murals are the precursor to the modern day bill board advertising seen today.

Wall Mural advertising can be both indoor as well as outdoors. They are normally targeted at a large audience or customer base. Walls murals are always are an original piece of work created by the artist taking the ideas from the customer. These murals are normally very bright, quiet huge and in many cases ideas are out of the box. Some wall murals are targeted at specific audience like in the case of graffiti art whose target is the urban adventurous.

Wall murals have that magical ability to light up a room, or an entire building, and make it more than the sum of its walls. Murals have the ability to capture the life in the building, and in humanity, and funnel it into the entirety of the building. If this was the only thing that murals did, they would be worth the cost and effort. But it really is not. The benefits of wall murals just keep coming. First, it becomes less of a pressing issue to wash the falls of mars and accumulated dirt. Furthermore, the mural itself distracts from other aspects of the room that may not be as inviting – such as an old protruding pipe or a dilapidated chair. Most of all, though, wall mural have the ability to put something in the room that wasn't there before – they have the ability to make would-be limits that are walls into endless potential. Whether it is the skyline of San Diego or the scene at a street cart at the turn of the century, the wall mural gives the walls the ability to invite customers into an endless expansive of imaginative potential.

Today many a business owner is using wall murals to promote their business. This is done both on the exterior walls of their office or in their interiors. Fabric wall murals are also available and custom designed. These are usually printed but are a cost effective way to promote ones company.

It is really that ability – the ability to make potential out of defined limits – that make wall murals so great. And it is that potential that has convinced us that wall murals are worth promoting. Without the wall murals, many a trade show would have been a dank, confusing, dark place. If you want to bring life, potential, and beauty to a room, there is nothing better to do than to create potential out of the objects that define the confines and limits of your room. It is also very inspiring to think that someone had hand printed a picture for you!

Pre Shopping Guide for Wall Clocks

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Firstly understand the rooms in your home where the wall clock is needed. Often we overlook the wall clock as little more than a utility, a structure designed to serve its stated purpose in plain way as possible. Even when we go one step further and decide to use the aesthetic aspect of them, we usually just hang it from any spare wall, an isolated piece neither adding to nor subtracting from the total appearance of the space. However, with a little imagination, you can integrate your wall clocks into your existing wall décor, and make it a part of the overall decorative scheme. Even further, you can use wall clocks themselves as a room’s style, displaying a synchronized display of your own decorative style. Many times this helps us to use different clocks in different rooms of the home depending on taste. Kitchens are many a time suited with floral or food designed based wall clocks. Some Online stores do sell many smaller pendulum wall clocks that are plain and simple. Living Room Wall Clocks have seen lots of ranges which decorative, stylish and functional too. Oversized wooden wall clocks are often used on a large wall whereas in traditional sense, contemporary wall clocks and classic Victorian heavy styles are favorites. Nowadays we have seen modern wall clock has some what seemed to merge with the contemporary style of décor. Bedrooms needs soft touched, light coloured wall clocks. Some may even need a alarm clock like moving pendulum for an early wake up call. Children’s Room seen massive surge in creative wall clocks. Nursery rhyme clock faces, teaching dial wall clocks or cartoon faces are favorites for this room. It is seen that kids like the pendulum wall clock because the long pendulum swings and feel to put them to sleep as they watch it. Lastly, outdoor clocks have become very popular recently. Bold styles ranging from 23 to 31 inches in diameter are often hung outside. This creative approach can add an often welcoming flavor to the back door.
Second most important thing to look while buying them is features like function, style, technology used, price etc. A case made of wood, with glass over the clock face is nice. In some case a clock with a one-piece moulded plastic case and plastic over the clock face is lighter, easier to mount, generally less expensive, less breakable, and cheaper to ship as a gift. Some may like a more decorative gold coloured or full glass enclosed with glass case and glass pendulum wall clocks. Some clocks have separate second-hand dials, some have mariners' information, some have sweeping second hands, and some have pendulums. Most of wall clocks are quartz based which gives perfect timing in the most affordable price. Then there are radio controlled which are more accurate in time display but bit higher on price, hermle wall clocks, etc. Considering style, it should necessarily reflect your personality and the character of your home. You can easily find contemporary clocks with unusual dials or backgrounds, one-of-a-kind decorations; fashionable clocks with face colors and pictures that reflect your interests, hobbies, or style. Shape can also be coordinated in wall clocks, with squares matched to hexagonal diamonds, and circle shaped clocks bordering squares. There are also multicolored clocks which are available, that will have a unique display of color throughout its surface and big numbered dial clocks. A clock for a child's room may have decorative theme based style. A clock for a woman's bedroom might be floral or girlie. Some can even get a custom background design like a snap of yours or your family to add that uniqueness. Further, there are specially made clocks that are loyal to original craftsmanship and design. These types still can burn a huge hole in your pocket, but many people invest in them for decorative collectible purposes and here your decision makes sense. Regarding price, you can buy a wall clock in many ranges. The price will increase with what kind of features the clocks you have picked has. Whatever the price, you will find the clocks that suites your taste.
Lastly, we would end the article with some friendly tips and tricks which can be check listed before starting your wall clock shopping. When you are looking around for wall clocks for any of the rooms, it is better you take the picture of your room to find that perfectly fitting one, here a online clock shop customer service people can come handy. It’s a good idea to purchase a kitchen wall clock that does not have a plastic or glass sheet over the face. These often fog up when kitchen cooking becomes humid. While looking an outdoor wall clock, be careful to choose the right style and material like a metal case one which are much more durable, as many clocks are not suitable for outdoor use. Buying a wall clock is really not too hard. Don’t be too choosy about the colors since a slightly different color mixed with like colors on your wall will usually give that unique shade. Remember, bright colors or a big contrast in color adds to the overall décor of your home. One way to integrate your clock into the rest of the room is to align it with other decorative objects. Wall items such as mirrors, posters, or artwork, can be placed on a virtual horizon to create a linear arrangement. This way instead of a group of isolated items, you get a single integrated look.
We at For your home hoped that the above article will help in a small way before you start shopping around for wall clocks.
You can also view this article in our news and article section at:
http://www.foryourhome.co.uk/wall-clocks-quick-buying-guide/articles/39.html

We at For your Home provide quality and affordable products to make your better homes and gardens. You are welcome to visit our online Home and garden store at http://www.foryourhome.co.uk and our huge range of modern contemporary clocks section at http://www.foryourhome.co.uk/clocks/c/420.html

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/accessories-articles/pre-shopping-guide-for-wall-clocks-221320.html

 

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