Living Room Design - How To Create A 1970s Living Room

Some of us do remember the age of "Flower Power" and the kind of clothing and interior design styles that were popular then. As every period has its admirers, it is no wonder that there are some who still want to pay tribute to the '70s through the decor in their homes.

So, what could you do to transform your living room to look like something out of the 1970s? It is a challenge to balance the more over-the-top elements of that era, while still using enough of what was popular to make your living room look convincing.

First, it's important to remember the role of prints and intricate patterns of that time. Everyone seemed to love bright colours in the 1970s, and you can pay homage to that by simply setting those bright colours against a canvas of neutral wall paint.

In the '70s, entire pieces of furniture were heavily decorated in paisley, plaids and stripes. We suggest that you can add a bit of this kind of design without going crazy. It is easy to include the wild animal prints and bold flower patterns on smaller items such as cushions, curtains and foot-stalls. This will make the room fun, without you requiring regular sight-tests!

Printed fabrics can also be used as pieces of artwork. Choose a pattern with a "loud" beatnik feel and create your own tapestry or wall hanging. You could even stretch your material over a simple wooden frame to create a panel of art.

Mock-wood wall panelling and patterned wallpaper were also features of that time. The wall-panelling can act as a great disguise for poor plasterwork but add it with caution; as you could very quickly tire of living in a sauna. Equally, just allocate one single feature wall to boast your new flocked wallpaper.

If a feature wall isn't for you; a fabulous shag-pile rug could be used as a focal point. Choose a fun combination of texture and colours for authenticity. As far as furniture goes, the '70s was the beginning of the trend for chrome and metallic furnishings. A chrome-legged coffee table with a glass top would be a perfect addition to that shag-pile rug.

For a real talking-point, you should include the cheesy home accessories we typically associate with '70s. Rummage through boot-fairs and second-hand shops to find: lava lamps, pop art, bean bag chairs, tie-dyed fabrics, macrame (for covering cushions or hanging plant holders, for example), things made of fake wood or fake fur, and anything covered in vinyl!

The '70s was all about fun and colour. We didn't promise it would be elegant.

Tips for Effective Color Blocking

Fashion is known as an international love. It is not only prominent in its very own industry, but fashion has translated among industries and cultures. Many furniture trends have come from the fashion world, including the now popular trend known as color blocking. Homes around the globe are taking up this vibrant look in living rooms, home offices and bedrooms rather than sticking with older neutral and traditional colors.

Color blocking can be fun and it is a sure way a person can refresh their home and bring it more energy into a room. Using two or more of the brighter colors is a good rule when it comes to color blocking and a piece of vividly colored furniture can make a massive difference in the look of a room. Color blocking furniture and fabrics is something that started out as a typical fad but has grown into something that has overwhelmed the entire world.

The question everyone asks is, how will color blocking work for me? The answer is the same as it is with your wardrobe. A person can study colors and pick ones that go hand-in-hand together to create their idea look, whether it is bold and lively or understated with a pop of color.

The colors that you choose when painting the walls using a color blocking technique will have to be bold, but how you display them can vary. You may have neutrals in the room with an accent wall in a bright color, or even paint geometric designs in different colors.

Color blocking doesn't have to be all about wall paint. Furniture, pillows and even wall decorations are perfect for getting some practice in for blocking. The same principles work here, as you take a good combination of colors and make sure that you scatter them around the room with furniture. You can use painted framed paper or fabrics when putting color the walls against neutral background and then back it up using a bright rug. The important thing to remember is that furniture makes the interior design of your home even more complex and interesting, so choose fabrics and colors wisely.

Why Install Clay Tiles on Your Roof?

Having the right roof over your home can be extraordinarily important. While there are many options, many people prefer using clay tiles over their roof. If you are looking reasons to use clay roofing, take a look at some factors given below.

1. Excellent styling and good looking: Clay tile roofing is popular because it looks fantastic in both modern and traditional house models. You can find many modern homes that are designed with tiles made of clay.

2. Long lasting: Clay tile roofing is popular because these tiles last for years. These tiles are extremely resistant to the weather conditions and do not lose their intricate and earthy colors despite being exposed to the sun and rain. This kind of roofing can withstand all kinds of atmospheric conditions without any fail.

3. Fire resistant: Along with the ability to withstand the weather conditions, clay tile roofing is fire resistant. These tiles don't get damaged even after being exposed to harsh chemicals.

4. Improve with time: If you take a look at clay roofing, you will find that in most cases, the tiles improve with age. The 'weathered' look of clay tiles is demanded by many consumers for their homes, which has promoted manufacturers to design tiles in the same pattern that offer an antique look.

5. Numerous color choices: There are some remarkable earthy collections of colored clay made tiles. You can find colors such as brick red, earthy brown and pale red to suit your home designing needs. There are many house owners who love to use varied colors in their roofing to get a distinct look.

6. Long life: Since these tiles can withstand all kinds of harsh conditions, you can expect your roofing to last for more than 50 years. Tiles made from clay don't break unless some unusual force is applied on them.

7. Easy on pocket: In spite of all the benefits, you will find that clay tiles are extremely pocket-friendly. You can find tiles that suit even the smallest roofing budgets. In fact, it's one of the prime reasons why people prefer using these tiles.

With so many benefits at one place, using tiles made of clay is one of the most convenient options for all types of homes. There are many companies that offer clay tiling solutions at unbelievable prices. You can take a look at all the service and choose a company that offers the best tiles at the best prices. Some companies can take up the entire contract of roofing your home.

Oriental Rugs - Get To Know Its Authentic Quality

Do you know how to identify authentic oriental rugs? Authentic are hand-woven fabric. It takes months to years to finish a genuine oriental rug. The patterns of design in one genuine rug are unique. It has no duplicate. All oriental inspired patterns are based from the memory of the weaver.

Unlike the synthetic version, genuine ones do not depreciate in value as it ages. In fact, its value goes up instead. All the more that it is used; all the more its beauty is enhanced. It is said that a genuine piece will last 50 to 100 years. From these facts, it makes it valuable, thus the reason for its expensive price.

However, knowing which is authentic or not do not come easy. It takes skills, knowledge and experience to know genuine ones from faked. If you are after for real oriental rugs it is best to make sure that what you will get is real. You would not want to spend a fortune for fake ones, right? So, to help you not get fooled it would help to note of the following.

How to Identify Authenticity

Colors/Patterns/Design

It is rich in color and patterns. Each piece comes in a unique design. If you encounter two rugs that look the same, take a closer look and search for any difference. There is always a difference somewhere.
Try staring at the rug and notice if all the more you stare at it, the more it gets attractive to the eyes. If it's so, it indicates depth. Look for signs of imperfection. Hand woven rugs are not perfect. It is its imperfection that makes it standout from fake ones.

Loose woven are richer in colors. A loose weave allows it to absorb more color. On the other hand, tight weave absorbs less dye making its color not as rich as the latter.

Weave

To reiterate, loose weave pieces have richer colors than tightly weave ones. The latter allows light to pass through. Tight weave rugs do not allow light to pass through it. To know if a rug is loose weave or not place it in a well-lit spot. Then see if it does not block the light. Oriental rugs with denser knots are usually tight weave.

Wool fiber

Know that rugs vary in wool fiber used. There are two kinds of wool fiber used. One is the low quality and cheaper "dry wool" fiber. It comes from the fleece of a dead sheep. This kind of wool is treated with an alkaline substance such as lye. The alkaline substance makes the wool dry and stiff hence its name "dry wool". The substance is used to remove traces of animal's flesh left in the wool. Fake versions use dry wool.

The other type of wool is the high quality but expensive kind. Unlike dry wool, it is soft to touch and shiny. Therefore, it is important to touch and feel the rug when buy one. This type of wool is more durable than the latter kind. In fact, it is said that it can last more than 50 to 100 years. Know that genuine oriental rugs improve as it ages. Thus, its value does not depreciate with time.

The Frequently Asked Questions Surrounding Granite

When homeowners are thinking about installing granite somewhere in their homes, either inside (as a bench top, wall cladding or flooring) or outside (as a patio, pathway or driveway), they will often have a number of questions that they would like answered before making a final decision. Why not see if your question pops up in one of the frequently asked ones below:

    Where is granite from? It is a stone that can be found pretty much all over the world, with some of the biggest deposits being found in the USA, Europe and Australia.

    What sort of maintenance is needed? Granite needs to be sealed but, if you have a good quality stone, you will only need to do this every three to five years. If you have a lower quality stone, it will need to be sealed every one to three years.

    Does it have any resistance to wear and tear? As a highly durable stone, granite is pretty resistant to scratches, stains, mildew and mold growth. In proof of how scratch resistant the material really is, you can even use granite as a chopping board!

    Does granite need any daily care? Basically, all your granite needs is a quick wash down with a soap and water mixture. The general rule of thumb is that you shouldn't clean the stone with a product that you wouldn't clean your hands with.

    Is granite subject to chipping or cracking? If any flaws are going to develop in your stone, more often than not, they're going to be caused during transportation. If you notice any damage, contact the granite supplier who supplied the stone and they should be able to repair any damage.

    Will the slab I receive look the same as the sample? As the samples displayed in the supplier's showroom are just showing you what is available, there may be slight differences in the colour and the pattern of the slab that you receive. Ask the salesperson if you are able to pick out the exact slab you want, as you can sometimes do this.

    What thickness is recommended? Most professional installers suggest that you do not use granite slabs that are less than three-quarters of an inch thick.

If your granite question was not answered above, remember that there is no harm in asking the supplier or doing a more extensive internet search. It is always best to have all the facts before making a final decision on the stone you will use in your home, as this will help to ensure that you make a decision you do not live to regret.