Clear Answers for Common Questions

Crown molding is a decorative type of trim that is typically used to line the area where the ceiling of a home meets the wall. It was originally used in the late Renaissance, when it was used to cover imperfections in this area. While this trim may still be used ...

Fireplace screens are a lovely addition to any fireplace. In addition to their aesthetic value, they keep children and pets away from the fire and deflect snapping embers back towards the fire, protecting the surrounding carpet and floors. Fireplace screens come in a wide variety of styles and price ranges ...

As the term indicates, window treatments can be more than mere window coverings. Treating windows is thought of as "packaging" them as a design element rather than simply covering them for function. Coverings are used to protect privacy, insulate heat and cold, and filter light; and while many people consider ...

Tile is a favored treatment in many homes, but it requires careful installation as well as good maintenance. It can easily become dingy looking and take away from the appearance of a room. To improve the appearance of your tile, begin by cleaning it and the grout thoroughly with bleach ...

If you're planning a redecorating project involving wallpaper, you might be interested to learn that there are several different types available. This is important to research because you want to choose the type that works best for its intended area. For instance, wallpaper that works best in the bathroom ...

Many kitchens are designed with only one overhead light fixture. During daylight hours when sunlight comes in through windows, this is generally not a problem. At night, however, there is often not enough lighting to illuminate counters and surfaces for prepping food, cooking, and other tasks. In addition, some spaces ...

Upholstery refers to the materials used to stuff and cover seats, couches, chairs, and most furniture that requires such, with the exception of bed mattresses. Upholstery can include a variety of materials including leather and vinyl, foam and cotton padding. An upholsterer will redo your upholstery when time has taken ...

Making a room look larger involves several different decorating techniques working in unison. Some involve fooling the visitor's eye, while others involving changing the room's apparent perspective. It is amazing what mirrors, paint and windows can do to add a sense of depth to any room. The first ...

Candles can be used to create warmth and ambiance in a variety of settings. In fact, candles have become such popular home accessories that entire retail stores are devoted to nothing but candles, with tremendous success. The only downside to candles is the safety hazard they pose when used carelessly ...

A hearth rug is a small throw rug, often shaped like a half-circle, that is placed in front of the fireplace, or hearth. The hearth rug is typically made of a flame-retardant material and its intent is to provide a safe place for sparks from the fire to ...

A floor pillow is a cushion or extra large pillow that is often used as extra seating or for added comfort when lounging on the floor. Frequently used when watching television or playing games, a floor pillow can be very functional. It can also be a stylish décor element brought ...

Vertical blinds are a type of window covering that provides both privacy and controlled lighting. As opposed to the cord-supported horizontal slats of standard mini-blinds, vertical blinds have veins hanging down vertically from the head rail that houses the mechanical components. There are many advantages to vertical blinds ...

Room screens are free-standing panels made of sturdy material, such as wood, that can be used to decoratively or practically enhance a room. Typically, room screens are multiple panels hinged together so that they can be easily arranged by folding them at different angles. Room screens are a practical ...

Floor cushions are extra large cushions or pillows that are often used for lying on the floor to play games or watch TV. They are also frequently used as footrests or for extra seating. Floor cushions may be square, rectangular, or any other shape. The most common floor cushions are ...

Roman shades are a type of window covering designed to help block out the sun and shade a room. They are different from other types of window coverings, such as vertical blinds, in that they stack up in evenly sized panels when the shade is lifted. When the shade is ...

A scented candle, made with fragrant oils mixed into the wax, gives off a pleasant aroma when burning. A scented candle is a nice touch in a bathroom, especially when guests are over, in a bedroom, or any room of the house. A scented candle can create an ambiance of ...

A ceiling medallion is a decorative circular panel, usually of polymer that can be affixed to the ceiling over the outlet of a lighting fixture, so that the fixture then hangs from the center of the medallion. Ceiling medallions come in a variety of sizes and designs to fit any ...

Sea sponges are very simple animals that live on the ocean floor. They attach themselves permanently to an anchorage, and move sea water through their bodies, filtering out tiny organisms for food. The channels that the water flows through account for their hole-riddled structure, and is what makes their ...

A drawer pull backplate is a decorative plate that can be placed behind a knob or handle on a cabinet or drawer to add a touch of class. Drawer pull backplates come in every imaginable design to fit the motif or style of any home. By adding backplates to your ...

Marble floor medallions decorate formal rooms with inlaid designs made out of mosaic pieces of natural marble. The rich luster, raw color, and texture variation make marble inlays a perfect material to construct a highly ornamental visual accent. Marble floor medallions heighten inlaid hardwood, ceramic tile, glass, limestone, granite, and ...

Shutters add visual interest to your house's facade and protect the vulnerable windows during heavy storms. Decorative shutter hinges allow shutters to be both functional and aesthetically pleasing, since they are able to swing shut without sacrificing a fashionable design impact. Decorative shutter hinges link the trim of the ...

Toile, which is short for Toile du Juoy, is a pattern used in home décor. The repeated pattern is traditionally set on fabric with a white or cream background, and printed most often in navy, red and black. The pattern is traditionally a one-color pastoral scene that ...

This complex concept of feng shui literally means “wind and water,” and is more easily understood than pronounced or defined. Feng shui must be experienced in order to truly comprehend its ramifications on the human spirit. Surrounding its meaning and application is the elusive energy known as chi, which is ...

So many lighting fixtures with disparate features fall under the name ‘chandelier’ that choosing one can be a confusing venture. In general terms, a chandelier is a light source mounted to the ceiling with at least two arms to hold the actual lights. Most commonly, the sources of illumination are ...

If your current lampshade is not exactly your taste, or perhaps a bit outdated, there are many styles and types of shades you can choose from to replace it. There are the bell lampshade, the coolie, the drum, the empire, the square, the rectangle, and the hexagon. Besides different shapes ...

Many collectors prefer to display their treasures on glass shelves for a number of reasons. Curio cabinets often combine reflective shelves with mirrored backings to enhance the viewing of precious items. Delicate items can be viewed from all angles without the need for handling. They can also be less obtrusive ...

Even though digital clocks are most popular in our technology driven society, there is something to be said for telling time from the face of traditional clock. Most wall clocks have numbered faces as well as minute hands and second hands, instead of digital readouts. Most schools still use clocks ...

Floor lamps are great for brightening up a dark corner, adding "height" to a space, and bringing in additional task or ambient lighting. They are portable and easy to move from one area to another, for example if you wish to place one next to a favorite reading chair or ...

Anaglypta is a white wall-covering made from paper but it is not your typical wallpaper. It is imprinted with raised designs, which create more detail. It can also be painted, which sets it apart from some other varieties of wallpaper. The term anaglypta is from the Greek and means ...

Pilasters are thin columns that appear to be built into the wall of Greek-style homes. These columns can be very plain or extremely ornate. They are different from regular columns only in that they appear to be embedded in the surface of the house's wall rather than standing ...

Rustic gate hinges are offered by companies that specialize in period hardware and look as if made by a blacksmith's hammer, hand forged during times when skilled artisans turned out quality wares or the consequences might be the wrong end of a Old World sword or frontier gun. Designs ...

A Christmas tree skirt is a rounded skirt with an open side that is used to cover the Christmas tree stand. Since fresh Christmas tree stands have gotten larger to accommodate watering the tree, many find that the skirt covers up the unsightly look of the stand. Additionally, many like ...

With home theater systems becoming more affordable, many people are going from traditional two-speaker stereo systems to 5-channel or 7-channel audio systems. While some wireless surround-sound systems exist, there's nothing like quality speaker cables to ensure a good, clean, unhampered sound. With great sound comes ...

Interior wall fountains fill a room with a relaxing splashing sound. Placing a fountain on a wall doesn't take up precious table space, yet still allows you to include a water feature in a living room, bedroom, or even bathroom. The only necessary component of interior wall fountains is ...

From a decorator's point of view, a typical college dorm room can be a true challenge. A dorm room is multi-functional, serving as a bedroom, study and living room all at the same time. The space may also have to be shared with a roommate with his or ...

Collectors focus on antique signs because they are colorful, humorous, and offer a glimpse into the day-to-day life of our ancestral counterparts. Antique signs might advertise medicine, soda pop, tobacco, or an entire mercantile store. In the days before radio and television commercials, products had to rely on ...

Home offices are becoming more popular as more people take advantage of telecommuting and open home businesses. Designing a home office can be easy and typically requires minimal effort. The first decision in designing a home office is choosing the room that will become the office. It is often helpful ...

The fireplace is usually considered the heart of the home, where people gather to enjoy its warmth. What makes a fireplace truly special is its mantle, its defining characteristic. Mantles can make a fireplace understated and warm, or a dramatic showpiece. When building a new fireplace or updating your existing ...

On a ship, a porthole is a small, usually round window in the ship’s side. Portholes are also similar windows in an airplane or spacecraft. Another type of porthole is a small opening through which a weapon is fired. In the case of a ship, a porthole allows light ...

A traditional lava lamp consists of a conical metal base housing a 40 watt lightbulb, and a teardrop-shaped glass container which fits snugly over the base and bulb. Inside this glass container is a combination of colored water or alcohol and a gooey substance consisting mostly of paraffin wax ...

Wall panels serve many functions, from providing descriptions of exhibits in museums and galleries to hiding away electronics such as stereo speakers. As a decor element, they are an excellent way to break up wall space. This can be achieved by paneling the upper or lower half of the wall ...

Many collectors prefer to keep the items in display cases, which allow them to be viewed without exposing them to dust, sunlight, or other damaging factors. Cases of all sizes are usually made of wood, metal, or plastic, with glass or acrylic panels that allow the collectibles to be viewed ...

A chandelier is defined as a lamp which is suspended from the ceiling either directly from a ceiling lamp outlet, or simply from a hook in the ceiling and then plugged into a common wall socket. Chandeliers use small, lower wattage bulbs that are usually shaped in the form of ...

Track lighting is an alternative to traditional wired lamps and fixed recessed lighting designs. Most systems use a length of exposed electrical wiring hidden inside a plastic or aluminum track, which can be wired directly into pre-existing circuits or plugged into wall sockets for power. After the track has ...

A wall sconce is one of any number of styles of wall-mounted light fixture. The first wall sconce was probably a well-placed outcropping of stone in a cave that was used to hold a stone bowl full of animal fat with a wick of twisted reeds. Through the ...

Bead curtains have been associated with Asian cultures for ages, but their popularity in the West developed much later, hitting its zenith during the 1960s. For many, that retro look is back again, and these curtains are often used to impart the desired bohemian flair. To make bead curtains, beads ...

Some interior designers frown on the use of artificial trees and plants, but this sentiment is becoming a thing of the past. Today, there are gorgeous, lifelike choices available that complement any decor. The most popular designs in artificial trees are pine, spruce, and evergreens created for use as Christmas ...

Adding garden sculptures is a beautiful way to enhance your landscaping. There are some very elegant options available, and they come in many different materials, from metal, wood, or stone to poly-resin. It is important that garden sculptures can stand up to the elements, so choose a material that ...

There are two schools of thought when it comes to selecting the right color of paint for the exterior of your home. One is that you own your home and the land beneath it, so you should have the right to choose any exterior paint you want. Let the neighbors ...

Christmas trees have been a holiday tradition for centuries, but it wasn't until more recently that fake trees became an option. Tree purists insist on cutting down a live Christmas tree every season and can't imagine enjoying a plastic fir. However, there are many reasons to embrace the ...

If you are considering the purchase of an artificial Christmas tree, you are in good company. Many people are choosing "faux" Christmas trees instead of the real thing. Not only are they simpler to care for, some are also more fire resistant. In addition, they are more lifelike and realistic ...

There are many different ways to decorate your home with glass, regardless of the style or room. This material is used to make a wide variety of items, including canisters or jars, vases, shelves, tables, and candlesticks. People often use glass canisters on kitchen counters, where they can also make ...

Are you tired of looking at the same old room? Are you bored by your walls and furniture? Do you feel a change is in order but aren't really up to a full-fledged remodel? You're in luck. Updating a room doesn't have to be major project ...

A console table is a table that sits up against a wall or, in some cases, may even be attached the wall. These tables can come in many different shapes and styles. One may be used as an accent table for displaying accessories or other decorative items, or hold a ...

Votive candles are small cylindrical candles about 2.5 inches (6cm) in height and 1.5 inches (4cm) in diameter. They melt into oil when lit, which requires them be burned in small glasses or cups made for this purpose. Traditionally, votive candles were white and unscented, associated with religious ...

Cuckoo clocks, resembling chalet houses, use weights and a pendulum to keep time and sound out a cuckoo's call every hour through bellows. These carved, collectible clocks originated in the Black Forest region of Germany where talents of carpenters and clock makers combined to form the distinctive timepieces. Most ...

Venetian blinds are a type of window covering, nearly always found on the inside of the window. They serve the purpose of blocking out external light (hence the name blind), as well as hiding the inside of the structure from exterior viewing. These blinds are slatted, consisting of a number ...

There are two main types of electric candles. Actual electric candles or candelabras are United Laboratories (UL) tested, plug into an electrical outlet, and resemble a candle with the bulb representing the flame. The second type are not actually candles, but rather electric warmers that house real wax candles. Actual ...

Ancient Egyptians recognized the value of beeswax as a preservative, and early Romans fashioned coins from beeswax to pay their taxes. Invention of the candle dates back to about 400 B.C., but the idea to use beeswax to form candles didn't emerge until the Middle Ages. The first ...

Creating a theme room is one of the more enjoyable ways to decorate your home, but it can also be one of the most challenging. Many a theme room is over the top, which can detract from the decor throughout the rest of the home. You can create a tasteful ...

Do you have that one house on your street that always wins the neighborhood prize for best yard scene on Christmas? They probably have a few inflatable Christmas decorations on their lawn, roof, or porch. These blow-up figures come in all sizes, characters, and traditional colors to dress up ...

The foyer should be one of the most inviting spaces in the home. It is the first area people see when they enter your front door and it should be a space that makes your guests feel welcome. It should also draw people further into the home. One of the ...

There are so many different types of Christmas ornaments, you may not know where to begin. From delicate hand-blown glass figures and gorgeous vintage ornaments to Styrofoam forms that you can decorate yourself, you may have trouble making a selection. The good news is that most are fairly affordable ...

Whether renting or owning, an apartment balcony can provide the apartment's owner or renter with a great area to enjoy some fresh air. Just a few simple decorative touches such as a table and chairs or a privacy screen can create the perfect oasis. Be sure to follow the ...

An interior decorator is often confused with an interior designer, but there are a lot of differences between the two. An interior decorator often does not have a university degree in the field and concentrates only on the decorative aspects of a house, avoiding large-scale projects that require a ...