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Tuesday, June 12. 2007New Eye Popping Designs In Home Furnishings
SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Gerard Onley, designer of Onley Make Believe Decorative Throw Pillows (OMB), today unveiled the latest additions to its collection of decorative pillows which can be found at the Company’s website (http://www.onleymakebelieve.com/whatsnew2007.htm). OMB is known for its selection of innovative handmade pillows, and again has chosen not to disappoint its audience.
 In business since 1996, OMB has continued to expand its pillows galleries to include: Headline News (imported cotton news printed fabric); Strike One (with embroidered stitching resembling a baseball); Zip Lock (accented in real zippers); and Bondage (which is self explanatory). Again, Gerard has brought a “fashion edge” to his new designs, giving them a very sleek and sophisticated appeal (something that is more likely to be associated with designer clothing)…and why not? With a strong visual presentation in mainly Black and Cream and with the use of simple fabrics, Cotton Duck, Linen, and Jute, along with accents of embroidery, these designs are truly something that is a cut above the rest.While pillows cushions are offered in abundance in many stores, specialty shops and online, OMB is one of the few to offer such original designs to that selective customer. Upon visiting the website, one will be introduced to a very simple, yet bold selection of custom pillows. According to Gerard, “I try to offer something that is quite the opposite of what one would expect in designer pillows, no ruffles, no beads, no flowers, and definitely no fringes. What I design incorporates (2) elements for a timeless look and feel: classic and contemporary with a twist.” It is indeed the “twist”, which makes Gerard’s products standout a room, and definitely reflects the Company’s slogan, “distinctive pillows for distinctive people.” The Website and Products With over 500,000 visitors to date to its e-commerce site, OMB has proven that there is an ever-growing market for consumers looking for something unusual and different in home furnishings. Visitors to the Site will discover a full selection of product designs. The 7-Themed galleries suggests what you will find inside: Basic Gallery; Out of Africa Gallery; Asian Gallery; Geometric Gallery; Graffiti Gallery; Deco Gallery and Custom Works Gallery, which offers the buyer to have any of the designs shown, reproduced in their choice of fabric(s) which must be provided. Of course to view the new designs, simple go to “What’s New.” Each Gallery features detailed pop-up windows for easy viewing, allowing customers to view the excellent workmanship and detailing of each product. Along with the new products, the Site allows its customers clear presentations and relevant information about each product’s availability. Other features include: UPS Shipping and Tracking as well as a Paypal system offering payments to be made with Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover. Pricing OMB pillows are moderately priced. From the Standard Collection, expect pillows to range from $105 to $199 for a 20”x20” to $250.00 for a 24”x24” sq. pillow. The CustomWorks Gallery offers specialty made-to-order designs, which estimates are given depending on what the customer has in mind. The Designer Gerard Onley’s designs have been featured in the Bay Area’s Designer Showcase; along with numerous publications: California Home and Design, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Magazine, and countless Blogs and home decorating websites. Gerard has also worked for several local Bay Area Designers and private clients. Gerard currently resides between San Francisco and Amsterdam. For more information regarding product availability, please contact Onley Make Believe at through http://www.onleymakebelieve.com/, or telephone: 415-885-2557 Saturday, June 2. 2007See What Is Flowering Now In Early June
Woodbine, MD (PRWEB) -- As a lifelong Horticultural professional, Vicki Smith at Lawn and Garden Search (www.LGYP.com) has news about what is flowering during early June across the eastern U.S. and guidance for growing these beautiful plants in the home garden. Since outdoor living and container gardening are areas of increasing consumer interest, these colorful trees, ornamental shrubs and evergreens will bring excitement to the landscape, patio and deck, or in raised planters.
 Across much of the southeast three summer flowering trees are coming into color: Crape Myrtles (Lagerstroemia hybrids) are beginning to flower, adding much needed color all through summer; Southern Magnolias (M. grandiflora) will be continuing through June and sporadically throughout the summer and the less well-known but sturdy and drought tolerant Chaste Tree (Vitex agnus-castus) has violet-blue flowers through July. Perennial Daylilies (Hemerocallis hybrids) are as robust as ever. The last must-have addition to every garden is the Bigleaf Hydrangea (H. macrophylla). With tremendous breeding work over the last 10 years, the home gardener can now enjoy snowball and lace cap types that flower pink, blue and lavender for the next two months. There are also new varieties with gold and variegated leaves for added color and interest beyond the flowers. Alive with color, the Mid-Atlantic region will be enjoying the later flowering Satsuki Azaleas, late-flowering Rhododendrons, wonderful Mountain-laurel (Kalmia latifolia) with their star-shaped pink, red, lavender or white flowers and Chinese or Kousa Dogwoods (Cornus kousa) that adds weeks of additional bloom time after native flowering Dogwoods are finished blooming. One of our great native trees is flowering, continuing for several weeks, White Fringetree which is also known as Grancy Gray-beard, Old-man's-beard and Chionanthus virginicus. Very beautiful as a specimen tree and excellent in groups, Fringetree's graceful appearance would be a plus for any landscape and should be more widely used especially close to the house or deck where the memorable fragrance can be appreciated the most.  Home gardeners in New England are enjoying White Fringetree and Chinese Fringetree (Chionanthus virginicus and C. retusus). As beautiful as our native Fringetree is, the Chinese Fringetree is perhaps even more effective while flowering because the fleecy blooms are held right at the ends of the new shoots. Also deserving wider use are the Snowbell trees: American Snowbell (Styrax americanus), Fragrant Snowbell (S. obassia) and Japanese Snowbell (S. japonicus) all dainty, medium sized trees especially nice used near patios. Four prominent groups of shrubs sturdy enough to handle the northeast's climate are flowering now: Roses, Rhododendrons, Lilacs and Viburnums. With incredible breeding work done lately, Roses should not be considered difficult or fussy. Along with the heirloom or antique varieties and the rugosa roses tough enough for seaside conditions are the new hardy landscape shrub roses. Blooming all the way until frost with virtually no disease or insect problems, these new shrub roses should be considered shrubs first and roses secondarily. The Rhododendrons of merit flowering now come from three groups of native shrubs that have had a myriad of cultivars selected, mostly for color variations. Catawba Rhododendron is the most well known group, hardy to -20 degrees F. Flame Azalea or R. calendulaceum is native to the mountains of Pennsylvania south to Georgia. These brilliant deciduous shrubs add marvelous blooms in the color range of yellow, orange, pink, salmon and scarlet for a fresh look for the garden for several weeks. R. minus or Piedmont Rhododendron is flowering with large pink spotted trusses.  Species and hybrid Lilacs are being enjoyed that are vastly different from the well known, old-fashioned 'Common Lilac' (Syringa vulgaris). Mixing more species adds different heights and textures and some of the new hybrids, such as the Preston hybrids (Syringa x prestoniae) extend bloom times by several weeks. This is a group of tough plants, many originating in the colder regions of Europe, Hungary and northern China. Viburnums are growing in popularity for their hardy, multi-season accents. Flowering now are the native Arrowwood (V. dentatum), Blackhaw (V. prunifolium) and Witherod Viburnum (V. cassinoides) which all have pretty flowers, lovely fruit set, good fall color and no insect or disease problems of any consequence. Also blooming, originating from Europe and Asia are Linden Viburnum (V. dilatatum) and European Cranberry Viburnum (V. opulus) with showy flower and fruit display. With the warmer weather allowing families to spend additional time outside in the garden this time of year, taking just a few minutes to add a few new features to the landscape will pay dividends for years with added late spring beauty and increased home values. Visit our website at http://www.lgyp.com/ Thursday, May 31. 2007You Can Design Room Makeovers Online in 3D, Without Lifting a Single Pillow
Hazleton, PA (PRWEB) -- Professional designers and homeowners that are tired of the waste associated with experimenting on different room layouts and room design ideas can finally relax because Designing Online ( http://www.designingonline.com ) has made it easy to create that new design online. Designing Online's room design service guides users through a very simple process that enables them to easily and accurately create the users existing room layout. Then, following suggestions in the users 'Wish List', Designing Online's designers re-design the room by putting all the furniture pieces, home decor items, pictures and window treatments in their optimum place.
 The entire room design process is performed online. Upon selecting Designing Online's Room Layout Service, the user can log into their '3D Room Design Control Panel' where the entire re-design process occurs. Easy to follow instructions walk the user through each step of providing their room layout sketch, pictures of their existing room and their wish list. Each step is fully explained and includes a talking assistant that provides additional information as needed. Within a few days of providing all the information necessary for the designer(s) to begin their work, the room redesign process gets underway. As each designer concludes the room make over, they also provide an in-depth consultation that fully explains their reason for providing the design they have created. Contact forms are also provided if the user and the designer need to discuss some items to a greater degree. "It's a wonderful experience to see your new room makeover in full-color 3D," said David Nelmes, creator of this new online room design service. "This service is exciting, affordable and unique! You no longer have to waste thousands of dollars redecorating your room, only to find out later that you really don't like how it looks. Now you can see the final results, online, before you even lift a single pillow." But that's just the beginning ... the best part is that anyone can request up to three different room designs from three different designers. This option practically guarantees any individual will find a room design or combination of ideas that will work perfectly for them. When complete, Designing Online's clients have the ultimate reference that allows them to easily transform their room according to professional advice, or they can simply use the information as a starting point and perform their own interior decorating or even share the plans with other professionals. To ensure that anyone can be an active part of the room re-design process, Designing Online creates all their 3D room layouts using Plan3d, an online 3D design program that's available to everyone and is easy enough for almost anyone to use. Those who subscribe to Plan3d or use its free reader, can easily view the Plan3D formatted room designs created by Designing Online. "Plan3d, soon to be the standard for sharing 3D designs online, is the perfect program for us to use when creating new room designs because it provides our clients with the opportunity to actually walk through and experience the rooms we design. There is no topping this.", Nelmes continues, "Besides, until you see it in 3D ... how can you really know what your room will look like? Why would you want to settle for anything less than really knowing?" Subscribers of the 3D Room Design Software by Plan3D, receive a $50 discount on their room design service since they can easily download the new room designs and fully view, navigate and print their room views on their own. "Basically," Nelmes stated, "It's easier and absolutely more dynamic for the customer if they subscribe to and use Plan3d. The discount is large on purpose so that the customer has more than enough reason to subscribe and therefore achieve the best possible online experience with their new room design." Alternatively, for potential clients who are not Plan3d subscribers, but still want to see their room makeover on screen, Designing Online can still provide professional aid. After creating the new room design, one of Designing Online's expert interior designers will send the client multiple images of their new room (a view of each wall, a view from each corner and a view from overhead) in 3D. These images are great references when working with designers or when determining furniture placement . Overall, this service provides a wonderful ability to look into the future and see multiple possibilities for any room...and it's all performed online. "We guarantee that each project will be handled by designers that will give their most sincere and professional effort to provide you with the best possible solutions for you room," Nelmes concluded. "Nowhere does the online industry offer you any easier method to look into the future of your room...and see its true potential. Now that's real designing online." Designing Online, Inc. - Designing Online started as a simple idea of providing furniture placement advice through the Internet as their motto implies... 'Your room design solutions are only a few clicks away'. Now, more than ever before, this motto is a wonderful reflection of a service that has grown into providing real-time online virtual room makeovers. Designing Online also provides many helpful home and garden resources for the needs of its visitors and provides quality traffic resources for their partners and advertisers. Contact Information: Saturday, March 17. 2007The Planning Basics of Home Interior Decorating
All of us love to surround our world with things, which are both beautiful as well as exotic. Our homes are one of the most intrinsic parts of the world around us. Therefore, most of us enjoy making our homes more than a mere structure made up of four walls and a roof. Home decor styles range from a number of themes, designs, and materials. While planning your home decor project, you can either opt for the theme being implemented throughout the house or use one specific theme for a specific room. For example, a house was once designed in such a way that each room was decorated with the styles of the different countries the home owner had visited. All rooms included authentic art and furniture from each visited country.
 An assessment of your needs is preferrable before embarking on the process of a new home interior decorating project. The next point to keep in mind would obviously be taste such as personal likings and dislikings. You can then choose from several themes that can stretch from Victorian to more contemporary themes, which are more suited to the modern and urban lifestyle. One of the modern themes including home decor ideas that are really catching up is the use of bamboo. Eco-friendly and beautiful, bamboo has a number of advantages that account for its popularity as a first choice for home interior decoration. Transform your home to a tropical paradise of peace and harmony with the use of bamboo. Another benefit of using bamboo is the fact that the material is famous for its sheer versatility. You can incorporate it into almost anything beginning with floorings to even towels! The main point to remember when using bamboo for decorating your home interior is the fact that the glue that is used for sealing the sheets into a pattern should be non-toxic glue. This is especially important when bamboo flooring is glued with inexpensive or low quality glue. The flooring can cause the floors to dent and also cause them to give out a harmful gas called Formaldehyde. Curtains can also match with the flooring with convenience as bamboo curtains can be easily purchased all over the world. It is best to keep the interior spaces clutter-free while using bamboo flooring, as this would go a long way in enhancing the ambience. The color that this theme would necessarily involve would be slightly muted. Furthermore, this color is quite fashionable in this decade. In case you want to add color to the space, cushions and rugs make make nice floor decor additions. To add a bit of freshness to the room, accentuate the muted sophistication of the theme with a couple of bright hibiscus flowers and perhaps a well chosen painting with a color selection that matches the home decor accessories. Gather information for your next home decorating project at http://www.symphonyhomedecorating.com. Browse hundreds of images that will inspire you. Thirty Hardwood Floor Cleaning Tip IdeasFriday, March 2. 200720 Landscaping Tips
Gizmo Creations LLC - The staff of Gizmo Creations LLC has been involved in landscape design for over 20 years. We have a licensed landscape architect on staff who studied landscape architecture at Iowa State University (Ames, Iowa). Landscape designs have been done for: Lake Marion Park, the Nicollet County Courthouse, Mankato East High School, and numerous private residences in the Mankato, Minnesota area, as well as the Brainerd, Minnesota area. Our staff has been involved in website design for over 6 years. Our primary website designer has an Associate of Applied Science Degree in E-Commerce, as well as a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism, with a specialty area of Visual Communication. The talents of our staff include not only design, but the ability to work closely with our clients to give them the effect that they are trying to achieve, whether that be in their own landscape, their business landscape or on their website. Visit their website at http://www.gizmocreations.com Thursday, March 1. 2007Atkins for Furniture: Protein vs. Carbohydrates
Author of Apartment Therapy: The Eight-Step Home Cure I have found that when most people shop for furniture they look at price and try to buy the most furniture they can for the money they can spend. But not all furniture is created equal, and it is very important that you know this before you spend any money. I recommend to clients that they approach shopping from various sources differently and think about what they are doing. Most people: In light of this, it is preferable to: Most homes are filled with carbohydrate furniture. This is the relatively stylish, inexpensive furniture that is made of pressboard, plywood, and veneer with faux finishes to mimic solid wood. While I love the Swedish giant IKEA dearly, this is primarily what the chain sells. There is nothing wrong with this furniture except that the quality of its manufacture and the simplicity of its style are indications that its life will be short. Furniture like this looks best when it first comes in the door (or when it is photographed in the catalog), and the veneer finishes and staple-glued joints start to give way after a year or two, depending on how hard you press them. Years ago I bought what I thought at the time was a beautiful bed frame from Pottery Barn, and when it arrived I was disappointed to find that it looked totally different from the way I’d seen it styled in the catalog. Then, due to the dryness of our apartment, the wood separated on the frame, and for the past four years we have used a variety of wood blocks and the occasional screw to hold the whole thing together. This was not a cheap bed -- I remember paying $800 at the time -- but by the time we finally replace it, it will be worth nothing, and we will have to throw it out. Not even the Salvation Army will take it away. At an even later point in time, the value of an old bed frame like this will be negative. We might have to pay someone to take it away, as it won’t go in the garbage. This bed is a carbohydrate. It provides only short-term sustenance to your home. Protein furniture is finely crafted and well made, while carbohydrate furniture is cheaply mass made. As with any diet, both groups are valuable, but a better, more energetic home will cut down on the carbohydrate furniture over time and increase the amount of protein furniture. When shopping at the bigger retail stores, it is good to know what they do well. Following is a ranking of the stores I use regularly, as well as their specialties: Crate & Barrel -- While their style tends to be safe and not trendsetting, the furniture department is very good. Quality is high and service is excellent. The furniture division is separate from the assemble-it-yourself furniture that Crate & Barrel offers on the first floor. Design Within Reach -- DWR has a great selection of quality mid-century modern and contemporary furniture. Since they are not a manufacturer, prices are higher and shipping has been reported to be very expensive on occasion. IKEA -- IKEA is where you go for basics such as cabinets and shelving, bedding and curtains, tables and desks. These items are excellent for their low price point and will serve well. However, most of IKEA’s other pieces won’t stand up to heavy use or movement, lighting is unreliable, and glassware breaks easily. In general, at IKEA the more attractive it is, the more quickly it will lose its luster. West Elm -- Started by Pottery Barn for urban dwellers with smaller spaces, West Elm’s design is attractive, but their quality is only fair. Beds have been reported extremely unreliable, while their tables are handsome but cheaply made. Pottery Barn -- The biggest of the big, Pottery Barn always looks good, but watch out for quality! I won’t go near their furniture, but I rely on their curtains, curtain rods, and rugs, which are all excellent at their lower price point. Williams-Sonoma Home -- This newcomer from the Williams-Sonoma empire is a nice addition, with higher quality furniture at higher prices. Style is strong but subdued, and quality is excellent. Be choosy when shopping these stores, and if you do need something beautiful, look at the next rung up. If you can spend a little more to buy something from someone who has actually made it, or something that has been carefully made in small batches from a unique design, this is usually worth it. Excerpted from Apartment Therapy by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan Copyright © 2006 by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan. (April 2006; $14.00US/$21.00CAN; 0-553-38312-4) Excerpted by permission of Bantam, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
For more information, please visit www.apartmenttherapy.com. Wednesday, February 28. 2007The Purpose of Today's Home and Garden This blog is about today. It's about all that is fresh, new and helpful today! We search, find and publish articles and news releases for home and garden trends...seasonal delights and anything that is bound to create a buzz about helping you improve, enhance or embellish your home or garden today!Do you have a seasonal article, a new service you provide, a new idea on how to make something old look new and exciting again? If it impacts today, we want it listed here. Contact Us and we will consider your entry for use in our Today's Home and Garden Blog If you have articles and events that are not seasonal or are not about today...that's fine too, but submit them to our Online Magazine or Home and Garden Events area instead. |
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Consider the use of skyline or background trees not only as a setting or frame for the house, but also to add depth to the landscape. This is the reason taller trees are most often used to the rear of the property and smaller ones to the front. 
