Various Decorating Styles

Interior decorating includes anything that deals with house's interior and its furnishings. In the process of revamping the house, one should have to consider the different attributes that play a vital role in the design, such as the layout, color or theme, and furniture arrangement. So, instead of tuning into a favorite home makeover show and praying that they one-day gift the homeowner with an idea of a dream house, why not educate oneself on the different styles available and do it his or herself?

Interior Decorating Styles

Although a professional interior decorator will give a home the flair it much needs, this will only come with a dent in the wallet. The good thing, however, is that the various interior decoration styles can be understood by almost everyone. All it requires of someone is he or she uses a little imagination and infuses some personal flavor in the design. Some people opt to study interior decoration, but for those with a knack for creativity, it is a talent that just comes naturally and can nurture in the process of creating a stylish space in their houses. Some of the decorating styles that can be used to give the much-needed push into the colorful realm of interior decoration include:

Art Deco Ambience

A characterization by the use of modest structures and colors, this involves the use of sleek, strong lines, and wooden furniture lacquered in black. Use mostly red, white, and black colors for this style, but the use of dull purple, pale blue, and dove gray work as well. The colors are always accentuated through the use of aluminum, steel, glass, mirrors, chrome, and white marble. Although the flooring for art deco is generally white or black marble, the lighting is integral and incorporates the use of table lamps, ceiling lights, and wall scones throughout the room.

Asian Decor

One embodies the oriental style of interior decorating by plain furnishings plus uncluttered areas. This style always appeals to those who like balancing the positive and negative aspects of their lives. You can use Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese form of decorating and chi balance, to design the space in your house. It always utilizes the direction of flow of energy in determining the best arrangement for your house. Tatami floor mats and rugs form an integral part of ancient oriental culture, and as such can include this classic covering. Fabrication of most furnishings should typically include bamboo, lacquer, or black wood.

Contemporary Decor

It borrows heavily from Art Deco style, but adds a little dash of comfort. The characterization of this style is shown by subtlety, simplicity alongside the use of geometric shapes. The floor can either be wooden or tiled, while the colors used include white, black, and neutrals.

Country Decor

This English country style is all about charisma, comfort, and functionality. Country style mainly emphasizes a striking balance with nature and comes in handy in decorating cottage type houses that have gardens, which are commonly found in villages and small towns. It also uses warm colors, and thus imparts a kind of inner coziness to a house. Furnishings used in English country style are generally heavy in wood work.

Although this article does not cover each style in detail, it gives a solid base to work from in determining if the style meets the homeowner’s desires. Other popular interior decoration styles are the Mediterranean decor, Victorian decor, and Retro decor. Because interior decoration is a craft, you need to have a feel for it, and one should strive to understand the various aspects that form its core. It is also much advisable to check out one’s guests’ reactions as he or she tries different styles of interior decorating.

What are Textiles?

Recently, I was told I did not have enough knowledge to teach a materials class. I was surprised at first, and a tad upset, but I assume the individual was going off a brief conversation while discussing the class dynamics, specifically textiles.

 

Here is what I do know. Textiles are the most universal and efficient method to introduce texture and patterns to a design. This could also add color to the interior by the reflective surface and the various styles of the materials. In the design industry, today the market can offer styles of textiles ranging from contemporary, traditional, and transitional. These textiles are available in natural fibers and synthetic fibers that typically are man-made. Pricing the textiles, the function of capacity of the textiles and the aspects of the textiles technically, can dictate the selection process.

 

The primary consideration for the designer is the process of spinning the yarn and the construction. This is how the designer will determine the durability of the textiles used in each job. Spinning the yarn conditions the character or profile of material. This is called the denier or thickness of the yarn thread. The texture of the yarn can be twisted, slubbed, or smooth. The construction is the process of creating a weave that is tight, close-set or open-set cloth. These range from a sheet sample of material to a netting sample like stocking or webbing. It is also measured by the thread knots per square inch.

 

Construction is the interweaving of the yarn. This yarn is the warp or filler yarn that is laced to create a weave. This process creates a knit, a hooked loop, or tufting of the materials. When I worked for the rug department at my previous job, I learned that this was a process of creating carpets punched by lines of needles that inject yarn into the fabric backing, usually woven or rubberized. This can be said for textiles in a fabric capacity as well.

 

Another construction process used for nonwoven fabric is the process of felting where loose fibers adhere to each other under high pressure. Determining if a textile is durable or maintainable it will depend on the fibers used and how the fiber is spun and constructed. These fibers can be classified in two ways, the synthetic fiber or the natural fiber. Each style has a subdivision.

 

Synthetic fibers are cellulosic fibers that are an organic compounds found in vegetation like plants. These examples are acetate, rayon, or triacetate.

Non-cellulosic fibers are made from polymers or glass products. These non-cellulosic fibers are the most common products used in more than one resource than just textiles. These are nylons, acrylics, olefin, polyester and a few others. One can tell if a fiber is unnatural by the way he or she observes a glassy or twinkly sheen when looking at the surface or hand of a textile at an angle.

 

Natural fibers can also come from plants or animals. Natural plant fibers are hemp, flax, jute, cotton, and ramie, which is a bark from the nettle bush. Animal fibers consist of wool, hair, and silk. Other natural fibers can come from metal like gold leafing or threads, copper, and silver. These natural fibers were used over 5000 years B.C., yet because they are so durable and resilient, these natural fibers are still used in today’s manufacturing of textile fabrications.

Hemp is the most durable of natural fibers and originally this fiber was exclusively used for ropes, and burlaps. Today hemp is used in some of the finest fashions for the durability and the ability to manufacture this fiber extremely soft. A way to sample this and other textile breakthroughs are through testing the fibers whether natural or synthetic for longevity and sustainability. Testing is the only assurance that manufacturers have in a product that will last the standard five to eight year lifespan of performance. Some of the performance issues are soil resistance and flame retardant. This characteristic is achieved by chemical applications like Scotchgard and Zepel. Both products can protect textiles surfaces from liquid, soil, and flame damage to the weave.

 

Weaving, as mentioned before, is achieved through construction. This is the process to loom by hand or machine and create a lacing effect of fibers. The shuttle will loom yarn through raised warp yarns creating a weave in and out. There are three methods in weaving a textile the first is a plain weave (later this was called taffeta), the second is satin, and the third is twill. Twill is used to create durable garments like a tweed jacket or bag. All three basic weaves are the same variation of the plain weave. The only difference is how dense the loom weaves the yarn with different fillers creating a selvage as a return. There are five different weaves available with basic taffeta, satin, twill, pile, and leno. The most durable—historical— fiber used in modern textiles is hemp and will continue to improve with age.

 

Well, that is what I know and I am sticking to it.

Comments From Followers

Hey Family and Friends:

I have been writing valuable and new ideas for over a year. Now it is time for you, the reader, to make comments over the articles that have been published so far. Here is your chance to add a suggesion for me to write about or comment on your favorite topic written so far.

Just add a comment to any or all of the posts that are of interest or what you would like to read in the next year.

I am open to anything, so let me know what you would like to read about. Have a fantastic holiday season this 2012.

The Art of a Kiss

A kiss can signal more than just a feeling, but rather short circuit one’s system the moment his or her lips touch. A kiss creates communications beyond words and is the beginning of volumes in emotions. If the kiss is done properly, the man communicates his intentions, and the woman can answer the man’s tactile statement. This statement could say, “I love you” or “I need you” or “I want you.” Either way, the communication is clearly stated by the way the kiss is presented. In every lifestyle this presentation is true.

On the flipside, if a kiss is delivered badly, one seals his or her fate, especially if a new relationship is in the works. Therefore, before this goes any further, one should ask themselves, “Where do I measure?” As long as one has kissed in their lives, have they learned any skills or techniques that keep the event fresh?  At times romance is in a rut and these established skills are taken for granted. Seriously, think about it, is the person good at a kiss or could the act use some invigorating help?

 

To become a better kisser, here are some key points to consider in helping one become a superior kisser. These skills will enhance the individual’s ability to weaken the knee or create that cardio marathon. One should use the skills that work best for the situation. Some skills are not what one looks for but can use the acts in the experiment to hone the ability to please his or her partner.

 

Never underestimate the use of eye contact. The delivery is important, and just like any delivery it should never be late. If one cannot read the signals, it is better not to try until you can. One method is to move closer SLOWLY to the recipient. An invitation will not be spoken here, and one should never ask if it is alright to proceed. Do not invade one’s space, just inch closer to the target, and do not make physical contact. This will build anxiety, and look for the flicker of his or her eyes as they look toward one’s lips for confirmation. This will show the way to the intense act of a passionate caress of the lips. In other words: a kiss, a lip-lock, sucking face, a make-out session, etc.

 

A make-out session should conclude with an element of adorability. This element could include a tiny series of pecks on the cheek, the forehead or temple, and the tip of the nose. With passion in the works, it is important to stop for a breather and look into his or her eyes before moving in for another kiss—this is rapture. A rapturous kiss when not expecting it is sexy. On the flipside, when strolling in the park or at the mall, from nowhere, press up against a partner’s body, wrap an arm around them and make-out passionately. Do not care who walks by! This will create a passionate memory that will last a lifetime.

 

A passionate kiss is imperative to the success of a continued relationship. Kiss slowly and make sure to read the movements of one’s partner. If one wants to continue kissing in any liaison than one should mean it and constantly induce passion to the act. Be strong in this point, and mix these ingredients into the kiss. One should kiss long, add the slow part here, and add a splash of kissing deeply and hard. A passionately hot kiss is garnished with either a hand wrapped around one’s waist or fingers gently in his or her hair right behind one’s neck. Most people adore their hair fiddled with and the slightest pressure showing support at the neck.  Do this at once and watch the fireworks commence.

One can display fireworks in another way by stealing a kiss like a thief in the night. This technique is a winner every time. Kisses are not always delivered face-to-face; sometimes kisses need to be a surprise. When a relationship begins, one takes his or her mate on dates. Never stop taking dates, this creates ruts and contention. Try this on the next date, and become the rogue partners’ looks for. One should excuse him or herself to freshen up at a bar, a restaurant, the game, etc. When returning, steal up behind them and put a hand around his or her waist and kiss the side of the recipient’s neck just under the ear. This brazen act will send quivers down one’s spine. Add a secret to this act and whisper into his or her ear to cement the longevity of this association.

Last, enhance your kiss with a heartfelt embrace. One should hug his or her partner to the right side. By doing this act the couple aligns hearts which are at the closest convergence in an embrace and the couple will feel the heartbeat of his or her partner. The power of this embrace can send chills through the couple and this fire will ignite any relationship to the next level. Always conduct yourself like a lady or a gentleman while committing to a relationship. There will always be time for naughty behavior if one plays his or her cards right and this is another topic to write about in the future.

 
In the meantime, a person needs the right amount of confidence and tenderness to deliver a proper kiss. Over-confident is a huge turn-off for many, and men and women despise a potential partner who is over-confident in oneself. With eye-contact, adorability, passion, risks, and communication one can enjoy a lifetime in a relationship. If this is what one wishes, and by following these simple rules, let the kissing commence.

The Gift-for-Gab Chili Cook off

I would love to say I won the chili cook-off last year, but I didn't. However, I did win the "Gift-for-Gab" ribbon for having the most clothes pins by the end of the night. That was a fun game. The way to have the most clothes pins is to take a pin away from the other players if they uttered a forbidden word. I started off slow because "NO" was the forbidden word. I guess I use the word "NO" too much. Then the words changed and I championed the event. The winning words were Can then it was I and last the word was Happy. I must not use these last words often in my conversations.

I CAN say I am HAPPY that NO was not the word for the night!

Here is my award winning chili

Rattledash Chili

1/4 c. olive oil
2 medium green peppers
1 medium jalapeno pepper, roasted
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 lb. pork shoulder, diced
2 lb. Tri-tip, diced
1/2 qt. tomato juice
1 (15 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 (15 oz.) can stewed tomatoes
1 tbsp. black pepper
1 tbsp. sea salt
2 tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. cumin, ground
1 tsp. cayenne pepper, ground
1/2 tbsp. crushed red pepper flake
1 tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tbsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. cloves

Chop into small pieces all vegetables and meat
Heat oil in large pot or Dutch oven
Sauté vegetables and meat in oil
When meat has browned add seasonings, stewed tomatoes and tomato sauce.
Add tomato juice as needed while chili simmers for approximately 4 hours.
Add cheese and diced onions to the top for something extra.

Poetry Introduction

Here are six examples of classic poem styles

Haiku

The rough barked trees
Full of rich vibrant colors
Spring has come around

Tanka

The Derek Jayden

Epic master of his craft
Ties his shoe laces
Mind set on the finish line
Eight Hundred meter begins

Lyric

There once was a big fat lady
Who worked in the Navy
Her weight made her not want to date
Do to the weight, she had to wait
And over that time of wait,
She had lost some weight
Then she had several dates
And of those dates,
One determines her fate

Limerick

There was a dog named Susie
She was feeling a little woozy
She felt so sick
Because she ate a stick
Poor little old Susie

Free Verse

The rain comes
On the silent streets
It hits the ground
All over the city
On top of roof tops
The rain continues to splash.

Sonnet

Out of the Earth, a bud of life
Deep purple, small and delicate
Free from captivity and strife
Young buds rising intimate
Sweet morning breeze, it smells so great
So red the rose, so red and bright
A figment of beauty to grow and separate
Hypnotizing like a flash of light.
To grow for awhile, only to go away
For always in my heart
To think they won’t stay
They start to fall apart.
The death of the rose
Brings the birth of the crows.

A Presentation Series: Revisiting the Marketing Plan

The speaker who presents educational content will often prepare a speech by writing an outline of topics. The topics will begin with an introduction, key points of description, and a conclusion summarizing the content. The following is an itemized sequence of topics that make an easy transition in presenting the marketing plan. Students should understand his or her research, and present the information to the best of their ability. The following information will assist the speaker in offering valuable information for others to learn.

Introduction

An introduction of the speaker, and the topic, will be the first item on the form. When the speaker presents, he or she should introduce him or herself to the audience, and offer a brief history of experience and work within this topic. The personal background helps the audience understand the credentials of the speaker and allows the public attending the lecture to accept the information openly. With this, the speaker makes the audience feel at ease, and creates interest in the topic.

Components of a Marketing Plan

The components of a complex and diverse marketing plan include targeting market, marketing objectives, needs, location, services, scheduling, and marketing budget for price point. The components to discuss with the audience are as follows:

1.  Target Market (demographics of city and diverse clientele)

2.  Target Market Needs (market  and economic restrictions)

3.  Geographic Focus (location of business and clientele)

4.  Service Offering (Products and services)

5.  Marketing Tools (office, client, labor, advertising)

6.  Marketing Calendar (schedule of marketing periods)

7.  Pricing Strategy (How to price merchandise and services)

MARKETING TOOLS – FOCUS

The focus has been on new tools, without thoughts of the original methods that impelled marketing in the past. Advertising has matured and current tools make it effortless to broadcast communications worldwide. Instead of companies receiving junk mail, the public receives spam. Corporations should be responsive to the original method of marketing to establish a solid base in branding the business. The following topics are still successful methods in marketing.

Marketing Through Word of Mouth

A.        Friends, Neighbors, Family, Associates

B.        Architectural/Design Firms, Determined Industry

C.       Construction Companies

D.       Tradesman (Carpenters, Electricians, Plumbers, etc.)

E.        Vendors/Suppliers (Tile; Window Treatments; Hard Goods, etc.)

F.        Trade Organizations, Industry Affiliated

G.       Customer Referrals, New and Previous

The following are uncomfortable methods for most companies, but the process creates a relationship with the potential client, whereas a uniform introduction or e-mail is too informal. Connecting with companies is the key to this market strategy.

Face-To-Face Interaction

H.       Solicitation techniques

I.          Referral Introductions

J.        Industry Trade Shows

This set of social media is popular for new industries because the company can reach a higher amount of clients with one posting on the site. One should remember to make a contact one-on-one as soon as possible.

 

Electronic Interaction

K.        Website Telemarketing, Blogs, Webinars

L.        FACEBOOK, Google, Twitter, etc.

    

With a larger expense, the following can create a following, but advertising should vary as the repetitive advertisement can be overlooked by viewers.

Advertising

M.       Television and Radio

N.       Magazine/Newspaper/Yellow Pages

O.       Direct Mail

P.        Electronic Banners/Ads/Apps

Closing Comments

1.        Appreciations

2.        Questions and Answers

The closing summary is the overview of the information within the lecture. To repeat something, especially to clarify what has already been explained, will spark the audience into asking questions about a topic that was unclear to audience members. The material and format in this outline helps the speaker convey the information in the delivery of a well-organized lecture. This allows the speaker to stay on task and complete the talk without leaving anything out of the presentation.

A Presentation Series: The Financial Plan

The speaker that presents educational content will often prepare a speech by writing an outline of topics. The topics will begin with an introduction, key points of description, and a conclusion summarizing the content. The following is an itemized sequence of topics that make an easy transition in presenting the financial plan. Students should understand his or her research, and present the information to the best of their ability. The following information will assist the speaker in offering valuable information for others to learn.

Introduction

An introduction of the speaker and the topic will be the first item on the form. When the speaker presents, he or she will introduce him or herself to the audience, and offer a brief history of experience and work within this topic. The personal background helps the audience understand the credentials of the speaker and allows the public attending the lecture to accept the information openly. With this, the speaker makes the audience feel at ease, and creates interest in the topic.

Components of a Financial Plan

The components of a balanced financial plan include corporate association, budgeting, accounting, retirement planning and investing, insurance, and future planning. The components to discuss are as follows:

• The description of the corporate organization
• The Start-up capital and the source of cash used annually
• A three-year budget with projections in a balance sheet and profit and loss statement
• A statement of assumptions with the budget and projections
• The financial structure and dept repayment (amortization)
• The capital growth and Reinvestment plans for the future

Focus on the Budget and Projections

Annual financial projections may well be one of the most significant things the company could focus on for the business. The conclusion or projections are thought far less than the process itself, but the strategic forecasting allows one “to take a breather” from challenges of managing the company, evaluate the company’s position, and determine the specific path to pursue.

1. Revenue:

           a.    Explain sources of revenue the company will obtain
         b.    The generated revenue from each source
         c.    The seasonal factor in revenue, if any
         d.    Explanation of ‘gratis’ or promotional work completed

2. Cost and Margins

          e.    Explain costs of generating revenue
           f.     Explain costs of labor, material, and overhead
          g.    Explain what the profit margins are in business

3. Marketing and Advertising Strategies

           h.    Explain a marketing strategy
           i.      Explain any cost in implementing a marketing strategy
           j.      Explain the duration of the marketing strategy
                  i.  Specific Months
                  ii. Annually

4. Explain Overhead Expenses for business

           k.    Describe and state building costs
           l.      Explain professional fees (contractors)
           m.   Clarify travel and entertainment expenses
           n.    The general and administration costs

Closing comments

The summary is the overview of the information within the lecture. To say something again, especially to clarify what has already been said. This possibly will spark the audience into asking questions about a topic that was unclear to audience members.  The material and format in this outline helps the speaker convey the information in the delivery of a well-organized lecture that allows the speaker to stay on task and complete the talk without leaving anything out of the presentation.

A Client Profile for Interior Designers

Interior designers have one tool valuable to their design, and that tool is the client profile. Each designer creates a profile of his or her client who offers pertinent information that assists the designer in delivering a successful home design. Profiles are different because of the individual client, but the process or steps are the same for each profile. The information of the client is important to be accurate and complete. The best way to start a client profile is to build a template with the names, ages, and occupations of the clients. On the document, the location of the address and city, the phone numbers, and e-mail addresses should show for the ease of contacting the client.

After the designer has established a client profile, he or she should understand five key subjects that allow the design to fit within the homeowner’s needs and wants. These five key subjects are the homeowner’s lifestyle needs, decorative needs, bedroom configuration, living room setup, and dining room accommodations. Learning these key subjects is the designer’s job to find a design plan that meets the requirements of the client. For the success of this plan, the following requirements must be understood and met:

Lifestyle Preference:

The designer will discover if the homeowner would prefer a casual or formal lifestyle. For an interest, the designer will learn what the client enjoys in his or her spare time like a hobby or interest. If entertaining friends is one of their interests, the designer would need to know how many guests the space will need to accommodate. A lifestyle can be expensive, so the designer will establish a budget and how much of the home will the homeowner want to focus on in this project. Starting a project of large proportions, another home member needs to come into mind; the home’s pets. Learning the number of pets and the kind of animal is important at this venture.

Decorative needs:

In this a designer will establish color preferences and what the client like or dislikes for color choices. After learning color choices, deciding on furniture style or design is important. With so many styles like traditional, rustic, modern, or eclectic the designer will need to show photos of each to gain a bearing on the client’s wants. Showing photos is a perfect way to see what the client wants because some homeowners are unaware of style definitions. Another way to learn if there is a preference in themes is to determine if there is a selection of collectibles like nostalgic Logos, sports teams, specific artwork, preferred sculpture, or porcelain dolls. The last decorative item is to determine a fabric preference whether it is linen, cotton, chenille, leather, suede, or a naugahyde.

Bedroom Configurations:

Determining a bedroom layout makes up diverse interests for the homeowner. Here they sleep, watch television, read books, or work. When the designer learns the homeowner likes to read in bed, he or she will recommend lighting options for the homeowner. The designer introduces seating selections to accommodate whether the reading is in bed or in the comfort of a chair. Another reason for a seat is for the purpose of entertainment like television, or listening to music, or working at a writing desk. A piece of furniture can fit in the bedroom if the designer follows the rules of scale. A writing desk, a drafting station, sewing machines, or tables are specialty items that suggest mood or ambiance. The last item is storage needs and how or where this will be in effect.

Living area setup:

This point shows where family and friends would meet or how the homeowner can use the space daily. If the home entertains musically, the designer will determine space for portable instruments or the dimensions of a piano. A television is also a piece of entertainment with the option of connecting video components and electronic video games. There is a good transition from games to the function of conversations. After a time, communication takes over, and the guests will need a place to sit and talk. The designer will determine if this space is ideal for displaying art. The artwork and entertainment creates an atmosphere, and the designer will determine what types of ambiance the homeowner wants to express.

Dining room Accommodations:

The designer should determine if the homeowner likes to host or entertain guests. If the homeowner does wish to entertain regularly, the designer will ask and clarify how many dinner guests will the homeowner invite on average. The designer will ascertain if the homeowner prefers formal or informal engagements or whether they are intimate or in a group setting. Another factor would be the type of meals the homeowner serves for dinner. Types of dinner could involve sit down affairs, buffets, or casual gatherings. Last, the designer will offer options for family or business get-togethers.

The design plan will stem from the answers obtained by this client profile. The designer will offer a professional summary prepared and presented to the homeowner, This summary is an explanation of how the designer will meet the client’s needs. The summary will have essential knowledge in space planning, circulation or traffic patterns, organization or storage tactics, and future growth in the family.

A client profile allows the designer to present a sample board of the plan and the schedule on how the work will proceed. Designer’s offering a client profile summary of work completed, the presentation board should show a border around the perimeter of the presentation board, and the writing should be clear and precise. If the designer is working with an assistant or design partner, the names, and contact information should be on display attached to the reverse side of the board.