Make Room for Holiday Fun

(NewsUSA) - The holidays mean get-togethers, but cramming the extended family into a single home can create more strain than peace and goodwill.

The experts at Merry Maids offer these easy cleaning tips for a sparkling clean and welcoming holiday home.

Tackle the shared living space:

- Remove clutter from chairs, couches and end tables. This will create more seating to watch the big game or your favorite holiday movie.

- To clear floor space, temporarily move any pet beds or floor pillows to another, less public room. Use a damp sponge or the bottom of a clean sneaker to remove pet hair from the floor and upholstery.

- Be sure to clean any folding chairs that may be used before bringing them into your home. An all-purpose cleaner or mild soap and water should do the trick.

Keep your kitchen spotless:

- Clear countertops by removing items you will not use, like toasters or cookie jars, and store them in cabinets. This will give you more space to prepare your holiday dinner.

- Keep the sink clear of dishes. For stainless steel or ceramic sinks, rinse the sink after each use and wipe with a clean, dry cloth. Drying the sink will prevent mineral deposits from building up on the surface.

- If you have dried-on food in the microwave, fill a two-cup glass measuring cup with a cup of water and the juice from one lemon. Microwave for about 45 seconds or until the water boils. This should create steam in the microwave that will loosen dried-on foods, so you can wipe the microwave clean. The lemon juice will provide a fresh scent.

- Restore the shine to your silverware by giving it a quick, gentle scrub with lemon juice or toothpaste. Then rinse it and buff it with a soft cloth.

Use lighting to set the mood:

- If you don't have time to dust and polish, the right lighting can help set the mood while taking attention away from unfinished tasks. Candlelight casts flattering shadows and helps create a warm, relaxing setting.

- After the guests leave, consider hiring a professional home-cleaning service so you can get a moment to relax.

For more holiday cleaning tips from the experts at Merry Maids, contact Sheron Bates at 901-260-4215 or sbates@archermalmo.com.

Home Decor by Design Online

Home Decor by Design has just unveiled its complete range of home décor products online. Home Decor by Design specializes in providing a wide assortment of fine home décor products. They have been in business for five years and are now offering their products online.

Home Decor by Design’s home décor collection stocks both modern and conventionally designed products. The product selection at Home Decor by Design is created using only hi-grade alloys. Their product line includes art pieces from well-known artists such as Thomas Kinkade and Joan Baker. Companies like Porcelain Garden, Lux Candle Fragrances and Enchanted Meadows feature their products on Home Décor by Design’s website. Tapestries from USA based companies such as Manual Woodworkers and Weavers, Goodwin Weavers and Pure Country can also be bought online here.

Home Decor by Design offers decorating products for every room in the house. The website features Candles, Home Accents, Kitchen art accessories, art pieces by Thomas Kinkade, and Wall Décor categories that include products such as metal wall art, wall tapestries, decorative plate holders, wall clocks, kitchen wall décor pieces, wall plaques that reveal elaborate artistry and craftsmanship that typify premium European metal wall art. Inspired by both European and Oriental interior design themes, these home decorations can blend with both antique and contemporary home furnishings. Customers can choose their home decor products online and complete their shopping by online payment facility. Home Décor by design has partnered with Authorize.Net, a leading payment gateway since 1996, to offer safe and secure credit card transactions for their customers.

Home Decor by Design features the following main categories of décor products online:

• HOME ACCENTS - porcelain lamps, wine racks, room screens and more.
• WALL DÉCOR - wall tapestries, metal wall art, resin wall plaques and more.
• THOMAS KINKADE -wall tapestries, tapestry pillows, clocks and more.
• KITCHEN - decorative plates , kitchen canisters, kitchen wall décor and more.
• CANDLES - lux candles, McBlooms soy candles, gel candles and more.

Mix Modern and Rustic Pieces For a Stylish Feel

(NewsUSA) - Good home design feels effortless. When inhabitants style rooms to reflect their personalities, rather than the latest design trends, they create thoughtful, comfortable homes. Rather than design "themed" homes, many homeowners blend modern and rustic elements.

But there's an art to eclectic design. Some Americans focus entire rooms on a single, prized possession, while others design more neutral spaces. Either way, mix-and-match types must contrast décor styles to create balanced looks.

Small details change the way homes feel. For example, updating door and cabinetry hardware can immediately inject a room with new style.

"Door hardware has undergone a metamorphosis from merely functional to both architectural and decorative," said Chas Seymour, general manager of Baldwin Hardware, a company that has been manufacturing hardware for more than 60 years. "In addition, we must remember that customers want to know that their home investments, hardware or otherwise, combine a commitment to quality, workmanship and style, with both classic and contemporary cues."

For a modern touch, choose "sleek" and "clean" design elements. Silver and chrome accents help create a streamlined feel. Baldwin Hardware's Minneapolis and Lakeshore collections appeal to modern tastes. The company also offers the Soho entry set, named for the New York neighborhood known for its modern design boutiques, as well as its history with cast iron architecture.

As demand continues to grow for contemporary styling in door hardware, so does demand for what's considered rustic. With that in mind, Baldwin introduced its Baldwin Bronze collection of cast bronze lock, bath and general hardware. Since earliest antiquity, bronze has been an important and revered material with a distinctive look and feel.

For more information from Baldwin Hardware, visit www.baldwinhardware.com.