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At-Home Sense: 11/23/08 - 11/30/08

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Uncover the Possibilities of a Beautiful Bedroom


(ARA) - If your bedroom doesn’t offer you a respite from the hustle and bustle of the day, then now’s the time to transform it. The time and money you invest now will definitely pay off in big dividends in your future. Your bedroom redecorating project might just mean that you’ll find yourself a little happier, a bit more joyful and most importantly, at peace with yourself and your surroundings.

Decorating your master bedroom is probably more fun than decorating any other room in your home. Why? Because it’s the one room in your home where you can truly allow your personality to shine.  

Begin with three easy steps.

1: Start by visualizing and listing all the types of activities you’ll want to conduct in your “get-away” haven. Perhaps it’s writing in your journal, reading, knitting, watching movies or contemplating your plans for tomorrow -- whatever the activity, it’s important to think through the specific things that will make you the happiest.

2: Look at your bedroom space with a critical eye. Can your bedroom accommodate all the activities you listed?  

3: As with most all decorating projects, one of your first priorities is locking in a color scheme. Color sets the stage and is truly the backdrop for all your furnishings, fabrics, accessories and lighting.

Make Color Considerations

* Use color unequally for better proportion and balance. While this sounds like a complete contradiction, it truly works. Consider a deeper, more dramatic hue to create an accent wall behind your bed. Then, by coloring your adjoining walls in a lighter shade of the same color, you’ve created a more visually interesting space.

* Use lighter colors to create a feeling of spaciousness. Paler shades naturally reflect light rays instead of absorbing them. A lighter color palette would be particularly important if your bedroom isn’t quite as large as you’d like.  

* Use bright, strong colors to create a warm, cozy feeling. If your bedroom is large and spacious and has very high ceilings, warmer colors will help “humanize” your space, making if feel more livable and welcoming.



* Pay attention to your room’s architectural features. If you wish to emphasize interesting architectural features, enhance them with stronger contrasting colors.  And, conversely, if your desire is to camouflage architectural defects, then a more neutral paint color of the same tonal value will help blend your walls, ceiling and floors and hide those unhappy features.  

Light Up Your New Room

Now that you’ve got some great color ideas for your new bedroom retreat, the amount of artificial and natural light in your room will be the defining factor in your ultimate color choice.  

“Lighting plays such an important role in any redecorating project," says Sue Pelley, national spokesperson for INTERIORS by Decorating Den. “I recommend that my clients take stock of how much natural light is entering the room, and for how long a period of time. If their room is bathed in sunny natural light, I recommend working with a cooler color scheme. And conversely, if a room doesn’t enjoy a lot of natural light, a warmer color palette will help eliminate a feeling of coldness."

Bring in Fabulous Furnishings

Bedding ensembles come in a variety of sizes and designs. From the uniquely custom-designed, outline-quilted bedspreads, to the sophisticated and luxurious duvet covers, your bedding ensemble should definitely take center stage. No bedding ensemble is complete without multiple pillow shams and decorative accent pillows.

Incorporating a custom-designed window treatment, will help your windows take center stage. Once you’ve determined privacy and room darkening needs, the design possibilities are only limited by a decorator’s creativity.



Uncover the Possibilities

Uncovering the possibilities as you begin redecorating your master bedroom is an exciting undertaking, when you plan ahead, and focus on making wise choices along the way. Remember, you spend more time in your home than anyone else. So be sure your ultimate decorating choices reflect your personality and your unique sense of style. Sweet dreams.  

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Monday, November 24, 2008

Tips to Make Your Home Sparkle for the Holidays


(ARA) – Holiday entertaining requires more than artful decorations, tasty hors d’oeuvres and some cheerful librations. Savvy hosts know that great holiday entertaining occurs in a home that sparkles as brightly as the decorations that adorn it.

The holidays can be a time to truly let your hostess skills shine, as family and friends gather to celebrate. From beautifully polished silverware on the table, to a well stocked refrigerator that is fresh and inviting when guests go looking for a soft drink, to a home filled with the aroma of just-baked confections - every detail should convey the holiday theme of bright and shiny.

To ensure you’re ready to welcome guests this holiday season, lifestyle expert Jill Cordes offers tips to make your preparations a cinch.

Holiday Aromas

Evergreen trees, the smell of fresh-baked goods and cranberry scented candles – the holidays are filled with wonderful aromas. Don’t let smelly leftovers overpower the joyful scents of the season.

* Guests will appreciate a refrigerator that is clean and odor free, and a sink area that doesn’t suffer from “stinky disposal syndrome.” Place an open box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda in the refrigerator to absorb odors and prevent taste transfer between foods. Deodorize the garbage disposal and drains by pouring baking soda down them while running warm tap water.

* Get the smell of fresh garlic from all that holiday cooking off your fingers by rubbing your hands on stainless steel, either a stainless steel spatula or along the edge of your sink. Then wash with regular soap and water. The stainless steel neutralizes the odors.

Holiday Sparkle

The star atop your Christmas tree shouldn’t be the only thing in your home that shines for the holiday.

* To get your best silverware and jewelry sparkling for holiday get-togethers, make an easy, affordable silver polish with a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water and rub with a cloth. For gleaming crystal, clean with vinegar and lemon juice.

Foods of the Season

Meals savored with loved ones are the characteristic “flavor” of the holiday.

* Store heart-warming winter greens like Swiss chard, spinach and kale in an open container in the fridge. Cauliflower should be stored stem side down, whereas broccoli stores best standing upright on the bottom shelf. If you leave them in the plastic bags you bought them in, remember to poke holes in the bag to allow the greens to breathe so they last longer.

* Store fresh tomatoes on your counter with the stem side down to prevent bruising and softening.  Never store tomatoes in the refrigerator, where they immediately begin to lose flavor; or in closed containers or sealed plastic, which cause premature ripening.

*Make sure your baked goods “rise” to the occasion this holiday season. Try this quick and easy recipe for light, moist old-fashioned corn bread:

Ingredients:

1 cup sifted all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon Arm & Hammer Baking Soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups cornmeal

2 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

3 tablespoons shortening, melted

Directions:

Sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Stir in cornmeal. Combine eggs, buttermilk and melted shortening. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring only until smooth. Turn into a well-greased 8-by-8 inch pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes at 425 degrees. Cut into 16 squares.

Holiday Home Cleaning  

From top to bottom, a clean home will tell your guests how much you value their comfort while they visit your home.

*Don’t season your fresh holiday ham with chemicals – clean your food prep area by wiping cutting boards, counters and oven tops with food safe, chemical-free cleaners.

*Since spills can happen, have cleaning supplies on hand so that guests don’t feel embarrassed or stressed about a stain on your upholstery or carpet. You can also freshen your carpet right before your friends and family arrive. Just sprinkle some baking soda, wait 15 minutes and vacuum.  Your guests will be greeted by the scent of the delicious holiday meal cooking in your kitchen and not your smelly carpet.

For more ideas and tips on holiday entertaining from Jill Cordes and Arm & Hammer, the most recognized baking soda brand, visit www.ArmandHammer.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent