ABC’s of Fine Design

As winter is approaching for many of us it seems that energy prices just want to keep going up the colder it gets. A few weeks ago I was asked to review a great product that may help you keep these energy cost down and may even help you sleep better. The product I am talking about is Eclipse Curtains and I have to say I am very impressed with them. They are thermal room darkening curtains that actually work. According to the site you can save up to 25% on your home heating, reduce noise up to 40% and get rid of 99% of light.

I have to say so far the claims bout noise and light is true, heating really has not effected us until this week so I am not sure about that, but with how well it blocks the light I’m sure it will block heat from escaping too. The best part about these curtains is that they are sold in stores you actually go to, you can buy them at Walmart, Sears, Lowes, Bed Bath and Beyond and JC Penny. The site also has some great design ideas if your not sure what you want to do with them. I put mine in my only bedroom window to test it out and I have to say I love it. It’s black so it does not match my decor, but it works so it will stay though winter and if I move i will incorporate the color into my interior design theme.

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Blinds are not just there for decoration, they are also great to help keep in heat or cold, they can help block the sun and they can really just make life easier if you are looking for privacy without having to sacrifice the look of a room. there are many place to get custom blinds one is a great site called No Brainer Blinds. This is defiantly a site for someone new to buying blinds online. It’s a very easy site to use with a ton of information on measuring and installing blinds. They also have a great selection of blinds for your home. Their inventory includes wood, aluminum and plantation shutters. They also have some great roman blinds and the prices are not half bad either. If your not sure what you want to order they also offer samples so that you have at least some idea of what you will end up getting. I always look for sites that offer samples because you sometimes are not sure what you are getting when you shop online.

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When many people think about decorating for the holidays they think of Halloween decorations that go outside and scare the kids, they think of the Christmas tree or other items depending on what you celebrate, many people don’t think about the table setting you can have for both holidays or just general seasonal settings. Yes setting a table is also part of a great interior design plan.

Many people when they are looking at setting up a room for the holiday think about just the holiday type dishes, but if you have a home with a dinning room you can set up a great spread that you can keep up all year around by using great dishes, silverware and sterling silver cutlery. The best way to do this is to set the table with nice things and have a cabinet in the room where you can put these dishes when you actually use the table.

A great site to check out for silverware is arthurprice.com they have a great selection of home items, silverware and gifts so you can do not only your holiday decorating, but maybe get some gifts too. I love the candle holders they have and plan on buying a few of them as gifts. If your looking for one thing to buy here, I would either get the 3 piece condiment set or the tea set. They are classic looks that will work well with most trends that will come along.

Once you have your silverware you need to get some great plates, also check online for plates that will really make people take a look at your table over the holiday season. I find that if I pick up something from a local store, everyone else has it. Shopping online is a great way to avoid that and have a unique look to your home that will wow your guest. This really works well when your trying to impress the boss or the mother in law, if you get something no one has seen before it tends to make you look more sophisticated and worldly.

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Fall will soon be here in the northern hemisphere and I for one am very excited. I love the fall season with all of the bright colors on the trees and the unique decorating ideas that come with it. If your someone who is afraid of color now is the perfect time to add a little into your decor with fall accents.

Buy this wreath here

Colors for fall are brown, green, yellow, orange and red. Deep rich colors that really can work with almost anything. Adding a fall arrangement to your table or mantel can really add a festive feel to your home. Fall after all is the time of harvesting and abundance, even if the economy says otherwise. You can also add a fall wreath to your door, I have one that has bright orange leaves and a brown backdrop. I love the way it looks once all of the trees around us start to change. Don’t be afraid to add a little color to your home, really it’s worth it and can keep your spirts up as winter starts to set in.

If you are not reading this on ABC’s Of Fine Design then you are reading copied content

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Today I decided to find some unique looking clocks to share. I have provided links below each clock if you are interested in learning more about them. I love interesting clocks and they can add something to any room and can create a conversation as people wonder where you got that clock.

Unique Clocks

Unique Wood Clocks

Fun Clocks/Wall Clocks Online

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Recently I got a sample of artwork from a website called Artaissance The site has some really amazing pieces and I really wanted to check them out. One thing that caught my eye first was the ability to buy a sample of an art piece that you like and then put that money toward the purchase of that artwork. The samples are a decent size and really if your looking for a very small picture to put on a desk, that might be all you need. I would suggest though that you save the money and buy the bigger paintings as they really are quite amazing.

They have many different categories of artwork such as modern, landscape and photography if your not into the painted look. The photography is also worth looking at, it is vibrant and very well done. The site also has a large directory of framing shops that can get this artwork framed for you. Usually this type of service is not available in my area, but they did have one that was close enough that I would drive to it to have this done.

If your unsure about ordering art online let me reassure you that this site does have a 30 day return policy. If you are not happy with the artwork all you have to do is let them know and they will either accept a return or replace the product, so there is nothing to worry about. Trust me though once you order the sample you will want to get the real thing and order again. Artwork can really make your interior design project complete, good artwork will make people talk about how well your project turned out.

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You don’t have to actually read the books you buy, but books do make great accessories and go with any decor. Having books around can also make you look like you know more then you do. There are many places to find cheep books to use, garage sales, Amazon books and library’s selling overstock. If your not sure how to use books as accessories here are a few tips.

Stack them: Put them in stacks on the coffee table, end table or side table. Don’t stack them nice and neat move them around so they are at different angles.

Stand them up: Set 2 or 3 on a shelf upright and add a few other touches to the shelf such as a vase or collection. You can do this will multiple shelves.

Stage them: Use them to set plants or pictures on, make sure the book has something to do with the item you are propping up.

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