ABC’s of Fine Design

One thing I like to stress is buying things that are unique and different. Most of the time I talk about importing things from exotic countries. Well today I want my fellow united states citizens to think not only of there country, but their wallets and our economy. That is why you should buy your home furnishings and other decor items from companies that make them in the good old USA.

The following companies have furniture made in the USA, check back next week for made in the USA lighting

Baker Furniture Company

Mobel Inc

Harden Furniture

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Now that even the white house has decided that man made global warming is real you should take a look into eco friendly design. Sometimes simple things like changing the light bulbs and getting new
energy effect appliances are great, but not everything you can do.

Buy things that are produced in ways that are environmentally friendly. There are many new companies out there that would love to sell you things that you can use in your everyday life. Also buy as many home items as you can locally. Furniture made by the Amish 20 minutes from your home or that local guy who makes amazing tables in his garage. Don’t live by the Amish or know someone? Talk to people you know or just kinda know, they probably do know someone.

The last tip I have and one of the best is to buy from estate sales and antique stores. These items are wonderful things to have and to fix up. The best part is technically you are recycling them!

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Sometimes you can go on a great tropical vacation without even getting out your passport. Pick one room in your home and redecorate it in a tropical theme. You can even go green by using bamboo flooring and furniture. Use tropical prints and plants to complete the look. Yes silk plants count.

You can also switch things up and redo a room as a winter lodge complete with fireplace and warm cozy rugs and furniture. Fireplaces are now available to anyone without having to knock down a wall. Many now run on a gel that is smokeless and can even be put into apartments. Just make sure to check on what your insurance will cover.

Hopefully these two ideas will get you into a decorateing mood and hopefully you will have fun with it.

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I write a lot on my other blogs about saving money with Coupon Codes. I think this concept applies also to design and decorating your home. Ordering things online is a great way to get items you normally may not be able to find close to home and at a good price.

There are many online coupon code sites out there, do a search and find one you like. I have saved a lot of money ordering things online with coupon codes, in fact I’m going to be using a code to buy my laptop next month along with ordering though a cash back shopping site.

If your looking for good deals on a home improvement buy, decor or furniture check out the many coupon codes available and see what deal you can get and how much money you can save.

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When arranging your room you want to make it so that the flow of the room is good for the flow of Chi. Chi is energy that can help improve your home and life when used correctly. You want Chi to flow slowly though your home without hitting any roadblocks. Keep doorways clear and create paths though your home that do not have obstacles.

One way to think about this is to arrange furniture in a room so that when you walk into a door you don’t have to immediately turn and go around a piece of furniture. There should be a clear path. This doesn’t mean that everything needs to be against a wall either. Move furniture away from the wall and see what  a difference it can make in the feel of the room.

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Recently it was pointed out to me on my post on the Resolute Desk that I wrote back in December that the other desk that was made from the HMS Resolute is located in new Bedford MA. Not in London at buckingham palace as the information I had at the time told me.

This second desk called the Grinnell Desk or the Queen Victoria Desk was given to Henery Grinnell’s widow as a thank you for her husbands financial help in finding the ship. In 1983 the desk was given to the New Bedford Whaling Museum as a gift and is now in their collection.

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One way to make your home feel better and look better is to remove the bad things. Most of the time this is clutter and other odd things you just don’t need anymore. Right now is a great time to clean things out as everyone loves to have yard sales during the summer. The key to this though is not to buy a bunch of stuff to replace what you sell.

Another thing you want to get rid of in your home are allergens. Use a air purifier like  IQAir to get all of the harmful things out of your air. Not only will it help your health, but it can keep the look and feel of your furniture and other fabrics.

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