Elle Interior Designers

2011-08-01T03:34:00.000-07:00

Redesigning your house

Turn your house into the typical 'home sweet home' by giving it a completely furnished look!

There are many ways to provide an ultimate look to your apartment with proper furnishing without even investing a large amount of bucks.

You may find wonderful furniture at a second hand furniture store which would be inexpensi

ve and yet decorative.

Always choose an item which reflects your personal style, so that you can easily use it for a long

time in future. To lend vibrancy to your room always make use of bright colors. Remember, colors

reflect the mood. If it is not possible to provide color through paint, you can add colors through bed sheets or through window curtains

Before beginning to purchase your furnishing articles, you must always keep in mind the space you want to use. It is quite obvious that everyone wants a private place to sleep, to eat and to relax.

Things which are necessary for a better apartment include-

· Living room-If your apartment is not too large, then the living room in your house automatically becomes multi functional. You need two chairs or a sofa set to begin with. Add a television set to your living room to provide entertainment to your guests. You can also use wall mounted stands to place television. Also place articles of decoration to give your living room a vivacious look.

· Kitchen-The most important area in your apartment is indeed the kitchen. You will need a safe place to cook and store food. The best option would be to have a little seating area in the kitchen as well to make it more luxurious.

· Bedroom-the area where you spend your night time should be calm and relaxing. Choose the best bed you can afford for your apartment. Add a night lamp next to it. If space permits, add one chair to give a smarter look to your bedroom.

· Storage-Try to be creative if your apartment is small. Each small corner is very necessary. Use the under bedroom space to hide unwanted things!

· Office-A desk, a comfortable chair and a computer is enough if you working from your office. If space permits you, you can also add book shelves.

After reading this, you will definitely think that it sounds expensive but if you keep the basics right and always in your mind, you definitely will be able to realize that you do not need a big budget. Do not try to indulge in everything at one time. Maintain priorities and purchase accordingly.

2008-08-29T06:11:00.000-07:00

Closet Organisers

2008-08-29T05:21:00.000-07:00

There are closets on every house, specially on bedrooms and probably they are the most used part of it. You can buy different kinds of these storage parts of your house in hardware superstores, where very often we will find everything related with home decorating.
Closets are used mainly designed for needs, not for decorating, however we might combine both together in order to combine style and necessities.

There are two possibilities for obtaining bigger closets, either you can buy and install a new closet from hardware superstore or enhance the current storage capacity; all depends on your handy skills and whether you like to make-it-yourself, otherwise you can extend a check and it will be finish quite soon.

Build your Own Organizer
You will need some specific tools for building cabinets. No matter what style you go for, you will need woodworking tools, which sometimes may be unfamiliar to you.
DIY people who love woodworking are lucky, because these tools will be familiar to them. Otherwise, whether you don't want to make a cupboard yourlself, we'd suggest in ask for help to any friend who knows the woodworking or go to a specialized center.

You should already know that three quarters of a good job is the planning process. A good designing, planning and preparing the work will determine a successful work. Most people don't realize that being good organized will mark you the steps to be followed as well as know where you are on each moment and how much work is left.

Be Proud of Your Work
Of course, it is nice to see a closet perfectly fitted into your room, but what's about if also has been made by you, (with your own hands), that's even better, you will be proud of yourself as well as your family wil be of you when they see the closet and know that has been made by a member of the family.

The work done in the house takes long time because, it will be your home and you want to get it finished with your own style.
Ttherefore it will take two or three times more than any other job done somewhere else. Home decorating and the style of your interior design are your decisions, take your time before start.

Elle Interior Designers' Partners

2008-08-28T04:24:00.000-07:00

For Elle to meet its objectives, it has partnered with the best. This ensures that all our objectives and expectations are met to the last detail. Elle partners have been carefully picked out of a number of similar organisations.

Decorative Moldings

2008-08-23T02:37:00.000-07:00

Decorative moldings are a great way to beautify your home interiors. Here is some information related to installing them, and where you should install them in homes.

The 5 Best Places To Install Decorative Moldings

They enhance and add decoration to your home. They are installed as trims to many places in the house, such as ceilings, doors, and walls, in addition to the floors and windows.

Generally, most homes come with moldings as standard pieces of decor on the doors and windows, but more can be added later on in many appropriate places. They are quite stylish and add to the plain look of the ceilings, walls, etc.

Mouldings are made of a number of different materials, major among them being wood – soft wood and hard wood among others.

Moldings made of resin are also popular; The main advantage of having them is that they cover up any defects in the construction, as well as poor workmanship, and enhance the complete look of the room.

Where To Use Decorative Moldings

Installing them is a great way to add finishing touches to your home.

The styles you select will depend on the style and architecture of your home; for contemporary home styles, and those for home styles with the old world touch, will differ.

The moldings for the latter homes will be more heavily decorative, whereas the ones for the contemporary homes will be sleek.

If you decide to install crown moldings on your ceiling, you need to take into consideration your room size, and the ceiling height. Big crown designs in smaller rooms with lower ceilings will seem to overpower the rooms.

Experts recommend that you pre-paint them before installation. This will require less effort than painting them once they have been installed.

For your dining room and the living room, the traditional styles of molding would be more appropriate. Your bedrooms and bathrooms can go with the contemporary styles. The same will be true for your kitchen also.

Let us look at the best places to install decorative moldings in your home:

Along And On The Ceiling – The ceiling is the most visible place for moldings. There are moldings that form a projection at the top of the walls along the ceiling.
Such moldings are popularly known as Cornice moldings, and are quite sought after. The size of your room will dictate the size of the moldings to be used.

Traditionally moldings of plaster are made and adhered to the ceilings. Alternately, moldings are carved from plaster on the ceilings.

Today, many people have replaced plaster moldings with moldings made from polyurethane or polystyrene, and these are painted to blend with the existing decor of the rooms.

At times, a special molding is made at the center of the ceiling, as a focal point for installing chandeliers, or other fixtures.

The Floor – The place at which the lower part of your interior walls meets the floor, a different type of surface is installed. This is generally a board, which could be plain or decorative, depending on what you like. Such moldings, known as dadoes, cover the area where the walls join the floor. Depending on your choice, they could be anything from 2 inches to 8 inches in height.

Along And On The Walls – Walls often get damaged or scratched by the chairs when they are backed into them. To cover these marks, generally plain or decorative moldings are fixed across the wall at chair height. If you have wainscoting in your rooms, moldings are an ideal way to cover the place where the wainscot meets with the rest of the wall.

Some people like to arrange moldings on the walls in a particular pattern to break the monotony of the plain walls. This imparts a recessed look and the different recesses can be painted with different colors, or the same color, depending.

Around And On the Doors – Beautiful decorative moldings are installed around the doors – actually around the doorframes – that add to the look of the rooms. They have the added advantage of covering the gaps that exist between the doorframes and the walls.

If your doors are plain doors, you can enhance their looks by adding moldings to them. They can form panels, or any other geometric shape, and just need to be nailed on, and painted to match, or contrast, with the rest of the door.

Around the Windows – Decorative moldings, also known as casings, are used to frame the windows to add to their look. They also help in covering any gaps that exist between the frames of the windows and the walls. Such casings can be of various widths to suit your requirements.

Other than the above five best places to install decorative moldings in your home, you can further enhance the décor of your home by adding moldings elsewhere.

You can completely transform your plain and drab looking bookcase just by adding moldings made of wood. Such moldings can simply be nailed on and painted, or polished, to match with the rest of the bookcase. Other place you can consider is the fireplace, the framing of which with moldings will further enhance the décor of your room.

Curtains Buying Tips

2008-08-13T04:02:00.000-07:00

Using curtains as window treatments can give your room an entirely different look. The great thing about using curtains is that you do not have to spend a fortune to get a designer look. By today's standards, many curtains are expensive but by looking for sales or even sewing your own, you can transform the appearance of your windows for 60%, 70%, 80% or more off what you pay for designer curtains. For example, look for end of season and overstock items. Many times, beautiful curtains simply did not sell so to move old stock, stores will offer outstanding sales.

When choosing curtains, you want to think about your furniture, furnishings, and colour of the room. Regardless of the style, traditional, contemporary, or elaborate, you can use curtains to set the mood. In other words, you can complement and enhance the room by creating a romantic or whimsical look. With so many options for curtains, you can use design, colour, and even texture to achieve your goal. You will be amazed at how gorgeous your rooms just by adding new curtains.

Therefore, before you go out to shop for new window curtains, consider the goal you have. In this case, do you want the curtains to blend in with the background, do you want the curtains to pop with colour, or are you looking for curtains that make a sophisticated statement. Then, you need to consider the type of window you have. Obviously, not all curtain styles look good on all windows so consider the height and width of the window so you choose the appropriate style.

With curtains, you have literally thousands of options pertaining to fabric. Some of these are brand names, which can be costly. However, you can find beautiful fabrics that are private label. The key here is to check the fabric carefully before buying. In this case, the private label could mean sub-par quality or it could be high quality. Therefore, pay attention to the look and feel. Typically, if the fabric looks and feels expensive, then the quality is probably good. However, if the fabric is thin and flimsy, you should avoid using it for curtains.

You also want to consider cleaning when buying or making curtains. Needing to have curtains dry-cleaned can be expensive. Therefore, choose wisely so cleaning is not too expensive. Two of the advantages to curtains is that if you choose lined treatments, they can work to regulate the amount of light filtering into the room and help with heat and cold. With lined curtains, you can keep them pulled on cold days and the lining will help maintain a nice, warm room. If you work at night, you can choose curtains with a special type of lining to completely, block out light, allowing you to sleep like a baby during the day.

Start with the fabric, choosing colour and patterns that work best with your room. Keep in mind that you want curtains that also reflect your personal style and personality. Then, to soften heavy material or dark colours, you can use coordinating sheers underneath. Sheers allow sunlight into the room while still providing you with a little bit of privacy. Finally, when choosing curtains, the most important thing is good fit. For this, make sure you measure exactly. The result will be a professional appearance that makes your entire room look fantastic.

Important Vacuum Cleaner facts

2008-07-29T06:05:00.000-07:00

Heading this list of carpet care tips is having a proper vacuum. Getting yourself the best vacuum you can afford is the single most important step you can take in providing the care your carpeting needs.
The carpet industry is now rating vacuum cleaners to help you make an informed buying decision. Criteria has been set for soil removal, air filtration, and damage to carpet fibers. Machines that pass the test can display the Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label seal of approval.
Better vacuuming guaranteed
Have you ever heard of a carpet groomer? Probably not, but there are a few of them on the market for about twenty dollars. A carpet groomer will help you get the most out of your vacuum cleaner by preparing your carpets for cleaning. Work a carpet groomer over your carpeting to raise deeply embedded dirt.
Because there is more contact with the carpet, it is tempting to set the rotating power brushes of your vacuum’s cleaning head to a low level. That might seem reasonable, but did you know the contact is more damaging than helpful? The integrity of the carpet fibers can be destroyed, causing wear areas to look dirtier than they really are.
If you have Berber carpets don’t vacuum them with the power cleaning attachment. The rotating brushes can catch on the looped pile and pull long strands away from the carpet backing. This is especially true if there are any seams in your installation.
Check the condition of your power head at regular intervals. Loose or worn brushes, gouged or otherwise damaged plastic parts, or other obvious problems can cause abrasive damage to carpet fibers. Carpet fibers that have been nicked and cut loose luster, are more easily pressed down under traffic, and allow increased dirt penetration of the fiber.
By vacuuming the pathway from entry doors daily, other areas of the home will need less frequent care. Now that may seem to you to be a lot of extra work, but it could actually mean less. By concentrating on the dirtiest areas the cleaner ones won’t need to be vacuumed as often. Your whole carpet will look better.
Did you know regular and thorough vacuuming with a quality, air filtering vacuum will rid your carpeting and upholstery, of more than 80% of the dirt and allergens lurking about?

The make up of household dirt
Do you have any idea what kinds of dirt and grime are being harbored in your carpeting? Several reliable sources have done breakdowns, and it looks something like this:
Sand 40%
Oxides 20%
Organic and synthetic fibers 20%
Oils and Resins 9%
Carbon 5%
Animal fats 4%
Moisture 2%
Vacuum cleaning can take care of the first three and some of the carbon and moisture. Other cleaning methods have to be used to get after the others.

More things you can do to about staying clean
Always use your range hood to reduce the amount of oils, fats and carbon that make it into the air and land on your carpet.
Pet dander and feathers are major allergens. Keep forced air heating and air conditioning system filters clean and efficient by changing them regularly.Are you aware most major carpet manufacturers require professional carpet to be performed every 12 to 18 months in order to maintain your warranty?
A foul smelling carpet makes your whole house smell bad. There are many natural enzyme deodorizers on the market that actually gobble up the organic matter that is the source of the odor.
Other enzyme compounds combine with cleansers to consume organic stains such as blood, juice, wine, coffee, urine and other pet stains. You may have to make several applications of hungry enzymes to take over for the inactive ones that have become full, but keep at it until your carpet is fresh and clean.Always use white towels for cleaning. With colored towels you run the risk of transferring the dye to your carpet.
Always clean up fresh blotches by scraping from the outside edge inward toward the center. This way you will not be extending the soiled area.
Hot water helps to set stains not remove them, so never use it.
For nail polish, carefully blot as much as possible while still in it’s liquid state. If it is too late, slowly apply nail polish remover, blot then apply more remover, alternating back and forth until you get it all.
Greasy or gummy splotches clean up best when cold. Put some ice in a plastic bag and hold it to the blotch until it sets hard through.
Scrape the hardened mark and then clean the remains with a liquid cleaner.

Contemporary Area Rugs

2008-07-29T05:26:00.000-07:00

The newest trend in floors is to rip away the carpet and put down hardwood or tile floors.
Following this trend adds a certain sense of class, not to mention the ready availability of Risky Business moments.
However, the lack of carpet can become boring so the need of area rugs should not be overlooked.
Area rugs have been around for centuries and continue to hold a place in homes.
Area rugs have several uses, among them being protecting the floors, adding color, and even covering up areas of damage.
These rugs come in a variety of colors and patterns so finding the perfect rug to fit the décor is a relatively easy business.
Contemporary rugs are the most popular with the various patterns and color schemes, these rugs are easy to match to a room. Other patterns such as Southwest are well loved.
Area rugs come in different size and shapes so knowing exactly what is needed will aid in buying a new rug.
An area rug that is too large can dominate the floor taking away the look and luster of even the most beautiful hardwood or tile.
Too small, and the area rug will have none of its desired effect and may even look tacky and out of place.
Matching colors and patterns are also important so that the entire décor of the home can continue in harmony.

Elle Vinyl Floors - As Dazzling as Ever!!

2008-07-23T05:30:00.000-07:00

Long a popular choice for kitchen and bathroom floors, vinyl has been locked in a long fight to fend off the intrusion of ceramic tile and hardwood into it’s territory.
Vinyl does have technology on it’s side to help in the battle, and this is an important point in any review of vinyl floor care.

Vinyl or resilient flooring has been pushed along on a path of rapid and continual improvement. So much so, the quality of these floors available to you on the market only 10 years ago does notcompare to what the industry leaders are producing today.

There has been major upgrading of surface durability and resistance to staining.
The main attractions of vinyl remain the same. Vinyl or resilient flooring is an inexpensive floor covering. It’s cushioned core makes it more comfortable for your feet and legs, and that same cushioning provides an insulating value that keeps your floor surface warmer to the touch.

When establishing a floor care program for your home, be sure you understand that vinyl is a floor covering. It does not form a part of the floor’s structure and strength as is the case for other flooring materials such as ceramic tile.

Your floor covering can stretch and begin to raise up from the sub-floor in blisters or bubbles. To avoid this problem, take particular care when moving appliances on your floor.
Put down a piece of Masonite hardboard to take the load. Lift, don’t drag your table. The vinyl is held in place by a perimeter adhesive. Periodically check the bond for failure.

Simple repairs you should learn to do:

Any cuts that may occur should be repaired before wash water and dirt leaves a dark stain. Most small cuts can be quickly repaired with liquid seam sealer.

Just clean the repair area with acetone then fill it level with seam sealer. Leave it undisturbed until dry and you won’t even know it was there.

Dents from such things as falling cans can be repaired in a similar way. Just lightly sand away any loose pieces of the clear protective layer and fill with seam sealer in the same way you would for a cut.

Sometimes, the seam where two pieces have been joined, might fail. You’ll first notice it when the edges of each sheet begin curling up. To repair this situation, heat the seam and the adhesive beneath it with a hair dryer until the edges can be pulled back enough to expose the sub-floor.
Lay a coating of vinyl adhesive on to the sub-floor and then press the vinyl down and into place. With a putty knife or scraper, gently lift off any adhesive that pushes up out of the seam. Cover the seam with waxed paper, then apply weight for about six hours until the adhesive has set. After removing the covering, apply a bead of seam sealer along the line of the seam and allow it to set.

How to transform your home with the latest looks

2008-07-23T04:58:00.000-07:00

There has never been more choice of floor coverings, with the latest looks featuring patterns and textures to complement your decorating scheme. Find the right type and it will enhance the look, however get it wrong and it’s an inexpensive mistake.
Take a look at the different home decorating reviews sections and obtain the information that you need:
Add impact with wood-effect laminate flooring. Easy to care for laminates suit most rooms, except those that are prone to getting very wet, such as bathrooms. This article provides a lot of tips on the factors you need to consider before installing laminate flooring in your house. It also gives information on the errors that you need to be careful about while going in for laminate floor installation.
Parquet flooring and how to go about installing it and maintaining it. This piece of information will help anybody who is looking for a unique type of flooring option and would like to try out something different.
This is the time for timeless wood; the choice of beautiful and real wood has never been wider, with richer and grainier woods being particularly popular. As with all flooring, buying the best quality of wood will bring elegance to any room of your home, learn more at hardwood flooring.
Are you looking for bamboo flooring? Read and learn how to choose from different species of bamboo. You can buy bamboo flooring in different conditions, finished and pre-finished.

Read more on: http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/flooring/flooring.html

New Blog page

2008-07-22T04:37:00.000-07:00

Elle Interior Designers have created a new blog page that will enable people to know us better, view our work and even become mebers of Elle and enjoy fantastic services!

Thank you to all our supporters and subscribers!

Regards,

Elle.