It is unfortunate that many people base the design of their homes on popular trends and magazines. It’s true that the room may be beautiful, but is it something that is inviting and comfortable to you? Is it a suitable match for your type of personality? Or does it seem as though the room is foreign because nothing fitting your personality is displayed in the room’s accents or furnishings. It is very important that your home is decorated in a way that coincides with your likes and interests. The ideas and tips in this article will help you create rooms that are exciting, appealing and yours.

Determine What You Like
Take your interests, your favorite colors and even your favorite music, into consideration. Are blue and gold your favorite colors? Or do you prefer black and white? The colors you love most should be the base for your décor. The accents on your walls, your furniture and your paint preferences should include them. If country music is your thing, then country décor might be up there as well. If you are into rap or hip-hop your preferred décor might be more on the funky, off-beat side including bright and almost shocking colors.

Country themes or themes that are very elegant might not be for you if you are into something more modern and contemporary. You preference is most likely along the lines of simple, basic and uncluttered. You will feel most at home with clean lines and basic colors.

What are Your Hobbies?
Are you a collector of teapots, porcelain dolls or nautical-themed accessories? Your hobbies should be included in your decorating style. Make use of a corner of the room by turning it into a spot specifically for your collection. For your walls, you should take maritime prints into consideration. If you are a collector of items from flea markets, garage sales or online, why not put them on display? If you want to display those special items you love, a great way to go is with curio cabinets that have a glass front or wood shelves that you build yourself.

Are You a Romantic, or the Sensible Type?
Is your personality a bit more on the timid and emotional side, or do you simply shrug off your problems? Your personality and home should mirror each other. Intimate spaces, surrounded by items that hold special meaning are perfect for those who are romantic. You can add intimacy to the room with photos, accessories or other accent item that have been given to you by those you love. You might want to go with something visually appealing, that doesn’t really have special meaning if you’re the more carefree type that just rides the waves of life. The most appealing things to you might be abstract art and geometric patterns.

Basically, don’t take the decorating part of your home in a certain direction just because you think others will like it. Your home’s decorations should make you happy and comfortable, you are the one living in it! If flowers and plants are what you are interested in, then they should fill up your home. Use wild colors and bold patterns if they appeal to you. The things that make you different are the things that make you special. Your home should be nothing else but a reflection of you.

You might be the type of person that has various interests. The look of diversity is never boring and can often be the most appealing. Your décor should be mixed in accordance with what you love, ultimately making your home welcoming, relaxing and peaceful based on your standards.

About Our Guest Blogger
For over 40 years Leon Tuberman has helped people with their home furnishings and interior design needs. He is the owner and manager of popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They carry a large selection of Amish made solid oak furniture for your living room, dining room and bedroom. It doesn’t matter whether you’re shopping for a bookcase for your home office or a solid oak dining table for your dining room then they carry everything you need.

You want the perfect nursery for your baby, when expecting. You desire to create a relaxing, soft and cuddly room for your child. No matter the baby’s gender, the nursery will be a place that you will spend lots of time rocking and soothing your child in the wee hours of the night. This article will provide you with ideas on how to choose attractive and soothing colors for decorating your baby’s nursery.

Decide on the Color Scheme

Parents usually love to decorate the nursery with bright primary colors. The room will have a cheerful tone, and attract the attention of the baby as their eyes begin to focus if you use colors like bright reds, blues, greens and yellows. You can also use soft, pastel colors; they are also more relaxing to the baby, especially when it comes time for the baby to take a nap. You can also use good colors such as soft blue, cream and pastel peach.

You can also use a blue or pink theme depending on your baby’s gender. To keep the space from being overwhelmed by a single color combine these colors with sand, cream and white shades.

Furnishings

The furniture in the room like the crib, changing table, dresser and other furniture can be anything you want. Use white furniture in the room to provide contrast for the bright colors if you decide on using the bold primary colors. If you decide to use pastel pink, blue or even a light aqua, consider using darker colored furniture to contrast with the lighter tones you used. Any color scheme you use will go well with pine or natural finished furnishings.

Creative Painting Makes a World of Difference

Literally hundreds of things can be done with a little paint! When working on the nursery, you can get really creative. Painting soft clouds on the ceilings to add a relaxing feel to the room is something that many new parents feel. Maybe you should also consider painting playful murals on the walls. This can be something intricate like Disney characters or something more simple like a few alphabet blocks. Simply use your imagination!

There are all sorts of options for accessorizing the room if your baby is a boy. Great choices for a boy’s room would be sports themes, cars and trucks, fire engines and tractors. Think about using a princess theme, ballerina, or a fairy tale character such as a mermaid for a girl’s nursery. You can always, of course, use teddy bears.

Many people enjoy the surprise of finding out the baby’s gender on the day it is born. This won’t be a problem when it comes to decorating the room, you just need to make sure that you stick with natural colors and themes such. If you want to avoid having to change the room’s décor too soon try to go with a theme what will still work when they are two or three.

Use these tips and ideas for the baby’s nursery and try to throw in a few of your own ideas. You will have the perfect nursery, just like your little one

Avo Barsoumian has been in the interior flooring and interior design industry for over 25 years. He is the owner and manager of a popular flooring installation company in Los Angeles. The carry the best in elegant hardwood flooring, beautiful laminate flooring and plush carpeting. So whether you’re looking for carpet sales for your new apartment or office carpet to makeover your older house then Carpet Wagon carries everything you need.

If you want to update your kitchen to give it a modern new look, it can end up costing you a fortune. Updates like counter tops, cabinetry and flooring tend to be very expensive, yet they add the most to your home’s value. How about giving your kitchen a facelift and completely transforming the look without spending an exorbitant amount of money?

Many families spend the majority of their time in the kitchen and dining areas. It’s possible to achieve that warm and appealing kitchen you want without investing a ton of money. Here are several easy ways to refresh your kitchen’s décor while sticking to your budget.

Refresh Your Cabinets
For many people, buying all new cabinets is out of the question. Fortunately, it’s possible to make them look brand-new yourself. One option is to paint them an entirely different color. Or you might sand them down a bit and stain them a different shade. With a protective coat of polyurethane, you’ll have some sparkling, shiny new cabinets. Add some new hardware, and your cabinets will have a completely different look.

Add an Island
If you have space in your kitchen, adding an island will dramatically change the appearance of things. An island can add some much-needed counter space to your kitchen and can also serve to break up the room. If you want to hang a wrought-iron pot rack overhead, this is the perfect place.

Freshen Up Your Appliances
It can put a real strain on your bank account if you try to buy all new appliances. If you feel that your stove, refrigerator and/or dishwasher are looking a bit outdated, they can be painted as well. They make a special type of appliance paint that can be used for this purpose. If rust spots are starting to develop on any appliance, there is a special product that stops the rusting process that you can purchase as well. Just be sure to apply the rust solution before you paint your appliances.

Perk Up the Walls
When it comes to your walls, anything is possible. They can be painted or you can add wallpaper or paneling. Use bright, energizing colors like orange, peach, and green that lend a botanical appearance to things. Hang pictures of natural elements such as fruits, flowers, and herbs on large wall spaces. By transforming your walls, you can really bring a dull kitchen to life.

Don’t Forget the Floor
Are you unhappy with the flooring you have? This can be updated as well. Although many people don’t realize this, old linoleum can actually be painted. Start by lightly sanding the surface of the linoleum, as this will help the new paint adhere. After this thorough cleaning, next apply an oil-based primer. Once everything is dry, you’ll be ready to paint!

Consider creating your own design by using stencil patterns or even painting a “rug” on the floor. This is a great way to get creative and use your imagination. Apply about three layers of paint and then wait for them to thoroughly dry. Finish things off by applying three coats of durable polyurethane to protect your new floor and make it shine.

You can create a beautiful new kitchen without blowing your budget by following these few easy steps. Although you can spend tens of thousands of dollars completely remodeling a kitchen, you can keep it to just a few hundred by doing it yourself.

About the Author…
For over 40 years Leon Tuberman has helped people with their furniture and interior decorating needs. He is the owner and operator of popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They carry a large selection of USA made solid oak furniture for your home office, dining room and bedroom. Are you searching for a dining room set for your kitchen and dining room or wooden filing cabinets for your home office then they probably have everything you need.

What do you think of when you think of kitchen cabinet hardware that you need to have? Chances are you limit yourself to just the things that are used on the cabinets themselves such as handles, knobs, etc. But hardware can be a little more grand than this. In this article were going to take a look at a piece of kitchen cabinet hardware that every home should have. We’re talking about a wine glass rack.

There are a couple of kinds of wineglass racks that you can choose from. The most common style is one that will fit under the bottom of one of your kitchen cabinets. It will have a series of slots that you can slide the base of your wine glasses into so they’re always waiting and ready when you want to serve up a bottle of red or a bottle of white. These pieces of under cabinet hardware can usually be installed in just a few minutes and be ready to serve up your guests.

Another kind of wine glass rack is a little bigger and more extravagant. This type of rack could also fit under your cabinets but also may be attached to a wall alongside the cabinets. In this rack not only is there space for your glasses to hang but also there is usually some room for bottles to fit into the holder as well. Putting one of these in can take a little bit longer than some of the other options because quite often they have to be assembled before they can be installed.

So you might be wondering why it is these are considered essential pieces of cabinet hardware. Well there are a couple reasons. First by hanging a wine glass rack set up somewhere in your kitchen, you’re going to open up more space on the shelves of your kitchen for other items you need to put away. If you’re like most people, there’s never enough shelf space and this will be a much appreciated offering.

Additionally, there is something aesthetically pleasing about a home that has a wine glass rack. In many cases, just this simple addition of a wine glass rack or one that will hold your wine bottles as well, can make the whole kitchen area fancier and feel a little more expensive and exclusive.

Besides,if you are a wine drinker, why wouldn’t you want to have a glass nearby so that you don’t have to miss a beat in the conversation when you want to pop a top to enjoy a sip with family and friends that are gathered around. Better yet, when you first purchase your wine rack why not also go ahead and purchase a couple bottles of your favorite wine. Then you can celebrate that you have been able to install this yourself by popping open one of those bottles and having a drink. Even better you can also invite a few friends over and show off your handywork.

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of a wide variety of online specialty shops including that offer both items and information on how you can easily furnish and decorate your space. Whether it is console tables for your living room or kitchen racks for you newly remodeled home, there are many tips you can use to make any spot both functional and beautiful. Click today and indulge your senses.

The family room is where your family gathers to relax, watch television, play cards, listen to music, put together a jigsaw puzzle or just unwind. While you want every room in your home to be beautiful and appealing, the family room is where you can more or less do what you please. Below, you will find some great ideas for making your family room one that is both welcoming and original, incorporating the interests of your family members.

Think big

When it comes to the furnishings in your family’s room, think bulky and over-stuffed. Nothing is more relaxing that climbing into a big club chair to cozy up under a throw while the fireplace crackles in winter! Whether you choose a sofa and love seat with a plaid or striped fabric upholstery or rich leather, go for those large, sturdy looking pieces. Large, over-stuffed throw pillows, nubby accent rugs and cozy throw blankets are great and useful accents to include, and they add splashes of color to the room.

Add family-themed accessories

It’s important that you use those items that are meaningful to your family in the this room. Display plenty of family photos on the walls, and even feature those crafts that your children created in school. Photos taken on a fun vacation can be displayed on a coffee or sofa table; if your family loves to play chess or checkers, leave the set sitting out on a game table. All of these things make your family room look cozy and lived-in.

Choose one central theme for the room

Does your family love watching movies or listening to music? Design the room in a way that resembles a theatre or music room. Arrange the sofa and a couple of club chairs closely around the coffee table in a way that all of the furnishings face a big screen television. You might also divide the room into sections; a corner with chair, ottoman and floor lamp for the avid reader, another section for the gamers in the family.

If your family enjoys playing pool, ping pong or foosball, why not leave 1/2 of the space open as a game room? This works especially well if you have a very large family room.

Use the colors you love

In most other rooms where your guests congregate, you naturally want to use colors that are a bit on the calm, relaxing side. In the family room, anything goes! Whether you choose bright red and pale yellow or green, gold and rust, the choice is yours. You may not want to go as far as purple or chartreuse, but you can play with color and experiment to see what works best for you.

The family room is exactly what the name implies – a room especially for your family! Have fun, be creative and enjoy relaxing in a room that reflects the true interests and personalities of your family members.

Leon Tuberman has been part of the home furnishings and interior design business for 40 years. He is the owner and operator of popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They have a huge inventory of handcrafted American built solid oak furniture for your bedroom, dining room and living room. Whether you’re looking for a wood TV stand for your family room or a wooden beds for your home then they have everything you need.

When you decorate your home in the Tuscan style, you bring the natural beauty and warm atmosphere of Italy right into your home. Everything natural goes here, from stone, to wood, to terra cotta, to marble. The elements of nature are in abundance here! A Tuscan style offers no pretense. You just end up with a natural, comfortable, and worn look accented with colors reflecting the beauty of a glowing sun setting over the gorgeous Italian mountains.

A Look That’s Completely Comfortable
Homes decorated in a Tuscan décor style are often airy and open. Natural lighting and other elements of nature seep in when windows are left completely bare. The cupboards are also often left bare, although some keep all the contents easily visible by using chicken wire for door fronts.

This is look that’s relaxing, feels lived in, and is completely comfortable. Furniture might be made from local wood. Lines are kept simple, with rough hewn wood. Furniture made of pine or dark wood can even be distressed at the factory, giving it a well-used look.

Wall Accents Add to the Charm
The colors of nature play a crucial role in Tuscan décor. Walls are often gray or soft white, and you’ll often see them adorned with Tuscan accents such as rich tapestries. Tapestries add texture as well as interest to a room, and may even be large enough to decorate an entire wall. Available in many different styles, Italian-themed hanging provide an exquisite and colorful focal point. Whether you choose to go with a re-creation of a traditional tapestry or something altogether new, one thing’s for certain: the Italian work is unmistakable.

Tuscan-Inspired Floors
When incorporating Tuscan-inspired décor in your home, the natural theme carries throughout the floors, walls, ceiling, and furniture. Flooring options include timber boards, wide wooden planks, terra-cotta bricks, clay tiles, and rough stone. Add splashes of interest and some color and warmth to the room by strewing gently worn and antique-looking rugs around the floor. For the kitchen and dining areas, a great choice is clay tile.

Integrate Wrought Iron into Your Décor
Wrought iron is a popular look in Italian Tuscan décor. In the kitchen, a baker’s rack on one wall and wrought-iron pot racks hanging from the ceiling make a nice addition to the overall look. Another great touch is to add plenty of terra-cotta pots filled with herbs and greenery. With a kitchen sink made of porcelain or natural stone and plenty of other ceramic touches, you can add color and depth to the room. A fireplace screen made of wrought iron lends a touch of elegance to the living room. Wrought-iron wall sconces and candle holders make a great addition to the feel of the room as well.

Warm and inviting, Tuscan décor is truly inspired by nature. The outdoors is brought in via all the natural textures used for the walls, floors, countertops, and other surfaces. All these earthy materials contributes to the feel of a charming Italian villa. Surrounded by exposed wood ceiling beams, plenty of natural light, and all the colors of nature, you can retreat to the comforts of a warm and inviting home after a hard day’s work.

About the Writer…
Leon Tuberman has been in the home furnishings and interior design industry for 4 decades. He owns and operates his family owned furniture store. They offer a huge assortment of solid wood furniture for your living room, bedroom and dining room that’s built in the Heartland of America. Whether you’re looking for a oak bed for your bedroom or a dining room table for your formal dining room then they carry everything you need.

Decorative molding is a great addition to any room, as it works to highlight certain features and enhance the decor. Decorative molding can add style and character to your walls, ceilings, and floors. Best of all, it give the room a finished and attractive look. Following are some tips as to where in your home you can use decorative molding.

Use Decorative Molding around the Ceiling
Decorative molding is most commonly used around the ceiling. One popular decorative molding is crown molding, which gives a sophisticated and polished look to the walls and ceiling. By hanging the molding right where the wall meets the ceiling, you can add a decorative touch to an otherwise boring area. You should be able to find this type of molding in a range of sizes, anywhere from 3 to 12 in width.

Use Decorative Molding along the Floor
Another typical place where people like to put decorative molding on around the flooring space. The installation for this type of molding is similar to ceiling molding, as it is placed where the floor meets the wall. What this basically does is finish the wall into the floor, giving the room a polished look. This type of molding is called baseboard, and its not only decorative. It also works to protect the wall from things like scratches and scrapes incurred from furniture and other objects.

Use Decorative Molding along a Wall
The molding can be placed to create what is called a chair rail. Typically, you place the molding slightly lower than the middle of the wall. Then you run the molding all around the length of the room. When they use a chair rail, many times people will place wainscoting or paint the lower half of the wall a different color. A chair rail is a great way to add some style and interest to a wall without going overboard.

Use Decorative Molding around a Window
Installing decorative molding around a window works to highlight that area and really plays up the beauty of the light coming through. Decorative molding around a window will also seal any gaps you have between the window and the wall to prevent air from entering or escaping the house. Remember that you will need to find a sill that matches the rest of the molding to fit the bottom part of the window.

Use Decorative Molding around a Door
Just as with windows, doors can also benefit from a decorative molding accent. If youve already installed molding around the window in a room, you can match the molding youre going to put around the door. As it does with the windows, molding around the door will cover any gaps or leaks. Not only does this make things more efficient, but it covers any blemishes, adding to the style and appeal of the overall decor.

These are only some of the ways you might choose to use decorative molding in your home. Keep in mind, though, that if you use a certain type of molding one place in the room, use that same type of molding elsewhere. You can really pull together a room by using molding with the same color, width, or design, creating a cohesive look for your home.

About the Author…
For over 4 decades Leon Tuberman has helped people with their home furnishings and interior decorating needs. He owns and operates a popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They carry a large selection solid solid oak furniture for your home office, dining room and bedroom. Are you searching for wood bookcases for your office or a solid oak bed for your master bedroom then they probably have everything you need.

Elegance, beauty and boldness are all attributes of Asian décor. This is the perfect style for anyone looking to make a great impression with a home that displays style and demands attention. Though this style might be too much for those wanting a relaxed atmosphere, it is definitely a style for those that enjoy the bold and dramatic! The ideas presented in this article will aid you in transforming your home into one that will be the desire of anyone who enters.

This may sound surprising, but Asian décor presents simplicity. Eliminating clutter is no problem since furniture and accessories are kept to a minimum. The pieces used however, are boldly and dramatically colored for greater visual impact.

Use of Bold, Dramatic Color
The use of the colors red, black, gold and shades of tan, brown and grey is prevalent in Asian décor; this is especially true in Japanese style decorating. A black lacquer finish is commonly used on furniture. Gold is a good choice for walls and trim.

Incorporating Texture
Natural texture is customary in Asian décor. The use of bamboo is frequent in furnishings, window coverings and containers for plants. Using natural rock adds to the drama of the décor, and wall prints can contain paper surfaces. Red and gold tones are usually used on containers which hold bamboo plants.

Oriental Rugs are a Must
You cannot hope to complete the look and style of Asian decor without the addition of oriental rugs! Not many styles of decorating hold the floor to such high importance however, in this style of décor the floor holds great significance and is the basis for it. In this style of décor furnishings are chosen to complement or draw out the colors on the floor.

This style of décor also relies on screens and window accents. A Shoji screen is a piece of décor that can be used for the simple task of dividing a room or for covering less appealing spaces. The screen can also be used as a covering which can block the views for a window. These simple, yet ornately decorated, screens are a vital characteristic of the oriental theme.

Simple and basic, this is the usual way to decorate windows as it will create balance along with the dramatic floors and furniture. Simple accents, bamboo and wooden blinds; these are all typical characteristics of windows.If the furniture is tan, grey, or other neutral colors, the accents on windows may be gold; the Chinese often use window accents that include tassels.

Serenity and peace are just as important when decorating in the Asian style as drama and bold colors are. Bold accents and the natural elements should be used together, while keeping clutter to a minimum. This way, your rooms will be more appealing and will grab more attention while keeping a simple and serene tone.

Make sure to pay close attention to the décor the next time you are at an oriental style restaurant. Examples of this beautiful style of décor can help you figure out how to better use this look in your own home, and finding these examples is as easy as going online. Asian décor is the best way to go when it comes to sheer elegance and enticing environments.

About the Author..
For over 4 decades Leon Tuberman has helped people with their home furnishings and interior design needs. He owns and manages a popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They carry a large selection of USA made solid oak furniture for your home office, dining room and bedroom. Whether you’re looking for mission bookcases for your study area or a wood dresser for your child’s bedroom then they have everything you need.

Let’s face it—a room filled with white walls, brown carpet, lackluster furniture, and few to no accessories is just plain boring. It’s no fun to return from work each day to a home that simple screams DULL! Fortunately, there are unlimited ways to make your home more interesting, adding an element of excitement and appeal to every room. Read on for some great ideas on how to create dazzling rooms in your home that you will love coming home to.

If you want to create rooms that are comfortable, inviting, and appealing, the secret is texture. When all surfaces are smooth and there aren’t any patterns or textures integrated into the mix, the space lacks the depth and interest that a good mixture of textures can provide. Here are some great ways to transform your home into an amazing work of art.

Add Texture and Interest to Walls
When your walls are flat and light-colored, they can really be boring. However, dressing up your walls is easy. Liven things up using a wallpaper with rich hues in a vertically striped pattern. This is a perfect solution in homes that have a low ceiling. However, this trick should be avoided if you ceiling is high, as it will just make it look even higher.

For high-ceiling homes, there are still plenty of other options. Use a textured paint to paint the walls, but don’t forget about the color. Add even more interest by painting the baseboards a contrasting color. You might also stencil patterns on the walls.

Don’t Forget About Scale
For the most part, you want to keep things on the same scale within a room. Thus, if you have a small room, try to keep floral and abstract patterns small as well. Large pattern will likewise work best in larger rooms. On the contrary, if you want to highlight an area of a room, do the opposite. For instance, a very large pattern in a small area or corner of a small room will really make that space pop!

Mix It Up!
To really set off a room, mix up all those textures and patterns. You can create a focal point with a tapestry or mural on the wall. Create a beautiful and eye-catching look with anything from nubby textures to satin smooth textures. Striped or checked throw pillows can really draw out the colors in the room. For a nice touch, casually toss a nubby throw over a sofa or rocker. Throw in some area rugs to add even more texture and color to things. This will work whether your floors are carpet, tile, or wood. Another great option is to place boldly patterned runners over a few tables.

Years ago, colors either had to be complementary or match each other. Things have changed, however, and now contrasting colors abound. Remember, when it comes to your décor, practically anything goes. You can create a totally unique look using the special pieces and accents you love, thrown together with special little ideas that suit your own personality. Keep in mind that there really are no rules when it comes to home décor. When you incorporate plenty of color and texture, then the finishing touches can come directly from your own creative.

About the Writer…
Leon Tuberman has been in the home furnishings and interior design industry for four decades. He is the owner and manager of popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They have a huge inventory of handcrafted American built solid oak furniture for your bedroom, home office and living room. Whether you’re looking for a dining set for your kitchen area or a oak nightstand for your dorm then they carry everything you need.

During the American Arts and Crafts movement, craftsman found copper finer and more attractive than iron, and less expensive and easier to work than silver. Thus copper became the premier metal for decorative ornamentation during this time. Copper decorative wares such as hand-hammered lamps, chargers and candlesticks are iconic collectibles now, but copper is and was an ideal metal for architectural use. Copper sheeting is perfect for crafting the best downspouts, half-round gutters, and flashing. Copper truly straddles the line between function and art. The stunning, motto-embossed fireplace hoods at Craftsman Farms are considered among the era’s most memorable works.

As the oldest metal in use, copper is enjoying renewed popularity almost everywhere in and around the house. Reproduction copper and mica lamps and copper basins appropriate for either the pantry or the garden are becoming more and more common in modern décor. Although there are many beautiful reproductions of the objets d’art so fondly associated with the original movement, copper is also increasingly being used for functional items like range hoods, sinks, lighting, and architectural trim.

The most popular place for copper is in the kitchen, especially in the form of hammered copper sinks. These sinks are crafted out of heavy-gauge copper and then chemically patinated to stabilize the finish. For a dramatic look, choose a copper range or fireplace hood.

Faucets and decorative hardware also benefit from a copper finish. In most cases, brass and bronze fittings are finished with a chemically applied coppery hue. As a fairly soft metal, copper will develop an attractive patina or coloration when left on its own. But fingerprints and other human contact will make it blotchy and unattractive. That’s why patination is always recommended, a stable coating that creates the look of age.

Copper provides a beautiful medium out of which decorative lamps and light fixtures can be crafted, especially when paired with mica or art glass and treated to an artist’s hand hammering and patination. These days, hammered finishes are fairly common in reproduction vases, chargers, and other tabletop accessories, but you need to be aware that some work is better than others. The Michoacán region in Mexico produces wonderfully affordable hand-worked copper. If you’re looking for something a little closer to home, many local artisans craft reproductions of chargers, candlesticks, and other vessels that closely copy period originals but at the same time are imbued with their own personal sense of the Arts and Crafts spirit. If you want a more unique piece, other artisans branch out in different directions. For instance, Repoussé has become popular, a hand-worked and hand-tooled technique in which one creates more figural, three-dimensional results, requiring a superior level of craftsmanship.

Copper has also found a place in the garden, not only in birdbaths and fountains, but also in the water-channeling devices known as rain chains, which have channeled and stored rain water for hundreds of years. Frank Lloyd Wright, for instance, incorporated a sculptured rain chain in one of his Usonian houses. In any garden, these long linear skeins of rings, inverted bells, or fluted cups are certainly both useful and beautiful.

Avo Barsoumian has been part of the interior design and flooring community for the past 25 years. He is the owner of Carpet Wagon, a family owned flooring company in Southern California. They have a huge selection of elegant hardwood flooring, beautiful laminate flooring and plush carpeting. So whether you’re looking for solid hardwood flooring for your new apartment or discount carpet to makeover your older house then Carpet Wagon carries everything you need.