If you are looking for information on how to do interior decorating then this ebook will give you guidelines on doing interior decorating like a professional.
3. Please Start By Reading This - Then Pass It On
- "The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is
the man who will win." Roger Bannister
- "The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that
endure. These qualities are so much important than the events that
occur." Vince Lombardi
- "Success in our calling is the result of a person's love of and belief in
the work he has undertaken. Earnest and conscientious labor often
accomplishes more in the end than the brilliant genius." Anonymous
- "Food offered without affection is like food offered to the dead."
Hindu Proverb
- "What you have to do and the way have to do it incredibly simple.
Whether you are willing to do it, that's another matter." Peter F.
Drucker
- The best motivation is self motivation. The guy says, "I wish someone
would come by and turn me on." What if they don't show up? You've
got to have a better plan for your life. Jim Rohn
- "How does one measure time? No, not in days, months, or years. It is
measured by the most precious of all things: Love. Without which all
beings and things whether brave and/or beautiful would perish." Irish
Blesshin
4. Table Of Contents:
- Introduction To Interior Design...........................................................................................5
- Get Home Interior Decoration Ideas....................................................................................6
- The Elements of Interior Design..........................................................................................7
- Your Decorating Style With Interior Decorating Themes....................................................9
- The Basics Of Buying Interior Shutters...............................................................................10
- Color Schemes for Interior Decorations..............................................................................11
- Guidelines To Home Interior Painting.................................................................................13
5. Introduction To Interior Design
When most people move into a new home, there is some
changes that they want to make.
The rules of interior design are especially powerful when it
comes to the ladies of the house who can walk through any
home and easily spot furniture that needs to be moved and
cabinets that need refacing.
The entire idea behind interior design is to make the home
that you have purchased your own. It stands to reason
because you are living in a home that was built by someone
else and their style may not be yours. Interior design and
home improvement is the way to go.
Most people consider home improvement to be a daunting task, which it can be if you go to extremes.
Those who attempt to completely renovate their entire home at once are faced with a multitude of
problems that are associated with having to move furniture and other items out of the way so the
interior design process can take place. For others, it is easier to do a little bit at a time to make sure that
each project gets completed with the minimum of hassle and interruption to daily life.
One of the easiest things to start with when it comes to interior design and home improvement is
cabinet refacing. Cabinets that you are going to reface will not interrupt the day to day activities as
other type projects can and will when doing home improvement. To reface cabinets it is best to start
with the doors as they simple to remove and take to a workshop or basement.
When you reface you are basically just changing the tone of the wood that is used for design of the
cabinets. This is done most times because the color or tone does not fit with the new furniture that has
been purchased. This is a common practice among existing home buyers who want to create their own
personal style.
Cabinet refacing also entails changing the front face plate of the cabinets to match the doors that have
been changed. This is another common practice but it can be quite difficult. It is best to hire a
professional when you are planning on refacing any type of cabinets as the skills required to do so do
take a long time to learn. There are several books on the subject floating around but they tend to only
give the base knowledge that is necessary and do not give the complete picture for dealing with all the
different types of problems that you could run into.
Furniture is another big issue when it comes to interior design. When moving into a new home many
people like to get new furniture but they cannot always afford the new stuff as prices seem to go up
every year.
The best course of action is to try and buy the new items piece by piece instead of all at the same time.
This will actually save you money in the long run as you can get a better deal as the pieces that you
want go on sale over the time that you are purchasing them.
There are plenty of furniture dealers around the world and all you need to do is search through them
instead of dealing with only one place. There is a matter of finding all the best for the best prices and
that is not hard when you take and do a little research on the subject.
6. If you are planning on doing any painting as part of your home improvement project then it is best to
do so before you have moved in. This will save you a lot of hassle as it is hard to find a place to put
everything when the house is full of furniture and other items.
Paint does not take a long time to dry so it should not hold up the moving in process for very long. The
best course of action is to go with the higher quality of pain. The better the quality the better coverage
you get when you are painting in the darker colors.
If you are painting before you move in then you have the option of using a paint sprayer with a lot
more ease. This will cut your painting time in half and will save you money in the long run as you use
about half as much paint as you do with the brush and roller method.
Don’t forget to check all the walls for holes before you start any projects. It is easier to reface a wall
when there is nothing else going on. You will need to read up on wall refacing before tackling it to
make sure that it is done properly.
If not then you may end up with a not so nice looking wall that is full of dimples and holes and other
unsightly blemishes. Hiring a professional is the best way to go when you have something that needs
done with the walls. A professional drywall contractor can easily repair all the problems in less than a
day and most likely for a fraction of the cost that you would pay if you tried to do it yourself and
messed it up.
Interior design is a fun and exciting time for a lot of people but it can also make for a lot of stress and
cost if you are not careful. Before tackling any home improvement project you should first make sure
that you have the required skills and funds to complete the project. If you don’t then it is best to hire a
professional.
More than likely they will be able to save you money in the long run even though their fees sound like
they are high. They do have the right to charge higher fees as they have spent years learning their trade.
You will find that hiring a professional for your project will make the time a lot more enjoyable for you
and your family.
Home Interior Decoration Ideas
Interior decorations are often associated with mere
interior embellishments. It is difficult to bestow one
particular meaning to this art.
Renovations can also include rebuilding something
within a home as part of interiors. On a practical note,
the concept of interior decorations develops from the
spirit of individual taste and likings.
You can always rely on professional help, provided
the person is willing to do her job after a thorough
research into your unique taste and lifestyle.
There are so many ways to go about it. Planning in advance will help you with many factors, including
your budget and practicality. If you plan on hiring an Interior Decorator, make sure he spends time with
you and your family, it is important to make him understand your specific preferences (colors, dislikes,
etc).
7. If you plan to do it yourself, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences. After all, you understand
your home the best.
But, as it quite often happens, you can get lost in the process, so the first step would be planning. Write
down the plan, and start with a realistic budget, following are some of the important questions you can
ask yourself before you start.
You can make columns with figures once you have estimated the basics:
How much are you willing to spend (read BUDGET)?
Do you want to start with a room or include the entire house?
Which is the room you would like to start with?
What is each room used for? Who is going to use the rooms?
What is the theme you have in mind? Anything specific?
Would you like to change the wall color/paper?
Do you prefer low-maintenance interiors or you can do with a high-maintenance décor?
Do you have kids? Pets? Do you want to inculcate any special care or theme for them?
Does your budget include new furniture? (Make a list of it)
Do you plan to use stuff at home to create your own lamps, hangings etc.?
What needs to be changed? Work on things you really want to change, and make a separate ‘Wish
List’ for dream things.
Concentrate on the ‘Do’ list first.
Although basic, the answer to the above questions will bring the real picture in front of your eyes. This
will help you in practically estimating the cost, and stirring your plan in the right direction.
When you are through with the plan, start with a room by measuring its area. And write in front of it
the things you will be doing—wall paint/paper; change side tables, add lamp, do panels, change rugs,
and so on.
After surveying each room (or just a room incase you wish to start with one), and practically jotting
down things to be done, now tally this list with your original list(anything from the wish list peeping
out?).
Now work on details like the wall color schemes or wall paper, try to use a basic color for all rooms for
it will help in keeping the uniformity of your home intact (and costs down), and you can work on
different combos with it. For wallpapers, you can use the same background color and work on the print
and patterns.
A combo of wall paint and paper also looks great with a little thought. You can play with colors on the
rugs, curtains and lighting. If modern colors appeal to you, you can work in a combination of colors
(complimentary) that go with your furniture and curtains. That should help you with getting started…
all the best!
The Elements of Interior Design
Whether you are working with existing furnishings and fabrics or “starting from scratch” with an
empty room, you should always use the elements and principles of design as a guide in choosing
everything. The elements are your tools or raw materials, much like paints are the basics to a painter.
8. The elements of design include space, line, form, color, and texture. The principles of design relate to
how you use these elements and are balance, emphasis, rhythm, proportion and scale, and harmony and
unity.
Element #1: Space
Space defines the boundaries and sets the limits on the functional and decorative things you can do.
Usually you will not determine the space; instead, you will be faced with the challenge of using the
existing space effectively.
Element #2: Line
The lines in a room are second only to color in importance when it comes to setting the overall mood or
feeling of a room. The lines of window fashions should support the dominant line of the room. In most
situations, the dominant line is straight (vertical, horizontal or diagonal) rather than curved. Your choice
of emphasizing the direction of lines will determine the mood you want to create.
• Vertical lines add height and dignity, creating a more formal atmosphere. Vertical lines also balance
the horizontal lines found in most furniture.
• Horizontal lines tend to create a restful, informal feeling. They work well in casual rooms or as relief
to the strong verticals of formal rooms.
• Diagonal lines attract attention and lead the eye. They can be disturbing unless supported by verticals
or opposing diagonals.
• Curved lines add a softening effect and keep the room from becoming too stiff. Use curved lines with
some restraint to keep the room from becoming too soft and overly feminine.
Element #3: Form
Lines that join together produce the form, or shape, of an object, which in turn impacts the overall
feeling of a room. Straight lines create rectangles, square and triangles. Curved lines form circles and
ovals. The rectangle is the most popular form and is often the dominant shape in a room. Triangles
provide stability and curved shapes soften the contours of objects.
Element #4: Color
More than any other element, color can make a room beautiful. Color can set the mood. It can make a
room warmer or cooler, larger or smaller. It can hide unsightly features or call attention to the center of
interest. Even with the simplest furnishings, the proper use of color can transform a room.
Element #5: Texture
Texture is playing an increasingly important role in home decorating. Visual texture is a material’s
apparent smoothness or roughness. To maintain and enhance a casual feeling, use fabrics that are more
heavily textured, nubby or rough visual texture. Smooth, shiny surfaces such as silk, moiré, chintz and
silk-like looks support a more formal feeling in a room. Using several levels of complementary textures
adds variety and maintains interest. However, it is a good idea to avoid dramatic contrasts in texture.
9. Interior Decorating Themes - Whats Your Decorating Style
There are a variety of decorating themes from formal to informal and everything in between. Which
one best describes your decorating style?
Formal Traditional
Furnishings and designs from the Renaissance, Baroque, Early and Late Georgian, Federal, Greek
Revival and Victorian eras. This style is shown with fine furnishings, elegant, refined and exquisite
wall coverings, elaborate moldings, formal window treatments and Oriental rugs.
Informal Traditional
The same eras as above but this style has less refined versions of furnishings. There are more touchable
elements, more earthy colors, and some urban archaeology without restoration is common. This style is
comfortable and inviting.
American Country
This style holds furnishings from the 17th century through the present, all simple with the appearance
of hand-crafted work. Two versions are popular today: Upscale Country with the use of more tactile,
comfortable elements and very close to Informal Traditional but with a clearly country theme in all the
furnishings; and Rustic Country, which sports a reused, recycled quality. The wall coverings and
window treatments set the theme and the furnishings have a just-found-it-at-the-antique-market feel.
Country French
This style is exhibited in Classic Rococo, Neoclassic or Empire-inspired country furnishings. Wall
coverings include florals, ticking, toile, and moirés depending on the level of formality.
Arts & Crafts
This simple style is also known as Early Modern or Organic Modern. The era focuses on hard, stained
oak furniture with simple, straight lines.
International Modern
This is a look of ultra simplicity, hard lines, and smooth surfaces contrasted with abstract patterns and
unusual textures.
Environmental
Designs in this theme contain colors, textures and very subtle patterns of the earth.
Romantic Victorian
This style still is a favored theme for rooms with lots of pattern featuring English garden florals in
dreamy colors. Both fabric and wall coverings can be patterned, and clutter decorating – especially
with accessories – is part of this look.
Ethnic and Primitive
This masculine approach has many faces from African to the American Southwest, from the lodge-look
to the South Seas. Heavy or tactile textures coupled with patterns that are charming because of their
lack of sophistication fit here.
10. Fabric and Wall Covering Themes
This is a wonderful way to decorate – by selecting a great fabric or wall covering that inherently
features a theme. Some examples include sea and shore, sports, outdoor recreation, kitchen or domestic
elements, juvenile elements, feminine floral themes, exotic designs from far away lands, and more.
Interior Shutters Buying Basics
Window shutters add a nice touch to a home’s
exterior. In other parts of the world, especially
Europe and the Caribbean, shutters serve a
functional purpose.
They cover windows by night or in bad weather to
keep out bad weather or cold air. By day they are
pushed open from the inside and secured in place to
let daylight and the sun’s warmth into a home.
This is especially important in communities where
the majority of residents lack central heating or air
conditioning.
But in many industrialized nations, housing includes shutters more as accent pieces or adornments than
as functional window covers. Shutters may cover the home’s largest windows, the windows on the
front side of the house, the windows on the sides as well as the front, or every window in the home.
Shutters typically coordinate with a home’s design to bring out a certain style in its appearance. For
example, you can get shutters that are rectangular-shaped, or those that come in other forms.
Here are some things to consider when selecting shutters for your home:
1. Does the home’s exterior paint or paneling come with matching shutters? If so, consider using
these to match the existing design, even if you had the siding done first and now want to add shutters. If
not, check with the home supply provider for suggestions about the type of shutters that will go well
with your current outdoor siding. You may be able to look at a print or online catalog, or view samples
at the store. Some stores provide references of previous customers who have purchased these shutters,
and you may be able to talk with them about their level of satisfaction or drive by their homes to have a
look.
2. Choose a coordinating design and color. If your home’s siding or finish does not come with
matching shutters, check out several possible options before selecting one for your home. Popular
styles are made of aluminum and vinyl, along with other materials that are weather-resistant, so find
out what’s available, along with the merits of each.
3. Compare styles to find one that suits your home’s design and structure. Some shutters come with
two matching panels, while others have four. You can get louvers, but keep in mind these can collect
dust and may be difficult to clean. Even when operational shutters are not needed, some people choose
to install them for special effect on their homes.
4. Find out all you can about the product’s quality. Ask the sales associate about each product’s
durability and lifetime expectancy. Also ask about how to clean various shutter types, and what type of
special cleaning substances will be needed, if any.
11. You might also want to know about any particular conditions that afflict certain products. Wood
shutters, for instance, may tend to get dry rot, termites, or other wood-associated conditions. Any type
of shutter might attract insect nests, and aluminum shutters may be prone to rusting.
What are the best shutters? The best kind are those that are affordable, are easy to install, and offer the
greatest protection. Which of these properties is most important depends on individual circumstances.
For a disabled or elderly person it may be ease of installation with either an automatic closing
mechanism or accordion type shutters. For those with limited incomes plywood shutters may be the
only affordable option.
For most people the best compromise would be steel panels, which offer good protection, but are
certainly more expensive than plywood. The most worthless type of protection is the often employed
use of various types of tape over the windows. This practice does little or nothing to prevent breakage,
may result in large, more dangerous pieces of flying glass, and is extremely difficult to remove after the
storm.
With today’s changing global climate, and the increase of tropical storms frequency, some regions of
the world will need to equip themselves with window shutters to prevent damage to their properties.
Color Schemes for Interior Decorations
It is often easier to decorate around the house; there
exist some amount of spontaneity inspiring you to
plunge into your own styling.
When it comes to wall color schemes, things turn the
other way. For amateurs and enthusiasts and
homemakers too, this field appears a bit risky, with
lots to lose— time, money, and efforts to start with,
not to mention the redoing it requires.
You don’t need to feel overwhelmed with the ordeal.
To plan and co-ordinate color scheme for every room
in the home, you can take one step at a time.
Assess each room individually and make notes as to the amount of natural light it receives, the kind of
lighting you have used and the color that will best compliment the natural architectural features of your
home. It’s easy to estimate these details, if you have lived in the house for some time.
Before you decide, take a closer look at the existing carpeting, flooring and woodwork and it will allow
you to make a safe choice. On an average, color scheme on the walls will helps you to determine the
harmony between colors to be used throughout the décor. Color wheels are often used to determine the
complimentary colors; you can do the accents furnishings (rugs, lamps, paintings) and furniture in the
complimentary colors.
Some common schemes for selecting the best color for a space:
Monochromatic Color Scheme: The most common one, it uses a single color in different shades,
tints, values, textures and hues to bring the harmony and flow, a sense of uniformity to a place.
12. Analogous scheme: This one uses adjacent colors on the color wheel, allowing you many
possibilities within the warm or cool color category. Plan the colors diligently, for it is important for the
colors to come out as a great combo.
A complementary scheme: Here, one can use the colors opposite each other on the color wheel, again
a difficult task as the balance of colors will take some careful thinking. Considered bold and modern.
Triadic Color Scheme: This one uses three hues. Each is placed consecutively or at equal distances
from each other. For example, yellow, green and red, this scheming uses their tones, shades and scales
in three hues placed at equal distances from each other. On studying the color wheel and looking up
different color scheming, get a practical view and start planning. Here are a few steps for your
consideration.
When you have decided on the color palette for a room, start with the lighter shades for walls,
medium for furniture and windows (or contrasts), doors etc. If you don’t want to change the furniture,
work around a wall color that is a shade lighter in the same order. Accessories may look great in the
darkest of shade on your color card.
Lighter shades like cream, whites, lemon, Ivory can make a big difference in making a space look
larger. You can use a lighter shade as the base or neutral color; play with contrast and bolder shades for
rest of the décor.
You need to have ‘eye resting point’ where all the colors break even. Nothing big or too loud, a great
complimentary colored vase or bowl or art piece or painting that highlights the accents, and harmonizes
the interiors in a balancing art.
Usually, people use boldest of colors on fabrics like cushions, curtains and mats. You can use
harmonize fabrics by using colors as accent fabrics on chairs, decorative pillows, tablecloths and mats.
Repeat each colors in an equal proportion throughout the room, and in at least 3-4 places. The best
color ratio: Divide color use to approximately 60% of the room in the background (lightest) color, 30%
in the mid-tone color, and 10% in the brightest, accent colors.
Play within the color rules, but when it comes to creativity, don’t overlook your own power. You can do
wonders with pieces and bits within the arena and create a space that reflects your taste, your
individuality.
13. Home Interior Painting 101
A new coat of paint can refresh and revitalize any
room in your house. Paint is also a very cost effective
way to change the look of a room. The best part about
interior painting is that almost anyone can do it—all
you need is the right material and a little bit of
knowledge.
Painting Supplies
Your supply needs will vary depending upon the room
that you are painting and the type of paint that you are
using, but here is a basic list to get you started:
Paint. After you choose a color, you will also need to choose a finish. The finish determines how
shiny the paint will be. Choices include flat, eggshell, satin, semi-gloss, and gloss. Flat finish is hard to
wipe clean and should only be used in low traffic areas that will not attract dirt. Satin, eggshell, and
semi-gloss finishes are easy to wipe clean and can be used almost anywhere. Gloss finish is very shiny
and is best reserved for small areas such as trim or molding.
Paint Applicators. Paint rollers and brushes are necessities. A good paint roller can paint an entire
room. Choose one that has a fair amount of nap to it-- the thicker the better. When it comes to brushes,
everyone has their own individual preference. A small angle brush works well for trim and corners. A
three inch flat brush or a paint pad will work well for the places that a paint roller can not reach.
Miscellaneous Supplies. In addition to paint and paint applicators, you may also need drop cloths,
cleaning rags, paint trays, spackling, sandpaper, and a putty knife (if your walls are damaged and need
repair), and a ladder or stepladder. The ladder will need to be sturdy and stable to support your
movements. Try choosing a ladder with a wide base or a flared bottom like on a Little Giant Ladder.
Painting Tips
When painting, the most important thing you can do is take your time. If you move too fast, things
could get sloppy. Also important, is the prep work. Your painting project will go much smoother if you
are properly prepared prior to painting.
Here are some tips that can help:
Make sure that you have everything you need by organizing all of your supplies before you start
painting.
Protect your furniture from paint splatters by moving it or covering it up.
Use low-tack masking tape to tape off baseboards and trim. Remove the tape before the paint dries.
Paint the walls before painting trim or woodwork.
Do not apply a second coat of paint until the first coat has dried.
14. "If You Want A Step By Step Manual That
Will Guide You On How To Have Your Rooms
Interesting As Well As Beautiful, And Make
Them Say Something..."
Introducing....
DIY Interior Decorating
Inside This eBook You Will Learn:
How To Get Start In Interior Decorating
How To Rearrange A Room
How To Create A Room
How To Determine Character Of Hangings And Furniture
Wall Coverings For A Given Room
Treatment Of Windows, Pictures And Picture Frames
15. Treatment Of Bathrooms
The Treatment Of Closets
Treatment Of A Shaded Living Room
What To Avoid In Interior Decoration: Rules For Beginners
And So Much More!
(Click Below)
To Beautiful Designs!
Best Regards,
Chantal Rivers.