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Ambience Table Lamps: Build Mood in Your Dwelling with Table Lamps |
Ambience table lamps are making a comeback as the ultra-cool design accessory in the shabby chic decorating trend. So, consider getting into that attic or digging out that crawl space to unearth those antique table lamps that your grandma left to you.
To learn how you can use antique or new table lamps to create ambience and a cozy home feeling, keep reading for five great decorating ideas.
Living Room Reading
Two ambience table lamps on either end of your living room sofa will not only provide a soft and inviting glow, but also serve as functional lighting. If one member of your family wants to knit or read while another wants to watch TV, a table lamp can provide subtle task lighting without interfering with the television.
Get matching lights and lamp shades that blend in well with your existing home décor. You want your table lamps to blend in with the room, not stand out in contrast.
A Light for the Baby's Room
For a bedside lamp, use a basic table lamp. They offer subtle and soft lighting that's perfect for bedtime stories, lighting before and after a nap or when mom is up nursing in the middle of the night and doesn't want to turn on the overhead light.
Table bedside lamps are also great for kids who are a little scared of the dark. They can turn off their wall outlet, but still have a light that they can turn off once they're safely in bed.
Task Lighting
Table lamps are great for task lighting. Anywhere you need directed and focused lighting that's close to your work surface, a table lamp can do the job and reduce strain on your eyes. If you're using a table lamp for task lighting, look for one that has a flexible head and neck, thus allowing you to direct the light on to your work surface.
Design and Decorative Purposes
A light doesn't always have to totally utilitarian - it can be decorative too. Fancy or antique table lamps are beautiful accent pieces for a formal dining room, living room or bedroom. They're also practical, offering a soft and romantic glow.
Desk Lamps
Ambience table lamps on an office desk can significantly reduce your electricity costs and actually be better for your eyes. Rather than straining to read your monitor under the glare of harsh overhead lighting, table lighting provides low, angular lighting that illuminates your work surface, but not your monitor. |
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Home Décor – Shabby Chic Decorating is Easy and Fun! |
Do you want an easy and fun decorating style to use in your home? Shabby chic decorating is the decorating style for you! Shabby chic decorating uses vintage decor as well as new décor that looks old. The end result is a delightfully decorated room that features a comfortable, lived-in look. Shabby chic decorating ideas include:
Use family heirlooms and collectibles in your shabby chic rooms. Their sentimental value and ageless beauty will be enjoyed not only by you but also by your family and guests. They also make great conversation pieces.
If you have a limited decorating budget, shabby chic decorating is a perfect solution. Flea markets, garage sales, and friend’s attics and basements are ideal places to scour for shabby chic home décor and furniture. Look for unique, distinctive pieces of furniture and home décor that provide a special touch to any room.
A coat of paint makes old pieces of furniture ideal additions to shabby chic decorating. Older upholstered furniture can be updated by using slip covers or large throws. If you have a few pieces of nice furniture, highlight them by “building around them”. They will look like real treasures surrounded by shabby chic home décor accents.
Vintage lace is a wonderful addition to the shabby chic decorating style. You can buy lace even if it is stark white and give it the illusion of being old by staining it with tea. Try a test piece first to get the desired shade. Lace that is cotton or at least partly cotton takes the tea stain well; however, polyester or nylon lace may not work as well.
Other characteristics of shabby chic decorating are distressed finishes, soft as well as delicate colors, mixing checks, stripes, and floral fabrics, using a rumpled but neat look, and using home décor that is worn but also elegant.
The shabby chic decorating style draws on the time period from 1900-1950. Keeping that in mind will help make shabby chic decorating easier and much more fun!
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Shabby Chic - Vintage Decor and Ideas For Your Home |
By Giorgina Devereaux
Shabby Chic, also known as Vintage, is the idea of incorporating accessories, furniture, and household items from the years 1900-1950 to decorate your home. But what makes this décor a popular decorating style? It provides a comfortable and casual look through the use of Vintage accessories, new décor that looks old, pastels, comfy light painted furniture, lace tablecloths, dreamy soft floral fabrics, wrought iron curtain rods with sheer curtains, and vivid fresh flowers. The idea of combining the old with the new opens up endless possibilities when selecting Shabby Chic home décor and furnishings.
Imagine visiting your grandparents and snuggling in comfortable soft furniture, while being surrounded by colorful fresh flowers and the soft scent of candles. This style can create the same sensation for your own home. It balances elegant items with old and worn, silver accessories with painted wood tables, and soft area rugs with old lace.
If your budget is limited, Shabby Chic decorating is the perfect solution. You can scour some of the great websites noted below for Shabby Chic home décor.
Shabby Chic and Vintage use furniture that is worn, along with stylish items and things that look old. Therefore, you have a varied range of choices for furniture and home décor.
Consider the following ideas as a guide:
A fresh coat of paint is a great way of giving old furniture pieces some Shabby Chic appeal. You can also update older upholstered furniture through the use of slip covers or large throws. For small tables, such as side tables, coffee tables, or consoles, look for pieces that feature carved wood as a focal point. When looking for Shabby Chic furniture, take measures to avoid bright bold colors or matching sets. Instead, try to mix and match the upholstery style with floral patterns, along with striped pillows and other accessories.
To accent your walls, you can include carved wood or metal shelves, which can be purchased in antique stores, gift shops, garage sales, and antique fairs. Again, a little paint on these items goes a long way because you will add a special touch to your décor. For instance, you can incorporate an ornate wrought iron corner shelf and display antique collectibles or crocheted dollies for a vintage look. Furthermore, you can look for old doors, windows, mantels, garden gates, house shutters, and wrought iron, which can be used as wall hangings or even used to replace existing doors to add charm.
For lighting, you can use a floral print or solid colored fabric lamp shade for the right splash of color and display it against surfaces that are distressed. Wrought iron, wood mirrors, or picture frames with white, natural, or distressed finishes blend well in a Shabby Chic room. If you want to add a unique touch to this décor, apply weathered paint to towel racks in the bathroom or kitchen. And let's not forget to include candle holders or a candelabra. You can give these items a distressed finish in white or ivory for that shabby chic look.
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