 Picture cortsey of www.rabbitair.com/ Poor Air Problems Equals To poor health. A house has to appeal to the five senses. So even the smell inside the house should be pleasing. Poor air quality is detrimental to the well being of the people living in it and does not reflect good home ownership to anyone visiting your home. No matter what style preferences you opt to for your decor and regardless on how well staged your home is: when there is a significant odor in a house, it becomes a problem that needs to be corrected otherwise your health may suffer too. What good is a clean air outside a home if the inside air quality is unattractive and detrimental to you health? In personal image etiquette, having a bad breath, or wearing a strong cologne, is called: Image FAUX PAS, which means: Image breaker. The same holds true with a house. Are your a smoker? Do you have pets? Does the house have mildew problems or dampness in the basement? Do you use a lot of spices?,...or do you burn incense? Are your carpets old, and can't afford to change them? Are the carpets new and they smell of chemical? Whatever the issues may be it is important to correct the home indoor air quality. Normally fixing a air problem by burning candles or baking cookies does not work. Personally, I believe in eliminating sources, rather than camouflaging or diluting them. Diluting techniques fail and the odor still persists. In addition, a strong odor in a house is not only offensive to your guests but it may be toxic for your family and you. At a dinner party, no one likes to walk in a house that smells and looks like a sanctuary, yet, some people before a gathering try to camouflage odors, by burning candles in every room. . |  I DO YOU KNOW? House plants can act as air purifiers also? In recent years, scientists at NASA and the Associated Landscape Contractors of America (ALCA) have discovered that there are various houseplants that keep our household air clean and pure and balance indoor humidity. Not only do these plants absorb pollutants, they also scrub harmful gases out of the air and help fight pollution. Some of these plants are: Spider Plant. Boston Fern English ivy Areca Palm Golden Photos Aloa Vera Chinese Evergreen Peace Lili, Marginata and Snake Plant are the best. Today, there are lots of air cleaning units that work miracles and kill many levels of contaminants and they range from fairly inexpensive models to very sophisticated "whole house" system ones. Air cleaners vary in terms of quality, some being much more effective at removing particles than others. Look for those that remove 99% bacteria and that contain HEPA. Here I have listed two sites. One that offers reviews: www.air-purifier-ratings.org and this: www.rabbitair.com offering very sleek lines and contemporary designs that go with any decor. Personally, I believe in eliminating sources, rather than camouflaging or diluting them. Diluting techniques fail to address the core issue of the problem and the odor will still persists. In addition, a strong odor in a house is not only offensive to our guests but it may be toxic for our family too. In conclusion, even a great home in the most lavishing decor, is nothing unless it is free from pollutants that harm our health. So let's pay attention to the quality of air we all breathe and lets' live healthier lives Enjoy your home and be healthy. Blessings -Cristina- |
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How to take your home from winter to spring
"Under the Tuscan Sun" - HOW TO ?
English Shabby Chic
Feng Shui, Color & Shabby Chic
What Each Color Means?
Green is great for the southeast direction of the home and represents comfort. Turquoise is for the southeast direction of the house and represents relax and uplifting. Violet is for the south direction and represents sociability. Deep blue is for the south east also and represents harmony. Peach Pink is for the west and represents playfulness and romance. Orange is for the west and centre of the house and can be used where you want to create a bright atmosphere. Powder blue is for uplifting energy and is used for bathrooms. Jade is also for the south east and is good to promote creativity and relaxation. Sugar pink is also for the west and is good to enhance youthfulness, food for bedrooms. Biscuit is good to enhance stability and security and can be used anywhere. Lavander is for the south direction also evokes fire for passion and is good for socialization also. Pale Apricot good for bedroom also because it is closest to the soil energy. Citron evokes freshness and warmth. Is close to the soil energy of the centre. Red represents power and energy and inspires creativity. It is used in for a study and for a work study family room. Black equates responsibility . In shabby chic, when used with white, it draws attention to other details and make them look more significant. so, if the rooms lacks of other focal points, people become the center of attention in that room and may make people uncomfortable. Do you love French Baguettes and roosters prints? Kitchen Ideas: How to?
Which Cottage Style is for you? |
 The away from it all,....your very own dreamy retreat feeling of the cottage style home you have dreamed of, is easier than you think to obtain. If you follow these great tips, you may be able to turn your home into a great getaway. As you have read from the previous blogs, there are about four major Personality Fashion Style. Knowing your very own clothing Personality Style may determine and shed light to what shabby chic decorating style you are attracted to. Example, if you are drawn toward a cottage style decor for your home, chances are that you are a casual -romantic person. Color. Studies have shown that people tend to be attracted by the same colors that they prefer to wear. Therefore, knowing our best Fashion Colors, can also shed light to what paint palette to choose from when decorating our homes and can make the difficult task of picking up paint colors much easier when planning a shabby chic decor. So, if you know your Personality Style and know your Color Season, achieving a cottage style decor in a room or throughout the whole home, can be a piece of cake. Color is the first step to the planning of your decorating project. First thing to keep in mind is to paint all of your wood trim in white. Then, for the walls the idea is think: pastel colors. Weather you choose a warm palette or a cool palette to work with, the idea is to keep it in synchrony. It is important to keep the palette of the color consistent in the same hue because it will blend well and will harmonize every room. Have you ever had a Color Analysis done? If not please read this article (from my daughter's fashion blog) for a DIY (do it yourself). With some tips offered in that article, anyone can be able to determine their Color Season. Normally, people who look better in their seasonal color palette, tend to FEEL better when surrounded by colors that compliment their seasonal palette. Example: if a person has a warm undertone, she will look great in warm based colors for her clothes and makeup. This same person will also feel happier, more productive and more at ease if at home she is surrounded by colors that flatter her undertone. Therefore,to me, this would be the first step to take when considers tackling a home decorating project. The cost of paint is not cheap and labor of painting a room or a house is not a easy task: it demands lots of details and effort, so why be disappointed? |  Home Accessories Discerning your own Personality Style, can shed light to what style you want to carry through your home or room when starting your Cottage Chic decorating project . Normally people who prefer this style tend to be a Casual - Romantic or a Vintage Romantic. The accessories imbue whatever decorating style you tend to lean to, however, if you want to be anchored in a certain period, (such as vintage) it is important to be consistent and to repeat whatever theme you chose throughout the whole house or at least throughout the whole one room you are working with. Depending on your style the objects can be as romantic as faded away photographs, porcelain knick knacks and old laces or they can be as casual, distressed and relaxed as rugged fishing rods, creels, wrought irons and lures. To create your own cohesive mix it is important to do a little dreaming and lots of research before you start your "hunting" expeditions and start collecting. Conjure up a vision of the look and feeling you love, then label it. It can be called: Victorian Romance, or Summer Romance or By The Sea, or Family Barn. Do you agree that now each of these names are evoking a vision in your mind and bringing up images of objects that exude each of the styles mentioned? Embracing a home decorating project can be fun, cost effective and time efficient if you keep in mind these tips. Hope you enjoyed this blog. Have fun "hunting". Blessings - Cristina - |
Farmhouse style is easy to create
 Are you enamored by the pristine glow of painted or whitewashed pickets, porch rails, and poultry sheds? If yes, then Farmhouse Style Cottage is your shabby chic style. (There are 4 personality style: Romantic, Dramatic, Classic, Casual. Normally people who fall in love with such home style tend to be personalty style type: Casual. (Please refer to my previous posting for more info on this topic). if you love this style, even if your house is in suburbia you can set the stage for your cottage farmhouse style home, with these simple tips. How do you accomplish that? Here is the recipe: start by pairing white with timeless blue or reds. Keep window treatment and floors to a very minimum fuss and add gingham inspired checks and quilts throughout. For a very authentic farmhouse feeling, you can implement the trick of treating the walls (not the whole house, of course, but even two rooms will do: kitchen and family room) to accomplish an authentic feeling. On the walls you can add wood planks or ordinary paneling applied either horizontal or vertically that can be bought very inexpensively at any Lowes or Home Depot and then primed and painted with washed white or ivory white. You can acquire home accessories on a shoe string by attending local flea markets, thrift shops and home sales. For instance if you pick up a wood bench you can then paint it in a distress finish with washed white paint. and this inexpensive item can be used as a focal point in your hallway with a throw quilt over it. If you are planning on changing your floors, (at least in the kitchen and in the family room) then the best choice will be to install oak or pine wood floors or even consider realistic laminate flooring that mimics natural or stained pine. Today there is a wide choice of colors and finishes that even offer knots for an authentic look. |  Home Accessories Nostalgia is the key element to accomplish a farmhouse style cottage. This style can make your flea market shopping become a new experience. Keep in mind to spot for timeworn pieces with a nostalgic theme to it. Old watering cans & milk bottles can be transformed in beautiful flower vases. Milk barrels can become umbrella stands, old attic windows (in the shape of fan) can become a beautiful mirror when you take off the cracked glass and replace it with a piece of mirror. An old door can become a treasured dinette table top when tapped with a piece of glass and added legs to it (you can pick up legs of any sizes at any lumber supply). Old chairs when tapped with tie-back cushions can be transformed in mood setting heirloom. Straw hats can be used as art work to decorate a wall in your hallway. Antique wrought iron gates can become the top of any coffee table when topped with a glass top and welded with 4 steel rods as legs. You can find these at any yard sale or hardware supply and for very little cost, then you can weld them by using a local body shop car. For the kitchen you can create interest on the ceiling by attaching nostalgic pots holder with rosters motif and copper accessories throughout. If you are a Natural Personality with a creative-artistic touch, then you can have fun with this Farmhouse Style cottage by adding a brush of whimsy to your decorating. Painted furnishings make decorating fun and interesting with imagery that are down-home and downright sophisticated. If you have a special image in mind, you can make your vision become a delight for any eye to enjoy by using stencils or by decoupaging (if you are a beginner) or you can hand paint if you are artistically skilled. Limit yourself to one major painted piece per room (too much becomes very confusing and distracting). The most important thing here is to have fun and to create a very casual ambiance that will make you feel as if you have stepped into your mountain cottage retreat. Blessings. - Cristina- |
Romance is eternally young & forever new.
 What is your Shabby Chic Style? Are you a: Romantic? Casual ? Dramatic? Classic? Romantic Whether you live in the East Coast or the West Coast of the country, in this high-tech hurry world, a romantic cottage style home can become a magical escape and create a serene sense of harmony that can warm up any heart. Romance is the zest of life, it conjures pleasant images of sunshine, flowers, imagination, candlelight, music and soft whispers. In a world rapidly changing and evolving, a romantic style home is a comforting pause in a fast moving world. The rough edges of the world outside your door softens and fades when you come home to romance, soothing and calming your spirit. Instead of evoking another era (as in other styles) this relaxing, calming, elegant cottage style aims at the most universal target of all: your heart. Fortunately Romance is easy to master and affordable to accomplice. It can be mixed with different periods, it can borrow details and accent pieces from different countries, and can be mixed with antiques & reproductions pieces, it can be Victorian or vintage or plain contemporary. To achieve a romantic style cottage or just romantic chic, it is important to think of skirted tables -for your living room and bedroom- covered with layers of pretty linens topped with silk and velvet runners, lace curtains velvet or satin accent pillows.. Other easy changes include grouping black & white family photograph in decorative silver or crystal frames, hanging botanical or other floral prints, replacing overhead lighting fixtures with evocative chandeliers, hanging lots of mirrors framed in gilded metal, brass, gold painted wood or creamy whites. Also, adding lots of real plants placed in very decorative pots and arranged in small groups, adding silver or crystal candlesticks, candelabras and wall sconces everywhere.  |  Walls. Need to be painted with soft, muted colors: seashell pink, apple green, creamy white, pastel blue and light yellow. For inspiration think of hue from a Monet painting. Furniture, painted or distressed takes on another spirit when topped with candelabras, crystal picture frames and surrounded by French Aubusson style rug. The style of the furniture can be French or Italian or Spanish, it really does not matter, when painted in white or distressed, it just takes on another style. A French country style dining room table can be mixed with an Italian secretary which can be transformed by adding a gilded architectural detail on top, holding beautiful Austrian crystal or Dutch botanic prints inside the door glass panels . In living room and dining room it is easy to invite romance by slipcovering dark pieces with creamy cottons and by replacing heavy curtains with sheer, lacy ones. Old chairs can be made fresh and new with skirted and flirty slipcovers in botanical prints or just plain white. Beautiful Objects as accent pieces. Beauty is forever preserved in objects that have escaped the ravages of times as well as in those that proudly present their years. Classical motifs recall the enduring qualities of beauty and art unaffected by the passage of time. These objects can be shaped as cherubs, figurines & lovebirds. Their gentle curves, sensuous shapes, shy innocence of cherubs and the ardor of lovebirds, symbolize the joy of young love and evoke beauty that is forever young. These objects help create the right romantic feeling in any room. Candlesticks, candelabras and sconces: evoke memories of romantic dinners, quiet conversations, dancing for two, and sweet goodnights. To create a romantic style home, it is a must to add as many as you can collect of such objects. They can be shaped as cherubs, angels or just plain candlesticks, they all evoke the feeling of love at first sight and when lit they uplift and inspire any heart . Urns and vases on pedestals filled with fresh or silk flowers make a relaxed accent in any room. Also, you may want to consider collecting any object made of cut crystal, old silver, alabaster, brass, and bronze. All of these elements meld harmoniously into settings enriched by vintage finds and sentimental family treasures, warming up rooms made by new and old heirlooms. Windows. As we learned flowing , lightweight fabrics should top the list of romantic essentials. But the most dramatic use of these fabrics is at the windows. Choose curtains and valances that include generous gathers, rounded, scrolled, or looped curves in curtains can soften any room in your house. Lace panels or sheer panels crowned with a swagged and tied valances can set the stage for nostalgic, romantic feelings. Rugs . Needlepoint rugs or soft Aubusson style rugs are best to frame any vintage piece and set the romantic style tone in any room. Outdoor. A romantic feeling can be achieved outside, by adding touches such as a garden sculpture in a form of fairy or an angel, a decorative bird bath and a fountain. But Romance can also be as simple and effective as hanging a wrought iron candle chandelier from a tree or porch beam, lighting rustic garden torches, or lining up your surrounding area with lots of lanterns . Floral cloth over wrought iron patio table, floral cushions and pillows and lots of pretty pots with flowers help complete the appealing scene. This pretty style is easy to achieve and is waiting for you to create. Enjoy, -Cristina- |
How to build a great Shabby Chic Room?
 |  |
Decorating with White, makes rooms look light and airy. White opens up the smallest spaces and brings cohesion to large rooms filled with furnishings. Whether your style is cottage, English country, French country, Tuscany country ,... or just plain romantic, Shabby Chic accessories and distressed furniture create a comfortably elegant home you can be proud of.
How can you start building a shabby chic room?
You can start bringing in the soft, feminine look of shabby chic decor by buying a slipcover for your sofa, then by adding curvy chairs and tables that you can pick up at any regular flea market or goodwill, which you then will be changing the upholstery and finally you will be adding luxurious accent throw pillows that can be found at any local Marshall, Home Goods or T.J Maxx.
Next
To achieve the look of Shabby chic, your room will also need ample amounts of vintage lace and sweet floral prints. Your window treatment fabrics will also need to carry
feminine, floral fabrics. If you do not own any curvy furniture pieces, you can start with just one or two curvy accent piece, but if you plan on purchasing a whole suite it is wise to build with beautiful and timeless pieces that you can easily find at any consignment shop, antique shops and many times even at goodwill shops. Building on quality creates an excellent foundation that later gives you more flexibility for the growth of the room you are working with. But before you embark in your decorating project, it s important to keep in mind what personality style you want your room or your whole home to exude?
What is your Shabby Chic Style? Are you a:
Romantic?
Casual ?
Dramatic?
Classic?
Casual
To achieve a casual chic look, whether you're hours away from a coastline or steps away from golden sand, you can create a calm, tranquil aesthetic effect in your home through rustic sea inspired accessories that will be exuding comfyness and class. A casual style equals to a very distressed and rustic look than any of the other styles described below. You can achieve this look by adding quilts on your sofa, heavier fabrics on your curtains, needle point accent pillows and accents pieces such as old window panels or old door panels painted in a very distressed style and transformed into shelves or even in benches for the foyer. (check the blog regularly for how to's)
Romantic
To achieve a romantic chic look you need lots of Victorian accent pieces and plenty of lace as well as feminine florals on upholstery and window treatment, lacy fabrics, and floral arrangements throughout your room. Also lots of candle arrangements, and crystal accents throughout as well as Victorian prints and pinkish colors on your walls, bedding and throughout.
Dramatic
To achieve this look you need lots of bold colors mixed with your vintage timeworn pieces. This mix strikes the perfect balance between glamorous and comfortable. Normally people who have this personality style tend to mix black in their decor. They may add black shades to their chandeliers, shiny satin draperies with big, bold curtain rods, deep rich colors in the rugs and black roman prints throughout the home.
Classic
To achieve a classic chic look you need lots of crystal chandeliers and lots of beautiful accents such as flower vases, dishes, picture frames and others. Timeless roman urns and roman art work, along with famous medieval prints brushed in gold, tapestries and big ornate mirror frames.
Dishware/Glassware. Regardless of your shabby chic style, no shabby chic design is complete without stunning dishware, whether it's hung on the wall, displayed in a china cabinet or used as traditional place settings, great pieces of glassware and dishware makes your style come alive. The best way to build your collection is to scout the paper for any estate sales, consignment shops and antique shops in your town and to your surrounding towns.
I hope you enjoyed these tips and I wish much success in starting your Shabby Chic project. Looking like a million does not have to cost a fortune, all of this can be accomplished on a shoe string, but nobody would have to know.
Blessings.
- Cristina -
How can you start building a shabby chic room?
You can start bringing in the soft, feminine look of shabby chic decor by buying a slipcover for your sofa, then by adding curvy chairs and tables that you can pick up at any regular flea market or goodwill, which you then will be changing the upholstery and finally you will be adding luxurious accent throw pillows that can be found at any local Marshall, Home Goods or T.J Maxx.
Next
To achieve the look of Shabby chic, your room will also need ample amounts of vintage lace and sweet floral prints. Your window treatment fabrics will also need to carry
feminine, floral fabrics. If you do not own any curvy furniture pieces, you can start with just one or two curvy accent piece, but if you plan on purchasing a whole suite it is wise to build with beautiful and timeless pieces that you can easily find at any consignment shop, antique shops and many times even at goodwill shops. Building on quality creates an excellent foundation that later gives you more flexibility for the growth of the room you are working with. But before you embark in your decorating project, it s important to keep in mind what personality style you want your room or your whole home to exude?
What is your Shabby Chic Style? Are you a:
Romantic?
Casual ?
Dramatic?
Classic?
Casual
To achieve a casual chic look, whether you're hours away from a coastline or steps away from golden sand, you can create a calm, tranquil aesthetic effect in your home through rustic sea inspired accessories that will be exuding comfyness and class. A casual style equals to a very distressed and rustic look than any of the other styles described below. You can achieve this look by adding quilts on your sofa, heavier fabrics on your curtains, needle point accent pillows and accents pieces such as old window panels or old door panels painted in a very distressed style and transformed into shelves or even in benches for the foyer. (check the blog regularly for how to's)
Romantic
To achieve a romantic chic look you need lots of Victorian accent pieces and plenty of lace as well as feminine florals on upholstery and window treatment, lacy fabrics, and floral arrangements throughout your room. Also lots of candle arrangements, and crystal accents throughout as well as Victorian prints and pinkish colors on your walls, bedding and throughout.
Dramatic
To achieve this look you need lots of bold colors mixed with your vintage timeworn pieces. This mix strikes the perfect balance between glamorous and comfortable. Normally people who have this personality style tend to mix black in their decor. They may add black shades to their chandeliers, shiny satin draperies with big, bold curtain rods, deep rich colors in the rugs and black roman prints throughout the home.
Classic
To achieve a classic chic look you need lots of crystal chandeliers and lots of beautiful accents such as flower vases, dishes, picture frames and others. Timeless roman urns and roman art work, along with famous medieval prints brushed in gold, tapestries and big ornate mirror frames.
Dishware/Glassware. Regardless of your shabby chic style, no shabby chic design is complete without stunning dishware, whether it's hung on the wall, displayed in a china cabinet or used as traditional place settings, great pieces of glassware and dishware makes your style come alive. The best way to build your collection is to scout the paper for any estate sales, consignment shops and antique shops in your town and to your surrounding towns.
I hope you enjoyed these tips and I wish much success in starting your Shabby Chic project. Looking like a million does not have to cost a fortune, all of this can be accomplished on a shoe string, but nobody would have to know.
Blessings.
- Cristina -
