DECORATING FAMILY MEDIA ROOM Questions

Linda asks…

Decorating family media room ideas?

My parents are planning on making over our family media room. Us kids have been asked for our input. Since its our movie/computer/video game room we want it to be a sweet place to hang. We want it kind of modern looking but not too crazy. Please help me find furniture, wall colors, and a color scheme before my siblings speak up and my parents make a final decision.

Sherrie answers:

No worries, I’ve got a great idea that will hopefully inspire all of you to tailor it to your own color preferences, decorating tastes, and available space. There’s a new trend in painting media room/home cinemas called doing a “feature ceiling”. You simply paint your ceiling and then feature the color differently on the walls. A nice color scheme is a light mocha/cream shade on the walls and a chocolate ceiling. This creates a warm and cozy family media room, just right for watching movies. You did not mention how big your family room is, so I am suggesting this as a good option for a large family media room. If your family room is on the small side it, may be a little too overpowering and you may want to opt instead for lighter colors.

Ad for media room lighting, I would suggest some recessed lights on a dimmer switch so you can get the feel of a real cinema but also turned up brighter when you and your siblings are playing video games.

Dark chocolate colored furniture with white decor items like vases and pots would be my suggestion. The white accessories will stand out – looking stylish and impressive.

For wall art, I would recommend bright colors, something a bit retro or vintage that will stand out in the dark room. Dark chocolate frames would also work if you are displaying a collection of family photos.

Hope the above family media room decorating ideas have been helpful.

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CREATIVE CHALKBOARD PAINT and MAGNETIC PAINT IDEAS

The Magic of Magnet and Chalk Paint

By Sue E Krippner

With so many new and innovative paint applications on the market today there is one that stands out significantly from the rest.

You may have seen and enjoyed all the variables on the market, but one you may have over looked is magnetic/chalk paint. It’s fantastically functional and simply, fun!

Magnetic chalkboard paint will turn any wall into a huge fridge magnet for all those notes, coupons, art work etc. You can also use it as a chalk board for those to do lists, fun drawing surface, or space saving teaching aid.

Here’s a few ideas to provide inspiration to get you started and to get an idea of how versatile this paint really is:

Use it in your Kid’s Room:

For the younger ones who may love to draw, you can create a space on the wall for them to express their imagination. Avoid the messy spills and stains of markers and paint on the floor.

The popular plastic letter magnets would work perfectly on these walls giving your children plenty of manipulative space. Create bed time chalk talks, leave surprise messages for them when they get back from school, list daily chores, etc.

Magnetic chalk Paint is Perfect for the Home Office:

Lose the bulky hole making cork boards and expand the story boarding potential with a full size wall of magnet business support. Post daily to do’s without the pins. Create priority lists that are easy to update and manipulate with magnets or a chalkboard eraser.

Give the Refrigerator a Break:

Painting on a small section of wall, on the pantry door or another kitchen space. Notes, to-do’s, the latest school projects, coupons can now be posted without cluttering up the fridge.

Hang Photo’s:

Want to hang photo’s but don’t want to damage the wall? If you paint up to 3 coats you will be able to support framed art work and photo’s.

Design a special wall to mark those significant occasions like birthdays and holidays that can be changed as frequently as you desire.

Paint 2 or 3 Walls in the Teen’s Room Using Magnetic Chalk Paint:

Protect your wall from all those posters. No more sticky tape, oily yellowed stains from poster tack or holes from the constant up and down of pictures. And, when that teen is ready to go off to college, they can be removed easily. No mess with even less fuss.

Paint it on a Kid’s Table:

Go green by limiting paper by creating work space directly on the table rather than over the table.

Apply it to the ceiling:

Love the stars? Use magnetic paint to star gaze and create your own constellations. Surprise your significant other with a morning message above the bed each day. Host a lot of parties? Paint the ceiling with a few coats to support magnets that can hold lights, and other party decorations.

Frankly, the only limit to how you can use this paint is your imagination!

All it takes to apply is the standard roller and brush method. There is no special wall preparation needed and any color can be mixed to contrast or accent your existing walls.

Though a combination product is being suggested here, if you don’t want the magnetic feature but just the chalk talking paint or vise versa – you can buy each product individually.

For a current list of paint suppliers that carry magnetic/chalkboard paint and step-by-step application instructions visit: visit http://www.frugalhomedesign.com/Magnetic-Paint.html. You will also find other frugal money saving interior design ideas, tips and professional secrets to help make your home frugally fabulous!

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BEDROOM DESIGNS & IDEAS FOR KIDS ROOMS

Plan Your Room Redesign Carefully

By Sue E Krippner

When you tire from the look of a bedroom, living room, kitchen, or family room, it’s time for a room redesign. The project can be as extensive as you like or as little as a few changes. With any home interior project, keep the functionality of a room in mind so that the space continues to meet yours and your family’s needs.

Start with a pencil and paper before you begin your room redesign. Critique your space and make a note of everything that you both dislike and like. Establish the purpose for your room and decide whether your new plans will change this. You must have a clear image in mind to be able to plan towards your goal.

A room redesign should follow a three-step process. To begin with get rid of all the clutter, before being creative and settling on your new style. You can look online for ideas if you are stuck when it comes to deciding upon a style. The third step involves the use of various tools to help you, including artwork, accents, plants and accessories, to help you finish off your look.

Do not think that a room redesign project has to cost a lot of money. The task can be simple, need the involving the replacement of some accessories, introducing some family heirlooms, or simply displaying some items that you have not used previously because they did not fit a decor. Accessorizing is a cheap and easy way to find a new look.

Begin with a focal point in your room and consider rearranging your furniture from there. This is often a great place to commence a room redesign project, but bear in mind the room’s traffic pattern before starting.

Changing a rooms color scheme is a common room redesign technique. Decide on a color scheme and whether you want to paint or wallpaper the walls. Try to choose colors that match what is currently in the room so theres no need to buy all new furnishings.

Artwork can come to your aid when you are considering your next room redesign project. If you change what is hanging on your wall, you will remake the look of a room quite simply. You can opt for posters or prints, and do not have to purchase costly original art. As another alternative you might like to display your child’s artwork or photographs from an event which means a lot to you. Other easy refresh ideas include the placement of sculptures on shelves or coffee tables or ceramics.

If planning a major room redesign, you can rely on 3D software to help you plan out your design based on the rooms configuration. Software design tools allow you to select choices and see what the room will look like when done. Its a great way to organize your thoughts and see the finished project before you even get started.

Sue Krippner is a Freelance Artist, Home Staging and Redesign Professional. She is attracted to “all things beautiful, especially as it relates to interior decorating and design.

Visit http://frugalhomedesign.com to see samples of her art and find plenty of professional design, tips hints and secrets to help facilitate your personal interior design goals with money saving frugal flair! Sue has a lot more information about room redesign here.

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PHOTO FRAMES & HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT ONE

The Easy Way to Choose the Right Frame For a Photo

By Sue E Krippner

When choosing the right frame for a photo, there are 2 general things you must consider: the photo that will be going into the frame and where the frame will eventually be located.

The first cue you will take from the photo when choosing a frame is the size of the photo. Make sure you measure the photo and choose an appropriate size frame. Nothing is more unfortunate than choosing the “perfect” frame only to find that it is too small for your photo.

If you want to matte the photo, you will need to decide on a larger frame and how much of the matte you will need to best highlight the photo. You also need to consider the content of the photo you are framing. Is it a family photo? A photo of friends? A recent vacation? Choose a frame which complements the content of the photograph. If it is a silly picture of a group of friends, you may want to choose a whimsical frame. If it happens to be a photo of your beach vacation, you may opt for a frame with a tropical theme.

Avoid the common mistake of choosing a frame that distracts from the photo. The frames purpose is to compliment the featured photo. A frame that is too loud or busy will be distracting. To reiterate: Watch the size of the frame to photo. You want to enhance the photo not bury it in a fancy frame.

Second, you must take into account where the photo will be placed once it has been framed. Most broadly, you should ask yourself whether the framed photo is for yourself or whether you will be giving it as a gift. If the photo is a gift, you should choose a frame which suits the other person’s tastes, which may differ from your own. If you are choosing a frame for yourself, ask yourself where you are likely to hang or place the photo.

Check to see that the frame you have chosen can be used as both a freestanding frame and a standalone frame. A more versatile frame can be used in more locations. If you plan to place the framed photo near other photos, you should choose a frame which complements nearby frames. You certainly don’t have to choose an identical frame, but it is best to choose a frame which is similar to the others in size, color, texture, or pattern.

Once you have decided on the frame and installed the photo, now it’s time to find that perfect location to display your precious memory. It is better to place your photo’s in a grouping where they will draw more attention.

Frugal Home Design has been created to help the “frustrated interior decorator in each of us”. Affordable, fun information combined with your implementation will create the home you have always wanted.

If you are confused about your personal design style visit http://frugalhomedesign.com/profile-miracle.html. Discover the power of style today.

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PAINT COLORS AND TYPES

Amazing Paint

By Sue E Krippner

Paint! Did you know there is over 20 different variations of paint which are all designed to create different results? Thanks to impressive paint technology, you can now just about paint anything to add decorative color and amazing effects to any aspect of your home. Both inside and out.

With the right paint combination’s you can:

Make wood look like Marble. Transform Boring Walls Into Accent Attractions. Make a Room Appear Larger or Smaller. Create the Look of Fabric on Flat Surfaces. Turn Cheap Plastic into Impressive Faux Terra Cotta Pieces. Turn New into Antiques. Change the Old Into New. And…the list goes on and on.

So, to tickle your creative fancy here’s the list of the most popular types of paint that are tried and true favorites.

Chalkboard Paint: This is a cool paint that will make any flat surface a chalkboard. No longer are you limited to black, you can add or order various dark colors that will work just as well. For smaller projects you can buy a spray can. Brush on gallons are available for larger applications.

Crackle Paint: This is a 2-step paint package that will give any piece (new or old) an antiqued look. It works well on walls, columns, paintings and wood furniture.

Frosted-Glass Paint: This paint application on glass a will create a semi-transparent, frosted look. Perfect for windows when you need privacy but don’t want curtains.

Pearlescent Paint: Gives any surface a shimmery, pearlized appearance.

Magnetic Paint: Apply a layer of this paint before applying chalkboard paint and you have unlimited creative expression options.

Leather Look Paint – These come in multi-step roll or spray on kits to give a wall, furniture piece or lamp shade a nice suede leather look.

Metallic Paint: This comes in sprays and can give plastic, wood, plaster etc. a fantastic metal finish. Works great on picture frames.

Mirror Paint: Any piece of glass can become a mirror. It’s always applied to the back, or bottom of the glass and comes with a sealer to protect the finish. Try it on a glass table or large vase.

Self Blending Paint: Irritated by the lines that your roller or brush creates? This paint is designed to blend together to guarantee a smooth finish. Perfect for kitchen cabinets.

Fabric Paint: This is an amazing medium. Easy to apply to most fabrics, but it is especially good for blankets and sisal rugs. There will often be sealing instructions for color protection, such as heat setting.

Paint Pens: Great idea for detailed work or tight spaces. It’s paint so it has the longevity of a painted project but is applied like a marker.

Glow in the Dark Paint: Perfect for the kid’s room. Use it on the ceiling, head board or even the wood floor to inspire adventures when the lights go out.

Denim Paint: This kit gives any surface the look of denim. There are also kits to create the appearance of linen and canvas.

Plastic Spray Paint: Need strong water proof paint for the out door furniture. This stuff is perfect and comes in a wide variety of colors.

The potential of these paint applications are unlimited. Some also require a specific type roller or brush to aid in the desired effect so be sure to read the paint packaging before leaving the home improvement center.

For tons of money saving, frugally fabulous professional design tips and secrets – visit: Frugal Home Design which has been created to help the “frustrated interior decorator in each of us”. Affordably fun information combined with your implementation will create the home you have always wanted. Start Here Now!

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WALL STENCILS FOR KIDS ROOMS

Wall Stencils

By Sue E Krippner

Walls stencils are a simple yet fantastically frugal way to create a new look in your home.

Though buying a stencil from the store may appear to be the easiest way to get started, the search to find what you want can become a frustrating exercise in futility.

The better and most often more affordable way is to create your own wall stencil. Ensuring a uniquely you design result.

The frugal way is to realize that almost any image, from a book, a swatch of fabric or even a piece of porcelain can provide the simple outline that is perfect for your stencil.

Visit your local library and browse around the books that contain the theme or design ideas you may be looking for. If it is period art, check out symbols from history books, encyclopedias etc. For a kids wall, a comic book could be a frugal find. Whatever you do, don’t limit your search to “stencil” books.

The internet is also a fantastic resource. Sites featuring tattoo outlines may be the perfect stop. Or, a scrap booking web site may be just what you need.

Once you have found just the right image for your wall stencil, trace the pattern with tracing paper or photo copy it. Enlarge or decrease its size with a copier, then transfer your finished copy to acetate film or stencil paper. Both of which can be found at local art or home decorating arts and crafts supplies stores.

Next, cut around the image with a craft knife. Determine where you may need to keep sections together by leaving a small strip or “bridge” to keep pieces from falling apart.

Spray the back of your finished cut out with a manipulative spray adhesive. This will allow the wall stencil to stick in place while you focus on the painting. This blocks the paint from bleeding behind the stencil. No fuzzy images here! Adhesive glue is designed to stick without leaving a residual glue on the wall. Keep paint and oils from the back and it can be repositioned again and again.

Some simple wall stencil applications:

Try a wide stencil in the place of a base board, or stencil right onto the existing baseboard. Use variations of one color. Create different shades by adding a bit of the color’s compliment (opposite color on the color wheel). Or, make it lighter by adding a bit of white. This will add bit more visual interest. Create a motif: Attach your stencil and brush on the first color. Remove the stencil and allow the paint on the wall to dry completely.

Place the stencil back onto the dry wall print but then shift it slightly to the left or right and stencil, press so it sticks to the wall again and stencil again with a off-white paint. Remove the stencil and notice how it gives your work a more 3 dimensional look.

Stencil around the mouth of a fireplace opening or a window. Tie in a fabric print, a wall paper theme or create a period look by finding a period painting that inspires a stencil pattern.

Use one large stencil in a repetitious pattern across the entire wall to create the look of wallpaper. Though a time consuming task it is not difficult. Use a plumb line (weight tied to a piece of string and hung from the ceiling) to keep your pattern straight.

Or, apply a wall faux effect before adding your wall stencil.

For more helpful design inspiration ideas for every room in your home visit Frugal Home Design. You will find web pages of professional money saving tips and secrets to facilitate your design goals without having to spend a lot of money.

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BEDROOM DECORATING IDEAS

Bedroom Decorating Ideas For Children

By Sue E Krippner

Reflect for a moment back to your childhood. Did you love your bedroom, or was it a parent’s version of their bedroom decorating ideas. If you loved the room you grew up in, there is a strong likelihood that you were a participant in the bedroom decorating planning process at some level.

This continues to be the best way to create the space in a home where a child can develop their own personality. Involving the kids in the bedroom decorating department goes way beyond just giving them a bit of personal indulgence, it also…

Encourages discussion between parent and child.
Gives them a sense of “ownership” which just might help motivate them to keep things a bit neater.
Opens the door to a “teachable moment”. Your child can begin to learn about budgeting, decision making, cooperation and the steps it takes to complete a long term goal.
Gives a teenager permission to develop their own bedroom decorating ideas, that could open up doors of better communication.

So, how do we get our kids to open up to expressing their bedroom decorating ideas?

Well, for little ones, an excellent way is to first, provide a brand new box of crayons and fresh clean paper. Tell them to create their favorite space on paper.

Explain that you want them to draw their “dream room”, including everything they would want in it no matter how crazy or fantastical it may seem.

For the older kids you will need to take a different approach.

This age group will have no shortage of ideas once you get them to open up a bit.

The goal with them may be to just to keep things focused. To do that, how about a creating a short questionnaire. With questions written in personal format that may include:

What would you like to change in your room right now?
What do you like about your room? What do you not like?
What are your favorite colors?
What would your perfect environment look like if you had no limitations?

A twist on this to get a resistant teen to participate in exposing their bedroom decorating ideas is to have both you and your child fill out the questions. When finished, compare notes to see just how well you know your son or daughter. This will definitely open the door to some sort of interaction!

Once you have discovered what your child’s ideal bedroom decorating ideas are, be prepared to take things to the next step.

What can you realistically implement considering, time, budget, and room size. What can be traded, sold or reworked to fit into this new look. How willing are you to allow them to paint walls or introduce some crazy decor (especially with teens).

Your budget may not allow for all the ideas suggested, in that case. You can work together to…

Create a wish list – with the commitment of buying things as they have been budgeted.

Decide together to determine what are the best choices out of the many. It could just be a simple paint job, moving furniture, or a window treatment change that would be satisfactory.

What ever your determining factors are – A room “just for me” is a room designed to encourage, inspire, provide safety and certainly feelings of love and acceptance.

If you don’t like the results…well, you can always close the door!

Visit [http://frugalhomedesign.com/FrugalHomeDesignForKids.html] to get more specific room decorating ideas for kids.

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WALL PAPER BORDERS

5 Frugal Ways to Use Wall Paper Borders

By Sue E Krippner

Lately, wall paper borders have become an indispensable decorating tool. They are smart and sophisticated, fun and affordable. Borders are perfect for pulling in all the various aspects of the room to give it a finished look.

In the past, wall paper borders were most often seen in a simple ceiling finishing line or a middle of the wall, chair rail type accent. Today, with the ever growing choice of size, color, texture, shape and sophisticated design elements, anyone can create star studded room finishes.

And, with many wall paper borders now having self adhesive properties; needing to simply peel off a backing strip or adding water to release the adhesive, will make your project easier than ever.

Choose one or more of these 5 frugal home wall paper border ideas to produce a one of a kind design scheme that you will be proud of.

Frame ‘Em – Draw attention to a door, wall or window frame by applying a border. By doing this you are creating a focal point that highlights the unique features of the window, creates an inviting entry into the next room and provides an attractive wall statement.

A dormer window is a perfect example. By using a matching window treatment trim, curtain or blind with the border will provide a fantastic decorative touch.

Other applications could include a wall paper border head board, framing a valuable art piece, mirror or chalk painted wall.

Stack ‘Em – Mix and match 2 or 3 different wall paper borders when framing out a wall, window or door. Place the chosen borders edge to edge (butting them together), or leave a small even space between the 2 allowing the wall color to create another band of color around your wall application.

Cut ‘Em – Don’t feel limited to the manufacturers presentation of the border. In most cases, edges that have been cut away or custom trimmed out of the straight edged packaging of the original border will serve your wall design better.

By cutting away one side of the border to the design highlights the intricacies of the pattern and it will merge into the wall better.

Though you can have this paper custom cut out, the frugal way is to find a nice pair of sharp scissors or craft knife and do it yourself. If you are planning to trim borders, keep to the simple designs: Zigzags, scalloped garlands, leaves and bold flowers. Trim the top or bottom or both. Maybe that trim work will look better blending the ceiling to the wall with the cut edge at the top.

Don’t limit yourself to the predictable applications, be creative – experiment.

Hang ‘Em – Most people are used to seeing borders hanging horizontally. Try a vertical application. Hang border strips down the wall to break up the monotony of a painted or wall papered large surface.

You will need to use a plumb line to ensure your lines are straight.

Create ‘Em - A paper border is not your only option! Though there is a seemingly infinite amount of wall paper borders to choose from, you can make your own from larger sheets of wall paper, home decor’ fabric, fringe or ribbon.

Pull in the re-covered chair with a matching border using the same fabric. Accent those window treatments with a framed wall using some portion of the curtains print.

These 5 frugal home wall paper border ideas can bring in novel and decorative room finishing into any living space.

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GIRLS BEDROOMS – COLORS

NAUTICAL BEDROOM

Follow @KidsDecor

DECORATING FAMILY MEDIA ROOM Questions

Decorating family media room ideas?

Sherrie answers:

Related Posts:

CREATIVE CHALKBOARD PAINT and MAGNETIC PAINT IDEAS

The Magic of Magnet and Chalk Paint

Related Posts:

BEDROOM DESIGNS & IDEAS FOR KIDS ROOMS

Plan Your Room Redesign Carefully

Related Posts:

PHOTO FRAMES & HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT ONE

The Easy Way to Choose the Right Frame For a Photo

Related Posts:

PAINT COLORS AND TYPES

Amazing Paint

Related Posts:

WALL STENCILS FOR KIDS ROOMS

Wall Stencils

Related Posts:

BEDROOM DECORATING IDEAS

Bedroom Decorating Ideas For Children

Related Posts:

WALL PAPER BORDERS

5 Frugal Ways to Use Wall Paper Borders

Related Posts:

GIRLS BEDROOMS – COLORS

Colors Bedroom

Related Posts:

NAUTICAL BEDROOM

Nautical Bedroom

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