Not only will your home look overstaged but you can’t possibly decorate the whole thing and get through your other holiday activities. Here are a few tips to lighten the workload.

• Decorate only the common areas that will be frequented by friends and family.
• We shouldn’t have to say this, but here goes. If the Christmas tree is against a wall, do not decorate the part that is not seen by visitors.
• Add a holiday bow to a plain evergreen wreath. You can get very nice pre-made bows at any store that sells holiday decorations. Place it on front door and put poinsettias in the foyer.
• Add holiday trim to everyday decorations that are already in place.
• For an elegant but easy-to-do centerpiece, fill a crystal/glass bowl with water, add fresh cranberries, holly and floating candles.
• Stage holiday scented candles throughout the house. They will make the house warm and cozy.
• For outside decorations, take plain white lights and extend them around the railings. Buy a roll of festive ribbon and matching bows. Use the ribbon to secure the lights to the railing by wrapping it around. Attach the bows to the end of the railings.

Remember, this is a season to be thankful and to rejoice. Enjoy!

Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles, is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The company’s creed is to provide its clients with the ultimate life management experience. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net.

© 2005 Indra A Books for ON THE GO 4 U

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While there is great value in installing custom-made interior wood window shutters, sometimes they are still too expensive for certain applications. Some alternatives - including poly or vinyl shutters - are less expensive but also much less attractive. For a high-quality solution at a lower cost, look for a company that sells individual solid wood shutter panels that can be installed in any configuration.

When shopping for individual shutter panels, there are a few considerations to keep in mind. The most important factor is the material used to make the interior shutter panels. Basswood has the best characteristics for window shutters because it is a very straight hard wood with little distortion. Basswood also has a fine, uniform texture and indistinct grain, which make it superior for staining or painting. You should also look for a company that can make a large number of panel sizes so you can receive the best final fit for your window.

How To Determine Individual Panel Sizes to Order

It is best to determine how you will mount your shutters before ordering the shutter panels. Sometimes it is necessary to use hanging strips to attach shutters to the outside of the window opening. A reputable company will provide information about different installation methods so you can determine how best to install on a specific window.

Width:
Measure the width of the area you want the shutters to cover (NOT including any trim strips).

1. Divide this width by the number of panels you want across the window. This will give you the approximate width of each panel. Round this measurement up to the nearest 1/4 inch.

Example:
Width = 36-7/16″
Divide by 4 and round up to nearest 1/4″
Order (4) shutter panels 9-1/4″ wide

Height:
Up to 1″ may be trimmed off the top and the bottom of each individual panel (a total of 2″ per panel).

1. For a two tier unit (panels across the top and bottom), combine individual panel heights as required.

Finishing
A high-quality wood shutter panel can be painted or stained to a beautiful finish. Even if the shutters arrive and seem fairly smooth, a light sanding is advised before beginning the finishing process. After sanding and brushing off any dust, primer and paint can be applied. Often a more smooth finish is achieved by spraying the primer and paint, although the use of a high-quality brush can also result in a nice finish. When staining, follow the instructions given by the stain manufacturer. The stain manufacturer may recommend applying a wood conditioner before staining in order to ensure even stain color penetration.

Once your shutters are finished and installed, you will have a high-quality product that will increase the value of your home at a fraction of the cost of custom-made shutters.

ShutterLand Interior Shutters provides solid wood interior window shutters sold as individual shutter panels. Interior window shutters come unfinished, ready to paint or stain. Plantation and traditional style shutters are manufactured direct in hundreds of sizes, sold at a discount, and shipped quickly nationwide.

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Beaded Curtains and door beads are very cool in certain situations. They seem to be used most by college students in their dorm rooms and those with an eclectic sense of style, especially those looking for a more retro decor.


They were commonly used in the 60’s and 70’s and still have a strong following today, mostly because of a rise in the popularity of feng-shui decorating. Beaded curtains can be a wide variety of styles and colors. They can come in wood, plastic and bamboo as well as a few other styles. You can even have patterns and images appear with the beading. A lot of people find that making their own beaded curtains is relaxing and fun, some even turn it into a money making business instead of just a hobby. Making your own can be time consuming but you’ll also have exactly what you want; assuming you know what you’re doing.


Beaded curtains are often used in areas where a full door isn’t really necessary but you still want to emphasize a distinctive line between the two rooms. In many movies you’ll see them used as bedroom, bathroom and closet doors. You can also use them over windows, and if done correctly it can scatter beautiful colors across your room.


If you’re looking for a unique creative touch in your home, you can pick up the basic materials necessary for beaded curtains in most craft stores. Give it a try and see what you’re capable of.


Here is a breakdown of the most common types.


Bamboo - one of the most popular materials because its very lightweight. They also add an audible dimension with the swishing sound they produce. They can be colored easily and are often used to create designs within the curtains.


Acrylic - these beads are transparent molded colored plastic that are used to make an unlimited variety of shapes. The variety provides an unlimited range of themes for your curtain style.


Wooden - these beads are also very popular in curtain construction. They are tougher than bamboo and can also be manipulated in all the standard ways; natural, painted, stained, and carved.


PVC - these curtains provide less privacy due to having fewer strands. They are typically hollow shapes.


Glass - more expensive than many other types but being true glass they also add the dimension of sound in addition to visual beauty. Be warned they are more fragile so walking through these curtains often can damage them. They are best when used in low traffic locations and not touched often. Due to their reflective nature they provide the best opportunity for scattering light across a room.

You can learn more about the construction and care of beaded curtains on the Curtains Review site. This is the companion site to wicker furniture review.

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