If you are into the Western decorating theme, you can have a lot of fun using it to decorate your kitchen. In fact, you can take one element of the theme and go crazy with it. For instance, one Western decorating idea is to focus on a Western object like some cowboy boots or a cowboy hat. You can even combine elements and use both of them as your central decorating theme.

You can find all types of decor in the Western decorating theme. Try looking for cookie jars or other ceramics that you can sit out on your counter for an interesting effect. Also look for western themed curtains and light switch covers. One fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon is to scour the local antique shops for Western themed decor. You’ll be surprised at the interesting items you can find! You can use browns, red, navy, or cream to pull in the Americana theme to the mix as well.

One great way to pull off the theme is to also look for accents made of unfinished wood. You can often find tables and chairs that actually look like they were made with unfinished logs. These are perfect for a Western decorated kitchen. In addition, you can use photo frames that look unfinished and put pictures of your family or of western mountains and hills in them. You can also find many items made from tree branches or logs as well as items made from deer antlers and items covered in cow hide (either faux or real!)

Another great thing to use is copper or black iron accents. You can get away with either of these. If you have a pot hanger over your kitchen island, you should try mixing both copper pieces and cast iron pieces. In addition, you can even use cast iron skillets or pans as wall decor and hang them accordingly. And don’t forget pot holders, tablecloths and dish towels made with Western theme fabrics.

Try your own Western decorating ideas in your kitchen to see exactly what works for you and what doesn’t. The Western theme is perfect if you love to constantly feel like you are the “Wild West” or in a log cabin. It can look great in any home if you are consistent with the decor. Using Western style accents on the counters, window treatments, floors and walls will help pull the look together and make you feel like you are rustling up grub for your cowhands on a Western ranch even if you are living in a modern city home!

Lee Dobbins writes for www.a-kitchen-decorating-idea.com where you can get more ideas for decorating your kitchen.

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Make your teenagers happy with the look of their bedrooms - allow them to
decorate it themselves. Give your kids a sense of autonomy and watch them take
on responsibility - it may pleasantly surprise you. Here are some suggestions
that can change the look of a room with relatively little expense.
Painting a bedroom is an excellent way to change its entire appearance with
minimal cost. Add interest by using deeper and stronger colors rather than
neutral ones. Try painting the ceiling for a change. Stencils, rag-rolling and
sponge painting add texture. Ask your local paint shop about different
techniques.

Consider blackboard paint for a section of the wall - or all the way around the
room. This allows them to express their creativity (or do their homework) -
especially if your teenager enjoys drawing. If you have the time or inclination,
or if your teen is particularly good at painting, a mural might be something to
consider. A logo of a favorite sports team can take up an entire wall (go
Canucks!).

Some teenagers are pack-rats and accumulate a mountain of assorted treasures.
They may not have enough room in their closets for all their stuff, so it ends
up under the bed and all over the floor.

Shelves are one solution - and they don’t have to be expensive wooden ones
either. Get creative and think of different types of crates and cement bricks
that you can spray paint in neat patterns - just put a wooden board across the
top.

For teenage girls, fabric hung from the corner of the ceiling in loops can make
the room look classy. If it is secured well, it can also be used as a place for
arranging stuffed animals. Find colorful scarves at local thrift shops, or
perhaps stored in the attic.

For teenage boys, t-shirts that remind them of soccer teams or Disneyland can be
hung on the wall. A plain t-shirt signed by all of his friends will add a
personal touch. Add a group photo next to the shirt to attach names to faces.

Pillows can be made cheaply. Use them as decorations on the bed or for friends
to sit on. Sew your own pillows by cutting out logos from old shirts and sewing
them together, using an old sheet as a backing. Stuff the pillow full of cotton
and stitch it up. If you don’t have old shirts, buy end of stock cloth at any
fabric store.

No teenage bedroom is complete without posters of the newest band, favorite
sports team, or hot actor. Framed pictures of friends look nice if arranged in
an original way. Opened Oriental fans attached to the wall at different angles
add character.

Have your teenager’s favorite quotes, funny sayings, or pleasant reminders
plastered on their wall. Cut out comic strips and tack to the walls - this may
keep visitors in the room longer than your teen wants them there. But they say
laughter is the best medicine - so it can make your teen’s room a healthy place
to be!

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Above all else, the furniture in the living-room should make it livable. It should be grouped so that it offers centers of interest, convenience and comfort. Look for upholstered seating with homespun-type fabric, or toss a pieced quilt over plain fabric or leather. An old rocker is a great addition.

By the time you are ready to choose the furniture for the living room, the walls and floor coverings should be in place so that the choice of furniture will be merely the selection of the best out of several possibilities. Of course, the quality, shape and color of furniture varies, and the quantity will as well.

Can one imagine a more livable living-room than one with a large, soft sofa in front of a fireplace, behind it a long table filled with books, while holding a lamp at either end. Or else, at the end of the sofa, a small table for the reading lamp and on either side a pair of comfortable chairs?

The main essentials are a comfortable sofa, a table large enough to hold books, magazines and lamps, and at least two comfortable, upholstered chairs and a smaller table.

While at the other end or side of the room, a pair of book-cases, cabinets or a credence. These balance the fireplace, since they are placed against the wall and have a corresponding shelf, cornice or mantel line.

In developing the original simple formula there may be added a chaise, a good-size table, another large chair, and another small table

Remember that it is always better to leave a space empty than to have it occupied by a badly placed piece of furniture. Good furniture needs space to be seen to its advantage.

If there is a large array of furniture in the living-room, keep the carpet, and furniture upholstery all to one tone.

Mantel accessories may be applied to the other shelves and the tables in the room. Keep them free from dust-collecting, trivial things, while creating a sense of order and cleanliness.

Balance is maintained by using objects in pairs a pair of vases, candlesticks, bowls, or jars. Placed at either end of the mantel, they should be higher than the intervening objects, to form a sweeping curve. Also they help to frame in the over-mantel picture or mirror.

In fitting furniture to its architectural background there are 3 things to consider

contour and proportion
design and decorative detail
color of wood.

The first two points are obviously necessary; it is in the last that the furnishing of many rooms fails. Oak and mahogany do not mix amicably; one does not set off the other because there is not sufficient contrast, nor are they closely enough allied to harmonize. On the other hand, black ebony and yellowish burr walnut, such as is used in inlaying seaweed pattern in oak, are examples of harmony gained.

Lisa French

Use of article requires an active link to http://www.decorating-country-home.com

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