Louis Shanks Furniture Articles
Equipal Furniture: The Key to Southwest Mexican Rustic Home DecorEquipal furniture is the key to southwest Mexican rustic home decor. But what exactly is Equipal furniture? Literally, Equipal means chair for the gods in an ancient native language. Before the Spanish landed in Mexico, upper class Aztec homes featured Equipal furniture, which combines wood and pigskin leather. This type of handcrafted furniture is now popular in Mexican homes and restaurants, and is becoming increasingly popular in homes in the United States. Each piece of Equipal furniture is unique, comfortable, and durable. Talavera and Black Pottery Equipal furniture sets the scene for decorative pottery for the southwest Mexican rustic home decor. Hand painted Talavera pottery combines Spanish design with far eastern inspirations. Only a handful of Mexican artisans still practice the craft that was brought to the New World by European craftsmen. The colorful natural designs use vibrant earth tones to depict flowers, animals, and fertility symbols as well as modern themes and exquisite new styles. The tradition of Talavera pottery is used to craft candlestick figurines, pitchers, lidded containers, vases, and decorative statuary. Black pottery comes from a more modern technique. A handsome burnished patina is the result of an exhaustive process of molding, decorating, drying, and baking handcrafted clay pieces. Tin Mirrors and Light Covers No Mexican decor is complete without a tin mirror for the hall, bedroom, or living room. Some of these unique, handmade mirrors have punched tin frames, while others are framed in colorful tiles made from Talavera or other pottery. Themed metal mirrors bring Mexican motifs into the home decor. Wolves, buffalos, cactus, and mule deer are delightful reminders of the Mexican natural world. Punched tin sconce light covers and candleholders allow light to shine through the holes in the tin, creating a warm and interesting ambiance. Sconce covers made from clay and Talavera tile give similar effects. Mexican Glassware The tradition of hand blown glass in Mexico dates back to the 16th century, when Spanish artisans brought their craft to the New World. Many of the traditional designs, such as the margarita blue rim drinking glasses, have colored rims on clear glass. Pitchers and flower vases made in this style are beautifully shaped with colored lips and handles. The bubble glass style results in unique pieces of glassware. Hand blown vases, bowls, and glassware combine traditional artistry with contemporary designs and colors. Unique Decorative Pieces Replicas of pre-Columbian pottery reflect the community life of these early times. Dancing dogs, clay masks, circle of friends pottery, animal statuary, and healing power circles are unique one-of-a-kind pieces created by skilled artisans trained in the ancient methods of pottery-making. Complete Mexican Home Decor Paint your walls a rich earth tone and cover your floors with hand woven rugs. Furnish with Equipal chairs, tables, and couches. Now add Mexican glassware, Talavera pottery, traditional statuary, tin and tile mirrors, and clay sconce covers. Turn on the Mexican ska music, serve up the salsa and cervesa, and dress in bright colors. That's all you need for a complete southwest Mexican rustic home decor. Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the world's MOST POPULAR website advertising companies on the web. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chris_Robertson |
Looking for an Area Rug Or Oriental Rug? These Tips Could Help YouWe all know how difficult it is for consumers to select an area rug for their home. This is not a purchasing decision they make every day, and therefore do not feel comfortable with it. Not having any knowledge as to the specific characteristics of a high vs. poor quality, as well as the required care and maintenance for these works of art, they often postpone their decisions or even abandon it altogether. If you find yourself in a similar situation, here are some tips that may help you make a decision: 1- Decide on the right size and color combination as the first step in this process. With so many beautiful floor coverings of hardwood, tile, laminate, and so many others out there, you may want to use an area rug as a centerpiece rather than coverage for the whole floor. There is no set of rules indicating that some certain percentage of the floor must always be covered by a rug. Keep in mind that the measurement of a rug, sometimes displayed on a price tag, normally does not include the fringe. So add a few inches from either side if you are trying to picture a certain size on your floor. As for the pattern and color combination, choose what you like. You will be living with your rug for a long time, so be patient when selecting the one that best meets your taste. 2- A handmade Rug made of natural wool is definitely more desirable compared to one made by machines and often using synthetic fibers in the pile. It has been proven that these fibers can be harmful to people exposed to them. You may have to increase your budget for such a rug, but look at it as an investment of a life-time, and not as gambling. Natural wool of Persian and Oriental rugs is a much better choice compared to artificial fibers of machine-made rugs. Why go with cheap imitations when the original is readily available? 3- If you happen to be travelling abroad and decide to buy yourself an area rug, make sure the merchant provides you with the proper documents, stating the USD value for the rug clearly as getting your rug through the customs can prove to be difficult and take a lot of time. Of course it all depends on the declared value by you. If buying locally, make sure you learn about the dealer's return policy. An area rug can look very different once you get it on your floor in your own environment. Make sure you have the option of returning the rug if it did not work for you or for any other reason. 4- The number of knots per square inch (KPSI) is definitely a factor in deciding the value of any handmade rug. But what is it worth to you if you get the highest KPSI in a rug on your floor, but you still cannot make yourself like it? Try not to pay too much attention to KPSI. Concentrate instead on the proper size and color combination best for your space. 5- The Use of padding underneath your rug is a good idea as it will keep it in place, preventing unwanted movement and wrinkles and, as a result, protecting your rug. However, a more important protective measure would be to keep your rug as clean as possible. Dust particles act as sharp razors once they get into the body of your rug, cutting the fibers of the pile as you step on it. Vacuum clean your rug as often as you wish, at least once a week. It will not harm your rug, only be careful not to get the fringe stuck in the cleaner as it can damage the rug. Have your rug washed professionally every few years. Do not attempt to wash it at home. Hans is the owner of Rug Firm, a direct importer of finest hand knotted Persian and Oriental rugs located in southern California. Rug Firm is dedicated to providing its customers with high quality rugs at reasonable prices that will add value and beauty to their home for many years to come. Free shipping and money back guarantee at Rug Firm, where quality and investment meet. Professional wash and repair services available. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hans_Saghaei Headboards Can Be A Mirror Of Your PersonalityEveryone has a stylistic preference, especially in terms of his or her own home d—or and particularly in the bedroom. One of the best ways to get this point across is to choose the right style from among the many headboards on the market. However, you may not be familiar with the various styles of headboards available today and what they say about you. Wooden headboards are available for those who enjoy everything from an Edwardian extravagance to a minimalist rustic design. Wood can be carved into an intricate design or can provide a basic, flat backboard for your bed, creating an empty canvas from which to begin a surrounding design. Large headboards carved from wood tend to show your penchant for being in the spotlight, stealing attention from other aspects of your design. Choosing a smaller piece shows your need to have all the elements in your bedroom work together to create a complete picture.
Iron headboards are a typical choice for those who tend to change their minds often, since the wrought iron background is so diverse, and the d—or surrounding the material can be changed as frequently to the widest variety of styles as you desire. If you feel like decorating the area with red and black Feng Shui design this month and in basic white cottage style next month, headboards of wrought iron are the perfect background from which to begin. An iron sleigh bed, with its intricate design and specific look, speak to your classic taste and the need to feel cozy and "at home" in your bed. These beds, including the material, also show a preference for the outdoors due to the resemblance to an actual sleigh. Of course, because sleigh rides are equated with romantic evenings, this choice of headboards can also show you up as a romantic at heart! Again, though, the choice of iron as a material shows your need for diversity and simplicity.
If you choose to redesign your bedroom with a choice of one of the popular modern platform beds available today, you are showing you either don't really care much for detailed design or you prefer a true minimalistic design behind any additional d—or or accessories you use to express your style. With these headboards, there is little intricate carving, metalworking, or design, and they are typically quite plain, allowing you to build around them. One other choice you may consider in choosing your personal style is the purchase of leather headboards. While these are not necessarily intricate in terms of weaving or carving, they do speak to a sense of sophistication and desire to add a stately and expensive appearance to the room. Regardless of your choice, the style of headboards you choose will easily tell people who you are and give them insight to your taste.
Ben Weissman writes articles about using Metal Beds, Headboards and other Contemporary Bedroom Furniture to Decorate Your Home. You'll find more Interior Design Ideas at http://www.Home-and-Bedroom.com . Make your bedroom into a personal retreat! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ben_Weissman |
What Is A Retro Fit Jukebox (Furniture)?Wooden `Juke boxes` have been in prevalence for many decades and the durability purpose of this box has always been stupendous as light weight and easy to handle `Jukeboxes` all around the world got famous for soft music play. The era of fifties and sixties was a nostalgic era. The incessant flow of music without having to change the thick music sheets have made `Jukeboxes` the must have for every home therefore the different categories of jukeboxes also came into limelight in which 'Wooden Jukebox' assembly got extremely famous overtime. As wood was cheap and would provide long lasting efficiency therefore the authentic collectables of music and albums were kept safe from dust and easy-to-get-destroyed circumstances inside home. `Wooden Jukebox cabinets` always came with an absolute replacement guarantee to change the concerned part whenever necessary.
A wooden Jukebox consists of different categories according to their function criteria for ex: front loading CD player recording shelf; Am/fm radio; 3 to 5 recorder player (additional); side mounted cassette player and recorder; A digital English watch; Dynamic stereo speakers with treble and woofer attachment; Multi cassette speed capability recorder; Distortion free Stylus needles to play simultaneous songs with non-scratching player surface; Portable turntable Jukebox briefcase style it comes along in with (Brown and tweed) travel wear match; large Veneer waist-height turntable jukebox console for game room or family room which can be operated nearly by any person concerned; This turntable comes along with a finish of cherry and oak wood furnishing consoles or music cabinets; Electrically assisted music tuner; Percolating Bubble Tubes; Authentic neon lighting; Full function remote control with hidden storage cabinets; Wooden headphone output; 12 - Volt Jack For Use In Camper, Car, or Boat (adapter not included), etc.
`Music box` in other hand is a replica of understanding a `Jukebox` console as they are also available in pearl finish wooden musical cabinets. They are simple boxes with direct openings of the music case just like a musical instrument "Harmonium". Certain attractive home `Musical box` were used to house jewelry and smaller keepsake items as well with additional shelves included with the box. A replica of red London telephone booth styled CD case is in the trend with more and more purchasing habits relates to it. It is a huge one-piece wooden furniture cabinet with 6 to 8 CD shelves to house more than 200 CD's at a time. A wooden cased `Retro Telephone assembly` is the class series of instruments and receivers. ©2007 Homelement.com
If you are interested in knowing more about Home Furniture and/or looking to purchase bedroom furniture and bedroom collection, than do check our website to know more about them as well as our highly discounted prices. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Charlie_Kumar Simple Guide To Purchasing And Maintaining Leather FurnitureThough somewhat expensive, leather items can add a touch of glamour and sophistication to the interior decoration of any house. These look effortlessly posh anywhere and you do not have to add further embellishments to enhance their looks. In fact, you could even use a leather couch as a part of your bedroom furniture and instantly update the look of the room from old school to modern. This article will help you learn about the different types of leather and the best methods to care for this beautiful material. Many types of leather can be seen in any furniture store. Naturally finished leather is one of the most popular options. It is the type which is least processed and therefore requires least maintenance. It is also very supple and needs to be kept away from direct sunlight. Brushed leather gives a brushed look and feel, and is more luxurious to the touch. It is also high maintenance. Distressed leather looks antiquated and is created such to give it a worn out look. This leather ages gracefully and the gradations in color and marks, make it look classic. The protected leather has uniformity in color and is heavily processed. These are stain protected, so if you have kids or pets in your house, this type will give you the least worry.
Whether you have sofa sets that are completely made of leather or just a chair cover or recliner, you will have to pay some attention to its maintenance. Your leather furniture can look as beautiful as the day it was bought if you pay a little attention to its overall upkeep. Leather often lasts for a very long time if taken good care of. For everyday cleaning, you can do simple dusting using a dry cloth. You could also vacuum clean the crevices and other hard to reach areas of the couch. Use a leather conditioner to polish the leather. Another point is to avoid direct sunlight or other harsh lights on your leather furniture. This is because the color of leather tends to fade in the presence of bright lights. If there are spills, take a dry cloth and wipe it off. If needed, moisten the cloth with lukewarm water and then clean the area gently. Let the area air dry. Do not use detergent soaps or too much water in any stained area as that might aggravate the damage. Also, avoid the temptation to use the cleaning solvents or oils on leather. If the stain does not go by your simple efforts, call a professional cleaner instead of trying to work on it further by yourself.
If there are scratch marks, try to smooth them out gently. Don't use varnishes or ammonia based water as they are too harsh for the material. With some attention and care, leather can be very durable and provide comfort to all and beauty to your home's decor. It can become a useful investment and can be an exquisite show piece for your guests. There are many classy leather sets available in the market to choose from. Leather recliners and theater seating are all the rage today.
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