Curio Cabinets:

Are you a great collector of show pieces?Do you like the traditional styles of showcasing your knick knacks so that all your guests can see them and admire them?Then think of having a nice tall Curio Cabinet at your home..

But when you decide to have one of these either to buy a ready made one available from the market or you decide to make one by your carpenter, several things are to be borne in mind.
Here are some tips from me..

1. Decide on the type of unit you want to have.Will it be a traditional or a contemporary unit?Decide on the colour of wood.
Generally curio cabinets look good if they are nicely polished. Decide on the colour to be used.
Do you have lots of crystal or silver ware or glass items?think of having the unit polished in some dark colour.

2. Definitely have some spot lights fixed on the unit which will make all your showpieces dazzle and prominent.You can even switch of the main lights of your living room at times and light on this unit to give full emphasis on the collection, so that your guests don't even miss a single piece.. Sssh these are some secrets, don't tell anyone ;)

3. Put some nice brass or antique looking handles to the shutters of the unit if you are having a traditional type..otherwise sleek steel handles will go well with the contemporary kind.

4. Glass is the sole and heart of this kind of unit. Make all the shutters covered with good quality transparent glass,they may be etched at the sides making the unit aesthetically beautiful. Put glass shelves inside so that light comes to each and every item present inside.5. The full unit can be covered with full glass shutters or it can be broken into two parts-the upper part being the curio unit and lower one covered and for storage.

6. Various shapes and sizes can be given to the unit.It can be a sleek tall one, or a broad elegant with mirrors at the back, or a round type or even a corner piece fitting so well in the dining room or living room corner.7. Thinking on the lines of a traditional curio unit?Then how about having some nice beadings or mouldings or engravings on the head of the unit that will make it look real classic?Apply your own ideas and innovativeness and have a grand unit to showcase all your collectibles that you have collected so emotionally and have brought carefully from so far.

Light up your Living Room!

Lights in a living room:


Lighting plays a very important role in modern day inetriors. Living rooms if illuminated properly and thoughtfully can give a sense of mystery,warmth, and elegance to the interior of a residence.

Depending on the height of the ceiling and size of the living room the types and styles of lights can be selected.

Different types of lights that can be put in a living room are:

• wall brackets
• chandeliers
• standing lamps
• spot lights
• focus lights
• and recessed lights on false ceiling if present.

1. In a living room there is no need for very bright lights hence try to play with lighting types and styles. No need to put task lighting in a living room-hence try to avoid tubes or bright lights in the sitting areas.

2. If there are a different types of lighting sources available then you can change the mood of the same sitting area with time and season or in accordance to your moods too!This will give variation to the same space at different times.

3. Table lamps are available in large varieties,both contemporay and traditional styles are available nowadays. So try to choose lamps that will suit the interior style of your room.


4. Standing lamps are also available in quite a range.You can put up stand types of lights at the corners of the sitting area.This will give a sense of space to the room and will make the room look larger.

5. Putting some focus lights pointed to some really nice artwork add real value in a sitting area. Generally people tend to see and find beauty of an art object only when their mind is at rest and they are sitting relaxed on a couch.Hence if you want your guests attention to be drawn to some of your collections of paintings or artworks,do add some splash of light from the front to highlight them


6. The same thing is applicable for curio collection or some collectibles which you have.If you want to display them nicely do light them properly by some spot lights.These lights can be placed on the shelves or inside the curio display units too!

7. Chandeliers add a sense of elegance to the entire sitting area.You will have to pick your style matching your interior styles and decor. Nowadays people tend to put quite a few number of chandeliers in their living as well as dining areas to make the rooms look vibrant and properly illuminated.

8. Recessed lights in the false ceiling adds a sense of contemporary look and feel to the space.

9. Some other varieties of decorative lights are available these days.These are available in a number of styles mostly in some statue or some flower vase or small fountains etc.Hence apart from serving the basic purpose of illumination they also serve as a decorative element in a sitting area.



These are a few tips about how to light up the living area of an apartment!

DIFFERENT TYPES OF KITCHEN:

DIFFERENT TYPES OF KITCHEN:

Kitchens can be differentiated into various categories depending on their décor and furniture and fixtures.

They can be :

• Traditional Style
• Contemporary Style
• Country Style
• Historical Period Style

COUNTRY STYLE KITCHENS:

The cabinet door style in a Cottage finish with earth tones, stuccoed textures, and carved mouldings, gives this kitchen thelook which is fully Tuscan in its effect. An antique-style table with similar moulding enhances the theme.

This kitchen incorporates open shelving and vintage style hardware with recessed beaded cabinetry in a combination of a grey and a creamy neutral finish for an ultimate expression of Country. It has prep and cook space, counter space, and storage to spare.

The theme of this kitchen is Country all right, but with a French twist, beginning with the cabinet door style in a Cottage finish. Carved architectural mouldings, along with soft colors and textures, add visual interest.

Inspired by the sunny Mediterranean shore, this kitchen / breakfast area features large-scale mouldings, country accent mullion doors giving an antiqued finish.


It’s a look that takes the seemingly incompatible concepts of “formal” and “country”—and brings them together beautifully.
At the same time, it’s adaptable to a broad range of decors.

This kitchen has a more informal style look—a more casual, “country” feeling, but still richly elegant. In this cherry kitchen,the open layout and extensive use of glass add to the sense of relaxation and leisure. The recessed panels with plenty of trim and hardware options match the style of this kitchen.

A thoughtful blend of stone, tile and maple Recessed Beaded cabinetry gives this sun-filled room a refreshing touch thatmakes it a pleasure to be in, while at the time of cooking or relaxing with family and friends.

COUNTRY STYLE KITCHENS:

The cabinet door style in a Cottage finish with earth tones, stuccoed textures, and carved mouldings, gives this kitchen thelook which is fully Tuscan in its effect. An antique-style table with similar moulding enhances the theme.

This kitchen incorporates open shelving and vintage style hardware with recessed beaded cabinetry in a combination of a grey and a creamy neutral finish for an ultimate expression of Country. It has prep and cook space, counter space, and storage to spare.

The theme of this kitchen is Country all right, but with a French twist, beginning with the cabinet door style in a Cottage finish. Carved architectural mouldings, along with soft colors and textures, add visual interest.

Inspired by the sunny Mediterranean shore, this kitchen / breakfast area features large-scale mouldings, country accent mullion doors giving an antiqued finish.


It’s a look that takes the seemingly incompatible concepts of “formal” and “country”—and brings them together beautifully.
At the same time, it’s adaptable to a broad range of decors.

This kitchen has a more informal style look—a more casual, “country” feeling, but still richly elegant. In this cherry kitchen,the open layout and extensive use of glass add to the sense of relaxation and leisure. The recessed panels with plenty of trim and hardware options match the style of this kitchen.

A thoughtful blend of stone, tile and maple Recessed Beaded cabinetry gives this sun-filled room a refreshing touch thatmakes it a pleasure to be in, while at the time of cooking or relaxing with family and friends.

HISTORICAL PERIOD STYLE KITCHENS:

The mouldings, valances, and plate rack with a bead board back are right at home in this Colonial-inspired kitchen. A Cottage finish on Recessed Panel and Raised Panel cabinetry also contributes an antique effect.

Inspired by antique-style furniture pieces, this kitchen blends state-of-the-art appliances with historically authentic decorative touches to produce a functional but aesthetically pleasing environment.

Based on the proportions, color schemes, and moulding details of the Arts and Crafts era, this oak dining area has an intimate, cozy feeling.

Turned legs, cutout arched valances and ample trim mouldings are a key part in establishing the Victorian flavor of this recessed panel kitchen. A special red finish and custom hardware add to the vintage look.

The traditional raised panel design in a warm maple stain reinforces the classic brick color and architectural elements of this reclaimed urban structure, giving it a comfortable feeling in this kitchen.

CONTEMPORARY STYLE KITCHEN:

In this type of kitchen the cabinetry's versatility in expressing either traditional or contemporary styling makes it the ideal choice for a wide variety of design applications.



Commercial range and oven, ample work surfaces and convenient, visible storage are framed by sleek grey gloss laminate cabinetry trimmed with dark grey stained oak in this ultimate expression of high-tech design.

Gentle sweeping curves and rich details create a comfortable, contemporary environment in this kitchen. Recessed cabinetry in a white finish gives this kitchen a timeless quality.

This is a soft simple and gleaming type of a kitchen. The type of décor evokes the feeling of long, white stretches of beach and perfect, sun-filled days. Now we can transplant that feeling to the city, the suburbs, or even the countryside—and transforming it into a kitchen. There’s something enduring about this style.

The furniture here are in a dramatic high gloss finish, epitomizes the elegance and sophistication of contemporary styling.


This kitchen has a crisp, clean, seamless look. Bold, but not overwhelming, contemporary and affordable. Perfectly in tune with today’s more “relaxed” decors. This is done in basic white laminate, the warm Almond laminate. It can also be done in crisp Folkstone, or a fine quality oak or maple veneer. This door style makes it easy to give the kitchen the up-to-date look which is present in the other rooms of the house.


This kitchen and the cabinets of this kitchen are designed so that they look very sophisticated. It is done in crisp, true white, with special one-piece door construction to eliminate the warping, expansion and contraction that can cause cracks. And, because of its handsome raised-panel design the furniture of this type of kitchen is adaptable. It can make a modern kitchen look more traditional…or vice versa.


This is a kitchen that is warm and welcoming with all the durability which is expected from tough, hard-wearing laminates. A striking blend of fully-integrated solid oak pulls with White, Folkstone or Almond laminate surfaces is created here. This kitchen could also be designed in a unified all-wood look by selecting fine oak veneer. The results are inviting, contemporary, sophisticated.

TRADITIONAL STYLE KITCHENS:

Multiple accent mouldings enhance the elegant proportions of this wonderful kitchen with beautiful moulded doors in a Black Heirloom finish.

Raised Panel cabinetry with a dark finish, specialty doors, and staggered cabinet heights add to the traditional look of this kitchen. Modest detailing gives it a visual comfort level.

The warmth of a stain finish on pine in the moulded door style softens the overall symmetry of the layout and the extensive use of mouldings.

A natural pine finish and geometrically styled wallcovering soften the formal elements of this kitchen. Trim mouldings and leaded glass doors add richness to the styling.

If a more traditional, formal kitchen is desired then this type of finish can be given. It can be done in solid oak, maple, cherry or distressed pine, for a feeling of comfort and warmth. Yet it’s designed for those with an eye for simple elegance and fine, understated detail. This classic styling is beautifully combined with the most durable construction and maximum interior space utilization.

Simple, classic lines…elegant proportions…specially created for those who prefer a stately, more formal look with traditional detailing. The type of wood that can be used for this type of decoration are: maple, oak, cherry and distressed pine.

An Efficient Kitchen

To make the Kitchen as an attractive area of the entire house:

• Try to make the kitchen in bright colours so that it reflects some light from the walls and glasses which are there.
• Try to use sufficient number of spot lights and ceiling lights in kitchen as plenty of light is required in the kitchen
• Proper placement of appliances in the kitchen is very much necessary to make an efficient model for a kitchen. Hence try to position the Refrigerator, Microwave, sink and cooking range/oven in close proximity so that you cover the least distance in the kitchen while cooking for getting anything.