Last spring, I changed the shower curtain in my master bathroom. Frankly, I was sick of the old one. However, I always liked the fabric and pattern, which was heavy and golden with intricate blue threading, so I really didn’t want to throw it away. Instead, I laundered and ironed the curtain. Then I stored it in a trunk and almost forgot about it.

More recently, it happened that my tired living room needed some updating. The matching sofa and loveseat were in a high traffic area, as they hosted many a guest at the fireplace as well as the television. The set definitely had a lived in feel to it, but it was still in good enough condition to remain useable. As well, I truly did not want to make a major investment in new furniture. It was time to apply some tried and true home interior decorating ideas.

First, I changed the accessories on my mantel. I placed two green pillar candles-one tall, one short on either side of a grouping of hard covered books. Next I hung an antique mirror and framed painting from my great grandmother that I had kept in the attic for years. Finally, I added a few plants.

By then the room felt a lot better, but I still hadn’t done anything about the sofa and loveseat except rearrange them. I tried to think of something I could do inexpensively to freshen up the look of my furniture. I thought about slipcovers and throws as I went shopping. While mentally dreading the thought of spending a few hundred dollars, I somehow remembered my old shower curtain.

With my creative energies now being tapped, I borrowed my neighbor’s sewing machine. Knowing I did not inherit my seamstress mother’s gift or love of sewing, I could at the very least try my luck at a straight line. I took two throw pillows from the old couch set and measured my shower curtain around them. After a few botched attempts, I managed to cover the old pillows with the old fabric, thus creating two new and I dare say chic accessories. I could feel the gratitude emanating from the old sofa and loveseat as I proudly displayed these beauties on them. My entire living room was updated and I was happy. I also saved a bunch of cash to boot.

For the icing on the cake, I lightly misted the room with Tangerine Organic Essential Oil (20 drops added to 3 ounces of water in a spray bottle). This transformed the atmosphere of the room from drab and tired to warm and uplifting.

The moral of the story is: with a little imagination, you can make something new from something old. Also recycle your old shower curtain if it is made of a cotton-blend fabric. If you don’t want to transform it into a throw pillow, you can at least cut it into squares for your rag bag and use it to clean your living room and bathroom.

Lisa Herbik is a happy homemaker who loves to do her own home interior decorating. For more fun and free tips for decorating your home, check out her website, http://www.artistichomeowner.com

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It’s an expression of your personality, on display to all visitors - and it makes both the first, and the last, impression. It’s also where family members congregate to lounge around, to watch television, to read or simply for a relaxed chat. Designing this space correctly is crucial.

FURNITURE: Consider the focal point and arrange the rest of your furniture around it. If you have an imposing statue, for instance, or a grand piano, let this be the center of attention, and set the other furniture around it. It’s important to consider traffic in the area; does the arrangement allow free movement and give an uncluttered look? Try off-square angles, for a warmer and more casual look. Also, instead of having your sofa touch the wall, you could consider placing it a foot or so away and install a plant or a lamp. To create a “lived-in” aura for your living area, position small furniture in the room. This can be a small bench, or a low sofa table. Place magazines, journals and newspapers under the table. Placing flower vases, baskets and small plants on your table also creates beauty and livens up the room.

For people who have space and want to make a statement, a 12-ft running sofa in artificial leather and off-white will get your guests talking. There is a growing preference for antique furniture used in consonance with contemporary furniture - for instance, a straight-line sofa set with an ornate center table. Today, furniture suitable for different segments of society is available.

COLOURS: Do you want your hall to be a vibrant, or a restful, space? Colours can intimidate, invite or irritate. Green is a relaxing colour and there are several shades to choose from. At the other end of the spectrum, there are people who like orange and red on their walls. Choose a shade that goes with your personality, and ensure your carpets and furniture are well-coordinated. Of course, for the most classic, elegant look, creams and whites always work best, providing the perfect canvas for experimentation with upholstery and furniture.

MIRRORS: If your room is small, particularly, mirrors can add space and depth.

LIGHTING: This can really create or affect the mood in your living room. Don’t go in for harsh tube-lights in your living room; they may seem more practical, but do not do anything to bring in a soothing atmosphere. Try focus lighting for items like artifacts and paintings.

WORKING WITH A BUDGET: If your budget is low - say, about a lakh for the living room, opt for basic, minimalistic furniture - cane sofas can also be truly elegant. Colourful mosaics or simple kotah or Jaisalmer stone slabs should be used for flooring to give warmth. Rugs or colourful chatais or durries can be dramatic. Use earthy cottons for upholstery so that stains aren’t too visible, and stack colourful cushions around to make your space welcoming. Carry the terracotta theme further with pots and other artifacts. Straight lines, with minimum maintenance and materials are quick to work. Try ceramic or vitrified tiles in an economical range. For the walls, velvet touch emulsion paint can be used.

Instead of opting for expensive materials like marble, play with colour and texture. Avoid false ceilings since they can be expensive and will need maintenance. Of course, if you have a high budget, there is nothing like Italian marble and expensive artifacts to make your living room special.

Find out more about this in http://www.mumbaiproperties.info

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Latest Petsmania - A dragon in your Living Room.

The latest “popular pet” being found in pet shops is the “Bearded Dragon” or Inland Bearded Dragon as it is correctly termed.

Originating in the deserts of Western Australia these fascinating reptiles have some specific dietary and housing requirement which if catered for make them easy pets to keep and enjoy.

Bearded Dragons get their name from their ability to “puff out” a throat pouch that has prominent spikes formed from modified scales. This “beard” can also change colour, becoming jet black and even more impressive. Beards are not limited to males; the females will show off their beards as well, in a very interactive communication.

The Bearded Dragon is native to many different habitats and regions of Australia.
They thrive in deserts, grasslands and woodlands many people who have come across Beardies in the wild reported that that they could walk right up to one and possibly even pick it up with little or no fuss being raised by the animal. Their temperament is extremely docile and trusting, therefore making it an excellent pet - even for children and beginners.

Adults can reach up to approximately 2ft in length, with the average being 18 - 20 inches. Hatchlings are approximately 3 to 4 inches in length (head to tail) and reaching 5-6 inches at the end of their first month.

Beardies as they are known become very team and seem to enjoy handling. They are very alert and intelligent and quickly become used to being around their owners. Many owners allow their dragons the run of the house. Obviously care must be exercised if you have other pets; a dragon running across the carpet is irresistible to most dogs and cats!

Housing requirements are basic. A Glass Fronted Vivarium or Aquarium with two light fitting, one a heat resistant ceramic fitting should hold an infra red heat bulb of around 100 watts to provide sufficient heat for your dragon.

The other should be fitted with a UV bulb or tube to simulate the suns rays.

A Smooth Rock or Tree branch should be provided to allow the dragon to bask together with a bowl of water and a food container.

The bottom of the vivarium may be covered with a layer of substrate (crushed tree bark), crushed shells or clean washed sand purchased from a children’s store.

Several writers advise against using sand claiming that ingestion of sand with food can cause impacted gut and other digestive problems. We attempt to replicate the dragons’ habitat. They are desert dwellers used to sand and variations of temperature and light.

The use of heat and light often leads to confusion but if you consider the dragons’ normal habitat it is easy. The UV light should be switched on first thing n the morning (artificial sunrise) and turned off in the evening (sunset). The heat lam should be on 24 hours a day but turned down to around 80 F at night. simulating sunset and the cooling of the desert day.

Feeding Dragons is the issue many people have problems with. The reality is Dragons are predators and prefer live prey such as Locusts, Crickets Mealworms or Wax worms. They may be bought at any good pet store. The amount to feed is depended upon the size of the dragon but in general feed your pet as much as he will eat in five minutes.

In addition to live prey Dragons enjoy fresh salad such as Red Lettuce and Tomatoes together with apples, grapes and other crisp vegetables.

Most dragons enjoy a water spray once a day and will climb up onto their basking rock and the warm “rain”!

Rob is the owner of Petsmania, a great source of advice and information for anyone suffering from Petsmania! He has a 18 month old Bearded Dragon called Gucci and border terrier pup.

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