Author Archives: Jennifer

How to Decorate With Flower Pots

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Decorating your flower pots is an easy way to decorate your patio or garden. They are like little blank canvases that are asking to be painted or treated with decoupage. You can also glue things onto flower pots to make them textured.

It is important to seal any clay pots that you buy before you paint them. Sand them down and then paint them with weather-resistant polyurethane to prevent them from absorbing water. This way the colors won’t fade.

The easiest thing to paint on a pot is stripes. Use masking tape to make bands around the waist of the pot for an even attractive effect. You can look up complimentary colors on a color wheel online to see what colors go together.

You can also add a nice design to your pot if you are talented. You can freehand draw flowers, animals or any figures that you like on the pots.

Another great technique you can use is sponging. Simply take a sponge and dab it on the pot to create a colorful effect.

If you are not that great a painting you can always use stencils to paint words or shapes onto your flower pots. You can also use this technique to label what is in your pots such as “chives” or “rosemary.” You can also use stencil to put names and labels on the clay pots as well. Positive affirmations look nice stenciled on pots. You can also make your own stenciled designs out of stiff cardboard stencils and apply them on the side of the pots.

Another way to decorate pots is with decoupage. You can cut out words and images from magazines or images printed out from the internet and use it to create a collage. A good glue to use for this is mod podge.

For a transparent look you can use mod podge and light colored tissue paper. This creates an effect that is similar to stained glass.

You can also add accents such as 3D sparkle paint. Bits of broken mirror also look
good. You can also consider decorating a flower pot with beach glass or found stones.

You can also embellish pots with broken ceramics, shells or buttons. Simply glue them in a nice design on the pot. Yet another techniques is to take yarn or twine and tightly wrap it around a pot to give it an interesting look.

How to Decorate A Screen Porch

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All too often the screened porch is wasted because it is not set up as a pleasant living space. Instead it is used as a storage space that is crammed with junk.

If used correctly it can be treated like an extension of your living room. It can be a great place to entertain your guests. It can also be a stylish retreat just for you.

Your first step is to clear all clutter from the porch. Keep bikes, coats, gardening stuff and anything else in there somewhere else.

Then you need to look at the floor. Wood flooring is rustic and creates a look of timeless elegance. If real wood, like pine is too expensive then you might want to consider using laminate flooring. It is less expensive than wood and the installation process is simple.

If you want a floor that is easy to upkeep then try ceramic tile flooring on your porch. If the floor seems too cold you can also had a throw rug.

The porch furniture that you choose should depend on the ambiance you want to create. If you want a casual and relaxed look choose contemporary wicker and soft furniture with low side tables. If you plan to have meals out on the screened porch be sure to also include a glass covered or simple wood table. If the porch is small you can always bring in a folding table when needed.

If you want a more exotic effect add printed cushion covers or gaily printed fabrics. You could also add vases of flower, candles and a tinkling fountain.

You can also put a hammock or hanging swing on a porch. These swings are beautiful and come in many colors. They make your porch more attractive to relax in.

The lighting should also be relaxing. Wrought iron light fixtures create a beautiful rustic effect. Stained glass creates a soft diffused and colorful light.

Don’t forget to hang some art on your porch to make it look well decorated. Bronze or copper metal art looks right as do watercolors in summery colors like turquoise or orange.

Front porches are sunny, airy and usually warm. They are perfect for growing plants. If it receives sunlight for two to three hours consider creating a container garden.

Plants like roses, azaleas, paper whites, amaryllis and cyclamens grow well indoors.

You can also grow creeping varieties of plants like wisterias, periwinkle, bougainvillea, morning glory and climbing rose. The fragrance will make your porch an amazing place to be.