Tag Archives: IKEA

Decorating Drawers With Novelty Pulls and Knobs

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Bored with the usual brass knobs and anodized aluminum cabinet pulls that you find on most cabinets? Fortunately the newest trends in cabinet fixtures are far from boring and not only that, they can help transform even the dullest looking set of drawers from Ikea into a personalized style statement.

Perhaps the most expansive trend in cabinet and drawer pulls are the novelty pulls. These handles are made in a variety of materials including aluminum, bronze, solid granite, sand granite, crystal and of course plastic.

One of the most popular new types of pulls are the Euro-Design aluminum fixtures, which greatly compliment the sleek, spare interiors of a condo. These streamlined fixtures are anodized to give them a slightly burnished appearance. These pulls compliment Swedish and Modern interior decoration as well as Industrial fashion themes. Common are pulls that look like T-bars, wedges or simple arches. These types of pulls also come in different colors such as gold or bronze.

Another trend that is suited to the clean look of a condo are the new granite pulls. Made of real granite and stone these pulls come in the colors of the earth and greatly compliment a home that is modernistic, Japanese or Mediterranean in design.

If you are trying to reinvent the history of a home you might opt for bronze or cast iron pulls. Many companies that specialize in reproductions are recasting bronze pulls from models that are centuries old. This can give your home a Victorian, Renaissance, Gothic or even medieval feel. Often these fixtures will boast affectations such as hinged pulls and fake keyholes.

If classic Victorian charm is what you are looking for than many companies are manufacturing miniature glass rosettes in just about every color of the rainbow. You can also buy anodized aluminum pulls that are made to mimic the fairy, flora and fauna designs from the Arts and Crafts Era. Perhaps the easiest way to decide what type of cabinet pulls are best for you is to make a firm decision about what is most important to you: your taste or your sense of humor. If you are lucky you should be able to replace those boring old brass knobs (with the rosette on the end) with a novelty fixture that combines both humor and fashion.

Also of great visual interest is the large assortment of plastic novelty knobs that are available on the market. Now any piece of furniture can be enlivened by the addition of a bright, durable knob manufactured in just about any color or shape (animal, vegetable or mineral) that you can think of. When it comes to decorative cabinet knobs it seems that there is no limit to manufacturer’s imagination nor should there be to yours.

How to Decorate a Living Room in the Asian Way

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The Asian way of decorating can create a real sense of serenity in the home. It also works well in smaller spaces, like condo rooms because it is a style that does away with clutter.

Simplicity is at the heart of this style. Keep your lampshades as paper ones. You can get white ones or red ones which are the most authentic. However many China town stores have them in an attractive yellow color that can make quite a style statement. Places like Ikea also have paper hanging or free standing lanterns that add a real sense of atmosphere to a place. Bamboo place mats are also appropriate. Straw mats look very elegant in any room. You can use one to define the seating area of any room.

Oriental parasols can also make very elegant lampshades. You simply saw them to the right length and use them to cover the fixtures. This is a good way of covering over ugly pot hole lighting.

Another classic type of room divider is called a Shoji room divider and using one in a room can really give a room an Eastern flair. These are wood with bamboo paper.

Simplicity and harmony are also at the heart of the window blinds used in this culture. Opt for simple bamboo blinds to give your home a sense of airiness. Bamboo room dividers can also be used to separate one area from another.

To really give your home that Asian look try using an Asia Scroll painting. Hanging a large Asian scroll on your wall gives it a lovely counter point.

You can also make a big Buddha or a collection of Buddha figures the focus of your room. Deerknocker fountains and koi ponds, (fake or real) also make a beautiful addition to any décor.

Another Asian touch is to hang a pair of crossed swords on the wall. This is an ancient placement to protect against evil. Make sure the swords are not that sharp and hung securely on the wall.

Most Asian homes also have an aquarium or fountain of some kind in the room. These can be large or small. A poster of fish, mountains or peonies or a similar type of image printed on your linens can also help.

At tabletop Zen garden is the kind of decoration that also gives your room that Asian Flare. This is just a patch of sand with pebbles in it and a rake. You then use the rake to make patterns in the sand.