Do you need to replace your window coverings or are you buying a new house and need to dress up your windows? There are many types of blinds to choose from when you are in the store looking at them, but which one is the best for your home? How do you decide what will complete your home decor? It may seem like a daunting job, but there are some very easy tips to follow when you are looking at new blinds for your home. One of the easiest decisions you may have to make is a magnetic blind versus regular mini blinds.

You may be wondering what the differences between the two are? If you are it is a simple difference, but it may make the most difference to you. First most blinds are made out of specific material, the cheaper blinds are usually made of aluminum to save you money as well as provide you with a good quality product. The other blinds may be made of cloth like the venation blinds or bamboo. There are even wood blinds. However, the magnetic blinds are still different from the rest of these blinds. They are aluminum and usually less expensive than other blinds, but they also require no tools during installation.

Moreover, how is this possible? It is easy. The magnetic blinds work off magnetic adhesive strips that adhere to the windows rather than the need for a screwdriver. So all you have to do is place the adhesive on the window and then snap the magnetic blind in place. The two magnets create a solid connection so that the blinds will hold there.

A note of caution: Adhesive tape can wear out over time, especially if there is undue force on the magnetic adhesive strip. These may not be the best blinds for a child's room or a place a child may tug on the strings that operate the blind.

These magnetic blinds are available in one style with many choices in colors. You may not be able to special order for difficult windows, but the company you purchase them from will determine that. The magnetic blinds are a vertical mini blind where you can certainly have the choice in length for most windows.

When you go looking for magnetic blinds you may wish to look online, but again you need to be cautious of the places you choose to buy from. Do not just look for the best price from an off the wall distributor. One way of keeping safe is to buy online from online stores that also have dealings offline as well.

You can also find more info on Blinds and Bamboo Porch Blinds. Windowblindsreview.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Windows Blinds.

This mostly depends on your decorating taste and what will blend with the rooms decor and the view. Are you looking for privacy or room darkening. The options are limitless. One look that really adds class is the Faux lead glass http://www.ehow.com/how_4919477_create-faux-leaded-glass-window.html In the panels you can add colored vinyl for privacy. A cornice added to the top can hide a room darkening shade yet allow a very tailored look to the room.http://www.rd.com/how-to-build-your-own-window-cornices/article17691-2.html I have a 2 pole shade in the cornice above my french doors. One is an off white honeycomb shade that covers the glass portion the other is material that spans the window. http://www.decor-medley.com/image-files/decorative-window-shades-grand-cell-honeycomb-shades.jpg http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=60442&CatID=60442&Grptyp=ENS&ItemId=16577e4&cmRef=http://www.jcpenney.com/products/C028538.jsp With the faux leaded behind it it allows me to mix several looks and alter them according to my whim. Most of the time I leave both up with a hint of the cloth beneath the cornice. When dining in the daytime the honeycomb defuses the light. For formal dinners the Damask adds elegance.

Advice for the Jungle Heart

Many people state the best floor is made from bamboo because they feel like it is a more natural alternative to the wood flooring which is stained and not very environmentally sound. However the advice that would be most prudent for any family or for people who are going to be living in an urban area, or even a suburban area where normal activity is going to take place is that bamboo flooring may not be the smartest idea. Just due to the fact that bamboo flooring can easily get worn out, is not nearly as permanent as other types of flooring such as stained wood or tile linoleum, is not as easy to fix or replace as other types of flooring, and it can run you a pretty penny more than many people may expect.

Walking Expensively

While many people may think that they can get something of a deal on bamboo flooring, they would be mistaken. Bamboo flooring needs to be brought in from a foreign country and so just shipping it in here is going to cost you more on that one front. But then you need to consider the fact that not too many people are trained in installing bamboo flooring. So you need to get a professional installation done so that it will be most advantageous to your home and calling in a specialist to do something as routine as flooring can begin to separate your anticipated expense from the actual expenditures which could put you out of the running.

In the end your flooring is totally up to you and the only advice to anybody can really give you is to go with what you want to do in the first place. Your home is your palace so if bamboo flooring is what you're interested in or if you would rather walk across hot coals it doesn't really matter so long as you are the one who is happy and you were the one who will be paying for it no matter how expensive it may be.

Ken Morris's news are published on numerous web publications related to types of kitchen flooring and installing kitchen flooring. You might find out more about his work on best kitchen floor at http://www.insidewoodworking.com and different sources for best kitchen floor information.

In business, green is in, and sticking to the same old wasteful corporate promotional items can backfire on you if you're not careful! Put some thought into your corporate gift giving, and earn the benefits of giveaways that people actually like and use, plus the reputation of being a green company everyone will want to work with. In this article, we discuss some ideas for corporate promotional items that are green and available right now.

Paper notepads, journals and planners have always been staple corporate giveaways, especially when the end of the year rolls around and executives and business people are looking to collect things to use for the upcoming year. Notepads and notebooks that are made of 100 percent recycled materials have long been available in the market, and some companies even offer the option of using eco-friendly paints and dyes to print your logo with. Since going green means forgoing environmentally harmful bleaching chemicals, the paper usually comes out in a warm light brown, tan, or off-white color, instantly identifying it as an eco-friendly item.

Reusable bags are also very popular all over the world, especially those simple and colorful cotton sacks with loop handles. Often called "green bags" and sold at grocery stores to take the place of disposable plastic bags, these sacks are cheap to produce, easily customizable, and offer a large space for your logo or tagline. They are also very practical and everyone will appreciate receiving one.

There are a huge number of items to be found that use biodegradable and organic materials such as fabric hats and shirts, as well as eco-friendly plastics that are made into pens, water bottles, key fobs, and other novelty items. Recycled wood, bamboo, paper, metal, and even stone are made into desk sets and paperweights, trinkets and jewelry, and the list goes on and on.

This time around, make your corporate promotional items and giveaways green - your clients and the earth will thank you for it.

Get back to the basics and know what makes the best corporate promotional items work.

Get the latest industry trends and ideas at the Corporate Promotional Items Blog!

"Cannibal Holocaust" perhaps? (but it was 80's) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078935/

ebay, maybe? craigslist?

If we think about stained glass windows even for a moment, our first thought is what we see in a church. Stained glass as first used in cathedrals, was thought to signify Light, as the first act of God's creation, and was recognized as the purest manifestation of God's presence, as the stained glass windows only came to life when illuminated by the light. To medieval theologians, the vibrant holy images depicted in the windows were therefore brought to life by God's presence. Not many people were able to read or write in the Middle Ages. Stained glass windows told the stories of the Bible and of the Saints in pictures, and the guides, who were perhaps the monks themselves, would explain their content to the pilgrims who came to worship.

During the Renaissance period, stained glass began to become a fashionable addition to residences and public buildings. Much of what stained glass was became forgotten. The 18th century saw the removal of many medieval stained glass windows. They were replaced by painted glass and the beautiful old stained glass was dismissed as out-of-date.

In the 19th century there was a resurgence of interest in Gothic architecture and glass studios in England made their versions of medieval windows for Gothic Revival buildings. These Gothic style windows enhanced churches and simple ornamental windows were the norm until the development of a distinctive American style by John LaFarge and Louis Comfort Tiffany.

These were two American painters who began experimenting with stained glass, independent of each other and soon became competitors. The finest examples of John La Farge's work can be found in Harvard University's Memorial Hall, the windows of Trinity Church in Boston, and in Judson Memorial Church, New York. John La Farge (1835-1910) designed stained glass between 1874 and his death. LaFarge developed and copyrighted opalescent glass in 1879. Tiffany popularized it and his name became synonymous with opalescent glass and the American glass movement

We now use stained glass in our homes as accents for our windows. It's easy to have the look of a stained glass window with the many reproduction pieces made today that hang in front of our windows, letting the light shine through. When thinking of a window treatment for a solitary window, such as in a small room or in a stairwell or hallway, give some thought to hanging a gorgeous stained glass piece in front of your window to brighten up the space and give it more emphasis than it would normally get.

Sarah St. John is an Interior Decorator, Home Stager and Organizer in the Boston area. For more decorating ideas and tips, subscribe to our Free Newsletter at our website [http://www.thebeautifulhome.net]

Decorating your home doesn't have to be patterned the usual way. You can make use of anything in a creative way to come up with something exceptional. I would like to share to you some suggested wall decors I find matchless:

Polystyrene wall art

This wall art is made from lightweight material, which is so versatile that it can be displayed anywhere. One can easily substitute the materials depending on the kind of art you want to come up.

Assorted plates

Sometimes, it's good to keep old collections like plates in the kitchen cabinets. You can hang them randomly on the walls to create a striking effect.

Quilts

Instead of the traditional wallpapers, you can make use of framed quilts as or even an ordinary fabric as your wall cover. You just need to choose the right theme to match your entire surroundings.

Removable wall graphics

Vinyl decals are removable designs that can be placed anywhere on your walls. Lots of forms to choose from like sayings, numbers, and other customized designs. This gives you the power to remove and rearrange them anytime.

Floating wall shelves

Since the usual wall decors are paintings, hangings, and clocks; try something that is far beyond the usual like floating wall shelves. You can't help but take a second look to make sure if it really floats.

Folding screens

If you don't have empty walls to decorate, folding screens are good alternative. You can explore any possibilities by choosing a best design to be placed on one corner of your home.

Stained glass

To have a bit of elegance, stained glass as wall decor is a great choice. Although not so unusual, this kind of wall art offers a contemporary look.

Wood

Birch wood and bamboo are carved images that can be displayed in such a way that they appear as if they are floating.

Plant wall

Here at opulentitems.com, a unique way of displaying plants is to hang them on the wall with frames to make it appear very confined.

Over-sized buttons

A unique decor, which comes in a very rare design, is the over-sized buttons for a set of 5. They have various sizes, shapes and color - all for .99 only.

For more information on iron wall decor, please go to: http://www.metal-wall-art.com/

When an interior designer contacted me quite excitedly with the news that another of his clients agreed to his suggestion of a custom canvas rug, also known as a floor cloth, for their new home in Costa Rica, we got right to work. Professional designers know what their clients want in terms of décor, colors, and style; he or she is able to envision a completed room, knowing all the elements to be incorporated.

In our preliminary discussions, the designer sent me digital photos of pillow shams, one with a tortoise shell design and the other a herringbone print. He explained the colors needed to include brown and that this was to be a large canvas rug, 5' x 8' for a bedroom. This designer and I have worked together before, so he trusts my ability to work out a design to get us started in the right direction.

Although a challenge to interpret exactly what the design professional is after for his client, it is always enjoyable when working with someone who understands and appreciates the artistic nature of a custom painted canvas rug and becomes actively involved with the design process.

Initially, a freehand design of the tortoise shell design was drawn onto a smaller piece of canvas; a stamp was made for the herringbone design. The rich chocolate browns and beige colors were mixed and tested and also painted on sample pieces of canvas. With these sample sizes of colors and designs it allows for a combination of choices to be mixed and matched for visual aid.

Several exchanges of emails and digital photos later, the design for the custom floor cloth was accepted; changes were made to the color tones and a decision to add a sewn black canvas border. However, the decision as to which of the two combined designs, tortoise shell and herringbone, should be used as the inner border and which would look best in the center of the rug remained.

To help my client with this decision, I took a blank 5' x 8' canvas rug along with the sample designs of painted pieces on canvas and paid him a visit. We laid it all out on the floor of his show room and I drew to scale the amount of the herringbone design that would be shown if it were placed in the middle of the canvas rug. By chance, his client's furniture was available and we moved furniture and the painted canvas pieces around until the designer was clear on what the final layout of the design for this canvas rug should be.

It is so important to consider a proposed design in proportion to the size of a canvas rug when designing a custom piece. Sometimes a great looking design can overwhelm if used in too large an area. With this, the beige and gold herringbone worked best in the middle and the rich brown tortoise shell design framed and enhanced the completed floor cloth.

The final result was a stunning custom canvas rug which not only delighted the interior designer but elicited rave reviews from his client. As the artist and maker of the rug, working with this professional interior designer was one of the most enjoyable creative processes to date. Who says too many cooks spoil the soup?

Laurel invites you to subscribe to her monthly newsletter for more design stories, lots of photos, interior decor tips, decorating ideas and canvas rug floor cloth designs. To visit the author's website: CLICK HERE

it shouldn't do anything

Do you need to replace your window coverings or are you buying a new house and need to dress up your windows? There are many types of blinds to choose from when you are in the store looking at them, but which one is the best for your home? How do you decide what will complete your home decor? It may seem like a daunting job, but there are some very easy tips to follow when you are looking at new blinds for your home. One of the easiest decisions you may have to make is a magnetic blind versus regular mini blinds.

You may be wondering what the differences between the two are? If you are it is a simple difference, but it may make the most difference to you. First most blinds are made out of specific material, the cheaper blinds are usually made of aluminum to save you money as well as provide you with a good quality product. The other blinds may be made of cloth like the venation blinds or bamboo. There are even wood blinds. However, the magnetic blinds are still different from the rest of these blinds. They are aluminum and usually less expensive than other blinds, but they also require no tools during installation.

Moreover, how is this possible? It is easy. The magnetic blinds work off magnetic adhesive strips that adhere to the windows rather than the need for a screwdriver. So all you have to do is place the adhesive on the window and then snap the magnetic blind in place. The two magnets create a solid connection so that the blinds will hold there.

A note of caution: Adhesive tape can wear out over time, especially if there is undue force on the magnetic adhesive strip. These may not be the best blinds for a child's room or a place a child may tug on the strings that operate the blind.

These magnetic blinds are available in one style with many choices in colors. You may not be able to special order for difficult windows, but the company you purchase them from will determine that. The magnetic blinds are a vertical mini blind where you can certainly have the choice in length for most windows.

When you go looking for magnetic blinds you may wish to look online, but again you need to be cautious of the places you choose to buy from. Do not just look for the best price from an off the wall distributor. One way of keeping safe is to buy online from online stores that also have dealings offline as well.

You can also find more info on Blinds and Bamboo Porch Blinds. Windowblindsreview.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Windows Blinds.

This mostly depends on your decorating taste and what will blend with the rooms decor and the view. Are you looking for privacy or room darkening. The options are limitless. One look that really adds class is the Faux lead glass http://www.ehow.com/how_4919477_create-faux-leaded-glass-window.html In the panels you can add colored vinyl for privacy. A cornice added to the top can hide a room darkening shade yet allow a very tailored look to the room.http://www.rd.com/how-to-build-your-own-window-cornices/article17691-2.html I have a 2 pole shade in the cornice above my french doors. One is an off white honeycomb shade that covers the glass portion the other is material that spans the window. http://www.decor-medley.com/image-files/decorative-window-shades-grand-cell-honeycomb-shades.jpg http://www.jcpenney.com/jcp/X6.aspx?DeptID=60442&CatID=60442&Grptyp=ENS&ItemId=16577e4&cmRef=http://www.jcpenney.com/products/C028538.jsp With the faux leaded behind it it allows me to mix several looks and alter them according to my whim. Most of the time I leave both up with a hint of the cloth beneath the cornice. When dining in the daytime the honeycomb defuses the light. For formal dinners the Damask adds elegance.