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Christmas trees are probably the most popular decor that is seen around the world. The history goes back to the use of evergreens in ancient Egypt and Rome. The tradition continued with the Germans and the candlelit trees were brought to the United States in the 1800s. Read on to know more about the Christmas tree and its origins. 

The beginnings of Christmas trees

Even before the spread of Christianity, people have regarded plants and trees that remained green all year to be special. People during ancient times hung evergreen boughs over their doors and windows, just like how we hang them these days. 

During winter solstice in the Northern hemisphere, ancient people believed that the sun god had become sick and weak. The solstice is celebrated because this means that the sun god will become well again. The evergreens reminded them of all the other green plants and that summer would return with more blooms. 

The god, Ra, was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians. When Ra began to recover from his illness during the winter solstice, the Egyptians filled their homes with a green palm that represents the triumph of life over death.  

The Romans celebrated the solstice with a feast that they called Saturnalia. This was to honor Saturn, the Roman god of agriculture. The solstice is a reminder that the farms would again be green and productive. As such, their homes were decorated with boughs of evergreen. 

German Christmas trees

Records have shown that Christmas trees should be credited to the Germans. During the 16th century, Christians added trees to their homes and decorated them. Many families also created pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreens and candles. People also believed that the 16th-century Protestant reformer, Martin Luther, was the first to add lighted candles to a tree. He shared this idea with his family when he erected a tree in the main room and decorated it with lighted candles. 

Christmas trees in America

Christmas trees in America are never known until the 19th-century when the German settlers of Pennsylvania displayed trees. As early as the mid-1700s, German settlers already have community trees that closely resemble the Christmas trees that we know today. However, the Americans did not accept Christmas trees immediately in their culture as they see them as pagan symbols. 

It was in the 1890s that Christmas ornaments arrived from Germany to the United States. This was also the period of the rise of the popularity of Christmas trees. In contrast with the Europeans, American Christmas trees usually are tall and reach from floor to ceiling. By the 20th century, Americans decorated the trees with homemade ornaments along with apples, nuts, and marzipan cookies. The availability of electricity made it possible to use Christmas lights that will make the trees glow. 

Since then, Christmas trees have been mass-produced and made available to the public worldwide. For countries where evergreens are expensive, artificial trees were made available commercially along with Christmas decors and lights. These days, almost everybody has their own Christmas tree in their homes. Others created their own version of the tree with the use of twigs and branches 

Just because your wall is empty and painted with your favorite color, you will never add wall decors to make it look more appealing. Remember that a blank wall can have lots of potentials. Posters can magically transform the overall appearance of your walls. Remember that posters can be displayed in any room. With tons of ideas available, your home will have the look that will be loved by your family and friends. Here we have creative ideas on how to personalize your walls by displaying posters. 

Choose the right place

There are many places in your home where you can display your posters. Above sofas, headboards, or the hallway. Aside from these, you can also decorate shelves or window sills with posters that will personalize your interior. Before hanging them, check out the height since you do not want your posters to be too low or too high. The idea is to hang them at eye level. If you also want to highlight your posters in the room, install LED lighting to illuminate them. 

Pick a theme

Each poster has a theme. Experimenting with them can help you create a theme that will reflect your personality. The theme can also harmonize the room, making it look more appealing and comfortable. The theme can also be changed depending on the season. For instance, create a festive atmosphere with holiday posters and there are different designs that will help you with that. 

The frame that you need

Frames come in different styles and materials. Wooden frames can give your wall a rustic appearance and are safest to use with posters. Why “safest”? Wood can easily blend with any interior design style. In addition to these, wood can help make any room look more comfortable and inviting. 

Color coordination

Though there are many poster designs, you don’t just display any art. Choose posters that will blend with the color scheme that your interior already has. It may be challenging at first, but you can always use the color wheel to know the proper color coordination. There are also creative inspirations that you can refer to decorate your walls. 

Wall gallery

Choose the posters to add to create a beautiful wall gallery. If you want it to be more personalized, display photos of your family in attractive frames. Abstract prints are also perfect to add colors to the room and make it look more fun and exciting. Nature-themed prints are also great for a more relaxing vibe. 

Size matters

The size of the posters is also important to consider to add the desired effect to your rooms. For instance, large prints can give an impression of having large spaces. In addition to these, large prints can also make the wall look big. However, if you do not have large prints, you can still create a wall gallery composed of small or medium-sized prints. Arrange them in a random layout or your preferred arrangement to personalize your walls. 

Balance and harmony

The wall gallery that you have created can also give continuity and flow between different posters since grouping similar designs are one of the popular tricks in interior design. Same frames can also create fluidity and make your wall look more sharp and crisp. 

It seems like Scandinavian Design is taking the world like a storm. From the design of the furniture to the overall appearance of homes, the design style has been employed by many homeowners and designers. Not only that the style is about beauty, but the Scandinavian design style is also about functionality. Read on to learn more about Scandinavian design, its origins, and its characteristics. 

A brief history of the Scandinavian design

Scandinavian design is the name of the movement that is composed of designers, products, and companies. The design style is characterized by simplicity, minimalism, and functionality This emerged at the start of the 20th century that was developed in the 1950s from the Scandinavian countries, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. 

During the period between the two World Wars, European designers shared similar interests in modernity and innovation in design. As such, they created a new trend where the outcomes are the results of new industrial technologies. 

With the emergence of creativity and industrialization, the Scandinavian design focused more on the creation of shapes with delicate profiles, slight inclinations, and curves in creating light, soft, and flowing features. 

Since 1930, many individuals have contributed a lot to the development of the movement. The popular names behind the success of the Scandinavian design style are Alvar Aalto, Arne Jacobsen, Borge Mogensen, Hans J. Wegner, Verner Panton, Poul Henningsen, and Maija Isola. They played significant roles in creating the “golden period of Scandinavian design.”

The Scandinavian design is not limited to furniture, interior design, and household products. The concept is also applied to consumer electronics, mobile phones, and automobiles. It is common to see lighter colors, simple forms, and open-plan spaces. Rooms may also have multi-purposes. For example, the appearance of the dining room may not only be used for special events and family dinners. The open-plan and flexible spaces could give the dining room other activities other than the ones already mentioned. 

Characteristics of Scandinavian design

To summarize what Scandinavian design is all about, it can be described in two words: minimalism and functionality. Below are the characteristics of the Scandinavian design that you can use in your homes:

• White walls – this can be the starting point of Scandinavian style, simple and clean. 
• Neutral color palette – achieve the Scandinavian look with shades of white, gray, and black. These three colors are important for creating a cohesive and minimalist look.
• Pops of color – adding a colorful decor or two can still create a Scandinavian style making it more fun and exciting. 
• Natural materials – Scandinavians are very much inclined with nature and as such, natural materials are common in the design style. Examples are wood, stone, concrete, tile, brick, plants, and others. 
• Simple and non-fussy layouts – Scandinavian homes also are simple, clutter-free, and have cohesive interiors that emphasize elegant minimalist aesthetics. 

Final thoughts

As people stay in their homes more these days, it is no surprise that the Scandinavian design style is dominating the construction and design industries. It has a natural beauty that has a significant impact on the total well-being of the person. 

The only thing that is better than going to movie houses is enjoying watching with your family at home. Since the COVID 19 pandemic, we have avoided crowded places such as movie theaters. Many have invested in transforming a space in their homes into a home theater. Some homeowners even used the living room or their bedrooms as a place where they can spend time with their family to watch their favorite shows and films. Here we have some tips on how to decorate your home theater to make it look cool and awesome.

Why create a home theater?

Having your own home theater will give you an all-inclusive entertainment experience. This room in your home offers a movie-theater experience right at the comfort of your home. You can watch old movies as well as new releases, sporting events, television shows, play video games, and listen to music. 

What you will have are convenience and state-of-the-art technology. Although these may just be perks of home theaters, there are advantages of bringing the movie theater to your home. Investing in superior audio and video technology will give you the edge over the movie theaters you have visited. Every time you are in this room will give you the best seat in the house. No need to travel long drives to watch movies in theaters and the risk of exposing yourself to the deadly virus. 

What is more important is the quality time that you will be spending with your family and loved ones. Prepare popcorn, chips, and drinks to share with your kids while enjoying their favorite shows or films in the home theater. Or this can be your personal sanctuary to rest and relax after a tiring day at work or school. 

The room to use for your home theater

Most probably, you already have an idea where to locate the home theater. It might be the main living area, a space in the bedroom, or the basement. While each of these rooms has special considerations, there are the common denominators that will make the home theater look cool and awesome. 

The shape of the room is an important factor. Square rooms, for instance, tend to produce odd harmonic distortions. Choose a rectangular room and properly plan the spot to place your display screen and speakers. Fewer windows are likewise preferred that may distort sound quality. Light from the outdoor also tends to produce reflections that you do not want while watching. 

The sound

Speaker technology these days is fantastic and will surely meet your needs. In fact, manufacturers tend to create new models of speakers to beat their competitors. So most likely, if you are going to buy new ones, what you will get are of high quality. Speakers that are usually installed in home theaters are designed to provide specific sounds from specific areas of your listening environment. Better check before buying so you will have the appropriate speakers for your space. 

Viewing 

The heart of the home theater is a high-definition display screen. Do not add a viewing screen that is too large as it may stain your eye as well as your neck from swinging your head from side to side. Choose the optimum size for a more relaxing and comfortable view. 

Final thoughts

Now that you have the basic information about setting up your own home theater, all you have to do is get the necessary equipment. Once everything is placed in its proper places, relax and enjoy your favorite shows and films with your loved ones just like the real theater.

Over the years, various interior design styles have been used by homeowners and designers to make their homes look perfect. Traditional and Transitional interior design styles are two of the favorites of many homeowners and designers. Both may have many similarities, but there are elements that make them special from each other. The first thing to do is to study the two styles and choose which one best fits your taste. When you do some comparing, you will notice that there are obvious differences that make each style extraordinary. Read on to learn more about the two interesting design styles. 

Traditional style – what it really is?

The traditional interior design style is characterized by ornate interiors that are inspired by a 17th or 18th-century European countryside home. The appearance is often warm, inviting, elegant, and luxurious. The interior usually features furnishings and decors that have curves and elegant designs. The traditional interior design style is also marked by elegant furniture pieces, intricate woodworks, heavy drapery, and different patterns. This design style will surely bring the past to the modern world. 

Characteristics of Traditional design style

The traditional design style is influenced by 19th-century European decor. It is a timeless design that evokes comfort and elegance. The presence of and antiques and classic art pieces complete the appearance of your home. 

It is also important to have dark and rich colors especially with the materials used. Examples of colors that are commonly seen are red, brown, and green tones. Floral prints and plaids are likewise common. When it comes to furniture pieces, they are often large and elegant. These include china cabinets, chandeliers, decorative pillows, mirrors, vases, and candleholders.

The beauty of the Transitional design style

The transitional interior design style blends well with contemporary and traditional styles. It is a combination of both classic and modern furniture and finishes. The appearance of the interior is less uptight and more relaxed. The addition of textiles, wood tones, and other decorative textures gives depth to the rooms. If you love the combination of classic and modern looks against a neutral backdrop, then this design style is the right one for you.

Characteristics of Transitional design style

Sometimes it is confusing to know the differences between traditional and transitional interior design styles. However, knowing the principles and significance of the characteristics will give you an idea of which style works best for you. Here are some of the common characteristics o the design style that you will surely adore.

The combination of classic curves and modern lines in a neutral setting brings the best to your home. It is also common to see comfortable furnishings and soft lines. The color palette is usually kept minimum. In addition to these, the motif is usually elegant and timeless. These characteristics create a more modern appeal. 

Which works best for you?

Now that you already have some idea about traditional and transitional interior design styles, you will be able to decide which style to use in your homes. The two styles may have many similarities, yet they both have the respective traits that make them even more extraordinary. 

If you are having a hard time looking for the perfect decor to upgrade your walls, then why not try displaying your family photos? This idea will give you the opportunity to showcase your loved ones. Whether in a formal pose with them or candid shots, family photos will surely make a difference to the overall appearance of your wall.

What’s so special about family photos

Family photos are not just printouts that will remind you of your loved ones and the adventures you have shared together. They can do so many things that will make you smile or cry. Looking at family albums will reminisce the times you’ve spent together. From family reunions to the birth of your firstborn child. Family photos are something that will be treasured forever. The good thing about these items is that they can be displayed in your homes making them perfect decors for your space. If printed in black and white, you will have classic and timeless memorabilia that many people love. 

Hang your family photos

Family photos can be displayed strategically in your homes. You can arrange them in different layouts that best suit your taste. If your want to be unique, display family photos in the kitchen so you and your family will have something to admire during dinner. Display them in the living room for a more comfortable and relaxing ambiance. 

Fill the whole wall

Another interesting idea is to fill the entire wall with photos. This is your chance to showcase the different family activities that you have treasured. By filling a wall in your room, you will be able to create an accent wall for the rest of the room. For sure, this site will be a total blast that your guests will love. 

A cool photo clock

Looking for an innovative idea to display your family photos? Create a photo clock wherein instead of using numbers, your photos will make a creative hourly display. Place your images around in a circular fashion to match the times of the clock and add clock hands in the center. You also have the freedom to choose whether the photos are in frames or simply stick them on the wall. 

Display with strings

Be innovative and hang your memories on strings. With this idea, you will have a spot to showcase your family escapades. You also have the freedom to add other decor items to fill in spaces or to add some artistry to your wall art. 

Display them on hanging shelves

Hanging shelves are the thing recently. These are particularly useful for small spaces as the shelves give you more area for other items. With hanging shelves, you will be able to display your photos and arrange them in whatever fashion you like. It is also recommended to use frames that match the material and color of the shelves. 

Make use of the staircase

The staircase is sometimes a neglected part of your home. Boost its appearance by decorating it. There are different ways to upgrade this area. For instance, the addition of wall decors creates a focal point that many people will adore. Display your photos to add life to the staircase. 

The minimalist interior design style is one of our favorites. It has the beauty and appeal that can give your freedom. Minimalism can be defined as a tool that assists you in finding the best with many opportunities available. The removal of any distraction so that one can focus on the more important things is the highlight of the minimalist interior design style. Being a minimalist is different from being simple. Minimalism means promoting the things that we value most and excluding the others that may cause distractions. 

What really is minimalism?

In the world of art and design, minimalism is expressed in a way that encompasses even beyond the social, geographical, and political divisions. The design style is very similar to modern interior design that involves only the bare essentials. As such, any living space will have a simple and uncluttered look. The minimalist design style is characterized by simplicity, clean lines, and a monochromatic palette with a few colors only used as accents. The interior also has an open floor plan, great lighting, functional furniture, and a handful of essentials. 

A brief history of minimalism

Minimalism is most commonly associated with the Western art movement that started in the 1950s. The movement focused on the idea that “art should have its own reality and not be an imitation of some other thing”. The style is influenced by many things such as abstract expressionism. However, minimalism focused more on geometric shapes, subtle colors, and the phrase “less is more”. 

The Japanese concept of wabi-sabi also influenced minimalism. The concept is all about imperfection and impermanence. Japanese minimalism uses clean lines, neutral tones, carefully placed tatami mats, and natural materials. In fact, many celebrity homes use the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi. 

The minimalist interior design style that we know today has a mixture of characteristics. Probably because of the different influences it had over the years. But the core concept of simplicity, clean lines, neutral tones, and unclutteredness never disappears. 

The Scandinavian decor and design style is also influenced by minimalism. It is common for Scandinavian homes to have light wood, dried greenery, and clean lines. 

Achieve the minimalist interior design style in your home

Since your home has different rooms, you can easily incorporate the design style by following some tips. For instance, the living room can look perfect with white or neutral walls, uncluttered coffee tables, soft colors, geometric patterns, and plants. These can help achieve an inviting and cozy atmosphere especially with lots of natural light getting in. For the dining room, the colors should likewise be simple. Choose neutral or black accents along with ceramic dinnerware in light hues to complete the view. 

The bedroom can be your sanctuary and should have an appearance that is relaxing and comfortable. It is all about creating a tranquil environment with the use of minimalist concepts. Use blankets and pillows in similar tones as well as a nightstand that appears simple. Be sure that they blend into the overall appearance of the room. 

Final thoughts

Decorating and styling your home is not a joke. It means that you have to be creative in your own way. The minimalist interior design style is not that hard to achieve. All you need to do is to incorporate the core concept of the style into your home and you will have the interior design of your dreams. 

The industrial interior design style is one of the appealing styles that features metal and open space. A wonderful design style that incorporates many elements of the Scandinavian hygge interior design. Read on to learn more about this design style and why it is preferred by many homeowners and designers.

Industrial Interior Design – what is it?

The industrial design style is inspired by the repurposed factories during the Industrial Revolution. It encompasses exposed architectural elements such as pipes, bricks, concrete, and is combined with the philosophy of the minimalist design. In addition to these, the design is also known for open floor plans and a cool neutral color palette. 

Although it is based on minimalist style, there is also the use of different rustic materials in furniture pieces and lighting accents. Many modern homes these days use a combination of industrial, mid-century modern, and farmhouse style to create cozy rooms throughout the entire home. 

How it began

Although industrial design style is regarded as modern, it still has its origins during the Industrial Revolution. It can be recalled that during that period, giant factories were built to store large machinery.

The First Industrial Revolution in the 1760s marked the beginning of mass production in urban Europe and the United States. Factories were the start of industrial architecture and were characterized by large, grid-paned windows to allow the entry of fresh air and natural light, lofts, open floor plans, and exposed brick walls. 

The Second Industrial Revolution in the 1870s  led to the construction of larger factories as businesses consolidated operations under one roof. Eventually, these factories required stronger construction materials, like concrete and steel. These materials were seen exposed in many instances. 

In the 2000s, New York and other urban areas were facing housing shortages. As such, the factories during the Industrial Revolutions were converted into industrial loft apartments with open floor plans. The selling points are the exposed materials and large windows. 

Minimalism and hygge also embraced the concepts of industrial design style. Repurposed materials were seen to coincide with the clean, straight lines that are common in the modern and minimalist design style. Many urban-styled homes are generally characterized by open plans, large windows, and neutral palettes, which are also common in Scandinavian homes. 

Characteristics of Industrial design style

Here are the characteristics of the Industrial design style that you will surely adore:

• The industrial design style uses neutral colors such as shades of white, gray, blacks, and brown. 
• Large natural windows are also common to allow the entry of natural light. 
• The open floor plan is also common as well as high ceilings, exposed brick, concrete floors, industrial pipes, and ductwork. 
• Repurposed materials are also important such as repurposed dining tables that will bring natural elements into the metal-heavy materials. 
• Edison bulbs that are hanging in singles or in a decorative group such as in a chandelier are also common elements. Use large metal domes, a pendant light, or floor lamps if you prefer something less bare. 
• Graphic lines can be seen in window panes, bar stools, and others. 
• Fabrics such as weathered leather or linen are added to furniture and accents, creating a cozy feel. 

By definition, zodiac signs are the imaginary belt of the heavens that contains the 12 constellations. These are called the signs of the zodiac. They usually contain pictures of animals, human figures, others, and are associated with the constellations and signs. Over the years, these signs have been used for some predictions that are based on the movement of the stars. The truth is that stars do not move, and it is our planet that rotates and revolves around the sun. But of course, this has been studied since ancient times and still kept us wondering about the mysteries of space. 

The use of the stars

Astrology has been used to search for answers, signs, and predictions and is based on the movements of the celestial bodies. Over the years, there have been debates about whether astrology is science itself. History has shown that humans have looked up at the stars to plan their lives. Since ancient times, different civilizations have used celestial bodies as a calendar. Stars are even used by travelers as a compass to know the direction where they need to go. 

The origins of the zodiac signs

People have turned to the stars for answers. This notion has been going on since we don’t know when. Nature has influenced humans in different ways. Archaeological excavations have revealed that cave paintings show that animals and things can be imbued as some kind of spirit form that influences humans. 

In Ancient China, people viewed eclipses and sunspots as harbingers of good or bad times for their emperor. Even the Sumerians and Babylonians also have divination practices. Their observations of the planets and stars were their way of keeping track of the whereabouts of their gods. It was the ancient Egyptians that gave the idea that patterns of stars make up constellations. 

The 12 signs of the zodiac

It was during the Ancient Greek period that the 12 zodiac signs became popular just like the ones we are familiar with these days. Aries, Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces, These zodiac signs were named after constellations and matched with dates based on their placement in the sky. 

By 1500 BC, the Babylonians had divided the zodiac into 12 equal signs and are similar to the zodiac signs we know today. These were later on incorporated into Greek divination. It was the astronomer Ptolemy who helped popularize the 12 zodiac signs. 

The difference between astrology and astronomy

Over the years, people have considered astrology to be similar to astronomy. An example is Johannes Kepler who studied the movement of the planets, is also considered to be an astrologer. Sir Isaac Newton used mathematics in studying the motion of the planets. This was then the advent of the scientific approach to looking at the sky and the motion of the planets and the earth. This was the point when astronomy was known to be part of science and astrology was not a science.