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We have seen various arts over the years, but watercolor paintings evoke an incomparable beauty. You may have your own descriptive words when you see one. For us, the words can be legendary, beautiful, WOW! Watercolor has an inner beauty that pulls anyone in. This medium offers rich, vivid soft, and soothing tones. It is also considered to be one of the accessible and versatile art forms that can turn any plain paper into remarkable artwork. 

Watercolor painting likewise has different characteristics that are good to know, especially if you want to try watercolor painting. Just like in any painting, these factors are important for you to turn any plain paper into something monumental.

Transparency

The natural beauty of watercolor is based on its luminosity and transparency. When mixed with water, it gives the water-soluble pigments or palette its transparent with pastel-like properties. Once applied, it allows the whiteness of the paper to highlight and enhance the luminosity of the painting. 

Staining and non-staining paints

Applying watercolors immediately penetrates the fibers of the paper and stains it. On the other hand, non-staining watercolors stay on the surface of the paper and can be lifted when dry.

You can test watercolor before using them. Paint a patch of color and let it dry. Then try to scrape off some paint with a stiff, wet brush. The staining quality of the paint is determined by the amount of pigment that remains. 

Granulating quality

Depending on the pigment, the particles in the paint may be considered to be heavy or light. The particles of watercolor paints are heavier and tend to separate from the water. Granulating paint adds interest and texture to a painting. 

Fugitive and non-fugitive paints

Fugitive paint tends to fade quickly while non-fugitive paints will not fade over time. This element determines the longevity of the art. Thus, it is important to use good quality paint so that the art will last longer. 

Final thoughts

Watercolor paintings are among the popular art that has been created over the years. They have certain effects on the overall art that may be considered unique as compared with other forms. The colors they create with the blending easily distinguish watercolor painting over the others. The beauty is even enhanced with the stroke, depth, and subject. The art is even taught during primary years, in which kids are given the tools needed to create their art. Sometimes other tools are added in addition to the brush. Kids can create art based on their imagination, and how simple it may be, but one can easily distinguish that watercolor is used. Some of you may also be familiar that even vegetable cut-ups can be used to create art on plain paper. This is one of the amazing things about watercolor – its versatility. 

Life is a combination of both happiness and sadness. Becoming happy is not that impossible, but depends on our perceptions. There are many things that can make us happy, such as traveling, reading, shopping, cooking, playing, and singing. Our life is packed with excitement and satisfaction and happiness can easily be seen on our faces. Happiness is all about getting inner satisfaction and the well-being of the mind and body. It is expressed in various forms like excitement, pride, joy, and gratitude. 

What makes us happy?

This is probably one of the questions that are difficult to answer and probably a confusing one. We find happiness even in the smallest things in life. It is difficult to list all these things as they greatly depend on every individual. It may be your family, doing some volunteer work, the beauty of nature, your room, your favorite music, or your most-loved pet. The list may be long and not the same with even your closest friend or family member. People can be happy with different things. It is likewise a misconception that wealth and success are crucial for being happy. If this is true, then only the wealthiest will be happy in this world. Happiness comes from the things that we love to do and these cannot be bought with money. 

Being happy in your home

In a fast-paced world, it is important to have a space to relax and slow down a little. We all need a place where we can be healthy and happy, and feel safe, secure, and protected. However, this is not just about emotions. They have to be supported through materials, interior design, and decorative items. Colors, for instance, play an important role in boosting the mood of an individual. Cheerful, mood-boosting colors bring optimism and energy to your rooms. 

Interior decorations are likewise crucial in creating a happy ambiance. Decorating the walls with various items like personalized framed art, personal keepsakes, souvenir items, wall coverings, and others. Any blank walls can be seen as dull and boring. However, with these wall decors, everything changes. This is your chance to level up the overall appearance of your home. 

Plants and other natural elements

Mental health is quite a big topic nowadays. While we are still battling the pandemic, we also need to take care of our mental health. One of the easy ways to improve our mood and help reduce stress and anxiety is to fill your home with plants. Indoor plants help a lot in improving our health and indoor air quality. Gardening is a great activity to do with your loved ones. Not only gardening can evoke health and environmental benefits, but it can likewise strengthen the bond between the family members. 

Make a memory wall

Memory walls display artifacts, pictures, and other items from family and friends. It celebrates the family as a whole and shows all of the good times you spent all these years. Among these, the easiest way to create a sophisticated memory wall is to display pictures in black frames or white frames. The items should take up the entire wall and each item needs to be equally spaced from the other. This wall design can help you remember all the memorable moments that you have spent with your loved ones.

Color mixing may be challenging but can be a fun and exciting aspect of interior decorating. If properly done, the output can be satisfying. Knowing the basics of mixing colors is important to be successful in the decorating project. Read on to learn more about mixing colors and how to do it like the pros.

Mixing colors and your room

Mixing colors is one of the activities that you cannot do without when it comes to decorating your room. This activity can unleash your creativity and resourcefulness. It can be challenging as well because of some rules to consider. However, this can easily be done with the help of some experts and various references. 

The color wheel and how to use it

We often tend to be a bit complicated when it comes to thinking and handling things. Sometimes we forget that there are easy ways to deal with them. When it comes to home decorating projects, we usually take a difficult path. However, if things go haywire, we seek the help of professionals that costs us extra cash.

The good news is mixing colors can be learned and done with the help of various references. The truth with mixing colors is that you have absolute freedom in choosing the colors for your room. It is also vital that some key tips are followed and observed for a more remarkable interior.

Over the years, color wheels have been used in different fields. It is an abstract organization of colors in a concentric arrangement. The color wheel represents the science behind color and the relationship among the colors. Just like what we have learned in our early years in school, the wheel has three primary colors: red, blue, and yellow; three secondary colors: green, violet, and yellow; and six tertiary colors: red-orange, yellow-orange, blue-green, blue-purple, red-purple.

There are two types of color mixing: additive mixing and subtractive mixing. Additive mixing is a type of mixing when you add colors to create white light. This mixing usually makes use of primary colors. The subtractive mixing, on the other hand, makes use of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. 

Tips on mixing colors

Now that you know what color wheel and color mixing are, you can use them to transform your room. Color mapping is one of the techniques you can use. This is a method where you can pull all the colors throughout the space. This is to guarantee that all the primary colors are employed proportionally in the space to make the whole room look more cohesive. Black and white can likewise be added to make an accent.

Black and white create design variety. White makes a tint when added to a particular color, while black adds shade. Understanding how colors relate to each other will give you a color scheme that can be used in any room or living space. 

Experts believe that colors affect the mood of people. In general, colors are divided into whether they are cool or warm. Warm colors can evoke fun and exciting atmosphere in any room, and they can bring out the positive aspects of life. Examples are red, orange, and yellow.

Colors and mood

Science describes colors as visual perception and that they are categorized in different categories. It was observed that when eyes connect with colors, various chemicals are released from the brain. These chemicals have particular effects on the physical and emotional levels.

These are the reasons why in the advertising and marketing industries, certain colors are used to highlight the brand. Different color palettes have been used by companies in the packaging of their products and also in designing their promotional materials. The color orange, for instance, is usually seen in restaurants since it stimulates appetite. Red, on the other hand, brings out masculinity.

Colors are also important in interior design. The use of colors is one of the important factors in creating the right atmosphere in a room. In many instances, home interiors are seen in neutral colors like black, blue, gray, and white. Unfortunately, these colors do not provide any health benefits as compared to warm colors.

Why use warm colors

Warm colors are those that are in the red area of the color spectrum. In human health, warm colors are known to have positive effects. These colors evoke emotions that range from warmth and comfort to anger and hostility. These colors stimulate the body that creates a happy emotion.

On the other hand, cool colors are those that are on the blue side of the color spectrum. Examples are blue, purple, and green. These colors are calming and relaxing. However, they also evoke a feeling of sadness. 

Red

The color with the longest wavelength and considered to be powerful. It can catch attention as compared with other colors. These are some of the reasons why red is used in traffic lights as it evokes physical and psychological responses. 

The positive traits of red are courage, strength, warmth, energy, stimulation, and excitement. It was also observed that the color can stimulate circulation, thus increasing the circulation of blood and oxygen.

Yellow

The color with a relatively long and stimulating wavelength. In color psychology, yellow is considered to be a strong color. The right shade of yellow can uplift the spirit and boost self-esteem as well as self-confidence and optimism. On the contrary, yellow can promote feelings of irrationality, fear, depression, and anxiety.

Orange

The color that results from the combination of red and yellow. This is another stimulating color that has effects on the mind. Orange also represents human needs, such as food, warmth, shelter, and sensuality. 

Final thoughts

Warm colors are considered to be stimulating colors as they help activate the mind and body. As such, blood circulation is increased to help the cells receive more oxygen. This in effect promotes cell growth and organ function. In addition to these, the immune system is also stimulated to fight disease-causing microorganisms. The brain is also well-oxygenated making the mind sharp and focused.

Posh, cozy, and appealing. These are what to expect in a girl’s room. Decorating their rooms is a cool bonding activity that you can do with your daughter. From the planning stage to the activity itself, your child will have a memorable experience that she can treasure forever.

Colors to consider for the bedroom

Looking for a fun and thrilling activity to do with your little girl? Then decorating their room is one of the perfect activities that you can do. There is a wide range of choices when it comes to this. The colors, for instance, may come in different appearances and are commonly adored by girls. Pink or any shade of pink is the most frequently used color for the bedroom.

Though it is the most preferred color, the room does not need to be overwhelmed by it. You can blend other colors to give the room some accent. You can also add purple as this is also a classic girl’s color. These colors can be romantic and may be considered to be a girlish territory. 

Try combining a bright shade of pink with yellow, lime green, and other bright colors as these will likewise help create a feminine and striking look in the room. Pink and orange are another powerful combination and will look impressive with white furnishings. Another interesting color combination is pink and black, especially with black furniture pieces as this combination can give a sophisticated appearance. 

For a peaceful and serene room atmosphere, it is recommended to have the walls with neutral colors. This may serve as a wonderful backdrop for the furnishings and decorative items that you will add. Neutral colors are also versatile as you can use different furnishings without changing the colors of the wall. 

A fairy tale in the bedroom

Every little girl dreams of being a princess. Becoming part of a fairy tale is one of the loveliest things that you can do to your little girl. This can be done by creating a fairy tale in their bedroom. Images, decors, and toys of castles, fairies, kings, queens, princes, and princesses will help in transforming their bedroom into a kingdom. 

Posters that feature different fairy tale characters can help you create stories for them and let them be part of the adventure. Nursery-themed prints can also make the room look adorable. Prints of cartoon-like animals can help them learn more about their nature. With a little creativity, you will bring the fantasy into the bedroom. 

Posters that can be displayed

The display of posters is one of the easiest and cost-efficient ways to decorate the girls’ bedroom. There is a wide range of available designs that young girls will adore. Examples are prints that feature flowers, cartoon characters, nature, and typography. These posters are adorable and can instantly transform the overall appearance of their room. 

In addition to these, the frames of the prints add beauty to the walls. Neutral colored frames will enhance the appeal of the prints. They will likewise make the walls look more interesting and exciting.

Over the years, wine has been one of the most preferred alcoholic beverages of many individuals. It has a distinct taste that stimulates the palate. In addition to this, the list of benefits is long and becomes more interesting as you read more about them. We are not going to be too technical and medical about them, but it is fantastic to know that wine is not just your average alcoholic drink. Read on to learn more about the health benefits of drinking wine and why more people prefer it over other alcoholic beverages.

Red wine can protect your heart

Red wine has several heart-protecting benefits. Studies have shown that drinking red wine is associated with a lower risk of developing heart disease. The high concentration of polyphenol antioxidants can help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and metabolic diseases. 

Drinking wine can fight inflammation

Red wine is rich in polyphenols, including resveratrol, anthocyanins, catechins, and tannins. As such, red wine show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These chemicals likewise reduce insulin resistance and decrease stress. Resveratrol can be found in foods like grapes, peanuts, chocolate, and berries. 

Improve mood

Many individuals have associated drinking alcohol with better mood. This has been supported by several studies in which people who had a glass of wine in an unpleasant environment, experienced mood improvement. The result is the same with people who are in a more pleasant environment. Moderate intake of wine may also reduce the risk of depression. So now we know.

Boost the immune system

Studies about wine have revealed that a glass of wine a day reduces the risk of infection by Helicobacter pylori. This is a bacteria that causes gastritis, ulcers, and stomach cancers. Half a glass of wine may also guard your intestines against food poisoning caused by bacteria. 

Build better bones

Women who drink moderately have been found to have higher bone mass as compared to those who do not drink wine at all. The alcohol content has estrogen boosting ability and this hormone can prevent or slow down the destruction of old bones. 

Prevent the increase in blood sugar

The study was conducted with premenopausal women who drink one to two glasses of wine per day. It has been concluded that these women will be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes. It was also observed that wine can reduce resistance to insulin in diabetic patients. 

Are we going to take that leap of faith?

Actually, it’s not a leap of faith anymore. There are a lot of studies that support the medical benefit of wine. The next question is, what type of wine to drink. Red wine likely offers more health benefits than white wine. Although, white wine still needs further studies to identify the benefits they give. 

Now we are aware of the health benefits that wine gives. It is great to know that excessive alcohol intake can be harmful. As much as we want to have those benefits, binge drinking may result in negative health outcomes. In fact, thousands of people die every year because of excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages. 

Health-related concerns about excessive alcohol drinking include increased risk of certain cancers, diabetes, heart problems, liver diseases, and pancreatic diseases. So how much is enough? Daily intake of wine with the associated health benefits are 1 glass of wine for women and 2 glasses for men. 

Pizza, Pasta, Tiramisu. These are just some of the Italian food that many of us love. If you are looking for an authentic Italian restaurant, then move around the Metro and you will surely find one that you will love. It is easy to spot one. In addition to the name of the restaurant and the menu they serve, it is also common to see checkered table cloth, grapevine images, and statues. If you are planning to start an Italian restaurant business, then decorating it would help boost your business. Here are some ideas that may help you.

Furniture pieces that will add style

Though there are different types of Italian restaurants, they have many similarities when it comes to their design. In most Italian restaurants, you will see button-tufted restaurant booths, restaurant wood chairs, and wooden tables that are adorned in white linen cloths with fancy china and glassware. Fine-dining Italian restaurants have cushion upholstered lounge chairs and sofas for a more comfortable dining experience. 

Wall art and other decorations

Designing an Italian restaurant can be challenging yet fun. Soon as you have accomplished the task, you will immediately be transported to Italy with the aroma of fresh herbs and spices. The wall can be transformed with the display of framed restaurant menu, or you may opt to display a poster advertising Italian food and drink, such as wine, bread, and olive oil. 

You can likewise add framed photos of famous Italian personalities and handwritten words like “dining” and “ristorante”. This can be done with the use of stencils or by projecting the word on the wall using a projector and tracing it with a brush and paint. 

Other items that can be displayed are Italian kitchen tools on the wall like paddles, cutting boards, and dough rollers. Before displaying these items, you can paint the walls with the colors yellow and orange.

Lighting the restaurant

Lighting is another crucial part of decorating an Italian restaurant. The use of ceiling lights is common along with captivating pendant lighting hanging over the tables. These types of lights add a statement and visual interest to the overall ambiance of the interior. 

Tables and seating arrangements

Plank wood tables are common in Italian restaurants. Upholstered vintage-styled chairs and cushioned playing-back restaurant booths are used to give the restaurant interior an artistic look with a touch of elegance and luxurious appeal. 

Food and service to complete the Italian dining experience

Make sure that the kitchen staff is well-trained in preparing Italian cuisine with efficiency and confidence. Good customer service is always expected from all the staff members. When it comes to food preparations, you may try using organic and locally sourced ingredients with vegan options for vegetarians. Never hesitate to use high-quality ingredients that adhere to tradition so that your customers will have loyalty to your brand. 

Final thoughts

Restaurants become great with the details that you add. The ambiance is as important as the food that you prepare and serve. As such, not only that the customers will enjoy authentic Italian cuisine, but they will likewise indulge themselves in the Italian ambiance that many people have adored over the years. May the restaurant interior be traditional or contemporary Italian, the most important thing is that the customers keep coming back to enjoy the dining experience.

It is a fact that home renovation projects can boost the value of your home. However, not all homeowners can upgrade their homes with a flick of their fingers. This is due to various reasons, especially when it comes to budget. We know that materials and labor costs these days are not a joke. Worry no more as there are many ways to upgrade your home without going into debt or breaking your savings. Read on to know some of the interesting ways to increase the home value with DIY projects.

Give your walls a new look

It is common to have scratches, dirty paint, outdated colors, and fading wallpaper. These can be remedied with a little style, creativity, and a few cans of paint. Choose a neutral color scheme such that it can unify the whole house. This scheme can likewise be appealing to potential buyers. 

Update your fixtures

Some fixtures need to be replaced or updated. Switch plates, outlet covers, curtain rods, light fixtures, and doorknobs. Old ones tend to be boring and with a little spending, the overall appearance of the room may be different and lively. Be smart in purchasing these items. No need to choose the expensive ones as they may have the same quality as those cheaper items. You still need to do some research, though, so that you may not end up buying the wrong items. 

Ceiling fans

Want to cut down on your electricity consumption? Install ceiling fans as these are good alternatives to air conditioners. Ceiling fans also reduce heating costs b circulating warm air await from the ceiling. 

Improve the window treatments

Replace vertical plastic blinds, paper shades, or horizontal aluminum blinds. These are no longer in trend and don’t add value to your homes. Use plantation shutters, wooden blinds, or drapes. Neutral colors are the best choice, especially if you are planning to sell your home.

Restore hardwood floors

In many instances, older homes have hardwood floors hidden underneath the carpet or any floor covering. If you have squeaky floors then you have wooden floors. If you are still not sure, pull up your carpet and check. Before revealing them, there is a good chance that you need to refinish them to restore them to their original state. This is cheaper than installing new flooring. 

Paint or stain kitchen cabinets

You could buy new cabinets and save money by purchasing prefabricated cabinets and installing them yourself. White cabinets tend to brighten the kitchen and never go out of style. To do this, you need to remove all the hardware from the cabinets, including the doors. Clean them so that dirt and grease will not ruin your work. In doing so, you may also want to upgrade the bathroom cabinets as well. 

Final Thoughts

Upgrading your home does not have to be expensive. It does not require hiring contractors or other experts. These days, there are many ingenious ways to boost your home without spending that much. As a result, the value of your home may likewise be improved for future buyers or even for your own satisfaction.

What comes to your mind when it comes to eating in a fine dining restaurant? In general, fine dining refers to an experience of a customer in a restaurant with higher quality and greater formality as compared to a casual dining restaurant. A fine dining restaurant is more elegant and the food is served more formally. In terms of staff members, fine dining restaurants usually have more. Staff members have a higher level of training and expertise. 

In terms of food, the will be of the highest quality, made with luxurious ingredients, served in beautiful presentations. Expect that the quality of the dishware and cutlery are higher. Moreover, the decor and architecture are remarkable. With this said, expect the prices to be higher as compared to any casual dining restaurant. You are paying for the higher quality of food, the ambiance, and the highly trained staff. 

The atmosphere

The atmosphere in any fine dining restaurant is created to give its customers a certain type of dining experience. Fine dining restaurants evoke a formal and a high class and can be found in beautiful buildings with beautiful natural surroundings. Although not all have a view of the natural surroundings, it is ensured that customers will have a wonderful view. 

The furniture pieces are classy-looking and of high quality with some antique pieces in the mix. The walls may likewise have high-quality artwork arranged gorgeously. Customers are given more privacy with the spacing between tables. Do not be surprised if tablecloths are placed on tables along with cloth napkins and higher quality silverware and glassware. 

Many fine dining restaurants do not play any background music. However, if they do, it is usually classical played at low volumes so as not to distract the customers. The staff members are usually in uniforms or in dress in black, or black and white colors. They are trained and experienced in providing the appropriate level of personalization and attention to every table. As such, customers receive a great dining experience. 

The size

FIne dining restaurants are somehow smaller in size as compared to casual restaurants. They usually have fewer locations so that the owners and chefs can deliver the best level of quality. With the size in consideration, the works of the chef can take the center stage and staff members can give guests more personal attention.