Search Results for: wood

Valentine’s Day is one of the most awaited days by almost all individuals. This is celebrated in the name of Saint Valentine, the mysterious saint who is known to have defied the Roman emperor in service of the people. Saint Valentine performed secret marriages for young lovers. It was the belief of emperor Claudius II that single men made better soldiers than those who are already married. As such, Saint Valentine performed the sacrament of matrimony for young soldiers. Over the years, with his story and along with other tales, couples across the world started celebrating Valentine’s Day as the day of love. Read on to know more about how different countries celebrate the special day.

A week-long celebration in Argentina

Valentine’s Day in the country is not celebrated in February but in July. They call it, “the week of sweetness”. This is the time when lovers exchange kisses and receive sweet treats. It used to be a commercial activity, but later on, became a tradition. 

Romantic getaway in France

Did you know that the first-ever Valentine’s Day card originated in France? This was when Charles, the Duke of Orleans, sent love letters to his wife from the prison in 1415. There is also a French village called, Valentine, which is known to be the center of romance on the 12th and 14th of February. Homes are decorated with love cards, roses, and proposals for marriage flakes. 

A gala event in the Philippines

Valentine’s Day in the Philippines is a perfect day for young couples to get married in a mass wedding ceremony that is sponsored by the government. This is done as a form of public service. The day is considered to be special by many young couples. 

National chocolate day in Ghana

February 14 in Ghana is known as the “National Chocolate Day”. Ghana is known to be one of the largest cocoa-producing countries in the world. This is celebrated to increase tourism in the country. As such, couples or even those without dates on the said day can attend various events like performances, music events, and restaurants. 

The day of winemakers in Bulgaria

On February 14, the country celebrates the San Trifon Zartan or the “day of winemakers”. Couples celebrate their love with a glass of local wine. 

Wales – the day of the San Dwynwen

In Wales, Valentine’s Day is celebrated on January 25. This is called the “day of the San Dwynwen”. Lovers exchange gifts in the form of handcrafted wooden spoons. Interestingly, this has been the practice since the 16th century.

Feast of Saint Dionysius in Spain

In Valencia, Spain, the day of love is celebrated on October 9. This is known as the feast of Saint Dionysius. Macadora or marzipan figurines are made by men as a gift to their female partners. Parades are also done as part of the celebration. 

A celebration of love in Denmark

In Denmark, the 14th of February is celebrated by giving chocolates and roses. In addition to these, they also give handmade cards with pressed white flowers, called snowdrops. 

Exchange of unusual gifts in Japan

Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14 and women buy gifts for their male partners. Men can’t return gifts until the 14th of March and this is called the “white day”.

Lovers Day in Brazil

Lovers day or Dia dos Namorados in Brazil is celebrated by exchanging chocolates, cards, and by watching music festivals, and dance performances. Family dinners are also common on that day. 

Wall accents are always in trend and these days, they look and feel better. Try blending color, texture, and tone and be able to create a space that will change your life forever. With a little creativity and resourcefulness, you will be able to create a wall that can be the focal point of your room.

Paint the walls

Of course, the most common way to add life to your walls is by painting them. It is common to see walls with only one color of paint. However, think bolder and add style with stripes, circles, chevrons, or any design or pattern you prefer. All you need are some additional materials like painter’s tape, a pencil, and a level.

Use what already exists

Before finalizing your plan of adding accents on your walls, see if it already has any existing structure or decor. Some homes may have a fireplace present that needs to be dressed up. This can be done with colors, paneling, stonework, and others. 

Create a feature wall

Time to bring out all the photos you have kept over the years. May these be in the album or in your hard drive, they can be displayed to create a feature wall of memories. Have them in frames and arrange them in a layout that fits your taste. Not only that the photos are able to create a nostalgic atmosphere, but they will also look great as an accent to your walls. 

Patchwork

Fabric can be used to create a funky wall accent. What makes fabric perfect is that they come in different colors and are affordable. Choose a selection of coordinating fabrics and wrap them around sturdy cardboard or very thin wood or plastic squares. Stick them on the wall with the use of double-sided mounting tape. 

Cover with wallpaper

Wallpaper is one of the most common wall coverings that is used over the years. These days, wallpapers are easier to install and even easier to remove. This makes it one of the preferred wall coverings. 

Wall murals

Another impressive wall covering is wall murals. These are innovative wall decors and come with different designs or images. Just like wallpaper, wall murals are easy to install and will surely be loved by all members of your family. 

Posters

Posters are great! They are affordable and made from high-quality materials. You just have to choose the right shop to order since there are those that print art on not-so-good materials. There are also numerous designs to choose from and they can easily be matched with any interior design style that your space has. 

Tile your walls

Tiles were once thought to be used only in particular places like the bathroom and kitchen. Nowadays, tiles can accent almost any wall due to the wide range of styles and sizes available in the market. When used in the kitchen, tiles can be used as a backsplash along a wall and can be stretched to the ceiling. 

Stickers

Stickers are easy to install, yet some may be difficult to remove. Just like posters and wallpapers, stickers come in many designs. All you need is a little imagination and creativity to have compelling wall art.

Take a walk down memory lane and see how beautiful the styles that are popular even in films are. You probably have used them in your home for years until other trends have come along. These days, the styles of the 80s are making a comeback and are being used in many homes, offices, restaurants, and other establishments. Read on to know more about the styles that many people have loved over the years. 

Chintz

Chintz is a printed cotton fabric with a glazed finish and multicolored patterns. It was originally used for upholstery, curtains, and clothing. These days, chintz refers to the floral patterns seen in fabric and other decorative materials, such as wallpaper. It is common to see designs and patterns such as nature, flowers, and leaves. 

Pastels

Pastel colors belong to a pale family of colors that are described to have high value and low saturation. The colors of this family are considered to be soothing. The most commonly used pastels are pink, mauve, baby blue, mint green, peach, periwinkle, and lavender. 

Country Style

Country interior style is any design that appears casual and cozy. The overall appearance eludes the feeling of simple country life. It includes color palettes that are bright along with pastel colors. In addition to these, the colors should also be able to blend perfectly with other design elements like vintage wares and second-hand accessories.

Verdigris

Verdigris is a green or bluish patina that forms on copper, brass, or bronze surfaces that is exposed to air for long periods of time. It consists mainly of copper sulfate. 

Open Kitchens

The open kitchen is a remarkable design for homes that are small. The absence of barriers or doors allows spaces to flow into each other. This design makes the home look more spacious than it is. The good thing about open kitchen design is that it also keeps the family in touch by integrating meal preparation with nearby activities like watching television in the family room. 

Memphis-Inspired Design

The Memphis Design is one of the most popular styles ever created. It is known for the use of bright neon, primary and pastel colors, geometric shapes, and bold, repetitive patterns, such as black and white stripes. 

Preppy

Preppy interior design showcases genteel mix patterns. Plaid is the traditional pattern of preppy style, but not the only one. Think about stripes, houndstooth, herringbone, and gingham checks mix to create a curated look that is anything but stuffy. 

Shabby Chic

Shabby Chic is defined as having a soft, relaxed, romantic style that appears cozy and inviting. The design style usually is related to females, On the other hand, masculine shabby chic appears to be rusty, along with deeper or richer colors. Other decorative items that may be used to achieve the design style are rustic furniture, unfinished wood, denim, burlap, sailcloth, and homespun. 

Japanese Zen

Soothing and spiritual, Japanese-inspired design was a popular trend in the 80s. Zen refers to meditation and has become a popular principle for interior designers. The design style focuses on creating balance, harmony, and feelings of relaxation through a minimalist approach. 

A retro style in decorating your home does not only focus on one aspect. It actually encompasses different decades of styles. These have been influenced by several trends and styles from the past. Although the term “retro” refers to something in the past, it actually describes the decor from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. A retro design style has a fun and lively feel that is characterized by bright colors, wild designs, and an overall sense of flair. The retro design style requires a bold approach and likewise requires a certain personality to achieve it. Bring the design style to your home with the elements and inspiration below. 

Furniture

Furniture pieces in retro style have an abstract feel to them. It also seems like every piece is almost fighting to be the focal point of the room. The sofas are usually broad and elongated that are also decorated with multi-colored pillows. The materials used in barstools are usually shiny and metallic along with bright red seats. The retro design style is also complete when Mitt chairs and puzzle-piece ottomans are added.

Colors

Choosing the colors that help achieve the design style is not that hard. You can choose from avocado green, mustard yellow, brown, black, white, and red. The combination of purple and hot pink is great to achieve the style. You can also have mixes of bright orange, green, indigo blue, and yellow. The retro era is also popular for tie-dyed fabrics, checkered patterns, and elaborate paisley prints. 

Textures

Go retro with shag carpeting, smooth plastics, soft vinyl, and crushed velvet. When achieving the style, remember to go bold.

Accents and flooring

When it comes to decorating, there is actually no limit. Add accents and accessories like fuzzy throw rugs, door beads, lava lamps, skate tables, and scoop stools. It is also common to see bold and unusual art and sculptures. These pieces tend to be abstract in nature rather than simple still-life and landscapes. When it comes to flooring choose from natural wood, shag carpeting, and a bold mix of tiles. Placed in a checkerboard pattern. 

Lighting

Get the retro style with floor lamps and lamps with square or tasseled shades. You can also choose a swag multi-colored chandelier that plugs into a wall socket and feature a dangling cord draped from hook to hook. 

Final thoughts

The retro design style is fun and exciting. There’s no doubt about that! It is all about the blending of shapes, textures, and colors. The furniture of the retro era is sturdy, durable, and functional. Achieving the design style is requires attention to detail and it is important to be versatile with the materials and decors available. Remember, anything goes, and do not tone down a retro-style decor.

The 1980s interior design can be described as complex as it consists of metallic accents, prominent angles, and curves. The good thing about it is it can easily be integrated into other design styles. From bright colors to flat designs and numerous geometric figures, the 1980’s design can boost modern interior.

The modern appearance of the 80s reflected the “less is more” approach together with the minimalist spaces that highlight the clean-lined furniture. The surfaces characterized to be reflective was achieved with the use of mirror, chrome, and glass. These were used to visually enlarge the room. Gray was usually seen on the walls wherein other colors such as white could easily be combined. White was likewise popular during the decade together with contemporary lighting fixtures.

The events in the 80s

The decade was marked by socioeconomic change due to advances in technology. It is also a period of moving away from the planned economy and gearing towards laissez-faire capitalism. Many believed that this change in the global economy is attributed to the “Reagan Boom” in which there was a drastic increase in job employment and economic expansion in the United States.

Multinational manufacturing companies relocated to various countries such as Thailand, Mexico, South Korea, China, and Japan, providing these countries with economic growth and a decrease in the unemployment rate. 

This is also the decade of the end of the Cold War between the United States and the USSR that almost escalated to the use of nuclear weapons in both countries. The collapse of Soviet communism also happened during the decade, wherein the United Kingdom and the United States started a trend in international trade that would eventually be used in the succeeding decades. 

With these developments in the developed countries, the developing countries on the other hand are having financial crises and an increase of debt from the International Bank and the World Bank is evidently observed. 

The AIDS epidemic was recognized during the decade as well as global warming which has started to become a problem. 

Designing your home the 80s way

Designs that were popular in the 80s are making their come back these days and it is not difficult to integrate them into other designs. Try to adopt these ideas and create a comfortable and nostalgic vibe in your home. 

• Chintz – a printed multicolored cotton fabric with a glazed finish, used as curtains and upholstery.
• Pastel colors – soft pastels were commonly used in the 80’s interior decoration. The application of white in generous amounts could intensity the soft colors of the pastel.
• Country style – the design refers to the aesthetic that represents rural farmhouse-like design. This has gained popularity due to the simplicity it projects. Pastel and bright colors will blend well with the country-style design. Materials used in this style include rocks, wood, and other natural elements.
• Verdigris – blue-green tarnish on certain metals after they were left outdoors for a long period of time. Metals such as bronze, copper, and brass get verdigris due to exposure to moisture and air. 
• Memphis-inspired Design – this design was made popular by Memphis Milano in which includes bright looks and bold geometric patterns. 
• Open kitchens – the purpose of the open kitchen is to avoid the isolation of the person who is using the kitchen from the actions simultaneously happening in the other rooms such as the living room and the dining area.
• Shabby chic design – white and antique in appearance coupled with sofas covered with quilted comforters and simple grommets. 
• Japanese Zen – Zen is known for its simplicity and spiritual appearance with the use of elements such as pebbles arranged neatly in certain areas. 

Probably at least once in your life, you were able to receive a greeting card. You may still remember the feeling of receiving it from your crush or even from a friend whom you haven’t since for a long time. Who does not love receiving a greeting card? For many people, it is one of the best gifts to receive on their birthdays or holidays. A thoughtful message scribbled on the card can mean a lot to the one receiving it. Just like the greeting cards, they have a colorful history that many are not aware of. Read on to know more about how it all began. 

How it all began

Little did we know that greeting cards are already in existence since the early Egyptians. During that time, the Egyptians used papyrus scrolls to send letters. This was also the practice of the Chinese who exchanged messages at New Year. Since then, other cultures have created their own version of greeting cards. 

During the 1400s, handmade greeting cards were being sold and exchanged across Europe. The Germans spent more effort in sending greeting cards. They used woodcuts where the design was hand-carved onto it to create a print on paper. In Italy, intricate lace effect filigrees were applied to the cards and were sent on certain occasions, especially Valentine’s Day. The card was expensive and was used only by the wealthy. 

The popularity of greeting cards

The advancement of printing technology has helped a lot in making greeting cards more affordable. In 1843, Sir Henry Cole decided to create the first commercial Christmas card. Being one of the elites in Victorian England, Cole had a very long Christmas list. This prompted him to create a way to reduce time and effort. The cards he created depicted three scenes, a family gathered celebrating Christmas and the charitable acts of clothing the poor and feeding the hungry. There were 1000 copies printed in black and white before being hand painted. However, the price of the cards is still a little bit pricey, especially for the working class. 

Greeting cards these days

Since the 1860s, companies have been mass-producing greeting cards. With the available printing technology, the quantity increased while the price decreased. In the 1930s colored printing was introduced that made the greeting cards even more popular. Today, greeting cards are used all over the world and on every occasion. It was also revealed that the industry is worth around $7.5 billion and the average person sends an average of 55 cards per year. In fact, in Canada alone, there are around 40 million Valentine’s Day cards bought every year.

Christmas is one of the most awaited seasons around the world. It is both a religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. Christians around the world have been celebrating the season with traditions and practices that commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. Some of the common traditions include exchanging gifts, decorating with Christmas trees, attending Christmas mass, and sharing meals with families and friends. Decorating the homes with ornaments is likewise practiced. With the thousands of decors available, it is also common for many households to display DIY Christmas decorations. Creating DIY decors unleashes the creativity and imagination of many individuals. 

Christmas decorations around the world

Different countries have their own way of celebrating Christmas as well as the decors displayed. The decorations are any ornamentation used to make the spirit of Christmas felt and experienced by many. Traditionally, the colors used are pine green, snow white, and heart red. Blue and the white color combination are also common as this represents winter. Other decors that are usually displayed are Baby Jesus, Father Christmas, Santa Claus, the star of Bethlehem, snowflakes, snowmen, icicles, penguins, and polar bears. 

DIY Christmas decorations

Make your home vibrant this Christmas season with DIY decorations. These will not only save you money but are also a great way to spend quality time with your family, especially during weekends. Any material can be used and be transformed into something remarkable. DIY Christmas decorations can be used to make your home look festive, from the entryway to the dining room. Christmas color schemes can instantly make your space attractive and captivating. Adding accents to the dining table, like the silver embellished napkin rings and a centerpiece will surely be adored by your family. 

Homemade Christmas decorations to try

Creating homemade Christmas decorations is one of the fun and exciting things that you can do to transform the overall appearance of your home and prep it for the season. Here are some DIY Christmas decorations that you can make and decorate your space:

• Snowman made from plastic cups
• Handmade hoop ornaments
• DIY Christmas tree garlands
• DIY cotton thread snowman
• Painted or filled DIY ball ornaments
• Paper cut-outs buntings

Add a rustic style with wooden Christmas decors

Wood is one of the common materials used in making decors. The good thing about wood is that it can make everything in the interior look natural and comfortable. Reclaimed wood is affordable and yet they give a big impact on the whole appearance of the room when designed properly. In addition to these, wood can give the interior a rustic appearance for a more comfortable and inviting vibe. 

Paper Christmas decorations

Paper Christmas decorations are relatively easy to do and will definitely look great in your home. Especially when they are hanging from your tree. Paper decors are easy to assemble, affordable, and versatile. Paper can be fashioned into Christmas trees, bells, stars, and others. Other materials that you may need to make your own Christmas decorations are paper glue, scissors, pencil, shape template, thread, embroidery floss, and thin ribbon.