Decorate A Room In The Tropical Style

Author: teahupoo :: Views: 140

In the home decorating world, the tropical look has never been hotter. The casual and warm styling with natural colors and cool textures bring forth unique rooms that show great style while offering a relaxing environment. Many choose to create entire theme rooms in the tropical attitude while some people will simply accent with tropical items.

Some of the more common tropical accessories include the use of flowers like orchids and hibiscus in brightly colored fabrics on drapes and upholstery. Some other characteristics will be tropical birds and animals like monkeys and tigers. If one is planning to decorate an entire room in the tropical style using wallpaper of bamboo creates a great look.


Furnishings should go along with this using rattan, wicker, bamboo and other natural tropical woods.
The tropical style began in the 1940's when America was going crazy over anything to do with Hawaii. This continued into the 1950's with Cuban styling and has continued to be popularized by Florida and Caribbean decorating ideas. Some choose to throw in a little of the Orient which works well and even using the British look of the Bahamas.

When choosing lighting for a tropical themed room we want to incorporate all of these trends. Choose natural tropical woods such as rattan, teak, and bamboo along with colored and earth tone wood beads that will continue the relaxed look we are trying to create. As with furnishings, using items that are embossed with tropical birds, palms, and large jungle plant leaves continue the tropical look.

Dependent upon how colorful we have gone with our other choices, the lamp shades can be either brightly colored or more muted earth tones. If we have gone with earth tones in our upholstery, we may choose to accent with brightly colored lamp shades.

There are many new lines of ceiling fans that offer the wicker and rattan look that can really cap off the look of a tropical themed room. Don't forget to add this to yours, it can make a huge difference in the overall look of the room.

Changing a room to a tropical theme can be very easy and incredibly fun and the home decor industry offers many choices to help you create your own unique style.

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Bamboo Blinds - Adding An Exotic Touch To Any Home Decor

Author: 60capp11 :: Views: 110

Hunter Douglas Woven Woods & Natural Bamboo Shades

Choosing the right decor for your home can be a thankless task, especially if there are two or more people trying to agree on the same thing. As far as window blinds are concerned, this is an area that can cause a few arguments. Have you ever considered the addition of bamboo blinds to your home's window dressing?

Bamboo blinds offer an inexpensive way to spruce up even the dreariest outlook and environmentally, they are the "ants pants." So where do you start looking? The internet of course! A simple search will get you a ton of results and while the only drawback is the fact you can't touch and feel the product, sticking with the best known and more reputable companies should see your net shopping experience become a satisfying one.

Bamboo Blinds - What's Available?

Depending on whether you're after traditional Japanese blinds or prefer the non traditional product, the choice is extensive. Japanese bamboo blinds are woven together in very thin shafts and pricing depends a lot on the way they are put together. Hand woven blinds may cost you a little more that machine produced product but the end result is quite stunning and many people decide the extra cost is worth the effort. This is not taking anything away from the latter.

Creating a look and feel in the home at affordable cost is the aim with bamboo blinds. Can they be drawn up or down? Sure can. With roll up blinds, the slats again are quite thin and depending on how much light or how much privacy you desire, are extremely user friendly.

Bamboo blinds and shades have certainly been enjoying a rise in popularity in recent years and it's not hard to comprehend why. Apart from their inexpensive nature, they offer a wide and diversified natural texture while the choice of colours is quite fantastic. The fact that bamboo does offer so much in the way of texture and color variety may be the only drawback shopping for it online. Keep in mind that when looking at samples online and there is a color that takes your fancy, be very specific when choosing and make it clear to the supplier exactly what you want. It could be that the green color that took your fancy so much in the sample photo may in fact alter slightly by the time the product is delivered to your home.

Environmentally, bamboo has many advantages over rival materials. The fact it can reach maturity in less than six years makes it the ideal building material. Unlike traditional hardwood trees which can take up to and in some cases, over a century to mature, bamboo speeds up the end users delayed gratification process.

While bamboo offers plenty of durability and toughness, always be clear with your supplier about the warranty process. While a lifetime warranty may be rare, be sure to check this important aspect and either an extended or limited lifetime warranty should be sought. This is just part of your due diligence process and while warranties are normally part and parcel of these type of business transactions, it doesn't hurt to check.

All in all, bamboo blinds will bring a little exotic decor to your home. As for looks, they will in most cases enhance any surrounding areas appearance.

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Get A Tropical Look With Tiki Bar Furniture

One of the cooler things brought on by advent of Polynesian tiki culture is the renowned tiki bar. Giving off an air reminiscent of ancient tribal surroundings, a tiki bar is an awesome place to enjoy and lose yourself to another domain.

For those unfamiliar with this modern-day tropical delight, a tiki bar is usually modeled after a tiki hut. A distinctive structure usually made with bamboo and a special roof made of woven grass or leaves, known as a thatched roof. The bar adorned with distinctive tiki decor and tiki furniture which gives it such a unique style and appearance.

The great thing about tiki bars is feeling off being on vacation in some exotic locale, all without having to actually go off to some remote place and spending big bucks in the process. The somewhat weird ambiance and almost otherworldly atmosphere invoked by the tiki bar can make a wonderful setting for some truly memorable parties!

Tiki enthusiast can visit these bars in many different places as they're quickly gaining in popularity. There's nothing like slipping off to the Caribbean for a drink or two to escape that blistering blizzard just outside those tiki doors.

Those who love going to tiki bars can even build their own private tiki bar all in comfort of their own home. Whether by the pool or in the basement, having a private tiki bar is huge load of fun and source of pride. Tiki bar owners are sure to be very popular around the neighborhood and shouldn't be surprised to constantly have a few guest wanting share in on the fun and party.

So what exactly makes a tiki bar tick, so to speak? Those interested in owning their own tiki bar or those that already run one should know that the most important thing is to maintain the wonderful tiki atmosphere by making sure their tiki bar is well decorated with special tiki decor items. The most important of these being the tiki furniture as these form the backbone and foundation of well maintained tiki bar.

There are various forms of tiki furniture, all with different designs, functions, and sizes. They can be made from a variety of different materials, ranging from plywood and cement, to the more exotic materials such as bamboo and specialty rocks.

One of the most important pieces of furniture is of course, the actual bar itself. This should be given particularly vital attention to quality as this is the centerpiece of the entire establishment.

For the bar, bamboo is usually the way to go. There's something about that wonder plant that exudes island glamour. Bamboo bars can be made partly or completely of bamboo and are completed by the distinct thatched roof.

As for the bar counter, some are made of plywood or tied up pieces of bamboo. You can try using something special such lava rocks to make it extra special.

Tiki totem poles of ancient, Polynesian gods make the perfect bar stools to amuse and slightly frighten would-be bar patrons. These pieces are meticulously carved into the likeness of scowling gods or moai (disembodied head monoliths). These bar stools can also come with tapa seat cloth for added authenticity.

Another cool trick is to place umbrellas on the table or other furniture and then to cover the umbrellas with thatch umbrella covers to give the look of a tropical island.

There is a lot of wonderful tiki furniture available to fill your bar with. Things like carved moai tables topped with funky tiki lamps can contribute to making your bar a success.

It is also important to make use of good lighting in your tiki bar. Though be careful when using bamboo torches or any fire hazards. Tiki bars along with containing large amounts of alcohol are commonly made out of rather flammable materials so be sure to take the proper precautions less your tiki paraiso turns in a tiki inferno.

Obtaining tiki furniture and other decor is fortunately easier now than it has ever been, thanks to the internet. Ready made furniture as well customizable orders and building plans are readily available online. Just be sure to research beforehand that the site your ordering from is reputable.

Tiki bars are only as good as their furniture so tiki bar owners should be sure to invest in quality tiki furniture to maximize the bars potential.

Author: leedobbins :: Views: 61

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How To Create A Tropical Decor Bathroom Retreat

Your master bathroom can be a tropical retreat even in the middle of winter when you decorate it with a vibrant tropical decor.

No matter what your budget, you can get a tropical look in your master bath by just altering a few items such as your wall color, shower curtain and towels. When decorating a bathroom, some of the things you may consider changing include lighting fixtures, floor coverings, wall color and accessories in addition to your hamper and linen storage cabinet.

A major ingredient when decorating your master bath with a tropical style is your wall paint. For this look the colors can really enhance the feel - consider using earth tones or oranges, pinks and blues either in your wall color or your accessories. Try using a paint or murals on the walls, or go with tropical themed wallpaper and borders. It doesn't need to cost a lot and if you are afraid of a bit of color, just paint the walls a neutral shade and add color to the room with accessories like towels, curtains, bath mats, soap dishes, trash cans and tooth brush holders.

How you dress your windows can affect your tropical decorating style. To have a terrific look in your master bathroom look at having tropical themed prints on the curtains or use simple wooden blinds or valances. There are different window treatments that can enhance this design style, particularly if you match them to other elements in the room.

Good lighting is a must in most rooms and the master bath is no exception. To enhance your tropical look, you might want to think about the actual style of fixtures as well as the type. IF your bathroom is large enough and you have some room on your vanity or there is other furniture in there, consider little accent lamps shaped like palm trees or a ceiling fan with palm leaf blades but try to stay away from anything which is stark or contemporary. The majority of master bathrooms can benefit from recessed lighting along with sconces.

It's not necessary that you coordinate your hamper, linen storage, and vanity but the master bath should have a light and breezy finish on the furniture. To really enhance the tropical design theme, use items that have either painted or stained details in a tropical style of wood. Rattan or bamboo often works well for this look.

Decorative accessories are critical to pulling your tropical look together. You can even totally alter the look of your room simply by changing the accessories! Focus on selecting a shower curtain, towels and curtains, in colors and patterns that match your tropical theme. You'll be amazed at how simple and inexpensive it is, and what a huge difference these changes make! Be sure to incorporate plenty of lots of green plants and you might even try adding some sea shells in glass bowls and other knick knacks with a tropical theme or feel to really spruce up your master bath. Unique touches like vintage souvenirs and linens from Florida or other tropical places can really make your bathroom stand out.

Your flooring should balance your overall decor, but if you can not buy new floors in your master bathroom then work with your floors by covering them with bath mats that have a tropical style. On the other hand, if you can spring for new floors, you might consider tile floors or a dark hardwood or bamboo.

A critical aspect that is frequently ignored when decorating any room are the walls. Even the ugliest walls can be made to look good by using decorative wall art and accessories. Try adding a tropical mural, vintage vacation posters or prints of palm trees and sandy beaches to your master bath walls to highlight the steamy appeal of your tropical interior design.

Getting a great tropical look in your master bath can be as easy or hard as you want it to be. Either way, paying attention to detail and making sure you match your furniture and decorative accessories will help you coordinate a rewarding new tropical look that you will be proud to claim you did yourself!

Autor: leedobbins :: Views: 72

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Bedroom Window Treatments

Hunter Douglas Applause honeycomb shades

Autor: leedobbins :: Views: 89

How you dress your windows is an important piece of your overall design and a lot of thought should go into the style and fabric used for your bedroom window treatments.

How do you know which window treatment is right in your bedroom?

There are 3 basic types of window treatments that can be used alone or in combinations. Here's some tips on these basic types and what style of room you might choose them for.

Curtains and Drapes

Curtains and drapes are a style of window treatment that most of us can recognize but there's many variations on this old standby. If your bedroom design is simple, you might choose just plain sheers as these will go well with many themes including a romantic theme, a modern theme and anything in between.

Valances can be used to soften the top of the window. They are great if you don't want to cover up a great view but also don't want the window to look too bare. Typically valances are made from fabric but you can build them form wood and decorate them with an aged or stencilled paint to go with your Tuscan or French country design. Fabric valances can go with almost any bedroom decorating theme depending on the fabric you choose and can be used in conjunction with sheers to give you a bit of privacy.

Drapes are an elegant bedroom window treatment. If you have a romantic, French or Victorian theme some heavy drapes in rich fabrics can transform your bedroom into one fit for a queen. Heavy drapes look best on tall windows, but if you short squatty windows like most homes built in the 60's - 80's don't let that deter you from using great drapes. You can always just keep them closed to hide the window behind and no one will ever know the difference!

Wooden Shutters and Blinds

Indoor wooden window blinds are a great way to add privacy to your bedroom and can be used alone or with curtains, drapes or valances.

There are 2 styles of shutters - plantation shutters and caf? shutters.

Plantation shutters cover the whole window and have louvers which can be opened and closed to let light in or provide privacy. These shutters go great with a plantation style look, a country look or a coastal cottage look.

The caf? shutters are the kind that cover only the bottom half of the window and swing open to let light in. These also look nice in a country or beach style bedroom and are perfect for a Paris apartment style as well.

Fabric Blinds

Fabric blinds add a nice touch to any bedroom and can be decorated and embellished with whatever you want. Fringe, pom-poms and ribbon are just a few of the great ways to make these bedroom window treatments stand out.

Roman blinds work well for childrens rooms and informal styles such as cottage or beach style decor. These shades fold up to expose the window during the day and roll down at night.

Festoon blinds are puffy with lots of fabric. They are quite ornate and work best in a romantic style bedroom such as a Victorian, French or Italian motif. Festoon blinds look best on wide windows and might not be good for small rooms as they can tend to be a bit overwhelming.

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