January 24, 2006
Decorative Coat Hooks
It doesn't take a lot to add some personality to your home. Decorative coat hooks can perk up your mudroom, foyer, or even the inside of your closet. This rose hook is one of many offered by Van Dyke's Restorers, a company that specializes in restoration hardware to help people with vintage homes keep their decorating style authentic. Th rose hook has an antique brass finish and measures 4 3/8" high, 2 1/8" wide, and projects 2 9/16". The price is $3.99 per hook.
We've looked at a couple kinds of decorative light switch plates (i.e. these 
For a whimsical touch in your kitchen, visit Carreaux Du Nord, a company that makes decorative, handmade art tiles. This white oak tile is an example of their work. The 6" by 6" by .5" thick piece can be hung from its tiny hole or used for table top display via four felt pads on the back. It's durable and heat-resistant enough to be used as a trivet for your hot pans too. The price is $32 plus shipping, and the tiles are available in several glass and matte glazes.
A backsplash or bathroom wall tiled completely in bronze might be a bit of a bold statement, but these decorative tiles from Rocky Mountain Hardware can work nicely as accents. This white bronze 6" x 6" apple tile is priced at $62.80 and is one of several designs offered in their Organic collection. Others include grape leaves, cherries, pears, pebbles, pine cones, and a variety of leaves. If the nature-theme doesn't work for you, they also have geometric and field tiles.
Need to add structure to a large space in your home? From Hold Everything, this bamboo lattice screen can divide lofts or other vast rooms, without the need for permanent structures. Unlike fabric or paper dividers, the bamboo makes this screen resilient against water, so it can be used in the bathroom (for those of you lucky enough to have bathrooms big enough to divide). The price is $285.
Tired of grubby fingers gumming up your plain white light switch plates? We've looked at 
We've mentioned decorating with metal tiles previously (i.e. 
Looking for something a little more interesting than your average Christmas tree strand of lights this year? Loominocity offers ball-shaped ornaments with embedded LED lights that pulse through a rainbow of colors. The Electric Snowball with Phasing Rainbow Light is made from hand-blown glass and wrapped in a web of glass thread to enhance the light show. A perk to LEDs is that they use less energy and create less heat (important when those evergreen needles start to get dry) than traditional bulbs. Installation instructions are available on Loominocity's web site, and it looks like the LED ornaments are fairly easy to get working. The price is $30.
It can be hard to put tiles in interesting ways without the help of an interior designer, but if you're doing it yourself, check out the web site of California tile maker, Jeffrey Court, which offers decorative stone, metal, and glass elements. Shown here is an integration of stone floor tiles from their Naturaleza collection. For ideas on what to do with tiles in your home, browse through their products sections and click on the "concepts" links--most collections show a few idea pictures of different-sized and textured tiles being used together.
If you're looking for a way to spruce up your kitchen backsplash or the tiles in the bathroom, there's no need to stick with the bland stuff offered in the home improvement chain stores. Companies like Lingua Terra Tile make hand-made decorative ceramic tiles in different styles. Shown here is the Plum Blossom from their Kyoto series. Information on ordering and supplies who carry their tiles is available from their web site: 
Reindeer in yards are popular Christmas decorations. For the most part, I see those lighted ones with the moving heads. If you want something different than what the neighbor has, try these grapevine reindeer from the Gardener's Supply Company. They're made from twisted grapevines that make them look more natural than wire frame displays. You can choose from the "guarding" reindeer (head up, looks alert) or the "grazing" reindeer (head down, munching on your lawn) at $80 each or get both for $150.
In many parts of the world, autumn 'tis the season of rain. Rain chains are Japanese garden ornaments that double as downspouts for your gutters. They break the fall of the water as it comes off the roof and guide it downward into pebbles, a stone basin, or pot. The unique shape of the metal ornaments changes the normal gush of water through a downspout into a sort of musical sound as it falls, which is why rain chains are popular aside from their decorative features. This copper rain chain, from Outdoor Decor, is one of several styles on their site and costs about $90.
Are you sure you need brand new cabinets? Maybe all you need are some new front panels. Punched and pierced tin panels probably aren't for everyone, but some of the designs coming out of Country Accents make the cold metal look surprisingly good. Their decorative metal panels can go on kitchen cabinets, armoires, bathroom vanities, and they even have some pictures of them on the fronts of dishwashers and refrigerators. The company has 14 metal finishes to choose from and hundreds of existing designs. They can also create custom designs. Their catalogue is available for $5 or send them $22 for a "sampler pack" of their work.
With utility prices high this year, it might not be the best time to deck out the house with six outlets worth of Christmas lights. Then again, if you have solar-powered lights, who cares about the cost of electricity? The Gardener's Supply Company offers "Solar String Lights" for $85. The 104-LED-bulb strand is 40 feet in length and comes with a solar panel collector that can be wall- or stake-mounted. According to their website, the lights take two days of sun to fully charge when you first set them up, but then they'll come on automatically every evening and last indefinitely (LEDs are known for lasting some 10,000 hours). 
It's not the stainless steel that makes these cabinet doors look antique; it's the glass pane or clear acrylic cut outs (at least, that's what Frigo Design, the manufacturer, says). Designed to match your stainless steel appliances, the cabinet doors aren't as cold and sterile feeling as solid stainless steel. They're supposed to work with all types of hinges and your choice of hardware. The price per door is $139 if you order six or more or $159 if you order one to five.
Ok, you don't have to be a man to appreciate Graham Brown's Tread Plate wallpaper, but the style is certainly more masculine than the pastel flowers we often think of when someone suggests wallpaper. With its industrial chic design, this wallpaper is supposed to be low-maintenance and good for concealing irregularities because of it's texture. The easy-wipe metallic finish "enhances decor without overpowering it." You can order it online from Graham Brown for $30 a roll.
Every year, people spend thousands of dollars decorating their homes that are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and never think twice about those drab off-white light switch plates next to the doors. If you're of a mind to perk them up, there are numerous companies that sell decorative switch plates. In particular, Columbia Gorge Stoneworks makes some handsome ones out of materials such as granite, marble, slate, onyx, and travertine. Who knows--you may be able to find something to match your snazzy granite countertops. Aside from light switch plates, the company does cable, phone, and Cat 5 jacks and electrical outlets. Prices start at $32.
Places like Home Depot are good for a lot of things, but their floor rug selection is limited. If you haven't been able to find a style or color combination you like, you may want to visit a retailer that specializes in custom-designed rugs. Based in Colorado Springs, Rug Art does custom rugs for between $10 and $24 per square foot. You can send in samples of your existing color scheme so they can match the rug to your decor (they say they've even matched rugs to dog hair... but don't send in the dog, please). You choose the size, shape, and design, so you get the rug you always wanted.
If you like the idea of decorating with custom tiles, visit Photo Form, a company that takes photographs and transforms them into textured tiles. Their tiles are handmade using a process they developed called "Photo-Cast." How does it work? You choose the picture you like and send it to them via mail. They create sample tiles based on your specifications, then you pick the one you like the most, and they make a batch of tiles. The textured ceramic wall tiles shown on the right is made from the photograph of leaves on the left.
Well, the Christmas decorations are on sale at the local grocery story, so I guess it's not too early to write about Christmas wreaths, live Christmas wreaths that is. If you like the idea of a wreath made from live succulents, check out Margee's Original Living Wreaths Collection. Since they are planted in a central growing medium, the succulents can live for a year or longer, assuming proper watering and pruning. Wreath sizes run from 14-24 inches and cost $150-$325 plus shipping. Also available are star- and heart-shaped wreaths as well as custom pieces.
Are you tired of plain old woven rugs? Looking for something with a little more texture? Island Stone offers a selection of round mosaic pebble rugs like the tan and black one shown here. According to their site, the pebbles originate from the "exotic isles of Indonesia." The standard size on the round rugs is one meter in diameter, but they will also do custom rugs. Not sure where to put a pebble rug? Island Stone recommends: "...set into your floor or pathway... wonderful, on a feature wall or on the bottom of your swimming pool... stunning, set into a tabletop or in a commercial foyer..."
Ceiling beams can add drama to a room, and they're popular additions with folks who are remodeling. Real beams are a pricy add-on though with quite a bit of hassle involved, and manufacturers are responding to homeowners' wishes to get the look without the trouble. Fypon Design specializes in such classy additions as decorative millwork, columns, mouldings, window trim, and yes, faux ceiling beams. According to Fypon, their beams are durable and easy to install; they can be painted to match the decor of any room. You can visit their web site for pricing information or call them at 800-446-3040.
Handcrafted ceramic tiles are a great way to add warmth and personality to an otherwise sterile bathroom or kitchen. Mexican tiles, in particular, are popular for their warm colors. Mexican Handcrafted Tiles, Inc. offers a wide variety of handcrafted tiles made from the clay of Mexico at afforable prices. The company has an online catalogue and gallery you can browse through for design ideas. Though not appropriate for use on floors, the tiles make wonderful kitchen counters and backsplashes, as well as decorative accents for bathrooms and other rooms in the house.
If you're looking for Halloween decorations for your yard that don't involving maiming and de-seeding innocent pumpkins, these illuminated pumpkins from Frontgate might do the trick. The thin steel frame makes them a little classier than many Halloween decorations I've seen (why won't the guy next door get rid of the giant blow-up pumpkin in his yard?), and the light will help Trick-or-Treaters find the front door on the big night. Unlike the real thing, these decorations can be used year after year. The $159 price tag is for a set of three pumpkins, one 10", one 15", and one 20".
When you think of hanging bead curtains, it's easy to imagine some cringe-worthy confusion of strands from the 60s. Today's designers are trying to change your opinions of bead curtains by giving them a modern flair. The Happening Curtain is handmade by J Schatz, a Greene, NY, ceramics studio. The vertically hung, four-inch ceramic disks are available in a number of different colors. The curtain is 30 inches wide and 48 inches tall and is meant to hang on walls or in outdoor spaces as decorative eye candy rather than something you walk through. The price is $1,250. 
Many people like the old-fashioned look of brick in their homes, but if all you've got is drywall, it's a huge undertaking to replace it with regular brick. That's why companys like Robinson Brick have come up with "brick veneer" or thin slices of real brick that can be attached to your home's interior or exterior walls. Their brick veneers are lighter than traditional brick but carry the same durability ratings. The light weight means they can be applied right on top of concrete, rock, drywall, or wallpaper. To install the thin bricks, you attach them to a layer of thin-set mortor or adhesive and then apply grout between them to make them look like an actual brick wall laid by a professional.
Painted ceilings weren't new when Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel, but art on residential ceilings has only recently become a growing trend. Sky Factory, a company in Fairfield, Iowa, manufactures translucent acrylic panels showing images like the Milky Way or clouds floating through sunny skies. The decorated panels can work with grid ceilings or flat ceilings; several pictures of varying sizes are available on the company's web site. You can get the panels with or without incorporated lighting. Prices start at about $1,300 for a complete system.
For the uninitiated (like I was until 3 minutes ago), wood turning is a type of wood working used to created things like bowls, dishes, table legs, etc. using a lathe. Sort of like pottery, the wood is spinning while you work it. There are several people out there who specialize in decorative wood turnings for the home such as fancy wood plates and bowls or this maple centerpiece from Turnings by Az. If you're looking for a unique piece for your table, a wood serving platter, or just something interesting to put on the nick nack shelf, you can find wood turners online or at local craft fairs. 
Indoor waterfalls are popular additions to upper end homes. BluWorld adds a bit more drama with its "water windows"--waterfalls using see-through panes of glass with water streaming down them. They can also build their units around mirrored glass or metal. The company's goal is to turn water into "works of art" and they offer their custom designed water windows for interior or exterior display. The waterfall shown here is the Bostic Residence. It's 15 feet high, 38 inches wide, and ranges from $20,000-$25,000. 
This unique privacy screen called "The Thirteenth Lake" is a joint effort by William Laberge and the master Painter John Sherman. The scene is inspired by the Thirteenth Lake in the Adirondacks. The frame is made from quartersawn oak and sports a butterfly dovetail inlay. The privacy screen measures 66" wide and 78" tall. The price is $6,200.
LEDs, or light emitting diodes, are popping up every where in home decorating these days. Schott's LightPoints make an interesting way to spice up the glass around your home whether in skylights, windows, or glass pool fences (shown here). The LightPoints are basically glass conductor plates equipped with LEDs. The power is supplied to the LEDs via a series of virtually invisible conducting paths built into the glass. Laminated cover glass protects the LEDs and glass conductor plates.
This "Puzzle Bookcase" from Crate and Barrel can be assembled in different ways to offer different looks and storage options. "Use the bookcases (assemble in left or right versions) as singles to draw attention to their zig-zag design, or align two together from either side for a totally different effect. A set of rectangular connectors can bridge two bookcases to create one larger unit that 'expands' to your dimensions." The bookcase is available in black or maple and costs $349 for the large four-piece set (shown).
Wall waterfalls are popular additions for homeowners looking to create a sense of serenity in a room. Their soft gurgle can also block out traffic sounds or other noises associated with living in condominiums and apartments. This slate and copper wall waterfall, appropriately named the "Falling Water," is 12" wide 28" tall and 20" deep. The price is around $800 and it's available from Serenity Health, a site that sells relaxation and stress relief products.
This indoor/outdoor bamboo fountain from Bed, Bath & Beyond certainly won't break your budget. At $30, it's not much of an investment, but it's a cute little piece that's basically plug and play. The fountain is made of lightweight, durable plastics and resins. It comes with base, pump, and fountain. Measurements are 22" high, 11" wide, and 11" deep.
Last month, we took a look at some 
You can 
Some people spice up bland walls with textured paint, pictures, and collections of knick knacks. Some people hang tapestries. Heirloom European Tapestries has a large collection of tapestry wall hangings that range from ancient and medieval depictions to serene gardens and waterfalls. They also do custom work to suit your whims, so if you think Fido needs to be immortalized in a tapestry, send them a picture.
The Color Blox system from Crossville, Inc allows you choose your own unique colors and patterns for your walls. "Available in 20 distinctive colors, the Color Blox palette includes sophisticated shades of red, blue, green, yellow, brown and gray. Each color easily stands alone and also coordinates with at least two or three other colors in the palette, thereby multiplying the mix-and-match possibilities. Subtle differences in texture and shading give each piece of Color Blox tile its own unique appearance." They are available in 6" 12" and 18" squares or 12" x 18" rectangles. Prices run $4.60-$5.50 per square foot.
