Weekend Project Home Design Software $39.99!

Sometimes, okay basically every time, you remodel your house whether it is a big or small project, comes stress. Well now thanks to interior designer Kristan Cunningham, as seen on HGTV and The Rachel Ray Show, there is a computer program to make projects a little easier.

Weekend Project is a computer program that is designed to help you get started and finished quickly with your project. Kristan Cunnigham offers tips and more in-depth how-to articles from other professionals. Just load the software on any Windows XP and higher computer and you are good to go. There are even pre-defined projects such as: Adding a new sink to your bathroom, Updating your kitchen appliances with the help of an extensive object library, Check out a new paint color for your room with a click of the mouse, Use PhotoView to check out a new landscape design, and Add new lighting and turn on those lights to see the end result.

I know I am a visual person and for the $39.99 this home design software program seems definitely worth it. Right now, I am actually struggling with picking colors for our rooms so I am really considering this program. We also want to update one of our bathrooms and this would be a nice way for me and my husband to agree on a design.

Drum Lamp Shade - What is it?

By Jim Hoyle

The answer to that question use to be very simple. But today, we are stretching the definition. Traditionally these lamp shades are similar to a cylinder with fairly straight sides. Just think of an oil barrel!

However, today drum lamp shades take on many variations of form and design. You will find modified versions which have a relatively narrower top diameter. There are bell shape versions with graceful curving sides. There are V shaped notch designs in the top and/or bottom rims. There are shallow shades which are short and stocky in appearance, also called Bouillotte lamp shades.

Drum lamp shades are very functional because they not only diffuse light outward through the shade fabric, they also reflect light downward and upward where it can diffuse of the ceiling.

Generally, these lamp shades are relatively larger compared to others which allows the usage of larger wattage bulbs and therefore more light output.

Drum lamp shades were extremely popular from the early 20th century up through the 1980's when they fell out of favor. Today they are becoming extremely popular and they are "new again". Nearly all home design magazines are filled with drum shades. You will see them being used throughout all rooms of the house.

Although there are plenty of options, here are some lamps that simply "cry out" for drum shades:

Hollywood Regency Lamps

Stiffel Lamps and Lamps With The Stiffel Look

Antique Ornate Metal Lamps

Antique Crystal Lamps

Antique Porcelain Lamps

Antique Capodimonte Lamps

George and Martha Washington Lamps

Antique Lamps Circa 1950 - 1980

New Reproduction Lamps of all styles listed above and many others

In summary, most lamp styles can be used with a drum lamp shade. It depends a lot on personal preference and the look you wish to achieve with the lamp.

Good luck on your next lamp shade project.

Torchere Glass Lamp Shade Replacement Types

By Jim Hoyle

There is hardly any more confusion in the lighting industry than how to select a replacement glass shade for a torchiere lamp.

First let us define a torchiere lamp. A torchiere lamp is any table or floor lamp whose light is directed upward by means of a glass, metal, stone, plastic or other type of reflector. These lamps take many forms and are made of many materials but most commonly made as floor lamps.

The word "Torchiere" is derived from the French word "Torche" torch.

These popular lamps provide excellent area lighting because they bounce light off the ceiling and diffuse it throughout a large area of the room.

There are four (4) basic types of torchiere glass.

1) Dish type torchiere glass (most common) is a dish or bowl shape glass shade with a 1 5/8" wide center hole that simply slips down over the electrical socket and rests upon a metal or plastic holder. There is a threaded ring which screws down over the electrical socket to hold the glass in place. This type torchiere glass is usually frosted white, beige or plain white.

2) Reflector waffle pattern opal white torchiere glass is a cone shape glass shade available in two (2) common sizes: 2.75" fitter that is 10" wide and the other is a 2.25" fitter that is 8" wide. This torchiere glass usually has a waffle type pattern pressed into the surface of the glass although there are some with no pattern in the glass. These torchiere glass shades were very popular in the 1920's and 1930's and were found on many 6 way floor lamps that had 3 arm lights plus a center light. They are also available on some modern lamps as well as some floor lamps without arms. Many of these lamps are designed for a fabric lamp shade to rest upon the reflector glass. This arrangement not only provides excellent area lighting but also excellent reading light.

3) Long neck torchiere glass is a larger glass, usually around 13-16" wide with a long neck that fits down inside a 2.75 - 3"" wide holder. This glass shade has the appearance of a very wide funnel with neck. These are the most expensive type of torchiere glass shades.

4) Stiffel replacement torchiere glass is made specifically to fit lamps from this lamp maker.

If you need further help selecting the correct torchiere glass for your lamp, be sure to contact a professional full service lamp company with lots of experience with torchiere lamps.

Good luck on all your lighting projects.

Best Regards - Jim Hoyle

Biography: Since 1979 Jim Hoyle has owned and operated Lamp & Home Outlet - North Carolina's Most Exclusive Unique Lamps and Lamp Shades. Jim designs and manufactures fine cast metal table lamps and floor lamps and collects, sells, repairs, restores and appraises antique lamps from special acquisitions and estates worldwide. His company also specializes in lamp and home decor factory buyouts and warehouse closings.

George and Martha Washington Lamps - A History

By Jim Hoyle

Sorry, but these lamps really have little to do with George and Martha Washington except for their fashion of clothing and dress.

Most George and Martha Washington lamps were made of porcelain circa 1940. They were commonly made with real 22 K gold trim. Try as much as you like but you can never duplicate the gold color trim used in these beautiful porcelain lamps unless you use real gold.

Although commonly called George and Martha Washington lamps, the decorative figures adorning these porcelain lamps actually represent wealthy members of the court of French King Louis XV around 1765.

The decorative figures are usually in various states of romance, picnics,dancing, poetry, singing, etc. The original paintings on many of these lamps were originally from the French artist Jean- Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806). Fragonard was well known for his very lewd and hedonistic art that was highly sought after by wealthy art patrons of Louis XV's morally loose and fun loving court. George and Martha lamp decorations represent Fragonard's much more reserved paintings.

George and Martha Washington lamps are no longer being produced and the value of these vintage lamps continue to rise.

George Washington lived from 1732- 1799 so he was alive when the original designs were created for these beautiful lamps in France.

In 1775, the Continental Congress appointed Washington commander-in-chief of the American revolutionary forces. He was later elected president in 1789 but George and Martha Washington had nothing to do with these lamps except they both had a similar fashion of dressing which was also common in France during that period.

- Jim Hoyle

How To Turn Your Guest Room Into A Tuscan Retreat

By Lee Dobbins

Your guest room is a place to make your guests feel welcome and what better way then to add some sunny and warm Tuscan decor!

Regardless of your budget you can get the look of Tuscany in your guest room by making a few changes such as wallpapering and coordinating your bedding and pillows to give the room a look of old Italy. A budget remake can encompass simple changes to accessories while a top notch remodel can include alterations to lighting fixtures, flooring, wall coverings and decorative accessories as well as new bed and bureaus.

Great lighting is a must in most rooms and the guest room is no exception. To enhance your Tuscan home décor theme, you might want to keep in mind the style of light fixtures as well as the type of light. Most guest rooms can make good use of night stand lamps in addition to overhead lighting. When you are decorating with a Tuscan style, try installing rustic ceiling fixtures with alabaster wall sconces and avoid any lighting that is too modern or shiny like chrome or stainless steel.

The flooring can make a big difference, but if it costs too much for new floors for your guest room then work with what you have by covering them with area rugs that have a Tuscan look. If new floors are in your budget, consider using aged hardwood floors or Italian tile or marble.

Decorative items are vital to pulling your Tuscan home décor design together. You can even totally alter the appearance of your room by simply changing the accessories! Concentrate on choosing bedding, pillows and artwork, in colors that compliment your Tuscan design. You'll be amazed at how easy and inexpensive it is, and what a huge difference these changes make! Make sure to incorporate plenty of antiques in conjunction with majolica pottery which can be purchased either new or old. You could even try some country wooden items mixed in with a few shabby chic crystal accessories with drippy prisms to get a professional look for your guest room. Extra touches like lots of silk flowers and plants can help give your room a picture perfect designer appeal.

One thing to keep in mind when decorating your guest room with a Tuscan home décor theme is your wall color. For this design style the colors are important - consider using golden mustard yellow and earthtones as a paint color. Try using a faux plaster with an aged patina on the walls, or use faux painted walls that look antique and resemble old cracked plaster. You don't have to get too fancy or spend a lot of money and if you are afraid of too much color, simply paint the walls a neutral shade and play up the color with accents.

It's not necessary to have a coordinating bed, bureau, and side table but the guest room should have plenty of antique or reproduction furniture. To really compliment the Tuscan theme, bring in furniture that has a hand painted or antique finish.

What you put on your windows can enhance your Tuscan home décor theme. There are a variety of window treatments that go great with this style, particularly if you use coordinating fabrics, but be sure to avoid anything too cutsey or frilly. To get a nice look in your guest room you should try using panel drapes or sheers.

One vital area that is frequently overlooked when decorating your room is the wall space. Any wall can look wonderful with great accessories and wall art. Try adding antique paintings or perhaps a wall mural of a Tuscan country side to your guest room walls to enhance the warmth of your Tuscan decorating style. An interesting addition could be a mural of a small vignette or nook with an Italian flair.

Achieving a great Tuscan look in your guest room doesn’t have to be difficult if you pay attention to detail and match your accessories and furniture. You may find that you’ve done such a great job with your Tuscan home décor that your guests don’t want to leave!

How To Add French Country Style To Your Kitchen

By Lee Dobbins

You don’t have to be a decorator to get a add a bit of French country style home décor to your kitchen. Little changes like adding stencils to the walls and coordinating your tablecloths and dishware can do wonders to make your kitchen seem like an old French country Inn.

You don’t have to go out and buy all new furniture, but for a great French country look, you should have some antique looking painted pieces. Anything with hand painted stenciling or chippy or aged paint will do. If your cabinets are tired, try repainting them with a worn look as this can be much less costly than buying new ones and will do wonders for the room.

Decorative accessories are vital to pulling your French country style home décor design theme together. You can totally change the appearance of your room by simply replacing the accessories! Concentrate on getting tablecloths, dishware and canisters, in colors and patterns that match your French country look. It's amazing the difference a few alterations can make! You should to add in a variety of wooden bowls in addition to chippy painted items and you can even try some scrolly decorative flea market finds as well as vintage fabrics which you can use as curtains, on the tables or hang from your cabinet and stove handles.

Lighting is key in any kitchen and your French country kitchen is no exception. When considering lighting in a kitchen, you must provide good overhead lighting as well as task lighting. If you are decorating with a French country design style, try installing a painted or crystal chandelier with crystal lamps or scones and be sure to avoid anything that is too modern with straight lines.

How you dress your windows also effects your French country style home décor look. There are multiple window coverings that go with this design, particularly if you match other fabrics or colors in the room, but you should avoid heavy contemporary fabrics. Try using a nice toile print curtain, or sheers with a great distressed paint wooden valance.

Painting your walls can be one of the biggest and least expensive changes in your French country style home décor decorating project. For this look the room colors make a big difference - you should think about using either light yellow or pale blue either in your wall color or your accessories. Try using a light colored paint with crown moldings on the walls, or if you want something different go with stenciling.

After you paint the walls - don’t forget to decorate them! Try using country style paintings with a French flair or interesting old kitchen utensils that you can hang on groupings on the wall. Buy interesting old plates and tureen covers at flea markets and yard sales and use fancy hangers or silk ribbon to hang those on the walls for an interesting effect.

Getting a great French country look in your kitchen can be as simple as just buying new decorative accessories or as involved as replacing everything. Either way, working on the details and making sure to match your furniture and decorative accessories will help you pull off a great new French country style home décor look that you can be proud of!

Lee Dobbins writes for A Kitchen Decorating Idea where you can get more great kitchen decorating ideas.

How To Create A Spicy Mexican Kitchen

By Lee Dobbins

Show your family that spice isn’t just for cooking by decorating your kitchen with Mexican home decor!

Even if you’ve never decorated before you can get a great Mexican look in your kitchen by changing minor accessories such as tablecloths and dishware and adding some colorful paint to the walls. A good remodel can include alterations to flooring, lighting fixtures, decorative items and wall color as well as your kitchen table and chairs.

It's not critical to have a matching table and chair set but the kitchen should have a variety of bright colored or rustic furniture. To really showcase the Mexican design style, try using items with a painted distressed finish.

Your window treatments are important to your Mexican home décor design. To get a great design in your kitchen go with using a simple valance or shutters or a wooden valance painted with distressed paint. There are numerous treatments that you can match up to this decorating style especially if you match fabrics to your window treatments, but you should take care to avoid heavy drapes or modernistic looking treatments.

Decorative accessories are a must to pulling your Mexican home décor look together. Even if you can't do anything else - you can get a new look by adding different decorative items! Concentrate on buying tablecloths, dishware and canisters, in colors and patterns that match your Mexican design style. You won't believe the impact a few simple changes can make! You should to include lots of old rustic pieces in addition to wrought iron pieces and you can even try some colorful hand painted wooden pieces to get a unique look for your kitchen. Incorporating additional touches like vintage hand painted Mexican pottery can make your room appear like it was done by a professional.

What's on your floor can add to the decorating scheme, but if you can not buy new flooring in your kitchen then work with your floors by covering them with area rugs that have a Mexican look. If you do want to go with new floors, try rustic hard wood or tile floors.

Lighting is necessary in your home and the kitchen is no exception. To compliment your Mexican home décor design, you should consider light fixtures in terms of type as well as style. When you are incorporating a Mexican look, try a tin chandelier with scrolly metal wall sconces or anything wrought iron or rustic looking.

A vital ingredient when decorating your kitchen with a Mexican inspired style is your wall coverings. For this decorating style the room colors make a big difference - consider adding reds and bright blues either in your wall color or your accessories. Try using a stucco on the walls, or maybe go with faux paint that resembles plaster. You don't have to get too fancy or spend a lot of money and if you are afraid of too much color, simply paint the walls a neutral shade and put the color into your flooring and accents.

The most important and most fun part is adding art and decorations to your walls. Try adding a hand painted mural or hang some vintage Mexico travel prints to your kitchen walls to really bring out the spice of your Mexican design style. You can also fill the wall with mexican pottery plates and platters hung in wrought iron plate holders or hang shelves and fill them with colorful and interesting Mexican clay jugs.

Getting a great Mexican look in your kitchen doesn’t have to take a lot of money or time. Smart shopping for accessories and making a few simple changes can add a little zing to your room in no time!