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Home Decor DIY-Decorating Info & Resources by An Interior Designer

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General Home Decorating How-to, Designer Tips & Resources


The home decorating pages here provide information, home decorating tips from an interior designer, and how-to advice and instructions for various aspects of interior decor from choosing color to hanging pictures.

The majority of these pages address general interior design topics such as color, coordinating patterns, and eco-friendly decorating that transcend periods and styles. The emphasis is on giving the reader the knowledge needed to DIY or to be an informed consumer of decorating products and services.

Along the way, we've included some fun facts and interactive modules to make your visit with us more enjoyable and, if you are a member of squidoo, to give you the opportunity to earn points by participating.

We also have a collection of topics related to historic interior design that you might find helpful.

You will also find a list of additional recommended resources for home and garden accents, furnishings, and gifts.

General Interior Decorating Lenses

From how to avoid the 10 biggest decorating mistakes to detailed DIY topics like How to Hang Pictures and other Items on different types of walls, to creative gift ideas for all occasions. Whether you need a holiday, host/hostess, or house warming gift for someone's first apartment, an avid home decorator, or the most difficult-to-shop-for, you will find unique suggestions to fit all budgets from practically no-cost and low budget to more extravagant.

Each page provides decorator tips, lots of pictures, resources, and links for more information and easy on-line shopping.
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Historical & Period Appropriate Interior Design

And Home Decorating

The following pages are part of a growing collection of guides to decorating styles based on historic periods. They include background information, what colors to use and color charts, examples of rooms and furnishings, what to look for, where to find more information, decorator tips, DIY advice, resources, links, and more.

From Arts and Crafts/Craftsman to Victorian, American Colonial to Neoclassical and Federal, Art Deco to Retro (coming soon), Gothic to Urban Chic, you are sure to find what you are looking for here.

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Vote for Your Favorite Decorating Style

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Proud to be the Home Decor Squid Angel




We are honored to have earned our wings in March, 2011 and hope you'll take a look at "Wing-ing it on Squidoo" to see some of the best lenses we've found in our neighborhoods and as a visitor to other areas on Squidoo.

Interior Decorating Fabrics

Home Decor Fabrics Demystified + Decorator Tips & Advice

These pages provide useful information about all types of home decor fabrics and will help you decide what the best fabric for your project is, how to coordinate fabrics and where to get the best deals on upscale designer fabrics for upholstery, drapery, bedding and accessories.

For more about fabrics specific to historic period decor or styles, please see Period Interior Design and Decorating Lenses (above).

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“I'll always put in one controversial item, it makes people talk.
--- Dorothy Draper”

Are You a Do-it-Yourself Decorator?

Whether painting, hanging wallpaper, sewing window treatments, or upholstering furniture, which would you rather do? Try it yourself or hire someone else to do it?

Do you prefer to DIY or hire a professional?

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I'd rather do it myself whenever possible. It suits my personality (and my budget) better.

Jack-in-the-Box says:

I have always done it myself, although I wouldn't say I am a professional and I only do it for myself and family. I love the challenge of a new space and limited budget.

fanfreluche says:

I prefer doing it myself, even if I am not very good at decorating :)

nancycarol says:

I do it myself for the very reasons you give below.

Heather426 says:

Well, I have dabbled in Interior Design myself and have a certificate in it:)

gypsyman27 says:

I have unusual taste, I am an artist and not bad at decorating. See you around the galaxy...

I'll leave it to the pros. My talents lie elsewhere and I don't have the time or patience.

cdevries says:

There's a real need for professionals. I much prefer to decorate for myself... but not everyone feels confident enough or educated enough to make those choices. And a few folks really need a better "eye" to help.

GayleMcLaughlin says:

I prefer to hire a professional--I am clueless!

 

Wallpaper

History, Videos, Advice, and Resources

Wallpaper is an important part of interior design and future home decorating trend forecasts predict an increasing use of patterned and textured wall coverings. Learn what you need to know about using wallpaper in home decor, what you should look for to create the decorating style you want, and find resources for some great buys on wallpapers as well as borders, tools, and equipment for DIY-ers.

For information and a great video about styles of wallpaper for historic period decor and styles, please see please see Historic Wallpaper: If Walls Could Talk: (above).

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“Creativity is allowing oneself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep.
--- Dilbert”

Color-full Lenses

Colors, Moods and Using them in Your Home Decor

These lenses help you choose and use colors in your home and include fun and interesting information, polls, and quizzes about the meaning of colors. If you are looking for practical advice for using color effectively in your home, take a look at the following.

For color charts and additional information about historic colors for period home decor,
For more about the use and styles of wallpaper for historic period decor and styles, please see Period Interior Design and Decorating Lenses (above).

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Which do you prefer: Real or Faux Greenery & Flowers

to Accessorize your Home

fresh cut flowers in vase for home decorating
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Want to Learn More about Interior Decorating?

Here are Our Recommendations

These are some of our favorite interior design and home decor books. You can vote for the ones you like best and submit your own favorites to this list.

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An Illustrated History of Interior Decoration: From Pompeii to Art Nouveau by Mario Praz

An Illustrated History of Interior Decoration: From Pompeii to Art Nouveau by Mario Praz

"This prize book on the subject of domestic decoration more...1 point

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Charles Faudree's Country French Living by Charles Faudree, M.J. Van Deventer

Charles Faudree's Country French Living by Charles Faudree, M.J. Van Deventer

One of America's top 100 designers, Charles Faudree more...1 point

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Axel Vervoordt: Timeless Interiors by Armelle Baron

Axel Vervoordt: Timeless Interiors by Armelle Baron

Axel Vervoordt began purchasing antiques in his te more...0 points

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Simply Creative Faux Finishes with Gary Lord: 30 Cutting Edge Techniques for Walls, Floors and Ceilings by Gary Lord

Simply Creative Faux Finishes with Gary Lord: 30 Cutting Edge Techniques for Walls, Floors and Ceilings by Gary Lord

Sophisticated Home Decor Made EasyNothing can transform more...0 points

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Country Living Cottage Style by M. P. Hueston

Country Living Cottage Style by M. P. Hueston

Now more than ever, you can give any home, anywher more...0 points

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Flip! for Decorating: A Page-by-Page, Piece-by-Piece, Room-by-Room Guide to Transforming Your Home by Elizabeth Mayhew

Flip! for Decorating: A Page-by-Page, Piece-by-Piece, Room-by-Room Guide to Transforming Your Home by Elizabeth Mayhew

In this fresh, fun, and unique book, design consultant more...0 points

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The Way We Live: An Ultimate Treasury for Global Design Inspiration by Stafford Cliff

The Way We Live: An Ultimate Treasury for Global Design Inspiration by Stafford Cliff

Spectacular in scope yet intimate in detail, The Way more...0 points

Our Collections of Pages on Other Topics

Each of these lenses is more than a collection of thematic pages. Categories include recipes, charity and community topics, eco-conscious/green and gardening, plus fun, informative lists of our personally selected best (blessed) lenses on squidoo. These pages are chock full of additional information, fun interactive polls and debates, freebies, and other features like videos and music. You can also see a complete list of all of our squidoo pages here.

Check them out, earn some points for participating if you are a squidoo member (if not, click here), and enjoy your visit!
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What do You Think?


It's always good to know what visitors think, so if you have a few moments, we would appreciate it if you would please share your thoughts.

You do not need to be a member of Squidoo to visit our lenses or leave comments, but if you'd like to make your own lens, have more "voting" rights, and earn some extra cash for yourself or your favorite charity, I invite you to join our community!

  • Ultimatch.biz Oct 25, 2011 @ 10:41 am | delete
    Brilliant idea on how to decorate a perfect home. Home is a place you grow up wanting to leave, and grow old wanting to get back to. Our special someone really love to go home if that is the design of the home.
  • daria369 Oct 23, 2011 @ 6:00 pm | delete
    Even though I don't do much of home decorating myself, I like to see different styles and ideas. Nicely done lens, thank you! :)
  • andreaberrios Oct 21, 2011 @ 2:18 pm | delete
    Wow what a great resource!! Thanks
  • Jack-in-the-Box Oct 21, 2011 @ 7:42 am | delete
    You packed this lens with great information and resources for decorating any room. Thank you for your hard work and sharing your knowledge. Great lens!!!
  • fanfreluche Oct 21, 2011 @ 7:02 am | delete
    I love Art Deco and Arts and Crafts period. I wish one day I can have an Art Deco living room!
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