Home & Garden Club

Having your own property is not only a luxury but a responsibility and as such you should keep it in optimal condition and attractive at all times. Besides the physical aspect of your house the other important part one should never overlook is the landscaping work, you could hire someone to do it for you or you could do it yourself. In most cases property owners end up hiring someone to do the job but this is not cost effective.

Learning how to do these tasks yourself provides great satisfaction because all the work has been done exactly how you wanted. In order to get things done the right way you need to own at least the most basic set of garden tools unless you intend to visit your neighbor every time you need to do some yard work.

Garden tools can be acquired at your local hardware store and even at some lumber yards, however the most important thing to keep in mind is to go for quality instead of quantity, shop carefully and choose the best ones because the right set of tools will last you a lifetime.

The following are some basic garden tools you will need to get started:

Secateurs: This is the best tool for cutting and pruning around your garden, some people use it when they are working on flower arrangements or cutting small tree branches. There are three types of secateurs: anvil, bypass and parrot-beak; each one has a different purpose and shape but the most common one is the bypass secateur.

Shovel: There are many sizes and shapes of these, handheld ones were designed to help you to easily dig into the ground and plant flowers and small trees, long-handled shovel are used to dig holes where you can place large plants. There are many uses for shovels but according to the size of your yard you will need to acquire one that will help you get things done the right way.

Hoe: These are used for cultivating and weeding, they have a sharp blade bent at a 90 degree angle.

Rake: This is a tool used to gather loosen material (soil that has been dug) or level a surface. Most rakes are many-toothed tools that are also used to gather leaves around the yard.

There are many other tools you can purchase however the most important thing to remember is to acquire top quality tools or the best tools you can afford, make sure you try the grip to ensure they are comfortable tools to use while working on your garden. Buying top quality tools will ensure you won’t have to make several trips to the hardware store to replace them and they will last you a lifetime.

When you’re just starting out as a newcomer to organic gardening, it’s great to get some successes on the board as soon as possible. I’ve put this list together of my top 10 easiest veggies to grow to encourage you to give it a go. Once you discover how easy it is to grow your own delicious, healthy veggies, you’ll be scratching your head wondering why you didn’t try it sooner.

So start out with these, then when you’ve had success you can research other veggies, fruits and nuts that you want to try. Always bear in mind the climate zone you live in so that you are working with Mother Nature.

Radish

Radishes are probably the easiest vegetable to start out with. They thrive in all climates, all year round in temperate zones. The other great thing about them is that they mature really quickly, from seed to eating in as little as 4 or 5 weeks.

They rarely have any pest or disease problems because they grow so quickly.

If you’ve already enriched the soil with organic compost all you need do is keep the water up to them, especially in hot, dry weather - mulch in summer, but not in winter. If you’ve used plenty of seed you may need to thin them as they get bigger. Pick them as soon as they’re a reasonable size or they become woody.

Silverbeet, Spinach or Swiss Chard

This group of vegetables are related and are also quite easy to grow. Spinach grows best in cooler climates, but silverbeet will grow all year round in temperate zones.

If you’re growing them from seed, soak them overnight. Sow seeds about 30cm (12 inches) apart by placing them on the soil surface and poking with your finger to the depth of about 1cm (half inch). Cover with soil and water in well.

Keep them well watered in hot weather and apply organic fertilizer every month, giving them an occasional feed with an organic liquid fertilizer. Mulching with compost or pea-straw will help conserve water, control weeds and feed your soil.

When the leaves are big enough to use, pick from the outside making sure you leave at least 5 or 6 stalks in the centre for the plant to continue growing.

Capsicum (peppers) and Chillies

These plants are also related to each other and enjoy the same growing conditions. They are a warm climate vegetable and will not set fruit if the overnight temperatures are too low. You can grow both capsicum and chillies in pots.

You may need to stake capsicum for wind protection if you grow them vigorously, as they can reach up to 80cm (30inches). Sow in seed boxes in spring. When your seedlings have reached 15cm (6inches), transplant them into beds prepared with compost at about 50cm (20inches) apart.

Fertilize with organic pellets every 4 or 5 weeks when they start to flower. Make sure you don’t over do it, or you will end up with very healthy plants with lots of leaves, but very little fruit.

You can harvest capsicum at any time, but if you wait for the fruit to turn red (they all start out green) they have much higher amounts of vitamin C. Leave chillies on the plant to mature, then they can be harvested and used fresh. If you want to dry some just leave them in a dark, dry, airy place for several weeks. They will store well in glass jars for many years. Remember never to touch your eyes after handling chillies as it is very painful. Wash your hands thoroughly.

Cherry Tomatoes

Tomatoes will grow in most soils and all but the coldest climates. And cherry tomatoes are the easiest to grow, so they suit new gardeners perfectly. They will even grow well as tub specimens. It’s not essential to stake them, provided you don’t mind them sprawling around the place a bit.

They are frost tender, so you can start them indoors if your area has late frosts. When your seedlings get to 15 - 20cm (6-8inches), transplant them into their permanent position, whether it be tub or ground. If you are going to stake them, get your stakes in first so you don’t damage their young root system. Tomatoes (unlike most plants) actually benefit from being planted deeper than they were in the seedling box. You can even bury the bottom leaves. This actually benefits the plant as they grow roots right up to the soil surface, giving it more stability and accessibility to water and nutrients. If growing them in the ground, give them at least 50cm (20inches) spacing. Deep water you plants regularly and give a thick layer of mulch.

Providing you’re planting your tomatoes in a compost-rich soil, you will only need to liquid fertilize when fruiting starts. Use a good organic liquid manure such as Seasol or Maxicrop and use as a foliar spray.

Pick your tomatoes as they ripen, to encourage more fruit.

Zucchini

You will find zucchini one of the easiest vegetables to grow, with amazing yields. They just keep giving! Zucchini are part of the cucumber / melon / pumpkin family and enjoy a warm growing season.

Sow 2 or 3 seeds directly into a mound of richly composted soil in late spring, or after frosts are over. You can train zucchini to grow up a trellis or fence, which can help prevent powdery mildew. When the seedlings are about 10cm (4inches) tall, gently pull out all but the strongest plant.

You’ll need about 3 or 4 mounds (plants) to feed a family of 4 - 6. Give them plenty of water and add organic fertilizer every 4 weeks or so. When the zucchini reach between 15 and 20 cm (6-8inches) it’s time to pick them. They can grow really quickly - literally overnight - so keep a vigilant eye on them otherwise you’ll end up with inedible veggies. You also want to pick them as they’re ready to keep the yields high.

Butternut Pumpkins

Pumpkins are known for being easy to grow. Belonging to the same family as zucchini, they grow in similar conditions. Again plant seeds in mounds and keep the strongest seedling. Have your mounds about a metre (yard) apart.

Mulch around the mound and keep the water up to them in really hot and dry weather. Feed every 3 weeks with well rotten manure or mature compost.

Here’s where the difference comes in. You need to leave pumpkins on the vine to fully mature. Wait until the vines have died off before harvesting (somewhere between 14 & 20 weeks). Before any chance of frost, harvest by cutting the stems at least 5cm (2inches) from the pumpkin.

Store in a dry place until needed.

Leeks and Spring Onions

Spring onions and leeks are in the Allium family and grow in very similar conditions. You can grow in seed raising mix or seed directly where they are to grow. If you grow seeds in punnets you can transplant seedlings when they are about 20cm (8inches) tall into well prepared beds (they like a little lime if your soil is acidic), about 20cm apart.

Some people like to “blanch” the stems of leeks to keep them white, but I don’t bother. All you really need to do for leeks and spring onions is give them plenty of water, mulch to keep the weeds down and the soil moist and apply organic fertilizer every few weeks.

Harvest when leeks are about 2cm (an inch) thick, and spring onions as they become big enough.

Bush or Dwarf Beans

There are many different varieties of beans to choose from. When you’re starting out, go for the bush or dwarf varieties. Grow these beans in warm weather as beans don’t like the cold (unless you’re growing broad beans - different story).

Fertilize along the row where your beans are to grow. Don’t let your bean seeds come into direct contact with your organic fertilizer. Sow your beans directly where they are to grow, into damp soil and avoid watering near them for the first few days. (Don’t soak seeds before planting).

Space rows at 60cm (24inches) and push seeds about 2cm (an inch) into the soil, 10cm (4inches) apart. A row about 3 or 4 metres (yards) long should be enough for a family of 5.

To get a continuous supply of beans, start your next sowing when the first crop has grown their first true leaves. Feed with a liquid organic fertilizer when flowering starts. Remember to harvest your beans while they’re young and tender. They taste better this way, but more importantly, they will give you much better yields.

If you want to save your own seeds, leave the healthiest pods on the bush until they have completely dried. Then pick and pod them, storing in a dry place until next season. Remember to label them.

Peas

Peas will yield heavily if you give them what they need. And they are so delicious! Most varieties love the same conditions. Plant in late summer through to late winter, providing your soil is still workable. Peas like a higher pH than most vegetables, so add some lime into the soil along with mature compost or organic fertilizer.

Provide support by giving them something to climb up. Plant seeds every 5cm (2inches) in a well-drained soil with a sunny position and provide support with small sticks or similar until they reach what you want to grow them on.

Keep down any weeds with good organic mulch. Feed with an organic liquid fertilizer every 3 or 4 weeks. Keep moist in dry weather. Pick regularly to increase yields. Save seed the same as you would beans.

Beetroot

I love growing beetroot. It’s so easy to grow - but let me say this up front; it’s quite different from the tinned supermarket kind.

Plant throughout spring and summer. Add lime to your soil a couple of weeks before planting if your soil is a bit acid. Take your seeds and soak them overnight. Sow directly in the soil, about 1cm (half inch) deep and 30cm (12inches) apart. Cover lightly with soil and water them in. If you want a continuous supply, plant your next crop every 2 - 3 weeks.

At about 4 or 5 weeks, give them a feed with organic liquid fertilizer. You pull your beets when they have grown to about 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3 inches) in diameter, roughly 8 to 10 weeks after planting. Don’t leave them to grow huge as they just become tough and woody.

The young leaves are great in a salad. I love to roast or boil them. They make great juice when added to apple and carrot. I’ve also pickled them and turned them into soup - very unusual, but delicious.

So there you have it - the 10 easiest veggies to grow. If you’re short on garden space you can try growing some of these in pots. You just need to remember to make sure you water when needed.

I wish you every success in getting started gardening organically. If you already garden, have a go at getting your kids (or grandkids) to try growing these veggies themselves. You’ll be surprised at how much more eager they are to eat something they’ve grown themselves.

In contrast to the smaller living rooms that many of us grew up with, great rooms are perhaps one of the most exciting innovations in modern home design. Their open floor plans not only offer flexibility, but also a more efficient use of space.

They also come with a few interior decorating challenges. Many great rooms, particularly those in larger homes, feel more like an empty warehouse than an alternative to the traditional living room.

While too much space is never a problem, filling that space can be a real challenge. The proportions of the room can be overwhelming and furnishings that look right at home in an apartment or smaller home can look minuscule in a great room.

Some clever decorating tricks can help you warm up these larger rooms. Here are the top 5 tips on how to decorate a larger living space.

1. Settle on what the room is for, and then create living spaces around this.

Doing this will help you create either one space, or a ’series’ of spaces to allow the room to fulfill this role. For example, if the room is to entertain, you can to create one or a few furniture groupings so guests can choose which setting to be in. If on the other hand, your room is for more than one function, you may want to create a space for each purpose. For instance, you may want to add a sofa and armchair grouping around a large screen television on one area of the room use the other area for more intimate gatherings.

2. Use large wall art to create a sense of atmosphere.

Large pieces of art such as paintings or wall art tapestries, are a unique way of creating a presence in any room including that large room. You feel as if you have walked into another world when surrounded by great works of art, as the wall art gives a focal point for the room and draws you into the picture. The entire feel and atmosphere of a room can be influenced by the use of large wall art.

3. Use pieces of furniture that will enhance a large room.

Great rooms will often require larger pieces of furniture than smaller living rooms. Use larger or wider sofas and armchairs, and coffee tables to fill the space. You can also use other ‘feature’ pieces of furniture such as a chest of drawers to fill an area next to a wall that require decorating. See which space needs filling in and then see which piece of furniture would suit that particular space.

4. You can be bold in your decorating ideas and scale.

Great rooms can benefit from expanses of color to make the space appear more intimate. You can compliment these with patterned curtains and soft furnishings to create a visual connection. You can use larger pieces of artwork, pottery or furniture than you would be able to, in a smaller area.

5. Try different arrangements of furniture.

When you have the space, try to arrange the decor and furniture in different ways. For example, try keeping the furniture away from the walls to create an intimate space in the center. You can experiment and arrange furniture in different positions to achieve both coziness and the freedom of enough open space, at the same time.

So there you go.

You now know the top 5 interior decor tips when it comes to decorating a large living space. By following these simple guidelines, you can create a great room that has the right balance of intimacy and open space for you. Take your time and use your imagination, and you’ll achieve the interior decor feel that you’re looking for.

If you’re looking for a great houseplant, you should definitely consider the Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum). They are easy to maintain, and look great as well. The biggest issue to think about to care for them properly is the amount of water they get. Over or under watering can be harmful to them. They are more tolerant than most other plants though, so it is a great plant if you are new to gardening or if you will not have a lot of time to care for the plants. They can even tolerate root bound well. These plants live for a very long time.

Spider plants have dark green leaves with yellow stripes, and speckles. The leaves are long and narrow. They grow quickly to have plenty of foliage.

It is simple and easy to water Spider Plants. Just remember to not water them too much, or the plant can get root rot. The ideal amount of watering will allow the soil to remain moist most of the time. It should be allowed to dry out occasionally. The plants can go several days between waterings.

If the tips of the leaves are getting brown or spotted, the water may have too much chlorine or fluorine in it. This will damage your plant, and to solve your problem you should switch to using collected rainwater or purified water (not mineral water).

Spider Plants can also tolerate a wide range of sunlight amounts. Indirect sun is best, but they can handle hours of direct sun if they are exposed to it. Ideally, they will receive reflected light in an area with moderate temperatures (around 65 degrees F during the day and down to 55 degrees at night).

Another thing that spider plants are tolerant about is fertilizer. As long as they aren’t receiving way too much or way too little, they will do just fine unlike the dwarf umbrella - schefflera arboricola. An example of an amount that will work is a liquid NPK mixture every three to 4 months during the growing season. You do not need to apply any in the fall and winter.

In summer, the growing season, the Spider Plant will produce small, white, star shaped flowers. The stalk of the plant grows to over three feet in length. It will be necessary to add a stake if the stalk is leaning or bending.

Because of the long stalks, the Spider Plant looks very nice in a hanging basket. The plant grows quickly, so after a couple years, you will probably have to divide it and split it into multiple pots. If you don’t repot a large spider plant, the roots are strong enough that they can crack even a clay pot.

If you are looking for a house plant that’s easy to care for, the Spider Plant is a great option.

Step 1. A little inspiration is in order

You can begin by choosing an inspiration piece to help you get started. From this inspirational piece, you can choose your color palette, determining your primary and secondary (accent) colors. This is an insider trick that professional interior designers and decorators use, and it works! By using a “Tuscan look” painting or photograph, pottery, or textiles (such as an area rug or tapestry) you will have a starting point upon which to build your room. This “trick” will give you a personal Tuscan color palette.

Step 2. Declutter - clear the way

To set the stage and prepare your home for your new Tuscan style, consider a good purge of clutter. Clutter is the antithesis of Tuscan design. Pack away, sell, or give away anything that does not meet the simplicity and functionality test!

Step 3. Consider your options

Remember that the goal is to layer your home with welcoming Tuscan decor elements. Your plan should be to create a feeling of warmth, charm, and simplicity in every room of your home. Your “tool kit” will contain your vision of your Tuscan home, those lovely Tuscan colors, some well-chosen Tuscan furnishings and accessories, and determination and perspiration (which might mean a paint brush and a trowel!).

Step 4. Choosing where to begin

If your family/living room and kitchen are “open concept” and/or connected, this offers the perfect opportunity to instantly recreate your home in the Tuscan style. Beginning with a smaller, less visible room, though, provides an opportunity to “experiment” with wall treatments and furnishings, and a bedroom can be less expensive to redecorate than a family room or kitchen.

Step 5. What furniture, lighting and accessories will you need?

Functionality is key, as is rustic style to Tuscan decor. Think of wood, wrought iron, ceramics… “simple and sturdy” rather than “fine and ornate”. It is not necessary (and indeed is not desirable) to fill your room(s) with items that “match”. They must, however, be functional pieces, and may even serve more than one purpose. A bench, for instance, may open up for storage. Quality and durability are key.

Step 6. Taking a Tuscan style inventory

Consider what Tuscan design elements you already have, which ones you want to keep and which ones you would want to replace (for instance, you may already have stone or wood flooring, which you adore, but a Victorian kitchen table which could “find a new home!”).

Step 7. Choosing your colors

Select your favorite colors from your Tuscan inspiration piece or from a Tuscan color palette. Start with decisions about walls - which can transform a room faster than anything else - whether a paint treatment, a texturizing treatment, or a wall covering. If you want a plaster-like finish on a “plain” wall (very Tuscan!) you might choose a texturizing treatment (e.g. faux finish) or use some of the new textured wall coverings. Some of these finishing techniques require either a professional painter/wall hanger or a determined zeal!

And before finalizing your color palette, look at the function and mood of the room and the exposure you have (your natural light sources) before choosing the “warm” or “cool” colors of your Tuscan color palette.

Step 8. Creating a plan

Advance planning will provide you with the opportunity to determine how much you will spend on the project (establishing a budget) that is vital for avoiding the stress that is sometimes associated with redecorating projects.

Decide on the scope and timeline for the project, and whether it will be done incrementally or all at once. Will you be going it alone, using professional contractors & designers, the help of friends, or a combination?

Be realistic - It will likely cost more than you think, so also be conservative. Set out a budget and fit things into it. You can always add elements later as your finances and inclination allow.

Step 9. Roll up your sleeves and get started!

Maximum impact, right away, will be achieved by beginning with walls so consider a paint treatment, a texturizing treatment, or a wall covering. Alternately, flooring (if this is part of your overall plan) will also create tremendous instant impact. If budget is a consideration, remember that Tuscan design allows (in fact encourages) that we use and elevate humble materials. Antiques and pieces of salvaged ironwork become decorative art; well-worn wooden chairs are cherished for their rustic simplicity. Look at furniture with a new “old” eye.

You’re now ready to move forward and start transforming your home into a little bit of Tuscany!

Interior design is about creating a harmonious space to live in, about creating exciting and functional environments in your home. You don’t have to be an interior designer to know that designing a bathroom deserves as much attention as designing all the other rooms. Today, many people choose luxurious bathroom fixtures: massage showers, whirlpools, hot tubs and so on. Massage showers and hot tubs are the most frequent fixtures used in the modern bathrooms.

If you’ve ever wondered what a hot tub is, the simplest definition comes from ancient times when the tubs were made of wood and their purpose was water treatment. Wooden hot tubs are still used in some spas and resorts, for the special touch they enhance the interior design with a certain “je ne sai quois” reminding us of long-forgotten times when there were no modern bathrooms and people had to bath in wooden tubs. Just remember: no matter how cool the wood hot tubs might look, they are extremely difficult to maintain, so choose something to really ease your stress and not something that will double the work in your home.

While some spas still use wooden tubs, there are many private spas that use specially designed hot tubs and whirlpools to create a relaxing atmosphere for their clients while still using the healing power of warm water. It is a known fact that warm water helps not only to reduce stress, but also to ease sore muscles and aches.

Would you like to design your own modern bathroom, a spa to relax and forget about your daily routine? Would you like to have something like this in your very own home? Could you? Yes, because modern bathroom fixtures were specially made to be affordable, functional and, above all, comfortable.

Interior design is an art that will allow you, even when you live in a small apartment, to transform your narrow bathroom into a real health spa. Sure, you’ll not be able to fit an oversized hot tub into a tight space, but there are plenty of manufacturers who design hot tubs especially for users like you! You’ll just need to look for some small, two-person hot tubs and you’re done. Sure, if your bathroom is too small for a hot tub, or any tub for that matter, you could always choose a massage shower.

Many manufacturers design modern hut tubs and whirlpools to fit in most of the narrow bathrooms that still use small old tubs. The materials vary from molded plastic to acrylic and quarrycast. Quarrycast is a mineral crystal composite, a new material developed by Victoria & Albert Baths, to enhance your bathing experience: it’s warm to the touch, keeping the water in your hot tub hot for a long time; it has a naturally high gloss finish and it can be colored with the dye of your choice, maximizing the interior design options in your bathroom.

If you choose a hot tub for your bathroom, you don’t even have to worry about installation troubles. What you’ll need is a hose and a power supply and you’re done. Sure, when what you need is an in-ground hot tub for your garden, the job might get a little bit difficult, but not impossible and, above all, worth your time. Besides, outdoor spas are easier to maintain and cheaper, but if you want to install a hot tub indoors, make sure you use a good ventilation system, as a tub increases the humidity inside your bathroom and that might lead to mildew. Remember this advice and you’ll do just fine!

The past century witnessed the evolution of the function and interior design of the traditional kitchen. It has magically transformed from being a mere service area into a multi-functional room which is central to the family’s activities.

Updating the interior design of a kitchen requires a considerably huge budget. Would you believe that five years ago, remodeling an average kitchen can go as high as $26,000? No wonder the National Kitchen and Bath Association consider it to be one of the most expensive remodeling projects undertaken by American homeowners!

Don’t despair even if you among the thousands (and perhaps even tens or hundreds of thousands!) of people inspired by the pictures of ideal kitchens featured in glossy magazines but don’t have enough funds to undertake a remodeling project. There are several ways to furnish your kitchens with that modern interior design without going broke!

Truth is, updating the interior design and improving the functionality and value of the kitchen do not always need to be expensive. You will be pleasantly surprised at the number ways in which you can cut costs!

Practical Fix-It-Up Ideas

If you are currently financially strapped in, you may consider updating your kitchen’s look rather than undertaking a major remodeling project. You may want to consider these low-cost fix-ups in updating the interior design of your kitchen.

Update your lighting. Installing modern lighting fixtures are one of the surest, fastest and most economical ways to boost a kitchen’s look and value.

. Halogen lights directed towards the ceiling bounce off to provide indirect working light. They also come with a dimmer so you can adjust the lighting intensity to fit your needs. Brighten it up or tone it down, how you set it is completely up to you!
. Consider installing task lighting. Task lighting mounted to provide efficient lighting in the countertop, the sink and near the cooking area makes preparing dinners a breeze!
. Provide accent lighting. If you want to highlight unique architectural designs, your antique china collection or any items of interest, you may do so by installing accent lighting. This will surely bring the interior design of your kitchen into focus!

Play with paints! Another surefire hit in cutting kitchen remodeling costs is by modernizing its look by splurging on a fresh coat of paint.

. Hesitant to paint stained wooden cabinets? There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of! Painted wooden cabinets are just as good and as efficient as stained ones. Plus, painting them up allows you to get the color and finish that you want for a fraction of the cost!
. Old kitchen appliances can also be given a smarter look. Appliance refinishing companies and automobile repainting shops can indeed give your range, your dishwasher and your refrigerator a brand new appeal!
. Get artistic with your walls! You can get creative and spend your energy in painting your walls for that updated look. Special painting techniques such as sponging, mottling and rag-rolling can definitely work wonders!

Install new moldings. Installing moldings can transform an otherwise unappealing kitchen into a visual delight. What a great and economical way to improve the interior design of your kitchen!

Put sparkle into your kitchen! Heightened visual interest can be achieved by simply installing new knobs and pulls on your cabinets. You may pick anything from the wide choices available since they come in almost all materials and styles imaginable. Cabinet knobs and pulls are available in glass, resin, metal, rubber, stone and wood.

There you have it, some of the most affordable ways to enhance your kitchen’s visual appeal and functionality! Now, do you agree with me that updating the interior design of your kitchen does not necessarily have to be such an expensive project after all?

When you think of retro decorating do you imagine avocado kitchen appliances and shag carpeting? Think again! The 60s and 70s have made a comeback in retro decorating and this fun style is better than ever. To get the retro look right, don’t just choose a traditionally precise duplication, instead go for a truly contemporary twist - be retro motivated!

If you have a limited decorating budget you can integrate the 60s or 70s style into your home with the following economical tips:

Fabric - Look for bright colors and patterns, such as plaid or paisley. Mixing patterns is acceptable, but be careful not to go overboard or your room could feel chaotic. By simply tossing a few pillows on your sofa or adding a few area rugs for splashes of color will result in a quick, easy retro look to any room.

Furniture - Bean bag chairs are always a popular retro option as well as plastic tables and chairs. Inflatable chairs are also making a comeback.

Accessories - These should be fun and enjoyable. Lava lamps, a rotary phone or record albums are wonderful accents in a retro room. Framing rock posters from 60s and 70s bands add a special retro look to any room.

A great way to shop for retro décor and furniture is online, in charity shops and rummage sales — or just look through your basement or attic. You could discover some really unique retro decorating items at a great price! But if you can’t find appropriate family heirlooms, there are lots of retro-inspired items in stores today.

A fantastic color to use in any retro decorating design is brown. Any shade of brown which appeals to you and goes really well in your room is a good choice for retro decorating.

Using pale colors for a small room and deep colors for bigger rooms is a general decorating rule. However, if you are after an impressive 60s or 70s look, a warm chocolate brown is a wonderful retro shade of color to use in any room!

Baskets are often overlooked yet very useful pieces of home decor. They’re versatile things that come in a wide variety of materials, colors and sizes to suit your decorating needs. They can blend in with many kinds of decor as well as provide some extra storage to your home. Here are some smart and unexpected ways to use your baskets to maximize their form and their function.

Baskets in the Kitchen

It’s easy to find a basket for just about every purpose you can think of in the kitchen. Because there’s a wide assortment of things that have to be organized and contained in a kitchen, using baskets is a great way to get the job done while maintaining a decorating theme at the same time. All you have to think of is getting the right basket for the job. For example, get a deep and narrow basket for holding long-necked utensils, or a shallow square basket for dispensing napkins.

Baskets in the Bedrooms

Because you usually keep your personal articles in your own bedroom, there are often a lot of things there that should belong inside some sort of a container. You can use baskets as, say, a laundry hamper to keep dirty clothes out of the way or a toy box to quickly and conveniently store the kids’ toys. Baskets can also make for neat containers for trinkets, supplies and anything that might be otherwise lying around on the floor. With baskets, you can maintain a certain level of uniformity in your containers without limiting their functionality in any way.

Baskets in the Home Office

Offices, particularly desks and workstations, tend to be full of small items like paper clips and pens that will clutter up any space if left unorganized. Small baskets are sure to find good use in offices as pen or paperclip holders, incoming/outgoing trays and as containers for all manner of office supplies. Small, flat baskets are great as containers to help you sort out your mail; having one for each category of mail should make the task easier. Larger and deeper baskets can be used to hold the umbrellas or walking sticks of guests and visitors. Deep, rectangular baskets are also good ideas for magazine holders to help in entertaining those guests.

There are countless more uses to baskets aside from the ones already mentioned above. There are just so many applications and possible uses for different kinds of baskets around the home that it would be impossible to list them all. Whether you’re going to use them as accents, highlight pieces, accessories or simple storage items, baskets are sure to fit into any role, any space and any decorating theme.

Baskets are often overlooked yet very useful pieces of home decor. They’re versatile things that come in a wide variety of materials, colors and sizes to suit your decorating needs. They can blend in with many kinds of decor as well as provide some extra storage to your home. Here are some smart and unexpected ways to use your baskets to maximize their form and their function.

Baskets in the Kitchen

It’s easy to find a basket for just about every purpose you can think of in the kitchen. Because there’s a wide assortment of things that have to be organized and contained in a kitchen, using baskets is a great way to get the job done while maintaining a decorating theme at the same time. All you have to think of is getting the right basket for the job. For example, get a deep and narrow basket for holding long-necked utensils, or a shallow square basket for dispensing napkins.

Baskets in the Bedrooms

Because you usually keep your personal articles in your own bedroom, there are often a lot of things there that should belong inside some sort of a container. You can use baskets as, say, a laundry hamper to keep dirty clothes out of the way or a toy box to quickly and conveniently store the kids’ toys. Baskets can also make for neat containers for trinkets, supplies and anything that might be otherwise lying around on the floor. With baskets, you can maintain a certain level of uniformity in your containers without limiting their functionality in any way.

Baskets in the Home Office

Offices, particularly desks and workstations, tend to be full of small items like paper clips and pens that will clutter up any space if left unorganized. Small baskets are sure to find good use in offices as pen or paperclip holders, incoming/outgoing trays and as containers for all manner of office supplies. Small, flat baskets are great as containers to help you sort out your mail; having one for each category of mail should make the task easier. Larger and deeper baskets can be used to hold the umbrellas or walking sticks of guests and visitors. Deep, rectangular baskets are also good ideas for magazine holders to help in entertaining those guests.

There are countless more uses to baskets aside from the ones already mentioned above. There are just so many applications and possible uses for different kinds of baskets around the home that it would be impossible to list them all. Whether you’re going to use them as accents, highlight pieces, accessories or simple storage items, baskets are sure to fit into any role, any space and any decorating theme.