Wednesday, December 29, 2010

My Home, My Pride and Joy


2011 is coming. Perhaps it's time to think about having a home makeover? Just like this next maisonette. Check out the before and after pics.

Article taken off www.thehomelook.com

My Home, My Pride and Joy

Interior Design: Nic & Wes


This conserved walk-up apartment in Tanjong Katong has been granted a new modern contemporary lease of life. From the use of geometric patterns and a hushed monochromatic palette with unexpected splashes of colour, the 1,900 sq ft 4-bedroom maisonette is full of surprises at every corner. This is definitely a home that will elicit pride from the owner. Let's show it off!

Photos Credit: Nicole Kow



Living Room

Here, black and white stripes add an interesting texture to the wall and the whole look of the place. A sheer curtain acts as a divider between the living room and the dining area while the hook lamp provides a unique and refreshing touch to the space.



Dining Room

A dash of red injects cosiness into this classy dining area. The panel mirrors reflect the light from the chandelier, adding extra sparkle.



Family Room

An intimate space adorned with a three-panel art piece where the family can hang out and spend quality time together.



Kitchen

A cool, minimalist-looking kitchen area with a breakfast counter that's morning rush-friendly. The sliding glass window and transparent door lets you do the cooking while containing the smell and splashes to the kitchen area without cutting up the space.



Master Bedroom

Royal purple gives life and contrast to the running monochromatic theme.



Study room

The long and narrow study table makes full use of the space available.

Monday, December 27, 2010

10 Flooring Ideas

The floor is a wonderful thing...especially when it comes to home decor. Here are 10 wonderful choices for your flooring.

Article taken off livingetc.com

10 Flooring Ideas



Linoleum is tough, yet tactile and warm. It’s a natural and sustainable product, made of linseed oil, rosin, jute and limestone. It’s the ideal flooring for people with allergies, because it doesn’t harbour dust mites and is bacteria static – germs can’t live or breed on it.



Cool and chic, concrete is hard-wearing and can be poured straight onto an existing floor with no need for levelling. It only needs resealing every seven years or so. Using stone soap will help to maintain it.



Modern, high-quality vinyl can replicate all manner of flooring, from wood and stone to tiles and mosaics, through to contemporary materials such as glass and zinc. And it’s usually cheaper and easier to maintain than the real thing.



Ceramic tiles come in all shapes, sizes, colours and textures. Usually made from clay or other natural materials, they aren’t as pricey as porcelain tiles, but nor are they as hard-wearing, so avoid laying them in heavy-traffic areas, as they may crack. Plus, their edges aren’t always totally straight, resulting in thicker grout lines. They’re ideal for use in bathrooms, but be sure to choose a design with a textured or non-slip surface.



Still high on the most-wanted list, jute, seagrass, coir and sisal are great for heavy-traffic areas. Bear in mind, though, that natural flooring can be slippery, so avoid using it on staircases, and it can be a bit too scratchy for bedrooms.



Cool and chic, concrete is hard-wearing and can be poured straight onto an existing floor with no need for levelling. It only needs resealing every seven years or so. Using stone soap will help to maintain it.



Resilient yet soft and warm underfoot, rubber is ideal for bathrooms and kitchens. It’s available in lots of colours and textures, including ribs and studs. Opt for a smooth finish or low-profile studs for easy cleaning.



Beautiful, renewable and recyclable, solid wood is sturdy underfoot, and adds a high-end feel. Solid boards may expand and contract more than other materials, so they’re unsuitable for damp areas. Wood can be finished with polyurethane lacquer or natural linseed oil, and most sealants only need to be reapplied every few years.



There are plenty of reasons to love the modern carpet - it's cosy, soft underfoot and available in myriad colours and patterns. It's also more hygienic than you may think - it traps allergens and dust, which can easily be removed with regular vacuuming. It absorbs sound, so it's ideal if you have neighbours downstairs, and, as it acts as a layer of insulation, it can lower your fuel bills. Carpet doesn't always need a level surface, so it can save you money on any sub-floor work.



Limestone, marble, basalt and granite are ideal for heavy-traffic areas, bathrooms and kitchens. Stone is porous and can stain, but a sealant, such as Lithofin Stain Stop, will protect it without leaving a coating. Any scratches will gradually disappear into the patina, which can make a five-year-old floor more beautiful than a brand-new one. Stone can be laid on any surface as long as it’s strong and rigid. You may need to reinforce the floor, so ask an expert.

Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Dinner Centrepiece

Try making your own Christmas dinner centrepiece...with baby food jars!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Home Decorating With Clocks

The clock's not just to tell time. Incorporate it into your interior design.

Article taken off homedit.com

Clocks – A Modern Way of Home Decorating

Home decorating clocks are very helpful in bringing some style to a room in your house or your office as well. Having a clock on the wall, not only shows the time but also brings a different note to an otherwise blank and flat view of a wall. The home decorating clocks are unique in their design as they can be modern or traditional, but either way they can look great on the room’s wall.

Various styles of home décor clocks are available among which we count mantel clocks, wall clocks, and grandfather clocks that are made of metal and wood. As with any other of piece of accent furniture, home decorating clocks need to take into account some important issues:

1. Decide first what type of home décor clock you wish to acquire. Wall clocks are those that work great on empty walls but you must also decide which the room is to hold it as well as the wall to hang it. Various designs of wall clocks are available to work for the space of the kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms and office. The metal or wooden made clocks are great for modern or antique style whichever complements the style of the specific room.

2. The second aspect refers to the size of the clock. For the kitchen walls you could do it with a clock that is medium sized as long as walls are already taken with the artwork and furniture.

When it comes to wall clocks for dining room or living room, this is an important piece of home decorating accessory, therefore one big in size to cover the empty wall is a great option. One choice to find the right one would be to get the wall dimensions and have in this way a pretty good idea on finding the right one.

Using home decorating clocks has become very popular as solutions to decorate the walls of the house without putting yourself through a lot of effort. Searching online you can find various designs, styles and sizes that do not need any maintenance to be done. Apart from this, the home decorating clocks are easy to hang, only in case they are too heavy there should be the need of an anchor to have it fixed in order to save the wall from being damaged.

Home decorating clocks can be found not only for the walls, but also for the floor being renowned mostly as grandfather clocks or mantel clocks. These types come with metal and wooden finishing as well as in very attractive shapes that once you choose the one for your living room it has to match the overall aspect of the room.

Monday, December 20, 2010

How to Take Care of Heirloom Furniture

Want to restore a family heirloom furniture to its former glory? Read on.

Article taken off tlc.howstuffworks.com

How to Take Care of Heirloom Furniture



A beautiful piece of inherited furniture can last a long time if you know how to care for it. If your home is full of all-new furniture that you purchased yourself, you may be in the minority. Most of us own at least one item that used to belong to a family member, a friend or a stranger. But some of these pieces aren't just hand-me-downs -- you consider them heirlooms.

What's the difference? To some extent, it's in the eye of the beholder. Heirloom furniture has been passed down to you from a relative, perhaps through several generations of your family. That chest or sofa or armoire is something valuable, whether it's measured in sentiment or money.

But heirloom furniture requires some extra care to preserve it, like any antique. A few dings or some water damage on the dresser that you bought at a discount store likely wouldn't upset you nearly as much as if the same thing happened to the table that belonged to your great-grandmother. Heirloom furniture basically has two main types of enemies: people and the environment. Even with the best of intentions, people clean, use and handle furniture incorrectly. Caring for it the wrong way can both decrease the value of the piece and shorten its lifespan. Temperature, humidity, sunlight and pests also do their best to ruin your furniture.

So does this mean that you should shut your heirloom furniture away somewhere? Not at all -- there's a happy medium between treating your furniture like a museum piece and treating it like something you picked up off the curb. All you need is a little knowledge to combat those foes, and your heirloom furniture will stay in great condition for future generations to enjoy.

Refinishing and Cleaning Heirloom Furniture

You may be tempted to "fix" faded or flaking finishes, but it's not always a good idea. Your heirloom furniture may not have been in pristine condition when you inherited it, and fixing any problems might seem like the right thing to do. But before you decide to undertake a home restoration project, do some research and consider calling in an expert and getting his or her recommendations. You could do more harm than good if you decide to refinish a piece of antique furniture just because the finish is flaking off in one spot. In some cases, it's better to leave some of these "imperfections" as is because they're part of the furniture's history.

For example, some furniture has copper, bronze or brass hardware, such as drawer pulls. Over time, exposure to chemical compounds in the air can cause these metals to acquire a patina, which is a greenish color and filmy texture that forms on the surface. Some people love how it looks, but others clean it off to restore the original surface and color. Removing patina can often lower the value of antique furniture, however, because it's a sign of the piece's age. Patinas and other signs of aging give the furniture character.

How you clean your furniture has a lot to do with its longevity. Although there are lots of furniture oils, polishes and dusting sprays on the market, most restorers recommend avoiding them. They do remove dust and leave a lovely sheen on your furniture, but they can also cause buildup on the surface and degrade the finish. Some products may contain solvents that damage the finish. And, contrary to popular belief, oils don't prevent the wood from drying out. They can soak into the wood, oxidize and cause it to darken.

If there's buildup already, clean it off using a very mild detergent or mineral spirits. Be cautious and test it out in a small area first. Ask an expert if you're concerned about damaging the finish. If you get the OK and your spot test gives you good results, dust the surface with a dampened lint-free or magnetic cloth. If your furniture has ornate carving, buy a soft-bristled brush to dust it, as dry cloths and feather dusters can damage delicate surfaces. Use a paste furniture wax once a year. Upholstered furniture should be vacuumed using a brush attachment with screening over it (such as old pantyhose) to avoid damaging the fabric.

Next, we'll look at other ways you can care for your heirloom furniture with tips for using and moving it.

Preventing Damage to Heirloom Furniture from Everyday Use and Moving

There's a right way and a wrong way to use furniture. Since you want to preserve your heirloom piece, you'll have to make sure that both you and others use it correctly. One simple tip is to use furniture as it's meant to be used. We often casually lean against the arm of a sofa or use the coffee table as a place to sit if nowhere else is available. But since neither of these places is really designed to support your body weight, you could cause structural damage to your furniture over time.

It's also important to protect surfaces. Use throws or slipcovers on upholstered furniture if you're concerned about the kind of damage that pets or children (or sloppy adults) can cause. Invest in some coasters for cold glasses and hot coffee mugs -- cold, wet items can leave cloudy spots on the finish, and hot items can actually melt it. If you can avoid this kind of misuse, you can definitely prolong the life of your heirloom furniture.

If you're moving furniture from room to room, or moving house, there are some basic steps you can take to avoid damaging your furniture:

Measure ahead of time and make sure that it will fit through the doorway of its designated room.
Check for obstructions like existing furniture and low-hanging light fixtures.
Never drag a piece of furniture across the floor; you'll potentially damage both the furniture's legs and your floor.

Pick it up its strongest element. For example, a table should be picked up by its legs, not its top.

If you have to put furniture in a moving van, make sure it's well padded.
Remove any drawers or other loose elements.

If there is removable glass or marble, take it out and wrap it separately.
Lay big pieces such as dressers flat on their backs.

When you are walking the piece to its new home, go slowly and cautiously. Taking a little extra time can make all the difference.

We'll look at the environmental enemies of heirloom furniture and how to deal with them, next.

Enemies of Heirloom Furniture: Temperature, Humidity and Sunlight

Now that you know how to properly clean, use and move your heirloom furniture, you might think that's all you need to worry about. However, there are enemies lurking about, just waiting to cause damage to your wonderful piece. You can't always see them, but you can see the evidence that they leave behind. Warped, cracked wood. Faded upholstery. Mold. Holes. You can stop all of these things from happening if you're vigilant.

When there are fluctuations in temperature and humidity, you're not the only one feeling it. And while we can thrive in a lot of different types of environments, heirloom furniture isn't so lucky. Most of us like our homes to stay at a steady, comfortable temperature and humidity level. For wooden furniture, about 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) and 50 percent relative humidity is optimal, but small variations higher or lower won't make a big difference. Extreme fluctuations, however, can cause serious damage. They can cause the wood to expand and then contract, resulting in warping, breakage and problems such as stuck drawers. Very high humidity can lead to rotting wood, while very low humidity will dry it out and cause cracking. To dodge these problems, don't store heirloom furniture in basements or attics, and keep it away from stoves, radiators, fireplaces and HVAC vents.

Sunlight isn't something that we necessarily think of as being damaging to furniture, but prolonged, direct exposure to ultraviolet light (including strong artificial light) can lead to permanent problems. Light can fade a piece of furniture's finish and upholstery, forever damaging its beauty. To protect it, keep it out of strong direct light if possible -- drawing shades and curtains will help, too. And although you may not like the look of it, use coverings on furniture when it's not in use.

The last type of enemy that we'll discuss can also be also one of the grossest. Read on to find out why.

Biopredation: Creepy Crawlies and Your Heirloom Furniture

Tears or holes in upholstered furniture could be home to rodents.
It's called biopredation in the furniture restoration business -- attacks on your furniture by animals and micro-organisms. Termites, ants and some types of beetles can bore holes in wood and cause serious damage. Mice like to make their nests in old upholstery or may turn up in other furniture depending on what's stored there (avoid storing food in heirloom furniture, or at least make sure it's tightly sealed). Tell-tale signs of these kinds of infestations include holes, wood dust and droppings. You can try various products to get rid of the creepy-crawlies, but be careful -- sprays might damage the finish on your furniture. Depending on the extent of the damage and the infestation, you might need to get professional help.

Micro-organisms that attack furniture include mold and mildew. These usually result from keeping the furniture in damp, dark and warm environments. If the problem isn't too severe, you can probably get rid of mold or mildew spots on wooden furniture. Work outside when it's sunny, warm and dry, and use gloves and a mask. Start by cleaning it with a mild detergent solution and allowing the furniture to dry. Then follow up with a bleach solution (1/4 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of water). Note that the bleach solution may change the finish slightly, so test it out in a small area first if you're worried. After the furniture dries again, clean it a third time using a detergent containing borax, which will help keep growth from happening again.

If upholstered furniture gets moldy or mildewed, you can dry it out and attempt to clean it using a mild

detergent and the borax solution (bleach will ruin your upholstery). It's much more difficult to keep mold and mildew from returning in upholstery, however. You'll need to be on watch for signs of regrowth and may have to throw the furniture away. In the case of both wooden and upholstered furniture, consult with an expert if the damage is severe.

Heirloom furniture needs a little extra TLC so it will be in good condition for you to pass down, but caring for it is easy when you know what to do.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Inside Barbra Streisand's Dream Home

Get a private tour of Funny Girl Barbra Streisand's dream home.

Article taken off oprah.com

Inside Barbra Streisand's Dream Home



It took Hollywood legend Barbra Streisand years to design and build the dream home she and husband James Brolin share with their dog, Samantha. From the moment she first saw the main house, Barbra knew she wanted it and had to wait 11 years to buy it. Barbra says her home, which is located on California's breathtaking coast, is an homage to craftsmanship (think: woodwork and old beams), great architects and furniture designers like Greene and Greene, Stickley and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. She chronicles this labor of love in her first book, My Passion for Design.

For Barbra, designing a dream home is as fulfilling as working on a movie. "You have something to really to show for it afterward," she says.



Barbra's dream home is actually made up of four buildings—the mill house, the barn, Grandma's house and the main house—on 3 acres of property.

Besides the main house, which Barbra moved into within three days, she needed to start her dream home from stratch. "There was nothing here when we started," she says. "We built the streams because I think water is a very soothing element. Now I'm surrounded by it on three sides."



For as long as she can remember, Barbra says she's always loved barns. "They feel so American to me," she says. And, Barbra believes if you have a barn, you have to have chickens. Her hens lay green eggs.

Outside the barn, there's a small fish pond. Even the colors of the fish were chosen with purpose. "Since the houses are barn red, trimmed with black-and-white, the fish, of course, have to be black-and-white, right?" she says with a smile.



The rose garden isn't just beautiful—it's a spiritual place for Barbra. When she needs time to herself, she goes into her garden. "I literally smell the roses," Barbra says. "I am so entranced by nature. I live on the ocean. That's an ever-changing painting."



In the Cape Cod cottage-style guest house, visitors can stay in the Lavender Bedroom. The bedroom, which Barbra calls "informal," is where she sets up a microphone and a music stand and records songs. She says she's recorded music with legendary singers Tony Bennett and Barry Gibb in this very room. "I like looking at the ocean when I sing," she says.

Barbra says she considered building a professional recording studio in the barn, but she didn't think she'd use it. "[I] record in Grandma's house—we call it—which has nothing professional about it," she says. "It doesn't even have double-glazed windows on the ocean, and yet it works."



In the basement of the barn Barbra put in a village of shops, which were inspired by Hector Guimard and the Art Nouveau era. This is where Barbra keeps many of her antiques. "I have a lot of stuff, and instead of storing it just in a basement, why not make a street of shops that would house these things?" she says.

Among the shops is a Louis XV–esque antique clothing store. The shop showcases some of Barbra's most opulent and ornate garments, like a black lace cape and an Irene Sharaff gown constructed with green chiffon over pink silk. Barbra wore this gown when she sang the song "People" in Funny Girl.



In the main house's family room, it's easy to see that Barbra loves monochromatic color schemes. "I like textures, different textures of the same color," she says. "I find it calming."

When designing a living space, Barbra tends to stick to one or two colors per room, which she feels is less distracting. "I don't respond to too many colors, too many prints," she says. "Then, I don't hear the conversation as easily."

A portion of the proceeds from Barbra's book, My Passion for Design, benefits women's cardiovascular research. Barbra will match the contributions of others, dollar for dollar up to $5 million. Find out more about the Barbra Streisand Women’s Cardiovascular Research and Education Program at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Home Office Feng Shui Tips : Feng Shui Desk Arrangement Tips

Increase the Feng Shui energy flow in any room including a home office by arranging your desk.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Luxury Home Décor Tips

How about injecting some luxury into your home this coming 2011?

Article taken off mademan.com

10 Luxury Home Decor Tips

Which of our 10 luxury home decor tips are for you? With todays focus on green, natural materials are being used in luxury living. Geographical location also dictates a huge portion of what makes oversized homes considered luxury living. Floral and wood are big in the south while the north uses wood, glass and lots of brick.

Sliding doors on kitchen cabinets. Wall units and/or kitchen cabinets with sliding doors are being used for a modern appearance in the kitchen area. This luxury home decor tip allows for easy access to plates, cook ware, etc.

Install wallpaper. Wallpaper with large patterns or bold coloring are back in style for modern luxury home decor. Matching draperies are available for many wallpaper patterns. Luxury home decorating tip: Single colored or matching draperies with wallpaper will give a luxurious effect.

Walls of window or brick. Window walls are being used to replace an entire or near entire outside wall, while brick walls are being used to divide a room or rooms. Use of these materials on one or more walls gives a luxury home feeling.

Use wood on ceilings, walls and beams. For a Mediterranean look, ceiling beams are being used painted or unpainted both with dry wall and wood. Entire walls and/or ceilings of wood are modern features being used in luxury homes.

Raised and lowered portions of flooring. Platforms under beds, sliding doors and sunken or raised room(s) are luxury decor tips used in modern homes today. Choose an area or a room to feature varied flooring levels that can be installed by a professional or a talented do it your-selfer.

Install tile or wood flooring. Large tiles as well as wood flooring are used in many luxury homes. Both are designed for long wear with regular maintenance.

Display huge live floral arrangements. Create huge arrangements of flowers to display on the main floor. For added luxury living, have an arrangement in each room of the main floor.

Pools or spas. Install one of both of these either indoor or outdoor. Space and usage will dictate which feature is best for luxury home decor tips.

Use marble for an expensive, luxurious effect. Floors, fireplaces, bathrooms, counter tops and furniture made using marble give a luxury home look. Choose a smaller piece of furniture if your budget is limited.

Install oversized shower areas. Huge shower areas are a must have in luxury home decor tips. Hand held shower heads and clips are attached to room sized shower area's.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Big Decorating Ideas For Small Spaces

Start embracing your small house with these tips!

Article taken off The Home Look



Big Decorating Ideas For Small Spaces

Tired of well-meaning guests who give you tips on how to maximise the space in your small house? This is not yet another article on how to make small spaces look big. No, here we are embracing everything small. Revel in the bijou, celebrate the lack of vastness! Less can definitely be more.

Often, the issue with making the most of your living space isn't really how much space you have. What tends to be more important is what you do with your square footage. Rather than fighting the lack of space, focus on the benefits of your smaller space. Small spaces are great for interior design concepts such as cosiness, security, intimacy, charm and functionality.

You may find that decorating a small room is probably more challenging than decorating a large one. It will be useful to draw up a plan previewing the potential uses of the room, the furniture requirements, storage needed and personal lifestyle interests before going on a buying trip for your place. That doesn't mean you have to set rigid rules, but having guidelines will go a long way in helping you create the ideal cosy interior design for your home.

A warm and cosy home provides a place for conversation and features overstuffed furniture that begs to be lounged in. Create an intimate living space layout by keeping larger pieces of furniture closer together, centered around a nice, compact coffee table. Using a good-sized area rug will help bring all the pieces together. If there are any vacant or dull areas, fill up the space with a nice-sized container plant to define and complete the look.

In terms of furniture and furnishings, choose those that will enhance the cosy factor. Place soft and fluffy pillows, cushions and throw blankets on your couches, chairs and beds for you to snuggle up with. Sleek furniture, even though they occupy less space, tend to make the room look quite formal. Try textured furniture but be wary of traditional wooden furniture as they can look too heavy for the room.

There is no need to stick to white because you think colour will make a small place appear darker and smaller. Consider using warm shades of brown, like mocha, taupe and khaki, as versatile neutrals, shades of orange and pale yellows as accent colours or even warmer sage colours.

Used cleverly and sparingly, texture and pattern will give your home an instant dose of cosiness. Go for plush fabrics and knits like cashmere, velvet, and chenille. Incorporate some patterned window treatments, upholstery and knick-knacks.

The key to cosy lighting is layering. Use a mixture of lighting types to create a captivating ambience. Try halogen lights - they can be dimmed and give off a softer, more flattering glow. Natural sunlight is also ideal for cosy homes that can accommodate a window seat or a skylight.

Last but not least, create a feeling of cosiness via nature and scent. Flowers and plants can add colour, brightness and a bit of the outdoors to your home. Rather than relying on chemical air freshener products, use potpourris and simmering spiced cider to give your homes a welcoming and lingering homey scent.

Friday, December 3, 2010

Creating Christmas Tablescape

Do you smell Christmas in the air? So do we! How are you decorating your table this Christmas?

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Tropical Chic

Do you conjure images of Jane and Tarzan when you think of the word "tropical"? You don't have to replicate the jungle or it will look too kiddy. Here's a more subtle look.

Article taken off interiordec.about.com

Decorating In The Tropical Chic Style



Tropical chic is one of the most popular looks today. It includes comfort, warmth, and a touch of the exotic, using jungle themes, restful colors, and natural textural elements.

It's a style that has fresh appeal with touches of traditional. This is not the multi-colored jungle look you might choose for a child's room. Instead, it might be defined as "lush minimalism" since it mixes lots of texture and intricate pattern with simple details and a few large accessories.

Common motifs include stylized palm trees, large leafed banana plants, monkeys, animal prints, rattan, leather, and grasscloth.

This look is most often used in living rooms and family rooms, but can be adapted for master suites and bathrooms as well. Here are some of the underlying elements and themes of a tropical look room.... For best viewing, open browser window to maximum size

Comfortable upholstered furniture is a must in a tropical room.
Long horizontal lines underscore a casual look and add to a restful mood, while taller elements such as plants, screens, or artwork add a grand scale.
Neutral tones including ivory, beige, camel, tan, deep brown, soft gold, and pale yellows are the foundation of a tropical themed room. Greens are also a major element in shades that range from light sage to avocado and from yellow-greens to a green that is nearly black. Accents might be in dark brown, black, or even muted reds.
Furniture in a tropical room is often large in scale and selected for comfort and utility. Accent pieces in wicker, bamboo, iron, and rattan will also fit well with the look.

Fabrics should be soft and lush. Neutral solid chenilles are perfect for the major upholstered pieces. Pillows, ottomans, and chairs might be done in jungle prints and leaf designs.

Wood furniture pieces and wood flooring fit well into this look. Light woods can be used but add more weight to the room by mixing in some dark tables, lamps, or furniture feet.

The main motifs used would be the tropical jungle look and animal designs (monkeys, elephants, etc.) used in fabrics, accent items, and accessories.

Animal designs figure prominently in a tropical room. Consider using both animal hide designs such as leopard spots and zebra stripes as well as animal images such as monkeys, lions, and elephants.

Large plants, especially palm trees, are a perfect addition to a tropical themed room. Add them in corners and uplight from underneath using inexpensive can lights.
Because island prints, leaves, and animal prints are a feast for the eye, avoid overdoing the room's accessories. A few large plants, lamps, books, and some carefully selected large-scale accessories will usually be enough. Avoid lots of tiny little things and keep it simple and spare.

Windowcoverings should exhibit a natural quality. Bamboo or matchstick blinds, breezy linen panels, or plantation shutters are all choices that will fit into this look.
Grasscloth, baskets, rattan, and wicker in natural tones add another layer of texture to the room. Consider these materials for wallcoverings, cornice boards, folding screens, ottomans, and more.

Flooring might be hardwood, though tile or stone is another possibility. Accent the hard floor with area rugs of natural sisal.

Artwork will look best if it sticks to the color palette of the room -- pale golds, ivory, browns, and greens. Hang prints with stylized leaf designs, exotic looking palm trees, and jungle animals.

Light fixtures can add some whimsey with decorations in monkey, leaf, or jungle accents. Dark lamp shades will add more weight to the room.

Tableware looks might include natural colored stoneware, textured placemats, loosely woven fabric napkins, and sturdy glassware. Accessorize with wooden bowls, baskets, and bamboo.