Living Large

We always lament the lack of space in Singapore houses, but if you do have the space you desire, would you know how to fill it?

Article taken off homilymagazine.com

Top 5 Interior Decor Tips For How To Decorate A Large Living Space

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.

How To Choose A Washing Machine

Front load or top load? Here are some washing machine-choosing tips to get more bang for your buck.

Article taken off ehow.com

Step 1
Consider how much noise the washing machine makes and where in your home it will be located.

Step 2
Measure the space where you plan to install your new appliance. If you're off by even an inch or two, it can make a huge difference.

Step 3
Look to consumer magazines or websites for repair histories of particular brands. Your $300 to $600 investment should last you at least 20 years.

Step 4
Shop for a washer in which the controls are easy to read and use. The touch-pad types are a little more expensive and not necessarily better.

Step 5
Make sure the lint trap is easy to reach and clean.

Step 6
Look at the insides carefully: Porcelain coating on the top surface is best. However, for the drum, stainless steel or plastic is preferable because a drum made from these materials won't scratch like a painted one will, or chip and then rust like porcelain coating.

Step 7
Save water and electricity with a front-loading model. These are also more gentle on clothes because they don't use an agitator. They also are typically quieter than top-loaders, and fit in smaller spaces. They require special detergent, however.

Step 8
Think about capacity - each brand has a different definition of high-capacity. Clothes are measured in pounds; you may want to weigh an average load before going shopping to make sure your new washer can handle your washing habits. Front-loading models only hold about 8 pounds.

Step 9
Look for extras such as bleach-, detergent- and fabric softener-dispensers, a hand-wash cycle, and automatic temperature controls.

Step 10
Compare prices from department and appliance stores with those found on the Web.

Step 11
Be sure to get a good warranty.

At Home With Richard Branson

Because he's Richard Branson, he gets to build his own home on his own island.