Home Design and Decorating Interior Trend 2011-Living room

Interior design is a multi–faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment.The interior design process follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis, and integration of knowledge into the creative process, whereby the needs and resources of the client are satisfied to produce an interior space that fulfills the project goals.

 Home Design and Decorating Interior Trend 2011

There are a wide range of working conditions and employment opportunities within interior design. Large and tiny corporations often hire interior designers as employees on regular working hours. Designers for smaller firms usually work on a contract or per-job basis. Self-employed designers, which make up 26% of interior designers,^[2] usually work the most hours. Interior designers often work under stress to meet deadlines, stay on budget, and meet clients' needs. In some cases, licensed professionals review the work and sign it before submitting the design for approval by clients or construction permisioning. The need for licensed review and signature varies by locality, relevant legislation, and scope of work. Their work can involve significant travel to visit different locations, however with technology development, the process of contacting clients and communicating design alternatives has become easier and requires less travel

Home Design and Decorating Interior Trend 2011

Electric Fireplace Logs

ClassicFlame 24" Electric Fireplace Insert/Log Set - 24FI061ARU List: $449.00 Price: $263.00 FREE SHIPPING Rushden Electric Fireplace Insert - 547UR List: $699.00 Price: $447.00 FREE SHIPPING Electric Fireplace Log Inserts

I love the way you can use the fireplace year round, you can still add ambiance in the summer by turning off the heat but the flame still functions. I was tired of the messy fireplace and the cost of burning wood, the after smell of a real fireplace, and of course the mess of cleaning it out,  is the main reason I purchased the electric logs. I have immediate heat and ambiance with the click of my remote.

Our selection of Electric Fireplace Log Inserts are perfect for retrofit applications. Instantly bring your existing gas or wood fireplace to life with these electric fireplace Inserts. Add the warmth and feel of a real fireplace in just minutes. Lifelike, flame technology creates the look of a wood fire with a realistic flame image, electric fireplace log set and ember bed. Each unit installs quickly and easily – simply plug into standard household outlet. You may choose to operate the unit with flame only or flame with heat. Features: Electric Log Set inserts into fireplace replacing existing wood grate, gas grate, burner or log set Safe, clean electric operation – enjoy flame for 3¢/hr or 8¢/hr with heat turned on Remote control included 120 volt household plug-in electric firebox with fan-forced heater 4700 BTUs/hr of heat – provide supplemental heat for up to 400 sq ft Operates with flame only or with flame and heat Optional Expandable Trim Kit: Expands from 24.5" W to 43" W and 19" H to 28.5" H

Happy New Year

Wishing all a Happy New Year !!!

New Year's Eve Celebration

Toasting Table

Toast for good cheer and resolutions for a happy New Year.
Gather flowers loosely, and drop into a cylinder vase. Surround it with wide green pillars and an array of flowered balls to bring an intoxicating display of fun. Sparkling green champagne flutes with mercury glass candlesticks set the stage for a bubbly bash.

Ringing In the New

The fundamentals of a formal, yet fantastically fun, dinner party setting include color, texture, and style. Take an artistic approach when planning this memorable evening. When developing your palette, do not be afraid to mix bright combinations of old treasures and new-found additions.
A stark arrangement of agapanthus flowers mixed with lush flower balls on pedestals and an assortment of candles creates a harmonious glow. Guests will enjoy the added comforts of velvet accent pillows that add a punch of elegance and bright color to seating. The soft yet spirited ambiance is sure to capture all for the long evening ahead.

Setting the Mood

Add dimension to your display by using old and new pieces and bright colors mixed with complementary patterns. Here, fresh galax leaf chargers anchored by simple oversized ivory plates set the foundation for the strong mixture of pistachio green and purple curvy dinnerware.
To make the chargers: Start with 12-inch round pizza cardboard trays (found at restaurant supply stores). Cut stems from galax leaves, and, using a low-temp glue gun, attach leaves to the perimeter of the cardboard, filling the entire outside edge. Repeat the process, covering the bottom portions of the first row of leaves. Continue until cardboard is covered. Chargers may be made a few days before and stored in plastic bags in the refrigerator.

By the Fire

Off with the garland and holly berries. Balls of moss and fresh flowers mixed with fresh green candles atop mercury glass candlesticks present a fresh visual surprise.

Absolutely No Regrets

Handmade invitations let guests know the evening will be special. Use assorted paper that can be found in stationary shops. There are so many options today. Let your design inspiration blend with your evening’s color theme.
Here, green and purple were used mixing a creamy cardstock with a transparent overlay. For the computer savvy, these may be printed at home. For a special touch, we threaded a small ribbon through the top of each invitation. And for a final refinement, a small silver sticker seals the envelope.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry

Personalize the evening with glass tags and monogrammed napkins. Include a menu card to entice guests’ appetites. And as a new twist to a traditional place card, use ring tags that can be found at a crafts or office-supply store.
Script each guest's name with a colored, thin-tip marker. Holiday metallic silver napkins are monogrammed with the hosts’ last initial by a local specialty embroidery shop. And menu card material can be quickly assembled using the wide array of cardstock.

Midnight Toast

Liam's Midnight Toast

A flavorful, colorful and classy cocktail for Christmas or New Year's Eve

4 oz. champagne (reasonably priced non-vintage champagne is fine)
1/2 oz. cognac
1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
dash of Campari
orange wheel (garnish)
crushed ice
Preparation:

1. Fill a large chilled wineglass with crushed ice.
2. Add the following in exactly this order:

• Champagne
• Cognac
• Grand Marnier
• Campari

   3.  Garnish with an orange wheel.

New Year's Eve Table Settings

Dinner Time

Set small clocks around the table as a festive way to celebrate on New Year's Eve. A palette of pale green is a fresh way to end the year, and the rustic shape of this china provides a welcome respite from the glitz of Christmas decor.

Seafood Feast

For this sea-themed table, an oyster plate layered over a shagreen charger brings the motifs and textures of the sea to the table. Flowers arranged in a conch shell serve as a beachy centerpiece.

Silver Service

A silvery theme adds elegance to the table. To keep things from becoming too staid, a platinum-striped charger and a beautifully embroidered napkin add texture and refinement.
A silver-painted branch and a centerpiece in a frosty palette introduce natural elements without disrupting the theme. Lamb's ear, a silvery-green perennial, forms the basis of the arrangement.

via

New Years Eve Ideas

New Year's Eve is a time to celebrate new beginnings. We've got plenty of New Year's Eve ideas to help you plan the perfect New Year's Eve party and ring in the New Year in style. Be sure to also check out our budget New Year's Eve party ideas to ensure that your celebration will be friendly on your wallet yet fun for all of your guests.

What really makes a party? The guests! Plan activities leading up to the New Years Eve countdown where guests can interact with each other by playing fun games.
"On Time" Charades
Play charades with titles, songs, and books that feature the word "time" in honor of the New Year's Eve countdown. Search the word "time" at online book and movie retailers to get some ideas or try these suggestions:
"Time" Title Ideas for Charades

• Lost in Time (movie)
• Time in a Bottle (song)
• A Stitch in Time Saves Nine (rhyme)
• Time is On My Side (song)
• A Wrinkle in Time (book)

Guess My Resolution
When guests enter the party, ask them to write their resolution on a slip on paper.

• Fold up the slips of paper and place all resolutions in a bowl.
• The party host reads the resolutions aloud and the guests guess who wrote each resolution.

New Year's revelers will inevitably end up singing this classic song after the ball drops. But who really knows the lyrics, and who is mumbling along to the song?
1. Print out the lyrics of Auld Lang Syne on a full sheet of paper.
2. Use whiteout to strategically blank out one word on every second or third line of the printed out song.
3. Photocopy as many copies as you will have guests at your party. Hand out the copies and plenty of pens, and ask guests to fill in the lyrics for the song.
4. At the end of the night, award guests with a small trinket for the Most Creative Lyrics, the Most Incorrect Lyrics, and the Most Correct lyrics.

Auld Lang Syne Lyrics:

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and never brought to mind ?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
and old times since ?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
for auld lang syne,
we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

And surely you'll buy your pint cup !
And surely I'll buy mine !
And we'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
for auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have run about the slopes,
and picked the daisies fine ;
But we've wandered many a weary foot,
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

We two have paddled in the stream,
from morning sun till dine ;
But seas between us broad have roared
since auld lang syne.

CHORUS

And there's a hand my trusty friend !
And give us a hand o' thine !
And we'll take a right good-will draught,
for auld lang syne.