A door knocker is one of the most beautifuland prominent pieces on the front door of a house and reflects alot of information to visitors about what to expect inside. Thesimple addition or replacement of an older knocker can completelytransform the entire appearance of your entryway and add newelegance to the exterior of any home. Although the popularity ofspecific designs changes over time, there are lovely patterns thatare always a classic and welcome addition to any entryway set.Lions and AnimalsAnimal door knockers, lions especially, are a timeless patternfor most any architectural style. The dramatic designs offersomething unique to the home and can be coordinated with mostpre-existing door hardware. One of the most wonderful examples isshown below, a hand cast solid brass lion head door knocker.Doctor's Door KnockersThis pattern may not be as well known today but at one point itwas a method of identifying the profession of the home owner forpotential clients. This design is now used on any home and offers abold example of a classic pattern. Sizes range from 6 inch to 8inches:Traditional Door Knockers:Sometimes simplicity is best if you are looking for a classicpattern that will not be a focal point on the door, merely used toaccent existing hardware. The traditional knocker is a basicdesign, most traditional utilizing a ring and plate installeddirectly to the door to prevent damage. These knockers are usuallyunadorned or with a simple roped pattern.Mythological Door KnockersLarger doors can support much larger and much more ornatedesigns. The use of Greek or Roman gods and goddesses is animpressive way to add a dramatic knocker to compliment the size ofthe door. Smaller knockers tend to appear inappropriate and awkwardon larger doors - bold patterns offer a wonderful way to balancethe size of the door with the size of the knocker.Nature or HobbiesA modern interpretation of door knockers offers a wide varietyof designs never before seen. This can personalize a door and makeit stand out even more. A whimsical touch would include flowersknockers, nautical themes (such as anchors), lizards, tennisrackets, etc. There really is no limit in this genre because theknocker is meant to reflect the homeowners' unique personality.Installation FAQIf you are installing a new door knocker the best choice is arear mounted knocker made from solid materials such as brass oriron. These will be more resistant to damage over time and offer awider option of intricate designs. Rear mounting does require thedoor to be drilled for installation but this prevents theft of theknocker and ensures it will not fall off or break away from thedoor.If you are replacing an existing knocker it is important tomeasure the pre-existing holes and choose a new knocker carefully.This will include determining the center to center distance (spacebetween the holes) and selecting a knocker with this samemeasurement. By doing this there will not be a need to re-drill thedoor for a new knocker.Choosing a knocker is a very personal experience and there is noright or wrong choices. Pay attention to size and choose a knockerthat will look appropriate on your door. If you are unsure it is agreat idea to cut out a piece of paper that is the same height andwidth of the knocker you are thinking of using and tape it againstthe door (actual shape does not need to be cut out). This will giveyou a frame of reference for what size you would like to use.A knocker is a wonderful way to add new beauty to any door.Replace other old and worn hardware with beautiful replacementspieces including the door knob, deadbolt, kick plate, doorbell andmail slot. A complete entryway set can be created with a commontheme or finish. Ask questions and search for high qualitymaterials to ensure durability. The entryway of the home is themost prominent feature guests and homeowners will see and aworthwhile investment.

If you want to learn more about the kitchenremodel design, then you will want to read this article.Specifically, we will discuss how to design the best possiblelayout to make your kitchen the most attractive and functional areaof your home. This kitchen remodel design will include floor plans,kitchen cabinet planning and the best kitchen counters orcountertops for you. After reading this article, you should be ableto know what you need for an efficient layout and what you mustcomplete to reach that goal.The floor plan is the very heart of the kitchen. The methodgenerally accepted is to design a three-point work flow area. Takeinto consideration where doors and windows are, as these are notusually easy to move, and plan around them. The three points arethe sink, the stove and the refrigerator. These are the areas ofthe kitchen with the greatest amount of traffic between them. Weneed to keep them close together for efficiency.When meal preparation is under way, the cook does not want towaste time or energy going back and forth between the stove to stira pot and then to the sink to wash vegetables. The points should befar enough apart so if two people are involved in the mealpreparation, they are not in each others way. They are, however,close enough not to waste time. Design the basic flow you arelooking to achieve, then move on to planning the cabinets.Cabinet planning is next in the kitchen remodel design processbecause we will need a place to store non-perishable food items,mixing and baking utensils, dishes, etc. The proper placement ofcabinets is necessary to keep the meal preparation process as easyas possible. Cabinets are available in a plethora of sizes andshapes. The only common denominator is a cabinet height of 35 1/2to 36 inches above the floor and 24 inches out from the wall forbase cabinets. The cabinets will account for almost 50% of yourbudget, so plan accordingly.The kitchen counters or countertops are necessary, as a place toput the food for preparation from the refrigerator and thecabinets. Once again, there is an overabundance of choices almostas big as your imagination. I have been in houses where plywood wasbeing used as countertops. I have also been in houses where marbleor granite was the norm. For the vast majority, plastic laminate isthe countertop of choice. It all depends on your taste and budget.Approximately 12% of your budget will be spent here.Without a doubt, the kitchen is the area that will be the mostrewarding, as well as bring the greatest return on your investment.Just make sure you do not go beyond what the neighborhood homeprices will support.Before starting any construction project, make sure youunderstand the complete kitchen remodeling process before you doanything. Cost overruns have killed many a project before it wascompleted. Plan carefully and with proper planning, you can beenjoying a new kitchen in a short period of time.As the kitchen is the heart of a home and the focal point ofmost households, kitchen renovation is usually required every fewyears. For many, the kitchen is the most important part of thehouse. It is a place where the family congregates during dailymeals, holiday entertaining and other activities, and as such,kitchen remodeling and makeover is one of the most common homeremodeling jobs general contractors deal with. Having a kitchenthat will meet your needs is not a luxury but rather anecessity...and in fact, with today's kitchen remodeling ideas, onedoesn't need to spend a lot of money on custom kitchen remodelingdesign...even a simple kitchen makeover will suffice.When planning a kitchen remodeling design a detailed plan mustbe drafted. In any kitchen renovation, whether it's a customkitchen remodeling or a small kitchen makeover, the kitchen layoutstyle should be well thought of and considered.

Let's face it, choosing the right home designplan is a difficult task. If you have a small home then thesituation becomes more difficult. There are so many options that wecan consider, and it can be very confusing to choose one that fitswith our style. What you must know is that figuring out the bestdesign involves a number of factors. If you want to use minimalisthome designs, there are some considerations you must know.Consider the LightingDo you know that lighting also plays a very important role whenit comes to minimalist architecture design? Be sure that you makeuse of only high quality lights. By using high quality lights, youcan create a simple effect to your home. When it comes to pickingcolors, don't forget that black and white are very common. Thesecolors are the basic color used by many homeowners wanting to haveminimalist house designs. For the floors, you can consider usingdark wood. To create a simple effect, the roofs are usually flat.This is quite different from regular houses which you have seen sofar. By using flat roofs, you can create a simple effect which isvery ideal for minimalist home designs.Use Bright ColorsBright colors such as red, yellow and orange can provide aninteresting design to your home. If you have decided to have asmall home then bright colors will become a perfect choice. Theycan take the forms of artworks, vases, or simple pieces of displayfurniture.Don't Forget to Add TechnologyWhen it comes to minimalist decorating, it doesn't mean that youhave to forego technology. For example, adding an entertainmentsystem can be a great choice. Adding technology gives you someadvantages. Some good examples include a big television and a DVDplayer. Keep in mind that some of these choices may take up lessroom than others. Thus, you need to be more selective when choosingthem.Add More WindowsA small home features many windows as it can help the home androom feel larger and more open. Thus, if you want to design a homethat feels more open, don't forget to add more windows. Thesewindows can enhance the minimalist decorating style and create themodern feeling.Choose an Architect That Has Experience in the IndustryChoosing a builder or architect that has experience in theindustry is very vital. You can check how long they have beenworking with home plans. You can also check their experienceespecially when it comes to designing home plans. Keep in mind, notall architects are the same, meaning that you must be selectivewhen choosing them. By finding the best one, you can ensure thateverything will run smoothly.Find a Style That You EnjoyChoosing the right style is also important. The key is that youfind a style that you enjoy. You need to find a builder who canaccommodate your needs. Those who are effective in creating thatparticular style of the home should be included on the list.Why Choose Small Home PlansSometimes small home plans can look as good as big home plans.Having a small house gives you some advantages. For example, asmall house uses less energy to operate. It means that you can savesome amount of money. A small house also requires fewer buildingmaterials to build. If you are on the budget then a small houseplan is definitely a great idea. Another benefit you must know isthat a small house is less expensive to build.If you are looking for modern house designs especially designedfor style and functionality, then choosing Minimalist house designsand plans is right for you. It makes use of clean, geometric linesto create a sleek look. This is great for house design with limitedarea space. You will be able to make full use of all the space. Itis simple, stylish and effective. To achieve a full minimalisteffect, most houses use multiple function elements. The heater, forexample, could be directly installed in the floors or walls.

The kitchen is one of the most if not the onlypopular room in the house. It's where breakfast, lunch and dinnerare made, after-school snacks are doled out and where peoplecongregate during a party.So, the kitchen has to be useful, but it should also bebeautiful. One of the major problems in the kitchen is storage andthis issue is also what tends to detract from the beauty of theroom. Luckily, innovative kitchen storage ideas abound. No matterthe size, shape or theme of the kitchen, there is a solution to thestorage problem. Here are just some of the latest innovativekitchen storage designs that are cropping up in new built homes aswell as renovations:* DrawersThere are so many things you can do with drawers these days thatkeep them clutter free and maximize their usage. Partitions anddual levels keep your utensils organized. Layering deep drawers isa great way to efficiently use this space.A safety measure for drawers is the knife holders that are partof the utensil organizer. The blade slides in and protects fingerswhen grabbing things from the drawer. Another innovative kitchenstorage design is the deep drawers partitioned for your pots andpans. This keeps you from having the jumble of pots that areusually found in cabinets.* Corner SpaceThere are all kinds of ways to use the corner spaces that justseem to be a big awkward waste of space. Under the cabinet cornerscan become built in bread boxes, wine racks or even spiceracks.* Under The CabinetDon't know what to do with your wine glasses? You want todisplay them so, install an under the cabinet rack. Slide the stemthrough and the glasses hang elegantly and out of the way.* CabinetsAn easy way to store plates is with pegs. Slide a plate betweenand it makes for a much more appealing look than just stackedplates. Put hooks inside the cabinets to hang coffee cups aboveyour saucers and create another cozy cabinet look.* Ease And EfficiencyIn your drawers, cabinets and even pantry, think about what youwant that could make things easier for you. One thing you can do isinstall pull out shelves for cabinets for easy access to thosepieces at the back.A second and very important step you can take is to requesthigher cabinets. The standard height is 30" and, while it leavesyou that space above for decorative items, why not go for 42"cabinets and get more storage? Most of that above the cabinet spaceturns into a busy dust magnet of stuff anyway.Be creative. You know how you use your kitchen. Come up withyour own innovative kitchen storage ideas and then make it happen.Chances are good there is already something out there to help you!It's never too late to organize and beautify your kitchen. This isa lively room full of activity and socialization. Make it one thatsimplifies the work so you can focus on the fun too!Kitchens are one of the most important parts of any house.Irrespective of the size of the house, the presence of a kitchen init is almost imperative. The size of the kitchen is dependent onthe size of the house itself and sometimes, also on the number ofmembers the house has. The kitchen is used almost every day andhence, the things placed there need to be durable. Besides, it isalso needed to be properly arranged, so that no one ever faced anykind of problem while cooking. However, this is an extremelydifficult task, given the large number of utensils that arenecessary in the kitchen for the process of cooking. As a result,it is important to have proper kitchen solutions, so that peoplecan use the kitchen properly and without any hassle.Be it an open shelf or a closed cabinet, storage are extremelynecessary for any kitchen. These are needed to keep a large numberof utensils and equipment that are required to perform the choresassociated with cooking.

Furniture is one of the most vital objects ineach and every home. A person takes tremendous interest in planningand designing each and every part of their house, so that it cantruly reflect their lifestyle in a straightforward manner. Themarket is flooded with varieties of styles and themes of furnitureitems that sometimes it becomes difficult to choose the best amongthem.Selection of home furniture is not an easy task and is one ofthe daunting challenges you have to face. Hence, be careful beforeyou buy anything for your house. The days have gone where furniturewas made from wood only, now-a-days furniture are made from wood,steel, glass, plastic, leather, granite and the list tends to beendless. As you are having lot of options, you can choose differentthemes for each and every part of your house to make it look uniqueand special.With the passage of time the design in furniture has alsochanged. But it is always advisable to choose the latest or modernone other than going for an outdated one. Furniture has always beencenter of attraction in any house because it indirectly reflectsroyalty and style, so be wise when choosing modern furniture itemsfor your house.There are so many varieties available in modern furniture; onecan easily spruce up their home, be it living room, Bedroom ordinning room furniture. Living room is one of the important partsof house where families and guest spend more time together. Sooutdated furniture in the living room may embarrass you fromwelcoming your relatives and guests.Decorating living room with leather sofa accompanied bywonderful sprawl chairs will definitely make your room one of themost beautiful and fascinating place as desired by you. Besidesthese, if you are willing to get more modernized look then you cango for various modern furniture objects like bookshelves, beautifulpaintings on the wall, newspaper stand, coffee table, ottoman andeven curios.Bedroom is place where everybody spends their spare time andrelaxes themselves. So the furniture theme has to be veryeye-pleasing and beautiful. You can opt for wooden bedroom sets orplush leather; you can also go for modern dresser, benches andwardrobes, which add charm to room's beauty. There are so manymodern items that can make you feel like you are in paradise whenin you are in bedroom.Dining place is also an important place where families spendmore time together. Also a center of attraction a place of meetingand discussion other than just a place of dinner. Elegantlydesigned glass tables or beautifully carved wooden tables are oneof the modern furniture items that will definitely give yourkitchen one of the most fascinating and modern look as desired byyou.Modern home furniture is so eye-pleasing that you always feelrefreshed and energized. They are also long lasting and durable asthey are made from strong material like wood, metal etc. No matterif you are going to buy furniture for individual room or for entirehouse, modern furniture would bring peace and prosperity in yourlife.In today's sprawling metropolitan areas, suburban subdivisionsand developments garner much of the attention of home buyers, dueto the oasis they provide from the often crowded city spaces. Asmore people moved to the suburbs, problems often moved with themalso, with traffic congestion worsening and extended work commutesbecoming an everyday headache forpeople who needed to get to theirplaces of employment in the city center.But more recently, as cities are improving their livability andoffering more opportunities for arts, entertainment, and otheramenities, suburban dwellers are opting to move back to the city.Recent economic realities have also made it impractical for homebuyers to purchase the oversized McMansion in the suburbs whichused to be the ideal.

The selection of home decorating style isentirely a personal decision, as well as being very importantbecause it will recreate the atmosphere and comfort that we areseeking to be at our home.The interior design of modern houses is a great inspiration forthose who are planning to potentiate the comfort of space to enjoytheir stay to the end of the day.The modern home interior designs are characterized by havingclean areas, with few details and vivid colors but that in turnplays a lot with textures. Most people prefer minimalist style forthis type of decoration.How to Decorate Modern HomesChoose colorsIf you want to choose colors in a palette, you will need tolearn and to read a color chart of paint, that way it will beeasier to choose and combine the colors with which you want topaint the walls.If you are one of those people who felt that all white walls arecold and sterile, it is well that you combine with pastel colorsand maybe you can compare with other furniture colors.Materials and accessories for decorationOften the word clean has minimalist deal with the decoration ofthe house and also electronic accessories such as stereos ortelevisions, as they have to bring in space.On the other hand, there can be granite floors or linoleum, ifyou have any other option but avoid similar that can choose to usecover with rugs or blankets.Also in the kitchen decor e.g., interior modernity has come handin hand with stainless steel or chrome. These materials can also beused in faucets or pipes of the bathrooms.Modern furnitureIn the interior of modern homes, the choice of furniture is avery important issue. One option is to get chairs, sofas and tablesof sleek and clean (i.e., sober colors and designs that create afeeling of more space), something bold yet sophisticated.It is common in this modern decor that used furniture of angularshapes, so you can place that you like but try not to place morebecause in this decoration "less is more".Lighting tipsYou can choose to place high lamps or lighting with dichroiclamps in the ceiling. It will help you if you have modern decorwith large windows that contain spaces. If so, select blinds orsimple woven plastic and avoids the traditional curtains.The style of a room process follows a systematic and coordinatedmethodology. There is research, analysis and integration ofknowledge into creative process before creating the interior designwhich people needs. If we go for the modern style, you need to knowabout basic element form of the style in order to be able todesigning your own modern home.The first thing you need to remember is that modern homepreference in simplicity. Creating a modern and contemporary homedesign, easy cleaning, stylish and minimalist are those basic youneed while arranging modern style. Considering for simple furnitureand set it become neat, balanced, restrained composed and classy soyou will found it so fresh and relieving rather than clutteredlook.As you are arranging for simplicity, then it refers to maximizethe open space. Make sure the room get enough light comes throughthe window and you use the transparent and airy window. Try tothink about creating spacious look by plain wall treatment, properfurniture also avoid clutter and stick.After the spacious look, modern can be created from technology.Lighting system, security system, ultra-modern decorating will addthe modern style to your home. But there is still rule when youchoose the gadgets, you need to choose for the simplicity and cleanlines reign supreme.While you think about the simplicity, you have to think aboutthe functionality of the interior design. By making sure thedecorating have special purpose and hide useless things then youwill get the functionality along wit the simplicity. It is a smartway to get modern sense, especially to be added in your interiordesign living room because it is the room where you accept yourguests.

Nursery furniture is something that everyexpectant family is looking forward to, until you walk into thestore and notice the price tags that go along with most of the setsavailable. This type of furniture is ideal for those that do have anew baby on the way for several reasons. First, it provides for theprotection a child needs when sleeping. In addition to that, ithelps to provide the storage, function and play areas for a childas well. But, it doesn't have to cost you more than having the babyitself will. You can actually design your own nursery furniture andsave quite a bit.What is it that you are looking for? For one thing, the cribshould be considered. When selecting a crib, look at quality. Itshould be strong and able to hold a child at least up to 40 pounds,when you can move them to a larger bed. You should also want tofind a crib that has rails that are spaced closely together so thatthey can not squeeze their heads through the slots. The railsshould not slide down easily but should be easy enough for you toslide back up or down with a child in your hand. Look for safetyseals on these products as a must for quality. For a crib, ifpossible, purchase new and keep safety as your first and main goal.The rest of the pieces are more flexible, though.In addition to the crib, there are other elements that you'llwant in baby's room and this is where you'll find many ways todesign your own baby furniture. For starters, you need space tostore all of baby's things. Once you start to buy all of theclothing, diapers, blankets and burping cloths that you need,you'll quickly see the amount of storage you need. But, don't worryabout purchasing a specific baby dresser. Instead, look for a goodquality large size dresser that will grow with your baby's needs.You can then stencil into it a design that you enjoy, paint it, oreven use removable wallpaper stickers on it to make it into baby'sown.What about the changing table? You don't have to have a changingtable but it can be a helpful tool. Instead of purchasing one, finda dresser that is stable and sturdy and attach a top railing to itcarefully paying attention to the details. You'll want to smoothover the edges. For the changing pad, simply purchase a form piecethat's large enough; cover it in plastic and seal. Finally, fit apillow case or sew your own piece of cloth to cover it.Rocking chairs are a wonderful choice for nursery furniture.Find one that's at a discount sale or even look for hand me downs.Dress it up just as you would the other furniture. Not only are youcreating nursery furniture that will dress up what your baby's roomlooks like, but you get function without going broke in theprocess.Amy Johnson has worked for many years in the furniture industry,at a senior level, and now she has written amazing articles on bunkbeds that explains how to find a good bed, which is the rightmattress for you, how to find right frames for your bed, and a lotmore.There are polarized opinions on how much money we should spendon the nursery rooms of our nation's newborns. We all, however,want our babies to be safe and secure and most of us want our newarrivals to sleep in an atmosphere of love and comfort. Indeed,some would say that an investment at this point in a child's lifewould actually make a marked difference on the developed person,the child will eventually become.Designer Nursery interiors may not be everyone's cup of tea, asa full-blown investment of their precious baby funds. There is awide and wonderful selection of nursery furniture available forevery level of lifestyle and budget. As I discovered; you don'thave to buy the whole display, however, one or two key designernursery furniture items can certainly prove to add core value to anursery's ambience; thus satisfying the (mainly) maternal urges tocreate a palace for our little Prince and Princesses.

If all you had to do was to move your headabit just to realize that your bedroom is one messy andunwantedplace, it may be right to assume that your computer is inyourbedroom too. Then, you are in a serious problem and you needtowork on it now. Your bedroom needs an overhaul.The bedroom is supposedly the most intimate room of the house.Itshould be where you seek refuge after a hard day's work or justaterrible day. The bedroom is where you relax your mind and soul.Thebedroom is expected to bring peace and calm. It is the part ofthehouse that holds sizzling memories too! The bedroom is the roomoflove. There are also times when your bedroom turns into a placeofred hot and fierce romance. It should be. It should smell, lookandfeel like a place of love and sanctuary. Your bedroom is notcalleda love nest for nothing.When your bedroom provides all these things, starting andendingyour days on a high note is of huge possibility. And we allwant tostart and end our every day smiling don't we? It's time tomakeyour bedroom romantic! Brace yourself for some romanticbedroomideas.Romantic Bedroom Idea #1: De-clutterTake away everything that is not supposedly in your bedroom.Yes.That includes your computer. Your workplace should goelsewhere.Anything that will distract you from relaxing,rejuvenating andmaking love should be out of the picture. Thismeans that yourhamper for dirty clothes must find a new home.Anything that spellsugly, messy and stinky should go.Romantic Bedroom Idea #2: RedecorateStick with a color palette that soothes your eye. The colorsthatyou'll choose should harmonize with each other. This way, yourroomwill radiate a very relaxing atmosphere. Start with yourbedsheets. You can have your bed as the focal point of your room.Yourbed can have the strongest color. If you think that there's aneedto repaint your walls, do so. Figure out how your room willlook asspacious as possible. Interior design magazines can help youinthis department. Space and coordination can make your roomverypleasing and inviting. Once you've given your room a face lift,youwill be glad you did! You might end up not wanting to getout.Romantic Bedroom Idea #3: AccentuateThis is another important part of the task: details. Now thatyourbedroom is squeaky clean, it's time to place a couple ofromanticarticles all over the place. Have some fresh flowers in aclassyvase and place it on your dresser. Make sure that youalwaysreplace the flowers. Put some scented candles on your sidetableand in the drawer ready to be of service whenever needed. Havesomesensual music ready to be played anytime. Don't forgetyourfavorite scented oil too! Ensure that you have yourmassageparaphernalia ready to be stashed whenever called for.Bedroom is your private nest or hideout and if there is aplacethat should be as comfortable as possible then, it is yourbedroom.No passengers, no lifts and no interference, it is meantfor thetwo of you period. Too many people, childrencrisscrossing,visitors entering the main house up to the bedroom;this is notpossible. It is very personal and private, if it werepossible, itshould have been detached from the main house withlocks andpasswords known to the two of you only.Designers are many; get them to give you a sense of humor,letyour personality touch be explored and the room be put toanelegant taste. Styles are abundant; get a personalized touch,makeit romantic and sweet looking. Color matching are plenty, makeadate together and choose the most honorable thing. As usual, itisthe bed that comes first. Get a feel of the headboard, getthewooden decoration right if it is naked, take its design andimproveon it. Add a velvet cover or leather that matches with themattresscolor. Look at the size; it has to be 6ft by 6ft square, toallowfor roaming left right and centre and in any direction. Amattressof 4 inches is ideal.