The Home Decor Time Warp

One of the great benefits of my profession is that I get to visit all of my clients homes. Each client is as different as their home decor, so I get to see, first hand, what works and what doesn't. Trendy, transitional or just tired and tattered, my clients share their flooring needs with me and we choose the type, style and color that will best suit their decor needs. As I traverse from one home to another, I have noted a phenomenon of science fiction proportions. Upon entry into each home, I seem to be time-warped to another decade. Another plane in the time-space continuum. I enter one home to find that I should have worn my platform shoes, because I am suddenly stuck in the seventies and it's time to boogie. Upon entry to another home and I feel I need a pair of six-shooters strapped to my hips. Visit another home and I feel as though I should have grown a mullet to fit in with this eighties household. Another, and it's back to the future. Of course, this is normal because most people who have called for me want to update their home decor. My experience tells me that most homeowners update their decor to current trends, and then get stuck there for ten to twenty years or more. Then there are those homes that always seem to look stylish and exquisite no matter what the current trend is. These are homes that have people who follow basic and timeless home decor techniques that never go out of style. Trendy is fun for a few years, but timeless decor can last a lifetime. Let us see if we can pin down some of those techniques that will make a lasting impression in interior design and decor.
The first element I will discuss is paint color choices. As an example; I have noticed that many people are painting all the walls in a room or rooms a red color. There's nothing wrong with red, but the colors most people are choosing are trendy colors of red. These colors will most likely be unfashionable in a few short years. I understand the look they are trying to achieve, but the color choice is simply not one that will stand the test of time. Bright or pastel colors are almost always a trend. Do you remember the salmon pink from the sixties and seventies Or how about the peach and mint green colors of the eighties southwestern rage. If you want to be trendy with red, I suggest using the same color group, but let's tone that down to a color that is somewhere around a muted hue of cinnamon or burgundy color. Now we have a color that doesn't jump out at you as you enter the room because it is a more subtle shade that gives warmth and presence to the walls without overwhelming the entire room. Color choice is a very personal element, but if you want to use bright yellow in your home decor, save it for accent items that you can change out easily when you tire of them or when they are no longer in style (nobody wants to enter a room where they feel like they have just penetrated the center of the sun). Use tones or hues of color that accomplish your goal without going "over the top". If you love the color purple, you can use it. Just use a very subtle hue that blends into the background.
The next element would be window coverings. We have already discussed color so I won't go into it here. What we do need to consider is how popular your window treatment is now, and how it will look in three to five years. The generation preceding the present thought that mini-blinds were the best window treatment. Now we see that they have mostly fallen out of favor, with the exception of using them as if they were shades set behind another type of window covering such as draperies, or with valances and trimmed with other fabric coverings. Most roman style shades will stand the test of time. I see a lot of plantation shutters being used, and they are much better for long-term use (depending on the look you are shooting for in your decor). Fabrics (or draperies) are another home decor element that can be trendy or timeless, depending on the textures and patterns in fabric coverings. If you stick with what has always worked throughout the decades, you can be trendy and still expect long term usage. Stick with subtle fabric patterns. The use of a trendy patterns like brightly colored circles (polka-dots) may look good this year, but what about next year. You can use any pattern your heart desires as long as it is subdued and does not scream out "look at me"! Also, watch out for trendy fabrics such as those with a metallic sheen because texture is also a very important factor in home decor. For Example: Velvet is timeless, as is lace.
I suppose we should say a word or two on Texture. I am happy to see many people using stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops in their kitchens. These are textures that have a lasting effect on home decor. Although I'm afraid that most people don't realize the extra upkeep on granite or any real stone. These materials must be sealed well and periodically re-sealed to protect them. Real stone and some through body porcelain tiles are porous and require a sealer to protect them from spills that could leach into these textures. Glass is also a timeless texture for home decor. Brass and chrome seem to fade in and out of favor, but overall is generally safe. Watch out for exotic textures that are more on the trendy side.
As for flooring, the biggest mistakes people make are in the area of color and pattern. If people walk into your home and notice your flooring before they pay attention to your decor, you have probably made a bad color choice. You don't have to choose safe earth tones for flooring, but you do need to make certain that your color selection blends into the background and not the forefront of your interior design. There are also different textures in flooring. Choose a texture that will last. During the time period when southwestern decor was all the rage, many people chose patterned Berber carpet for their floors. When trends changed, many people were having a hard time decorating around a floor that they no longer cared for because it was not stylish. Plush carpets are always safer for home decor and do not tend to go in and out of style. Hard-surface floorings should always have a natural look. Because hard-surface lasts a long time and is a greater investment, be careful about color and composition. You may have to live with a bad floor choice for many years. One terrific tool for flooring is the Area Rug. They are extremely versatile and if you stay to classic patterns, they will serve you for a long time. I always suggest the use of wool area rugs for their durability, stain resistance, and most oriental or middle eastern patterns always make a good appearance, without dependence on current styles and trends. Area rugs can be used to define space and for color accent or background color utilizing larger rugs. They are a good, timeless tool for home decor.
I am not saying that you can't be trendy or up to date with your interior design. I am not saying you have to get stuck with traditional design. Simply use more subtle colors, textures and patterns to establish the background for your decor, and use accent pieces and furnishings that can be easily and economically swapped out when they are no longer "the rage". If you stick with techniques that have always worked in the past, you preserve your home decor for the future. It can be fun For Me to zip around in time and space, but it's no fun for you as a homeowner or tenant, if your decor is stuck in the past. Don't let your home decor get trapped in a time warp.

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Advantages And Disadvantages With Promotional Pens

Promotional gifts are now taking the place of business cards for many business owners, especially promotional pens.  Promotional pens help promote business much better than simple business cards do because they are often used, and viewed by more people than business cards are.  The following paragraphs will discuss some of the advantages, as well as disadvantages, associated with using promotional pens in lieu of business cards.

As mentioned, one of the advantages associated with giving away promotional pens is the tremendous amount of people who will potentially view your advertisement.  Business cards are most often put away in wallets and purses, while promotional printed pens are often used, as well as passed along.  The amount of potential business you can attract with promotional pens far surpasses that associated with the use of business cards.

Another benefit associated with the use of promotional pens is the wide variety of styles available for purchase.  From inexpensive plastic pens to elegantly constructed promotional pens, there is surely a style to fit the advertising needs of nearly any business or company.  Fun styles of promotional pens are available, as well.  For example, medical facilities may wish to purchase promotional pens that come in the shape of a certain medical tool.  Most types of "theme" promotional pens can most likely be located for purchase.

The wide price range of promotional pens can also be considered an advantage.  The price of promotional pens can range from very inexpensive to costly.  This advantage allows all businesses, including those companies with the lowest advertising budget, to get the best advertisement for their money by purchasing promotional pens.  Even the least expensive promotional pens can be more beneficial advertising tools than simple business cards can be.

Finally, a great benefit promotional pens provide is that they are useful.  Everyone can find a use for a pen.  Whether it is used in a checkbook, or placed in a briefcase for business use, people can use promotional pens.  When you give your employees something they can use, it gives them a sense of warmth ... feelings that you really care.  Wouldn't everyone rather take their business to someone who cares?  Not only will you be able to advertise your business with the actual promotional pens, you will also be gently encouraging the recipients to also help you advertise, by spreading your business information via word of mouth.  There is no compliment better than a recommendation.

The only disadvantage associated with using promotional pens as an advertising tool comes with purchasing the least expensive style pens.  If you purchase promotional pens of the lowest quality, it is not likely they will actually write for a long period of time.  Once the pen doesn't write anymore, it is very possible the recipient will throw it away.  Promotional pens are not productive advertising tools when they are in the garbage can.  To avoid this disadvantage, be sure you are purchasing pens of good quality.

For additional information on promotional pens, promotional items and business marketing products why not check out the market leading suppliers online today. Top promotional gift suppliers online can provide a fast and efficient service and more often than not can provide highly competitive quotations unlike traditional offline business gift companies.

Access Your PC From The Road

Have you ever sat in front of your computer and wished you could show someone else what appeared on your screen?

Maybe you were experiencing a problem, or couldn't figure out how to make something work, but you knew if someone else could see what was happening on your screen, they could help you fix the problem immediately.

Ever had a phone conversation with someone about a particular business topic, but you just couldn't "connect" with your ideas because it was too hard to explain over the phone?

Now, visualize jumping on the phone with that same person and literally sharing your computer's desktop to collaborate, discuss, and create virtually anything together, even if you are separated by thousands of miles.

Though this may sound like an episode of Star Trek, remote computer sharing is actually a daily business reality.

Imagine you need to take a trip and you either don't want to or can't take your computer.

The thought of emails piling up for days makes you crazy and you also need to monitor some things on your pc.

Instead of trying to lug your laptop (or fit your desktop into your suitcase), you can use "remote desktop" software that allows you to access your computer through the Internet from any other computer in the world.

One of the most common remote desktop services is GoToMyPC.com, which provides a safe and secure way for you to go down to the local internet café, log on, and access your office or home computer just like sitting at your own desk.

Now, before you panic and think anyone can access your computer, let me explain security.

First, you log in to the GoToMyPC.com website with a username and password.

Once logged in, you then click a link to log onto your PC, which will then ask you for another password.

GoToMyPC.com has even thought of a solution for those of you worried about people looking over your shoulder as you enter your passwords on a public computer or if the computer you use might carry a keystroke logger.

Before leaving home, you can program in a series of up to 99 passwords that only work one time.

This means even if someone watches you log into your computer or records your keystrokes, the password you used won't work again.

If a would-be thief tries to access your computer too many times, GoToMyPC.com will shut down all access attempts to your PC.

The benefits of remotely accessing your PC from the road are numerous, but the bottom line is that it enables you to use your computer from the road like you never left home.

For example: while traveling to a conference this weekend, my wife (and business partner) accessed our office computer from my laptop and, instead of the usual pile of 4,000 emails that would normally await after 5 days away, we just picked up this morning like we'd never been gone.

The same company that offers GoToMyPC.com also offers a service called GoToMeeting.com which allows you to remotely host a meeting where multiple users can share and collaborate on a single computer desktop.

This service makes it super simple to provide online training, do software demos, and even make complete sales presentations.

I personally use both of these services and find them easy, reliable and well worth the price.

How to choose your desired laptop

When you want to buy a laptop course there are many things that need to be primed for your consideration not to see his brand. Each laptop any brand of the same strong and obstinate that famous and often also have problems like broken from it all, but all decisions must be viewed from what your needs for its application.
Here are tips and suggestions:
1. Make sure to what work will be used Laptops and any applications that will be installed so that you can prepare its budget, why would I say this because he later you would be wise to specify the options that suit your budget and limit choice unless you have lots of funds may choose a higher specification.

2. Choose Laptop with longest warranty period, and see what is in the warranty in the first year, two and so on read all the rules written on the card guarantees and choose which of his many services have a place not that many places services mean many are broken but that they are ready to serve you and facilitate you to repair and consultation of all your problems remembering things that laptops are often loyal to accompany you wherever you go, on your job especially if you are frequently out of town or out of the country so that all problems do not interfere with your work. 3. processor and memory is important because it must be balanced with the operating system and any applications you want to install ...
because if its fast processors but his memory is very small, or vice versa does not support to the working system of the laptop itself so it should be balanced ...
Suppose you want a laptop-based Celeron, Intel Core Duo, Core2Duo or AMD if its Windows XP operating system, at least you wear with memory ranging from 512 Mb and not more than 1.5 GB because not only will add to the budget was not balanced .. . except if its operating system has been using windows vista you may use more memory 2 Gb and also depending on the application software will be installed.
So I hope you are not wrong in taking a decision to buy a laptop like what best suits your own needs and expectations.

Choosing a Party Theme That Fits YOU!

Worried about choosing a theme?  I've got you covered.  Let's start with picking your brain a little and see what you've liked and disliked at past parties.  Because this is your chance to create the party of your dreams (and hopefully your guests’ dreams, as well).

Just about anything goes when it comes to themed parties.  Of course, you'll still find yourself asking all the standard planning questions: Am I serving food?  How much? What kind of serving plan should I use -- a sit-down dinner or a buffet?

But the ultimate question is what type of party do you think you'd be most comfortable hosting?  If the thought of throwing eight of your closest friends together at one table for any period of time sends you running for cover… perhaps the sit-down dinner isn't a good choice.

If, on the other hand, you love to cook and wouldn't mind a few more guests -- as long as they don't mind serving themselves -- then perhaps buffet-style dining is more suitable.

Now you get to pick your theme.  And if you can conceive it, you can carry it out.  It's a lot like in that movie, Field of Dreams:  "If you build it, they will come!"

The key rule to remember about party planning is actually quite simple:  Plan the event around your talents, desires, and style.  If you do this, the party just has to be fun and a big success.

The only exception to this rule is if you're hosting a party to celebrate the birthday or accomplishment of another person.  Then the party theme should revolve around your guest of honor.

You may be planning a party to commemorate a birthday of an older person -- let's say your 92-year-old grandfather who is still in amazing health.

What are his interests?  What did he do as young man?  What are some of the changes he saw as he aged?  This opens up the party to several theme ideas, from a "20^th Century party” -- showing the changes that occurred in his life -- to a more family-oriented theme.

Whatever you choose, just make sure you keep it light and lively.