Posts for 'Accessories' Category

Those with aching backs might want to look at their home decor to help ease the pain. When decorating, most homeowners consider their personal style, color schemes and price range, but many don’t take time to consider products that can actually benefit their health.“

More than 80 percent of adults will suffer from back pain at some point in their lives, and treating back pain is often very time consuming and costly,” says Dr. Dave David.

A board-certified physician. “I encourage my patients to explore treatment options they can incorporate into their homes.” Some easy decor solutions that can help alleviate back pain include:

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When decorating the interiors of your home, the main objective must be to make your home as comfortable and attractive as possible. First of all, you need to decide on a theme for each room in your home. Try visualizing the look after the decoration is complete and if you like the look, then start the interior decoration project at once. Decide what kind of mood you want to set in each room - do you want it to be romantic, casual, friendly, or soothing and relaxing. You must also consider your lifestyle and plan your interior decoration project accordingly.

Your home is a reflection of your personality so you must take care to choose the interior decorating accessories according to your taste. But before rushing to buy the decorating accessories, decide on the overall theme of your home.

This is the key to making your accessories work for you. Finalize a decorating style for your interior decoration -- modern, contemporary, traditional, country, eclectic or rustic. Knowing your decorating style will help you in selecting suitable accessories that match with that particular decorating style.

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IT was a look — and a phrase — that defined a generation of living rooms, and spawned an industry of knock-offs. And it enjoyed a long and fruitful run. So when Shabby Chic filed for bankruptcy last January after nearly 20 years in business, its creator, Rachel Ashwell, felt both anguish and humiliation, not to mention flat-out exhaustion.

Ms. Ashwell, who had just turned 50 and had already been blown sideways by the recent death of her mother, was soon presiding over the liquidation of 15 stores and the dismissal of her hand-picked teams of upholsterers and sewers, designers and salespeople. Afterward, she imagined she would be taking a well-deserved, if not exactly planned-for, rest. But it was not to be.

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The vase is one of only 16 known in the world and was brought to the attention of the world by experts from Bonhams Auction house.  Possibly the most important of its kind on the planet, the 33.5 inch high vase would have been made for only the well-heeled Romans in about the first century.

It is similar to the incomplete and damaged Portland Vase held in the British museum, but is bigger and far more decorative. A battle scene showing 30 white figures adorns the spectacular vessel that is likely to re-write the history of these pieces.

It is owned by a collector "from the continent" who took it to Bonhams in London to be identified.  Though the owner was said to be aware that it was of high quality, he had no idea just how significant it was.  At present, there are no plans for it to be auctioned and scholars could be studying it for decades to come.

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Recently, Lilin 'Wuyun' ('Five Lingering Charms') Porcelain, combining the five techniques of five-color painted ceramic under glaze, Chinese red, underglaze blue, decoration with liquid gold, and embossment into one, made its first public appearance in Shanghai to show the overwhelming splendor of Lilin porcelain after it had become the licensed product of the 2010 Shanghai Expo.

It is learned that the Lilin five-color painted ceramic under glaze won the golden award in Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915, when it made a name in the world. After 95 years, Lilin porcelain will make its appearance in Expo again.

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While the majority of artists across the world are focused on a glassblowing technique to create their fragile masterpieces, Klaus Moje has spent the last few decades practicing and perfecting the more challenging art of glass fusion. Creating a dazzling abstract patterns with vivacious and effervescent hues, Moje’s rare body of work is now on display at the Museum of Arts and Design exhibition.

The glittering array of shapes on display vary from crystal glass pieces and patterned vessels of layered glass to the latest multi-panel fused art. The highlight of the show is obviously the “The Portland Panels: Choreographed Geometry”, but the fine blend of glass and art spanning over the last 3 decades, makes it hard for you to pick a favorite …  A grand visual treat indeed!

It’s spring, and the flowers are blooming. The fashion magazines say that overall-flower prints are the thing to wear this year. So why not “dress” your table in vintage flower-decorated dishes? From the 1920s to the late 1950s, chintz pattern dishes were the rage.

Manufacturers made overall patterns featuring flowers of many colors. English porcelain companies like Carlton, Crown Devon, Crown Ducal, Royal Albert, Royal Winton and Shelley made most of the chintz. Tea sets, including plates, and luncheon sets were popular.

Chintz patterns were meant for a garden party. They went out of style when the monotone decorating schemes of the mid-1950s came into fashion and plates were solid-colored or had minimal decoration. It was not until the 1990s that the chintz look came back. Flowery dishes were made again by English firms and some Asian factories. Original chintz is expensive today. A Royal Albert Rose cup and saucer costs $55, and an Old Cottage tray by Royal Winton sells for $65. Look for more prices at .

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YVES St Laurent will always be remembered as the international icon who pioneered designer menswear in the 1960s.He was synonymous with the glamour of the Paris catwalk and the elegance of haute couture, so his death in June last year was a great loss to fashion.

Through the years, St Laurent and his long-time business- and life-partner Pierre Bergé amassed a collection of modern art, art deco, European furniture, old masters, antiquities and 19th century paintings.

Which he bequeathed to the Pierre Bergé-Yves St Laurent Foundation. Bergé has now decided to auction off a selection of those pieces with the proceeds going to scientific and AIDS research.

This is being touted as one of the most important collections to enter the art market due to its provenance that reflects 50 years of the two men’s shared dedication and passion.

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The coming year will be the best of times and the worst of times, trend spotters say, especially in the home and the garden.The worst-of-times part, of course, is due to the uncertain economy.

"Households will be making major lifestyle adjustments," said Ann Mack, director of trend spotting at the marketing communications firm JWT, "and many of these changes are likely to last beyond the recession.

"Consumers will find more value in what they already have, seek out products that give the most bang for the buck -- whether that means home-entertainment systems or solar energy -- and take up money-saving hobbies such as cooking and DIY projects."

The best of times? That will come in the trend toward going green, partly driven by the worsening economy but also driven by the heightened awareness of climate change.What's up for 2009? Here are some of the top developments.

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Bellway North West is thrilled to announce that the doors to a stylish family showhome are now officially open at the prestigious Canal Quarter, in Droylsden.

The traditional three bedroom two storey property boasts an exceptional internal layout and provides great value for money.

Using the latest colours and styles, the showhome creates a welcoming yet modern look that is guaranteed to impress potential buyers.A neutral base of cream tones has been contrasted with striking flashes of citrus accessories including lime, yellow and gold, designed to cheer up the dullest winter days.

The open-plan kitchen, living and dining room has been well designed to bring the family together. The room is drenched in natural light due to the stunning French windows, which provide a spectacular focal point and lead out onto wooden decking that perfectly highlights the landscaped garden.

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