A Birch Bark Bedroom

You just completed a trip to Vermont where you saw more interesting interior design than what is in your Chicago condo. Just because you live in a high rise, does not mean you are restricted to contemporary or modern decor. You slept really well while you were in Vermont, and want to recreate a little piece of that calm and peacefulness into your bedroom.

 Birch Bark is a great background to use on your walls because it is light in color, which will brighten your room. At the same time, you can accessorize with a darker wooden, four-poster bed, with finials that would reflect the Vermont touch you are looking for. Toss in some red accent pillows, a red lampshade and already your bedroom is looking great.

 Sound fun? How about this: change the lighting in your bedroom to a "stick" lighting fixture. If your ceiling permits, maybe even a chandelier! You can find stick furniture or accent pieces just by going on line. They are not hugely expensive and will really bring your room together.

 Now for the flooring. Since there will be so much wood in the room, you may want to go with a woolen rug that has birch bark coloration. If your room is small and you want to make it look larger, purchase a rug with stripes in it to be laid in the proper direction to make the room "bigger".

 Now the most important part: the bedding. Vermont is all about being cozy during those cold winter months -- just like where you live. A nice down comforter would be great. But what kind? Both baffle box and box stitch construction secure down in separate compartments, which will keep the down evenly distributed between the two pieces of material. Baffle box construction and box construction both provide you with the warmth you are looking for, but the look is different. The box stitch comforter gives a more fluffy look because each square is pulled together at its edges, which provides a "mounded" look, and conforms to the shape of your body better. Baffle box makes each square look more box-like and it makes the top of the comforter look flat, almost looking like another mattress. The internal walls of the baffle box also maximize expansion of each plumule to attach to each other, at the same time holding the down in place.

 Also very important, a duvet for your comforter. Comforters are not meant to be used without a cover, which is the duvet. There are a multitude of choices on line that you could go with. For your Vermont decor, I would suggest something off white, with an earth tone pattern. This would complement the birch bark, your rug, and the darker furniture pieces you have incorporated into your room.

 Welcome to a piece of Vermont!

Achieving Several Objectives at Once with Area Rugs

Area rugs have been a ubiquitous item in home decoration for hundreds of years. In the Middle Ages, cold castle floors were strewn with plants called "rushes," in order to provide a cushion for walking on, as well as a barrier from the cold. Importers from the Middle East brought with them the first true rugs into Europe, and they have been used for a variety of purposes ever since.

  Protecting Floors

 In modern homes, area rugs can take on a variety of roles. In high-traffic areas, rugs can protect wall-to-wall carpeting or delicate finishes on hardwood floors from repeated abuse. Because area rugs can often be quite economical, they are not as difficult to replace when they are worn down, and can even be interchanged regularly in order to reflect a new design scheme, or a playful holiday theme.

  Definition of Space

 In addition to offering protection, area rugs can also be used to define spaces for specific purposes. In large rooms, area rugs can create visually distinct locations that serve to section the room into smaller and more intimate areas. For example, in a large space an area rug can define a distinct sitting room by placing chairs, sofas, and coffee or end tables around a rectangular or oval rug. Another section of a large room can be defined visually as a dining area by the placement of a table and chairs on a rug. Office areas, work spaces, and other locations can also be defined by the deliberate placement of rugs to create a small area within a larger space.

  Focal Points

 Area rugs can also create texture and interest in a space. Intricate patterns can tie into the decorating scheme of a room, further amplifying the design effect. They can also create a focal point that draws the eye visually to the floor. This can be especially useful in homes or businesses where the walls are painted in neutral tones. A colorful print on a rug can make a visually interesting statement in an otherwise bland or muted-tone room.

  Visual Appeal

 In recent years the trend has been to use "found art" as a way to decorate walls, and small to medium-sized rugs can be used as unique wall art, especially in Southwestern themes. Any style of rug can be as visually interesting hanging on a wall, as it is when placed on a floor, however. Rugs placed on floors or walls can also help to dampen sound.

 Area rugs can often be quite economical, simple to position, and provide the palette around which to design a room. Decorating rooms often starts by picking out the rug first, and using its particular colors or shapes to dictate the design scheme for the entire space. Small powder rooms, hallways, and odd spaces within a room can all benefit from a small rug. As can be seen, area rugs can fulfill many different roles, often all at the same time. This makes them an almost indispensable design element in any home or space.