Window Treasures

After searching high and low, I found these unique ideas for window treatments. Try some of these ideas to update a room, or just to satisfy your personal style

This nature inspired functional work of art is easy to make. A relatively straight tree branch an white pray paint.

Reuse Old Curtains

Don't toss curtains you love if they don't fit your new windows or need to be replaced. Instead cut and sew them into panel-style window shades with rod pockets. Tension rods hold the shades in place in place and make them easy to change or remove. This trick also works to make outdated curtain fabrics look trendy again.

Second Time Around

A pair of ski poles can also be used as a rod with a wool blanket as the curtain. Tie together the fringe on one end of the blanket to creat loops for hanging on the pole, then attach the other pole at one end of the curtain hanging down

A boat oar mounted on wooden brackets and drapeed with fabric can add a nautical touch to a room, while an Indian blanket stitched with yarn around its sides makes a beautiful curtain when hung on an old wooden walking tick.

Create Drama

This window treatment idea will leave you asking yourself.

"Why didn't I think of this sooner?"

Buy enough sheer fabric to reach floor-to-ceiling and hem the edges. Tie the panels from a curtain rod mounted just below the ceiling, then cinch the sheers with decorative rope or ribbon. It's so easy and it looks great over french doors -- the treatments won't hinder traffic like bulky one would.

Dess up a plain roller shade - use material squares from the same color family in a variety of patters to create a grid. Adhere to a plain shade with craft spray adhesive (spray both the shade and the bak of the paper for the best results). For a uniform grid, mark the vertical cener of the shade. Start by placing the squares along the bottom of the shade on either side of the center line, then work your way up in rows. Trim paper along the sides if necessary. Glue ribbon across the botom edge to finish.

Source:Better Homes & Garden

http://www.bhg.com/decorating/window-treatments/budget/curtain-rods-you-can-make/

I would love for you to share your ideas - leave a comment

Check frequently for new finds

Wine Storage

Understanding proper wine storage helps determine the wine rack or wine cabinet that's right for you. Store wine horizontally. When it comes to storing wine, let it lie. Whether white or red wine, select a wine rack or wine cabinet that accommodates the bottles of wine lying on their side. This allows the cork to maintain moisture and the sediment to collect on the bottom of the bottle.

Showcase Your Handsome Wine Rack or Wine Cabinet Of course, you will want to display your new, beautiful wine rack wine cabinet in a prominent place in the home. But when selecting the location of your focal point, keep two key environmental factors in mind: light and temperature. Unable to keep things cool, but still want to store and display your wine? Don't aim for long-term storage if warmer temperatures are unavoidable Select and store wine you plan to enjoy in six months or less. And be sure to chill both red and white wines before serving. Even a red wine should be brought down from room temperature to 60 degrees before serving.

The Best Places to House Your Wine Rack or Wine Cabinet
Select an area of the home for your wine storage that will remain under 70ºF and not experience wide temperature fluctuations. Temperature variations may cause the cork to expand and contract, letting air into the bottle. The wine can become oxidized under these conditions. Strive for balance in your humidity levels. High-level humidity can cause deterioration of the wine labels. Low-level humidity can cause the cork to shrink, and oxidize the wine.

Re-Storing Wine after the Party
Even though you may have put a good dent in your wine collection,
after a party there may be an opened bottle or two you would just hate
to throw out. Save the wine with a vacuum seal and store it in the
refrigerator.

Store vertically. If bottles are positioned on their sides, you run the risk of leakage; plus, keeping the cork moist by storing horizontally is more for
long-term storage, not short term.

Note: some wines will not store well after being opened, while others may be good from one to three days. Some wines hold up well for a few days and others deteriorate quickly... so drink up and don't waste.

What's the difference between cork, synthetic cork and screw cap wines?
Wine storage depends a great deal on how the wine was
bottled. You will find cork, synthetic cork and screw cap
bottles of wine. Cork is the traditional method for sealing.
Corked bottles, as well as synthetic corked bottles,
should always be stored on their sides. In recent
years some great wines have come out with a screw
cap. Screw caps give wineries more control over
environmental factors, while corked wines may
develop an odor. The culprit is a chemical called
2,4,6-trichloroanisole or TCA, which causes wines
to pick up a dank, moldy, wet cardboard
left-in-your-basement smell. You won't get sick
from consuming a corked wine with TCA, once
your nose picks it up it makes the wine terribly
unpleasant to consume. A screw cap better
ensures that the wine will arrive at your table the way it was intended, since screw cap seals are less affected by environmental factors than cork sealed bottles.

Fountain Decor

When searching for a unique way to add beauty and serenity to your home consider adding water fountains to your decor.

Tabletop water fountains are a unique and interesting way to create a soothing sound to listen to, they are excellent room beautifiers and stress reducers.

They are also beautiful to watch. The prime motive of a fountain is viewing how the water bubbles around rocks, wood and whatever sounds natural and looks pleasing.

This is a very well selected gift choice that provides a sense of relaxation and serenity. It can be used in the home or office. They deliver a peaceful atmosphere during stressful conditions. This can be used as a centerpiece on the buffet table at the garden party or as an accent in the dining room for a romantic candlelit dinner.

Do you have a corner that you need some thing? You cannot quite find it!

Place a water fountain on a pedestal. When you need a little me time sit and listen to the relaxing sound of water. (great conversation piece)

There is a wide range of table top fountain decor gifts in many different styles, sizes, colors and types of natural materials like slate, copper, stones, ceramic and stainless steel.