RUGMAN, FREE SHIPPING AND BIG SALES

Rugman Summer Clearance 70% off, FREE SHIPPING, in addition a 10% off coupon code on top of all sales. Code: Extra10 Exp:07/31/2008

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I love to find good bargains and I love to be able to decorate my home with what I find. I'm not usually one to just buy something unless I have a place for it. I spent many of my earlier years buying stuff because I liked it, then spent many of my later years trying to find a place to store it before eventually giving it away.

My living room wall, which leads to my hallway and bedrooms, needed some life. It is a large wall so finding the right mix of decor was important. I found two plug in wall lights with a leaf pattern shade, on line through "Collections ETC." They were a steal at $17.99 each, and caught a free shipping sale on top of the great price. The lighting is subtle, warm and inviting. I added a mirror, flower arrangement, small electric fireplace, two chairs and I had the wall and living room complete.

You don't have to spend a fortune to have a luxurious style, you just need to shop around. I purchased my chairs and fireplace from "Overstock.com" for $149.00 each and the fireplace was $199.00 and of course I waited for the free shipping offer before I made the purchase. The mirror was found at a yard sale for $5.00 and the floral arrangement was a gift. Most important is finding the type or style decor you are looking for. Once you know that, shopping is easy.

Sale and FREE Shipping From The RUGMAN

AFT50a-07Additional $50 Off your regular priced purchases with this coupon. Purchase must be $750 or more. End 07/31/2008.

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Shop My Store or Get Your Own

I've just opened my own eStore 'decoratingbargains' (http://decoratingbargains.zlio.net) online with zlio.com, and I'd like to let you know about the service. It's loads of fun, and it takes less than 5 minutes to create your own online store. But, most importantly, there are no logistics to deal with: Payment, product delivery and after-sale support are the sole responsibility of partnering ZLIO Internet merchants! All you need is a bit of imagination to select products for your store (from a catalog of over three million items from the Internet's top merchants). And best of all - you get a commission every time your shop sells something (paid by the merchant, so your products aren't any more expensive than they would be elsewhere).

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OUTDOOR SPACES

Charming outdoor spaces are built around budget friendly garden structures, including benches, pergolas, fences and a canopy. These architectural accents give your yards empty space a focal point and can make a large open space feel intimate.

Picket fences can be used in shorter lengths to create cozy corners for seating or they can be used as walls to designate a garden or dining area.

Pergolas come in ready made freestanding versions and can be placed in a corner to create a separate seating area.

A trellis makes an ideal backdrop for a bench and can be decorated with foliage or left plain for added decor to the outside of your home.

A free-standing canopy creates a sense of a room. All it takes is a level plot for it to stand on and the weather resistant fabric top will blocks the suns harsh rays. Attach a net to go around your canopy, if it doesn't already have one, for some evening enjoyment with friends or a romantic evening with a guest.

Add a few special touches, such as, a rug, some special padded seating, a table and some lighting. Now you have a room outside your home to enjoy.

What you Need to Know About this Web Site

Welcome to my Web Site.

I would just like to familiarize everone who visits with the "Go Shopping" under my profile. When you click to go shopping this is my store where there are a variety of things. There is furniture, baby needs, entertainment items and books you can purchase on a variety of decorating topics, plus much, much more. There are also external links to various shopping sites to which I am a member and you can also become a member of, if you choose to. These shopping sites as well as my store give you access to substancial savings on any item imaginable.
Look around and compare prices and I believe you will see the advantage to shopping from this site. I also have included on my site, my Custom Web Search Console so you can do all of your web based searches without having to leave my site. Feel free to leave any questions or ideas and suggestions by clicking on the comment box located below each blog.

I appreciate your views and encourage your return. My Radio blog will be up and running shortly and I will welcome anyone who wishes to chat. This site is not limited to decor. I have written a blog about Weddings on a budget and will continue to discuss all types of items to find in a budget as well as how to plan a party with limited funds.

If there is something you wish to know about please do not hesitate to ask. I enjoy giving viewers what that want and helpful hints and ideas on any topic. Enjoy your visit and stop in often as topics and blogs are updated and sites are added.

My World Plus

SPRING HAS ARRIVED, TIME TO GROW

Spring is here so lets talk a bit about planting some bulbs:
Today we will discuss Perennials.

Dig a hole, drop in a bulb, then sit back and wait for spring. For the lazy gardener, or those in a hurry, spring bulbs provide us spectacular spring color, for very little effort in the fall. And now is the time to plant them.When you mention bulbs, most people immediately think of daffodils and tulips. And while they are wonderful bulbs, there are many other bulbs to choose from. Some different small flowers include snowdrops, crocus, grape hyacinths, winter aconite, and anemones. Larger flowers include Dutch iris, flowering onion scaled alliums, fruitless and the crown imperial fritillaria. Of course don’t exclude daffodils, hyacinths and tulips.What Are Bulbs?Bulbs are self-sufficient storage organs, and are versatile in the landscape. There are bulbs for partial shade as well as full sun. They go through periods of growth and flowering, followed by a dormancy period. Some are spring growers, while others grow in the summer or fall. Bulbs are usually sold in their dormant, dry state. When planted, they being to initiate rooms, and the stems inside the bulbs begin to grow. The plants utilize their stored food reserves, and the shoots begin to emerge. When they begin flowering, the storage organ or bulb, is empty of food. After bloom, they need to replenish the storage organ for the upcoming dormancy. When choosing bulbs ( or rhizomes, corms, and tubers, which we collectively call bulbs, and are generally planted in the same manner), look for large bulbs, which are firm and blemish free.The size of the bulb determines the size of the flower. Remember,everything is already contained inside your bulb when you purchase them. Quality bulbs will give you a wonderful show, and should keep giving for years with a little care. Bargain bulbs may not end up being such a bargain. Be sure to choose a site with well drained soil. Even bulbs which like moisture, won’t survive for long in water logged soil. Bulbs thrive in an environment rich in organic matter, and a porous soil. Incorporate organic matter before planting, and till it in well. Generally, bulbs need to be planted two to two and ½ times the size of the bulb, deep in the ground. Bulbs can be planted individually using a bulb planter. They also sell an auger drill bit that will fit on the end of your drill to make the planting holes. But if you are planting a large quantity of bulbs, it is easier and quicker to dig up a large area to the required depth, then space out the bulbs and cover them with soil. Be sure to plant the bulbs with the pointy end up, and use care when covering the bulbs with soil, that you don’t knock the bulbs over in the process. When you have the soil in place, water well and mulch to keep weeds down. Since the bulbs are underground, you can also plant seasonal annuals, such as pansies or snap dragons on top of the bulbs. In the spring, the bulbs will emerge within your annual color.

Fertilization is really not necessary at planting, but many people add bone meal around the bulbs to aid in root establishment. Fertilization is needed during the growing season to aid in the replenishment of the bulb. Fertilize once when the flower buds are beginning to open with a slow release fertilizer, or a general purpose fertilizer can be used when they show color, and again when the flowers have faded.

To extend the length of blooms, do a little homework. With proper variety selection you can have color from late January through April, all with spring bulbs. Decide where you need color, and what else is growing there, and when it blooms. You wouldn’t want to plant hot pink tulips next to orange blooming azaleas, if they are in bloom at the same time. Color selection is important. Although your personal preferences are of the utmost importance, knowing which colors work together can help in the final outcome.

An easy division of color is the cool versus warm colors. Reds, yellows and oranges are warm colors, while blues, purple and pinks are cool colors. Warm colors are intense and invigorating, while cool colors are peaceful and harmonious. Make sure your color choices blend in well with your existing landscape and home. The most successful plantings use solid blocks of color. Keep your color schemes simple, and only use a few colors.

The earliest bulbs include winter aconite and crocus. These small growing plants are rich in color, and can be planted in dappled shade to full sun. Crocus bulbs come in a variety of shades of white, yellows and purples. Crocus bulbs can be planted in your lawn area, simply removing some plugs of grass, then plant these small bulbs. The plants will emerge in the lawn area and by the time you need to mow for the first time, they will already be through. Winter aconite or errants, is not as common, but has lovely yellow, honey-scented flowers. Snowdrops or galanthus, and snowflakes or leucojum are old fashioned flowers. These small bulbs do best in partial shade, and have pretty white flowers. Bluebells and scillas are other good choices for a woodland bulb planting. They flower in mid spring and have lovely hyacinth like clusters of flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink or white. Grape hyacinth are lovely small flowering plants with dense spikes of purple flowers. Many have attractive spiky foliage which appears in the fall. When you talk about small flowers, remember that you will need more plants for a big impact. If you are an iris fan, there are bulbous iris that bloom in early spring, and the foliage dies down at the end of their season. Dutch iris make a beautiful show in the spring, and you don’t have to deal with the foliage year-round. Some other unusual flowers are the flowering onion or flowering alliums. Height will vary by variety with dwarfs no taller than six inches to the giant alliums that can grow four to six feet tall. All of the alliums produce round flower heads, and come in shades of pink, purple or white. These unusual flowers can really add a focal point to your garden.The fritillarias offer another interesting flower for the garden. This member of the lily family blooms in late spring, and bears its flowers in a cluster at the top of leafy stems. The impressive crown fritillaria is a show stopper in late season. Experiment with new and interesting bulbs, but don’t forget the tried-and-true. Hundreds of varieties of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths are available. Tulips, which provide one of the showiest displays, is often hard to get to bloom well again. This year, many of the local nurseries are offering heritage bulbs, or the old fashioned tulips. These are supposed to re bloom better for us --we’ll have to wait and see. Regardless of their re bloom, no garden would be complete without some tulips. And if it is scent you are after, hyacinths are a must. And the spring sentinel for many is still the daffodil. Besides the traditional yellow, there are pinks, doubles, whites, and oranges available. Bulbs are excellent for spring color, whether used as a mass planting, or in a mixture with other perennial or spring blooming shrubs, or in containers. The choices of colors, heights and bloom periods offers so many opportunities. Visit your local nursery and look at the options, then plant.

Bulb planting season is from now through December. Good Luck and have FUN.

OUTDOOR DECORATING

OUTDOOR DECORATING IS AS IMPORTANT AS INDOOR DECORATING

Do you ever dream about what your yard could look like some day? As you look through garden catalogs filled with beautiful trees, shrubs, flowers and pictures of beautifully landscaped yards--complete with ponds and garden sculptures--the choices seem endless. Before ordering hundreds of plants or giving up because you cannot decide what you really want, here are a few things to consider.
A common issue in landscaping is creating a peaceful, private environment. While fencing can provide immediate privacy, consider a buffer strip of shrubbery between your yard and the one next door. Many shrubs will grow quickly--within a couple of years--and act as a screen while providing habitat for a variety of birds. Consider planting native shrubs because they are usually well adapted to local conditions and may provide the best habitat for local wildlife. Other considerations: whether the plants have special characteristics such as flowers or fruits, how large they will eventually become, and how much maintenance they require to remain healthy and in scale with your yard. Check with a local nursery or garden center for recommended
species.

If you always thought it would be fun to have a pond, try it. With the variety of materials now on the market, anyone can have a garden pond, regardless of the size of the yard. If you have a lot of space, you can build one right in the ground. You can purchase a pre-formed mold or dig a hole and line it with a plastic pond liner. A simple type of pond consists of a plastic lined barrel or tub. Just add water, plants, a pump, and even fish--and you have a pond for your patio. Be sure to consider sources of electricity if you intend to add a pump. Also, make sure you use caution and take security measures if small children have access to your yard and the pond. Another factor to consider is maintenance. A pond can require a lot of effort to keep it clear of algae, leaves, and debris. If you do not want to spend your weekends maintaining a yard, turn part of it into a wildflower garden. Depending on where you live, this could be a prairie, desert landscape, or alpine garden. Check on local zoning ordinances. Some communities have not yet recognized the value of "native landscaping" and may consider this a nuisance area. If you want a more maintained yard, consider ground covers instead of grass and use mulch to control weeds in foundation plantings and flower beds.
When selecting plants, make sure they are adapted to your area. Consider both the minimum and maximum temperatures, amount of moisture, amount of sunlight, and soil characteristics. Ask yourself: Do you want an annual that will need replanting every year or a perennial that comes up year after year? Do you want cut flowers for inside your home or to give to friends?
Consider native plants. They are usually better adapted to local conditions and need little maintenance. Be cautious about introducing exotic species such as purple loosestrife that will become invasive and is prohibited in many states.

Above all, choose what you like. There is an enormous variety of plants that will provide food and shelter to a wide variety of wildlife. With a little planning, you and the local wildlife can both enjoy the yard of your dreams.

NOTES FROM HOME

How to Live in your Home

"Attitude and Atmosphere"

Creating an attitude in your home is the same as showing your emotions. Happy homes are full of color, art, and memorabilia. Atmosphere is like attitude. If decorating with candles and warm colors you are feeling romantic or calm. Sadness can be empty rooms which don't come to life when you enter. Making your home reflect your personality requires your special touch, even if it's a family photo or something from your past.

Bringing the outdoor, indoors, if you are in an area surrounded with water can be shown
with shell displays and water fountains. Hues of blue and green create the feel of the ocean. "Coastal Homes"magazines are a great reference. When surrounded by land or mountains, rock displays and warm rustic decor is charming. The look of country decor is very popular. Stores like, "Plow & Hearth" are great for ideas on country living. Magazines are a great way to see what is being done with decor. "Better Homes and Garden" or "Country Living" are good references and not expensive. Arts and crafts magazines are super for adding that lived in and unique characteristic to your home.

What ever you are creating, you can, most likely, get it from everyday magazines or books on home decorating. Don't be shy, try something new and unique.

WAL-MART BEATS TARGET

CNN Money has reported that Wal-Mart trumped Target as far as Holiday Sales Statistics. They add that Wal-Mart shares are up 5% this year. Prices is key on toys and electronics and Wal-Mart has proven to be more aggressive. Target is still a great retailer, but has lost its focus a bit.
Shopping for discounts can be tedious but for most of us in today's economy want more for less. Please be careful of the higher priced imitations for less idea. This could end up costing you more in the long run.

DISCOUNT STORES

Discount Home Goods Stores

It used to be that buying quality home decor items meant spending a bundle. Thankfully, with the numerous discount stores that are popping up all over the nation, making your home a decoration showcase is easier than ever. When you wander into a discount home goods store, there are just a few things to think about before you purchase that perfect decoration item.First, make sure that you are truly getting a good deal. Most of the time, the decoration items that you find in a discount home store are truly a great bargain, but if you aren’t sure, do a bit of shopping around before you purchase anything. Next, check for cracks, scrapes, tears, and chips. If you can find something irregular on an item, you might be able to get a further discount. Simply look for some sort of permanent defect and talk to a manager, usually they are more than happy to discount the item further. Also, check the discount section within the store. You might be surprised to find a perfectly good picture frame, wall hanging, or candle that has been placed on further discount.Discount home goods stores are a truly great way to decorate your home for a fraction of the retail price. These home goods stores often have everything you could even need to furnish your home, and usually you can find great prices on top quality brands and materials. Check out your local TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods Store, or other home furnishing store today – you never know what a little bit of bargain hunting will dig up!
Link: http://decoratingbargains.com/

11/3/07
by DecoratingBargains.com
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Scenic Home

Creating a scene for your home or bringing the outdoors, indoors, can be fun with a little imagination and creativity.Whether it be a country setting or a coastal setting, stores like "Plow and Hearth" and "Seaside Casual" are popular and carry everything you need. Bringing in the colors of the Ocean can be fun with hues of green and blue. Yellows also brighten up the Beach settings with flowers and sunny scenes. Shells can be an attractive decor item and can be displayed within bowls of sand. Decorative sunburst mirrors add depth and elegance. Small flowers on fabrics and sheer curtains give that bright and airy feeling. Don't forget to bring in your pinks and purples with vases and flowers of this color, for a fresh, crisp feeling . Country living is so easy today and a very desired look. Rock fountains and waterfalls come in many shapes and sizes for any room in your home. Plaids and Americana prints can be mixed and matched with stars and stripes. Old warn look items for decor, like watering cans, jars, boxes and urns are great looks. Decorative boxes are a great storage solution also. Cans and jars are beautiful if used as vases. Old, wood windows on walls give you that rustic look as well as being a creative decor and add depth to a room. Arts and crafts are a popular addition to country decor and can be simple and inexpensive. Reds, Country blues and hues of brown are perfect country colors.Greenery is warm and brings life to your home. Plants are definitely a must, even if you don't have a green thumb, stores like "Target" and "Wal-Mart" carry lovely realistic artificial foliage. Remember, be creative.

Posted by DecoratingBargains.com

Colors, Corners and Stairways

Colors in a room are so fulfilling and rich with emotion. Use color combinations that are right for you. The feel you are looking for should come through with your color choices and accessories.

Don't overlook corners. In small kitchens, for example, there is usually an untouched corner longing for attention. A small, but quaint, Bistro set can add a cozy feel and give your kitchen a bit of charm.

Overlooking stairways is very common. Sometimes the stairway can act as an art gallery and become an inspiring room of its own. Thus, turning your stairway into a fascinating and captivating part of your home to enjoy.

If anyone would like to comment on this topic, please do so and feel free to sign my guestbook.