Home Craft Designs | home art and craft

This article opens with the cultural, historical, and spiritual aspects of Moroccan mosaic tiles. It then discusses what makes zellige tiles so unique by focusing on their ultra custom qualities and their elevated place in interior design.

Moroccan tile craft is considered an art form by many and is primarily known for its majestic mosaics, which are typically comprised of a series of patterns utilizing colorful geometric and/or floral shapes. This framework of expression arose from the need of Islamic artists to create spatial decorations that avoided depictions of living things, consistent with the teachings of Islamic law. Being limited in their choice of subject for centuries to only working with geometric and floral shapes, Moorish artisans became extremely creative and managed to elevate this craft into an art form.

From its ancient roots dating back to the Frumuseni Mosaics of the Byzantines a thousand years ago, to the assiduous attention to detail employed in the creation of complex geometries and floral patterns, Arabesque zellige (=zillij) tile patterns have steadily evolved into some of the most spectacular masterpieces ever conceived in ceramics and therefore take their rightful place as one of the defacto staples of Mediterranean culture and design.
Dignitaries and patrons of the art have been using zellige tiles among other design elements when decorating their palaces and estates to make a statement about their sophistication and status. From the ancient kings of the Moorish Empire to the Sultans of the Middle East, zellige tiles have always played a key role in creating distinguished and lavish surroundings.

The reason one can also find some of the most spectacular examples of Arabesque mosaics in mosques and other religious places has to do with the idea that these types of elaborate patterns will aid in inspiring a sense of spirituality, tranquility, humility and a general awe of higher powers in their followers.
What sets zellige tiles apart from any other type of tiles is the combination of mesmerizing patterns, vibrant colors (earth tones) and rugged surfaces. A big part of the unique appeal and brilliance of Moroccan mosaic tiles lies in what at first may seem like a contradictory combination of primitive crafting techniques and very skillfully arranged geometric designs. However, upon further study one realizes the cultural and historical significance behind it.
In addition, it becomes clear that the very imperfections that are due to the hand made nature of this product contribute to a certain charm and warmth that cannot be duplicated by any other materials. This fact coupled with the sheer endless ways in which one can customize colors and shapes are the reasons one can literally create one-of-a-kind bathrooms, court yards, kitchens, pools etc. These ultra custom qualities of zellige tiles inspire truly personalized living spaces, especially in the context of Mediterranean architecture.

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The natural, durable and attractive bamboo not only makes mats, baskets and other handicraft but is also used for high-grade packaging, decorative panels, curtains and window blinds. The bamboo window blinds, in fact, not only give a classic touch to the interior decor of a room but keep it cool as well. Bamboo craft is based on its specific weaving techniques. These weaving techniques can be classified as plane weaving, dimensional weaving and mixed weaving. To begin with, a bamboo crafter must know the plane weaving technique for bamboo craft.

Plane bamboo weaving creates two dimensional or plane products like woven mats or carpets. It is different from method of making three dimensional products such as baskets, lampshades, figurines etc. Before weaving, the bamboo culms are processed as follows to make them apt for weaving.



Processing of Bamboo for Weaving
Green skin of the bamboo culm is removed by scraping off its green surface
with the help of a blade. Force is applied evenly along the culm surface to ensure uniformly colored bamboo.

The upper edge of the culm section is flattened to facilitate stripping. A sharp knife is used to cut evenly around the edge. The culm section is divided into slivers of an equal width. The number of slivers depend upon the diameter of the culm. Cutting is done carefully from the edge downwards along the length of the culm. The slivers are then completely separated to form individual pieces.

Slivers are striped into fine layers. The knife is held with the blade horizontally against the upper 1/3 of the cross section sliver. First cut is made by nipping the blade into the sliver. Then the blade is placed 0.5 to 1 mm away from the first layer. After repeating the process for a required number of times, the layers are peeled off. The thickness of the layers depend upon the need of the intended woven product. Layers are separated into fine strips by using both the hands. The strips may be lighter or darker in color from one another. They are arranged accordingly.


The bamboo strips are then dyed and bleached with the help of various materials such as dyes, sulfur, hydrogen peroxide or other chemicals. Soaking, boiling, washing, air drying etc. methods are used for the purpose.




Plane Weaving of Bamboo
Before moving on to the process of plane weaving of bamboo, there are two basic terminology that need to be understood by the novice bamboo weaver. These two terms are – Warp and Weft. Warp is the set of parallel bamboo stripes providing the foundation on which plane weaving is done. They are positioned lengthwise on the work bench or work area. Wefts are the bamboo stripes that are inserted width-wise under and over the warp in order to make a design.

The basic technique for plane bamboo weaving is that of weaving dots into pattern http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifs. It involves combining two colors of bamboo- one light and other dark- along the warp and weft of the bamboo strips. Color intensity and contrast in the patterns are created by changing the density of the dots woven under and over the warp.

There are many other traditional methods of bamboo weaving that are also interesting to know.

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Different states can have different guides on how to become an interior designer who can work as per the provision of the laws set. Interior designers play a really essential role in society and they are responsible for adding character to commercial, industrial and even residential buildings. They can undertake many duties and this can be a flexibility that's loved by people in this profession. It is a excellent profession choice because it will not just provide satisfaction but will help people enjoy their lives and fulfill their dream in this regard. That is how people should go about turning into interior designers.



The primary foundation to become an interior designer is education. It's actually the key to achieving most desires in life. A high school certification to begin with will help. There are many faculties that people can be a part of and get a degree or an associate diploma in interior design. More schooling will only provide better insights and can help create interior designers who are more competent. Nevertheless, when people are not yet trained, starting early with research will help. A show of curiosity as the first thing and passion will always lead to better things.




A piece of advice on selecting the perfect program is as follows. Let accredited colleges be the guide to learning interior designing. Those accredited by the Foundation For Interior Design and Research will offer the perfect skills. These might be recognized and the certification will significantly help in landing excellent jobs in interior design. It is not going to harm being a artistic individual, but, those that want a push will need to work extra hard. Passion and love for it can allow even those with the least of imagination to accumulate important skill that can make all the difference in their chosen career.



Since computers are the keys to higher performance in the modern world, people must be trained in relevant areas that can give people a push to become an interior designer. Laptop Aided Design courses will work properly to polish all the talents and help create designs that will be nothing short of cutting edge. While studying, it is at all times a plus to enter into internship on completion. Firsthand expertise is almost necessary in the modern and cutthroat interior design sector. Individuals need not have theories alone but be practical in every way.




After schooling to become a designer, it's time to take a look at the licensing requirements. Different states may need different provisions and taking a look at relevant necessities will help. Observe all the mandatory details and ensure to provide all data required. When people have the license to practice the job, they have a world of possibility. It's time to show their interior design prowess. An interesting job keeps many on toes. As a professional choice, it will provide satisfaction and tap into creativity, which has no limit. Many are the players in the area but, with optimism, people will learn to create their voice and emerge as experts to be reckoned with.

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Who says improving home interior needs to be expensive?

Just like toppings on your favorite desserts, frosted window films can serve as the highlight to your home decoration. A certain sense of class is instantly added to bathrooms and living rooms by simply installing window films.

Frosted window films turn simple and boring windows into something pleasingly in-style in terms of interior design. It greatly adds to the ambiance and improves the overall look of homes.

The price? Let us just say that adding elegance and style to homes has never been this cheap. Frosted window films are the best option when it comes to providing privacy with ease. The films use a static cling window film that easily sticks to smooth glass surfaces without the use of any adhesives.


Aside from windows, the films can also be used for glass doors, shower enclosures and even glass tables. This feature allows anyone who uses the product to customize the entire feel and ambiance of the home. The product contains finely ground glass dust that recreates the effect of the actual expensive glass.

Since there is no need for a messy application, the frosted films can be installed and removed easily. This allows the option of having seasonal themes for your homes. Among the best features of the product is its re-usability that comes in handy when you want to use it again in the future. With its economical price, you can change themes for your homes as many as you would like in a year.

Homeowners would also have the freedom to customize the design on their “newly” improved windows as they could cut it to form shapes and patterns. Customizing windows or glass doors inside the house adds a personal touch to your home. The designs and patterns can complement the seasonal themes of your home or start seasonal face-lifts for your interiors.


The shades of whites could also be combined with other colored static cling window films. Combining them with patterns and simple color combinations can definitely add excitement and a different feel for glass windows and other parts of the house.

The amount of visibility or how “frosted” your windows varies in numbers. The choice is all yours, whether you want to be slightly visible from the outside or not seen at all. The visibility factor also depends on how much sunlight enters the window. These frosted window films also functions as a blind to bare homes that allow too much light and view from the outside.

From economical to stylish reasons, going frosted on your windows is one of the best options when it comes to improving the home’s interior aesthetic. Not only on windows but other parts of the house as well including kitchens, bathrooms and even glass tables for that matter.

Its easy application and customizable feature is also one way of getting homeowners hooked on home improvement
and interior designs. So who said home improvement takes a lot of time and money? Probably those who have not heard of the great features of the frosted window films.

Randall Freedman is an interior designer specialized in affordable home improvements ideas. Through his articles, he gives practical tips on choosing the right frosted window film and static cling window film.

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Kitchen cabinets are the most important element in the kitchen
. Having the best kitchen cabinet can easily pull the look of your kitchen since it takes up most of the space in the kitchen. Picking out a ready-made kitchen cabinet can be the easiest thing to do, but also the most expensive. Why not build your own kitchen cabinet? Here are easy steps on how to build kitchen cabinets.

The most important thing to do is to analyze your kitchen's look. You need to plan out and think of the best kitchen cabinet design suited for your kitchen. Draw designs which you think will best fit your interest. You may also search designs on the internet or any home improvement books available.

After finding the best design, measure your kitchen. This will help you know the dimensions of the kitchen cabinet that you are going to build. You will more or less be able to estimate the size of the wool that you will use.


The next thing to do is to go wood shopping! You need to choose the kind of wood that you will use. Visit wood shops that sell plywood or other materials that can be used to build your dream cabinet. You can also ask if you can look at how different wood would finish after construction. When you have chosen the wood, you may show them your design and ask if they can estimate the price of the wood that you will use.

After the wood selection has been done, you need to buy other parts such as knobs, screws and hinges. They need to compliment the wood you are using for the cabinet.

Here comes the real deal in learning how to build kitchen cabinets, actually building the cabinets.

You need to gather all the materials that you need for building. These include the table saw, jig saw, router, doweling jig, clamps, orbital sander and other tools you may find necessary to use. Make sure that all of your materials are neatly placed in the area so that they would be easily located when needed for use. Make sure that the blades are sharp to ensure ease of use lessening risk for accidents.


Wear proper protective gear such as goggles when sanding, chiseling, hammering overhead or scraping. Ear protection can also be used since some tools can damage hearing, working on a loud noise level. Gloves are recommended since wood can cause major splinters and the equipment can cause damage since these are sharp tools.

You may choose to paint your cabinets to make it look more beautiful. Just choose the right colors and make sure to properly paint the cabinet to make it look better.

Follow your step-by-step plan on how to build kitchen cabinets to make sure that your construction is running a smooth course. A well-planned construction reduces accidents from happening too.

Finishing the cabinet can be the best thing that can ever happen to you. A little patience and perseverance is needed in order to finish the cabinet. With these, you will see how satisfying the results are, especially seeing the fruit of your labor.

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Bring out the little artist in your child by creating a fun and organized kid’s craft space in your home. All kids love to get dirty while creating their masterpiece that will be hung on the refrigerator for all to admire. It’s important to design a space that will enhance and inspire your child’s artistic side.

Choosing the Best Craft Space
When deciding where to create your craft area it’s important to pick a spot that’s out of your visitor’s view. This way, if your kids make a mess and your neighbor stops by you won’t be frantically cleaning up paints and brushes last minute. You want to choose a space that can remain a little untidy at times. You’ll need enough room for storage and for a craft table so also keep that in mind when selecting the space.


Craft Items and Storage Ideas
It’s important to decide what type of craft items you’re going to buy so you know the type of storage you’ll need. Make a list of items you think your child would enjoy. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Paper
Crayons, pencils, pens and markers
Watercolor paints or kid-friendly paints
Paint brushes and water bowls
Glue or glue sticks
Smocks
Scissors
Craft boxes with multiple items

Once you have your item list then it’s time to decide how you’re going to store these items so that your child’s craft area has a chance of staying neat. If there’s a place for everything then your child just might put everything in its place. At least that sounds nice in theory.

If you have an open wall where you can put a tall storage unit with open shelves, this might be your best option. Then select some baskets that fit the shelves and keep the craft supplies sorted by item in their own designated basket. Labeling the baskets is definitely a help. This way your child can pull out the crayon and paper baskets, place each basket on the table while doing crafts, then put all the supplies back in their spot and slide the basket onto the shelf after craft time. A storage unit and baskets is definitely the way to go.

Cleaning up the Mess!

After cutting and gluing there’s always a mess that needs to be dealt with. The next item on your craft space list is a trash can. Make sure you get one big enough to store all discarded items, but small enough to leave plenty of room for creativity. Keep the trash can in your child’s reach so she’s reminded to pick up after herself.

Kid’s Table and Chairs

Every craft area needs a kid’s table and chair set where the creative ideas can come to life. The table should have enough space for projects and attached storage bins are an added bonus. Below is a list of kid’s table and chair sets that we recommend for a kid’s craft area. These sets have plenty of space plus extra storage for keeping the most important craft items at close range.

- Lipper Child’s Round Table and Two Chairs: has a storage shelf right below the table where your child can keep paper and other craft accessories. It comes with two roomy chairs and the table has plenty of space for doing major craft projects.
- Kid Kraft Star Table and Chair Set: includes two storage bins in the center that are easy to reach and two chairs, along with plenty of table space for being creative.
- Kid Kraft Kids Table with Benches: offers a large storage bin under the table so your children can keep their most important craft items close by and comes with two roomy high-back benches to keep your kids comfy when doing crafts.
- Delta Disney Fairies Storage Table and Chairs: perfect for a girl’s craft area and offers several small storage spots for holding crayons and markers and a larger storage area in the center of the table.

One last recommendation

Remember to also include a bigger chair for you. Children love doing crafts, but they enjoy it even more when mommy and daddy get involved. Spending time each week getting messy and creative with your kids is a great way to enhance family bonding and to encourage your childrens creativity. You might also discover the artist within and come up with your own cool projects to hang on the cork board. If you create an organized and fun craft area in your home it will give you and your children a place to explore and enhance your creativity for years to come!

Kim Proulx is a Certified Parent Coach and understands that balancing life’s day-to-day responsibilities combined with parenthood is a huge challenge. Creating a space that will enhance your child’s creativity is important. She recommends visiting SimplyKidsFurniture.com to find kid’s furniture and fun kid’s art and creativity set to create the ideal kid’s craft area.

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Vintage interior design
is a really popular look -- and rightly so -- it is a really relaxed, traditional style -- warm and comfortable in feel, and very easy to achieve -- and to live with!

In the loosest sense, a vintage interior design scheme is just a look that is old – traditional, classic styling.

In a stricter sense, ‘vintage’ refers to the 1940’s and 1950’s – an era of hope and new beginnings!

In many ways, the 1940’s and 1950’s were a safer, simpler time – a slower, more relaxed pace of life … you could leave your back door unlocked, while you popped down to the shops! Family and the home were a very important focus to life – and this led to a very comforting and welcoming feel to vintage home decor
and interior design.


The vintage era is a period that most people can actually remember – either from their own childhood (or even adult life) or at least from the home of their grandparents. This is a very nostalgic look and feel. It will recreate comforting memories and emotions from childhood – feelings of comfort and safety.

This is an easy, relaxed feel – there are no strict rules to getting your vintage interior design look – only a few simple guidelines to follow:

After the War, people did have to ‘make-do and mend’. They used old furniture, from all different eras – fine antiques and family heirlooms, handed down through the generations, and simpler pieces, that were made over and repaired. So, feel free to mix and match all kinds of traditional furniture pieces in your vintage decorating scheme.


Look out for loads of hand-made goodies too – such as patchwork quilts, made from pretty scraps and fabric remnants.

A vintage interior design style is definitely not an expensive look to try in your home. Scour antique stalls and flea markets for solid, quality items – the slightly worn look will enhance the ‘pre-loved’ charm of the unique pieces.

If you find furniture in different styles and different types of wood, why not try painting all your furniture pieces in white, or a colored paint. Try going for a deliberately distressed look, by applying wax to edges and corners that would wear naturally. Paint over the top, then rub down these areas, and create your own ‘genuine,’ distressed and worn look.

Choose muted and pastel tones for walls and fabric – any color will go, so long as you don’t choose something that is too fresh, modern and bright. Add a little interest with accents of patterned wallpaper, and pretty fabrics for upholstery, slip-covers, throws, cushions and curtains. Look out for pretty, floral designs – particularly those typical 1940’s and 1950’s attractive rose patterns.

Don’t be afraid to mix and match patterns and fabrics – and pile on all the pretty layers – slip-covers, throws, patchwork quilts, crochets and lace will all give you that really warm and comforting, nostalgic feel.

Display period accessories and collections on open shelves, or in glass-fronted display cabinets – look out for pretty ornaments, porcelain figurines, and all types of pretty ceramics and pottery.

This is a really good style for anyone who loves nick-knacks and collections – indulge and display your hobby collection – or start one right now…!

I am sure that you will find vintage interior design really comforting and comfortable look – as well as really easy to live with, and really easy to achieve. Don’t worry about any rules, and just include all your favorite bits and pieces and styles – regardless of era…

Create a home and style that is uniquely yours – stamp your personality on your space, and relax into a comforting, safe space – that makes you feel really good!

More information, and pictures to inspire your vintage interior design scheme.

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