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Designer Chic Upholstered Wall Panels
July 2009 Design Newsletter
Welcome to our July 2009 Newsletter from Wall Huggers
In this issue we will discuss, Porch & Patio Decorating Ideas
5 Tips for Freshening Up your Porch or Patio
First impressions start before someone ever enters your home. It can be in a home with wrap around porch or maybe
a simple breezeway entry. Whichever your situation, these simple spruce-up ideas will make your entrance and patio
pop!
1. Clean it up
There is nothing like "clean" to get your creative juices flowing. Wipe down everything like the doors and windows
(don't forget to shine the door knocker.) When cleaning your porch or patio be sure to remove EVERYTHING, from the
old doormat to the last seasons dusty wreaths. You should end up with a clean, empty porch or patio to selectively
redecorate...piece by piece.
2. Remember Decorating Style
The idea of a porch is to not only welcome the visitor but to be provide a "this is my home" feeling for the owner. Just
like any room, it should express who you are. If you enjoy the "bistro" look, you can select style elements to fit that
theme, such as a market umbrella, bistro patio furniture or a chalkboard to display the daily menu. If you love modern
decor, choose planters and doormats that represent the style. Make it a visual treat to set the mood before entering the
sanctuary of your interior from the outside world.
3. Doormats & Rugs
A key element in decorating a porch is the doormat. Did you know that visitors will always look down at their feet
before entering someone's home! Use this to your advantage and select a purchase a new mat whenever it becomes
worn or faded. A metal doormat may only need a good scrub and a fresh coat of paint to liven up the look.
For patio areas, an indoor / outdoor patio rug may be in order. If you already have a patio with furniture and it still feels
like something is missing, this could be the element you need. Rugs are what will pull together an outdoor living
space.
4. Furniture for the Patio or Porch
The amount of space you have to work will determine the use of patio furniture. Know in advance what you plan to
use the space for. Will you entertain on the patio or do you need light, extra seating or protection with a aluminum
patio umbrella.
Small patios can become cozy places to relax and entertain if the space remains a patio, be careful that it does not
become just a storage unit for the "extras" you don't want indoors.
When selecting patio furniture, remember the scale of furniture not just the style. You don't want to purchase a large
wicker chair set and find you have room for just one chair! Will a stand alone porch swing fit the bill? Maybe a small
table, two chair set or garden bench for a small retreat. When planned right, the patio can truly become another living
space where you can reside outside.
5. Home Decor in the Outdoors
Porch decor is what adds character. It includes door art, plants and stands, vases, candles, architectural elements like
and wind chimes.
Take into consideration the upkeep of what you are displaying, for example potted flowers may need more attention
than potted cactus. Don't be afraid to add a little bit of yourself because it is your space to enjoy.
One word of caution, be sure to avoid "clutter" when using decorative elements. Too much of anything makes a space
feel off balanced and messy. It should remain comfortable and clean...visually appealing.
Knowing the basics of decorating will help you understand the concepts of how to pull together this space. Learn
interior design basics and visit our webpage called, Six Elements of Design.
Another idea for decorating your patio space is to use a Theme.
Using a theme for your patio is one of the easiest ways to decorate your patio. Once you have decide on a patio theme,
make sure that all of your patio accessories go along with your theme. You should choose decorations (flowers,
plants, patio furniture, privacy screens, etc) that go along with the theme you are trying to set in the area.
Tropical Patio
If you are interested in setting a tropical paradise theme to your backyard and patio, you may want to select furniture
and accessories that go along with this theme. Tiki torches, lots of tropical plants and tropical decor are great for a
tropical setting.
You can use plants such as palm trees, jasmine, hibiscus, and assorted vines to set the island mood. You can also use
bamboo screens and bamboo looking pots for your plants.
Asian Patio Decorating Ideas
If you would like your backyard and patio to be a calm and tranquil place, an Asian theme would work well for your
patio decorating. You can use calming colors for your cushions and bamboo furniture to really set the mood for an
Asian paradise.
No patio is complete without plants, try to use as many Asian plants as you can. You could add a patio water garden in
the mix as well; running water can be very calming.
Nautical Patio Decorating
Many people who live by a body of water decide to do nautical patio decorating themes in their backyard and on their
patio. For nautical themes you can use cedar or teak outdoor patio furniture and accessories that have to do with
fishing, water activities, and have fish or other marine life prints.
You can also have driftwood carvings or unusually shaped pieces of driftwood hanging or sitting on a side table. Add
a few lighthouse statues and you have a great nautical themed back yard and patio.
Other Patio Decorating Ideas
Maybe you have a beautiful garden for a backyard, you can make walkways through your garden to a center patio or
gazebo made of light colored wood. You can have a hanging swing in the middle of your gazebo or a glider on you
patio.
You can use soft pastels or floral prints in your patio decorating for your cushions and have light colored wood
furniture. These tips can create a natural feel to your garden sanctuary.
After deciding on a theme for your backyard and patio area you can begin shopping for all you need to have a
beautiful back yard. If you end up with too many supplies you can always sprinkle weather resistant statues and such
around your yard to add to your theme.
Decorating your backyard and your patio can be a fun and creative experience, you may even like it so much you will
want to redecorate the inside of the house next, but let's leave that for the fall and winter months.
Welcome to our July 2009 Newsletter from Wall Huggers
In this issue we will discuss, Porch & Patio Decorating Ideas
5 Tips for Freshening Up your Porch or Patio
First impressions start before someone ever enters your home. It can be in a home with wrap around porch or maybe
a simple breezeway entry. Whichever your situation, these simple spruce-up ideas will make your entrance and patio
pop!
1. Clean it up
There is nothing like "clean" to get your creative juices flowing. Wipe down everything like the doors and windows
(don't forget to shine the door knocker.) When cleaning your porch or patio be sure to remove EVERYTHING, from the
old doormat to the last seasons dusty wreaths. You should end up with a clean, empty porch or patio to selectively
redecorate...piece by piece.
2. Remember Decorating Style
The idea of a porch is to not only welcome the visitor but to be provide a "this is my home" feeling for the owner. Just
like any room, it should express who you are. If you enjoy the "bistro" look, you can select style elements to fit that
theme, such as a market umbrella, bistro patio furniture or a chalkboard to display the daily menu. If you love modern
decor, choose planters and doormats that represent the style. Make it a visual treat to set the mood before entering the
sanctuary of your interior from the outside world.
3. Doormats & Rugs
A key element in decorating a porch is the doormat. Did you know that visitors will always look down at their feet
before entering someone's home! Use this to your advantage and select a purchase a new mat whenever it becomes
worn or faded. A metal doormat may only need a good scrub and a fresh coat of paint to liven up the look.
For patio areas, an indoor / outdoor patio rug may be in order. If you already have a patio with furniture and it still feels
like something is missing, this could be the element you need. Rugs are what will pull together an outdoor living
space.
4. Furniture for the Patio or Porch
The amount of space you have to work will determine the use of patio furniture. Know in advance what you plan to
use the space for. Will you entertain on the patio or do you need light, extra seating or protection with a aluminum
patio umbrella.
Small patios can become cozy places to relax and entertain if the space remains a patio, be careful that it does not
become just a storage unit for the "extras" you don't want indoors.
When selecting patio furniture, remember the scale of furniture not just the style. You don't want to purchase a large
wicker chair set and find you have room for just one chair! Will a stand alone porch swing fit the bill? Maybe a small
table, two chair set or garden bench for a small retreat. When planned right, the patio can truly become another living
space where you can reside outside.
5. Home Decor in the Outdoors
Porch decor is what adds character. It includes door art, plants and stands, vases, candles, architectural elements like
and wind chimes.
Take into consideration the upkeep of what you are displaying, for example potted flowers may need more attention
than potted cactus. Don't be afraid to add a little bit of yourself because it is your space to enjoy.
One word of caution, be sure to avoid "clutter" when using decorative elements. Too much of anything makes a space
feel off balanced and messy. It should remain comfortable and clean...visually appealing.
Knowing the basics of decorating will help you understand the concepts of how to pull together this space. Learn
interior design basics and visit our webpage called, Six Elements of Design.
Another idea for decorating your patio space is to use a Theme.
Using a theme for your patio is one of the easiest ways to decorate your patio. Once you have decide on a patio theme,
make sure that all of your patio accessories go along with your theme. You should choose decorations (flowers,
plants, patio furniture, privacy screens, etc) that go along with the theme you are trying to set in the area.
Tropical Patio
If you are interested in setting a tropical paradise theme to your backyard and patio, you may want to select furniture
and accessories that go along with this theme. Tiki torches, lots of tropical plants and tropical decor are great for a
tropical setting.
You can use plants such as palm trees, jasmine, hibiscus, and assorted vines to set the island mood. You can also use
bamboo screens and bamboo looking pots for your plants.
Asian Patio Decorating Ideas
If you would like your backyard and patio to be a calm and tranquil place, an Asian theme would work well for your
patio decorating. You can use calming colors for your cushions and bamboo furniture to really set the mood for an
Asian paradise.
No patio is complete without plants, try to use as many Asian plants as you can. You could add a patio water garden in
the mix as well; running water can be very calming.
Nautical Patio Decorating
Many people who live by a body of water decide to do nautical patio decorating themes in their backyard and on their
patio. For nautical themes you can use cedar or teak outdoor patio furniture and accessories that have to do with
fishing, water activities, and have fish or other marine life prints.
You can also have driftwood carvings or unusually shaped pieces of driftwood hanging or sitting on a side table. Add
a few lighthouse statues and you have a great nautical themed back yard and patio.
Other Patio Decorating Ideas
Maybe you have a beautiful garden for a backyard, you can make walkways through your garden to a center patio or
gazebo made of light colored wood. You can have a hanging swing in the middle of your gazebo or a glider on you
patio.
You can use soft pastels or floral prints in your patio decorating for your cushions and have light colored wood
furniture. These tips can create a natural feel to your garden sanctuary.
After deciding on a theme for your backyard and patio area you can begin shopping for all you need to have a
beautiful back yard. If you end up with too many supplies you can always sprinkle weather resistant statues and such
around your yard to add to your theme.
Decorating your backyard and your patio can be a fun and creative experience, you may even like it so much you will
want to redecorate the inside of the house next, but let's leave that for the fall and winter months.
| I hope that you have enjoyed your Newsletter and have benefited from the information provided. Please feel free to pass this information along to your friends and family members to also help them with their interior décor projects. We also invite you to browse our website. We have a great selection of upholstered wall panels that can work in any decor. We welcome your comments and suggestions and hope that you enjoy this great summer season. Regards, Connie Beland / Owner If you enjoyed receiving our Design Newsletter or special offer notices, please tell your friends and co-workers. They can sign up by sending a blank email to: optin@upholsteredwallhuggers.com or by visiting our website and submitting their information online. Be sure to whitelist our websites above Upholsteredwallhuggers.com to make sure your copy does not get thrown in your junk mail folder. |
