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Nothing makes great pillows look even better than a fabulous, comfortable couch design. Whether it’s two cushions, three cushions, tufted and structured, a comfortable couch becomes the centerpiece of any room. Consider any one of these beautiful sofas for your home.  Be sure to top it off with decorative pillows from the new Home and Hearth Magazine Online interior accessories collection.

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Visit the Zazzle.com site for new product offerings, special gift giveaways and unique designs that have been made exclusively for you.

Warmest regards,

Home and Hearth Magazine Online

While the wrath of hurricane Sandy is almost unimaginable in the northeast region, Home and Hearth Magazine Online believes that advance preparation for any weather event ultimately makes for a safer home. Considering the following tips and product offerings in advance may equal peace of mind and less stress in the long run.

Know your A, B, C’s

Download a storm evacuation map from your city’s Office of Emergency Management.  People living on the waterfront or near flood prone areas should know what alphabetical “zone” they reside in.  In the case of tri-state area residents living on the east coast, Zone A was extremely susceptible to flood danger and high tides in a Category 1 storm.  Residents living in Zone C and beyond are relatively safe from floods in a Category 1 storm however their risk increases should the storm intensity rise to a Category 3.  Know your A, B, C zones.

Get an All-in-one Emergency Unit

The Tough Brite Storm Tracker by Vector, Model VEC135, takes some of the guess work out of emergency preparedness.  This all-in-one unit  is great for the home or on the go if a sudden evacuation is necessary.  The unit works by battery, plug or via back-up hand crank in the event of battery failure.  The cross-body carrying strap makes it easily portable and the unit has a NOAA weather radio, AM/FM stations, UHF/VHF television, antenna, low beam and LED high beam flash flights.

Take the guess-work out of storm preparation with this handy unit

Light it Up

The risk of accidental fire increases when flame-lit candles are used during a power outage.  Select battery operated lights and candles to avoid getting burned.  There’s a wide variety of candle styles and many of them use “C” batteries which always seem to be the most plentiful on the store shelves in an emergency.  Colorful battery powered lights are great for relieving  frightened kiddies during a blackout. The house you save may be your own.

Whistle While You Wait

One of the least expensive but most invaluable items to have in the home during a storm is a whistle.  In the event of an emergency, it may be necessary to attract life-saving attention.  Where the voice may fail, having a whistle succeeds.  Keep one attached on a neck lanyard or key chain for easy access while waiting for help to arrive.

Fill ‘er Up

The latest accessory in the tri-state area is the bright red plastic, portable fuel tank.  To avoid participating in this trend, fill up on water, money, non-perishable foods, electricity and most of all fuel.  The current spate of gas shortages and rationing has been a nightmare for motorists with tanks and patience already on “E”.  Should a quick get-away be necessary during a major storm, be sure to hit the grocery store, gas station and the ATM beforehand.  Ready cash and a tank full of fuel make the need to stand in long lines for both resources relatively non-existent.  Nothing is worse than finding out you are short on both.

Back it up

It is heartbreaking to see people on television that have lost their homes and precious mementos to the unforgiving flood waters.  Before disaster strikes, occasionally back up any important documents, pictures and personal papers on a flash drive. A flash drive is a mini, portable electronic device that fits into most computer USB ports. In an emergency, the flash drive provides consolidated storage that is easily accessible via laptop or desktop computer. Place the flash drive in a safe dry place on your person or in a overnight bag.  When making a quick get-away, carrying information becomes more portable.

Pack a “Go” Bag 

As climate change becomes woven into the fiber of our lives, people should have a “go” bag handy. The hope of course is that the “go” bag will never have to be used.  However, as fate would have it, the chance of employing the go bag, at least once in a lifetime, is quite strong. Trial size toiletries, water, dried foods and important document originals or flash drives (see paragraph above) containing vital information should be packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice.

Charge it up

If the luxury of time is permitted, begin charging any mobile devices that require electricity days in advance before a storm. Power outages are an unanticipated byproduct of natural disasters due to downed power lines, service interruptions and the like.  The loss of power coupled with the inability to communicate with the outside world can be very stressful and in extreme cases mean the difference between life and death.

Change it up

Bear in mind that any mobile device, no matter how trendy, should be switched-out in favor of a device that can be a “workhorse” during times of emergency.  Only devices that can hold their charge for three days or more vs. three hours or more need apply.  Consideration should be given to battery life, signal strength and screen brightness that can double as a lamp during a power outage.

Be your own Hot-Spot

Many telephone carriers sell mobile devices that come equipped with the ability to create a personal hot- spot for WIFI access.  As long as the device is fully charged and the carriers’ service is not interrupted during an emergency, users can access the internet and other communications.  Thanks to hurricane Sandy, many people also learned that by standing outside of establishments that regularly provide free WIFI, they were able to get an internet signal.  Keep a handy list of these favorable hot-spot establishments in the event of an emergency.

Whether it is tsunamis in the Pacific Rim, earthquakes down-under or brush fires on the west coast, emergency preparedness for the home is necessary wherever you are in the world.  With some simple product and lifestyle modifications, getting ahead of  natural disasters can make a difficult situation just a little bit more bearable.  In the meantime, stay safe folks.

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Selecting a storage solution generally depends upon factors like space, use, type and placement. For example, some storage solutions are meant to be more utilitarian like cardboard boxes, plastic bins or wire baskets.

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The good news is there are a variety of storage options available for people to chose from.  Storage solutions can be purchased already assembled and ready to  install.  The “do-it-yourselfer” can purchase the parts and assemble the storage unit at home.   Or, a custom built storage feature can be made according to an individual’s taste by hiring a professional contractor.

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• Free-standing furniture which includes bookcases, cupboards, chests and wardrobes.
• Built-in units which are generally designed to save space and accommodate the style of the room
• Modular systems which are both adjustable and expandable

Whatever your selection, a well-designed storage solution puts the control of clutter back into your possession.

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Whole societies have heralded the color blue in home decor.  For example, the Dutch have a centuries old tradition of creating blue and white pottery designs in the city of Delft in Zuid Holland(South) Holland.  From these early creations an international brand called Delftware was born.  The key signatures of Delftware are the decorative motifs and pictorial scenes featuring Dutch windmills, scenic landscapes and fishing boats.

Blue is said to be a magnificent color for home decor.  In the article Feng Shui Color Blue Tips, blue is most associated with the bright clear sky and healing waters.  Studies have shown that using a gentle blue as a ceiling color in a child’s room helps them perform well.

Blue in the bedroom can even promote sleep while playful blue colors like aqua in a family room can evoke feelings of harmony.

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Spring’s Brights turn to Fall Harvest Shades

While deeper shades can visually retract and close up a room space, this seasonal color palette falls fresh on the eyes. For a look that is crisp and will expand a room’s  size, be sure to pair any one of these new harvest colors with a shade of white.  White room trim, moldings, cabinetry or accent pieces all fit the bill.

Also, spice up this Fall’s home decor with texture and timeless decorative design motifs. Some classic details that come to mind are those inspired by Greek Key, Quatrafoil and Cane as well as polished and distressed finishes.

The good news is there is no lack of home stores that are featuring items with these graphic patterns and luxurious textures in the newest fall shades.

Even decorative cabinet pulls like those from the luxury artisans at Vigo Industries can transform your room look from mass to class.

Wood in all its forms is taking center stage for Fall 2012. Faux bois (aka false wood) is being used as a design motif on literally everything from flooring to paneling, dishware to lamp shades. In accent pieces, wood is being presented in both whimsical shades as well as in highly polished exotic furnishings from the far east.

Modern Living Room design by San Francisco Architect emily jagoda

Whatever your decorative preference, this season’s fall 2012 home fashions will not disappoint.  The palette and furnishings offer design inspiration for every taste.

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Original room design credit goes to Decorpad.com

Last April, Home and Hearth Magazine Online featured a post about using trompe l’oeil art to create a more expressive home decor.  Trompe l’oeil, loosely translated, means “to fool the eye.”  Relative to interior design, trompe l’oeil means to fool the eye into believing that imaginary decorations are truly real.  In the spirit of tromp l’oeil, this post is about home decorating with faux finish effects.

Faux is French for the word “false” therefore faux finishes can have a variety of decorative appearances ranging from 3d wall paper looks to embellished details that mimic blue skies, rugged rock or wood grain.

Most faux finishes are applied to walls, cabinetry and even ceilings.

Many faux finish effects are designed to replicate the look of old world surfaces such as those seen in elaborate 17th century Venetian palazzos and often incorporate ornate stenciling or expansive murals.

Some faux finishes are easy to create with just a few varied layers of colored paint and shellac while others require a bit more elbow grease and technique.

Many faux finishes are great for masking surface flaws, updating aged areas or adding interest to an otherwise dull environment.

There are unlimited faux finish effects that can be created for use in the home.

Do-it-Yourself Challenge:

Get the look of rich maple wood doors without the expense.  Try this do-it-yourself method for converting an average entryway into an elegant entrance by using the following tools:

• 1-27/32 pints (872 mL) of Benjamin Moore Flat Finish Wall Satin Deep Base 215 3B, color Salmon Stream #2173-30
• 1 qt (946 mL) of Minwax PolyShades Stain and Polyurethane in 1-Step, color Antique Walnut Satin #340
• 2  Three inch wide flat stiff bristled paint brushes for use with all paints and stains for  interior and exterior projects

Prepare the door by removing any visible dust or grime.  Place a drop cloth underneath the door to catch any paint or varnish splatters.  Make sure to open the windows for proper ventilation.

First, apply the Benjamin Moore paint color to the door.  Apply two coats allowing time to dry in between applications.

Once the paint is fully dry, apply the Minwax Polyshades product over the Benjamin Moore Paint.  Be sure to stir the Minwax well before using it.  The pigment that creates the wood stain tends settles to the bottom of the paint can.

The benefit of using a 1-step product like Minwax is that in one stroke it applies a wood stain and leaves a lustrous coat to boot.  Apply the Minwax in long, vertical strokes.  This method will create the appearance of a deep wood grain over the flat paint.   Dry time may take up to 6 hours.  For a deeper richer varnish, apply a second coat.

Try this simple faux finish trick on anything from moldings to baseboards, doors to cabinetry.  Also feel free to experiment with a variety of lighter and darker wood toned shades.  When decorating with faux finishes, the possibilities are endless.

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Since red is representative of vigor and fire, decorating with red in the home is equally powerful for drawing positive energy while black and white provide the complementary balance and unity of Yin-Yang (dark – light) in a living space.

Add excitement to an otherwise sterile bathroom environment by decorating around a red focal wall.  The natural light, porcelain white and chrome fixtures minimize the “heat” of the red and the black tub pedestal grounds the look overall.

In the kitchen, the color red, specifically tomato red, is said to stimulate the appetite according to Better Homes and Gardens. In this photo, the color’s warmth merges well with the industrial white kitchen cabinetry and sophisticated black dining room accents which add controlled pizzazz.

This red lacquer “shabby chic” Horchow accent piece does the heavy lifting by making a fabulous color statement in the room. It provides utilitarian service as a multi-photo picture frame and could easily double as a focal wall mirror.