Seashells look sensational when combined with glass. Try placing a layer of shells in the bottom of a large glass cylinder and place a scented pillar candle on top. Or scatter larger shells along a mantle or shelf. Add a piece of driftwood for even more texture. Driftwood can be mounted a wall to create a natural and instant nautical wall décor. Make a one-of-a-kind tissue box by gluing seashells and stones to a plain box that you can find at any discount store.

There is no limit to the nautical home décor that is available in stores. Pieces are available in department and furniture stores, antique shops, home goods stores, home decorating outlets and specialty shops. Of course, your favorite beach town will have a large assortment of items as well.

Nautical décor is also available online. If you are familiar with a particular catalog you can save time by shopping their site online. You can shop sites like EBay for collectibles or antiques with a nautical theme, or you can use a search engine to find other sources. As always, be careful when shopping online. Make sure that you are dealing with a reputable site before giving any credit card information.

When doing an online search try different keywords to widen your options. Try a search under ‘nautical wall décor’ or ‘tropical wall hangings’. Your search will give you ideas for items that may not have occurred to you, such as lanterns, candle holders, brass wall sculpture, and home staples such as towels and dishes with a nautical theme.

It’s easy to get carried away with a nautical theme, but resist the urge to overdo it or you risk having your home look like a seafood restaurant! Use a subtle touch with furniture and fabrics in shades of ecru, using soothing blues and maybe a pop of red here and there for accents. Avoid clutter by having only one major focal point per room and seek ways to make your approach somewhat understated. For example, simple wood trim in a rope design can be used as a chair rail. Painted in the similar tone as the wall, it will add textural interest without overwhelming you.

Article by Jessica Ackerman from WallDecorandHomeAccents – the place to go for discount wall art and contemporary wall art clocks.

Here are a few guidelines for creating a nautical room your child will love.

1. Make sure your child is involved in the process: He or she might like fish better than pirates or boats better than lighthouses. Getting your child involved is will make him feel like his opinion matters. Bring your child along when shopping and make a day of it. Make a budget before you start and stick to it. Sheets and curtains in a nautical theme are fairly inexpensive, but a new bed shaped like a boat could cost a lot.

2. Re-do the walls: In a few years, your child’s tastes will change and paint is the easiest way to go. If you opt for wallpaper, make sure that it is one that can be easily stripped and carefully follow all preparation directions. Instead of applying wall paper top to bottom, you can go with just a wallpaper border at the top of the wall. Or use the border at chair rail height; paint the room blue below the border and white or off-white above for a fun look. It’s easy to match paint to the exact colors in the border at your favorite home improvement store.

3. Add furniture: If you are buying new furniture because your child is moving up from a crib or smaller bed, dark brown furniture is a good choice. It will last for years and can be adapted later to another theme. A trundle bed is a great choice for a nautical theme. A bed that is shaped like a boat is fun, but be forewarned that it won’t be tolerated when your child becomes a teenager. If you can’t afford new furniture, shop garage sales or consignment shops for used desks, bookshelves, dressers and so forth. You can make different pieces of furniture work together by painting or staining them. Paint a piece like a bookshelf or bedside table in a contrasting color for fun. White paint is an obvious choice for a girl’s furniture; brown or shades of blue work well for a boy. Shades of yellow, red or green are other possibilities.

4. Accessorize: The options for nautical accents and accessories are nearly as boundless as the sea. An old trunk can become a pirate’s treasure chest. A thrift shop bird cage can be home to a toy parrot. Sailboats, picture frames, figurines, lamps, pillows, blankets – all with a nautical theme – are available at your favorite stores or online. Embellish walls with nautical wall art such as posters and prints, anchors, oars, driftnets and fishing poles. Colorful tropical fish wall art can swim above a bed or across a wall.
Whether it’s fish, pirates or boats, you child will love this fun and exciting space that you’ve created just for him or her.

Jessica Ackerman is a head author at Wall Decor and Home Accents, where you can find wooden wall sculptures, and more unique iron scroll wall art.

Coffee Shop Design Tip 1
First decide on a theme and then choose the colors that will enhance your theme. The buildings and types of shops in your neighborhood might suggest a theme. Is the general setting historic, contemporary, urban, rustic, industrial or traditional. You don’t have to match the neighborhood, but you can complement what might already be there, such as brick interior walls or exposed metal beams.

Keep in mind that your goal is too create a relaxing atmosphere so customers will linger and drink more coffee. Deep neutrals have a soothing effect. Use vibrant colors in the storefront window to attract customers inside and repeat those colors in accents and at the service counter where the Baristas whip up foam on the cappuccinos.

Choose furniture that complements your theme in color, tone and material. Natural wood tables always look warm and inviting, and they are easily wiped clean. If you have the space for couches and upholstered chairs, choose comfortable pieces in fabrics that are colorfast and easy to clean.

Coffee Shop Design Tip 2
Before you buy one piece of equipment or furniture, hire a certified space planner who can help you design furniture and equipment layout for maximum efficiency. Both employees and customer must be able to move about freely. Of course you will have to comply with local building and restaurant codes but go the extra step with an architect, space planner or interior designer to get the most efficient use of your space.

Coffee Shop Design Tip 3
Once the equipment is installed and the furniture is in place, use accent pieces to carry the theme throughout your shop. Lamps, wall art, mirrors, framed posters and paintings, sculpture and local memorabilia add visual interest and personality. Make sure your accents follow through on your theme. For instance, fleur-de-lis artwork conveys the elegance of European royalty or the French flavor of Old New Orleans. Modern wall decor has the clean uncluttered look that matches a contemporary scheme.

Coffee Shop Design Tip 4
Lighting is crucial to atmosphere and ambiance. Stay away from florescent lighting which is harsh and screams ‘discount store’ instead of ‘chic and trendy’. If your shop is also an internet café, that area will need brighter task lighting than the lounging area. Again, a certified interior designer or architect can help you avoid costly mistakes and achieve the desired effect.

Pay attention to design detail to get customers through the door. In today’s competitive market, the ambiance you create needs to be as good as your management skill, your crew and the coffee and pastries you serve.

Article by Jessica Ackerman from Wall Decor and Home Accents – where you can find unique canvas art and large wall artwork to match any decor.

1. Color Choices and Theme
Choice of color is paramount in defining the mood of a room. Light neutral shades are often a good choice in a living room because they will brighten the room and enhance a feeling spaciousness. This is especially important if there is not a lot of natural light in a room. It is also easier to choose furnishings, floor coverings, window treatments and decorative pieces when you have a neutral background to build upon.
Various colors have a direct affect on your mood. Hot colors like yellow and red are energizing and cool colors like blue and green have a relaxing effect. You can have color in a tranquil atmosphere: Consider a neutral or cool background with a sprinkling of hot colors for interesting accents. Paint is the easiest thing to change. So if you already have furniture and carpet or flooring that you intend to keep, choose a paint color that will coordinate and enhance the mood.

2. Function & Furniture Arrangement
If you’ve been using the room over time you may be stuck in a rut. You’ve always had the sofa on this wall and loveseat on that wall, etc. A good way to break free of this is to empty the room of all furniture and start over. Choose a focal point. It could be a fireplace, a piece of artwork, a piano or the sofa itself. Build on this focal point by arranging the rest of your furniture around it. This will help give visual sense to the room. If you have a very large room, you may be able to have more than one seating area.
It’s important to think about how you use the room and the flow of traffic. Experiment with furniture placement to achieve a look that is open and uncluttered and allows you to watch TV, listen to music, read, or do whatever you like to do in the room.
When you’re satisfied with the arrangement of the largest pieces, bring back accessories like lamps and area rugs and experiment with those. You may end up with an entirely new room that works better than ever.

3. Light Up Your Options
Much of the lighting in newer homes is overhead recessed lighting. A dimmer switch can help you control the intensity of these lights depending on your needs. Even with overhead lighting, it’s important to add individual floor or table lamps for reading or other tasks. Consider wall sconces on dimmers that will allow you to change the atmosphere at will. Candles that can be lit when you are in the room add even more ambiance.

4. Accents and Elegance
Room accents present an opportunity to bring your personal style into a living room. Pictures, paintings, metal sculpture, lamp bases, flowers and plants, mirrors and antiques all lend a sense of history and interest to a room. Use repeated color to keep a sense of continuity in a room. This will allow you to freely mix newer pieces with antiques or heirlooms.

Weave a thread of old world gentility through your living room with fleur-de-lis wall art. The fleur-de-lis, which means flower of the lily, is recognized as a symbol of purity and perfection. Its history is centuries old and is associated with French and English royalty. While is has strictly ornamental purposes today, it always lends an air of refinement and elegance. The symbol can be found in fleur-de-lis wall art, as well as in fabric, sculpture and furniture design.

With just a little thought about how you use the space, your living room can be everything that you want it to be: A lively, beautiful expression of your good taste where family and friends feel welcome and special.

Find dozens more articles like this at Wall Decor and Home Accents, where you can also find also large wall artwork and home decor wall art.

Wrought iron blends as well in a contemporary homes as in a traditional homes. The simplicity of metal offers architectural interest and timeless simplicity that works in virtually any setting.

Here are some tips for decorating with wrought iron.

1. Start on a small scale
A little bit of wrought iron goes a long way. Start with small accessories in wrought iron, such as table lamps, plate hangers, or photo frames. The black color of wrought iron naturally attracts your eye, so be careful not to overwhelm.

2. Decorate with wrought iron wall hangings
Metal wall sculpture in wrought iron can provide a unique focal point. You could also introduce wrought iron into a room with other wall hangings like sconces, clocks, picture frames, shelves and mirrors. The open design of wrought iron wall hangings lets your wall color show through, so you never have to worry about clashing colors.

3. Add ambiance with wrought iron candleholders
Wrought iron candleholders bring a whole new dimension to the warmth of candle glow. With styles, shapes and sizes to fit any décor, candleholders can be grouped for a dynamic effect. Maximize the impact by grouping candleholders together in groups of 3 or 5, instead of spreading them throughout a room.
Wrought iron candleholders can be used just about anywhere. They will add grace and distinction to your mantle, coffee table, or side tables. For a truly dramatic look try them in glass hurricanes or glass candle cylinders. This look works in both contemporary and traditional settings. One large wrought iron holder set in a giant glass cylinder is a perfect centerpiece on a dining table. You can surround the candle with a flower or fruit arrangement.

4. Make a statement with a wrought iron chandelier.
Whether you’ve been searching for a light fixture that is contemporary, traditional or old world, a wrought iron chandelier will add the perfect flavor to your dining space. Shop online for the greatest variety of style and size options.

5. Showcase staircases or gates with timeless wrought iron
Wrought iron is an obvious pick for bringing a sophisticated air to staircases, whether indoors or out. Railing, spindles and stair treads are available that will complement any style of décor. Wrought iron is also the obvious choice of adding eye appeal to outdoor fencing and gates. It is durable, secure and class in appeal.
Whether you wish to accentuate the positive inside or outside your home, wrought iron always adds a touch of classic sophistication and elegance.

Jessica Ackerman is the senior staff writer for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com – a unique wall art store specializing in modern design wall clocks and iron scroll wall art.

When decorating your walls, you’re only limited by your imagination. Let me share a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing again.

1. Pictures

Personal photos can make a chic and stylish statement. The key is to create continuity. Framed family photos have the most impact when composed around a subject or theme, such as vacations. Or, try grouping photos of grandparents and parents in their youth with photos of your own children. This is especially effective if all the photos are in black and white. No matter what theme you choose, go with a uniform frame color or finish. This will keep the arrangement from looking cluttered and disorganized.

2. Paintings

While paintings are traditional decorative items, they work whether your style is classic or cutting edge. Make a big impact with one large painting or a grouping of smaller paintings. It’s particularly important with groupings, however, that they are connected by theme and color.

The size of the painting is dictated by the size the wall: not so large that it’s overwhelming and not so small that it is lost. The painting should be hung so that the center is approximately at eye level. You can pick up on bold colors in the room or you can play off muted colors in your choice of mats and frames. Your most important consideration is that the painting and frame complement the décor of the room. While today’s trend is eclectic, there should be some common thread that ties the painting to the rest of the room.

3. Sculpture

Two-dimensional sculpture is a great way to add texture and depth to your wall whether you decide on one large sculpture or a grouping of smaller ones. Choose the section of wall that will be your focal point and imagine that space outlined by a rectangle. Now fill that imaginary rectangle with a sculptural grouping that is related by theme or material.

4. Carpet and rugs

Classically beautiful carpets, such as Persian rugs, make a dramatic wall statement. Again, because these carpets have intricate designs, make sure that they work with the overall theme and style of your room. Large rugs can be exquisite when the wall has a high ceiling or is open from a second level, but they may be too dominant on standard eight foot walls.

5. Unconventional materials

Unusual items like salvaged mantels add architectural interest to your walls. Shelves that may have once served a utilitarian purpose can house a favorite shabby-chic collection. Pieces of weathered fencing look great in a garden themed room. Plate hangers make it easy to create a composition of dinner plates on a dining room wall.

6. Wallpaper

Wallpaper is essentially design on a large scale. There are plain and patterned papers to match every style, from traditional broad stripes to laid-back grass cloth. Whether you lean toward contemporary sleek or Victorian floral, wallpapers should be the backdrop upon which you layer the rest of your décor.

7. Lights

Lighting makes all the difference in the impact of wall décor. Use spotlights to highlight various pieces of art. Or cluster spots so that their beams project patterns on a blank wall and create a totally unique, always changeable work of art.

Jessica Ackerman is the senior staff writer for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com – a unique wall art store specializing in iron scroll wall art and wooden wall sculptures.