Decorating Country Style on a Budget

By John Rutledge

Contemporary country style decorating is about clean lines, basic structure, good bones, soft color schemes and simple furniture. It's an aesthetic that is warm, inviting and hearkens back to a simpler time when design was basic and everything was well made.

Keep reading to learn how you can implement a contemporary country style in your home while still staying on budget.

1. Start by painting the room in a subdued color, typically a cream or soft white with a milk-paint finish. You want a color that will not take away from the simple beauty of the room and will show age with grace. For just a few dollars a gallon, you will be that much closer to your country style.

2. Look for country furniture that exudes a simple, but sturdy feel. The look you are going for is rustic and worn, but strong. Ask around at flea markets, thrift shops, garage sales and antique markets for "farm furniture" or "shaker furniture."

Typically, you are looking for basic items that are simply colored, made of wood and free of flourishes or intricate design embellishments.

3. Tone down your window dressings with simple, single-sheeted, white or gingham-print curtains. Instead of splurging on fancy blinds and intricate curtain designs, opt for a simpler look that is fresh and will give your home a farmhouse-feel.

4. Choose country themed fabrics like checked ginghams or tiny, vintage prints. Most boutique upholsterers will carry replicas of classic patterns, or you can go hunting in antique stores and fabric shops for authentic, vintage fabrics. One enterprising designer made country style curtains out of a 1930s farm dress.

5. Update your fixtures with rustic-themed light fixtures, wrought iron light switches and antique vent coverings. Look for classic antiques, or opt for newer items that are made to look weathered.

6. Make new furniture old by distressing it yourself. Start by battering the wood with a hammer, carving scratches with a knife and digging a couple wormholes with your axe. Then sand down the entire piece to remove any leftover paint or finish. Follow this with a dark glaze that will work to highlight your newly afflicted scars. And finally, an application of clear paste wax will seal it.

7. Look for handmade accessories to add a final rustic touch to your space. Wicker baskets, hand-knit blankets and hand-shaped pottery are all beautiful accent pieces that can really pull out the splendor in a room without breaking the bank.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Rutledge

Moving Your Vehicle Across Country

By Kimberly Zittlow

In most situations, your vehicle will be transported on an eight or 10-car carrier, the same kind of trucks used to deliver new cars to dealerships across the country. These trucks are 75 to 80 feet long and about 13 feet high. They can be difficult to maneuver and are limited to major roads that are free of low hanging trees and low clearance bridges. Make sure you are aware of this fact when directing the truck to the pick-up location or to your home. If the full sized auto transporter is unable to safely and legally fit into your neighborhood, it may become necessary to drop your vehicle off at a terminal (AKA: local towing company)

When an auto transporter refers to a "pick up window" they are referring to the time surrounding your pick up date. For instance some shippers may have a 14 day window - that way they can pick your vehicle up anywhere between seven days before and seven days after your pick up date. Lower priced carriers will not specify their pick up dates, you however may receive an outstanding price. The down side is that you may not see your vehicle for four or five weeks.

Make sure that the cheap car transport company you choose shows proof of their federal license and insurance requirements (FMCA). There are many transport companies that do not carry the federal license, bond, or insurance requirements, and will move your car for a low fee, but this leaves you unprotected against theft and damage.

When you are shopping around for an inexpensive car transport service confirm what the total cost of the shipping will be right up front, this will help identify any hidden costs that may arise during the transport, like a fuel surcharge or extra road insurance. As you obtain quotes from several car transport and auto shipping companies, be prepared to provide: origin of pick-up destination, departure date, size and type of cars, type of car transport service you need like door-to-door car transport as opposed to terminal-to-terminal.

Terminal-to-terminal is almost always cheaper. Special car mover or auto shipping requests will usually incur additional costs. If your vehicle is not delivered within the agreed upon dates some cheaper auto transport companies will reimburse you some amount of cash per day towards the rental of an automobile, keep your receipts.

With today's multitude of competing car transport businesses, your chances for finding cheap car transport services are excellent, you can be assured that your search for the best inexpensive car transport service will not go unrewarded.

Transfermycar.com provides detailed information about car transport services and trailers, as well as advice on locating an cheap, domestic and international car transport company for your standard, classic, or exotic car. For more information go to http://www.transfermycar.com

Achieving the Italian Country Look

By Andrew Caxton

The charm that is part of the Italian country style of decorating is an excellent way to make improvements in your house with an atmosphere that is informal yet elegant at the same time. If you're a fan of earth shades with color splashes as well as antique pottery and painted items that possess a country look and feel, the Italian country decor will great appeal to you. When your home includes Italian interior decorating themes, it's easy to create the feel of the Tuscany countryside regardless of where you live.

How to Achieve the Italian Country Look
Treatments for your windows are an integral part of all designs, and the right ones can make your home look professional. With an Italian theme, the idea is to allow an earth and decorative atmosphere to permeate throughout your home, so keep this in mind when you choose curtains, draperies, or window shutters. Since this design is one of simplistic styling, curtains are the best choice. Another option is to use sheer curtains topped with a valance for a look that is more sophisticated.

If you're looking to have your home to stand out, choose the perfect accessories such as artwork and bric-a-brac that impart a simple yet elegant country look. For this you want to choose items that have country styling with an Italian finesse. You might consider adding a touch of color with the aura of Italy by decorating with majolica pottery. By including some designs of your own, you will add some unique style to your home.

Light fixtures can complete your Italian country theme exquisitely. You have two options in regards to lighting equipment for this decorating style—stay with a simplistic country theme or choose something with a more ornamental "Italian" styling to it. For something that has a simple design, use traditional style simplistic lighting. On the other hand, if you would like to display elegance, use lamps or chandeliers with plenty of hanging crystals.

Using Furniture and Floor Coverings to Enhance Your Room
The furniture you use should enhance the interior decorating theme you use and add a spark of interest to the room as well. With this theme, oak and pine pieces work quite well, but if you're looking to add elegance and make your room appear more formal, you may want to include some cherry as well as mahogany pieces.

To complete your decorating theme, you must make sure that you have the appropriate area rugs to coordinate with this decorating scheme. Since your floor coverings are an integral part of your interior decorating style, you must make a decision on a rug that blends with the color scheme and the decorating theme. If you use minimal color tones with your rugs, you will have no problem with your flooring complementing your design positively. Depending on the other furnishings in your room, you may be able to use Oriental rugs, but if you want a look that is more country, stay with a plain rug in a beige color.

It isn't hard to accessorize your home in an Italian interior decorating style if you get in touch with your creative side. If you choose the pieces that are the most appropriate, your room will look like a professional decorated it.

Andrew Caxton is the author of many resources on living rooms related topics published at http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com . For additional information on interiors italian interior decorating ideas subjects have a look at his web.