Home Decoration Pro

Home Decoration Pro; “Easy Off” Wall Coverings

There are quite a number of “Easy Off” wall coverings available from different sources, but I only know of one that allows you to submit a photo of what you want and within minutes place your order for up to a 20′ x 20′ wall covering. With a new season just ahead of us (Fall/2011) this may be a great time to make a change in your wall decor. There is a new start up company I’m referring to by the name of InkShuffle.com. After an extensive site review and comparison search, here are some details about the products and services they offer:

coverings are easily removed without wall damage or paint removal

smaller size of 3′ x 3′ starts at $54.90

7′ x 8′ example of Thanksgiving Bounty is $246.96

murals, posters & canvas wraps

installation very similar to wallpaper

over 2,000,000 stock designs advertised on site

30 different categories in murals

high quality digital photos accepted for printing

murals can be cropped, filtered and customized

pre-pasted

requires at least two people and 24″ water trays for installation

Flower background "Easy - Off" Design

I’ve included one of the better images that illustrates a stock pattern example that may be acceptable for some Victorian decor if you don’t mind the untextured semi gloss designs.
I found the site to be interesting and flexible for using one’s own art files, however I don’t visualize recommending their stock art for most professional offices or high end homes. The semi gloss scenes, patterns, and photos may work well for some, but they’re not my style . So much of what I reviewed was pop art, Asian scenic graphics, children’s room art, city scenes, pictures of cows…….you get the idea. If that’s what you’re looking for you can choose from one of the 30 categories, and actually kids and young adults may actually love them. The other option is to submit your own art, but the final product will be a flat, semi-gloss, untextured surface. Colors will be vivid, and installation will be similar to wallpaper, but cosmopolitan it’s not.

Halloween Theme for your wall.

I’m sure they have a great niche producing wall coverings from their customer’s own art, but for me a semi-gloss photo on the wall doesn’t cut it. One thing to remember is that with a photographic mural on your wall your stuck with it until you change it. There’s no logical way to alter the decor of the “Halloween Theme,” and how long do you want to celebrate Halloween? Using more traditional patterns you can decorate with your favorite framed art, wall sconces, or other wall art. There are quite a number of patterns available with a repetitive theme, but none I like. The idea of a wall photo scene is too limiting. I had a wall photo when I was a teenager and it was fun for awhile, but then I got tired of the same scene day after day and outgrew the concept. What’s your opinion of this wall covering format? Am I being too critical of them? It’s for you to decide.

My Best, Billy Goldmark Silky Flower Store

Home Decoration Pro; Decorating Ideas With Velcro

Perhaps I should say “decorating with the use of Velcro,” but I got your attention and you’ll be glad to learn about the new system Velcro (registered brand name) has put together for attaching your favorite wall decor without damaging your walls. Not only that, but it’s going to be easy to use and no mess. As of the writing of this post, it’s probably not even available yet in most of the retail outlets that are scheduled to receive them first. I checked with our local Staples store, which is supposed to be one of the first, and they hadn’t even heard of it yet. I have a sample on order, and plan on doing a hands on review after it comes in, but it looks so promising I decided YOU need to know about it ASAP. Here are some of the advantages I see:

Ease of use
No damage to walls
Can hold up to 4 pounds
Easy to remove your art for cleaning & replace
Inexpensive
Remove cleanly
Versatile for many uses
No tools needed
Easy to level decor item
Low profile
Works on any smooth surface
Sets available for poster installations

So lets get into the details so you can stop knocking holes in your walls while trying to place your favorite wall sconces, pictures, or art designs on that empty wall space (or replace that old piece your mother-in-law gave you). There’s no need to be stressed anymore about placing your art productions onto your smooth walls if your art weighs less than 4 pounds and has enough smooth surfaces to attach the Velcro strips. “Each fastener set (1.5″ x 1″ strip & 1.75″ sq) holds up to 1 lb., do not hang items over 4 lbs.” Just clean the wall areas where your strips will go and place the Velcro with “hooks” pointing upward. There are even arrows on the Velcro backing to help you get that right. Then remove the covering for the adhesive. After applying the strips to the art in the areas needed, typically 2 corners for lighter pictures and 4 corners for heavier pictures, you need to remove the adhesive covers that will be pressed against the wall. Now, press firmly in at least a relatively level position. Now your picture is firmly attached to your wall…….except it may not be quite level. No problem, as now you can lift the picture upward slightly on the side that needs to be adjusted. Got it? Okay, now press firmly again and it looks great! You’re such a Pro! So in other words, you can adjust or even completely remove the picture for cleaning and then replace in seconds without hassle.

Poster being applied with Velcro tabs.

Posters and memo boards are not usually considered a decor item, but they can be useful in certain situations and if you work with them in the office or classroom you will find the new Velcro system to work beautifully with its versatility and lack of any damage to the item or the wall. No torn corners on the poster when you remove it from the wall (like tape), or left over tape on the wall or thumb tack wholes. Done with the poster? It’s easy to remove the adhesive from the poster without damage as it peels right off.

Another option offered for the holidays is Velcro garland ties which may also work with wreaths (not yet confirmed). Garlands can be strapped to outdoor rails, and I’m thinking a couple of ties carefully placed may be able to hold a wreath to a wall (indoor or out) which would make installation quick, easy, and painless.

So that’s pretty much it “in a nutshell.” That should save you some time and grief the next time you’re ready to apply a light weight object to a smooth surface wall, or maybe that new wreath or wall sconce set. Now the only problem is “What should I put in that empty space?”

Now, if you’re ready to see it in action check out the short video. You’re welcome!

Billy Goldmark, Silky Flower Store

Home Decoration Pro; Carnival “Breeze” Ship Tropical Decor

Ok, so lets do something a little different today and take a cruise while we’re discussing décor trends (yes, on a cruise ship). We’ll be reviewing the exciting new decor of the yet to cruise Carnival Cruise Ship “Breeze” (maiden voyage, June, 2012). If you’re planning that special relaxing tropical retreat at home or in your specialized business, this will help get those design juices flowing in the right direction. Take a sneak peak and enjoy a sampling of cruise ship pictures and historical background to see what all the excitement is about. Put on your life preserver and here we go! Well that may not be necessary. We’re not cruising on the Titanic.

The biggest problem I see with all of the Carnival Cruise line décor until now is little or no relaxing themes that include plant life or natural flora to promote the vacation aura. Fortunately, on the Breeze I found evidence the designers realized the need for it in their new tropical theme where it’s displayed perfectly. “Created by Germany-based Partner Ship Design, this striking new tropical design theme will be carried out in the ship’s public spaces, as well as staterooms which will offer a combination of bright colors and soothing pastel hues, with iconic images of palm trees and other island-inspired elements adorning hallway corridors,” as mentioned by Cruise Planners.

Previous Carnival Cruise ships have been designed by Joe Farcus since the early 1990’s and his décor themes seemed to have no limits. Bright, glitzy colors, and nothing left unconsidered in flashy designs is what “Carnival” has been all about. Some people prefer all the flashiness and casino style designs of the Las Vegas strip, but it was time to design another theme for clientele who considered all Carnival ships having strictly a party boat atmosphere. You can find the flashy casino theme on the Las Vegas strip whenever you’re ready to go, and you can depart when ready, however I haven’t noticed Las Vegas floating around the Caribbean lately.

Carnival Decor on the "Miracle"

For those who love the glitzy style that’s fine, but for the rest a much more relaxing Caribbean atmosphere is what a vacation is all about. I’m elated to see this theme in the Carnival “Breeze” with its realistic trees and plant life and a tropical design the whole family is going to enjoy. This relaxing style is something anyone can incorporate into their own home or even business where warranted (restaurants, hotel lobbies, offices,etc.). Take a look at how inviting the “Plaza” and “Plaza 2″ is in the 2nd and 3rd pictures. Soft tones and lighting, uncrowded, nice gentle lines, and the use of tropical palms and greenery to add some life to this gentle environment. The result is a greatly enhanced and friendly atmosphere thanks to the understanding and thoughtfulness of Carnival’s new Germany-based Partner Ship Design Team.

Relaxing Caribbean Decor on the "Breeze"

Who knows, maybe I’ll be able to help Carnival recoup some of their invested Italian Lire for this new 14 deck, 360,000 ton ocean liner that departs on its maiden voyage June 3, 2012 (now booking according to Carnival) from Venice, Italy. Better yet, this will help you realize it’s really not all that hard to come up with a great new design for that special area using a tropical theme with a few realistic artificial trees and silk plants that are easy on the maintenance and pocket book.

Caribbean decor on the "Breeze"

In case you’d like to see a video of your chosen Carnival ship here’s a link, but most are advertisements and up to 10 minutes long. (Only a few on the first page have been previewed by us, so we can’t verify their safety). Don’t expect to find tropical designs here……just party atmosphere. Oh well, we all like a party once in awhile.

My Best, Billy Goldmark

Silky Flower Store