Archive for April, 2011

April 24th, 2011

Accent Windows

The right accent element in a room can be the difference between a tame and bland decor and a design that really pops. Lots of design guides and gurus will talk about how to use a different shade of paint to create an accent wall or how accessories become accent pieces in a cohesive room design. A good trick is to use windows as the accent of a room, especially if they are of a unique shape and size or if they offer a beautiful view.

Window treatments usually come down to a question of blinds versus drapery. The age old question addresses everything from function to cleaning. A better question to ask is one of style. Now that window blinds come in so many different materials, textures, colors, and even patterns, they provide just as many design options as curtains. Some people find that a combination of blinds and curtains creates a unique accent to a room.

Some home owners do choose to leave their windows uncovered. Instead, they may install a window cornice or valance to frame the window, but leave the view unobstructed. This is a great way to use design elements to accent a window or to provide that final something extra to make the room memorable.

April 17th, 2011

Types of Menu Covers

Any good chef will tell you that presentation is a key element in creating a successful dish. Any savvy restaurant owner will tell you that the presentation of the restaurant itself is crucial to a successful dining experience. This is why restaurateurs spend so much time on seemingly insignificant details like selecting the perfect cutlery patterns, picking attractive table linens, and choosing the right restaurant menu covers .

A good menu cover is going to be functional yet aesthetically pleasing. It will protect and enhance the menu while contributing to the overall ambiance and feel of the establishment. This is why menu covers are available in such a wide range of materials, styles, colors, and designs. They can also be custom made to suit the needs of a given restaurant.

The most basic covers are made of clear plastic. This design is mostly about function; they protect the menus from damage and dirt. On the high end are thick leather folder or bound covers with embossed logos. These are usually colored to match the restaurant’s decor . For specialty restaurants, covers are now available in several environmentally friendly and recycled materials that are in line with the philosophies of farm to table, vegan and organic eateries.

April 1st, 2011

Antique Maps

The public imagination is instantly riveted by stories of rare paintings by master artists being discovered in old attics or hidden behind piles of boxes in a garage. The idea that someone could have something of value without even realizing it is part of the notion of becoming rich overnight. Similar stories can be told of those who find a rare, old map of europe that is later authenticated to be worth thousands of dollars to museums and collectors. While the scale of value is less, the dream of finding a hidden gem is the same.

Rare maps are very hard to come by, as the name suggests. They are displayed in museums or enshrined by collectors who take great care to preserve and protect them from damage. These are usually original, hand drawn maps dating back centuries. In some cases, as with postage stamps, a printed map may be famous for having a specific error or for having played a specific role in history.

Antique maps include these rare finds as well as countless other maps that have aged well. Well preserved maps from the early twentieth century are now antiques. New collectors need to be wary of maps that claim to be historic but are actually reproductions or maps created at a later date. An old map of the world may be a true antique or it may be a modern reproduction of the original.