Note: I was compensated by WellnessMats to try their mat in my home. All views and opinions are strictly my own.

I don’t know about you, but the holidays always means cooking, cooking and more cooking. While the idea of cooking is wonderful, the idea of standing on my tile floor in my kitchen for hours kills my back. After about 1 hour in I have to go put on sneakers to stand in my own kitchen. I had bought a relief or fatigue mat to stand on, you know those type they stand on in Walmart behind the cash register? Well it was really ugly and my cat started laying on it more than me!

I was thrilled when WellnessMats introduced me to their new line of mats that are thick, springy and get this… beautiful.

Bring Comfort to Your Holiday Kitchen with WellnessMats

Watch this WellnessMats video to see how their mats are different than the rest.

You can click here to watch the video.

Here’s a few reasons why you will love these mats:

Why are WellnessMats the #1 preferred anti-fatigue mat on the market?

• You stand on it, we’ll stand behind it…backed by our comprehensive 7-year performance warranty.
• Our anti-fatigue mats are 100% Made in the USA.
• Guaranteed to always lie flat, WellnessMats no-trip, ADA-compliant, beveled edges will never curl, preventing hazardous falls.
• Accepted and backed by the American Podiatric Medical Association as well as the American Chiropractic Association
• Non-slip top and bottom surfaces certified by the National Floor Safety Institute

Why I love the WellnessMats:

I’ve been standing on the Coconut colored WellnessMat from the Antique Collection for the last month in my kitchen and it’s like standing on a sponge. It’s airy but firm, and it doesn’t lose its firmness underfoot like some mats I’ve used in the past. My holiday cooking this season will be welcomed. If you ever have back or leg fatigue in any of your rooms with hard resilient flooring materials I encourage you to try one.

“Comprised of two Collections, Essentials & Coastal, the Estates Collection marries the proven performance one expects from WellnessMats with the colors and sensibility of a well-appointed country home or secluded shoreline retreat. The result is a palette inspired by place and informed by the elements, processes and timeless grandeur of nature. Coastal celebrates the seascape in its perfection – the spray of sea, the sand and the wind. Essentials reveals in the rich, robust textures of the earth – precious stones & nuanced metallics. Estates embodies the patinas of time and celebrates, geologic perfection and elegance. WellnessMats is unveiling 27 new color ways in total, available in four embossed designs and two sizes. With the addition of the Estates Collection, WellnessMats now offers over 200 new color and pattern options to suit every taste. Transforming a once perceived ‘floor mat’ into a paradise for fatigued feet, joints, and limbs, the home is now transformed into a retreat.” – WellnessMats

They can also be used in these other rooms of your home:

• Kitchen
• Bathroom
• Entryway
• Foyer
• Outdoors
• Garden Area
• Basement
• Office/Standing Desks
• Garage

WellnessMats Color Options:

They come in a variety of colors and styles to match every decor. Take a look at their Pinterest board: Colorways of the Week to see how their fabulous colors match your furniture, flooring, home decor and more. Whether it’s the holidays or any time of year, try WellnessMats to give a break to your body and to add decorative flair to your home.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

One of the best ways to enhance your interior by improving your walls with DIY picture frame ideas. You may do it in various ways like repainting, redecorating or anything that would make your wall to stand out. With beautiful walls, your home will look gorgeous and stunning.

Hanging decorative frames can add life into your bare walls. These frames provide color, texture and vibrancy of your interior. Wall frames are so attractive that anyone can’t miss looking at whatever design you have for your frames. Here are some DIY wall frame ideas that you can work during your free time:

DIY Picture Frame Ideas for your Artwork 

Textile wall art

This type of wall frame is so easy to make. A textile wall art only needs a few materials that you can find at home. If you have extra fabric that is stuck in your closet for a long time, you can use it for this project. The materials needed are the fabric, art panel, adhesive and staple gun. First, pull the fabric against the art panel and fold its edges. Secure each fold with staple to hold the fabric firm and sturdy. Use a variety of fabric colors and textures for better result.

Image via: Brit + Co.

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Contemporary plate wall

The contemporary plate wall is a unique way of making wall frames for your interior. This is really a quick and easy makeover idea using modern plates as the medium for your wall canvass. To do this, pick attractive plates you have in different styles and shapes. Then, attach them in a random setting on your wall. Modern plates don’t need any artwork since the plate design itself is already a masterpiece.

Image via: Houzz

Glass-less frame panels

Believe it or not, your art panel can be a great stand-alone decorative piece for your walls. For this project, you need the art panel (any size and shape), semi-gloss paint and hooks. You have to paint the art panel with a semi-gloss paint of your choice. Let the paint dry and then carefully hang the art panels on the wall.

Image via: Martha Stewart

It’s exciting to know that you have these great selections of wall frame ideas for your interior. Feel free to choose any of these frame wall ideas and see how your interior looks better. What DIY Picture Frame Ideas do you have in your home?

For more creative home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

]]> https://stagetecture.com/diy-picture-frame-ideas-for-your-artwork/feed/ 0 61981 https://stagetecture.com/olioboard-inspiration-winter-home-ideas/ https://stagetecture.com/olioboard-inspiration-winter-home-ideas/#respond Thu, 09 Jan 2014 12:30:32 +0000 https://stagetecture.com/?p=61620 Entry #3181, January 9, 2014

Today we continue Stagetecture’s feature ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘. Before you were inspired by – ‘Celebrating 7 Inspiring Kwanzaa Principles ‘ from Tameka Brice. Today, I feature Madeline Jones who is a member of the the Facebook Olioboard Fan Room group and she gives us inspiring ways to bring your winter home out of a New Year’s funk. See how she helps make your home cozy and welcoming this winter.

To see all the past Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration members on Pinterest click here.

Olioboard Inspiration #61

‘Bringing Winter Ideas to your New Year’s Home ’ – Madeline Jones

After the holidays, the weather outside may be frightful but your home decor can be delightful. Decorating can be easily done on a budget. Switch out vases and bowls for those in metallics like silver, copper and gold. A vase can be spray painted with metallic colors for a few dollars.

Use nature to bring winter inspiration

Fill an empty vase with some pine tree branches for an inexpensive touch of winter. Rather than spending money to redecorate an entire room, pillows can be replaced to warmer tones like rich, dark blues or plaids. Take photos of winter scenery around town and enlarge them to prop up on the mantle. Very nice, inexpensive frames can be purchased and spray painted as well. Winter related items at thrift shops like old sleighs can be used for centerpieces and filled with pine branches and pine cones or some favorite potpourri. Glass apothecary jars can be placed on the mantle or console table and filled with artificial lights, fake snow with mini trees, candles or wine corks. Even though the holidays are over, decor can still be warm, festive and inviting.

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Winter Ideas for your interiors

Walk around your outdoor home and bring in inspiring natural elements or visit your local craft store for branches, pine cones, straw, evergreen and rocks for a beautiful tablescape in your dining room or foyer table. Winter ideas shouldn’t be hard to incorporate into your everyday life. The winter should be a time to enjoy the coziness of your interiors. Use these ideas to create a winter home you will love to stay home in!

About Madeline Jones

You can follow my designs on Olioboard.

For more Olioboard ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

The cooler fall weather is upon us! And as a typical early fall season tends to go, the nights and mornings are cool and the afternoons get hot. With these daily fluctuating temperatures, how do we keep your home energy efficient? Here are just a few tips to keep you and your home at just the right temperature this fall without breaking the bank.

Keep windows open or closed for fresh air:

Since the evening and early morning hours are the coolest at this time of year, it only makes sense to open your windows nice and wide at night.  I hear you, what about security? Well, consider just opening your upper floor windows while you sleep, allowing for fresh, cool air to come in while keeping the house safe and secure at the same time. (Keep an extra blanket near your bed, in case you get chilly in the middle of the night).  Make sure to close your windows and drapes around 10 a.m. before the afternoon heat sets in. This will ensure your home retains the cool air for as long as possible. The best thing about this plan? You can avoid turning on the costly air conditioner!

Line Dry Your Clothes:

Image via: Pinterest

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Yes, it seems old-fashioned, but line drying your clothes is not just for Grandma.  Our Grandparents did this because it was financially efficient.  Take advantage of these nice fall days and hang your clothes out on the line. After all, the sun is free!

Seal Your Windows:

Image via: Houzz

Sealing your windows is one of the simplest and most cost-efficient ways to make your home more energy efficient.  Inspect all your window and door frames for cracks or openings. Simply seal these cracks with a Low-expanding foam sealant. This will keep your doors and windows free of those chilly fall and winter drafts.

Image via: Houzz

Change Your Filter:

Another simple home efficiency step is to change your furnace filter on a regular basis, allowing for proper air flow through the ducts.  You may also want to have your heating system inspected and cleaned before the real chilly days of winter begin.

Use these tips this fall to save energy in your home on Stagetecture.

The long summer days have already come to their close. The fall season has officially started, as it is the beginning of September. As the temperature will gradually go down from now on, you should start thinking about conserving energy in your home. While keeping the inside of your house warm without losing money on your energy costs.

Image via: Mark Pinkerton vi360

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Utilize Natural Heat

If you have south-facing windows in your house, keep the curtains open during daytime to take advantage of the heat from the sun. Natural sunlight is a natural solution to keeping a place warm during the cooler days. While keeping the windows open at day, close them at night to reduce the chill from cold weather.

Image via: Gregory Carmichael

Adjusting the Temperature

Save the heating bills by adjusting the temperature of your house. Set the thermostat at a comfortable low level when you are at home and awake. When you are outside of your home or sleeping, you can set the temperature to 10-15 degrees. This little action will save nearly 10 percent on your cooling and heating bills in a year. If you find it irritating to change the temperature again and again, buy a programmable thermostat to make the job easier.

Cut on Fireplace Heat Loss

When you are not burning a fire, keep the fireplace damper closed. Warm air goes right up to the chimney through this damper. A heat-air exchange system and tempered glass doors in the fireplace will also bring the warm air back into the room. C-shaped metal tube-made grates will draw the room’s cold air into the fireplace and flow warm air back into the room.

Image via: Houzz

Seal the Leaks

Check your house to find any air leak around utility cut-through and seal it. Energy loss occurs through leaks made by cut-through for gaps around chimney, incomplete spaces behind closets and cupboards, pipes in wall, and recessed lights in insulated ceilings. Doors and windows may have leaks too. Seal them with chalk or weatherstripping.

Use Wood

Wood can be a very good element to prevent the energy loss of your home during the cold days. Take out the curtains or blinds of the windows and use wooden shutters instead because they help to insulate. Besides saving energy, they also add elegance to any space.

Image via: Decor City

Using wooden shelves is another effective way to save energy. Place these shelves above the heaters and radiators. Hot air from heaters and radiators usually goes straight up to the ceiling instead of spreading through a room. However, shelving above a heater or a radiator will prevent hot air going upward and help circulating it out and into the room. Place the shelving at least one foot above the heater or radiator to avoid a fire.

Numerous ways are there to save energy during the cold weather. Find out what will be convenient for you to do and apply them on your house.

For more green living ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Over your last vacation did you collect any sea shells. Sea shells are not only made for the beaches to look beautiful but for homes as well. You may have seen the beauty of sea shells when used in chandeliers, lamp shades, flower pots and other decorative items. All these sea shell creations are so beautiful to look at and perfect for display.

Image via: Home Decorators

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Fresh from a summer beach vacation, you may have picked some sea shells from the shore. These shells can be a start of a great decorative project. If you don’t have anything in mind yet, check out these beautiful ideas on using your vacation sea shells in your home interiors:

Mirror frame

If it’s a complete mirror enhancement you want, this is it! It’s a perfect makeover idea for your decorative and functional mirror at home. All you have to do is to attach the sea shells you collected at the beach on the mirror frame. You may do it in random or patterned. The sea shells will definitely turn your mirror into a highlight on your interior design.

Image via: Ciao Newport Beach

Table centerpiece

Sea shells are great decorative items on top of your table. Whether it’s your coffee table or living room table, these beautiful shells will certainly enhance your table setting. It’s so easy to have this project done. Actually, you just simply arranged the sea shells on top of your table and that should do it. You can add foliage, pots or any decorative item to pair up with the shells.

Bathroom window sills décor

Make your window sills more attractive by placing sea shells as decorative items. Just imagine how beautiful it looks like to have a series of clamshells on your bathroom window sills. This will provide you with a relaxing beach ambiance while doing your regular personal hygiene.

Image via: Pinterest

With seashells, you will never run out of beautiful decorative ideas. It’s a special gift of nature, not only for beaches, but also for home interiors. Well, you effort in picking sea shells is definitely worthwhile.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

]]> https://stagetecture.com/how-to-use-your-vacation-sea-shells-in-your-home-interiors/feed/ 0 50069 https://stagetecture.com/guest-blogger-5-benefits-of-drought-resistant-landscaping/ https://stagetecture.com/guest-blogger-5-benefits-of-drought-resistant-landscaping/#respond Tue, 18 Jun 2013 10:38:11 +0000 https://stagetecture.com/?p=50045 Guest Blogger #987, Entry #2533, June 18, 2013

Spring and summer are the seasons when people really get into landscaping. The sun shines longer, the weather is warmer and it’s the perfect time to plant new trees and flower bulbs. As a matter of fact, if there is any disadvantage to this time of year, it would be that sometimes extreme heat can lead to water droughts. When that happens, understandably, it’s not good for the all of the greenery that you’ve just invested in. Plus, it can end up costing you more money to keep your plants and flowers thriving.

That’s why we wanted to provide you with a list of five of the top benefits that come with having a drought resistant landscape design. That way, should you choose to do it, you can have a beautiful yard—even in the warmest of weather.

Image via: Rick Brazil

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1. Drought resistant plants can save your water bill.

Definitely, the main advantage that comes with having a drought-resistant landscape design is that you won’t need to use as much water to maintain it. This ultimately means having a lower water bill each month and when you can save money, that’s always a major bonus.

2. Learn about native plants

Sometimes, we select the kinds of plants and flowers that we put into our front and back yards simply based on how they look; however, by putting forth the effort to create a drought-resistant landscape, you’ll learn about all kinds of greenery that doesn’t need much fluids to stay beautiful. Some of these plants include Sedum, Rosularia, Jovibara, Thymus and Xeric plants.

3. Native plants are better for the environment

Something else that is really awesome about having a drought-resistant garden is that many plants that conserve water end up “assisting” other kinds of wildlife. That’s because they tend to generate edible seeds and are an ideal breeding ground for certain insects to feed their larvae.

Image via: Bill Timmerman

4. Drought resistant plants can be beneficial to your health

Did you know that many of the plants that are used for drought-resistant landscaping are actually beneficial to your health as well? There are certain kinds that, through the years, have been turned into teas and various kinds of essential oils.

5. It is a better way to garden.

Whether you’re going to use some drought resistant grass, desert plants or some of the other options that we previously mentioned, there’s no doubt about the fact that ultimately, drought-resistant landscaping is the better way to do your gardening. Although it might initially sound like a bit of a complex endeavor, there are some basic things that you can do to achieve this goal. Make sure to cluster your plants together; this will help to keep moisture in the soil for a longer period of time. Build some raised beds so that you can tend to the soil more easily and frequently. Add some organic matter (preferably compost); this is what will fertilize the soil. Water new plants on a consistent basis only until they are firmly established; after that, water them less but do water them deeply. And finally, use some mulch to add some additional moisture to your plants; this will also help you to water less often. If you follow these steps, you should have a fabulous-looking garden that requires far less water within just a matter of weeks.

For more outdoor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

While living rooms should be relaxing and comfortable at one end, they should be trendy and stylish on the other. Living room is a place, which is constantly in use, a place where the whole family can sit, relax, and entertain guests. For this reason, living rooms should have beautiful ambiance thus creating an environment where in the whole family can live some lovely moments together. Since living rooms are the first place that anyone entering a house acknowledges, it should be enchanting and eye-catching. A well designed, aesthetically appealing and contemporary living room excludes the need for a separate place to entertain guests.

Image via: Home-office designs

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Create a Focal Point

There should be one “centre of attention” in your living room, something that appeals to the audience, a place where they can rest their eyes. It could be anything, a state of the art fireplace, a beautiful piece of art or even a flat screen television might take the centre stage.
Create a focal point on the farthest wall of the living room so that it draws attention, inspiring family and friends alike.

Image via: Dupuis Design

Get in Balance and Soften the Place

Make sure that everything that you place in your living room should be in complete accordance with each other. It should give a complete and balanced look. Do not just invest in a huge sofa, instead add in plants, paintings, a wall mirror, high back chairs etcetera. This will allow people to have a greater view of your living room rather than just limiting them to a single spot.
Give your living room a soft touch by adding different kinds of lighting, a blend of floor, table and ceiling lamps will give it an aesthetic appeal that you are looking for. A fine, stylish and trendy rug is necessary have for giving a classy look to a living room.

The most important point is to make your living room as inviting and welcoming as possible. Since this is the place, where the entire family sits together and chill, the environment should be very cozy and comfortable, so throw in some plush cushions, over size pillow etc. This will accessorize your entire living room in such a way that the entire set up will speak for itself.
With these simple tips, you can easily improve the looks of your living room every three months to keep your guests feeling refreshed each time they visit you. Now you do not have to waste time waiting for an interior decorator or spend large amounts of money hiring help. Just get on your feet and do it yourself, the way you want it.

For more living room ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Whether it’s a stifling heat wave or just general summertime heat and humidity, let’s face it – your air conditioning unit has helped you through some rather sticky summer situations. Putting your AC unit to good use certainly makes your indoor living quarters seem like your own little slice of paradise, offering a refreshing contrast to the harsh outdoors – but how exactly are you ensuring that your unit is being maintained correctly?

Image via:  Resolution: 4 Architecture

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Is the air which you are breathing in healthy? Even if the answer is a definite yes, precautionary measures should still be taken. Sure, professional upkeep is necessary at certain times throughout the year, but there are some things you can do yourself for maintenance. Follow these tips to help you maintain your beloved AC unit, in order to keep it running at the highest possible standards:

Debris Removal:

Logically, the harder your AC unit works, the more debris are subject to being unwillingly sucked in the unit, leading to eventual clogging of your unit, and in some cases, polluted air. Luckily, this is easily preventable.

To do this, a monthly or bi-monthly trip to your outdoor unit is necessary. Start by removing any debris from around the unit, such as any random plant parts, grass, dust, or pollen. To stay even more efficient, methods of hosing down the filters, usually located on the sides of the unit, should be taken – after all, it’s the ideal breeding ground for clusters of dust and debris. Apply a low pressure water flow directly to the filters, but be careful about getting too much water inside the unit.

Always remember to turn off the power to the unit prior to starting this process.

Image via: Studio H Landscape Architecture

Going Inside the Unit:

In some cases, obtaining access to the insides of your unit is necessary. To do this, first refer to your owner’s manual, as most AC units differ in their own way. Start by removing the top head of the unit using specific screwdrivers. Once the head is removed, you can proceed to remove any unwanted debris. This is extremely useful if anyone in your house suffers from allergies.

In the end, these methods are the best possible D-I-Y remedies for your polluted AC Unit. Remember, if you do not feel confident in your ability to complete this yourself, it’s better to call upon a professional Blue Bell AC repair company than to end up damaging the costly unit. Stay cool!

For more cleaning & maintenance tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Do you get stressed easily when working in your home office? It must have something to do with the ambiance surrounding your home office. There are a number of studies that indicate the effects of having a conducive work place in your working attitude. That’s why you have to seriously consider how favorable your workstation is.

Your home office should be able to encourage you to work at your best. It must provide opportunities to work effectively and efficiently. If you think this would be hard to achieve, well, think again.

Image via: Brandon Barre 

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There are simple yet effective ways to turn your home office into a retreat. Check out these steps to a conducive work zone:

Wrap it up

If you think folders are just for labeling, you’re definitely wrong. Cover your folders and other paper organizers with art papers to match your interior theme. This should enhance the looks of your home office by adding colors and styles to your interior. With added beauty, you sure to have an inspiring work zone.

Keep everything in order

Organization is a vital key to achieve a conducive work area. An organized home office allows you to work effectively and efficiently. You can easily access the resources you need in style. A well-organized home office creates a great ambiance for you to stay focused with work. There will be no distractions like cluttered office supplies and messy table.

Image via: DKOR Interiors Inc.- Interior Designers 

Isolate your cords and cables

More often than not, cords and cables are overlooked and taken for granted. This isn’t intended only for neat home office looks but also for safety purposes. Cluttered cords and cables may cause short circuit electrical connections or even accidents. You can use a cord box to conceal your wirings and feel safe. This will also improve the neatness of your interior.

Make your move now and consider these simple yet effective ways to turn your home office into a retreat. Be productive and have fun working in your home office.

For more home office ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

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