Fall Decor: Bringing Fall to your Staircase

Image Via: Minimalisti

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Decorating With Fall Veggies – Pumpkins, Apples Etc.

No Fall Decor is complete without incorporating Pumpkins and likes. Be it in the form of the veggies themselves or the color inspirations they bring, these autumn veggies can stimulate you in a lot many ways. Feel free to add other fruits like apples and pears to the decor. They are in fact going to add to the warmth and homeliness of this fall decor.

Image Via: Home Design Update

Decorating With Wintery Foliage – Pine Cones And Autumn Leaves

Wrapping trails of winter foliage along the handrails of your staircase or along the balusters can look really stunning. The orange and reds of autumn leaves can bring Fall right in to your home and up to your staircase. Add to it a few ribbons, buntings and frills and be ready to walk with grace on your Fall staircase.

Image Via: Uhomeal

Candles & LED’s

Autumn chill calls for warmth. That is exactly what lighting brings. Be it in the form of candles or light strings, lighting adds a whole new dimension to your Fall Decor. And your staircase won’t have looked prettier!

Image Via: Minimalisti

Decorating With Dry Flowers

Dry flowers are another way to decorate your staircase in style. When staged against other Fall props, dry flowers can look gorgeous, not that they don’t make great stand alone decor items.

Image Via: Digs Digs

Bringing Fall to your staircase can be fun. What is gained is an explicit display of your decorating skills that can be viewed from any angle. So when you walk down from your bedroom to the hall below, be stunned with these beautiful autumn treats that greet you on your way. And of course staircase hopscotch will become more fun with these Fall Decor ideas for your staircase. Do not forget to share your favorite staircase decor tips for the season, in the comment box below.

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Thanksgiving Staircase Decoration Ideas

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Fill baskets with some seasonal items for the treads

To decorate the treads, you can use beautiful baskets, which you even can make yourself, and fill them with seasonal items, like corn, pumpkins, gourdes, colorful leafs and pinecones. Putting more decoration items on one tread, forming a nice barrier, is also an inspired way to keep some parts of your home from being visited.

Use leaf-garlands for the handrail

You can choose between natural or artificial leafs; if you can bind them together you can easily decorate the handrail of the stairs. Wind them around the handrail or hang them from the banister, compliment them with a few berries or other items. Complete the décor with some matching items at the end of your staircase and you will have a beautiful setting in no time!

Decorate the banister with wheat bundels

As a very simple, yet beautiful and natural looking solution, create some wheat bundles by tying them with a nice ribbon which will match with your other décor. Tie them to the banister and it will give a wonderful flair to your Thanksgiving home.

Get a message across

One single pumpkin on each step can look minimal and elegant, especially if on every pumpkin you carve or write a letter, forming a warm welcoming message for your guests. For this you can use either white or orange pumpkins, or even different variations of them.

Thanksgiving season is truly a time of abundance. Nature bears so many gifts, it is only a matter of imagination in using them to decorate our homes and giving them a warm and cozy touch. Let us know which of these staircase decorations you like the most!

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Your stairs are may be a functional part of your home, but they also have visual appeal. You can actually take advantage of it to draw attention. It can be an excellent highlight for your home interior design. This is something that several homeowners fail to notice or take advantage of.

More often than not, the design of your stairs depends on the availability of the space provided. But it doesn’t really matter on the length, width and style of your stairs. What makes it outstanding is how the colors complement the background. Having the right color or combination of colors to your stairs can definitely command attention.

Image via: LDa Architecture & Interiors

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Here are some great colors to boost the appeal of your stairs:

Stripes and pictures

The idea of having multiple colors is basically for drawing attention. It’s like looking into a rainbow in the skies and you can’t help but appreciate the beauty of its multiple colors. This admiration will be the typical reaction when people see your multi-colored stripes stairs. It brings lively tone and superb look to your stairs.

Image via: Vanillawood

Chromatic colors

Whether it’s a chromatic blue, green or any color you love, your stairs will be a great centerpiece. Chromatic colors provide a relaxing ambiance to the surrounding. It perfectly blends into any design or theme you have in your room. Chromatic colors are basically neutral and can fit into any existing wall color you have.

Image via: Polsky Perlstein Architects

Two-toned colors

Stairs having two-toned colors are becoming popular these days. This idea is having a combination of two colors or two shades of a single color. It provides several illusions like a floating stairs which is really impressive. Also, two-toned colors allow safer utilization of your stairway.

A smart choice of colors for your stairs can certainly enhance your interior design. This can be a perfect background for a family picture or gathering.

For more color ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Older, historic houses possess a certain kind of unique detail and craftsmanship not found in new construction. If you’re thinking about purchasing a new construction home, chances are, all of the models you have to choose from have very similar features. Finer details are sometimes overlooked for efficiency and cost purposes.

Image via: Gallery Wall.Pinterest

Luckily, the great thing about owning a home is that it’s completely customizable. And one of the first things people notice when they enter your house is your foyer and your staircase. Who wants a boring, builder-grade railing and staircase? Sure, they’re functional, but they leave much to be desired aesthetically speaking.

You can make your house truly unique from other cookie-cutter homes with a partial or full staircase restoration. If you’re generally pleased with the quality of the stairs themselves, simply replace your standard builder-grade railings with more custom, visually pleasing banisters to spice up your stairs and foyer.

Image via: Cocokelley

If you’re really going for a big change, consider swapping out your carpeted stairs for hardwood. A new or renovated wood staircase can completely transform the look of your entrance way, taking it from drab to timeless and chic.

Don Yacovella is a craftsman specializing in Philadelphia stair restorations as well as custom woodworking and staircase restoration.

For more home ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Whilst having a staircase in your home is extremely practical, not to mention essential in most cases, it can also be a potentially dangerous place, especially for children and seniors. It is therefore extremely important to ensure that your stairs are as safe as possible for anyone who will be using them.

Image via: Desire to Inspire

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A well designed staircase…

When a staircase has been well designed, it is obvious, because there is always enough headroom to ensure that no one will be at risk of bumping their head on the way up or the way down. They are also wide enough so that the majority of people can use them in comfort, without feeling a sense of confinement when too narrow, or feeling unsteady if the staircase is too wide.  It is generally the case that they are at least 90cm wide and this is after balustrades have been added.

Designing your own stairs…

If you are lucky enough to be able to design your own home, or able to refit your stair banisters then you can take all of the above into account and ensure that your stairs are as safe as possible. However, many of us will not get the chance to design our very own staircase, so we have to be content with making minor adaptations which will help to improve stair safety. Of the utmost importance is, of course having something to hold on to as you ascend or descend the stairs, so there must be a handrail of sorts. These are also vital as they help prevent people from falling off or down stairs. In addition to ensuring you have this, it is also a good idea to check the material that covers your stairs.

For instance, if your staircase is wooden, it can be especially hard to grip onto and knowing how children rush and run about, a wooden staircase can quickly become a hazard. Likewise with the elderly, who may not be as steady on their feet as they used to be; they may easily slip on such a surface. Therefore, it is a good idea to use non-slip grips on the edges of each stair ledge.

Alternatively, you could always choose to cover your stairs in carpet, which guarantees the stairs will be a lot safer, not to mention more comfortable should someone fall on them. It is also a good idea to make sure that the lighting in and around your staircase is well lit, as dim lighting can make it easy for anyone at all to have an accident.

Image via: Tracy Adams.Pinterest

Safety first…

For added safety if you have children, you can also add safety gates at the top and bottom of the staircase and a child height guardrail which fits the entire length of the stairs [underneath the banisters]. It is crucial that you take on these points if you currently feel that your stairs are not as safe as they could be, after all safety is definitely not something we should ever take for granted.

James Wittering is a Worcester SEO guy who also writes for Seagull Balustrades. When he isn’t blogging he’s either  playing his ukulele or trying to surf and keep up with his two sons.

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When considering an elderly parent who wishes to remain in their home for as long as possible, or any person with mobility issues, it’s important to understand two key concepts –

• Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)

• Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs)

Activities of daily living are skills that an individual must be able to perform if they are to live independently, and safely.

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Instrumental activities of daily living are skills which are important, but not necessarily essential for an individual to live independently, as there are often services such as home care which can provide the additional required support.

The process of home modification involves making changes and adapting a home so that a person with limitations can perform their ADLs as safely as possible while maintaining a level of comfort which they are accustomed to, and an acceptable degree of independence. The modifications can range from quite simple – such as removing area rugs to prevent falls – to more complex – such as researching options like stairlifts and stairlifts prices, or elevators and elevators prices, or having a specialized consultant come into the home to map out an individual plan of action to make the environment as safe, and functional as possible. The type of modifications will depend, of course, on the person and their specific issues, along with the current physical layout/setup of the home. Investing in the necessary modifications can be very worthwhile, as in many cases the need for institutional care can be significantly delayed, or sometimes even eliminated.

Considerations

Home modifications can help people with disabilities maintain their independence and remain in their home for as long as possible. Modifications are suitable for those who have some degree of mobility and who do not require extensive medical care. Modifications can range from inexpensive to a considerable investment, but, even at the more expensive end of the spectrum, they are almost always a great savings over longterm care.

Specialists who evaluate individuals and their home environments tend to use two lists, based on the key concepts covered above. When consulting against the ADLS list, if there are problems with any of the following, the need for outside assistance and support is considered to be critical:

• Ability to get in and out of bed
• Preparing meals and/or eating independently
• Maintaining Continence
• Bathing and Dressing

When consulting the IADLs list, it can be quite a bit more difficult to determine if an individual has issues unless they are observed on a daily basis. Problems with the following indicate the need for support:

• Doing the shopping
• Performing housekeeping duties
• Using the telephone
• Accessing transportation
• Taking medications properly
• Managing finances

It’s also important to take note of the following areas of the home which are considered problematic, and almost always require changes of some sort:

• Stairways and steps
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Exits, walkways, driveways
• Basements and cellars

After reviewing the specific needs of the individual with disabilities, and the considerations which are present inside their home, you may wish to make the necessary home modifications in order to allow them to remain in their home environment and maintain their independence for as long as possible. Best of luck to you!

This guest post was written by Spencer McKinney for Stairliftadvisor.co.uk, who invite you to visit their website for curved stair lift prices as well as other useful information.”

For more seniors and aging adult topics on Stagetecture, click here.

One of my favorite holiday past times during the holiday season is driving through the neighborhoods with beautiful Christmas lights. From the overly imaginative to the tastefully done, the holiday season is a great time to light up your outdoor home.

I was admiring these creative ideas on Southern Living for festive outdoor lighting ideas that aren’t your ordinary 1970’s giant color bulb lighting! While those were festive 40 years ago, see the trend for more subdued lighting that still has a winter wonderland affect!

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Starry Nights Basket

Make hanging baskets sparkle all winter long by lighting them from within. Use coiled vine baskets without liners, and push a 100-bulb string of small pearl lights from inside to out around each basket. Place clear plastic ornaments in the basket as filler. On top, pile a 50-bulb string of small white lights and a string of prelit metal stars to shine above.

Luminous Lanterns

Old-fashioned lantern posts are classic, but this holiday season wrap them in lush garland and glowing globes for an ethereal holiday look.

Dreamy Door

Dress up a boring doorway with a red and green color scheme. A door outlined with garland, glowing lights, and red bows complements the hanging wreath. A grouping of poinsettia plants adds the perfect punch of holiday cheer.

White Magic

Give new dimension and beauty to an exterior building, such as a garden shed or detached garage, by illuminating it with winter white lights. Line the walkway with votives, too, such as these large metal votives specifically designed for outdoor use.

Swags of Light

When creating an outdoor light display, work with the layout of your home, fence, or gate. Light swags work perfectly on the fence shown here, accented by a slender twig tree that sits in front of the tall brick pillar.

Light up your holiday home this season!

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I’m always amazed at how many homes are still on the market. The housing market has shown an improvement over the last few months but the average is still well below normal. If you are looking for a home, aside from the price what features are you looking for? Do you ever go into a home and say, “this feels good”.  It is possible that you’re experiencing good feng shui.

Stepcase Lifehack has a great article on tips for finding a home with good feng shui.

Looking for just the right new home is an overwhelming task! There are so many considerations, so many things to think about that it’s easy to get distracted and not notice features of the home and its location that could be problematic. And, if you’re not very sensitive to energy, you could inadvertently buy a home that is a feng shui nightmare–a place where it would be very difficult to feel comfortable and thrive.

Following are some suggestions for insuring that your house has good feng shui.

• Look for a house with a square or rectangular floor plan. Houses with irregular plans may be dramatic and interesting to visit, but ultimately have serious energy challenges and may not be optimal places to live. Those with square or rectangular plans are easier to arrange, have better energy and fewer major energy problems.
• Look for a house that is set squarely on its lot so the front of the house is parallel to the road. Houses set at an angle to the road look charming, but a dissonance is created when the main axis of the house runs at an angle to the street.
• Avoid houses located at the end of a street. The road ends in front of the house, but the energy flowing down the road keeps coming and slams into the house with great force. The intensity of the energy can be harmful to the occupants.

• Avoid houses with the main door located on the side of the structure. The front door is the main mouth of life nurturing chi (energy). It is best if the mouth is easy for energy to find. A house with a door on the side is like a face without a mouth.
• If you are looking for a garage built into the house, a house with garage doors facing the side or rear of the house are preferable to garage doors facing the street. When garage doors are the main feature of the front of the house, occupants of the house find themselves on the go all the time.
• Avoid houses where a central stairway runs directly to the front door. Energy coming down the stairs rushes right out the front door, depleting the home of life affirming energy.

• Look for a house that is on level ground or slopes from the back of the lot down toward the front of the lot. Avoid houses where the lot falls off behind the house creating an energy sink and lack of support in the areas associated with wealth and prosperity, fame and reputation and love and marriage.
• Avoid houses that have heavy beams overhead. Unless the ceiling is extremely high, beams create a heavy negative energy, an uncomfortable weight overhead.
• Avoid houses with bedrooms that have slanted ceilings or walls built on an angle. Slanted ceilings, like beams, have a weight that makes restful sleeping difficult. Walls built at an angle tend to spin the energy of the space setting up the potential for the occupants to experience  accidents. People sleep best in square or rectangular rooms that have a human scale, typically 8 feet high with flat ceilings.

• Avoid houses that are mostly glass. It is difficult to place furniture in those houses so that people feel comfortable. People are most comfortable and empowered when they can sit or sleep in spaces where they have a solid wall behind them and a full view of the main door of the room.

If you live in a house that has one of the problem features listed above or if you’ve found the house of your dreams and it has some of the above issues, know that in many cases there are actions that can be taken to mitigate the problems. Check out some feng shui books available in bookstores or hire a feng shui consultant to assist you.

Thank you Debbie Bowie for such great tips!

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