Mena house decorating in the U.S??

[Muh and me 18]

I have decorated the living room in the orange colors. Along with brown couch and love seat, black wrought iron tables, black glass entertainment center and accented with red. Its awesome looking! Everyone that comes in here drools! My bedroom used to be like a pinkish red tone, now we painted it tan and the bed and table is pewter looking and the bedding is brown, tan and blue. Its so pretty. I can't beleive this house is the same one from last year. We've done so much. i just have a few bear spots on the walls and am waiting to fill it up with stuff from Morocco when we go next year!

Edited October 20, 2008 by Turia

[esmatsgirl 1]

I plan on having 2 long cushions along the long wall and a short one on both ends of that on the other two walls to make 3 walls that have cushions. I will make a bunch of long rectangular pillows that can be used to rest your arm on when sitting or can be used for that and your back, feet, head to lay down, whatever. Esmat's mom has hers set up this way and its nice...a lot of extra pillows to be nicely stacked up when not used.

Similar to this...but this one just has carpet....mine will have carpet, then cushions along the walls and then pillows like this one.

Deb

In Jordan a lot of times they hang curtains outside on the porch to cover the front door...like at the entrance to the porch...I always liked that and want to do something similar at our home.

Inside I want to make an arabic living room after Esmat gets here....I think that will be so nice to have...we have two so we can still have couches in the first one and make the second one more arabic....the one we sit in the most. I just need to find the big long cushions.....anyone know where to get them for a reasonable price? I am thinking I could probably find them in Philly in the city somewhere relatively cheap...then just need to find some nice fabric and cover them. And need to find a coffee table with short legs....or make one from a regular coffee table.

Deb

how are you planning on doing the arabic sitting area??

I like the idea of curtains on the outside too but i live in seattle nothing ever can stay dry here

[sereia 0]

sereia..what a great blend my favorite 2 cultures...MOROCCAN AND INDIAN...nice

I saw Ravi Shankar last night, the guy is 88 years young!

OHHH I saw Ravi Shankar in Morocco a few years back. Was definitely a highlight!!! Also two of some of my favorite cultures! I love Indian decor also! *drool*

I would call my personal style contemporary "travel" (but its mostly MENA stuff). I've done a lot of traveling around the world and I love to showcase the various things I've bought/photos I've taken. I didn't want to over do it and have ALL things carved, tiled, beaded, and colors everywhere. I have classic clean lines with Middle Eastern/world travel accents. I just happen to really love MENA design so I bought a lot more of it in the countries I've been to than other countries!

I have tables, lamps, rugs, ceramics, poufs, etc. I shipped home (HAHA Rajaa I also brought two huge empty suitcases the first time I went to Morocco and FILLED them up!)

I'll try to take a picture of my bedroom to post later. Its not totally finished, but I'm proud.

Edited October 20, 2008 by sereia

[Y's_habibitk 2]

How fun is redecorating?!? its theraputic i swear. lol I just spent this weekend rearanging furniture.

The only "ME" deco I have ae two handmade pali pillows that i have displayed.

Someone mentioned craiglist..yes yes! LOVE craiglist. Also thrift sotres sometimes have sheets or duvets ect.. if you find a fabric/pattern you like you can make your own curtains to cover the vertical blinds. Or.. if you dont want to sew.. lumber+batting+fabric of your choice+staple gun= 20 minute valance

I did this with the living room windows. I should take a pic huh? lol

On its way...

Lisa

[Y's_habibitk 2]

How fun is redecorating?!? its theraputic i swear. lol I just spent this weekend rearanging furniture.

The only "ME" deco I have ae two handmade pali pillows that i have displayed.

Someone mentioned craiglist..yes yes! LOVE craiglist. Also thrift sotres sometimes have sheets or duvets ect.. if you find a fabric/pattern you like you can make your own curtains to cover the vertical blinds. Or.. if you dont want to sew.. lumber+batting+fabric of your choice+staple gun= 20 minute valance

I did this with the living room windows. I should take a pic huh? lol

On its way...

Lisa

[nunyab 0]

that is great!!! what a beautfiul covering......!!! how did you do that again???

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Thanks,

You get a piece of wood as wide(tall) as you want the valance. Measure your window and have them(home depot or the like) cut the piece to fit length wise.

Then get some batting..or another cheap alternative is those foam matress toppers

Cut the batting or foam to cover the wood + about two inches for each side

Fit the foam snuggly over the wood and staple it in place on the opposite side.

Get you fabric and cut it just like you did the foam and staple it the same way

Turn it over and TADA!!! hee

You will need to screw on the hardware in order to hang it over the window.

This window is neve opened so I pleated the curtain fabric and stapled it directly onto the back side of the wood

Its cheap and easy and you get that great feeling "I made that!"

Good luck in your decorating

Lisa

Edited October 22, 2008 by Y_habibitk

[nunyab 0]

Wow... i know you say easy but i am intimidated

[Y's_habibitk 2]

Wow... i know you say easy but i am intimidated

nah! Once you get the wood you will realize its a breeze. Its the word "lumber" that is scary LOL

If you weret on the other side of the country I'd say.. i'll come help

Im crazy now with the staple gun now heh heh.. i bought an old beat up head board at a thrift store once... lugged it home and upholstered it too! lol Now when i get tired of it.. i rip the old fabric off and go get some more

:staple staple:

Google "vertical bilind decorating ideas" and maybe you will be inspired with an easier project.

HGTV.com has some great project and ideas

Edited October 23, 2008 by Y_habibitk

[nunyab 0]

What an awesome way to do something productive while our men are away ... I wish you were nearby too but i think i'll give it a go this weekend. How does one shop for a staple gun???

[~Jackie~ 30]

Decorate? I'm having a hard enough time just getting the house clean and rearranged! I need help!

JJ

[esmatsgirl 1]

I have a little more time to get ready...since my procrastinating husband just booked his ticket...he won't be here til Nov 5th..maybe I will make something similar for my room.

I have seen some similar things done in a magazine that Better Homes and Gardens puts out called "Do It Yourself".

Lisa - I am curious about the pleats....I have the idea down ok but don't understand how you got the pleats in there without any staples showing...whats your secret? haha

You have some great ideas...thanks!

Deb

[sereia 0]

What an awesome way to do something productive while our men are away ... I wish you were nearby too but i think i'll give it a go this weekend. How does one shop for a staple gun???

I'm sure they sell it at any hardware store. You can recover chairs, make valances, all kinds of good stuff with one!

[polarbear 0]

What an awesome way to do something productive while our men are away ... I wish you were nearby too but i think i'll give it a go this weekend. How does one shop for a staple gun???

I'm sure they sell it at any hardware store. You can recover chairs, make valances, all kinds of good stuff with one!

Home Depot.... probably kinda scarry place first time, but ask one of the guys who works there and they will get you everything you need - you even get the wood there. Just tell them about your project and they will tell you what you need

[star_dragon 0]

I wouldn't trust myself with a staple gun. I would seriously do something dumb like staple my shirt to the wall or staple my fingers by accident.