Still, the impulse in both realms is toward beauty and value, along with a desire to translate our essential selves into a visual statement.As a great accessory can do wonders for plain apparel, so can an interesting fillip create a happy foil to neutral interiors. For inspiration, consider a visit to "Architectural Details and Other Decorative Crafts," a new exhibition at Florida Craftsmen Gallery. It spotlights artists and craftsmen who create custom pieces that can bring personality and individuality to any space. Architectural details and sculptural accessories are displayed as starting points for inspiration. Even the most ubiquitous and basic elements, this show tells us, can be rethought.

A front door, for example, can be more than an entry point; see it as a visual transition linking exterior to interior, making an aesthetic first impression, as does Larry Roofner's art deco-style stained glass design. Even a wood floor can be more than generic planks; Terry Reeb of Hardwood Specialists displays a sample made of reclaimed red heart pine beams sliced horizontally rather than vertically to reveal their circular grain, arranged in a pattern that resembles carpeting.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Home Decor for your Outdoor Living Spaces

Imagine relaxing in your living room, pool deck, favorite restaurant or boat as the cool evening breeze softly spins around you; a glance upward revealing a burst of lingering colors beyond imagination as the day wraps up its final show time performance: sunset. All this comfort & beauty from your living room? Sure, if you have followed the large group of consumers and service businesses that have succeeded in creating distinct outdoor rooms that provide the same ambiance as they have indoors.

"What people are looking for is a way to enlarge their homes," says Mark Chapman, the senior designer for Expo Design Centers. "And that's why you're seeing so many great rooms being created for outdoors." Today, patios and decks are essential extensions of our favorite rooms -- and increasingly adorned with personalized furnishings that need minimal care. "People are decorating their outdoors like they decorate their indoors," said Audrey Solomon, manager of the 4 Seasons Fireplace & Patio store in Blue Bell, Pa., where among the big sellers are outdoor area rugs and floor lamps.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3 suggested looks for fall home decor

Make your home start to feel like fall with these new decor ideas. Although trendy for fall, we think these looks also will carry us through next spring and summer with style. Always a classic, black and white have returned in a big way. Adding a patterned chair is a great way to update a room. The Lillberg armchair is $159 at Ikea, Warner Road and Interstate 10, Tempe. Among popular design motifs, exotic Asian is gaining momentum. Favored for clean lines, natural elements and cultural flair, Eastern-influenced furniture, fabrics and accessories can accommodate all decorating styles, from ultramodern to traditional. If you want to work a little of the trend, go with this vase, $24.99 at Target (locations Valley-wide at target.com). If you really want to embrace the trend, try wallpaper. Thibaut wallpapers has a new line of Asian-inspired wallpapers. Browse the looks online at www.thibautdesign.com (LINK) and then order at the Wallpaper Market, 1900 E. University Drive, Mesa, (480) 497-6666. Prices range from about $90 to about $250 per double roll.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
How To Choose The Best Wine Rack For Your Home

If you’re a wine lover or just a casual wine drinker, you’ll need a good wine rack to store your collection, large or small. Interestingly, wine racks are not only functional but are now considered part of home decor. Let’s examine the various types of wine racks to help you determine which wine rack is best for your home.When buying a wine rack, first ask yourself how many bottles you wish to store, and how many bottles you have on hand at one time. Since the spectrum of wine racks is expanding, you’ll have various options, from table top wine racks to wine racks holding hundreds of wine bottles. You may even want to consider more than one wine rack if your collection is large.

Next, consider your home’s decor and available space. Don’t worry, there are functional and stylish wine racks available no matter your space availability or decor. Wine racks can be wall mounted, free standing, set on a table top, or as part of a larger piece of decorative furniture. A beautiful wine cabinet with multiple uses is a very stylish and refined addition to any home. So, you’ll need to consider function vs. fashion and determine how much decorative emphasis you want your wine rack to provide.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
World's Only Gel-Filled Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat Now Available in All Bed Bath & Beyond...

World's Only Gel-Filled Anti-Fatigue Floor Mat Now Available in All Bed Bath & Beyond Retail Stores Nationwide Ergonomically-engineered GelPro(R) Mats, combining comfort, style and quality, now in 900+ locations. AUSTIN, Texas, July 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Let's Gel, Inc. announced today that its revolutionary GelPro(R) Mats will now be available in all of the more than 900 Bed Bath & Beyond retail stores across North America. This completes a successful rollout to Bed Bath & Beyond, which began in October 2007.

"We're thrilled to be continuing to expand our relationship with Bed Bath & Beyond by making our innovative mats available in all of its stores," said Let's Gel Founder and CEO Robb McMahan. "In the past year, Bed Bath & Beyond has played an important role in helping people to embrace the completely new category of product we have created as they discover a solution to the pains caused by hard wood, tile, and cement floors which are pervasive in today's homes."