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Saturday, December 27, 2008

Benefits of Decorating With Large Tapestries

Benefits of Decorating With Large Tapestries

Many homeowners looking to decorate their walls have been neglecting tapestries. Most just look at paintings, photographs, and other artifacts. That is a shame because tapestries are one of the most unique and elegant wall decoration items that one can possibly find.

For starters, tapestries come in many sizes. Depending on the size of your walls, there will be something that is suitable. But what are the differences between a piece of tapestry and a traditional wall painting? And what are the benefits? Why should a homeowner choose a tapestry over a painting? Let's explore some benefits.

Wall tapestries are woven from different types of textiles such as cotton, wool or linen. Sometimes, artists may even use gold, silver or silk. When higher quality materials are used, the tapestries appear more luxurious and elegant. This effect cannot be achieved by paintings.

Historically, tapestries were only used by affluent families to decorate their homes. Since affluent families live in huge houses like manors and castles, the tapestries were also unusually large as well.

Large tapestries are ideal center pieces for wall decoration. If there is any gold, silver or silk used in the tapestry, the image will reflect light and the glitter will attract attention. It is not uncommon to see guests walking into a large hall and upon seeing the large tapestry, a soft gasp escaped the lips as the guests look on with awe and wonder. Such is the powerful effect of a large wall tapestry.

Another main difference is that since tapestries are woven, they can include intricate patterns that can only be achieved with embroidery methods. A large tapestry allows the artist to add as many details as possible to the artwork.

To accomplish this, a lot of skills and patience is required. However, the end result is always more than satisfying. A lot of time can be spent admiring the fine details that are included in a piece of large tapestry. This gives another reason for the homeowner to consider having a large tapestry as a center display.

Finally, a large painting is cumbersome to move around because of its weight and size. Usually, once a large painting is fixed to the wall, it is very troublesome to take down. In contrast, the large tapestry is portable as it is much lighter and can be rolled up.

This is useful for two reasons. One, the tapestry can be taken down easily any time to be stored away. Two, if the homeowner so desires the tapestry to be changed or rotated with other tapestries, this can be achieved easily as well.

Given the many benefits of large tapestries, it is a shame if any homeowner fails to consider them as center wall decoration pieces. Many of them even come at more affordable prices than large wall paintings!

For more information on Large Wall Tapestries please visit our website: European Tapestry Decor

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Large Wall Tapestries For a Grand Impression

Large Wall Tapestries For a Grand Impression

Unlike paintings, wall tapestries can be voluminous works of art, taking up much as 80% of a wall. They were designed with this in mind, serving as wall coverings for the otherwise stark walls of castles. They not only added color and visual impact to a room, but helped deaden the sound of the room. As you can imagine, without wall art tapestries, a cavernous castle can be a pretty loud place to live.

Even though modern homes are much quieter, the beauty of large wall tapestries is hard to duplicate. Outside of painting a large wall mural, the wall tapestry stands alone in the art world as a grand statement of style and beauty.

Wall tapestries create an impact regardless of size. But the grandure of large wall tapestries will create a lot of visual impact in your larger living spaces, such as a great room, a room with vaulted ceilings or a room that is open to the floor above it.

Because of their popularity, there are plenty of large tapestries and wall hangings to choose from. Following are a few tips to help you when shopping for a large size tapestry for your home.

Establishing a Mood

The size of large art tapestries means they will set the mood of the room rather than complement it. As a result, you want to select a tapestry that speaks the message you want heard. If you want a romantic setting in the room, perhaps for a bedroom, you should select a tapestry that exudes romance, such as one with a soft floral design or possibly a lover's scene.

Use as a Backdrop

If you have a theme to a room in your home, a tapestry may be the way to set the theme and be a backdrop for the other decor items that you are going to use to accent it. For example, if you want a world traveler theme, which is very popular these days, you may wish to choose a tapestry of beautiful old-world maps. This large tapestry of maps will be the backdrop for the items you have collected along your path of world travels.

Use as Art for Beauty

Sometimes you don't really need a good reason to have a wall tapestry in place in your home, you can do it just because. When you choose a piece of art that you are in love with and have to have it, do you stop to think about if it will fit with the rest of your decor?

Not likely. Art is special. Art can be it's own entity and will create it's own place in your home. Many wall tapestries are literally works of art. These have been hand crafted thread by thread to create a design or picture that speaks to you in the same way a painting or sculpture might.

No matter your style, decor preferences or home space, there is always room for an art wall tapestry to brighten up the environment, set the mood you want in play, or just to be a thing of beauty that can be admired by all who see it.

Tom Matherson writes for Worldwide Tapestries which offers a wide online collection of Belgian, Italian and unique wall decor art tapestries to enhance any home. See the latest range of wall decor including a fine selection of large European tapestries to transform any room or home setting.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

How to Hang Your Wall Tapestry When You Have Choices

How to Hang Your Wall Tapestry When You Have Choices

One of my favorite ways to decorate a room is to grace one or more walls with a tapestry. These woven beauties are the perfect addition to a room with almost any decorating theme or style. The choices of size and shape and theme are endless.

So if a tapestry is something you have been thinking about for one or more rooms of your home or office, it's a good idea to know what your options are in respect to the way you will be hanging this art on your wall.

Depending on how you purchase your tapestry (brick and mortar store or online), there might be some basic preparation involved. Most of the time when you purchase your wall hanging for delivery to your home or office, there will be at least one fold in the tapestry that was necessary for packing your purchase for delivery.

When you open your delivered wall hanging there might be a fold line or 2 in your tapestry. Don't fear. Here is a safe way to remove any unwanted fold lines in your tapestry.

To remove any fold lines in your tapestry, use a steam iron and iron the back side of the wall hanging until the fold lines are gone. Otherwise, if you don't have a steam iron, take a regular electric iron and with a damp clean cloth (cloth that the color won't bleed) and place the clean damp cloth over the front of the tapestry where the fold line is and iron at a moderate heat (NOT HOT) until the fold line is gone. These are the safest ways to remove fold lines without damaging your artwork.

All tapestry wall hangings have a basic construction in order to be able to hang them properly on a wall. Just so you understand their construction, they are all lined on the back side and have either a rod pocket or several loops at the top in which you can insert a decorative hanging rod. Some tapestries also have a bottom pocket to insert heavy metal rods in order for the wall hanging to hang straight from top to bottom.

Most tapestries are hung with a decorative rod. These rods, that are usually sold separately, come in a large variety of shapes, styles and colors. Tassels are also available in a large assortment and may be hung from the rod ends along the left and right sides of the wall hanging for a more dramatic effect.

A word of caution if you are buying a tapestry for the first time. You might want to go with a wall tapestry that has a hanging pocket instead of hanging loops. The reason for this is if the construction of the loop hanging tapestry is not done correctly, after time you might see slight curves inward between the loops of your tapestry.

A more economical way to hang your hanging pocket tapestry is to insert a wooden board approximately 1/4 inch thick by 2.5 inches tall. Cut the length of the board so that the ends will not be seen protruding from the hanging pocket at the top of the tapestry.

Once you have the length of the board cut to the proper length, drill screw hole evenly along the length of the board. The amount of screw holes will be determined by the size and weight of the tapestry.

Larger wall hangings will, of course, will need more support and more screws than smaller wall hangings. Once you have evenly spaced screw hole in the board, take the board, hold it up to the wall at the location the board will be when the tapestry is hung.

With a pencil, mark a dot on the wall through each hole to mark where the screws will be driven into the wall to hang the tapestry.

Next, drill a small hole into the wall for each of the pencil dots you have made. It is a good idea to use screw anchors for stronger support, so after you drill the screw holes insert screw anchors into each hole.

Once you have all your holes drilled and all your anchors inserted into the holes, insert the board into the hanging pocket of your tapestry and hold the tapestry up to the wall and with the proper size screw for your anchors insert each screw. This method of hanging a tapestry will mount your wall hanging flush to the wall.

If your situation calls for mounting your tapestry on a curved wall then use Velcro®. You can find Velcro tape. This form of Velcro has an adhesive backing and can be applied directly to the back side of your tapestry.

You can apply Velcro tape directly on your wall, but to avoid the tearing of your wall, should you want to remove the Velcro on a future date, screw a few thin strips of wood on your wall to form a frame. Then Velcro the wooden strips instead of the wall. If the time comes to remove the tapestry, all you have are a few screw holes to patch up.

You now have several ways in which to mount your tapestry to the wall. All you have to do now is find a tapestry to match the theme of the room you wish to hang it in. Whether you choose one large wall tapestry or a series of several small tapestries with a similar theme, hung together, you will have a most enjoyable eye-pleasing atmosphere for many years to come.

Author Bio: After growing up as the apprentice of his father who was a master of all trades, Joe Tobiasz, Owner/Webmaster: http://www.wall-decor-concepts.com explored the idea of a career in interior decorating and design over 25 years ago.

Since then he has never looked back. He has both volunteered and consulted for many friends and associates over the years offering his natural talent for decorating and remodeling in both interior and exterior applications.

When it come to his website, his unusual way of presenting information in the form of short stories has him the talk of both webmasters and the online community.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Coastal Tapestries Bring a Refreshing Look to Summer

Coastal Tapestries Bring a Refreshing Look to Summer

For people who enjoy the water and the beach, decorating their homes with a coastal- or nautical-inspired theme is a sure way to help them escape the city life and retreat to their best beach memories. A great way to do this is by decorating their homes with coastal-themed furniture and embellishing their walls with coastal tapestries.

Decorative wall hangings with a coastal theme are available in numerous designs. The more famous of these designs include white sand beaches, which may or may not have sailboats docked on the shore.

This kind of wall art is best for beach lovers who would like to relive gorgeous summer days. Harbors are also popular, usually involving a scene with sailboats. Other favorite designs include the canals of Venice, trade and travel in the Mediterranean, scenes at the Caribbean Islands, lagoons and inlets, beautiful, secluded beaches with gorgeous sunsets, or even a variety of different seashells, to name a few.

A specific example of a popular type of coastal decorative wall art is the Boston Lighthouse Tapestry. This wall hanging shows the Boston Lighthouse by the rocks, with several eagles flying in the background.

Another popular coastal-inspired work is Ramon Pujol's Harbor at Morning Light and Harbor at Last Light, which both feature a bright, tranquil scene by a harbor with several boats docked on the port.

Many people choose to buy these coastal-inspired wall decors for different reasons. The water designs in these decorative wall hangings can make any room appear bigger than it actually is. They also tend to bring a peace and tranquility over the people who are viewing the decorations. They also serve as conversation starters, allowing people to talk freely about their experiences by the beach or the sea.

Aside from the usual wall décor, many people now use coastal-themed wall art in different ways. Some people use these pieces of art as throw pillows, rugs, and even table runners. In keeping up with the theme, some owners choose to design entire areas or rooms of their houses with coastal-inspired furniture and decorations.

These include wooden pieces decorated with seashells or starfish, ship replicas, sculptures of lighthouses, and lifeguard chairs and benches, among others.

These coastal decorative wall art pieces will surely bring calmness and happiness you thought could only come from your favorite coastal getaway. These coastal tapestries are available in a number of shops, both online and offline.

It's summer and time to spend with family and friends outdoors and at the beach. There are some great nautical scenes and coastal tapestries show them off well, when you want to bring that view home with you. Beautiful wall tapestries are available online in a large variety of themes and selections, which can help to ease your wallet at the gas pump during your search.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

French Tapestries For Your Bedroom Makeover

French Tapestries For Your Bedroom Makeover

Decorating a bedroom is a very personal endeavor. While other rooms in the home may well be designed to make guests comfortable or to have space for entertaining, the only room in the house that is a completely private and personal endeavor is the bedroom.

While you may think the only thing that matters in the bedroom is the bed, how you decorate your walls, and accent the rest of the room using French style tapestries will make a major difference in the overall feel you are able to create in your interiors.

French Floral Tapestries for Freshness

Want to have a room that is soft, beautiful and feminine? Think flowers. In this case you should be thinking of French floral tapestries.

Sure, there are paintings of flowers that you could choose to put on your wall, but there is something about a painting that just does not completely make the sale in the softness a bedroom deserves.

Paint and canvas seem so solid and permanent, while a French floral tapestry will be more welcoming and warm, with the softness of the fibers that have been woven together to create the flowered design.

Even though they are woven fabric, something about French floral tapestries makes them seem to be alive. If you were to put a vase or corresponding flowers in front of the tapestry, you may think your bedroom has a portal to flowered field.

Boucher Tapestries for Romance

When many think of a French bedroom design, they think romance. If you are going for this style or theme, why not go all the way. Don't stop at just a welcoming bed and linens, but also make sure the walls and decor of your room are in on the decorating plan.

One way to create an air of romance in your bedroom is through Boucher tapestries. From images of dating couples and those who are shy about courting, these tapestries completely capture the giddiness and wonder of romance, young and old.

When using Boucher tapestries to create a romantic look to your bedroom, make sure to match the colors in your bed linens to some of the colors in the Boucher tapestry wall hangings to create a cohesive appearance.

French Landscape Tapestries for Serenity

While you may not be able to escape your home life and go on vacation every day, there is no reason your bedroom can't feel like a vacation getaway. By decorating your walls with French landscape tapestries you may feel as if you have been whisked away at the end of each day to a French chateau.

The right French landscape tapestries can make you feel as if you are looking out from a hilltop over the beautiful French countryside, miles away from any of the stresses of your daily life.

Remember, your bedroom is a space where you will not just sleep but be able to relax and unwind after a long day of work and the stresses of every day life. Make it a beautiful escape with French styled tapestries.

Want to add romance to your home decor? Then see this collection of French style tapestries that will suit any home. Tom Matherson writes for Worldwide Tapestries where you'll see a variety of unique and impressive European wall tapestries and wall hangings for decorating any home decor.

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Comfort & Style in Classic Wall Decor

Comfort & Style in Classic Wall Decor

With the myriad of choices available in the online and offline décor market these days, it can be quite overwhelming to choose just one particular wall decor type or design to suit your personal style and needs.

Anything you can think of has been made the subject of numerous decorative wall arts all over the world. If you are seriously thinking of using a tapestry to decorate or adorn your house, and it is your fist time to do so, it is suggested that you narrow down your selection to classic wall tapestries or classic wall décor.

Classic wall decorations, in the form of woven works of art, are highly recommended for people who are buying this form of art for the very first time.

The reason for this is that classic wall decors have, as the name implies, classic, timeless, and universal themes and designs that will never go out of style and will stand the test of time. Examples of such themes and designs include human emotions (such as love or sorrow), human nature, the five senses, tragedy, death and the like.

Time periods and eras are also considered classic, timeless, and universal in nature. These time periods include the middle ages or the medieval time period, the Renaissance, the neo-classical age, and the Baroque era, just to mention a few.

Woven works of art with a medieval theme feature events that took place during the medieval times, hunting scenes, unicorns, royalty and noblemen. Woven wall art with Renaissance-inspired themes, on the other hand, feature subjects inspired by romance, myths, knights and the aristocracy, and Verdure.

Meanwhile, woven wall pieces from the neo-classical and Baroque time periods feature works commissioned by kings, popes and clergymen, as well as members of the European nobility, sieges and battle scenes, historical and religious events or accounts, and the lives and times of historical figures and famous personalities.

Some of the most well-known pieces under the umbrella of classic wall tapestries include the Bayeux Tapestry, The Hunts of Maximilian, The Lady and the Unicorn series (also known as La Dame à la licorne), The Hunt of the Unicorn series, the works designed by the master-artist Raphael for the Sistine Chapel, the Valois series, the Manufacture Royale des Tapisseries de la Couronne (which was originally made for Louis XIV of France), History of the King, and Triumph of the Gods, among others.

Alex Hanson writes about furnishing your home with style and comfort. Wall decor is important as an accent to any room. Tips and advice are provided in this article to help you think about some ideas and choices for your home decor. Classic wall decor includes some of the famous and favorite artists works woven into fine and exciting tapestries from Europe.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

The Elegance of Fine Art Tapestries

The Elegance of Fine Art Tapestries

An everyday commodity combined with the exclusivity of the art world, fine art tapestry provides a melange of elegant home décor suited to most homes. Wall tapestries bring a combination of tactile luxury and good taste through distinctive art and textile design.

Recent advances in technology have meant the art based tapestries that have retained their popularity for centuries continue to be a sought after item for the modern home.

A break with tradition

A wall tapestry offers an alternative to the traditional fine art painting and with an increasing portfolio of choice from the Old Masters to modern art, the time to consider a tapestry in the home has never been better.

Popular and classical paintings can be reproduced through sophisticated textile design to provide an impressive feature for the wall. Examples include Michelangelo's Creation of Adam and Raphael's Cherubs.

Amongst the first style to be transferred from canvas to tapestry was François Boucher's pastoral art created during the 17th century. The depth and vividness of these works continues to fascinate and impress today's audience.

Scenery and Landscape Tapestry

From Constable to Leonardo Da Vinci, many landscape paintings have been reproduced as tapestries and remain popular today. Verdure tapestry was one of the earliest forms and featured lush green landscapes.

The depth and richness of these pieces depicted nature in all its glory and provided a fitting piece for the home. Bruegel on the other hand, captured real life in dramatic and captivating ways. The Hunters in the Snow is an example of an expansive landscape filled with detail and available as a tapestry wall hanging.

Oriental work evokes tales in the Far East and exotic lands. Beijing artist Vail Oxley captures still life with scenery in a peaceful setting in The Lily Garden, creating an enchanting tableau. Using a rich weave in tapestry brings the drama and colourful nature of the work to life.

Still life and Floral Tapestry

Floral art is a popular choice for a fine art tapestry, where the transition from canvas to tapestry has added perspective to these exquisite creations. Paul Gauguin and Vincent Van Gogh are well known artists who have had paintings transformed to tapestry via detailed weaving techniques.

The Sunflowers is renowned the world over and in tapestry format brings a bright summers day and a fresh ambiance to the home. Contemporary work by Stewart Sherwood includes Wine for Two which enables still life to blend into a modern home in a classical and tasteful way.

A Distinct and Elegant Touch

Fine art and tapestry was at one time the domain of the select few. Thanks to modern day high detail weaving techniques tapestry is something that is a classical and affordable piece for the home.

Traditional fine art is enhanced by the detailed weave and texture of tapestry, providing a select and distinctive feature in interior design. Tapestry and fine art are now accessible to those who desire elegance and classical décor in their homes.

This is a Free-Reprint article from The Tapestry House. Our terms are:

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Angela Dawson-Field writes extensively on home decor and tapestry & textile art. She divides her time between family and The Tapestry House

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Wholesale Tapestry in Attractive Design and Colors

Wholesale Tapestry in Attractive Design and Colors

Tapestries can certainly spruce up the interior décor of your home or office. Available in enticing design and colour range, they go well with almost every other element present in a particular room. So get yourself a tapestry of your choice and lend a creative touch to the interiors of your residence or work place.

Use of tapestries is a splendid way to make the inside walls of a room appear impressive and elegant. You can go for a complete range of wholesale tapestries and enhance the ambiance of your entire available space with grace.

Lending an artistic solution or spelling a charm of luxury is what you can achieve with the wide array of wholesale tapestries. The tapestry art is depicted on different materials such as bell pulls, cushions, hand bags, wall hangings, rods and accessories as well as table runners and mats.

Now, there are a whole lot of wholesale tapestry suppliers from whom you can source your tapestry order. However, the one name that has earned considerable recognition in the highly competitive market is Tapestries-tapestry.

Visit their online store to find out the enticing assortment of Belgium tapestries, French tapestries and other European tapestries like Italian tapestries or Oriental tapestries.

The wholesale tapestry at Tapestries-tapestry show an exquisite synthesis of patterns and hues that tend to enliven the scenes depicted. Diverse subjects like floral, landscapes, coasts, animals, nautical, scenic beauty, romance, human activities wild life, common man, battle, life styles, social gathering, myth, historic events, works of legendary artists and famous personalities marks their tapestry collection.

Placing them all over a room gives a royal feel to its environment. As they are symbolic of affluence, the tapestries speaks of sophistication and class. Moreover, they also lend warmth and coziness to the overall setting of your dwelling or business place.

On purchasing tapestries in bulk from Tapestries-tapestry, you can enjoy discounts on your placed order. In this manner, you not only will be able to give a comprehensive makeover to your space but also save substantial amount of expenses.

Furthermore, they also have special wholesale tapestry offer for wall tapestries. If a customer is not content with the delivery or the services provided by the supplier, a full money back guarantee is promised.

If you intend to seek detailed information about wholesale tapestry, you very well know where to look for. Yes, log on to the online outlet of Tapestries-tapestry, that is tapestries-tapestry.com.

Jude is a well known author who writes on topics related with Wholesale Tapestries, Wall Tapestries and Tapestries Wall Hanging.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Tapestry - A Necessity For a Dream Home

Tapestry - A Necessity For a Dream Home

HOME DECOR has undergone a tremendous change from the era of 70's & 80's where people were very simple and hence was the living. But coming to the 21st century where glamor plays an important role the likes of the people have changed to more fancy and glittery things to decorate their home. In today's world everyone wants to give a designer touch to their home with latest designer table linens, bed spreads, paintings, cushion covers etc.

When I think of how I can make my home look more appealing then I think of good table spreads and good paintings. This is because particularly these are the two areas that mostly catch the attention of the guests visiting us.

People generally tend to look at the wall in front of them, just imagine your guests having a glimpse of an old style shabby painting on the wall. On the contrary a beautiful embroidered, beaded Tapestry is something that can really please your guests and even make you proud.

What if you buy a beautiful tapestry, get it put in a beautiful frame and put it on the wall. It would be something innovative and eye catching. Also one can get curtain loops and hang the tapestry on a rod and give a curtain like look. This will give a very stylish look to the wall.

Also these tapestries can be used as center table spreads which will make your area look more formal and admirable. To add icing to the cake one can put matching cushion covers on the sofa around the table.

Indian Tapestries are beautiful piece of arts that you can use as a wall hanging, Wall Decor or just spread it across the bottom of the bed. Indian Sari Tapestries are made exclusively from vintage heavy bridal and antique Saris (dress worn by Indian Females on their wedding).

Antique Bridal Saris are cut into pieces and then those pieces are carefully selected and joined together to make it into a magnificent Tapestry. Then gorgeous and intricate embroidery and sequins work is done all over to enhance the beauty of this masterpiece.

These Tapestries are made from age old heavy fabrics and sari designed with uneven finish to give an antique look. Visit www.asraistyle.com to admire the beauty of these tapestries.

by Ruchi Rastogi

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Modern Wall Decor - Modern Wall Decor With A Twist

Modern Wall Decor - Modern Wall Decor With A Twist

Modern wall decor theme is one of the easiest ways to wall decorating of any type. When it comes to designing interiors with modern theme, one thing must be kept in mind that in a "modern or contemporary" design theme, simplicity is the key.

This of course does not mean that anything, which is simple, is got be modern. But in modern design theory instead using all sorts decorating accessories, the interior design or the built form itself is assumed to be beautiful and a piece of art.

In normal circumstances a wall decor theme can be considered as painting it or applying large wallpaper with the desired theme. But in modern wall decor themes, the wall itself is considered a modern piece of art and hence there is no more requirements of adding decorating ornaments to the wall for the purpose of decorating.

So how can use the modern wall decor theme in interior design?

There are many easy ways to do this. If you start looking a wall as a piece of design itself, many options are easily available such as shape of wall, thickness of wall, wall finishes, openings in a wall, height of wall, increasing or decreasing height of wall along the length.

A simple square opening in a wall can also be a decor theme. An opening will instantly break out the visual constraints in a closed room and open up more visual possibilities that are beyond the wall itself.

Further interior lighting can be used with great effects in modern wall decor themes. Many qualities and types of interior lights are available to create the exact look you are trying to achieve.

I hope this article was helpful for everyone.

Want more amazing modern wall decor ideas? visit my website http://www.ModernWallDecor.net to explore some great wall decor themes that can transform your home into a stunning interior masterpiece.

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Mediterranean Tapestries For Sophisticated Wall Decor

Mediterranean Tapestries For Sophisticated Wall Decor

Mediterranean designs are popular around the world for their cozy and casual style. Since the Mediterranean area is known as sunlit days, vibrant flora, and clear waters, these elements are present in these designs.

Many people around the world want to imitate the designs for their own homes because, unlike other European-styled houses, the Mediterranean houses are carefree, as if the home is just a cozy vacation house, where they tend to highlight the landscape surrounding the area, with nature as the main architectural element.

Vibrant colors like orange, yellow, and deep red are used to reflect the area's famous sunset. Other commonly used Mediterranean colors are lavender and deep purple (to evoke the ambiance of a field of flowers) and light shades of green (to evoke the rustic feel of a countryside).

These fabrics are earthly and rough, although its roughness is balanced by using several water-based designs and elements, such as fountains and lavebo. The accessories are also colorful but still rural. Light pine furniture is common in houses, again adding to that country-feel these designs evokes.

Using Mediterranean tapestries is a great way to achieve this rustic ambiance. The tapestry will share the same qualities that the style and look has -- colorful, cozy, casual, and rustic. It also adds to the fabric's rough texture. While any wall hanging can add to the texture of a Mediterranean house, these fine woven goods would not stand out compared to other European tapestries.

Instead, it will add flavor and compliment the whole design. Using wall art and hangings is so inexpensive. Instead of buying several furniture pieces and repainting an entire area of the house, one can simply hang wall decor in a room and it will already have the much-need ambiance.

A room's anchor or focal point can be enhanced by the work-of-art, especially if that particular room is big and lacks and distinguished factor or area. For smaller rooms, however, a Mediterranean tapestry piece can make it appear larger. This is because an image of relaxing landscapes with warm colors such as yellow and green -- colors that are said to be soothing to the eyes and have relaxing effects.

Because of the wall hanging, it would seem as if the room is bigger because the design is depicting a much larger scene or landscape, creating an illusion similar to what mirrors to do in interior designs. Enjoy.

Regardless of space, Mediterranean tapestries will fit any kind of room, any kind of home, any kind of design. Enjoy viewing a variety of styles and sophistication while considering great Mediterranean Tapestry Hangings for your wall decor. Changing up your home decor with beautiful tapestries can turn your room from dull to exceptional in the blink of an eye.

By Maridee Hanselman

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Holidaying in Brittany and Normandy

Holidaying in Brittany and Normandy

Brittany is a place of rugged coats, small islands, fantastic views, quite beaches and all along the coat, old cobbled street towns can be found. The people of Brittany are also quite different to the rest of France. With regular flights to Brittany from England as well as Ferry links it's an ideal holiday location.

Brittany is home to a green and abundant countryside, high sea cliffs and some of the quietest beaches in all of France. Many quaint old towns are found throughout the region all with a colourful past like Rennes, Dinan or Saint Malo, known as the old pirate's nest. The Morbihan and the Menhirs of Carnac are two spots that should defiantly not be missed during your trip to Brittany

Nantes is the largest town in the region and is found at the southern tip of Brittany. The city has a long and rich history and today is considered the most important city in all of western France.

Normandy is a beautiful part of France, which has so much to offer tourists. Normandy is awash with old historic towns, sandy beaches and of course the world famous Mont-Saint-Michel.

The capital of Normandy is Rouen, a picturesque old town. Ideally you will need two good days to take in all the wonders the town has to offer. A trip to Giverny is also a must see for any art fans. Giverny was home to French painter Monet, here you can still walk through his garden which inspired many of his paintings, this truly makes art come to life.

Honfleur is a pretty harbour town and has been and continues to be a great inspiration to many artists, professional and armature alike. Bayeux is of course home to the famous Bayeux Tapestry depicting William the Conquerors victory over King Harold and the successful Norman invasion of England. It's a must see for anyone with even a slight interest in history.

Both regions make fantastic family holidays, but they also cater for those looking for adventure or are just lovers of fine food which can be found in almost every town and village in the region.

This article was written on behalf of Skybus who provide Flights to Brittany

by Ben Binding

Sunday, October 19, 2008

A Curtain Call to Your Senses

A Curtain Call to Your Senses

Lets be honest, there is nothing more comforting than drawing the curtains for a cosy night in when the colder months set in. Our love of curtains transcends mere decoration, they comfort us in an indescribable way, they have always been with us, they represent our history, and in all our happy memories of family at home they are there in the background, protecting us.

There are few pleasures equal to the feeling we get when throwing back the curtains on winters morning to be met with the sight of perfect, untouched, pure white snow. It is and enduring and iconic image because we have all experienced at least once, it is something you do not forget.

Understandably it is the snowfall that grabs our attention, but the visceral power of the scene is provided by the dramatic reveal as the curtains are pulled aside. It is no coincidence that curtains are so heavily tied to the theatre in our consciences, they do indeed have an air of mystery and add drama and flair to all they adorn.

If we are completely honest with ourselves- and we should be- we have all curled a drum roll off our tongues and sang "TA- DAAA!!" as we have pulled back our curtains at some point.

However so far we have only satisfied our sight. We have five senses, and a truly successful home should try to satisfy as many as possible- if you are now wondering what would be best to cement your shortbread bricks in your confectionary home, jam or treacle, I congratulate you on maintaining the connection with your inner child but I fear you have gone too far and that home and contents insurance is, for you, a paramount concern.

What I mean in reality is that our homes should help us do what we are here to do which is experience as much as possible. Besides simply looking beautiful, they should provide us with a rich tapestry of sounds, textures and smells. This all adds up to a more tangible and evocative and therefore more satisfying home life.

The feeling of satisfyingly thick velvet between our fingers and the swooshing noise as the curtains are pulled across their tracks all with the smoothest and most effortless glide, added to the instant invasion of sunbeams which reach all corners of the room as the new day is revealed to us, all add up to a real experience rather than just an action. This is the way all days should begin.

It may seem some and trivial, even incidental but if we strive to increase the number of such supposedly small moments in our homes they will add up to something very real indeed.

When choosing furnishings for next home project, take the time to weigh up just how many of your senses are excited and satisfied by each item you choose. This level of careful consideration will prove in time to be massively rewarding. You will have a home that interacts with you on so many more levels, one that awakens your senses and heightens your awareness to the world around you. Not so trivial after all.

Terry's Fabrics is in the business since1973 and provides a number of home accessories for convenient and affordable living with variety of curtains available for your home.

by Rakesh Gaikwad

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Religious Tapestries: Weaving Faith with the Arts

Religious Tapestries: Weaving Faith with the Arts

For centuries people have searched for ways of expressing their faith through the arts and tapestry is one method of providing a vehicle for their inspiration. The passion for art, entwined with the spirituality of religion has ensured these works have retained their popularity from the middle ages to the present day.

Spirituality through the ages Religious tapestries have continued to appeal through time. When one acknowledges the tremendous ways in which spiritual matters test faith and affect the heart and soul, the drama and vividness of the work is realised.

The beauty of a religious tapestry gives a glimpse of what life beyond that on earth might be and has delivered hope in uncertain times when belief in religion may have been tested. The Glory of Christ, designed by Graham Sutherland in Coventry Cathedral is such an example.

Adorning the altar area of the rebuilt cathedral the tapestry was intended to inspire those citizens of the city who experienced some of the most destructive bombings in World War 2 and is now the focus of a Peace centre.

Visions of Faith Tapestries with a religious or spiritual theme are available in different forms and approaches to faith. This reflects the diverse way in which spirituality is expressed by believers, and in using art a belief can be expressed powerfully without words.

Many tapestries have a base in Christianity, however others are more abstract, using different forms to express belief. Legend, angels, mythology and other concepts have been used to express spirituality. Tapestries representing Christian beliefs continue to be popular for those interested in using them in home décor. One example is, "Be Not Afraid", based on a reproduction by the American artist Greg Olsen.

The use of light in guiding the way and Christ reaching out to help a child demonstrates the core value of faith and the essence of Christianity itself. Similarly themed tapestries include the Crucifixion, the Trinity and the Last Supper. Religious tapestries have also been adapted from the great paintings of artists such as Michelangelo, Tom DuBois, El Greco and Fra. Angelico

Less definitive perspectives on religion can also be tastefully incorporated into interior design. An example might be Mary Baxter St Clair's perspective of the Messenger of Love, showing an angel offering gifts of roses to symbolise love. Delicate colouring allows spiritual beliefs to be incorporated into a modern home, blending with the décor, and at the same time imparting a powerful message through art.

Timeless connections Tapestries with spiritual or religious themes are likely to remain popular for years to come, finding a place in the hearts and homes of many. Faith often evokes strong feelings, and the art expressed through tapestry has the power to enable people to affirm and connect with spirituality, in ways that sometimes cannot be expressed through the spoken word. A faith based tapestry is a beautiful work of art that allows that spiritual connection to be made in a sincere yet powerful way.

Copyright © The Tapestry House, all rights reserved.

This is Free-Reprint article from The Tapestry House. Our terms are: Please leave copyright statement intact Please publish author info including links Please do not use the article in unsolicited emails Please keep all links intact and "as is" - no embedded keyword advertising

Angela Dawson-Field writes on a number of subjects for the Tapestry House including the religious tapestries . In her spare time she sources products for The Tapestry House

Friday, October 10, 2008

Exquisite Tapestries Made From Broadloom Carpet

Exquisite Tapestries Made From Broadloom Carpet

We all know that tapestries are rich in history, but did you know that tapestries date back as far as 3rd century BC in Greece? This form of textile art has a modern counterpart in the form of Carpet Sculpture. With recent advances in technology carpet sculpture has emerged as an attractive option for tapestry collectors and admirers.

Unlike woven tapestries, the medium of a carpet sculptor is broadloom carpet. The differences between the two methods are akin to a comparison between a flat two-dimensional plane and a depth oriented three-dimensional plane.

The common two dimensional tapestries are produced on vertical looms, whereas the three dimensional broadloom tapestries are produced through a sophisticated inlay process on horizontal table-top surfaces.

The 3-D effect is only established when the details of the tapestry are carved and beveled by a well trained carpet sculptor who uses a special high speed carving tool. This carving style can reflect simple clean lines or more advanced bas-relief like effects.

There are numerous carpet styles that can be integrated into a broadloom tapestry, these range from short dense pile heights to the thicker plush styles. Furthermore the style can have a loop element or even a patterned design. Often a tapestry will reflect a few broadloom styles within the whole composition.

This versatility in design makes the broadloom tapestry an attractive choice for wall hangings as corporate art pieces or in residential interiors. They are particularly suitable for large scale applications. The scaled up versions can be installed in panel sections that are seamed together invisibly. Smaller Tapestries can be professionally mounted and hung like a traditional tapestry.

Inspirations in tapestry designs can originate with a photograph, a style of art, or a unique theme like horse racing, golfing, or a landscape setting. They can even reflect a story or a family history.

In wrapping up this article, we have seen a fascinating glimpse into the evolving world of modern textile art. Broadloom tapestries have taken on a new 3-dimensional look that captures the attention of art enthusiasts and expresses a depth never before seen in tapestry making.

Russell Webb, your friendly expert Custom Carpet Maker. If you're ready to discover the creative and exciting world of custom carpet sculpture, and have fun doing it, then why not request more information at http://www.custom-area-rugs.com/services.htm

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Different Types of Embroidery and Cross Stitch Needles

Different Types of Embroidery and Cross Stitch Needles

There are many different types of needles to use in embroidery and cross stitching. Quality and size vary greatly, so try several different needles to find which one you are the most comfortable using. To help you get started, I have written up some basics to keep in mind when choosing which needles to use and when to use them.

Types of needles:

The most common needle used in cross stitching is an embroidery or tapestry needle. Other needles exist, such as beading, chenille, quilting, and milliners needles, and each type has a specific use. Here is a brief description of each type of needle.

  • Tapestry needles - They have a blunt point, which pushes aside evenweave fabrics instead of piercing them, and a large eye to accommodate several strands of thread.
  • Embroidery needles - Much like a tapestry needle, except that the tip is sharper, the needle is thinner and the eye is smaller than a tapestry needle. They are easier to use in cross stitching when you are doing French knots, as the needle is able to pierce the fabric easier than tapestry needles.
  • Petite tapestry needles - Are shorter in length than tapestry needles, which makes stitching faster since there is less of a needle to pull through the fabric with each stitch.
  • Double-eye tapestry needles - Are needles with two eyes and are especially useful when using different types of floss or two or more colours (known as blending colours).
  • Beading needles - Are used for adding beads. The needles are long and thin because tapestry needles are usually too large to add beads to cross stitch projects.
  • Chenille needles - Are used in ribbon embroidery because they have a long eye and sharp points.
  • Quilting needles - Are quite short and have a small, round eye and a sharp point. They are perfect to do short stitches quickly and precisely.
  • Milliners needles - Are the best needles to use when doing French and Bullion knots. They are very long, with small round eyes, as opposed to the long oval eyes of a tapestry needle.
  • Quality:

    Look for high quality needles and threads, as this will make for a more enjoyable stitching experience and produce a higher quality finish. Poor quality needles are harder to thread because they have a rough eye that will actually pull and fray your thread. Poor quality thread will fray easily, making it hard to thread through the needle and giving your finished piece a fuzzy appearance.

    Different needle sizes:

    On higher count fabric, you need a smaller sized needle. Kind in mind that the larger the number size of the needle is, the smaller the actual needle will be. For example, a size 26 tapestry needle is smaller than a size 24 tapestry needle. The higher the count of the fabric, the smaller the holes in the fabric, therefore you will need a smaller needle. As a guideline, use a size 24 tapestry needle for stitching on an 11 or 14 fabric count; use a size 26 for fabric with a fabric count of 18 or greater.

    I hope you have found this information helpful. For more helpful cross stitch tips and tricks, please visit http://www.beautifulcreations.ca and remember to check out our free patterns while you are there.

    By Joanne Jones

    Tuesday, October 7, 2008

    Floral Tapestries - Traditional or Contemporary?

    Floral Tapestries - Traditional or Contemporary?

    Everyone likes a bit of nature in their homes. And what better symbol of nature is there than flowers? People have always tried using flowers in several different ways to perk up the interiors of their homes, and we must say these flowers do a whole lot of good to the homes. Floral tapestries are the best examples of people's attempt to bring a symbol of nature into their homes.

    There are some excellent innovative designs with the tapestries too. Special favorites of people across the world are the collages which contain several types of floral motifs in various sections throughout the tapestry. For people who want something brazenly unique, there are several floral tapestries of the abstract art form too.

    It is important to select a proper positioning for the floral tapestry in the room. Ideally, people hang the tapestry on the best wall of their room, and use lighting to maximum effect. Visitors should be able to see the tapestry as soon as they enter the room -- hence, it is a great idea to hang the tapestry on the wall opposite to the entrance of the room.

    It is certain that nothing adds to the effect of the room as much as the floral tapestry does, and that is the reason why it must be used as the prime attraction within the room.

    Lighting is quite important too. As the floral tapestries are always created with interesting colors, it is important that the light must be bright and white -- the incandescent lighting or the mood lighting that is used in several homes nowadays just won't do any justice to the tapestries. The lights must be positioned so that the illumination falls directly on the tapestry and not through a sideways angle.

    You must note that you get all accessories to go along with the theme of your floral tapestry and you must find and purchase them. There are special tapestry rods and even hooks to go with the floral pattern. Remember that if you get a floral tapestry and your rod doesn't go with it, then the overall effect may be spoiled.

    One more thing to consider is the knobs that are used at the ends of the rods. This is a very special area for any tapestry, and with floral tapestries there are some breathtakingly beautiful designs available.

    With the right kind of floral tapestry, the right accessories and the right kind of lighting, you can be sure that your room will simply look gorgeous. Select everything with patience and care, and get ready for all those compliments from your guests.

    Alex Hanson writes on how floral tapestries can make a beautiful statement in your home decor. European Tapestries are famous for their floral motif's and take on a more traditional and sophisticated style. If you are thinking along a contemporary theme, you will find the koi fish tapestries are a nice modern wall hanging to enhance your wall decor.

    Monday, September 29, 2008

    Makeover a Room With a Tapestry

    Makeover a Room With a Tapestry

    Adding a wall tapestry is great way to add wall decoration and a focal point to almost any room. A great tapestry can pull a room together. Fabric wall hangings such as tapestries automatically make a room feel warmer. They are also a great conversation piece.

    Their intricately woven patterns alone make them worthy of comment. If the tapestry also reflects a personal interest, it lends to even more conversation. So how do you go about doing this? Let's find out.

    Consider using a large wall tapestry to design an entire room around. Let the tapestry act as a backdrop to the rest of your design features. For instance, a classic red, white, and blue nautical tapestry along one wall begs for outdoor furniture, like a wicker sofa with blue and white striped cushions with a red Adirondack chair and a sisal rug against white floors and sky blue walls.

    You can also add a tapestry to pull together a room of collectibles. If you collect medieval weapons, a tapestry of a medieval battle or a castle can highlight your collection. If you are an avid fisherman, a tapestry depicting the small port of a fishing village might be a good choice.

    If you enjoy traveling, a world map tapestry would be a good focal point in a room with your collected mementos from around the world. With all of the custom tapestry choices available, you can have your pick of designs, or design your own, that will perfectly fit your space and your style.

    A landscape tapestry in your dining room can tie in beautifully with your floral tapestry dining room chair seats and have your guests gawking at how perfectly the room comes together. A secluded garden tapestry can add a touch of romance in your bedroom without taking up precious floor space. Back-to-back tapestries can even act as a beautiful, free-hanging divider in a loft or large room.

    When considering revamping your home's decor, consider what a well-placed tapestry can do to enrich your home. Tapestries offer the wall coverage of a mural, but you can take the tapestry down and re-hang it. A tapestry offers the warmth of fabric without the expense of fabric wallpaper and, once again, you can take your tapestry with you.

    While you may be of the mindset that tapestries are massive pieces of art that can only go on a large wall, you may be surprised to learn the truth. Many tapestry companies offer the options of resizing and changing colors of their tapestry designs to fit any size wall or color scheme you may have.

    Some tapestry companies offer complete custom tapestries that you provide the design for. You can have them match a picture exactly or ask them to design a tapestry to fit your decor by using pictures from your house. The limits to the possibilities of tapestries is only left to the limits of your imagination.

    So there you go.

    Bring the rich colors and textures of tapestries into your home. A well-placed tapestry is an eye-catching, conversation-starting, work of art.

    Tom Matherson writes for Worldwide Tapestries which has a wide range of tapestry wall hangings to enhance any home. Browse a wide collection of the latest wall art tapestry designs in a variety of categories including large wall tapestries.

    Friday, September 26, 2008

    Inexpensive Interior Design Ideas That Look Great

    Inexpensive Interior Design Ideas That Look Great

    Good interior decoration comes at a heavy cost. Well, this is a myth that will soon be cleared as you go through this article. There are many inexpensive interior design ideas that will be revealed to you, so that budget-conscious people do not refrain from rejuvenating the look of their house.

    The biggest mistake that people do in the task of interior designing is that they try to change everything from the very start. The best way to approach a task especially for those who have a limited budget is to improvise on their exiting things wherever possible.

    The foremost thing is to paint the walls. The colors chosen by you must be in accordance with the mood you want to invoke in that particular room. However, if your wall has cracks or holes, try covering them by hanging fabrics such as cotton or silk.

    Another alternative is to hang a tapestry or an interesting painting. You may also make your own creations to adorn the walls. Or you may pick up an interesting piece of fabric or map. Now get it framed and your inexpensive wall hanging is all ready! Similarly, instead of fixing the imperfections on your floor, you may cover them by carpets or designer floorings.

    With constant usage, storage cabinets may also have lost their finish. Replacing them is surely an expensive affair. But if you just want to make it as new as ever, why not simply paint it again? You may also consider changing its handles and glass. This would give you new cabinets without spending much money. For the task, you may approach a refurbishing company or consult a professional.

    Furniture is also very expensive, if you wish to purchase a new set. However, you may use slipcovers instead to get rid of the boredom in your room and change the look of your furniture. You may also have different slipcovers made for different seasons. For instance, you may have yellow or white colored slipcovers for summers and for fall you may like brown or green colored slipcovers and so on.

    Lightning is another important factor of interior designing. By adding on a few flow lights in order to bring focus to the new wall hangings and accessories incorporated by you will definitely change the look of your home drastically. After all, there is nothing old and worn out that you will now notice from flooring to walls.

    Hence, there are various inexpensive interior design ideas that can be utilized to enliven your home. In fact, the same affordable ideas can be equally useful to rejuvenate even a home office, restaurant, or any other business set up by making a few amendments to these ideas.

    Walter Hilliam owns and operates http://www.myinteriordesignideas.com Interior Design Ideas

    Monday, August 25, 2008

    How You Can Create Beauty And Ambience In Your Home With A Tapestry Wall Hanging

    How You Can Create Beauty And Ambience In Your Home With A Tapestry Wall Hanging

    Bring a sense of beauty, ambiance and history into your home with tapestry wall-hangings.

    The fabric of a tapestry reduces sound vibrations, improving the auditory distinctiveness of the room in which they are hung. Tapestry wall-hangings are becoming increasingly popular for wall decor. A tapestry wall hanging is a unique combination of modern fashion trend and a form of wall art from Antiquity.

    A tapestry is created by colored weft threads woven into fixed warp threads to form the picture or the design. The detail of the tapestry is determined by the closeness of the warp threads. The closer together and the more delicate or fine the threads, the more intricate and detailed the tapestry. All original tapestries were hand made.

    Tapestry is one of the oldest forms of woven textiles; woven tapestry art has provided the stories of the Ancient Greeks and Romans to the medieval and the Renaissance period as well as the Old and the New Testaments. Documents relating to the origin of weaving tapestries, or wall hangings, date to before 2000BC. The Egyptians used this form of art to adorn their graves, the Incas buried their dead in tapestry woven clothing.

    Ancient Greek art also depicts weaving and spinning, as found on painted pottery specimens dating pre 500BC. Hand-woven tapestry art was a significant form used to decorate the walls of houses of the rich and important civic buildings such as the Parthenon, but however, it was the French medieval weavers who brought the craft to fruition especially as we know it.

    European weavers including those of the Medieval as well as the Renaissance periods are considered the world's most important producers of tapestries.

    Paris was the tapestry capital of the western world during the Middle Ages and through the 100 years War, but the war resulted in many of the tapestries being burnt or destroyed in ways to procure their precious metal content. The artisans of tapestry eventually moved from Paris to the areas that we now know as Northern France and Belgium.

    Many of the mass produced tapestries of today continue to be produced in factories in Belgium, the Netherlands with some in France and Italy. Mass production requires the use of computerized jacquard weaving machines. Belgium tapestries are decorative pieces of art which are enjoyed the world over for their artistic flair and creativity.

    Tapestry weaving in the USA dates back to before the American Revolution.

    Throughout history tapestries have been associated with nomadic life and story telling in fabric and in the modern world they have become a credible form of craft as well as art. Art forms have cycled through periods of growth and decline, but now in Western and Pacific Rim countries Textile Artistry is enjoying a resurgence like never before.

    Architects and homeowners continue to seek single pieces and unique hand made tapestries to adorn their building or homes.

    Consider the addition of tapestries in the decor of your home. You will be adding a texture to your walls not found in any other form of art. Experience for yourself the changes that can occur in different viewing angles as a result of thread colors and the weave. Experience for yourself the beauty and ambiance that has permitted tapestries to journey from antiquity to modern times.

    As co-owner of So Divine, my goal is to provide excellent Home Decor products at affordable prices and to give you the best customer and sales support!

    With many travels to Mediterranean countries, a deep love and understanding of this region has developed.

    Candles are as much of history as is the ancient world, the two marry together. Candles have always been lit in our home.

    A lover of natural products and fragrances I have sought information relating to products that can fulfill those needs as well as providing a safe environment.

    Initially our endeavors were to satisfy the needs of our family members, but with requests coming from visitors and relatives far and wide we quickly realized that many people were interested in the same home décor and accessories that we had been sourcing for many years.

    For information relating to all our products visit http://www.soyousodivine.com to receive our Home Decor Newsletter

    Articles extracts from Susan's book "Spray Salt and Spice - The Taste" soon to be released

    by Susan Burgess

    Wednesday, August 6, 2008

    Tapestries Wall Hangings: Best For Home Decor

    Tapestry is a unique form of textile art. It is hand knitted on a vertical loom. The presence of Tapestries wall hanging has been witnessed since the Hellenistic times. During the fourteenth century AD, the art of making tapestries wall hanging reached a new stage in Europe.

    It originated in Switzerland and Germany and then moved on to the Netherlands and France, later spreading to the whole of Europe. During the 14th and 15th centuries, France became the centre of this rare art. The French Revolution some what affected the presence of this art.

    The Tapestries wall hangings became extremely popular in medieval Europe. In fact, Wall Hangings Tapestries made its presence in every nook and corner of a common man's house. The different types of Wall Hangings Tapestries include the Croft European, religious and the Bayeux embroidered tapestry.

    Tapestries wall hangings are a rare collection. The warp threads are hidden in the final work. This is unlike cloth weaving, where we get to see the existence of both the weft threads and the warp. Utilizing this unique technique, a vibrant coloured outline of the image is created. Usually, the cotton or the linen is used as the warp thread.

    The weft thread usually consists of cotton or wool, but may also include gold, silver, silk, and other alternatives. This uniqueness provides it with a natural aesthetic beauty. Its long heritage and beauty is no match for the contemporary and traditional decorative items of today.

    The Tapestries wall hangings are available in different designs and colours. The main yarn colours are bluish green, russet or terracotta, olive green, dull gold and blue. Sage green and black is also not uncommon. Late repairs are worked in orange, light yellow, and shades of sober greens.

    The different patterns, designs and styles used in these Wall Hangings Tapestries include beautiful landscapes, pictures of animals and wildlife and court scenes. It also includes images of the countryside and the city life as well, besides certain religious and mythological events.

    During the 14th and 15th centuries, Arras, France was a prosperous textile town. The industry focused in manufacturing fine wool tapestries that were sold to decorate the castles and palaces of kings and nobles all over Europe. Even in the modern era, Tapestries wall hangings are very popular and are used to provide a unique ambience to the house.

    There are certain premium tapestry sellers like Croft European Tapestries that will help you acquire brilliantly coloured tapestries with intricate designs. Use one of them to create a mesmerising ambience in your home or workplace!

    Janet is a well-known author who writes on the topics related with Tapestries, Tapestries Wall Hangings, Religious Wall Hanging & more for the site www.crofteuropeantapestries.co.uk.

    by Janet

    Friday, July 18, 2008

    How to Care For Your Wall Tapestry - 3 Tips You Should Know About

    How to Care For Your Wall Tapestry - 3 Tips You Should Know About

    There are many variables to take into account when deciding what methods to use for the care and cleaning of your wall tapestry. When it comes to tapestries, the one thing that does not vary is the importance of proper care and cleaning to your tapestry's appearance and longevity. Below is an overview of some of the variables you may need to consider to ensure you are properly caring for your tapestries:

    Tip 1

    First and foremost, you must hang your tapestry correctly. Proper hanging techniques for tapestries distribute the fabric's weight evenly over the tapestry. Rod-in-pocket and Velcro(r) hanging techniques are both recommend by textile conservators provided they are done correctly. Hanging considerations:

    1. Some new tapestries come with backing fabric and a rod pocket pre-sewn.

    2. Custom tapestry companies can add trim, backing, rod pockets, and Velcro(r) to your tapestry.

    3. If you are somewhat handy and can sew a stitch, you can do it yourself.

    4. Whether a company does it or you do it, make sure to use proper materials. For example, never use sticky Velcro(r). The adhesive damages the tapestry and it does not hold as evenly as sewn Velcro(r).

    5. Do not cut corners, especially when it comes to old, fragile, or valuable tapestries. Only allow cotton or other natural fabric and thread to touch the tapestry.

    6. In more humid climates, tapestries need to be hung a bit away from the wall to prevent mold.

    7. Consult a textile conservator at a college or art gallery for a personal assessment of your textile and how best to hang it.

    Tip 2

    Second and almost as important, you must clean your tapestry regularly and properly. Remove dust by vacuuming them with the drapery attachment at least twice a year. If you live in dusty areas or own pets, you may need to vacuum your tapestry every other week. Removing dust regularly is the best way to keep bigger pieces of dirt from adhering to your tapestry, so dust often. When you notice that it needs dusting, you have actually waited too long to dust a textile like a tapestry. Dust it about twice as often as you think it needs it, unless you are already a compulsive cleaner.

    Tip 3

    Deeper cleaning of a tapestry can be much more tedious. If your tapestry is new or relatively new, consult the manufacturer. Otherwise, no deeper cleaning is suggested without consulting a professional textile conservator. Even plain water can damage certain tapestry materials. Also, tapestries are often made with a combination of different materials. The general rule is that one stain is easier to treat than two are. So resist doing anything beyond blotting your tapestry with a white cotton cloth. Then find a professional textile conservator to assess and properly clean your tapestry.

    So there you have it.

    Keep you tapestry in the best condition possible by properly hanging and cleaning it. Even if it is brand new, hang and clean it properly from the first day you bring it home. With proper care, your tapestry can be an eye-catching piece of art for many years to come.

    Tom Matherson writes for Worldwide Tapestries which has a wide range of tapestry wall hangings to enhance any home. Browse a wide collection of the latest wall art tapestry designs in a variety of categories including large tapestry art works.

    by Tom Matherson

    Sunday, July 13, 2008

    Wall Tapestries - Large Scale Wall Tapestries

    Wall Tapestries - Large Scale Wall Tapestries

    Excellent quality large scale tapestries can be produced easily using broadloom carpet. Carpet styles can range from lighter weight, commercial grades to heavier plush grades. Often these styles can be blended together to create a more textured tapestry. Here's a closer look at what's involved in producing a larger scale tapestry.

    Step One: Design Concepts - The bigger the scale, the easier it is to capture details in a broadloom tapestry. The complexity factor will affect pricing. If there's a tight budget, then reducing complexity is the easiest way to bring costs down. How many colors are involved? What materials will be used? Costs on large scale wall tapestries can range from several thousand to tens of thousands.

    Step Two: Production Facts - Once a design is determined, it's time for the production phase. This can take from several weeks to several months, depending on the size and scope of the project. All of the colors and design details are handcrafted and carefully inlaid into the main field piece. Hand-carving is another feature that can be integrated into a wall tapestry. The carving adds sharpness and definition to the overall design.

    Step Three: Installing The Tapestry - There are a few options for installation. A large scale tapestry will likely require a special installation: including scaffold set-up. The install can be done in a day or two. The tapestry can actually be installed in panels, similar to a wallpaper installation. The Tapestry should be securely fixed to the wall for a safe and permanent installation; this can be done using special adhesives. Smaller tapestries can be hung from a decorative rod or hooked in place.

    As we have learned; designing, producing, and installing a large scale tapestry doesn't have to be a mystery. Broadloom tapestries can be a stunning addition to any corporate environment, clubhouse, or residence that has the space for it.

    Russell Webb, your friendly expert Custom Carpet Maker. If you're ready to discover the creative and exciting world of custom carpet sculpture, and have fun doing it, then why not request more information at http://www.custom-area-rugs.com

    by Russell Webb

    Uncover the Beauty Created With Wall Tapestry

    Uncover the Beauty Created With Wall Tapestry

    Tapestry a Form of Textile Art

    Wall tapestry enhances the décor of a room or the place of business. The richness that the wall tapestries have in texture cannot be found in any other art form. The tapestries having modern art images that are done by world-famous artists are in demand as a decorative piece for the interiors.

    Tapestries Can Beautify the Interior of Your Home

    If you prefer to have a warm and colorful look in your room, then it makes for a great idea to have wall tapestry in the rooms. Besides rendering a colorful look to the room, this room décor also gives the room a soft and relaxed feel.

    Be it a fine domestic or European wall tapestry, you can have them to grace your walls. Wall tapestry is lovely wall hangings that come with a 3-4 inch rod pocket, which is sewn on the reverse side for the purpose of installation. You can hang tapestries with pretty hardware finials on each end or with a metal adjustable rod, which is quite akin to a curtain rod.

    Pay attention to the hanging of a wall tapestry, if the job is done well then there is no stopping you from transforming your room from a simple one to a decorated and elegant one. Tapestries can create a welcome look in the house that will make your guests compliment on the look of your interiors.

    Makes for both fun and function, a wall tapestry is a wonderful textile art. It is actually woven by hand on a vertical loom. So take your pick from the many floral wall tapestries, vintage poster tapestries and landscape tapestries. Look in awe at the magic that the wall tapestry does to your home.

    Bob is Marketing Director for Keepsakes Etc and has been developing a market awareness for their Wall Tapestry line of business.

    by Bob Shirilla