Artistic cars around the world

Art means diverse range of human activities and the products of those activities. Common view of art refers to painting, film, photography, sculpture, and other visual media. Music, theatre, dance, literature, and interactive media are popular forms of art.
What about artistic cars or vehicles with artistic approach? This article is about cars with different designs and color combinations which will amuse you.

Why people art cars? Simple answer is that art plays an integral part in our lives and thus public can see this art form on the road every day.

Let's have fun watching few artistic cars:

Now search more at sites or links related to art on cars.
'Art Car' is hosted by Costas Schuler aka 'The Pen Guy' creator of the Mercedes Pens Art Car covered in over 10,000 pens. Art Car Central is a blog about art cars, art bicycles, art motorcycles, mutant vehicles, videos and any other artistically altered vehicles.

 'Art Car Fest' is a festival for Art Cars, which are registered and insured vehicles that an artist has permanently altered in an artistic fashion.  The purpose of this art festival is to bring art into the world everyday as these cars are driven to work, and on the highways.
'Art Car Fest' is the only festival in the world of its kind.

Read more:20 of the World’s Most Awesome Art Cars: From Cupcake Scooters to Cat Cruisers
* 'Air Brush.com' is Australia's professional airbrush production shop. They also air brush the vehicles.

* BMW Art Cars

* Driven by Design A professional designers site. http://weburbanist.com/2008/08/03/20-of-the-worlds-most-awesome-art-cars/?ref=search http://www.burningman.com/art_of_burningman/art_cars_on_the_playa.html http://www.orangeshow.org/art-car/

Indoor plants for urban homes

There are many species of plants that can be grown indoors. To select best species you need to determine what kind of plants you prefer to decorate your house. In urban environment, living plants have become part of the interior decoration. Among many species there are large leaves or small leaves plants, flowering plants or ferns, vines etc to select. 

Best Species of indoor plants for interior decoration:

Large-leaved species such as rubber plants (Ficus elastica), Monstera deliciosa, dumb-cane (Dieffenbachia amoena), and Philodendron are especially suited to commercial building interiors. They provide the size required to make them focal points in interior landscaping.

These large leaved-plants, as well as flowering house plants, tropical house plants , and smaller specimens such as ferns , vines, and ivies can serve a similar purpose in the home or apartment. 

Ficus elastica or Rubber Plant is popular as a house plant, however, because of its large, leathery, glossy leaves that can grow to 8 in (20 cm) long or more -- and because it is so easy to grow. 

Thanksgiving Cactus :Thanksgiving Cactus is a member of the Cactaceae family.

Flat stem segments are long and narrow and connected by a mid-rib. Its deeply indented stems look like crab claws, giving it a second common name, Crab Cactus. In late fall, it bears big, beautiful flowers, which may be red, pink, peach, orange, white, or bicolored.

Fuchsia: Fuchsia plant  is vibrant, eye-catching indoor plan which you can hang near a window, where it'll get filtered sunlight. If you hang it outdoors, keep it in a shady location. 

Chenille Plant: Fuzzy, tassel-like blooms spill over the sides of the container, making this captivating plant an ideal hanging basket plant -- and a sure conversation starter. Hang chenille plant in a bright window and you'll have a show of blooms from spring through fall.

 Zebra Plant has outrageously bold striped foliage and, for 6 weeks in autumn, vibrant yellow flowers emerge from golden bracts for a scene-stealing performance. In the wild it thrives in the regular downpours of the Brazilian rain forest. It will also do well indoors if the humidity is high.

More hanging basket plants.

African Violet

African violets, obviously native to Africa, were introduced to Europe in the late nineteenth century. These fuzzy favorites come in hundreds of varieties and grow well in bathrooms and kitchens as they love humidity.

Bromeliad

Bromeliads thrive on neglect as they can endure a wide range of indoor conditions with minimal care. They bloom only once in their lifetime and the flower lasts for about three months. Once it flowers, the plant stops producing leaves and grows other baby plants that grow and flower in two to three years.

Lady Slipper Orchids: Lady Slipper Orchids are among the few terrestrial orchids commonly grown indoors. Its unusual blossoms have a slipper-shaped pouch that is often in a contrasting color to the rest of the flower. It has long, flaring side petals and a showy dorsal sepal (that's the top part of the bloom). Bloom time varies with the species. Flowers last for several weeks and range in color from soft pastels to any exotic combination of rich, earthy tones.

Jelly Bean Plant (Sedum rubrotinctum) are often grown as Houseplants. These are called succulents or water-retaining plants. 

Moth Orchid: Thrives in high humidity, lots of light (but not hot, mid-day sun) and thorough waterings with, unlike many types of houseplants, almost complete drying out between.

Peace Lily: It's also said to remove mold spores in the air, making it great for bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms; purifying the air of trichloroethylene, a chemical found in cleaners and solvents; and removing alcohols, acetone, and formaldehyde. It prefers lots of water, less often and bright, indirect light.

Boston Fern is a classic. This is the most popular of the fern species that originated in Central America and became a fast favorite in parlors and porches in North America during the Victorian era.

Mother-in-Law's Tongue or Snake Plant: It's tall, sword-shaped leaves make stunning vertical accents among a group of leafy, bushy plants. And, because of its ability to tolerate low light levels and low humidity, sansevieria is an extremely adaptable house plant.

These plants brighten up the home-space and create a healthy home environment. They purify and renew the indoor stale air by filtering out toxins, pollutants and the carbon dioxide we exhale and replace the air with life-sustaining oxygen. Home plants also filter pollutants generated by computer equipment, furniture, paint and air conditioners.

Flowering house plants keep us smiling and cheery; green house plants ease our minds and provide comfort, while tropical house plants make us feel composed and sophisticated.

You may check more indoor plants at following sites. I have selected only few which are pretty and add decoration element for homes.

Reference: http://www.guide-to-houseplants.com/

* Common House Plants

* Decorative indoor house plants from 'Home interior design'

Feng shui tips for home decoration

The main goal of feng shui is to organize your home in such a manner to enhance your feelings of comfort and safety. Feng shui home decorating maximizes the positive influences while minimizing the negative ones.


Feng shui tips for home decoration:


Recently, people around the world have begun to see the benefits of using feng shui techniques in their homes. To design for optimum results, you need to learn the basic feng shui areas, and what each symbolizes, and decorate accordingly in your home, office, room or garden.

• Fresh flowers at home can also add vitality and energy, and plants are different, they are a particularly active form brought to the room with colorful colors. If careful cultivation and care, flowers have a strong effect of feng shui, the color and shape will be affected, therefore, life at home must be diligent in the water every day and cutting plants to a lasting effectiveness. At the same time, we must note that the layout at home feng shui, the best do not use dried flowers, die forgotten because of its symbolic and decline. 
• It is good luck to place an aquarium or a fountain inside your home. Good Chi is attracted to water. A good place to place your aquarium is facing your front door inside the house to invite good Chi to come in. Other good places to put an aquarium or fountain: On the south-east element of your home for wealth, south-west for marriage, east for health, west for friends, north for career and north-east for education.
• Plants which has thorns or spikes like the cactus is inauspicious, leave it outside your home. Instead of the cactus, use round leafed plants, wind chimes and crystals. All these are auspicious and will bring good chi inside your home.

Door Placement                                                 
Your front door and back door will not line up with each other. If they do, according to the principles of Feng Shui, the chi (energy) will slip right through the house, without bringing benefits to the residents. If the doors do line up, you can help ease the problem by placing a large plant or other obstacle beside one of the doors, with an angled throw rug to encourage a path in a sideways direction.

Use red color carefully: The rules of feng shui say to be careful with your use of the color red, which represents the element of fire. Do not use a red living room set. A red sofa and chair could bring undue work pressures and obstacles into your life. Likewise, don't use red in the wealth area.

Dining Room:
Round dining room tables are best because circles symbolize heavenly blessings. Dining room chairs should be of an even number and comfortable to sit in. Dining room décor should be simple, so it doesn't distract from the food.
Watch Out for Exposed Beams: Other elements to watch for are exposed beams, which can create oppressive downward energetic flows that can cause problems regarding your health, well-being, and other areas of your life. Watch out especially for beams over the bed, stove, desk, dining table or front door. To cure the problem, you can hang two Feng Shui flutes at 45-degree angles on the beam, one at each end. Or, paint the beams to match the ceiling or hide them with a false ceiling or in some other way.

Bedroom:
Bedrooms and other rest facilities should be housed in the upper part of a house according to Feng Shui. 

Don't have your bed situated so you are directly facing the door to your bedroom. Also, be careful where you place mirrors in your bedroom. A mirror opposite your bed or at the side of the bed could attract a third party into the relationship.
Stacking unused or finished bottles of shampoos and creams invites Sha energy. Keep bathroom clean, use candles, bamboo luck pots, and aroma oils to keep the ambience inviting. Keep the toilet seat closed, bins shut and drains covered when not in use.

Living room: 
The living room furniture should not have sharp bends or corners. Its desirable not have too many knick knacks of tiny decorating items, as eventually they will form clutter and stop Chi from moving freely; also keeping paintings that denote loneliness, violence fear or solitude.
Don’t have too many metal appliances, remotes, wires all in visible area; keep them in a cabinet hidden from view. A warm fireplace, a warm earthly shade rug on the floor, beautiful votive candles, few good books, and a water arrangement be in fountain, aquarium or float is very harmonious to any guest.

Kitchen: It is believed in ancient Chinese beliefs that if you can cook and feed well that means you are wealthy and successful. In kitchen the burners should be so placed that the kitchen door is visible when you are cooking. If that is not possible place a mirror at the back of the burner that reflects the door.

Keep the kitchen clutter free and ingredients nicely stacked and shut. Do not keep any sharp elements like knife or scissors in public view. Its unwanted to have too many left over’s, unused items or cans and bottles on kitchen tops.
More 'Feng shui kitchen tips'

Dining Room: The dining room can be nicely decorated with a painting of food or people eating like the last supper! Table tops are preferably made of wood; if at all it’s made of metal or glass them make sure to put a nice warn table top cover. Chairs should be comfortable with enough leg space, and too many things should not be kept on the table top that deviate attention away from food.

Useful links:

* Feng shui home

* Feng Shui cures to encourage positive bedroom Feng shui

* Feng shui perfect bedroom

* Feng shui decorating tips

Why Feng shui for home decoration?

Feng shui decorating is basically a way to decorate your home so as to create a vibrant feeling of joy and harmony. Home decorating or interior decorating is extremely important for an inviting and relaxing place called 'home'.
There are many aspects of feng shui home decorating, all which can be crucial for create better movement of the ‘qi’ or energy in your home. This energy which is often known as a ‘life force’ can easily become stagnant within a house and have a negative impact on the residents. An easy way to solve this problem is to redecorate the home in a way that can tackle the bad energy and promote the ‘qi’ to flow freely. There are many effective ways of decorating that will have a positive influence, finding the correct combination is key.


Feng shui beneftis for home decoration:

• Feng Shui is all about the balance energy and enhancing the environment. For thousands of years, the Chinese have utilized Feng Shui to enhance harmony, peace and prosperity.
• You саn bring out аll thе positive energies іn a room tο mаkе you rich, рlеаѕеd аnd healthy by  incorporating Feng Shui іn interior design. An interior design using Feng Shui саn аlѕο gеt rid οf tеrrіblе spirits thаt bring іn negative atmosphere іn аn abode.
• Through harmonious design of the residential areas according to the rules of Feng Shui, an oasis to relax and recharge to be created. Furthermore, the classical feng shui is used to activate and permanently improve all areas of life.                      
• Feng Shui reflects the house or apartment nine life themes. This will include things such as relationships, creativity, career or wealth. They can all be positively influenced by the setting up of Feng Shui.
• The main entrance of the house should be kept cluster free, and clean all times, an inviting fountain or some small plants along the path to the house is ideal, pathways nicely lit at night reflecting safety and warmth. Keeping Chinese vases, crystals, chimes, fountains, inspirational paintings, lamps are all units of decoration whose placement alone can bring positive change.
• Try decorating your home with more light, music, water, air, plants, mirrors, windchimes, bright colors, houseplants and flowers. Open the drapes, curtains or miniblinds all the way to let the sun shine in. This will activate the yang chi of joy and happiness.  

Few tips for a feng shui decoration:

• If you have your front door or front window open directly to a window or door at the back of your house, place a big screen or furniture to block the alignment to prevent good Chi from entering and leaving your house straight away.
• Find a way to brighten long and dark corridors. They trap bad chi inside your home and prevents the good chi from entering and circulating inside.
• Feng Shui in the modern concept of a home with sufficient sunlight, the flow of air and comfortable line of home hygiene activities that have the best feng shui. 
• Directly opposite windows are bad, yet the Chi flows come in on the one hand, and without a stop, very quickly, on the other side back out of the apartment. Because we need this energy, however, it should be kept in the room and can be distributed evenly.
• Skylights should be placed opposite each other by design lying, it can prevent a mobile center of the room flow through the Chi. Moreover, from Feng Shui experts advise freiliegendenden of beams, especially in the bedroom.
• An important and very simple tip is order, particularly in the entrance hall or area. Top bedroom furniture or corners should not be addressed directly to places where we are staying longer if possible. The bed or the desk should not be placed between the door and windows.
• Don't place your kitchen directly below a bathroom, nor place your kitchen in front or the centre of your house. Ideally, the kitchen should be located at the back of your home. And if you cook by open flame, it is best to cook outside the house. 
• Inside your kitchen, do not place your cooking stove directly in front of the sink, water dispenser, refrigerator or washing machine, this creates conflicts between household members. Water and fire elements don't mix. 

These are few tips which can help you decorate your home using knowledge of feng shui. You can search online for more tips and ideas.

Related: www.philippineinteriordesign.com

Related posts: Feng shui tips to get relief from stress

- Feng shui tips to make your home the best it can be

- *Feng shui tips-To make your bedroom the best it can be

Useful links:


* Color And Feng Shui Home Decorating! 

* Feng shui home

* Feng Shui cures to encourage positive bedroom Feng shui

* Feng shui perfect bedroom

* Feng shui decorating tips

What is Decoupage and How to Learn it?

Both collage and decoupage involve cutting (or tearing) out images or shapes and sticking them down.
A collage is a form of artwork, intended to be displayed as other pieces of fine art would be, usually hung on a wall. Decoupage is a crafts technique used to decorate an object which is used, such as a box or table top, not to create an artwork that stands alone. The word collage comes from a rather literal French term meaning ‘gluing’ and the tactile sensation of gluing pieces of media is certainly present in this work.


Decoupage as an artistic practice, and a particular method of creating visual juxtapositions, provides us a similar and yet distinct mode for thinking about compositing. As with collage, Decoupage is a world of French origin and stems directly from the term meaning to ‘cut out’. In traditional practice decoupage involved the cutting up of elements (usually paper images, photos, drawings, patterns and textures) and then pasting these down on a surface (most often furniture) and sealing them in place with layers of lacquer or vanish. By the nature of this process of cutting-up and pasting-down, decoupage invokes a kind of decorative aesthetic; an act of decorating something by juxtaposing layers of other visual elements on to and over it. 
A collage is a form of artwork, intended to be displayed as other pieces of fine art would be, usually hung on a wall. Decoupage is a crafts technique used to decorate an object which is used, such as a box or table top, not to create an artwork that stands alone. Decoupage is a very popular craft form which came from French term meaning "cutting up." It is a similar craft form like collage . It is the creative art of assembling, pasting and varnishing paper cutouts for decorating objects. This article helps you get some basic techniques and ideas to create crafts with decoupage. I personally like decoupage as it is a form of recycling. You can easily use materials such as old magazines, pictures, used wishing cards, or packing stuff from used gift boxes to create new beautiful work of art.

Decoupage is a simple process of cutting and pasting in one layer or many layers. Basically, you cut out pictures; you glue the pictures onto an object; and then cover the object and pictures with a few coats of glue to protect it. You may use other materials like picture cut outs from magazine, your old pictures, postcards, seed packets, greeting cards, wallpaper and old childrens story books,  fancy buttons, ribbons, glitter or whatever material you choose.


Variety and creativity go side by side in this creative crafts form.

This form of handicrafts is quite old, and even today is still done by many people. It is an old Japanese technique of decorating using thirty layers. It was the Europeans' way of inexpensively decorating furniture. But, decoupage became a popular pastime during the Victorian era. Victorians saved Valentine cards, magazines, and books of printed motifs. Favorite subjects for decoupage crafters have traditionally been flowers and fruits, birds and butterflies, and angels and fairies.

other paper was designed specifically for this medium. Today, we don't use so many layers and decoupage designs usually come from magazine pages or paper cut. Decoupage can be very simple or very intricate, and you can create decoupage crafts or homemade gifts easily. Traditionally, wooden objects are used in decoupage. Furniture is commonly decoupaged. Any surface that is relatively smooth can be decoupaged, such as metal, plastic, or glass. 

The best way to learn and start creating crafts with decoupage is by starting on simple projects.

Pencil boxes, used gift boxes and inexpensive picture frames are a great way to learn the basics of the craft. If you make a mistake you can simply start over or recycle it and start again until it looks the way you envisioned.

Once you have mastered decorating little things, you can go for big things like coffee tables or decorative lamp shades.

Basic techniques to start decoupage:

Collect the tools needed to start it.

Basic tools are scissors, utility knives, straight edge paper cutter, crafts glue (or pva which is an excellent medium) and varnish.  

Supplied needed to create decoupage:

- decorative paper cutouts 

- item to decoupage(trays, frames,furniture, etc)- scissors, manicure scissors, x-acto knife

- white glue or Mod Podge

- tweezers

- 3 paintbrushes for applying paint, glue, and varnish

- sandpaper 

Before you begin, be sure the surface of the item is clean, free of dust or flaking paint. If the piece is unfinished wood, it must be painted, stained, or sealed before decoupaging. If the item needs to bepainted, use the appropriate paint for the item. Let dry 24 hours. It will also need to be lightly sanded so the glue will adhere better. Use a very fine grit sandpaper.         

Useful links:


* Decoupage Ideas for Furniture
* 'Art and home studios' offers many easy tutorials to create decoupage projects.
* There are many projects at 'Zimbio'

* There are many online sites which offer more ideas and tips. Like 'Fave Crafts' offers '33 fabulous decoupage ideas and tutorials.'


* The art of collage

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