Decorating Styles and Techniques

Decorating styles and techniques for home design abound, giving you lots of options for your home. Learn how to make the decision that is right for your design and technique preferences.

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The Brits standardized what it means for an item to be sterling silver way back in the 14th century. But how can you tell if something is sterling or not?

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

The Chinese have been making porcelain as far back as perhaps the first century. What is porcelain, exactly, and why did it take hundreds of years for the process to be duplicated anywhere else?

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Milk paint is made of, well, milk. It's also easy to mix, super fast drying, eco-friendly and requires no sanding and priming before use.

By Wendy Bowman

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Farmhouse style is an eclectic mix of traditional charm and quirky character that lends a cozy, warm feel to any space where comfort is key.

By Alia Hoyt

Subway tiles were created specifically for use in the New York City subway system, but consumers love them too, as they add a touch of retro urban sophistication to almost any home.

By Alia Hoyt

The glue, the scraping, the mess, the hours of torture and pain. If the idea of using wallpaper anywhere in your home conjures up images of sheer agony, then temporary, removable paper was made for you.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Wainscoting might conjure up images of stodgy oak paneling. But forget that. This design element has stood the test of time because it can seamlessly blend into just about every style and decor.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D. & Yara Simón

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The overlapping rabbet joint that defines true shiplap is the same kind of joint that made seagoing ships watertight.

By Carrie Whitney, Ph.D.

Ubiquitous in the 1970s, the papasan chair has a colorful history.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky

Shabby chic is a design style that celebrates the unique beauty in imperfection. It's about blending a light color palate with distressed surfaces or objects that hint at a more genteel past.

By Sara Elliott

Why is it that when we set out to update a room sometimes it just doesn't quite hit the mark? Yes, we can be proud of the new window treatments and the couch has some smart new pillows, but it still has a time-worn feel

By Doug Wilson

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If you know how to preserve your flowers, they can last well into the winter months. Learn about how to preserve flowers in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Did you ever wonder how to tarnish copper to give a copper urn an antique look? This article shows you how to tarnish copper.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Sewing is a hard craft to manage if you're stuck in the corner of a room or can only spread out on the dining room table. If you have your own sewing room, you can put everything in its place and create to your heart's content.

By Emilie Sennebogen

If you work at home, then you probably already know how valuable a dedicated office is. But if you want a room for only reading and writing, then you have to get rid of even more distractions. We'll show you how.

By Emilie Sennebogen

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If you have a high-stress job or the pressure of life just seems too much sometimes, a meditation room may be just what you need. But it's pointless if you don't have a room designated to relax.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Whether photography is a hobby, a passion, or a career, it's pretty easy to create your own dark room. This advice can have you developing your own memories in no time.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Room soundproofing might not be on your HOA rules, but what if your neighbor's drumming is taking a toll on your last nerve? Here's how to soundproof a room without and make everyone happy.

By Sara Elliott & Talon Homer

Working from home can be an awesome thing with many conveniences. But if you're toddler is constantly barging in or your spouse asks a million questions, then it's time for you to move into your own office -- with your own door.

By Sara Elliott

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If you have a spare bedroom that's sitting empty just screaming for a purpose, why not turn it into an exercise room? That way, you get the convenience of a gym without the people to watch you sweat!

By Sara Elliott

Every sewer knows that space to spread out and work can be invaluable, and your dining room table just isn't cutting it any more. So, where do you go? We bet you've got a rarely-used bedroom just screaming for a sewing set up.

By Sara Elliott

Have you always wanted your own home theater but never thought you had the space to set one up? Well, you may have to downsize from your dream screen, but an unused spare bedroom is a great choice for your movie-watching mecca.

By Sara Elliott

Does your husband have a man cave? Do your children take over the family room? Where do you go to relax and work on your favorite projects? If you don't have a dedicated space, then it's time to create a craft room.

By Sara Elliott

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Admit it: Once the dinner is done and the dishes have been put away, you spread out on the dining room table to finally start scrapbooking. Wouldn't it be so much nicer if you had a dedicated space to do it? We can show you how to get it.

By Sara Elliott

Bring the look of the outdoors into your home by building a deer antler lamp. Learn about how to build deer antler lamps in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors