Busy bathrooms, steamy kitchens, open windows and doors, well-worn furniture and traffic-trodden floors, these are the telltale signs of a home well lived-in and loved. These are also the realities that need considering when choosing furnishings and fittings.

A growing-family with climbing tots, mischievous young’ins and self-obsessed teens; a pet-friendly environment with chewing pups and windowsill sitting kits; and an open invitation home for friends and family are only some of the everyday-realities that result in durable value often outscoring bankable value. Persian rugs, original artwork, crystal, glass and dry-clean only fabrics are red flags for such a home.

Windows and doors work hard, allowing entry to and from the heart of such a happy home, a home that pulses with the energy of a family enjoying life and being together. However the home that ranks comfort above couture needs not compromise on style when it comes to window and door finishes. AMERICAN shutters’ Decowood range of shutters is the hardwearing, easy to use, easy to clean, steam-resistant and sun resistant solution to the home that is as proud of how it looks as it is of how it feels.

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Since 1953 the Building Centre has been offering homeowners and building professionals access to the latest in building and home decor products available in South Africa. Of course AMERICAN shutters are amongst the exhibitors!

Founded by renowned South African architect Laurie Wale, the Building Centre offers visitors access to a permanent exhibition of over 200 building products. It’s a well known source of inspiration and product information and is frequented by architects, contractors and homeowners who want to keep abreast of the latest building innovations.

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We know it’s hard to get everything done in business hours and because interior décor inspiration often strikes long after the work day, we had an online showroom designed which allows you to generate an estimate quote for AMERICAN shutters or blinds any time!

This is how it works…

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We’re eager to see what 2012 will bring in terms of home décor. One thing is for sure, designers will be painting our towns orange, Tangerine Tango to be exact, the Pantone colour of the year.

Bold and bright, there’s nothing subtle about the hottest colour on fashion runways and in home décor magazines.

Tangerine Tango has an exotic appeal which encapsulates the sense of a summer island holiday. But this isn’t just a summer fling; the versatile colour has longevity and will add warmth to spaces as we edge towards shorter days and cool nights.

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It’s a lovely surprise when readers comment on our blog, tweet to tell us what they loved reading or ‘like’ our blog posts via our Facebook fan page. Every comment helps us tailor our blog for you!

However, since not everyone comments, we took a look at our blog statistics and uncovered the top 10 blog posts of the year. It’s fascinating to see which blog posts got the most attention so without further ado; here are the posts that topped the charts in 2011…

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Hanneleze Kruger had a stunning start to summer when she won R5 000 worth of AMERICAN shutters or blinds in our Summer Temptation competition!

Her summer temptation, ‘Picnic under massive oak trees. Running with rolled up jeans through slips and streams,’ inspired this home décor inspiration board…

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Natural, country-inspired Christmas décor is a calm reprieve from those mad dashes through florescent-lit, over-decorated malls this time of year. Simple and cost effective, no wonder it’s a popular festive decorating trend!

Images 1 – 5 credited below

Give these Christmas decorating ideas a try…

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From bare feet sunken in golden sea sand, to lazy afternoons on a hammock, to the smell of fresh summer rain on hot clay ground, the hundreds of entries we received to our Summer Temptation competition certainly made choosing just four finalists very difficult. Thankfully the judging is now in your hands.

Cast a vote for your favourite summer inspiration board and you could win a subscription to a home décor magazine!

1, 2, 3 and 4

How to vote:

Or

See the finalists’ inspiration boards and find out how to get the look…

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Who could resist a delicious ice-cream on a hot summer’s day?! This finalist’s summer temptation inspired the design of a baby girl’s nursery.

If you think this inspiration board is sweet, vote for it and you could win a subscription to a home décor magazine!

Summer temptation inspiration: “Ice-cream cones and bright summer dressesâ€� – Rabelani Mutondwa

The result…

Get the look:

• Bright but soft and sweet, this is a lovely look for a little girl’s bedroom and our cordless cellular blind shades fit the bill perfectly!
• If you would like a room to ‘grow up’ with your daughter, opt for a white base in walls, blinds and shutters, and accessorise with the summery ice-cream colours. As your daughter gets older, change the theme or colour scheme by simply by updating soft furnishings and accessories.

Get the AMERICAN shutters’ product: Cellular shade blinds

• Made up of two or more layers of material which are joined at the pleats, cellular shade blinds have honeycomb shaped compartments which trap air and thereby increase both heat and sound insulation.
• Cordless cellular shade blinds are ideal for children’s rooms because, as every parent knows blinds’ cords are tempting for little hands and accidents can happen in a matter of seconds!
• Available in a wide range of colours, these shades suit not only nurseries and children’s bedrooms, but are perfect for most living spaces.
• Click here to read more about Cellular shade blinds.

Did this summer temptation speak to you?

Vote for this inspiration board by commenting below or by ‘liking’ it on our Facebook fan page. You could help Rabelani win R5 000 worth of AMERICAN shutters and/or blinds and you might win a subscription for a popular home décor magazine! Terms and conditions apply.

Click here to see the other finalists.

This summer temptation competition finalist reminded us what a delight it is to kick off one’s shoes and enjoy the simple, natural pleasures of summer.

If you love this inspiration board, vote for it and you could win a subscription to a home décor magazine!

Summer temptation inspiration: “Picnic under massive oak trees. Running with rolled up jeans through slips and streams.â€� – Hanneleze Kruger

The result…

Get the look:

• Create a sense of serenity by arranging seating to maximise comfort while allowing for a visual flow throughout the room.
• Complement a dark wood and white room with nature-inspired soft furnishings in light brown, sand, cream and a light watery blue.
• Soften the look by adding natural textured accessories like woven mats and baskets.

Get the AMERICAN shutters’ product: Decowood shutters

• Made from engineered wood panels, known as Superwood, the Decowood range of shutters are AMERICAN shutters’ most eco-friendly.
• Coated with a patented polypropylene finish, the shutters are extremely durable and 100% environmentally safe.
• The UV inhibitors protect the shutters against fading and yellowing.
• Available in 3 louvre sizes – 62, 89 and 114mm – and with 3 tilt rod options – traditional, offset and secret tilt and a variety of frame choices, the Decowood shutters finish off any space in true customised style.
• Decowood shutters are well priced and an excellent choice when the budget is stretched.
• Click here to read more about Decowood shutters

Did this summer temptation speak to you?

Vote for this inspiration board by commenting below or by ‘liking’ it on our Facebook fan page. You could help Hanneleze win R5 000 worth of AMERICAN shutters and/or blinds and you might win a subscription for a popular home décor magazine! Terms and conditions apply.

Click here to see the other finalists.