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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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.

Summer is more than sunshine and blue skies; it’s a time to enjoy culinary delights cooked outdoors with friends.

If this inspiration board whet your appetite for summer home décor, vote for it and you could win a subscription to a home décor magazine!

Summer temptation: “Sipping chilled wine next to the pool to the sounds of Freshlyground while prawns drenched in coriander and lime sizzle in the skottle!â€� – Karen Larsen

The result…

Get the look:

• If you have a room that doesn’t get much sun, turn up the heat this summer by painting walls a warm shade of lemon or hot lime.
• Accessorise the room with sizzling shades of orange and red.
• Match shutters to the dark wooden floors and give definition to this sumptuously hot room!

Get the AMERICAN shutters’ product: Black Walnut Normandy shutters

• Normandy shutters are strong, have a silky satin consistently knot-free appearance.
• Reinforced with engineered stiles, made by bonding multiple layers of wood together to bolster the stability of the stile, Normandy shutters offers a robust shutter support system.
• Naturally a honey shade, we can match the shade of the shutters to your colour scheme using either solid colours or stains. Each shutter will be sanded by hand and five coats of paint or stain will be applied for a vibrant fade-resistant finish.
• Made from the hardwood of Kiri trees, Normandy shutters are naturally resistant to beetle, wood borer and has one of the highest strength to weight ratios which means they resist warping.
• Click here to read more about Normandy 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 Karen 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.

Whether it’s your first apartment or a family home, there are bound to be times when you think, ‘I wish I had more space!’

Image credits below

And since its spring, the season to reduce clutter and redecorate, here are our tips for making the most of a small space…

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As much as we enjoyed making our homes cosy this winter, we’re more than ready to embrace spring!

Here are some spring home décor ideas to help you make a stylish spring season transition at home.

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It’s that time of year… the leaves are turning brown and blue skies will soon be grey. But instead of wishing you could reset summer on repeat, give your lounge a cosy update and you’ll be relishing warm evenings at home.

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It’s been a long winter and we can’t wait for spring! Floral designs have bloomed on the runways for spring/summer 2010. Why not add stylish spring-inspired floral designs to your home décor?

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Remember the scene in the movie Notting Hill when Hugh Grant’s character goes into a flat spin tiding up his apartment before letting his dream woman (played by Julia Roberts) through the front door?

It’s a stereotype that works in romantic comedies but does the average bachelor live in a mild state of squalor, only tidied up for a date? And by ‘tidied up’ we mean throwing almost everything into cupboards and dimming the lights so she can’t see the dust, dirty carpets or grubby walls.

Single guys; take a look around your home. Does it reflect your style or does it look like a college dorm room? Are there remnants of your mother or worse, your ex-girlfriend’s ‘feminine touch’ in your home? If you can’t see your living space objectively, answer this question:

Would you post photos of your home interior as it is now online for the world to see? If you hesitated, you need to read this!

We asked a few women what they think the biggest bachelor home décor turn-offs are and got their tips on how to convert your messy man-cave into a stylish bachelor pad.

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Escape to an island paradise; picture yourself sipping cocktails on a beachside veranda while soaking up the sun and taking in the view. It’s a decadent dream but by mixing this clever cocktail of decorating tips, anyone can create an island retreat in their own home!

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A lounge is more than a room; it’s often the heart of a home. In its usual state one may find children’s homework sprawled across the floor and the coffee table covered with magazines, all to the soundtrack of Cartoon Network. As homely as this may be, it is not exactly a welcoming scene for guests.

1, 2, 3, & 4

Everyone deserves a beautiful lounge and in less than three hours, without spending a fortune, everyone can have one! Follow these fast fuss-free décor updates…

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