GRINCH WALLPAPER - FREE GRINCH DESKTOP WALLPAPER and THEME SONG

Oh he’s a mean one, that Mr. Grinch. But, his bad attitude hasn’t slowed Grinch wallpaper demand a single bit! He’s mean, he’s green and we don’t know how but the evil creature has commandeered Santa’s sleigh, his red and white suit and hat and stolen Christmas from the good citizens of Whoville.


Never in a million years would I have dreamed when my parents read this Dr. Seuss Christmas book to me when I was a kid that there would come a day when
free Grinch desktop wallpaper, screensavers
and the "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" theme song would be available.


Nor could I have realized that Grinch wallpaper for the computer and other Dr. Seuss graphics such as the Cat in the Hat design would be readily available. After all, it was just a cute, little book that was marginally about the goodness and faith of mankind, right? Who decides which children’s books get turned into a line of decorations for the home?


Of all the Grinch characters, you might think that little Cindy Lou Who would be the most popular during the holidays. Remember how angelic she seemed in her little girl’s nightgown? Her big blue eyes and blonde hair would make her the obvious choice for a story about Christmas. If you were of this mind, you most likely were in the minority because the villain is the winner in this popularity contest by a country mile.

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DECORATIVE WALL MIRRORS

Wall mirrors are so much more than a convenient way to do those last minute touchups to makeup and hair before we leave our homes or receive guests. Where once upon a time they were used for that purpose and that purpose alone, they are now recognized for their decorative and esthetic value.

Any style of decor is capable of opening its arms to receive this versatile decoration. The benefit of decorating with mirrors is that the have the power to reflect available sunlight to the point that it is multiplied many times over and has a positive brightening effect on any room. A poorly lit room with northern exposure can be transformed into a cheerful space where little artificial lighting is necessary except during the darkest hours of night.

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL

Mirrors were once limited to the homes of the wealthy. Before ones made of glass were available, large rectangles or circles of polished metal were used to get a general idea of the viewer’s reflection.

SHAPES AND SIZES

Square, rectangle and round wall mirrors of all sizes both large and small are cheap and readily available in home improvement and discount stores. For spots in your decorative arrangements where no standard sizes will work, specialty shops will custom cut mirrors in unusual shapes to fit any space.

DECORATIVE WALL MIRRORS


Bathroom and 3 way wall mounted magnifying mirrors are helpful to reflect light and are often decorative. But their primary purpose in these particular locations is for their magnifying powers and to give us views of our faces from multiple angles. Convex mirrors are less than useful for facial reflection as they would produce, because of their unique shapes, rather odd reflection. This style of mirror is by tradition hung high on the wall over a fireplace or other area that is higher than eye level. They are also useful in automobiles to eliminate blind spots, but that is information that is best used for another article.

UNFRAMED WALL MIRRORS

It’s rare to see any style of unframed wall decoration. Mirrors of this type are the exception to this rule. The wire hangers are cleverly attached with silver clamps that are cleverly camouflaged around the edges leaving the reflective glass to almost float on the surface that it is used to decorate.

LARGE WALL MIRRORS

There are many applications for big mirrors other than behind the sofa or on the back of the dressing room door. Dance and exercise studios often have walls covered in mirrors from side to side and floor to ceiling. Dancers and fitness buffs can see themselves and perfect their form by studying their body’s in motion. Another unique use for large mirrors is as a headboard of a bed.


So long as there is proper support for the weight of the glass, there is no bad place in the home for decorative mirrors.

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BIRD WALL STENCILS, SCONCES and DECOR

It may not have a big wing span, may not flutter or fly, but bird wall decor can still lift your spirits and brighten a room by bringing the mood of outdoors into our living spaces. And you don't have to be an avid bird watching ornithology buff to appreciate the beauty of these delicate creatures.

We may never be able to enjoy the feeling of freedom that flying without benefit of mechanical assistance but that should not stop you from enjoyment of birds. Here are some bird oriented home decorating ideas that are quick, easy and inexpensive. And best of all, you can do it yourself.




BIRD WALL STENCILS


With some sheets of stiff plastic, a brush and some paint you can not only skip buying rolls of wallpaper border that's expensive and messy to hang on the walls. There is the issue of preparing the surfaces in such a way that the pre-pasted paper will stick properly. Plus, we are all not natural paper hangers. Some of us have to pay a professional to come in and do the work which adds even more to the expense of creating our decorative bird wall. Bird stencils are cheap in comparison and you can pick and choose the best colors that work with your furnishing and accessories already in your home. There are no rules that say that you have to stick to the natural colors of your favorite species. If you need lavender flamingoes, go for it.

BIRD DECALS

Bird wall decals may be the least expensive and most amusing way of all to get a flock of pretty birds on your walls. To display them to full advantage, you may want to take the time to have a tree mural made of wall stickers in place where they can rest as well as a blue sky where they can sail on the imaginary breezes.

BIRD WALL CLOCKS

The classic bird clock would, of course, be the traditional cuckoo clock. However, modern wall clocks with bird designs include everything from singing bird clocks to Tweety Bird cuckoo clocks. So, long as you stay in keeping with the feel of the rest of the room, take your pick.

BIRD WALL SCONCES

Bird wall sconces may be the most attractive of all styles of bird wall decor. Bird candle holder sconces or electrical fixtures with lamp shades edged in feathers are very fashionable in formal areas and the bedroom.

HOW TO BUY THE BEST WALL CLOCKS

Wall clocks have come along way from their original purpose of telling us the time of any given day. In fact there are more than a few of these classic timepieces that remain in place in homes that have long since lost this ability. We have come to appreciate the fact that they are not only useful, but pretty to look at as well.

The inner workings of the clock are masterpieces in themselves with their gears and very few can say they find the sound of the tick tock anything but calming. And I, for one, am hypnotized when in the presence of a large pendulum wall clock or grandfather clock.




LARGE or SMALL?

That depends on how much space you have and where you want to hang it on the wall. You may want to take a small and a large clock home with you so that you can experiment. There is a very fine line between a perfect fit and looking out of kilter. The clock shouldn’t seem crowded and oversized, nor should it be floating about lost with too much room on the top, sides and bottom.

WHAT STYLE IS BEST FOR MY ROOM?

The same rules applies to this situation as with any other decorating decision. For instance, it might look odd to hang a contemporary
wall clock
in a room with early Victorian furnishings. On the other hand, I have seen good results with novelty or retro clocks in an eclectic room that had more than its fair share of vintage memorabilia displays. When in doubt, ask the opinion of the decorative consultant in the furniture store where you trade.

METAL OR WOOD?

Modern wall clocks are made of most any material you can name from rustic wood to polished steel. Wooden clocks of one style or another are appropriate in all but the most modern of rooms. A clock with a stained wooden case should blend well with the rest of the wood finishes in the area of your home where it is located. Some wood finishes mix and match betters, so you will have to be the judge whether or not oak or cherry is best.

Brass, stainless steel or even copper clocks look wonderful on wood walls. They brighten the area and add interest.

NURSERY CLOCKS

I have seen an increase in the number of decorative clocks in children’s bedrooms in recent years. The idea of putting a clock in the kids’ bedrooms before they can actually tell time is sheer genius! What better way to teach a little one their numbers and how to read the position of the hands of the clock than to hang it where they will see it and become familiar with it? And it doesn’t hurt a single bit that there are so many unique wall clocks to pick from.

Return to All Wall Sconces, Wallpapers, Clocks and Decor for more information and guidance on buying the best wall clocks for your home.

FUNNY ANIMATED THANKSGIVING WALLPAPER

NEW THANKSGIVING WALLPAPER! It's November the first and not only is it the day you get to empty your pumpkin till your tummy is ready to explode and you are in a sugar induced fog. Nor is it simply the last part of the season when we can enjoy that extra hour of late afternoon sunshine that daylight savings time gives us.

In my world, the first day of November is the official kickoff off the holiday season that holds the three heavy hitters of the entire year; Thanksgiving, Christmas and then New Year's Eve. Not to skip lightly over Halloween and New Year's Day but I'm forced to hit the high spots sometimes due to lack of time or space.

I can't wait to see the latest animated, funny free Thanksgiving wallpaper for the desktop computer. Here's hoping that there is an update on last year's Pilgrim chasing a turkey with a hatchet. That one was so funny that it did a lot to diminish the sadness experienced at the passing of the fun we had Trick or Treat as well as having to remove my spooky ringtones and Jack o' Lantern screensavers and wallpapers.


Free Thanksgiving wallpaper
is perhaps the only reason I forego the pristine fall scenery with perfect temperatures in the 70s to stay indoors and update my desktop, laptop and cell phone. How can beautiful fall leaves compare to 3d wallpaper with a cute wallpaper featuring a turkey holding a poster that says "Eat Pork" or an animated offering with a dancing turkey?

Vegetarians might prefer a screensaver of an unblemished pumpkin that somehow managed to escape being carved in honor of Halloween wearing a black Pilgrim hat decorated with the traditional square pewter buckle. Perhaps this one should come with the disclaimer that no animals were harmed in the filming of this free Thanksgiving wallpaper.

My friends and I wait with baited breath for the first
cool wallpaper for computers
this season while knowing that there is little that can be done to improve our traditional favorites. Could it be possible that they have found something exciting and new to do with turkeys, Pilgrims, corn stalks and pumpkins? After all, it will be difficult to top an animated turkey doing the foxtrot.

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CANDLE WALL SCONCES - ROMANTIC LOW WATT LIGHT FIXTURES

Candle sconces are an excellent way to cast a romantic, subdued light over any area. The use of dimmer switches to diminish the harsh effects of the chandelier over the dining table or the center of the ceiling may leave the outer edges of the room looking dark and abandoned.


Proper placement of
candle wall sconces
will leave the cozy atmosphere in place while eliminating dark spots. Rather than pulling the walls inward and reducing the visuals of a space, attractive sconces, electric or non-electric, expand the size of the room by illuminating and exposing square footage that would otherwise be unusable cloaked in darkness.

WHAT KIND OF CANDLE SCONCES SHOULD I USE?

All of the
light fixtures
in a room should blend in the same fashion as all the other decorations. As an example, the occasion would be rare when it would be advisable to combine rustic, wrought iron candle sconces with pieces decorated with lead crystal beads and teardrop shaped pendants.


PLACEMENT OF CANDLE WALL SCONCES

As we mentioned earlier in this article, anywhere in your home that the dimmed ceiling or lamp light doesn’t reach is an excellent place for these low wattage light fixtures. Walls in your hallways as well as the far end of your living area are all appropriate spots.

WIRING

Architects are no strangers to the challenges of drawing blueprints with properly spaced wiring that will allow for whatever type of lighting is best for the square footage in bedrooms, dens or dining rooms. However, planning may include a certain number of wall outlets to accommodate floor and table lamps rather than sconces that must be hard wired before the sheetrock is installed. Homeowners who recognize the advantages of light fixtures installed on the walls should consult with their draftsman so that such wiring is included in the layout of their home.

For those who didn’t have the luxury of designing custom electrical wiring diagrams during the planning phases of their home, candle holder sconces or plug in sconces are acceptable alternatives. Check to be sure that covers for the electrical cord come with your electric candle sconces so that the end results will have a polished look.

CANDLE HOLDER SCONCES

Some decorators prefer the use of real candles over artificial lighting in their decor. I have to admit that flickering candlelight has its charm, but there are times when safety issues and practicality outweigh the decorative appeal of the real thing. An open fire of any kind requires constant supervision and there are times when I don’t want to baby sit my appliances.

Drafts have a nasty habit of blowing out the candle’s flame leaving a smoking wick that has the ability to overpower the aroma of food at a dinner party. If you still insist on lighting candles over low watt light bulbs, you should shop for candle wall sconces that have a hurricane shade to guard against the random breeze ruining the otherwise pleasant scent of your home.

Return to All Wall Sconces, Wall Papers, Clocks and Decor for more ideas on decorative fixtures to brighten the dull spots on the walls of your house on the outside as well as indoors.

CRYSTAL BATHROOM SCONCES - ALL THE BENEFITS OF CANDLELIGHT and MORE

The luxury of a
lead crystal bathroom sconce
might have caused your great-grandmother to raise an eyebrow. Such luxury and extravagance was unusual if not unheard of in her day. Bathrooms were a place where you took care of a certain unmentionable business. Entries and exits were managed quickly in a quiet and efficient fashion. Decorating the room that housed bodily functions may have been considered in poor taste if not downright vulgar.

I am happy to report that the days of plain, ugly potties are long gone. In today’s modern bathroom, you may find the same antique French bronze sconces in a smaller size as the ones in the formal dining or living area.

WALL SCONCES OR CANDLES?

Why settle for votive candles when crystal sconces are so much safer and they sparkle ever so nicely. The dazzling lead crystal in electric sconces of brass make you want to take your after dinner wine to the bath and lounge while you enjoy the glow of this unique lighting that creates an atmosphere of sumptuous indulgences from the boudoir into the bath. Of course if you want the best of both worlds, perhaps candle wall sconces would be a viable option.

MODERN CRYSTAL BATHROOM SCONCES

To many the mention of lead crystal bathroom sconces brings to mind a chandelier dripping with faceted teardrop shapes and crystal beads or cut lead crystal decanters. This type of crystal sconce will always be considered stylish in upscale homes with large sunken tubs and gold leaf mirrors with beveled edges. However, homeowners with a taste for the contemporary style of décor wanted a more modern look for their bathroom light fixtures. The answer was hip, rectangular crystal and chrome wall sconces specifically produced to be used as bathroom light fixtures.

The nickel or brushed steel provided the perfect base metal for free form lead crystal electric sconces that are completely unique and one of a kind with shades that seem to be melting rather than the cut crystal that has been around for decades. If the silver color is not rich or warm enough for you, there is always the option for traditional brass and French Bronze.

Balance your crystal sconces with matching pendant light fixtures or chandeliers if the size of your floor space will support something so luxurious, pour a glass of wine and some bath oil and bask in the glow of a job well done.

Return to All Wall Sconces, Wall Papers, Wall Clocks and Decor for more information on how to choose the best wall light fixtures for all rooms in your home.

BATHROOM WALL SCONCES

Bathroom wall sconces are simply an extension of the lighting we have come to enjoy from the strip of lights over the lavatory mirror. Many homes lack adequate square footage in the bedroom for the lady of the house to have a designated dressing area complete with vanity table bathed in flattering light suitable for the application of her makeup and arranging her hair.

In light of this, builders have documented a trend of double sinks in the bathroom; one for the men and one for the women. The idea is that men can shave over one sink while the ladies can use the other for their own purposes. The enlargement of the bathroom has contributed to the need for additional lighting to eliminate shadows leading to cosmetics being used in over abundance that looks too heavy and artificial once the wearer is exposed to natural sunlight. The answer is over the mirror light strips or bars, ceiling fixtures and bathroom sconces in small cubes and longer rectangles installed around the room.

HOW MANY BATHROOM WALL SCONCES WILL I NEED?
There is a fine balance between proper lighting and too much. Nobody wants to feel like flashbulbs are going off in their face every time they flip the switch. In new construction, perhaps it would be best to take the advice offered on the lighting diagrams laid out in the blueprints of your home. Architects are experts in spacing light fixtures for the amount of area that a particular area contains.

WHERE DO I INSTALL BATHROOM SCONCES?
Most modern bathrooms can handle a pair of modern halogen, rectangular shaped bathroom sconces on each side of the mirror. In fact, the overall appearance of most older bathrooms will be greatly improved with the addition of two light sconces on either side of the mirror which creates an odd number of lights which most decorating manuals recommend. If you think that you might like control over angles and positioning of your light, a cube shaped swing arm sconce in nickel or brushed steel with a glass shade would do the trick and then retract back into an out of the way position.

If you have a large area to illuminate, a pair of
bathroom wall sconces
over the tub area would be visually appealing and help to brighten the atmosphere at the same time. However, I would skip the super charged cube halogen sconce in favor of a pair of candle sconces with flickering lights that would be more relaxing.

WHAT STYLE OF BATHROOM WALL SCONCES IS BEST?
If you are updating the light fixtures in an existing bath, stay in keeping with the finish and style of the pieces that are already in place. Match the metal of the bases and the shades very closely if not exactly. This is especially important in a small bathroom as to mix and match your
bathroom light fixtures
, towel racks sink and tub faucets and receptacle covers that are arranged very closely would give your room a disjointed look that is anything but tasteful.

If your fixtures are old and unmatchable, consider replacing the whole lot. I would rather have a blended array of inexpensive fixtures than a hodge podge collection with no decorative appeal. As much as you may love those unique, crystal bathroom wall sconces they should be removed if they don’t fall in line with the look and feel of the rest of the room. Sell them through online auction to raise money to buy the perfect bathroom sconces for your decorating project or save them for another project down the road.

WALL SCONCES - MOOD LIGHTING WITH DEFINITIVE LOOKS

Wall sconces have a way of setting that certain mood that ceiling fixtures lack. Perhaps it's the harshness or the angle of lighting that comes from overhead that even the use of dimmer switches can't diminish or control. A woman of a certain age knows that to be lit from the floor up or from the sides is much more flattering than the most subdued light from a chandelier or ceiling light. My thoughts on this are that if wall fixtures can make an old lady's skin look good as new, they should make my complexion seem flawless as the day I was born and I'm here to tell you that I'm all for improving the appearance of my face by whatever means.

WHAT IS A SCONCE?

It is a light fixture whose light is directed towards the ceiling and is attached to a wall with no other support. The term can be used in regards to ancient torch lights as well as modern electric and natural gas lights that are installed in pretty much the same way as they have been for centuries only using contemporary materials.

HISTORY OF
WALL SCONCES


If you've ever watched a period film that was filmed in a medieval castle, chances are you noticed that they used candles and torches for lighting their way through the dark passageways. Usually the actors in the film carried a lit torch in their hand, but occasionally, if you were paying attention, there were rustic wall sconces spaced along the dark halls. This ancient practice was the inspiration for the modern wall sconce which is much improved from the smoking fire hazards we see at the movies.

WHERE ARE SCONCES USED?

Traditional uses wall sconces include lighting for halls and passageways. However, it has become stylish to use them in living rooms, dens and bedrooms as part of several layers of light for decorative purposes as well as utility lights. Wall sconces for baby nursery walls are being used as part of the lighting layout as well.

HOW HIGH TO HANG SCONCES ON THE WALL

The generally accepted height that most use to hang wall sconces is approximately three quarters up the wall measuring from the floor to the ceiling.

HOW FAR APART SHOULD WALL SCONCES BE SPACED?

Sconces are often spaced with the distance between them being the same as the measurement of the sconces from the floor of the room or hallway. The exception to this rule is when they are used to decorate each side of a doorway or other opening.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT SIZE SCONCES TO BUY?

There is no definite rule for picking the best size sconces. The height and width of your
electric light fixtures
should be in correlation to ceiling height as well as the size of the area that they will be lighting. Visuals are important so see if your lighting store will allow you to take several styles and sizes home to see which is best for your space.


Wall sconces are not restricted to dim, damp passages tunneling deep into the earth anymore. Nor are they the light fixture that’s limited to the wall over the buffet table in your formal dining room. Modern styles of decorating indicate that they can be used just as effectively on each side of the door into the powder room as in these classic circumstances. You may also find the use of expensive bathroom wall sconces becoming more common as the size of that room is enlarging with every year that passes.

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