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	<title>&#124;&#124;-XpatConnections-&#124;&#124; &#187; Tips</title>
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	<link>http://xpatconnections.com</link>
	<description>It&#039;s All about Interior Design and home decoration</description>
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		<title>Water Fountains Excellent Choice of Home Decor</title>
		<link>http://xpatconnections.com/water-fountains-excellent-choice-of-home-decor/</link>
		<comments>http://xpatconnections.com/water-fountains-excellent-choice-of-home-decor/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Jul 2011 12:58:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Decor Accessories]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fountain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fountain decor]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://xpatconnections.com/?p=124</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Commonly there are six varieties of water fountains for everyone to enjoy and every one of them contributes a great deal to the environment they are in. The six different styles include Wall Fountains, Floor Fountains, Tabletop Fountains, Outdoor Fountains, Built in Wall Fountains and Custom Fountains.

Depending on what you would like to achieve within [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Commonly there are six varieties of water fountains for everyone to enjoy and every one of them contributes a great deal to the environment they are in. The six different styles include Wall Fountains, Floor Fountains, Tabletop Fountains, Outdoor Fountains, Built in Wall Fountains and Custom Fountains.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.ideasforyourbackyard.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/31029-1-cherub-water-fountain.jpg" alt="" width="324" height="332" /></p>
<p>Depending on what you would like to achieve within your home or garden will directly influence to which design you would want to consider choosing. In general each of the different styles can be used in both the indoors and the outdoors environment excluding the built in wall fountains which are for inside the home or office. The beauty of the water fountains is they are very easy to install into position and take very little after care so you can have your water feature in the home and creating the perfect atmosphere exceptionally quickly. In terms of installation it is usual for the fountains to come with the install instructions and the ones that would require most do it yourself skills (all be it still very little required) will be the wall fountains as they need to be attached to the walls. Once the water fountains are in place then for the ongoing maintenance the only requirement will be to ensure the water within the reservoir is kept well topped up.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.propertysolutionsnelson.co.nz/_gallery/waterfeatures/water%20feature3-lg.JPG" alt="" width="480" height="359" /><br />
There are so many benefits to having a water fountain within your home, not only do you get to admire the beauty of the fountain but you can also take advantage from the health benefits to. Water fountains by their very nature have running water flowing over them and this will give off vapor, the vapor evaporates into the air and improves the humidity of a room and this is good for helping keep a room well balanced and especially when there is dry air. Not only this but the water fountains can also help to relax and stimulate which is important in this modern day when jobs are stressful and take a lot out of you. These are just some of the benefits of having a water fountain in your home; there are also benefits from having one outside in your garden to.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/water-garden-ideas-11.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="222" /></p>
<p>If you are considering having your water fountain in the garden then this is an ideal way to create a great focal point for the garden. Many people will have the water fountains either on the patio, decking area or as part of the garden features in borders or as part of a pond display and with many different styles to choose from you can again enjoy taking a good look at all the types and then make a decision as to which will best suite your arrangement.</p>
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		<title>Decorating Themes For Boys&#8217; Bedrooms</title>
		<link>http://xpatconnections.com/decorating-themes-for-boys-bedrooms/</link>
		<comments>http://xpatconnections.com/decorating-themes-for-boys-bedrooms/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Jun 2011 11:17:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bedroom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bedroom themes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[boya bedroom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[boys bedroom themes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[themes]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://xpatconnections.com/?p=113</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Using a theme is a great way of starting with a child&#8217;s room. Teddy bears are cute when your little boy is a baby. But most boys will outgrow this theme very quickly, once they get a little bit older. There are a lot of other themes available for boys rooms which can be adapted [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Using a theme is a great way of starting with a child&#8217;s room. Teddy bears are cute when your little boy is a baby. But most boys will outgrow this theme very quickly, once they get a little bit older. There are a lot of other themes available for boys rooms which can be adapted as your child grows older. A special theme will also make your child more proud of looking after his bedroom. Here are some themes for you and your son to think about.</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://s3.hubimg.com/u/429514_f520.jpg" alt="" width="364" height="272" /></p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Favourite Animals &#8211; Most boys have a favourite animal. Decorate the room with lots of pictures of your child&#8217;s favourite animal. Or you could have one wall of the room painted with a mural of the favourite animal. Scatter lots of stuffed animals everywhere.<span id="more-113"></span></p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Safari &#8211; This is a popular theme for many boys. There are lots of wallpapers, borders and fabrics available to buy from retail shops with the safari theme. So it will not be a difficult task to put this theme together. Accessories for this theme are also easily available. Use stuffed tigers, lions, and leopards. Use animal print fabric for the bedcover, valances and curtains. You and your child can be very creative with this theme.</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://i.ehow.com/images/GlobalPhoto/Articles/5120240/243381-main_Full.jpg" alt="" width="320" height="240" /></p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Space Theme &#8211; With this theme you can paint reflective planets and stars in the ceiling. You can even buy stars that you just stick on the ceiling and they will glow in the dark. Use a bedcover set and curtains with a space theme on them. If you are artistic try drawing a spaceship and a man dressed in aerospace clothes on one wall or pay an artist to do it for you.</p>
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		<title>Tips for a Beautifully Decorated Bathroom</title>
		<link>http://xpatconnections.com/tips-for-a-beautifully-decorated-bathroom/</link>
		<comments>http://xpatconnections.com/tips-for-a-beautifully-decorated-bathroom/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 04 Jun 2011 23:24:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bathroom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bathroom decor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bathroom decor tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beautiful bathroom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[decor tips]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://xpatconnections.com/?p=165</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[While other rooms of the home may get much of the glory, in fact the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house. It is important to consider the humble bathroom in your redecorating plans, and to consider some unique and innovative ways to make it sparkle.

When it comes to decorating the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>While other rooms of the home may get much of the glory, in fact the bathroom is one of the most important rooms in the house. It is important to consider the humble bathroom in your redecorating plans, and to consider some unique and innovative ways to make it sparkle.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://sh3lly.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/bathroom-window-curtain.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="267" /></p>
<p>When it comes to decorating the bathroom, it is important to consider your own individual taste, and to consider the needs of your family as well. It is also important to consider the rest of the home decor, and to incorporate those designs into the design of the bathroom as well.</p>
<p>One of the most important things to consider is choosing a theme for your bathroom remodeling or redecorating project. There are of course many different themes homeowners can choose for their bathroom, from fun and frivolous to relaxing and romantic. It is important to consider you own style and taste when making this important decision.<span id="more-165"></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.bathroomtiledirect.com/images/sce/BT_03.jpg" alt="" width="293" height="293" /></p>
<p>After you have chosen a theme for your bathroom decorating project, it is important to shop for those products that best fit that theme. For instance, if you have decided that a fun and quirky theme works best, you may want to look for offbeat items, such as a rubber ducky shower curtain and some oversized yellow rugs and bath mats. If you have chosen a more serious and romantic theme you may want to look for gauze shower curtains and lush, fluffy throw rugs. You may even want to look at installing a romantic canopy over the tub, or installing a sliding glass door for added privacy.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://www.barbarabrooksinteriors.com/images/European/HansBathroom06.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="320" /></p>
<p>Of course the tub, sink and shower themselves are important considerations as well, and it is important to look carefully at these items and determine if they need to be updated or replaced. It is important to look at the tub and shower enclosure and decide if a remodel or replacement is in order. If the tub and shower have begun to show their age, you may want to look at replacing them with newer ad more up to date styles. If, on the other hand, the tub and shower are still functional and in good shape, you may want to consider looking instead at inexpensive and effective ways to accent those items.</p>
<p>For instance, the simple addition of a new showerhead, such as a Thera Shower, new faucets and new wall decorations can make even the oldest and most tired bathroom come back to life. You may want to look at the current decor of the bathroom and consider ways to add new life to the old room. It can be quite amazing what a couple of simple little changes can do. So before you spend lots of money redecorating and redesigning your bathroom, look at the impact small changes can have, and spend your money accordingly.</p>
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		<title>Sofas for the New Summer Season</title>
		<link>http://xpatconnections.com/sofas-for-the-new-summer-season/</link>
		<comments>http://xpatconnections.com/sofas-for-the-new-summer-season/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jun 2011 10:51:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Living Room]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sofa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sofas]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://xpatconnections.com/?p=229</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As summer begins, fashion  fans start thinking about their purchases for the new season. This can  apply just as much to the home – why shouldn’t it be as fashionable  as its owner? Every season brings new trends, and the world of interiors  is no exception. So what is ‘in’ for [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: Tahoma; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: small;">As summer begins, fashion  fans start thinking about their purchases for the new season. This can  apply just as much to the home – why shouldn’t it be as fashionable  as its owner? Every season brings new trends, and the world of interiors  is no exception. So what is ‘in’ for Summer this year?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Tahoma; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: small;">Burlesque </span><a href="http://www.sofasofa.co.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Tahoma; color: #ff0000; font-size: small;">sofas</span></a><span style="font-family: Tahoma; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: small;"> has been enjoying a comeback in recent years. At first, this might not  seem to have much of a connection with interiors, but if you notice  how people tend to wear richer, lighter colours in summer then it actually  makes sense to apply this to home furnishings and sofas as well. So  the rich colours, luxurious fabrics and jewels are going to be seen  in homewares this summer. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Tahoma; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: small;">A true burlesque queen  should be surrounded with glamour and luxury, so she needs a beautiful  sofa to lounge upon. Sofas are available in a huge range of fabrics  and colours, and velvet or suede in rich ruby red or purple would be  both unusual and glamorous. A day bed or chaise longue would also be  ideal.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Tahoma; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: small;">Another trend for the  season will be ethnic. This might be more associated with hot climates  and weather, but why not bring in a little summer heat? A bright bed  cover or some print cushions for sofas will add some warmth and make  the house seem brighter and more cheerful. Or what about changing the  kitchen curtains for a pair with that eastern touch?</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Tahoma; color: #2a2a2a; font-size: small;">Either of these trends  is perfect for a quick and easy makeover at a time when you will want  to keep warm and snuggle on the sofa. Cover the sofa with a luxurious  fake fur throw or a soft, ethnic-style blanket, add some colourful cushions,  and you won’t want to move all summer!</span></p>
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		<title>Great Ideas for Decorating Boys Rooms</title>
		<link>http://xpatconnections.com/great-ideas-for-decorating-boys-rooms/</link>
		<comments>http://xpatconnections.com/great-ideas-for-decorating-boys-rooms/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Feb 2011 22:29:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Bedroom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[boys bedroom]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ideas for boys room]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://xpatconnections.com/?p=107</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Don&#8217;t let the mess fool you. Piles of toys, clothes, and garbage scattered everywhere don&#8217;t change the fact that it is a total myth that boys don&#8217;t care about how their bedrooms look. The truth is, boys take just as much pride as girls do in how their room looks and feels, and how well [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don&#8217;t let the mess fool you. Piles of toys, clothes, and garbage scattered everywhere don&#8217;t change the fact that it is a total myth that boys don&#8217;t care about how their bedrooms look. The truth is, boys take just as much pride as girls do in how their room looks and feels, and how well it represents their unique individuality. With that in mind, this article presents practical ideas for decorating boys rooms in a way that gives them the sense of comfort and pride they crave and makes them feel truly at home in their home.</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Even more than a bed, the single furniture item that boys desire the most is a comfortable place to sit, be it a couch, a futon, a chair, etc. For watching TV, playing video games, reading, coloring, studying, or just relaxing, a boy needs a throne of some sort to call his very own. Here looks are secondary to comfort.</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://roomenvy.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/boys-bedroom.jpg" alt="" width="440" height="440" /></p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Comfort and convenience both, in fact, play larger roles in a boy&#8217;s world in general than how something looks. And in line with creating convenience in your boy&#8217;s bedroom, great consideration should be given to storage, particularly the kind of storage that displays objects, like shelves. Boys are proud of the things they own &#8211; their trophies, CDs and books, and favorite toys, for example &#8211; and they like to see them standing out in their immediate environment (and you just thought his stuff was scattered everywhere because he&#8217;s lazy). Build into your boy&#8217;s bedroom design ample shelving so he can display his most treasured items prominently.</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Favorite hidden storage spaces for boys include chests, creating the mystique of hidden treasure, and drawers beneath their beds, allowing boys easy access to some of their favorite items &#8211; comic books, for example &#8211; without having to leave the comfort of their bed.</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One easy way to accomplish all of the aforementioned objectives in one fell swoop is to purchase a custom theme bed that has comfortable seating and ample storage built in. And not only can custom theme beds for boys include display cases, shelves, drawers, closets, and dressers, as well as soft, plush, comfy seating options, but they can also be designed to include a second bed (in the form of bunk beds or stowaway Murphy beds), even a desk of some sort.</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As for decorating boys rooms walls, you can leave this mostly up to your boy himself. Pick a simple color he likes for the basic background, and then create easy ways for him to hang, remove, and rearrange whatever pictures, posters, banners, pendants, and other hang-able memorabilia that interests him at the time. The freedom to change up the items decorating his walls will give him a real sense of ownership and help fuel his budding creativity.</p>
<p style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last of all, don&#8217;t forget a wastebasket. Not that he&#8217;ll use it 100% of the time, but having one will increase the chances that he&#8217;ll keep this room you and he just decorated so nicely, if not clean then at least somewhat tidy.</p>
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