As the cold of winter begins to set in over most of the country, I’m sure a lot of you are thinking about a redesign of your home interior. You might be tired of that old couch or the stale color on the walls. Before you go out to get items for a new look, think about simple ways to change your home without going crazy. A number of steps can be taken to easily give your home a brand new look before your next dinner party – inside and outside your home. Here are some things to consider:

Rearrangement – Use an online app or pen and paper to make a sketch of how your frequently visited areas (family room, living room, etc.) look from above. Take the original sketch and remove the furniture so that you can virtually rearrange the room without moving furniture back and forth. Once you’ve settled on a new placement, then you can begin moving those heavy pieces of furniture.

Quick Install – Most outdoor décor pieces that you can add to your home require major time and effort that most of us don’t have on a regular basis. However, there are items that can be easily added to your home without much time. As long as you follow the manufacturer instructions, putting up a new weather vane or adding a rain chain to your house will only take a little bit of time out of your day.

Display It – A lot of us have little collections of items that we enjoy picking up at stores and tag sales – miniature dolls, thimbles, etc. – so why not display them in an appropriate spot? If your den has a large blank spot on the wall, you can hang some simple shelves and put your knick-knacks out in the open.

Framed – Speaking of blank areas on walls, large picture frames with collages or enlarged prints also fit in perfectly. Instead of regulating your photos to one small frame, buy an inexpensive multi-photo frame and hang it on a wall in your family room.

With every year comes a holiday season and with every holiday season comes an opportunity for new things and clean slates. That’s right – I’m talking about the New Year. The changes that people always talk about around the New Year are usually introspective, like losing weight or being nicer to people. However, there are a number of changes you can make around your home as well – simply by changing your decor with the trends of the year. Since we are now in 2012, here’s a bit of a jumpstart on garden décor trends for this year:

Green is Good – When I reference green gardening, you might think I’m being a bit redundant. After all, gardening usually involves much of the color green. I’m referring to the environment and how you make a positive change while gardening. One of the major focal points of many gardeners this year is changing gardening practices to conserve water. This can be accomplished in a number of ways, especially by planting plants that do not take a lot of H2O.

Heavy Duty Décor – One of the biggest additions you’ll see in a number of gardens this year are weathervanes and other metal garden décor items. These types of products give a garden a theme beyond what is being planted and can also add a sense of space to smaller garden plots. However popular metals like copper will be, look out for stone elements too.

On the Side – A major decorative feature making a resurgence are plants growing on the side of your home. Just as you might add a cupola or rain chain to give your house a new look, putting in some vine-based plants can also give your home a new layer of décor. This is a natural way to accentuate some of your home’s features without having to install any major pieces. It might take a bit longer, but you’ll be surprised at how much you like the results.

No matter what you choose to add to your home in 2012, make sure it is an accurate reflection of your style sensibility. Your results will always be better that way!

The winter months are upon us in many areas of the world. Obviously, not everyone has to deal with the harsh cold and blustery winds of the northern parts of the world, but nonetheless, winters can be pretty devastating. Just this last October, many eastern states in the U.S. were hit with brutal winter storms that left areas without power for weeks due to downed trees and power lines. This type of damage can be common during nasty winter storms, even in some parts of Europe.

The strong winds of storms have been a concern at a church in Kilmarnock, Scotland, which was recently cordoned off because of potential loose masonry. According to a story from the Kilmarnock Standard:

“St Andrew’s and St Marnock’s Church became a cause for concern when one of the church’s finials began to sway in dangerous gusts of wind which reached up to 85 miles an hour. Two lanes of St Marnock Street were closed as a result, and on Friday a deputation – which included a steeplejack, a structural engineer and a stonemason – inspected the site.”

After the storm ended, scaffolding was put up to aid workers who were reconstructing areas of the church that had been damaged. This type of problem can affect older buildings, many of which have outdoor décor like finials and weathervanes. This particular area of Scotland was hit by major storms, the article says, but were relatively lucky to emerge with little damage:

“On the whole, however, the Kilmarnock area escaped from the worst national storms in a decade relatively unscathed. There were no major structural concerns, aside from the church, and schools, council offices and facilities all reopened as normal…”

If your home has décor like finials or cupolas, make sure they are properly installed and secured before the winter gets into a full swing in your area. Doing so could save you a lot of trouble in the future.

As you know from reading this blog, there is a fixation that many have when it comes to Americana décor pieces like cupolas, finials and weathervanes. The number of stories flowing through the internet about projects involving restorations and other such projects are plenty. Surprisingly, people feel rather strongly about the historical implications of changing or redesigning cupolas, regardless of the reason. This week’s stories are no different, with two different towns dealing with cupola-based projects:

Cupola Stalled in Illinois – A lot of times, restoration projects are discussed without full financial backing. This was not the case with a courthouse cupola restoration in Peoria, Illinois, where an initial budget was doubled due to a matching funds grant. According to the Peoria Journal Star, the problem lies with the bids coming from architects:

“But after a fundraising effort for matching funds, the only bid came in at $139,000, halting plans to do the work this fall. A bid that came in late was $118,000, so officials now are planning to re-bid the project. Board Chairman Mike Bigger said he is seeking explanations from architectural firm PSA-Dewberry about the discrepancy between the estimate and the bid.”

Repairs Needed on Cupola – We all know that cupolas belong on top of homes, buildings and other structures. In fact, in-use cupolas are actually used as a way to ventilate farmhouses in many cases. However, more often than not, you’ll hear about a cupola nowhere near the top of any building. That is the case with a historical courthouse cupola in Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania, according to the Pottsville Republican:

“For the last six to nine months the cupola on the original 1815 courthouse has been sitting in a parking lot in the borough exposed to the elements because there isn’t a location to store it, but the weather can’t do much more damage to the structure, said those working to restore it.”

The original goal involved restoring the building to full working order by New Year’s Day, but fixing the issues with the original cupola in three days seems unlikely, even if they are small.

As you know, there are a number of things that you can use to help add a personal touch to your home. Primarily, I am referring to outdoor décor products like cupolas, finials, weathervanes and other beautiful items to you can install at your own homes. While these are excellent options for enhancing the look of your home, there are a number of things you can find around your home to help give your home a creative spin. Here are some thoughts about what you can do:

- If you put a tree up in your home during the holidays, use some items from the forest to create ornaments as decorations for your tree. You can paint pine cones and attach them to a ribbon as a beautiful addition to your tree. Concerned about the sticky sap left on your fingers? Bake the cones on your oven’s lowest setting for under an hour before you begin the project.

- Dry flowers and leaves as an accent for wreathes you might put up during the holidays. Attach the backs of these dried natural items to thin wire and wrap the wreathes. This is a nice touch you won’t see on a lot of other holiday décor.

- If you save plastic bottles for recycling, you can cut these up and change their shape to look like faux glass ornaments. This looks great, especially when you focus on various winter shapes like snowflakes and icicles.

- You probably have a container of popping corn sitting in your cupboard that you never use. Cook up a bunch of popcorn and string it up with cranberries to make a wonderful length of garland that can be placed anywhere in your home.

- Make sure that you dress up your home’s tables if you’re having a holiday party or family gathering. It will add a sense of the holidays to your festivities!

It’s no secret – everyone is going crazy about holiday shopping all around the country right now! We saw tons of people flock to big stores for Black Friday (which started at midnight this year) and Cyber Monday deals were swept up quickly as well. Luckily, the online leader in garden and outdoor décor is holding its own sale right now, giving customers 10% all orders! That’s right – HG Lifestyle has a lot in store for its loyal customers.

From now until December 16 – one week from today – HG Lifestyle is having a Holiday Sale on all of its products with a special coupon code that you will find at the bottom of this post. Think about all of the gifts you need to buy for family and friends getting done in one shot at HG Lifestyle! Buy your mom a beautiful lighthouse weathervane, your dad a brand new vinyl cupola for the roof and your best friend a gorgeous twist loop rain chain for their home.

Whatever you choose from HG Lifestyle, you will receive 10% off with the special coupon code at the bottom of this post. There are absolutely no minimums or limitations and don’t worry if you need your presents quickly – HG Lifestyle offers expedited services simply by calling 1-866-428-7652 on Mondays – Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For selected Garden and Standard Size weathervanes, you will have absolutely free ground shipping as well.

Ok, so now the moment you’ve been waiting for:

For 10% off your purchase at HG Lifestyle from now until 12/16, use coupon code holiday11

Simply pick the items you want to buy and add them to your shopping cart. Then enter your coupon code in the box beneath the items you have chosen and instantly see the discounts! It’s that easy.

So what are you waiting for? Visit HG Lifestyle today!

A lot of focus in the historical community is aimed at restorations, especially in communities that were settled early on during the founding years of America. These residences are primarily located on the East Coast and there is big business for many contractors who work in this industry. However, the cost for restoring various elements on the oldest of properties can be difficult for the proprietors of these areas. Generally, money is awarded from various state and federal trusts and foundations to aid in preserving historical settlements and buildings.

This is precisely what is happening in Lenox, Massachusetts, where a complete overhaul of several areas of outdoor décor are being restored on The Mount, famously owned by Edith Wharton in the early 20^th century. According to iBerkshires:

“The Massachusetts Culture Council has awarded $137,000 to The Mount in addition to another award of $100,000 from a Boston-based foundation. The monies will go toward replacing and fully restoring the roofs, cupolas and chimneys of the Georgian-revival Stable, The Mount’s primary visitor orientation center and cultural programming space, and the Gatehouse, currently the year-round administrative offices.”

The primary areas of focus for the next phase of the restoration will hinge on necessary additions needed to bring the various parts of the property into compliance with modern health and zoning codes. The article says that restoration has been a major concern on the Mount, with several elements having been repaired in previous years:

“Work completed to date on the Stable includes installing structural members and sistering existing framing, rebuilding the chimney, repairing, and painting the three cupolas, and replacing the flat membrane roofing section. Restoration to the Gatehouse roof was completed this past summer.”

It is important for historical buildings and properties to have funding for restoration projects such as the one occurring at The Mount. Without various sources of funding, classic pieces of Americana like finials, weathervanes and cupolas would fall into disrepair.

There is a mistake that many homeowners make as the weather begins to get colder – they forget about their outdoor décor! It definitely makes sense considering the normal décor that is offered in stores and online – most of it can withstand cold and wet weather, but it simply has no place  in your garden or on your home being beaten up by snow, sleet and ice during the cold winter months. This is no issue in warmer areas, but when you consider what the northern part of the U.S. goes through, you should consider bringing in your décor before the winter really hits hard.

However, there are still items that you can use in colder weather to add not only some decorative elements to your home, but also to help you entertain guests. Obviously, we will leave out regular holiday decorations for the purposes of this post. One of the biggest additions you can make is right off your patio or deck – you need to put in a fire pit. Adding a fire pit to the outside of your home is an fun and easy way to entertain guests, even when it is cold outside!

At HG Lifestyle, there is a huge selection of copper fire pits, each finished with aged or oil-rubbed iron or bronze. If bronze fits with your personal style, these specific pits actually have a deeper basin with cutout designs covered in steel mesh for safety.  By installing a fire pit – which can be as easy as taking it out of the box – you’ll be able to have a backyard fire year-round, as long as you have a nice stockpile of wood or coal to get things started!

If you get a fire pit, you’ll also want to make sure your safety is considered by also acquiring a spark screen, which can protect you and your family from getting hit with any errant embers or sparks from the fire. Remember, when it comes to fire pits, safety first!

Cupolas have an incredibly long history in the annals of not just the United States, but the world over. Just consider the famous cupolas in India and Russia as an example of how cupolas have become a staple of architecture over centuries. However, as cupolas moved into the United States, they were no longer just a piece of outdoor décor, but also a useful tool for farmers who were domesticating animals like horses. Cupolas have provided a simple and effortless way to keep barns, corrals, etc. ventilated and safe for animals.

An article from Horse Illustrated (reprinted in Horse Channel) discusses how important the installation of cupolas is when considering the health and safety of horses:

“Most people think of cupolas as quaint and decorative, but they are actually quite beneficial to the barn’s air quality, keeping out moisture and mold rot which weakens wooden structures. Most have simple vents to release warm barn air to the outside, while others also add light. Without ceiling and wall vapor barriers, the inside of an un-insulated barn during certain weather conditions will seem like the rain forest and actually make it healthier to send your horses outdoors.”

The article speaks to the number of problems that can arise from barns that do not have cupolas or other airways that allow air in. These can include airborne contaminants, bacteria, unwanted moisture, mold spores and other extremely damaging elements. By taking care of your barn environment, you not only keep your animals safe, but also healthier, more active and able to work for longer amounts of time.

Granted, cupolas are a wonderful addition to any home needing a fresh look with the help of outdoor décor. For those uses, wood cupolas and vinyl cupolas from HG Lifestyle are the best option. Just don’t forget about your friends who live in the barn as well!

At HG Lifestyle, your best source for outdoor décor like cupolas, finials and garden décor, there is a gigantic selection of weathervanes available to add that extra element that your home has been missing. Weathervanes function as so much more than a way to see where the wind is blowing, it is also a statement of style that can bring a new look to your home. It can also express things that you like – say you are a football fan and want to let people who see your home know. Simply order a football player weathervane from HG Lifestyle and install it yourself using the easy instructions included with your weathervane.

We understand that you may be ordering your first weathervane, so here are some answers to questions we get all the time:

Do I install the weathervane?

Absolutely! We include instructions in the box so that you can complete the installation where and when you want to – no professionals needed! All you need is a screwdriver because the parts connect to the assembly rod securely with setscrews. You may want to consider getting some thread locking adhesive to aid in the assembly of the rods.

Do weathervanes have sizes?

Yes, and we actually have three different sizes available in our online store. For larger homes, commercial buildings and barns, there is the Estate Series. If you are looking to add to your garage, home or gazebo, you’ll want to check out the Standard Size Weathervanes. For your garden, we carry Garden Weathervanes, which are merely smaller versions of our regular sized weathervanes.

If I choose a polished finish on my weathervane, how long will it last?

In one month, the copper will naturally begin to tarnish, but you can use a number of products to maintain the look of raw copper. If you apply Stay Brite once a month, you will keep that nice copper / brass finish consistency.