Stress Free Tips -

A Stress Free Haven? Continued.

Of course similar aren’t always desirable - too much sameness can lead to boredom. So a few dark colours mixed in the same room as pale colours can have a dramatic effect. For example: A cream sofa can look great with leopard prints cushions on.

Tip: The best places to shop for fabrics are within the souq and Indian shops. The majority of shops have materials wide enough for curtains and upholstery; and remember, what would make a great outfit could make fantastic cushions.

Lighting - The style of the lighting fixtures effects ambience as well as determining the amount of illumination they provide. Consider the period and style of your decor when selecting fixtures, as you would for any accessories.

If you opt for an eye-catching chandelier or unusual pendant, don’t add competing focal points.

To make a small room look larger, try uplifting a pale ceiling.

To make a large room feel more intimate, try using spare down lighting, high contrast or pinpoint accent schemes or low, diffused wall sconces.

Adequate ambient light is the key to creating a comfortable living space. Indirect cove and soft lit lighting.

Light-coloured countertops, work surfaces, and walls add brightness because they reflect colour.

Light at a mirror should shine on the person, not the glass.

Bahrain is a treasure trove for ideas when decorating a home. There are lots of little antique shops especially heading out towards Budayia from Manama.

Artikel and Galleria Sophia are two shops worth visiting for furniture, lighting, decorative ideas and gifts. Both situated next to Jawad supermarket in Budayia.

Artikel is an ambient, spacious store displaying unusual ethnic furniture, accessories and much more. It is worth paying a visit just to see the beautiful flowers alone.

The teak garden furniture speaks for itself and is very reasonably priced.

The collection on offer is from Spain, hence the style and class.

A selection of both modern and classic pieces that would enhance just about any home is available.

Galleria Sophia which is just next doors oozes elegance and sophistication. It specializes in the house of Mariner, a prestigious range of Spanish classical furniture, accessories and lighting. The shop itself is like an Aladdin's Cave and you will stumble across beautiful mirrors, hand made local candles and paintings, pictures, soft furnishing and a host of gift ideas.

Many items of furniture can be tailored with fabrics to suite the customer and specially shipped in for them personally.

As you head to Manama, just after Spinney’s on the same side as Book Case, The Good Life Gallery is another shop worth calling into. As soon as you enter, you’ll be hit by the heavy fragrances of exotic incense that will lift the spirit. None of the gift items or art work are mass produced, and they offer a selection of handmade copper pieces including urns.

Items like the large jugs and plant pots have proved to be very popular, but the Egyptian chandeliers are specially worth checking out. They vary in size and are a mix of rustic, gothic and bohemian with a Middle - Eastern cultural twist, and at great prices.

Finally as you admire the lights, remember to notice the roof as it remember to notice the roof as it is made from date palms and is woven by the traditional method.

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