Yes, I know it’s been awhile since our last post, but we have been very busy…

However, I felt it was time to give an important update to those conscious American shoppers wondering how to help this economy we’re all struggling in and ran across this JibJab bit on the consequences of supporting the ‘Big Box Mart’ stores – although it’s a few years old, it is so much more true today and even brings tears to my eyes to think of the road this country has gone down leading to the financial ruin of the country and the destruction of the ‘middle class’ as we knew it.  You can view it here:

In short, we have become a Nation of service providers instead of leaders in manufacturing.  Yet, we detected a desire and a need to bring back the Made in America theme and that is why last January 1, 2011, we committed the Pick My Decor website to offer only “Made in America” products, and business is booming – so many people WANT the USA made products, it has actually put a strain on the companies we represent and they now are hiring more workers to meet the demand.  Thank you to all!  Unfortunately,  some component parts, like steel and fabric, are still imported from other countries ONLY because they are not being made in the USA any more.  Just keep in mind, your purchase of any product from Pick My Decor IS putting an American worker to work when they make the finished product you order.  We have to start somewhere folks and this is the place!  Keep buying from Pick My Decor and keep them working and who knows, someday soon the USA may just start making steel and fabrics again!

Happy Holidays

The French word for Matelassé translates to “padded” in English, and that is the perfect description of this luxury bedding item. The bedspreads are thick, comfortable, and extremely durable. Although the fabric itself is not actually padded, it has the appearance of being padded due to the thickness of the fabric.

Matelasse fabric is most commonly used in the bedroom. It is a great material to use for bedspreads and shams, as it has a very soft texture. The bedspreads are highly sought after.

History of Matelassé

Most people agree that this type of fabric was first developed by an Englishman named Robert Elsden. The majority of matelassé fabric is made through the use of Jacquard looms, which were invented in 1801.

Are They Quilts?

Some people refer to the spreads as quilts. Although they do resemble quilts, they are not actually quilted. The fabric has very intricate, delicate designs that have a feminine and airy feel. It is a great choice for spring and summer, but is warm and thick enough to use in colder winter months as well. So, is Matelasse right for you?

Soft & Durable

The fabric is durable enough to withstand multiple washings, yet soft enough for even the most delicate skin

Made in the USA

Support local workers by purchasing this bedspread that is made in the USA

Elegant design

Matelasse is commonly used in French cabin décor. The intricate designs and elegant feel make is seem much more expensive than it actually is.

Color Choices

While this fabric is most commonly seen in a white or antique color, it is also available in many other colors, including maroon and sage.

Overall, matelassé bedspreads would be a good choice in almost any home. They fit in well with French, cabin, and granny chic décor styles. My mother has always used this style of bedding in her guest room. It would make the guests feel extra special and provide them with ultimate comfort.

If you want to explore more about Matelasse bedspreads and shams you can visit our online store.

New Old World themed home decor

Medieval and Gothic Décor – New at Pick My Decor

We are happy to announce that we will be adding a new themed section to our online store. The Old World Theme that includes medieval, or gothic, décor and will feature many familiar favorites. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this type of home décor I figured we would take the time to examine the theme and see what it has to offer.

What is considered Old World, medieval or gothic?

Any décor that is reminiscent of the middle ages can be considered medieval. Dark metals, swords, and wall hangings are great examples of typical medieval décor. You can also go for a Victorian gothic theme by focusing on oversized furniture, romantic wall art, and lots of fabric. Incorporate darker colors and blues into the design to add to the desired theme of the home. Contrary to popular belief, gothic décor also includes a great deal of religious emblems and crosses.

Is medieval décor right for me?

When used correctly, gothic décor can be the right choice for anyone. You can add delicate elements to balance out the dark colors and oversized furniture. This type of décor adds a touch of old timey elegance to any space, and can be modified to work for you. Focus on using very luxurious fabrics, such as velvet or chenille. Wall hangings and art were also staples of the middle age’s medieval era.

If you want a décor style that can take on many moods- from dark and mysterious to romantic and fantasy based – than a gothic medieval theme would work for you.

Where do I start?

Changing the theme of your home can seem overwhelming. It is important to take it slow and focus on the most influencing pieces first. For example, start by replacing your current table lamps with the gorgeous Iron Table Lamps. Next, add a wall hanging, such as this beautiful cross. You will notice that by simply changing a few items at a time your home will start to feel like a real medieval castle. Full of fantasy and imagination, this theme can take you in many places.

What are you waiting for?

Now that you have discovered what medieval décor has to offer take this knowledge and expand on it. I bet you even have some items in your home already that will fit into your new design choice perfectly. After all, you don’t have to live in a castle to be able to decorate like you do.

A pop of color will add an interesting touch to any room. You should pick a color that is not overly used in the rest of your decor so that it will catch the eye and intrigue the mind. For example, if you have used mainly warm colors to decorate your home, add a pop of color with a cool turquoise or aqua accent. The added color will keep your home cozy with a modern twist. You don’t need to have a degree in interior design to pull off the following five ideas. Let them inspire you to add a pop of color to your living space.

Accent Pillows:

The most popular way to add a touch of color to a space is throw pillows. They can be changed often and do not require a big commitment. They do, however, make a big impact. Throw pillows that are placed in a chair or on the couch will draw the eye and add color without taking over the space.

Wall Art:

Another option for those that don’t want to commit to a permanent color change is wall art. Wall art is easily hung and can be taken down at any time. When choosing your art, remember, the bolder the better. Choose a piece that stands out. Wall art tends to blend into the background of decorating so the brighter and bolder your piece the bigger impact it will make.

Accent the Wall:

If you are looking for a bold way to add color, try an accent wall. An accent wall is an entire wall in the room dedicated to adding a bold touch. A favorite way to decorate an accent wall is to paint it a neutral color – gray works great – and then add popping color accents. You can take old picture frames, paint them the accent color, and hang them on the wall. It is a cheap and effective method of adding a pop. Another way to create an accent wall is through bold wallpaper. Hang the wallpaper only on your accent wall for a funky way to add color.

Lamps and Vases:

For a pop of color that is easily seen but not overpowering try a lamp or vase. Vases can be placed at different heights to create a neat effect. Also, if you are brave, choose a lamp base that contrasts with the color or pattern of the shade. To add an extra special something to your vases, fill them with colorful pebbles or silk flowers.

Don’t forget to change out the colors with the seasons to keep your decor fresh.

We all know the wave of the financial meltdown is affecting every aspect of living in the USA today, as well as abroad, and as a business, let me tell you, we too feel it.  Yes, we hear reports of some movement in the economy, but at the moment the majority of us are not feeling it.  However, I’m here to tell you, if this great country of ours made it through the Great Depression, the World Word II phenomenon, the Vietnam War, the stagflation of the 1970′s, the savings and loan debacle in the 1980′s, the dot.com crashes in the 1990′s, and 911, then we will surely pull ourselves up by our bootstraps again in this new century and survive! 

Personally, I believe we all need to refocus our attention and look at what and where we place our values. True, we need to do our part in job creation here in America and we have millions of people ready, willing, and able to work.  Granted, they would like to get paid for the work they do and at a rate that will support their families.  Not that the folks over-seas don’t want to make a living, but haven’t we given away enough jobs overseas already?  Think of the entire ‘family’ that is being fed when one family member works! 

My recommendation is that when we go shopping for those things that make us feel good and make our life at home more comfortable, think of Buying American Made!  Yes, these items may cost a little more, but you know they will last a lot longer AND you can say you helped support the economy by buying something an American worker made.  Now wouldn’t that make you feel good? 

The question remains, where can you buy Made in America products?  Why, Pick My Decor of course!  Each Made in the USA product we offer is keeping an American worker working and feeding his/her family with each product purchased.  Think about it.

In the near future, Pick My Decor will begin a series of blogs to showcase the beautiful high quality products and artwork offered on our website that are Made in the USA by many great small businesses, companies, and talented artisans across America.

Thank you and stay tuned…

Well, it’s that time of year again when Christmas is over and we are facing the New Year.  How I hate to see Christmas go – all the lovely decorations, the magical lights every where, the snow and the warm fireplaces lit offering comfort from the cold.   Soon the pleasant attitudes will return to normal and the kids will stop thinking of how to up the ante on Santa Claus.

Yes, it’s almost time to put the ornaments away and take down the lights and put them away for another year.  The warm glow will be missing and the decorations that looked so elegant and inviting will be removed to reveal just how much we need to up-grade our look because we will get the feeling that ‘something’  is missing from our home decor.

Is it time for a new lamp? Perhaps a new lamp shade or a lamp finial?  A new bed ensemble set or some soft Egyptian cotton sheets?  Perhaps we will need to spruce up the walls with some new paint or a piece of framed art, wall art sculpture, or a hanging wall tapestry.  Many ‘little’ changes can do wonders for reviving a room!  Try adding a decorative tapestry throw blanket to put over the back of the worn couch or chair or a throw pillow in its corner.  All of ours are Made in the USA (good for the economy).

With winter now here, many will be using the fireplace not only to supplement the heat in the house, but for the romance of it (Valentine’s Day is coming soon).  Wouldn’t a new decorative, custom made fireplace screen look good?  We are also offering hand forged fireplace tools with unique designs made in the USA.

Pick My Decor and West by Southwest Decor offer a great selection of exclusive designs on heavy duty heavy wrought iron made as a tri-fold fireplace screen that you won’t find anywhere else, and if the sizes are not the sizes you need, call us and we can custom make a fireplace screen to fit your fireplace.  The high quality fireplace screens are hand-crafted in the USA by skilled artisans and are made to last a long time.  No cheap stuff here!  Doesn’t it feel good to get something that’s made well?  We know, that is why we sell them!  Check them out and find one in your favorite decor theme.  Look for the discount code on the websites to save even more right now.

Please keep in mind that the majority of home decor products we sell on Pick My Decor are made in the USA by American workers and your purchase of these items keep the American economy going and growing.  Thanks for shopping with Pick My Decor.

At Pick My Decor and West by Southwest Decor, you will find many great looking and unique lampshades to update your home decor theme look.  A simple change of the lampshade can completely alter the look of the room for a refreshing change to your environment. However, because buying on-line is more time consuming if you purchase the ‘wrong’ lampshade for your lamp, it is much better to measure twice and buy once!  Therefore we are posting this information to help you determine the correct lampshade for your particular lamp before you buy.  Then when you know what size you need for your lamp, you can check out our selections for Western and Southwestern lamp shades OR Rustic Lodge, Nautical, and Contemporary lamp shades.

MEASURING TO FIT A LAMP WITH A LAMPSHADE

A lampshade should look proportional to the lamp on which it sits, reflecting the shape and style of the lamp.  In general, the taller the lamp, the larger the shade should be.

Lampshades are measured and sized according to:

A. width across the top
B. width across the bottom
C. height down the side

For example, 10″ top, 16″ bottom, 12″ side

• The width across the bottom is what is referred to as the lampshade size.  So a shade with the example measurements above would be referred to as a 16″ shade.
• If you have an existing shade and want a similar one, simply measure it and find a shade with a similar measurement.
• If the measurements are not exactly the same as your shade, remember that the height is the most important size to match with your existing shade.
• If you do not have an existing shade, or simply want something different in style and/or size, measure the top of the lamp’s hard to just below the socket in which the bulb fits.  The basic rule of thumb is that the shade you choose should have a bottom diameter (B) that is approximately equal to this measurement.

The height of the shade should always be long enough to cover the socket when viewed at eye level.  Changing harps is an easy way to adjust the height of the shade on a lamp that is fitted with a harp. However, you can also adjust the height by using a shade riser found at your local hardware store.

Copyright Pick My Gift.com 

Pick My Decor is getting ready for the holidays this year with a few ‘new’ lines of products. These items will be great for decorating, as well as for gift giving.  However, because we sell many custom made-to-order items, we highly suggest that you get your orders in NOW or they may not arrive in time for Christmas.

With the economy trying hard to come out of a recession, we believe the best thing to do is to get America working again.  We do this by offering top quality, Made in the USA products, produced by American workers.  This method is the best support we can give the economy to get it growing again.  We also offer top quality items made around the world, such as crystal and hand made glass glasses.  Although these items have been imported by other ‘small businesses’ that are struggling to make a living too here in the USA, we have taken great pains to ensure that they are all the highest quality and produced under the best conditions.

Purchases by you will facilitate the recovery here in the USA by giving many craftsman and workers something to make for you.  Without sales from customers, these small companies and individuals will also be hurting this year.  How can you help?  Buy from Pick My Decor, Pick My Gift, and West by Southwest Decor!  And let’s all have a Happy Holiday!

So, bookmark our sites and check back often, as this American owned company will be adding new products on a regular basis.  Remember, if we don’t offer it, call us, we will do our best to get it for you.  Happy Holidays and Happy Shopping!