Month: February 2007

Floor Lamps: Free Up Those Surface Areas

When you re setting up a room, or redecorating one, you should give some thought as to where the lamps will do the most good. However, sometimes a lamp will do great in one area but you need the surface area of a table for something else. What should you do? The answer is simple. All you have to do is go out and get some floor lamps. Floor lamps, just like the name implies, sit on the floor so that you have your table and counter space open for other things, such as knick knacks, picture frames or even coasters. Floor lamps come in all shapes and sizes so you re bound to be able to find a lamp that suits your tastes.

Location Is Key

The first thing you should decide when buying floor lamps is where you want the light projected. For instance, if the light is going to be in one corner but is going to be used to light up the entire room, you might want to go with a tall lamp. A tall floor lamp will illuminate the entire room but only sits in one corner, out of the way for other things, such as furniture.

Smaller Lamps

Smaller floor lamps can be used for back lighting or even as night lights. Smaller floor lamps are great because they re not in the way, they re not visible usually but they also don t put out as much light as the taller versions. For this reason, smaller floor lamps should only be placed close to wherever you ll be doing whatever it is you think you ll be doing while sitting by your lamp.

Freeing up your counter space is important, just as having enough light in your room is important. Get the floor lamps you need and no longer worry about what to do with all those miscellaneous things that you would rather have sitting on your tables.

Home Improvement Stores

To find floor lamps, simply visit your local home improvement store or search the internet. You can find floor lamps in any style, shape, size and color imaginable. They really do make a room and you ll love how much extra room you ll have. Go out and get some lamps today and start redecorating that home or office today. The only thing you ll have to decide is how many lamps you think you ll need.

How to Write about Fine Homes for Elle Decor Magazine

For anyone who writes magazine articles, getting something published in Elle Decor is a major coup. It is a very prestigious magazine and also pays well. An article in Elle Decor really belongs at the top of any writer s resume. When writing about any subject, before you submit a story about a home for Elle Decor magazine, you must do your homework and research to catch the editor s eye.

Choosing the Right Subject

The homes featured in Elle Decor magazine are only the finest and the most elegant. So if you pitch an article about shabby chic or primitive decoration, the editor is unlikely to want your writing. Homes that fit Elle Decor magazine can be found in every city, but you, the writer must figure out where. A good place to look is your city s Christmas or spring tour of homes. Only homeowners who have great decor and are proud of it would put their home on a tour.

When you think you have identified a house for Elle Decor magazine, check through back issues to make sure that particular house has never been profiled. Also, make sure your angle is fresh. The editor will never take a story on a home s distinctive topiary, for example, if she ran another topiary story the previous month.

Elle s editorial board requires sophistication first, but beyond that, the magazine features style from all over the world. Elle s home decor style is usually quite international in fact. The magazine is originally French after all.

Sending Your Query

Just like with any magazine, you must find out about Elle Decor s editorial guidelines the magazine s rules for submission. There will be a different word count limit for each section: features, reviews and trends. Some editors require that you send relevant pictures with your submission. All require that you include reference to your previously published work.

Because Elle Decor is such a prestigious magazine, it can be hard to find the right contact information and the editorial guidelines. Getting this information and sending a dazzling letter to the right person at the right time is actually part of your pitch. If you can get a piece of paper in front of the right editor, always a busy woman with plenty of secretaries to intercept bad letters, it shows you probably have the tenacity of a good writer.

For the brand new writer, Elle Decor might not be the best choice because previously published articles are so important. After you write for some other magazines, find a good topic and send it to the right editor; you might find your writing in Elle Decor.

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