Topics+of+Interest

= NEWS =

=Academy of Art University Introduces the School of Landscape Architecture= 13 Mar 2011 By Kelly Minner. Academy of Art University, California, San Francisco

The Academy of Art University, the nation’s largest private accredited art and design university, has announced the addition of the School of Landscape Architecture. Led by Heather Clendenin as Director of Landscape Architecture, the School of Landscape Architecture joins the Schools of Architecture, Interior Architecture & Design, Motion Pictures & Television, Fine Art & Sculpture and Graphic Design. The School of Landscape Architecture will be offering accredited Associate’s (AA) and Bachelor’s (BFA) degree programs as well as continuing art education courses beginning Summer 2011 semester.

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=Signature Design Award 2012=

Signature Floor coverings invites designers to put a creative signature on their next project.
30 March 2011

The Signature Design Award 2012 is now open for entries and calling all designers to incorporate Signature Floor coverings’ Custom Made Woven Carpet into their projects. Entrants go into the running to win a trip for 2 to the International Design & Art Fair in Beijing, visit Signature Floor coverings woven carpet manufacturing facilities and experience the architectural wonders of Shanghai. The winning entry will also be showcased at Saturday In Design 2012, with added publicity online and in print through Signature Design Awards media partner – Indesign! The Signature Design Award recognises the increasing sophistication of custom-made woven carpet in interior spaces.

Custom-made woven carpet offers versatility and flexibility in design, pattern and colour combination over large surface areas. Surface designs can also be reproduced in different weights, for use across different situations. Custom-made woven carpet from Signature Floorcoverings is a striking addition to any interior. Be as creative and ingenuous as you like in incorporating this versatile product into your design – you could be off to China next year!

//Source of information:// [] = = =** Bathroom Decorating On A Budget **=
 * by Simon Phillips **

Bathrooms in many rental homes tend towards being more functional than stylish. However, if you're a renter and would like to spruce up your dull-looking or outdated bathroom without spending much of your hard earned cash, here are some ideas to help you perform that much-needed bathroom makeover without blowing your budget.

**Introduce A New Color Scheme** Color has a huge effect on the appearance of a room and it's easy to bring color into your décor (or get rid of those lurid purple walls!). Replacing bathroom tiles can be costly and requires skill, but simply repainting the ceiling, walls and woodwork is relatively cheap and easy to do. You may be surprised at the difference a coat of paint can make! There are special bathroom paints available that are more suited to damp conditions and inhibit the growth of mold. They come in a wide range of colors, including popular blue/green shades.

**Don't Forget Your Sink Vanity and Wall Cabinets** Bathroom cabinets and vanities tend to catch the eye, so if they look unattractive they can really let down the appearance of the whole room. Start by having a good old clear out and get rid of any clutter that's taking up storage space or making your vanity top look untidy. Then give your cabinets and vanity unit a thorough clean. If they still don't look great after cleaning, consider painting the doors or changing the door handles to give them an entirely new look. Try to then make better use of the storage space inside your cabinets, so your vanity doesn't become covered in toiletries and cosmetics. If you run short of space in your cabinets, use some attractive wicker baskets or something similar to display all your makeup and accessories neatly on your work surface, rather than in a disorganized pile!

**Accessorize** Changing the smaller details of your bathroom's appearance all adds up to make a big improvement on the overall look and feel of the room. For instance, replacing a moldy or just plain ugly shower curtain with a cheap new one can make a world of difference. Bathroom shower curtains come in all kinds of colors and patterns and are easy to hook into place. Look for something that goes with the theme of your décor - aquatic and nautical themes are popular examples. Add matching bath mats and towels that coordinate with or enhance your color scheme. You get the idea! These are just a few ideas to get you started - as you can see, with a little creativity it's possible to transform a shabby old bathroom and create a welcoming and relaxing ambiance - for minimal expense and effort.

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