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Five Decorating
Tips
 
Find Your Style. Only a lucky few have a clear idea of their
favorite decorating style. If you were handed $50,000 today to
redecorate your home, but it had to be completed within 30 days,
would you panic -- or run right out and buy what you already know
you love? Tear out pictures, play with color chips, and make mental
notes of things that strike your fancy. Keep your ideas and dreams
in a design notebook. Then, when you're ready to decorate you'll
have plenty of clues as to what you want.
Live with what you love. Try not to bring anything into your home
that you don't truly love. More than fitting in with a certain
style, this resolution focuses on elements you want to live with,
whether it is lace curtains, colorful walls, or Chinese porcelain.
How much better to have even one of something wonderful, than a
roomful of "so-so".
Wait for what you want and aim to buy quality. A blank wall might
be better than a hastily chosen piece of furniture that will cause
buyer's remorse when you later find what you really wanted. Save
up for the "perfect bedroom set", rather than settling
for something that's just ok. Build your interiors over the years
with well chosen pieces that will hold up over time. Buy with an
eye for scale, quality, and function.
Get organized. Clean out your closet find the floor. Make room for
what you need to do, then for what you want to do. Let your
solutions fit your budget -- large or small -- and they will
revitalize and refresh you and your space.
Re-appreciate, Reuse, Recycle. From fine antiques to treasures from
the Goodwill store, there are plenty of bargains in old furniture.
Well chosen pieces come with a history marked in scratches and dents
(fondly called "patina"). Most will add interest to your
home and help avoid too "matchy" a look. Get creative by
painting or staining a number of misfit pieces the same color.
Cherish these treasures, and let your creativity blossom as you
refinish, repaint, embellish, or simply enjoy them as they are.
Finally, resolve to outsmart your
budget (however large or small) with freshness, creativity,
innovation, and a little savvy shopping.
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