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Tips & Tidbits
Volume I
Don’t
just put up that border
straight from the package. Take a look at the bottom (or top) of
the pattern and see if there is an undulating flow through it that you can follow
for one full pattern repeat. Cut away the excess, below that line, to give you a custom
look and a much more interesting edge.
 I’ve done the same thing
with adhesive backed paper when I needed a slightly larger
“border “ than was available. Certain wallpapers work well for
this same technique. If
you have no patience however, then this is not for you. It can be
tedious depending on your pattern
If
you have a large mirror hanging
high over a mantel, consider placing something behind
it, near the top, to tilt it out away from the wall. Usually these
mirrors only reflect the ceiling—how boring. Unless of course the ceiling is gorgeous! You want it to
reflect some of the “life” in the room. Experiment a few times
by sitting down across from it to see what else it can reflect. This only works if your mirror is hanging from a wire.
Mirrors that are hung directly from the hangers on the mirror
won’t move that much.
 Up
lights, up lights, up lights! Add drama to a
dark corner behind a piece of furniture, or highlight from below a piece of
artwork on a pedestal. If you’re lucky enough to have
beautiful stucco or walls with some nice texture in them –the
effects at night are wonderful. Bring on the music and the roses! Maybe even those old
cracks in the plaster have some merit after all? Experiment.
It’s only light and maybe an extension cord.
Place
a large basket of dried flowers
( Hydrangeas would be nice) under a coffee table or a
console table for a different look that perks up a room.
 Or use
dried pods and large pinecones. Some baskets are beautiful enough
that you don’t need the flowers. If you have a glass topped
table then ‘all the better to see them my dear’.
Even
when the weather is warmer, don’t put away all those throws. Pick ones in colors appropriate for the season, perhaps in a
light weight yarn or fabric, and place one over the back of a chair
or the corner of a sofa.
 It adds a touch of color and texture just
as nicely as a throw pillow.
Here’s
a neat storage idea I read that I had never thought of. Store your bed linens as sets in one of the pillowcases. (“50 Ways To Organize…Closets and drawers” Mary Jane
Fromm, Decorating Ideas) If you have several different
size beds in the house, this is a great idea. Saves time looking
for that missing fitted sheet or pillowcase.
Something
I have done—Installed tilt
down sink tray drawers to store all those little things
that mess up the back of the sink area. You can buy the kits at
your local hardware stores. The trick is getting the front panel
off your sink cabinets. Some are harder. They have screws instead
of spring clips, but most of the newer cabinets are easier. I
wouldn’t be without them.
Interesting
quote for those who are afraid to use lots of
bold colors. “We don’t color our home, color is our home.” Mark McCauley, ASID, Color Therapy at Home,
(Rockport Publishers, 2000)
One
final tip to give
your rooms a ‘space lift’ is to treat them
to a Room Works interior redesign, where we ‘massage’ the
floor plan, clear the passageways, and ‘lift’ &
‘realign’ wall décor and decorative accessories. A room that
works!
If
there are any comments or ideas you would like to share, please
use our Contact Us Form.
Please use the below links
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Volume
I
Volume
II
Volume III
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