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Tips & Tidbits
Volume II
Whether you
have hard surface floors or carpeting, you can
‘cozy’ things up for the new season by adding an area
rug. Or if you don’t want to put one on the floor,
hang
a smaller one on your wall! Some of them would make very nice
wall hangings—they don’t have to be tapestry quality to go on
display! I once hung a piece of upholstery fabric on a brick fireplace
wall because I liked the look of it. A small curtain rod,
some clip on rings or loops sewn on the rug back will do the job.
 Or
try switching area rugs between
rooms to bring a fresh look to the space. That’s one of the advantages
of having the color schemes in your rooms share a few common elements.
You can interchange your accessories. Follow up with those heavier
window coverings, throw pillows, coordinated throws, matching tiebacks,
and extra candles in warm textures and deeper colors. Use a
richly
textured table runner as a mantel scarf.
Change
the focus of your rooms from the
view outside to the fireplace or perhaps to a ‘focal point’ piece of
furniture near a conversation area.
 In
the last Tip &Tidbits I suggested using large baskets under tables
for display. Now’s a
great time to use large pine cones, along with the dried florals, pods,
gourds or grasses. As Christmas gets closer, exchange some of the items with more
colorful Christmas ornaments or decorations. I have even put a
small
strand of Christmas lights in an open weave basket and mixed
in with the pine cones (Don’t leave this on when you’re away) The lights twinkle through the sides of the
basket as well. Add a small
lamp and you have a nice little light for the hall or an entryway. It’s not as dramatic as the little houses in the Christmas
Village around the ice skating pond, but it’s a lot easier to dust
around and changeover after the
holidays.
Bring
a little of the outdoors in….with
those miniature grapevine wreaths—the ones that are about 6 inches in
diameter. Leave them natural, or wash with a color. Try a little spray paint in pastels, neutrals, jewel tones or
metallics— whatever the season dictates---you get the idea! Just add a little wired ribbon and some sprigs of silk or dried,
flowers or foliage. Or for a nice “twist on texture”, use pearls,
lace or satin cording. Of course use twine, jute or leather laces for a
rustic look. I’ve used
them as swag holders, tiebacks, candle rings, and hanging over
chandelier arms as mini wreaths during the holidays.
Quick
Window Ideas
If you
don’t have a swag scarf long enough to do the whole window, use two
shorter ones and have them meet in the middle or maybe even off center!
Add a decorated mini grapevine wreath or wrap with a tieback and tassel
and make a production out of it! I
once used a mini wreath, some rubber bands and a 2 king size pillowcases
to make a swag for a tiny bathroom window.
 I used two cases for more fullness. Lay the two side by side
along the long edge and overlap a little. Fan fold starting on the long
side (about 8 or 10 folds), gather one end in rubber band, and attach to
curtain rod (or window trim) with the rubber band.
Put
the other folded end through wreath and hang wreath from curtain rod (or
window trim) with a pin-on hook, let the excess hang down the side of
the window.
Tug
and adjust for the “swag” and to cover the rod if you like.
Easy to do and totally washable. Or for a little larger
window, a piece of fabric could work. Iron on seam tape for hems –ok
you can use masking tape-- if you must-- for a while. Just fold in ends
several inches and attach before you fan fold. I won’t tell if you
won’t! I used 4 yds for a 48x54 window once. There was enough for an
extra swag wrap around the rod.
Or use a shower curtain and drapery rings with spring clips to make
Kitchen or Bathroom curtains. Just
make a “Z” fold in the curtain at the top to make a “valance”
and hold the three layers with the clips. This is helpful if you can’t find matching window curtains to
your shower curtain.
Go
a little crazy!
In case you
haven’t noticed, things don’t have to match
perfectly anymore. Having the sofa, two matching end tables and coffee table, with
two matching lamps and two matching shades is, well…not the
thing you have to strive for now. I
know that’s the way we’ve done it for a long time. Some people just can’t do it any other way. I couldn’t wait, as a young bride, to be able to afford a
“matching set” of furniture. But
now it’s ok to mix it up! Use more than one wood tone in a room. Have two different lamps, as long as there is some element that
ties them together—shape-color- material or the same shade style or
shade fabric etc.
Many of us
are acquiring heirlooms and
decorative accessories passed down from our families. We have more
“blended” households now. Furniture companies are even creating
lines of furniture that have that “ from my great aunt or grandma’s
attic” look. As
long as you enjoy having these items around you, don’t be afraid to
use them in your rooms. One of my favorite pieces in my home is a
beautiful china cabinet and buffet we got from my in-laws. It was their
first set in the early ‘40’s. The china cabinet has been in every
one of my living rooms and always gets rave reviews from guests.
But before
you go really crazy and proclaim that “Tracy said I could do this”,
just a few words of caution. Yes, it’s OK to break the rules, but
don’t
break too many or all the rules at the same time!
As for
having all those wonderful collectible treasures around you and in your
rooms, you should know it’s a fact that we feel
more relaxed in a space with fewer visual distractions. Too
many visual distractions can actually drain our energy. You wouldn’t
wear all your favorite jewelry or accessories at once. So why would you
put out all your favorite things at once? You need to rotate them so you can truly enjoy the pieces
that are on display.
As always,
call Room Works when you feel the need for a new
look-- not new furniture. Or if you’re selling your house
and you want it to have that great first impression that lasts!
If
there are any comments or ideas you would like to share, please
use our Contact Us Form.
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