Basics of Decorating

Page 3

At this point, we have come to smaller pieces . Small chairs, coffee tables, consoles, side tables, accent pieces, small throw rugs, you get the idea. If you have done all that preceded with care, this part is much easier! Pick things that blend with the bigger furniture, not neccesarily match. You want a personalized look, not a showroom look. Make your house your HOME! Carefully selected chairs, accent tables and the rest of the above, will add to your look. Just be sure it blends. I am talking style-wise as well as color-wise. Although it is fun to add unexpected things that do not seem to fit, but go together due to color, tone, or some other element that works. Again, have fun with this and remember that you do not have to finish it all in a week. A great look can take a very long time!

pictures of furniture and accessories for redecorating a room

Lighting: Now that the main components are in place, it is time to consider how we are going to light all these wonderful rooms. There are lights for general lighting, task lighting, ambience lighting, and spot lighting for focal points. There are track lights, floor lamps, table lamps, up lights, spots for art, candles, sconces, wall lamps, and so on. Click here to see one of the best selections on the web. Here you can order them online, or just go there to see if you can come up with some wonderful ideas for your decor. Your style of decorating will be first consideration here. A simple country look might clash with elegant European wall sconces. Unless the look was Country French, in which case European wall sconces might be in order! And whether they are elegant would depend on the Country French style you are after!

What I am saying is again, use common sense. And your instincts! Be sure to include all basic lighting though. General room lighting, task lighting, ambience lighting, and please consider my favorite, up lights! Hidden up lights behind a large plant can be magical, and usually are! Take your time and look around. There are so many choices out there. You can always return lights that don't fit well. Since Track lighting is something that is non- returnable, I suggest you call in an expert. They know where, how , and what kind of lighting to use. Well worth the expense. Don't forget the beauty of recessed lighting! Also best done by an expert!

Ah, Accessories! Isn't this becoming easier? Remember this: BAGG. This stands for Black, Accessories, Greenery, and Glass. There isn't a room around that can't be improved with these items. Always try to add some black accents, however small. This could be fireplace "tools" and screen, a black vase, black frames around some small art pieces; hopefully you are getting some ideas here. Then add accessories, such as collections, favorite things, books, figurines, whatever strikes your fancy. Some of these could add your black into the scheme of things! Remember that collections look best when displayed together as one collection.The impact is so much greater than if you scatter them around the house or room! Some major items on my must have list include throws, pillows, artwork, unusual sculpture, and special picture frames.

A note here... one thing that can be annoying is having too many personal family photos in a room where entertaining is done. Your family may enjoy them, but most people would rather see just a few family photos in a room. If you want a family photo wall, do it in a den, or up a stairwell, or in a hallway. I have personally been overwhelmed by tons of family pictures in a public room! Many people are!

Greenery : Heaven help the room without some greenery! There is some sort of earth-comfort thing going on in a room with greens. If you don't believe me, just take all the greens out of a room and look at what you have! I have been accused of creating "jungles" , but I love this added touch in any decor. If you are not inclined to this, just add some well placed plants, silk or real, and let it go at that. Add more as time goes on. You will find it adds so much! Trust me on this!

Glass: Glass reflects light and adds little visual disruption to a room. Glass top tables, glass or crystal vases, glass anything adds shine. Mirrors really do the trick! They give light back into the room, enlarge spaces, add interest, and generally provide a wonderful way to show off your great taste in frames! These are abundant in size and style, so shop carefully! Well placed mirrors should reflect something of interest.A magnificent vase of silk flowers and greenery, a great art piece, or anything you enjoy seeing from a different angle. BAGG your rooms!

Remember, this is YOUR home! So make it personal! Add your own touches, create spaces you love, work with what you may already have, and enjoy your creation. No one will duplicate your personality. You are one of a kind. Let it show in your home and you will have been successful!

One last thing to tackle. What if you bought an existing home , or already live in a home, and have to work with choices made by somebody else? Or even choices you made a long time ago? Not to panic! The same principles apply. If you find that pink carpet color stops you dead in your tracks for your exciting new changes, consider having it dyed. It is cheaper than new carpet!

Do you know that stone can be painted? Floors can be stenciled? Cabinets can be refaced or painted? Large area rugs can almost make the carpet/flooring underneath disappear? Paint can be applied over some wallpapers? Furniture can be painted or stained a different tone? Furniture can be recovered?

Budget applies here, obviously. But even kitchen counters made of laminate can be painted to look like whatever you want with certain products! E-mail me if you want recommendations on "what" products to use here. There is a line of products made for such painting.

All in all, even working with a not-so-well-done decor can be fun and challenging. Just apply the basics and work the have-to-keeps into the decor!

Use "Decor Doc Room Solutions" if you need one-on-one help on any Decorating project. In any case, happy changes can be made on a rather small budget.. Just use these guidelines and let your imagination flow.