 With
this in mind, this month's newsletter will address decorating from our
hearts. "Decorating from the heart" simply means creating the
most pleasing environment possible to suit yourself, your family, and
your visitors. It is not about money spent, it is about graciousness in
providing the comfort a home should provide. Comfortable seating, a place
to set a drink, a coffee table you can put your feet on, a space for a
guest to be alone if she/he chooses, all are part of creating a "from
the heart" home. The style can be country , traditional, or contemporary,
or anything in between, but make it look "welcoming", not like
a showroom. No one enjoys a place they feel unsure of where to sit, or
where is "safe" to place a soda. I have been in the poorest
of homes that felt comfortable, and in "show places" that felt
comfortable. I also have been in both that made me feel I had to stand
there until I figured out where was okay to sit! It's all in how you present
your home.
|
Soul
Seeking
During
this month of celebration for many people of Faith, let us all put anger
and hatred behind 
How
does YOUR entry way welcome guests? Does it have a feeling of "come
on in"? A welcoming entry could have a console
table with a lamp, a place to hang a sweater or jacket, perhaps a seat
to allow a guest to take off boots if your climate calls for that. An
attractive bowl of 
More
ways to create a welcoming foyer! Check to be sure your entry is well
lit. A dark entry is not pleasant to enter! Soft lighting is not only
nice for you to come home to, but nice for your guests also. Do the walls
have 
A
friend whose entire home is carpeted in white has a delightful and practical
way to welcome company. As you come into her home, she has a plush bench
and invites you to sit as you enter. There is a brass
rack to hold your shoes and she actually plops down and removes them for
you. Then she reaches into a wonderfully scented bowl
of water with a snow white washcloth and lightly washes your feet! A
basket of thick towels sits nearby and you choose your color and she pats
you dry. This ritual not only protects her snow white
carpet, but makes every guest feel pampered and special.
Softly scented, clean feet sinking into deep, luxurious carpet!
Even the guys enjoy this! A very unusual ritual, but
a warm and memorable one. She does it with humor and laughter, making
all feel comfortable!
I
am not suggesting we all do this, it just happens to be her style and
suits her personality and decor! ~grin~ There is something delightfully
quirky about sitting down to a formal dinner and delicately eating artichoke
hearts while wiggling bare toes under the table!
Foyers
are the first "inside" thing one sees, so make yours say "come
in...glad you are here"! Another way to welcome guests is a favorite
of mine. In the guest room, which should be as nicely done as the rest
of your home, put fresh flowers, 