| More people decorate their homes during | | | | that description, it doesn't fit period! |
| the fall and winter months than at any | | | | Look for alternatives to everything!!! |
| other time of the year, and with good | | | | Flat sheets on sale are a great buy...I |
| reason! We spend more time indoors, we | | | | can get one at my discount store for |
| owe it to ourselves and our families to | | | | $2.89. A flat sheet is generally 66x96 |
| create a comfortable place to be! Here | | | | inches...that's over 3 yards of fabric |
| are the best ways to save BIG bucks on | | | | for less than 97 cents a yard! Can't |
| your home decorating | | | | beat that, and flat sheets come in so |
| Start with plan. I know you've heard | | | | many colors. When in doubt, buy white! |
| this before, but having a plan doesn't | | | | Use them for tablecovers, curtain |
| necessarily mean you know exactly | | | | panels, making comforter covers, throw |
| everything you want to do in your rooms | | | | pillow covers, or even casual |
| ahead of time. What it does mean is | | | | slipcovers! If you find a great color, |
| having a starting point to keep you in | | | | stock up during a white sale...you will |
| the ballpark, and that will save you A | | | | always find uses for fabric that fits |
| LOT of money in mistakes in the long | | | | into your color scheme. |
| run. So start with the three things you | | | | Look for furniture at yard sales and in |
| need...Color, Style, and Formality. | | | | the classifeds. You can get quality |
| Color is easy...if you don't already | | | | furniture this way for a fraction of |
| have a color scheme you love, find one | | | | what it would cost you new. Learn to |
| in a book or magazine, and borrow it! | | | | make do with the furniture you have with |
| Still unsure? Pick your favorite color, | | | | the art of disguise. Slipcovers, paint |
| plus white, never fail combo. Style? | | | | and floor length tablecloths go a long |
| Maybe you know you love Country | | | | way towards dressing up an otherwise |
| Farmhouse. Or maybe you like a little of | | | | forgettable piece of furniture. By the |
| everything! That's ok, just make sure | | | | way, you can paint ANYTHING these days! |
| you give the room style a name that | | | | The trick is to use a specialty blocking |
| includes the feeling you want in the | | | | primer before painting...I recommend |
| room, and that will keep you on track. | | | | KILZ Original. Yes, you can even paint |
| For instance, I have a Fresh and Sunny | | | | that ugly laminate bookcase or computer |
| Cottage Room for my family room. (I use | | | | desk! All your furniture mismatched in |
| sunny as a feeling as well as a visual | | | | style and form? Paint it all one color, |
| clue!) Keep the feeling in the name, and | | | | and it will help marry and unify your |
| you will pick the right style every | | | | furniture grouping. (I love white or |
| time! Finally, formality. Know if you | | | | black for furniture, depending on the |
| like a more formal room, where things on | | | | style of your room.) |
| both sides of the room match, or a more | | | | Finally, look for good resources to help |
| informal feel. So my family room | | | | you learn to create your own |
| description would go something like | | | | accessories, custom paint finishes, and |
| this...I want an informal Fresh Sunny | | | | inspirational ideas such as |
| Cottage style full of soft blue, green | | | | With a little advanced thinking and a |
| yellow and white. So every time I buy | | | | bit of creativity, anyone can have a |
| something, I know if it doesn't fit in | | | | well decorated home! |