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