I love home accessories!! They can add so much to a home!!
10 ideas to try - one at a time, or all of them!
1. Go seasonal - use the weather outside as inspiration in accessorizing a room or your home.
2. Start with a great rug. The rug can be the foundation for great decorating in any room.
3. Pillows. use pillows in any room to add texture, color and pattern. Pillows are one of the quickest and easiest ways to experiment with color.
4. Focus on your favorites. Accessories are like women's jewelry. You would never wear all of your jewelry at once, and with the same idea, don't display all of your accessories at once. A good rule of thumb is to only display 20% of your accessories at any given time.
5. Use multiples. Quick and easy way to make a statement on a wall, or add interest to a hall table, or the dining room.
6. Arranging displays. The trick to finishing a room is to organize accessories around similar colors and like objects with like objects.
7. Display your art. Have a piece that you love? It can be the deciding factor for the room in color and future accessories.
8. Table Jewelry. Dress the table as you would dress yourself - thinking of the plate as the necklace and napkin rings as earrings.
9. Fresh flowers or other 'disposable' decorating pieces can inexpensively change the look of the room.
10. Have fun - don't be afraid to try new things!!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
4th of July entertaining
The 4th of is just around the corner. Are you planning a get together?
ID your drinking glasses with this fun idea! Use pinking shears to cut rectangles to fit around glasses from oil cloth, plastic or vinyl tablecloth - in patriotic colors, of course. Glue the ends together so that when you slip them around the glasses, from the bottom, they will go up so far, then fit snugly. Glue a smaller rectangle to the side - again cut with a decorative scissor and patriotic colors - and provide a marker so that each guest can write their name on it. Now everyone knows whose glass is whose.
Mix and match paper goods (paper plates, napkins, cups, etc) in patterns that celebrate our country's anniversary! Don't worry if the blues and reds don't match perfectly, it will look perfect, when everything is set up. Check the dollar store, big box stores and craft stores for great deals!
Are you hosting a potluck? Ask guests to send you the recipe ahead of time. Print the recipes on white and blue paper, rolling and tying with patriotic ribbon. Make enough so each guest can take home a scroll!!
Treat baskets, cut two 3x9 inch strips in double sided scrapbook paper, in what else? Patriotic colors!! Overlap them in a cross shape and use glue to adhere them together. Punch holes in each corner and fold the sides up. Then use ribbon or rick rack to hold the sides up, threading the ribbon or rick rack through the holes. Tie into a pretty bow or glue together. Use for chips, popcorn or other lightweight snack.
ID your drinking glasses with this fun idea! Use pinking shears to cut rectangles to fit around glasses from oil cloth, plastic or vinyl tablecloth - in patriotic colors, of course. Glue the ends together so that when you slip them around the glasses, from the bottom, they will go up so far, then fit snugly. Glue a smaller rectangle to the side - again cut with a decorative scissor and patriotic colors - and provide a marker so that each guest can write their name on it. Now everyone knows whose glass is whose.
Mix and match paper goods (paper plates, napkins, cups, etc) in patterns that celebrate our country's anniversary! Don't worry if the blues and reds don't match perfectly, it will look perfect, when everything is set up. Check the dollar store, big box stores and craft stores for great deals!
Are you hosting a potluck? Ask guests to send you the recipe ahead of time. Print the recipes on white and blue paper, rolling and tying with patriotic ribbon. Make enough so each guest can take home a scroll!!
Treat baskets, cut two 3x9 inch strips in double sided scrapbook paper, in what else? Patriotic colors!! Overlap them in a cross shape and use glue to adhere them together. Punch holes in each corner and fold the sides up. Then use ribbon or rick rack to hold the sides up, threading the ribbon or rick rack through the holes. Tie into a pretty bow or glue together. Use for chips, popcorn or other lightweight snack.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Artwork
I came across this idea the other day and I loved it!! had to share!
Photos
Spray paint a piece of wood, MDF or old frame a color that will offset anything you put on it and coordinate with your room colors. Next, purchase a big clothespin - found at most craft stores - and glue it on to the board you painted. Now you have a place to hang your current favorite picture, postcard or child's artwork. Create more than one for a striking wall arrangement! Or maybe you just have that many more pictures you would like to have displayed.
Photos
Spray paint a piece of wood, MDF or old frame a color that will offset anything you put on it and coordinate with your room colors. Next, purchase a big clothespin - found at most craft stores - and glue it on to the board you painted. Now you have a place to hang your current favorite picture, postcard or child's artwork. Create more than one for a striking wall arrangement! Or maybe you just have that many more pictures you would like to have displayed.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Paint
Paint. It can be one of the easiest ways for you to change things up. And cost little or nothing. Occasionally, the local hardware store, or even the big box home improvement stores have cans of paint that were mixed incorrectly for a customer. They want to get rid of these, so it is possible to find them at a reduced price.
What to do with paint?
Re-purpose a wooden chair, or a set of chairs with new paint colors, either coordinating the colors or using just one color.
Use spray paint on your kitchen hardware. They will look instantly new!
Spray paint wicker furniture that has lost its newness. Pick a bright new color, or a color to match those cushions you found on sale. The 'new' furniture will pop on your porch or patio!
Mix granite dust or ultrafine glitter into paint, or a clear top coat. Paint on a tabletop, drawer fronts or on glass! My daughter would love this one!
Repaint, or stain an old door to be used as a twin headboard!
Make your patio pots match. Have you been buying pots here and there and now they don't match? clean them, and paint them a lighter color for less heat absorption and cooler roots.
Happy painting!
What to do with paint?
Re-purpose a wooden chair, or a set of chairs with new paint colors, either coordinating the colors or using just one color.
Use spray paint on your kitchen hardware. They will look instantly new!
Spray paint wicker furniture that has lost its newness. Pick a bright new color, or a color to match those cushions you found on sale. The 'new' furniture will pop on your porch or patio!
Mix granite dust or ultrafine glitter into paint, or a clear top coat. Paint on a tabletop, drawer fronts or on glass! My daughter would love this one!
Repaint, or stain an old door to be used as a twin headboard!
Make your patio pots match. Have you been buying pots here and there and now they don't match? clean them, and paint them a lighter color for less heat absorption and cooler roots.
Happy painting!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Window treaments
Window treatments can be one of the hardest things to put in a home - in my opinion. I always seem to have difficulty finding exactly what I want to match the room's decor. Once I decorated a room around the curtains, which I found first! But that doesn't usually happen. So, why don't we take a lesson from last week's do-it-yourself projects and just add our own touch to premade window treatments. How many times have you been to some one's house, or walked through a store, admiring the curtains and window treatments, only to find out that it would be way out of the price range you are comfortable with, to purchase them. Or maybe they don't come in exactly the color you would like for your own home.
Start with solid color panels to fit your window. Then - go crazy! Stencil a word on one panel, in white or black, if the panel is colored, or a color to coordinate with the room if the panels are black or white. Word suggestions? Your child's name, nickname or favorite phrase. Use fabric paint, on the fabric once you have traced the desired word onto the fabric.
Buttons. Buttons are so much fun and it seems like we often have extra buttons everywhere - do you keep the ones that come extra with shirts, sweaters, etc? They might be perfect here, or buy buttons to coordinate with your room, then glue or sew them onto the panels! Create a pattern first by laying the panel flat and placing the buttons, until you like what you see. Glue and hang!
Ribbon. If you are new to embellishment, this might be the one to try. Ribbons come with embellishments of their own, in satin, glitter, narrow, wide, you name it, it's out there. Pick your ribbon(s) out, lay out the panel flat, then place the ribbon(s). Using a ruler or yardstick might be a good idea, to get your ribbons straight.
Glue or sew into place and you have a custom window treatment!
Faux flowers - this is one of my favorites for a little girls room! Faux flowers can be glued onto the window panel to look as though they have been scattered and just landed in place, or in a more structured pattern. Use flowers in all one color or more than one color, flower type, Have fun with it!
Don't forget, any of these ideas can be done all over the panel, just at the top, just at the bottom, down one side, along the inside edges or any combination of these places.
Message me with your ideas!!
Start with solid color panels to fit your window. Then - go crazy! Stencil a word on one panel, in white or black, if the panel is colored, or a color to coordinate with the room if the panels are black or white. Word suggestions? Your child's name, nickname or favorite phrase. Use fabric paint, on the fabric once you have traced the desired word onto the fabric.
Buttons. Buttons are so much fun and it seems like we often have extra buttons everywhere - do you keep the ones that come extra with shirts, sweaters, etc? They might be perfect here, or buy buttons to coordinate with your room, then glue or sew them onto the panels! Create a pattern first by laying the panel flat and placing the buttons, until you like what you see. Glue and hang!
Ribbon. If you are new to embellishment, this might be the one to try. Ribbons come with embellishments of their own, in satin, glitter, narrow, wide, you name it, it's out there. Pick your ribbon(s) out, lay out the panel flat, then place the ribbon(s). Using a ruler or yardstick might be a good idea, to get your ribbons straight.
Glue or sew into place and you have a custom window treatment!
Faux flowers - this is one of my favorites for a little girls room! Faux flowers can be glued onto the window panel to look as though they have been scattered and just landed in place, or in a more structured pattern. Use flowers in all one color or more than one color, flower type, Have fun with it!
Don't forget, any of these ideas can be done all over the panel, just at the top, just at the bottom, down one side, along the inside edges or any combination of these places.
Message me with your ideas!!
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Placemats and Dish Towels
Over the years I have discovered that I have a weakness for placemats and Dish towels. So I decided to research some decorating ideas using these items. Check out these ideas you can do today - you probably have what you need on hand!
Placemats
So many placemats are two sided, which means you can rip an end open and either stuff with poly-fil or cover an existing pillow! What a quick and easy way to add new color to a room! Glue or stitch the opening closed and Voila! you are done!! If your placemat has two different patterns on it, (one on each side) then you really have a great deal - two coordinating pillows!!
Next idea is to help you to stay organized. Fold a placemat in half using a fabric glue or iron-on fusible web to seal the sides (or stitch it!). Fold one side down a few inches to form a cuff. Use the same glue, web or stitch to create pockets. Sew a button at the top of each pocket to reinforce the seams. Add two or three grommets at the top so you can hang it on the wall over or near your desk. Staying organized never looked so chic!!
Dish Towels
Like placemats, dish towels come in so many neat patterns and colors - it really is hard to resist them! I often see them in coordinating packs of 2 or 3 which makes decorating with them even easier! One of the things I love is that the sides are already finished, so crafting with them is just that much quicker.
Need a quick gift? add a sash to the top of a Dish towel for an instant apron or glue two together on three sides, add a strap and you have a tote bag!! No sew is quick and easy!
Dish towels also are often the perfect size for cafe curtains.
Placemats
So many placemats are two sided, which means you can rip an end open and either stuff with poly-fil or cover an existing pillow! What a quick and easy way to add new color to a room! Glue or stitch the opening closed and Voila! you are done!! If your placemat has two different patterns on it, (one on each side) then you really have a great deal - two coordinating pillows!!
Next idea is to help you to stay organized. Fold a placemat in half using a fabric glue or iron-on fusible web to seal the sides (or stitch it!). Fold one side down a few inches to form a cuff. Use the same glue, web or stitch to create pockets. Sew a button at the top of each pocket to reinforce the seams. Add two or three grommets at the top so you can hang it on the wall over or near your desk. Staying organized never looked so chic!!
Dish Towels
Like placemats, dish towels come in so many neat patterns and colors - it really is hard to resist them! I often see them in coordinating packs of 2 or 3 which makes decorating with them even easier! One of the things I love is that the sides are already finished, so crafting with them is just that much quicker.
Need a quick gift? add a sash to the top of a Dish towel for an instant apron or glue two together on three sides, add a strap and you have a tote bag!! No sew is quick and easy!
Dish towels also are often the perfect size for cafe curtains.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Welcoming homes
I have had the pleasure of entering many homes over the course of my career. What I have found interesting is, that regardless of the style of the home, new or old, each one was completely different. Why was that? Even when we look at the same picture we see something different than the other people looking at it. It is the same with decorating. Given the same pieces to decorate with, we will each do something different. Here are a few ideas for you to tweak and make your own.
Choose an area or surface you want to work with - for this example let's talk about an end table. Next, choose two or three items to show off - looking for pieces that vary in height and shape. Maybe a shorter flower arrangement, a tall vase or lamp and a candle. I might place a tall wicker vase on a table next to a low box filled with greens or flowers (artificial or fresh). Another possibility is to use a tall lamp next to the low floral arrangement. Adding books to make it even taller and add a little more interest to the table.
Do your shelves get cluttered, because you have too many things going on in one area. Try paring down what you have. I am guessing you have a theme, maybe you have collected a number of pottery vases and we all have many pictures in frames. Select a few of your favorite pottery pieces, arrange them according to height, color, etc.; highlight them with a single flower laying on the shelf next to them or another item, maybe from a recent vacation. Another shelf could hold your picture frames. Stagger photos, mix and match frame size and color for a casual , collected look.
Moving outside, where we all want to spend more time, add decoration to your umbrella table. Drill a hole in a fair sized bowl or flower pot. Fill with dirt or decorative rock, then add plants or succulents and voila, a centerpiece like none other!!
Choose an area or surface you want to work with - for this example let's talk about an end table. Next, choose two or three items to show off - looking for pieces that vary in height and shape. Maybe a shorter flower arrangement, a tall vase or lamp and a candle. I might place a tall wicker vase on a table next to a low box filled with greens or flowers (artificial or fresh). Another possibility is to use a tall lamp next to the low floral arrangement. Adding books to make it even taller and add a little more interest to the table.
Do your shelves get cluttered, because you have too many things going on in one area. Try paring down what you have. I am guessing you have a theme, maybe you have collected a number of pottery vases and we all have many pictures in frames. Select a few of your favorite pottery pieces, arrange them according to height, color, etc.; highlight them with a single flower laying on the shelf next to them or another item, maybe from a recent vacation. Another shelf could hold your picture frames. Stagger photos, mix and match frame size and color for a casual , collected look.
Moving outside, where we all want to spend more time, add decoration to your umbrella table. Drill a hole in a fair sized bowl or flower pot. Fill with dirt or decorative rock, then add plants or succulents and voila, a centerpiece like none other!!
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