Tip #1 To make your decorating project easy, start from the floor up. Area rugs set the tone, color scheme and parameters of your space. Styled from traditional to contemporary, they’re your guide to fabrics, furniture and especially paint color. Choose the rug you love for one room, pair it with a co-ordinate for the next, and your doing it like the pros.
Tip #2
When the budget is low, time is running out, or your furniture is still in good shape but you can’t look at your room a minute longer, get out the paint samples! Changing the color of your wall or bringing in new color accents through pillows, art and accessories will revitalize your old furnishings in a way which can be truly amazing, especially if your room has been that “safe” neutral, forever. Tip #3 Always start with a floor plan, your room roadmap. Measure the space with a tape measure (not your big feet) before you go shopping or move existing furniture and record it on graph paper to guide your purchases. Remember, if it doesn’t look right on the plan, it won’t look better in the room. Tip #4 Lighting can create “doom and gloom” or “light up your life”. Don’t be afraid to mix fixtures, lamps, sconces and recessed or track lighting for the most interesting effect whether your style is contemporary, traditional or in between. Done well it can flatter people, furnishings and even art work, set a mood and help you read the paper. Tip #5 Color is the least costly way to make the greatest change in your room. Add drama with rich dark tones, unify a space with subtle neutrals, make a room feel larger or cozier, warmer or cooler. So grab you paint brush and color your world or just do it with accents on pillows, art and accessories. Tip #6 Clutter control is a must in decorating. Organizing systems are readily available for closets, drawers, garages and basements. Create order in your life and you’ll save time, feel more focused and your own things will look better. Tip #7 Establishing a budget gives your design project a beginning and an end. Include costs for renovation, decoration and leave money for accessories. Don’t forget tax, delivery and a 10% safety net. Shop for long lasting purchases, for value, but don’t compromise quality. Tip #8 Fall is a great time for starting a design project, but remember the holidays aren’t far away. Plan, select and finalize for Spring kitchen and bath renovations. Shop now for furniture and accessories which can be ready for you when you’re ready to entertain. Tip #9 Functional accessories, like lamps, clocks, books, mirrors and decorative pillows fill a need as well as look good, while accessories such as paintings and sculpture reflect our personal taste. Whether a large budget or small, fine furniture or not, accessories give a room personality and are the finishing touches that turn a your furnishings into a lovely and gracious home. Tip #10 Shop at home, first, for accessories. Your hobbies or interests may have made you a collector. Is it dolls, trains, photos, pens or frogs? Don’t get carried away with too many, but frame and present them well, and they will add warmth and personality to you home, as well as bring back happy memories. Tip #11 Architectural additions turn old ordinary rooms into timeless and classy ones. Adding columns, crown molding, base and chair moldings, to traditional as well as contemporary spaces enrich the furnishings and appreciate the value of your home. Use white trim against any wall color and you’ve got a winner. Tip #12 Create your space to empower and enrich your life because your home is truly an extension of yourself. Put the time as well as the finances into keeping it functional, orderly, comfortable and inviting. Making your home special is more about mindset than money. Tip #13 Feng Shui is the oriental practice of surrounding yourself with good energy or “chi” in your home. It starts by de-cluttering, organizing and proper placement of furniture to promote health, wealth and good relationships. Designers practice it and you should too, for a better life through decorating. Tip #14 To get ready for holidays check out your decorations, tableware, guest quarters, and public spaces. Fill in what’s missing, repair what’s broken and keep on top of clutter. Doing a little at a time and in advance can help you and your family enjoy a less stressed holiday season. Tip #15 Window treatments today are versatile and interesting, as well as functional. Ready-made or custom, they add the softening finishing touch to a room, while providing privacy and sun protection. So check out the looks that go with “your look” and use your windows to your decorating advantage. Tip #16 Do you yearn for an exercise room, home office, library, sewing or scrap booking space?Try the extra bedrooms your kids vacated years ago before you build an add-on.Multifunctional space is what designers create when rooms can do double duty.They become the guestrooms you need, but your space the rest of the time.
Tip #17
Create an all year’ round mini-vacation by spending the money you’d use for a trip to Hawaii to add a spa, plan a media or game room, or buy some exercise equipment or a player piano with karaoke.The enjoyment for you and your family will last a lot longer than a two week holiday, and it will also appreciate the value of your single largest investment – your home. Tip #18 Moving can be a near death experience whether downsizing or expanding.Planning in advance is the key to keeping your sanity.Carefully pack and label boxes by room.Only take what you really want and get rid of the rest via garage sale, dumpster or willing family members.Don’t be afraid to ask for help and make sure you seize this great opportunity to organize your new space well. Tip #19 Designers find hidden spaces in a house by utilizing basements, attics and garages as well as carving large blocks of space from a grouping of smaller ones.Opening dens to kitchens, and incorporating porches and dinettes create the “great room” of today.It’s a lot more cost effective than embarking on new construction.Also, think sitting room or large master bath when you see that unused 4th or 5th bedroom. Tip #20 Kid’s rooms can be a “do it yourself family” project to help instill pride of place as well as good focus and organizational skills.Proper lighting, storage, work, and play space as well as a quiet time area should be the goal.Kids can learn how to keep beds, closets, and drawers neat if you’re willing to teach them.And for teenagers, if all else fails – you can always close the door. Tip #21 Prehistoric man was the 1st interior designer, decorating caves with wall paintings and animal skins, as well as creating utensils and statuary.These early homes satisfied the nesting instinct, common in many species and created a safe haven.Centuries later it still does, if we’re willing to take the time to make it so. Tip #22 When designing a home office for business or just bills, create the space for just that function.Make sure you organize to grow, maximize storage and filing and prioritize your papers.Whether the room transforms into a guest room when needed, or you’re on track to become Fortune 500 someday, your office, done well, can help make it so. Tip #23 Green should be the color of all homes today, whatever your favorite color.Creating a fuel efficient space that recycles and protects the environment is everyone’s responsibility.So ask if building products and paints meet these requirements when doing your next decorating or renovating project, for your sake and ours. Tip #24 Shopping for kitchen appliances has become hi tech business.Check out the new refrigerator drawers, side by side double ovens and state of the art sinks and faucets.We’re all into old fashioned gatherings in the kitchen, but do your homework and bring your appliances into the 21st Century. Tip #25 Make Spring cleaning and organizing a family affair that’s fun.Have a meeting, delegate responsibilities and reward those who get the job done first, fast and best.Take ownership of your stuff and put it away, give it away or toss it. Tip #26 Decorative painting has become popular over the past few decades, from faux finishes to Venetian plaster.Murals and art accents personalize a home and the talents of a true artist can make all the difference, on floors, walls and even tile. Tip #27 Purchase low VOC or zero VOC paints for your next decorating project and you will eliminate a low level toxin which could remain in your home for years.Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) polluting our air can be replaced by new water based, odor free products that are easy to clean up, help the ozone, and ground water and reduce landfill.So paint your way to a healthier life. Tip #28 Light up your life by using energy efficient bulbs that last longer and cost less, reducing your electric bill as well as carbon emissions in the environment.Check out the light fixtures you own and the ones you want to buy.Consider CFL’s, compact fluorescent light bulbs, that last 7 times longer than standard incandescent and use ¼ the electricity, and let’s all see the light and conserve. Tip #29 Spring means looking forward to more light, more green and more clean!Spring cleaning, the precursor of Spring re-decorating means pull out your cleaning products and then throw most of them away!They’re full of harsh chemicals and toxins, so start with simple ingredients to produce alternative cleaners such as vinegar diluted with water, baking soda and lemon juice.You’ll not only do a “mean clean” but clean up the environment as well. Tip #30 Young families moving into a new home should decorate children’s rooms as soon as possible.It will not only help your child feel special in a new environment where he may be missing friends and adjusting to a new school, but involvement in personal space helps develop focus and responsibility, as well as positive self esteem. Tip #31 Feng Shui is not a dish on a Chinese menu but the ancient oriental practice of placement to promote good energy in your home or office.If you want to improve your health, wealth, personal relationships and more, you’ll need to de-clutter, place furniture appropriately and allow the Chi (or energy) to flow freely.Tools such as crystals, mirrors, plants and fountains help to dispel negative energy. Tip #32 Spring cleaning is now!Get ready for the lazy hazy days of Summer by doing the “clean-up and get ready” work well in advance.It’s a time-old tradition and it still has merit today because we all need to literally and figuratively get our house in order.Our homes reflect ourselves – let’s make it our “better” selves. Tip #33 Summer entertaining means extending your decorating to the yard and porch.Plan your backyard furniture layout with seating, barbeque and bar areas for good socialization and convenience, as well as good design.Keep table decorations simple, using attractive disposables – So you can relax and enjoy your guests without major clean-up after. Tip #34 While kids are out of school, help them get organized by creating rules of the house with clutter free zones.Purge closets and drawers of clothes that don’t fit and provide baskets for toys, games and puzzles that are age appropriate.Reward your family with a fun treat while instilling good habits, and “recycle” to those in need, making your home feel better as well as look better. Tip #35 While it may be too late for a major decorating project before summer entertaining, use that bar-b-que event you planned as a deadline for cleaning up and organizing public spaces.Change burned out bulbs, fix leaky faucets, unclutter your porch and patio.Find a few “perk-up” accessories inside and outand enjoy a guilt free summer.
Tip #36 Want a quick, and inexpensive summer perk-up?Put colorful and interesting area rugs on top of broadloom carpets, if budget doesn’t allow for a floor redo.They are great additions to any room – setting a new mood, defining a color scheme and highlighting a conversation area. Tip #37 Accessories complete a room.Accent pillows, throws, shawls or table clothes add color and personality.Nicely framed photos lend a warm, personal touch OR perhaps artfully display your own collectables such as dolls, perfume bottles or baseball caps. Tip #38 Well placed accessories will make all the difference in your home.Use books, candles, and fresh or silk flowers.Set the dining room tables to look pretty and to keep it uncluttered, try adding or rearranging accessories seasonally for a fresh look. Tip #39 Does it pay to renovate as well as decorate?Are you staying, going or just beginning?How much will it cost?Will the end result warrant the expenditure and inconvenience?How will you pay for it?Is now the right time for you?Get some advice from the experts before your decide. Tip #40 Remember – your home is not only your castle, but an extension of yourself – the place to renew and energize, feel safe and comforted – and empower you to be a better person through a better lifestyle.Are you and your loved ones worth it?Yes – So make the plan and it will happen. Tip #41 “Staging” a home to promote a quicker sale for a higher price is a great idea. The decorating tips here are clean the home thoroughly, clear away clutter, and tone down color. Those three “c’s”, along with placing your furniture to create a spacious flowing environment will make all the difference. Tip #42 Adding a yard structure for storage of outdoor equipment and furniture, as well as seasonal athletic gear, can free up garage space and help you realize the goal of actually parking your car there. If your home lacks a mud room, the extra garage space can now become one. So look at your space creatively and make it grow. Tip #43 Remember-- decorating in the style of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s may be the trend, but make sure you’re not investing too much money. Accessories in basic rooms may be the way to go, if your taste changes with each new look. Make sure you think about what your home will look like in the future while looking back for your decorating style. Tip #44 Audio/video equipment is constantly changing. So find a good source for advice on how to prepare for the future as well as today. From large screens in media rooms to small televisions in the laundry room, home gym, or bathroom, find the right product for the right price. Savvy home technology is part of any good design plan. Tip #45 Home security should be an important part of your design plan. Intercom systems tell you who is at the front door, monitor rooms in your home, let you listen to music everywhere, and allow you to have conversations with family members without shouting. Find the right one for you and feel secure that you and your family are protected. Tip #46 To lower CO2 levels and save money in your home, insulate properly, recycle paper, plastic and metal, unplug inactive appliances and electronics and change your light bulbs from incandescent to fluorescent. Support renewable energy by buying energy star appliances as well as other things that last. We can all benefit from your smart decisions. Tip #47 Remember— renewable energy vehicles -- solar electric, solar hot water, geothermal and wind power. Renewable energy is important to the environment because sources of fossil fuel are limited and increasing CO2/greenhouse gasses are causing global warming. Since twenty one of the hottest years on record have occurred in the last twenty five years, we need to think alternatively for ourselves and the future. Tip #48 Fluorescents today are attractive, versatile and energy efficient. Did you know that a fourteen watt fluorescent will produce the same amount of light as a sixty watt incandescent bulb with 77% less energy? CFL’s or compact florescent lights use about 1/3 the energy and last up to ten times as long as regular bulbs. So, think smart and see the light. Tip #49 When buying children’s furniture, think about function, space and growth. Even if kids do their homework at the kitchen table, a desk is an important purchase to organize their school and social life. Think book shelves, and a night table for light and reading surface by their bed. Remember, their room is their personal space, like your home, in miniature. Tip #50 The average 2000 square foot home uses 1000 kilowatt hours per month, roughly $200 monthly for a $2400 a year LIPA bill. Household items that have clocks, timers, remotes and display screens such as VCR/DVD players, radio stereo systems, cable television receivers, faxes, TV’s, desktop computers and zip drives, are using energy even when you switch them off. So, to save energy, let’s unplug! Tip #51 Before winter and bad weather arrive, check that your roof is in good condition and have your heating system serviced.Now is also a great time to get those tasks done that require fresh air, like shampooing the rugs and painting interior rooms. Tip #52 The average home owner can save money on their heating bill by installing energy-efficient insulation, windows and exterior doors.If you do it before the end of the year, you can get a federal tax credit for saving energy.Also, think about installing solar panels in the next year.You can get a state tax credit of up to $5000 and until December of 2008, you can get a federal tax credit of up to $2000. Tip #53 Fall is the best time to prepare for spring gardening.Buy spring-flowering bulbs and plant them six to eight weeks before the first frost in your area.Also, remember now is a great time to look for bargains on lawn and garden equipment and furniture. Tip #54 Clutter is what happens when our stuff gets out of controlHint: If something has a place, be sure you put it there.If there’s more “stuff” than places – purge!Throw it out – Give it Away – Organize the Rest! Tip #55 Thinking of re-doing your floors?Today there are lots of green options, each with their own look and interesting style.You might try Linoleum, made from natural ingredients such as linseed and jute, or cork, which is made from the bark of cork trees.Harvesting cork does not kill the trees.Cork also has natural anti-mildew properties.Check out the name brand Marmoleum for a new take on Linoleum and modutiles for some interesting cork options. Tip #56 Redoing a room in your house?More and more, companies are offering beautiful options made of recycled materials.You can get 100% recycled glass for countertops, backsplashes, floors and more.Or you can use reclaimed timber from condemned buildings and collapsed barns.Check out the greenhomeguide.com for more information on green options. Tip #57 Tires can be recycled into all sorts of things for your home.Think shingles, think flooring, think outdoor play area.Visit ecosurfaces.com for some ideas on rubber flooring.For some eco counter-tops ideas, visit coveringsetc.com and look at their eco-cem, eco-terr and bio glass options.Or use recycled wood at elmwoodreclaimedtimber.com. Tip #58 Clutter is what happens when our stuff gets out of control.When you need to de-clutter, start slowly, with one small area at a time, and work your way around a room, and then around the house.Have several boxes or bags labeled “to keep,” “for charity” and “to throw away.” Tip #59 Staying de-cluttered and keeping a clean house can be hard.Try to open your mail at the garbage pail or recycling bin.Avoid impulse buys by doing your homework before you go shopping.Establish a plan for clean-up and maintenance and give everyone in the family some responsibility.Make sure you do a little everyday. Tip #60 Color in a room can effect emotion, red increasing heart rate and body temperature, yellow lightening and cheering.Orange, the color of creativity, blends red and yellow, making it both stimulating and uplifting.Pulled from nature, blue and green generate a feeling of calm.Violet combines the emotions of red and blue—intense and calming at the same time.Choose what emotion you want in a room, and start painting! Tip #61 The rule of thumb has been to hang artwork so it is at eye level when standing, but many designers and professionals prefer to place art slightly above eye level when seated.Generally, this is no more than 8-10 inches about sofas or low units such as consoles, credenzas or tables.Now you can view art more effectively, and create a cohesive arrangement with the furnishings surrounding it. Tip #62 Wall groupings of artwork have become popular again.Use the floor to do it right by arranging your pieces on large paper.Trace the location of hooks, and tape paper (with blue painter’s tape) to the wall, putting hooks in marked locations.Take off the paper and you’ve hung a grouping the easy way! Tip #63 While wallpaper is always an option, there are also many painting techniques that can give a room that custom feel.For sponging, paint a base coat and then dab the second coat on with a sponge or lint-free cloth.Combing and dragging involves more patience.Paint your base coat.Then while the top coat is still wet, drag a comb or brush to show the background color.Remember to practice on a small piece of sheet rock first! Tip #64 There are a few simple ways to fix up your bathroom without doing a full renovation.The most common are to change the toilet and sink or vanity.But, even changing the faucets can make a difference.And don’t forget that a good quality low-flow faucet will save water and energy. Tip #65 When decorating your room, make sure you create a focal point.This will help the room feel centered.If a room has a fireplace, beautifully built in cabinetry, a piano or even a decorative bar, this can be the focal point.Or, you can create a focal point using furniture, or even a painting or light fixture. Tip #66 When purchasing window treatments, most people focus on the style of the drapery or shade.However, the hardware plays an important role as well.Do you want the rod to be hidden behind the curtains or do you want it visible and should they be the focus?Hardware comes in metal, glass, enamel and a variety of wood finishes-- with rings, pins, clips and hold backs.So there are many choices, but worth investigating for the look you want. Tip #67Saving energy is one of the best ways to go green and save money.RESNET is a non-for-profit organization that has created national standards for energy efficient homes.Visit www.resnet.us to find a certified rater to test your home and suggest ways to improve energy efficiency.Then join the Natalie Weinstein Home Decorating Club at www.nataliesclub.com to get great green sources. Tip #68Need more storage?Don’t forget your vertical space, in closets, bookshelves and built-ins.Storage beds and pull out drawers in cabinets can increase space.For great sources that can help you build a closet or organize your space, join the Natalie Weinstein Home Decorating Club at www.nataliesclub.com. Tip #69When shopping for furniture, be sure you understand the lingo.Modular means stand alone or put together to make a variety of configurations.Furniture used for storage is called casegoods.COM is custom-ordered fabrics, K.D. is knock down and RTA is ready-to-assemble by you! Tip #70Shopping for light fixtures, from ceiling fixtures to lamps, can be overwhelming, so before you go, think about the style and other light sources.Coves direct the light up, while soffits direct light down.A valance provides both up and down light.A shield hides the source of light and baffles, louvers or diffusers direct the light and reduce glare. Tip #71What are some good flooring options?Porcelain and tile, in many finishes, made from fired clay, lasts very well in heavy traffic or high moisture areas.Stone, including marble, granite, slate, brick, terrazzo or limestone, may be more expensive, but offers a natural look, with color variations.Concrete is becoming popular with new colors and staining techniques. Tip #72Not all green cleaning products may be good for you or the environment if they contain acetones.Almost all home cleaning can be done with white vinegar and baking soda.Clean windows with vinegar and crumpled newspaper or make a past of baking soda and water to remove counter stains. Tip #73We all love our pets, but they do make decorating harder.When ordering a sofa, make sure there are no loops for cats to grab on to.If you have a pet room, include a vanity to store your pets toys, leashes and treats.Keep things interesting for your pet by adding a floor with different size tiles. Tip #74When decorating rooms for kids, remember they grow and their room should grow with them.Make major purchases carefully and with an eye to tomorrow.With new homes, I like to decorate kid’s rooms first to settle, focus and give them a good self-image and sense of confidence. Tip #75When decorating bedrooms, start with the bedding (often sold with coordinating draperies) to establish wall and carpet color.Try to stay monochromatic (1 color family) on walls and floors should you decide to change from winter velvet to summer patchwork. Tip #76When starting a new decorating project, interview contractors and sources and shop for items needed, but be flexible and remember, the cheapest price many not be the best.Experienced professionals can offer you alternatives you might not have considered and that may save you money. Tip #77It is easy to choose granite when buying a new countertop, but there are so many other great options.Glass is both environmentally friendly and beautiful.Bio Glass offers a 100% recycled glass product.Surprisingly paper combined with resin makes a durable countertop, actually harder than wood.Concrete countertops are always custom since they make them at your home. Tip #78Accessories make a room look finished, but keeping it uncluttered can be challenging.First clear the room of everything except for the furniture.Put together all the accessories you are thinking about using.Try grouping together similar items.Vary the size and shape of the objects.Put your personality into your space. Tip #79Sun can cause extensive damage to your home furnishings. Solar control window film can eliminate 99.9% of all UV rays, which is the major cause of premature fading and block up 79% of the suns heat, minimize, glare, improve your low E and dual pane windows.Try window tinting!It works! Tip #80Window treatments not only dress up a room, but help architectural mismatches.If you have windows at different heights, try hanging curtains from the same height.It will make the windows look more uniform.Consider similar fabrics or designs to promote uniformity. Tip #81We’ve all heard that to prevent off-gassing in our homes we should buy paints with low or no Volatile Organic Compounds, or VOCs.However, traditional finishes for flooring and countertops and commonly used adhesives all contain VOCs.Safer, low or no VOC options are out there.With a little extra research, we could make our home and environment a healthier for ourselves and our family.
Tip #82If you’re doing construction on your home and want to be environmentally responsible there are two programs that now make it easier.Energy Star, started in 1992, earmarks energy efficient products and water sense, only two years old, identifies water saving toilets, showerheads, bathroom sink faucets and outdoor water saving tools.Learn more and do more for ourselves and our environment. Tip #83Did you know that changing your old and leaky windows can reduce your energy bill up to 15%?Look for at least a double, if not triple panes of glass, low-E and warm edge spacers.But, don’t throw away those old windows.Check out earth911.org to find local recycling options or freecycle.org to find someone who might want your old windows. Tip #84Spring is here and we all want to create a beautiful garden.Arrange plants with the taller ones are in the back, including a variety of textures and colors and some shrubs for structure and seasonal beauty.Plant in the location where they will receive enough sunlight or shade, water and feed then enjoy! Tip #85Junk mail breeds clutter and builds up fast.To help ourselves and the environment and reduce junk mail visit www.greendimes.com for a group that does the work for you.Or reduce the number of pre-approved credit offers by calling 1-888-5opt-out—they will ask for your Social Security number.And remember – always open your mail by the garbage pail (or recycling bin)! Tip #86Mirrors are always good accessories and add a decorative touch, as well as opening a vista.Mirrors come in all styles and finishes.Framed or unframed, choose a location that reflects something pretty in your room setting, as well as you. Tip #87Bedrooms are where we restore and rejuvenate ourselves, so a mattress is one of the most important purchases.So, when shopping look for one that supports the body at all points.Lying down you should have good posture with the pressure evenly distributed across your body.In an innerspring mattress, more coils of thinner gauge provides better support than fewer coils with thicker wire. Tip #88Instead of pesticides, use natural alternatives in your home.For ants sprinkle cinnamon, bay leaves, cayenne pepper or baby powder.To repel mice, use a cotton ball dipped in pure peppermint oil.Keep your home as free of chemicals as possible and open the windows for ventilation. Tip #89When designing your outdoor living space think creatively about what’s inside that you can reuse outside.Area rugs, throw pillows, ceramic pieces, tiles, serving dishes, baskets and candles are all good ideas.For storage; reuse old kitchen or bath cabinets, and bring out your indoor plants to create a festive touch. Tip #90You can use color outdoors as well as inside.Once you decide on a scheme, you can paint your furniture with no VOC exterior spray paints to bring your pieces together, or separate them.The use of color outdoors allows you to extend your home beyond the interior walls, or create an entirely different “getaway.” Tip #91When decorating outdoors, make sure to use appropriate materials.You’ll be surprised at how many outdoor fabrics there are that are mildew resistant for cushions.For chairs and tables try using long lasting materials, such as wrought iron, plastic, aluminum, stone, slate, glass or hardwood such as teak.
Tip #92To add that extra touch to your outdoor area, try using a rain chain which is a decorative downspout instead of a gutter downspout.Also, make sure you have an appropriate place for all the pillows and accessories to keep clean and out of the rain.Storage benches are great hide-a-ways and provide additional seating. Tip #93Flooring runs the gamut from wall-to-wall carpeting or area rugs to wood, ceramic, stone, brick, marble, granite and terrazzo.When determining which to use, be aware of practicality, space, maintenance, cost and design. Shop around and look at pictures to help you make the decision that is right for you. Tip #94Fabrics help create a formal or informal style.Velvets, brocades, damask, crewel, tapestries, silks, satins and taffetas are more formal and traditional.Cottons, such as corduroy, denim, sail cloth, wool and many synthetics are informal or contemporary.Chintzes, toile de jouys and linens can be Louis XVI formal or Country or French Provincial informal.Mix and match carefully to create an eclectic look. Tip #95Color creates unity better than any other design element.In effect, it brings together every design element from differing furniture styles to diverse fabric textures. Create unity and flow between several rooms by weaving the same threads of color in different proportions throughout. Tip #96When evaluating what changes to make in your home, ask yourself the following questions, or discuss them with your designer:What are my current needs?What are my long-term needs?How can I incorporate more than one function in certain spaces?Will construction or renovation create a better space plan?Happy home improvement! Tip #97Natural fabrics, made from animal or vegetable sources such as wool, silk, linen and cotton, while more elegant, tend to be more costly and have certain disadvantages.Synthetics, make from chemicals, attempt to eliminate the disadvantages of natural fibers, while duplicating the look.Some are nylon, polyester, olefin, rayon and acetate.Think about where you are putting the fabric and decide what will best serve your needs. Tip #98Soil and fire retardants, water resisters and vinylizing finishes are available on many fabrics today.Soil resisting finishes applied at the mill tend to hold up better than those sprayed on at home.Water-resistant finishes would be an advantage wherever water or mildew is a problem, such as outdoors.Save money by planning ahead and making smart fabric purchases. Tip #99In rooms such as baths and kitchens, tile can create a practical and beautiful effect.Ceramic tile, porcelain and tumbled marble with accents, inserts or feature strips, give a designer look to bathroom walls and backsplashes in kitchens.Tile can be hard to install and should be done by a professional. Tip #100There are a variety of lighting choices.Used properly, they help people see well, as well as enhance furnishings.General lighting or diffused light can be recessed or a fixture.Also available are track lights, cove lighting, ceiling fixtures and lamps for floors, tables and desks.The choices and combinations are endless, but when done right, will enhance a room. Tip #101Involving kids in holiday decorating gives them something to feel good about besides receiving presents.Give them age appropriate tasks such as helping set the holiday table or unpacking and displaying decorations.It is also a great time for organizing their rooms, giving to the less fortunate and making room for the new. Tip #102So you spent all this money purchasing a beautiful area rug.Now you need to take care of it.Once a year, rotate your rugs, but not the pads.Clean your rugs every five years or more.If you need to store your rug, clean before storing and make sure to moth-proof them.Use these tips and your area rug will add personality to your home for years to come. Tip #103Winter is here and the price of heating a home can be daunting.Take some time and seal up your windows to reduce your heat usage.Caulk around the windows.If you still have drafts around the window, you can take off the molding, and seal the holes with an insulating home sealant called “Great Stuff.”A little bit of work can make a big difference in your heating bill! Tip #104A quick, do-if-yourself way to spruce up your bathroom—replace the caulk!Do you have caulk that just won’t come clean anymore?Take some time, when the shower is completely dry, then scrape out the old caulk and replace it with new.Make sure you use kitchen and bathroom caulk, or it may start to crumble.Is the gasket in your shower door dirty too?Cut it away and replace it with kitchen and bathroom caulk as well. Tip #105Decorating for the holidays can be simple yet elegant.Punch your focal points.In the entry, dress the staircase, a planter or favorite chair.In the den or living room decorate the fireplace mantle.In the dining room, dress the table.Ribbons, garlands, greenery and candles or past holiday mementos can do the trick simply and effectively.Happy Holidays everybody! Tip #106One of the most popular New Year’s resolutions is to organize and get rid of your clutter.This year, instead of making it a goal, make a plan.Pick times that fit into your schedule and then set reasonable goals such as one drawer, one shelf, one closet.Make sure you reward yourself for a job well done! Tip #107Decorating is not about what’s in style today, but what you will love for years to come.What is in now, will be out tomorrow.Instead, choose colors and styles that please you and are long lasting.You can always add some punch of the “in colors” with throw pillows and other accessories that can easily, and inexpensively, be changed. Tip #108Do you have many decorating projects that you want to get done, but are limited on time and/or money?One option is to hire a designer as a consultant.Or you can do it on your own, but before you start, make your plans—a floor plan and a budget plan.Then make a wish and needs list, put it in priority order and get started!You’ll see progress before you know it. Tip #109When you want to transform a bedroom on a budget, bedding ensembles can do the trick.Pull a color from the bedding to paint the walls, throw an area rug on the floor and they will give your old furniture a new lease on life.For kids rooms, a great option is a “Bed-in-a-bag” with their favorite theme. Tip #110Decorate your walls with paint, decorative paint techniques, wallpaper, wood paneling, fabrics, mirrors, stone and tile.Each choice gives the room a different look – so be sure to consider your room design and style, color scheme, fabric and flooring to allow the walls to give you that designer look and then use them as a backdrop for great accessorizing. Tip #111Painting grandma's old mahogany dresser white is most probably a “no no.”But, refinishing a piece of wood furniture can be a great “do it yourself” project.However, if it's of good quality, will give you many more years of service and has real or sentimental value, consider using a professional refinisher to get the best results. Tip #112Oriental rugs enhance everyone’s home.The size, pattern, type of rug and the room it will be placed in are important to keep in mind.So when rug shopping, bring a sketch of the room with exact measurements and any existing fabrics or paint colors to make sure you buy right the first time. Tip #113Having wood furniture in your home creates warmth and elegance.Since wood breathes and absorbs moisture from the air, using a clean cloth and a small amount of water can keep your furniture looking lovely.Adding moisture back will maintain the natural beauty and luster without waxy build-up and it's clean and green. Tip #114The term “multi-functional” simply means that a space is used for more than one purpose.Unused grown children's rooms can do double duty as a guest, sewing, game or exercise room or even a small den, library or home office.Before you incur the expense of “adding on,” use the space you have more creatively.
