Friday September 5, 2008
One of my favorite things to do in the fall is make a pretty centerpiece for the table using some of the rich colors of autumn – red, gold, green, orange, yellow, and brown.
Often, however, it’s hard to find the time to gather the materials to make something spectacular. That’s why I love this idea. Just take a large bowl – footed or plain – and use it as the base for a “set it and forget it” arrangement that’s both quick and gorgeous.
There are a number of variations on this easy fall centerpiece idea. You’re sure to find one that’s perfect for your décor.
Are you particularly proud of a fall centerpiece that you've put together? Share, please!
Wednesday September 3, 2008
If you're getting ready to sell you home, you're probably not too excited. Everyone knows that houses are hard to sell and those that do will probably bring a lower price than could have been expected a few years ago. The market is in a real slump and we just have to be patient. But sometimes you just cannot wait. But you can prepare your home to get the best price in the shortest amount of time.
By putting things in order, getting rid of clutter, clearing things out, and freshening things up, you'll be on the road to a quickker sale. Keep things simple and fresh. Get rid of anything that looks fussy or too personal like family photos or your kids' school work stuck to the refrigerator. You'll find some more good tips in our article on Decorating Your Home to Sell.
If you've sold your home recently, did you make some decorating changes to make it happen? Did you repaint the whole house or just touch up dingy areas? Did you have your home staged? Share your secrets with other readers who might be looking for ideas of ways to seal the deal and get buyers to buy.
About.com's Guide to Home Buying and Selling has a good review of the book "Home Staging - The Winning Way to Sell Your House for More Money," by Barb Schwarz. You'll get some great ideas here, too.
Monday September 1, 2008
Do you love the look of the walls in this hallway of the 2008 Pasadena Showcase House? It shows a combination of painting techniques including faux sponge painting and a hand-painted mural.
When I moved into my home, I just had to come up with a solution to cover up the irregular finish on the walls. There were cracks and bumps and I didn't have time to smooth everything out.
That's when I learned to sponge paint and I was thrilled at how well my first efforts camouflaged the wall texture and added depth and color to the space. If I can do it, you can do it!
This faux painting technique is easier than you'd think and can really give your room a professional look. Try it out on a small space first, then move on to a whole wall.
If you've tried faux painting, how did it turn out? Share some of your techniques and tips. We can all use some help! And if you have a particularly wonderful room that you've faux painted, share it with us, please!
Saturday August 30, 2008
Whether you’re just on a tight budget or are one of those handy people who tackle all sorts of tasks, chances are you’ve done – or will do -- lots of DIY projects for your home.
I know I’ve painted, stapled, glue gunned, built, and sewed more home décor projects than I can even remember! But I was surprised to learn that there are still many DIY projects to conquer. For example, I’ve not yet made a lamp or built my own ottoman, yet these are pretty easy if you know how.
Browse our list of Top DIY Projects and get inspired to create!
Do you have a project that you've done that you feel especially proud of? Tell us about it and send a photo. Do you have a project that was an absolute disaster? Tell us about it! There is so much that we can learn from each other, good or bad.
