Use One Great Bowl to Make Lots of Easy Arrangements
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!
Decorate Now to Sell Fast
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.
Personalize Your Home with Faux Painting
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!
Top 10 Decorating Projects for Do-It-Yourselfers
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.
No Budget for Furniture?
Furniture shopping is both fun and a bit intimidating, especially when you’re just starting a new phase of your life. After all, what did you ever learn in school that prepares you to select a sofa or decide on wood stain colors?
Add budget constraints to the mix and you may feel like it’s all just too much. The thing to realize however, is that everyone is on a budget. It's just that some people's budgets are sky high while ours might be rock bottom. For most of us, the price of something is a big factor in our decision making process.
Yet even if you feel your furniture budget is small, there are places to shop where you can find bargains on great items for your home. Check out our list of source ideas, and go shopping!
Should You Manage Your Own Decorating?
When it comes right down to it, does anyone know what you like or want more than you do? It's hard to think who that might be!
If you love nothing more than browsing through decorating shops, paging through wallpaper books, or looking through bolt after bolt of decorator fabrics, you might just be the one who should be in charge of changing the look of your home.
We've put together a list of questions you can ask yourself about your level of confidence, availability of time and decorative resources, and your particular interests. They'll help you decide if you're really suited to decorate your own home without consulting or hiring a professional to guide you on the way. It's up to you!
Designer Fabrics for Budget Decor
If you’re like me, you LOVE browsing in home fabric stores. Even if I don't really need anything, I just love to look. After all, who knows when I’ll run across the perfect fabric for some new guest room pillows or draperies in the dining room?
Yet, you’ve probably also found that once in a while you find “the perfect fabric” – only to turn over the price tag to see that it’s WAY over your budget. Fifteen yards of drapery fabric at $8 a yard is one thing – but at $60 a yard it’s a non-starter.
So, do you give up and walk away? You don’t need to! Just find a less expensive plain fabric that coordinates with your pricey find, and use the budget alternative for most of your project. Then, trim it with smaller accents of the fabulous pricey yardage.
Find our top 10 places to use expensive fabric to get the most for your money!
Unique Bathtubs for Pampering and Special Needs
I spend a lot of my day standing on my feet. So when the day is over and I'm ready to relax, I don't want to stand up in a shower.
I'm a bath person. In fact, my bathroom doesn't even have a shower enclosure or shower curtain. I only take baths. I have a nice long, deep soaking tub and I love lounging in it.
But I don't have a whirlpool tub with high-power jets. And I don't have a deep claw foot tub. This is the next step in bathtub comfort and luxury. Read about walk-in tubs, whirlpool tubs, and claw foot tubs in our article by Tara Higgins of SimplyBathtubs.com. You can dream about the luxury that one of these high-end tubs could offer and plan to install one when you remodel your bathroom.
Cover Those Bare Walls
Though there are many ways to stretch a budget when it comes to decorating a home, one of the easiest may be to create your own artwork.
You've undoubtedly seen the stars on TV who make over a home in a day and find the time to paint a canvas, frame calendar pages, and take photos for really cool wall displays.
Their talents are not beyond the average homeowner. Don't be afraid to try creating some art and cover up the naked white walls glaring at you from every corner. All you need are a few tips and a place to start. Start here and make something beautiful to look at every day.
Love Your Space, Regardless of How Small It Is
Whether you live in an efficiency apartment, space-starved condo, or small home -- how you arrange your furniture and store your “stuff” can be a daily challenge.
You have probably already found that versatile furnishings and a controlled color scheme can help the space work, and look, better.
Here is one small space makeover by designer Charlotte Moss that is beautiful and stylish, yet doesn’t shy away from using color and pattern. Use her ideas to help you plan a mini-makeover of your own small space.