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essential decorating
tips |
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Below
are some very handy tips and hints for decorating your home,
from colour matches and setting themes and moods to basic
decorating instructions. You can access the tips via these
quick links.
| quick
tips | basics
in colour | paint
like a pro | cheap
decorating tips | interior
facelift for home sellers |
| decorating
your fireplace | small
rooms tips |
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quick
tips
Add
Texture to a Wall
'If you have the bare wall apartment blues, add texture by hanging
a quilt or an arrangement of old china plates. In our old apartment,
we 'wallpapered' our dining room with contact paper. We also hung
musical instruments and sheet music on one wall. It looked great!'
Fun
with Sheets
'In
our apartment, I bought a twin sheet set,
used the flat sheet to cover an old chair
and used the fitted sheet like a valance.
I scrunched and twisted it and then just
strategically nailed it up in certain spots
to keep the scrunched up look, no curtain
rod necessary. (However, I would advise
using tacks instead of nails - they were
hard to remove later.) Also, the border
paper that peels off is a must.'
Calendars
'Calendars always have cool pictures. You can cut the pictures
out and frame them with cheap frames or cardboard covered in
contact paper, and they are beautiful. You can even get calendars
with expensive-looking portraits.'
Put
a Hat on It
'Take wicker or straw hats (maybe different sizes) and glue some
flowers (dry or silk) and ribbon bows on them, leaving some plain.
Hang them on nails over the top of a window, hanging into the window
- that would be neat. Actually, anything like that would work;
maybe baskets or anything lightweight.'
Plants
and Pots
'Plants are wonderful, and they add personality to any room. Lots
of times you can get plants as gifts, or you can let others know
you WANT plants as gifts. You can even get cheap pots and paint
them up with fingernail polish; you don't need special paint. Stencils
are cheap, and you can be as creative as you want.'
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basics
in colour
Lighter & darker
shades of the same colour work well together (Monochromatic).
Complementary colours work well together, such as red and
green (colours that are opposite of each other on the colour
wheel.). To keep your home uniform, use some of the same
colours throughout, alter shades. Do not try to balance two
colours fifty-fifty, it does not make it "even", it confuses
the eye! Try different window treatments - windows can "set
the mood" in a room if done nicely - whimsical, romantic,
Victorian, etc. Windows in some settings look great left
alone to see the "picture" that is made from the view outside!
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paint
like a pro
Getting
Started
If youíve never painted before, starting out can be somewhat intimidating.
But consider that preparation can be almost as important as experience
to complete a high-quality paint job. Take the time to do the minor
things that will make a major impression. Before painting, tighten
loose woodwork with finishing nails, fill holes with putty and
patch cracks in plaster. Also remove hardware such as door stops,
electrical outlet covers and door knobs, mask the windows and cover
your floors and furnishings. Walls should be clean, smooth and
dry. Wash off all dirt and grease with a powdered household cleaner
and water. Rinse thoroughly. Remove loose paint and dull glossy
surfaces by sanding. Spot paint patched areas before painting.
The
Right Tools
Brushes, which come in various shapes, contours and bristles, have
many purposes and are suited to almost any surface. Brushes with
China bristles are designed for oil-based products, varnishes and
stains; 100 percent nylon bristles and polyester/nylon brushes
are ideal for latex paints and other water-based finishes. Designed
for shakes and shingles, pads are also good on smooth surfaces.
They apply paint faster than a brush and can be cleaned or replaced.
Known for fast application and smooth finishes, rollers are best
on flat surfaces. The surface texture dictates nap length: the
smoother the surface, the shorter the nap.
Trimming
the Tough Spots
When painting walls, use a trim brush to paint a 2" strip
at the ceiling line where walls meet and around woodwork. Use a
roller to paint walls. Roll into strips as much as possible because
a roller leaves a different texture than a brush. Paint a room
in top-to-bottom sequence: ceilings, walls, doors, woodwork and
baseboards.
Finishing
the Job
Cleanup is as important as preparation. Prospective buyers will
notice splatters and messy drips. Mineral spirits or soapy water
will help you remove splatters. To give your room a professional
glow, scrape window panes with a razor.
Exterior
Painting Sequence
1 Paint the
siding
2 Paint
the trim, railings, porches,
steps and foundation
3 Paint
shutters, screens, storm
windows and all other removable
surfaces
Regardless of the surface, always start at the top and paint downward
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cheap
decorating tips
Quick
and frugal decorating tips
Why not bring the mirrored dresser from the bedroom and use it
for a side table in the living room? Or use a chest of drawers
to hold towels and sundries in the bathroom? (Paint makes it
match, if needed.) Got one of those old rolling chrome and metal
kitchen 'butlers' hidden away? Drape it with fabric and use it
to display your treasures, or to serve coffee to guests A small
bookshelf can stand in as a plant holder. Put small trinkets
on lower shelves, or put it in a window where you can use all
of it for plants. You can even decorate (very frugal!) with the
garden plants you're getting started. Drape a table cloth over
a curtain rod - not only for a window, but to frame (with illusion)
a large poster, a picture blanket or a tapestry. Pull the ends
down to accentuate the corners. A bath towel can cover a small
pillow, changing colour and texture. Wrap the pillow with the
towel as if you were wrapping a gift, then pin or sew the edges
in place.
A
frugal coup! If the top of your coffee table or piano is
tired or scratched, cover it with a small decorative throw
rug. Another tip - you can make the rug yourself by crocheting
or knitting, weaving or painting canvas. The possibilities
are limited only by your imagination. Blankets and afghans
thrown over a couch or chair seat or back brings warmth
and colour to a room as well as camouflaging worn areas.
Do it casually by draping it over an arm, instead of tucking
and pinning... unless you like it that way. An unused bedspread
is big enough to makes a complete cover. Tuck it behind
the cushions and secure with safety pins or needle and
thread at every corner. If you don't have one, a second
hand store is sure to, and at a much more frugal price
than furniture 'throws', which are the same thing - large
pieces of material.
Rearranging
furniture - an instant facelift
Furniture arrangement tips: Decide on or create a focal point
- something to arrange furniture around. In many living rooms,
the TV fills this spot, but if you have a fireplace or ornamental
heater, you may find this more inviting. Forget the square corners
- put a chair or couch or bookshelf at an angle (catacorner).
It rearranges space completely. Look at the floor space instead
of wall space. Leave paths from doorway to doorway, but pay attention
to unused floor space, and use it! Break out of the square mould.
Think triangle, think circle, think rectangle. Arrange seating
in those shapes.
Buy
a few inexpensive (second hand) things
Tips on what to buy: Throw rugs, even if you have wall to wall
carpeting, can define and enhance a particular area. Cheap or
second hand frames can hold pictures from calendars, catalogs
and magazines. Use cake plates or platters to hold an assortment
of small items that would otherwise be unnoticeable. Use coffee
mugs for small bouquets; teapots for larger ones. Brightly patterned,
sturdily woven blankets can double as a floor covering. Patterned
or picture blankets or throws make large wall hangings.
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interior
facelift for home selling
Appeal
to the Senses
Don't underestimate prospective buyers' olfactory powers -- the
smell is often the first thing they notice when stepping inside
your home. If you have pets or someone in your home smokes, the
odours can linger and detract from your home's appeal. You might
not notice these smells because you live with them everyday; however,
an unchanged kitty litter box or an ashtray filled with cigarette
stubs can mean your home will get no further attention. To eliminate
these odours, steam clean your carpet and wash your walls and floors
with household cleaners and disinfectants. Always clean up after
your pets, and if you have a cat, change the litter box often.
Keep your home smelling fresh by burning candles, potpourri or
boiling a pot of cinnamon sticks or putting a dab of vanilla on
cold light bulbs before turning them on.
Neutralize
the Interior
Nothing makes a home look better than a good coat of paint - and
it's an instant cure for old, outdated wallpaper and colours. This
may be the best interior improvement you can make. And remember
to choose neutral colours to suggest newness and cleanliness. The
key to a good paint job is adequate preparation; it's important
to patch holes, scrape peeling paint, sand surfaces and put on
a primer coat if necessary. Use a premium-quality paint. The results
are worth the cost.
An
Investment that Pays
Carpeting has a major impact on the look of your home, consequently,
if yours appear outdated or badly worn, consider replacing it.
This will be expensive, but the feeling of newness it creates can
make the investment worth it. Concentrate on high-visibility areas
first. Professional steam cleaning is an option if your carpet
is heavily soiled but still in good condition. If you live in an
older home and have hardwood floors, you may be able to pull up
the carpeting and refinish or simply clean and wax the floors for
a classic look without the expense of new carpet.
Brighten
the Inside
Finally, clean those windows! Sparkling windows are a signal to
buyers that you care about your home. Repair or replace cracked
panes, torn screens, broken sashes and ropes or cords as well.
When showing your home, open your curtains to let the light shine
in - especially if the view is nice.
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decorating
your fireplace
Decorating
the Fireplace Mantle
The mantle of your homes fireplace is an ideal place to display
small collections and family treasures. It is elevated and safe
from little ones that may want to touch and explore everything.
Many small objects that may get lost in the decorating if they
are scattered throughout the home can have a wonderful impact when
grouped together on the fireplace mantle. A display or collection
will be very dramatic if a large painting, picture, mirror or wall
hanging is hung above the mantle and behind the decorations. Using
a pair of dominant objects if often effective and will provide
a balanced look to the decorated mantle. Porcelains, figurines,
vase with flowers or twigs, picture frames, candles, books, plants,
decorative boxes, small candlestick lamps (non-electric) your personal
collections to name a few are all perfect decorative objects for
decorating a mantle. Remember to elevate small objects, such as
a small figurine atop books for interesting height variations.
Today's
popular decorating styles allow for creativity and choice
when decorating the fireplace mantle. Eclectic decorating
offers opportunities to decorate with an informal mix of
decorative items, which can be displayed many different ways.
A traditional interior will look better with a formal balanced
arrangement. A contemporary decor should keep the mantle
simple with just a few items of importance. Pull out your
treasures; - add some items for height and interest that
complements your colour scheme and style. Before you know
it- WOW! - You have a beautiful fireplace mantle.
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small
rooms tips
Space
- Make the most of Small Rooms
Choose appropriate sized furniture - Avoid large, bulky scaled
furniture in small rooms. Upholstered furniture with low backs
and arms will appear less obtrusive. Consider open legged chairs,
glass coffee table tops instead of solid wood ones. A love seat
may work better than a full sized sofa, or two chairs as opposed
to a love seat or chair and a half for the second seating area.
All of these will appear to take up less space.
Work
with colour> Colour plays a vital role in a small room.
It sets the decorative style and scheme, but also can change
the room's appearance. For example: Cool colours such as
blues, greens, (some) purples make a small room appear larger
and
airier. The reverse is true of warm colour's such as reds
and yellows will make a small room seem more intimate and
intense.
Warm colours can work in a small space, but just be prepared
for the cozy, intimate results.
Use
textures for interest> Combining textures in your decor
will give a small room interest, appeal, dimension and depth.
Choose accessories and fabrics with textural appeal for the
best impact. For example: glass, stone, silver, chrome, brass,
mirrors, detailed finishes, textured fabrics, shiny fabrics,
area rugs and so on'
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