Help - Search - Member List - Calendar
Full Version: Spice Up Your Home!
By Loving Hands > Home/Garage & Landscape > The inside tips for your home.
Mrs Liz
[attachmentid=655]

Spice up your life in your home, it is as easy as putting out fresh flowers. It is so easy to get into a rut where you come home and see the same old place. The curtains, pictures, candles, mirrors, sculptures, pillows, and assorted Knickknacks. All of the stores do it, they change the look of the store with the different inventory and the change of the seasons and different holidays. The idea is to keep the customers surprised each time they come back to shop.

So why not put that into place in your home too. It does not need to cost you anything to give your home a new face lift. Some times it is as easy as moving the furniture around and other things will be moved along the way.

This can also be a great way to cut back on some of the clutter. Not that you would have to toss away your stuff, but pack it away for a few months until your ready to change things around again. Then swap those Knickknacks, candles and pictures with the season or holidays for a different look. You would be so surprised what changing the colors in your home will do, or maybe a different theme in each room.

Not only will you feel better about the new look of your home, but so will the surprise on the face of your guests who come to visit and see the change.

So give it a try, you may even want to take pictures before and after to share with us. We would also love to give you ideas if you need any help. So go have some fun, Fall begins on September 22nd. bear_original.gif
Mrs Liz
Old furniture an issue? Unable to buy new?

Time to give your furniture a new identity. How about slipcovers! Did you know that you can even get slipcovers for your lampshades! FrockZ makes slipcovers in different styles from $26 and $34.

You might even be able to use Simply Spray paints that are nitrogen propelled, non-toxic, non-flammable and virtually odorles fabric spray paints. These sell for about $12.99 a can.

Sometimes you just need to be creative to come up with ways to make something bad or old look good and new again.

You might even want to repurpose your old furniture from one room to another. For example a dresser from a bedroom could be used in an entryway - with a glass or mirrow tray to decorate on with flowers or candles, or used for keys, mail and gloves. Depending on the type of dresser, you might be able to remove the drawers to turn it into a book shelf, or with plastic baskets a great way for kids to put there toys away, or used in a sewing room for craft supplies.

Depending on the furniture and cost, sometimes it pays to reupholster instead of buying new. Check out www.upholster.com

Remember to take "before" pictures, and get ready for those complements for the new loook. bear_thumb.gif
Mrs Liz
Spring is here - and even if you can not afford to make big changes to your home, you might be able to make a small one. Here are some ideas:

A door - In most cases, it could be the first thing that people will see when they come to your house. If you can afford a new front door, choose one with decorative elements, such as leaded glass inserts.

If you can't spring for a new door, you could add new hardware, or screen, maybe a fresh coat of paint, or a new color. Even new knobs, hinges, mail slots, and knockers, or address numbers can make a big difference.

Consider installing new molding around the door to make it pop, or for better insilation.

Add a fabric awning or canopy. Not only will it set your house apart from the other homes on the street, it will protect you and your guests from the elements when coming and going.

Flower pots, hanging baskets, and the American flag can add a beautiful touch to the enterance of your home.

A new paint job - try new color schemes featuring accented trims. If new paint isn't in your budget you could just paint the trims, the windows and the doors. Or you could pressure wash your home sidding and dingy deck. Remove any mildew or mold on your home's exterior, as well as your sidewalk and driveway.

Create an Outdoor Oasis - pick a spot in the front, the side or back of your home that needs a face-lift. Plant a tree, set up a bench or chairs, and add some flowers to make a relaxing stop to read a book, the newspaper, or have a cup of coffee. You do not need to make drastic changes to add a new touch.

Add new Accents - A new mailbox, flag pole, or consider outdoor lighting. Even lawn art will add entertainment for your guests. Anything you do will put a smile on your face when your done and see the new changes to your home. bear_thumb.gif What a great sence of pride too!
Mrs Liz
If you have antiques and like to collect them, then you should display them. These could be items from garage sales, flea markets, antique shops and even grandma's attic that give you a casual home feeling. So you could turn your home into a Cottage Style place by using painted pieces, and floral fabric; some would call this a Shabby Chic Style.

Here are just some ideas to help you create this fun new look.

Colors: Use your location as a cue to choosing your wall and fabric treatment colors. Country and city cottage tend to lean toward neutrals and pastels. Waterfront places lean toward the blues from the sea and sky. The Urban leans toward the blacks with white.

Fixtures: Use some vintage mirrors, faucets, farmhouse sinks, tin ceiling tiles, vintage cabinet hardware all add to the charm.

Floral: Refresh for spring with floral within your rooms. Fabric throws, cushions, pillows, quilts, window treatments and slipcovers with bold stripe ticking or quiet floral patters. A floral or a botanical wall print can be added to the decor.

New and Old Objects: Blend that old treasured collectible as a quilt and clear transparent or a colored vase to that second hand and salvaged pieces of furniture. Add a few new objects to give the rooms the update, but still the feeling of a warm home that is yours this year.

Outdoor Garden: Bring that outdoors feeling in with floral print wallpaper, pots of plants, garden elements, and outdoor funiture such as classics and antique wicker onto the porch. Continue this theme to your outdoor garden area using the same pots of plants, weather resistant wicker, Adirondack chairs, outdoor fireplace or chiminea, and other garden elements. Add fountains, ponds or some form of calming waters and plenty of pretty colorful flowers and plants. You might even be able to have some form of water fountain inside, or a fish tank.

bear_thumb.gif Good luck, and share your photos with us.

Shelves: Combine collectible storage containers such as porcelain boxes, English ceramics with garden tools, white baskets, decoupage floral baskets or floral boxes. Display on open shelves and corner cabinets.

Shutters: Install interior shutters as a window treatment. Use painted folding lourvered doors in three panels to dress up bare interior walls and can be used as privacy room dividers.

White: Spring greens, fresh flowers on a white surface. White molding and trim, shelves and cabinets add a fresh clean, crisp and fresh style.

Wood tones: Add warmth with a mix of painted and antique funiture pieces.
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.
Invision Power Board © 2001-2012 Invision Power Services, Inc.