Have you ever had the urge to decorate and just been been so overwhelmed that you don't know where to start?
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I find that most of my clients spend hours watching HGTV
and looking through mag-azines, but when it comes time to
decorate a room they feel overwhelmed.
This is especially true if they are
decorating a new home.
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They know they
want to do something but there are so many choices to
be made. Let's work through this problem and take away
some of the anxiety.
The Secret
The secret is to start an idea file. Whenever you are
looking through magazines, the newspaper or decorative
websites, collect pictures that catch your eye.
To save a picture from a website, simply right click
on the picture and then choose "Save Picture As." Set
up a folder just for these pictures.
Usually the color used in a room draws our attention.
Even if you don't like the furnishings, keep the picture
if the color appeals to you.
Study furniture in advertisements. Does it convey the
feeling you want in your house? Grab that photo. Look
at the accessories. Is the room full or sparse? Which look
is most comfortable to you? Collect pictures that reflect
that this.
The Feel Of Fabric And Color
The next step is to visit a fabric store and look at fabric.
Ask for swatches of the ones that appeal to you. Pick
colors and designs that catch your eye. Are your favorites
a swirly design or do you seem drawn to plaids? Narrow your
choices down to your top three fabrics. Also note what you
don't like. Do small prints or stripes feel wrong for you?
It is just as important to note what you don't want in your
home.
The last resource to visit is the paint department of your
hardware store. Choose color chips that appeal to you (don't
worry about if you would actually put them on the walls).
You are mainly concerned with finding a color palette.
Colors can change when they get in natural light so you
may want to grab variations of the same color.
Seeing Your Style
After a month of doing this, spread out things from your
design file on the table. You will start to see a pattern
emerge. The same type of furnishings, patterns and colors
will show up over and over. This is the decorating direction
you should take because it reflects what you are drawn to
the most. This will help you to be confident with your
choices.
Look for more of my
fresh ideas to make your home delightful. Have a wonderful week.
To Delightful Decorating,
- Melisa
