August 1999

There are plenty of new items coming this month for you see on our web site.  We will send out an update notice as soon as the additions are complete. Hopefully, all the additions will be completed this week.

Well, Florida is not the only place its HOT!!  Many of you are having higher temperatures, than we are in Florida, so you won’t find me complaining about the summer heat this month.  I sincerely hope y’all are enjoying your summer, family and vacations.  Time sure seems to be flying by and this summer is no exception.  As the time approaches for our children to return to school and fall is in the air, most of us get inspired to do some interior fixing up before the holidays.  This is typically the busiest time for decorating our homes.  The realization of family and friends arriving for the holidays is usually just the push we need to get going on the projects we’ve left on the back burner.  My interior painting is still on the back burner too!  I’ve just about decided the best way to get it done, is to have a paint party one weekend with my grown children.  It’s really not that big of a project, just finding the time to get started is the real issue.  I share this with you, only in hopes it will make you feel better about the things, you haven’t found time for.

One project I did work on this summer was helping my neighbor decorate her little girl’s room.  It really turned out darling! I won’t describe here what we did, but check out the front page of the website.  The article, “Jordan’s New Room—a stenciling adventure” will tell you all about it.  Hopefully it will inspire you to tackle that project you thought would be too difficult.  You can do it too!!

Decorating with a mix of architectural fragments, antiques, family treasures, old furniture, new furniture and modern building materials will accomplish a wonderful eclectic, aged look.  This style is very popular in today’s decorating, and allows you tremendous freedom in decorating choices.  Most of us have accumulated a variety of items throughout our lives that will work very well, saving us money in the long run.  Finding new items is easy, they’re everywhere.  Here are some ideas for finding the old, aged look.

Look in old salvage stores for architectural elements that can be used as dividers, doors, window dressings, pedestals, accessories etc.

Walls that are faux painted to look old are a great foundation and provide the perfect color backdrops for your furnishings and fabrics.

Use old furniture as end tables, coffee tables, and focal points.  This mixes very well with new upholstered furniture. For example: I used an antique cobbler bench as a coffee table in front of my family room sofa for many years.  It added charm and always conversation.

Old garden furniture can be brought inside.  Let the ruts show through the paint.

Old painted furniture, with chipping and peeling blends well, found at antique stores, garage sales, 2nd hand stores, etc.

Vintage fabrics found at antique stores, antique shows, yard sales, Grandma’s closet etc.

Much of what can provide a “timeless feel” is the choice of materials.   “You can’t beat nature.  It’s already old.”    Liberal use of wood and stone throughout a home, will reflect age and charm.  Heavy timbers that have been distressed will look like century old beams.  Wood floors left natural, with a low luster polyurethane coat will give a wonderful texture to your floors, especially if they are a wider plank. 

The most important tip to remember, if you are mixing old and new, is to keep consistent with your colors, as they will become the unifying element to the eclectic mix of styles and finishes.

Nothing is more frustrating, that to be out shopping, when you spot a picture, bedspread, or accessory that you love but are not sure if it will match in your home. Here is a tip that may help you shop more effectively:

Don’ be afraid to cut snippets of fabrics, from wherever you can.   Under a sofa, inside a seam etc. 

Once you have accumulated all your samples, including carpet, paint, wallpaper, fabrics etc., place them in a small picture album (the kind used for Grandchildren) these are small enough to fit in most purses and can be carried easily while shopping.   The next time you see something you like, just pull out your small album with the samples, and you can be sure if the color matches.

Create an “Eight Step Sheet” for each room in your home.   As most of you have learned by now, I recommend the completion of eight steps for each decorated room in your home. You will see in the new article “Mommy I want….”, I address the fiction rooms and list the completion of each step to help you understand each element.  You can do the same. List on your check sheet the following steps: 

1. Flooring

2. Walls—Trim—Molding

3. Furniture

4. Window Treatments, Bedding ensembles, Accent pillows

5. Lighting

6. Artwork

7. Accessories

8. Floral/Greenery

Create a miniature color board for visualization and shopping.  Another technique I have used over the years, when I’m shopping for a model or customers project, is to staple a small clipping of wallpapers, paint, fabrics etc. to the inside of a manilla folder.  Grouping each room together in a small area.  This allows you to have a quick reference guide for all the areas you are working on.  This is especially helpful to someone who is building a new home or decorating several rooms at one time.  Of course this does not fit into a purse, but if you are out looking for specific items for your home, it’s an easy thing to carry around. 

I hope you enjoy what’s left of your summer, and we will look forward to cooler days ahead.  Be sure to check out the new articles and tips on the website!  Until next month……….

HAPPY DECORATING!

This month, the winner in our monthly drawing for a Color Scheme Guide is Marietta, of Alpharetta, Georgia.  She will receive her choice of one guide from the eighteen Color Schemes Guides.  Don’t give up, you might be next winner.  If you have a new project coming up, you might want to give some serious consideration to purchasing one of our kits.  They all have a no risk 100% money back guarantee (no questions asked); you simply cannot go wrong.

July

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