October 1999 - 3 & 4 of 6

3 - Flower Power
What could be more decorative than flowers---fresh or artificial!!  They allow you to mix all the shades and colors you are working with, creating a wonderful accent to the décor.  Over and above the key floral arrangements in my design projects, I like to use smaller doses of mixed flowers in teapots, watering cans, jars, colored bottles, clay pots or just about anything.  Spread them out around the house where they are appropriate.  It is an effective way to extend touches of color while maintaining continuity and color balance in your home.

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4 - Don't Like Your Bathroom Tile...
Here are three tricks to help you minimize the offending color. 

  1. Find wallpaper that combines the colors you do like with small amounts of the tile color you don’t like.  Apply the wallpaper to the areas not covered by the tile, and the tile will suddenly be less noticeable and offensive.

  2. Use a faux painting technique on the areas not covered by the tile.  Use a color you like as the dominant paint feature, dabbing and swooshing shades and tints until you like the results.  Add small dabs of the undesired color to the mix, so it will coordinate with the existing tile.

  3. After you have completed one of the above treatments, emphasize your new colors with an area rug, art, towels, florals etc.  The bath will be beautiful and the old, undesirable color will be insignificant in the new décor.

Quick Tips 1 & 2

Quick Tips 5 & 6