December 1999
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WEBSITE UPDATE |
New Stuff:
- Project - Make a Christmas Ornament (step by step w/ 8 pictures)
- New Best of the Web sites
- Take our poll "What is your favorite decorating style?". Click here
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NEWSLETTER |
Hello Everyone!
I hope this finds everyone beginning to enjoy the holiday season and cherishing all the memories and times with family and friends. We certainly have so much to be grateful for, and the anticipation of Christmas is exciting and will be here before we know it.
Many of you have snow already on the ground even though we are just now able to turn off the air conditioners in Florida. The weather has been beautiful! The humidity drops and the temperatures range from the fifties to low eighties. This is our best time of year and is what brings all the northern snowbirds to Florida for the season. I can't blame them; I just wish I could head north for the brutal summertime. Oh well!
How have ya'll been doing on your fall fix-ups? Will you be done by Christmas or when the family arrives? I hope so& I'd like to report that mine are done, but they are not. I'm hopeful a few will get completed, but time is short and there is so much to do. The last few weeks have been so busy, I don't know whether I'm coming or going! Our daughter, Jennifer, (who I have mentioned before) became engaged two weeks ago when we took a short trip to see her fiancé sworn in as an attorney and bring her home from South Jamieina. We began wedding plans immediately because they want to be married in April. Two days later, we took our Sunday School class on a camping trip where I cooked them Thanksgiving dinner in camp. The events rolled right into Thanksgiving with our family last week. Then we met friends in Orlando for an overnight stay on Saturday and returned home yesterday. Whew!!! I'm beat, and the season is just starting. If your weeks are anything like mine, you're probably not done with your projects either. Just keep up hope-tomorrow is another day&
I had a special time with my daughter in-law, Cheryl, this week. We shopped for some supplies to make special Christmas tree ornaments to share with you. We created two unique ornaments that will make great gesture or sentimental gifts that can be cherished for years to come. I made several variations of this idea last year and gave them to family and friends.
I would like to share some Christmas decorating ideas with you, but the truth is there are so many magazines and wonderful pictures of Christmas decorations that I thought it would be better to show you some fun and economical ideas to decorate, give a gift, and make a memory at the same time. I hope you will visit the pages that show you the project and how we did it. They are so easy and your imagination is the only limitation. I hope you enjoy!
For the rest of the newsletter, I'll share some real year-round decorating tips that will be of value for every decorating project. Here they come&
Have a very Happy Holiday Season,
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HOW TO CHOOSE FABRICS |
There are so many variables involved in deciding which fabrics to choose for your furniture purchases and home. The room's usage, family profile, budget, color and style you prefer will all play a factor in fabric choices for your home.
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On our way to South Jamieina, we found a fabric store in Valdosta, Georgia off I-75. I saw lots of wonderful fabrics, and decided to grab a few and take pictures. I just want to help show you how to mix patterns. This does not mean that all these patterns would be in the same room (although they could be if used |
| properly). The main point I want you to see is that the colorways are compatible and coordinate. Imagine the floral as swags and pillows for a formal traditional living room. The stripe would be wonderful on dining chairs, ottoman and as additional accent pillows in the same area. The light yellow/gold plaid with red would be great in a family room or sun room, | |
| mixed with other patterns and solids. The flame stitch would be stunning on a large chair and ottoman for a man's study. You would keep going with selections that are appropriate for each room until all things are chosen, building from that very first inspiration item (in this case it's the first floral fabric). |  |
| My favorite way to decorate with upholstered fabrics on sofas and chairs is to use a solid or simple pattern (such as a leather, texture, tone on tone, stripe and plaid) on the largest piece. This is usually the most expensive upholstered item, so the versatility that these types of choices will give you is immense and you will probably be content with the choice for a longer period of time. I then like to use a complementary geometric pattern (plaid, stripe, small pattern) or solid on the accent chairs, ottomans, window treatments and pillows. The boldest pattern I work with is used in smaller | |
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| amounts throughout. For example: more accent pillows, chair pads, window treatments, or trim. This keeps the strong patterns from becoming overwhelming and allows you the most flexibility in decorating. Obviously there are hundreds and hundreds of ways to combine fabrics in a room. If you start with a key/inspiration fabric, which combines colors you love and build on that, you will quickly coordinate a room or home full of beautiful fabric choices. | |
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SHOULD WINDOW TREATMENTS BE LINED? |
I would always recommend lining all fabrics used for window treatments other than sheers, semi-sheers, casements and laces. Lining can range from simple white or ivory cotton blends to a heavier room darkening fabric. Obviously, the latter provides the best possible way to darken a room. Sometimes, work schedules and sleep habits make this a very desirable option. The cost factor of a basic lining is minimal, but certainly adds longevity, and a nicer finished custom look to your window treatments.
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DINING ROOM LIGHT FIXTURES |
Dining rooms are a room that can best utilize good functional and decorative lighting. You can dramatize a buffet with lighting, showoff your fine china and family heirlooms in the china cabinet or hutch, not to mention creating a fabulous atmosphere for dining with family and friends. Here are some ideas and practical information for adding just the right lighting to your dining room.
Create a focal point and add elegance to the dining room with a chandelier over the table, usually in the center of the room. Here are the guidelines. Hang the fixture 30 inches above the tabletop. Adding a dimmer to the fixture allows for many different levels of lighting - soft for a romantic dinner or brighter for that family gathering with all the children. The diameter of the fixture should be approximately 12 inches narrower than the tabletop. I strongly recommend that you take your floor plans, or room and table measurements to the lighting store so the salesperson may assist you properly. They will know which diameter and size will best work for your furnishings and room. This is very important because it can look terrible if chandelier is too small or too large for the room.
Accentuate your buffet with wall sconces on either side of a mirror or picture. Candlestick lamps also look wonderful on buffets and credenzas, either as a pair or using one as an accent. Wax candles could be used for additional ambiance.
HAPPY DECORATING!
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