Furniture Arranging   

So are you getting the idea? Angles are a neat way to create more interesting spaces and actually can create storage areas, as well as define passage paths. Once you have mentally, or on paper, thought out some new ideas, then pick the one that will work best for your needs.

That done, call back the guys and try it out! You'll be surprised at how different, and at how much flair this can add! It truly is more eye catching than having all the furniture against the walls. Go through all your rooms this way, looking for new ways to add spark. Beds are great angled into corners. Highboys really take center stage when "cornered" this way. "Can" lights behind the "cornered" pieces are very dramatic. This is a "must try" project! At least in one room. An entire home can take on a new look with furniture moved around in new and more interesting ways. Don't be afraid to think "outside the box". Happy surprises occur this way. This includes pulling pieces out from the walls, without angling them!

Just play with ideas and move things around! Go into a showroom and look at the displays. By virtue of the fact that they must create vignettes in order to show all the pieces, you can see how things look away from the walls. Glean ideas there. See how room screens are used. Try to picture your rooms, with your furniture, in ways that please you in the showrooms. Try it!

The other part of this letter is to get you moving on decorating for the Holidays. If you follow the above advice and change some rooms, you should be excited and ready to start. Does the "special" Angel always go by the entry? Do you find you put all your decor the same places every year? Why? It is one thing to follow a family tradition, but another to decorate by rote! Keep the tradition, and start new ones! Replace old worn out decor with new things. This can be done inexpensively. If the worn decor is too precious to pitch, pack it up and tuck it away, or use it in a room that does not get seen as often.

One year I found myself putting the centerpiece on the dining table and realized it was years old! So I revamped it, put it elsewhere, and did a lovely new silk arrangement for my table. Had a blast doing it, too! As much as I love decorating for others, it is fun to do it for my own family. Then I realized that the Christmas tree always went into a certain corner, simply because the hooks for attaching it to the ceiling with fishing line, were already in place. Yes, I said fishing line. With a dog and two cats, it is a good idea! So I moved it, also. It was wonderful. With the added bonus of being more visible to passersby. If you have a mantel, try a new scarf or fabric draped across it. Make a winter scene, or a Nativity, or village! Don't forget the little lights! And candles galore!

Saftey note: NEVER leave candles burning when you leave the room! NEVER!

Try a different theme for your tree. One year a friend who was in college could not afford "proper" tree decorations. So he collected shells and starfish and little colored stones from the beach. With some fine wire to wrap and hang his finds, he created a wonderful tree! He put a plastic sheet under the tree with larger rocks around it and actually poured sand around the base. More treasures from the sea went into the sand. Marvelous! This letter may be short, but it packs a major punch. I realize that change can be very scary. But you need to be willing to try different things. Ask yourself how long the sofa has been where it is. Ask yourself why!

Now jump in and make some changes, get excited at your new creations! Start looking at your home in a new light. I am willing to bet your results will make you happy!

Now apply the same creativity to your Holiday Decor!
As always, have fun! HOME