April 3
Sprucing Up For Spring – Before
.
You may think with all the challenges I’m facing with my creative space, I wouldn’t want to add any more home decor “to do’s” to my life; but I’ve been in a slump with regards to my house. I think I need to do a little spring cleaning and sprucing up.
Several years ago, I clipped out an article from Family Circle magazine called, “Rules of Arrangement: 12 Decorating Strategies.” I’m going to use that as my guide. Here are the 12 ideas and the 6 I’m going to attempt:
1. Count on color to dramatize a small area.
Doing this! In fact, I’ve already done it. My living room is green, but I painted a small wall purple. It needs a little work though…maybe a little of #8 (pillows) and some #9 (bookcase clean-up).
2. Think outside the bedroom box.
Not doing this. Our bedroom needs a little more work than thinking outside the box.
3. Set up your living room for conversation and comfort.
Doing this! All my living room furniture is old and mismatched. I have an idea, but you’ll have to tune in later to see it.
4. Hang favorite art in harmonious multiples.
Doing this! This is the view when I walk out of my bedroom. Surely, I can do better than this.
5. Choose an anchor for a mantel and all else will fall into place.
Doing this! This area suffers from 7 years of just adding more and more and more. Time for a re-do.
6. Show off cherished photos in a cohesive grouping.
Not doing this OR maybe doing this. I might do this in the hallway.
7. Create impact with big, bold accessories in the same mood or color.
Not doing this OR maybe doing this. When I re-do the fireplace, I’ll keep this in mind for accessories.
8. Mix and match pillows galore for easy add-in warmth.
Doing this! The couch in the living room could use some help in this area and the couch in the family room…have you ever seen such a “brown” look?
9. Turn a bookcase into an attractive all-around hold-all.
Doing this! My bookcases, like my fireplace, suffer from 7 years of just adding more stuff. Time for a clean-out.
These are the living room bookcases (his and hers):
These are the family room bookcases (his and hers):
10.-12. Three no-fail ways to make a room bloom (flower arrangement ideas).
Not doing this. I have bigger fish to fry than flower arrangements.
Let’s see what happens. I’ll update you on May 8.
I’m just lucky if I can keep up with the vaccuum and dusting lately! I’m curious to see how this one turns out!
Me too! I’ve noticed in the last month or so that I have no “joy” when I think about my home. I think it’s just “end of winter blues,” but I believe I need to shake things up because everything is arranged pretty much as it was arranged seven years ago. My challenge…I’m a perfectionist (I mean this in the worst “never get things done” sort of way) and I’m the Queen of Procrastination. Let’s see if my blog deadline helps me.
You’re a braver woman than I am!
“Braver,” that’s a nice word. There are a few words that are probably more accurate, but let’s go with “braver.”