Creativity, Crafts, Books, Movies, Greyhounds & Favorite Things

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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.