| New Year is my favorite holiday, I love the excitement | | | | your budget yet, take a picture of it and paste it into |
| of a new beginning. I look at every day as a new day | | | | your decorating plan. Then move it to the top of your |
| to start over, but there's just something about a new | | | | list and make it your next purchase when you can. |
| year. It gives me permission to wipe the slate clean | | | | Decision # 3 - Don't worry about the Latest Trends. |
| and stop beating myself up about the things I didn't get | | | | Just as in clothing, what's in today will be out tomorrow; |
| done. | | | | there are new trends and colors every year. Why? |
| But instead of making resolution, which we always do | | | | Because what would be your incentive to buy another |
| beat ourselves up with when we break, lets make | | | | navy blue pillow when you already have five. But what |
| some decorating decisions instead to work on | | | | if the new blue was cobalt? Well, you might change |
| decorating your home throughout the year. | | | | out the pillows, because color makes the world go |
| Decision #1 - Make a Decorating Plan. This year think | | | | "Buy." |
| about the decorating projects you would like to | | | | It's fun to stay up on the trends and new colors, but |
| accomplish and put them down on paper. Remember | | | | not necessary that we re-decorate every time |
| to be realistic and consider your budget and time. Write | | | | something new comes out, and who can afford to do |
| out each step you need to do, how long it will take, | | | | that? Don't agonize about what's in and what's new, |
| how much it will cost, when you plan on starting and | | | | because you'll never get your decorating done. Instead, |
| when you want to finish. Then do not shop without | | | | stay focused and incorporate a few new colors and |
| your plan. Just like when we grocery shop without a | | | | trendy items with your accessories. |
| list, we over buy, over spend and sometimes forget | | | | Decision # 4 - Decorate Your Home With What You |
| the items we need. | | | | Love. Don't let friends, family, or the decorating industry |
| With money tight for everyone, look at other options to | | | | force you into anything that is just not you. You'll be |
| get the work done without hiring someone to do it. Can | | | | living in your home not the sales person, your sister or |
| you barter with someone? I know someone who has | | | | your girlfriend. Just because they happen to love |
| a drapery workroom and I'd like to have new panels | | | | country with ruffles, bunnies and bows doesn't mean |
| for my hall bath. She wants to learn more about | | | | you have to live with it to. As a Designer, I love to |
| wholesale buying. So we're going to barter our time. | | | | decorate with every theme and color scheme, but it |
| Can a friend help you? I have a friend that loves to | | | | doesn't mean that's how I would decorate my home. |
| paint, she finds it relaxing, not me. So we're going to | | | | One of my girlfriends loves yellow and it's her main |
| make a fun day of it and paint my hall bath. Do you | | | | wall color. I also love yellow but it's not in my home. I'm |
| have anything that you can sell or consign that's just | | | | a purple gal so you'll find it in every room. |
| been taking up space in your closets? I have brand | | | | I also want you to make a decision that if there is |
| new, never used skis, boots and poles which have | | | | something in your home that you really hate, something |
| been in my hall closet for over 10 years. It's time for | | | | that every time you walk past it you focus on it, try |
| someone else to enjoy them and I'm going to use the | | | | and do something about it. Maybe you can't replace |
| money to replace the faucet in my hall bath. Can you | | | | the tile in your entry, so buy an inexpensive area rug to |
| guess that one thing on my decorating plan is to redo | | | | cover it up. You can't stand the fabric on a chair, so |
| my hall bath? | | | | sell it and buy a new one with the money you make. |
| Decision # 2 - Don't Just Fill a Space Because It Is | | | | Life's too short to live with something you hate. |
| Empty. Just because a room is empty doesn't mean | | | | Decision # 5 - Redesign with what you already own. |
| you have to run out and buy furniture to fill it. Wait until | | | | I've talked a lot about redesign over the years, so you |
| you find that perfect piece you love, that's in your plan | | | | know I really believe it in. It's amazing how you can |
| and within your budget. Don't buy any piece of art | | | | transform your home with what you already own. It will |
| unless it's something you'll enjoy looking at every time | | | | give you a sense of accomplishment and new |
| you walk by. You'll be lying to yourself if you say that it | | | | appreciation for what you have. By using what you |
| is only temporary until you find something better. I've | | | | have to the best advantage, will allow you to enjoy |
| found that those temporary time frames turn into | | | | your home now. It will help you stick to your plan to |
| years. Believe me, I've done it myself. | | | | have the home you want in the long run. |
| Instead when you find that perfect piece, but it's not in | | | | To a Happy, Healthy, Safe and Prosperous New Year. |