Fine Living, Lifestyle Information & Articles

Try to learn about and obtain some original artwork. A pet peeve of many professional decorators (myself included) is the mass produced art print. When I go to a client’s houses, I just cringe when I see the exact same artwork I saw last week at a different client’s home. Be original. It does not have to be expensive. I have even seen some high school student’s art that has been extraordinary. You can even try eBay by searching under the phrase "self representing artists".

Purchase some new accent pillows. Really big this year is pillows with textures and embellishments. Look for fringe, braiding, beads etc. Don’t get matching pillows but rather coordinating pillows. Accent pillows can be added to just about every room. Place a unique pillow on the spare chair in the dining room corner. Place a new pillow on your bed. Maybe something new to greet you at the back door bench. Think intricate and lavish – not solid and plain.

The number one change you can make for the New Year is to declutter. Go through one room at a time to sort into the toss, sell or giveaway piles. Areas to declutter include old clothes, food in the cupboards, expired medications, and magazine piles. An important goal you can make is to declutter and give yourself more space without building on a new room to your home.

Julie Dana is a professional Interior Redesigner and Accredited Staging Professional. Her company, The Home Stylist, offers online decorating consultations, do-it-yourself decorating plans and real-estate staging. Visit www.thehomestylist.com to take a fun style quiz, vote on a color poll, and sign up for free decorating e-newsletter.