Shop at Home

It's a new year, and along with wanting to change our habits, it's also fun to change our homes a bit. I'm not talking about a complete overhaul here, just some simple ways to change your home by "shopping your home"-and it doesn't cost a thing, just some imagination on your part!

I love going from room to room to "borrow" things or use them for other than their intended purpose.

For instance, I received a beautiful, ornate, rich tapestry scarf for Christmas. It ended up being draped over my slipper chair in my family room. I loved how the rich reds in the scarf looked over the brown fabric of the chair. So, there it has stayed. It also provides a little extra warmth when I read at night. The best thing is I can still use it as a scarf!

Another very simple thing I did was borrow my cute cast iron place card holders from my dining room. They are in the shape of bunnies and look darling frolicking among my hurricane vases. It's also a little hint of what's to come-spring!

Those are a couple of fun ideas of how to use your items in your home in new ways. What can you find when you "shop your home"?

Shopping Made Easy

Do you ever have difficulty shopping for that one particular home decor item? I find that many of my clients get stuck and can't figure out how to bring home that perfect lamp or rug. I have a philosophy that can help make it an easier process.

Recently I was shopping for a new rug for my home. I had brought home two rugs that weren't right. I probably could have eliminated them at the store, but sometimes you just have to try it out in the space before you can decide. I finally found the perfect one recently as I happened to be walking by it in the store, not even thinking about looking for the rug. That seems to happen, "when you least expect it" as they say.

This time I knew it was right. How did I know? It fit my new found shopping criteria; now I ask myself these four questions;

1. Is it the right size?
2. Is it the right shape?
3. Is it the right color(s)
4. Is it in your price range?

This rug for me fit the bill on site, and I knew it was the right rug even before I got home. The answers to all four of my questions were yes! So, I knew I had it right. Sure enough, when I got home and unrolled the carpet, my family all agreed it was the perfect fit! Yea! Job accomplished! This form of questioning can be applied to all home decor items, by the way, not just rugs.

Happy shopping!

Have you ever been shopping and come across that perfect throw pillow, pair of lamps or rug that has the perfect colors in it? I know I have, and then I wonder-"Will that rug fit? Is the pillow the right color of red?" I now keep a notebook in my purse as well as a tape measure for this reason. Yes, usually you can return things if they aren't right once you get them home, but I always dread the time, energy and not to mention the gas that it takes to return things.

So, anything that I'm thinking about for my home or client, I keep a detailed list, and often a picture or fabric or paint sample. That way, instead of having to shop specifically for that item, I can now purchase it when I come across it. I have found many of my favorite items this way! Happy shopping!

Great sales right now

There are a lot of great sales right now, so it's a good time to get bargains on large ticket items like furniture and electronics. Retailers are bleak about the holiday shopping season coming up, so many of them are offering early shopping incentives. For instance some furniture stores are offering 25% and more off furniture. So, if your Christmas list includes some new furniture now might be the time to get it! Happy shopping!