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The Rural Voice, 2001-02, Page 36Home Decorating Winter's a great time to spruce up your home By Patti Robertson What a fantastic time of year to update all the rooms within one's home. There is still the possibility of "snowdays" when a body would far sooner be cuddled up inside rather than braving the elements, and it's during these occasions that I enjoy putting the full extent of my creative energy into my home's decor. One of the best tips I can give you is to keeping a running "to do" list pertaining to the various necessities around your home ...i.e. glue wallpaper seams in guest bedroom or clean out under sink or launder fine napkins etc. Of course these are all the mundane jobs. Where the real fun begins is when you start looking at your artwork and accessories anew, . checking out all your artificial floral arrangements (which by the way are the one accessory which can either make or break your decor) as they not only can look dingy so easily and as well, go out of style if not kept current with the fashion of the time. Lamps, tiebacks on our window treatments, toss cushions, scatter mats and all those little accessory furniture pieces afford the opportunity to give our living spaces a whole new look with affordable ease. If you're a collector or an avid shopaholic. your decor will take on new dimension and style simply by "putting away" half of your bits and pieces. (I know this is easier said than done ... but we're after a "new look" and this method will work! Besides when you reintroduce these pieces to your decor it will feel like they're brand new.) For those of us who lean to the more minimal look this is the time to add a few new pieces as this method will show up as a major statement within your home. Adding fresh florals to the various rooms of my home gives me, and the decor, a real lift. Inexpensive potted mums are a tremendous bargain if you treat them like cut florals, adding some various greens to fill out your arrangements and fashioning them into your prettiest colour -co-ordinated vases. Using mums is also a great way to 32 THE RURAL VOICE experiment with colour co-ordination and colour combining. For example my bathroom at present is in monotone shades of raspberry in combination with a subtle champagne golden hue in the wallcovering. If I use a White Hobnailed vase with white mums, baby's breath and greens, I get a very fresh • Victorian feel. On the other hand, if I use an old crock pitcher with burnished burgundy mums I get a country flavour. Or bright sunny yellow mums in a clear vase add a touch of spring sunshine. A combination of pink, violet and yellow mums say "it's Easter time", etc. It is truly amazing the different combos one can achieve to create a new look, providing you work with the colour scheme within the room. Add a mini bouquet to your bedside table to greet you upon retiring and again when you awake. Add one beside your telephone or computer and place a potted plant on your kitchen counter to give you a lift while doing dishes and preparing meals. Not only would it benefit you! decor it will give you a.much needed lift as well! Now let's take a look at the bedroom. Do you always make your bed exactly the same way? Try Clipping down the sheets and bedspread to reveal the pillows. When was the last time you treated yourself to new pillowcases? Pillowcases need not be expensive and they can certainly add a "new touch". (I always add lace or a special trim to my pillowcases if they are not already embellished.) Add a few new toss cushions to your bed or perhaps a new dust ruffle. Add tassels and cording to your bedpost for a sassy look. And what about your artwork and accessories? Move them around and add more if necessary. So often we put bits and pieces away that will enliyen our bedrooms and are much more interesting on display rather than in the closet. In the kitchen, check out your window treatments ... do they need an update or a restyling and if you are using scatter mats here or in the entryway, these often are ready to be replaced and afford a great opportunity to infuse some new life and interest in one's decor. In the family room, living room, and hallways check out all wall art and ornaments. Has that certain picture always hung there? Often, simply moving a piece to a new location can add new form, dimension and interest to one's decor. Try it and you'll be amazed. Experiment with your holdbacks on your window treatments. Move PATTI ROBERTSON'S Unique Residential and Commercial Interiors 135 Victoria St., W/NGHAM 357-2872 • Custom-made Window Fashions, Bedspreads & Accessories • Fine Domestic & Imported Fabrics • Select Wallcoverings • Furnishings, Lighting & Artwork to suit any interior...