Decorating Techniques

Mix & Match

Watch the placement of patterns:
Don't put two strong patterns right next to each other. If you're mixing frabrics on a sofa or chair, make sure there's neutral pattern between stronger designs.

Mix fabrics on pillows and chair cushions:
Put a different pattern on each side, and get a new look by simply flipping the pillows or cushions.

Pick materials you love:
If you like it, if it looks nice to your eye, and if it coordinates and feels good, then you've done something right!

Use the mix-and-match approach carefully:
With this style, too much of a good thing doesn't work. Select one dominant piece, such as a sofa, and use the technique on it. Keep furnishings in the room simple and streamlined.

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Displaying Artwork

Artwork can take forms in many ways. Artwork can be a beautiful oil painting, a watercolor, or black and white photography. However, displaying artwork proper is an art in itself. Here are some tips to follow to showcase your artwork and display the piece beautifully.

Group like artwork together:
The composition of your artwork should be similar. Use frames with similar metals or woods (i.e. all silver frames or all dark wood frames). If you are using matting, make sure that your mats are the same. The closer the artwork is in color, style and texture, the more cohesive the look.


Group artwork in shapes:
An easy way to achieve this is to use blue painters tape. With your tape you can tape shapes onto the wall such as squares or rectangles and fill in the shapes with your pictures. Frames should complement both the artwork and decor of your room.


Placement of your artwork:

When grouping artwork together make sure there is no more than 3" maximum in between pictures. This allows your eyes to visually see the artwork as one cohesive group. If your artwork is of varying sizes, line up the bottoms of the pictures.


If you are placing artwork above a sofa, place artwork at a minimum of 6" above the top of the back cushions, and the overall outside dimension should be 4' by 3'. In general, artwork should be placed at eye level. A good techinque is to look at where you think the artwork should be placed and then lower it by 2-3".


There are many areas in the home to display artwork. However, there are some places where it is not conducive to display artwork. These areas consist of above doorways, on walls smaller than 3 ft. across and walls between and besides doorways. It is also best to limit artwork to 2 walls per room.


Public or private spaces?
Artwork is something that should be admired and enjoyed by all. However, some artwork should be displayed in a more private space such as a bedroom or family room. Family photographs, religious articles and trophy plaques should be displayed in these private spaces.

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How to dress up your walls using Templates and household Latex Paint

You'll Need:

*assorted leaves
*clear or opaque stencil acetate
*fine-tip permanent marker pen
*craft knife with a new blade
*interior latex paint
*neutral decorator's wall glaze
*quick-release painter's tape
*stencil roller
*clean, lint-free rags
*cutting mat


* If stenciling is new to you, you'll find this forest theme a breeze to follow.
This technique is a reverse stencil. You cut a shape from acetate, and rather than discarding the cutout, you use the shape as your stencil.

*Use leaves with interesting shapes & textures...
Such as fern, philodendron, geranium, buckeye, locust, oak, and maple leaves.

*Flatten the leaves by placing them between books for a day or two.
Photocopy the flat, dry leaves. Then trace the patterns onto stencil acetate using a fine-tip permanent marker.

*Cut out the leaf pattern. On a cutting mat,use a crafts knife with a new blade.

*Using quick-release painter's tape. Protect moldings and the ceiling where it meets the wall. Paint background color on wall; let dry overnight.

*Mix a ratio of 3 parts neutral decorator's wall glaze. With 1 part green interior latex paint;
Pour a small amount of tinted glaze into a paint tray.

*Working from the top of the wall down. Hold one stencil or pressed leaf on the wall at a time with your fingertips. Use a stencil roller to roll the glaze over the stencil.
Apply six or seven more stencils in this same manner, random placing leaves or
overlapping them as you wish.

*Using a slightly damp rag...Dab and smudge stencilled images to eliminate
any harsh edges and to camouflage the stops and starts.

*Repeat process to cover wall.

*Remove the painter's tape.

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*Published by American Home Today 800-344-5654

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Get Organized


You can create multiple reasons to NOT get organized at home. But the truth is that the only obstacle stopping you from getting organized is you. It's not family members, it's not the absence of cash and it's not a lack of home organizational know-how. Read onward to expose these myths!


MYTH #1: You have to organize your home in a day.

TRUTH: Organizing your home is a lifelong process. You devise organizational systems, you maintain those processes ongoing and you creat new organizational solutions when new situations or products in your home call for it.


MYTH #2: You have to organize like someone else does.

TRUTH: Your home organization solutions must work for you ~ not your friends, neighbors or those clever organizers you watch on popular home organization television shows.


MYTH #3: You have to organize "everything" in your home and life.

TRUTH: Organizing is a solution to dilemmas in your home and life., Create organizational techniques to solve those problems which cost you money and create stress in your life.


MYTH #4: You can't get organized because you lack home organizing know-how.

TRUTH: Some people do seem to have a natural tendency toward personal and home organization, but it's a learned skill. Take notice of other people's organizing methods in their homes and offices, and if your able to, surf the web for home organizing ideas.


The choice to get organized or not to get organized is all yours and your paycheck or spending level doesn't dictate the answer. Remember, there is only one obstacle preventing you from getting organized and that's you! So move out of your own way if you want to get organized at home and get started organizing today!

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