YOU don't have to be an interior designer to be able to add style and panache to your home.
There are many simple tips and tricks that you can do to add that special wow factor to your surroundings. All you need is a few key points to get you on your way.
Some of these little decorating items may be found right in your own home. It's not necessary to break the bank to add style to a space. All that is required is a little thought and imagination in the right places.
Last week I wrote a column on a faux flower arrangement. Believe it or not, faux flowers are coming back. Gone are the days when these flowers appeared dusty and tired.
The new faux flowers that are on the market today look amazingly real. You simply cannot tell them from the real thing until you actually touch them. Place these small flowers on bookshelves in decorative bowls or in clear vases in strategic corners of the home.
Woven baskets are wonderful for adding warmth and charm to a home. Fill them with firewood beside your mantle, or place rolledup towels in an oversized basket in your bathroom. They are also great to store flip-flops and other shoes by your mudroom door. Use smaller ones to hold cotton balls, Q-tips and tissues by your sink.
Paint a galvanized metal tray with spray paint and use it as a magnet board for memos and notes in your kitchen. Choose a glossy white or pink to really add drama to your wall. You can also spray an old cookie sheet with glossy metal paint for this idea.
Another decorating must are throw cushions. These beauties really add impact to a sofa or chair. Block prints and bright solids feel fresh and modern on any couch.
For a seaside theme fill large glass vases or apothecary jars with sand from the beach and toss in a few shells. Scatter small votive candles around the base for illuminating at night.
Don't forget about mirrors. These are always an affordable way to add drama and sparkle to a room.
