Holiday Sparkle in No Time at All

If you're like most people, you don't have much time left at the end of a busy day to do anything extra. But at this time of year, you want to do something to make your home look festive and special and create the wonderful Christmas holiday atmosphere. You'll find some ideas here for quick and simple ways to add a festive look to your home without spending a lot of time or money. And you'll have time left over to really enjoy Christmas!
Most are our ideas are very easy, many are free, and none takes more than a minimum of time and effort.


1. Decorate Everything With Bows

• Tie generous ribbons to chair backs, candlesticks, picks in plants, wreaths, garlands, basket handles, drapery tie-backs, stair railings, and doorknobs.
• Bows look festive and the ribbons you choose should tie together with the rest of your decorating. Choose ribbons in colors and patterns that coordinate with your decorating scheme.
• You don't have to stick with red and green. Choose plaids or florals that tie in. If you can't find anything that looks quite right, then choose metallic silver, gold, green, or red.
• Choose a ribbon that you can untie and re-tie each year. This will save money in the long run, and you'll end up with a good collection.
• When the holidays are over, untie the ribbons and press them lightly. The bows won't get crushed and the ribbons will be ready when you want to take them out the next year.
• See instructions on how to make your own floral bows of all sizes using wire. By using wire to make your bows, you'll be able to attach them to many objects.

2. Use holiday tableware for every meal in December.

• Look through your cupboards and get out any dishes that look festive.
• Discount stores often carry seconds of name brand china, as well as fun designs that are not so common.
• Start a set of holiday dishes with dinner plates that coordinate with your everyday dishes. Add new pieces each year, like salad plates and mugs. Note: Be sure the pattern you select will be continued from year to year.
• Buy 1 or 2 place settings each year. Before long, you'll be able to serve a feast.
• If you're adventuresome, choose a different pattern and one place setting each year. Arrange the different dishes around the table and get lots of comments and rekindle memories. When they're not in use, the dishes can be displayed around the room.

3. Turn off the lights.

• Arrange lots of candles on the dining table and dine by candlelight, even if you're just having leftovers. Every meal will feel special.
• Burn a fire in the fireplace each evening and encourage family members to gather around and read, do homework, write Christmas cards, or snooze.
• Arrange pillar candles in your bathroom, on the sink or around the tub. Take time to soak and enjoy! If you have little children in your home, you should be very careful with candles around the house. Always have an adult in the room.

4. Hang holiday wreaths.

• Put a wreath or swag on every door you have. Of course, start with the front door to welcome guests.
• Go on to the back door, inside and out. Remember over the mantle, and in all your front windows. Don't forget bedroom doors, inside and out.
• Use real pine, holly, or grapevine, decorated with bows, berries, fruit, pinecones, raffia, ornaments, birds, photos, or candy.
• To keep wreaths year after year, buy artificial wreaths that will last. Remember, you'll need room to store them!

~ Coral Nafie

Little Ways to Bring Lots of Smiles on Valentine's Day and Every Day



Valentine's Day isn't just for lovers. It's a special day of the year to express your love and appreciation to many people in your life.

Whether it's children, siblings, friends, or co-workers, a special message will be appreciated by all.
I particularly like to do something special for my adult daughters. I know I'm not their sweetheart but there's no one on earth who loves them more than I do. And I like to tell them so in fun little ways!
 With little touches around the house, on a desk, or around a dinner table, you can let the people in your life know how special they are to you. I don't know a person who wouldn't enjoy it!
Here are our ideas on tiny little ways to bring the Valentine spirit to your home.
It doesn't matter a bit if red or pink don't go with your decor. You'll only have these special touches up for a day or two. They'll surely bring a smile to faces!

• Add a Bow to a Stuffed Animal
  One of my daughters has a teddy bear that's sat on her bed since she received it on her third Christmas. I tied a Valentine ribbon around its neck.
• Tie Red Ribbons on a Chandelier or Ceiling Fixure
  I keep my red Christmas bows handy and get them out again for Valentine's Day. I tie a bow on each arm of the chandelier and leave them there for a few days.
• Tape a Red Ribbon on the Computer Monitor
  A simple red bow taped onto the frame of the computer monitor is a reminder all day long that someone loves (or admires) you! Try it out!
• String a Valentine Garland Over a Chair
  Adapt a wedding touch and tie a garland over the back of a chair where your special someone will sit. Attach small heart-shaped ornaments to the ribbon and swag it on the chair.
• Put a Small Vase of Flowers on the Bathroom Counter
  A simple trip to the market will provide flowers. But go early, as Valentine's Day is the most popular day to send or give flowers. Choose a small vase or pretty footed glass and arrange a few stems with greenery. Place the arrangement on the bathroom counter or a bedside table so it won't be missed.
• Perk Up a Plant
  Tie a balloon, bow, or heart to a stick or straw and push it into the dirt of a plant. This little touch makes every plant a Valentine gift.
• Stuff a Fluffy Red Pillow
  Trace the pattern of a big heart on a piece of newspaper or cardboard and cut out the fabric. Sew a pillow from the pattern using soft velvet, fluffy fleece, or sleek satin. Place the pillow on a bedroom chair in the morning or on the bed at night. Instant romance!
• Don't Forget the Candles!
  Nothing creates a special ambience like candles. Put them everywhere! Like on the dining room table, a bedside table, on the bathroom counter, along the edge of the bathtub. Don't leave the flames unattended, but put them wherever you'll be spending time.

With simple, inexpensive and tiny touches, you can bring the spirit of Valentine's Day to your home or office or that of your loved ones. It doesn't take much work, but your thoughtfulness will add so muchto their enjoyment of this special day.
Source : http://interiordec.about.com/od/holidaysvalentine/a/housetouches.htm

Living Room Decorating:Your living room will be a place for family or friends to sit and visit, so a special effort should be made to create a comfortable harmonious environment.  Usually this is the first room you see upon entering your home, it is also a room that must show well and in most cases carry more than one function such as a playroom, office and even a dining room. 

Placement of Furniture

A helpful tool we found for arranging furniture pieces without lifting a finger were these cardboard furniture templates and grid. Furniture arrangements should have a purpose. Activity areas should be reflected and distinguishable in each area of your room. A small room should have at least one conversational area, while larger rooms may incorporate additional furniture groupings.  A good rule of thumb is to seat at least six people comfortably.  

Placement of your living room furniture should center around a focal point which may be an entertainment center, fireplace or large window.  After selecting your focal point, group your furniture around it, being sure to take the size of your space into consideration.  If you are living in a small space you may only need a sofa, arm chair and a few end tables.  Larger spaces may include coffee tables a few more chairs and a larger sofa.  

Don't feel it is necessary to go out and buy all new pieces of furniture when you decorate. If you have a sofa in good functional condition, you can use one of the many styles of slipcovers available, pre-made for standardized sofas, chairs and loveseats. Throw pillows are also another decorating option.

Read more about: Organizing Home Decor Accessories

Suggestions    

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  Use area rugs to define seating areas. If you are dealing with a large room that has multiple seating areas, this will help characterize each area while tying together the scheme.  Rugs are also useful for covering up unattractive carpeting or floors!
  
  
  
  
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  The lighter, neutral shades of walls generally found in rental buildings are actually a benefit. This color scheme leaves room for selecting furniture in basically any color, scheme or style.