| I've always admired people who decorate their | | | | for dinners and not leaving them hidden away in |
| house as though it were an art form. They don't | | | | cupboard. |
| necessarily follow all the rules and combine colors | | | | Combine items by grouping items with similar |
| and styles in a creative, almost bohemian style of | | | | uses, colors and shapes. It's much more dramatic |
| decorating. The result is a home that truly reflects | | | | to feature a collection of old medicine bottles in a |
| the personalities of its owners. The hard part is | | | | group than placed individually, here and there. A |
| accomplishing this and still having a house that is | | | | collection of blue vases, in different sizes and |
| marketable from a resale standpoint. | | | | shapes blend together when displayed together |
| One couple in particular comes to mind. They | | | | on a shelf or tabletop. |
| were both artists, who had mainstream jobs, but | | | | Items with similar themes, such as a bottle of |
| managed to use their home as a canvas. Every | | | | wine with a couple of wine glasses on either side, |
| room was totally unique, peppered with treasures | | | | can appear more interesting than if displayed |
| from hours of antique hunting, such as ornate | | | | separately. A collection of artwork with similar |
| carved sconces, original furniture, and re-used | | | | frames also can be hung as a grouping. |
| columns and doors selected for their architectural | | | | The fabulous look of fabric. Get out those vintage |
| originality. The children's craft room had a 12 foot | | | | hats, shawls or unusual pieces of fabrics to be |
| paper mache dragon suspended from the ceiling | | | | used as attractive accent pieces. |
| with huge, shining outstretched wings. | | | | Recycle and reuse. Scour the architectural salvage |
| This is an extreme example of artful decorating, | | | | companies for one-of-a-kind items such as, |
| but there are some things the average person | | | | reclaimed columns, flooring, ornate gates, mantels |
| can do to spice up their home, and make the | | | | and wrought iron. These types of pieces add |
| decor a little more original. | | | | character to your home and make for an |
| Don't be shy to display your collections. If you're a | | | | interesting decor. |
| collector, you've probably spent numerous hours | | | | Above all, don't be timid; when it comes to artful |
| and money completing that set of bone china | | | | decorating, you have to be willing to step outside |
| teacups or cranberry glass serving dishes. | | | | of the box and explore new possibilities. Pour |
| Whatever your theme may be, show it off. This | | | | yourself a glass of wine, look around the room |
| means bringing out the special platters and dishes | | | | and begin your creative adventure! |