Tip of the Week: Show your true colors!

Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner, so let your decor show your patriotism.  Deck out the whole house?  No way.  A few simple touches and your holiday decorating will be a class act. 

Swap out your spring pillar candles with red ones.  Simple raffia strands tied in a bow around a solid color pillar add an extra touch.  Nestle them in sand, river pebbles, or let them stand on their own.  Break out your red and white checked table cloth for your patio table and use your white dinner ware that's been hidden away.  Pick up a handful of inexpensive small flags at Target or WalMart and tuck them into a planter or two, your centerpiece, or your flatware caddy.  My favorite accent is my fabulous Star Spangled Door Bucket, pictured here (yes, that's my front door).  Get yours through me for only $34.95, while supplies last.

Entertaining?  Gather any red, white, and blue serving pieces, vases, accents you have and build an eclectic spread. Pick up a holiday themed bouquet from your supermarket for an instant centerpiece and then accessorize your table or buffet.  Horchow has some delightful red stemware as a fun alternative to clear glass or plastic. But don't forget your glassware can be your best friend for inexpensive holiday decor.  A pretty glass bowl filled with strawberries and blueberries is not only a great accent, but delicious for your guests as well.  Enjoy!

Tip of the Week: Take It Outside!

Before it gets too hot, dine al fresco with your family!  You don't need a special occasion to set a pretty table outdoors.  Use a potted plant or two as your centerpiece and pull out the stops:  placemats, napkins, glassware (or deckware).  Pieces you already own will take on new life in an outdoor setting!  Mix and match your dinnerware to have some fun, but keep it simple so you can enjoy the scenery and the company. As you see here,  House Beautiful showcases lovely table settings in the great outdoors, as does Southern Living.  Visit their websites for simple inspiration without spending a dime.  Light a few citronella candles to keep unwanted guests at bay and enjoy your new dining space!

Decorating Ideas: Latest Shopping Must-Haves from the Design World

Decorating Ideas: Latest Shopping Must-Haves from the Design World  is a must-see at elledecor.com.  While you're there, sign up for their weekly e-newsletter that's loaded with great design ideas, budget-friendly features, plus one of my favorites: sneak peeks into beautiful homes!  One of the fun things about lists like these is seeing what I may already have that's similar, dusting them off, and giving them new life.  Or hitting my own favorite haunts or catalogs to see what else is available along those lines.  You don't have to have designer pieces to be current!

One fresh trend I have noticed in all of my perusals of design sites, magazines, and catalogs is BLUE.  All shades of blue, often intermingled, mixed and matched within an inch of its life.  Not only is it beautiful and soothing, releasing calming chemicals in our bodies, but studies have shown that we are more productive in blue rooms.  Who'd have thought!  Maybe I need to repaint my office.
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E-Decor...Genius!

I have stumbled upon an absolutely genius concept in affordable decorating or redecorating, I Heart Design by Avenue.  In my opinion, it's brilliant!  Begun by three young designers last year, this company brings professional decorating on a budget to a whole new level through e-commerce.  The website is simple to navigate, walking you through step by step what YOU need to do, and then explaining in detail what THEY will do with a very quick turnaround time.  All for $3.50 per square foot of whatever space you're decorating.  Your "decor in a box" will be delivered to you with all the tools necessary to recreate your room.  They will even provide you with a shopping list of new furnishings and accessories, based on information you've provided about your decorating likes and dislikes and any existing pieces you want them to work around.  You can also order through them and take advantage of their industry discounts when available.

If you're at a loss as to where to start with that certain space, but still want to do the actual decorating yourself, this is perfect for you.  They provide the creative direction but let you do arranging and installation on your own.  An ideal compromise for the tapped-out wanna-be decorator at a fraction of the cost of a traditional interior decorator. 

Happy Mother's Day, Readers!

HOME is where the heart is, but make no mistake: a mother makes the HOME for her family.  Even though my own kids spend time at their father's house, they still call my house "home."  For all you do to make your house a HOME for your loved ones, bless you!  Happy Mother's Day!