by Sarah Darling

Created on: July 23, 2008   Last Updated: July 11, 2011

Home is your Sanctuary

I know that almost everybody has an idea of the perfect home. Well, you can have it, and it's not that difficult.

First, get rid of all of the preconceived notions that it takes a fortune. I am here to tell you that it is much easier that one might think. First, you should decide where your interests are, and what type of person you are. You may be a winter, a spring, an autumn, or maybe a summer. When you have decided, then the fun begins. You can then decide if you want city, country mountain escape, and ocean. The plan for your home has so many possibilities. I myself love comfort with space, and an open floor plan

My favorite holiday is Christmas, but I thank the colors are rather heavy for say summer. So, what would you do? I'll give you an example. Is your house big, small maybe an apartment... you can use the same ideas, for a much larger place, and then scale them to yours.

OK, let's take an apt with an ocean plan. Now you could get picky, and say east coast or tropical. I will choose an eastern coast, with ocean, storms, sun and gulls, get the picture? With that in mind, I would choose a lovely pale gray paint, with a glaze. I would use colors that feel like the ocean, and the east coast. Blues greens and grays. My furniture would also feel like the coast...shop around, and you can come up with some great buys for furniture. You could try garage sales, flee markets, etc. Then you can always get something old and paint, remodel it or re upholster it. You don't have to be perfect in these things, only have a little talent, like how to paint. I have been complimented on my places, when I did not do all that much.

I hope I have not confused you to much, because it's really simple. Actually, you cannot really go wrong, if you are decorating for your own taste. Just do not be afraid of change, and let your own personality shine. Remember you have to live there, so go with the flow. If I were in a palace, I would look for these things; the family, the kids if any, pets, and what you want out of your space.

Do you love to garden, do you work at home and do you love to cook? These are just a few examples. The world is your oyster, as far as decorating is concerned. Spend according to your budget, and you can always have something to be happy with, and be at home and comfortable. Let me share a place I did on a shoestring. It was a small duplex. I had not much money. I painted it white, and decided on a country cottage look, I had the furniture, a green sofa. I shopped at Goodwill and got a plethora of wrought iron things, a plant stand I used for a coffee table. I used cranberry accents, like pillows and candles, and the overall appearance became greens, and cranberry, with wrought iron candle holders for the walls, and scads of throw pillows in these complimentary shades.

The drapes, long panels, were a plaid with cream background and the plaid in shades of green and cranberry; they complimented the furniture. The theme was also of leaves, like the pillows, the candle holders and the rug, which was a cream with a leaf border. The wrought iron table had leaves climbing it, as well as some other items. I also had a theme. Enough, you get the idea. It is so easy, and it can be so much fun to let your creative juices flow. It's fun to know you did not have to break the bank.

Well, children, that's it, because I could get into many ideas. There are a million, but, remember to just have fun, and you could have a warm, comfy home in no time.

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