| iv id="body"> | | | | closets of miscellanea. Collections are meant to be |
| So, you've just moved in or maybe been settled | | | | enjoyed, not hidden away in some dust encrusted |
| for a while, and your house still doesn't feel like | | | | corrugated coffin. You'll be delightfully surprised at |
| home. It's missing character and individuality that | | | | the riches you invariably already possess, and with |
| only the infusion of personality can bring. Your | | | | a dose of imagination can incorporate into your |
| home is not your own until it tells your story. | | | | home. The only rule on collections is that they |
| Furnishings without accessories, artwork, and | | | | must mean something to you (not anybody else, |
| accent pieces are like a cake without icing. And it | | | | just you!) They don't have to have any intrinsic |
| is up to you to determine the flavor and | | | | value, but must have a story and sentimentality. |
| decorations desired and appropriate. | | | | You can create new collections when inspired by |
| A good starting point is the floor. Whether you | | | | a particular piece or event. Try to collect in odd |
| have wall to wall carpeting or enjoy the beauty of | | | | numbers as display is far more interesting. This |
| hardwoods, area rugs are essential. Without | | | | also makes it easy to pick up the odd piece and |
| anchoring your furniture groups with rugs, your | | | | avoid getting caught up in searching endlessly for |
| pieces are merely cut adrift on a sea of flooring. | | | | flawless full sets of things. Keep in mind collections |
| Rugs help to establish seating and dining groups, | | | | are always more effective and exciting when |
| while runners can define traffic patterns and | | | | shown in their entirety. For example, if you had a |
| serve as accents. Rugs can be any variety | | | | marvelous cache of candleholders and showed |
| appropriate, including Oriental or Tibetan, border, | | | | them only in pairs in a hodgepodge of spots |
| flat-weave such as dhurrie and kilim, sisal, leather | | | | throughout the house, the visual impact would be |
| or wool scrap (a shaggy textured appearance), | | | | diluted, the elegance lost. Whereas these same |
| designed pile (an exciting line is available replicating | | | | candleholders massed on a sumptuous damask |
| famous works of art), and even floor cloths (a | | | | table runner against the dining table regain their |
| great do-it-yourself idea.) Rugs are truly art for | | | | "WOW." Perhaps your collection is more casual |
| your floor. Keep in mind the rug size. To minimize | | | | and utilitarian, such as kitchen utensils. Try |
| expense, an accent is exactly that, just enough | | | | displaying these in colorful crockware from Crate |
| to add color, interest, and a ground focal point. | | | | and Barrel or Pier 1, or arrange a basket collection |
| Rugs in a living area usually average 4x6 or 6x9, | | | | above kitchen cabinets mixed with greenery. A |
| with most furnishings off the edge (except the | | | | plate collection could be displayed on a rail running |
| coffee table and maybe an ottoman). Covering | | | | the length of the kitchen or dining room or |
| your floor entirely with a rug hides both the | | | | massed in a china cabinet. Even a montage of |
| beauty of the flooring, while the rug is obscured | | | | magnets can be amusingly exhibited with the help |
| by all the furniture. In the case of a dining table, | | | | of magnetized boards (Let's Get Organized), in |
| be certain the rug is large enough that the chairs | | | | addition to the usual refrigerator surface. Life is |
| do not "fall off" it when pulled out. Be aware also | | | | far more fascinating and fun when surrounded by |
| that the pattern and scale selected compliment | | | | the pieces we cherish and admire. Let your home |
| the upholstery and wall coverings, and be | | | | speak of you with the collections you show off. |
| especially careful using any rug with a medallion | | | | Now that you've begun to add personality to your |
| center. It may be lost or distorted beneath a | | | | interiors, and your house is feeling more like a |
| table base, or lose its impact if offset. Rugs are | | | | home, your artwork needs (and wants) must be |
| truly art for your floor! | | | | addressed. Artwork, while typically two |
| The next accent most often overlooked and so | | | | dimensional, also encompasses sculpture in a wide |
| simple to incorporate is plants. An interior is really | | | | range of materials. It is important to concentrate |
| not dressed until greenery is considered. Look at | | | | on creating a balanced mix of works. To allow |
| the corners of your rooms, in particular if they | | | | greatest flexibility I try to limit myself to no more |
| appear empty, and add a tree or perhaps a | | | | than 3 (occasionally 5) works by any given artist. |
| basket of mixed plants. Real or silk is not an issue, | | | | Chances are that even with a diversity of taste, |
| maintenance and whether you have a green | | | | the works you select or own will work in |
| thumb may be. It is wise to invest in quality silk | | | | harmony together. Sometimes reframing will be |
| plants, as they can last indefinitely, with occasional | | | | necessary to realize the full potential of a piece |
| dusting (in many cases a spray with water to | | | | and to make it appear most effective with other |
| clean up, is even easier, depending on the care | | | | artworks. On a real shoestring, you can create |
| suggested by the source.) Plants now are available | | | | your own artwork. Striking fabric pieces can be |
| in such a myriad of species, colors, shapes, sizes, | | | | readily stapled to stretchers no frame needed. |
| flowering or not. And, they are an invaluable way | | | | Children's artwork can be framed inexpensively |
| to add life (literally, if real) to an interior. Typically, | | | | and is usually better preserved than taped to a |
| a basket by the fireplace (in the summer consider | | | | wall or stuck on the refrigerator. Antique prints |
| a large basket in the fireplace to avoid the black | | | | can be picked up for a song at most flea |
| hole look), a tree in the corner, perhaps a garland | | | | markets, then frame it yourself with inexpensive |
| over the mantel, small brass potted accents in a | | | | frames. To augment a simple wood frame from |
| bookcase, a bouquet on the table (sofa or | | | | your local discount center, glue on seashells, or |
| coffee), are all viable ways to add greenery to a | | | | dried flowers, even buttons, bits of broken china |
| living/great room. Beyond a tree in the corner, a | | | | (mosaic style), or charms (available in most craft |
| stunning arrangement centered on a table runner | | | | stores). You'll enjoy a one of a kind craft wonder! |
| can be the focal point in the dining room (and a | | | | Create a display from these either atop a mantel, |
| wonderful reflection-worthy view for that large | | | | on the length of a sofa table, or patterned against |
| mirror you wanted to install.) Greenery is an | | | | a wall (photo gallery). (Note: For best effect, keep |
| important part of every interior, even those with | | | | an edge straight across the top or bottom of all |
| a minimalist view. It is a quick and effective way | | | | hung pieces, and align them either to the right or |
| to incorporate an element of nature, keeping you | | | | left. Be consistent in the spacing between pieces.) |
| in touch with the environment in some small way. | | | | Again, as in collectibles, artwork of any sort should |
| Once you have added a collage of area rugs, and | | | | mean something to you, not just cover a spot on |
| assorted bits of greenery, it is time to consider | | | | the wall! |
| your collectibles. Now, you claim you have none, | | | | The most significant lesson to be gained in the |
| having never saved anything of any worth. I bet | | | | personalization of your house, the transformation |
| you do because, you see, a collection is anything | | | | to a home, is that this is your place. While you |
| beyond a pair. If you have three of anything, you | | | | can certainly listen to your friends, your mother, |
| have a collection, (yes, beer bottles and jelly jars | | | | and, of course, your designer -- remember, your |
| count!) So, get busy checking out those musty | | | | home is your own and what you want is what is |
| old drawers, drafty attics, under-bed stashes, and | | | | truly important. The possibilities are endless! |