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Best things to put in your home
To quote a song from the beloved movie, The Sound
of Music, I've decided to call this column, "These
are a few of my favorite things."
* Chandeliers in master bathrooms. Add a little glamour
and romance in your bathroom by replacing the ordinary
ceiling fixture with a delicate crystal chandelier.
And don't forget the candles for additional ambience.
* Open floor plans. If you are planning on remodeling,
aim for a floor plan that flows easily from room to
room and that is comfortable for both daily living
and entertaining. Choose a color scheme that ties all
of the rooms together.
* Mixing furniture styles. For example, I love to
see a beautiful antique piece mixed in with contemporary
furnishings. And in one client's home, an Asian chest
takes center stage in her traditional living room.
Remember that variety is the spice of life.
* Lots of pillows on the bed. Throw pillows in a variety
of colors, sizes and textures give your master bed
a very luxurious feel.
* Using the "good dishes." What are you
saving them for? Turn an ordinary day into a special
occasion by using your fine china and stemware.
* Cabinet hardware with character. Personalize a bathroom
vanity, dresser, or kitchen cabinet with new knobs
and pulls. There is a style for every personality,
from elegant to whimsical.
* Deep, rich wall color. I just finished painting
my office in a dark purple color called Radicchio.
It is wonderful.
* A place for everything, and everything in its place.
I am forever drawn to clever organizational tools and
storage containers. I love to hide everyday items in
attractive containers. For instance, I keep my office
supplies in color-coordinated boxes on my shelf.
* Natural light. Do everything you can to maximize
natural light in your home. When we remodeled our home,
we added two skylights and three solar tubes. It was
one of the best things we did, as it changed not only
the look of our home but also the feel. Natural light
makes rooms come alive.
* Fresh flowers. For a lovely touch in a bedroom or
bathroom, hang some wall vases and keep them filled
with fresh flowers. Flowers are always at home on the
dining table or coffee table.
* Faux suede or microfiber. I love this fabric for
throw pillows and upholstery. It is easy to clean,
durable and feels cozy against your skin. It also comes
in a wide variety of colors.
* Black lampshades. These are great looking and look
fantastic in traditional as well as contemporary rooms.
Give them a try.
* Natural materials. There is nothing like the real
thing-- slate, marble, granite, hardwood-- these materials
add a sense of luxury and richness to a space.
* Fountains. The sound of flowing water is so peaceful
and relaxing. Why not treat yourself to a tabletop
fountain, freestanding fountain or wall-mounted fountain.
There are many styles available from traditional to
contemporary.
This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper
Group papers on Feb. 18, 2006.
Go
back to the list of decorating columns.
All articles copyright 2003-2008 Anna
Jacoby.
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