Now is the ideal time to pull out those home-fashion catalogs and interior decorating magazines you stuffed in the closet before the holidays to get them out of sight. Settle down with a cup of tea or mug of soup, and begin tearing out or snipping all the pictures of the ideas that catch your eye!
Gardeners are doing this right now with the seed catalogs, and you are going to do the same thing. Let's begin with those catalogs of storage solutions:
Do you need more shelving? Check out the variety of materials available today for do-it-yourself closet makeovers and entertainment systems. The industrial look can be achieved with expensive steel and chrome, open grid racks, and movable carts on wheels. These look great in both kitchens and living rooms, for storing everything from small appliances to high-tech TVs, music systems, and Playstations. Clip the pictures that illustrate solutions to your problem area, that show most clearly the components required and include dimensions.
What about those nifty wicker basket storage systems? They are a warm and cozy storage solution, very nice in a teenager's bedroom or a craftsperson's workroom. Cut out those pictures, too.
Maybe you prefer the warm woods of the more expensive furniture catalogs? We'll save those pictures for their ideas and the effect they provide in our bedrooms and dining rooms.
Get a manila envelope, a file folder, or a 3-ring notebook, and store your clippings inside. Label the outside "Storage Solutions".
Maybe you look forward to the January "White Sales" to rejuvenate your linen closet and refresh the bathrooms? Do you need ideas to make your master bedroom the romantic hideaway of your dreams? Go through the magazines and catalogs with these missions in mind.
Sometimes it only takes a fresh pair of curtains at the windows, or a pair of new lampshades to make the room look brighter. Other times, a different approach to bedding might do the trick. Look through the magazines and catalogs for interesting textures, colors and "themes" for a quick change to your room. Now be on the lookout for the same or similar items on sale locally throughout January and February, or if you are very clever, try making them yourself as a winter project.
Go To Page: 1 2
| Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: | View all related messages |
For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Barbara Bell's Decorating How-to topic, please visit the Discussions page.