| Setting out to decorate a new home or | | | | decorating schemes, bright colors work well |
| redecorating your current abode without a | | | | when set against light, muted ones, like |
| plan can be like driving around an unfamiliar | | | | shades of white or beige. Paint your walls |
| city without a map-you may end up somewhere, | | | | these muted colors and then go crazy adorning |
| but it's probably not where you wanted go and | | | | them with brightly colored artwork and |
| you may have no idea how you got there. And | | | | accessories. Same thing goes for furniture. |
| you may just end up somewhere pretty ugly. | | | | Back away from the teal couch and the orange |
| Formulating a plan, however, can be a | | | | upholstered chair. Look for boring colors |
| difficult task. Thumbing through home and | | | | and then add your personality in the form of |
| furniture magazines often just leads to | | | | pillows and throw blankets. If these tips |
| little more than an increased risk of paper | | | | still don't allow you to fully express how |
| cuts, and watching the countless home | | | | wild and crazy you are, experiment with your |
| decorating "reality" shows, while sometimes | | | | bedroom decor. You'll offend less people |
| entertaining, rarely results in an epiphanous | | | | that way. |
| (no, its not a word) moment. Actually, | | | | |
| according to dictionary.com, it is a word, so | | | | On the other side of the coin we have the |
| take your red squiggly underline and shove | | | | more straight-laced, conservative types. |
| it, Microsoft. Anyways…oh yeah, having | | | | Bright colors give these people headaches, as |
| a plan. This plan I speak of, doesn't have | | | | do the aforementioned people who like bright |
| to be a 10-page manifesto or even a loose | | | | colors. But what these plodding individuals |
| outline, in fact, it doesn't really have to | | | | lack in personality they more than make up |
| be put in writing. I say, let your | | | | for with grace and sophistication, and this |
| personality be your guide. | | | | should come through in their home decor. |
| | | | Whether your style preference is |
| As hokey and simple as that may sound, it | | | | contemporary, traditional, or somewhere in |
| works. Too many people decorate their homes | | | | the middle, you can create a look that |
| to please or impress others. Unless you're a | | | | personifies you and at the same time is |
| close friend or relative or Martha Stewart, | | | | decidedly un-boring. Furniture and lighting |
| this is just ridiculous (I've heard she can | | | | isn't the difference-maker here, it's the |
| be a little harsh). Remember, you live in | | | | accessories and decorations you should focus |
| your home, not them. Let your home be a | | | | on. Artwork and other embellishments such as |
| reflection of yourself by choosing colors, | | | | plants, knick-knacks on shelves, and framed |
| furniture, and accessories that show your | | | | photos can breathe life into rooms with less |
| personality, as deranged and anti-social as | | | | color. And speaking of color, you can still |
| that may be. | | | | make a statement without fuchsia walls or a |
| | | | red leather sofa. The trick is to mix in |
| Many people with bright, vivacious | | | | lights and darks to create contrasts wherever |
| personalities like bright, vivacious colors. | | | | you can. Use black and charcoal against |
| Go figure. But these gregarious individuals | | | | whites and light grays or experiment with the |
| often temper this when it comes to decorating | | | | many shades of brown, from light tans to |
| their homes. You don't have to make your | | | | deep, dark chocolate brown. |
| home look like Rainbow Brite (for those not | | | | |
| in the know, she's a brightly colored 80's | | | | For a HUGE selection of bedroom furniture |
| cartoon character) threw up all over the | | | | including beautiful platform beds visit the |
| place to inject your personality. Pick a few | | | | Eco-Furniture website today. |
| colors and stick to them. As with most | | | | |