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Decorating On A Dime?

Wrap your pillows with the scarves you bought on holidays; you can enjoy the memories again!

Too much same-same in the living room.

Can you still do this? Decorate on a dime? Well, as a Home Stager and Feng Shui Consultant, I do my best to save people money. I done my share of dressing windows, trade show booths and ‘creating illusions’ with many of my vignettes, and I’ve got a few tricks to share with you.

Never underestimate the power of saving money by using what you already own. You’ve purchased these items, so you must love to have them in your home. Let’s get them working for you!

Scarves: These are the most fun to use; as every woman has a drawer full of scarves! Pull out your favorites and start enjoying them!

They can be used as a table cloth or table runner. Try one on the fireplace mantel, a splash of warmth on a grand piano, a window topper in lieu of drapes, and more.

Use them to wrap up any pillow for a fresh change of colour. Spread out on the bottom of your bed for an accent, or drape one over a room divider for a seasonal splash. The possibilities are almost endless.

Placemats: (My second favorite decorating item.) Placemats can be used anywhere to provide grounding or colour to an area; many more uses than just on a table. Use them under a lamp, a plant, a centerpiece, or place them on your dresser, end tables and desk area. Pick a colour scheme that works with your room or the flow of your house and sprinkle texture and colour into those dark, boring spaces.

Pillow cases: You’ll never guess how useful these can be; they fit right over an office chair back! Why would you put a pillow case there? Simple: to change the image of a black, sterile, boring office chair into something more inspiring with colour or images. Flowers sound nice for spring…

Use them to cover extra pillows in a guest room (get everything to match), or plan a contrast color on the couch.

Colour: Colour has the power to create an illusion in your world. Do you want to feel dull and dreary, or joyful and happy? There is every colour choice available for you! The best way to introduce a full change in a room is to choose a fresh paint colour. If that is not possible right now, use specific items with colour to revive a room; think of this a ‘colour cure’.

In a window where it can be hot (south), decorate with cool colours; soft blues and greens. In the areas that you feel cold or dampness (north), use warmer tones; pinks, peaches and yellow.

This also works with your clothing: Purchase cool colours to wear in the summer and warm tones to wear for winter.

Dishes: Choose odd bowls and plates to contain clutter; collect ‘like items’ together. Gather stray pens and markers into a coffee cup, round up make-up into a small sandwich size container, use a closet bins to store file folders, a casserole dish can house a small plant…the list goes on! I’ve used decorative plates on my fireplace mantel and even a fancy dog dish to house a plant!

Let your imagination soar! Everything has a shape, size and colour ~and you can rotate these items anytime, without spending a dime!

Think of everything in your house as part of one BIG TETRAS game,

with NO RULES!

Enjoy the journey…

~Kathryn

Kathryn Wilking is an Author, Stager and Feng Shui Consultant.  Feng Shui is a perfect blend with her 20+ years of experience in Decorating and Home Improvements. Kathryn is available for site consultations and innovative talks in the Vancouver area. She delivers ‘Practical Solutions for Life!’ Visit her website to receive monthly tips from the Art of Balance at kathrynwilking.com

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About Kathryn Wilking

Author, Home Stager, Feng Shui Consultant

Kathryn has inspired women for more than a decade to take charge of their lives; arranging their environment, home and office, to support a positive, prosperous lifestyle. She provides informative tips and talks to organizations and small groups through her Facebook Group and Blog Posts and recorded podcasts. Contact her today for more info about bringing the practical application of Feng Shui into your space.

Her book, Practical Feng Shui for the Office; never goes out of style!
Would you like to chat with Kathryn? Join her for a Virtual Coffee Chat.

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LinkedIn: Kathryn Wilking
Facebook: fb.com/KathrynWilkingDesigns
Twitter: @KathrynWilking