*************************************************

LIVEN UP YOUR LIVING SPACE

by Colleen Moulding

*************************************************

If you're unsure of the look you want, start by tearing out

magazine pictures of rooms you like. You will soon see themes

appearing. Painted wooden furniture and pale stencilled walls,

traditional mahogany or art deco or a little of many styles

blended together in your own eclectic way. Make room boards

with pictures, paint samples and fabric swatches to help you

decide.

Don't compromise. If you can't have what you want and can't

make something into what you want, either go without for now or

use an obviously temporary solution until you can have just the

right piece.

Display collections in one place. They have far more impact

grouped together. A collection of green glass bottles catching

the evening sun on a window ledge or in a conservatory looks

far more stylish than a couple in the bathroom, one on the

mantelpiece etc.

Flowers and plants give an instant lift to a room. Look

carefully at magazine pictures styled by professionals and

nearly every one will have a display of flowers or plants. Ask

friends for cuttings of easy plants and top up your collection

cheaply at school fairs, Summer fetes and car boot sales. Treat

your room to a bunch of flowers from the local market whenever

you can afford to and have a look at the marvellous silk

versions available now for when you can't.

Change furniture you don't want to replace by recovering it or

hiding it under a throw. Experiment by tucking it in different

ways before piling on cushions. Extra large sheets and duvet

covers can be ideal for this job.

Easy capacious storage can be made for your kitchen, utility

room, bathroom, bedroom, workroom or kid's room by using

inexpensive shelves or shelving units under a worktop and

hanging curtains on a tight curtain wire in front of them.

Match or contrast them to the window curtains and this often

looks so pretty you won't want to change it later.

Buy fairly large glass and clip frames and hang some new

prints. Museums and art galleries often have excellent quality

prints at very reasonable prices.

Don't forget to incorporate texture into your room. Think of a

chunky cream cotton throw, seagrass matting or a bright Indian

dhurrie. A silky scarf as a bedroom wall hanging, a glowing

beeswax candle, oversized calico curtains with large jute tie

backs. A feast for the eyes and the fingertips.

Change the atmosphere of your room overnight by changing the

lighting. Dimmer switches fitted to all your fixed lighting and

lamps will make a huge difference. Consider candle sconces

instead of wall lights, they are very easy to install, no

wiring to worry about, and can give quite dramatic results. Use

uplighters on the floor behind plants or to highlight a

feature. Treat your lamps to new shades.

Be confident about the look you want to go for. If you do it

half heartedly it won't work so well anyway. Be bold! You can

always change the room again if you change your mind!

© Colleen Moulding 1999

****************************************************

Colleen Moulding is a freelance writer living in the south of

England. She is also the owner/editor of All That Women

Want.com http://www.allthatwomenwant.com a magazine, web guide

and resource for women everywhere.

You have permission to reprint this article in your newsletter

or on your web site provided that this information is included

and you send an e-mail to editor@allthatwomenwant.com telling

us where it will be used.

Receive a free monthly e-zine from All That Women Want.com by

sending a blank e-mail to allthatwomenwant-subscribe@onelist.com

************************************************