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DECORATING DON’TS PART I
As I do design consulting in variously sized and priced homes in Erie,
certain decorating transgressions are consistent. Even with a few of
these “don’ts”, you may still have an appealing home, but the goal of
these suggestions is to make your home look picture perfect.
One of everybody’s favorite rooms, the kitchen, is often full of
eyesores. So let the list begin: Don’t display all the kitchen tools in
a large jar. What’s pretty about a spatula? There are utility drawers
for such things.
Don’t display a bulletin board with a year’s worth of school
announcements and grocery lists. If you must have a place for papers,
put a board in the laundry room behind the door, or an inside cupboard
door. Delete old news and keep things neat.
Don’t display blenders, toasters and mixers. Place them in handy reach
on your lower cupboards. Designate seldom used kitchenware to the
basement so there is room for the everyday must-haves.
Don’t light the kitchen with fluorescent light boxes that resemble
tanning beds and radiate the hospital emergency room feeling. Domed,
recessed, and pendant and flexible track lights are available for any
budget.
Don’t replace the fluorescent lights with a fan that has four light
bulbs glaring down at you. No one should come face-to-face with the top
of a bulb. If you must have a light on the fan, and there are better
ways to light a room, then make sure no bulbs are exposed.
Don’t select different carpeting in bedrooms off the same hallway. If
the master bedroom is in another area, you may work in a different
color. It may be tempting to have the kids’ rooms done in bold or pastel
colors, but the most effective look is the continuity of a well chosen
neutral on all rooms off the hallway. Add small novelty rugs to
personalize their rooms.
Don’t let kids’ toys be the dominant theme of general living spaces,
especially if you have a designated play area in a bedroom or basement.
It’s too difficult to relax, or invite company, if your home feels like
day care. Provide attractive trunks and cabinets for stashing, delete
outgrown toys regularly, and keep the kid sized kitchens out of the main
rooms.
Don’t line up a row of family photos on the mantel or on a table,
especially if they are not professional portraits. Snapshots are meant
for photo albums, and only a few should be displayed on a room. Too many
photos look busy, and confuse the casual viewer, as well as the
homeowner.
Don’t let the backside of family photos come onto prominence. Pictures
must be placed so that you don’t see the back of them when you enter the
room form any angle. If this isn’t possible, it is better to group them
on the wall.
Don’t beat yourself up if have multiple “don’ts”, but you will see the
rewards if you make changes. Look for more “don’ts” next week.
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