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To me,
there is nothing more comforting than a warm inviting home with a mix
of colors and styles. I've never been one of those "a place for
everything and everything in it's place" kind of women. Or one to stick
with just one style of decor. Our home is a perfect example. When I
came to live with Ken, he had been living the life of a bachelor and I
had been a single woman. He had deer and wildlife pictures and I had
rose and bird things. But you know, it works. By taking a few
common
colors out of both of our items, I've managed to not only decorate in a
way that's pleasing to look at, but pleasing to both Ken and I as well.
So that's what "feathering your nest" is all about. Pulling from things
that you already have and adding a few other things to really make a
room work and give it that cozy homey feel that we all long for.
Here are a few tips to help you get started in feathering your own Nest.
Scent
Our sense of smell is
amazing. Ever notice how a certain scent can take you back in
time? Or have an effect on your mood? Even on a tight budget, a richly
scented candle is an affordable way to enhance your home. I use
scent in a variety of ways in our home.
- Soy Candles ~ Soy candles are made
from soybeans and because they are non toxic, give off little or no
soot and are non carcinogenic, they are a natural choice for our home.
They also offer a longer burn time adding even more value to these
wonderful candles.
- Potpourri ~ I have potpourri all
over our house. I really like the mixes that have the large botanicals
in it. I have some in a beautiful old bowl in the dining room and even
more in a iron birdbath in the corner of the living room. Every once in
a while I give it a good stir and add some more oil to refresh it. It's
all about the scent of course, but the blend of colors and materials
makes a very nice color spot in your room as well.
- Scented Oils ~ I have a few
different blends that I use around the house. A drop or two in a
terracotta light bulb ring and your room is filled with scent. A little
goes
a long way so this is another cost effective way to scent your home.
Be creative. Don't
think that you have to do all one scent. Try layering your scents. In
the
fall I like to burn an apple jack candle and have some cinnamon and
vanilla candles or potpourri as well. The combination makes for a much
richer scent experience.
Color and
Texture
Paint and pillows are another low cost
way to add to the feel of a room. Our living room walls are a buttery
cream color called Sandy Oasis on the top and bright white wainscot on
the bottom. The color is the perfect backdrop for all of the greens and
deep reds that I love. I've added texture by using a woven bed
spread from a tag sale to cover our sofa and lots of pillows in a
tapestry fabric that picks up the color of my other accents. A solid
color throw tossed over the arm of a chair is a nice addition and
convenient for those Sunday afternoon naps or for cuddling up in the
chair
with a good book for a quiet break.
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