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(ARA) - If your living spaces are looking a little tired, or you’re just searching for ways to bring new life to your home, you don’t need a major overhaul and it won’t cost a fortune. With a bit of creativity and the right tools you can turn your home into a cozy haven that’s warm, inviting and inspired. This year, feel free to mix up your materials, accessories and finishes. It’s all about blending together in 2005. Don’t be afraid to have antique pieces next to modern ones. That beautiful vase from Grandma’s attic will look stunning on your sleek sideboard. A folksy or ornate light fixture softens the lines of a glass or metal dining table.
The spicy earth tones of the past few years are giving way to softer colors. “The bright chartreuse green is changing to a toned down, more muted shade," says Heather Degges, an interior merchandiser with Houston-based Kathy Andrews Interiors. “Home trends usually follow fashion trends, and pastels have been coming on strong. I expect we’ll be seeing more pinks, blues and crisp whites.”
Decorating based on price-tags is no longer the norm. Expensive pieces share space with things picked up at chain stores because homeowners like them. No longer do you need to buy an entire line from one pricey store to create a look. Seek inspiration wherever you are - from a $10 picture frame with Moroccan-inspired beading to old Hollywood glamour in the form of mirrored dressers and vanities. Let your own taste be your guide, instead of using only one company’s catalog as a checklist.
Creating a personal oasis is easy when you surround yourself with objects or images that you love. Let your rooms be a reflection of your personal style and you’ll never tire of them. Don’t be afraid to paint walls with the rich, saturated colors you love or find fabrics that make you comfortable, from leather to linen. Take the look one step further by finding a wall mural that transports you to your favorite time or place. Image sitting on your couch gazing out at the Tuscan hillside or sipping coffee in your kitchen overlooking a Caribbean cove.
“Murals are an easy way to transform the look of a room in only a few simple steps,” says Todd Imholte, president of Murals Your Way, a custom wall mural company based in Hopkins, Minn. “We can take a photo from your favorite vacation spot, prize flower garden or almost any photo, and create a high-quality wall mural. We also have a selection of in-stock murals, so you can adorn your home with the work of Old Masters or even vintage European posters.”
Home magazines can’t say enough about bedrooms for kids and adults. Like never before, homeowners are thinking of innovative ways to carve out a retreat as unique as they are. Luxury sheets, personalized items and whimsical accessories are flying off the shelves in record numbers. But when it comes to kids’ rooms, remember tastes change as children age. Don’t spend a fortune creating a ballerina fantasy-land when your child may decide next week that she wants a soccer-themed room worthy of Mia Hamm. Instead create a solid base of fun colors and furniture that can grow with your child’s interests and needs.
“As more families are seeing home-makeover shows and decorating shows, kids are becoming more educated buyers. They’re getting all sorts of ideas and the market is responding,” says Degges.
Space and science-themed rooms are popular and easy to create. A wall mural of a view of the earth from the moon will inspire future astronauts. Degges recalls a camping-themed room for an outdoors-loving youngster complete with a tent-like bed canopy. Companies are also responding to the increase of sports-minded girls. Unlike past sports-themed accessories that only came in bright red and blue, these days it’s easy to find fabrics, wall coverings and décor that reflect a girl’s love of sports without competing with the colors of her choice.
For more information on wall murals, visit www.muralsyourway.com.
Courtesy of ARA Content
