Category Archives: Decorating Do’s and Don’ts

Spring Decorating Tips You Can Use Today

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Freshen Up Your Home For Spring

It’s time to freshen, brighten and update all the rooms in your house.  A few quick changes this weekend will improve the outlook of your entire family.

1. Clear away the clutter.  Are there things on your coffee table, kitchen counter or nightstand that have piled up since the first of the year?  While you are clearing, now is the time to pack away any leftover holiday decorations.  Please take the Christmas wreath off your front door and put those long-lasting poinsettia near a sunny window in the basement.

2.Freshen up your reading materials.  Break out the gardening books and magazines.  Even if you don’t get excited at the thought of digging in the dirt; you can still be inspired by the beautiful photography.

Amazon has a gardening book for every style.

3.Front door decor.  Add a pretty spring wreath to your front door.  Choose materials that are a high contrast from your door color.  Add a pretty bow that will blow in the breeze. Nothing adds a welcoming touch to your home as an inviting entrance does.

So there you have a few things to get you started on refreshing your decor for Spring.  If you’re confused whether something is a decorating do or a decorating don’t, email me a photo.

 I am always happy to help make your house into a home you love to live in.  

You deserve it!

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Posted in Decorating Do's and Don'ts, Lifestyle Essentials

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8 ½ Steps to a Romantic Bedroom

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Note-I wrote this article for my Ezine a few years ago.  I have reprinted it each year since, because we all need a little reminder to keep the love alive.   If you would like to copy it would you please show me some love and link it back to me for credit?

XOXO,

Marie

Happy Valentine’s Day

The bedroom is the most important room to a romantic couple.  It is your own little sanctuary away from family and work demands.  Your bedroom should be calm, clean and uncluttered.  The decorations set the stage for the mood of the room.  Paying attention to some simple details will transform your room from just a place to sleep to a lush romantic getaway.

  • 1. Get rid of the clutter. A cluttered room makes for a cluttered mind. Eliminate the distraction of bills, laundry and kids toys.  Pack away everything that does not say “love” into boxes and put them someplace else in the house.  (Under the bed works fine too.)
  • 2. Make an inviting bed.Invest in the best mattress that your budget allows.  You spend 1/3 of your life in bed; you might as well be comfortable.  Splurge a little on your bed linens.  Sheets that are worn and scratchy are just going to be irritating.  I like cotton flannel to keep us warm in winter and luxurious cotton sateen for summer.  Add a down filled or fluffy fiber filled comforter for an inviting look.

    Romantic Bedding

    Romantic bedding with lots of pillows and a custom throw

  • 3. Pillow talk. In addition to your sleeping pillows, add lots of throw pillows in various shapes and sizes.  Use luxurious and sensual fabrics.  Pillows create the romantic ambiance of a bed that you just can’t wait to jump into.
  • 4. Candle light. Place lots of candles around your room. Use different sizes and colors.  Be sure they are in a safe and fireproof place.  Light them all, turn off the lights and feel the warmth and sensuality of flickering light.
  • 5. Something pretty to look at.Flowers are nature’s gift of romance.  A few simple flowers will brighten up any room.  Float rose petals in a glass bowl.  Keep the decorations simple but meaningful.  Dig out the valentines you gave each other in the past, frame a picture of the two of you when you were first dating, add anything that has special meaning to both of you.

    LOVE Flowers

    I saw these flower over on Design Sponge. Click on the photo for a closer look.

  • 6. Heavenly scents. Entice even your nose in the bedroom.  Studies show that vanilla is the most appealing scent to both men and women.  Burn scented candles, put out a bowl of potpourri, lightly spray the sheets with your favorite perfume.
  • 7. The sound of music. Do you have a special song?  What played at your wedding?  Special music will trigger happy memories. Make a play list on your ipod and plug it into speakers.  A favorite CD you both like will work too.  No radio stations with interrupting commercials.
  • 8. In case you get hungry.Bring in a tray of plump juicy strawberries, smooth dark chocolate and tickling bubbly champagne.  In addition to how yummy they taste, the colors, shapes and textures are beautiful to look at too.

    Romantic Pink Cupcakes

    Even cupcakes can be romantic. My daughter Amy made these.

  • ½. You. The most important thing you can do for your partner is take care of yourself.  Get plenty of rest (just not tonight with this romantic bedroom you’re creating!), eat healthy foods, get some exercise and spend time enjoying what you love to do.  I have given you all the necessary steps to decorate your room for romance.  Now go find your other half!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

When it’s time for you to transform your house into a home you love,        contact me.

Copyright 2012 Window Designs etc. by Marie Mouradian


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6 Ways to Decorate with Your Personal Creations

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Antique Sewing Machine, Quilt and Crafts

Decorate Your Home with Your Talents

Maybe it’s the long winter that is keeping us indoors or we are looking for a way to express ourselves, but there is a huge surge in adult creative crafting.  I have heard from so many of you that you are knitting, quilting, painting, sewing, scrapbooking, jewelry making, doing needlework or planning your spring garden.

Since you have invested so much of your time, talent and love into these creations; why not showcase them in your home?

Here are just a few ideas to spark your imagination….

  1. Decorate your walls- Hang a quilt; this is great in the TV room for sound absorption or in the bedroom for a cozy feel.  Click on the photo to enlarge.  Paint a mural. Is there a wall you just don’t know what to do with?  Paint a scene of your favorite place, create some Tromp l’Oeil.
  2. Refresh your furniture- A warm knitted throw or quilt on the sofa or at the end of your bed is perfect for any time of the year.  Make a few in different colors to compliment the seasons.  Turn your needlepoint into a pillow for your reading chair.  Add a few jewels for that extra sparkle.Needlepoint Pillow
  3. Hang it up- Everything that you create can be turned into art for your walls.  Create a shadow box of the finer jewelry you have made.  Take your favorite scrapbook page and frame it to enjoy whenever you walk by.  Hang your daughter’s favorite dress or sweater you made for her when she was a baby.
  4. Accessorize- Put your personal touch everywhere.  Frame photos of last summers garden vegetables and arrange on your mantel.  Make beaded bracelets smaller and use as napkin rings.  Embroider hand towels for the powder room.
  5. Your materials are decorations too- Fill a basket with your leftover yarns and put on the coffee table.  Ribbons look especially elegant in a crystal bowl and equally cute in a county canning jar.  Make a collage of your materials under a glass top table.
  6. My personal favorite- Window Treatments- Over the years, I have learned that anything can be made into a window treatment.  Here is a beautiful quilt a client made and now it hangs at her back door as a shade!

Handmade Quilt Made into a Roman Shade

Would you like to incorporate your creations into your home decor?  Contact me and I would be happy to give you some ideas!


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