Redesign for Hearth and Home...

As Fall and Winter approach, many homeowners are looking to give their homes a “hearth and home” feel. During these times when cabin fever tends to set in, rooms seem to be missing something or do not feel right. Unfortunately, most people think that buying new things will finish off these rooms. Shows, like HGTV's "Decorating Cents", feature the Art of Interior Redesign which is changing the way people think about decorating. This trend is exploding in popularity because the "use-what-you-have” decorating method honors homeowner’s furnishings, accessories and artwork and is budget-friendly. So, rather than spending money on home décor items, save it for upcoming gift-giving occasions and, instead, give these tips a try and redesign your own rooms.

1. Do one room at a time and focus on the function of each individual room. How do you use it? Is the TV the main focus? Do you want a conversation area? Do you love your view? Once you know your goals and your main focal points for the room, you can start the actual redesign process.

2. Clear the room of artwork, accessories, lamps, plants and small furnishings and put them in a “resource area”. Try to keep “like” items together (all the wrought-iron pieces, or pottery, or old books, or glass items). Arrange artwork along the floor against the wall for easy viewing, keeping similar colors and same “themed” pictures together.

3. In the empty room, you can start organizing the upholstered furniture. Concentrate on the focus and the purpose of the room as you re-arrange. Windows and fireplaces are natural focal points, but the TV may need to be in viewing range. Set it up so that the furniture fits with the shape of the room, the focus, and the purpose. Don’t be afraid to angle furniture especially in a square-shaped room. Make sure you have enough space between furniture and do not obstruct entryways or walkways and avoid making a walkway through a conversation area.

4. Arrange wooden furniture, plants and lamps around sofas and chairs, trying to vary the heights of different objects. There should be at least three lamps for ample light and to add warmth (floor lamps can also add height) and you’ll want to try to position them in a triangle configuration to spread out the light. Incorporate greenery and plants when you can to add life (trees also add height).

5. Hang pictures at eye-level from a sitting position on sofas or chairs in a conversation areas and from a standing position in hallways. When accessorizing or grouping pictures, bring in odd numbers of “like” items and keep them close to each other. Try to add splashes of color and softness with throw pillows or a blanket. You can always “shop” around your house for finishing touches.

Once you are finished “redesigning”, cozy up for those chilly nights in your “new” rooms where you can unwind, converse, relax and dream with all of your amazing things.

Remember: You can always check out www.redesignexpress.com if you'd like me to help you out with your decorating dilemmas.