Mormon Life - Home Decor tag

{Lifestyle} Genealogy as Art

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 00:05:00 -0600

by Kaela Worthen
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Family trees are all the rage now as people get back to their roots (no pun intended) and use their ancestry as art. Check out some of these great ideas for your home.

Photo and guide from Poppytalk.

This is probably my favorite by far. I love how the frames are "hung" on the branches of the tree. For some variations on this idea, click here and here.

Photo and guide from Better Homes and Gardens.

On board with the bird vogue? Use these templates and instructions to create an adorable family tree of nesting birds that would be perfect for any nursery. For a vinyl wall art bird family tree, click here.

Photo and guide from Martha Stewart.

This different take on displaying your ancestor's photos may not show the exact relationships of your family members, but it will present them in a stunning way that's sure to lead to questions and thus opportunities to share their stories.

Photo from Etsy; guide from The Craft Patch.

Use names to make the tree! I love the idea of words as art, and this is a beautiful way of doing just that. Click here for another great example. This one follows the same idea, though it's not actually a family tree.

Photo from Style Me Pretty.

Try preserving more than your family's names by incorporating thumbprints or handprints as leaves. This idea will work best for living relatives, or, in the photo above, as a wedding guest book. Click here and here for more thumbprint examples, or here for a guide to make a hand tree.

Photo from Shelterness.

Make your family tree into a cool centerpiece. You can make it themed like this Easter one or a traditional tree like this one here. You can also buy ones to hang pictures from on Amazon.

Photo and guide from Martha Stewart.

For an ultra cool and contemporary take on the family tree, follow Martha Stewart's guide to creating a silhouette family tree that you can match to any decor color scheme.

{Lifestyle} Ultimate Guide: LDS Subway Art

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 00:05:00 -0700

by Ashley Evanson
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Why it's called subway art, I don't know. But I do know that it's really pretty and I would love this LDS art in my home.

I could spend hours browsing LDS graphic art - there are just so many beautiful options nowadays. But these are my top picks.

(Photo by Proclamation Pictures)

Arise and Shine Forth

(Photo by Lexiphilia)

Children Are the Hands by Which We Take Hold of Heaven

(Photo by Brightly Beams Prints)

Pray Always

(Photo by Finch and Fellow)

Peace Be Still

(Photo by Ciao Bella Moments)

Daughter of God

(Photo by Perfect Printables)

LDS Temple Digital Art

(Photo by Kimberly's Photography)

LDS Salt Lake Temple Print

(Photo by Little Miss Missy)

Arise and Shine Forth

(Photo by Poprocks Design)

Bring the World His Truth

(Photo by Mod Printables)

Nourish the Tree (Alma 32)

Weekend Craft: Laundry Flag Pennant

Sat, 12 Feb 2011 00:03:00 -0700

by Oh My Crafts
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Have you decorated every room in your house but the laundry room? If so, this sweet little pennant is just the thing to spruce it up. Made from canvas trading cards and a stencil that you cut on your Cricut machine, this pennant can say anything you wish. A little misting ink, some fabric scraps, and you’re done!

Supplies Needed:

Provo Craft: Cricut Expression, Country Life Cartridge
Stencil Material Ranger: Artist Trading Cards
Tattered Angels: Glimmer Mist: Pink Bubblegum, Cherub Pink, Caribbean Blue, Cosmos, Tattered Leather, Chocolate Covered Cherries; Chalkboard Mist: Apricot, Mint Chocolate Chip, Cotton Candy; Misting Mat
We R Memory Keepers: Crop-a-dile and small eyelets
Basic Grey: Blush Fabric, Hopscotch Buttons
Jenni Bowlin: vintage style buttons – orange, cream
Bazzill: In Stitch’z: scrapbooking floss- blue-brown
Paper towels

(Use coupon code LDS10 to get 10% off supplies needed at ohmycrafts.com.)

Stencil:
1.    Place stencil material on Cricut mat and cut letters 3”. Set the blade depth on 6 and the pressure on max. MOST IMPORTANT: use the multi-cut function. It will cut the letter twice. Because the stencil material is thicker than paper, it needs to be cut twice to go all the way through.
2.    Remove the plastic backing from cut letters and position on canvas.

Canvas:
1.    Gently swirl mists before using to mix in the glimmer. If you shake the bottle, you will more likely have some splats of ink as you mist. Place canvas on misting mat and lightly spray from about 5-6 inches above the canvas. If it is a strong color, spray from a higher distance. Use paper towel and blot up excess ink. Set aside to dry.

L – spray first with Cherub Pink and then spray Pink Bubblegum over top. Mix colors to desired intensity.
A – spray with Chocolate Covered Cherries.
U – Spray first with Mint Chocolate and then darken with Caribbean Blue.
N – spray with Apricot.
D - spray first with Cotton Candy and then spray very lightly with Cosmos (this color is really intense).
R - spray with Tattered Leather.
Y - spray first with Mint Chocolate and then darken with Caribbean Blue.

2.    Remove stencil. Allow canvas to dry. Do not remove paper backing from canvas.
3.    Use the largest hole punch (3/16) on the crop-a-dile and punch 2 holes in each top edge of the pennant. Remember to leave room to set the eyelet.
4.    Set eyelets in each hole.
5.    Tear fabric scraps in about ½ x 12” strips. You will need 8 strips. We used 3 different fabric patterns.
6.    Link pennants together with strips and tie knot in the middle of joined pennants.
7.    Using the floss, sew button on to knot and tie with a bow.
8.    Trim fabric strips and floss to desired length.
9.    Hang.

Weekend Craft: Flourish Vinyl Frame

Sat, 22 Jan 2011 00:02:00 -0700

by Oh My Crafts
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Make this designer frame in no time at all! Ever notice how designer frames cost so much? You say to yourself, “I could do that," but you never do. Procrastinate no more, because you can make one of these frames with almost no effort at all! Use a ready-made frame (ours came from Rod Works) or one that you paint yourself, and you’ll have a designer frame in no time.

Supplies Needed:

Die Cutting Machine: Any Cricut machine
Oh My Crafts Vinyl: Color of your choice and transfer tape
Cricut Cartridges: Cindy Loo and Home Décor

(Use coupon code LDS10 to get 10% off supplies needed at ohmycrafts.com.)

Flourishes:

   1. Cut 2 flourishes as seen in cutting found in the photo gallery of this article.
   2. With a craft knife, lightly cut a box around the flourish and then weed out the excess vinyl, leaving the design in the center. Remember to pick out the centers of the flourish.
   3. Trim a piece of transfer tape the size of each flourish. Remove liner and place adhesive down on top of one flourish and burnish firmly. Carefully lift up tape and peel back from liner. The vinyl should be attached to the transfer tape. Next, position on frame, making certain that the design is straight and burnish is in place.
   4. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for second flourish.
   5. Cut fleur-de-lis according to chart.
   6. Repeat steps 1 and 2.

Weekend Craft: Holiday Wall Décor

Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:01:00 -0700

by Oh My Craft
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Sometimes all a blank wall needs is a little “something” to jazz it up!

Easy to put up and take down, vinyl can change with the season for very little cost. This week, we’ve included 5 different areas of the home that are easy to decorate and will really wow your guests. Step by step instructions are given for “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” but these steps can be applied to any of the projects shown. Happy decorating!

Supplies Needed:

Any kind of electronic die cutting machine (Cricut- Eclips, Silhouette, Slice etc.)
For this project, we used Cricut cartridges: Winter Wonderland-We wish you a Merry Christmas and Winter Frolic for the pine trees,
Ruby Flake Vinyl
Sky Blue Flake Vinyl
Gold Flake Vinyl
Transfer tape
Vinyl – We Wish You A Merry Christmas

*To buy these supplies, please visit OhMyCrafts.com.

Determine the height of the space you wish to put the phrase, this will dictate the length of the phrase.

Using Winter Woodland cartridge, highlight the font function key located in the middle of the far left side. With this key highlighted, turn to page 117 titled Font. This page will show the location of each letter. For example, to enter the capital letter “W” highlight the shift key and the highlight the second key from the left, row 2 from the top of the key pad. To enter the “e” un-highlight the shift key and then highlight the third key from the left. Remember to use the space key between words.

Turn to page 55 to find the leaning pine trees. Determine the size needed and cut trees. If you want the trees decorated, then cut the garlands using the layers function key. To use multiple colors on the tree, repeat the process for each colored desired.

Use a blade depth of 3 or 4 depending upon your machine, a medium speed, and a low pressure. After cutting letters, lightly cut a box around the letters with craft knife and weed away the remaining excess vinyl. Pick out all centers and holes.

Once all the holes and excess vinyl are removed, cut a piece of transfer tape the size of the letters to remove each word strip from the paper backing. Burnish (rub) well to transfer words to transfer tape. This kind of metal vinyl is a little tricky to attach to the transfer tape. A dental pick may be needed to help lift the flake from the backing. Lightly place phrase on wall and check placement. Burnish tape on wall and then remove tape, repeat as needed until phrase and trees are in place.

Other Cartridges used:

Jasmine – Wise men, Alphalicious- The stockings were hung, and Teardrop – In the meadow…, Seasonal-Winter Gingerbread cartridge –gingerbread cookies.
Additional colors used on other projects:
Silver Glitter Vinyl
Plum Vinyl
Pink Vinyl

Day 3: Send a Holiday Greeting, For Free!

Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:05:00 -0700

by LDS Living staff
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Welcome to the third day of our 12 days of Christmas. (For all other days, click here.) Today, check out these FREE Christmas cards, e-cards, gift tags, and more! Make sure to read our poll and tell us how you handle the Christmas card tradition. Here's one less thing you'll have to spend money on this holiday season--your annual, family Christmas card. Try one of these fresh, modern, or vintage Christmas cards for free!

E-Cards

The famous "Elf Yourself": click here.
Funny E-cards featuring you (like Elf Yourself): click here.
Vintage Christmas postcards: click here.
General holiday E-cards: click here.

Printable Christmas Cards and Invitations

Hand-drawn Christmas card: click here.
Modern Christmas invitations: click here.
Modern and festive card set (card, envelope, labels): click here.
A quirky Christmas card set: click here.
General Christmas cards: click here.

Card Display

There’s never enough room for all the holiday cards on your fridge, and arranging them on the mantel is, well, boring. Be a little different this year and show off those beautiful holiday cards in a whole new way! click here.

Christmas Card 101

Here's a humorous article on Christmas card etiquette, the do's and dont's, and everything you could possible know about this dreaded Christmas "chore." click here.

Weekend Craft: Dazzling Candle Wraps

Sat, 27 Nov 2010 00:02:00 -0700

by Oh My Crafts
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Beautiful to give or keep, these wraps will help add some sparkle to the holidays! Dazzling candle wraps add elegance to your Christmas decorating with very little work. They can be customized to your homes décor.

Supplies Needed:

Candle(s) your choice of color and size
Paper trimmer
Cuttlebug, Big Shot or Epic 6 Embossing/Die Cut Machine
Snowflake embossing folder any brand
Cricut machine any style (Personal, Create or Expression)
Cricut Cartridge, Seasonal - Winter Lace
Ruby Glitter Vinyl
Silver Glitter Vinyl
Transfer tape
Candle Wrap

To purchase these supplies visit ohmycrafts.com.

1. Measure the diameter of candle with cloth measuring tape. The width of the wrap should be a little less than a third of the size of the candle. For example, the candle pictured is 9” tall and the wrap is 2 ¾” wide by 20” in length. Remember to add an extra inch for the overlap to the length.

2. Place red vinyl in embossing folder lengthwise and sandwich between the mats and insert into machine and emboss. After embossing the first time, and if the strip is longer than the embossing folder, turn the embossing folder crosswise so that the longest part of the folder just fits through the opening and insert the vinyl into the embossing folder and continue embossing where the previous embossing ended. Repeat process until the whole strip is embossed.

3. Next, turn over the embossed strip of vinyl and peel back about ½” of the backing and trim off just the backing – this will be how the wrap is attached to the candle. Do not remove any other part of the backing! Repeat the same process on the other end.

4. Attached to the candle in the center by pressing the uncovered section to candle and then fasten edges together, keeping the wrap aligned.

5. Using a Cricut die cut machine, cut approximately 8 – 2” snowflakes from the silver sparkle vinyl. Depending on how the flakes are spaced, more may be needed. Use a blade depth of 3 or 4 depending upon your machine, a medium speed, and a low pressure. After cutting flakes, lightly cut a box around the snowflakes with knife and weed away the remaining excess vinyl. Pick out all centers and holes.

6. Once all the holes and excess vinyl are removed, cut a square of transfer tape to use to remove each snowflake from the paper backing and burnish well to transfer flake to transfer tape. This kind of metal vinyl is a little tricky to attach to the transfer tape. A dental pick may be needed to help lift the flake from the backing. Place half of snowflake on candle and half on red vinyl in any pattern desired. Burnish tape on wrap and candle then remove tape, repeat with each flake.

Optional embellishment:

Wraps can also be made from a heavier card stock patterned paper.
Glitter vinyl is available in the following colors: Blue, Pink, Green and Plum.
Embossing folders that are useful for making wraps.

Scents of the Season

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 00:02:00 -0700

by Kaela Worthen
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Fill your home with the scents of the holidays. The autumn and winter seasons are defined by the luscious barrage upon the senses we all experience: the vibrant gold, orange and red hues of the leaves exchanging their wardrobe and the delicious crunch as you stomp through them on the sidewalk, the glistening rainbow reflecting off freshly fallen snow, and the Christmas music that flows from every home and store and radio station around.

But one of those senses that most brings the season alive is the smell. The scents of the season can bring back memories of childhood holidays and melt away the stresses that often accompany hectic family gatherings and last-minute shopping.

Follow some of these suggestions to fill your home with the scents of the holidays:

Hot mulled cider. Pour apple cider or apple juice onto the stove and add a half cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon whole cloves, 1 teaspoon whole allspice, and 3 cinnamon sticks to the pot. Bring to a boil, then lower and let simmer on the stove. You can also add slices of lemon or oranges, or zest their peels into the mix. If you are going to be using the cider as more than an air freshener, you’ll want to combine the seasonings in cheesecloth and tie them into a bag so that you can remove them for drinking.

Candles, melters, diffusers. Candles are available in almost every scent available. Salt City Candles has a special holiday line including scents such as candy cane, autumn cottage, Christmas Eve, gingerbread, holly berry, peppermint bark, pumpkin spice, and more. They also have votives, wax tiles and bricks, diffusers, car fresheners, and aerosol sprays. This can often be the easiest approach to dispersing delicious aromas throughout your home.

Trimmed pine boughs. When you get your Christmas tree, you often have to trim the bottom branches to make it fit in the tree stand. By distributing these branches throughout the house, you’ll also spread the fresh smell. You can arrange them around a nativity set, across the fireplace mantel, or even weave them into a wreath with ribbons and berries.

Potpourri. Get the kids involved with this eye- and nose-friendly addition to your home. Take a walk and gather fall items such as pine needles, cedar bark, acorn caps, or walnuts. To make sure you don’t bring insects home as well, sealing them in a plastic bag in the freezer for a week or two will alleviate this problem. In a paper bag, combine six cinnamon sticks, six whole nutmegs, and a half cup of cloves. Tape it shut and allow your children to smash it with a hammer to blend them. Dry orange peels from the plentiful Christmas oranges that abound this season. Then combine 10 cups of autumn supplies with 2 cups each of the spice blend and dried orange peels. After mixing the ingredients thoroughly, store the potpourri in a tightly sealed container for two to four weeks so the fragrance can strengthen, shaking it once a day. Then divide the potpourri into jars and decorate with ribbons to distribute throughout the house or share with friends as gifts.

*What scents remind you of the holidays? Leave a comment below.

Color Me Beautiful: Decorating Tips + Poll

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 00:04:00 -0600

by Kate Ensign-Lewis
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Choosing the right colors for a home can be intimidating. Have you seen the paint chip rack at Home Depot? Never fear; in just a few minutes, we’ll have you choosing colors with the confidence of a battle-worn designer. Color. It’s everywhere. It is the intangible element that can be the design of a room or the string that nicely ties various designs together.

And paint, the most common incarnation of color, is the most versatile of designing tools. If a wall color becomes out-of-date, you paint can over it. If the blue you loved as a newlywed makes you want to puke as a mother, you can paint over it. And if a neighbor boy does puke and leaves a stain on the wall, guess what? You can paint over it.

Yet color, this easy-to-manipulate tool, frequently sends us into fits of panic. Can purple and burnt orange go together? Is that shade of blue too bright for an entire room? Do you really dare paint a wall kelly green?

Take a deep breath and read on—we’re about to help you unwrap the mysteries of color.

Don’t be afraid of color. White is a baby-blanket—it makes us feel deceptively safe until we no longer know why we still use it. When we leave our walls that color, we try to make up for its coldness with drapes and pillows and rugs (which all look garishly stark against the brightness of the walls). White should only be used on walls when you are trying to create the feel of a New York loft.

Getting over white is the first step. Next, overcome time-worn maxims about color: “Painting a room in a dark color makes it small” (it can actually help the corners to recede, making the room appear larger). “Using a bright color in a room is overwhelming” (paired with more muted colors, bright colors can be invigorating).

Try punches of color—orange, teal, and yes, kelly green—in small areas like an entryway, mudroom, or hallway. These are excellent places to set a dynamic tone for the rest of the house, especially if you’re not convinced that bright colors are practical.

Keep it limited. The call to embrace color does not mean “go hog-wild.” Choose only three to four dominant colors and use those colors (and variations of them) throughout the home. Keeping colors in-check engenders tranquility.

When you do go the avenue of a bold color, pairing it with two neutral, classic colors—black, white, gold, or beige—keeps it from overwhelming the room and allows it to have the pop it should. Such neutral colors should make up at least half of the room in this situation.

Spice it up. Ignore the formula and include a surprising addition—something of a contrasting shade—whenever possible. A hot-pink vase in a yellow room can’t help but add depth, especially if you love it. You’ll be able to pick it out right away, and it’s bound to make you feel happy.

Adding splashes of color in unexpected places—a closet door, a bedside table, a window frame, or a stair-raise—will also increase the energy of a room in one simple step; it’s like playing peek-a-boo with color. Creating an accent wall in one part of the room can accomplish the same end, especially if paired with complementary colors.

Remember: neutrals can be edgy, too. After all this talk of “pop” and “peek-a-boo,” you might think a palette of white, off-white, brown, and tan is the most blasé color scheme possible. But aside from neutrals’ ability to unite a room, no matter what era the furniture is from, these colors also assert “modern” and “classic” at the same time. Not to mention they’re extremely relaxing.

To spice up a neutral color scheme, make sure to include varying styles (retro, baroque, modern, rustic) and multiple textures. Antique clocks, pleated duvets, layers of rugs and pillows—these help add depth to an otherwise flat palette.

Use light as color. Light affects the appearance of color, if for no other reason than—physically speaking—light causes color. But using light in and of itself is crucial to increasing a room’s space, especially in confined spaces like apartments.

In such small spaces, avoiding heavy furniture is crucial; use furniture that has thinner legs or allows for space between the bottom of the piece and the floor, through which light can shine. Then, paint the ceiling with a glossy finish so that light reflects back into the room. You also might try installing glass panes on your dish cabinets, which will increase space by showing off “non-space.”

Break out the color wheel. If choosing colors still sends you into a cold sweat, download a color wheel from the internet. Once you decide a color you definitely want, use one of the following options: (1) Pair the color with the two colors right next to it on the wheel (analogous colors); you don’t have to stay within warm colors or cool colors for this to work. (Just make sure to include contrasting highlights so your colors don’t get too boring.) (2) If you don’t like both of the analogous colors, choose one, and then choose a color opposite those colors (complementary), or use the color you like and choose two complementary colors on the other side.

When you’re picking, keep in mind the room and the principles of warm and cool colors. While warm colors make a room cozy, they also make it seem smaller because they advance on your eye. Cool colors recede, making a room seem larger; they are also great options for keeping warm, bright rooms in check.

Use your eye. Nothing can make up for the human eye. As you decide where to place your colors (especially if you’re painting), test them out before you commit. If your room is unbalanced—if darker colors overpower lighter ones, for instance—you’ll be able to tell.

As time goes on, look at your colors and re-evaluate. Don’t be afraid to paint over your wall color if you decide you don’t like it. After all, it’s only paint (and you’re the one who has to live in it).

Live in what you love. We could write an entire book on how to choose a palette (others have), but here’s the simplest advice: choose the colors you love; they’ll give you natural energy. Color preferences are highly personal, so why would you follow Joe Schmo’s suggestion of what is “safe” or “beautiful”?

Someone else may hate your choices, but your colors will make you happy. Try not to worry about an unsure future when you might have to sell your abode—if the time comes, apply a neutral coat before selling. Your happiness is well worth the cost of some paint.

Decorating Dos and Don'ts

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by Jamie Cline
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Obeying a few cardinal rules of decorating will prevent interior design disaster and give your home that show room look.

Admit it, you're addicted to those interior design shows where the designers do the incredible: take an unbelievably messy house and turn it into something fantastic, something you would see in a magazine. At the end of every miraculous transformation, you say to yourself, "Well, sure, they can do that - they've got the money, they've taken the classes, and they were born with a sense of style!"

But really, all designers do is follow a few simple rules. Heidi Tyline King, author of Design Ideas for Home Decorating and several other design books, gave us some helpful tips for a room makeover.

Do find a focal point. "Don't start decorating without knowing what your focal point is," says King. Because the focal point is the basis of the room, it must be determined before everything else. A focal point is just what it sounds like - something you want to focus on and draw attention to. It should be interesting and attractive; it can be something that is already part of the architecture, such as fireplace or a window with an amazing view, or else something that you add, like artwork.

King recommends using color to connect a focal point with the rest of the room. "If the focal point is a particular color, put a little of that color elsewhere in the room with a pillow or an accessory. It will tie the rest of the room in with your focal point." Also, furniture and accessories should be arranged around the focal point to bring even more of a dramatic effect to the space.

Do use color and texture. Furniture, walls, and floors can benefit from a little something extra. Texture can make the dullest room turn into something exciting! The easiest way to add these are through fabrics - pillows, cushions, and throws, says King. Accessories and picture frames are another simple way to bring in color. Also, an added benefit is that color and texture are very kid-friendly.

Do use odd numbers. "When you have odd numbers, it makes the arrangement look less planned. But symmetry is important too," King says. "Odd pieces add more interest, but certainly you don't need to do it every time." When creating an informal grouping for a coffee table or shelf, use one, three, five, or seven items. More than that and you're getting a little carried away. Proportions should be about the same, but heights should differ to keep it interesting.

Do use things that you already have. There is no point in spending a lot of money when you already have so much to decorate with. "Go shopping in the other rooms of your house and your attic," encourages King. "If you already have [an item], you probably like it, and it may look totally different in a different part of your house." Take a look at what you have and combine textures and colors.

Another helpful tip is to use paint to blend your previously owned items in with your new décor. "You can paint tables and picture frames. Color is a great unifier. It's a great way to pull a room together."

Don't paint first. You can always, always find a color to match a sofa, curtains, or a painting. We've all seen the thousands of paint colors available at stores like Walmart and Home Depot - it's obvious that there are many, many more colors of paint than there are sofas. Make your decision on curtains, carpet, and furniture first, and then choose your wall color.

Don't completely fill your room. Keeping blank space on your walls and in your room makes the space feel calm. Too much going on in one place can make your guests - and you - feel overwhelmed. All rooms need both negative (empty) and positive (full) space to keep it feeling balanced. Of course, the room's size is what really counts when considering the amount of furniture and accessories. As far as space goes, says King, the rule is that when you finish decorating, take one thing out.

Don't use floating rugs. A "floating rug" is a rug that is placed in the middle of the floor without being connected to anything else in the room. "You do need to have a rug; it defines space for you. Your furniture should sit on the rug so it pulls the pieces together," says King. Rugs should always be big enough to go at least under the front legs of your furniture. A large rug will pull together the different pieces of furniture in your room to create a unified space, rather than pieces floating in their own orbit.

Don't put your furniture against the wall. Most of us have grown up in homes where it is customary for the back of the couch to be seemingly attached to the closest wall. However, keeping chairs, sofas, and tables close to each other creates a more interesting and intimate setting. If you have a very large room, try to make two groups of furniture: a big group for conversation and a couple of comfy chairs, a small table, and a lamp for reading.

Don't be timid. "People aren't bold enough - they're scared to try things." King says that people are often afraid to use bold colors in their houses because they think the shade might be too intense. Painting one or two walls a brilliant shade while leaving the others a softer color is a great way to be bold without overwhelming yourself.

Be confident in following your own personal style. One of the most important things about your decorating job is that it connects to you and your family. You won't be happy living in the current trend if it doesn't appeal to you. If you are going to work with a professional designer, make sure he or she has more than one style, says King. "Find a professional who can work in many different styles so that the result is something that reflects you, not them." You might try collecting ideas from homes, magazines, and online pictures for a couple months to find what really clicks. Then pick a theme you like and go for it!

Decorating Dos and Don'ts

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:00:00 -0600

by Jamie Cline
source: MormonLife.com

Mormon Life says: Obeying a few cardinal rules of decorating will prevent interior design disaster and give your home that show room look. Admit it, you're addicted to those interior design shows where the designers do the incredible: take an unbelievably messy house and turn it into something fantastic, something you would see in a magazine. At the end of every miraculous transformation, you say to yourself, "Well, sure, they can do that - they've got the money, they've taken the classes, and they were born with a sense of style!"

But really, all designers do is follow a few simple rules. Heidi Tyline King, author of Design Ideas for Home Decorating and several other design books, gave us some helpful tips for a room makeover.