A new feature that I have added is, "Ask Anna".
Many of you have asked me various decorating questions, so I thought that this would be
the best place for the questions and answers. Feel free to ask a decorating question and
I'll post the answer on "Ask Anna".
ANNA'S DECORATING IDEAS
Don't worry so much about being "matchy-matchy"
Buy things you love (furniture, accessories) and they will work
together when you group them in interesting ways. I usually
buy things I love, then find a place for them after I've
gotten them home.
Have some color in your room! If you have light furniture,
light walls and light accessories your room will look as if it's
"floating" and not grounded. It needs some color to balance things
out and give it depth. Don't be afraid of a really bold color on the
walls, something that will give the room some character such as
a deep red, blue, green, terra cotta, or royal purple.
Learn a faux painting technique--it's not hard, just takes some
practice. Start out with something small like a box, then graduate to
something bigger. I am into fauz marbeling and about two years ago I
marbelized my kitchen cabinets in serpentine. I've also done
marbelizing for other people including fireplaces, a dresser,
Look around you house for unusual vases. I've used coffee cups,
teapots, boots (with a jar inside to hold the water and flowers)
and even satin drawstring purses. The purses I used as centerpieces
for an anniversary reception. I have a collection of antique purses
and I put jars in the purses, filled only halfway with water,added the
flowers, pulled the purse up around the top of the jar and secured it then
added stranded of faux (read CHEAP!) pearls for some added elegance.
I have a lot of brooches of all sorts and they make great decorations
for throw pillows. Instead of keeping them hidden in a jewelry box or
drawer, show them off! I have all my brooches pinned to a large square
chintz pillow which I keep on my bed. It is completely filled now and looks great!
Frame you child's artwork! When in a nice frame and mat the simplest
at can look like an elegant masterpiece and think of how proud your
child will be!
If you are on a budget as I am, and need curtains, try using
shower curtains instead. Now, before you think "what???" let me explain.
The new shower curtains come in lots of great fabrics and with
those cool tab tops (no ugly plastic rings required!), so you can use them
with a nice decorative rod which are about $15 at Wal-Mart or $30-$75
elsewhere for the same rods. OR you can do what I'm going to do.
I already have that basic curtain rod and I'm going to
spray paint it gold or am going to "fleck-stone" it
(spray-on granite effect) to match the ceiling fan blades which I did
a couple of years ago. I also did a bust of Josephine a few years ago in the
same green fleck-stone. Okay, so after you get your rod done
just hang some pannels of shower curtains and enjoy! Shower curtains
are generally about 72" and cost under $30 for the really nice ones.
A comparable panel that's designed for a living room will
run at LEAST $40 and that's a Wal-Mart price!
You do the math and see which is a better deal!
Here's another idea I have for a curtain rod. Use a branch! This is a really
casual look, but can be used in so many settings that it would work really well with
just about any decor except formal. You can use a variety of branches, too!
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