We all want a beautiful home – one that is pleasing to the eye as well as to the soul. You want comfort, ease and a look that is uniquely yours. And while a decorator can certainly make your home a stunning show place, only you can make it a statement of your personality!

Below are a few suggestions to help make your home warmer and well….happier! They will help you add some charm without spending a lot or picking up a power tool! Have a look and see what inspires you:

Fresh cut flowers don’t have to cost a fortune. I love carnations. If you buy a lot, all in the same colour, and put them in a large vase, they fill up a foyer or a living room with great style. They make a beautiful statement – and they last for a couple of weeks.

Many designers say every room needs a touch of yellow. Try it. Maybe it’s in the curtain or a wall hanging or maybe it’s the entire wall colour – but I guarantee – a touch of yellow sunshine makes you feel warmer and cozier in any room of your home.

Add a theme throughout your home. Pick something small and add it to every room. Make it your signature. I have an angel in every room – and even a stone angel on my lawn. Some are obvious and some are discreet; but they all say “this is my home”. Be creative with shape, size and texture – don’t go overboard – think subtle. Maybe for you it’s Buddha statues or owls or dragonflies – whatever speaks to you. Just be creative!

The write stuff. A friend of mine stencilled a word on the wall of each room of her house – some larger in size, some smaller. It’s a great way to personalize. Maybe your bathroom says “unwind”, your bedroom says “dream”, your family room says “relax”… whatever matters to you! Again, be creative with placement, size and colour.

The white stuff. All white dishes look amazing. You can mix styles and mix new and antique, but keep everything white. Then add napkins or linens in a gorgeous, rich colour and it will be so stylish!

Look up. Ceilings matter too! We spend so much time picking out wall paint, but what about ceilings? Very pale pink or pale blue looks amazing, especially against white crown moulding. If you have lots of patience, embossed wall paper looks great on a ceiling too. Paint it pewter for a really cool look. Maybe choose a small room like a powder room for this look.

Whimsy. The most charming homes have a sense of humour. Don’t go crazy, but don’t be afraid to have some fun. Add faux fur pillows to your leather sofa; buy a Winnie-the-Pooh cookie jar for your kitchen; frame a funny photo of the whole family in Halloween costumes. What makes a home unique is what makes it memorable.

Greenery scenery. Many people forgot about house plants after the 1970s. But why? Plants add life and oxygen and beauty – and macramé hangers are long gone! Is there anything more gorgeous than a healthy Boston fern residing in a bathroom?

Paint a bridge. Many people struggle with choosing paint colours throughout their home. A great way to bridge from one area to another is simply use a shade lighter or darker. So, for example, a bedroom may be darker gray and the adjacent hallway a dove gray. Most paint cards offer light/dark shade variations.

Store it in style. Think outside the box, especially when you’re choosing boxes! I keep magazines in an antique butter box – practical and cute. Antique stores offer lots of unique choices – like old fashioned moustache cups to hold toothbrushes for example. Go explore!

Hopefully these ideas will trigger your imagination! Just remember, have fun and be creative! Talk to you again soon!

Tags: decor, Furniture