5 Decorating Mantras To Live By

   

I recently saw something on Pinterest that I thought I should share here on my blog.  Personally I think it is great advice and something we can all do for ourselves in our homes….

via House of Havoc found at Barnesandnoble.com

Lets take a look at each of these suggestions individually…..

1. The closer something is to your body the better it should be.

Sheets, Towels, Throws

I am a firm believer in this mantra. In fact I think I might be a bit of a snob when it comes to sheets and towels.

I don’t pay top dollar for either one. Try to wait until they are on sale. Every couple of years I replenish my towels when Neiman Marcus has their PINK sale.

Now don’t shut me out, just because you don’t think you can afford Neiman Marcus. 

Would you believe I get good quality, monogrammed towels for $12-15 each? 

If you have ever had anything monogrammed it is at least $6 a piece so this is a great deal.

Homegoods is also a good resource for finding good quality towels for good prices. I like Ralph Lauren, Charisma and Sferra. 

So keep your eyes open when shopping. I always get all white towels. There is nothing prettier to me than a stack of fluffy white towels.

2. Surround yourself with quality not clutter.

This is near and dear to my heart, and I am a firm believer in not having clutter in my home.

One of my own personal mantras for decorating a home is……

 “Less is more and Big is better!”

I know that there are two camps when it comes to this one, but I have to stress how important it is  to not have clutter in your home, in order to make your home a peaceful place.

REMEMBER

Clutter= Chaos

If you have a table full of items that are not of the same type, which one item do you see? 

The answer is, none. What your eye will pick up is visual clutter if there are too many pieces. Try to limit yourself to 3 pieces unless it is a display of a collection of like items.

Remember the eye needs a place to rest in a room or in an area like a table top.

If you see something you really love at the store, stop and think for a moment where do you want to put this, where will it’s beauty be appreciated the most.

Buy one quality piece instead of ten inexpensive pieces that will just add to the visual clutter.

3. Every room needs something living, flowers, 

    goldfish, or a pet, and I would add plants. 

This is such an easy addition to your home as far as plants and flowers go. I purchase flowers weekly at my grocery store for under $10.

If I have not gone to the store, I will go out in my yard and clip some greenery off of one of my plants. This cost me nothing but a little time and attention to detail.

I have a small vase on my guest bath vanity that I put greenery or a small bouquet of flowers.

The kitchen window sill is another pleasant little spot to view some life of greenery or flowers.

Try it, I promise you will like it!!

4. Honor the acts of daily living and make it beautiful.

 

This one made me think a bit. We all have certain habits in our families, whether good or bad they are habits that never seem to change.

For instance if you find that your family always clutters up an area with backpacks. Make a spot with hooks that will look uncluttered and organized.

Do you have trouble with paperwork/mail? Use a basket to gather it up in.

How about keys and cell phones? Are these a reoccurring problem? Then find a spot and a container to hold them.

KEYS

In other words, instead of trying to change habits and complaining about them, look for beautiful solutions.

5. Life should sparkle, every house should have some ……

Think of elements in your home that can sparkle!

I have faucets on my mind because I just got a new polished nickel faucet for my kitchen. Trust me it sparkles.

Clean glass can sparkle too! Clean those windows until they sparkle!

!

If you have silver, polish it up until it sparkles.

Crystal vases look so beautiful when they sparkle.

Look around at your home and see what could use some buffing up a bit so it sparkles.

All of the above suggestions can be done by anyone.

It does not take a lot of money, it just takes some caring, attention to detail, and effort on our part.

Instead of looking at your homes problems and dwelling on them, look for….. 

“BEAUTIFUL SOLUTIONS!”

What will you do in your home to make it a place you love living in?