Decorating with Pat

As The World Turns

2013-03-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

Yes, the world keeps turning, even at times in our lives when we wish everything in the world would stop while we deal with life.... I bet you have felt like this at times in your life, haven't you? Well, this is one of those times for me.

Over the past 6 months lots has gone on in my life. The business I was with for 21 years fell apart and left myself and many others in a state of flux. It has been hard to move forward. And there have been times when I began moving in one direction, only to have found out that was not the right direction. I have had to recalculate and redirect my course. Not always a fun thing to do. But, it appears that I am finally on the path to some exciting new things.

First I found a company that valued my past experience in Direct Sales and offered me a position equivalent to that of my last position. What a breath of fresh air for me. Although many who have viewed this from afar, don't find it as compelling as I did. Alot of stigma comes with a Direct Sales company making this kind of offer. It has not been viewed as unethical by some others. This makes me sad. But, in the end, I find it refreshing. If I were looking for a job in the market place, or even if I was not looking for a job - I could be approached by a head hunter who knew of my expertise. I could be offered a position with another company and if I took that position, I would not be looked down upon for doing so. Why is it, that in Direct Sales, that is a no-no? The Direct Sales company I am with now is called Jewels by Park Lane and I am loving it!!! Who would have thought I would be decorating people now instead of houses?

Recently I have been approached by another Multi Level Marketing company and my husband and I have signed up with them. Multi Level Marketing is definately different in some ways from Direct Sales. Although they both fall under the same umbrella. This new company is Talk Fusion. If you have not heard of them yet, believe me, I think you will be hearing about them soon. Cutting edge technology is being offered in a Multi Level Marketing set-up. Video is the wave of the future.

2013-01-06T19:11:00.000-08:00

2013 is a New Year in More Ways Than One!!! Yes, as I start out January this is really going to be "NEW" in more ways than one. First, and foremost I am looking forward to "NEW" start. Many events happened over the past year and as always with the turning of the calendar page - a "NEW" year and a "NEW" you has the feeling of excitement, hope, vision, goals, dreams, and something that will prove to be just what has been waiting for you. This past year the company I had worked for, for over 21 years closed its doors very unexpectedly. It left many of us in the field feeling lost and wondering where to turn. I found Direct Sales 21 years ago and have such a passion for what this business plan can bring to the lives of those involved. I could not imagine myself without it. But, I am getting older and not sure which way to turn. I have been working on certification as a Direct Sales Coach through the DSWA over the past year and was excited to be turning over a new leaf as I trained my team. Now, all of a sudden, I have no team, I have no company. Several months have past and I received a call from a sweet lady. She asked if I would be interested in coming in to Chicago and speaking with the CEO of Jewels by Park Lane. I wasn't sure I was interested in Jewelry, but if they were going to fly me in, I felt I should give them the benefit of the doubt. Little did I know that I would leave Chicago that day with a whole new mindset! They had offered my a position as Sr. Division Manager. I would be entering this position which was at the same level as the one left with my former company. They recognized the value in the years of experience I had in the Direct Sales business and wanted me to be a part of their team. I accepted and am now on a new journey. One that has turned my love of decorating homes and spaces into one of decorating people!!!! Won't you join me on this journey, as I use the skills I already know and find out about many that I do not. I can't wait for this FUN and EXCITING, "NEW" opportunity. Jewelry defines your fashion personality. Women are drawn to jewelry; it has a magnetic appeal. Just like all clothing and accessories, one never has enough jewelry. Jewelry has the ability to lift your spirits, to make you look and feel good. Jewelry expresses mood, attitude, and state of mind. Doesn't that sound alot like how you decorate your home? How do you feel today? The jewelry you wear makes a statement. It pulls your look together and transforms your clothing into an "outfit".

2011-10-23T12:25:00.000-07:00

Ho-Ho-Ho How Many Days Till Christmas?

Isn’t this one of the most asked questions this time of year? And don’t you just hate it when someone brings it to your attention? I have often wondered why that is. Christmas is my all time favorite time of the year, so why would I get upset when someone tells me how many days it is till Christmas? I think most of us feel that way because we never feel we are quite ready for Christmas each year. This year, I would love for it to be different, so lets think for a minute about some ideas for decorating our homes that we can start doing right after Thanksgiving!!!

Speaking of Thanksgiving, what do Christmas and Thanksgiving have in common more than any other time of the year? Hmmm…..What about a huge Dinner Table? Both of these Holidays scream “BIG, Festive Dinner Table”. So let’s first take a look at how we can change up our Table for the Holidays. One thing I have noticed about my dinner table, is there is never enough room for all that food. And usually I have to remove the beautiful centerpiece to make room for more food. Heres a little trick for a Center Piece that can stay on the table when the food comes. Take two bowls, one a little smaller than the other. Place the larger bowl upside down on the table with the smaller one right side up. Put a little garland around the larger bowl and maybe even a few of your favorite Christmas Balls. Now until that wonderful dinner, keep the smaller bowl on top filled with Christmas Potpouri, Christmas Balls, Pinecones - your favorite Christmas Treasure. Now when dinner comes, just remove the smaller bowl and replace it with a bowl full of Mashed Potatoes or place your Turkey platter on top. Not only does it look great but it does not take away room from the table. It also gives your table more dimension. Be sure and use a beautiful table cloth, Maybe this is the year to buy some of those inexpensive “charger” plates to go under your dinner plate. It makes the table look so special. Wouldn’t it be fun to take some of the glass or plastic (if you have little ones) Christmas balls and use them as Place Cards. Just attach the name at the top with a little hot glue or right in the circular ornament holder. You can lay them on the plate on top of the beautiful decorative napkin. Something that would add some family fun to this Celebration Table would be instead of putting everyones name as their place card - how about getting a hold of a baby picture of everyone who will be present. You don’t have to tell them what it is for, then when it is time to take their place at the dinner table - they just look for their “special” seat. The others will enjoy looking at everyones picture and will begin talking about special times gone by. If it is just your family joining you for dinner, then finding photos Christmas Days from the past - would be a fun twist and get everyone remembering your special times together. If you are like my family often the kids sit at a different table. Have fun with those table decorations as well. I recently saw this fun idea. But an inexpensive table cloth and put some red and green permanent markers on their table. Ask each child to sign their name or write something on the table cloth. Then next year when you bring it out - they will have fun talking about what they wrote last year.

Now, here is an idea for some of those wonderful Lanterns that are so popular today. They come in all sizes and shapes. I have several sitting in different places around my home. Decorate them up and add a special touch to them this Holiday Season with Bows and garland. Think about something a little different you can put inside. Be sure and use them for Candles(gotta have that special glow at Christmas), but how fun it is to fill them with Christmas Balls, or your favorite Christmas figurine.

I also think that the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas is the perfect time to take a little stroll outside your home or through the park or woods. There you will find all kinds of wonderful things that you can incorporate in your Holiday decorations. Pinecones, dried flowers, bittersweet, magnolia leaves, holly. Take along a big basket and look for these treasures. If you have little ones in your family, be sure to take them along with you. You will be creating some wonderful memories. They will love being outside and looking for these things. Now when you get back home, you can use some gold or silver spray paint on some of the things you have found. Use them as you decorate your table, mantle, tree or a wreath on your door.

Speaking of a tree - and if you are like me - you have more than one tree decorated at Chirstmas time. You probably also will be having more than one time that you will be inviting guests into your home for an evening meal, a cookie swap, or maybe just a lunch with the other ladies. What if you ask each guest during the Holidays to bring along one of their personal tree decorations that they will share with you. Tell them you will be sure and get it back to them after the Holidays are over. Now have a smaller tree on a table or entry way and as your guests arrive place their favorite ornament on the tree. By the time Christmas arrives you have a beautifully decorated tree and lots of wonderful conversation about the ornaments and whose they are. Now remember - you will be giving them back to the person who brought them after the Holidays are over. What a great way it would be to also attach a small hand written thank you note for allowing you to borrow it for a few weeks.

Christmas is always such a great time to be sharing memories and starting traditions with your family. It is never too late to start a new tradition!!!

Ho-Ho-Ho Hope you have a wonderful Ho-liday with your family this Christmas season. Always Remember That Jesus is the Reason for the Season!!!

Pat Dempsey, Sr. Executive Director
AtHome America
www.athome.com/patdempsey
Decorate your home for the Holiays Free this year by hosting a book or in home show.
Contact me for the details.

Creating Great Arrangments

2011-08-19T16:56:00.000-07:00

2011-08-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

Decorate With FALLing Leaves this Fall.

With the temps reaching the 100’s for most of us this summer it is a great time to be thinking ahead to the Fall when temps turn a bit cooler and nature sends us the most wonderful Greeting Card we could ever imagine.

I love using the seasons and what comes with them from Mother Nature as inspiration for decorating my home. Each season brings things that I really Love and so it is hard to pick a favorite season. But, I do believe that Fall is on the top of my list for Favorites!!! As a child growing up in Florida, we didn’t get alot of seasonal change. Even as an adult, one of my most fond memories is raking up leaves and watching my kids jump in them. The delight and excitement of “jumping in the leaves” is so exhilerating. Secretly, as an adult - I even jumped in those leaves!!! So let’s think about how we can use those leaves and that feeling of excitement that comes from jumping in them as inspiration for decorating our homes this fall.

Leaves can be such a great addition to our decorating as we go into the fall. Using leaves in the Welcoming wreaths that grace our front doors, to adding leaves to our favorite table top displays, the ideas that come from leaves just keep coming. You can even add that touch of fall leaves to your walls and windows with the great new vinyl clings that are available. Or if you are a craft lover - then you make them from your Cricut machine.

As you think about decorating your home for this season, keep in mind the beautiful, warm hues that you see during this season. From the golden maples to shimmering sun on the lake surrounded by leaves that are turning, there are so many colors that will make your home feel so cozy and delightful this season. Painting a wall can be so easy, as an accent. Just one wall in a room painted a warm hue of green or gold, can make a huge difference in how your room feels. It is so easy to paint that same wall again when Spring arrives. Don’t be afraid of paint. I use to think of painting a wall as being such a permanent thing. But, I have learned that painting can be such an easy change to make and one that will totally change the look for that room. So go for it! Add a little Fall color to your room, through the walls.

Now, if you are still afraid of painting a wall, then think of other ways to add that color. Drapes, throws, pillows and even rugs can bring that change in color to your room. I like to think of this basic color change as the canvas for what you will do next. And what is next? This is the fun part of decorating. It is bringing in the pumpkins, gourds, wreaths, scare crows and all the fun things that come with this season. Decorate that mantle, the dinning room table top, the front door, or even switch out a print on our walls that has more of the colors of fall. You will soon see your home take on all the ambiance of a beautiful fall day.

Something else that I think screams Fall when it comes to decorating our homes is not just something that appeals to the eye but something that will appeal to your other senses as well. And what might that be? Fragrance! Light some of those wonderful smelling candles that fill the house will cider and spice, apple pie or even Pumpkin. Now if you are really brave, you might enjoy turning on the oven and actually baking your favorite muffins, pies, or cookies to give your home that wonderful Fall feel. I think I will stick to candles and fragrance oils. If you are like me - I tend to gain more weight in the fall, as all these wonderful delights make me want to bake and then I have to taste test what I bake. So good luck with that one….

I recently saw a cute idea I wanted to share with you. It was taking a wrought iron bowl rack that usually stands on the floor to hold your favorite bowls and turning it into a great front porch fall welcome. Instead of placing bowls in the rack - fill it with your favorite pumpkins. Another great way of using this is to fill it with those great corn stalks. Sometimes finding a place for stalks can be challanging. Check out the two photos that show this piece in those two ways. If you are wondering where you can get one, check out my website where you can purchase one or ask in your favorite Country Store that advertises in the Country Register.

So take a leap and Jump in those Fall Leaves as you decorate your home this fall.

TAKE IT OUTSIDE

2011-05-28T05:31:00.000-07:00

It is hard to believe that those summer months are upon us already and that it is time to Take it outside!!!

One of my favorite times of the year. We can move some of our activities to the outdoor areas of our home. I would love for you to think about the outdoors as an extension of your home. How can you create that special atmosphere in your backyard, on your deck or front porch? Something that screams your personality.

First let’s think about some seating. This could be as simple as pulling out last years lawn furniture. Maybe it doesn’t quite look as good as you remembered it when you put it in the storage shed. That’s ok, because we are going to change it up a bit. We could start with some paint, if it is something that can be painted. But if not, let’s add some colorful cushions to give it some pop. It looks better already, doesn’t it? Find just the right spot for this furniture and now let’s bring in a small table. Add a cute placemate to make it look like a doily and then let’s find something that we can cut those beautiful flowers growing around the yard and make a vase out of it. In the summer a galvanized bucket looks great with flower blooms in it. A watering can or even something as simple as a ball jar makes a great vase for those beautiful blooms.

Things are beginning to look better already. What about some lighting. On those wonderful summer evenings it would be great to have the soft glow of candle light. Lanterns are great for this purpose. Find as many as you can that might be hanging around. Group them together on the deck or even hang them in a tree or from the ceiling of the front porch. Something that I have enjoyed doing for years is to take a very large glass jar - like one that pickles come in. Now I am talking large. I put some sand in the bottom of the jar and place a pillar candle down inside that is nestled in the sand. Tie a colorful ribbon around the mouth of jar and you have a wonderful lantern to add to your collection. Make a couple of these and place them on the steps leading up to your front door. What a welcoming light they will be as friends and neighbors come to visit.

Now let’s think about one more thing we can add to our outdoor room. Something for the wall. You might be thinking, but wait - what wall? Well, it could be the wall on your front porch or deck or maybe just the outside of your house near your grouping of chairs. What would be fun to hang on the wall here? Well, do you have an old shutter? You could paint it a fun color and hang it there. Maybe even think about what you could hang on the tree trunk, if you seating is further away from you home. Something else that is fun is an old gate or part of a fence. Put on your thinking cap and maybe even head for some yard sales or antique shops with your new “Outdoor Room” in mind. No telling what you might find there.

If you are decorating your porch or deck, then you might also want to add a great outdoor rug to the scene you are creating. Have fun while decorating your outdoor space. You can use your imagination and since there are no rules for outdoor decorating, you can get a little crazy and enjoy.

Hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration to “Take it Outside” this summer.

What is Your Decorating Personality

2011-04-25T05:50:00.000-07:00

You often hear that you should match your home’s design to your personality and interests, but few color swatches come with names like “Reads Paranormal Romance Novels,” “Hikes on Weekends” or “Geek.”

I recently came across this quiz while researching ideas for my next article for the Country Register. I thought this was fun and wanted to share it with you all. I know that using color in our homes can be challenging and kind of scarey sometimes.
To help you figure out what color palettes will best suit your personality, try the following personality quiz.

What Is Your Design Personality?

You’re making big plans for the weekend. What are they?
A) Participating in a charity walk
B) Antique shopping
C) Inviting friends over for dinner
D) Touring a haunted house

You’re making your favorite dish. What is it?
A) An all-organic risotto cooked with ingredients from the local farmer’s market
B) A Moroccan tangine cooked in an authentic ceramic pot
C) Macaroni and cheese, with chocolate chip cookies for dessert
D) A decadent chocolate mousse

What’s hanging on your wall?
A) A batik tapestry made by an Indonesian women’s collective
B) Framed vintage travel posters
C) Family photographs
D) An Edvard Munch print or, alternatively, an Edward Cullen poster

Mostly A’s: Idealist. Those out to save the world will feel at home with Earth-inspired colors, such as cocoa, cinnamon, stone and taupe. In addition to choosing a natural color palette, look for products that conform to your ideals.

Mostly B’s: Eclectic. You love authentic and vintage finds and enjoy layering colors and patterns. Try shades like rose, olive, turquoise and seafoam.

Mostly C’s: Homebody. You’re all about warmth and comfort, and you like to keep things cozy and intimate. Vary between neutral colors and warm shades.

Mostly D’s: Mysterious Stranger. You appreciate romance and intrigue. Evoke an Old World sense of fantasy with deep, rich shades of navy, purple, red and teal. Exotic hardwood floors with deep, rich hues add to the veiled allure.

Pat Dempsey, Sr. Executive Director
AtHomeAmerica
www.athome.com/patdempsey
This article is copyright free. You are free to use it on a blog, website, in a newspaper, or newsletter.

2011-03-02T20:13:00.000-08:00

A free scrapbook design by Smilebox

Spring is Coming, Spring is Coming

2011-02-10T08:26:00.000-08:00

Spring is Coming! Spring is Coming!
Does that sound like I am trying to convince myself that Spring IS coming? With the winter we have just had, I think you might be right. The Seasons do come and go and Spring is one we will all be ready for this year!
What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you mention this season? If you are a woman and reading this, it is probably "Spring Cleaning". Yes, after a long hard winter, we can't wait to get to that task, which often seems so daunting. Winter has passed and now it is time to be energized and refreshed as Spring arrives. Actually shinning up the windows and mirrors and letting the sun shine in is often the best thing we can do in relation to the decorating process for Spring.
As Spring arrives just about everyone is so-o-o-o ready for that sunshine, flowers, and those wonderful soft colors that herald Spring. So keep that in mind as you think of ways you can change up your home for the Spring.
Here are a few things that may inspire you to get ready for Spring.
1. Flower, think Spring with Flowers, Flowers everywhere. From pillows, prints, curtains, lamp shades, throws, & rugs – you can add a pop of Spring to any room in your house.
2. Try bringing in some color by painting an accent wall. It will lighten up and brighten up your space.
3. Bring the outdoors in. How about a piece of white lattice work hung on a wall as the focal point. Maybe even add a potted houseplant below to really draw the outdoor look inside.
4. Curtains, why not take them down for the season. Maybe use a swag or topper for a different look. By removing the curtains a lot of light will come in and make your room brighter.
5. Use a stencil or vinyl cling around a doorway or window for a different look. These can be easily changed or painted over with the seasons. You might even want to add one to a mirror.
6. Don't forget about your entryway or porch. This will be the first area that both you and your guests will see as the come for a visit. So get rid of those snow shovels and ice melt. Replace them with potted plants, how about a small step stool for a planter stand at the front door? You could paint it a fun whimsical color.
7. Hang or display a decorative flag.
Do I have your creative juices running? Great, you will find many more wonderful ideas at your favorite shop in the Country Register. Walk through their store and use one of their great creative display ideas. Most can be translated into your own home décor.
As the dreary, snow days of winter leave us, decorating for Spring is a great way to welcome in new season.

Check out some fun products

2011-02-02T19:31:00.001-08:00

This free picture slideshow personalized with Smilebox

A New Year, A New Decorating Resolution...

2011-01-12T07:52:00.000-08:00

Isn’t the New Year an exciting time for you? I know it is for me. I always feel like my slate is being whipped clean and that I have a new beginning. Not just in the impact of my calendar but also in many other areas of my life.

A New Beginning at Home
One area, my home, is also impacted by that new beginning. I can’t wait to get the tree and Holiday decorations taken down and put away, so that I can start getting things back in order around the house. It seems like this time each year; I also can’t wait to do something new and different when it comes to decorating my home. Things look so lost without all those Christmas decorations.
This year my attention has been turned to things that will be very useful, as well as decorative. My favorite item here is baskets. Using baskets in the closet to organize the closet shelves and make them appear like part of my overall decorating scheme is high on my list. How about the laundry room shelves with baskets as well? I have even taken to using the actual basket as a shelf on the wall. It can be a great source for decorating. Don’t forget that you can also spray paint most baskets to fit the décor of your room. Baskets are great in your home office as well. Line your shelves with them, use them on your desk or counter and hang them on the wall. You will be amazed at how fun and useful they will be and what a great time – the New year to be making sure that you are organized and efficient as you go forward into your “New Beginning”.
Recently I came across a wonderful idea that uses containers as a decoration as well as an organizational idea. I went to Home Depot and purchased some tin cans that are the sizes of paint cans. Now use these cans in the bathroom attached to the wall with towels and bath accessories in them. What a cute look it gave the wall and everything stays well organized within the cans. Another great place for these is in a child’s room to organize things above their dresser or desk area. Crayons, hair accessories, Legos – you name it and just about anything fits into those neat little cans. You can use a lot or just a few. If you were really creative, you could even paint them to go along with your decor for that room. When you attach them to the wall, you will nail/screw them to the wall with the bottom of can against the wall. This leaves the opening facing outward for you to fill.
Don't Wait
So, what are you waiting for? Get those creative juices flowing. As you think about ways you can decorate your home for the New Year make sure and think of some that incorporate functionality with the decorative!

Ready to Ring in The New Year

2011-01-04T17:13:00.000-08:00

Are You Ready to Ring in the New Year?

Maybe you are like me, once Jan. 1st hits, I want all my Christmas Decorations to be gone and put away. I can’t wait to get the New Year Started on the right foot. One of the areas of my life that I want to get started with in a new way is always my home. I just HAVE to do something a little different every year. Now, I am not talking about my entire house, but at least one area of my home needs a facelift in order to make me feel like I am truly off and running on the right foot.

This year I started with some window treatments in my home. I know that may sound like a strange place to start, but let me tell you it can make a huge difference in how your home feels, just by changing out the window treatments. Here are a few of the fun things I did that you will find very affordable and easy. First of all, you must know that Mike and just moved into a new home. Would you believe that every window in the house had the same curtains hanging in them? I just found that strange and couldn’t wait to make changes. Now the budget was a little tight, but here is how I handled it.

First I had some great chair cushions for my ladder back chairs at the Island in my kitchen, so I found the same fabric at the fabric store and made a quick little topper for the kitchen window. The cushions were red Toile, so it was easy to find. I was so excited. Then I went to the family room windows which are open to the kitchen. I used the same toile and just sewed a piece to bottom of each plain off while panel and also made a curtain tie back. Now I was cooking!!!!

On to the dinning room. The off while panel looked so blah….so I was going to tie in the family room and kitchen color of red. Hmmm. I found some great solid red napkins while I was out shopping. My wheels were turning and when I got home I laid them across the top of the blah panels at an angle. Now that was pretty cool. I totally different look.

Then I went on to the Living Room. Now, I wanted this area to look a little formal. So what would I be able to accomplish here? Well, I stuck with the off white color of the panels. This time I added a very pretty Table runner that I found that was the same color of off white. Actually I found two table runners. One had some quilted area at each end and the other came to a point at each end with a tassel hanging at the points.
I cut both runner in half. I added the quilted one to the top of panels going the long way with straight pins, I then took the other with the tassel and hung it in the middle with the tassel in the middle. Voila!!!! I had a fun and more formal look.

Now you can tell from this that none of these things cost me a ton of money. I was able to totally change the look of my rooms for just a few dollars in each room. WOW!!!

So while you are out and about at your favorite Country Register shop, take a moment to look at table runners and napkins in a new and different way. Also, take a moment to browse the pages of AtHome America’s website for some other fun ways to change up your home for the New Year. Hears to an AWESOME 2011.

Pat Dempsey, Executive Director
AtHome America
www.athome.com/patdempsey

It's Christmas- Lighten Up

2011-01-04T17:10:00.000-08:00

It’s Christmas – Lighten Up

I don’t know about you but Christmas is the one time of the year that I feel it is really important to add special lighting effects all around my home. From the outside to the inside there is nothing that seems quite as festive as lighting.

Isn’t it amazing what they have done with decorative lights for the holidays? Wow, I remember growing up, that one of the most exciting things, was the night my dad got those Christmas lights up outside. Now they were just regular old colored bulbs and we all thought they were wonderful. Well, today you can find lighting for outside that looks like icicles, stars, almost any shape you can think of. You can create a virtual winter wonderland in your yard and some people try to do just that. I am all for the simple, understated lights, outside. Stringing some around the front of the door with some fresh pine garland, while maybe even adding a touch of lights to the wreath hanging on the door. One of my favorite looks is to use a spotlight and light up the front door. Nothing looks more inviting than a beautiful front door and entryway.

Let’s take a minute and look at that front door. I think this time of the year lends itself to something a little different for the front door. Not just the wreath, but how about those old antique skis you have out in the barn, or that great wood sled you kept from when you were a child, or maybe even those old ice skates? What a great conversation piece any of these would be to decorate with a little pine, holly, possibly those lights and a beautiful red bow!!! There is something about Christmas that takes us back in time and the front door is the perfect place to do that.

Something that I absolutely love doing at Christmas is putting out candles all throughout the house. The ambiance of candles and the aroma of the wonderful smells really make it seem like Christmas. So don’t be afraid to add those candles to the mantle, the coffee table, the kitchen hutch the dinning room table, the vanity in the bathroom and just about any other place you can find. One thing I enjoy doing is using the same fragrance of candle throughout the house so that it really makes a fragrance statement. A special little note here. We now have battery operated candles for those who have difficulty with fire…you know we don’t want to burn anyone’s house down at Christmas. They are wonderful and come in different fragrances and sizes. Check out my AtHome America website for them. We call them “Forever Glow” candles.

Another thing I enjoy is putting up strings of lights inside my home as well as outside my home. Something new and fun for the holidays are lighted twigs that you can decorate with. The light is at the end of the twig. While you are the AtHome America website check for these as well. You can use these in floral arrangements, in the greenery on the mantle or in a vase all by themselves. But they are a fun way to “Lighten Up” your home this Christmas.

Can’t you just close your eyes and imagine what your home is going to look like this Christmas with the scent of those candles burning and all the fun lights both inside and out. Have a wonderful Christmas and remember “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”.

Pat Dempsey, Executive Director
www.athome.com/patdempsey
pat@homeconnectionusa.com

Decorating for Fall

2010-10-12T07:59:00.000-07:00

Fall is that special time of the year that we all look forward to. The days are becoming shorter and cooler – right now I could use a little cooler, how about you? I just love the color that appears like magic with the Fall season. The pumpkins, gourds, pinecones and beautiful leaves that are changing right before our eyes!!!

Use these wonderful colors to welcome friends and family into your home by expressing your own individual style. Set the tone with a room filled with the soft glow of candlelight and warm fall accessories. Invite an atmosphere filled with love, laughter and cherished memories!!!

The newest colors for Fall are Boysenberry and Tarragon. Now for those of you who may be wondering…..Purple and green!!! Did you know that every room should have a touch of purple? Freshen up and lighten up with some great new colors in your home for the fall. Don’t be afraid to use color. You could paint just one accent wall to add that color, or if you are a little more timid then try introducing a color through your accessories. Add a throw, a few pillows and maybe even change up the curtains or drapes to add that splash of color. Color can make a huge difference in a room. With Fall and the great hues that come naturally this time of year – it is a good time to take the plunge and try some colors that you don’t usually use. You may be surprised at the outcome. One hint I recently read was to use just one color palette for your main living area and then try to pull colors from that into the other rooms in your home with flowers, throws or even a clock.

Something else that brings fall into our decorating is layers. Using layers on the floors, adding a rug even one on top of your carpet. Adding extra touches to your window treatments, with muslin, or other fabrics that can be twisted around your curtains and tassels can make a room more interesting. Table runners, placemats, & quilts can turn your table into a great showcase. Add your favorite things from Mother Nature and you have an awesome tabletop. Pumpkins, leaves gourds and candles can be highlighted on the mantle as well as the table using the same items and it really pulls the two rooms together.

Now don’t forget to change up the doorway. This is probably the most fun this time of year, as you can add those pumpkins and mums and instantly feel like you have come into a new season!!! Make the wreath on your door this year with pinecones and other things. Take the family on a hike through the woods, gather some wild grapevine and let everyone make their own wreath. Now add some embellishments from Motor Nature and what a fun way to welcome guests to your home!!!

Three of anything makes a collection

2010-10-12T07:57:00.001-07:00

The above statement, probably means that we are all collectors of one sort or the other. Now, when it comes to decorating – how can we use our “collections”? Three of anything creates a look that is clean, simple and uncluttered. These collections are easy to work with, as three tends to be the magic number when displaying objects on the wall, shelf or mantle. So if you take a look around your home and see if you can come up with items that are similar in color or are the same object, ( such as clocks, watering cans, or tea pots, etc.) you will
be well on your way to creating a fun spot that will show off your personality.

I recently came across a fun book in the library that had some wonderful ideas for decorating using your collections. Here are some of the ideas and guidelines that I gleaned from this article.
1. If you have a larger collection – grouping them in a smaller space can often create more of visual impact.
2. Items do not need to be the same but can be of similar color to create a grouping.
3. Collections do more than bring visual interest to a home but they also bring the owners personality to light.
4. Quality is nice, but sometimes quantity makes more of a statement.
5. If you are a zealous collector, you might want to think about switching them out from time to time, as it could be a bit overwhelming to display them all at one time.
6. Staggering the height of objects is a good way to create more drama and for the collection to be more visually appealing.
7. When properly displayed, ordinary objects can make a huge impact and be very pleasing to the eye.
8. Grid patterns and symmetrical arrangements are perfect for keeping sizeable collections under control.
9. Even the tiniest handful of pretty things when properly displayed can enhance a room.
10. People are so use to thinking about what is inside a frame that they forget about the frame itself. Often a grouping of empty frames can make a huge statement. Or inter-mingle empty frames with those holding artwork.
11. Displaying objects in a setting other than what it was made for can make people take a second look.
12. The choice of the container visually enhances the display.
13. Humor can be a vital part of personalizing a room.
14. Bookshelves are one of the best places to display collections.
15. Small objects can get lost in large settings. Choose a special display space to highlight and protect them.
16. Let your collection inspire you for the color choice in a room.

I hope you enjoyed just a few of the many ideas I found within the pages of this book, put out years ago by Country Living. When you are getting ready to re-do a room, remember you may have inspiration for that room lurking in a box set way up on a shelf in your closet. This summer, as you are changing things up a bit in your home – go searching for that special collection and see what fun things you can do to create that warm and cozy atmosphere in your home.

For more ideas and and thoughts on decorating with your special “Collections”, visit your favorite shops within the pages of the Country Register. Also, go surfing on the internet and find me at www.athome.com/patdempsey or email me at pat@homeconnectionusa.com.

Farmhouse Style

2010-10-12T07:54:00.000-07:00

Want a Fresh new Look this year? Then the Farmhouse Style might be just for you. I recently heard that the Farmhouse Style is the hottest trend in decorating right now. As I began to check out just what Farmhouse Style was – I was a little taken back. It looks like good ole Country decorating at its best. Here is what I learned about Farmhouse Style.

Farmhouse Style is a little cleaner looking than the typical Country Style of decorating. It is an easy way of decorating and you may find it even costs less than some of the other styles of decorating. With Farmhouse Style decorating you will be able to accomplish a warm and cozy atmosphere where your family and friends will feel welcome!!!

Some tips for decorating in this Style
• Lots of wood – floors, furniture and even walls with beadboard or wainscoating.
• Vibrant and bold colors.
• Textiles in the form of rugs, throws, window treatments, table cloths & pillows in the form of natural fabrics and a lot of cotton.
• It is all about accessories, accessories and more accessories.
• Metal is big.
• Wall art using rural scenes.
• Rooms decorated with a nature theme – birds, fruits, twigs, etc.
• It’s all about functionality and organization. Baskets, crates, totes, etc.

This style of decorating is very relaxing and laid back. It has a strong inviting appeal. There are no hard and fast rules. It can also vary according to your own area of the country. Even city folks are adding this to their top 10 list of decorating styles. It can be used in a loft or row house in the city or even in a log cabin in the country. I personally think that I have heard so many people say “I don’t decorate country”. Stamping this style of decorating with a “NEW name, may be a way of allowing these folks to see it in a new light by not calling it Country but “Farmhouse Style”. It does sound a little more updated. The thing I think that differs between this style and true Country is that there is not as much clutter – it is much more crisp and clean looking. Accessories are important, but just not as many. Pick the ones that really make a statement!

2009-09-15T18:54:00.000-07:00

Loving this recipe from a Great Friend from AtHome America. Wanted to share it with you all. I think it would look great in this dish from AHA. Very fall feeling. yummmmm....

ANTIPASTO PIE

½ lb. boiled ham

½ lb. Genoa salami

½ lb. provolone cheese

1 8oz. jar roasted red peppers

½ cup marinated artichoke hearts (optional)

7 eggs

½ cup parmesan cheese

3 cans refrigerated crescent rolls

Preheat oven to 375. Spray the sides and bottom of your At Home America Kitchen Essentials Poppy Oversize Baker or Green Mountain Falls Stoneware, Rectangular Baker/Server with cooking spray.Roll out one crescent roll package into a rectangle & place in bottom of baking dish. Layer half the ham, salami, provolone, peppers (and mashed artichoke hearts if using) on top. Beat 3 eggs with ¼ cup parmesan and pour on top. Roll out another crescent roll package into a rectangle & place on top. Add another layer of remaining half the ham, salami, provolone & peppers. Beat another 3 eggs with ¼ cup parmesan and pour on top. Roll out final crescent roll package into a rectangle & place on top. Beat 1 egg & brush on top. Prick top with fork.Cover with loose tent of foil. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 10-20 minutes until brown and bubbly.Let sit 1 hour before serving.

2009-09-07T07:21:00.000-07:00

Adding a Touch of Fall

Fall is that special time of the year that we all look forward to. The days are becoming shorter and cooler – right now I could use a little cooler, how about you? I just love the color that appears like magic with the Fall season. The pumpkins, gourds, pinecones and beautiful leaves that are changing right before our eyes!!!

Use these wonderful colors to welcome friends and family into your home by expressing your own individual style. Set the tone with a room filled with the soft glow of candlelight and warm fall accessories. Invite an atmosphere filled with love, laughter and cherished memories!!!

The newest colors for Fall are Boysenberry and Tarragon. Now for those of you who may be wondering…..Purple and green!!! Did you know that every room should have a touch of purple? Freshen up and lighten up with some great new colors in your home for the fall. Don’t be afraid to use color. You could paint just one accent wall to add that color, or if you are a little more timid then try introducing a color through your accessories. Add a throw, a few pillows and maybe even change up the curtains or drapes to add that splash of color. Color can make a huge difference in a room. With Fall and the great hues that come naturally this time of year – it is a good time to take the plunge and try some colors that you don’t usually use. You may be surprised at the outcome. One hint I recently read was to use just one color palette for your main living area and then try to pull colors from that into the other rooms in your home with flowers, throws or even a clock.

Something else that brings fall into our decorating is layers. Using layers on the floors, adding a rug even one on top of your carpet. Adding extra touches to your window treatments, with muslin, or other fabrics that can be twisted around your curtains and tassels can make a room more interesting. Table runners, placemats, & quilts can turn your table into a great showcase. Add your favorite things from Mother Nature and you have an awesome tabletop. Pumpkins, leaves gourds and candles can be highlighted on the mantle as well as the table using the same items and it really pulls the two rooms together.

Now don’t forget to change up the doorway. This is probably the most fun this time of year, as you can add those pumpkins and mums and instantly feel like you have come into a new season!!! Make the wreath on your door this year with pinecones and other things. Take the family on a hike through the woods, gather some wild grapevine and let everyone make their own wreath. Now add some embellishments from Motor Nature and what a fun way to welcome guests to your home!!!

If you would like a little help with Fall accessories and scents, please visit our website at www.athome.com/patdempsey for some great ideas on how you can change things up a bit this fall.

Pat Dempsey, Sr. Executive Director
AtHome America

Decorating with Shelves

2009-07-10T19:39:00.000-07:00

Have you ever thought of using your book shelves for more than just books? These very functional pieces can be a great resource for a wonderful decorating scheme for any room. Think “outside the shelf”, so to speak, Or should I say “Outside of the Book”. We all have some built-ins, bookcases, shelves or even decorative wall ledges, in our homes and there are as many ways to accessorize shelves as there are things to accessorize them with.

There are so many different types of shelves, they correspond with just as many items that you can focus on while decorating with those shelves. Maybe it is your favorite collection that can be highlighted on a mantle shelf – one that looks like crown molding. Or maybe you have some old quilts that have been handed down in your family. A really fun way of displaying them is to fold them neatly and lay them on the shelves of the book case. Taking another shelf and highlighting a family member who made them, would add a fun touch to your display.

What about something you are passionate about? Shelves are a great place to highlight that passion. Maybe you have painted a great landscape or taken a wonderful photo while on vacation. Instead of just hanging it on the wall, why not highlight it by placing it on a shelf?

Do you enjoy the beach during the summer? Then using a shelf or two to highlight some wonderful shells, starfish, or even a lighthouse or two – is a fun way to capture some of those wonderful summertime moments and have them live on in your home for months to come.

You might want to think about grouping items with like theme, color, shape or texture together. You might also want to think about grouping some photos together on shelves or mantle instead of around the room on the wall. This can make more of a statement than when scattered on the wall.

Hooray for the Red. White & Blue!

2009-07-02T07:25:00.000-07:00

Yes, I love the 4th the July and I love taking time to bring the Celebration of this great holiday to all aspects of my home. I like to think of it as a fun way to show my patriotism. How about you? What are you doing this weekend to show off your love for the USA!?!

You can get started outside. Maybe you want to plant a few flowers around the yard that bloom with Red, White & Blue blossoms. I love making a planter right by the front door. What a welcoming signal for all your friends. I also have always had a flag poll in the front yard and love flying “Old Glory”, not just this time of year but you will find it flying all year round at our house. Now, if you have a front porch – this would be the next place for some great Red, White & Blue decorations. Most of us have a chair , swing or glider on that porch so I would encourage you to think about how you can add some color there too. Maybe take a quilt or pillow in these great colors and add them here. If you have a small table be sure and put some cut flowers. Something that I have enjoyed in the front of my home over the years and especially at this time of they year, is candles. I love those big old jars that you can get with pickles, etc in the. When they are empty they are perfect for candles. These make great, safe luminaries. Just put some sand in the bottom and then add red, white or blue candles. Now take some rag ribbon and tie it around the top of the jar. I put one on each step going up to my front door. It really adds a festive touch.

The last place out front is my front door. Let’s not forget about that. I have a huge metal star that I like to put on the front door. But I have also been known to use a wreath with touches of Red, White & Blue. Ok, so one last thing that is fun to use in front of the house, are those wonderful buntings and banners. I have often hung one right by the front door, or on the railing of the porch. Are you getting the picture? Everyone will be able to see that your home is Saluting the 4th of July!!!

As you move indoors, there are many ways to keep those wonderful colors going throughout your home. The mantle of the fireplace is great place to show off any memorabilia that you may have. This may also be a perfect spot for an old photo of someone in your family who has served in the Armed Forces of our country. There are even lots of patriotic garlands that you could use here as well. You might want to have a special print that you highlight at this time of year. Maybe you would replace one that is already hanging on your wall with it. Don’t forget to add those wonderful red, white & blue candles throughout the house.

Now another way I like to use that patriotic spirit this time of year, is with my food. What about taking one of your clear vases or glass bowls and layering a beautiful dessert with blueberries, strawberries and pudding? This makes a very special and eye appealing addition to your 4th of July décor. Pull out all the stops this 4th of July. Invite your family and friends in to enjoy and celebrate our Freedom!!!

Check out my website for some great sales going on during the month of July. Many of the items I have mentioned can be found there.
www.athome.com/patdempsey

Top 4 Decorating Styles for 2009

2009-06-27T19:08:00.000-07:00

What Decorating Style are You?

Do you know what your “Style” is? Many of us have trouble discovering what style of decorating we have in our homes. I often hear people use the term “Eclectic”. I think they decide on this because they really aren’t sure and think this will give them a license to have a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Remember that your style does not always have to be in every room in your house. You can change styles in your different rooms. Check this out to see some hints on how to find your style.

How do you find your Style???
1. Do you have Multiples of items around your house?
2. Are you hanging on to something just “because”?
3. Where do you shop for things for your home, flea market where anything goes or the same store all the time?
4. What is hanging on your walls right now? Is it a poster, print or canvas and what style is it?
5. What was the last thing you bought on an impulse?
6. Is there one piece that is different in your house? Maybe you love it and are just afraid of changing your style?
7. Where do you love to spend your time on vacation? What is your favorite room in your house?

Modern Country
Modern Country combines a more traditional country décor with modern trends that will result in a very comfortable and stylish decorating style. Mixing your favorite collection with both traditional and trendy elements makes it definitely have a more modern feel.

Classic Chic
Creamy soft whites and pale blues can turn your room into a comfortable, casual look using vintage accessories and comfortable furniture. Think of visiting with your grandmother, snuggled in comfortable soft furniture with fresh flowers and the soft scent of candles in the room. Classic Chic balances elegant things with old and worn accessories.

Retro
Celebrate the 1940's and 50's with vintage style. If you love bold colors, shiny chrome, and vivid patterns, you’ll love the vintage look. In the kitchen, think 1950s with sunny yellow, jadeite green, and checkerboard floors. Red and white with a punch of black applies well to this vintage look.

Tuscan Style or Mediterranean
This warm, comforting style can be modified to suit your house, condo, apartment, town home…whether you live somewhere in the hot south, in cool, damp climates or the bitter cold, everyone can transform their favorite spot into a Tuscan getaway using warm tones with lots of wrought iron accessories. Imagine Italian grapes ripening on the vine and drowsy heat radiating off ancient stucco walls. Tuscan decorating style speaks of a rustic life lived in red earth, Mustard Seed and Simply Sage colors, accented with rustic iron pieces artfully twisted into utilitarian forms.

How and Where to Hang Art on your wall

2009-06-25T07:09:00.000-07:00

How & Where to Hang Art on your Walls

If you're not sure how high to hang art (prints, photos, posters, collectibles, etc.) on your walls, maybe these ideas will be helpful. Just follow along and before long your walls could look like something out of a designer magazine
You may have heard that you should hang artwork so the center of the picture is at eye level. Well that is a good thought, so hold on to it for a minute. But if you are confused, especially if you’re 5 feet tall and everyone else in your house is so much taller. Then for whose eye level does this rule apply to. Is it the same no matter what size the art is? What about a grouping or if you are hanging it over a sofa?
This is the rule of thumb. Approximately 60 to 65 inches from the floor to the center of the art is a place to start. It may be the perfect place to hang your particular piece of artwork, or it could look terrible. How do you know? Well try by starting to think of the artwork you are hanging as it relates to everything around in the room. Whether you hang a framed picture over a sofa, on a stairway wall, or in the hall, each of these spaces will have elements to consider.
So, right about now you are probably thinking “Thanks a lot”, that was helpful. So let’s look at a few more things that could help you find just the right place to hang that artwork.

10 More Tips for Hanging Art
1. Will you mainly be standing in the room (as in an entryway or hallway)? Does the room have faulted ceilings or is two stories high? If so, it may make sense to hang artwork a bit higher than the 60-65 inch center starting point.

2. Will you typically be sitting in this room? Maybe it is a dining room, family room, or office. Hang pictures a bit lower here so they can be enjoyed while sitting. Try sitting in a chair and have someone hold the picture against the wall, moving it up and down so you can see how it looks.

3. If you are hanging a large framed print or grouping over a sofa or sideboard it will look better when hung so the bottom of the frame is positioned 6 to 12 inches above the top of the sofa back or tabletop.

4. Is your artwork very small. In that case, consider hanging it in a group of other objects.

5. When working with a grouping of pictures or objects hung on a wall, think of the grouping as one large picture and relate the bottom of the entire grouping to the furniture underneath it.

6. What if you are hanging a tall vertical picture, panel, or poster? In this case, it may be better to think about placing the art so that the top one-third area of the picture is near eye level. However, the actual height of the piece will determine the best position on the wall. Again, have someone hold it lower and higher as you see what looks best.

7.Be sure and think about the proportion of the item to the wall it will be hanging on. A small picture hung on a large wall can look out of balance. Look for narrow walls (such as the spaces between two doorways or windows) and consider hanging two or three small pictures in a vertical line. In this case, treat the center picture as the center of the grouping.

8. If you’re hanging artwork by itself, cut paper templates to size each piece of art and attach the paper cutouts to the wall with painter’s tape. This will give you the option to stand back and see how the artwork’s size relates to your room and your furniture. Move the template up and down to find the perfect spot prior to hanging the picture.

9. Another way to see how it will look is to clear the floor below where you will be hanging it. Now lay the print(s) or items out on the floor as you would if they were on the wall. When you step back you can see how they will appear on the wall.

10. Remember odd numbers of items if you are grouping smaller items together. 3,5,7, keeps it more balanced.

Now don’t be afraid to hang things on your wall. Be sure and lay it out before you pick up that hammer. But remember that you can also put a little spackling on the wall if you don’t like it. It is not the end of the world. Be brave – you can do it, I know you can.

2009-06-19T14:24:00.000-07:00

It’s Time for A Summer Makeover in Your Home

Summer is such a relaxing time and a time that welcomes something new. Warmer weather calls for a change in your home's decor. Update your home by bringing in sheer fabrics, pretty florals, and garden elements. Check out these "Top 10" ways to make over your home for Summertime!

1. Lighten Up!
Do you have velvet drapes or a heavy corduroy sofa? Now is the time to change them out for lighter looking alternatives. Remove the drapes and replace them with airy sheers. Slipcover the sofa or chairs with paler tones or florals.

2. It’s all about the Front Door
Make the first impression the best impression. What can you add to your entry way or front porch that shouts Summertime and Livin’ is Easy!!! Some new planters, how about a great wreath for the front door. As you enter the home, have some signs of Summer welcoming those who enter.

3. Change the Focus
If your furniture is centered in front of a fireplace, think about ways to rearrange the look for summer. Change the focal point away from the mantel to a view of a garden, placing the conversation grouping to take advantage of the garden scene just outside. You could hang a special quilt like the one on page 31 of our catalog. What about transforming a wall with a photo gallery.

4. The First Impression

Summer Time living often gets your family moving out doors maybe out to a porch or deck, but even if your home does not have a porch or deck, you can get the same look and feel of a porch inside. Introduce a few garden chairs, accessories, and floral fabrics into your great room. You’ll feel like you are outside every time you’re in the room.

5. Add Life to your room
Lanterns everywhere, Candles & more candles, and Words can make a great addition to every room in your house. Get rid of those dusty silk flower arrangements. Bring in fresh green plants & flowering pots. Did you ever have a Beta Fish? These can really bring the outdoors inside. You can put them in your favorite vase. These things can make your room feel light and fun after the long wintery months . Cut flowers can make such a great impact as well. Add a single stem to a group of different size and shape bottles. There are many ways ways to add fresh floral touches to your room.

6. Time to Re-Accessorize
You can add a little personality and get a fun new look with something whimsical. Maybe it is one of those great “Words” that are so popular right now or some personal photos. It might be time to take it up a notch & rework your accessories and makeover your shelves. Clean winter dust off the shelves and begin to replace objects with an eye toward keeping the look light. Bring out your floral china or white ironstone, set up a collection of pitchers or glass, and include plants and picture frames as well. The sky is the limit with your collections. You can go from the “beach” to “Retro” very easily just by changing a few of your Accessories in a room – it will give it a totally different look.

7. Think Words
Add a little inspiration to your room with some fun “words”. They can tell a great story or just make someone smile. These can be used inside or out in any size. Personalize them to your own family and beliefs. Words are the hot new accessory.

8. Organize It
Baskets are a great way to de-clutter your room. Look for ways to stay organized during the busy summer months. When your home is overwhelmed with clutter it may not feel inviting. So time to get things organized and cleaned up for the summer months. You can find some great things to help declutter at some of the home stores around. Don’t forget those shelves can look cluttered too.

9. Your Fireplace isn’t just for Winter
Now is the perfect time to sweep away the ashes of winter fires and start fresh. The fireplace looks great with silk plants, an arrangement of candles, or even a few family pictures. Think of something totally off the wall and put it in the fire place. It will turn some heads and get a fun response from your visitors.

10. The Power of Paint
Freshen up and lighten up with some bright fun new colors. Don’t be afraid to use color – you can always paint over it if you don’t like it. But it can make a huge difference in a room.

If you need a little help with any of these areas be sure and check out the sale going on at my website www.athome.com/patdempsey The attic is the place to be. Some of these items will not be there after June 30th.

2009-06-18T04:46:00.000-07:00

DECORATING QUIZ

Are you ready for a change??

Would you like to make one or more rooms in your home into an area that you and your family would really enjoy spending time in this summer?

What room would you like to decorate or redecorate?

What types of things will you enjoy doing in this room?

Do you have a “Theme” in mind? Wondering what that Theme might be? Here is a little help in that area.

a. Maybe it is time to Dream a little Dream – take a moment to think about your favorite “place” and what it is about that place that makes your mind drift there. How can you bring that “place” to your living area? Is there a color that reminds you of this place? How about a smell, or maybe a particular thing like shells, or lighthouses, how about an America Flag? Get the idea? Is it outside or inside?

b. Another way to come up with a Theme is to think about something that you enjoy. Maybe it is old quilts, could it be clocks, or stars? Could you make that the focal point of your new room?

c. What was your last impulse purchase? Could it be that is the direction you should be going in? Maybe you were trying to tell yourself something.

Do you have a color already picked out?

Don’t be afraid to add color to your room. Maybe it is through your walls or accent pieces. Popular colors right now are reds, darker blues and greens, but don’t forget about those yellow colors. Be sure to think about your Color Wheel and the relation of one color to the other. Also remember this little tip when working with a Color Wheel. Next Door Neighbors are Best. (those colors ne xt to each other on the wheel go well together. Family is Always Welcome (those colors in the same family.), Opposites Attract (colors opposite each other on the color wheel work well together too). Also thinking about Changing to some new colors, keep this in mind too. 60/30/10 Rule. What??? Yes, use one color 60% of the time in the room, add another color into the room with 30% and then put some pop in the room with 10%. You will be amazed at what this can do to your room. It really can make a difference.

What is your budget? It doesn’t take a lot to totally change a room around. Sometimes just a few pieces and a little ingenuity can make for a HUGE difference.

Think about how it would feel to enjoy this space with your family and friends!!!
Won’t you be so proud to show it off and to just RELAX in your new Room. Nothing like experiencing Real Life with Style!!!

Check out my website for some fun things that will add pop to your room. Have fun changing things around this summer. It feels so good when you put it all together.
www.athome.com/patdempsey

Yellow - is it the color for you?

2009-06-15T20:00:00.000-07:00

Color is in the air and it’s time for some fun & inspiring touches to happen in our homes.
I know if you are like me – you are so ready for some warmer temperatures and probably to be done with all that rain and gloomy weather! Boy, it sure has been a long, hard Winter and a wet Spring!
There is no better way to liven things up around your house, than with a few little extra touches of color. It will lift your spirits for sure.
Did you know that yellow is the new “hot” color this year? Now you don’t necessarily have to paint your walls, but you can add those touches of yellow to rooms in your house in some different ways.
How about some yellow towels in the bathroom, along with candles, artificial flowers, maybe even a throw rug on the floor. You can even add a few yellow soaps. In no time, you can have a fun new feeling happening in that dull looking bathroom. Bathrooms can be one of the most difficult rooms in the house to decorate. Recently I saw the cutest idea for a bathroom and I wanted to share it with you. It was in a friends house and she had gone to a local hardware store and purchased a small section of picket fence. Now you see, she had 3 kids and there were always towels lying around on the floor. Does that sound familiar? You know how that is with the kids and even the husband? Well, you may be asking what does that have to do with a picket fence? She took that small section of picket fencing, painted it yellow and she attached it to the wall in her bathroom. She added a few cute stencils of butterflies and flowers on the wall above the fence. Now when her kids are through with the bath they hang those towels that use to go on the floor, on their new picket fence! They love it and the bathroom looks much tidier now! So with a very inexpensive item from the hardware store – she turned her bathroom into a Springtime showcase.
So you see how in now time at all you can take a few very inexpensive items and turn them into a whole new look for your room. Think yellow this year and see where it leads you.