With the Grain » decorating/design

Interested in Feng Shui?

Jenn Greenleaf — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:43:49 +0000

Decorating is just as important of a home improvement as maintenance and repair to some, and it means very little to others. No matter where you may fall in this spectrum, incorporation of Feng Shui decorating principles could be beneficial. Here are some links to lead you:

Rather than looking at Feng Shui as a method of decorating, many are looking at it as a way of life. Not only does it impact the entire home’s appearance, but Feng Shui also impacts the way the home runs and is maintained. There are also a number of excellent books covering this subject, as well as 100’s more websites.

Decorate With a Hand Rake

Jenn Greenleaf — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:14:48 +0000

I’ve been to flea markets and yard sales where I’ve seen old hand rakes mixed in with the various goods for sale. I couldn’t help wondering what the heck people would do with an old hand rake that looked as though it was destined for the trash, rather than for use in someone’s garden. Then I thought, “What about using them in country décor?”

Here are some ideas:

Create a hat rack: spray down the hand rake in a coordinating color, and hang it on the wall upside-down. Hang hats, scarves, lightweight sweaters, and other light items from this whimsical rack.
Dry flowers: again, spray down the hand rake in a coordinating color (or, leave it as is if it has that distressed look you’re after), and hang it upside-down. Hang bunches of flowers and branches to dry from the rake’s tines.

Once you start looking at this gardening tool differently, you’ll be surprised how many country décor ideas pop into your mind. Take these ideas and run with them! Have fun!

Set Up a Home Office

Jenn Greenleaf — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:51:36 +0000

Are you working from home, but you have cramped living quarters? There are a number of solutions for setting up a home office when limited space is available. Here are some budget friendly, and space friendly articles to lead you in this direction:

With the Grain will also be presenting these types of decorating solutions in the coming weeks, so stay tuned. In the meantime, be sure to bookmark us or subscribe so you don’t miss a beat!

Table Runner Uses

Jenn Greenleaf — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 14:07:33 +0000

The obvious thing to do with a table runner is to, of course, run it down the center of your kitchen or dining room table. These beautiful pieces of fabric can take on other uses, as well. Here are some ideas:

Drape a runner so it runs over the chair’s seat, and over the back at the on the chairs head of your dining or kitchen table.
Use them as swags with your window treatments.
Place them at the end of your bed as a dressing.
Place them on the back of rocking chairs.
Drape them down the center of a coffee table.

As you can see, there are many uses for a table runner beyond just running down the center of your dining or kitchen tables. Think creatively, and you’ll see that many other ideas will soon come to mind!

Window Shop For Ideas

Jenn Greenleaf — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:05:17 +0000

Something as simple as window-shopping can produce a wealth of home improvement ideas:

Visit manufactured home companies to see ideas about how fireplaces look, wood choices, color choices, bathroom layout’s, and more.
Visit home improvement super centers to see a wide variety of kitchen counter and cabinet displays, door and window displays, and gardening set-ups.
Check out a garden expo to learn about container gardening, setting up a vegetable garden, planning flower beds, and so on.

Most, if not all, of these locations will have literature available for you to bring home with you. This literature typically contains pictures, manufacturer’s information, color choices, and so on. Take as much of it as you can carry (bring a canvas bag if needed) so you can create a system of choices, lists, pro’s and con’s, and wish lists.

Be Inspired by What You Love

Jenn Greenleaf — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:20:15 +0000

There’s always one element in a room that you absolutely love. It could be something as small as a throw pillow or something as large as your big screen TV. When doing a room makeover, be inspired by what you love! Turn your room into a space that reflects the true you, rather than what you think others might believe you should have in there.

For example, I’m redoing my stepdaughter’s room because we’ve moved someone else in there and she’s sharing now. She has a set of throw pillows that are all different types of quilting fabrics and lace. Those pillows are setting the scheme for the rest of the room. I’m pulling color, pattern, and texture inspirations from these tiny little pillows. It’s unexpected, and will carry a big impact!

The Writing is on the Wall

Jenn Greenleaf — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 19:13:51 +0000

Remember when you were growing up and that temptation to color on your walls was eluded by your parent’s warnings not to do so? Well, now that we’re adults, we can write and color on our walls without giving a care or a worry in the world! What am I talking about, right?

Rub-on’s and decals are becoming all the rage for novice and professional interior decorators alike. Some of these decals are pictorials, while others depict popular phrases or quotations. There are also opportunities to personalize what the pictures or words will look like based upon your requests and specifications. Have fun!

Simple Cosmetic Changes

Jenn Greenleaf — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:42:45 +0000

There are ways to change the look of a room without spending a lot of money. For example, if you want to change out the look of a room to reflect the season or changes in the room, here is an idea:

Take down all of your picture frames that do not hold sentimental meaning (i.e. they can be altered without hurting anyone’s feelings)
Purchase some complimentary or matching acrylic paint or spray paint
Cover your work surface or work outside on a large sheet
Remove the pictures and the glass from the frames
Paint out all of the picture frames
Replace the glass, and pictures, and then hang them back up where they were

It’s amazing how something so simple can cosmetically change the look of a room in a matter of just a couple hours of drying time. If your frames contain mattes, consider changing those out or painting them as well. Have fun!

Create Your Own Wall Art

Jenn Greenleaf — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 20:58:30 +0000

Even if you’re not artistically inclined, you can create your own wall art. This is important for those of you who are staging your home for resale, or for those of you who are decorating your spaces for an event.

Materials needed:

9×13 pieces of stretched canvas (or larger depending on your wall space)
Several colors of acrylic paint
Paint that is your wall color, and your trim color
Several containers that are all different sizes
Pencil
Paint or sponge brushes
Small containers of water

Instructions:

Paint out the entire background of your canvas in the same color as your wall color, and the edges in your trim color. If your trim isn’t painted, then leave the edge alone.
When the paint is dry, place the containers upside-down on the canvas and trace them out using the pencil.
Paint inside each of the shapes using the acrylic paint. Choose colors that either match or compliment the background color.

There you have it, instant wall art that has been created by you! There is no right or wrong way of doing this, so have fun!

Do You Love Where You Live?

Jenn Greenleaf — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 21:06:12 +0000

Are you the type of dweller who lives in a place, but does not love where they live? This is not uncommon considering how much we all tend to put into other aspects of our lives . . . our work, our families, our health . . . why don’t we invest as much time and effort into our homes? Ask yourself:

What is it about your home that you do not love?
What do you think it will take to make your home one that you will love?
Do you have the time available to make these changes?
Do you have the budget to make these changes?
How many people will you need to help you make these changes?

There is a lot involved with making a home one that you love, but it is not impossible. Think about your style, your tastes, and your level of comfort, your favorite colors, and your favorite fabrics. Start one room, or one section of a room, at a time so you do not become too overwhelmed!