TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1) From My Desktop
2) Creative Workshop: Develop Your Color Sense
3) Jazz up a Room with Color
4) About “The Home Dec Lady"
5) Legal Stuff


I'm sorry to have been away from publishing this newsletter for such a long time. It was unintentional, but sometimes life has a way of throwing curves you least expect. However, I'm back on track and hoping to connect with you on a regular basis.

Thank you for being patient and staying on my mailing list for such a long time. I appreciate your loyalty.

Your Friendly Neighborhood (even if I am half way around the world!) Home Dec Lady,
Gloria

Creative Workshop: Develop Your Color Sense

In order to develop your creativity, you must be observant. Open your eyes, look around, and really see what's in front of you.

This month we'll talk about color. Many of my visitors have written to say, "I just have such a hard time deciding on a color scheme. I'm never confident in my choices and can't decide what goes together."

This month, let's really look around us. As you are going about your life, notice the colors that are around you. You can't help but see them as color is an integral part of your world.

If you live in the Northeast as I do, it is impossible to miss the foliage season. However, many people say "The foliage is beautiful this year" without really observing the individual parts. Pick up a few leaves and really look at them. A red leaf is more than red. There could be five shades of red in it along with 2 browns and some green. The sublties of fall foliage color are endless. Practice really looking and seeing what is in front of you.

Do you walk or jog a certain path every day? Are there areas you find more pleasing than others? Is it because of the colors there? When you are shopping, are you drawn to a certain display because of the colors?

Take notice this month of the colors in your surroundings. Carry a digital camera or use your cell phone. Take pictures of scenes that are pleasing to you because of the colors. It could be a children's playground, a lakeside scene, or a flower garden you walk by each day. Notice not only the colors that stand out but also the surrounding background colors. Make a list of all the colors in the scene, both the foreground and also the supporting neutral colors.

Don't just pick scenes with your favorite colors. Look for pleasing combinations of colors. You may find this will really expand your color choices and preferences.

Once you have a group of pictures with colors listed on the back, you will start to get an idea of what you are attracted to. This will be of help when you have to decide on a color scheme for a room. You may decide you really like purple, but if all the photos you've taken are of pastel violets, this will help you narrow down your choices. You may find in your background colors you prefer grays and blue-grays to browns and beiges.

Do this exercise for a while and you may be surprised at the colors you actually are drawn to. When you have to pick a color scheme, you will have some notes and data that will help you make a decision.

Above all, when choosing a color scheme, remember the golden rule of decorating, "You only have to please yourself and your family".

Jazz up a Room with Color

Oftentimes when we think out rooms look tired and worn and need a complete overhaul, all we really need to do is add a spot of color to revive them.

Here a some ideas to get you thinking of ways to bring some new life to a room by the addition of some color:

Walls:

The most obvious is paint. Don't feel you must repaint the entire room. You can paint only one wall for some accent color.

You can paint a chair rail about 3-4 feet from the floor and faux finish the bottom half of the wall.

Paint an alcove or the back of the bookcase shelves.

Add some painted furniture if that fits into your color scheme. Paint only the woodwork a different color.

Floors:

Add area rugs. Even if you have wall to wall carpeting, you can place area rugs on top to add color accent. These will also help prevent wear in the traffic areas.

Fabric:

Coordinate your window treatments with other fabrics in your room. Throws, pillows, and tablecloths are all areas that could be used to add some color and change to your room.

Accessories:

A collection of colored glass is the easiest way to get a splash of color.

Lamps and lamp shades are often a good source of color that is overlooked. Remember, it is not set in stone that you must use the lampshade that came with the lamp.

Art and prints are also a great way to add interest and color to a room.

Hopefully, these ideas will inspire you and serve as a jumping off spot to make some quick and easy changes to bring new life to a tired room.