From My Desktop

February here in Maine usually consists of cold days and long nights. People don't spend a lot of time outdoors and as a result Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a common syndrome around this area. This is also commonly known as winter depression or "February Blues".

Light is not something you think about until you feel it's lack. All areas of our lives are affected by light, including our bodies and our homes.

This lack of light is what got me thinking about this month's Creative Workshop topic. Going along this same line of thought, lack of greenery at this time of year really makes me appreciate my houseplants.

So read on and hopefully you will find some food for thought and perhaps a new decorating idea or two that you will find useful.

Your friendly neighborhood (even if you are halfway around the world) Home Dec Lady,
Gloria

The Creative Workshop:
Let There Be Light

According to the Bible, on the first day of Creation, God made light and on the fourth day He created the Sun. All of life revolves around the sun, without which nothing could exist. With this thought comes the fact that light is one of the most important elements in our homes.

We are all sensitive to the variations of light. On an bright sunny day when the sun lights up a room, we are alive and invigorated. On dark stormy days, we are gloomy, sleepy or depressed. One of the steps to really seeing your home is paying attention to and analyzing how light affects your rooms, decorating decor and moods.

If you have never taken the time to analyze how your rooms look in different lights and at different times of the day, you may be surprised at the variation of light and shadow in a room.

One morning, when you have time for a leisurely cup of coffee, wander through the rooms in your home and turn on your "seeing eye".

Is the room bright and sunny? Does the sun shine directly through the window showing the room in its true colors? Does it shine through the trees, giving the room a green cast, or maybe it reflects off a neighbor's brick wall throwing a pink glow through the room? Walk through the rooms with the intention of really seeing light and how it affects your surroundings. Repeat this exercise at different times of day and in different weather conditions.

This exercise may not change anything in the way of how you decorate your home. It may however, bring you to the realization of why you dislike eating in your dining room. For example, you may find that the walls that are a beautiful Pearl Gray in the morning sunlight turn to a color that reminds you of the muddy bottom of a pond by dinnertime. You may start to notice that you prefer to sit in different rooms at different times of the day and now you realize why you make that decision.

In any case, this is an exercise that will help you learn to "see" and observe your home and the world around you. Once you stop "looking" and start "seeing", the wonder you felt as child will begin to return. Then you can start to re-capture the imagination and creativity that is part of the inner you and has been with you all along.

The Creative Dozen

Do one thing each month to improve your home surroundings and you will be surprised at the energy and confidence that comes from this small undertaking. Not only will you be improving your home atmosphere, but you may find other areas in your life expanding as you stretch and grow in this area.

Decorating With Houseplants
12 Ways to Add Greenery and bring Nature into Your Home

February, in dead of winter, I'm always rushing spring, looking at seed catalogs and planning the summer garden. At this time of year, house plants are just the thing I need for a touch of greenery and a pick me up. Check out these decorating ideas for displaying your favorite plants.

1. A window greenhouse is always an eyecatcher and at the top of my list
2. A baker's rack in the kitchen is an ideal house plant display
3. Place them on the top of kitchen cabinets. If you don't like getting on a step stool to care for them, substitute silk plants
4. Use antique tin food cans for containters on kitchen countertops
5. Paint and decorate with stencils or decoupage a short step ladder and use it to display plants in an unused corner or an "under the stair" space
6. Use strong fish line, tie it around the pots to make handles, hang them at different lengths from a decorative rod and create a "curtain" of houseplants in a bathroom window
7. Place small plants in large seashells in the bathroom
8. African violets evoke a romantic, feminine mood. They are perfect for display in the bedroom. Place them under a lamp that has been fitted with a "Gro Lite" bulb, (these are available in nurseries and greenhouse supply houses), and they will reward you with continuous bloom for many months to come.
9. Place plants on top of a grandfather clock
10. In bookcases scatter plants amonst your books and accessories
11. Place a tall tree or shrub in the entry way to welcome your guests and set a relaxed atmosphere.
12. Place plants around a table top fountain where they will enjoy the humidity

Remember if you have a "brown thumb", silk plants can always be substituted. In many cases, unless you actually feel the plants, it is impossible to tell if they are real.

Dare to Dream, Dare to Hope, Dare to Believe, Dare to Live!

About the Home Dec Lady:

If you enjoyed this newsletter, visit my website and learn to develop your creativity and create the home you dream of by using my **free** online home decorating workbook.

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Your feedback is always welcome and appreciated! Feel free to email me and let me know of your comments and suggestions now while your thoughts are fresh in your mind.

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Published Monthly “Creative Home Decorating" is a newsletter geared to the individual who dreams of creating the perfect home atmosphere of peace, harmony, comfort and relaxation.

Designed to help the frustrated decorator and creatively challenged, this ezine will inspire you to jump in and take a chance on your inborn talents. By doing this you will grow from the inside out.

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Gloria Daniels, Publisher
http://www.home-decorating-room-by-room.com