Don't forget about the finishing touches.

You've spent hours and a certain amount of money getting the room redecorated just the way you want it, only it doesn't look complete... what's missing?

Many people focus on the big things in a room, the furniture, the paint, the flooring... but forget about some of the simple touches that make a room "finished."

Sometimes it can take a few hours, other times it can take a whole lifetime to find the right finishing touches for a room. And you'd be surprised where you'll find some of the best treasures.

Think of it as adding jewellery after you've finished creating the perfect outfit.

A few ideas of finishing touches that add that special something to an almost finished room:

- Collectibles or themes - if you have a special passion, consider adding them to the room. Just be careful that you don't let the room become crowded.

- Living plants - are a great way to soften and add life to a room. Pay attention to the lighting conditions while selecting a plant that will thrive in the space.

- Unique wall hangings. Paintings and photos are great, but consider something a bit more unusual. Perhaps a garden plaque that you love, a piece of reclaimed wood or a unique antique. Tapestries make a great wall decor because of their aesthetic and acoustic qualities, and metal wall art is quickly becoming a hot buy, in both rustic and contemporary designs.

- Fill a bowl for a central focus. Take a collection of things, which can be as inexpensive and plentiful as pine cones from the forest (careful to clean and de-bug them before bringing them into the house). Paint them different (but coordinating) colors for additional interest.

- Keep a vase handy for fresh flowers. There are few things that are as welcoming as a bouquet of fresh, fragrant flowers.

There are many more options for adding those finishing touches... don't forget to have fun and buy what you love. The more things in a room that you love, the more you will love your room.

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The “50’s Cord Chair” is back!

As cited in the July New York Times article, the Canadian chair designed in 1953 by Jacques Guillon is making its comeback after four decades away from the design world.

The Cord Chair has a seat as well as a backrest made of tightly strung nylon cord. In the home décor scene its always been considered the “minimalists gem”. The beauty of the chair is not only in the design but also in the perfect balance of its fragility and strength.

Manufacturer Stephan Weishaupt of the retailer Avenue Road fell in love with this after spotting it in museums and went to the original designer Jacques Guillon to ask if reproduction was a possibility. After the now 84-year-old agreed, they worked together to bring it back to life.

If you’re looking for something rare and beautiful to get a couple wows around your table, the Cord Chair will be available in August for $795. Keep your eyes open.

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Highlight your best features, hide the others

Draw attention to your room’s best features by using color, lighting, and/or furniture placement.

Conversely, you can downplay the less attractive (but often necessary) parts of a room by painting them in a color that matches the walls, or by disguising them with clever cover-ups.

You'd be amazed at how much better a stereo or speakers can look when draped with a fine fabric.

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Organization is next to Decoration

Even the most stunning decorated home loses the impact when buried in clutter and disorganization. Conversely, simple decor can look inviting and clean when it is well organized.


Everybody (well, almost everybody) has a junk drawer. But when you have as many junk drawers as you have rooms in your house, you know there is a problem.


Here are some simple tips to help remove the clutter and let your design skills shine through:


1. If you don’t use it, get rid of it. Sell it online or through a garage sale, donate it to a local charity or throw it out. Why take up precious space with something you don't use.


2. Aim for harmony and simplicity when arranging furniture and decorating a room. Something that is too complicated to keep in that arrangement will eventually (and likely quickly) lose the style you worked so hard to create.

3. Look for decorative pieces that complement your lifestyle. For example, if you know you have lots of stuff you have to keep on hand, look for pieces with plenty of hidden storage.

4. Organize the places where other things go. If your front closet is a mess, it is unlikely that you will use it to store shoes, coats, etc... which means they will end up tossed over or near whatever piece of furniture is closest to the door.


By following these simple tips, you can create a cleaner, prettier space that will stay that way.


If you don't think you can do this yourself, considering hiring a professional organizer. It will be well worth the investment in your home and your lifestyle.

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Designer Vern Yip returns to TV for the fourth season of “Design Star”

Interior designer and (for many) Trading Spaces favorite Vern Yip will be returning to a regular TV spot on Sunday evening (check local listings for your local airtime) .

According to a recent article in Atlanta Access, “Design Star,” which typically draws three or more million people a week on Sunday nights, has already created two HGTV stars with their own shows: studly David Bromstad from season one and sweet Kim Myles from season two.

For its fourth season debuting Sunday at 10 p.m., “Design Star” is moving to the city of Angels ( Los Angeles ), which will allow for some celebrity guest stars (including Kathy Griffin, Jason Priestley and Tiffany Thiessen).

Yip, the only judge who has had a consistent presence for all four seasons, is "genuinely excited about this year’s crew of contestants.," according to the article.

“We attracted a really high caliber of talent, people who have won national design awards, people who have started their own furniture lines,” he is quoted as saying. “One has worked with the top photographers in the business including Annie Liebovitz.”

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Make outdoor parties festive with simple and inexpensive touches

The windows are open wide, the perennials are back to greet us and we're staying outdoors later and later with every warming day. Let the outdoor entertaining begin with some ideas for budget-friendly, naturally good backyard bashes.

'PLANT' TO PARTY

Fill your yard or containers with plants that will actually play a big part in your entertaining.
Grow edibles that can be used in your favorite summertime dishes. Explore herbs and edible flowers like nasturtiums, pansies and johnny jump-ups that will pleasantly surprise your guests.
Grow natural bug repellents like lemongrass, catnip, rosemary, sage and basil. Guests can simply crush plants like lemongrass and catnip to rub on their skin, as needed. Sprigs of rosemary or sage can be placed on the grill to deter pesky flying insects. You can also research recipes for teas out of certain herbs to use as bug sprays.

Creatively plant things that are also fragrant and colorful for built-in, natural ambiance. Serve some of them up tableside by using gelatin molds and Bundt pans as your planters so they can slip over your patio umbrellas to create a beautiful, functional centerpiece.

BUDGET-FRIENDLY LIGHTING

Create your own beautiful, inexpensive lighting options using candles or Christmas-light strands. Stock up on old canning jars with lids at flea markets or antique shops. Fill them halfway with play sand and insert candles. Replace candles as needed and top off with lids when not in use, so the rain doesn't put a damper on things. Group them together or hang with wire for a safe, long-lasting light display.

"Summer-ize" strands of Christmas lights by adding artificial-flower petals, whiffle balls or painted window-screen shapes to each bulb for a colorful string of hanging patio lights.
For a fabulous, effortless way to light up walkways or garden paths, use rope lighting.

PLAYFUL THEMES

Host a "No Waste" party by using food as your serving pieces. Serve all drinks in fruit shells like pineapples or coconuts. Dish out salads in citrus bowls. Create finger foods that can be served up on kale, lettuce, tamale wrappers and the like. Have a portable compost bin nearby, and all of your party leftovers can get served up lovingly back to the earth.

NATURAL DECOR

Embrace everything nature has to offer for your outdoor-party decor. Use larger logs and stones for interesting seating and table options. Smaller rocks can be painted for colorful table markers or used naturally to prop up grilling utensils. Tabletop sandboxes complete with sticks and stones can provide fun and games.

PARTY TUNES

Hang various-sized colored glass bottles from a tree, and as the wind blows beautiful organic music plays. Make chimes using old silverware, found objects or natural elements. Create a simple water feature for the relaxing sounds of running water using a watertight container and a fountain pump. Top off with decorative touches like water lettuce or floating balls made out of old light bulbs.

The most important tip: Make the time to enjoy every glorious day the warm-weather months produce and include family, friends and neighbors in your creative celebrations.
Michele Beschen can be contacted by visiting www.couragetocreate.com or www.borganic.net.

SOURCE: AP NEWSIRE

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