This article was submitted by the writing team for the Asbury Group. They represent a unique group of realtors focused on the Minneapolis lofts and condos market. They also have concise and helpful information regarding the Minneapolis real estate area.
I've always admired people who decorate their house as though it were an art form. They don't necessarily follow all the rules and combine colors and styles in a creative, almost bohemian style of decorating. The result is a home that truly reflects the personalities of its owners. The hard part is accomplishing this and still having a house that is marketable from a resale standpoint.
One couple in particular comes to mind. They were both artists, who had mainstream jobs, but managed to use their home as a canvas. Every room was totally unique, peppered with treasures from hours of antique hunting, such as ornate carved sconces, original furniture, and re-used columns and doors selected for their architectural originality. The children's craft room had a 12 foot paper mache dragon suspended from the ceiling with huge, shining outstretched wings.
This is an extreme example of artful decorating, but there are some things the average person can do to spice up their home, and make the decor a little more original.
Don't be shy to display your collections. If you're a collector, you've probably spent numerous hours and money completing that set of bone china teacups or cranberry glass serving dishes. Whatever your theme may be, show it off. This means bringing out the special platters and dishes for dinners and not leaving them hidden away in cupboard.
Combine items by grouping items with similar uses, colors and shapes. It's much more dramatic to feature a collection of old medicine bottles in a group than placed individually, here and there. A collection of blue vases, in different sizes and shapes blend together when displayed together on a shelf or tabletop.
Items with similar themes, such as a bottle of wine with a couple of wine glasses on either side, can appear more interesting than if displayed separately. A collection of artwork with similar frames also can be hung as a grouping.
The fabulous look of fabric. Get out those vintage hats, shawls or unusual pieces of fabrics to be used as attractive accent pieces.
Recycle and reuse. Scour the architectural salvage companies for one-of-a-kind items such as, reclaimed columns, flooring, ornate gates, mantels and wrought iron. These types of pieces add character to your home and make for an interesting decor.
Above all, don't be timid; when it comes to artful decorating, you have to be willing to step outside of the box and explore new possibilities. Pour yourself a glass of wine, look around the room and begin your creative adventure!
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
NOW YOU CAN STAGE YOUR HOME ON-LINE
By: Teri Woods | 04/07/2009On-line Home Staging services are the new rage for home sellers who want to do the job themselves.
Interior Painting
By: Jo Harris | 04/07/2009Interior Painting - Equipments needed and general tips on doing interior painting.
Tips You Need To Know Before Furnishing Your Home Office
By: Lois Roberts | 04/07/2009Due to the state of the economy, family situations, and other contributing factors, more and more people are finding it necessary to work from home. It will definitely be more productive for you to have a designated area in your home for an office.
Large Tapestry: Let your walls do the talking
By: Jude Noronha | 03/07/2009In the medieval era, the large tapestry wall hangings were used by the kings and the nobles for decorating their castles and their mansions. Large religious tapestries were popular in the churches.
Tapestries make Home decor an exciting experience
By: Jude Noronha | 03/07/2009Most of us have experienced that all our worries and tensions vanish as soon as we enter our beautifully decorated homes. Suddenly, our spirits feel uplifted and we become fresh again to taken on the new challenges of life.
Wall Tapestries: Bring life into your home
By: Jude Noronha | 03/07/2009The bare walls of your home can give a monotonous and a drab look to your home decor and make you feel dull. To add beauty to your house, you may opt for wall tapestries.
Advantages of Laminate Flooring
By: Matt | 03/07/2009Laminate flooring combines value and quality. It may not be as pricey as the high-end types of flooring, but it still provides the home with natural-looking durable flooring. Laminate flooring has three layers of materials. The outermost layer is called the shell. It is made up of hard plastic that covers the core. The core is the fiber or hard board that contains the design or the colored part of the flooring. The innermost layer is called the backing. It is the layer that...
Discover the Different Methods Used to Make Mosaics
By: Paul Vlasblom | 03/07/2009Discover Mosaic Art and Learn How Easy it is to Make Your Own. Discover and learn the different methods used to make mosaics.
Purchasing Foreclosures: the Basics
By: Andy Asbury | 26/05/2009 | Real EstateTo avoid foreclosure, sometimes a home owner will accept a buyout on their property for less money than is owed to their lender. This practice is called short selling because the owner is selling their property for an amount short of what is owed on it. Sometimes this happens to avoid foreclosure, though it can also happen in the case of fallen property values. Be aware that short sales can take longer than regular sales to close.
Beautifying Your Bathroom for Buyers
By: Andy Asbury | 26/05/2009 | Real EstateThe bathroom is one space in your house that everyone spends a good portion of their day and one of the spaces that prospective buyers will respond well to if they find it inviting. Depending on the condition of the bathrooms in your house, there are a variety of treatments that you can apply to boost up its charisma.
Never Say Die: The Eccentric Architecture of Arakawa + Gins
By: Andy Asbury | 19/05/2009 | Real EstateArchitecture has, and continues to be, constructed with the goal of marrying form and function in a purposeful and aesthetic way. Perhaps it's time for loftier goals.
Will Senate Spit or Swallow the Cramdown Bill?
By: Andy Asbury | 08/04/2009 | Real EstateStruggling homeowners who've been considering filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy may soon receive good news. A new piece of legislation referred to formally as the "Helping Families Save Their Home Act," or more commonly as the "cram down bill," is on its way to the Senate.
Major Don'ts for your Website Copy
By: Andy Asbury | 26/03/2009 | CopywritingYour goal with a website is to acquire new leads, and having good content is one way to do just that. Unfortunately, not all realtors know how to create good quality content that their visitors will want to read. Read on to learn about some of the worst things you can do with your website content.
Needing Some House Therapy? Call in a Remodeling Coach
By: Andy Asbury | 23/03/2009 | RemodelingKnown as remodeling coaches or house therapists, these professionals are often former contractors who have decided to utilize their skills in a whole new way. They guide homeowners through the renovation process from beginning to end, and act as a liaison between homeowners and laborers who are working on the project.
The Nitty Gritty Of Starting A Compost
By: Andy Asbury | 10/03/2009 | GardeningPlace your bin in the backyard or in some other place where it isn't too noticeable. If you don't maintain your compost properly, it can start to smell bad and attract pests—neither of which your neighbors will appreciate. On the other hand, you'll want your compost to be convenient for you and your family. If it takes 10 minutes of trekking through bush to get to the compost, no one will want to maintain it.
House Or Condo? Deciding What To Invest In
By: Andy Asbury | 17/02/2009 | Real EstateMaking your first home purchase is a serious business. It is probably the most expensive thing you will ever own and even if a mortgage is a common thing nowadays, it still doesn't hide the fact that you will likely owe a lot of money to the lender. So, it makes sense to buy something that is going to give you the most bang for your buck a home that you will be happy living in and content to own for a few years.