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Moving Out In Style |
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Summertime and the livin' is easy, breezy and carefree. Sitting in a chair in the backyard, on the deck or the patio with a good book, some music and a refreshing beverage can do wonders for the psyche.
Just imagine settling into a garden room with fabric billowing about in the breeze, bright cushy pillows to sink into, urns and large pots brimming with flowers and foliage reminiscent of the tropics.
You don't need to imagine it. Creating such a magical retreat is simple, just bring some indoor accessories and furnishing outside, and you won't need Calgon to take you away.
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To create an outdoor room, first decide what the purpose of the room will be. Will you use it for entertaining, relaxing or a combination of the two?
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 Next, decide on the style of room you want. Will it be simplistic, full of fabric or a combination of the two? It's all up to you.
Next, choose a color theme. Reds, yellows and other bright colors are ideal for shaded areas, since they exude warmth. Blues, greens and purples are cool colors and work well in full-sun spots. Most people prefer a combination of warm and cool, which is relaxing but also rejuvenating to the spirit.
Place your furniture in groupings conducive to conversation and dining/entertaining. Using umbrellas with your tables makes your dining area cozy. For night entertaining, wrap your Christmas lights around the spokes of the umbrella for extra sparkle.
Fill in your room with candles, urns and pots of flowers for ambience and a garden feel.
Now, sink into that chair with the cushy pillows and relax . . .
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| Quick Design Tips . . . |
| The following are some ideas and suggestions to get maximum decorating impact on a budget of $50 or less. These tips can transform ordinary living spaces into something quite extraordinary! |
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For inexpensive accents, use discounted remnant fabrics to make throw pillows. Mix solids with prints and different textures to keep things interesting and fresh. |
| Are your walls crying out to be noticed? Paint is the quickest, easiest and most economical way to change a space. Color is a fundamental characteristic of ethnic style, from attention-grabbing brights to dark, earthy hues. Whatever color you select, choose it because you love it, because it makes you feel a certain way when you look at it. Once you have freshened the walls with paint, create a room within a room using an area rug, this helps to define your seating areas. Plants also can turn a cold room into one that is warm and cozy. Place a palm or other tropical plant in a corner to soften it. Purchase a canister or uplight and place it under the plant, and watch the shadows dance on the ceiling and walls.
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