Lessons learned

Vivid greens are subtly moving into golds and oranges and there's a bite in the air even on sunny days.  My mind is  moving on to what I want to do to herald the  fall season.   I never go all out in these things because my design aesthetic is very understated. The only vibrant things in my home are paintings which for some reason seem to have a lot of orange!  I guess I'm honouring fall year round. <br /><br />I was at the dollar store the other day and saw some great deals on fall foliage.  Usually that means pulling bouquets  apart and rearranging them so they don't look like they came from the dollar store.  Follow the arrangement as I move it around my kitchen and dining room to see where it looks best.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDRv-UyJWtSVv3iFxW1ckcRW8vaujKzjQBBeHsvfve_y2A6kgCX21jqC0VjU5tx4VIYHZh9ObudoeDdehbNNQYr-XnaxXzJJK1gu1iQd4XVoQ3lhWv9pj9FBDBoUofdmqxkl6Gf8qHQqw/s1600/DSCN8707_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDRv-UyJWtSVv3iFxW1ckcRW8vaujKzjQBBeHsvfve_y2A6kgCX21jqC0VjU5tx4VIYHZh9ObudoeDdehbNNQYr-XnaxXzJJK1gu1iQd4XVoQ3lhWv9pj9FBDBoUofdmqxkl6Gf8qHQqw/s640/DSCN8707_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div> Would you like to see something taller and a little larger here? I feel there is just too much space between the light fixture and the arrangement.  The black chairs are very dark and they demand something larger in scale . Better start looking for more deals and find tall, dark elements and another vase.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__p_M4su9s1ztsjY4Pe39xCW-5m6copjm88PWoKItV9dA3IbiWK1MhZz58l_n4Pf3-PxpeBi_43Eli9KyaSA2Rtw28RXy4wotRrV4aDYfh7NQsL9fQJeDEz_w7Yhet_QsAY9Ouor9AKPt/s1600/DSCN8720_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg__p_M4su9s1ztsjY4Pe39xCW-5m6copjm88PWoKItV9dA3IbiWK1MhZz58l_n4Pf3-PxpeBi_43Eli9KyaSA2Rtw28RXy4wotRrV4aDYfh7NQsL9fQJeDEz_w7Yhet_QsAY9Ouor9AKPt/s640/DSCN8720_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br />This arrangement I keep in my dining room illustrates  what a difference height makes even without the bold colours of fall.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6g-Q90sNusguitlmGKJ4uYAqUd2wIQZzP6nUznOF_7kle90aVcPZz7Y8Chl20F0I3d5x6LgqrNUTX7sB3g6a9c1sF-Cmd93WDA9RnvTxtVnRS62TiilZHo9ohEhjZ8thEXbGGjiAOkK7/s1600/DSCN8718_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6g-Q90sNusguitlmGKJ4uYAqUd2wIQZzP6nUznOF_7kle90aVcPZz7Y8Chl20F0I3d5x6LgqrNUTX7sB3g6a9c1sF-Cmd93WDA9RnvTxtVnRS62TiilZHo9ohEhjZ8thEXbGGjiAOkK7/s640/DSCN8718_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">When you crop the picture  the arrangement looks bold and eye catching. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjES-w4siplD8tViCVEUwpL2OQaRINGFNQblwpsZzG3ZAl-_enSfCU2VrlttKtBD-KKfq4TC1o37WwDo6HChBJU20P9twqHO67AFczMKPj1sFipNsmjnFMN9-KUP_BDudEYjuHM0k44JAQO/s1600/DSCN8708_01.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjES-w4siplD8tViCVEUwpL2OQaRINGFNQblwpsZzG3ZAl-_enSfCU2VrlttKtBD-KKfq4TC1o37WwDo6HChBJU20P9twqHO67AFczMKPj1sFipNsmjnFMN9-KUP_BDudEYjuHM0k44JAQO/s1600/DSCN8708_01.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjES-w4siplD8tViCVEUwpL2OQaRINGFNQblwpsZzG3ZAl-_enSfCU2VrlttKtBD-KKfq4TC1o37WwDo6HChBJU20P9twqHO67AFczMKPj1sFipNsmjnFMN9-KUP_BDudEYjuHM0k44JAQO/s640/DSCN8708_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>With or without the straw placemats ? Your choice. With the placemats it  is homey, without is more styled and contemporary. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_l0t4-ScnRdQjxkWcHtQsy0UdXTBtDCG0c1orhL7wQUUpmQLS54B7EH7RqI_OUI1jB7TLZF6GJa1DN5vKod7RTt7bdh3467s-ZBdCe8YOlk8syh7uWFO34os1aa6dpk8lIsTqhCy3HvZ/s1600/DSCN8714_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_l0t4-ScnRdQjxkWcHtQsy0UdXTBtDCG0c1orhL7wQUUpmQLS54B7EH7RqI_OUI1jB7TLZF6GJa1DN5vKod7RTt7bdh3467s-ZBdCe8YOlk8syh7uWFO34os1aa6dpk8lIsTqhCy3HvZ/s640/DSCN8714_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">  When you pair the arrangement with our giant red mug it seems smaller and less eye catching. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXelIyuegpLOpc9HIbOSAI-DoJ6OhH-KGX6GysQjq9T1YuW3GZumzSHceHsg5FF8W1V2kQAlLsJ3L0SzEwQEHTCs81Nsx94brrHTirFPfrzUNuNySi3zPZmohitz8o4LAl8IwXn_SWAPZK/s1600/DSCN8712_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXelIyuegpLOpc9HIbOSAI-DoJ6OhH-KGX6GysQjq9T1YuW3GZumzSHceHsg5FF8W1V2kQAlLsJ3L0SzEwQEHTCs81Nsx94brrHTirFPfrzUNuNySi3zPZmohitz8o4LAl8IwXn_SWAPZK/s640/DSCN8712_01.JPG" width="344" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> The bouquet just can't fight the scale and vibrancy of this painting; therefore, it looks totally insignificant. You need something  taller.   </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVck1ulG5BVydksX8d7nKcorv3ONvroO2gc8GcUygbOHgk9UHUvC8xMAg57OahmLcr7h1eu7YNmZbGW-IDF9bw70spSWZsfehUjm5i78BO558Fzb1-KGWSpKRAtOgH3mII3yNeBXspqeaj/s1600/DSCN8723_01.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVck1ulG5BVydksX8d7nKcorv3ONvroO2gc8GcUygbOHgk9UHUvC8xMAg57OahmLcr7h1eu7YNmZbGW-IDF9bw70spSWZsfehUjm5i78BO558Fzb1-KGWSpKRAtOgH3mII3yNeBXspqeaj/s640/DSCN8723_01.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Enter our trusty arrangement for the sake of comparison. This arrangement works so much better because of its lack of colour and height. There's no way you can compete with the colours in the artwork so don't go there. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4r9WDtfUh5tRCx5tYBt7Uc62_ogOPMAjtVQH5ode0vq5RQYNYVgwyRHl3ks46GfjF4reeNSB3bXGoGrjw_snZoP0fAib-55uP_8u_-up7Py1r_OB0QHVaSBdQYrigyzjA5KcWB5LgNiX/s1600/DSCN8711_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4r9WDtfUh5tRCx5tYBt7Uc62_ogOPMAjtVQH5ode0vq5RQYNYVgwyRHl3ks46GfjF4reeNSB3bXGoGrjw_snZoP0fAib-55uP_8u_-up7Py1r_OB0QHVaSBdQYrigyzjA5KcWB5LgNiX/s400/DSCN8711_01.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> Nestled on my window ledge the bouquet  looks comfortable, but I've created another problem.  The little art work next to the bottle looks lost, and all the colour is on one side.   The vignette needs balancing with an object more colourful and larger than the painting. Hummmm, what can I find? </div><br />Do you consider scale and colour  when you add accessories to your home?

Lessons learned

Vivid greens are subtly moving into golds and oranges and there's a bite in the air even on sunny days.  My mind is  moving on to what I...

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How to choose drapery hardware

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>The devil is in the details and simple decisions can lead to big impact both good and bad.  Since there aren't any  absolutes in decorating, things often  come down to personal preferences.  One of the the things I'm fussy about is what colour rods to use to hang drapes. <br /><br /><br />There's lots to choose from. <br /><br />Metal hardware is available in a variety of finishes : wrought iron,  aluminum, chrome, brass, and oil rubbed bronze. Wood hardware is available in almost any finish, from natural blond to dark espresso.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_nP-IiZhWFCpkmCiuT7Y5ggSItWj9mCQHECP3ZSX1lgoIY8ZzeJKa8N2KUSdc5DDIOhwXV9_cMJyjEJzgWnlJRr-8mDDg6v3y_plbiBMDjTIdqgS1L0gCtb_GVBkdo8_ur6Izqx2FKnm/s1600/curtain-rods.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="types of drapery rods " border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_nP-IiZhWFCpkmCiuT7Y5ggSItWj9mCQHECP3ZSX1lgoIY8ZzeJKa8N2KUSdc5DDIOhwXV9_cMJyjEJzgWnlJRr-8mDDg6v3y_plbiBMDjTIdqgS1L0gCtb_GVBkdo8_ur6Izqx2FKnm/s400/curtain-rods.jpg" title="How to choose drapery hardware" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Styles of drapery hardware</td></tr></tbody></table></div> There's two ways you can go when choosing a colour for your rod. Choose a color that matches:<br /><ul><li> other items in the room</li><li>  the colour of the drapery    </li></ul>  When you choose to match  other items in the room it is often a good idea, but it doesn't always work as you can see in the photos below.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitg39F_ybVoRJCBMOlvd8_0FqvU87ic9G8i2Y-Y_yykTscwlU24ZGu3KmUk3avFisrokynMkhV0QhWMfT31LRs0iL6zaErrwYOyWtUOKnXLPdJu1F2Fi8jBplhnloA_mOaRKlmITCaQ6k0/s1600/171277592048991277_XTv7gDKb_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="black drapery rods bedroom " border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitg39F_ybVoRJCBMOlvd8_0FqvU87ic9G8i2Y-Y_yykTscwlU24ZGu3KmUk3avFisrokynMkhV0QhWMfT31LRs0iL6zaErrwYOyWtUOKnXLPdJu1F2Fi8jBplhnloA_mOaRKlmITCaQ6k0/s640/171277592048991277_XTv7gDKb_f.jpg" title="How to choose drapery hardware" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/window-wow/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pinterest </span></a></div><br />It is obvious that the rod colour decision was based on matching to the dark woods in the room, but why would you want to break the lofty look that is going on here with horizontal dark lines?  When I look at this room, my eye automatically goes to the ceiling.  Contrast always draws the eye.  You probably don't want a focal point near the ceiling!  <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJLK40LPsNuOCDoS28RMyIJRBbicfAVW8AQ0CMox53ceaURiAu6u660MMOnghwa2Zu_NkZsXzY8zTUP_z53u4hn1jq1bh2X89B3RiWnCUuCpj9W0vzocKeTKxRaPX4p3R4a5maKsptjkp/s1600/171277592048562232_vRu7VrzO_f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="black drapery rods printed drapes living room" border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJLK40LPsNuOCDoS28RMyIJRBbicfAVW8AQ0CMox53ceaURiAu6u660MMOnghwa2Zu_NkZsXzY8zTUP_z53u4hn1jq1bh2X89B3RiWnCUuCpj9W0vzocKeTKxRaPX4p3R4a5maKsptjkp/s640/171277592048562232_vRu7VrzO_f.jpg" title="How to choose drapery hardware" width="464" /></a></div><br />This rod is also dark, but the same thing isn't happening because the drapes are highly coloured and patterned.  I still would not use black.  In fact I probably would rarely use black because it is too harsh unless you have black drapes or it is a very modern decor. In this room I would look for something lighter that blended with the wooden blind too and make the whole thing more of a unit. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5uMWsIaecbjLOM0gEFjZ41kMCRAJSfuEaUtvKNDIqPQeWwzmoMSjZirE1sf-lxRSy2Ah7UfdN1ONQdAlHwBmtGLOCA6_RSOeH9VD7H8CNW8-jiMEJRAgFungTqEL1ycjYgslgZE0IpWp/s1600/decorative-poles.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5uMWsIaecbjLOM0gEFjZ41kMCRAJSfuEaUtvKNDIqPQeWwzmoMSjZirE1sf-lxRSy2Ah7UfdN1ONQdAlHwBmtGLOCA6_RSOeH9VD7H8CNW8-jiMEJRAgFungTqEL1ycjYgslgZE0IpWp/s400/decorative-poles.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO5uMWsIaecbjLOM0gEFjZ41kMCRAJSfuEaUtvKNDIqPQeWwzmoMSjZirE1sf-lxRSy2Ah7UfdN1ONQdAlHwBmtGLOCA6_RSOeH9VD7H8CNW8-jiMEJRAgFungTqEL1ycjYgslgZE0IpWp/s1600/decorative-poles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is a good neutral colour when you have golden tones in a room. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">You also have to watch where you use wooden blinds. The combination below really works.    </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupy8tCZ1Z2IfzSbw5wWNnob_oNWXOOLUnRXEkkYXlcpavhWBJbzc7j9OHhYS8HfR5qF_f_ZkHKRzKUtWn95mDE8fVx4VBYjz04I8itnNzTXE8ozzwe541pU2swLPSDmtdajvx_z8pCb0-/s1600/68719499625_O3jMxPSF_f.jpg"><img alt="bamboo roll up bamboo drapery rod " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupy8tCZ1Z2IfzSbw5wWNnob_oNWXOOLUnRXEkkYXlcpavhWBJbzc7j9OHhYS8HfR5qF_f_ZkHKRzKUtWn95mDE8fVx4VBYjz04I8itnNzTXE8ozzwe541pU2swLPSDmtdajvx_z8pCb0-/s400/68719499625_O3jMxPSF_f.jpg" title="How to choose drapery hardware" width="300" /></a> </div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/window-wow/">Pinterest</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> This is a very cohesive look.  When you add wood blinds you automatically introduce a more casual element to the space and usually the colour is lighter. Choose your rod accordingly. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6SMVbaSNmlzLV6PazqztYOgTOMvXttAkHtvf4fswZaijFlA8BANy0xc3JM-8fflxzi_bKZtXKsyN3Aa_Wli-8or2RLerh4Kf7uXNM4bsrcd743HOn6U0gBVBRdK_SuZHiLsPKODmnFer/s1600/171277592048051408_wuX3F7tU_f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="back pleated drapes light gold rod " border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6SMVbaSNmlzLV6PazqztYOgTOMvXttAkHtvf4fswZaijFlA8BANy0xc3JM-8fflxzi_bKZtXKsyN3Aa_Wli-8or2RLerh4Kf7uXNM4bsrcd743HOn6U0gBVBRdK_SuZHiLsPKODmnFer/s640/171277592048051408_wuX3F7tU_f.jpg" title="How to choose drapery hardware" width="496" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/window-wow/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Pinterest </span></a></div><br /> This rod has enough colour to be noticed and it allows the drapes to have center stage. Imagine what a different room it would be if the rod  were black. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTW9dETji2XkI4t9OEZxbD-RR7cmMlXsEjG802qpJasMvYjfmnR9gty25DWoi_CM48H7o6m9Ac6BLk8GE9-k4JnbmfTc3D3rpnOjPjb8D6XVlDcxCFNF8KaOAl7O-yzSkCcAKy7-bvNeio/s1600/229754018459837211_MS7n1MoF_f.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="black drapery rod with banded drapes " border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTW9dETji2XkI4t9OEZxbD-RR7cmMlXsEjG802qpJasMvYjfmnR9gty25DWoi_CM48H7o6m9Ac6BLk8GE9-k4JnbmfTc3D3rpnOjPjb8D6XVlDcxCFNF8KaOAl7O-yzSkCcAKy7-bvNeio/s640/229754018459837211_MS7n1MoF_f.jpg" title="How to choose drapery hardware" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/window-wow/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Pinterest</span></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">How do you feel about this rod choice with these drapes?  Certainly  the black isn't as harsh as in some of the other examples, but it does compete a little too much with the horizontal banding for my taste. Personally I would choose something more neutral  to  match the top of the drapes. </div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj224eqCT5r7UTtlm2v6lwKu_9WKrY26PVSlfVaoP3HeV9m-4-fiZABDOmUeOkpztSPKFyCOPZijApBmAHrkPwSS1wrlMXxWxRl0JeQmhR9QAyEHvWpyf9wN86zlrCihV9YKBC2NVTy7idU/s1600/135459901262382116_OySUgygn_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="light drapery rod cohesive look " border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj224eqCT5r7UTtlm2v6lwKu_9WKrY26PVSlfVaoP3HeV9m-4-fiZABDOmUeOkpztSPKFyCOPZijApBmAHrkPwSS1wrlMXxWxRl0JeQmhR9QAyEHvWpyf9wN86zlrCihV9YKBC2NVTy7idU/s640/135459901262382116_OySUgygn_f.jpg" title="How to choose drapery hardware" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/window-wow/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Pinterest </span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">A pulled together look.  </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6SMVbaSNmlzLV6PazqztYOgTOMvXttAkHtvf4fswZaijFlA8BANy0xc3JM-8fflxzi_bKZtXKsyN3Aa_Wli-8or2RLerh4Kf7uXNM4bsrcd743HOn6U0gBVBRdK_SuZHiLsPKODmnFer/s1600/171277592048051408_wuX3F7tU_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br />What are your thoughts on choosing an appropriate drapery rod for your space. Do  you have an aversion to black rods in light spaces? <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>

How to choose drapery hardware

The devil is in the details and simple decisions can lead to big impact both good and bad.  Since there aren't any  absolutes in decor...

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A touch of the unexpected

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RVntAgMLnMc/Tvnn7LM2AbI/AAAAAAAADoc/LZoYAitg7MU/s1600/233131718180270256_FBjMNUVC_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RVntAgMLnMc/Tvnn7LM2AbI/AAAAAAAADoc/LZoYAitg7MU/s400/233131718180270256_FBjMNUVC_b.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://moderngirlstyle.blogspot.com/">Modern Girl Style</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Isn't it always interesting  when you walk into a space and see touches of excitement in the decor? It could be a great piece of art, a collection of objects or unexpected colour combination.  This ottoman is a ray of sunshine in an otherwise monochromatic room (flowers don't count).<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oA7a_dbzoS0/TvnxyD0OgEI/AAAAAAAADoo/erCidMm7VEA/s1600/171277592048040621_Nveqm7n4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oA7a_dbzoS0/TvnxyD0OgEI/AAAAAAAADoo/erCidMm7VEA/s400/171277592048040621_Nveqm7n4_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.curbly.com/users/chrisjob/posts/9643-the-coolest-mid-century-loft-of-all-time"> Curbly</a></span></div><br />Vases massed by colour are pretty spectacular as a focal point.  Finding interesting ways to show collections can add excitement to a plain room.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stbhimdaFbU/TvoovC3YViI/AAAAAAAADpk/Y0JapQmss4Y/s1600/142285669446883595_IEd5STB0_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-stbhimdaFbU/TvoovC3YViI/AAAAAAAADpk/Y0JapQmss4Y/s400/142285669446883595_IEd5STB0_c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/bm/cms/ContentRenderer/ContentRendererController.jpf?np=imagerepository/public_site/article_images/Interior/OfficeLibrary/IA_int_offc009&lang=en_US"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Benjamin Moore</span></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2J6VKpdeWc/Tvn0T1k2HuI/AAAAAAAADo0/xaU1A1yh-Xs/s1600/171277592048045485_EDJBprZQ_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2J6VKpdeWc/Tvn0T1k2HuI/AAAAAAAADo0/xaU1A1yh-Xs/s400/171277592048045485_EDJBprZQ_b.jpg" width="290" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://beautifuliving.files.wordpress.com/">beautiful living files </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Why not choose an exotic colour and paint a cabinet, table or the inside of a bookcase? </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1l2G94LSolU/Tvoi4iB37WI/AAAAAAAADpA/wvS9Nfr0yII/s1600/171277592048034467_VK9WVrD0_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1l2G94LSolU/Tvoi4iB37WI/AAAAAAAADpA/wvS9Nfr0yII/s400/171277592048034467_VK9WVrD0_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tobifairley.com/">Tobi Fairley</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Spectacular draperies can make a room.  This tight colour scheme becomes interesting when various patterns are added. The bold stripes in the drapes are very eye catching. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p49z1NIXuFo/Tvokpep5CaI/AAAAAAAADpM/VGgGvcVgh4c/s1600/162481499025711080_TNsMdTrc_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p49z1NIXuFo/Tvokpep5CaI/AAAAAAAADpM/VGgGvcVgh4c/s400/162481499025711080_TNsMdTrc_c.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/171277592048121910/">pinterest</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> A stenciled wall  is sure to be a focal point in  any  room.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gdkeRpGEoJA/TvoltViCkDI/AAAAAAAADpY/o5QVLzsKC6k/s1600/171277592048034625_wiTd6ux4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gdkeRpGEoJA/TvoltViCkDI/AAAAAAAADpY/o5QVLzsKC6k/s400/171277592048034625_wiTd6ux4_b.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.thebooandtheboy.com/search/label/decor">source </a></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you're going to hang photographs you may as well go for it and create a gallery wall. </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

A touch of the unexpected

Modern Girl Style Isn't it always interesting  when you walk into a space and see touches of excitement in the decor? It could be a grea...

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