Treasure Hill Cottage

Gardens are beautiful places of relaxation and beauty. The higher oxygen levels, the aroma, and the pleasant colors ease one’s mind, body, and soul.  It is for this reason that so many people enjoy growing and keeping gardens, often using various schemes of garden decor to keep the garden interesting and stimulating.

There are many different garden decor styles with the fantasy land decor as one of the most common. This includes fairies, gnomes, and other imaginary figures and scenes painted on clay or porcelain for decoration. Another very common garden decor is the natural life decor. This style includes the arrangement of statues, fountains, other figures and stepping stones made of various materials set into natural garden scenes. The road or path to heaven is also very popular which features very heavy religious undertone and a remembering of those who have gone before us.  You can choose one of these styles of garden decor or mix and match them any way you like to create the garden of dreams.

The garden itself can be greatly enhanced by the addition of garden ornaments. Such garden decor can often be set right into the landscaping without disturbing the existing garden; or they can be placed in an area where nothing seems to grow. There is so much that can be done with garden decor that it is little wonder that it is so popular with those who have gardens.

Is one or more of your rooms stuck in the ’80s?  Have you been thinking home make-over, but can’t afford it? Here are some tips on how to save money and still get the look that you’ve always wanted.

First you will have to choose a style that you like, contemporary or modern, country, French country, Victorian, well you get the idea.  Next you will have to decide on a wall color to fit the whole look of the room. For Victorian, a rosy pink, or an off-white, country can be anywhere from blue and yellow, to pink and white.
 
Once you have picked your color pallet for the room, it’s time to select furniture. If your furniture already matches your style, then consider yourself lucky. If your furniture looks unpleasant, purchase some slip covers, they come in all different styles and patterns.  If there is still something missing, look for one or two accent pieces too breathe new life into your room.  You can get some really good deals if you shop around.

Now buy inexpensive rugs and draperies that compliment the colors and style you have chosen. Solid color rugs and draperies are less expensive than patterns and prints. You can save a lot of money by purchasing these items in places like Wal-Mart or Target to name just two.
 
Finding artwork isn’t as expensive as you may think. You can buy from the same retailer you got your rugs and draperies from or craft stores.  Or better yet make your own!  Photocopy images from a book, magazine or family photos and form a collage using decorative picture frames.
 
Alter the things you already have. A black lamp may not go with a nautical theme, so what do you do? Paint it, using spray paint or textured paints, found in arts and crafts stores. Clocks, coat racks, vases (using glass paint) shelves, bookends, even baskets and furniture can be transformed by paint.
 
Give the space a warm and comfortable feeling by tossing some pillows and a blanket on your couch.  Your family and guests will love it.   Don’t have the painting gene?  Use stencils and stamps instead to paint the design you want.

An inappropriate mix of lighting, color and furniture can make a very costly combination look ugly.   Choose bright lighting for modern and dim lighting for classic to be in harmony with the mood.  Use a higher number of weak light sources instead of a lesser number of strong light sources.  Use candles as ambient lighting to enhance the style you have created.
 
And most of all have fun!