I was watching Good Morning America this morning and they had an interesting segment on planet earth.  This segment will run for a week with new “green” ideas and products.  One this morning was the carpeting made by Mohawk from recycled plastic bottles.  It takes 30 bottles to make 1 sq. ft. of very soft carpet.  If you want to check this out stop in at Hennen’s - we can show you.  And that is just ONE idea.  There were several more.  So…keep recycling because it is being used!!! 

This is a quick hint.  When planting your colorful flowers outside, pull colors from your inside room so that everything has a nice flow through the windows.  Example:  When sitting in the living room and looking out at your garden, you should be able to see some of the same colors and vice versa. 

I was, until I visited the Better Homes and Gardens website.  While there, I took a walk through 12 pages of gardens and started writing down ideas for my back yard.  Now the ideas for color, textures and summer fun are running through my head.  I am looking forward to decorating and enjoying the outdoors very soon.  Take a walk with me to www.bhg.com

A friend of mine who works in ceramics gave a class on color.  I was thinking about the difficulties we have choosing what color to use and what colors go well together.  A little rule of thumb is to print out a color wheel from the internet.  Colors that go together are directly across from or on either side of the color you selected.  One site I went to was quite fun.  It is http://www.visibone.com/color/posterzoom.html.  And remember, if you paint and you don’t like it, it is really easy to change it - don’t be afraid to take risks.  I have and it is fun.  Some work and some don’t, but it’s only paint! 

We are constantly hearing how using the new fluorescent light bulbs can save energy and I agree.  It is extremely important that we save energy whenever and wherever possible.  However, be aware that fluorescent bulbs can skew colors, especially tan or light beige.  These colors can take on a green hue when using fluorescent lighting.  We have seen it happen in the store - a lot!  Personally, I use reveal light bulbs to get the truest color in my rooms.  Another choice is to use the lighting that gives you a look AND FEEL of sunshine.  Go to www.sunbulbs.com and take a look.  These bulbs are also energy efficient and give you truer color in your home as well as a feel good atmosphere. 

I recently purchased a home and can relate to the Hennen’s customers who say how stressful furniture shopping can be.  YIKES!!!  I agree!  What style? What color?  What, What, What???  Here are some hints that I find very useful.  Only do one room at a time.  Sit in the room and think about how you use it and what feels good for you.  Use the Hennen’s layout plan on the homepage.  Listen to yourself because you know what feels right for you and for your family.  Have confidence and let the sales associates help you.  Believe in your decision, sit back, relax, and enjoy!

We all have been there. We welcome a guest into our home and at some point they give us a compliment that goes something like this: “You have a lovely home.” Okay, maybe people don’t use the word lovely anymore. But they do say something to the affect of liking your space, appreciating your decorating sense, or wishing they had the wherewithall to fashion some sort of window treatment. These compliments always make me nervous and I end up downplaying the compliment. Most of the time, I resort to reciting my “future” decorating plans: “yeah, that’s okay, but I would like to . . . ” Why do I do that? My guest doesn’t see what I see; they think what I have done is fabulous. But we do look at our homes as a work in progress, don’t we. There is always a piece of furniture to replace, a room to paint, photos to frame or something to be dusted. I recently built a home and have been feeling the pressure to hurry up and decorate. Mainly because I constantly see what is not finished. A recent guest encouraged me to sit back and appreciate my home as it is and I think that is a great idea. It’s not perfect. Not every piece of artwork is hung. And I may move the bench in the hallway to my bedroom. Who knows. But during this decorating process, I will love my home because it’s mine