A DECORATING PANTRY

       The adage, “familiarity breeds contempt,” can be especially true of decorative accessories in your home. Your eye tires of seeing the same vignettes. That vase on the same table with the same tired-looking flowers month after month. The painting that has not changed location for years. The spent candles now cast anything but a warm glow.

       Photo A

       My remedy?  Develop a pantry of decorating accessories and move things around once in a while. It may be that certain artwork can only be located on certain walls due to its size and shape.  However, when possible, switch out your paintings and pictures at least once every two years or at a minimum, change the decorative accessories nearby.
       Accessories can be anything that your eye finds pleasing and, if properly displayed, will bring a sense of beauty to your room.  To develop your cache of decorative objects, you can look to various sources, e.g. home decor departments, internet sites, nature and your own collection of treasured things.


WHAT’S ON YOUR SHELF? 
       A decorating pantry might store various things:
       – candles (varied in shape, size and color), votive holders and candle sticks; 
       – vases and bowls (wood, metal, glass, ceramic, pottery) of different scale and size;

       – dried floral items, e.g. seed pods, “chocolate” artichokes, kumquats on a stem, leggy branches (these can be spray painted for seasonal touches) and more;

       – stone, metal and wood objects d’art to rotate on tabletops;

– seasonal changes of table and bed linens, curtain panels and pillows;
– photos of family and friends – move from room to room or switch out the display on your walls and flat surfaces; and
– memorabilia from vacations, family heirlooms and children’s handiwork.
       The key is to have a place to store these items. Closets, drawers, clear plastic bins or tubs of woven or fabric material with good accessibility work well. To make seasonal or rotational changes quickly, assure that you can change out items easily.
       Admittedly, I have a few vignettes and plantscapes that have been in place for a while. To sharpen the visual aesthetics, I add cut flowers and freshen my home decor by bringing in new accessories, fabrics, linens and house plants to breathe an air of newness.



Photo B

A FRESH COAT OF PAINT
       Another little trick to employ: so many existing or new items can be transformed with a simple coat of spray paint. Krylon brand Fusion spray paint has been a great decorating find. My former collection of glazed outdoor pottery is now a glossy black to give my front entry a contemporary flair. Woven vinyl outdoor armchairs received a coat of black spray paint and ‘Voila!’ they transformed from drab to fab in a manner of minutes. Your tired-looking woven or wood trays and baskets also come alive with a new paint finish.

GET FRESH!  INVIGORATE YOUR DECOR

       Garden trimmings are an easy, quick way to freshen a room. Easy-care houseplants can be created with peace lily plants placed directly into water in clear container with a base of rocks. I add a little liquid fertilizer a few times a year. Diffenbachia, philodendron (large leaf variety) and scheffelera cuttings make long-lasting arrangements or centerpieces when placed in water.  As with fresh flowers, cut the stems routinely and freshen the water every couple of weeks.  (See photo notes below.)

                                                                           Photo C

PLUNGE IN
     No matter what your decorating scheme is changing things up now and then is not only a quick way to transform a room, it invigorates your creativity and renews the enjoyment of a your home.
       Be adventurous. Take risks as you build your pantry. Think eclectic and mix up styles (retaining some common color scheme) or go more subdued. Try out a new genre and see what’s interesting and comfortable. It’s your home, your style. Do it your way and fall in love with your home all over again!
              

PHOTO NOTES:

A - Artful fireplace niches were created by removing existing shelves and decorative clutter.  Client can now change her accessories easily.  Clean-lined framing with hidden rope lighting were added to enhance contemporary style, warmth and drama of the room.

B - Cake plate turned upside down as floral container. Single Green Goddess blossom and button carnations. Mini-pendants from Justice Lighting Group "Limoges" wave pattern in porcelain bisque.

C - 24" glazed shallow bowl from Pier 1 Imports with cuttings from Madrone and Japanese maple trees.  Contemporary glass vases with similar cuttings.  This arrangement could be set up for a dining table centerpiece or for display on an entry table, cocktail table or buffet.  Museum tack is advised under the vases to avoid spillage.