THE CALM AFTER THE STORM

THE CALM AFTER THE STORM                                                               By Fabia MacNair, Styling Spaces

Even though the holidays are over, it is still winter. You don't need to put all of the decorations away. Why not try to keep a few things out that cheer up the place? The evergreen on the door or as a center piece can still be kept on display.

The challenge is to store everything for next year. Keep things that go together, stored together.

• Each child's room, front hall and banister décor, tree lights, and tree decorations in compartmentalized decoration boxes. This will make it easier next year.
• Label, Label, Label, all the boxes.
• Shop for great deals before you store everything and add them to the boxes.

Plant paper whites, a small white flower that will bloom in 6 weeks, and this will provide an early indoor start to spring while adding a little green as they grow. You can also mix white roses with fresh greenery.

Warm up the house early by adding green and white pillows, throws, pictures, décor, or new house plants. Combining light greens and ivory or creamy whites always adds freshness to any room.

With the housing market the way it is, this is a great time to redecorate. Tear pictures of rooms you love out of magazines, think about the way you use a room and get inspired. Adding value to your home is a smart thing to do so when the market does come back you'll be ahead of the game. If you're not sure about what will add value to your home, find someone who can help you spend wisely. Not all home renovations and redecorations are created equal, so do your homework.

This article brought to you by Fabia MacNair of Styling Spaces.

She can be reached at 905-702-7420 or fabia@stylingspaces.ca

Visit her website at www.stylingspaces.ca