Customizing Your Home

Lighting makes the mood.
Let's hope you didn't intend for your rooms to look like you live with bats. Candles in corners add warmth, even in a bathroom; holders also come in wall- mounted sconces. (Just be sure to watch for fire hazards.) Set votives on top of a flat mirror to double their effect. Use acrylics or other water-based paints to ornament paper lampshades (again, a trip to the rubber stamp store for us non- artisans). Frame interior doorways, halls, or stairs with strings of tiny lights(not just for Christmas any more).

Dress-up your windows.
Colorful curtains can add elegance or energy to a room, especially if they're color coordinated with other furnished elements. There's no need to get fancy: Just pick up a good-looking curtain rod, one that's spring-loaded to fit inside the window frame or that's a bit wider than the window. From this, hang two fabric panels with a hem wide enough for the rod to slip through(twin bed sheets are often cheaper than curtains). You can also dress up a window with a faux stained glass stick-on found at a craft store.

Do with what you have.
If you have a hand-me-down sofa or armchair that's seen better days cover it with a bedspread or a good-quality sheet. It doesn't take sewing know-how to recover throw pillows. Buy or cut two same-size pieces of the same or complementary fabric. If they aren't hemmed, fold the edges of each piece and seal them with fabric glue to make tidy seams. Then glue the two pieces together along three sides, and give them some drying time. Now insert the pillow or other stuffing and glue the final edge, or use Velcro tape for easy removal in the future.

Make a collection work for you.
Even small details can personalize your space. Gather some of your favorite nick-nacks and group them by color, shape, or theme them on bookcases, windowsills, and other surfaces. Whether you collect model cars, glass beads, or Hummel figures, setting them out where you can see them will make you feel more at home and might start some good conversations. Replace the knobs of cupboards and drawers with something in your own style. Spice up a boring room with an area rug.

Learn to use scale.
The human eye appreciates variety, not only for color but also for shapes, sizes, texture and viewing levels. Alternate patterns and shapes with solids and simple textured fabrics. If most of your belongings hover somewhere near the floor, buy a tall plant stand to raise the eye and fill the space between ceiling and floor. Hang scarves of different fabrics from the ceiling. If you have any favorite finds or collections that would be suitable for wall mounting, have them box-framed to bring your walls to life. An ivy-filled planter with long vines hanging from the ceiling works as a warm accent to a corner space. Ceiling-suspended candleholders add a touch of romance while bringing light to higher levels.

The most important thing to do is look through the superstores. Piping and electrical conduits are a great inexpensive way to create custom look rods. Use you home PC or rubber stamps to create patterns with colors. By using things that are different, you gain that "designer" custom look....and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing the designer was you!

Most new homes are like empty canvases, designed not to turn off prospective buyers, but not exactly filled style. Its look and feel will affect whether you feel comfortable with your purchase, but where do you go from here without spending beyond your means? How can you give it some punch, soften its edges, or just customize it to suit your style? Here are some ways to get started:

Do your homework.
Take your time, especially if you're thinking about doing anything major. Start by picturing each room's focal point. Whether it's an armoire, an oriental rug, or a fireplace, other room elements should play off this piece, creating a kind of visual "rhythm." Superstores such as Home Depot and Lowe's have a slew of books on do-it-yourself home projects, and many of them offer free weekend classes. Be sure to pick up some of the paint swatches that you like and see what works with your existing furnature. Watch a few of the cable TV shows on decorating. Visit a bookstore to browse decorating magazines (you don't have to buy them). Drop by a fabric shop to soak up the world of available colors and textures.

Create a private space.
Buy an inexpensive folding screen or make your own. A couple of "core doors" and some hinges and you're in business. Use a staple gun to attach fabric or thick craft paper to make it lively or visit a rubber stamp store. Screens also make a great way to hide messy odds and ends. Trunks can be used as coffee tables or end tables. I added short legs to bring it up to height, then printed clip art from my home computer, cut, and pasted it (finishing with a clear coat to make it spill proof). The art you choose ties the table in with the theme of the room.

Get colorful.
This is probably the best decision you can make without busting the bank. Bring home some paint samples before you start, and look at them in their intended room on a sunny day. It's wise to choose a gloss paint in a complementary offset color for mouldings that will carry from room to room to keep a nice flow to your home. If you're a newbie at painting, browse the Web for tips, or check home- decorating and paint stores for books and free pamphlets. Pay particular attention to preparation to avoid painting twice.

Floors, walls, and ceilings.
Adding a few panels of medium- weight fabric from a fabric store is the latest quick tip for decorating. When you want a change, just take them down and add new panels of another color. Add borders, combining patterns or clipping the edges in a freehand style. Mirrors always add an illusion of space, and unframed, they're dirt-cheap. Save money on flooring by shopping for remnants at carpet stores or paint your own floor covers using floor canvas, available at most home decorating stores.

Visually pull together a room.
It's as simple as low-cost furnature paint job. Paint all the pieces the same color, or in colors that play are complimentary to each other. Change the knobs on dresser drawers and nightstands to complete the new look. To liven up a flat surface such as a headboard, or dresser, pick up some crackle paint for a country look, or appliqués made of iron or wood, often available in crafts stores, or superstores.