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Home Dec Sewing Tips
  Sally Cowan, Keeping You In Stitches

Color: When considering color in a room there are several things to consider. Color is a mood  setter,  does it make you happy or sad, calm or excitable.  Consider which room you will be using the color in, is the room large or small and what is the room used for. As an example you may want to use a calming color in a bedroom. 

Making sure that all in the family are agreeable on a color helps as well. If you are redecorating a child's room for instance, let the child make some of the decisions as well, they will feel included, and generally are proud of their space keeping it tidier.  

Window Treatments: The window treatments are  important in a room. They are sometimes the main feature of the room especially if you have a fantastic view that you want to show off.  If you have a small room you don't want the treatment to be overpowering, it should be well balanced. They can be enhanced with various touches as rosettes, tiebacks, valances etc.  

Fabrics: When choosing just the right fabric for your room  there are a few things to consider. Fabric care,  is it washable, do you have children, wear-ability.  Consider the family room for instance --  you may want to use something that will withstand the wear and tear of everyday family life. That lacey pillow that grandma made might be more suitable in a bedroom where it won't get handled as much

I have listed  a few tips  to consider when redecorating, have fun.  

1.     Before you start to redecorate a room, be sure you make those decisions with whoever
         will  live in that room.  

2.     When deciding on color-ask yourself what color makes you feel happy. 

3.     When deciding what color you love -- look in your closet.  That color will dominate your
   closet. 

4.     What color, where?  Blue works in bedroom, yellow in bathrooms, red in the dining room and green in the living room.

5.     The length of a valance should be 1/3 the length of the window. It should always be balanced.

6.     Rosettes can help add a stylish touch to valances, swags and tiebacks.

7.     When setting pleats in curtains, use a damp cloth rinsed in white vinegar and water.  (50/50).  You won't have to worry about the pleats being set for life.

8.     If you want a piece of fabric on a rod to be truly unruffled-cut the fabric just slightly narrower than the width of the rod.

9.    By just changing the pillows, you can change a room. 

10.   Fabric choices for pillows: think about polished cotton, textured cotton, chintz and linen. I

11.   Fabric choices for a stool cover: think about calico, damask or broadcloth.

12.   Fabric choices for an office: lightweight blend fabric, linen or even denim,.

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