Decorating is basically just creative problem-solving. Once you figure out what the problem is then you have the beginnings of a solution.
I left off last week asking the question: What bugs you? I provided a few examples of problems and solutions at the end of the column but continued thinking about this problem-solving matter long afterward. I want to expand on this idea this week to provide some insight and solutions to some additional common decor problems.
I recently received an email from a reader asking for suggestions on what to use to house a curling iron, blow-dryer and flat iron in the bathroom. The main concern was the item needed to be able to withstand the heat of the hair accessories as well as keep them off of the counter. I couldn't find anything readily available that was made for this particular situation save for professional salon items that would have been expensive and utilitarian in style. What was needed was something stylish and made of metal or wire, which led me to search online for metal wine racks. There were several options that came up in my search that could either be wall-mounted or sit on a counter, and could safely house the hot items in a decorative way. Another solution that popped into my head was a metal mailbox. The hot items could be tossed into the wall-mounted mailbox, and the blow-dryer could sit on the magazine/newspaper rest at the bottom. Now, neither of these items 'belongs' in a bathroom but what fun they would be in the right setting! Paint the mailbox to match the decor or find a vintage one that suits the space.
Another query I've been working on involves a homeowner who is trying to solve the issue of a gap between a lower kitchen cabinet and a new fridge. The older cabinets don't quite fit snugly to the new refrigerator the homeowner purchased, leaving an open space about 12 cm wide by 85 cm high at the end of the bottom cupboard. This open space makes the kitchen looked unfinished and is a collection area for dust and toast crumbs. Again, nothing on the market quite fit the need. Luckily, the homeowner had cabinets with a paint finish and had some paint left in the same colour. I suggested building a tall, slim unit out of wood that would fit snugly into the cubby and could hold wine bottles. When painted, the unit will match the cabinetry and finish the kitchen off with style. If the matching paint wasn't available, I'd suggest using a focal colour, like red, for the wine rack to make it a feature.
Clutter
If you find a particular room feeling cluttered with bric-a-brac, consider removing all of the little items placed around the room and gathering them into a collection. These items might include framed photos, candles and holders or figurines. Make a feature wall out of all of the photographs instead of having them scattered around the room. Place all of the various styles of candles and holders on top of a piano or buffet to create a collection, which when lit can be stunning. Placing like items together in a decorative display gives them visual importance and drama.
Make it yourself
I've been trying to find a carpet runner that fits my oddly shaped hallway for a while now. After a thorough search, the only option I came up with was to purchase several matching rugs, which was too expensive and wouldn't fit the space exactly. I decided to try to make one myself. I chose to make a latch-hook rug using yarn scraps, which are plentiful at thrift stores for a great price. The latch-hook base fabric was too expensive and hard to find, so I used a length of carpet underlay netting that was not only perfect for the project but also would provide a non-slip backing to the handmade area rug. It's taken more than a year to make this rug, off and on while watching television, but it's coming together and looking great so far. Its total cost was probably around $40 versus hundreds for several matching area rugs.
Camouflage it
A wall mirror with a minor crack or chip can be 'fixed' with a clever coverup. Frame the mirror with a wider frame that will cover the damage. Hot glue decorative items, like seashells, around the frame to create some drama and cover up the flaw. Use decals made for mirrors or windows to create a design in the affected corner or area of the mirror.
Worn or stained hardwood flooring can be given new life by creating a tortoiseshell design on the affected area (usually at the threshold) using a stain that is darker than the rest of the floor. Create a design that will fit the room while covering up little flaws in the flooring.
Add colour
If your dilemma is your room is bland or boring, infuse the space with some colour using paint, fabric, wallpaper and accessories. Beef up the wall display by adding larger artwork pieces or use what you have to create a larger display. Diminutive paintings don't often make enough of a statement alone but when placed in a wall vignette, they can be dramatic.
What can I do with...?
If you have extra items you want to use in a creative way, consider these options:
You bought new cutlery and have old stuff to either reuse or donate. Donating to a thrift store is a great option but consider making a decorative wind chime from old forks. Bend the tines on each fork so you can run some fishing line or strong twine through them and hang them from a bar, a dowel or what have you to create a soft chime in the yard or inside the home near an open window. Other items that make great wind chimes include metal wrench sets, tin dish sets or lengths of copper pipe.
Fabric or sewing remnants offer many options for adding small touches to the decor. Use fabric to recover toss cushions, make window treatments, add a decorative band to plain draperies, cover lamp shades, cover storage boxes or even as a decorative wall display if the pattern is colourful and vivid.
There are hundreds of niggling decor issues out there and probably just as many good solutions. If you have a great idea, pass it on. I'd love to hear from you.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
