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(ARA) - After the "I dos" are exchanged and the reception is over, couples find out that the realities of cohabitation do not always make for smooth sailing, especially when it comes to blending different tastes and styles. While newlyweds find themselves saying "I do" at the altar, that phrase frequently turns into "I don't" when the couple begins combining two unique decorating styles into a single household.

"It's never easy to incorporate two divergent ideas of design and comfort into one home," says Christopher Prebel, senior product manager at Pratt & Lambert Paints. "The man likes modern. His new wife likes flea-market chic. If you pick only one style, it's not going to feel like a 'married' home. The question, then, is, 'How can you blend both and be satisfied?'"

This might take some time, but no one says you have to decorate an entire house overnight.

First, de-clutter. Both of you have baggage that you could stand to dump, donate or list on eBay. Sit down together and negotiate what stays and what goes, and then stick to your plan.

Next, spend time looking at decorating publications and websites and watching decorating shows on TV to decide what sort of style you both like. Talk about what you see, what you love and what you don't. The husband might hate feminine, floral prints. And, the wife might cringe at preppy plaid. But maybe they both prefer slip-covered sofas and daring wall colors. And once you find that common ground, you can start formulating your decorating strategy.

Paint is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to start personalizing any living space, and it all comes down to color. Color possibilities are endless, so chances are you'll be able to find something you both like.

Visit your local paint dealer and collect color chips or actual inexpensive paint samples that you can put on the wall to compare options. Most paint companies have helped simplify the color selection process. Pratt & Lambert Paints, for example, has a color display that features pop-out color chips that let you evaluate color by overlaying chips against existing furniture and design elements. Additionally, various color cards provide you with suggested color combinations to give you further inspiration.

If you're the kind of couple who likes to remain en vogue with your decor choices, consider researching the latest color trends. A variety of design industry groups develop color forecasts each year, and paint manufacturers prepare palettes to echo these predictions. Hot directions for 2010 include:

Nurture - Colors inspired by sustainability, balance and making an impact on the greater world. Try gray on your walls and accent with shades of palm green, nutmeg, browns and yellows.

Symbol - Colors in this palette seek inspiration from architectural and historical symbolism - rich, complex and even moody hues, such as tobacco, bay leaf green, maroon and warm reds.

Sense - Hues in this palette not only please the eye but also stimulate the other senses by echoing tactile wonders with colors like that of an artichoke.

Sojourn - Inspired by the sights of global travel, the colors in this palette combine an eclectic mix of cultural references, blending camels and honeyed lights with rich, artistic reds, slate blues and plums.

Color is the biggest hurdle in any decorating decision - and once you cross that challenge off your list as something you've accomplished together, the rest should fall easily into place. Some other helpful tips to keep in mind while you're creating the perfect first home include the following:

* Mix it up, don't match it perfectly. It's fine to be eclectic. A home that is perfectly "matchy-matchy" lacks character. Your home is about you, and it should carry a bit of both of your personalities vs. looking like you copied a picture in a magazine.

* Cleverly blend items from the past with new things in every room. You both had a life before you got married - let your history reflect into your present. Yes, it might involve compromise, but that's what relationships are about, isn't it?

* Buy big items, such as furniture, window treatments, flooring upgrades and appliances, together. Shopping as a team gives added cohesiveness to the overall look and allows you both to have a say in major purchases.

Marriage is "for better or for worse." A little creativity and compromise will ensure that at least your decor is for "the better."

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Kitchens and baths get all the buzz as the best rooms to renovate, whether you're selling your house or planning to stay in it. But don't overlook the power of a great master bedroom - after all, it's among the most frequently used rooms in your home.

Whether you're renovating to attract potential buyers, or to improve your enjoyment of your house, sprucing up the master bedroom has multiple benefits. Buyers will likely pass through your bedroom to reach the master bath, so a great master bedroom helps set the tone for your master bath. And since most of us spend about eight hours a day (or night) in the bedroom, refurbishing the room can help us get better rest and feel better about our home.

Investing just a few extra dollars to install luxury designer touches like good linens or an eye-catching wallpaper mural can ensure you get the most bang for your renovation buck in the bedroom. Whether you have a few hundred dollars or a few thousand to spend, you can make the most of your money by adding high-quality, high-impact touches like these:

Designer (or at least designer-look) linens

The bed should be a focal point for a well-designed bedroom. The easiest way to make yours look fresh and powerful, even if it's the same frame you've had for 10 years, is to dress it up with great linens. Go for the whole enchilada here - skirt, accent pillows, duvet and shams. Linen designers have made it very easy to create a pulled-together, luxury look by providing ensembles that work together.

Since you'll spend several hours a day in contact with your linens, it's probably worth spending a bit more for comfort as well as great looks. Look for all-cotton sheets that have a high thread count. Generally, the higher the thread count the softer and more comfortable they'll feel. Thanks to designers' partnerships with popular retail chains, it's possible to score a good-looking, good-quality ensemble for a couple hundred dollars. Throw in a few hundred more and you can buy name brand linens in a top-of-the-line department store.

Wallpaper murals

Designers have been using murals to make a major impact for centuries. You can achieve the power and appeal of a hand-painted mural for a lot less money and work when you opt for a wallpaper mural like those found online at www.muralsyourway.com. In a bedroom, a mural can be used as a subtle backdrop for grand or posh bed and furnishings, or as a focal point to make a dramatic statement. You can create a soothing effect with a pastoral or floral scene or rev up your design with a modern, edgy black and white graphic. Or, personalize your mural by submitting your favorite photo to muralsyourway.com; they'll turn it into a custom mural to fit your size specifications.

Vinyl wallpaper murals are easy to install - well within the abilities of most do-it-yourselfers. And now, you can really make a luxury touch by opting for a canvas wallpaper mural.

Hide the high-def

When that massive flat screen TV is in your living room, you want it out there for everyone to see and admire. In your bedroom, however, you might want it to look less intrusive. A TV has become a staple of bedroom furnishings, and more people are making the move to high-definition, flat-screen TVs. You could mount yours on the bedroom wall, but then it might draw attention away from other elements of the room that you want to emphasize.

Consider installing a cabinet that allows you to lower the TV inside it - and hide the high-def - when you're not using it. Cabinets are available that look like high-end pieces of furniture, or even fireplaces. Another option is to purchase a movable mirror or piece of art. These items are specially designed to hang in front of the TV when it's not in use and move easily out of the way when you want to view it.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - When summer's over it means back to spending more time indoors. But don't let the dropping temperatures take you down with them. Instead, spruce up your space with easy projects. With a little time - and even less money - you can transform your home with simple and luxurious looks ... for less.

Gorgeous great rooms
You don't need to buy new furniture to give your living or great room an expensive-looking update. The secret to scoring an entirely new look is refreshing the small details. Make your couch seem new with accent pillows in lavish fabrics like silk or velvet. By adding different textures and colors, you'll create depth and the focus will be on the new accessories, not the old sofa. Take a cue from today's leading interior designers and add candles in varying shapes, sizes and heights; it's another easy (and inexpensive) way to make an impact. Arrange them on the mantel or coffee table to add a lush and romantic feel to your room.

Another easy way to make over the entire room is with a fresh coat of paint. Look for a shade that enhances the items already in the space, like the wood tones in the coffee table or the pattern of the window treatments. A great neutral color to try is Durham Beige from Dutch Boy. It's more visually interesting than the standard shades of white or cream, while still providing a serene backdrop for the rest of the room. Highlight your new coat of paint by drawing the eye up with a new piece of wall art or a mirror. With a few updates, your living area will look like a million bucks, when you really spent much less.

Chic kitchens
Would you love to incorporate the stainless steel appliances found in luxury kitchens into your own home, but aren't in love with the price tag? Get the same look by spending a few dollars - instead of thousands - with a can of spray paint. Krylon's new Stainless Steel Finish can be applied to your existing refrigerator or dishwasher, allowing you to achieve the luxe look of stainless steel without the cost. The new stainless steel finish is a great way to update accent pieces with a cool and contemporary look since it can be used on a number of substrates, from metal and wood, to glass and ceramics. Refresh an old light fixture, transform register covers or switch plates or make over picture frames.

Instead of installing a brand new floor, liven up the room with a new area rug. Discount stores are amazing places to find the same products that are in department stores, at a fraction of the cost. And the best part is, no one will have to know what a steal it was (unless you want them to).

If your dining set looks a little worse for wear, spray painting is a really easy way to make it look brand new. Building on your new contemporary look, embrace a black-and-white palette that complements your stainless accents. By using Krylon's Indoor/Outdoor Paint in flat black, you'll hide any nicks or imperfections in the wood while protecting your table and chairs from future damage. Add a new table runner and placemats, and you'll have a swanky and stylish dining area.

With a few inexpensive updates to your home, you'll have your home looking like it's full of expensive pieces in no time at all. Spending time indoors has never felt so luxurious. For more information about any Krylon products, visit www.krylon.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - Both fashion and budget-conscious Americans alike are taking better care of their clothing and other possessions, starting with how they store them. But if you haven't been reading today's most popular home and style magazines, sneaking a peak inside your neighbor's closets, or house-hunting lately, you might not have noticed: Closets have evolved from clumsy and non-functional to downright fabulous.

Or maybe you've envied the spacious, custom closets characteristic of luxury homes, but haven't had thousands of dollars to plunk down on a professional closet makeover.

In either case, you probably need a closet solution. That's why manufacturers of closet organization systems have been busy developing new, do-it-yourself home storage solutions ranging from low-end, rack-and-wire plug-ins to handsome furniture-style systems in white or wood-toned melamine and even solid wood.

Among the strongest and most flexible of the new systems are Home Options Storage Solutions, available around the corner at Lowe's home improvement stores or at www.lowes.com. Shelving and pole heights are adjustable so your design can be adapted periodically to your changing needs. Full extension drawers with attractive fronts provide complete access.

Where to start creating a custom closet on a do-it-yourself budget? First, determine your skill level. Do you need a professional? Probably not. Many closet systems can be installed in a weekend by anyone of average skill level. Brands such as Home Options offer websites with pre-existing templates and online design tools that make closet planning easy.

Next, measure your space. Determine the width, height and depth and write them down. Is your closet a reach-in, walk-in, or are you creating it from freestanding space? Have high ceilings? Add a shelf to store items overhead.

When planning, consider designating 50 percent of your closet space for low-hanging clothes, 25 percent for longer clothes, and 25 percent for drawers and shelves. Then, take inventory of your stuff and make adjustments to meet your personal needs.

Use a tower unit to separate his space from hers and incorporate shelves and drawers. Use pant racks to organize 12 pairs of pants in a compact space while keeping them smooth and pressed. Use shelves for organizing folded sweaters so they keep their proper form. Raise shoes off the floor. Look for shoe cubbies that comfortably hold two shoes, not just one. Shoe cubbies are also ideal for stowing away evening bags, belts and other personal items. For more information, visit www.homeoptionsstorage.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

(ARA) - As fall arrives, our world changes to a place decorated with vibrant colors and filled with the tastes and abundance of the harvest. And as the season changes, it's only natural that we crave some changes of our own. Whether you want to update your wardrobe with some new looks for the cooler weather, or warm up your home with some stylish new decor, it's good to know that you can make changes without breaking the bank.

"Fall is such an exciting season for style," says Susan Atchison, manager of trend development for Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores. "We're saying farewell to the breezy lightness of summer and looking forward to a rich and cozy feel in the season that takes kids back to school and gets us looking toward the excitement of the holidays. In fall, inspiration is literally all around you and it's a great time to get inspired to do some projects that will give you a look that is perfectly suited to the season."

The do-it-yourself approach makes creating new looks for fall even more fun. Whether you're enhancing your own style or updating your home's decor, it's budget friendly and surprisingly easy to make accessories that would cost a lot in stores.

Here are some ideas from the creativity and craft experts at Jo-Ann:

* Warm up your wardrobe.
Autumn means it's time to go back to the closet - to the very back of the closet, for some of us - and pull out our favorite, never-out-of-style sweaters, slacks, jeans and boots from last year.

It's easy to put a 2010 stamp on last year's outfits with a few trendy and stylish new pieces, like a wet-felted scarf, a perfect pencil skirt or sophisticated needle-felted wool jacket. Wool felting is a great project that you can do right at home with a few simple tools, which allows you to turn yarn into a warm, thick fabric through brushing and exposure to water. Make sure the wool you use 100 percent wool or other animal fiber or marked "feltable" if it's synthetic. You'll find directions for wet felting projects and more on Jo-Ann's website, www.joann.com.

* Fun fashion for home
Your wardrobe isn't the only look you might want to update for fall. Your home decor could use a seasonal make-over as well. "In fall, we start inviting more people into our homes: backyard barbeques are out, but dinner parties and indoor get-togethers are in," Atchison says. "It' the perfect time to create a seasonal atmosphere inside your house, taking cues from the colors of the leaves and late blooming plants."

Bringing the shades of the season to your table top can be an easy, economical way to freshen your home decor for fall. Some new napkins, a dazzling centerpiece and hand-painted placemats can completely change the look of your fall table.

To discover more fall trends for you and your home, visit www.JoAnn.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent