Last night during Earth Hour as my husband and I were sitting in our candle lit living room in front of the fireplace - talking, I realized that what I love to do, one-day room makeovers, is “green” and helps the environment.  By reusing, recycling and reinventing pieces of furniture and artwork you already own, you are keeping them out of the landfills - thus helping Mother Nature.

Today, as I looked around our living room, I have three pieces of 1950’s blond wood furniture that I have had redone.  I found them in my parent’s attic when I was packing up the house to sell after my father died.  Not only do I have these, but also my father’s office chair that I had reupholstered in a brown leather.  I love these pieces and not only are they sturdy but beautiful as well.  I have reused, recycled and reinvented these pieces but many other pieces as well.

You too can reuse old pieces of furniture that you might have around the house.  Add a coat of paint of new fabric - and you have a new piece!

Room makeovers are “green” and help the environment!

One-day room makeovers are fun not only for me but for the client as well.  I have no attachment to their furniture or artwork and can look at them with a new and clean eye for  placement in a room.  People are astounded by the way their furnishings look after we rearrange their room in a one day makeover using all their “stuff”.

before

after

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Tips from All in a Day LLC or “Day” Tips

12 March 2009

As I’m sitting here writing this blog, I am watching tiny flakes of “white stuff” falling from the gray clouds above. I’m from the south and have a hard time with snow in March.  I keep thinking we will have a “spring thaw”, but I realize this is Chicago - and we know not to try and predict the weather.  In the south, this is the time of year when azaleas are in bloom, so watching the snow makes me wish for color outside.

But before the color starts to show up in the gardens, try a little color in your home!  This could be as simple as a new or recovered throw pillow for the couch, or more complicated such as painting an accent wall - but it all adds color, and color helps create the mood of the room.  You could also change your artwork to change the color or even the season in a room.  Any small color change will help the mood as we drift, ever so slowly - into warmer weather.

14 March 2009

I was shopping at Trader Joe’s yesterday and picked up a bunch of beautiful daffodils that were on sale.  A lady came by and was looking at the flowers as well - but put them back saying “I kill every flower I touch”.  That made me think - flowers are a lovely way to add a bit of much needed springtime to your home.  I suggested she buy a bunch, and when she got home to cut off the stems, place them in cold water and make sure she changes the water every-other day.  On my way out I saw her at the check out counter with several bunches in her basket - she said “thanks” and was anxious to take my advice and try to keep the daffodils alive for more than a day.

Flowers are such a simple way to brighten any room and they are easy to take care of as long as you change the water.