Simple, planet friendly holiday decor

The pagans brought nature into their homes to celebrate the Winter Solstice--think Christmas Tree and garland and holiday wreaths. So, why not bring in other elements from nature: twigs and sticks and any number of beautifully dried flowers and berries. I lifted this picture from Apartment Therapy, hey we rarely do this at Well Done, but I thought the idea was clever and simple and Well Done. Try something new and earth friendly this year and send us your pics. Rebecca

2736 Part 2, daylight basement

So, yesterday I showed you the exterior and upstairs interior... and today I am showing you the lower level interior. This space is unfinished, yet not completely devoid of assets.. For example; there is heat, water, a fireplace, a yard level exit and a 25 year warrantied waterproofing system. I think the house was on the market for so long because it looked just plain ugly. For us ( a contractor husband helps with this) the upgrades are cosmetic and not structural which is a huge difference compared to 2341. The lower level here will eventually be a family room, music room, office, bathroom/laundry and art studio/garage.

I promise to not bore you with only posting about my new house project, but I think there is something exciting about sharing the process and getting opinions from all you readers.

My first step in visualizing this house was to look at tons of pictures on websites and in magazines and them throw them away. I throw them away because they are already in my subconcious ( just by viewing once) and the concepts that are worth while have already affected me and how I am seeing the space. By throwing them away I am then filtering those ideas thru MY design and style filter, ensuring an original design. I never recreate a room or look exactly as I see it in a book or website. Published pictures are an example of someone else's vision of design and style filtered thru their lifestyle and budget....

So there you have it, my starting point exposed.... and my ugly (soon to be lovely) new house.

Just put things together that match.

I know this sounds very unexciting, like organizing your sock drawer. However, if you feel that your home is too "eclectic", lacks style or is boring try this: Take things of the same material, color or height and put them together in a grouping. Make sure this grouping is under or near a light source.

I tried this by my entry with white vases from Value Village.. unbelievably more people comment about this display than many of my other highfalutin design choices :)

( the white vases cost about 1 dollar each)

And of course don't do it with ALL of your stuff ....

Well done decorating doesn't need to cost you big bucks ,dude. We all think the solution is

"at the store" to make our home beautiful or is unattainable to us ..... Is it?