I love decorating with candles (and vases, but that’s for another time!). They serve so many purposes. They look nice, smell nice and create such a great ambiance when lit.
I bought this glass container to put some apples in for decoration and silly me bought one that was too small. I didn’t return it because I knew I could use it for something else and I got it on clearance for next to nothing. One day, I was going through my stuff and found a bag of rocks, some old off white pillar candles and I decided to combine them all.Yes, it is something so simple, but I love it. I have it on our sofa table as people come in the front door. It looks gorgeous when lit because the light flickers off the glass.

My point isn’t to show off some amazing creation. Combining a glass container, rocks and a candle has obviously been done before, lol. My point is to have you look around your home and see what you can create. Fill a bowl with some fruit and put it on your dining room table. Arrange an assortment of candles or vases on an end table. Stack a few cool looking books on the floor in a corner to add a different perspective to the room.

Use what you already have laying around your house and see what you can come up with. You just might be surprised.

I am a huge fan of making your walls pop, unless you have furniture and accessories that really pop. You can really decorate a room two ways – with walls that make a statement and you can tone down the furniture or with furniture that makes a statement where you tone down the walls.

If you want to go the route of making those walls in your home really pop, then Wall Pops may be just what you need. They have an absolutely fabulous website at: http://www.wall-pops.com. You have to watch the intro to really see what these are all about. I got some great ideas just by watching the intro!

Here are a few examples of Wall Pops:

Wall Pops are a peel and stick wall art accessory that you can remove easily, reposition or change designs whenever you’d like. If you want to change up a room, all you have to do is remove the Wall Pop and return it to its original backing  for later use.

So, let’s say you have your little boy’s nursery decorated in one of their animal designs and he’s decided he’s too grown up for an animal themed room. Just take them down and save them for that next baby!

Wall Pops are great for renters or homeowners who despise painting.

Be sure and check out their website for design ideas, to create a design, helpful hints and where to buy Wall Pops.

If I asked you what kind of first impression your home gave, what would your answer be? Cluttered, messy, tidy, beautiful, simple…When someone comes to visit your home, there are two places where they get that first impression: the front of your house and the entry way (or wherever they enter your home). There are simple things that you can do to both spaces that give a great first impression.

I am all about simplicity. I don’t have a lot of things in my home. I don’t do knick- knacks and I like a room where you can walk around in it. That’s definitely not everyone’s taste and that’s fine, but de-cluttering and adding a few special touches can really make you feel good about your home and the first impression it makes.

Here are some staging tips that I put together for someone selling their home. You can go through this same list when you are trying to make the outside of your home and the entryway pleasing to the eye. Obviously you are not going to do everything on this list, but it gives you some good ideas.

Curb Appeal
__ Sweep or power wash the street and sidewalk in front of your house
__ Clean fire hydrant, utility pole near your house
__ Repaint, pressure clean or touch up exterior
__ Remove cobwebs from eaves
__ Fertilize, cut and edge grass, or re-sod
__ Weed and rake
__ Replace thin gravel/stone/tan bark areas
__ Mend, clean or paint fence, gate, steps
__ Install new house numbers-make sure they are visible from the street
__ Plant annual flowers in harmonizing colors
__ Add tan bark or topsoil to planting beds
__ Store toys, tools, bikes, trashcans, hoses, etc.
__ Repair, repaint or replace mailbox
__ Replace broken window panes
__ Move camper, old car or boat from driveway
__ Trim trees and shrubs, especially ones blocking pathways
__ Seal blacktop or repair cement on driveway
__ Wash windows
__ Tidy side yards
__ Clear gutters
__ Replace missing shingles; repair flashing
__ Remove awnings or shrubs which darken the interior
__ Remove screens and store in the garage
__ Add window boxes full of flowers

Entrance
__ Remove clutter from the front porch
__ Tighten handrails
__ Replace/repair/clean light fixtures
__ Replace bublb in fixture
__ Mend doorbell; replace button surround
__ Buy new door mat
__ Remove front door screen
__ Remove sick or dead potted plants
__ Paint or clean front door and threshold
__ Polish or replace brass; add a kickplate
__ Place clay or wooden pot(s) of flowers on porch
__ Place wooden or wrought iron bench on front porch
__ Add wreath or door decoration

Front Hall
__ Repaint or touch up
__ Notice smells – clean carpeting, drapes and upholstery to remove smoke/pet odors
__ Notice sound – turn off appliances, subdue barking dog
__ Subtle classical or instrumental music in background is acceptable
__ Remove any furniture and clutter crowding the space
__ Leave lights on and use maximum wattage bulbs
__ Hang a mirror instead of art to reflect light
__ Remove area rug (to expand space)
__ Clean out hall closet
__ Add plant or fresh flowers

Image Credit: SXC