Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Using Accessories To Create Cozy Warmth In Your Home By Jan E Smith

During warmer months, you might find yourself drifting toward cool shades of blue and green.  Icy shades like this can help you feel cooler.  When cooler weather comes, you can achieve the opposite by using color and texture to add a warm feeling to your home.
It is quite impractical to have completely different sets of furniture for every season, but it is easy to change the way your furniture looks by using accessories.  Slip covers can help extend the life of your furniture, and they are a good way to give your home a quick makeover.  Matching throw pillows add depth and comfort to the look of your living space, and soft faux fur or wool throw blankets look lovely as well as being a practical way to warm up quickly.
A great shag rug is an instant warming accessory.  The texture imparts a feeling of coziness, and if your feet are often cold, a shaggy rug is a great insulator.  Whether you've got carpet, travertine tile or hardwood flooring, you can use a shag rug anywhere your feet tend to rest.  Once winter is over, you can replace it with a cooler mat that complements your "summer" colors - rugs are a great accessory no matter what the season!
If you've got a fireplace, use it!  Be sure to have your chimney swept if it has been some time since the fire has been lit, and use good quality firewood to prevent buildup.  A cheerful, crackling fire adds ambiance and gives extra heat when it is needed most.  Specially scented pine cones can be added to the fire for a wonderful aroma that you'll love.  
Whether you have a fireplace or not, candles can add a nice touch.  Just be cautious with furnishings and draperies, and always use an appropriate candle holder.  Some of the best candles can cost a bit more, but they are worth the investment.  Learn how to keep wicks properly trimmed to extend candle life, and you'll enjoy them even longer.  
Scented candles and potpourri can make your home smell wonderful, but if you have the time, bake a little something.  You can make one batch of cookie dough and keep it in the refrigerator - make a nice plate of warm cookies each afternoon, and your loved ones will thank you for it. 
For more great tips on making your home look and feel good, see Flooringcarpetsrugs.com where you can see great examples of flooring and rugs to cheer and warm up your home whether you want to warm up a travertine floor with a shaggy rug or add warmer colors with a pink rug, you will find what you need.

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