Decorating
Wardrobing Your Home A unique and accessible approach to home styling
By
Sep 15, 2005, 23:29

(ARA) - What do embroidery, sequins, layering, and texture have in common? They all describe the hottest trends in women’s fashions and home décor. As the parallel between fashion and home décor narrows, consumers are buying throw pillows the same way they buy shoes -- acquiring distinctive pieces that update what they already have to create a fresh look without spending a lot of money.
Befitting this trend, home lifestyle expert Susie Coelho recently launched Susie Coelho Style -- a line of stylish home basics and décor exclusively at Mervyns. Coelho, host of HGTV’s hit series “Outer Spaces” and best-selling author of “Everyday Styling: Easy Tips for Home, Garden and Entertaining” and “Styling for Entertaining,” takes a unique and accessible wardrobing approach to home styling.

“When you have a variety of home décor basics and accessories, refreshing the look of your home can be a simple, cost efficient, and above all, fun process,” says Coelho. “By simply rearranging the furniture in a room, using decorative accessories in a new or unique way and then buying a few fresh pieces, consumers can afford to keep their homes up-to-date with the latest home fashions.”

Cultivated from her extensive background in fashion, home decorating, gardening, and entertaining, Coelho shares some everyday styling tips to help you create your own home décor wardrobe.

Tip Number 1: Examine your closet

Home décor trends follow women’s fashions. By examining the clothes in your closet you will not only get great ideas about what colors, fabrics, and themes to look for to freshen up your home, but you will also find insight into your own personal style -- an important element in home styling. If your own closet contains more conservative pieces, opt for décor that mimics the same classic feel, like a black and white color palette with clean lines. If your taste is more eclectic, mix fabrics and textures and include items with unique characteristics. To simplify your choices, try starting with two colors and use a third color as an accent. For a soothing and more consistent look, try using tonal variations of one color. Just like when you dress, too many colors can often be busy or without a distinctive point of view or style.

Tip Number 2: Buy smart basics

It’s important to start with a foundation of quality home basics, such as sheets, towels, and dinnerware, in several colors as variety gives you more options. Then mix-and-match your sets or change them according to your mood, the type of entertaining you are doing, or even the season. Coelho suggests having at least two to three sets of dinnerware. One of the sets should be cream or white so you can mix-and-match to create several different looks by varying the color palettes and decorative accents. To maximize the longevity of your home basics, consider how the same item can be used multiple ways or in different rooms. Reversible comforters and pillows are great because you can just flip them over when you are ready for a change. All of the comforters in the Susie Coelho Style collection are reversible and were designed with the idea of change in mind.

Tip Number 3: Think of different ways to use what you already have

Before buying all new décor for a room, choose a new color palette and then search other rooms in your house for items that can be used to align with your new color scheme. Items may often be used in unexpected or unique ways. A throw can serve as decorative table runner or thrown over a sofa to mask a tear or a print you may want to minimize. Pillows can be switched from room to room. Don’t be restricted by the fact that you bought something for one room as it can easily be used in a different way in another room. Keep open to new possibilities and throw convention to the wind!

Tip Number 4: Update with a few new pieces

After you’ve reworked your basics and found new ways to use what you already have in your home wardrobe, find a few new pieces that help bring together your fresh new look. This could be new candles, vases, sheets and a few pillows for the bedroom, or an entire new bedding collection that will instantly change the look of your room. An easy makeover and done in just a day!

Tip Number 5: Be true to your personal style

Just like shopping for clothes, women should keep their own personal style in mind when shopping for home décor. If an item doesn’t complement what you already have or just doesn’t excite you, you’ll end up stowing it in the back of the closet next to the odd-colored blouse with the tags still on it that you bought five years ago. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new looks for your home, but if you get the feeling that a piece just isn’t you or won’t mesh with what you already have, it’s probably better to leave it on the shelf.

Further extending her passion for wardrobing the home, Coelho designed her new line of bedding and home décor for Mervyns to offer maximum style, versatility and affordability with every piece. “I’ve had the opportunity to make over hundreds of indoor and outdoor spaces and understand consumer tastes, trends, and budgets which has allowed me to create a home collection that is stylish, functional, and a good value,” says Coelho. “I hope my new collection inspires people to express themselves and personalize their home with these versatile pieces. They can start with what they have and add unexpected or new elements to create a look that is completely their own.”

To find the Mervyns store near you, visit www.mervyns.com or call (800) MERVYNS. Courtesy of ARA Content

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