KALEIDOSCOPE

Melding two households and two home décor tastes can become a formidable task.  In today’s society the task of redecorating is also complicated by time restraints and the price of gas.  With this in mind, I have adapted one of the ideas I used as a theater teacher to the task of redecorating our home.

The concept is simple.  As you page through catalogs, the Sunday paper advertisements, and magazines, clip pictures of items that spark your interests and pictures of rooms that look appealing.  Using a three ring notebook and a set or two of dividers, paste your clippings on pages under your chosen categories.  For example, the category of living room might begin with pictures of various room arrangements followed by pages devoted to drapes and drapery hardware, sectional furniture, couches, chairs, tables, and lamps.

Before you venture out to shop for items for your room, take out the book and discuss your options with your partner.  Your personalized redecorating notebook can then be carried with you when you shop online or at local businesses.

If you have the technology, you can even create a notebook with your computer’s picture manager or on power point.  Since this would be difficult to take with you, you could print out pictures of what you are looking for.

When you go to local businesses knowing what you want, it is much more difficult to be swayed into purchasing something you don’t want or need.