Hello again!  Thank you for all of your kind comments on ISR's first newsletter.  Fall is slow in coming weather wise, but I still always think of September as a New Year beginning.  The kids start back to school, we begin a new routine.  We also begin to start indoors once again for cleaning projects, organizing, decorating, etc.  Another favorite activity I love this time of year- shopping!  And if you haven't shopped for your home in awhile- you will be surprised at all the sales going on.  Macy's. Penney's, Sears. Home Goods. Pier 1, TJ Maxx, etc.; they are all having great sales & clearances.  You can really find some unique, inexpensive home décor items.   I will explain more shopping ideas in this month's feature story. 
 
Until next time - Happy Decorating!

Kelly

Shopping! Love it and hate it. I think the most enjoyable shopping is when you are just looking around- nothing in particular to buy.  The stores are having great Fall sales and clearances right now which make it even more fun and enjoyable on the wallet!  Places to look for deals include many stores such as Home Goods, Target,  TJ Maxx, Christmas Tree Stores and Marshalls that have certain aisles just for clearance items.  Poke through them- especially down on the bottom shelves in the back, where no one looks.  If you find an unusual object that you love- don't worry what your husband or others might think of it.  If you like it, every time you walk in the room and see it, it will make you smile.  Unique items make for great conversation pieces too.  Make sure your items are more on a larger scale; small items get lost on table.  If you like the smaller pieces, be sure to buy an odd number of them and place together on table. A lot of stores have end caps where you can find clearance items.  But do NOT buy something just because it is on sale.  You have to really love to buy.  If you have a favorite store ask one of the sales people- what day does new items usually come in?  Another favorite store to find great deals and ideas- Home Depot and Lowe's.  I personally think they have the best prices and selection for lighting.

So, if you are looking for ideas to start a room, or items to finish decorating a room, check out the bargains out there now.  Got to be one of the best feelings- buying something you love and getting a great price on it.  Have fun!

Window treatments are so important for that finished look in a room.  Long, straight panels are the easiest, least expensive, and best looking way to go.  The decorating rule is to hang the window rod close to ceiling above window and then measure to floor.  The standard size panel length sizes are: 63", 84" and 95".  Be sure the panels reach the floor,  they do not look right if they are too short.  The standard width of panels is around 50".  If you can afford it, try to hang two panels on each side of window (four panels total)- the fuller they look the better.  The advice I give clients - save up for custom curtains.  Someone comes to your home and measures, offers fabric selections and styles that  coordinate with your existing furnishings, and then come back and install them for you.  They are more costly, but well worth the extra to have that that custom, finished look in your room and not have to deal with them for about another 10-15 years.
 
Another tip
Doillies- if they are being used  in your home, please get rid of  them now!  They are outdated and dust collectors.

What is the 'dreaded sofa/loveseat combo'?  I fear I may have committed a decorating faux pas in our Hamilton home.
Linda Morey, CRB, CRS, GRI, CNS
Senior Vice President
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
Ipswich, MA  01938

Linda,
The goal of a conversation area is to create a simple arrangement of furniture so that people can sit facing each other and can speak without raising their voices.  Generally, the basic ingredients to create the perfect conversation area is a sofa, a piece of furniture that serves as a coffee table (such as an ottoman), and two upholstered chairs. These pieces are positioned across from each other. Try a  sofa and a loveseat, or two loveseats.  Or a sofa or loveseat with a couple chairs, or even four chairs. The dreaded sofa/loveseat combo is the arrangement of the furniture in an 'L-shape.' It is hard to have a conversation because you have to 'twist & shout' to hear each other. This arrangement should be placed around the room's focal point.  An area rug anchors the area together.
Good design must be both aesthetically pleasing and functional!
Hope this helps Linda!
Kelly

Please feel free to email or call me with any decorating questions you may have.