Hanging artwork is one of the most effective ways to finish the look of any space, indoors or out, and you don't have to shop at an art gallery to find the perfect peice of art for your home; you can make your own.

First find your inspiration...for example if you are decorating a porch with painted, wicker furniture and lots of overflowing window boxes then go for a cottage or garden theme. Look for images in home and garden magazines or books, old calendars, your children's drawings, postcards, photos, or even use items in or around your home like leaves, flowers, fabric or lace.

Now, unless you find an unusually large picture, your probably going to have to use 2, 3, 4 or more different images and group them together as one large display. To give them cohesiveness, frame them identically by using inexpensive frames and matts from places like wal-mart, Homegoods, TJ Maxx, or Marshalls, or make them yourself using old trim boards, small branches, buttons, macaroni (hey, kids do it all the time). Just remember to stick to your inspirational theme.

Now where to hang all of these new masterpieces...Dont just think of the usual places like, your walls! Think outside the box...how about from the siding on your porch next to your favorite swing. Or, on a fence next to the patio, or on the outside of the potting shed next to your work table.

Just remember, your outdoor spaces should be treated just like your indoor spaces in the summer. So have fun and decorate them with art.

When thinking about decorating your guest room think of all of your past visits to your favorite hotels. What made you feel comfortable and pampered? Use these same ideas to make your guests feel just as important and cared for.

First of all you'll want to arrange the furniture so that the room functions properly. Place the foot of the bed so it's facing you when you come into the room which will allow you to use the bed as your focal point. This will also create a nice traffic flow around the room. Now really make this bed a focal point and add fresh sheets and some soft coverlets or bedspreads for a cozy layered look. Finish off with lots of decorative throw pillows.

Now place a table or nightstand on each side of the bed for an alarm clock, reading lamps, a book or magazines, and fresh flowers. Always have at least one dresser and a closet or armiore for your guests to unpack comfortably. If you have a small space an armoire can work triple duty and provide a place for folded clothes, hanging clothes, and a tv and/or stereo, DVD, VCR, etc.

Now go one step futher...add a comfy, overstuffed chair and ottoman in a corner with a snuggly chenile throw. A small table and floor lamp for reading completes this nook. How about a basket of toiletries including some scented soaps, oils, lotions and candles set along side of some lush bath towels and thirsty terrycloth robes? And lastly, add a small dorm sized refrigerator and stock it full of cold drinks, fresh fruit, or chocolates.

Who wouldn't want to stay in a place like that? Just beware...your guests may not want to leave!!!

Real estate staging is the newest way to sell a home and is a significant factor in selling for higher profits and in a shorter amount of time. And this is the time of year that buyers are looking for their new home. Real estate Staging is a bit like un-decorating because we focus on making the space neutral, light, and roomy but it makes a huge difference in how your home shows to a potential buyer.

Studies show that a staged home is on the market for about 13.9 days vs. an un-staged home at 30.9 days. That means you'll be able to move into that beautiful new home that much sooner.

Studies also show that the average price difference between a staged home vs. an un-staged home is about 5%. For a $200,000.00 home that means about $10,000 more in your pocket. Cha-ching!!!

Staging can be a do-it-yourself project with a 1 hour consultation for about $100.00 to a full service project that typically can be done in 1 to 2 days and costs around $1000.00. Either way the return on investment is huge! I have personally seen tremendous profits for my clients and every home I have staged in the last 6 months has received an offer within 2 weeks, most of them have had offers at the first open house. All of them have sold for at least the asking price with most of them having multiple offers above the asking price. Would you like to hear about some of my clients' personal experiences? Call me anytime for references and for more information.

Father's day is a perfect time to show the males in your life just how much you love them. Lets put away the lace and florals and show them that this day is all about them. Let's keep the theme of "dads" in mind and plan a day fit for a king.

First, start with dad's favorite things. Maybe it's Nascar racing, Red Sox baseball, or fishing? What ever it is use it for your inspiration. Now don't go hog wild and do everything about cars, fish, or baseball. Just use the idea to spark your imagingation by using elements that will remind him of those favorite things.

Now, as a general rule, men like stronger, bolder colors, straight lines, earthy elements or high tech precious metals. They like to be comfortable and like to feel their fabrics beneath them. Keep these things in mind while your planning your theme.

Okay, now when you think of your guy and food what comes to mind? Meat and potatoes? Beer? Thick chocolate cake? Hum...Large plates, cold mugs, and a chair he can slouch in cause his pants are too tight now. Now add the theme...(fishing) Large wooden plates, thick, frosted, glass mugs, a leather recliner, a fish basket for his newspapers, netting hung as a divider, lots of plants, grilled swordfish, you get the picture.

How about...(baseball) hot dogs and buns, wooden benches for seating, big plastic cups of beer, green grass (party on the lawn), a whiffle ball game. Keep going...

Whatever his favorite pastime is, use it to make him feel like he is right in the middle of it. He'll love it.