Creating natural arrangements for Christmas

<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Arranging natural materials creatively requires knowledge of balance and proportion.  Some people seem to have natural instincts in this area, but  the skills can be learned from floral arranging books. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp4UPY17ct9beIJev39BLhkDxBrGLv0ijjnZ8TJZRY0uIDkIBh878fapvUSqPdS4bMr2U1R9SR3mvqdpE-D-kuScl6rQgqul8FZUtg0GIrijseQeoDxxNYUseL5HV1BXvsf0bW0fiAymb/s1600/Christmas+container+with+birch+magnolia+twigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas planter birch magnolia twigs" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkp4UPY17ct9beIJev39BLhkDxBrGLv0ijjnZ8TJZRY0uIDkIBh878fapvUSqPdS4bMr2U1R9SR3mvqdpE-D-kuScl6rQgqul8FZUtg0GIrijseQeoDxxNYUseL5HV1BXvsf0bW0fiAymb/s400/Christmas+container+with+birch+magnolia+twigs.jpg" title="" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <a href="http://www.bellechosehome.com/2010/12/christmas-front-entrance-lanterns-urns.html"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">source </span></a></span></div><br /><span style="font-size: small;">By using the following <b>four elements</b> you can achieve a stunning Christmas planter. <br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1. Droopers (Spillers)</b></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">While there are many places/ways to start, I usually start with the hanging material  to cover the edges of the pot. These have to be set in almost horizontally  as the cedar in the above image.  You want it to droop gracefully and cover the edges of the pot. </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- Spanish broom</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">-  pine</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">-spruce branches</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">- cedar </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2.Uprights (Thrillers)</b></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sometimes if I have interesting tall materials  I arrange them first to establish height and then work out and down.  Thrillers are always tall and act as the apex of the triangle design. </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- dried goats beard stalks</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- corkscrew hazel</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- yellow - twig dogwood, red dogwood</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- spirea with dried seed heads</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- forsythia stalks (which are very light and work well with dogwood branches)</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">-birch sticks </span><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCsC1a7aRTZYu8R8fy1ja0kDEF9aTbqYS72nmkAf8ZXgCE-OxEgAjlK-ht9n01ZQrbdPXWqc1u7kps7YbawcIPj2-5WUSk7_5XddPwK2g9UZ15BWslJ_7MeHNePIkWaPJV1wVpXtAgosR/s1600/Christmas_Decor_Inspiration_20.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJCsC1a7aRTZYu8R8fy1ja0kDEF9aTbqYS72nmkAf8ZXgCE-OxEgAjlK-ht9n01ZQrbdPXWqc1u7kps7YbawcIPj2-5WUSk7_5XddPwK2g9UZ15BWslJ_7MeHNePIkWaPJV1wVpXtAgosR/s400/Christmas_Decor_Inspiration_20.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><b> </b></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://gardendreams.ca/jgd/">source </a></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7HusN78ycUvBaaqCpsXzkdO3EZf8DAy9xAwqa2Ygb5xcfzev-ffEbSHTcLGAXYiE7CcHyP8_sZOIfoaMqwRerViZLT8BhE2YLFCTfmnL9EDcqqo1ujf49xDvG7kp3RFue_1hgnS2r_2r/s1600/spruce+berries+pinecones+planter+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="berries spruce pinecones Christmas planter Designing Home" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7HusN78ycUvBaaqCpsXzkdO3EZf8DAy9xAwqa2Ygb5xcfzev-ffEbSHTcLGAXYiE7CcHyP8_sZOIfoaMqwRerViZLT8BhE2YLFCTfmnL9EDcqqo1ujf49xDvG7kp3RFue_1hgnS2r_2r/s400/spruce+berries+pinecones+planter+.jpg" title="" width="300" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://5thandstate.blogspot.ca/2011/11/winter-urns-tutorial.html"> source </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFHmAdEDYadiQ6ltuwupOTPEmKsUyFiKexq57dzA4pq3m4LCoNI1FGYzUsAWzOy8Y6e3LGIqAH3OZlUmg_SAGPtHdqgPZknZBUiWT5oHU1Dvg7pM4Hgpy0ApsK5VvQ2VPzkceeQuHOLxs/s1600/Christmas+planter+with+red+twigs+and+ornaments+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Twigs make great uprights, and don't forget that small potted trees can be placed in the middle of a planter and other materials can be added to cover the pot. A planter within a planter!<b><br /></b></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>3. Fillers </b></span></div></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once these two aspects have been arranged you need to fill our the arrangement (fillers) by applying the branches at roughly 45 degrees. I have lots of possibilities in my garden:</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;">- boxwood</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">-yellow mound cedar</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- holly </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- blue spruce</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- rhododendron leaves </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- dried hydrangea blooms</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7HusN78ycUvBaaqCpsXzkdO3EZf8DAy9xAwqa2Ygb5xcfzev-ffEbSHTcLGAXYiE7CcHyP8_sZOIfoaMqwRerViZLT8BhE2YLFCTfmnL9EDcqqo1ujf49xDvG7kp3RFue_1hgnS2r_2r/s1600/spruce+berries+pinecones+planter+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFHmAdEDYadiQ6ltuwupOTPEmKsUyFiKexq57dzA4pq3m4LCoNI1FGYzUsAWzOy8Y6e3LGIqAH3OZlUmg_SAGPtHdqgPZknZBUiWT5oHU1Dvg7pM4Hgpy0ApsK5VvQ2VPzkceeQuHOLxs/s1600/Christmas+planter+with+red+twigs+and+ornaments+.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFHmAdEDYadiQ6ltuwupOTPEmKsUyFiKexq57dzA4pq3m4LCoNI1FGYzUsAWzOy8Y6e3LGIqAH3OZlUmg_SAGPtHdqgPZknZBUiWT5oHU1Dvg7pM4Hgpy0ApsK5VvQ2VPzkceeQuHOLxs/s400/Christmas+planter+with+red+twigs+and+ornaments+.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://5thandstate.blogspot.ca/2013/12/winter-containers-2013.html">source  </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>4. Accents </b></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">These are the final touches that hightlight and brighten your arrangements.   The sky is the limit here. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- sprayed grapevine spheres</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- brightly coloured plastic ornaments </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- wooden Santas</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- plastic ribbons  </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">- plastic Christmas flowers</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">- artificial birds </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">-woven twig stars</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: small;">-toys </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">- small colourful lanterns</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">- large sphere shaped ornaments </span><br /><span style="font-size: small;">- ribbons </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrrFfTt9xn7wXhiiB3JAOUzWfdVCGt59mNJ1iscsep1yIl4YjqycSjWn9rqpLvFbhgtJk3Bs_mY4nHEaiE4NZcl_aqfhaPh1CCE1DMMQc6C5WZlN0LYW0WsQ6VxxEfLNgEybdXoCZPRA-/s1600/DSCN540766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zIEGdm04GyIprCnKky1ssycpIMttqG60hwePJgIQGK0e7vn_djSEADivXYWPbh16HChxu6jRixdAVgmAsWyOHgLlnQQooJ8mVUilMIclY3r0t0W_JsbNK419EduYURAe7KApTgpi9OIA/s1600/ChristmasArrangement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zIEGdm04GyIprCnKky1ssycpIMttqG60hwePJgIQGK0e7vn_djSEADivXYWPbh16HChxu6jRixdAVgmAsWyOHgLlnQQooJ8mVUilMIclY3r0t0W_JsbNK419EduYURAe7KApTgpi9OIA/s400/ChristmasArrangement.jpg" width="351" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://inthegardenradio.com/v.php?pg=9">source </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;">berries, pinecones, pods </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5TfV08wQhi0dIbNEYUbBTeXINGCYkZaw2LiOpyWNj2WbVXUCz0KheazFYwlP1EFt5Z0OaW6cPy7WBTvKSzMy3-Hm4g3967bUvZkRGoHz8YRV9rmiUQwSpXoZhHYMqhoSxRkIlpwnKZHJ/s1600/centerpiece.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA5TfV08wQhi0dIbNEYUbBTeXINGCYkZaw2LiOpyWNj2WbVXUCz0KheazFYwlP1EFt5Z0OaW6cPy7WBTvKSzMy3-Hm4g3967bUvZkRGoHz8YRV9rmiUQwSpXoZhHYMqhoSxRkIlpwnKZHJ/s400/centerpiece.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.katesgarden.ca/events.html">source </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;">fresh fruit or plastic fruit</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">  </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbT0DPeO-E-uUzZ8nqjjSW3-pX2ELViAf5f6LhNm6Znehpav0xgYaG-oADX_PU0_JcN-jtjXTNCOpqAGB2-5ba5YdzeQg-8YAgP2rJbpNQsSJq0wiHniP7vqNgPB9wNj9tJxzQTLu2jPQ/s1600/imageso8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbT0DPeO-E-uUzZ8nqjjSW3-pX2ELViAf5f6LhNm6Znehpav0xgYaG-oADX_PU0_JcN-jtjXTNCOpqAGB2-5ba5YdzeQg-8YAgP2rJbpNQsSJq0wiHniP7vqNgPB9wNj9tJxzQTLu2jPQ/s400/imageso8.jpg" width="299" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-size: small;">and even birdhouses!</span></div></div><span style="font-family: andale mono,times;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: times new roman,times;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span>

Creating natural arrangements for Christmas

Arranging natural materials creatively requires knowledge of balance and proportion.  Some people seem to have natural instincts in this are...

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Rich and Simple Table Settings

 Christmas entertaining calls for an extra effort  in the decorating department.  Don't let  a busy lifestyle and budget restraints put a damper on your table settings.  A little ingenuity and do it yourself  is all you need to wow your guests.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><h3><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rich and Simple </span><br /></span></h3></div><div style="text-align: left;"> The addition of gold charger plates, simple gold  ornaments,  and a puffy silver and gold garland can  tie a table setting together. Of course, it helps to have beautiful china  and crystal, but your could  use plain white tableware and spray assorted napkin rings with gold metallic paint. Dollar stores offer a range of inexpensive containers for tea lights. </div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0P36a441RYtUAcnUqUmHvOPH8RsTjgOcSI5ACsPv0O1ng1bNaZxVANR7MBbBuoGd-OUOZXF6JvjOF7v13taglDroWIQk1c4YjlDu5Swhp0v-lw_Rv6fuk_7Uur98zHWSPcNZncs90PCl3/s1600/ss_SS03213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas gold and silver table setting " border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0P36a441RYtUAcnUqUmHvOPH8RsTjgOcSI5ACsPv0O1ng1bNaZxVANR7MBbBuoGd-OUOZXF6JvjOF7v13taglDroWIQk1c4YjlDu5Swhp0v-lw_Rv6fuk_7Uur98zHWSPcNZncs90PCl3/s400/ss_SS03213.jpg" title="" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/indoor-decorating/gold-silver-holiday-table-ideas/"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></a></div><br /><h3>A Little Crafting</h3>Your table setting can echo metallic decorating schemes with a little crafting. White  napkins can be decorated with metallic paint using a stencil.  Check out <a href="http://www.fabricandart.com/HTML_files/Textile_Arts/lumiere.html">Lumiere fabric paint</a>. Ribbon and simple gold decorations complete the setting.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMBcVDvn0jS2vjkCYWdPaKTt0K_nMdQNkcMbVCiB0R9xUPA5GNl07uDco3zUqY6g4sP1ZySnxxTXDRcop_HKTzvBpJZEEGtLa2JUt2fEbzikB52WKdGIrQsO7M70T01QcsA98TmUDCzQa/s1600/gold-silver-tablesetting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="spray painted napkins Christmas table setting" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMBcVDvn0jS2vjkCYWdPaKTt0K_nMdQNkcMbVCiB0R9xUPA5GNl07uDco3zUqY6g4sP1ZySnxxTXDRcop_HKTzvBpJZEEGtLa2JUt2fEbzikB52WKdGIrQsO7M70T01QcsA98TmUDCzQa/s400/gold-silver-tablesetting.jpg" title="" width="336" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_286005123">Source</a></span><a href="http://www.styleathome.com/homes/interiors/holiday-interior-silver-and-gold/a/33027/4"><br /></a></div><br /><h3><b>A winter theme</b></h3>There's nothing like blue and silver to give you that cool, shimmery feel of winter.  The white snowflakes, small clear glasses,  and silver glitter balls can be found at most dollar stores. And who knows what other ideas you will get when you start to look around for inspiration.  <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0P36a441RYtUAcnUqUmHvOPH8RsTjgOcSI5ACsPv0O1ng1bNaZxVANR7MBbBuoGd-OUOZXF6JvjOF7v13taglDroWIQk1c4YjlDu5Swhp0v-lw_Rv6fuk_7Uur98zHWSPcNZncs90PCl3/s1600/ss_SS03213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpltGxFDBBttpxrLbXRVuAB4Wvn4Icfx1MqjyOGqCpPEI9nXecmnDlBvMR4c0U_4sdMGbPlIPmzKuurLYLzRfm6pLvO5Hf0QrL1u1D4Y-V9zHLdevs_ptcpIyUQjasRa0vuU3grj5QCqfX/s1600/img_22351.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt=" blue and silver winter themed table setting " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpltGxFDBBttpxrLbXRVuAB4Wvn4Icfx1MqjyOGqCpPEI9nXecmnDlBvMR4c0U_4sdMGbPlIPmzKuurLYLzRfm6pLvO5Hf0QrL1u1D4Y-V9zHLdevs_ptcpIyUQjasRa0vuU3grj5QCqfX/s400/img_22351.jpg" title="" width="353" /></a><a href="http://www.bhg.com/holidays/christmas/indoor-decorating/gold-silver-holiday-table-ideas/"><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://cookingquarters.wordpress.com/tag/christmas-table-settings/">Source</a></span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Do you have a favouite table setting you would like to share?</span> </span></div></div>

Rich and Simple Table Settings

 Christmas entertaining calls for an extra effort  in the decorating department.  Don't let  a busy lifestyle and budget restraints put ...

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Do you love your laundry room?

Laundry is not my favourite activity so I think it is important to make it as enjoyable as possible. For me that means an inviting environment and there's nothing cleaner, crisper and more inviting than a blue gray colour scheme with white trim. Benjamin Moore's Gray Wisp is my answer.<br /><br />The fact that I can dream up designs and my husband can produce them makes it very convenient and cost effective when it comes time to renovate.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAffpB0m8VohRF5fL5VZUhGlhcKsLrHKY2JTXhdzrlaA_xsVe_sdlahugtwohXYkOlT5zSlBJ9v2oCYpcPWzjoqqerwwiZ_z5yBNbVrZAhB1rga_vs2lodlLeOxzWxjYBTAkr0SQlrHTf/s1600/DSCN22172.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543094515501844002" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAffpB0m8VohRF5fL5VZUhGlhcKsLrHKY2JTXhdzrlaA_xsVe_sdlahugtwohXYkOlT5zSlBJ9v2oCYpcPWzjoqqerwwiZ_z5yBNbVrZAhB1rga_vs2lodlLeOxzWxjYBTAkr0SQlrHTf/s320/DSCN22172.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>Functionality and storage is a must . Under the counter is a recycling center, one bin each for paper, plastics and glass. Above the washer and dryer is storage for cloth napkins, and light bulbs. Of course, art is a must to set the tone for every room. Some people think it's insulting to hang "good art" in functional rooms. Not me. I spend a lot of time in this room and you can view it from my hall because there isn't a door. It has to be clean and inviting and art invites .<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2osFLR7iDEvuDQRIt9QTNNB89CzpU6BeZY3y0tBH13GM5gDf8XnM7j3OGoEBgAeMbJzshTVsPWyqTV0C6-f2Y-j7gCxzsbVngEwCYcTgDkLmJGBLp0JJbiCf-_-mLjJErj6fUYpU7Es-b/s1600/DSCN22173.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543094196462107362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2osFLR7iDEvuDQRIt9QTNNB89CzpU6BeZY3y0tBH13GM5gDf8XnM7j3OGoEBgAeMbJzshTVsPWyqTV0C6-f2Y-j7gCxzsbVngEwCYcTgDkLmJGBLp0JJbiCf-_-mLjJErj6fUYpU7Es-b/s320/DSCN22173.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a>Across from the washer and dryer is my broom closet, gift wrapping center in the drawers and upper storage for cleaning products. To the left of the broom closet is storage for the vacuum cleaner and a place to hang at least five pieces of clothing to dry.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdUXnOStqpNydfTmf8_P_Qx3pm4oqRel889zn_Ips79zD4Hiz6TNQy0KWINXiXDFLeLLkTxLO85lpEYh2jKN7wHJuF1Zj_AIBsbpw8kTCEMiQka4gTTCBuSIN67urZKfBKhrwj9bGUORv/s1600/DSCN217466.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543305811778596130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdUXnOStqpNydfTmf8_P_Qx3pm4oqRel889zn_Ips79zD4Hiz6TNQy0KWINXiXDFLeLLkTxLO85lpEYh2jKN7wHJuF1Zj_AIBsbpw8kTCEMiQka4gTTCBuSIN67urZKfBKhrwj9bGUORv/s320/DSCN217466.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a>A tiny powder room is directly across from the recycling center. It continues the theme set in the laundry room. The glass mosaic tiles are iridescent and my big splurge for the renovation.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBK-QYm1CbQm93Z2QWavbOp50sCVMXtBKXmn6xw7ExwWYkf9NgEFFafG4C9aYvdm1nKtIsMVNWprQrM0ZVpvp_qGRXQyvW3JfXu1X3MqEclIoAa9Yiy8DckIqjF9ATIArZ9golm9DEw93T/s1600/DSCN53466.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543303064531561202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBK-QYm1CbQm93Z2QWavbOp50sCVMXtBKXmn6xw7ExwWYkf9NgEFFafG4C9aYvdm1nKtIsMVNWprQrM0ZVpvp_qGRXQyvW3JfXu1X3MqEclIoAa9Yiy8DckIqjF9ATIArZ9golm9DEw93T/s320/DSCN53466.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>This mirror began life with a stenciled wooden frame. It was updated by covering it with a handmade paper and then adding four coats of Liquitex acrylic gloss medium and varnish.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0j6PnjK2USBMePR3XX-PHqMKs-4VHGXJu0IMYW_B-MP71VlpfLiZnlaDVA9JrNlAX0ymxWFeZYhwoNH83Ija-_mcjKy82oWiYN1yO5JNClcuL5QKYD2pr28t-y0XT7wf8Pn2em-iim8V/s1600/DSCN53436.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5543308103526661074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0j6PnjK2USBMePR3XX-PHqMKs-4VHGXJu0IMYW_B-MP71VlpfLiZnlaDVA9JrNlAX0ymxWFeZYhwoNH83Ija-_mcjKy82oWiYN1yO5JNClcuL5QKYD2pr28t-y0XT7wf8Pn2em-iim8V/s320/DSCN53436.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 108px;" /></a>And of course you need something to look at when nature calls! I created this landscape collage with various papers and acrylic medium to remind me of my summer house when I wasn't there.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">....And that is my laundry room and it makes laundry enjoyable.</div>

Do you love your laundry room?

Laundry is not my favourite activity so I think it is important to make it as enjoyable as possible. For me that means an inviting environm...

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