May 6, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • Page 29 Home Improvement & Gardening (ARA) As you stretch out your arms and embrace the warmer weather, the colors of summer make themselves obvious. Colorful blooms of bright greens, yellows and purples cheer the soul. Bring that same optimism into your home, giving rooms an easy, colorful facelift with a fresh coat of paint. New warm-weather paint palettes can create a decorating scheme that perfectly captures the essence of a fresh, sunny day. Plus, paint is the great budget stretcher of the decorating world, and allows you to give your home a completely different look without taxing your wallet. Add fresh vibrancy and life to any room -- and surface -- with a palette of soft, floral-inspired colors. From an enlivening green to a warm buttery yellow combined with a sophisticated sky blue or a relaxing purple, the new warm-weather palette is certain to bring a refreshed feeling to any decor with just a few simple painting projects that reach beyond mere walls. Thinking Sunshine “People fall into the trap of thinking the only way to add color to a room is to paint the walls. It’s so much more versatile than that,” says Donna Schroeder, color marketing and design manager for Martin-Senour Paints. “Color need not be limited to walls. It can go just about anywhere from wood, concrete or tile floors to tired furniture or Spring Colorful palettes enhance warm weather trends cabinets in need of a new look.” Stop for a minute and picture a drab kitchen with dated dark wood cabinets, scuffed white walls, and a scratched wood floor. It’s the perfect canvas on which to infuse a burst of bright sunny color. Don’t be afraid to push the limits. Paint the walls a bright purple. Get daring and echo the look of an iris or crocus by covering the cabinets in a sunny, butter yellow that coordinates boldly with the purple. The aged floor will spring back to life with a coat or two of a clean, fresh white to add contrast. Mix in airy blues and fresh greens, too. They’re the perfect hues to wake up an old wooden table and chairs and make it an inviting place to gather with the family around a delicious meal, a board game or ice cream sundaes on a warm summer day. Choose Your Paint Color If you aren’t quite ready to make such a dramatic change or feel a bit nervous about picking colors, don’t worry. Paint color selector systems can help you devise the right design scheme for your home. Oversized color cards help you visualize how color will look on a surface and also can help you determine which colors look good together. Color idea cards show you how to partner paint colors with other design elements to establish an attractive, connected look throughout your home. Don’t worry about not liking the color you pick. Many times, you don’t have to commit to a full gallon of a color until you’re sure you like it. Try purchasing quart-size samples of new colors and testing them on the wall before committing to a hue. ward-winning decorator Susan Tenny, C.I.D., provides a complete inhome or in-office interior decorating service by bringing thousands of samples of drapery fabrics, furniture, carpet and area rugs, wall coverings, and accessories directly to her clients. She then is able to design the room in the client’s own lighting and existing furnishings. “Working this way tends to be very comfortable for the client as they can really see what works in the room, plus it’s a huge time-saving convenience.” Susan specializes in “Lifestyle Design,” which is all about the client’s personal style, taste, functional needs, and budget. “My clients really enjoy working with a knowledgeable decorator who is the owner of the company, rather than trying to select pieces by themselves with only the aid of a salesperson who may not be around when your order is supposed to be placed. “We don’t charge design fees or hourly Susan Tenny, C.I.D. rates nor do we have ‘minimums.’ I pride myself on my ability to work within my clients’ budget, custom designing the room for function, comfort, beauty, cohesiveness, and flow. By taking careful measurements and making floor plans, we avoid expensive mistakes. We handle all the details, ordering, and scheduling, and are personally on-site to supervise installation and delivery. We follow up with our clients afterwards, as their complete satisfaction is of the utmost importance. “My clients are working directly with a small business owner who has the power of a large established company behind her,” she adds. “Unlike a store, we have no inventory or loyalty to a particular manufacturer. We listen to our clients and put their needs first as we make our choices from hundreds of vendors.” Susan is ready to help clients with projects of any size, whether it’s just one window treatment, a room that needs one or two updates, or a large-scale makeover. Call (201) 327-2207 for a complimentary 90-minute consultation. INTERIORS by Decorating Den comes to you A ���������� rennials ������������ Pe ��������������� ������ ���������������� �������������� ���������������������������������������� ������������������������������������� ����������� ��������������� Caring for Your Beautiful Landscape is our Specialty 4-29-09 joan/janine LET THE PROFESSIONALS RamapoNursery3x2(4-29-09) SAVE YOU TIME AND MONEY 3 x 2” We offer three levels of Property Maintenance & Garden Service Basic or Premium Lawn Care Design Contruction (Design Fees Apply) Irrigation Lighting Service Residential & Commercial N.J.D.C.A. Lic#13VH01114000 www.chrisjameslandscaping.com (201) 670-9000