ion under "home." Here, you can browse different styles of art and try different frame styles on each piece of art that interests you. They even offer you choices of mats (those cardboard inserts that frame your picture inside the frame.) Use a double mat, and choose mats that go well with the frame and room. I like to use a charcoal grey outer mat and a black inner mat, with a bronze frame. Whatever styles appeal to your tastes.

If you have a sculpture to display, find a lighted base for it, either online or in stores. If you don't want to buy a display stand (they can be expensive) or column to display it on, you can always put a tasteful tablecloth over an accent table, hiding the legs, and up-light it with a spotlight from behind. Uplighting looks dramatic and lovely. I found a good one at Wal-Mart in the lighting section. A glass paperweight looks good on an inexpensive uplighted stand. Those are easily fo

Whether just starting out after college or as an adult looking to change your surroundings, there are ways to make your apartment or condo more elegant and fresh. Here's some ideas to spark your creativity and style.

Room Screens

Depending upon your preferences, there are room screens to fit every taste. There are imported wooden screens, Japanese-styled paper screens with wood frames, traditional stained glass or contemporary glass ones, along with many others. Go online and check auctions, stores and other sellers to see who has the best price. Mine came from Ebay and cost me around $200, for intricately hand-carved wooden screens from India.

Use a room screen to liven up the space behind your couch, divide a room, or block out the sun in front of a window. Screens make great backdrops and add interest to the room. There are even smaller ones that were designed to go in front of the fireplace, but can make a great privacy screen for your cat's litter box.

Quality Lamps

For the living room, try to get three matching, or closely related in style, lamps that are well-made and give off resonable light. Again, there are styles to meet every interest and budget. My favorite are stained glass Tiffany replica lamps, the ones with over 1000 pieces of glass in each lamp and have superior designs. I bought three lamps separately, keeping in mind the colors of each lamp. I made sure the lamps didn't clash with one another and that their bases were fairly similar. One lamp is very large, put on an endtable, with three bulbs. Another is medium-sized, with two bulbs, for my desk. The third is a floor lamp, for the corner of the room. For my bedroom, I bought hand-blown glass accent lamps, keeping with the glass theme, but in a slightly different style. These lamps were made by the Lundberg glassblowing company, and have lovely accent colors that don't overpower the room. Another lamp, similar to their style, with two bulbs is on my nightstand. Its light shines upwards, illuminating the room in a elegant way. Buying good lamps is a wise investment, because they add a focus to the room and the quality of their light can make a room look much better than just some boring, desk lamp.

Bouquet of Flowers and Potted Plants

Whether they are real or silk, flowers make a room look pretty. Larger potted plants can give it an ambience as well. If you have low light, finding a well-crafted silk palm or tree for the corner of the room, or behind the couch might be a good idea. Don't get fake-looking anything, because that looks tacky and cheapens the room. Nowadays, silks are looking better and better so find a silk plant gallery and see what interests you. If you're on a budget, stop by Michael's and make your own bouquet from a huge variety of silks, individually priced. It is fun to see all the colors and sizes of silks in the store, but keep in mind what your home color scheme is and find something that compliments it. If you buy just anything it may clash with your decor and look bad. So, take your time and choose according to your taste and style. A tropical themed room would look good with orchids and/or palms. Contemporary, one orchid spray in an elegant pot, or a bunch of Calla Lilies in a vase. Use your imagination to see what is best for you.

Art and Sculpture

When choosing whatever style of art you like, try to keep the frames similar in style and color if they are going to be in the same room. You can mix and match if you like, but you don't want your walls to resemble patchwork quilts, with too much clashing in styles and sizes. Go to a framer and look around, ask questions. On QVC's website, there is an art section under "home." Here, you can browse different styles of art and try different frame styles on each piece of art that interests you. They even offer you choices of mats (those cardboard inserts that frame your picture inside the frame.) Use a double mat, and choose mats that go well with the frame and room. I like to use a charcoal grey outer mat and a black inner mat, with a bronze frame. Whatever styles appeal to your tastes.

If you have a sculpture to display, find a lighted base for it, either online or in stores. If you don't want to buy a display stand (they can be expensive) or column to display it on, you can always put a tasteful tablecloth over an accent table, hiding the legs, and up-light it with a spotlight from behind. Uplighting looks dramatic and lovely. I found a good one at Wal-Mart in the lighting section. A glass paperweight looks good on an inexpensive uplighted stand. Those are easily fou

can make a great privacy screen for your cat's litter box.

Quality Lamps

For the living room, try to get three matching, or closely related in style, lamps that are well-made and give off resonable light. Again, there are styles to meet every interest and budget. My favorite are stained glass Tiffany replica lamps, the ones with over 1000 pieces of glass in each lamp and have superior designs. I bought three lamps separately, keeping in mind the colors of each lamp. I made sure the lamps didn't clash with one another and that their bases were fairly similar. One lamp is very large, put on an endtable, with three bulbs. Another is medium-sized, with two bulbs, for my desk. The third is a floor lamp, for the corner of the room. For my bedroom, I bought hand-blown glass accent lamps, keeping with the glass theme, but in a slightly different style. These lamps were made by the Lundberg glassblowing company, and have lovely accent colors that don't overpower the room. Another lamp, similar to their style, with two bulbs is on my nightstand. Its light shines upwards, illuminating the room in a elegant way. Buying good lamps is a wise investment, because they add a focus to the room and the quality of their light can make a room look much better than just some boring, desk lamp.

Bouquet of Flowers and Potted Plants

Whether they are real or silk, flowers make a room look pretty. Larger potted plants can give it an ambience as well. If you have low light, finding a well-crafted silk palm or tree for the corner of the room, or behind the couch might be a good idea. Don't get fake-looking anything, because that looks tacky and cheapens the room. Nowadays, silks are looking better and better so find a silk plant gallery and see what interests you. If you're on a budget, stop by Michael's and make your own bouquet from a huge variety of silks, individually priced. It is fun to see all the colors and sizes of silks in the store, but keep in mind what your home color scheme is and find something that compliments it. If you buy just anything it may clash with your decor and look bad. So, take your time and choose according to your taste and style. A tropical themed room would look good with orchids and/or palms. Contemporary, one orchid spray in an elegant pot, or a bunch of Calla Lilies in a vase. Use your imagination to see what is best for you.

Art and Sculpture

When choosing whatever style of art you like, try to keep the frames similar in style and color if they are going to be in the same room. You can mix and match if you like, but you don't want your walls to resemble patchwork quilts, with too much clashing in styles and sizes. Go to a framer and look around, ask questions. On QVC's website, there is an art section under "home." Here, you can browse different styles of art and try different frame styles on each piece of art that interests you. They even offer you choices of mats (those cardboard inserts that frame your picture inside the frame.) Use a double mat, and choose mats that go well with the frame and room. I like to use a charcoal grey outer mat and a black inner mat, with a bronze frame. Whatever styles appeal to your tastes.

If you have a sculpture to display, find a lighted base for it, either online or in stores. If you don't want to buy a display stand (they can be expensive) or column to display it on, you can always put a tasteful tablecloth over an accent table, hiding the legs, and up-light it with a spotlight from behind. Uplighting looks dramatic and lovely. I found a good one at Wal-Mart in the lighting section. A glass paperweight looks good on an inexpensive uplighted stand. Those are easily fo

and have lovely accent colors that don't overpower the room. Another lamp, similar to their style, with two bulbs is on my nightstand. Its light shines upwards, illuminating the room in a elegant way. Buying good lamps is a wise investment, because they add a focus to the room and the quality of their light can make a room look much better than just some boring, desk lamp.

Bouquet of Flowers and Potted Plants

Whether they are real or silk, flowers make a room look pretty. Larger potted plants can give it an ambience as well. If you have low light, finding a well-crafted silk palm or tree for the corner of the room, or behind the couch might be a good idea. Don't get fake-looking anything, because that looks tacky and cheapens the room. Nowadays, silks are looking better and better so find a silk plant gallery and see what interests you. If you're on a budget, stop by Michael's and make your own bouquet from a huge variety of silks, individually priced. It is fun to see all the colors and sizes of silks in the store, but keep in mind what your home color scheme is and find something that compliments it. If you buy just anything it may clash with your decor and look bad. So, take your time and choose according to your taste and style. A tropical themed room would look good with orchids and/or palms. Contemporary, one orchid spray in an elegant pot, or a bunch of Calla Lilies in a vase. Use your imagination to see what is best for you.

Art and Sculpture

When choosing whatever style of art you like, try to keep the frames similar in style and color if they are going to be in the same room. You can mix and match if you like, but you don't want your walls to resemble patchwork quilts, with too much clashing in styles and sizes. Go to a framer and look around, ask questions. On QVC's website, there is an art section under "home." Here, you can browse different styles of art and try different frame styles on each piece of art that interests you. They even offer you choices of mats (those cardboard inserts that frame your picture inside the frame.) Use a double mat, and choose mats that go well with the frame and room. I like to use a charcoal grey outer mat and a black inner mat, with a bronze frame. Whatever styles appeal to your tastes.

If you have a sculpture to display, find a lighted base for it, either online or in stores. If you don't want to buy a display stand (they can be expensive) or column to display it on, you can always put a tasteful tablecloth over an accent table, hiding the legs, and up-light it with a spotlight from behind. Uplighting looks dramatic and lovely. I found a good one at Wal-Mart in the lighting section. A glass paperweight looks good on an inexpensive uplighted stand. Those are easily fo

m a huge variety of silks, individually priced. It is fun to see all the colors and sizes of silks in the store, but keep in mind what your home color scheme is and find something that compliments it. If you buy just anything it may clash with your decor and look bad. So, take your time and choose according to your taste and style. A tropical themed room would look good with orchids and/or palms. Contemporary, one orchid spray in an elegant pot, or a bunch of Calla Lilies in a vase. Use your imagination to see what is best for you.

Art and Sculpture

When choosing whatever style of art you like, try to keep the frames similar in style and color if they are going to be in the same room. You can mix and match if you like, but you don't want your walls to resemble patchwork quilts, with too much clashing in styles and sizes. Go to a framer and look around, ask questions. On QVC's website, there is an art section under "home." Here, you can browse different styles of art and try different frame styles on each piece of art that interests you. They even offer you choices of mats (those cardboard inserts that frame your picture inside the frame.) Use a double mat, and choose mats that go well with the frame and room. I like to use a charcoal grey outer mat and a black inner mat, with a bronze frame. Whatever styles appeal to your tastes.

If you have a sculpture to display, find a lighted base for it, either online or in stores. If you don't want to buy a display stand (they can be expensive) or column to display it on, you can always put a tasteful tablecloth over an accent table, hiding the legs, and up-light it with a spotlight from behind. Uplighting looks dramatic and lovely. I found a good one at Wal-Mart in the lighting section. A glass paperweight looks good on an inexpensive uplighted stand. Those are easily fo

ion under "home." Here, you can browse different styles of art and try different frame styles on each piece of art that interests you. They even offer you choices of mats (those cardboard inserts that frame your picture inside the frame.) Use a double mat, and choose mats that go well with the frame and room. I like to use a charcoal grey outer mat and a black inner mat, with a bronze frame. Whatever styles appeal to your tastes.

If you have a sculpture to display, find a lighted base for it, either online or in stores. If you don't want to buy a display stand (they can be expensive) or column to display it on, you can always put a tasteful tablecloth over an accent table, hiding the legs, and up-light it with a spotlight from behind. Uplighting looks dramatic and lovely. I found a good one at Wal-Mart in the lighting section. A glass paperweight looks good on an inexpensive uplighted stand. Those are easily found on Ebay and other online auctions. When light hits glass, it may illuminate the room if powerful enough. Enjoy the beauty of the elegant light given off, whether subtle or strong.

By accenting your rooms with a few key pieces, you can transform your condo or apartment into a place that is more than a place to live, but a place to be comfortable in. A great place to go for items for your place is Pier ONe Imports, where there are a number of reasonably priced items such as baskets, throw pillows, glassware and furniture. Have fun and enjoy planning, choosing colors and fabrics that appeal to you and create the room environment you're looking for. Then, sit back and relax in your new environment. We all need to feather our nests from time to time. New decor is one of those things that just makes life a little better. Improve your surroundings and re-decorate today.