I just received an e-newsletter from a good friend and decorator, Colleen Lora. The article about home accessories really hit home. With her permission, I am reprinting it. We are settling into our new home and nothing looks quite right. I realize after reading Colleen’s article that most everything we own, we’ve owned for a VERY LONG time. We have lots of “little collections” that you sure won’t see in any of today’s decorating magazines. She recommends accessories larger in scale and fewer in number. I don’t have too many $$$ to devote to new right now but have decided to decorate without the old until I can afford the new. Enjoy Colleen’s article. Check out her website www.CollenLoraDesigns.com too.   

“How Old Are Your Accessories?

If your accessories were around when you were tuning in to Seinfeld – and not the reruns, you need an update.  Today’s trend for accessories are larger in scale and fewer in number than in years past. If you are a collector, group like items together for a more cohesive and less cluttered look.  Faux florals and greenery are great when they are clean, higher end and not overdone. Throw away that old Ficus tree in a wicker basket and replace it with a tall Areca palm in a glazed container.  And be prepared to spend a little more than you think feels right on accessories if you need to replace a lot of them.  I advise clients that an accessory budget is usually 20-30% of your room’s overall investment.”