Stencils?

I'm not talking about our mothers stenciling.... I found the beginnings of this from another blog and then proceeded to do my own researching and discovering. I think it is so cool- and a fabulous alternative to wallpaper. These are only contemporary stenciled rooms- but they are some amazing classic. you'd never know they were stencils...and way to chic to be wallpaper.




This one is my favorite- and also the one I stole. Just click on little green notebook for more classic rooms. Or the stencil websites to see patterns.

Aubrey suggested that I do a tip of the week. I'm waiting on pictures from a couple of people- so in between I thought it was a good idea. Ive also lost enthusiasm...already! We are all busy- and with the kids- if I get time on the computer then I do my other blog email and bills...not this blog. So I like the tip of the week kind of thing because I think of something all week. Anyway here is todays!

By Raising the bar I mean raising your shower curtain. Many of us live in small apartments with small bathrooms and poor lighting. The ceilings are low and the walls feel closed in. When managment puts in your shower curtain the put it at a standard height or where ever they feel like. This is SO easy and seriously makes a WORLD of difference. In my old condo I would have people (who lived in the same complex) even comment how different and bigger my bathroom felt and looked.

Depending on your bathroom rod and ceiling you have to make the judgment call. But I typically go up about 12 inches.(not too high, make sure your shower curtain is still covering the top of the tub-how much? your call) Right now your shower curtain is covering your bath tub- correct? but it doesn't need to be. Who said bathtubs are ugly? They are beautiful (ok most of them)- and often times have creative sculpting in them. If you have a door or a jacuzzi we don't cover them- you dont need to either.

So what about making sure the water stays in? WALMART- has AWESOME EXTRA-LONG heavy duty shower curtain liners ($5), with mildew protection. Put one of those in the inside and your fancy curtain outside. Water sealed.

WHY? WHY? WHY? first is it easy and free, just takes a little elbow grease. Second it brings the eye up- making your bathroom look taller- less claustrophobic. If your bathroom is particularly small and poor lighting then choose a lighter colored curtain. Dark can surely make a bathroom elegant but dark colors will absorb the light- not reflect it. making it more into a cave than a sanctuary. A place where you get ready- making your self feel beautiful.

This is just a paint example of what your bathroom may look like- and how it can look.... you can see the difference just in the painting.

Those same pointers can do wonders to your living room, bedroom etc with Curtains. Instead of hanging them right above the window (NOT like below)- bring em up a notch. But use curtains like below- long and gorgeous. You don't have to have fancy rods- get the $2-3 one if you have to at first. The curtains can be expensive, look for them on sale. And then you can use next months reserve to get nicer rods...if you so choose.