Creating Your Own
Home Sweet Home

(ARA) - There’s a certain nostalgia that occurs each year as the temperatures drop and summer disappears into fall. Many people seek solace and sanctuary indoors as the rich, green foliage of summer is replaced by crisp leaves and brisk temperatures.

But no matter the season, it’s still possible to have the look and feel of nature inside the home. "Applying inspirations from nature to your home interior is popular," said Cathy Kovacs, designer for Coming Home with Lands’ End. "It’s easy to bring the look inside in almost any area of the home with minimal effort."

Following are ideas from Coming Home for transforming a home’s interior by bringing touches of nature into different rooms in unique ways:

BEDROOM

• The bedroom is a great place to use nature-inspired decor. Sheets and bed coverings printed with floral motifs are a longtime favorite among decorators. Prints can be gentle and romantic or more contemporary with up-to-the-minute colors and patterns.

• Wood bed frames and blinds also work well to reinforce a nature-inspired theme. The warm tones and natural grains compliment and enhance prints and textures.

• Adding a rug made of sisal or wool will complete the natural inspiration in the room.

• A vase of dried flowers on a bedside table, or a botanical wreath hung on the wall will allow the enjoyment of the garden throughout the year.

BATHROOM

• One simple way to bring a natural feel to the bathroom is to select towels in shades of willow and taupe. To further build on this theme, choose towel holders with leaves or vines.

• Other ways to bring the feel of the outdoors into the bathroom include hanging a nature-motif shower curtain or incorporating natural wicker accessories, such as a wastebasket, tissue box or storage units.

• Keepsakes from a summer beach vacation make great accents in the bathroom. Fill glass canisters with shells, sand and starfish to remind you of a summer getaway.

• Add aromatherapy soaps and candles in scents such as grapefruit and geranium to a guest bathroom.

GREAT ROOM

•This is a wonderful place to utilize the beauty of nature and bring a feeling of tranquility. A decorative rug with a botanical pattern or a sisal rug made of natural fibers are simple and affordable options for adding a natural feel to a great room or family room.

• Slipcovers are a great way to change the look while extending the life of a sofa. Natural shades, such as moss and driftwood, coordinate well with existing pieces in a room, while reinforcing the natural beauty of the decor.

• Throw blankets are functional accessories, especially in cooler climates. A cotton fisherman knit throw adds an all-natural look when draped over a sofa or chair.

Throws can add texture as well as pattern to a solid colored piece of furniture.

• Pressed paper shades on wood base lamps provide the essential form and function in a room where natural inspirations are prevalent.

DINING ROOM

•Table linens in shades captured from nature offer a look and feel of simplicity in the dining room. Add napkin rings with acorns and leaves to complete the look.

• Natural arrangements in the center of the table will reinforce and accent neutral-colored table linens.

WALLPAPER Facts

(ARA) - Where in the world can you find 392 wallpaper borders featuring seashells in less than 60 seconds? Hop on the Internet and you can!

One quality source you might want to consult is www.wallpaperguide.com. Here you can view wallpaper patterns, borders or murals for your decorating project from a huge subjective database.

Let’s say you are looking for a wallpaper border with "trailing ivy". Log on, select "BORDERS" and type in "trailing ivy" as a subject.

You’ll find a selection of 71 borders featuring images and descriptions from such recognized manufacturers as Waverly, Seabrook, Village and Imperial Home Decor.

After choosing a pattern, The Wallpaper Guide directs you to local stores that carry the product or you can call your neighborhood home decorating supplier with the product name and style.

So, whether you’re looking for wallpaper with trailing green ivy or daisy chains, head to your computer for your first source of advice.