COLUMN: Designers' secrets key to redecorating

DEAR GAIL: My girlfriend and I wandered through some model homes recently, and we're ready to redecorate. What can we do to make our homes look like the models without spending a fortune? -- Roger K.

DEAR ROGER: We all want our home to look like a model, but you must remember that such homes are what we in the industry call "interior merchandised," which means it is decorated to sell.

What is not seen in a model are everyday items such as newspapers, house keys, toasters, coffee pots and TV remotes. So, one of the first things to do is to put these items out of sight or in a decorative container.

Instead of keeping the remote and TV Guide on a table, put them in a basket, decorative box or on a tray. Store newspapers and magazines in a picnic basket, hat box or an old red wagon.

Here are some other secrets to decorating:

First, have one theme, mood and style flowing from room-to-room throughout your home. A theme is one central motivating idea that repeats itself in a variety of ways throughout your home. A mood is the way you want to feel in your home. A style reflects your personal preference and should fit the way you live. For example -- Theme: cottage; Mood: casual; and Style: country.

Secret No. 2 is to create a color scheme that flows throughout your home. This is the most important element in unifying your home.

Color harmony includes a balanced mixture of color, patterns and texture. The goal is for the color scheme to flow harmoniously from area to area, as well as with your theme, mood and style.

For example, black and gold is great for contemporary, but difficult to work with for country. Also, peach and seafoam can be Southwest, but not western.

Another secret weapon is accessorizing. First and foremost, all accessories should coordinate with the theme, mood, style and color scheme. A traditional theme will have gold frames, where a western theme will have rustic wood frames; traditional may have brass swans and western may have a Fredric Remington sculpture; and traditional may have crystal boxes while western would have clay pots.

Designers also use lots of custom floral arrangements and greenery on tables, kitchen islands, dressers and in baths.

We also use larger, more impressive accessories that repeat the theme and color scheme, such as plates, pots, vases or boxes.

And, we set the dining and kitchen tables.

All of these ideas may not be functional in your home, but at least you know the secrets.

Gail Mayhugh, owner of GMJ Interiors, is a professional interior designer and author of a book on the subject. Questions may be sent by e-mail to: gail@gmjinteriors.com. Or, mail to: 8170 S. Eastern Ave, Box 4-275, Las Vegas, NV 89123. Her Web address is: www.GMJinteriors.com.

Real Estate home