New Year New Rooms
By Marianne Lods

Now that the holiday decorations are packed away and you look around at the four walls and think to yourself, “Gee, it’s the same old stuff and I’m tired of it!”  January is the perfect time to give your rooms a cleanup and a makeover!

Housekeeping tends to get away from us during the frenzy before the holiday weeks, so start by thoroughly cleaning walls, baseboards, above the cabinets and furniture.  You’ll be surprised at all the little scratches and marks on your walls and trim. 
Magic Sponge® is often an easy way to remove unwanted marks on painted surfaces.  Be aware that multiple uses on a particular spot will eventually remove most of the paint. 

If you had the interior painted within the last few years, you should have paint cans with the remainders stored.  Get out the right colors, stir very well with the paint stick and make sure you have a professional quality brush and small roller for touch ups.  Don’t save money on cheap brushes; you won’t like the results a visible paint strokes!  Remember to always brush in one direction and feathering the end of the strokes each time to avoid drips and clumps.  The small roller can be very useful above the splash board areas in kitchens. 

Your rooms are now clean and surfaces are refreshed and you are ready to move on to decorating ideas.  Many changes are inexpensive or won’t cost very much.  January is the traditional “white sale” month and that means everything from sheets and towels to decorative pillows, table runners and the like.  By rotating the pillows on your sofa each season, changing or adding a table runner to your dining table or buffet, and buying fresh hand towels for the guest bathroom will give you a needed new look.

Houseplants are a great way to achieve cleaner air and are visually pleasing.  Change the locations around between various rooms.  You can buy inexpensive plant stands at a variety of discount type stores to add the perfect touch to an empty corner.  Place an attractive large planter prominently in a room where you entertain and buy a healthy potted palm or other large plant.  If you don’t want to spend money on plants, ask some relatives or friends if they have some that they would like to give you.  People who like plants love to propagate them and can’t bear to throw them out.  There are bound to be people like this in your circle. 

Step back and take a look.  The room isn’t the same any longer!  You may be the only one that notices, but now you know that your walls are clean.  The new greenery makes the long winter months seem livelier and the touches of color you’ve added with textiles will be noticed by all. 
 

Happy New Year!

We invite you to explore the galleries and shops of the Glasstown Arts District to help you find your “look.”  Several new shops have recently opened that carry home décor, art, antiques and vintage items.  Check our online directory of businesses at www.GlasstownArtsDistrict.com. or download our free smart phone app: MillvilleApp.com.

Marianne Lods
Executive Director

Marianne Lods is the Executive Director and Certified Main Street Manager of the Millville Development Corp., Main Street Millville and Glasstown Arts District.  

856-293-0556;
Marianne@glasstownartsdistrict.com