Great decor is waiting just outside your door

"I love the outdoors and I would like to bring as much of it inside as I realistically can.
-Sept. 19, 2003 - Real Living

Bamboo in the home
is versatile and beautiful

I would like to use bamboo to accent and enhance my living room somehow.
Can I use bamboo as a natural molding?
Perhaps something like a crown molding? -Oct. 3, 2003 - Real Living

Broken terra-cotta piece
has uses after accident

I don't know what to do with a wonder old terra-cotta water pitcher we discovered on a family trip to Mexico many years ago. -Oct. 10, 2003 - Real Living

Established gardens don't have to take years

I was wondering what I might do to this new home's yard to create more of an illusion of mature growth and enchantment that I would so love to have again like at my old home.
-Oct. 17, 2003 - Real Living

Handmade paper transforms walls

I have just discovered the wonderful world of Handmade Paper. Can I really put this on my wall as a wallpaper? Is there anything I should know before I tackle this job?
-Oct. 24, 2003 - Real Living

Old photos can become fun,
unique keepsakes

My sister has been collecting rare photos for years.
What would be a nice gift using these old photos?
-Oct. 31, 2003 - Real Living

These Thanksgiving crafts
may steal the turkey's glory

Any quick and easy ideas for an interesting Thanksgiving table?
-Nov. 7, 2003 - Real Living

Unhinged doors still have use

I need help to know what to do with an old warehouse door and where to put it in my home to take full advantage of its classic heritage and style. Any ideas? -Nov. 14, 2003 - Real Living

Seashells make a big splash on furniture

I have been collecting seashells for years. I would like to create something grand or at least different. Can you please tell me what direction to go here? -Nov. 21, 2003 - Real Living

Christmas tree themes needn't be 'Christmasy'

I really want to do something entirely different from out past Holidays. I know that your company does theme decorating. Any ideas I could use for changing my look this season?
-Nov. 28, 2003 - Real Living

Think themes and repetition for holidays

I've been thinking about doing something different this year for the holidays. Do you have any suggestions for something fun and festive that is not the usual red and green?
-Dec. 5, 2003 - Real Living

Leaf bounty can be used in several crafty ways

I pressed some leaves and now I need to know what I can do with them that would be creative and different. Would love some ideas. Thanks. -Dec. 12, 2003 - Real Living

Gift's first impression is in its wrapping

I could really use some ideas on doing something a bit different with my Christmas wrappings this year. Do you have any ideas?
-Dec. 19, 2003 - Real Living

Dress up terra-cotta pots to fit any decor

I need some idea on how to dress up these terra-cotta pots to give some more life to my personal hideaway I have created. Thanks for any help you can give me. -Dec. 26, 2003 - Real Living

Use old barn wood to add to kitchen

I have a country inspired kitchen and I would love to know what I could do with some old barn wood and fruit crate wood I have salvaged from a friend. I just love the weathered look, however, I don't really know what I can do to work this into my kitchen and showcase this wonderful old wood. Can you help? -Jan. 2, 2004 - Real Living

2004: Natural still is in; bamboo is on the verge

At loose ends, we have always focused on a casual, laid-back lifestyle, and we think this approach to home decorating is only going to get stronger. What are some of the directions we see home decor going this next year? -Jan. 9, 2004 - Real Living

Antiques can fit nicely into your style, home

Any ideas on how I can introduce some alien antique pieces into my fairly modern home? -Jan. 16, 2003 - Real Living

Modern, country, Asian styles can
look great alone or mixed

There are so many different styles of decorating out there each with with its own rules. I like modern, country, some oriental and even western - help! -Jan. 23, 2004 - Real Living

Macho den gives men a relaxing retreat

We just moved and now we have an extra bedroom that my husband would just love to have for his own private space for work and reading. -Jan. 30, 2004 - Real Living

Can't afford to remodel?
Rethink the simple things

We have a small and dark kitchen that we will eventually gut and remodel but our budget is stretched right now. What can I do in the meantime to make this room more appealing? -Feb. 13, 2004 - Real Living

Natural journals make a personal project

I saw a segment on one of the "how to" shows you were on where you were making unusual journals. Could you give me some more information about this? -Feb. 20, 2004 - Real Living

Create nature windows

I wanted to get an early start on my Spring cleaning and in going through a closet I found a box tucked in the back corner that was full of blossoms and flowers that I had gathered and pressed a couple of years ago. Art these still usable for any projects or would they be too dry and fragile after this long a time and I should just toss them?
Cindy P. Newport -March 5, 2004 - Real Living

Use nature windows to create furniture

Last week I talked about creating really fabulous “nature windows using old salvaged wooden windows, dried plant material and handmade paper. Space was too limited to go into what you can do with the pieces of artwork that you have created, so we thought we would explore the possibilities a bit further this week. -March 12, 2004 - Real Living

Spice up empty space with dramatic statues

The wall in our entry has one of those sunken alcoves, and I just have never really found the right thing to put there. It seems to need something that makes a statement, but still doesn’t seem too pretentious. Any ideas?
Georgia M. Salem -March 26, 2004 - Real Living

Look to older homes' elements to give new home character

My husband and I love old houses, but we were not able to find what we had in mind, so we have recently purchased and moved into a new housing area. Although our new house has many features I love, it seems quite sterile and bland to me. Also, after going through a few others that were for sale in the same develpment, it is too much like every other house on the block. I need some inspiration.
Lyndee M. Albany -April 2, 2004 - Real Living

Use natural fiber on walls

I love to have different wall coverings in my home. Just plain old paint is a bit boring. While I have been successful at some fabrics on the wall recently, I have been a little scared to do anything with natural fiber. I know your company works with these . . . can you give me any hints? Can I do a wall with burlap or abaca and still make it look good?
Frances J. Albany -April 9, 2004 - Real Living

Save Grandma's chairs with a little creativity

When my grandmother passed away two years ago, my husband found four old oak and pine kitchen chairs in a back room. These do not match, and they all have some damage. I would like to do something fun with these, but I don’t think they are worthy of stripping and refinishing to look perfect. What do you think?
Laura V. Salem -April 16, 2004 - Real Living

Overflowing organic bags are perfect for craft party

I am hosting a craft party at my house next month, and I know that you do lots of interesting design-craft ideas on HGTV. I need a fun, yet inexpensive idea on what my presentation could be. HELP!
Joli P. Dallas -April 30, 2004 - Real Living

Fabric or paper gives cracked vases new life

I picked up an old glass vase at a yard sale last weekend. It has a fairly large crack on one side, but the glass is quite thick and the crack seems to just be ugly, not dangerous. I bought it because I like the shape. The crack is ugly, what can I do with it?
Milly S. B. Albany -May 7, 2004 - Real Living

Bits of raffia, lots of color: It’s Caribbean party time

Our very dear friends are having their 25th wedding anniversary in August. They are taking a four-week cruise in the Caribbean, and a whole bunch of us, family and friends, have decided to throw a surprise barbecue/Caribbean Bon Voyage party as a sendoff. I need some hot ideas!
—Melinda Ann, Salem -August 6, 2004 - Real Living

Good garden spaces can be a bit less obvious

I love to garden, but our back yard is really tiny. Personally, I would fill the little space we have with flowers, but my husband wants to use the area for a few vegetables. Any solutions?
—Rose J., Salem -August 13, 2004 - Real Living

Take a cue from the English for garden rooms

My husband and I recently returned from two wonderful weeks touring England by car. One of the things I fell in love with the most were the conservatories that were attached to so many, even modest, houses in the country. The feeling is quite different than the American garden room. How can I get a bit of this feeling in my own garden room?

—Debbie L., Beaverton -August 20, 2004 - Real Living

Handmade papers brighten up everyday items

My kitchen is done in blue and yellow, and I couldn’t believe it when I saw the blue and yellow story in the September issue of Woman’s Day magazine, with your papers.
The magazine didn’t tell me enough about the storage boxes. Could I use these in the kitchen, how are they made, etc. Thanks.
—Samantha T, Salem -August 27, 2004 - Real Living