Dressing Up Your Home (NAPSA)—Recent research suggests Americans spend more than half of their time close to home. More entertaining in the home has renewed consumers’ focus on home decor. According to recent estimates from the International Housewares Association, savvy shoppers spent more than $75.3 billion on goods and products for the homein 2001. The simple fact is there are a number of ways to dress up a room—without investing a lot of time or money. You can wow family and friends with small changes that stretch your dollars to make a big impact. Many home accents are available at discount retailers like Ross Dress for Less. A discerning eye can uncover home treasures, eye-catching trends and classic pieces. * In the living room, add a few photo frames in similar styles or colors (e.g., silver-plated or beaded frames) with pictures of you and your guests on a past trip or spe- cial occasion. Books on cooking and travel are great conversation pieces that reflect your personal interests to guests. Pick a few complementary wall hangings or mirrors and group them in a collage on the wall. Update them seasonally. For year-round greenery, a silk plant or floral arrangement will give the room refined look. A great way to make the dining area inviting is with a little smoke and mirrors. Get aromatic candles, either in seasonal colors (pastels for spring and summer, rich jewel tones for fall and winter) or the same tone. White candles are always elegant. Place the candles on your buffet or the center of the dining room table atop a mir- For the increasing number of Americans who are entertaining at home, a few inexpensive home accents can make a big difference. ror to reflect the light, make the room appear larger and add some ambiance. A table cloth or coordinating placemats will give your dining table a more refined atmosphere—rich purple, green and red for the cooler weather and bright tones and pastels for summer and spring. Top it all off with seasonal flowersin a classic glass vase. In the kitchen, bright or patterned decorative plates and some fun, colored glassware can help give the cooking and dining area a festive feeling. Food is important, but everything is in the presentation. Try adding new salad plates to your existing china—mix and match different colors or similar patterns to brighten up the dinner table. A large ceramic or tinted glass serving bowl can add some seasoning to the presentation of your meal. These suggestions prove you need not spend more than $100 to dress up your kitchen, dining area or living room with somestylish accents. For more information on bargain hunting, visit www.rossstores.com. wane nnn e eee eee eee BS teen e nena nen nnn n nnn n nee Editors Note: Ross Dress for Less stores can be found in: Alabama; Arizona; California; Colorado; Florida; Georgia; Hawaii; Idaho; Louisiana; Maryland; Montana; Nevada; New Jersey; New Mexico; North Carolina; Oklahoma; Oregon; Pennsylvania; South Carolina; Tennessee; Texas; Utah; Virginia; Washington; Wyoming.
