[sschuler1]

I think the biggest mistake that people make when decorating a new home is painting before they choose the furniture and fabrics for the curtains. I know that it's tempting to paint when the rooms are empty, but it is much easier to pick a paint color to match the furniture and fabrics than it is to find items to match a paint color. Go to JoAnn fabrics and look through their home fabrics department. See what fabrics that you gravitate toward, and take some samples with you. Are most of the samples that you took in warm tones or cool? More in the neutrals? Go to a bookstore and flip through some of the decorating magazines. What styles are you more attracted to? Formal or casual? Ornate or clean lines? Do you like a themed style? Beach house style, French country, '50s retro etc....or do you prefer an ecclectic mix of comfortable items you've collected over the years? Once you've decided which direction you want to go, then just go for it! Pick out your main pieces of furniture first. Take the fabric swatches with you and see how they look with the pieces. Throw away the swatches of fabric as you eliminate them from your choices. Once you have it narrowed down to the furniture pieces you are purchasing and the fabric that works the best with those pieces, then go to the paint store and pick up some paint color cards. Don't be afraid to pick out an accent color from your fabric and match a paint card to it for an accent wall. Remeber that paint is the cheapest and easiest mistake to fix, so don't be afaid to have some fun!!! Lastly, buy some of the fabric that you chose and make some curtains and throw pillows to match. (ps...wait until it goes 50% off, because it always does!) Have a blast! Post some pics of before and after when you are done. Some of us have already posted pics of our masterpieces in a previous thread!