Author: Katrina

With the holidays approaching and parties to plan, it is time to make a change from last year’s tired décor. I know, I’ve gotten you all worked up now but it’s going to be ok. I am here to help you with some tips for simple changes that can make a world of difference.

Thinking of changes I need to make in my own home I decided to present our design team with a challenge. Transform a room without redesigning the whole thing. Use the elements already in the room and simply add a rug, switch the chandelier or add lampshades. So we did, and this is our story.

I took a team on location to a local customer’s home to perform the transformation. What a lucky customer huh?!? The room we choose was the living room, the holy grail of spaces in the home and a place lots of people struggle to make a change. We left everything just how we found it and simply changed out the rug. We chose several looks from our extensive collection of rugs (click here to check them out).

Even I was amazed at each transformation. We created three totally different looks just by adding a rug.

The first look we choose for this room was a “vintage chic” feel. We chose one of our fabulous antique rugs (click to shop our antique rugs) in soft neutral tones to create a time-loved, “bo-ho”, city chic style. Mixing clean-modern elements with aged-elegant beauties is all the rage now. It is about having a love and respect for pieces with a story to tell, while still staying current for practical living. I love this look and I was so impressed with our first transformation attempt.

The next look we went for was straight-up fun and funky. Adding a brightly colored rug with a fun print brought this room to life, a much needed addition to an otherwise drab space (click here to shop out hip/contemporary rug collection).  It was funny how everyone on the set automatically had a new burst of energy. Hmmm, do you think it might have something to do with the rug…I do!

Finally we landed somewhere in the middle with a clean yet classic hand-tufted rug in a soft smoky teal (click here to shop our new rugs). This rug gave the room the feel of a downtown lounge with its smoky color and shimmer (the shimmer is created by mixing viscose threads in the wool tufting). Giving the room a relaxing yet “oh so cool” feel, I felt like curling up on the chaise and sipping coffee while reading my favorite book. Umm, after that bit of daydreaming I was sure it was time to go. We had accomplished our mission.

But wait, now we want to hear from you!

I know our customers are greatly talented, so I want to see your transformation stories. Send me your story along with picture of how, with our products you were able to transform your home. By sending your story & pictures, full name, a valid home address, phone & email address to awharrison@shadesoflight.com by December 31, 2010 you will entered to win a $250 Shades of Light gift certificate! A winner will be selected by a panel of our judges and notified no later then January 25, 2011. For complete rules click here. I will feature several of my favorite transformations on the blog. What a great way to impress your friends at your holiday parties. You just happened to leave the computer on at the party with your lovely home featured on the screen. Love it! See the rules and details below and happy transforming!