Pratt and Lambert - Personal Expressions 2008 - (Page 25) {2}Elimination Round Getting rid of excess items, from {3}thE ElEmEnt of SuRpRiSE “I love rooms where not everything is expected,” she says. Her significant other, a Chicago investor, is living proof that this works. “His condo is decorated in what I would call a very ‘Ralph Lauren’ look, furniture to picture frames, is another one of Krakora’s secret weapons for big change without big cost. “Usually, when I walk into a place, I notice that about 50 percent of the items in a room should be boxed up and donated or put away,” she says, explaining that decluttering will completely change the feel of a room from overwhelming and claustrophobic to open and inviting. “Many people overload their rooms,” she says, “whether it’s due to not knowing what to do in there, or even guilt.” Upsetting your Aunt Mary shouldn’t dictate your design, she warns. “If it’s not you and you don’t like it, it takes away from the feeling and enjoyment of the room. Get rid of it,” she says. ex go green, save green Salvage shops are a great place to find historical and architectural treasures, but their growing popularity means the price tags can be pretty steep. Here, a few spots to find high-quality items for less. Even better, most of these shops benefit charities or other worthwhile causes. Housing Works Thrift Shop With seven locations in New York City plus an online auctions site, this is the spot to search for the city’s pedestals, chairs and other reusable treasures. MaNHattaN, www.housingworksauctions.com. Island Girls Salvage Founded by a two-woman salvage team, the 5,000-foot space contains recycled and reinvented pieces, including furniture and woodwork. Elk GrovE villaGE, il, www.islandgirlsalvage.com. a piece of furniture, too.” Krakora says accent walls are another way to liven things up, particularly in small spaces. “It adds pizzazz when things aren’t architecturally interesting,” she says. Just avoid the mistake of adding accent walls in every room. “You never want to do the same thing in every room, no matter what it is,” she says. Second Chance, Inc. visit one of their five warehouses in the Baltimore area, or view their online collection of rescued architectural gems from old buildings. BaltiMorE, www.secondchanceinc.org. Habitat for Humanity ReStore Find used, surplus and cheap building materials donated by building supply stores, contractors and demolition crews. to find a location in your area, visit www.habitat.org/cd/env/restore.aspx. P r at t & l a M B E r t 25 www.housingworksauctions.com www.islandgirlsalvage.com www.secondchanceinc.org www.habitat.org/cd/env/restore.aspx
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