Five Easy Ways to Add Punch to a Room
By Susan Fruit Interiors
Houston, Texas
www.SusanFruitInteriors.com

• Change out the sofa pillows. If the pillows are made out of the same fabric as the sofa, replace these with two 20" x 20" plump, down filled pillows in silk, velvet or a tapestry fabric and accent with beautiful trims or contrasting flanges. Just two new pillows will add new life to a tired sofa.
  
  
  
• Clear off the cocktail table. Add a large scale tray and place three colorful books on one side stacked on top of each other. Next, group three or four unusual accessories, each a different size and shape, in the tray. Don't be afraid to mix antique accessories with contemporary ones. Place the smallest accessory on top of the books.
  
  
  
• Change out a tired, dated, low cocktail table with a clean lined, 20" - 22" high iron and glass table. The thin, simple clean lines of the iron table base will add interest and visual relief when placed next to large, fully upholstered furniture pieces. The glass top will open up the center of the room and allow the table top accessories to be showcased.
  
  
  
• Add a round or oval ottoman near the cocktail table or even in lieu of a cocktail table for interest, comfort and drama. For an upscale traditional look, the ottoman should have a tufted top and large scale pleats on the sides. When replacing the cocktail table with an ottoman, make sure the top is flat so a tray with accessories, or food and beverages, can be placed on top of it.
  
  
  
• Change out dated lamps and replace these with ones that have simple geometric shapes. Square, rectangle and column clear Lucite lamps with simple white shades are very popular and mix well with a variety of design styles. They often are accented with silver or bronze bases. Be sure to remove all lights on ceiling fans. Using only table lamps and wall sconces (controlled by dimmer switches) will soften the look of a room and make it more inviting and enjoyable.

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