Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
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special advertising section Camille also believes no room is complete without photos of family and friends. Knowing a group of photos can look haphazard or messy, Camille sug- gests turning the photos all to a sepia tone and place them in similar frames. "Hung collectively, they can look stunning in any room," notes Camille. Camille even says the ugly old sofa from Aunt Gertrude can be transformed to make your living space special. By simply painting the carved legs with a high-gloss finish, such as silver metallic, and reupholstering the sofa with a contemporary fabric, such as a mohair, you can change the look from frumpy to fabulous. Wrap the pillows in a new fabric, such as a tapestry or an animal print, and you will have your own personalized piece. Sue Adams agrees that incorporating your personal items into a space is important. She suggests the first thing you can do to personalize your space is to paint the walls of the house. "Choosing colors you love can really trans- form a room into your own," Sue says. "And once the walls have your favorite hue, don't forget to hang pictures up!" Most people are afraid to put holes in the walls once the paint job is done. "But incorporating your artwork that you have collected through the years is key to personalizing the space," she notes. Sue also says its important to create balance in a room to make it comfort- able. "Don't crowd all your furnishings around the TV and leave the rest of the room bare," she says. Create different groupings of seating areas—one to watch the Red Sox game and one for relaxed conversation. Sue also believes it's critical to give purpose to a room. If it's an unused dining room, turn it into the kids' crafts room. Or maybe the vacant space becomes a place to install a wet bar and pool table, transforming it into a game room. Don't let the room remain an echo chamber—get creative and put your stamp on it. Jeffrey Landry of Landry & Acari Rugs says rugs are simply art under foot. Whether you are looking for a favorite color or design pattern, a rug can be A Glowing Space The proper lighting can make or break your space. Here are some tips from local lighting specialists. "Your home's interior combines your personal style, archi- tecture, and decorative features—lighting is the key to tying it all together," says Donna Christopolous of Design Lighting. "Lighting can enhance the mood, create a path for safe entry and exit, and has the ability to make us feel good." We all feel a sense of warmth and happiness when a light is turned on in our homes. Have you ever driven by a home with its lights off? There is no depth or character to it. However, as soon as the homeowner returns and lights are turned on a home feels cozy and welcoming. the foundation behind the rest of the room's design. "A rug really can make the biggest statement in a room— they provide warmth, color, and comfort," he notes. Jeffrey also suggests homeowners bring home a couple of rugs to try within a given room. "It's important to see if the rug will be a good fit not just in terms of size, but also if it fits your personality." Whatever the pieces are, make sure they are something you love and want to live with—then you will feel the space is truly your haven. When Disaster Strikes, We Work For You. Don't Settle For Less! The insurance company has an adjuster, shouldn't you? Our professional, licensed claims specialists and appraisers will negotiate the most favorable settlement for you. Fire Water Ice damage Frozen Pipes Seltser & Goldstein Proudly representing thousands of clients since 1935 Public Adjusters, Inc. Windstorm Lightning Explosion Collapses 900 Cummings Center, Suite 302T, Beverly, MA 01915-6169 Toll Free, 24 Hours: 800-782-2357 Licensed in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine, with affiliates in Florida. Member of Better Business Bureau. www.seltser.com