copyright ©1999-2005
DigsMagazine.com.

Other soft accessories to consider, especially if you're on a budget, are floor cushions. It's usually a whole lot cheaper to buy or make two floor cushions than it is to buy a new (or even used) upholstered chair. Try stacking two floor cushions on top of each other for when guests come over or if you're watching TV and want some extra lounging action. Keep in mind that floor cushions should be at least 30-inches square and filled with foam or something that won't be too soft. Down, for instance, would be fairly impractical; in addition to being very expensive, it would make the pillow so squishy that your butt would hit the floor as soon as you sat down.

Meanwhile, tabletops in a living room, sitting room, or even a bedroom will look amazing if you put some thought into what you place on them. 

First of all, get rid of the tabletop clutter. The towering piles of magazines you've already read, the mountain of old papers that should really be filed away, that sad-looking pencil holder filled with old pens and broken pencils? Sorry, but they shouldn't make the cut. If you don't enjoy looking at something, clear it from the tabletop and find an appropriate place to stow it away. Instead, use your coffee tables and side tables to show off your favorite objects -- whether it's books, or a pretty ceramic dish, or a pair of candlesticks.

Indian throw pillows and an Indian throw (found on holiday in India) make a white sofa a little more interesting. Meanwhile, books and some small Chinese lacquered boxes make the coffee table a little more colorful.

A few simple guidelines make it easy to arrange a table that looks like it came out of a spread in your favorite home decorating magazine. First of all, coffee table books and magazine should be placed so the person sitting down on the sofa can read them -- i.e. not the other way so they will be upside down for any person who might potentially want to have a flip through. It's nice to have one or two stacks of books, depending on the size of the table. These books also have an added bonus: guests can put their drinks down on them if you're low on coasters.

For side tables, display accessories -- anything from scrimshaw to a plant to lacquered Asian boxes -- of varying heights. Finding and collecting the items for tabletops is half of the fun -- take the thrill of the hunt to flea markets and antique shops, or dig through that collection of items you've picked up while traveling. When arranging the tabletops, keep in mind that taller items will probably look better placed towards the back of the table with shorter items closer to the front. Experiment with the composition, but remember: the point is not to fill every inch of space on the tabletop. For example, you might put a plant in the center of a side table, with a picture frame on either side and a low box in front of the plant. Like I said though, the key is to not go overboard -- one or two picture frames are great. Filling a table top with framed pictures will only make the room look cluttered.

don't stop now! sidle on for more...

---------------------------> lounge . nourish . host . laze . home.