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DESIGN & DECOR FIVE WAYS TO ADD Personality to Your Home How to make any room go from drab to fab. S TORY AND PHOTO GR APHY BY SAMANTHA L AB RECQU E Is there a room in your home that you avoid showing guests? What about a space that has looked the same since the very first day you moved in? We’ve got tips and tricks to make any space showcase your personality and go from drab to fab. ADD ANTIQUES Seek the unique and pick out pieces with history for your home. Whether it’s a statement piece like a buffet or console table, or smaller collectibles like dishware to display, antiques add a touch of timelessness. Don’t be afraid to incorporate old items in a new way into your home without feeling like it is dated. Display artfully arranged glassware like milk glass atop simple shelving or behind glass cabinetry. Place similar items together to create an impactive, effortless charm in plain sight. ◆ Breathe new life into an antique chair or couch and reupholster the piece with fresh, new fabric that suits your style. Recovering a piece of furniture can completely transform it while still showcasing its original beauty and charm. ◆ Pick out a piece of furniture with good bones and then get creative and find a new use for your furnishing. Our favorite is a rustic, patina dresser turned into a bathroom vanity. A wooden element mixed with shiny fixtures and a beautiful countertop? Yes, please! ◆ PLAY WITH PATTERNS Paint is a powerful interior design tool, but if you’re looking for something far from ordinary, dress up an accent wall with board and batten or shiplap. There are hundreds of easy, DIY tutorials online that offer step-by-step instructions. However, if you are unsure that an accent wall is up your alley, or if you are unable to change the walls, try removable wallpaper — it gives any space a designer look without the long-term commitment. CREATE A GALLERY WALL A gallery wall is ideal for any home and brings personality to a room, whether you display family photos or artistic prints. Before you begin hammering, determine the type of gallery wall you are looking for. Choose from either a grid / linear arrangement or an organically placed grouping. We suggest using painters’ tape on the walls in the 8    RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY’S NEST | 2020