Decorative eggs aren't just an Easter tradition.  They're also classic symbols of spring!  Here are a few not-so-ordinary ideas for embellishing eggs in your home this season: 

Place card eggs add extra charm to an Easter dinner or Sunday brunch table.  For each guest, color an egg before writing his or her name on it with a permanent marker or paint pen.  Then, gently nestle each egg in a teacup of shredded paper, Spanish moss or faux grass.

Planter eggs create cute displays on kitchen window sills.  Hollow out each egg by cuttting a medium-size hole at the top of its shell & pouring out the raw yolk & white.  Remove the remaining top half of the shell.  Fill the bottom half with soil & tiny flowers or seedlings, then rest it on a decorative egg holder.   

Naturally stenciled eggs make delightful home decorations for spring.  Lay leaves of herbs (i.e., mint, cilantro) on each egg.  Wrap the egg tightly in pantyhose to keep the leaves in place, then dip it in dye & allow it to dry.  Unwrap your creation & arrange with others in a pretty bowl or woven basket.   

I'd love to read your egg decorating ideas, too.  Have fun, & Happy Easter, everyone!

Truly, Cindy ;-) 

There's a debate whether or not using soy wax candles are the healthier alternative to paraffin wax candles.  However, in my own research, I could find no scientific studies which proved this to be true.  According to the National Candle Association, "all types of quality candle waxes have been shown to burn cleanly, safely and in the same manner."

There are a few benefits to soy candles over paraffin candles, though.  Soy wax is made from soybean oil, which is a renewable resource.  Paraffin wax is a derivitive of crude oil, which is a limited resource.  Soy wax burns at a cooler temperature than paraffin wax, so soy candles last longer.  Also, soy wax spills are easier to clean up than paraffin wax.  (It usually takes just soap & water.)

Personally, I like using either paraffin or soy candles, as long as they're of good quality.  I don't really believe one is better for my health than the other.  All candles produce a miniscule amount of soot when burned.  When a flame spews visible dark smoke, it's usually because the wick is too long.  It should be trimmed down to 1/4" before every use.

Recommended candle sites:  PartyLite.com (paraffin, a few soy), PureIntegrity.com (soy), YankeeCandle.com (paraffin) & ZionsvilleCandleCompany.com (soy).

What's your opinion on soy vs. paraffin wax candles?  Which type do you use?

Eclectic decorating is a great idea for those who want to save money or can't decide on a particular theme.  Eclecticism is combining different styles & textures to create a functional yet diverse decor.  (The elements in my bedroom above are traditional, modern & shabby chic.)  Though everything doesn't have to match perfectly, a balance should be acheived.  The following guidelines can help.

1.   Color -  Begin with a neutral palette.  It allows you to place more items in a room without worrying about a color theme.  Solid colored walls & flooring, like off-white, grey or beige, provide a good canvas for furniture, fabrics & artwork in a variety of other hues.  If your walls already have patterns or multi-colors on them, go with solid colored furniture pieces.

2.  Anchors -  Choose two anchor pieces from which you can draw inspiration.  These can be anything: a work of art, a rug, vase, chest of drawers, anything.  Then select complementary items based on color, finish, period, style, etc. to create a polished look.  My anchors for my bedroom above are the Hand-Painted Plate Collection ($49.99 at Pier1.com) & *Libris 3-Drawer Chest (on sale for around $275 last summer at Pier1.com).  I used them to tie in other elements with similar hues, lines, materials & patterns.  

3.  Contrast -  Don't be afraid to use both dark & light colors, different textures & patterns, or varying heights of shelves, furniture & lighting.  You can also use elements that are of the same height, but differ in styles, such as chairs around a dining room table.  Or hang wall art of dissimilar shapes & sizes at the same eye level. 

4.  Uniqueness -  The main point of eclectic decorating is that it alows you to define your personality through your home.  Incorporate your own artwork, photos & collections, display your favorite kitschy objects, create a mood.  I wanted a relaxed feel in my room above, so I added decorative *Butterfly Pillar Candles (on sale for $3.00 / ea. last summer at Pier1.com) & an EnviraScape Garden Leaves Fountain (on sale for $52.00 at KineticFountains.com).


Do you have an eclectic room?  What is its mixture of styles / objects?  Do you display your own artwork?  Do tell!


Styleboard Notes:

• Magnussen Urban Safari Wood Queen Headboard, $414.00, Cymax.com.
• BlowOut 8-Pc. Bed-in-a-Bag Patchwork Queen Comforter Set, $99.99, Sears.com.
• Ivory Popcorn Throw Blanket, $27.88 (was $39.99), Pier1.com.
• *Bennu Armchair, $129.98, Pier1.com.
• Ivory Calliope Chair Cushion, $24.00 (was $30.00), Pier1.com.
• *Bennu Ottoman, $129.95, Pier1.com.
• Ivory Calliope Ottoman Cushion, $32.00 (was $40.00), Pier1.com.
• Kenroy Home Richardson Floor Lamp, $95.31 (orig. $159.99), Amazon.com.
• Burgundy Eclipse Antibes Thermaback 42" x 95" Window Panel, $20.99, Target.com.
• Shabby Chic Stoneware Vase, $16.95 (orig. $24.95), OnlineDiscountMart.com.
• Mainstays Lidded Seagrass Basket, $10.00, Walmart.com.
• Ivory & Gold Scroll Frame, $11.88 (was $14.95), Pier1.com.
• "Memories" Metal & Wooden Photo Holder, $23.88 (was $29.95), Pier1.com.

Total for items on board = around $1400.
* No longer available.

Using shelves in each room can help store clutter, display collections & add beauty to your decor without breaking the bank.  Some ideas:

Bookcases with substantial surfaces can get pricey, but I found a nice large wooden Grevback Bookcase for only $89.99 at IKEA.com.  Match your decor with a coat of paint or apply pretty wallpaper to the interior backdrop.  Check out the wide selection of patterns at DiscountDecorating.com.  Add interest to your literary collections by stacking small groups of books in both vertical & horizontal directions.  Bookends can be pieces of heavy-weight pottery, picture frames or works of art, like the Pair of Hand-Carved Stone Hearts for $29.95 at Pier 1.com.   

"Floating" shelves can help save space & substitute for hanging artwork.  Utilizing a group of shelves in different lengths creates a dynamic effect.  I came across a Set of 4 by Melannco for $29.99 (now on sale for just $20) at Pfaltzgraff.com.  If your style is more contemporary, consider the 3-Piece Interlocking Set by Melannco, also $29.99, at BedBathandBeyond.com.  Organizing knicknacks & other objects into asymmetrical, odd numbered clusters of three or five is pleasing to the eye.  Create layers by propping framed pictures, decorative plates or mirrors against the wall behind smaller items.

Think outside of the box with shelving.  If a room has rustic decor, hang a weathered latter vertically as a shelf.  For a vintage theme, stack milk crates on their sides as a bookcase.  In a teen's room, mount a skateboard for a unique surface.  The possibilities are numerous, especially with your (the Kaboodler's) creativity!

Any tips you'd like to add about using shelves or displaying collections?  I'd love to read them.