One Track Minds: Get off the track

It's very important to remember to look at pieces in a different way. I try not to "look" for a specific item, but let the item tell me what it wants to be, and by that I mean think out of the box. I try to find a piece of furniture that has a neat shape, color, texture, etc., and then ask myself "how can I use this".

- half of a dresser= a buffet
- a cool glass= a vase or candle votive
- a storage cabinet= a kitchen island, night stand, or hall way table
- funky fabric= new pillow (anyone can hand-stitch a pillow)
- old newspaper- cover any furniture in old newspaper

Sometimes groups of items are better, than a single one. For example, a lot of thrift stores have the white glass vases, these look great in groups. TIP: always remember to group things in odd numbers, 3, 5, 7... it adds more interest. A group of white vases with a single bright bloom in each, is a great centerpiece.