Matt and Shari » First Home Ideas http://mattandshari.com Real Decorating for Real People Tue, 04 Jun 2019 21:50:40 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Are We Still Going Green? http://mattandshari.com/decorating/decorating-ideas/are-we-still-going-green/ http://mattandshari.com/decorating/decorating-ideas/are-we-still-going-green/#comments Mon, 30 Oct 2017 02:11:31 +0000 http://mattandshari.com/?p=9176 Recently I had the pleasure of traveling to Europe and I took a few quick photos of some of the clothing boutique windows. What I would call a true nature inspired green seems to be the go-to color for this year. This window showed a wide range of nature inspired greens in everything from outerwear...

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]]> http://mattandshari.com/decorating/decorating-ideas/are-we-still-going-green/feed/ 4 Sew a Reversible Valance for Twice the Look http://mattandshari.com/sewing/window-coverings/sew-a-reversible-valance-for-twice-the-look/ http://mattandshari.com/sewing/window-coverings/sew-a-reversible-valance-for-twice-the-look/#comments Sun, 29 Mar 2015 05:43:56 +0000 http://mattandshari.com/?p=9109 This reversible valance is a simple way to dress up plain purchased sheers or draperies. In fact, this valance is simple enough to whip up quickly for the holidays or for something as unique as a special treatment to display on a birthday or anniversary. Materials List: Two coordinating fabrics Matching sewing thread Trims or...

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]]> http://mattandshari.com/sewing/window-coverings/sew-a-reversible-valance-for-twice-the-look/feed/ 6 Tie-Up Valance Can Be No-Sew http://mattandshari.com/sewing/no-sew/tie-up-valance-can-be-no-sew/ http://mattandshari.com/sewing/no-sew/tie-up-valance-can-be-no-sew/#comments Fri, 20 Mar 2015 05:38:21 +0000 http://mattandshari.com/?p=9097 My initial plan with this simple valance was to get Matt involved, and while he sewed, I would relax!  Well, after much deliberation with the sewing machine, Matt got an idea of his own…iron on adhesive tape!  And he was right, this is just one of many window topper treatments you can create without the...

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]]> http://mattandshari.com/sewing/no-sew/tie-up-valance-can-be-no-sew/feed/ 4 Customize Store Bought Flat Panel Draperies http://mattandshari.com/sewing/sew-simple/customize-store-bought-flat-panel-draperies/ http://mattandshari.com/sewing/sew-simple/customize-store-bought-flat-panel-draperies/#comments Tue, 17 Mar 2015 02:22:31 +0000 http://mattandshari.com/?p=9090 When it comes to window treatments, the sky is the limit. However, sometimes our time is limited!  So, embellishing store bought flat panels is a great way to add a personal touch to your window treatments without starting from scratch!  Read along…this is one window treatment you’ll definitely want to try. Materials List: Store bought...

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]]> http://mattandshari.com/sewing/sew-simple/customize-store-bought-flat-panel-draperies/feed/ 11 5 Ways to Update a Room http://mattandshari.com/decorating/how-to-decorate/5-ways-to-update-a-room/ http://mattandshari.com/decorating/how-to-decorate/5-ways-to-update-a-room/#comments Fri, 29 Aug 2014 02:23:47 +0000 http://mattandshari.com/?p=8731 You can accomplish any one or more of these methods to update  a room in a single weekend if you really put your mind to it. Budget is no excuse – some cost very little or nothing! Skill is no excuse – anyone can paint. And don’t even mention time…if you want it badly enough,...

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]]> http://mattandshari.com/decorating/how-to-decorate/5-ways-to-update-a-room/feed/ 6 Tips to Make Moving Less Stressful http://mattandshari.com/family/parents/tips-to-make-moving-less-stressful/ http://mattandshari.com/family/parents/tips-to-make-moving-less-stressful/#comments Sat, 07 Jun 2014 16:35:12 +0000 http://mattandshari.com/?p=8555 You’ve packed your Moving Day box, right? Well if not, you need to read these moving day tips! Moving tips need to start at the current house and then “move” to the new house, so here goes… Packing the boxes! * Don’t over pack boxes.  It’s better for your health to take more trips and...

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]]> http://mattandshari.com/family/parents/tips-to-make-moving-less-stressful/feed/ 2 5 Ways to Brighten a Room with Little Natural Light http://mattandshari.com/decorating/decorating-ideas/5-ways-to-brighten-a-room-with-little-natural-light/ http://mattandshari.com/decorating/decorating-ideas/5-ways-to-brighten-a-room-with-little-natural-light/#comments Fri, 16 May 2014 19:48:55 +0000 http://mattandshari.com/?p=8532 If you are living in a home with little natural light, you are probably looking for ways to brighten a room or two, short of putting in bigger windows. Well, we have 5 ideas that can help you to maximize the natural lighting you do have to brighten a room, or all your rooms! 1....

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]]> http://mattandshari.com/decorating/decorating-ideas/5-ways-to-brighten-a-room-with-little-natural-light/feed/ 2 The Color Green is an Ideal Wall Color http://mattandshari.com/decorating/color/the-color-green-color-is-an-ideal-wall-color/ http://mattandshari.com/decorating/color/the-color-green-color-is-an-ideal-wall-color/#comments Fri, 09 May 2014 01:17:30 +0000 http://mattandshari.com/?p=8499 One of the most prevalent colors on our planet, green offers a wide variety of hues, making it ideal for walls. It is a secondary color, meaning it is created through the blending of two of the primaries; in this case blue and yellow. So, greens with more yellow are going to be the olives,...

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]]> http://mattandshari.com/decorating/color/the-color-green-color-is-an-ideal-wall-color/feed/ 4 The Color Orange Works Best in Small Amounts http://mattandshari.com/decorating/color/the-color-orange-works-best-in-small-amounts/ http://mattandshari.com/decorating/color/the-color-orange-works-best-in-small-amounts/#comments Fri, 09 May 2014 01:10:20 +0000 http://mattandshari.com/?p=8514 If you want to use the color orange in your home, you need to understand all of its nuances. Orange can range from a subtle off-white to apricot, bittersweet to brown. It is a secondary color in the spectrum being created through the mixture of red and yellow. What this means is that whether it...

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]]> http://mattandshari.com/decorating/color/the-color-orange-works-best-in-small-amounts/feed/ 2 5 Must Have Tools for Your Shop http://mattandshari.com/how-to/tools/5-must-have-tools-for-your-shop/ http://mattandshari.com/how-to/tools/5-must-have-tools-for-your-shop/#respond Mon, 03 Feb 2014 20:39:53 +0000 http://mattandshari.com/?p=7497 Okay, you finally bought all the hammers, screwdrivers and other essential elements that make up your first toolbox. Now there isn’t a drain you can’t fix, a picture you can’t hang, or a piece of wood you can’t cut. You feel it’s time to graduated from the “puttering around the house” to the “I’m ready...

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