What's unique about your decorating? What's different between your home and everyone else's? I mean, if you and someone else hired the same professional decorator, and he or she decorated both of your homes the same way, would you both like it? Probably not! We all want our home to be unique - an expression of ourselves and our families. How do we get it?

The first answer that comes to mind is that you both have different things in your homes - different photos, different clocks, different accessories, etc. But actually, that isn't it. You both COULD have those same things if you wanted, couldn't you? The difference is that you don't - each of you have chosen to bring different items into your home and display them in different ways. It's all in the accessories.

Now this is kind of obvious when you think about it, but the principle is what I want to talk about. The principle that our decorating is indeed an expression of ourselves. And the more involved we are in our decorating, the more unique it will be!

Let's take it down to a specific example - like the bed linens and pillows on your bed. You know that, if you bought a ready-made bed set, someone else, somewhere, has the same one. Actually hundreds, maybe thousands, of people have the same one. So what's to make it uniquely yours? The answer is in how you combine what you have, and what you add that didn't come with that ready-made set! So you bought a comforter, bed skirt, pillow shams, and curtains that all coordinate. Do they have sheets in the same print? Don't buy them! Instead go find a solid, stripe, or plaid that goes well, and use them! Did you get some of the coordinating throw pillows? Find another somewhere else... something beautiful and different to serve as the focal point of your bed. Something that you just fall in love with the moment you see it. Or have something made that's unique. That's the second big advantage to custom-made. The first is that you get exactly what you want. The second is that nobody else has one just like it.

Here's what I suggest you do to make your decorating personal... a unique reflection of the unique you. Go window-shopping at least once a month. Mind you, I said WINDOW-SHOPPING! This is the relaxed, I-have-plenty-of-time-and-it-doesn't-matter-if-I-don't-find-anything kind of shopping that is an enjoyable morning, afternoon, or evening off. We all need these breaks anyway! You're more likely to find that something special taking your time, then you are just keeping your eyes open while you rush about your weekly errands. (Although we can happen across wonderful finds that way sometimes too!) When you're window-shopping, you're not searching for just one specific thing - you're looking at everything. You're looking for something to jump out at you - something that feels like it was made just for you. When you find something, think back to your home. What room would it fit in? If it's a pillow, would it go with your bed set? Or would two of them look nice on the sofa? If it's a picture, which room's decor does it go with. No matter what, anything you find will probably fit somewhere. If you decorate your home with the style and colors you love, then any items you find will probably be in those same colors and style.

So, go on and have fun! Keep your eyes open! You never know what you may find! And don't forget to have fun!