Unusual Decorating Ideas

Candlesticks don't have to be reserved just for candles. How about putting some flower balls on top where the candle usually goes? If working with cut flowers, take a round ball of Oasis (florists have it and so do hobby stores), submerge it good, and stick your flowers randomly all around the ball until you've covered the Oasis completely. You can even slice the ball in half in advance if you want. Then just stick the ball onto the candle holder. Some holders have a nail or other sharp point that sticks up to help hold the ball in place. Wet the ball each day to keep the flowers fresh. Of course, if your flowers are artificial, skip the watering part.

Use sea shells to hold other small shells and keep them organized as part of a display. Or use small shells to hold some of your jewelry. Line up three fo the shells and use them as a decorative element in a room, on a shelf, in your bathroom.

Faux wood grain melamine plates. What will they think of next? But you don't even have to buy them though melamine is very inexpensive ($40 for set of 4 -  from www.popink.com). You can buy round wood at your local hardware store and stain it. Not for plates, but make them bigger than your plates and use them as an additional decorative element when decorating your tables for a party or holiday gathering.

Need a novel idea for a coffee table. This won't work in every setting, but if your decor is country or rustic, an old bench can make a fantastic coffee table. The length is usually pretty good for in front of a sofa, though the width will be much shorter than an actual coffee table. But it's that surprise element that we're after here. A rustic old bench makes the perfect table as it is usually just the right height too.

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Barbara Jennings is author of 10 decorating books: Decor Secrets Revealed, Rearrange It, Home Staging for Profit, Home Staging for Yourself, Arrange Your Stuff, Advanced Redesign, Pro Art Consulting, Where There's a Wall - There's a Way, The Art of Hanging Art, Great Parties! Great Homes!