(NAPSA)—With the chill of autumn in the air, a few simple decorating touches can add warmth to just about any home. 1. Try an area rug. Nothing foreshadows winter faster than cold floors on bare feet. Ward off chilly toes by placing area rugs in well-traveled areas of your home. 2. Add a throw blanket. Nubby knits are excellent companions for chilly nights at home with a movie. They’re also a good way to incorporate seasonal color. Place throws on sofas and chairs and keep a few folded for the floor. 3. Warm up your windows. Switch out summer sheers for heavier drapes. Heavy drapes keep out drafts and lend an air of opulence to the room. For added energy savings, check out the variety of thermal window treatments available. 4. Create an inviting entry. Make visitors feel comfortable from the moment they step through your door. Put out a welcome mat—literally. Decorate your front door with a seasonal accent and an attractive mat. 5. Gather around the hearth. A crackling fire naturally draws people to it. Rearrange your furniture to create a conversation area around your hearth. If your home doesn’t have a built-in fireplace, today’s gel fuel fireplaces score high marks for charm, with no mess or need for an outside vent. ae eoee Z- Sf‘ TS ae oan , - at wy) 6. Carve out a reading nook. Fall is the time to pull out your favorite tomes and lose yourself for hours in a good book. Pick a well-lit corner of your home and put a comfy armchair, lamp and end table into it. Sequester your private space with a freestanding screen. 7. Pull out the candles. Any room feels warmer and cozier by the glow of candlelight. Use candles liberally to add seasonal color and scents throughout your home. 8. Accent with black. Black, the universal symbol of sophistication, can add elegance to your autumn home. Useit sparingly— just enough to make a statement, but not so much that it makes the room dreary. Think accessories. A black vase or a trendy zebra pattern on a throw or lampshade are subtle ways to introduce the darkest hue. For more decorating ideas from home decorating expert Ginny Bean, publisher of Ginny’s catalog, or for a copy of the catalog, visit www.Ginnys.com or call (800) 487-9024.
