The Roanoker - May/June 2019 - 114

to paint the door a shade lighter or darker
than the shutters for some understated
dimension. "If the shutters are black, you
could go with a slate gray," suggests Mangus,
who is currently favoring neutral front
doors. She says an older wooden front door
with some character but years of paint can
be stripped and stained for another neutral
option. While color is up to you, be sure to
buy outdoor grade paint or stain so it lasts.
DO IT NOW: Visit the paint store
and buy samples of the colors
you are considering. Paint
them on posterboard and look
at them against your house
in morning, afternoon and
evening light before making a
commitment.

3. Swap out a light
fixture
"Updating the foyer light and chandelier
in your dining room can change the
whole feel of your house," says Jessica
Durham, who owns Magnolia, a high-end
furniture, lighting and accessories store.
"I go into lovely homes that have buildergrade fixtures." Builders, to keep budgets
contained, often opt for inexpensive
lighting fixtures that are sometimes out
of proportion-usually too small. The
reigning style now is to go as big as you
can in these spaces, says Mangus, allowing
for clearance in a foyer for a tall person to
walk underneath. In a dining room, be sure
the fixture height doesn't block guests'
conversations. If you want a gold dining
room fixture, don't fret that it doesn't match
the rest of your lighting, say Mangus and
Durham, as mixing metals is on-trend. If
your budget is tiny, Mangus suggests finding
a great basket or an oversized Chinese
paper lantern and adding a pendant cord
kit, which you can find at a hardware store
or online. Hire a licensed electrician to
convert it for you and you'll have a unique
conversation piece. "Lighting provides a
great chance to showcase your personal
style," says Durham.
DO IT NOW: Set a budget for a
new fixture, and browse online
or at local shops for ideas.
Magnolia, Present Thyme,
Ferguson Enterprises, and
Williams Lighting all have many
options on display.
114

MAY/JUNE 2019

4. Go for a natural fiber rug
Picking out a rug can be tricky-and expensive. Because many
varieties of handmade, oriental and wool rugs are pricey, many
homeowners choose a rug that is too small to anchor a room in
order to save money. Durham and Mangus advise that the rug
should be large enough for at least the front feet of all furniture
pieces to fit comfortably, or it looks awkward. An easy solution? A
natural fiber rug works in almost any room, blending seamlessly
with the existing decor and color scheme. "Natural fiber rugs are
a go-to for me-they are budget-friendly and don't dominate a
space," says Durham. If you already have a smaller rug, you can
layer the natural fiber rug underneath, which is an on-trend look
that shows no danger of fading. Durham advises that there are
different levels of quality in natural fiber rugs, and that she likes
sisal for its durability. "There are also sisal or jute rugs that are
blended together with wool," Durham mentions. "These are still
affordable, but offer a softer feel that some people like better."
DO IT NOW: Take a fresh look at your rugs. Is one too
small for the space? Move it to another room or layer
a natural fiber underneath it. If you can't afford a new
rug now, go for a bare floor look in warmer months.
TheRoanoker.com
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