USHER IN SUMMER WITH YOUR HOME DECOR

Celebrity designer Vern Yip offers advice on refreshing your home décor with summer accents

ATLANTA (June 13, 2006) – With summer approaching, homeowners are anxious to rejuvenate their home décor. It is nearly impossible to replace all of your existing décor to reflect the latest season's trends; however, celebrity designer and STAINMASTER® carpet spokesperson Vern Yip offers a few quick ways to welcome the season's arrival.

According to Vern, accessories are interchangeable, and their colors, textures and patterns can change to reflect the summer season, but the changes should be subtle. “Accessories should not have seasons, unless it is holiday décor. Instead, rotate home décor accents in and out. Mix them up in unique combinations to create interesting focal points, as well as a new perspective,” said Vern.

Bring color and delicacy into your home décor this summer to usher in a sense of the outdoors. According to Vern, trends this upcoming season will move away from heavy textures and prominent designs in favor of more fragile patterns and colors. “Introduce splashes of fresh and soft color as well as elements that showcase the beauty of natural materials. Plants in white or cream pots, linen drapes in light-filled colors and bound rugs with delicate and soft patterns all fall into what will be big for summer,” said Vern.

Other accessories such as table accents can easily be transformed. Vern said, “Fill decorative glass jars with white pebbles. Vases can be filled with fresh cut limbs from flowering trees and bushes.”

Vern recommends using rugs made out of bound or surged broadloom carpet in patterns and colors that reflect the light, airy atmosphere you want to convey. “STAINMASTER® carpet is available in a number of fashionable colors, textures and patterns that will fit any décor and add interest to a living space,” said Vern.

“There is a resurgence in colors such as sand, cream, ivory, soft gold, and other neutrals for the summer season, as well as pale greens, blues and sophisticated versions of lilac. White is hot right now, and green is definitely stepping to the forefront as a wonderfully fresh option in many tones and shades,” said Vern.

Lighting also plays an essential role in bringing summer into your home décor. “Lighting is a key design element. Crisp, clear halogen bulbs or par lamps simulate natural daylight even after the sun has set. Changing lampshades will also help to refresh the look of a space. Dark lampshades in heavy fabrics, should be exchanged for lampshades in linen and other fine fabrics in ivory, antique white, soft green and gold,” said Vern.

Vern suggests a few additional techniques to give your space that added touch of summer:

* Add white, cream and ivory artifacts with ceramics, coral and shells
* Use bound or surged carpet to achieve the “fresh look” of summer
* Display an array of plants, flowers, and other exterior elements such as tree branches with small blooms in colorful vases and glass bowls
* Include accessories such as garden ornaments, sculptures, old pots, or any weathered item to add intrigue
* Utilize drapes, carpet, throws and decorative pillows to integrate the delicate textures and colors of the season

Vern also advised, “Be brave and bold with scale and do not be afraid to experiment a little. Really let the quirky side of your personality show through! The unexpected creates an interesting and fresh space. The overall result is a unique room that reflects your personal style and is ready for summer.”

STAINMASTER® carpet is available in a variety of colors and constructions and features the unique STAINMASTER® carpet stain and soil protection technology. STAINMASTER® carpet employs a repel and release technology that reduces the ability of soil to penetrate the carpet fiber and allows most food and beverage stains to be easily removed during cleaning. STAINMASTER® carpet is available in several innovative fiber technologies including ExtraBody fiber to provide more luxury and thickness than carpets of similar construction and Tactesse® nylon fiber that makes carpets incredibly soft while maintaining durability.

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