We received lots of great decorating tips this week. There must be some beautiful homes out there! Thanks for sending in your tips, now it’s time to vote! The poll will be up (in this post and in the sidebar) until noon on Sunday.

Cast your vote, enlist your friends and family to vote for you. Spread the word, the winner wins a Lazy Mom Tote Bag.

The New Topic of the Week will be posted on Monday in News Alerts.

Don’t forget you still have two other ways to win! You have …

You should consider your ceiling to be the fifth wall of the room. When you are painting your walls, paint your ceiling too! If you aren’t sure what color to paint it, go two shades lighter than the wall on the paint strip.

Photo: Restoration Hardware

Your big, expensive pieces (like a couch) should be neutral. Your tastes will change over time. If you purchase a neutral couch like the one pictured you can easily change out the throw pillows when blue is no longer the trendy color.

The other day, my friend had my daughters over for an American Girl Doll tea party. It was so precious. She really went all out and had everything decked out. Here is a picture of the precious girls with their dolls.

I wish you could have seen the perfectly decorated table. It makes me want to have a grown up tea party.

Naomi’s house is really pretty. I love the way she has it decorated. But, the best tip I picked up was hidden away. As we were getting ready to leave, my …

Photo: Bassett Furniture

If you can afford to, it might be the best money you ever spend. Many furniture stores offer free design consultations with a furniture purchase. Most designers will come to your home give you ideas and then you can go do the shopping yourself. Enlist their help for the big expensive decisions, you’ll save money in the long run!  Many a time I have tried to piece a room together myself, spent a lot of money and not been happy with the end result.

The Nester blogs at the Nesting Place. She is a mom to three boys, she is a lady among men! She shares her adventures in decorating her home along with wonderful pictures and even better tutorials. Her motto is, “It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful.” We are so excited that she is here at Lazy Moms today! Please go visit her as well. Enjoy!

Window Mistreatment 101

Alert! If you are a perfectionist, real designer, drapery maker, or person who can’t stand just winging it, please brace yourself and …

I have a baker’s rack in my kitchen and one of the easiest things I do to decorate is to change it out seasonally.  In the fall, it is filled with Halloween decorations and pumpkins.  At Christmas time, it is throwing up Christmas!  Well, with Valentine’s Day behind us it is time for me to get out the Easter and spring decor.   Here is a picture of how it looked for Valentine’s Day.

I set my timer for 10 minutes.  Here is the box that I keep …

Photo: Pottery Barn

Ask your friend whose house you love to help you. You get to spend time together and accomplish something at the same time. She will be flattered that you asked and happy to help! I have helped several friends with their homes and it was great fun!

Yesterday’s Tip of the Day was to use your children’s artwork in your home. I have also posted in the past about my daughter Grace being an artist. We have our children’s art throughout our home.

These are three paintings that are hanging in the hallway between our kitchen and living room. The dining room is also open to this hallway, so the art is a part of the dining room. These paintings may not be the colors I would choose if I were out buying art specifically for this space. …

Photo: Ballard Designs

If you don’t fancy yourself a decorator, find inspiration around you. The stores put the room together for you in their catalogs. Just find one you like and follow their formula.