Mary Engelbreit Home Companion
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Text by Tony DiMartino • Styling by Kathy Curotto

When it comes to adding character to a room, few elements carry as much weight as dark, lustrous wood. But sometimes it can be too much of a good thing.
   “Our master bedroom was starting to look a little gloomy and old-fashioned, so we wanted to update and open things up,” says Kathy Curotto, HOME COMPANION’s style editor.
   The room’s basic components stayed the same: a massive drying rack over the bed, two antique end tables, an oak dresser, an English cherry bureau, and a collection of tramp art and brass frames. Kathy added colorful artwork, cheery patterned pillows, and breezy curtains. Metal and ceramic accessories cooled the warmth of the wood, and woven carpet tiles, a quilted coverlet, and vintage slipcovers offered contrasting textures.
   “Really, all it took was a little fine-tuning,” Kathy says. “We didn’t even have to repaint the walls!”

NATURE'S WAY
(a) Clear colors, leafy patterns, and crisp textures bring the outdoors in. Fabric on large print pillows, Schumacher. (b) Artist Karin Eriksson decorated this ceramic vase with transfer applications and paint. (c) Soft fabric doves in a cage by Tamar Mogendorff hang over the bed. (d) Kathy chose this painting by Rana Rochet for its colors and free-flowing design.

It's time to lighten up page 1 | 2
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