DATE: Sunday, October 5, 1997               TAG: 9710040062

SECTION: HOME                    PAGE: G2   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: Sandra J. Barker

                                            LENGTH:   97 lines

HARMONY IS THE KEY WHEN MIXING AND MATCHING

WHEN IT COMES to decorating, Sandy Webster's philosophy takes a lyrical turn: ``No matter where you are buying your pieces, whether from upscale boutiques or a thrift store, good design has to sing. It can sing rock and roll, opera, or any language, and in any style, but it has to sing.

``That means harmony. Even if pieces don't match, they should harmonize with each other.''

Webster, owner of Webster Designs in Virginia Beach and head of the Goodwill House decorating project, offers the following tips:

A plan: Whether you are decorating an entire house, a room, or a nook and cranny, the first step is to devise a plan; the second step is to be ready to change it.

First, determine the style, color and size of the pieces you need to blend into a harmonious arrangement. Magazines are a good source of ideas. Make a list of desired items in a small notebook and carry it on every shopping trip, along with a tape measure.

Second, if a wonderful piece become available that is not on your list, consider rearranging to make it fit.

If you are trying to match another piece in your house, take the advice of Susan Walker, a volunteer decorator for the Goodwill House: ``When shopping for a chair to go with my dining room chair, I take along a photo of the chair.''

Color: Pleasing color coordination is vital to a room's harmony.

``If you have a color you want to build around, and a piece of fabric is not available, carry paint sample cards,'' Webster said. ``The small paint chip cards come in every color of the rainbow and can be obtained at any paint store.''

The Goodwill house's color scheme came from a set of dishes. Webster carried a saucer with her during shopping trips.

``We found a funky set of dishes that had our earthy colors,'' she said. ``From this set of dishes we did the whole first floor.'' A brown tone was the main color of the dish, with blue, a subtle green and black along the rim providing the accents.

Transformations: Transform the ordinary into extraordinary.

``Buy what you like and have the courage to turn it into your own masterpiece,'' Webster said. For the Goodwill House, she turned a dingy, rusty old tea kettle into a shiny copper utensil; an old clay pot into an attractive container with sponged shapes and copper-leaf accents; and old suitcases into a stained and stacked bedside table.

Buyer beware: Beware of chips, rips and stains. Look for dry rot and water stains on curtains, and gouges and splits in wood.

Fabric in good condition can be dyed in a washing machine or tub.

Wood and plaster can often be repaired by using plaster, wallboard compound or a clay called Sculpy to fill in the damaged area.

Although some items can be repaired, remember, there is a no return policy in most thrift stores.

Frame it: Thrift store picture frames are often missing the glass. Hardware stores can cut inexpensive window glass to measure, or you can forget the glass and frame a wreath or other interesting item by hanging the frame directly on the wall around an attractive three-dimensional object.

Furniture: Know the difference between real wood and ``wood grained,'' which merely indicates the color of the finish. Check for sturdiness; if it wiggles when you touch it, it needs repair. Check drawer construction; look for dovetailed edges and metal glides. Be sure chairs have a stretcher (wooden brace) between the legs.

Many times furniture purchased from thrift stores needs a bit of loving care to make it usable. ``Don't use soap and water to clean wood,'' Webster said. ``Use a soft cloth and odorless turpentine. If the piece is good, after it is cleaned, apply an oil, such as teak.''

If the finish is poor, you may wish to paint, apply a faux finish or sand and stain.

A 1940s wardrobe was transformed into a European-style masterpiece for the living room of the Goodwill House. After paint and several coats of colored glazes were applied by Marti Newland and Collier Aycock, Webster painted a tree branch with terra-cotta berries across the front doors, and added touches of green and blue in the corners.

Should you reupholster or slipcover? If construction of a sofa or chair is sound, but the fabric is shabby, an attractive slipcover might be just the answer.

Mattresses: One item you should never skimp on is the mattress. A worn out mattress is not a bargain at any price. And yes, it is possible to get a decent mattress at a thrift store.

``Sometimes Haynes will pull a truck into Goodwill and dump brand new mattresses still in bags,'' Webster said.

When shopping at thrift stores, remember the motto, ``Here today, gone tomorrow.'' If you really like it, snap it up before the next customer does. Frequent visits are suggested, because new ``treasures'' arrive every day.

Shopping at thrift stores is a way to recapture a bit of the past, whether your preference is early attic pieces of the '30s and '40s, funky art deco, the retro look of the '60s and '70s or more traditional fare.

``This is really another way to recycle,'' said Barbara Morin, decorating coordinator for the project.

To start the thrift store newcomer off on the right foot, all items in the Goodwill home will be for sale at thrift store prices (or slightly higher for re-worked pieces). Proceeds will go to Goodwill Industries of Hampton Roads. The items will only be available after Homearama ends.

Jump on the bandwagon and have some fun. Bring harmony into your home with an original composition of second-hand pieces, a melodious concert of pure thrift and imagination.

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