Begin by comparing each room to a plate of food. Look around and analyze what your plate looks like. How boring a plate of food is when it all blends in together and nothing really pops out and catches your eye. Add a garnish of green parsley and a cherry tomato and wow, what a difference!

Is there an area of your room that commands attention as does the parsley garnish on the plate, or do things just sort of blend in together? Resist the temptation of matching everything in the room. Nothing is more boring than an area that is predictable. Explore ways to introduce color as well as texture.

Think this article is about food? Well, think again! It' all about decorating and the sometimes forgotten additions to your home that puts the finishing touch on the room.

Window treatments can be an enhancement to any room and adding cording, fringe, or tassels will make them really come alive. Draping a large chair tie with tassels at one end of the curtain rod is a good way to dress up a drab window treatment. Using end finials that are not alike on each end of the rod brings attention and interest to the window area of the room.

Analyze the color of your plate! If all of the food is the same color and as your plate, nothing serves as an accent and the food is less appetizing. Even when using a neutral color scheme, it is very important to add a variety of textures and at least one object that attracts your eye. Accents don't necessarily have to be a color, they may be something very shiny such as brass, or silver.

Look around and explore ways to temp the appetite of those who enter your home by the beautiful presentation of your plate. Bon appetit!

Carol Jollay, IDS Associate