Cheer Up Your Kitchen

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Create a brighter vibe in the heart of your home with these tips from design guru Jonathan Adler, author of Happy Chic Accessorizing and Happy Chic Colors.

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Expert advice

Create a brighter vibe in the heart of your home with these tips from design guru Jonathan Adler, author of Happy Chic Accessorizing and Happy Chic Colors.

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Don’t fear patterns

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If you adore a print, go ahead and use it in more than one place. "It instantly helps the room come together and, of course, adds a bit of playfulness," Adler says.

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Bring on the bouquets

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"Flowers add instant joy," Adler says—but manyof us forget to put ’em in the kitchen. He prefers tight clusters of a single bloom. Cut the stems off so only the buds pop out of the vase.

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Add pieces that pop

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Vibrant shades like bold blue and citrus green can perk up your space. You don’t have to paint: Neutral walls and cabinets make an ideal backdrop for bright dishes, towels, pottery, etc.

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Use edible arrangements

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Lemons and limes (or oranges and grapefruit) make a cheery, colorful centerpiece. But if you only use a few, they’ll look like leftovers, so follow Adler’s rule: "More, more, more!"

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Look down (and up!)

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Most of us decorate at eye level, but adding surprising touches like a patterned tray to shelves down below or nooks up above makes a room look completely lived-in and finished.

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Cheer Up Your Kitchen

1 of 6

Expert advice

1 of 6

2 of 6

Don’t fear patterns

2 of 6

3 of 6

Bring on the bouquets

3 of 6

4 of 6

Add pieces that pop

4 of 6

5 of 6

Use edible arrangements

5 of 6

6 of 6

Look down (and up!)

6 of 6

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Cheer Up Your Kitchen

1 of 6

Expert advice

1 of 6

2 of 6

Don’t fear patterns

2 of 6

3 of 6

Bring on the bouquets

3 of 6

4 of 6

Add pieces that pop

4 of 6

5 of 6

Use edible arrangements

5 of 6

6 of 6

Look down (and up!)

6 of 6

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