Cheer Up Your Kitchen

By Leslie Barrie
December 14, 2010
Corbis
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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