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Fun New Decorating Ideas

By: Elizabeth Roehrig

From: HGTV Magazine

HGTV Magazine gives you an exclusive look inside a real-life funhouse, and not the kind at the carnival. You might be inspired to paint a wall orange or trim your curtains with fringe after looking around.

Family sits on front porch with green door

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Out-of-the-Box Decorating

For Bailey McCarthy, decorating is a way to inject cheer into everyday life. There are zigzags and stripes, vibrant artwork and happy accessories. "I want my house to show who I am, which is someone who isn't afraid of bold patterns or whimsical ideas," says Bailey, a designer, blogger and boutique owner (biscuit-home.com). Her Austin, Texas, Colonial, where she lives with husband Pete and daughter Gracie, will make you smile and may even tempt you to try something unexpected of your own.

Candy striped velvet couch

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Candy Stripes

Bailey held on to this velvet fabric for three years before finding a use for it: to re-cover the couch.

Vintage armchair with blue upholstery

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Touches of Turquoise

The living room is open to the kitchen, so she had vintage armchairs re-covered in the same color as the barstools.

China Cabinet With Pink Interior

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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A Perfect Place for Pink

Bailey painted the inside of her Ethan Allen china cabinet a soft pink that matches the flowers on her dining chairs. For a similar look, try Cool Melon by Behr.

Glass chandelier in dining room

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Colorful Chandelier

The pink Murano glass fixture sets the happy-go-lucky tone in the dining room.

Dining room with yellow chairs

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Mismatched Chairs

Seating is "a major opportunity for fun," says Bailey. Her host chairs are citron velvet; the side chairs are covered in a hummingbird/botanical print.

White kitchen with couple and retro finishes

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Globe Pendants

Bailey had a crush on these nickel-and-white-glass light fixtures. The fixtures' shape is unusual, making them real showstoppers.

Chrome barstools with blue cushions

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Retro Stools

These 1950s diner-style stools from a restaurant supply store are re-covered in blue vinyl.

Neutral bird wallpaper

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Bird Wallpaper

A swan pattern covers just one wall in the master bedroom. The ceiling's painted pink!

Bedroom with printed wallpaper and white monogrammed bedding.

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Geometric Table Lamp

This is actually two fun ideas in one: a pink base and jewel-like angles.

White bedding on a bright yellow headboard

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Bright Headboard

Bailey paired a vibrant yellow headboard with white bedding. That pale green monogram matches the carpet.

White shower curtain with pom pom details

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Pom-Pom Fringe

Trim is easy to sew or glue onto a ready-made shower curtain for a custom look in the bathroom.

Baby in pink nursery

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Sweet Treat Art

Postcard-sized cake paintings and John Derian trays form a dessert gallery over Gracie's crib. Extra-large objects, like these papier-mache blooms from a store display, are a huge hit in a little kid's space. Bright yellow chevron on the rug will be easy to grow with, and it balances the sweetness of the pale pink walls.

Neon Green Front Door

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Bold Door

The classic entry of the house is electrified with a high-voltage green (Feel the Energy by Benjamin Moore).

Coral entertainment center

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Bold Built-Ins

In this room, the cabinetry and trim are painted a gutsy red-orange hue (Habanero Pepper by Benjamin Moore). "It's a small space but the color has major impact," she says. Instead of curtains, the windows are framed with fabric-covered wood cornices trimmed in deep-purple ribbon.

Yellow mirrored disco ball

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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A Little Glitz

Bailey Googled "gold mirrored disco ball" and found this one to make the room sparkle. "I recommend it to anyone who has a baby. Gracie goes nuts watching it!"

Animal print ottoman and stuffed elephant in living room

Photo: David Tsay. From: HGTV Magazine

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Animal Accent

The tiger-print ottoman — an idea sparked by an old circus poster — has storage for toys. And a brown-and-orange geometric-print area rug jazzes up the room and helps protect the white wall-to-wall carpet underneath.

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