“Life is but a dream…” This may be a line from a favorite children’s song, but it is absolutely true. Life, much like our nightly dreams, is full of dramatic (often surreal) moments both good and bad; and when all is said and done, it seems to have gone by in a flash. My personal mantra is, “life is about the moments.” So why waste another moment living in a home that does not inspire and rejuvenate you?

Create a work of art in your home. Make the commitment to clear your home of clutter, letting go of furnishings that have long ago lost their sense of purpose. Resist the temptation to let your home become a catch-all for hand-me-downs and discount disasters. Honor your space (and yourself) by vowing to only buy pieces that you love. Furnish your home with beautiful, comfortable and functional pieces that fit the way you live.

Surround yourself with furnishings that make you smile and remember the great moments that you have shared with family and friends. Good design is about creating spaces that reflect the way you live. Every piece in your home should feel like a work of art --- a stroke of color on canvas that can either be appreciated alone gathered with all of the other pieces as a breathtaking expression of your life and vision.

Begin With Laying The Foundation. Buy quality sofas that can stand up to pet dander, pillow fights and red wine. For durability, your sofa should be constructed of a solid hardwood frame with an eight-way hand tied spring coil system. And when it comes to fabric, ask your furniture retailer for eco-, child-, and pet-friendly options. There is a wide variety of beautiful, but durable fabrics available today. Be sure to ask for heavy-duty fabrics that are stain resistant and can handle 15,000 “double rubs”. (The term “double rub” refers to the number of rub strokes the fabric can withstand before becoming noticeably worn.)

Add Whimsy And Drama With Accent Pieces. The global and green design movements have inspired an explosion of new design in home décor. Imagine hand-blown glass lamps, mother of pearl side tables, coco shell mirror frames and bamboo planters. The goal is to create a home with a well-traveled feel. Regardless of your budget, you can find original, reproduction and restoration pieces that will be the perfect finishing touch for your home. Create focal points with your accent pieces. Make a statement with a grouping of collectibles or hang a series of family photos along a prominent wall. When hanging art or photos, be sure to use frames with a similar finish and style. This will ensure that the focus stays on the beauty of your artand not on clashing frames.

So begin creating your masterpiece today! Don’t waste another moment living in an uninspiring house. You deserve to live in your dream home. Get rid of the clutter and make the commitment to only buy pieces that you absolutely love. It will change your life. You’ll soon discover that you’re smiling more, laughing more and living more. When you have surrounded yourself with the things you love, you are on your way to mastering the art of living.