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s a new homeowner, Jeanine Matlow
was thrilled to show off her
Farmington Hills condo, but "nobody
cared about the house. They all cared
about this miniature shopping cart [in the
kitchen]."
Fil.ied with artificial fruit, the cart started
conversations — and inspired the name of
Matlow's design business, Conversation Pieces.
"NO matter what your house offers, it's the
details that make a difference," she says.
From recommending paint colors to creating
v all displays, Matlow solves problems. One
client was disappointed with the way stencils
looked on a wall. "They just didn't stick out. I
suggested putting a frame around them [to]
look like a picture. She loved the idea."
Matlow insists that home is more than a place
to live. "It's where you can feel safe to be your-
self.
"Home is a sanctuary. We're told to work and
work and work so we can build this home, but
we're never in it. More people are working from
home, using their home in more ways, more of
the time. Home is who you are."

Challenge conventional

uses — display pens

in a glass vase.

Matlow charges an hourly fee to accompany clients
on shopping trips or survey their home. She teaches
design seminars locally. For information, call (248)
426-8248.
Merchandise in photos available at The Print
Gallery, Southfield.

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Jeanine Matlow solves

decorating problems with

"Conversation Pieces."

Matlow recently held a seminar at
The Print Gallery in Southfield, where
she offered these "tips":

• Challenge conventional uses — put pic-
tures in a plate rack or frame a placemat as
art. "Function is important, but people get
hung up on it."
• Change drawer pulls, doorknobs and
switchplates for quick updates.
• Drape a scarf over a table or tie guest tow-
els with bracelets. "We have beautiful
things in drawers. Why not take them out?"
• Stack hatboxes to make an end table that
stores off-season items.
• Bring the outside in — a terra cotta tile
and metal garden table elevates moods.
• Display books or paintings on music
stands or easels.
• Frame a mirror, corkboard or chalkboard,
or use a wall mirror as a tray.
• To save money, enliven furniture with
colorful pillows, or buy reproductions
instead of antiques.
• Hang pictures lower to add warmth to a
room.
• Group pencils in a mug, display flowers in
an oversized teacup or turn a glass upside
down to make a candleholder.
• Accessorize your pet — ceramic food and
water bowls look better than big metal bins.