"Many people really want to update their decor, but they stop before they start because the idea of change and the prospect of having so many choices is overwhelming," she explained.

Defining and examining the most common decorating fears is the first step in conquering them, according to Powell, who lists them as follows:

* Fear of Starting is a huge obstacle for people who mistakenly think they'll need to throw everything out and start fresh. Nothing could be further from the truth. You can redecorate while keeping existing furniture in place, enhanced by rearranging, adding the right accessories, and introducing elements of color, light and texture. A goal-oriented, room-by-room approach is the best way to ease into the process. And once you've started, it becomes fun and exciting.

* Fear of Color stems from the worry that different hues will be hard to live with, or may not mix well with your existing decor. As a result, many people opt for "safer" neutrals. This can turn out to be even harder to live with, because neutrals don't challenge the eye, and can make a room seem boring or bland. Some rooms are just screaming for color and pizzazz, and the right color choices can bring them to life. And you'd be surprised at the variety of colors you can coordinate.

* Fear of Mixing Styles is very common because the wide range of choices available can make decisions very confusing. For example, it's not a mistake to mix the floral pattern you love with a stripe or a diamond mini-print - it's actually a beautiful combination. However, many people hesitate to be so daring and opt to play it safe by combining the floral with a solid, with less than dramatic results. The same goes for mixing contemporary with traditional styles. With some skill and planning, it can be done tastefully and gracefully, creating a flair and uniqueness to call your own.

* Fear of Seeking Help is the hardest fear to conquer. Some homeowners worry that a decorator will judge them on their current decor. Others believe that a decorator will impose her own expensive style on the customer. Not to worry. A good Decor Designer is there to help, not to judge. A professional will work closely with clients to identify their personal style and bring it to life. This is all done within your budget and usually saves you money by allocating resources wisely and eliminating costly decorating mistakes as well as impulse buying.

"Once you've conquered your decorating fears, the fun begins," said Powell. "The ultimate goal is to end up with a beautiful, comfortable, living environment that you can enjoy and that reflects your personal style."

Decor & You, a national interior decorating franchise with dozens of locations, offers comprehensive personalized service with a complete line of fine custom furniture, window and wall coverings, art and accessories for all budgets.

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