Spring Ahead

It may be snowing outside, but you can get a leap on next season with a simple arrangement that stretches a store-bought bouquet into an elegant centerpiece. All you need is a collection of clean bottles - old or antique ones for a charming, rustic display, or newer ones for a sleeker look (soak off labels or stickers; if they're stubborn, try Goo Gone, available at hardware stores). Trim stems to the height you'd like; insert a blossom in each bottle, and dream of sunshine.



Say Cheese!

Turn a chalkboard into a serving tray that makes a statement - literally - by displaying the names of your favorite fromages to serve for cocktails or a cheese course. Buy a wood-framed tablet, a couple of drawer pulls that fit the sides, and epoxy. Glue the handles to the wood. Then grab some chalk and write the cheese names in your fanciest café script.




















Winning Words

Score extra points with family and friends by sending them clever Scrabble cards. To do: Spell out your message on a real game board. You can put in the recipient's name, but if it doesn't fit (or if you want to make a big batch of cards), go with just a standard "Happy Birthday" or "Best Wishes" instead. Snap a photograph of the lettered game board and make a print of the image. For the finishing touch, glue the picture onto a blank, folded card that has a matching envelope. You'll rack up a triple word score with the birthday guy or gal.





















Color Correct

Take a basic bookshelf from "blah" to "aha" with this quick fix: Paint the case's back wall in a cheery, contrasting hue. This is easiest to do if the back (or at least the shelves) is removable; if it's not, you can still do the job. Just cover the edges of the sides and shelves with masking or painter's tape while you're brightening up the back.




















New Use for Old Silver

Let us guess: Your sterling pieces are gathering dust in some forgotten cabinet, escaping on special occasions - if at all. Why not enjoy your well-made things more often by using them for bathroom storage? A creamer is the perfect size to hold a stash of Q-tips, while sugar bowls, julep cups, and other small containers accommodate cotton balls, makeup brushes, and assorted odds and ends. (If you really want to give the heirlooms an overhaul, fill a crystal decanter with mouthwash!) Who knows - this touch of elegance may even inspire your family to keep the bathroom cleaner.




















Timeless Decor

Last year, you invested in a beautiful wall calendar to cheer up your work space, but once it's 2008, it's time to toss those pretty pages. If you hate to do it, don't. You can enjoy the images a little longer by framing them as wall art. (Calendars are particularly good for this because the pages are themed - like the botanical reproductions shown here from Cavallini Papers & Co. - so they look like a series of prints when hung in matching frames.) If the pages already come with a border, don't even bother matting.