Change can shock and awe the senses

Surprise, shock, joy, amazement — that’s what befores and afters are all about.

So as I sit here thinking about befores and afters, I realize nearly my entire life has been spent in surprise, shock, joy and amazement since my profession is all about change. Whether changing a ’70s kitchen to an up-to-date efficient command central, changing a guest room to a nursery or simply changing a fall room to a spring room, my co-host Matt Fox and I love every minute of it.

So many people enjoy seeing befores and afters, but when confronted with the thought of changes themselves get all nervous and sweaty-palmed! Face it; we all need a little change now and then. It gives us a new perspective, it takes us out of the rut and it forces us to create something different or try something we normally wouldn’t. Nothing makes that brain of ours tick better than a journey into uncharted territory.

So my challenge for you is this: Make a change. It doesn’t have to be huge. Start with baby steps, like changing the furniture arrangement in a room that’s been the same for years. Paint your entry a bold color. Purchase new lamps, (from the 21st century). Buy a piece of artwork you love, not because it matches the room but because you love it!

There, that’s a couple of easy first steps. Once you’ve tried them you will feel a new spring in your step. You might even smile when you see what you’ve done. You may even call over a friend to get a look at your new bold paint color. You could suddenly feel proud of yourself and of your new and interesting home. Then … you’re hooked.

We won’t be able to stop you. You’ll crave befores and afters all over your home. You’ll clean up clutter, you’ll organize that garage, and you might sew new draperies or build those wall shelves you’ve been meaning to build. This new “take action” version of yourself just might rub off on your friends and family and you will have started an epidemic of change.

It’s easy. It only takes that one first step to get started. And, for those of you who have no idea how to get started, there are people like me who do. No one says your before and after has to be done alone. Interior designers, friends with a style you enjoy, even our Design by Mail service that is simply sending you photo ideas through the mail, can help get the job going for you.

Start by checking out your local furniture stores; they often offer designer services for free. They could certainly look at a few pictures and give you a good starting point and bit of confidence. Check out our Web site, www.mattandshari.com, for all sorts of decorating advice. We have a message board with very talented people visiting frequently who are very happy to give you some help if you send in some of your photos.

Shari Hiller and Matt Fox, authors of “Matt and Shari’s Great Weekend Projects (DRG Publishers), also appear together frequently on HGTV. For more on Matt Fox and Shari Hiller, visit www.hgtv.com or www.mattandshari.com.