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Thematically based home d'cor requires research and planning, but once you've begun you have a clear framework within which to work. Themes are able to work for you by dictating what you should add or change. It's that easy!

In all cases, your theme will determine the choices you make about the five most essential elements of good home d'cor, namely, art, color, fabric, lighting and furniture.

The theme you choose can be as specific or abstract as you choose. You may want to create a specific world theme or style, such as country, rustic, Tuscan, Aegean, Parisian, or New York. Maybe you don't want to restrict yourself to something so specific but rather choose a colored theme, such as black and white, earthy colors, primary colors, pastels, or floral. Or you may want to go for something more generic, such as contemporary, traditional, formal, or casual. You may even like to choose to do each room in a different theme.

Before you choose your home d'cor theme or themes it is an absolute necessity that you research and plan. Open a file or scrapbook on home d'cor and start collecting notes, how-to's, photographs and articles on themes that seem to be of theoretical interest and practical guidance. There is so much information available on the Internet. Also, visit showcases and home centers and seek advice from experts on how to begin and sustain a particular theme in your home.

The great thing about a theme is that it provides a real sense of organization in your home. Themes encourage you to match things appropriately so that the final effect is utterly pleasing to the eye.