Southlake Style Magazine monthly column for October
by Cheap Thrills Décor's Bob and Jami Zimmerman

Taking Your Home Off Hold
Cancer and interior design are not subjects commonly mentioned in the same sentence. When illness hits, the last thing on your mind is how your house looks. My family is currently battling this disease. Besides stocking up on trash cans, towels, blankets and extra pillows, we haven't thought about our "design plans" once. Our current aim is focused on calm, comfort and proximity to the basics.

When I took my dad to radiation recently, I was struck by how nice and normal everyone seemed. I mean these people are fighting for their lives and are sitting around working crossword puzzles and talking about the weather. It seemed so surreal to me. They have a big bell hung on the wall that patient's ring after finishing their treatment. Everyone claps excitedly for each other. It's truly inspiring.

Surround yourself with things you love. During cancer treatment, constant reminders of love and support are great additions to a home. Pictures are so important to remind the patient to keep a positive outlook and that they have many cheerleaders wishing them well on their fight. My dad has an electronic picture frame propped-up near his cancer command station that cycle through silly pictures of our family. When he is having a bad day, he still has to giggle at our boys in their Dr. Evil poses or my nieces with chocolate all over their faces at Thanksgiving last year. I hope it's a nudging reminder that normalcy will soon return (that is our version of normal!)

But, after the hard-fought battle of infirmity is won and a life is ready to be reclaimed, a patient's perspective on their home can be vastly different then before the illness began. The space can somehow seem foreign because although it hasn't changed at all – they have! Daring to dream again can open up the creative channels full throttle. Change is good. The house that has served as a remote sick ward now needs a running start to be reborn from the grips of an illness. As George Eliot said, "It's never too late to be what you might have been." That goes for your home too! Stirring up positive energy in a home after an ailment can be a great first step to getting back to the business of living.

How to make a fresh start in your home after beating an illness?
Start in the master bedroom. Change the color to something fresh and upbeat. Match it to your new found attitude. Try a spicy hue like red that symbolizes courage. Go with the regal plums and purples that make you feel like royalty. If you crave more peace and tranquilty, consider serene blue and greens. Create a comfortable, cheerful vibe with new bedding and draperies as well. Invigorate this space as a first stop to the new and improved you.

Create a space for your interests. While you were stuck in bed, you probably thought a lot about the things you wanted to do when you felt better. Create a space for your favorite pastimes. Do you love photography? Have you always wanted to start scrap booking? Now is the time to set up that perfect space just for you.

Add life by altering your atmosphere. Changing the aura of your home doesn't have to mean BIG changes. Start small by adding live plants and flowers in your home. Did you know scientists have actually proven that flowers have a positive effect on people? Flowers immediately add color to any room and also smell good as an added bonus. Turn on some music and decorate with sound. The vibe of a room can change on a dime with the right tunes. Light a few candles and use aromatherapy to boost your mood. The point is to get the energy flowing in your home again.

Long-term illnesses can be hard on a family> It can bring you closer than you ever imagined and leave you somehow changed in the end. I have talked with countless people that have overcome these obstacles and have always been in awe at how resilient a family in crisis can be. Their home is their safe-haven in the storm of uncertainty. In this case, home truly is the heart of a family. Once the storm passes, it feels so good to put the pieces back together better than ever. I would never presume that a fresh coat of paint or a few candles can change the battle scars of disease, but they are great first steps in recharging a home-life that has been put on hold.

I can't wait until we get the call to ring that bell. It will mean my family gets a second chance and I know I will have no problem talking my mom in to a do-over!