NEWSJillian Harris Gives 5 Home Makeover Tips
March 15 2011, Published 12:00 p.m. ET
Jillian Harris welcomes OK! into her home as part of our Spring Makeover Special.
In this interview, the current Extreme Makeover: Home Edition star and former Bachelorette gives inexpensive redecorating tips, and details her favorite tuna recipe.
Psst. … this is what you won’t find in the OK! out now.
Jillian’s redecorating tips:
TAKE INVENTORY OF YOUR LIGHTBULBS
“A lot of people use a lightbulb that’s either too cool or too warm. If it’s too cool, it can make your home look stark and cold, and if it’s too warm, it can make your place look dirty. I always like the natural light … I think they’re called Reveal by GE. They’re a great lightbulb because it’s almost like a natural light, so it makes your home feel crisp and clean, but still warm.”
PURCHASE NEW PILLOWS
“Refresh the throw pillows on your bed and on your couch or your sofa. If your pillows are looking flat or dull or faded, it’s the most inexpensive way to add freshness to the room. For this time of year, some of my favorite places to shop are Home Goods and Target.”
ADD BLOOMS
“I stand behind fresh flowers. Not only does it bring oxygen into the room and something living, it can liven up a space. Plus, they’re just plain pretty, so I love bringing fresh flowers into a room.”
SPLURGE WHERE IT COUNTS
“I always tell people to invest in the pieces they know they’re going to have forever. I decorate like I dress; I’m OK splurging on a pair of jeans that I know I’ll have for two years, but a top that I’m just going to wear out for a fancy dinner, I will pick up from Forever 21, and that’s OK if I never wear it again.”
Jillian continues, “I say the same for your home. Splurge on your sofa, and try to save up for it because you will have it for a long time. But on your throw pillows, if you’re anything like me, you’re going to change your mind three times a year. It’s OK to go to Home Goods and get them for $19 or $10 for that matter.”
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LOOK OUTSIDE
“Being that spring is right around the corner, I always tell people to put as much time and energy into their outdoor space as much as they do into their indoor space. Even if all you have is a little Romeo and Juliet balcony, then invest in getting a little planter that goes out and put some fresh flowers in there. It adds that little extra bit to make you feel proud of your space.”
Whew! All that redecorating makes Jillian hungry. She recently celebrated Charlie The Tuna’s 50th birthday party presented by Starkist in NYC’s Times Square. So what’s her favorite tuna recipe?
“Tuna melt,” she says. “I like to do a nice whole-wheat focaccia bread or a Kaiser roll. I mix a little bit of the tuna with a tiny little bit of mayo, olive oil, salt and pepper, squeeze of lemon – keep it super simple. Sometimes if I have fresh dill, I’ll put fresh dill in there, cut up a few dill pickles so you have that little crunchiness, put that on your toast, layer some nice, sharp cheddar cheese over it and broil or roast it in the oven. That’s my total childhood favorite.”
Here’s my pic with Jillian:
Pick up the OK! on newsstands now for Jillian’s At Home photo shoot. The cover line is “Jennifer Aniston: A Baby On My Own.”
