Hardwood floors add warmth, soul and a beautiful tonal quality. They also are great for resale value, and some can get you a tax credit for using sustainable, responsibly sourced products.

Use old wooden doors from architectural salvage shops to give homes history and a sense of story.

Nothing beats custom hardwood cabinetry. Using natural wood enables you to change the color at any time, something you can't do with processed surfaces.

Accessorize with wood. Deep wooden bowls, oversized wooden trays, branches and collections of wooden boxes are all pieces I use regularly. Not only are they practical, but they are art in themselves.

Create a collection of handmade papers that you love and frame them to display on a wall or table.

Some of the most beautiful illustrations live in children's literature. By picking up a few classics and framing your favorite pages, you can add a gorgeous collection to your child's room, or fill your own room with childhood memories.

Brighten your sock drawers. Treat sheets of designer paper with a light dusting of lavender. They make great drawer liners by adding a burst of color, pattern and fragrance.

Give old book pages new life as wallpaper. Simply apply matte medium to a paintbrush and adhere the pages to a wall or to furniture.

Make use of wallpaper books at home. Inquire at your local paint or home décor store to find out if there are any wallpaper sample books they need to get rid of. I'm a big fan of simple graphic prints that can be used as gift wrap or used as a quick fix for an envelope to create much more of a presence.

Paper egg cartons are great to use as plant and seed starters or for storing holiday ornaments.