Introduced to collectibles and antiques by her mother, Garland Martin, this fearless decorator has been interested in embellishing her surroundings since childhood.

"We painted walls, moved around furniture and generally made a mess,"  Cynthia says of herself and her siblings. 
 
Those early experiments, now perfected, lend Cynthia a bold sense of period, style and pattern.
 
 
10 ways to create a home that
radiates confidence
 
Ignore period and style
Instead, decorate with everything you love.
 
Mix old and new and faux finds
Select a signature touch such as a fringe or gilt frame.

Make the most of fabrics
Cover tables, mantels and screens with fascinating patterns.


 
Invest in a few period antiques or accessories as your budget permits
Use tables as a stage for displays of family photos interspersed with an assortment of your favorite finds.
 
Go shopping frequently  The best treasures get snatched up quickly.  It pays to make friends with store managers and owners.  Be patient.  It takes time to gather everything for a lavish look. 
 
Let your surroundings evolve and DO break the rules! 
Invent a table-top grouping, such as antique perfume atomizers, jewelry boxes or bejeweled vanity essentials from a more gracious era.



 
Choose a bold color for at least one room
Don't skimp on window treatments.  Stitch several fabrics together for one-of-a-kind valances or draperies.


Dont waste precious space!  At the top of a narrow stairway landing, for example.
 
Explore contrasts
Fabrics that play dark against light and draw distinction in tone make two-colored palates interesting.  Never hesitate to move a piece of furniture or regroup accessories and change fabrics to emphasize a mood or season.
 
 
Express Yourself 
Crowd a corner table with a mix of family photos, carnival glass and whimsical prints with an assortment of your favorite finds.
 
 
 
 
For more FABULOUS tips and tricks,
please read
 The Gipson Girl's Honest Blog