Decorating an Apartment on a Budget

Decorating an Apartment on a Budget

Renting your first apartment may be a bit challenging especially you're on a tight budget. It's not only the rent and the other bills that have to be paid monthly but also the maintenance costs should you decide to make any decorative changes.

When anyone rents an apartment, the apartment owner will typically ask for a deposit and a few months rent in advance. The deposit will normally only be returned when the lease ends and if there is no (or little) repair needed before it can be occupied by another tenant.

Here are some cost-saving tips when decorating an apartment;

1. If you have any posters, one good idea is to use straight pins to hang them, and make the smallest holes. If they are framed, use the smallest nail possible so that when the lease ends the holes will be easy to patch using a spackling compound.
2. If the apartment is fully furnished, cover the furniture with decorative and colorful throws to prevent it from getting dirty or stained.
3. Buying a disposable rug or carpet would be better than an expensive one to protect the floor. Outlets such as Home Depot offer some great choices that are nice looking and very inexpensive. Should the carpet become soiled or stained you won't feel badly about throwing it out due to the small investment.
4. Check out retailers like Pier One Imports or IKEA for inexpensive furnishings and accessories. IKEA has many options from which to choose, and is quite inexpensive.
5. Inspect the apartment with the landlord before you move in to check for existing damage, or cracks or holes in the walls from the previous occupant. These should be duely noted so that you are not charged for this damage at the end of your lease.
6. Tenants can usually paint or apply wallpaper only with permission from the owner. In many cases landlords will allow the walls to be painted, and will even pay for the paint, if they approve the color. Most owners who will allow repainting will specify the color which is generally an off white, but you can negotiate. Be sure there is sufficient paint saved for any touch up that needs to be done later.
7. If you want privacy use curtains that can be hung using spring tension rods. These are both easier to assemble and disassemble than standard curtain rods.

When starting out on a small budget, cover all the bases and you will save money decorating the apartment. It will also help make the apartment a comfortable place to live until you decide to move elsewhere.

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Decorating with Art for Those on a Budget

Decorating with Art for Those on a Budget

Decorating your home can be fun, but so many people neglect to decorate their home because they are afraid that it will cost too much. Home decorating doesn't have to be an expensive endeavor. Even if the look you're hope to achieve is on the elaborate end of the spectrum, it is possible to create a change that will make you smile both when you look at your home and in your pocketbook.


Try to make small changes over time instead of one huge change. Artwork is one way to make a big difference in the look of your rooms and is a decorating idea that you can easily reverse if you don't like how it looks.

What is the first thing you notice when you walk into a home? Probably the walls, right? Walls surround the home, giving a thematic impression. If your walls are empty you've got to get to work to on them. Wall hangings can often be expensive, but that's only if you purchase something by a famous dead artist.

You can create your own artwork without having any art education whatsoever. First, consider your theme. Let's say you want add some small artwork to a bathroom. You could consider framing some beautiful sea shells. Simply arrange the shells creatively onto either a sheet of colored paper or onto fabric, and frame them.

If you have hundreds of pictures and have no idea what to do with them, you could arrange the photos into a huge wall photo collage. Examples include pictures of places you have visited, weddings, or children growing up. Although it's more fun creating your collage yourself, there are companies that will create one for you. One of my favorites is SmugMug. They'll mount your digital prints on canvas, ceramic tiles and more, to create a work of art that no one else will have but you!

Consider pressing leaves or flowers and framing your work; the best ones to use are flat. Place the leaves or flowers in a book, with papertowels on each side, to allow them to dry flat. As soon as they become crisp, they are ready to be framed. It shouldn't take longer than a week or two for them to dry.

You are only limited by your imagination when you decorate your home with artwork. Be creative. Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of art - artwork is easily reversible.

So, be imaginative and creative and design your artwork.

Tag: decorate home art budget

10 Ways to Give a Room an Inexpensive Facelift

10 Ways to Give a Room an Inexpensive Facelift

It does not have to be expensive or difficult to decorate a room in your home . You can often achieve fabulous design results by spending small amounts of money on items that make a big impact, or by using items you already own. (Don't forget to check out your Grandmother's attic.)

1. Paint will achieve the most dramatic difference and the most "bang for your buck" for your home. New paint automatically gives a room a fresh look for minimal cost; and, if you are able to do the work yourself, then there are even more savings.
2. Rearrange your furniture. Try different configurations to see what adds space to the area, or alternatively to make a large room more cozy. Sometimes we get so used to a room as it is that we tend to forget to try the easy fixes.
3. Bring pieces of furniture or other items in from other rooms. Or if a room is over crowded, take some pieces out. This is virtually cost-free and can make a huge difference in a room's look and comfort level. Use your imagination.
4. Adding or changing the window coverings can create a different look and pulls a room together. Use fabric or materials that fit in with the rest of the room's decor. Save up to 85% Off Curtains & Draperies at American Blinds, Wallpaper & More
   
5. Cover a sofa or chair with a beautiful throw or slipcover. It is a quick and inexpensive way to dress up old worn furniture.
6. Use linens such as tablecloths to decorate tables, or new towels to spruce up a bathroom. Linens are an inexpensive and fun way to change a room. And, you can decorate for any number of seasonal or holiday themes with linens.
7. Use different lighting effects to change the setting and bring an ambiance to your room. Often, just moving a light fixture or lamp to a different location in a room can make a big difference.
8. Use plants to decorate, if you have a green thumb. Nice plants are a great way to add a sense of newness to a space. If you do not have a green thumb, consider very nice silk trees, flowers and plant. Today, they are very life like, and easy to take care of.
9. Add art or pictures to the walls. Be creative. Make a collage of the places you've been, your kids, or grandchildren. Something as simple as a favorite photo blown up and put into an old picture frame can create a beautiful look.
10. Try an area rug to change the look of a room. If you try laying the rug at different angles, you can achieve a look that is out of the ordinary.

Use your imagination and some of these decorating tips. You may just be able to make it look as if you spent a fortune and put a huge amount of work into the decor. Sometimes the best designs are the simplest and least expensive.

Tags: decorating on a budget

4 Easy Tips to Vamp up Your Interiors without Overspending

4 Easy Tips to Vamp up Your Interiors without Overspending

With the holidays just around the corner, you may be thinking about sprucing up your spaces; however, if you are on a tight budget you may not see any way to do so. Not a problem, there are many ways to improve your surroundings without spending a bundle.

Everybody likes to have a nice and cozy place to come home to at the end of a long grueling day, but not everyone has the talent or creativity to glamorize their home without spending excessively.

If you are on a tight budget but want your home to have an updated appearance and be more comfortable, here are four ideas for you:

1. Opt for high quality products.
   Think you're getting the best deal with cheap home products? Well, the truth is you might actually spend more by using these products rather than choosing those of good quality.


2. Use smart decorating techniques.
   Liven up a dark room with warm colored paints. Alternatively, if the room is so sunny that it always gets hot, cooler paint colors such as green or blue will give it a lighter, cooler feel. Keep in mind that paint colors should coordinate with your fixed interiors such as the furniture and curtains.
   
   Use mirrors to create the illusion of spaciousness in narrow spaces. White or lighter colored paint will make a room appear less cramped. Just must make sure all of the other furnishings' colors coordinate with the paint you choose to create this effect.
   
   One person's trash could be another's treasure. Sometimes all a bargain store or garage sale piece of furniture or other item needs is a bit of retouching, reupholstering or just a strategic spot to place it to add ambience to a room.


3. Recycle.
   Use your grandmother's old boxes, bottles, or linens. Spray painting old itmes with bronze or gold paint can turn them into instant home decor treasures. Recycle old newspaper or other paper into papier-mâché. It could be fun activity for the whole family.
   
   Make use of old decorative scarves as wall decor. Or, create a very personalized theme in your house by greatly enlarging photos to use as room dividers or have them made into mosaics.


4. Ask for nature's help.
   If you have a “green thumb”, use it when decorating your spaces. Creative use of plants will liven up any space, whether at home or at work. Just make sure they're well-maintained and put plants and flowers where they won't make a mess if they shed their leaves.
   

Tags: decorating on a budget

What Color is Aqua?

What Color is Aqua?

As with most colors, there is a great range of color when we talk about aqua. It can range from turquoise, from almost green and teal, to a very pale aqua color, as in light aquamarine gemstones. The color aqua can range between a very green hue to a darker blue hue. On the color wheel you'll find aqua between the true green and true blue segments.

The color turquoise, one hue of aqua, is soothing, purifying, and calming and many believe that wearing the stones can help to buildup the immune system and fight off inflammatory diseases. Aqua has long been associated with emotional healing and protection, and is, therefore, a calming influence on your spaces.

Aqua is a great color to use in a bedroom or bathroom. In addition, for those of you who are decorating a seaside home, aqua is a color that imitates the sea. Using aqua as a wall color, or as an accent color ties in the color of the ocean.

The current trend is to combine aqua with espresso brown and beige, but take a look at the color wheel. There are lots of other interesting color combinations. Try mixing greens and blues, with crisp, clean white walls. Paint wainscotting white or beige with aqua colored walls, and aqua, green and blue accents.

There is no right or wrong when decorating with color. If you are on a budget, just add aqua colored pillows or linens to a room, and you will dramatically change the look of the room for just a small amount of money.

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What Color is Aqua

Hand Blown Colored Glass Balls

Hand Blown Colored Glass Balls

Hand blown colored glass balls are an amazing and inexpensive decorating accessory that bring light and happiness to your home décor. Often used in Feng Shui design, the colors in the balls promote creative energy in the home. Outside in the garden, you can float them in ponds to protect fish from predators. When the sun shines on the colored glass balls, the light scares the predators away.


Used year round in many different ways, these glass spheres also make beautiful Christmas ornaments. The colorful hand blown glass balls, spheres and hearts are a versatile and affordable decorative accessory (used in homes, hotels, restaurants, and offices), party favor, or gift. They come in many beautiful colors and patterns.

We especially like them in centerpiece displays, such as this lovely bowl. It is light and airy, the colors are lovely, and the display creative. The bowl itself, also hand blown colored glass, is a piece of art that will enhance many types of decor, from modern to contemporary, or even rustic country - depending on the color combinations that you choose.

Tags: Hand Blown Colored Glass Balls

What Can I Do with Used Greeting Cards?

What Can I Do with Used Greeting Cards?


I used to send my used greeting cards to St. Judes Ranch for Children. They would take the used cards and recycle them into new ones to sell as fund raisers for the Ranch. However, they recently stopped accepting the used cards.


If you have some vintage greeting cards from your grandmother's attic, you may want to think about selling them on e-bay - there's a large market for them there. Or you could frame them for a nice wall grouping. Another idea, tried and true, is to decoupage them onto a tray, table or other decorative element. Be creative and, as always, have some fun with them.

But if you just have everyday used cards that you would like to recycle, here is a great idea - make decorative boxes and gift boxes from recycled greeting cards.


Recycled Greeting Card Box
Craft supplies you will need:
greeting cards
ruler
scissors
pencil
white glue (optional)
glitter, ribbon, rick-rack or other embellishments (optional)
Printed template
Greeting Card Box InstructionsNote: This project is more difficult to explain than it is to do; once you have made one box, the next ones will go together more quickly and easily.
First print out the full size pattern You can use the pattern many times as you don't need to cut it.
The smaller pattern is the bottom of the box, using the back page of the greeting card. Don't worry about a verse or two, or any other small amount of printing; usually it's invisible when the box is folded up.
The larger pattern makes the box top. There are fold lines indicated, and two cut lines - you will assemble both the top and the bottom of the box in exactly the same way.
Begin by placing the pattern on the back of your card. For the top of the box, try to position it so that the most colorful or interesting scene of the card front will be centered in the middle of the pattern.
Working on the back, transfer 12 dots, as shown on the pattern, to your card. Place 4 dots at each corner of the square, and two more on each side, where indicated.
Now join the dots, copying the pattern. It isn't necessary to draw coloured lines; the colours are only to help with the instructions for the box -- you'll find, when you're done, that it sounds much more complicated than it is!
Next, cut into your card template where indicated on the pattern by the green lines.
It's time to start folding. Work from the blank side of the card, which will be the inside of your box. Begin by folding the four corner triangles outwards, so you're folding toward the printed side of the card.
Figure 1Now take a box side and fold it in half to crease it so the green corner line will meet the red line of the inside square, as shown on the paper template. Repeat with the other sides. See Figure 1.








Figure 2 On the two longer sections, you will need to fold in the ends, as shown in Figure 2.
These form two flaps which hold the box together in the last step.
Figure 3 Fold up the sides to form your box.
















Figure 4
Last step is to fold the straight sides over the flaps that were made in Figure 2.
Push all the triangular ends into place at the bottom of the box. Usually no glue is required to keep the box together, however if you find the folds coming open, use a small dab of glue to fasten in place.






Use the same method to make the box bottom and the box top. You will find the top fits over the bottom fairly snugly, so the box when assembled does not fall apart.

Now you have made a tiny treasure box from a recycled greeting card. These are suitable in size to hold small treats, a few coins, candy, earrings or other small gifts.

For Halloween, add treat gifts or a small assortment of stickers, an eraser, pencil sharpener etc.

And for Christmas, embellish with thin ribbon and hang from your Christmas tree as ornaments to be opened on Christmas Day. They can also be added to wreaths, table settings etc. as a colourful little addition that holds a nice surprise.

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Tags: What Can I Do with Used Greeting Cards

What Color to Paint Wainscoating?

What Color to Paint Wainscoating?

If you have beadboard wainscoating you can make a dramatic impact on your room by painting it a contrasting color to your wall above.

For example, one of the hottest colors for 2007 is a soft botanical green. Try a mossy green above a soft beige wainscoating for your dining room. Another big color for 2007 is blue - once again blues from nature. The color of the sky, or water (think Carribean blue), and other blues from nature dominate the color scene this year. A blue wall with white wainscoating below is a fresh up-to-date look that will add character to your room, even if you don't change anything else.

Check out HomeClick's great selection of Rugs, Furniture, Home Accents and More.

Dress the room up with coordinating accessories like pillows, window coverings, and linens. Make the room a statement about you, and your creative spiHide allrit, but most of all have fun!

Tags: what color to paint wainscoating, budget home decorating

American Chronicle: Inexpensive Home Decorating Ideas at Your Fingertips

American Chronicle: Inexpensive Home Decorating Ideas at Your Fingertips
Inexpensive Home Decorating Ideas at Your Fingertips
By: Jaime Carpenter
March 20, 2007

"Home decorating on a budget doesn’t always mean having to settle for second rate. Think don’t spend. If you’re willing to roll up your sleeves and get busy, you can have a house to drool over by using these budget decorating ideas. ! You don’t have to be that handy, but a few power tools will help!
1. Shelving- buy a couple of sheets of smooth particle board. Measure the desired width and length of your shelves and mark. Chalk a line down each and then saw. You’ll want to have 5 shelves when you’re done. Paint the shelves your desired color. A glossy paint is easiest to clean. Buy 8 inexpensive terra cotta pots 8” in diameter or so. Big enough so they will support the weight of each shelf, but not so large they will fall off. Decorate the pots with paint as you like or leave plain. Place one shelf on the floor for the base then 2 pots then 2 shelves, etc. TaDa! Inexpensive home decorating ideas are at your fingertips.
2. Easy Headboard- Create a headboard effect by purchasing a curtain rod slightly larger than the width of the bed. Purchase 3 or 4 chair cushions and string onto the curtain rod and tie. Easy!
3. Here's another inexpensive home decorating idea...Kitchen curtain tiebacks- Go shopping at a thrift store for some cheap metal kitchen utensils or flatware. You will need 2 for each window. Bend them in a U shape with vice grips or with a hammer by pounding it against a brick. It’s okay if you beat it up a little. That gives it a shabby look . Make sure to bend it so the front is on the outside. Attach the end to the wall with screws so that the open U is facing away from the window. Voila! A whimsical tieback. You can even do this for drawer pulls. Just don’t bend as much. Who new silverware could turn into inexpensive home decorating ideas?
4. Another inexpensive home decorating idea is to go to yard sales to find old trunks, hard suitcases, barrels, etc. Use all around the house for storage, a coffee or end table or extra seating. You may want to try some decorative painting to dress them up a bit.
5. Inexpensive Home Decorating Ideas for a Backsplash - Collect cheap colorful dishes from garage sales or thrift stores. Flat pieces work the best. Put them in a sturdy plastic sack and crunch them gently with a hammer. Install the cement board on the wall in desired area for the backsplash. Then arrange the flat tiles in a mosaic pattern in the tile mud. Let dry and grout. Definitely unique!
6. Hard Wood Floors Need Refinishing? – Gently rub a rough grained then fine grained sand paper all over so that some of the unfinished wood shows through. Then try a liming technique to give it that French country feel. This involves slightly thinning paint and brushing it over the floor. Last, seal with a satin polyurethane.
7. Budget Rug- Buy a large piece or roll of artists canvas that has been primed but not stretched over a frame. Paint with acrylic paints in your own original style. Then paint with 2 coats of polyurethane. This is one of many inexpensive home decorating ideas and works best when placed on hard wood floors or low pile carpet.
8. Need to Make an Area Appear Larger? Buy mirror tiles ($8 for a pack of 12 at Wal-Mart) and stick to the wall in a large rectangle or other design.
9. Inexpensive Home Decorating Ideas For Wall Art - Frame a piece of your child’s or grandchild’s artwork and display like a cherished painting. It will make a terrific conversation piece!
10. Do you have a 1970’s yellow toilet and bath you can’t stand? Go with it. Retro is back! Another inexpensive home decorating idea is to choose a paint color combination that has several shades of the yellow and add a few shades of brown. Add a funky shower curtain and rug. Paint the cabinets, walls and ceiling different shades of yellow. Make it look like you’re going with the mod look on purpose!
11. Budget Flooring- Pry up the old junk ‘til you hit the bottom. Install vinyl squares yourself! You can find them at Lowe’s or Home Depot for around $1. It’s a cinch to cut with a razor knife, peel and stick.
12. Budget Lighting- Attach a hanging lamp-cord set to just about any item you can find around the house. You can buy these cord sets at your local hardware store. Use a metal bucket, wicker waste basket or metal colander as the lamp shade. Drape the cord over a simple screw in hook in the ceiling. Allow the cord to fall down from the ceiling along the wall and plug in. Wow! Another inexpensive home decorating idea! Check out the March Newsletter to view step by step instructions on how to make a light fixture.
13. Group a mixture of decorative picture frames without pictures on top of a mantle or shelf to create a sculpture-like appearance. Just lean them against the wall. Find them at flea markets and yard sales.
14. Take one large decorative picture frame without picture and hand on wall. Use your imagination to paint a landscape or portrait right on the wall inside the frame. Not much talent? You can just stamp designs inside with paint.
15. Make a collection of mittens and gloves by hanging in pairs and nailing to the wall. Each year you can add a pair that your child has outgrown. When dreaming up inexpensive home decorating ideas, anything can be wall art!
16. Make your own magnetic board by taping off a designated area. Then paint with 4 or so coats of magnetic paint, yes they do make such product! It’s very handy! If you choose you can paint it a color to match your décor. Then make your own magnets. Buy a bag of plain magnetic circles at a craft store. Use a hot glue gun to glue anything from silk flowers to photographs onto the magnets.
17. Make a royal bed head board. Purchase a semi circle wall pot rack, 2 bed sheets, 2 curtain tiebacks that attach to the wall and curtainclips.
Curtain clips have a circle hooked to a clip. The circle is designed to go over the curtain rod and the clip is to hold the fabric. No sewing required! Attach the pot rack to the wall above the bed at desired height. Hook the curtain clips to the edge of fabric at even intervals. Place the pot rack hooks on the pot hanger. Then hook the circle part of the curtain clip over the pot hooks on the pot rack. Install curtain tiebacks to the wall, one on either side of the bed. Drape the ends of the fabric over each of the curtain tiebacks. Add an oval mirror or painting above the bed, between the 2 bedsheets to complete the look. Voila! Instant royalty!
18. Save those old game boards. Attach L brackets to the wall and super glue an old Monopoly game board to the brackets. Display theme related décor on the boards. Create a masterpiece by repeating this with 3 or 4 game boards.
19. Budget Flooring Tile- Install miscellaneous left over tile in a random patchwork quilt like pattern. Call local contractors who most likely keep scraps or try searching online.
20. Turn stemware upside down and use base as a candle stand. Group in 3 or more for an elegant centerpiece.
21. Use unusual items such as coffee cups, bowls, waste baskets, pails or watering cans for potted plants.
Now you can see that inexpensive home decorating ideas can be discovered just by using a little imagination! Every day items can turn into fantastic interior design tools! When looking for inexpensive home decorating ideas , remember that anything goes! As long as you like it everyone else will be jealous they didn't think of it first."

Tags: inexpensive budget home decorating ideas

Creating a Mood with Scents - Aromatherapy Ideas

Creating a Mood with Scents - Aromatherapy Ideas
Creating a Mood with Scents by: Jennifer Hall

"Have you ever noticed how the warm scent of a candle wafting through the air can be uplifting, energizing, or make you cozy? Or maybe there's a certain body spray, soap, or perfume that just keeps you going through the day. Did you wonder why maybe that Key Lime candle smelled yummy but also energized you or even motivated you to clean? Or why that Apple Pie scent really helped you appreciate fall? Wonder no longer, study after study has shown that scents do affect your mood! Take a look below of some scents that can really enhance your moods:

1. Citrus Scent - Energy
Need a pick-me-up? Grab a cup of java and light a citrus candle, citrus scents enhance energy and boost mood; so look for candles with lemon, lime, grapefruit, verbena, or orange scents.
2. Lavender Scent - Relaxation
When it's time to wind down try burning a lavender candle. In studies, lavender has been found to correlate with slower heart rate, lower blood pressure, and lower arterial pressure. It has also been found to decrease muscle tension. Other scents that have been found to have relaxing effects are bergamot and sandalwood.
3. Citris, Minty, and Pine Scents - Uplifting, Clean
If you want to create a cheerful, clean environment in your home, choose candles scented with citrus, mint, or pine. Often these scents can be not only uplifting and motivating, but just give that "clean" feel. When you or your guests walk in, these scents will be a fresh breeze to welcome anyone.
4. Jasmine, Gardenia, Sandalwood, and Rose Scents - Romantic
There's romance in the air if you're burning scents such as these. Floral and woody scents give that wistful, romantic feel to a room.
5. Season Enhancing Scents
Delve into the season with your favorite candles scents! Autumn's a great time for burning pumpkin spice candles, as well as other baked good candle scents, as is winter. To create that cozy winter environment, choose cinnamon, apple, berry, and pine candles. Fresh candle scents such as cucumber melon are great for spring, as well as fresh cut grass candles which carry into summer. Nothing says summer like a nice citrus, like a lemonade candle scent drifting through the air.
If you love a certain candle, soap, or body spray - whatever the scent may be - don't do what I too often do, which is save it until that scent runs out! Light it and enjoy, it's sure to affect you in a positive way! "

I love these ideas. What a great way to create a mood and ambiance in your home.

Tags: create mood with scents aromatherapy, budget+home+decorating+ideas

DeClutter Fast - How to Get Your Home in Order

Most people have a clutter problem. That's why so many people can make a living helping other people get their clutter under control. I found some amazing advice and tips for getting your house in order - and don't worry it's a really fast read, but it will help you tremendously: Declutter Fast: How To Get Your Home In Order Almost Immediately.

I am fascinated with the subject of decluttering. Why? Because, other than completely remodeling your home, there is nothing in this world that feels quite the same as looking around your home and seeing it in order and glowing. Likewise, there's nothing more energy-draining and depressing than living with clutter. Some people have to literally clear paths in their home just to find their way to the bathroom, while there are many others who sleep every night on a bed that is piled with junk!!!

Sometimes we just don't have the closet space we need for the items we accummulate. Some of us are pack rats, and have clutter problems for this reason. But often even if you give up being a pack rat, clutter is still a major issue that has to be dealt with!

Don't get frustrated with clutter and give up. Read Declutter Fast: How To Get Your Home In Order Almost Immediately for the best advice you'll ever get on this subject.

You can live every day with the peace of mind and soul that results from having your home de-cluttered exactly the way you want it. You can be in control of your stuff, and not the other way around. The effects of decluttering your home or office may open door after door for you in your personal and career life. Decluttering releases the bonds that have been holding you back in life. Decluttering ignites the energy within you - positive energy you didn't even know you had! The stress in your face and body will ease and your confidence will return. Things start to fall into place in your life. DeClutter your spaces now for that peace of mind, and for a major improvement in the look of your home.

Good luck!

Tags: declutter and organize your home

Kane County Chronicle - Internet swap sites offer great deals for home decorating bargain seekers

Kane County Chronicle - Internet swap sites offer great deals for home decorating bargain seekers
"WASHINGTON – Two weeks before closing on her first home in suburban Washington, Olivia Doherty saw an ad on Craigslist for the couch of her dreams: Simple lines, neutral color, plush fabric, terrific price.The posting, with photo, went up at 8 p.m. Within minutes of its appearance Doherty shot back an e-mail making clear she wanted it. Grabbing her brother, she bolted from their parents’ house, jumped in his truck, hit an ATM and arrived on the sellers’ doorstep with $200 in hand. By 10 p.m., the deal was done. A few days later, she scored a pair of end tables for $37.50 each (retail value, $260 each).Doherty, a public relations associate, and her husband, Seth, a Navy petty officer, have an equally strong aversion to paying retail, or even discounted, prices for new furniture.Countless fellow cyber-shoppers have strategies for snagging bargain furnishings on the Internet. Some intrepid trollers have filled an entire home or apartment for what it would cost to buy a brand-new sofa.Much of this nest-feathering is done through sites such as www.craigslist.org and www.freecycle.org. Another site, newcomer www.swapthing.com, relies on barter – a rug for a crib – rather than sales or giveaways.The operative words are speed, cash, brawn and “as is.”“If you don’t respond within five to 15 minutes of a post, it’s either physically given to someone or spoken for,” says Amanda Wimmer, whose Washington walkup is a case in point.Her favorite deal is the $200 three-piece white sectional sofa that looks a lot like a $2,500 Pottery Barn model. A counter-height table and two high-back swivel stools in the living room (comparable retail, $570) were free.They came with a set of dishes, all given to her by a seller whom she asked in passing, “Do you have anything else you’re getting rid of?”Another Wimmer axiom is, “You have to go further out for good deals.” A recent 45-minute drive to the suburbs yielded a six-piece art deco bedroom set for $200. The price was so low she didn’t bother to haggle.Used furniture rarely will be showroom perfect. But Melissa Petersen shrugged off a coffee stain on the 8-by-10-foot Pottery Barn rug she bought. “We have a dog. Excuse the visual, but I knew he was sure to vomit on it within the week, which he did, so I was much happier to pay $120 than the $700 it cost new.”With furniture so inexpensive, it is sometimes regarded as temporary by its new owners.Last year, roommates Chor Li and Amanda Clemmons paid $600 for a Queen Anne sofa and matching love seat, two wing chairs, a pair of mirrors and a hall table from Craigslist.Because neither piece works well for lounging, the women plan to resell the couches and chairs on Craigslist ($400 to $500 for the set) and buy something slouchier for their apartment.Library acquisitions specialist Alicia Jones is such an avid Web shopper that she finallydecided to quit imposing on friends with trucks. “So I went on Craigslist and found a van for $250.”Although Craigslist posts giveaways as well as sales, Freecycle is totally anti-cash. The site is applauded by consumers aiming to keep as usable items out of landfills.“The items are seemingly ridiculous,” says David Cheng, a Washington “moderator” who oversees the Washington Freecycle group. “Diaper-related stuff, paint, plastic containers, old cat food. A lot of people don’t want anything to go to waste.”Attorney Janet Benson Forville says simply: “I love Freecycle. It’s amazing what people want. We have given away extra sheets of drywall, paving stones and a driveway full of mulch we over-ordered.”Elizabeth Buchbinder happily Freecycled high-end furniture she had bought 25 years ago because it took up space in the Georgetown basement she wants to redecorate.“It costs a lot of money to have someone haul a sleep sofa, a very heavy three-piece bookcase unit, a coffee table and end table up a flight of stairs and take it all to the dump,” says Buchbinder, an Ernst & Young national tax principal. “I was much happier giving it to people who needed it.”Swapping sitesCraigslist: Most transactions on www.craigslist.org are buy-and-sell, with some free items and a few outright swaps. The list has mushroomed to include job, real estate and singles ads in citiesnationwide.Freecycle: This site (www.freecycle.org) is strictly for people looking to give things away or get things free. One drawback: Users must register in the specific area where they live or work; metropolitan areas can be divided into dozens of localities.SwapThing: This site (www.swapthing.com) is dedicated to bartering, with cash sometimes used to equalize trades. It emphasizes “community circles” of mutual help. Baby furniture is big on this site. There’s a $1 fee per transaction.How to get the deals To get what you want– Check sites several times a day, starting first thing in the morning for items posted the night before. Good stuff can go within minutes.– Friday is a busy day for postings, in anticipation of weekend sales.– When you see something you like, reply ASAP, preferably by e-mail; phone numbers are rarely provided.– Pick up your purchase as soon as possible. Most sellers, fearing no-shows, sell on a first-come, first-served basis.– If you can’t collect your purchase right away, expect to leave a deposit or pay in full.– As long as you’re making the trip, ask what else might be for sale that wasn’t listed.– Exchange phone numbers with the seller so you candouble-check that the item is still available and, if necessary, get help with directions.– To avoid getting stuck with furniture that smells bad, ask if the home is smoke- and pet-free.– If you need to rent a vehicle, consider a trailer rather than a truck. Trailer rates are cheaper, and there are no mileage fees or gas fill-ups, but they might require a permanent hitch on your vehicle.– Take plenty of cash, because most sellers won’t accept checks.To get rid of what you don’t want– Think seasonally: Lawn mowers and hammocks sell well in the spring; fireplace screens and artificial Christmas trees do better in fall.– Give full descriptions and detailed dimensions. Specify where you got it if it’s a name store. Reveal all defects (stains, a wobbly leg).– Post clear pictures. Buyers are likely to scroll past ads with blurry photos or no photos.– Give a deadline for an item’s removal; state whether you’ll bargain.– Keep a backup list of potential buyers to call if early responders don’t show up.– State if furniture is heavy and located in a basement or attic, and how many people might be needed to move it.– You can agree to leave an item on your porch or somewhere else outside your house for pickup. You’ll be taking a chance it will be stolen – but at least you’ll be rid of it.– It’s a friendly network, but remember: You’re dealing with strangers. If you live alone, arrange to see buyers during the day; if possible, consider having a friend at home with you. Keep valuables, such as your purse, out of sight. "

This article provided lots of very good advice for buying furnishings over the Internet, and staying safe - to which today you must give some thought.

Here's another really great product - Before you buy a new mattress, take a look at AngelBeds. These unbelievably comfortable mattresses were developed using NASA technology. For a good night's sleep, you need a good mattress. AngelBeds.com Compare Us to Tempur-Pedic NASA Developed Technology .

Tags: budget decorating with internet swaps and auctions

Planning is Key for Decorating Projects

Planning is Key for Decorating Projects

When you are considering decorating or changing any room, first think through the entire project, big or small, and formulate a plan. What type of changes do you want to make? How can you make the most impact on your spaces for the least amount of cash? What do you really need in order to make the kind of space that you and your family will enjoy for several years to come? Develop a schedule for larger projects that require remodeling, or changes to flooring and structure.

Research Internet sources like BestArt.com for great deals on framed artwork, or find great
Historical & Antique Replicas for the Home & Garden at Design Toscano. Don't forget that you can make a big impact for little money with some paint and fabric. So don't despair, whatever you budget, you can create the kind of living environment that you'll love.

Tags: plan decorating projects for the home

Great Idea for Child's Room

Try painting a wall with magnetic primer, and then cover it with chalkboard paint. Kids can then hang magnets, and draw and write on the washable wall with chalk!

Busy families can also benefit from the same paint in the kitchen. Hang magnets and keep schedules and lists to keep everyone in the family up-to-date.

Look for these paints at rustoleum.com......

Tags: decorate kids rooms

Coni Art Glass- Handmade Glass Balls, Christmas Ornaments, and Spirit Balls

Coni Art Glass- Handmade Glass Balls, Christmas Ornaments, and Spirit Balls

"Glass Balls ...
These handmade glass balls bring light and happiness to home décor. Often used for Feng Shui design, the colors promote creative energy in the home. Float them in ponds to protect the fish from predators. When the sun shines on the glass balls, the light scares away the predators.
Used year round, these glass spheres also make beautiful Christmas ornaments. The colorful hand blown glass balls, spheres and hearts are a versatile and affordable decorative accessory (used in homes, hotels, restaurants, and offices), and make great gift items. They come in many colors and patterns. We welcome special orders for your design ideas, and color combinations.
The wholesale glass balls are the perfect home decorating idea, or party decoration. They make unique gifts and party favors. Interior Designers love to use the decorative balls grouped in a beautiful glass bowl, as a centerpiece or focal point of a room.
Hang them in windows as sun catchers. Also known as Friendship Balls, Spirit Balls, Witch Balls, Fairy Balls or in German as "kugels", which means ornamental balls, they are beautiful called by any name. Lighting designers are making beautiful light fixtures with these handmade glass balls, too. The witch balls (also known as spirit balls or fairy balls) and Gazing Globes, were traditionally used to protect the garden. The 5 inch diameter mouth blown balls can also be used as gazing balls. Spheres come in the following diameters:3 ¼ inch ( 8 cm ); 4 inch ( 10 cm ) and 5 inch ( 12 cm ). "

Tags: mouth blown glass balls,decorate with hand made glass accessories

Home Decor: Little cash, big changes

Home Decor: Little cash, big changes
Take a look at this insightful article to help you make the biggest impact on your spaces with the least amount of cash.
Home Decor: Little cash, big changes
"A change of color is the quickest way to transform the look and feel of a space.
By HEATHER WOOD The New Mexican February 17, 2007
Use imagination, fresh eye to enliven that tired roomAre you tired of your living room décor but don’t know where to start to transform your space? Stuck with the same old stuff and short on cash? Ready for a new look but not the credit-card bills that come with it? With a little creativity and effort, you can bring a fresh look to any room in your home or office at little or no cost. Resources such as the Internet offer nearly limitless information, photos and products for affordable decorating. An increase in catalogs from home retailers such as Pier One, Crate and Barrel and Restoration Hardware means more inspiration. The explosion of do-it-yourself home-decorating shows on cable TV has encouraged average homeowners to become weekend warriors of paint and fabric. There’s never been a better time to become a hands-on home-improvement type.

Where to startBefore you start tearing your home apart, take a good look at the space you want to redo. What is it that’s really bothering you? Too much clutter? A cramped room arrangement? A lack of color — or, on the contrary, a circus of colors? By assessing what doesn’t work, you’ll be better prepared to determine how to fix it. Make a list of the space’s challenges, jotting down ideas for your ideal room. Go online and search “no- and low-cost decorating.” Pick up one of the many home-retailer catalogs you no doubt have stacked somewhere in your home and see what appeals to you. Get out your camera, stand in each corner of the room and snap away. It’s amazing what a picture can reveal by offering us an image of the entire space. It’s hard to envision a new look when you’re staring at your usual surroundings. Start by clearing the room of all clutter. That’s right — piles of papers, books, magazines and catalogs, random objects and other things without a home. Next, clear the room of all accessories, tabletop photos and mementos. When you move them, group like items together: metal objects, ceramics, glass and wooden items. Group by color, theme and style, keeping collections intact. Finally, remove the artwork, plants, lamps, etc. Now you’ve got some breathing room in which to start creating your “new” space.Pieces of a puzzleGood room arrangements always consider traffic flow — and yours should, too. Perplexed about how best to go about it? There’s a reason highly trained professional interior decorators and designers work first on paper to create a room: It’s called space planning. By making scale models of a room and the furniture to go in it, you can save your back — and a lot of the time you would have spent trying to fit your 8-foot sofa into a 7-foot, 5-inch space. There is myriad space-planning software available via the Internet. Better Homes and Gardens offers a free “arrange-a-room” utility on its Web site. If you’re electronically challenged, there’s also good, old-fashioned graph paper. However you choose to do it, you’ll need to measure the width and depth of all your furniture and cut out little replicas drawn to scale. (Usually, a quarter-inch equals a foot.)Sound like too much work? Start sliding pieces around the floor. Regardless of how you approach it, take into account the following:
The room’s intended purpose — TV watching, for example, or book reading, or both.
The number of people who normally use the space.
Whether you entertain in the room. If you do, is there a place for everyone to set a drink or book?
Whether there are too many or too few furnishings in the room.
The room’s focal point. Is it a fireplace, a picture window, an entertainment unit?
The purpose of each furnishing, piece of art or accessory. What does it bring to the room? What story does it tell us about the person or people who live here? What does it offer in terms of form and/or function? Don’t be afraid to try something new as you move your pieces around on paper, on your computer or on your floor.Cost-free creationsOnce you’re comfortable with your floor plan, it’s time to make the room look fresh. ► PaintA change of color is the quickest way to change the look and feel of a space. Painting walls, baskets and other wooden items gives a quick update. (This approach is not recommended for antique or heirloom pieces, however.) Most people have a variety of leftover wall paint in the garage or shed. Why not make a bold move and paint a large “frame” around the area where a bed’s headboard would go in a color that works with the wall color? With a level and some careful taping, you can add a classic yet hot-and-trendy stripe to a wall in a day. ► PillowsIf you’re handy with a sewing machine, you can take scrap fabric from almost anything — sheets, clothes and vintage fabrics — and update your throw pillows in an afternoon. Stretch a decorative fabric over an inexpensive canvas and staple to affix — instant wall hangings. Or create instant valances for window coverings with tapestries from your travels. ► Excess lumberThe extra door molding or window framing hiding in your garage could make a lovely border for an unfinished bathroom mirror. Just paint or stain and install. It’s a quick change that can be easily modified each time you change the color scheme in your bathroom. Karen McAloon, host of HGTV’s popular series Design Remix, is a master at turning excess lumber into picture frames, side tables, shelves and ceiling beams. Granted, she’s armed with a team of tool-savvy technicians, but shows like this give us an idea of what’s possible when we look at something in a different way. ►ArtworkOne of the most daunting aspects of a room makeover is hanging the art. A good rule of thumb is to hang items lower than you think you should. And don’t be afraid to try wall groupings. There are endless possibilities for creating groupings — even entire how-to books dedicated to the subject. Pull out some paper grocery bags or other scrap paper and cut them to the exact sizes of the pieces you wish to hang. Lay the “paper arrangement” out on the floor near the wall it’s to be hung on. Once you have a good feel for the arrangement — keeping in mind balance, scale and symmetry/asymmetry — hang your paper mock-ups on the wall using easily removable sticky tack. This allows you to move the mock-ups around until you have the configuration that works best. You can even mount your picture hangers and hardware over the paper dummies, ripping them off just before you hang the actual piece. ►LightingA common decorating oversight is the lack of proper lighting. The average homeowner rarely invests in enough lighting. Now’s the time to “shop” your home, borrowing table and floor lamps from other rooms to create a warm, well-lit space. Make sure you have ample task lighting — overhead lighting is rarely adequate for reading. Arrange your lamps according to necessity. A floor lamp in a dark corner can create the feel of a larger room. An uplight behind a plant creates drama and interest.A table lamp provides reading light and a warm glow. When you do come into some decorating cash, lamps should be at the top of your list.►RepurposingOne of the hottest decorating trends in the last decade is “repurposing.” Years ago some creative designer took a bold step and used an ottoman as a coffee table. While this was probably considered avant-garde at the time, it’s now a mainstay decorating approach. Look around your house for items that could serve another purpose. A large basket, turned upside down, becomes a bedside table. A bookshelf becomes a headboard. A petite antique china hutch becomes a unique dresser with a place to display pretty perfume bottles, family photos and the like. A retro thermos becomes the base of a hip lamp. You get the idea.► Natural interestOften overlooked, Mother Nature offers us a large array of items to use in our decorating scheme. Just as the addition of plants makes a room immediately feel both calm and alive, bringing in the outdoors keeps us connected to our larger natural environment. Pine cones, rocks and branches ground and add interest to a room. A collection of rocks in a bowl makes a unique centerpiece, as do willow (or other) branches displayed in a large vase. But before you go ravaging your backyard, see what’s already available. Many people are surprised to find they’ve got collections of rocks or other natural elements spread throughout their home.► AccessoriesYou’ve arranged your room, played with color, hung your art, added lighting and relished the results. Now it’s time to accessorize. Accessories are what make a room unique. They reflect the homeowner’s specific tastes and interests. And they tend to be highly personal. Keep like items together: Group metals, ceramics or glass pieces together. Arrange in odd numbers, stagger heights — nature’s landscape is filled with irregularity. If you adore symmetry, be sure to throw a curveball in the mix by trying something at a unique angle or by staggering heights of objects in the grouping. Even if you love a busy backdrop, be sure to leave plenty of “white space” for the eye to rest. Too many objects d’art can result in none of them standing out.If you find yourself with some holes to fill, discount home retailers have created a nationwide passion for “all things home improvement.” The abundance, and relative affordability, of home décor items is unprecedented. Consider chains like Target, which offers Design For All; West Elm, which has Polished Style; and Pier One, with the It’s Your Thing line. All offer a continually rotating stock of styles, colors and price points. These may not be original, one-of-a-kind heirloom pieces, but, for the average consumer, they can offer a good fit both for both budget and style.You don’t have to break the bank to have a beautiful space. Ask yourself if there’s a different way to showcase a vase of flowers or a seating arrangement. See if you can push your comfort zone when it comes to color. And last, but not least, trust your instincts. It’s your room, after all."

Tags: decorating on a budget with color and paint

Interior Design 101, Texture-Patterns

Interior Design 101, Texture-Patterns
Textures and Patterns
Staff Writer

"Patterns and textures will serve an important function in your decorating. They will add interest and character to an otherwise plain color scheme. Your choice of patterns and textures will follow your decorating style, the limitations of your environment and you personal preferences.

There are so many choices of available that the task of selecting textures can be overwhelming. If you keep these rules of thumb in mind you will be able to make knowledgeable selections and maybe even use optical illusions to create a dramatic arrangement.

Patterns can effect how you see proportion. By following these rules of thumb you can wisely select patterns to enhance any room.

Complex Patterns that use several colors and diagonal, criss-crossing lines are busy for your eye. They can liven up a large area, but it may be overwhelming for a small room.
Vertical Lines add height to a short room, or add more height to a high ceiling.
Horizontal Lines add space, width to an area.
Remember the Size and Scale of your space. General rule of thumb, the larger the space, the larger the print, the smaller the space the smaller the print. Yet adding a large print to a small area can give you a feeling of grandeur.
The same grouping or pattern used throughout an area can draw together a wide open plan. It will create a flow and sense of continuity.
Colors affect how we see patterns. High contrast patterns create an energetic feeling and colors close in value create a more subdued environment.
Texture affects color. Rough textures will absorb light while smooth textures will reflect light.
Always remember to select patterns and textures that appeal to you and work well with your overall plan. It is always wise to collect samples of what you love be it pictures, paint chips or color swatches. Feel free to experiment, remember as a renter, if you buy it, you keep it. If you love something in an apartment, you will probably love it your house too!"

Tags: decorate samll areas with texture patterns

Glass Accessories: Decorating Tips for Your Home Interiors

Glass Accessories: Decorating Tips for Your Home Interiors
How to Select Glass Accessories for Your Home Decorating Needs

"I've come to love glass accessories, whether they are candle holders, vases, figurines, sculptures or bowls. I think it's important in your decorating to have
at least one really great, artistic glass piece.

There is a mystery to glass, perhaps because it catches light and glows from within. It can be an explosion of visual and tactile possibilities. And I found
a whole new appreciation for pottery, in general, after taking a class in pottery making. It's much, much harder to achieve than you would think.

Most interior designers incorporate studio glass objets d'art into their designs. So do I. But before you run out to buy some, educate yourself a bit and
find artists whose work touches you.

There are different types, sizes and techniques of art glass, so here are a few basic things you should know before you make your selections.

• Stained or Art Glass - Stained glass art first showed up primarily in religious and public buildings, especially in French and German churches.
  However, now stained glass is making it's way into the home. After WWII, abstract and expressionist artists began to explore stained glass, developed new technologies and developed a growing interest in art glass. Think about bringing in beveled glass to your entry way or turning your bathroom windows into stained glass art. You can also incorporate the art form on to tables, walls and cabinets, as well as hanging panels in your windows.
• Crackle Glass - Invented in the 16th Century, crackle glass is produced by briefly submerging very hot glass into cold water during the glass-forming process.
  When you reheat the glass, you can expand it by blowing into the blowpipe. the cracks grow larger as a result. The most unique pieces are made using either transparent or opaque glass.

• Fused Glass - Another old technique is to fuse melted glass together during the firing portion in the kiln after heating it to a high
  tempoerature. It's a difficult method that requires constant experimentation. The colors and textures of the glass come from the various minerals and chemicals added at the time the
  glass is manufactured. Compatible metal pieces, enamels, paints and other substances enhance individual art objects.

• Dichroic Glass (Two Color) - Depending on the viewing angle, this type of glass shows different colors. It has been coated with thin layers
  of different metals to a thickness of one-millionth of an inch. The metals are evaporated and vacuum-deposited on the glass to such a fine degree that certain wavelengths of light will pass throug the glass and others will be reflected.

• Studio Glass - With studio glass, the artist melts the glass, forms it, colors it and anneals it. Glassblowing was invented 2000 years ago, but it
  wasn't until the 1960s that individual craftspeople, working alone instead of in a factory, began to blow glass, starting the Studio Glass Movement.

  Hand-Blown Glass - When you dip the blowpipe into a pot of molten glass, inside a high-temperature furnace, you get hand-blown glass. The pipe and
  glass are removed from the furnace and by blowing through the pipe, the ball of molten glass is expanded into a thick bubble. Additional glass is added to the bubble along with color. The bubble of hot glass is then formed. During the shaping process, the piece is frequently returned to the furnace to keep it soft and pliable. Halfway through the process the piece is transferred to an iron rod that allows it to be opened up to form the mouth of a vase or bowl.
  When the artist is happy with the shape, it is carefully broken off the punty and placed into a temperature-controlled oven (annealer). There it is slowly cooled down to room temperature. When finished the piece is inspected by the artist and signed."

We have found beautiful examples of both Dichroic Glass (Two Color) and Studio Glass at Coni Art Glass. The glass artist, Cornel Plescan, lovingly designs each piece. We especially like the glass balls, which can be used as beautiful Christmas ornaments, but also year round as centerpiece decorations, or hanging in windows. All of his glass pieces are mouth blown, and well proportioned. The glass is of very fine quality, and best yet - his prices are far below what you will find in the stores! Unbelievable quality and value.

Tags: decorate with glass accessories, mouth blown glass balls accessories

Making a Decorating Trend Your Own

Making a Decorating Trend Your Own

Eight Great Ways to Incorporate the Black and White Trend Into Your Home

2007's hot trend may be black and white, but next year it may be shades of red and coral.No matter what the decorating trend, most of us can’t afford to redecorate whenever the latest and greatest hot new trend appears.

So, what do you do when a trend shows up that you love and can't live without? Take a look at one trend for 2007– using black and white – let's see how many ways we can incorporate that color scheme, without spending a fortune.
Here are eight fabulous ideas:

1. Invest in inexpensive soft goods with a shorter lifespan.
   Items like pillows, bedding, tablecloths, placemats or throw rugs. No matter if the room you are decorating is painted white, tan, or even red, bringing in soft goods in black and white should fit well into the existing scheme. Without major investments in furnishings, you can use the trend to your advantage.

2. Use paint to full advantage.
   Use black paint and refurbish a dining room table, or your old coffee table in your living room. Complete the look with a couple of yards of black and white fabric stretched around the seats of the dining room chairs and stapled on, or make sofa and chair throw pillows in the living room. You can use a patterned fabric to make a simple slipcover for each seat. On your table, use placemats in bright green, turquoise, or red, and your everyday white dishes will look polished and new - like a designer planned the whole thing.

3. Do over a small room.
   A tiny powder room, guest room, or laundry room could be just the spot to indulge your black and white fantasies. Put up some subtle patterned black and white wallpaper, or add a fresh coat of white paint to the walls and lots of black and white graphic art framed in black. Add a valance or window treatment in black and white to tie it all together.

4. Walk on it.
   Vinyl floor tiles are inexpensive and easy to install - just figure out how much you need, then buy half of the tiles in white and the other half in black. This classic look is great for an entryway, kitchen, or hall. It is also a look that pairs well with many other colors – think golden yellow walls, mirrored furnishings, or even a crystal chandelier. To create an illusion of more space, even in a small area, install the tiles on the diagonal, so when you enter the room you see the pointed corners of each tile facing you.

5. Timeless.
   Use classically timeless patterns or prints like stripes or toile. These patterns can outlive a trend and often become a treasured favorite. Toile patterned wallpapers, drapery fabrics, pillows, placemats, or tablecloths might be added into your existing living or dining room and feel right at home.

6. Add trim.
   If you are you tired of plain white drapes or boring white chandelier shades, give them a trendy pop with borders of black braided trim from a fabric store. You could even use black grosgrain ribbon attached with fabric glue, for an even less expensive upgrade.

7. Stencil it.
   Stenciling is a craft that is easy to learn and quick to do. Try stenciling a narrow scrolling black border above a chair rail or choose an arched design for over a doorway. Stencils can add the extra punch your room needs. And, if you don't like it, or tire of it – it is only paint so can be covered up in the future as your taste changes.

8. Spray paint.
   Take a garage sale find and turn it into a trendy piece by spraying it with white or black spray paint. Use white with black details, or do the opposite beginning with a coat of black paint and add white embellishments.

There you have it – eight great ways to use 2007's black and white trend – and it hardly cost anything. Everyone you know will think you’re the most creative (and trendy!) decorator around.

Tags: 2007 decorating trends,budget home decorating, paint, decorating small spaces

Top Picks for Kitchen Countertops

One of the biggest decisions you will make about your kitchen is the countertop. There are many options, and depending on your lifestyle, how you use your kitchen and, of course, your budget will determine what type of surface is best for you.

Top Picks for Kitchen Countertops
Top 10 Kitchen Countertops

From Coral Nafie,Your Guide to Interior Decorating

There are lots of options on the market for kitchen countertops. Our list of top picks gives the pros and cons of the top 10 choices so that you can make an educated choice when you remodel your kitchen. Follow the links to more information about each countertop material.

1) Granite Counters
Granite is the countertop material of choice when there are no other things to think about - like money. It defines elegance in a kitchen. The beauty of the stone contributes to the beauty of even the most modest kitchen.Pros: holds up to heat; comes in beautiful colors; looks permanent and substantial.Cons: very expensive, requires lots of maintenance, including periodic sealing; absorbs stains; can crack; limited range of colors available.

2) Engineered Stone
Engineered stone is composed of quartz particals. It is available in a larger range of colors than granite and has a nonporous surface that resists scratches. It's easy to maintain, without the annual sealing required by natural stone. Brands on the market are DuPont Zodiaq®, Cambria Quartz, and Silestone.Pros: resistant to stain and acid; easy care. Cons: Expensive.

3) Solid Surface
Because solid surface counters are just what they're called, solid, any scratches can be sanded out. The countertops are custom-made to your specifications by companies such as Avonite, Corian, and Swanstone.Pros: comes in a rainbow of colors and patterns; seamless; stain resistant.Cons vulnerable to hot pans and stains which can damage the surface; can be moderately expensive.

4) Ceramic Tile
Ceramic tile is durable and easy to clean. Add to that inexpensive and you've got a really good choice for countertops for the average home. Because it's installed a section at a time, it can be done by most resourceful homeowners.Pros: takes hot pans; easy to clean; wide range of price, color, texture and design.Cons: counter surface is uneven; tiles can easily chip or crack; grout lines become stained; custom-designed tiles are very expensive.

5) Laminates
Laminate counters bear trademarks such as Formica, Nevamar, and Wilsonart. They're made of plastic-coated synthetics with a smooth surface that's easy to clean. The pieces are cut to size and finished on the ends.Pros: you can buy laminates in lots of colors; easy to maintain; durable; inexpensive.Cons: scratches and chips are almost impossible to repair; seans show; end finishing and front edge choices can be pricey.

6) Wood or Butcher Block
Wood countertops offer a beautiful warm look and are available in a wide range of colors and finishes. Hardwoods such as maple and oak are most often used as countertop woods.Pros: easy to clean; smooth; can be sanded and resealed as needed. Cons: can be damaged by water and stains over time; scratches must be oiled or sealed according to manufacturer's instructions.

7) Stainless Steel Counters
For a really contemporary and industrial look for your kitchen, stainless steel is a good choice. They are heat resistant and durable. Because they're constructed to your specifications, you can have a seamless countertop.Pros: takes hot pans; easy to clean. Cons: Expensive; noisy; may dent; fabrication is expensive; you can't cut on it.

8) Soapstone Counters
Soapstone is generally dark gray in color and has a smooth feel. It is often seen in historic homes but is also used in modern homes as both a countertop and sink material. Pros: rich, deep color; smooth feel; somewhat stain resistant. Cons: requires regular maintenance with applications of mineral oil; may crack and darken over time.

9) Marble
Because of it's extremely high price tag, marble is not often seen on the countertops of whole kitchens. To get the luxurious look, use it on an island or inset at a baking center. Marble requires constant maintenance, as it easily stains. Some new sealers retard staining. Pros: waterproof; heatproof; beautiful. Cons: expensive; porous; stains easily unless professionally sealed; can scratch; may need resealing periodically as per manufacturer.

10) Concrete Counters
If you have countertops in unusual shapes, concrete may be a good choice, as they're often cast right in your kitchen. The high price tag may be beyond most people's budget.Pros: heat and scratch resistant; can be color-tinted; looks exotic and unusual; new treatments eliminate cracking; additives reduce porosity; new finishes are more decorative. Cons: mid to high range on cost due to custom work; cracking is possible; can look somewhat industrial; porous but can be sealed."

Give a lot of thought to how you use your kitchen before you make a decision about your countertop- do you cook often, or is your kitchen more for show? Do you use your kitchen for other activities, i.e. kids homework or school project, crafts, etc?

Tags: home decorating kitchen remodel, Tags: kitchen countertop materials