| More people decorate their homes during the | | | | Look for alternatives to everything!!! Flat |
| fall and winter months than at any other time | | | | sheets on sale are a great buy...I can get |
| of the year, and with good reason! We spend | | | | one at my discount store for $2.89. A flat |
| more time indoors, we owe it to ourselves and | | | | sheet is generally 66x96 inches...that's over |
| our families to create a comfortable place to | | | | 3 yards of fabric for less than 97 cents a |
| be! Here are the best ways to save BIG bucks | | | | yard! Can't beat that, and flat sheets come |
| on your home decorating | | | | in so many colors. When in doubt, buy white! |
| | | | Use them for tablecovers, curtain panels, |
| Start with plan. I know you've heard this | | | | making comforter covers, throw pillow covers, |
| before, but having a plan doesn't necessarily | | | | or even casual slipcovers! If you find a |
| mean you know exactly everything you want to | | | | great color, stock up during a white |
| do in your rooms ahead of time. What it does | | | | sale...you will always find uses for fabric |
| mean is having a starting point to keep you | | | | that fits into your color scheme. |
| in the ballpark, and that will save you A LOT | | | | |
| of money in mistakes in the long run. So | | | | Look for furniture at yard sales and in the |
| start with the three things you need...Color, | | | | classifeds. You can get quality furniture |
| Style, and Formality. Color is easy...if you | | | | this way for a fraction of what it would cost |
| don't already have a color scheme you love, | | | | you new. Learn to make do with the furniture |
| find one in a book or magazine, and borrow | | | | you have with the art of disguise. |
| it! Still unsure? Pick your favorite color, | | | | Slipcovers, paint and floor length |
| plus white, never fail combo. Style? Maybe | | | | tablecloths go a long way towards dressing up |
| you know you love Country Farmhouse. Or maybe | | | | an otherwise forgettable piece of furniture. |
| you like a little of everything! That's ok, | | | | By the way, you can paint ANYTHING these |
| just make sure you give the room style a name | | | | days! The trick is to use a specialty |
| that includes the feeling you want in the | | | | blocking primer before painting...I recommend |
| room, and that will keep you on track. For | | | | KILZ Original. Yes, you can even paint that |
| instance, I have a Fresh and Sunny Cottage | | | | ugly laminate bookcase or computer desk! All |
| Room for my family room. (I use sunny as a | | | | your furniture mismatched in style and form? |
| feeling as well as a visual clue!) Keep the | | | | Paint it all one color, and it will help |
| feeling in the name, and you will pick the | | | | marry and unify your furniture grouping. (I |
| right style every time! Finally, formality. | | | | love white or black for furniture, depending |
| Know if you like a more formal room, where | | | | on the style of your room.) |
| things on both sides of the room match, or a | | | | |
| more informal feel. So my family room | | | | Finally, look for good resources to help you |
| description would go something like this...I | | | | learn to create your own accessories, custom |
| want an informal Fresh Sunny Cottage style | | | | paint finishes, and inspirational ideas such |
| full of soft blue, green yellow and white. So | | | | as |
| every time I buy something, I know if it | | | | |
| doesn't fit in that description, it doesn't | | | | With a little advanced thinking and a bit of |
| fit period! | | | | creativity, anyone can have a well decorated |
| | | | home! |