Painting Furniture Basics

One of my favorite room decorating ideas is painting furniture.  This is partially because my husband and I have a lot of furniture that’s been given to us before we were married and isn’t exactly our taste.  We recently discovered the “magic” of painting- it literally can breath new life into any piece!  Even if you’ve never painted or sanded before (like I hadn’t…) you can still take on a painting project without worrying that you’ll turn what you have into a disaster.  Painting furniture is a relatively easy and fun DIY project.  Remember- it should always be done in a well-ventilated area and the work area should be covered with newspapers to prevent stains. The first step is sand down the piece you want to paint.  Sanding the furniture gets rid of the wax or finish that the piece already has.  I recommend using an electric sander, as it is much easier than sanding by hand! Just make sure that you sand each part evenly and clean up all the dust afterwards. The next….Read the Rest of this Decor Idea

Flea Market Decorating Ideas

Summer is approaching and a a great time to check out your local flea markets for great room decorating ideas! But amidst the maze of chachkas and chinkets, where do you begin?  And how do you turn junk into something that can beautify your home? First of all, you should arrive at a flea market early (i.e. before everything good is taken!).  Dress down, be friendly and prepare to bargain! It is good to come prepared with a tape measure and some basic measurements of your home (especially if you are planning on purchasing furniture). An easy way to make your way through a flea market, is by color.  Try picking out a color or a few colors that you are looking for to decorate your home.  Do you have a picture on your wall that you are looking to compliment? A couch you would like to match? With a color in mind, searching for flea market decorating ideas becomes much simpler. In general, check to see if an object is in good condition.  If….Read the Rest of this Decor Idea

Budget Dining Room Decorating Ideas

Do you think it takes thousands of dollars to change your dining room from drab to fab? Think again! Try out some our budget dining room decorating ideas and be amazed by the change they’ll make! Just because your dining room furniture is outdated and shabby, doesn’t mean you have to go out and purchase new items.  You can try adding a new centerpiece to your dining room table.  Centerpieces such as colored glass bowls, fresh flowers, candlesticks or plants breath new life to your table.  Coupled with a matching runner, your dining room already starts to look more chic. Instead of purchasing a buffet or sideboard, you can try either paining an old one to in a bright shade.  If you don’t have a buffet, a dresser or shelf from another room in your house can be used instead.  Cabinets can be painted and used to display china or other decorative items.  By painting the cabinets the same color as your dining room walls, you create an elegant illusion that the furniture is built in….Read the Rest of this Decor Idea

Budget Paintings for your Home

We all know how searching for paintings that match your walls, furniture, carpets, and most of all your personal style is a very time consuming task. For those of us who can afford it, looking for wall paintings can be wonderful and fun, but what do you do when: a) you don’t have a lot of time or money b) all the cheap paintings in the stores just don’t match your home/style c) everyone seems to already have them d) that blank spot over your fireplace is really starting to depress you! After a long conversation with my interior designer sister-in-law, she let me in on a very important decorating tip. Whatever you can’t find ready-made within your budget, just do it yourself. There are tons of ideas out there on creative wall art ideas, but if you’re interested in hanging up more traditional canvas paintings around your home, then here’s what you do: 1) Go to your neighborhood art store or do a search online and purchase a couple of blank canvases (not a….Read the Rest of this Decor Idea

Wall Art Decorating

Everyone has greeting cards with beautiful designs that they just can’t bear to through away (I know I do!). One way to turn this “garbage” into décor is by using them for wall art! Make sure the cards are the same size and that they look good together. Then simply fasten them onto pieces of foam board that are the same size as each card to add depth. Attach each piece to a painted square piece of cardboard and mount to your wall! You can also try framing beautiful pictures from magazines. Buy a wide frame with a smaller center and hang a few coordinating magazine cutouts side by side or arranged on your wall. It’s a great way to decorate your walls at almost no cost! For minimal artistic effort and maximum effect, try framing a fabric. You can find beautiful pieces of extra fabric either lying around your house or at the clearance section of material stores (sometimes for only a dollar). As long as the colors and design are beautiful and tasteful,….Read the Rest of this Decor Idea