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4 Ways to Plan Your Bathroom Make Over

September 6, 2011 by

Thinking of giving your bathroom a facelift? Wondering where to start? Remodeling a bathroom can seem to be a daunting experience, especially if you have never done it before.

Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you. As long as you take time to plan everything out before you get started you will be fine.

There are websites available that are helpful in getting you moving in the right direction. One of these sites will have almost anything you need; so take time to browse their bathroom suites.

Four things to consider before taking the plunge are:

Money:

How much money do you have to work with? This is important to know up front. It will help you to decide what you are keeping or replacing. A bathroom is a costly endeavour, so keep your budget in mind as you look at items and plan what you are going to change in your bathroom suite.

Labor:

Will this be a do-it-yourselfer? Or will you hire someone to do it for you? Possibly you can do some of the work yourself and hire someone to do the things you are unfamiliar with and unqualified to do. These are all issues you need to address before beginning the job.

 Fixtures:

Take a good look at what shape your fixtures are in and be sure to replace those that are in the worst condition. Make a list of your priorities so you know exactly what to do.

Time:

Have a schedule of when things will be accomplished. If you have hired someone to do the work be sure that they are finishing in a timely manner.

When the bathroom is finished you will have something you are proud of. Take the time and do it right.

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Designing Your Home on a Budget

July 14, 2011 by

Designing does not have to be trivial, in fact for most, this is a relaxing and rewarding way to make your home what you want it to be. There are many things you can do to decorate on a dime, and most of the supplies are things you already own. This is a nice way to get a proje

a stapler (ein Tacker)

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ct started and feel confident that the items you need to make the project its best is sitting right in your home.

Basics to Have Around

There are always some basic tools to have around for any project that requires a DIY touch. Here is a following list to make your life easier:

  1. Staple gun. This is the perfect uphulstry fix for many projects. This is also a great tool for those no sew curtian or frames.
  2. Hot glue. Again, for no sew projects that need a little flair, use hot glue to either seal or to attach a pretty accessory to make your project perfect.
  3. Screw drivers. These are key to any project as they are necessary for removing things like switch plates, pictures, or even to take apart or assemble new items.

Having the basic tools accessible for you will make starting any project the best that it can be. If you require more tools or supplies, make sure you have investigated this before starting any project. There is nothing worse than realizing you need something right when you are in a pickle. Planning makes these types of projects fun and easy.

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Limited Budget; Beautiful Decor

June 7, 2011 by
Water Lilies

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Did you know that it is possible to have an incredibly good-looking interior design for you house even on a limited budget.

Great décor is often a sign of well-developed taste rather than a boatload of money.  With that in mind, let’s examine a great style for comfort and beauty that is also easy on the pocketbook.

One of the most dazzling looks for homes, or even shops, is an eclectic decor called “Shabby Chic”.

Shabby Chic is a style that developed from the romanticism of the Victorian Age and somehow became mixed with the Bohemian qualities of French artisans from the age of Impressionism. The style is noted for its worn, yet arty look that seems to reflect strength of taste rather than fashion. A Shabby Chic look is often filled with feminine and romantic items in dominant colors of white and pale pastels.

A lovely Shabby Chic décor can be developed from garage sale items and second hand stores, if the buyer knows what to look for. Many things from old wood furniture to glass bowls to tins can be found, if you train your eye and learn to spot desirable items. You will be surprised at the wonderful pieces that most people bypass.

Another nice thing about Shabby Chic is that most wood items can look worn or even be painted. Professional decorators, who are going for that worn Shabby Chic look, often buy new wood items and then “distress” them so they will look old and worn.

Learning to refurbish furniture and accessories is not only rewarding, these skills can also help you have the prettiest home on the block.

 

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Saving Can Be Fashionable

June 6, 2011 by
Home Colors-03 

Image by Julie70 via Flickr

When you live in the same apartment or house for an extended period of time, it’s easy to get tired of your surroundings. Changing the look and feel of your home doesn’t have to break the bank, yet significant improvements can be made during your budget decorating journey.  Here are some tips on how to still be fashionable while saving money!

Painting is the first step. There is nothing that will change the look and feel of a room more than a coat of paint. If you’ve been dealing with tan or white for what seems an eternity, mix it up with something maroon, forest green, or even a decorative orange. Cost of a gallon of paint? Under $20.

Add plants, paintings, or pictures to your home. There is something about a living, breathing plant in your home that just spices everything up. Buy them small and you can get three or four potted plants for around $25. With advances in digital photography, the cost of printing family photos is significantly cheaper than it used to be. Shop for decorative planters with a splash of color, or picture frames that add substance to your personal style, by visiting sites like http://www.offers.com.

Refurbish used furniture. Sometimes you don’t need new items, you just need to give the ones you have a facelift. Putting a cloth cover over your kitchen chairs or your favorite living-room chair is inexpensive and can completely change the look of a room. Summertime is a great time to canvas the neighborhood during those infamous garage sales. Sometimes another man’s trash can be an absolute treasure, and saving money truly can be fashionable.

Filed Under: Budget Decoration, Restoration

Be Your Own Interior Designer

May 22, 2011 by
Hallway 4_ING interior 

Image via Wikipedia

There are plenty of ways you can add your own personal touch to the interior design of your home. You don’t need to spend thousands to hire an interior designer to make your house into a stylish home. Being your own interior designer will allow you more freedom and will allow you to express yourself more than you would by hiring an interior designer.

Here are some tips for bringing a personal touch to the interior design of your home.

  • There are many options available for decorating your walls. You can especially add a personal touch on this surface. You can create an interesting collage of favorite photos by putting them in different sized frames and creating a cluster at eye level on sections of wall.
  • If you aren’t that much into photo’s you can still add color to your walls. Maybe you don’t want to take the plunge and paint or wallpaper an entire section of wall. If this is the case you can take three of the same sized canvasses and paint them indifferent colors or cover them in a favorite wallpaper to add a highlight to a wall without committing too much to a style or color.
  • Memorabilia is also a way to add a personal touch to the interior of your home. Maybe you have some cherished items bought whilst on holiday or some family heirlooms. Bring them out of the closet and incorporate them in a stylish way into your homes design.

Being your own interior designer can be a rewarding experience and can bring warmth to your home by adding a personal touch to its interior design.

 

 

Filed Under: Budget Decoration, Fashion Tagged With: , ,

Fashion – Lifestyle – Budget Decorating

April 24, 2011 by
The Salvation Army logo

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Shopping at certain thrift stores enables you to support job placement programs for disabled and otherwise disadvantaged persons  What better way to enhance your lifestyle while helping others?

Reconditioned, recycled and pre-owned “vintage” items are “hot” and great for your fashion sensibility and home decor.  You demand one-of-a-kind couture, and what better place to find it than in a resale environment?

Savvy shoppers concerned with budget decorating and the latest in trends will want to visit local thrift stores to take advantage of the latest offerings.  The excitement?  You NEVER KNOW what you may find – clothing,  appliances, furniture, household items and  a lot more — at an incredible value.  Let it be your dirty little secret -  it may be “old” for someone else, but it’s new for you!

You may even, in your quest, discover exclusive name-brands designer fashions, jewelry, gowns, antiques and other treasures. It’s the excitement of the hunt that makes it all worth it, and lends you that special “rush”.

Shopping includes, but is not limited to: decorative items, antiques, painting, books, electronics, clothing, collectibles, handbags, sports equipment, jewelry, craft items, ceramics, seasonal items, and toys.  New items as well as slightly used line the shelves.  Sometimes just a dusting off is all that is required for antiques to display their real beauty upon arrival home.

Fashionistas everywhere are enjoying their hauls from local Goodwill’s, Salvation Army Stores, and consignement shops.  Join the frenzy and shop with both your budget and the latest fashion in mind!

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Babe on a Budget

April 13, 2011 by
LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Amber Le Bon a...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Keeping up with current trends in fashion can be very difficult when you are on a budget, but never fear, there are tips and tricks to keep you looking good without draining your bank account.

First, invest in a few pieces that can be worn in multiple ways. For example, a black skirt can be worn with any number of different shirts, as opposed to a print that limits your possibilities. Another plus to investing in simple pieces is that they can be worn for years, unlike trendy patterns that might be “out” in a year or less.

Second, a few fun accessories are an excellent way to add interest to your wardrobe. Finding versatile accessories that can be worn with a variety of outfits can help you look stylish for less. Inexpensive accessories can be found at shops like Forever 21, which always has the latest trends in accessories for a fraction of department store prices.

A third way to save money while looking great is to shop around. Know the dates of the annual sales at your favorite stores when you can snatch up pieces you might not otherwise have the budget for. The Budget Babe is a website that can help you shop for deals in stores near you. Also be sure to check secondhand shops and rummage sales as they can hide treasures when you dig deep.

Following these tips is a sure way to look great without breaking the bank and will help you to keep your wardrobe fresh year after year.

Filed Under: Budget Decoration, Lifestyle Tagged With: , ,

What to Know When Purchasing Refurbished Accessories

March 24, 2011 by

Purchasing refurbished accessories is always nice. Refurbished accessories enable individuals to save money, as they are considerably cheaper than the accessories that are purchased brand new. Refurbished accessories are always good to get in a pinch. But if you are planning to purchase refurbished accessories, there are some things that you really need to know before you buy.

When you are purchasing refurbished accessories, you need to make sure that they are working properly before you leave the store. Tell the store workers that you need to test everything out before you buy. If they will not allow you to test, then it is time to get suspicious. Most that are confident in the condition of these refurbished accessories will have no problem with you testing them while you are in the store unless, of course, you live in a super bad neighborhood and robberies are commonplace.

Another thing that you will need to know when purchasing refurbished accessories is if there are any scratches and nicks on them. You need to make sure the products are not beat up to high heaven before you spend your hard earned money.

Finally, you need to find out if there is any sort of guarantee, warranty, or return policy on these refurbished accessories. You want to cover your but, just in case anything should go wrong. In addition, you will need to keep your receipt. Do not throw your receipt away, until you can no longer return it to the store.

When you get all of the necessary information that you need, your purchase of refurbished accessories will go smoothly. You will save lots of money and have products that you feel pleased about.

Filed Under: Budget Decoration, Shopping Tagged With: , ,

3 Simple Decorating Tips for the Bathroom

March 16, 2011 by

Spring is coming. And with the coming of spring, there are also new beginnings. One thing that people may do to bring in the spring is to change the look and feel of their homes. These individuals do this by either completely remodeling their homes altogether or making some small changes that will change the look and feel of the homes completely. One room that can be remodeled easily with the implementation of some simple decorating tips is the bathroom. If you want to change the look and feel of your bathroom this spring, you will find these 3 bathroom decorating tips to be useful to you.

1. Come Up With a Theme. When decorating your bathroom, it is essential that you come up with a theme. Some common bathroom themes are frogs, flowers, the sea, and stars. Make sure the theme that you choose will match what is already in your bathroom, since you do want to keep it simple.

2. Purchase Items Related to Your Theme. Once you have decided on the theme that you will use, you need to purchase items that relate to your theme. These items can be things, such as throw rugs, shower curtains, soaps, hand towels, candles, bathtub mats, and soap dishes. Department stores, dollar stores, Wal-Mart, Target, and various online stores will sell these items.

3. Decorate Your Bathroom Accordingly. Now that you have decided on your theme and have purchase all of your items that relate to your theme, it is time to decorate your bathroom accordingly. You may need to make changes, until you feel happy with the finished product.

When you implement these 3 simple bathroom decorating tips, you will feel happy with the outcome. Not to mention, you will bring in the spring by providing a new look and feel for your bathroom. It does not take a whole lot of money and time.

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