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Learn to Work and Earn More

July 3, 2011 by

One can combine learning and earning more money by recycling and restoring items. The best and most useful items to restore are furniture.

Used furniture can be found at auctions, flea markets, and relatives’ attics and basements. Often these items need only minor work and repair. High-end furniture is like fine wine. The older it becomes, the more likely it will move into the realm of being an antique. This makes the furniture worth reupholstering, refinishing and repairing. Interior decorators often use restored pieces to obtain the look needed for a particular room or client. Combining interior decorating courses with an upholstery and furniture restoration business is a match made in heaven. Many schools offer online classes that will provide the needed credentials for furniture restoration in only six months. A garage-sized room is all one needs to begin a profitable business.

While a person completes his or her courses in interior decorating, it is necessary to do some homework to make the furniture restoration business profitable. Learn the names of high-quality furniture brands such as Ethan Allen or Bassett and know about furniture designers such as Bob Timberlake or Raymond Goins. Studying antiques and history will point one in the most likely direction of delightful finds. Developing relationships with thrift stores, secondhand shops, auctioneers and consignment vendors will produce a steady stream of pieces. Advertising as a furniture restorer will provide numerous contacts in the local area.

High-quality furniture, cheaper pricing and working on your own terms make learning and earning a pleasure.

Filed Under: Fashion, General Tagged With: , ,

Limited Budget; Beautiful Decor

June 7, 2011 by
Water Lilies

Image via Wikipedia

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

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: , ,

Be Your Own Interior Designer

May 12, 2011 by

interior design oxford rogue designs

Image by rogue-designs via Flickr

If you find that your house or apartment needs a face lift, it could be time to redecorate. Many of us are currently on fairly tight budgets, but giving your home a new look doesn’t always mean that you have to spend a fortune. Many redecorating ideas are quite inexpensive, and by using your imagination, the entire house (or a single room), can take on a beautiful new look.

One of the most common redecorating ideas, especially when funds are limited, is to apply a fresh coat of paint. Repainting tends to make the whole room look new and fresh. Depending on which colors you use, the room may even take on a larger appearance. Forrent.com can help with suggestions if you are unsure about what colors would be appropriate.

Keep in mind that you may want to choose colors that are neutral if you plan to put the house, or condo, on the market. If you’ve always wanted to paint your kitchen bright yellow or red, that’s great as long as you plan to stay there for an extended amount of time. Otherwise, try to choose colors that are more tame, such as antique white or a light cream color. Not only do these colors match nearly everything else, but they will make the room look more inviting, homey, and larger. Darker colors will make the room look smaller and can actually leave a potential home buyer feeling a bit depressed.

Filed Under: Fashion, General Tagged With: , ,

Adding Flair to Your Home

February 16, 2011 by

When it is time to choose new decorations for your home, you will face many choices. There are so many styles you can choose. The style of your home depends on your personal style. If you are a fashionable person, your home will reflect this taste. Interior design can be complicated but if you just take your time, you can design your home to suit your personal tastes.

One of the important factors to consider is the added touches of flair. Flair can be anything that shows your personality and your character. Shopping for flair depends on what you like. Some people like art. Original pieces of art can cost a lot of money. However, you can buy copies for a much more affordable price. You can also buy prints of your favorite paintings. By purchasing copies and prints, you can show off your love of art without spending thousands of dollars on artwork.

Another way to add flair and save money is to shop secondhand. Flea markets, thrift stores, yard sales, and other places where people sell used items are great places to find good deals. You can even find antiques for cheap. Simply have the antiques restored and you will have classic furniture for a low price. Quality used items have a character of their own. Just because something is used does not mean it is junk. With a careful eye, you can find unique items that will add their character to your home.

Finally, add some flair with color. Many people are afraid of using too much color in their home. Remember that it is your home and should be decorated the way you like it, not the way others like it. Flashes of color here and there will bring life to your home. Find creative ways to add color, such as throw pillows, flowers and contemporary art.

Filed Under: Budget Decoration Tagged With: ,

Quick Fixes for Jazzing Up Your Home

February 10, 2011 by
fabrica interior design and refurbished furnit...

Image by cherrypatter via Flickr

When your home needs a makeover and you do not have the money to afford an interior decorator, you can always do it yourself. There are several ways you can make the interior of your home seem like a new place without spending thousands of dollars. The following tips are easy to do and cost a minimal amount of money. You will be amazed by how nice your home looks after a few basic changes.

• Remove all the clutter. Even though this might not qualify as decorating, getting rid of the clutter is one of the easiest ways to give your home a fresh look. Clean off the counter-tops, the top of the refrigerator and all the other “catch-all” places. Add a vase of fresh flowers here and there and your home will be rejuvenated.

• Fresh paint. A fresh coat of paint will do wonders for making your home look better. Choose light colors to keep the rooms open and spacious. Paint is quite affordable and easy to apply on your own.

• Change the window coverings. If your window coverings are outdated or discolored, change them. Avoid plain, horizontal blinds. Instead, opt for sheer or light-colored drapes. Be sure and clean the windows when you change the coverings.

• New flooring. New flooring is another easy and affordable way to breathe new life into your home. Vinyl for the kitchen and bathroom is not expensive and comes in a variety of patterns. Depending on your preference, you can install new carpet or wood flooring in other parts of your home. New floors will quickly jazz up your home.

• Reupholster your furniture. If you cannot afford new furniture, consider reupholstering your existing furniture. You can also buy ready-made slip covers and give your couches, arm chairs and dining room chairs a new look.

Use your creative side and come up with other inexpensive ways to decorate your home. For just a few hundred dollars, your home will look like a different place.

Filed Under: Budget Decoration Tagged With: , ,

Getting Over Your Fear of Decorating

February 3, 2011 by

If you have a great sense of style when it comes to your clothes, you just might have a natural talent for interior decorating. Interior decorating is all about creating an atmosphere that fits the room and the people in the home. Interior decorating is about designs, colors, and making a room come to life. A drab room is boring. With the right design, you can turn that room into a place where everyone wants to be!

If you have never dabbled in interior design, do not be timid! This is your chance to turn your home into a place that reflects you. You want your personality to shine through in each room of your home. If this seems a bit complicated, relax. It is easy. You know what you like and what you want your home to look like. Just take those ideas and make them happen. If you always wanted a yellow kitchen, get painting! Just temper your creative thinking with some logic. Instead of choosing a bright yellow that may quickly wear on your nerves, choose a more subtle yellow. Then, if you get bored with the color, you can change the room’s accessories and have a completely new look.

If you are afraid of messing up and making your home look disastrous, just breathe. There is nothing that you can do to your home that you cannot undo later. Even if you choose the wrong paint, you can always paint over it. It may take a little more time to fix mistakes, but nothing is permanent. This is your chance to shine and let your home shine, too. Interior design is not just for the professionals. The experienced and the inexperienced can have great, personal success with decorating. Even as an amateur, you can still create the home and atmosphere that you always wanted but did not know how to acquire.

Filed Under: Budget Decoration Tagged With: ,

Decorating on a Budget: Sales on Home Decor

December 16, 2010 by
Inner Woodwork
Image via Wikipedia

Your home is a place of comfort. You can go there after a long day at the office, kick your shoes off and relax. When your house is decorated in your own personal style, that makes coming home even better! If you feel that something is off, or if you’e just not happy with your home’s look anymore, maybe it is time to do some updating. With gas prices soaring, groceries through the roof and the school booster club running a fundraiser every month, where are you going to find the money to make you home “you” again?
Shopping online has become the answer for many people. You can find home decoration products on sale at prices that seem almost too good to be true. You can find virtually anything you want when you shop online. The best part of it though, is that you can set a budget, stick to it and, essentially, name your price. If the home décor item that you are dying to have is too expensive through one retailer, you are likely to find it cheaper just a mouse click away.
Home Shopping Tips
-When you have questions about the size of an item, it’s simple to measure out the space you are allocating to ensure a good fit.
-Colors can be a pain. You just painted the walls and don’t want your new painting to clash’ not an issue when the wall is sitting in front of you as you shop. Clashing won’t be a concern!
-You are less likely to buy items that you don’t really need. You have the opportunity to look around your home and use items you already own as inspiration for your new décor.
-If you are in the market for seasonal décor, try to shop toward the end of the season; stores are eager to empty warehouses and will sell items for a tenth of the cost in some instances.

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

Redecorate while recycling, reusing, and reducing

December 7, 2010 by

If you are thinking of doing a bit of redecorating in your home, but are concerned about creating more waste, you can be environmentally friendly while giving your living spaces a whole new look.

Here are five tricks to help make the old look new again.

1. Squeaky clean and brand-spanking new

Make your floors and carpets look brand new with a good cleaning. If your budget is too tight to afford a professional cleaning, there are many products you can buy that work as well, with a little more work.

Stripping a hardwood floor of old paint and then varnishing the floor will give it a new look. Use oils from time to time to nourish the wood, and it will look like new for a long time.

For homes with pets and children, there are rug-cleaning products safe to use that get the job done. Do your entire rug periodically, and use the spot cleaners when your furry friends and kids make messes.

2. Spruce up old chairs and love seats

Furniture covers come in all styles and colors. Choose fabrics with different colors and patterns that you can purchase at lower prices at different times of the year. No one will know how long ago you purchased those pieces.

3. Add inexpensive extras

Also available at reasonable prices, are cushions and pillows. They come in all sizes, colors, and styles so finding those that match the covers you used, will give the furniture a whole new look.

4. Tables and chairs

A new coat of paint on dining room sets and coffee tables is all you need to freshen up your old sets for a new look.

5. Throw something over it instead of throwing it away

Use a large soft rug or blanket to cover up your scruffy cozy sofa. You can always wash the covering.

Try to come up with other ways to refurbish what you have, instead of replacing the old with the new, which will be good for the environment.

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

Live large on a smaller scale

December 5, 2010 by

If money is tight and a small abode is all you can afford, you can still make the rooms in your home look as if they belong on the cover of an interior design magazine. Additionally, you do not have to spend exuberant amounts of money to make it so.

- Combine essentials

Furniture needs not cover every inch of wall space in small rooms. If you have a television, a stereo with speakers, DVDs and Cd’s, find an entertainment center that will accommodate all of these things. A separate piece of furniture for each will clutter up a small room and make it look even smaller.

- Mirrors

Placing a mirror high up on a wall in a small room, acts as an optical illusion and will make the room appear larger. A small room with a large window, decorated with light and airy curtains gives the feeling of openness and takes attention away from the small size of the room.

- Small rooms demand small furnishings

Measure the dimensions of a small room and take the tape measure with you when you go to shop for furniture. Buy small pieces of furniture for that room. The advantage to buying smaller furniture is that more often than not, smaller furniture looks more elegant.

- De-cluttering is key

Do not store or collect anything in a small room that does not have to be in there. You should only keep enough magazines and newspapers that will fit inside a small magazine rack. Moreover, only keep a few books on a side or coffee table.

- Go soft on walls and windows

Choosing a soft color on the walls is best for small spaces. If you prefer wallpaper, stay with small prints or patterns. To keep it from looking too plain, choose a patterned, darker color for the window treatments while keeping the walls one color.

The old adage, good things come in small packages, applies to small rooms, too.

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