Budget Friendly DIY & Interior Decorating
Believe it or not, I really do like rooms with neutral color palettes, but the key is finding a way to make the neutral palette look fresh and exciting rather than drab and boring. This can be more difficult that it sounds, as Tabitha in Indiana has learned. She writes: What is the best way to add color to the living room; curtains, throw pillows? Right now my living room and office (connected) look like a brown paper bag; brown walls, brown … [Read more...]
What happens when you live in California, but you're building a house 3000 miles away? Well, the builder makes some less-than-desirable decisions. That's what happened to Lori, who blogs at Bleak 2 Unique. Here's what she had to say... What type of lighting can I use in this awkward hall where there are 3 lights in a row, and 2 vents?.Can you believe someone would place 3 "boob" lights in a row. This is what happens when you build from 3000 … [Read more...]
Yesterday, I received this e-mail from my mom: Dear Ms Decorator, I have a stair well that looks like a tunnel. Yesterday I bought 8-8x10 black frames with 5x7 matts in them. That won't be nearly enough, but I wondered if I should mix other sizes with them. Or should I mix something else with the framed pics? What should I put in the frames--black & white or color? Family pics? Scenes? Still life? Flowers? Thank you for … [Read more...]
Jennifer in South Carolina is having trouble deciding what window treatments to use in her family room. She seems to suffer from the same thing I do--a need for everything to be perfectly symmetrical. Here's what she wrote: I have a wall of windows (and one door) that I need to cover but the door is causing an big headache. I just don't know how to cover or if to cover. See I have a symmetry affliction. If it does not have some symmetry, it … [Read more...]
Erin in New York has a problem that many of us have--no defined "entryway" and no place for a mudroom. Here's what Erin had to say: Normally, I have a knack for figuring out my own design dilemmas, but this one has me really flustered. My problem (design-wise) is that I lack a mudroom, or even a "landing area" when you enter my house from our attached garage. You enter directly into the eating area of our kitchen. And this is how we ALWAYS … [Read more...]
The question about mixing metal finishes is probably one of the questions I'm asked the most. I've addressed it at least two other times here on A2D, but since I continue to get the question, let's talk about it again! Interestingly, my own opinion on the topic changed drastically between the first time I wrote about it, and the last time I wrote about it, so I'll share my current opinion, and then you can chime in and give yours also. First, … [Read more...]
Jenifer in Minnesota needs our help with her large, open kitchen and living room. She writes: I have a very large open kitchen to living room, split entry home. I want to add color to my kitchen and living area. Currently one wall has a brick red on it and the other walls are a very light beige almost white. I just don't know what color to paint, if I should keep the accent wall, or paint it all the same color? HELP! Here are a few … [Read more...]
Sheena from British Columbia writes: I’m looking for some cheap(er) options on what to do with my very small (blasé) kitchen and having a hard time thinking outside of the box. Do you have any ideas? Specifically I am looking to paint the cupboards (white? grey? black? other?) and replace the countertop with a granite-style (but budget friendly) option. But even when I complete that – how can I make this a fabulous kitchen without … [Read more...]
Mark in Ohio writes: I have a red/gold/taupe color scheme in my living room. I have plaid drapes with those three colors. The drapes are a large plaid (almost a buffalo check). I am looking at purchasing two club chairs upholstered with a smaller traditional plaid pattern in the same three colors. The drapes are attually brighter and warmer than the picture below shows. Is mixing different plaid patterns [in the same room] a decorating … [Read more...]
I have a feeling today's question will resonate with many owners of previously-owned homes, or even with many homeowners who have been in their home for a couple of decades or more. Mary from Tennessee writes: My husband and I just bought this house and are in the process of renovating it. The one room that has me stumped is the master bath because of the LARGE amount of surface this outdated tile covers. I will do the obvious things … [Read more...]
I'm an interior decorator-turned-blogger, and a DIY fanatic. My blog is where I share my own creations, as well as inspiring projects from other fabulously creative bloggers. Sometimes on weekends, I like to share info on my other favorite topics: blogging and WordPress. Read more >>.
Breakfast Room Makeover
Kitchen Makeover
Laundry Room (Disguised As A Hallway)
Small Bathroom Makeover
Cart-Style Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table
Decorative Pillow
Easy-Sew Curtains With Painted Stripes
Button Magnets/Push Pins
Reupholstered Tufted Back Occasional Chairs
Easy & Inexpensive Use-What-You-Have Centerpiece
Impressionist Artwork Created With Fabric Dye
Outdoor Rug With Painted Stripes
Dining Chair Makeover With A Goodwill Shower Curtain
Fabric-Lined Drawers
You can do it yourself! My e-book has over
80 pages with over 100 screenshots to
walk you through the entire process.
