Great Ideas!

While we are all challenged by the current economic downturn, we can take the time to assess and plan for future home improvement projects by reading design magazines and tearing out ideas that excite and inspire us. Having these ideas at your fingertips will better prepare you when the time comes to move forward with a new design project.

If you are feeling anxious and want to make some changes, you might want to consider refreshing your home by changing the paint color of a room and/or adjacent rooms to give you a cost effective lift! Additionally, changing your flooring is another cost effective way that can boost your mood and feelings about your living environment without breaking the piggy bank.

It is also great fun to search out affordable treasures at local consignment, charity or discount stores. You can repaint an old vintage chest or end table a vibrant new color, change or add kitchen cabinet door and drawer hardware, move art and accessories to new locations in your home, or add fresh flowering plants to give your home a new look. I like to replace regular drapery with sheer drapery in the summer because there is something cooling about billowing sheer fabric panels in hot weather. Also, exchange those velvet accent pillows with light summer cotton pillows and give your beautiful Persian rug a rest by replacing it with a low cost Sisal rug from Ballard Designs and other retailers.

Create a renewed outdoor living area by adding an outdoor rug, a new bright colored fabric umbrella, and outdoor fabric drapery panels hung on inexpensive iron rods under the eves of your house. You can also slipcover your old chaise and chair cushions with outdoor fabric and make a long tablecloth for your round outdoor table. If you can sew a pillow case, you can make a slipcover! If you can hem a skirt, you can sew a drapery panel! And, add those cool new little accent lights that are powered by solar underneath your umbrellas!

If you need more inspiration for a small project, be sure to give us a call because we enjoy doing quick consultations on these types of projects!