Thursday 14 November 2013
Wednesday 6 November 2013
Random Cleaning Tip#1
Here's a quick and easy way to dust any dried, silk or artificial flowers that you may have in your home: Compressed Air in a can...the kind you use to clean your computers!!! It's quick and easy and you can direct the actual spray just by moving the can....always test the intensity of the pressure before you start-too much may cause damage to the flowers! Happy dusting!
Monday 4 November 2013
Staging Tip #1-The First 30 Seconds
First impressions do make a difference. Most home buyers make up their mind about a house in the first 30 seconds. It doesn't matter how great your house really is but peeling paint, dusty furniture and even dishes in the sink can turn off most prospective home buyers. It's not a matter of getting them through the door but rather what they'll see when they cross the threshold. So dust the furniture, cover your old couch and clear away the cobwebs gathering outside your front door. A little elbow grease can go a long way to selling your house without sacrificing the bottom line.
Sunday 3 November 2013
An Afternoon Bathroom Makeover
This seems to be a recurring scenario: the basics-paint, vanity and fixtures- are in pretty good shape but you really want to update your bathroom. You don't have a lot of time and you have limited funds. No need to lament. You can do it in no time and on a reasonably small budget, if you shop creatively.
Recently we took my mother-in-law shopping , to purchase a new shower curtain and accessories, and I was floored by the prices. The only thing going through my mind was that I knew I could completely change the look and feel of my bathroom for the same price as that shower curtain. To prove this to myself I embarked upon a 'Design Outing'. My goal was to source out enough items to change a bathroom for under $75.00. It wasn't a difficult task and one, I'm sure, anyone can accomplish. My main piece of advice-think outside of the bathroom door!
Why is it essential to have an official shower curtain or bath mat? I found some amazing drapery panels at a Discount store (where I live it's Giant Tiger) for $10 each and if you have a window you just purchase an extra panel, or two, to match or co-ordinate. You already have a liner so you can use just about anything as the curtain.
As far as mats go, there is no decor law stating you have to use 'bathmats'. You can purchase any kind of mat as long as you ensure that it's washable and, for safety, that is has an non-skid backing. If not you can always pick up the grip pads. I found some great mats at the Discount store for $5.00 each and they really work well with the colours I had chosen.
Everyone has basic towels but it's always nice to have some that help show off your bathroom, the kind you bring out when you have company, and you can always pick up some less expensive towels when dressing your bathroom. My choices, in complimentary colours, offered a layered look and only cost $14 for 2 large towels, 2 hand towels and 2 facecloths. Fresh, new towels always help.
Counter and toilet tank accessories were easy.I found a great rectangular basket, to sit on top of the toilet tank, for only $5. This could be used for any number of things-extra towels, toilet paper or any other accessories you wouldn't mind being on display. I also found an assortment of woven basketware office accessories at the Dollar Store. These would be great on a counter to hold soaps, toothbrushes , hairbrushes or even extra smaller towels. All four pieces cost $6. Great aesthetics and extra storage for a few bucks.
Basic black is always good to have in any room. It is a grounding colour and only adds to whatever look you're going for. The easiest way to add black to this bathroom is with wall art and I found a 4 pack of frames for $3. Whether it's special family photos, landscapes, co-ordinating scrapbooking pages or even painted glass, you can quickly compliment your design or colour choices by placing these around the room or in a collage to give a greater impact.
If your vanity needs a little something you can always make your own panel inserts for the door and drawer fronts. Inexpensive placemats, sticky shelf liner or even wallpaper can be cut to size and attached. Once your hardware is re-attached your vanity will look completely different. I found placemats for $1 and some interesting shelf liner rolls for $1 each. Mounting the placemats can be done with thin velcro for ease of removal for cleaning and to make possible changes a breeze or with double sided tape if you decide to keep them as is.
So, let's recap: a shower curtain, window dressing, 2 mats, an assortment of towels, vanity panels and basket accessories...a completely new look for your bathroom for $75.00 and all of this can be assembled in an afternoon (or an evening if that works better for you) It can be done. Just go on a Design Outing of your own and let the fun begin.
I found a few other things that would be great additions to what is already assembled and would also take care of a few common problem areas but that's for another day....
Recently we took my mother-in-law shopping , to purchase a new shower curtain and accessories, and I was floored by the prices. The only thing going through my mind was that I knew I could completely change the look and feel of my bathroom for the same price as that shower curtain. To prove this to myself I embarked upon a 'Design Outing'. My goal was to source out enough items to change a bathroom for under $75.00. It wasn't a difficult task and one, I'm sure, anyone can accomplish. My main piece of advice-think outside of the bathroom door!
As far as mats go, there is no decor law stating you have to use 'bathmats'. You can purchase any kind of mat as long as you ensure that it's washable and, for safety, that is has an non-skid backing. If not you can always pick up the grip pads. I found some great mats at the Discount store for $5.00 each and they really work well with the colours I had chosen.
 |
| Complimentary colours stand out! |
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| Use office accessories for your bathroom |
Counter and toilet tank accessories were easy.I found a great rectangular basket, to sit on top of the toilet tank, for only $5. This could be used for any number of things-extra towels, toilet paper or any other accessories you wouldn't mind being on display. I also found an assortment of woven basketware office accessories at the Dollar Store. These would be great on a counter to hold soaps, toothbrushes , hairbrushes or even extra smaller towels. All four pieces cost $6. Great aesthetics and extra storage for a few bucks.
Basic black is always good to have in any room. It is a grounding colour and only adds to whatever look you're going for. The easiest way to add black to this bathroom is with wall art and I found a 4 pack of frames for $3. Whether it's special family photos, landscapes, co-ordinating scrapbooking pages or even painted glass, you can quickly compliment your design or colour choices by placing these around the room or in a collage to give a greater impact.
If your vanity needs a little something you can always make your own panel inserts for the door and drawer fronts. Inexpensive placemats, sticky shelf liner or even wallpaper can be cut to size and attached. Once your hardware is re-attached your vanity will look completely different. I found placemats for $1 and some interesting shelf liner rolls for $1 each. Mounting the placemats can be done with thin velcro for ease of removal for cleaning and to make possible changes a breeze or with double sided tape if you decide to keep them as is. So, let's recap: a shower curtain, window dressing, 2 mats, an assortment of towels, vanity panels and basket accessories...a completely new look for your bathroom for $75.00 and all of this can be assembled in an afternoon (or an evening if that works better for you) It can be done. Just go on a Design Outing of your own and let the fun begin.
I found a few other things that would be great additions to what is already assembled and would also take care of a few common problem areas but that's for another day....
Monday 28 October 2013
Welcome To My World....
I love being creative, especially where design is concerned. Any design, whether it's updating a room in my home or planning a special event. And I love browsing through dollar stores, discount stores and, yes, even thrift stores because you just never know what you'll find or where your creativity will take you.
This blog will help me, and hopefully anyone else out there, release that creativity. I hope to offer tips on how to use inexpensive items in ways that will make the biggest impact....more Bang for Your Buck, literally.
Throughout this adventure I will share my ideas via posts like this, some basic how-to's and even some videos and I hope you have just as much fun as I will have along the way.
This blog will help me, and hopefully anyone else out there, release that creativity. I hope to offer tips on how to use inexpensive items in ways that will make the biggest impact....more Bang for Your Buck, literally.
Throughout this adventure I will share my ideas via posts like this, some basic how-to's and even some videos and I hope you have just as much fun as I will have along the way.
It's a Good Time For Calendars
I don't believe I have ever used decorative calendars for their original purpose. Calendars are a great resource in decorating. Calendar pages are instant art, themed items and party decor. They can be found at Dollar Stores year round and all manner of calendars can be found very inexpensively after the new year has begun.
Years ago I came across an amazing calendar showcasing Ansel Adams photographs. My husband is a photographer and has always admired the work of Ansel Adams so it was meant to be that I purchased this calendar. I knew, that when we finally started to redecorate our main floor living space, I would use the pages from this calendar. A few years ago we did just that and I pulled out the calendar I had purchased for $2.00. My husband choose his favourite pictures and I set about finding complimentary frames (which I did for $2.00 each at the Dollar Store) These four, very large pictures were hung in our hall and we had an instant gallery, all for $10.00.
You can find calendars in every shape, size and in every theme. Choose one or two that showcase something you love such as flowers or Masterpieces of art or even abstract designs. Frame them and make a collage or gallery of these calendar pages and completely change the feel of your room. You can also find themed calendars which are great for kids' rooms. Imagine some very cool, framed photos of a favourite super hero in your little boy's room or some very soft images in a nursery. The possibilities are endless and, because you haven't spent that much on this wonderful art, you can change it when you want. You can even change it to match the seasons or holidays. A very inexpensive way to keep your living space updated and make you smile....not only because of how your room looks but because you only spent a few dollars.
Years ago I came across an amazing calendar showcasing Ansel Adams photographs. My husband is a photographer and has always admired the work of Ansel Adams so it was meant to be that I purchased this calendar. I knew, that when we finally started to redecorate our main floor living space, I would use the pages from this calendar. A few years ago we did just that and I pulled out the calendar I had purchased for $2.00. My husband choose his favourite pictures and I set about finding complimentary frames (which I did for $2.00 each at the Dollar Store) These four, very large pictures were hung in our hall and we had an instant gallery, all for $10.00.
You can find calendars in every shape, size and in every theme. Choose one or two that showcase something you love such as flowers or Masterpieces of art or even abstract designs. Frame them and make a collage or gallery of these calendar pages and completely change the feel of your room. You can also find themed calendars which are great for kids' rooms. Imagine some very cool, framed photos of a favourite super hero in your little boy's room or some very soft images in a nursery. The possibilities are endless and, because you haven't spent that much on this wonderful art, you can change it when you want. You can even change it to match the seasons or holidays. A very inexpensive way to keep your living space updated and make you smile....not only because of how your room looks but because you only spent a few dollars.
Getting started....
I've posted a few pictures of items from Dollar Stores that have been used to create some interesting pieces for your home. There are so many things you can do with a few dollars and a little imagination.
These are all amazing but there is so much more. Crafts are wonderful and I will be posting many here but I am also going to show you how to update the look of rooms for very little money. Throughout this adventure I will also be sharing basic Interior Design principles and Home Staging tricks and tips, as well as party and event planning help. This is only the beginning.
These are all amazing but there is so much more. Crafts are wonderful and I will be posting many here but I am also going to show you how to update the look of rooms for very little money. Throughout this adventure I will also be sharing basic Interior Design principles and Home Staging tricks and tips, as well as party and event planning help. This is only the beginning.
Design Tip #1
So, here's the first design tip....you may find it a bit unorthodox or hard to believe but here goes:
-Think about what you like.
-Think about places where you feel comfortable or happy.
-Think about colours that you are drawn to.
-Think about what you want the room to be used for.
-Think about styles you enjoy
Every time you think of something write it down. I can guarantee you will make changes throughout this process but eventually you will have a much clearer idea of what you want. Once you have this you can start putting it all together.
Now, THINK! ( no pressure)
RELAX!!!
Your home doesn't have to look like it jumped off of the pages of a magazine and the decorating doesn't have to be done "yesterday". Your home just has to reflect you and occasionally that can take some time. Trying to figure it all out can be a daunting task for some so you should take your time and put on your creative thinking cap:-Think about what you like.
-Think about places where you feel comfortable or happy.
-Think about colours that you are drawn to.
-Think about what you want the room to be used for.
-Think about styles you enjoy
Every time you think of something write it down. I can guarantee you will make changes throughout this process but eventually you will have a much clearer idea of what you want. Once you have this you can start putting it all together.
Now, THINK! ( no pressure)
