Creative, Stylish, and INEXPENSIVE Solutions for Creating a HOME
Why spend every dollar you have on decorating? With a little help and creativity, you can turn your apartment into home sweet home without breaking the bank—and you don't have to give up comfort, individual expression, or warmth.
Regardless of you background, budget, gender, or personal tastes, decorating writer Lourdes Dumke will take you on a style-wise yet budget-sensitive tour of your home-to-be and help create your personal palace. Combined with a sprinkle of imagination and a dose of creativity, this helpful guide to making the perfect living space is exactly what you need. You will discover:
·Decorating and furnishing hints for every room
·Unique yet simple ways to unleash creativity
·Practical ideas for the best places to shop on a budget
·Commonsense suggestions for decorating and furnishing with already-owned items
·And much, much more!
The tips and tricks in this book will save you a bundle and turn your apartment into a decorated delight. You're sure to hear "WOW!" again and again from your impressed visitors—as well as from yourself!
Contents
Acknowledgments Introduction
Chapter 1: Getting Started
Determining Your Decorating Goals A New Beginning What a Difference a Goal Makes So, What's Important to You?
Stay True to Your Goals Living Your Style Working With Your Budget Completed Budget Samples Getting Organized Decorating/Organizing Link An Organized Read Creating "Organization Central"
The Dreaded Clothing Closet Organizing Crafting Supplies Checklists and Worksheet Creating a Decorating Notebook Ideas, Tips, and Tricks
Chapter 2: Places to Shop
Retail Stores Discount Stores Department Stores Home Decorating Stores Yard and Estate Sales Changing With the Times Estate Sales Flea Markets Antique Stores Trading, Borrowing, and Inheriting Furniture Internet and Catalog Shopping Ideas, Tips, and Tricks
Chapter 3: Flooring and Floor Coverings
Hard Flooring Painting Your Floors Carpeting and Rugs Using Rugs to Change Your Floorscape The Many Faces of Area Rugs Keep Your Carpet Looking Good Ideas, Tips, and Tricks
Chapter 4: Walls
Paint and Wallpaper Coloring Your World Wallpapering Your Walls Displaying Art The Art of Selecting Art Creative Ways to Display Artwork Just Hanging Out Where to Find Art Creative Arrangements A New Life for Old Windows, Doors, and Shutters Shelving Ideas, Tips, and Tricks
Chapter 5: Windows
No-Sew Window Treatments Materials for No-Sew Treatments Sewing-Required Window Treatments Finding Patterns and Ideas Basic Window Treatments Blinds and Shades Ideas, Tips, and Tricks
Chapter 6: Furniture
New Furniture Something Old, Something New New Furniture Selection Furniture Specifics Reviving Used and Old Furniture It's Not What You Think Ideas, Tips, and Tricks
Chapter 7: Accessories
Displaying Collections Creative Display Techniques Lighting Accessories With a Purpose Purely Decorative Accessories Accessories You Can Make Accessories That Say "You"
Great-Smelling Home Accessories Holiday Decorating
Chapter 8: Get Creative in Every Room
Kitchens and Dining Rooms Necessities Beyond Necessities Simple Rearrangements Bathrooms Necessities Beyond Necessities Simple Rearrangements Living Rooms Necessities Beyond Necessities Simple Rearrangements Bedrooms Necessities Beyond Necessities Simple Rearrangements Creative Doorways and Window Frames
Chapter 9: Small Spaces
One-Room Living College Dorm Rooms Studio Apartments Basement Apartments Multipurpose Furnishings Movable Furnishings Your Balcony as Living Space Keeping It Private Ideas, Tips, and Tricks
Chapter 10: Special-Purpose Spaces
Children's Rooms and Nurseries Creative Furnishings for Kids Fun Themes for Kids' Bedrooms Guest Rooms Home Offices What's Your Office Type?
Ideas, Tips, and Tricks
Chapter 11: Storage
Creative Containment Storage for Everything Making Closets Smarter Where to Shop for Storage Solutions Ideas, Tips, and Tricks
Chapter 12: Making Your Apartment Your Home
Your Perfect Apartment Home Working With Your Decorating Budget Everyone Can Think Creatively Does Decorating Ever End?
Include the Right People in Your Decorating Now, Take a Deep Breath and Begin!
Resources
Hints, Tips, and Worksheets Hints, Tips, and Worksheets Helpful Terms Project Organizer Decorating Troubleshooting Guide Painting Tips Flea Market/Yard Sale Planner Move Manner Entertainment Manner Accessory Inventory Furniture Inventory
Index About the Author
Overview
Creative, Stylish, and INEXPENSIVE Solutions for Creating a HOME
Why spend every dollar you have on decorating? With a little help and creativity, you can turn your apartment into home sweet home without breaking the bank—and you don't have to give up comfort, individual expression, or warmth.
Regardless of you background, budget, gender, or personal tastes, decorating writer Lourdes Dumke will take you on a style-wise yet budget-sensitive tour...