Stretch your decorating dollars and cents

A few good pieces, patience and wise purchases put together a great look

	‘Deadly Medicine’ opens at Wang Center
	On bones, fat, aging and vibration
	Schools must hold students accountable
	Gardening: more than mulch and compost

Extras

	comments to this article
	e-mail this article link to a friend
	letter to the editor about this article
	print this article

April 23, 2009 | 11:14 AM
Dear Natalie,

I love the designer looks out there but I don't have the budget for all those expensive products that make a home beautiful. How can I get that look on my budget?

Nancy R.

Dear Nancy,

Creating that designer look on a budget is actually what I do. The budget may be large or small, but there's always a budget. If your limited budget is holding you back, don't let it. Thinking creatively, using expensive products in smaller amounts, can still achieve a great effect.

Here are some ways that principle can be applied, as well as other money saving tips:

• In the kitchen, instead of using expensive glass tile for the entire backsplash, use a basic background tile and add glass tiles randomly, or in a single row or as a picture frame behind the cooktop. Use a cheaper tile to fill in the rest.

• Instead of replacing kitchen cabinets that are in a wood finish you don't like, consider refinishing existing cabinets or replacing doors. This works well if the floor plan of your cabinetry and appliances is still the best one for your room. This is also the option that is best for the environment.

• Instead of creating expensive wainscot raised panels, use ready made four foot by eight foot sheets of bead board and add a chair rail molding cap at the proper height to finish it. This works best in a casual home in areas such as powder room, hallway and dining room.

• Use wallpaper that looks like trompe l'oeil (trick of the eye) painting instead of calling in the faux finisher. The same goes for murals that are panels of wallpaper instead of hand painted by an artist.

• Find ready made bedding that looks like custom and create the paint, carpet and window treatments around it.

• Respray tubs that are a dated color rather than ripping them out, or look to a bath refitting company that can get the job done in one day without costly rip out.

• Look for basic classic styles of furniture that are comfortable and won't be dated in a fabric that is textural rather than printed patterns.

• Invest in a good quality area rug which makes everything look expensive.

• Look to your home first to accessorize. Use books, photos and collectibles you've amassed to not only save money, but personalize your space.

• Instead of expensive art work, find prints that appeal to you and frame them well.

• Don't be afraid to mix styles that have integrity (perhaps English, French or American style pieces from past generations) with new purchases. People often make the wrong choice by keeping what's newer (mica and leather) and giving away beautiful timeless pieces that might need an investment of a little money and some TLC.

• Look for legitimate sales and bargains in good quality stores. That's the real bargain, not something that's just cheap.

• Start with less and add more as needed. Sometimes the answer is just to be willing to wait a little for the next purchase. What counts is that it all looks great together when it's finally finished.

If you have a design question that you would like Natalie to answer in future columns, email leisure@tbrnewspapers.com.

Natalie Weinstein is an interior designer, author media personality and talk show host.

Search The Site