Budget friendly design

<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm handing over the reins  today to Tom Smith writing about a favourite decorating topic - practical suggestions for decorating on a budget.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When designing your home and choosing different pieces to incorporate into the space, it can be expensive to add new furnishings, rugs, and features. Although it can be costly to purchase new decor, there are several ways to stay within your budget and limit the amount that you spend. With DIY crafts and by shopping at discount locations, it's easy to create an interior that feels like home.</span></b></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Shop for Used Furniture</span></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl93dWgjjS8Qp1Xx7vqny3z2Zt-N3bUSlIJi4FvZVvh8hMgKjCQwjsvJbjoJJJwwomYutg0qtm3rH4RJjEoSdlA8pec07_wJ0qpHUOu03wNaX0ZGMxqobT1iL8tjrsay1qjU2-EmZbUm96/s1600/e7a45c900f971d2f1866dc33b8eef326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl93dWgjjS8Qp1Xx7vqny3z2Zt-N3bUSlIJi4FvZVvh8hMgKjCQwjsvJbjoJJJwwomYutg0qtm3rH4RJjEoSdlA8pec07_wJ0qpHUOu03wNaX0ZGMxqobT1iL8tjrsay1qjU2-EmZbUm96/s1600/e7a45c900f971d2f1866dc33b8eef326.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://freshome.com/2012/11/12/10-budget-friendly-tricks-interior-decorators-use-to-create-luxurious-looking-spaces/custom_livingroom_furniture/"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">source</span></a><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">More people are creating an eclectic and bohemian style in their living quarters for a cozy and mismatched style that offers plenty of details. Instead of breaking the bank on new furniture, opt for shopping at thrift stores or flea markets for treasures that will add extra dimension and character to each room. You can also consider revamping old furniture by sanding down wood pieces or reupholstering accent chairs with modern fabric.</span></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Add Drama with an Accent Wall</span></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0FxKAeLARz0-e2kl3Q0Xscrb7qaAt8OhagI0z42KcgP6CcoSfvSylL4ryIR4sOaoxjfF0ZlvgKJmq-kGrrDd6hABECy7tDLvWfn3MRPEqKOqR9euPGMYJvtLNrx4vXfBj32piXexau_-/s1600/patterned+paint+rollers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq0FxKAeLARz0-e2kl3Q0Xscrb7qaAt8OhagI0z42KcgP6CcoSfvSylL4ryIR4sOaoxjfF0ZlvgKJmq-kGrrDd6hABECy7tDLvWfn3MRPEqKOqR9euPGMYJvtLNrx4vXfBj32piXexau_-/s1600/patterned+paint+rollers.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: xx-small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://contemporary%20bedroom%20by%20eagle%20interior%20designers%20%26%20decorators%20studio%2080%20interior%20design/">source</a></span></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Incorporate wallpaper into the design of your home — it’ll create a high-end look as if the space was professionally decorated. Instead of spending hundreds of dollars wallpapering a single room with multiple walls, focus on an accent wall where the material can be applied. Use wallpaper on the wall that is facing the entrance of the room for a great focal point in the space.</span></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sew the Linens Yourself</span></span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 1.15; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bnUhORZ5tI1IO4Zu8WaexeDStZ-YL_-HcPdDovPohfGF0yJ_H4jPZ92bdByEPDDSXZ1Z3EoBd7070xiQ7gJOH27bFPh_CAi4Qv54hkrq8abjD2BmZvHpmspbtrsV886i19JNdkn69liI/s1600/0e1e6295af84c25fbb6864282878d6df.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bnUhORZ5tI1IO4Zu8WaexeDStZ-YL_-HcPdDovPohfGF0yJ_H4jPZ92bdByEPDDSXZ1Z3EoBd7070xiQ7gJOH27bFPh_CAi4Qv54hkrq8abjD2BmZvHpmspbtrsV886i19JNdkn69liI/s1600/0e1e6295af84c25fbb6864282878d6df.jpg" width="157" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="line-height: 11.5px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/AfbAJQjpubXJj0wz8ntGtn40w63uRx0RWmYxGWahwIl6ou9PfTQ4pqYqEAH4_bm09A/">source</a></span></span></b></span><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From curtains to couch pillows, linens add a cozy touch and are one of the main features with interior decor. Choose the fabric yourself and sew accent pillows and slipcovers for an inexpensive way of using new patterns in each room. It makes for a budget-friendly way of making over an old couch or adding a fresh tablecloth to a kitchen table without spending twice as much on the linens.</span></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">U</span></span><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">se Antique Accessories</span></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeGB0y81oCUloyRXD64sY3KHLRhQW2INWCeRpnGTr2tJhGaULsXakwgof8mcau394h6brRp_zzCWQeR1J3qfID9yTrg4VqXOM1Tw6GalzswbwELndv0JZCrC2BSLVtGn5SzV8CvVmGTbp/s1600/antique+holders+500wi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFeGB0y81oCUloyRXD64sY3KHLRhQW2INWCeRpnGTr2tJhGaULsXakwgof8mcau394h6brRp_zzCWQeR1J3qfID9yTrg4VqXOM1Tw6GalzswbwELndv0JZCrC2BSLVtGn5SzV8CvVmGTbp/s1600/antique+holders+500wi.jpg" width="265" /></a></b></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://brookegiannetti.typepad.com/velvet_and_linen/2010/01/index.html">source</a></span></b></span><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Antique accessories can add character to the decor and allow it to look more expensive with hand-picked items that are unique. Opt for mixing different types of metals for a modern style, which can include gold bookends or silver candlestick holders. You can also dress up a bare corner with an antique tricycle or decorate a fireplace mantle with old statues.</span></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Incorporate Baskets</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/2594051/Sullivan-Residence-contemporary-bedroom-denver"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://st.houzz.com/simgs/7db16bfc0102d6b2_8-5886/contemporary-bedroom.jpg" width="280" /></a></span></div><div style="color: #444444;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/studio80/studio-80-interior-design" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Studio 80 Interior Design</a></small></span></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Allow your home to feel cozy with baskets that can be used throughout every area. Baskets are not only functional for organizational purposes, but also add a decorative element for a rustic and chic style. Use a dip-dyed basket to hold shoes by the front door or a wicker basket in the living room to store throws and blankets. You can also fill in blank spaces on bookcases and consoles with old baskets for an affordable product that can hold goods.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div></div><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br /><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tim Smith writes for </span><a href="http://modernize.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Modernize</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></b><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.1500000000000001; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></div><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div><b id="docs-internal-guid-1c714e3f-d65e-310e-15cd-f5558d8e4843" style="font-weight: normal;"></b>

Budget friendly design

I'm handing over the reins  today to Tom Smith writing about a favourite decorating topic - practical suggestions for decorating on a bu...

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Dining room solutions

I<span style="font-family: inherit;">n January during a blackout our pipes broke resulting in water damage to a number of rooms in our home. What was a bit of a disaster turned into a positive for me because it finally got me moving to do something about  one of my biggest decorating problems.  That would be my dining room.... See my complaints in this  <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.ca/2012/10/do-you-have-problem-room.html">post</a><u> </u>.  It's quite a list. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br /><h4><span style="font-family: inherit;">Too much of a good thing</span></h4><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is how it all looked  in early 2000 .....</span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="problems furniture arrangement dining room" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Z8-vSlqkqQwF9gXVzhj_0BMlfX5No9c3cjpwaZ4hvYgzC69Wltv2FG7eGgGI545z9rlBDvHYQcIXemHxBrGzn8Z44-beNamDsaFGUnX8o4FQ6N2NWmyvhhdiHqjl8R1aUa9WDg8LyYLi/s400/DSCN56586666.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Dining room solutions" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wood, wood and more wood</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Problem lines  </span></h4><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Wood everywhere isn't the only problem.  Note the all the horizontal lines from the buffets to the railing,  a light hung too high and a window that has a view of the window next door.   Below is my first attempt to solve some of the highlighted problems.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><img alt="arranging dining room furniture " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2XpLMZjEms8fAtIgnWC0vsUlVVaslYf5F6lPMXPgvmPAWvzL1yKqfuYgWJDw7uqrtzgTYywAzmrWlYeoGkvNXWnPpTyxaY1EbMB0Yr4Jf4ws6-BcjkiwqhjDxibx6YwWV8Qu9dta1cud/s400/DSCN8196_01.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="Dining room solutions " /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> A different orientation solves some problems</span></td></tr></tbody></table><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Rearrange and add</span></h4><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I liked the changes and that satisfied me for a short time.  The new light was a good height and the roundness worked well against all the rectangles.  I also added longer (very temporary and too short) drapes to break some of the horizontal lines.    I moved the art work from  the living room to dining room,  and created some height and brightness on the dining table.  Still seriously problematic in my book because I did nothing to alleviate the wood issue, but it was improved but sorely lacking  pizazz.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Enter 2014... </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The power of paint and fabric</span></h4><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">One of the cheapest updates you can make to any space is to paint something.  I don't care if it is furniture, accessories or walls, it works every time. Since we had to repaint all the walls (BM Glacier white) I continued on to paint quite a few things which I will reveal over the next several posts.  </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDG5CI9kByKFJ_Yud820APzD38tJ6ZstoBevwkvgY561Rvc-jqoIvmZ-pQp3QvBw8ez8OKVTlNJnGXqG7JEMpx1PdY5Fj36iDDGZv_RiT_T4Qqh31v42yFu4-OsrPP_ncs6dDe1UW-wEoK/s1600/DSCN0087_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="painting upholstery dining chairs gray circles" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDG5CI9kByKFJ_Yud820APzD38tJ6ZstoBevwkvgY561Rvc-jqoIvmZ-pQp3QvBw8ez8OKVTlNJnGXqG7JEMpx1PdY5Fj36iDDGZv_RiT_T4Qqh31v42yFu4-OsrPP_ncs6dDe1UW-wEoK/s1600/DSCN0087_01.JPG" title="Dining room solutions " width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Bringing  it into 2014</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">To break up the wood and the set,  I was determined to sell all the dining chairs and buy new ones. I still don't know how I got hubby to agree to selling 8 hand made solid ash chairs because they were too matched. He was probably fed up listening to complaints!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><br /></span>After an extensive search,  I realized the chairs that looked best with the table  were the ones my husband made for it. I don't like sets, but in this case I had to concede.  So ... after much discussion with sister and daughter and varying opinions, I found a fabric I loved and then choose spray paint to work with it. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">I would like to say that cleaning and spray painting 8 chairs was exciting.  Not so.... But I got to use my favourite motif (circles) and my favourite colour gray. What could be better!   Part 2 coming soon... new problems and solutions. Hint:  Look at the vignettes on the buffet and table.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">What do you think?  </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br />

Dining room solutions

I n January during a blackout our pipes broke resulting in water damage to a number of rooms in our home. What was a bit of a disaster turne...

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