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Decorating On A Budget
I love to decorate! And, the cheaper I can create a nice look for our home, the better I like it!
Take a look at what I've done to our guestroom!
The walls are done in a glazed technique called "frottage". I rolled on a yellowy cream color satin-finish
paint. Next, I mixed a light brown paint with glaze and rolled that on top of the base coat. I then stuck
sheets of thin plastic dropcloth over that and rolled it down with a roller. I then pulled the plastic off the
walls. The leather-like effect is rather interesting and looks like wallpaper.
I used a jigsaw to cut out the headboard from 3/4" fiberboard, and then upholstered
it with 3 layers of quilt batting and a sheet. To make the roll on top, I bought an extra dustruffle, cut
off the body of it, and gathered both sides. I stapled one side to the top of the headboard, stuffed it with fiberfill,
and stapled the other side to the back of the headboard. To finish off, I hot-glued burgundy cording to the seam.
The drapes are made from sheets, and I will be slipcovering the chair in the same pattern. I modified the purchased
balloon valances to create a more elegant look.
The round table is covered with a floor-length burgundy tablecloth made from a sheet. I found the lamp at a garage
sale for only $10, and found a fringed lampshade at Walmart. I later saw a similar lamp in an antique shop for $125!
My daughter bought the "French" phone at a garage sale a few years ago for only $3, and yes, it does work! The prints
on the walls are some classical prints that I found at Walmart for only $1 each, which I put in gold frames that I also found
at Walmart. I later saw one of the prints, framed similarly, for $55 at the mall. My prints cost
less than $20 each! I will be making a tapestry wall hanging to go on the wall behind the chair.
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I plan to paint the dresser in a crackle-finish technique, using a basecoat of gold, with the top coat being a green
to coordinate with the green in the comforter. I've never done the crackle technique before, so I hope it works
out!
I bought an architectural molding to put on top of the mirror, and that will be painted gold, with a brown stain to make
it look more antique.
I found the topiary for only $10 and added a burgundy tassel. The verdigris-looking cherub was only $7 at a Fred's
Dollar Store. The set of wrought iron candlesticks were $35 at a charity auction, and I added the greenery.
I reupholstered the sofa and loveseat myself in a denim with narrow rust and white stripes, except for the cushions.
Since the cushions have imnersprings, I figured it would be better to let an upholsterer do them for $75. My upholstery
job only cost me about $150!
Roger thought I was nuts when I started painting the walls a rust color, but he loves it now. The warm color
makes the whole room feel warmer.
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