Design on a shoe string...

above: these are fab designer finds but paint for same effect

While every Stylemaker's dream is the "unlimited budget" with the recent down market most North Americans are being cautious with their purchases so those projects are rarer than ever. Clients today want HGTV lux for little...so in the spirit of interior designing on a shoe string budget I've compiled 5 tips that cost  little or nothing. With assistance from Katherine Alvarado  http://EzineArticles.com/expert=Katherine_Alvarado 
here we go....

5 SUPER-SMART budget interior decorating tips:

1. Surf it up!
Craigslist is the low budget-ers dream. What could be better than a place where people post ads for things they want you to take ~for free! You can find everything from bed frames, to art, to accessories, to grand pianos  if you are persistant.

2. Use Elbow Grease -
Nothing is as stylish as a vintage piece of furniture restored by you. Buy something old and worn for cheap, and then unlock its inner beauty or make it into something entirely new and amazing by sanding, painting or sewing.

Sweet upcycle with used pop caps!

3. Look for diamonds in the rough and D IY-
Have you seen a designer throw pillow that you think would look perfect on that couch you found on Craig's list last week? Buy a discount fabric of a similar design and sew it yourself. Utube tutorials show even the craft challenged how to make it themselves ~all it will require is time and effort.

4. Curb shop-
One man's trash is another man's treasure. So Garage sales are the name of the game...they have most everything for very low prices and you can haggle to arrive at a price that suits your pocket. Remember people would much rather sell it than pay to have it removed.

5.  Get 'buy' with a little help from your friends-
Ask your friends and family if they are getting rid of any old decor or furniture, as a general rule, they won't charge you money for their old stuff. Know someone with some artistic talent? Ask a friend to do a painting or an enlarged landscape photo to hang over your couch in the living room~you will have a truly unique work of art that you can brag about to your dinner guests.

Frame it- now its art.

I know this list has been helpful ... The key to budget design is really only a little bit of creativity, elbow grease and persistence!

Thanks for reading and be sure to visit Katherine's blog at http://www.housedecoratingideas.net

P.S. If this list has only served to fatigue....contact me for full service professional interior decorating and design services ~where all you do is write the cheque!

Till next time
Charmaine

3 Fun Ways to Color Block your rooms!

geometric color blocking painted on walls

COLOR BLOCKING it's hot!  Clashing and contrasting is a contemporary way to compliment and pair opposing colors together to create a bold 2012 design statement.  When used as a fun source of whimsy matching up hues that don't match can freshen and energize a space.

                                How do you to get the look?

1. Select a 3 color combo like:

Navy, Hot pink, Ivory

Brown, Teal, Silver

Sapphire blue, Gold, Tangerine

color blocking on the runway and in home fashion

2. Whether used as paint, wallpaper or on textiles ~ geometric or botanical graphic prints are the way to go!

3. To complete the dramatic makeover use on:

Walls- either as large oversized art prints, wallpaper or paint

Floors- area rugs, or stenciled designs in smart bold hues

Furnishing - drapery panels or as toss cushions on a neutral sofa

teal,brown and silver color blocking in botanicals

Like these tips?  Be sure to like Wynter Interiors on Facebook and share us with your friends... also please post a comment here to let us know the content you want for future blogs... we'll listen...

Until next time

Charmaine