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Exterior Paint Schemes For Historical Houses
Owners of historical homes know that choosing paint colors is a nerve-wracking and critically important decision. Ready-mix paints have been available since the middle part of the nineteenth century and from that time home owners have had...

Holiday Decorating Can Cast A Warm Glow All Year
(ARA) - "The psychology of holiday decorating has changed dramatically, beginning in the fall of 2001," according to Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing, a consulting firm based in Stevens, Penn. that specializes in trend forecasting....

One Way To Create Extra Space In Your Home Is With Closet Organizers
Closet organizers can be a valuable space saving technique in your home. Closets are a much used part of the home, but they are, typically, poorly organized. That can cost space that could be used to store other belongings. This lack of space can...

The Benefits of Wood Blinds -
In interior design, the blinds found on windows and doors are major decorating elements. Blinds made of wood or those with a wooden look add a feeling of warmth and coziness to the atmosphere in the room. They provide privacy without looking...

The New Stone In Technical Ceramics For Interior Decorating Ideas
The New Stone in Technical Ceramics include New Marbles, New Granites and New Stones, that is to say new floor and wall tiling materials, which have opened up new horizons in the field of Architecture and in the research and technology of...

 
Decorating Frugally

The trend these days is to discover extremely innovative ways to decorate interiors on a budget. The tips provided below are just a few of the many ways one can inexpensively achieve a truly original look for a room.

Borders on a wall are an elegant way to change the look of a room. The easiest way to do this is to paint two parallel lines either at eye level or about a foot above the floor. Deciding on what motifs or designs to paint or stencil between these two lines will depend entirely on who the occupants of the room are. For example, if it is a child’s room then you could dip the child’s hands in paint and make hand prints between the lines at regular intervals. I am yet to find a kid who doesn’t enjoy this activity thoroughly! Also, kids love to display their school art projects on their bedroom walls. Try hanging up these projects on their room walls and watch their eyes light up!

Another option for border design is block printing using vegetables or fruits. Capsicum, okra and apples when cut in half horizontally, dipped in paint and stamped onto the surface produce readymade floral designs. String beans can be used to print tiny leaf designs. Use your imagination to cut up a design on potatoes or carrots. Then use this as a homemade stencil to reproduce the design.

Here is another great way to add design to your walls. Choose any old toy car or truck in your child’s toy basket, dip the wheels into the paint and roll it along the surface to create parallel lines; or you could zigzag them for a cute effect!

Step outside for a walk. Pick up a few leaves that appeal to you. Now dip the leaf surface into the paint and press it onto the wall to create a naturally stenciled leaf design.

For a genuine work of art, try this. Dip an old toothbrush into paint. Hold the brush close to the surface you would like to produce this effect on. Now pull back the bristles and release them gently so that a fine spray effect is produced on the desired surface. Test out the spray action on a piece of paper before trying it on a wall. Sponge painting is another surface painting method to create special effects inexpensively. Sponged-on designs actually let you personalize your space with minimum effort, cost and time. All you need is a plain wall, some cheap acrylic paint, a sponge and lots of enthusiasm! If you can’t afford the expensive sea sponges, then don’t fret yet, there is help. Just get


any old/new sponge, randomly pinch out pieces so you get an uneven plucked out effect. Now hold this piece of ‘personal art’ comfortably in your hand and dip it into the paint. Then dab the paint-soaked portion onto a scrap of paper, just to get the excess paint out. Proceed to applying the sponge onto the wall at regular intervals. Stand back and view your artwork before touching up the design. Have fun!

To go in for a really coordinated design scheme, you can use the same effects you used on the walls of the room on the furniture or other accessories in the room. For example, if your kitchen walls have the leaf design, then you can use the same design on the cupboards, tabletops, and refrigerator door and bread box too!

I hope that was a fun set of frugal ideas to spruce up your walls this summer. But before you rush off to start, make a note of the following tips too:

  1. Make sure the surface to be decorated is clean and dry.

  2. Keep your supplies [sponge, paint, rags, scraps of paper or tissue, stencils, vegetables or fruits etc] on an old newspaper so you don’t have a messy floor to contend with at the end of your project.

  3. Use acrylic craft paint instead of the oil based stencil paint because it is brighter and easier to clean.

Now that just reminds me, there are a whole lot of people staying in rented homes who aren’t allowed to paint their walls! Guess what? You can still decorate with any design you want! Here’s what you do:

Using any of the tips given above, paint, stencil or block-print the designs you want on cheap sheets or old bed sheets. Make sure you use good quality fabric paint.

Let it dry thoroughly. Then cut out these designs and soak them in a solution of liquid starch and water [2 tsp starch to one cup water]. Now place them on the walls wherever you want. They can be peeled off easily when you get tired of them or when it’s time to move!

© Rachel Paul, 2004.

Rachel Paul is a busy at-home mom and an avid interior decorator who loves to find genuinely innovative ways to perk up her home in the few free moments she finds between caring for her family and pursuing home study writing courses as well. She can be contacted at: rpaul197@yahoo.com.

Permission is granted to reprint for free with resource box intact.


rpaul197@yahoo.com


 

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Content Menu
  • 10 home decorating ideas to quickly update any room

  • 10 tips for a window coverings makeover

  • 12 considerations when choosing contemporary lighting

  • 20th century home decorating guide

  • 3 kinds of wood used in real wood furniture

  • 5 essential factors of a good bedroom design

  • 5 external climatic factors that affect an interior design project

  • 5 fast ideas to freshen the look of your room

  • 5 most popular styles of christmas ornaments

  • 5 things your christmas table should not be without

  • 5 top bathroom decorating style ideas

  • 6 factors that affect a bedroom design project

  • 6 ways to use an area rug

  • 6 ways to use contemporary area rugs in your home decor

  • 9 ways to inexpensively decorate your bathroom

  • add some pizzazz to your powder room

  • an introduction to shutters

  • an overview of commonly used materials in interior design

  • area rug buyers guide

  • are your houseplants safe

  • art prints for home decorating

  • a beautiful carpet sets the mood of any room

  • a guide to choosing the right closet

  • a guide to interior shutters

  • a study of furniture elements for smaller bedrooms

  • balanced decorating

  • basic furniture and its place in design

  • beautifying your home

  • breaking away from white paint walls

  • building closet organizers

  • building or decorating your home requires house plans

  • buying custom wood blinds

  • carpet takes center stage

  • cat decorating protecting your pet

  • cat decor finding the beauty in cat decorating

  • ceiling medallions crown molding and ceiling domes 3 ways to add elegance and beauty to any room

  • chill out with a quality ceiling fan

  • choosing beautiful furniture for you home

  • christmas decorating ideas

  • classic home decorating with empire furniture

  • consider sunroom plans for a luxury addition

  • consult interior designer for flooring

  • country home accessories

  • cozyin up to winter

  • create an underwater adventure in your childs room

  • creating unique details with wallpaper borders decorating with wallpaper

  • decorating a childs room to look like a mysterious jungle and teaching them something too

  • decorating a comfort zone

  • decorating for thanksgiving budget friendly decor for the holiday

  • decorating frugally

  • decorating then make a smart flooring choice

  • decorating toolbox 101

  • decorating to sell a house by meeting three key needs

  • decorating transit areas

  • decorating where theres a will theres a way

  • decorating with authentic zebra decor

  • decorating with interior shutters

  • decorating with table fountains

  • decorating your entrance foyer

  • decorating your home 5 style tips that cost less than 50

  • decor for cats protecting your home

  • decor for cat owners protecting your posessions

  • dummies guide to interior design color schemes

  • eastern influences on western interiors japanese decor part i of ii color texture and contrast display

  • elements of interior design

  • emphasize your decor style in seven easy ways

  • empire furniture for home decorating

  • extending the living space outdoors working with color

  • exterior paint schemes for historical houses

  • five tips for helping your guests feel at home

  • five ways to create a healthy home

  • floral futon covers

  • four decorative painting techniques

  • from toss out to sensational keeper lamp re make

  • furnishing and decorating your own home

  • furniture placement secrets

  • furniture styles for your home decorating ideas

  • get your home ready for the holidays

  • granite countertops an overview

  • hand painted furniture the must have home furnishings of the season

  • hardwood floors for interior design and for home decorating

  • have you considered these space saving bed designs to maximize your interior decorating space

  • help choosing door and window hardware

  • heres why interior decorating makes a statement about you

  • holiday decorating can cast a warm glow all year

  • holiday decorating tips christmas candles

  • holiday decorating tips thanksgiving a time for gratitude and giving

  • home decorating ideas for different furniture styles

  • home fragrance in vogue

  • home furnishing and decorating your home with designs

  • home improvements planning

  • home improvement projects that really pay off

  • home interior decorating

  • how do home furnishing experts study an interior space

  • how do i finalize budget for my bedroom design project

  • how to achieve indirect lighting in interior design

  • how to change a rooms dimension using wall pictures

  • how to choose a safe color to paint your rooms

  • how to decorate ethnic

  • how to decorate your home on ebay

  • how to extend your living space outdoors working with color

  • how to generate ideas for your bedroom design

  • how to lend your home a rustic decor theme

  • how to use accessories in a bedroom decorating project

  • how to use picture frames to decorate an interior space

  • how to use wall finishes in a bedroom design project

  • ideas for closet organizers

  • ideas for your interior christmas decorating

  • index

  • interior decorating and home decor needs

  • interior decorating and home decor with inuit art from the arctic north

  • interior decorating and home decor with native american indian art

  • interior decorating for cat owners

  • interior decorating themes

  • interior decorating themes whats your decorating style

  • interior designing

  • interior design for cat owners

  • in the mood

  • its easy being green at home

  • its spring lets decorate

  • it s spring let s decorate

  • keep your yard ornamental with sago palm care

  • landscaping how does your garden grow

  • leather is a great choice in your decor

  • log cabin living soften the decor with fabric artwork and plants

  • make your house feel more like a home

  • new decor for a new year

  • new trends in design and comfortable living

  • new trends in design comfortable living

  • not only should ones bedroom be a refuge but it should also be a sanctuary

  • one way to create extra space in your home is with closet organizers

  • optical illusions of interior decorating how to make the most of your living space

  • practical feng shui debunking the myths and finding out what we can actually learn from the ancients

  • prefabricated homes primer

  • principles of interior design

  • putting passion back into home decorating

  • real vs artificial christmas trees

  • roman shades give old house a rich look

  • rotator

  • selecting bean bag chairs to suit your home decor

  • selling your home dont be a victim

  • seven ways to emphasize a decor style

  • shag area rugs a great way to create a safe and easy to clean home

  • shag area rugs one of the most popular floor coverings around

  • simplicity with your home wall decor

  • smarten your interiors

  • stair rail decorating ideas

  • staying in tune with the change of season

  • study of

  • study of interior design as a reflection of the mind

  • style and perfection in home decoration with plantation shutters

  • style elegance of shutters and safety of hurricane shutters

  • style on a budget simple changes dramatic results

  • style your home with decorative plantation shutters

  • tasteful home decorating changes your house into a home

  • ten tips to ensure that you choose the right carpet for your home or office

  • the art of home decoration

  • the art of selecting your homes art

  • the beauty of a contemporary ceiling fan

  • the benefits of exterior shutters

  • the benefits of wood blinds

  • the concept of dynamic space in bedroom design

  • the concept of positive and negative spaces in interior design

  • the four essential tips to consider before choosing flooring for your home

  • the importance of bedroom design in a home decoration project

  • the importance of lighting in an interior design project

  • the latest flower trends in interior decorating for your home office

  • the magic of color

  • the magic of using wooden window blinds

  • the new stone in technical ceramics for interior decorating ideas

  • the oriental vs contemporary bedroom design theory

  • the truth about color schemes in an interior design project

  • the two pillars of a successful interior design project

  • the ultimate yard sale guide for home decorators

  • things to consider when purchasing sunroom kits

  • thinking about home improvement then heres a checklist

  • three easy home improvements for under 100 00

  • tips for buying sunroom kits

  • tips on budget decorating

  • too much stuff syndrome or how decorating and organizing can help your sanity

  • tuscan style decorating three essentials

  • use outdoor rugs to decorate your outdoor space

  • using window coverings to enlighten your home

  • wallpaper doesnt just cover it defines the room

  • warm your home with a taste of the tropics

  • whack o matic

  • whats old is new again

  • what does it take to be an interior designer

  • what is a platform bed

  • what should you know about house flooring

  • what to consider before you start decorating your home

  • where to find discount home furnishings

  • window blinds and curtains top decorating tips

  • window curtains help with adding more privacy to your home