The Rural Voice, 2002-11, Page 31Home Decorating
Facing the challenge of decorating on a tight budget
Patti
Robertson
operates
Classic
Interiors in
Wingham.
By Patti Robertson
Patti: Please help! I am a single parent
to young teenagers who say our home
looks dumpy. Our home is a three-
bedroom bungalow circa 1970. I'm
paying the bills and saving some for
the kids' college fund, so there is little
left for decorating supplies. What
suggestions do you have for adding a
little pizzazz to our home?
A. I always enjoy a challenge! I've
worked in tough and tight -budget
situations myself many times, and
there are several ways to update
without breaking the bank! Most
importantly, it requires one to be in
tune with what is available, what is
currently in style, where to find great
deals, and knowing what "the classics"
are, as they are always a great asset as
they have longevity. Put your creativity
into high gear and get the kids
involved (seeing that they are the
catalyst). They'll learn a great deal in
the process that will assist them well
when it comes their turn to set up a
household.
Start by dropping into your local
library and peruse decorating books
and magazines. Borrow any decor
mags that friends may have and make
notes on what styles, themes, colours,
etc. are most appealing to you. Start the
kids on their own personal files filled
with reasonable ideas for their rooms
and family spaces.
Taken an inventory of what you
have, and what is working. What needs
to be replaced, recovered, to be
painted, wallpapered, etc. Note your
natural focal points within each area
and not only make a to-do list but
prioritize it as to what order things
need to be done in ... possibly the
main entrance to your home and the
family room as this will give you all a
lift!
Once you have established a work
plan and designated a realistic budget
it's time to look for the "best buys".
thereby allowing your decorating
dollar to stretch as far as possible! Be
prepared to be a a little unorthodox and
always keep your ears and eyes open.
You'll want to become very familiar
with your local Sally Ann thrift shops,
and visit often as great buys turn over
quickly. This can be a great source for
bedspreads, window treatments, bits of
fabric, accessories, paintings, borders
and wallcovering, furniture and lamps,
bits of lace, etc. I was walking past our
Sally Ann just the other day and spied
a lovely lavender bedspread with
matching draperies in pristine shape for
$2. Wow!
Now lavender may not be your
exact shade but always think of the
possibilities and how to incorporate
such items so they will be an asset,
remembering that this type of purchase
will move you ahead with your decor
scheme. Look at the item and visualize
the opportunities it presents. is it
enough material to cover the windows
of your room or recover a chair, what
colour schemes can be brought into
play with this colour...there are always
endless variations! Even with my own
home I tend to pick up stuff as I go
along and do a sort of "stockpiling".
Slowly but surely I build a decorating
scheme around the various pieces I
happen upon. When I have
accumulated what I need I proceed
with the project so it appears I just
redecorated the room on the spur of the
moment when in reality it may have
taken me six months to bring it all
together.
Become a Yard Sale. Flea Market
and Junque Store Maven. Assist your
kids in becoming attuned to these types
of shopping experiences. Do not he
afraid to barter and trade services.
Dollar stores often have good looking
knick-knacks. picture frames. kitchen
gadgets, and lace doilies while Zellers
and Wal-Mart can be a treasure trove
of inexpensive lamps. framed
posterprints. and relatively inexpensi%e
bed linens and window treatments.
Check out your local decorating
products stores as there are usually
discontinued bins of wallcoverings and
borders and always a great buy are the
pails of paint which were mis-tinted.
Keep an open mind, be determined and
always keep colour co-ordination
upper most in mind. Do not purchase
too many little accessories" as they
will give a cluttered look to your decor.
It would be far more beneficial to
purchase a large used figurine from a
thrift shop than add six or seven small
new items from the dollar store.
What a great opportunity this will
be for you and your teens. to create a
really fun and showy home. Having to
set budgets and then make them work
for you is an experience that once
achieved will always serve you...it
assists you in becoming "unstoppable"!
And what a great learning experience
for your kids as they will move on and
have to set-up home of their own and
let's hope they have to budget as it
always serves one well.
My very best to you. Enjoy your
projects. You are going to feel so great
once your "new look" starts to evolve.0
PATTI ROBERTSON'S
Unique Residential and
Commercial Interiors
135 Victoria St., WINGHAM
357-2872
• Custom-made Window
Fashions, Bedspreads
& Accessories
• Fine Domestic &
Imported Fabrics
• Select Wallcoverings
• Furnishings, Lighting
& Artwork to suit
any interior...
NOVEMBER 2002 27