Townsman, 1992-03, Page 10Solutions
What can you do with those problem areas
of your home? An interior decorator provides
some simple- and inexpensive- answers
By Bonnie Gropp
Co-ordinated prints, throw pillows and tablecloths transform a simple room into one of charming beauty. An area rug and a
table arrangement complete the look.
Redecorating. A frightening word
that conjures up images of major ren-
ovations and major expense. Howev-
er, redecorating need not mean either
of these. You don't necessarily need to
break the bank to give your house a
facelift. There are many inexpensive
ways to change a room's look or
enhance your home's decor.
Kendra Krauter, an interior decora-
tor with Universal Interiors in Atwood
shares offers some suggestions that
are easy and affordable.
To change a room's look
• Pulling the furniture away from
the walls will create shadows that
actually give a new perspective to the
room; an appearance of space.
8 TOWNSMAN/MARCH-APRIL 1992
• If you want the appearance of
higher ceilings, paint the ceiling, then
continue the same colour down the
wall for about one foot. Run a decora-
tive border below that and you will
achieve a higher ceilinged effect.
Inexpensive quick fixes
•A paper border is an attractive,
way to perk up a boring painted wall.
It can be placed part of the way down
the wall for a chair rail affect or
dropped from the ceiling for a picture
rail affect.
• Another trick for a basic painted
wall is to take two complimentary
colours and sponge over the wall. Use
a damp sea sponge, add a small
amount of paint, blot it then go to
work. Repeat the procedure with the
second colour. A scrunched rag or
chicken feather will also do the trick.
The rag is used in the same manner as
the sponge, the feather is flipped back
and forth across the wall to achieve an
interestingly attractive motif.
• Stencilling is another way to
enhance a room. Stencils can be pur-
chased at paint and paper stores or for
the creative talents, original patterns
are nice.
• To get rid of the 1960's look of
panelling without the mess and fuss of
completely re -doing the room, you
can wallpaper or paint it. Give it a
light sanding before you paint. For a
marbleized affect you can sponge over
s