THE CHEAPSKATE'S GUIDE TO HOME DECORATING: HOW TO MAKE, FIND, OR BUY INEXPENSIVE BUT STYLISH DECOR

 

This book is loaded with tons of inexpensive  projects for your home.  It guides you through choosing your decorating style and helps you find items and ways to decorate in that style while saving a ton of money.

 

 

 

African style uses natural colors, urns, jars, and natural material baskets.  Toss pillows come in batik, faux fur, and scenic prints.

Hand painted animal prints or fabric floor cloths can be hung on the wall to show off an animal print or palm tree photo.  Accessories may be sculptures of African animals such as elephants, tigers, or cheetahs.

Colors are light and dark contrasting tones with earthy accents.  Large leafed houseplants accentuate the room.

Secondhand objects play special roles in French Country décor.  They create a state of mind and elicit charm from those objects placed near them.  These objects are best set up as a still-life composition linked by charm, color, and style.

Colors are white, beige, robin’s egg blue, and pale greens.  Wicker, old tools, natural materials, architectural elements, old books, and musical instruments may be used as accents.  Garden elements and plants figure into the decoration as do bird cages and houses.

Furniture should be primitive or antique.

This style is influenced by Mexican and Native American décor.  Use buff, tan, or white as wall colors.  Leave windows bare or use very simple window treatments.  Natural wood shutters also work well.

Leather upholstery pieces in brown, black, or beige with brightly colored pillows fit Southwestern style.  Oak and pine furniture should be heavy and durable.  Artwork should be scenes of the Southwest or of Native American people.

Modern style has clean, streamlined furniture. It began in the 1930s with Scandinavian modern design and the German Bauhaus School of Design.  It is characterized by polished surfaces, geometric shapes and asymmetry.  Large windows and many plain mirrors enhance this style.

The modern color palette usually has white walls or tone-on-tone color schemes.  Accents are in black and red.

Finishes are sleek, smooth, and polished.  There is much concrete, granite, and linoleum.  Chrome and stainless steel are common accents on furniture and appliances. Lacquered finishes on the cabinetry is common.

Architecture focuses on geometry and angular shapes, and artwork shows striking shapes or forms that are spotlighted for visual impact.

Many Asian cultures have lived their lives surrounded by simple, yet elegant, furnishings, furniture, and art.

Asian interiors are designed to bring peace, balance, and serenity to the space, which is kept simple and uncluttered. The quality and craftsmanship is exquisite.  Asian décor has a peaceful, minimalist feel with bamboo, Buddha, and exotic flowers and birds.

 

 

Decorating with Vintage One of A Kind Finds

Painting Floor Cloths

 

Warm Up Your Porch for Fall

 

Walt Disney Collectibles

 

Fiesta Ware

 

Planning Your Wedding

 

 

Wedding Crimes