Budget Decorating

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Pamela's Budget Decorating Blog

By Pamela Cole Harris, About.com Guide to Budget Decorating

Be Creative this Winter!

Friday July 10, 2009

If you are artistic and love projects for your home, then think about creating a stained glass window for your home. Not only can you be creative, but you can add value and originality to your living space. If you don't know how to do stained glass, there are videos with instructions on youtube.com. Just type "stained glass" into the search box. And of course, you can find instructions on About.com.

Stained glass would be the perfect project for the long winter ahead (it is coming up fast, folks!). By Spring, the sun will be shining through your own work of art. And if you decide to make it, let us know. Our forum is the best place to talk about what you are doing and share tips with others.

Photo: Kriss Szkurlatowski

Handmade Homes - Dirt Cheap

Wednesday July 8, 2009
I am inspired! I have just been reading about enterprising families that have built their own homes - some for as little as $100. Yep, I have been reading Mother Earth News again! Every time I do, I imagine myself building my own home out of nothing but tin cans and duct tape! What set my mind to dreaming this time is an article on earthbag home construction - houses made of bags of dirt from your own front yard. If building your home was just a matter of playing in and sacking the dirt, just think of how much fun decorating would be!

More Outdoor Home Decor on a Budget

Tuesday June 30, 2009
Outdoor decor - planter

Want to make a simple wooden pot into something special?

Outdoor decor - planter


Just turn it over, add a glass bowl and a few sparkling clear rocks and voila! A work of art!
Photos by Sandra Herd

ER Visits Rising as Homeowners Do it to Themselves

Monday June 29, 2009
ERs have seen a rise in visits by do-it-yourselfers, according to a story by Jillian Berman in today's USA TODAY. It seems that as the economy tightens and homeowners are wanting - or needing - to save money, they are taking on jobs that should normally be done by a professional. You won't save money on a home project if you are forking out big bucks for doctors and emergency room treatment. So be safe this summer. If you want some tips on how to be safe, read my article on Summer diy safety. Read it and follow the advice! We don't want you to be a statistic this summer.

They are Giving Away Free Paint

Friday June 26, 2009
Who are they? They are Glidden and from now through July 2, they are giving away a free quart of paint (eggshell finish). You can pick any one of their 282 colors. This is a great opportunity to paint that side table, frame, or chair in an accent color. All you have to do is go to www.glidden.com, or call 1-800-GLIDDEN anytime between now and July 2, 2009. Then, choose your color and get ready to create a masterpiece! What is better than free?

Seeds of Color

Thursday June 25, 2009
Have you planted your favorite color this summer? Is there any room in the world that can't be brightened up by a splash of color in an earthen pot? Flowers! Flowers in all colors and sizes can make your so-so room (and your so-so mood) into something bright and cheery. I'm potting some pansies today. And my living room is going to rock with yellow and purple tomorrow! (And it only cost me $1 for the pot - the pansies were free from the neighbors)

Time to Show Off Your Inner Decorator

Tuesday June 23, 2009

Did you take your home from tacky to terrific on a budget? Is your home filled with inexpensive design projects that everyone wants to copy? Do you have great decorating ideas but hesitate to share them? Well, now's the time to shine.

I am asking for your favorite budget decorating ideas and you can easily add them to this site through this link. You can show off your ideas and give a little inspiration to other readers - and me! I can't wait to see what you came up with!

Quick Painting Method for Freehand Stripes

Saturday June 20, 2009

A reader recently wrote me to ask for a quick method for painting stripes on her wall. She did not relish the idea of taping off all the stripes. So she wanted to do them freehand, but envisioned the wavy and uneven stripes she would produce. She wanted a more casual look, but not messy.

There is a way she can produce fairly even stripes easily. Simply wrap two pieces of 1 inch tape (masking or painters') around a standard foam paint roller. Be sure to wrap them tightly and measure to ensure the tape is evenly spaced. The stripes should be about 2.5 inches wide. Place one piece of tape on the open end of the roller and the other 2.5 from the first piece of tape. This will leave another 2.5 inch area on the closed end of the roller.

Fixing Minor Scratches in Furniture and Flooring

Friday June 19, 2009
The quickest and cheapest way to repair scratches in furniture and flooring? Raid your kid's crayon box. Pick the closest color in the box to the color of the scratched piece. Rub the crayon over the scratch and then buff with a soft clean cloth. That's it! Easy and cheap!

Wordless Wednesday: Budget Decorating - Outdoors

Tuesday June 16, 2009

Budget Outdoor Decorating
Photo: Sandra Herd.

This picture proves that you can even decorate your garden and yard on a budget - with things found around the home, on nature walks, or in thrift shops.

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