Even a simple flashlight can become part of a stylish decor.
It's true that you don't need a lot of money to make your home look good. Thrifty decorating need not mean cheap-looking decor. If saving money is more important than bragging about the price you paid for your decor, then you can have a home that looks as good as anything in the neighborhood. With the money left over, you can eat at the same fancy restaurants as your neighbors. You'll have the satisfaction of knowing that they spent much more on decorating, but they can't beat your results. Does this Spark an idea?
Etched Mirror
Even on your first try, you should be able to knock out an etched mirror in just a few hours. All you need to decorate with an etched mirror is the mirror, a stencil and etching cream. Find a manufactured stencil you like, or make one yourself from adhesive-backed paper. Apply the stencil to the mirror's face. Paint the etching cream onto the mirror surface over the stencil. Allow the etching cream to dry for five minutes, then remove the stencil. The result is a very stylish touch that can add drama or humor to a boring old mirror, depending on the content of the etching.
Balustrades and Spindles
Flea markets and junk shops are a treasure trove of thrifty decorating items; head there this weekend in search of abandoned staircase balustrades or furniture spindles. Try to find pieces that are thick and feature a broad bottom. Turned upside down and attached to the wall, this junk becomes an effective platform for displaying smaller collectibles.
Stenciled Ceiling
Paint stenciling need not be limited to the walls. Buy stencils, or create your own in any design you can imagine, and paint the ceiling. Once you have added a stenciled decoration to your ceiling, you may be surprised to find just how often you actually look up at the ceiling. Instead of an abstract design, you could stencil an inspirational quote or a biblical verse to help jump-start your day.
Sleevefacing
The collapse of the vinyl record industry has led to new ways to recycle your collection of albums. You could just pin them to the wall, but why not take that extra step and use the new art of sleevefacing to put yourself into the picture. Look at the sleevefacing images posted at Webdesigner Depot to get an idea of just how much fun this trend can be. Thrifty decorating with sleevefacing means the cost of printer ink and paper. Use your imagination to transform your collection of vinyl into wall art sure to spark conversation.
Flashlight Fixture
Head to the yard sales in town this weekend and buy up as many old flashlights as you can. The authors of "The Complete Home Decorator" offer step-by-step instructions on attach flashlights to a shower rail to create a unique lighting fixture. The book recommends using old-fashioned chrome lights attached to a chrome rail to create a mechanistic style, but you could also try out combinations of different colors. For instance, a black and white room could use a white shower rail and black flashlights.
Tags: etching cream, etched mirror, rail create, shower rail, this weekend, your collection