indoors
Q &A
HIGH STYLE, LOW COST
In today’s wallet-crunchingtimes, how doyou decorate on
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a budget? We asked our national network of contributors.
■ REARRANGE IT
Reprogram how you look at a piece
of furniture—move things from room
to room, or separate furniture sets or
pairs of chairs. Dust off old china and
accessories you have hidden away,
and see how they look displayed on
a mantel or bookshelf.
Alyse Harral, Baton Rouge, LA
■ IN TH E CLEAR
Get creative with the basics. Clear
glass vases can hold more than just
flowers. Wide-mouthed vases can
be filled with fruit for a colorful
display. Or use one in the kitchen as
a utensil holder. Canisters can also
be repurposed. Fill clear canisters
with items that fit the current
season’s theme (pinecones or
vintage valentines for February).
Sara
Alba, San Rafael, CA
What's the best way to
• save on a big-ticket item?
■ SM ART SHOPPING
Save by purchasing quality pieces, so
you aren’t laying out cash again in a
few years to replace a bargain that
didn’t hold up. Certain furniture
pieces should be an investment. A
well-built sofa, for example, can be
re-covered for a fraction of what you
would pay for a whole new piece.
Also, avoid buying major items in
trendy colors or designs. Save the
trends for accessories, which are
less costly to switch out.
John Loecke, New York, N Y
Where are the best places
• to score a bargain?
■ GO HUNTING
Craigslist,
eBay, freecycle.com,
thrift
stores, yard sales, and swap meets
all offer bargains, if you’re willing to
devote time to the hunt. Discount
clubs and markdown stores, like
HomeGoods, have discontinued or
overstock items for much less than
department store prices.
Andrea Caughey, Del Mar, CA
■ NAMES TO KNOW
Ballard Designs catalog, Costco,
T.J. Maxx, and outlet malls are all
good places for bargains. Also hit
the sales at retailers like Macy’s and
Pottery Barn. And I love Cost Plus
World Market for pieces with great
style and quality.
Annette Joseph, Atlanta, GA
■ ONLINE-ONLY OPTIONS
Be sure to check out online-only
sales and product exclusives at
retailers such as
walmart.com
and
target.com.
Often, these sites feature
a broader selection of furniture, rugs,
and bedding than what you might
find in the store. In some cases, free
shipping or ship-to-store options
are also available, making shopping
quicker and more convenient.
Shawn Gilliam, Minneapolis, MN
■ KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN
I scour consignment stores for great
accessories, small furniture pieces,
and vases for photo shoots. People
are getting rid of whatever they
don’t need, and consignment stores
field some great finds.
Stacy Kunstel, Jaffrey Center, N H
(£)
v
:
BONUS* Color in
Try one (or all three) of the easy ideas shown here to
addeolorto vourhome. 1. Buy one amazing throw
J
J
o
pillow to change the look of a room.
Honeycomb pillow,$24;
pien.com
2. Repaint a small end table in a bold color like
this bright turquoise.
Tempo Teal 6947,
sherwin-williams.com
3. Brighten a room with fresh flowers in brilliant hues.
I'o r b u y in g in fo rm â t io n se e p a g e 2 0 4 .
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FEBRUARY 2009 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
COMPILED BY ALICIA WARDEN
