indoors

D ECO R A TIN G

BY AMY PANOS PHOTOS MICHAEL PARTENIO PRODUCED BY ‘DONNA TALLEY

Triple Feature

W atch and learn from this low-budget

transform ation o f a spare bedroom into a

TV lounge, library, and guest suite in one.

“I’m not a TV-in-the-living-room type of gal,” says designer Donna

Talley, but she does appreciate a good movie and a comfy place to

watch. So, undaunted by the dark green floor and drab beige walls

of her spare bedroom, Donna turned it into a destination for

relaxation, as well as sleeping quarters for the occasional overnight

guest. How’d she keep costs in check? By “shopping” other rooms

for the big stuff—a chest, bookcases, sofa, and ottoman—and

spiffing it up as needed. Then she filled in the blanks with afford-

able accessories and garage-sale finds used in clever new ways.

An old steamer trunk

(a $10 garage-sale score) is the right height

for optimum TV viewing from the sofa. Plus

it houses extra pillows and blankets for guests.

Donna gave ready-made cotton

draperies a custom look by gluing two rows

of narrow grosgrain ribbon to the top and

bottom

of each panel.

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