Want a New Look You Think
You Can’t Afford?

 

Let me help and inspire you! There ARE things you can do which will not be expensive, but will make such a difference in your living space.

First: I know you have heard this before, and probably think you don’t have time, or it’s such an ordeal, or that you really can’t afford it right now.

Have you guessed what I am referring to? If you guessed paint, well, you are exactly right.

If your room is dark or drab, or so bold that it’s downright irritating, then it certainly is time for this kind of a change. I’m telling you, a couple of gallons of paint can make such a difference; it will make your room look like it has totally been redone. And that’s without recovering or buying any new furniture.

Here are several tips on paint.

I always buy Benjamin Moore paint when I can. It costs a little more, but it covers exceptionally well. If you take your time, buy as good a paint brush as you can afford (none of these .99 specials!!), and a little more expensive roller with a thicker nap on it (aw, come on now, how much can a nice roller cost?), then you can do a professional job yourself. Hint, Hint: If you can’t afford Benjamin Moore Paint, go to Lowe’s or Home Depot and look for their “oops” paint. That is paint which has been returned because the color was wrong. I have purchased gallons of “oops” paint before at only $5 per gallon!

If you are not making a drastic change on paint colors, one carefully applied coat will probably be enough.

Most professionals say always use two coats, but remember, we’re trying to change our lives on a budget. If your doors and moldings look half-way decent, then leave them if necessary. However, a little soap and water can make most of them look like new.

Now, this one step has saved you lots of time and money.

Next, with a nice angled brush, cut in on the walls around your windows and doors. Use some of the blue painter’s tape if you don’t think you can “cut in” as straight as you would like.

This is the step which takes more time, and you really won’t see how great it’s going to look while you are tackling this job, but your persistence and hard work will pay off!

Next comes the fun part! This is where you can really begin to see a difference in your room… roll the paint on your walls. Roll slowly overlapping as you go. Keep your roller filled from the paint tray, being careful not to load it too full, or you’ll have drips. Get as close to the trim, lapping over where you have already cut in with your brush and slowly go all the way around your room.

 

If you have to stop for a while, never stop in the middle of a wall – always in a corner.

The same hint applies if you run out of paint and have to buy another gallon. Even though you purchase the exact same color, you can often tell a difference in colors which are purchased at different times. So starting and stopping in a corner takes care of this little problem.

Second: All right, we have a wonderful, cheerful new color on our walls – my next tip goes down to the floors. If you have hard wood floors that are sort of worn, and most of the shine has disappeared, a can of Johnson’s paste wax rubbed on and then buffed can make such a difference.

If you don’t have a buffer, or don’t want to rent one this was what my mother had my sisters and I do when we were little. Sounds a little silly, but it worked!!

We put on two or three thick socks on each foot and started rubbing and sliding… also a nice thick pair of sweat pants can really cushion your tush, and you can slide around on your bottom for a while. We had a ball doing it and when we were through, the floors were shining.

Now, I am 65 years old, and those were the old days folks, so most people have access to a buffer now. lol

If you have carpet instead of hardwood floors, then an area rug is the answer. I know, you’re already saying, “but we’re doing this on a budget, right?” Yes you are, and I don’t mean go out to a store and look for a brand new rug.

 

 

It’s time to get out to yard sales ladies! My most favorite rugs that I own have come from yard sales and I wouldn’t trade them in for anything. The prices found are sometimes breath-taking…. as you’re walking away with your treasure…. you have this weird feeling like, “Wow,did I just steal this beauty?”

Just last Summer, at 7 a.m., as I walked up to my first yard sale, I found a 100% wool Persian rug for my sister. I have shopped rugs enough to know when I find an exceptional one, and believe me… this was it. This rug was made around 1920, and is still in perfect condition. I know this one will last for years and years to come – probably even generations to come. It is 12′ by 14′, and was so heavy that my hubby couldn’t pick it up by himself. I paid $100.00 for it, but if I had it for sale when I used to own my shop, the asking price would have been at least $1,500 to $1,600.

I’m not suggesting that you go out and spend $100 on a yard sale rug, unless you find an exceptional bargain like I did. But I see plenty of rugs all of the time that are $10 to $50 each. So, get out and get looking.

My theory is that God always provides what we need, and He truly does!