Is there a picture of a room from a magazine that you have torn out, in hopes of someday having in your own home? Well, it’s time to take your picture out and bring it to life, because you can create the room of your dreams!
Designer-rooms can be re-created for a fraction of the cost and within your own budget. The secret is taking it step-by-step and looking at each individual design element in the room. You simply need to dissect the room and look at what was done in the expensive original and then re-create those elements with creative decorating, careful planning, being a savvy shopper and taking a hands-on approach to some of the projects.
Start by analyzing the picture and deciding what the room’s focal point is? Is it an architectural feature, such as a fireplace? Is it the furniture? How about a fabulous piece of artwork or a wall gallery? Or maybe a wonderful window dressed with eye-catching window treatments. Next, what are the outstanding elements in the design? Is it the wall treatments, fabrics, furniture styles, finishes, or color scheme? It’s important to recognize what theses features and elements are, as they are probably what drew you to the picture in the first place and you’re going to want to make sure you re-create them. Also pay close attention to the furniture, artwork and accessory placement. Even if your room is smaller or a different shape, try and re-create the placement, this way your room will have the same flow and feel.
Now look at each item in the picture and complete what I call a Design Element Checklist. This will help you stay focused on the design when you are out shopping, so that the end result is your pictured dream room. Note the following things about each item if they apply: Shape, Finish, Texture, Style, Color, Size, Accents, and Pattern or Fabric. An example would be to look at a lamp base; Shape – Urn, Finish – Iron, Texture – Smooth, Style – Traditional, Color – Black, Size – 21”, Accents – Tassels, Pattern or Fabric – Don’t apply here, but for those items with have fabric, you will want to make a note of the Pattern – Floral and type of Fabric – Chintz.
With your Design Element Checklist and Inspiration Room Picture in hand, lets’ look at the elements you will be re-creating and some less expensive versions you can do.
Flooring – If you don’t want to change your current flooring, you can change the look with a room-size rug, have a carpet remnant bound, add a tapestry fabric or trim to the edge of an area rug, remnant or inexpensive sisal, or paint a floor cloth.
Wall Treatments - Instead of patterned wallpaper, you can paint and then stencil or stamp a design. Faux paper can be re-created with paint. You can also save a lot of money by doing your own faux painting. There are some wonderful web sites, books and tapes available to help you.
Lighting – Remember to keep the design elements in mind, but you can always repaint it, change the shade, and add embellishments. Don’t be afraid if you find the perfect lamp at a yard sale, thrift store or consignment shop and it doesn’t work, because it is inexpensive to re-wire it. The electrical and lighting department of a home store can guide you.
Upholstered Furniture - If you already have the basic shape, or can’t afford to replace the piece, you can change the look to be your room’s body-double by slip covering, adding back and accent pillows, adding trims, or even a skirt. If you will be purchasing new, take notice to the body shape as well as the shape of the arms. Also, are there exposed feet, a flounce, or fitted bottom? What type of back does it have? Is it a tight back, fitted pillow back, or loose pillows? What types of embellishments are used? Are their nail heads, cording, or tassels? With upholstered pieces, the fabric will make all the difference in getting the look you want. Even if the shape is a bit different, if the fabric is similar, you can achieve your look. So pay close attention to the pattern, color, texture and number of fabrics used. Fabrics can range in price from $ 3.00 at your dollar stores to well into the hundreds. So be a savvy shopper here and take your time to find a similar fabric.
Wood Furniture - Look for an unfinished piece in the shape, style and size you want and finish it yourself. Re-finish a piece you have or watch for a piece on sale, in consignment, in the classifieds, or at a yard sale. If you have some basic skills with tools, be adventurous and build it yourself. Also, don’t forget to look at the drawer and door hardware used.
Window Treatments - If you can sew, have a friend who sews or can do a no-sew treatment, you will save a considerable amount of money. Look at the hardware used. If it is iron, try spray-painting a PVC or wood pole with metallic paint. You could also cover the pole with a metallic fabric to give the illusion of metal. Be creative and walk through a hardware store for copper tubing or silver plumbing pipes and then spend a little extra on the finials. Here, as same as your upholstery, be a savvy fabric shopper. Pay close attention to your fabrics and embellishments.
Artwork – Original artwork is expensive, but you can re-create the look and feel with posters, painting your own, creating an image with your computer and canvas or photo paper, having an art student paint something for you or having an image enlarged to the size you need. If the image will be framed, find an inexpensive way to re-create the image and spend the money on the framing.
Accessories – You will probably not find the same accessories used, but try and decorate with ones that have the same design elements. Complete a Design Element Checklist for each accessory that you want to re-create. Remember you can re-finish them to match your room. If floral arrangements are used, think about taking a class at a local craft store.
Any room can be re-created in an affordable way if you follow the same design principles and elements used in the designer-room. You just need to do some homework, stay focused on your room, pay attention to the details, and always take your checklist and picture with you when shopping.
Happy Decorating!