| Regardless of the economy, once in awhile I must | | | | already have, or buy inexpensive pillow forms at |
| have some change in my home! I've found that a | | | | the craft store. Old wool sweaters can be felted |
| little money can go a long way when inspired by | | | | in a dryer on high heat and cut into no-sew |
| resourceful creativity. There are lots of low-cost | | | | coasters and mats. If you knit or crochet, tear |
| updates for your pad, and plenty of older items | | | | used T-shirts into strips to make soft, cozy area |
| can be recycled with new style. Here are some | | | | rugs. Or use colorful plastic bags for water-friendly |
| ways to reduce, reuse, and redecorate on the | | | | results you can wash with a hose - perfect for |
| cheap. | | | | the porch or mudroom! |
| It's amazing how a coat of spray paint gives new | | | | Scope out tag sales, flea markets and your local |
| life to old stuff! It's available in a huge array of | | | | secondhand/thrift store for furniture and |
| colors and finishes at your local craft or hardware | | | | decorative items like pottery, lamps, |
| store. Use it to make coordinating sets out of | | | | candleholders, baskets, and framed art (use as is |
| items found separately, like picture frames or | | | | or get creative - see above). You may even find |
| baskets. A drab piece of furniture makes a | | | | items made of materials that are now restricted, |
| statement when repainted a bold color (or two). | | | | like precious woods and ivory! Even if it's not a |
| Disassemble items as much as possible and paint | | | | long-lost masterpiece, your home will be enhanced |
| pieces separately to ensure even coverage. For | | | | by the addition of handmade objects. Sanitize |
| best results, use multiple thin coats of paint, and | | | | glass and ceramics by washing in soapy water |
| always work in a well-ventilated area. | | | | with a bit of bleach. Be wary of unwashable fabric |
| Stencils are another quick and easy way to | | | | items, especially if you have allergies or pets. |
| upgrade. Use them on walls and furniture, spray | | | | For stylish storage, ask your local liquor mart |
| paint them onto wood, metal or plastic, or use | | | | about used wine boxes. Many are adorned on the |
| etching cream to stencil mirrors and glass. Try an | | | | sides with picturesque landscapes or colorful, |
| initial or monogram stencil - so simple, yet it adds | | | | stylish designs. Fold the top flaps down to the |
| an elegant touch to almost anything! With a | | | | inside and line boxes up on a shelf to organize |
| personalized touch, new items look | | | | clutter. (You can even label them with stencils or |
| custom-crafted and worn items take on the look | | | | computer-printed signs, i.e. "Gloves & Hats" |
| of heirlooms. | | | | or "Seth's Toys".) |
| You can make your own stencil with a computer: | | | | Plants add vibrance to your décor, but |
| print your stencil design on heavy cardstock, lay it | | | | they're not just nice to look at - they also replace |
| on a cutting mat (or layers of thick cardboard and | | | | carbon dioxide with fresh oxygen for your |
| or newspaper), and carefully cut it out with a | | | | breathing pleasure. Add to your collection by |
| pointed utility knife. Some projects may require a | | | | taking cuttings from your houseplants. Clip off a |
| durable plastic stencil; make one by tracing your | | | | healthy branch or shoot, place it in a glass of |
| design onto a piece of discarded plastic packaging. | | | | water, and put it in a sunny window for about a |
| The easiest stencil of all is sassy stripes, simple to | | | | week, adding more water as needed until roots |
| do with painter's tape and two or more colors of | | | | sprout. Put some small rocks or gravel in the |
| paint. Make it "pop" with a high-contrast combo, or | | | | bottom of a pot and fill the rest of the way with |
| use different shades in the same color family for | | | | dirt. Gently plant the clipping in the dirt, taking care |
| a more understated look. Be sure to let each coat | | | | not to break off any delicate roots, and water |
| dry thoroughly before applying tape. | | | | thoroughly. For variety, swap with green-thumbed |
| Old calendars are treasure troves of exquisite art | | | | friends! |
| and photography! Make yourself an elegant "print | | | | You can easily update your lighting for festive |
| collection" by putting your favorite pages in | | | | occasions by replacing a few white light bulbs with |
| matching frames from a discount store or | | | | colored ones. Tealights are less expensive and |
| secondhand shop and displaying them as a group. | | | | messy than votives, and can be burned in most |
| If you don't have any old calendars around, many | | | | any open glass vessel. For a cozy glow, lay a |
| non-profits offer calendars packed with stunning | | | | string of white Christmas lights on a shelf of your |
| photography that they'll be happy to send you for | | | | favorite crystal, glass or metal items and watch |
| a nominal donation. Each time you enjoy the | | | | them sparkle. |
| pictures, you'll feel good about helping to preserve | | | | Finally, check your chi! Scope out your local library |
| something you care about! | | | | for a basic Feng Shui primer or read about it |
| Worn-out clothing can be repurposed to decorate | | | | online. Applying some basic principles makes any |
| your home. That stained-but-beautiful sequined | | | | space more inviting. You may find that simple, |
| top that you can't bear to throw away? Make it | | | | subtle changes "open up" spaces and give your |
| into a pillow cover! You can cover pillows you | | | | home a feeling of greater comfort and harmony. |