New York-based home stager, Cheryl
Eisen, shares her best secrets for creating stylish interiors. After
years of designing spaces for high-end real estate companies, she's spilling
the beans on how you can spruce up your home decor without draining your
wallet.
-by Frances Bailey
Three is the Magic Number
Cheryl Eisen swears by a triptych to instantly up
any rooms wow factor. The trio of paneled art, which has been rising in
popularity in recent years, can set you back a pretty penny. But you can make
your own! Eisen downloaded free art from the web, printed an extra large image
at a local printer, and cut the image into three parts to fit into Ikea frames.
Design your own triptych using these inexpensive frames.
Create an Illusion
"The bigger the area rug, the bigger the room
will feel," says Eisen. She likes to make spaces feel larger by taping
together rugs, like these flokatis. The neutral palette, mirrors behind the
sofa, and giant rug work together to make the small room appear bigger (and
better!).
Fasten together several smaller
rugs to expand a cramped space.
Less is More
Rather than jamming shelves full of knickknacks,
Eisen opted for a minimalist look: Several books stand upright along with tall
vases that fill the space without overcrowding it. She also added objects of
various height and color to give the bookcase personality. Her favorite part
about decorating this home? "Turning wasted, unused space into a
functional reading nook that can be enjoyed by many by simply adding a
chair."
Steal this look with clusters of tall, affordable vases.
Go Bold or Go Home
"Every room needs a focal point," says
Eisen. If you don't already have one, center the room using eye-catching wall
art. To cut costs, Eisen created her own and painted three giant canvases,
saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The key is to hang the panels so
that they appear as one oversized piece for the greatest effect.
Hit up your local art supply store or DickBlick.com for large blank canvases to make your
own creations. Not an artist? Check out nearby art schools to find good talent
on a shoestring budget.
Flair for Drama
Eisen banishes boring boudoirs with a simple trick:
Paint one wall a dark color or cover it with grass cloth. The textured accent
wall behind the bed adds warmth to the room and gives it a polished look.
Redoing only one wall is perfect for a budget makeover, because you'll save a
ton of money (and time).
Wallpaper can quickly add up, but check out these finds for a fraction of the cost. And when you're
done, discover surprising ways to decorate with
leftover wallpaper.
Natural Wonder
"If you are lucky enough to have a home that
bathes in sunlight and has beautifully natural bones, then let those elements
be the star," says Eisen. She stuck with neutral colors to let the home's
best asset - natural light - shine. To prevent the room from becoming boring,
she threw in one zing by way of a chevron pillow. The trendy zigzag adds just
the right graphic touch.
Elements of Surprise
Eisen often calls on "unexpected touches"
when she's styling a home. Here, she created a dramatic headboard with
inexpensive Ikea desktops propped against the wall. The headboard's dark hue
really pops against the light wall. For another decorating twist, she rotated
pillow shams to show off diamonds instead of squares.
Room with a View
Don't be afraid to put window treatments around a
breathtaking view. Just avoid bright colors and "frame the view with
neutral curtains so the eye is drawn toward the windows," says Eisen. And
if you face the "problem" of too much space, steal this page from her
playbook: Buy two wooden dining room tables and cut the legs to make the table
cocktail height. "Pushing them together fills up the space and gives the
room instant function," she says.
To construct your own cocktail table from a dining
room table shop local thrift stores and snag a great value. Or, head to your
neighborhood super store.
Eclectic Mix
Eisen likes to decorate rooms with natural palettes,
adding pops of color and texture with accessories. Her favorite color schemes
incorporate shades of white, gray, and beige. She also likes to mix and match
design from different eras, such as the two white chairs. The Ming-style chair
in the left corner (purchased from Craigslist.org)
"makes the whole room feel less cookie cutter but painting it white keeps
it in the palette."
If your city doesn't have a Craigslist, search eBay.com to find eclectic pieces to add to your own
mix.
Info :http://sg.entertainment.yahoo.com/photos/9-cheap-ways-home-look-slideshow/three-magic-number-photo-2592201-161500989.html
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