High Design Low Budget

I have always had a love for anything ruffled--whether that be curtains, pillows, blankets, or bedding. Ruffled Bed Linens are huge right now, as it adds such character and warmth to any room! Check out the price difference between these two selections. Both have the same effect and are just as elegant! At Horchow, the Queen bed set goes for more than $600.00, while at Urban Outfitters, you can get it for about $179.00. That's a lot of savings!

If you're looking for a way to fill up space on your living room wall, try incorporating oversized family frames! Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it adds a personal touch to your home design. Instead of spending loads of money at a custom framing shop, try printing them yourself. Also, by refurbishing old wall frames, you can save a lot of money! Try painting the frames a strong color, such as black. 

If you're looking for a cute way to store books, a few frames, and some candles, check out this great DIY project. Made from simple supplies from Home Depot, this is a simple and quick way to assemble a unique mini shelf. It adds character, yet is great for storing your little knick knacks. I recommend painting it in a neutral color! 

If you have a bland dresser and want to spice up a room, try doing a unique DIY project like the photo above. All you need is a little bit of paint and some stencil materials/tape. You can do lots of different types of patterns. I personally love the chevron look, particularly on wood furniture items. 

If you're looking for a unique way to add some personality and character into your space, try this idea. I've never seen anything like this! It's so simple, yet elegant. The shortened tree stumps are transformed into shabby-chic mini tables. Depending on the width of the stump, you can place cozy candles and photo frames on these DIY tables. If you can find an even larger tree stump, you could potentially create a corner table for your living room, or a bedside table. This is definitely a shabby yet unique way to bring a little nature into your home design!

There’s nothing I love more than a big, antique clock in my living room. Whenever I’m out shopping, I always make sure to check out the selection of big clocks. It adds so much character and style! These large clocks can run for hundreds at Pottery Barn and other high-design shops, however, you can get nearly the same thing at places such as TJMAXX, Ross, and Marshalls. Check it our for yourself!

If you’re tired of your boring headboard, try something different like old refurbished windows! All you need are antique looking windows and a hammer/nails! If you don’t have any old windows lying around, check out local flea markets or antique shops! Liz Marie Blog (www.lizmarieblog.com) did a great job with this project, utilizing beige and white colors. The glass adds textures and the chipped frames definitely emphasize the shabby-chic style. Try it for yourself!

Chances are, you have some old chair collecting dust somewhere in your house. Instead of throwing it out or giving it to Goodwill, try reupholstering it! The image above features a DIY reupholstered rocking chair project bywww.thediymommy.com. By taking something old and giving it new life, it can transform a bedroom….and better yet, save you some money! The baby rocking chair above was given a fresh makeover, with yellow patterned material and chic blue paint. If you have something old lying around your house, try reupholstering it to give it new life!

That’s a lot of savings!

If you’re tired of plain looking floors, try adding a chic aztec rug, like the one pictured above. It adds style and brightens up any room. Try to find a mat that includes neutral colors, you don’t want to overpower the room. Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, and TJMaxx have great aztec-chic rugs. Check it out!

As depicted by the above photo, paint and a little bit of chipping can go a long way. This cabinet went from blah to elegant-chic. Again, this faded mint green color is trending–I think it’ll be around for a while. If you’d like to do something like this, use an old furniture piece from your home or search for vintage pieces at thrift shops/garage sales. Then, all you have to do is sand it down, paint, and chip the paint to give it that vintage look. Give it a try!

There is no doubt that I have a weakness for black and white striped decor items. Whenever I’m in a home decor boutique, stripes are always the first thing that catch my eye. It’s so simple and adds so much class. The lounge chair above is an expensive designer piece featured in an interior design magazine. To get this look, buy some fabric from Jo-Ann’s Fabric store or Hancock, and simply reupholster the furniture item. All you need is some scissors and a staple gun. Make sure to pull the fabric tight, so it doesn’t come undone. Below, I’ve featured some striped curtains–So classic!

Does your home not include a fireplace, yet you crave that mantle look? You don’t need a chimney to get that rustic-chic mantle look. Just find some wood and spray pant it with the color of your choice. I love mint green right now–it’s sophisticated, yet classic. I found this idea from thrifty.blogspot.com!

There’s nothing better than having a statement-making design piece in your high-end home. By adding a large leaning mirror, it makes such a dramatic statement. No need to hang it up on the wall! The current trend is to simply lean it against a wall or corner. Plus, it visually expands the room and adds so much light. Check your local stores for great deals on giant mirrors.

One of my favorite things to do is to take something old and give it new life. Find an old shutter and give it that rustic-chic finish. You can do this by painting it with a neutral color, sanding the paint down, and chipping it in various places. Once you’ve finished that, feature the shutter in well-lit area in your living room, bedroom, etc. You will definitely get compliments for this design piece!

One of my favorite timeless trends is filling up a wall with lots of frames–of all sizes and shades. It adds such warmth and character to a room. You can get used frames at thrift shops and boutiques for cheap! All you have to do is insert a photo and create a collage on your preferred wall. It’s a popular design feature in many of the Hollywood films/shows. I know I’ve seen it in Carrie’s room on “Sex and the City” and in “You’ve Got Mail.” Timeless trends never die!

My absolute favorite design collection at the moment is the “Modern Cottage” line at Target. It includes modern trendy patterns, with shabby-chic furniture pieces. It’s the perfect combination of modern and traditional. The collection includes nightstands, pillows, clocks, lampshades, and more. And the best part is, it comes at a great price!