Decorating On The Cheap

Today’s New York Times ran a brilliant and funny article about a $1,000 redecorating project gone wrong, then right. I thought you would, too. You’ll also enjoy seeing the room designed by HGTV’s Ron Marvin.

Ron is the host of Small Space, Big Style. He agreed to redecorate a woman’s living and dining room for free with a budget of only $1,000. Did she appreciate getting saving a $6,000 design fee? Not.

To read the article and see more images, follow this link. But first, here are some of my favorite bits from the story.

Mr. Marvin offered solutions for nearly all of her design problems, all for $1,000. Ms. Sperling, however, seemed upset. “I don’t want to totally say no,” she began, before pessimistically questioning nearly all of his recommendations. When told the dark sideboard would be repainted white, she asked “what kind of white?” When Mr. Marvin said the top of the dining table would be replaced with glass, she asked, “Isn’t glass expensive?” And as for the coffee and end tables from Ikea, Ms. Sperling wanted to know, “Is it made well at Ikea?”

later…

He was also perturbed that Ms. Sperling suggested spending more money. “She was being so detailed and picky about the whole budget,” he wrote in an e-mail message to this reporter, and now she is “adding more things!”

still later…

The next day, Ms. Sperling e-mailed back a lengthy explanation for why she wouldn’t be able to make it to Ikea for another week, how she didn’t like any of the three rug options Mr. Marvin sent, and why, according to her calculations, the mirror or a lamp would have to be cut.

Jeez! Thankfully, she liked “99%” of the finished room. I’ve been so lucky to have had great clients. But, there was this one lady….

Enter to Win Great Prizes in the Dorm Room D?©cor Contest

This is a reminder that it’s still not too late to enter my Dorm Room D?©cor Contest! You have until the end of the month to show off your decorating and budgeting skills. Can you decorate a room for $100 or less? You know you can.

The top three designs will win super-fantastic prizes from FLOR, Always Mod, Alluminare, and Benjamin Moore. For more details on prizes (some shown here), follow this link, and this one. Then start designing!

And, you don’t have to do one in “real life”. Email me and I’ll send you a floor plan (only 13′ x 10′) of a virtual room complete with photos.

Anyone who wants to enter should email me for the rules at designholeonline at gmail dot com. They’re very simple – I promise.

Need some ideas? Here are a few.

• Dress up a wall using decals. You can make your own easily.
• Buy stuff from the hardware store, like yard sticks and washers , to create your own mural.
• Drag something from over your Mom’s house and paint it.
• Buy a white sheet at K-Mart and tie dye it.
• Make some iron-on decals and design your own matching curtains and bedspread made from old sheets.

Have fun! But don’t forget to email me for the rules. There are lots of ideas there, too.

Blu Bot for Urban Outfitters

Hip furniture company, Blu Dot, has created a new series of inexpensive pieces for Urban Outfitters – just in time for back to college. Moving from a dorm to your own place? These look fresh.

The Bendzo sofa is a steal at $648. Bring color into the picture with accessories.

The Pinch chair is a new take on the famous butterfly chair ($128).

Here comes the color – in yellow – with their tripod side table ($98).

Finally, my favorite. This Slider Console adds color and a place to stow your gear ($548).

Urban Outiffters offers free returns and exchanges on their furniture. That’s pretty cool.