Bedrooms: When It's Time to Splurge

Renovating a bedroom doesn't have to send youlet the high prices scare you off since affordable
to the poor house. There are ways to cutversions can be had in limited edition prints, art
corners yet still achieve the desired look. Thatschools, local art shows, photography and
being said, there are certain areas where you'llcarvings.
regret not using a higher quality product. Here is aWhere to Save:
guide, inspired by decorator Kimberley Seldon, onDrapery: Ready-made draperies have come a long
where to save and when you should splurge.way in recent years. They have a vast array of
Where to Spend:styles, colors, and reasonable prices. You can
Mattress & Bedding: A lot of people go throughalways purchase the fabric and make them
life never purchasing a quality mattress. They payyourself. However, be sure to price it out
for it time and again with uncomfortable sleeps,beforehand, once you add up all the necessary
and then spend more money on extra bedding tobits and pieces, you may be better off purchasing
cushion the top. When you test the mattresses inthe packaged version. In some cases homemade
the store, most will feel ok, but one will feeldrapes can be a great saving. I recently found the
amazing. You'll never regret spending the extraperfect drapes for a bedroom I was redecorating,
money on 'the amazing'.but at a cost of $2,500. I studied how they were
Bedding is in the same category as the mattress.made at the store, took some notes, and made
We've all bought those 100-thread count sheetsthem for about $200.
on sale, and after a couple of washings, they getLamps: Attractive, reasonably priced lamps are
all nubby and rough. Break down and purchase aavailable everywhere. As long as they
set of 400 or more thread count sheets; you'llcomplement your decor and do the job, go for it.
never go back. What to do with the old sheets?A headboard frame: Now that you've spent the
Don't worry they'll make great drop cloths whenextra cash on your mattress and bedding, you
you're painting the bedroom. A high qualitycan definitely save some money on the actual
bedspread is also worth the investment, it will bebed frame. The web has lots of do-it-yourself
the first thing people notice when the door issites for covering your own headboard in an
open, and goes a long way to enhancing theaffordable fabric such as linen, cotton or
room's decor.microfiber.
Quality Upholstery: You'll appreciate the extraReused treasures: Sometimes garage sales or
dollars spent on finer fabrics when you realize,swap meets can be gold mines for side tables or
years down the road that your furniture still looksbook shelves that just need some tender loving
great. It won't be faded and worn, like thecare and a coat of paint. Also popping up
cheaper versions.everywhere, and offering great deals, are the
Original Art: This is an investment that addsstores selling reclaimed building supplies.
character to a room and well worth the moneyAccents: These are readily available, and even
paid. Always buy something you like; thesome of the cheapies look expensive. Hold out for
investment is a bonus, but in the long run, you'llthe sales or scout out the source retailers such as
appreciate owning a piece that you enjoy. Don'tHome Sense.