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