Yearning for a quick makeover that won’t cost you a dime?  It’s time to edit!  Update your traditional style by de-cluttering & ridding your home of out of date accessories.  Today’s design styles call for cleaner looks without a lot of fuss.  Select the items you love the most to live amongst.  Think “less is more”!  Not every inch of your table top & wall space needs to be covered.  Try this at your home this weekend & you’ll feel instantly refreshed.  Your home will breathe new life & a new look!

Do you have cushions on your kitchen chairs or barstools?  For a quick update, say “Bye Bye” to bows & tassels.  Clean it up with a simple twist & tuck!

Wrap the cushion ties around the leg.  You can secure the ends with a simple stitch, dab of hot glue or simply tie the ends & tuck them away to where they don’t show.

Voila!  Fresh updated style that looks much cleaner & less “cutesy” than a bow.

*images from the homes of IBB clients

Accessories help tie your room’s whole look together.  Lamps, art, rugs, floral arrangements, and other decorative items can add color and style to a room.  Make sure to allow plenty of room in your budget for great accessories.  The best accessorized rooms combine treasures from your travels with new purchases.  Your treasures can help tell your family’s personal story and new purchases can co-ordinate textures, color palette & design style.

Last week I featured my 4 tips to start your bedroom makeover on GMT.  You can watch it here. I figured you may like to have a little additional eye candy to help inspire you.

Tip #1
Start with a fabulous bed!

This stunning upholstered bed is one I designed & made for a client.  It’s graceful curves, tufting and nail head trim detail make it a real statement piece for their bedroom.

Monochromatic beauty from the pages of Elle Decor.  Every fabulous bed deserves a fabulous bench.

Check out this hottie ~  a luscious red velvet headboard.  I always love a red, black & white color scheme.  This one is executed so well because they let the showstopping red headboard stand on it’s own with only a few smaller doses of red in the bedroom.  This allows the black & white to balance the rest of the room.

I’m a sucker for a great iron canopy bed.  I had one very similar to this one in college.  I also had sheer drapery panels hanging from each of the posts.  It makes your room feel like a quaint little getaway.  This bedroom could easily fit right into my home.

Tip #2
Don’t skimp ~ get yourself some magnificent bedding!

Gorgeous bedding by Alessandra

I love the idea of using drapery to frame a bed.  It’s just so romantic.

Another stunning bedroom featured in Elle Decor.  They layering of the different hues of blue has a tremendous effect.  The cool crisp linens are so calming and peaceful.

Tip #3
Lighting is key!

Add color to your bedroom through the use of lovely lamps like this orange beauty.

I love putting chandeliers in bedrooms.  This piece is perfect for all of you lovers of contemporary design out there.

The gorgeous chandelier in this bedroom is the perfect compliment to the rest of the regal setting.  So classic and luxurious!

Tip #4
Select great nightstands! Remember ~ they don’t always have to match.

I heart these vintage suitcases stacked on top of each other to create a bedside table.  Muy fabuloso!

How cool is this?  They used a small ottoman with a silver tray on top to create a nightstand.  I also love the combination of pink, black & white.  This looks like a room I would create for my daughter for her teenage years.  I think I would do a fabric Roman shade instead of the woven wood window treatment.

On the bright side… How about bringing out the colors of your color scheme with a hand painted bedside table.  This yellow is so bright & cheery.

Image from House Beautiful

To avoid headache & achieve precision, hire a professional art installer to hang art & mirrors in your home.  Large scaled and heavier pieces can sometimes require special hardware to hang properly.  Professional installers usuually charge by the hour.   To make it worthwhile, be organized & have several pieces that need to be hung throughout your home.

Use my 2 P’s tip for a quick update for any room in your house ~ Paint & Pillows!  If you have neutral furniture, you can liven up your room by simply switching out your decorative pillows.  Or, if you have some extra time on your hands, try a fun new paint color for your walls.  Starting with a neutral color palette for your basics & introducing color gradually is a great option for those fickle design lovers.  You can easily switch these things out when your mood changes!  And, the best part is that both of these options are easy on your wallet.

See how to create 4 looks for one sofa!  Watch the video here.

**Remember, this works best when your basics (sofa, chairs, etc) are neutral with classic lines.  So, take the time to invest in quality classic pieces.**

Happy decorating!

Not ready commit to custom bedding? Buy a white or neutral down comforter & add color to your bed with decorative pillows & a throw or toe warmer at the end of the bed that can be easily switched out.  Most down comforters can be easily washed or dry cleaned & they are super cozy to sleep with!

photo from IBB Design Furniture Showroom

Here’s today’s quick & easy design tip ~ aka, TIP IN A ZIP

Use glass or other transparent material tables for your coffee table, end tables, or sofa tables to make a room appear larger & more open.