How to Redecorate on a Budget

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There are many ways to bring a new lease of life to your home without breaking the bank. If you’ve been considering redecorating but are wary of the costs involved, these tips will give you plenty of inspiration to help you achieve a new look on a budget.

Add some color to the walls
A lick of paint is one of cheapest yet most effective ways to bring a room up to date. You might want to consider creating a bold statement wall, painting an entire room with a vibrant, intense shade or using several colors to incorporate a stylish two-tone theme. As you can pick up tins of paint cheaply from your local DIY store, you can regularly update your home without spending too much.

Guest Post: How to Redecorate on a Budget

Update your bedding
Redecorating doesn’t have to involve buying new furniture. If you want to bring a fresh feel to your bedroom, try choosing some new duvet covers and pillowcases. They’re available at reasonable prices from online retailers such as Linens Direct, meaning that you can easily embrace the latest trends or change your color schemes. You’ll be surprised at just how different your bedroom can look after making such a simple change.

Guest Post: How to Redecorate on a Budget

Give existing furniture a make-over
There’s no need to throw out your existing furniture. Try giving your existing pieces a make-over by having them reupholstered with a new material. This could change a boring old armchair into a statement piece, with very little investment. If you’re looking for something a little less permanent, buy a few colored throws and experiment with different looks according to your mood.

Visit your local charity shop
You may find that you can pick up plenty of bargains at a charity shop that will help you to transform your home. Look out for items such as pictures, mirrors and photo frames that have been previously loved but could look fantastic in your living space. You might decide that they need a coat of paint or varnish to make them look new again, or you could pick up some pieces that look stylishly vintage just the way they are.

With so many ways to update your home on a shoestring, it’s not surprising that more and more people are choosing to get creative rather than splashing the cash. By trying just a few of these ideas, your house will be looking brand new for a price you never thought possible.

Written by Sarah Atkinson

Inspiration Photo Friday: Summer

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Summer is on its way out and my favorite season of all is right around the corner. To say my goodbyes to the warmer months, I chose this photo I took in NYC years ago. I just loved how the sun lit up the one side of the building. It almost looks like a painting as the bricks resemble a smooth clay. The small details of the air conditioners and flower boxes add a few nice elements as well.

There is nothing like the glitter of the hot sun against the earth. Creating shadows that enable ordinary things to look like art. Blistering heat and clear skies. Goodbye summer. Till next time…

Inspiration Photo Friday: Summer - © Melissa O'Connor

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge

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Festival Favorites

Yesterday I was in awe as I looked through the fourth issue of Mag Rouge. What a beautiful collection of festival goodness, nature inspired weddings and stunning florals. If you are planning a wedding then Mag Rouge is a great resource for inspiration as it never lets you down.

With the collaboration of Kate, Jasmine, Hannah and Judit, this production is a well designed mag with unique inspiration, awesome resources and superb wedding submissions. This team of highly talented women are some of the best in the industry I have seen, and I look at a lot of wedding material and websites. It’s not often I get impressed with events or ideas but every time I open the new issue of Mag Rouge, I get inspired. Here are my favorites from the current edition. I hope you love them as much as I do.

{You can view this issue on the Mag Rouge website}

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge
Floral Arrangement by Kate of Flowerwild | Photography & Styling by Jose Villa

This next event was held at the Calamigos Ranch in Malibu, the wedding of Jane and Steve. I fell in love with their vast array of pastels and amazing location. It seems they had the most wonderful weather as well. What a stunning event.

Photography by Tanja LippertFestival Favorites from Mag Rouge

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge

Festival Favorites from Mag RougePhotography and Styling by Brumley and Wells

Besides a lot of other things I love about this next Australian wedding, the bride and groom showed a sense of endearment for the Earth and made sure this event reflected who they both were.

Photography by Alma Photography
Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge
Photography by Benjamin and Elise | Florals & Styling by The Piccadilly Flower Company

My favorite thing about this next formal California wedding is how they used the black in their decor. Besides showing a timeless elegance, the pops of the dark hues played off the white and pastel florals nicely creating a dramatic yet not overdone look.

Photography by Braedon Flynn | Florals by Mindy Rice Floral Design
Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge

I adore this Mag Rouge shoot filled with ideas on how to use fabric in your event. Nice inspiration for colors and styling as well.

Photography by Sutherland Kovach Studio | Styling by Ruby and Willow
Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge
Bouquet by Leaf & Honey

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge
Photography & Styling by Kate Holland

Festival Favorites from Mag Rouge
Photography by Annabella Charles | Floral Stylist, Haute Horticulture

Fall Colors in the Home

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Fall Colors in the Home

Well it feels like fall is officially here. It’s a season with tons of inspiration, especially its colors. How can you not love the many hues that are showcased by nature? It truly is a beautiful time. It’s also a great time change it up a bit in your home. Besides having fun decorating for Halloween and Thanksgiving, try sprucing up your interior space with fall colors and inspiration.

Here are some great examples I found on Better Homes and Gardens’ website of how to use this season’s colors to create warmth and coziness in your home while still having a designed feel.

Using the neutral tones of nature such as browns and creams with a pop of color like red, gives a sophisticated but fun look to a space. Bring in high contrast elements such as the mirrors and lamp and you add more dimension and a way for light to reflect its shine. This helps make the room lighter and airy.

Fall Colors in the Home

This nature inspired space showcases all the neutral tones of the season with a few brighter colors for interest. You can see there is a nice even feel to the room. This is due to the different browns and yellows that are used. Everything flows nicely and the space is cozy despite the high ceiling. All the wood textures help as well.

Fall Colors in the Home

I love the texture in this room. The linen wallpaper adds so much warmth and interest and plays as a nice backdrop to the deeper colors in the space. From the dark brown wicker chair to the taupe couch, the amount of different tones allow the eye to be carried around with ease. The pops of red and orange are nice, especially since they aren’t bright. Everything has the same tone which gives the space a sense of cohesion.

Fall Colors in the Home

This next room proves you can use an array of shades of one color and still have an interesting space. Doing this allows a feeling of warmth and relaxation. The creams help break up the darker browns in a subtle way.

Fall Colors in the Home

Creams and browns will always give a space a sophisticated look while creating a cozy feel. I love how this space is airy and open but warm as well. The rustic elements such as the chandelier, beams and textured wood chosen for the door, truly add a woodsy yet elegant style.

Fall Colors in the Home

When pairing dark colors together such as this eggplant purple and brick red, its important to remember to include brighter hues and reflective elements to help break up the space.

Fall Colors in the Home

For more inspiration, check out more successful rooms on Better Homes and Gardens.