Layering Bed Linens

Hi Friends,

Welcome the opportunity to create a tranquil setting in tones of white with a layering effect for that touch of sophistication. White is stunning and sets the tone for quite, exquisite luxury with an unexpected "wow" factor. Monochromatic is classy not boring, the trick is to mix different textures. A subtle pin-stripe pillow accents the overall illusion to create that crisp yet clean atmosphere. Lush pillows combine to add symmetry and the influence of a 5-star resort. The overall result, calming with a touch of sophistication and romance.

Enjoy and check back for more ideas to enhance your living spaces.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Make Your Duvet Cover

Hi Friends,

Stop! Don't think about paying those outrageous prices at the "so-called" discount linen stores when you can make the same luxurious bedding for a fraction of the cost. Go Contemporary, Eclectic, Mediterranean, Modern, Romantic, Traditional, Tropical, Asian or even English Country. Use bold colors or warm earth tones, it's up to you.

Go the extra mile and recycle those unused draperies or the fabric you bought last year and never started your project. It will save you money and reduce your Carbon Footprint. Win, Win, right? Below are the instructions from start to finish, happy sewing:

Steps:

1. Cut two fabric panels to the size of a sheet.

2. Cut one panel in half lengthwise and sew a piece to either side of the other one.

3. Put right sides of the fabric and sheet together and sew around the sides and bottom.

4. Turn and press.

5. Sew coordinating ribbons to the back and front of the duvet cover at the desired intervals.

6. Slip the duvet inside and tie the ribbons together to secure the top end.

Simple, right!

Check back for more ideas and enjoy your new bedding.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Contemporary Home Office

Hi Friends,

Home offices are becoming more common-place in our homes. This office is a contrast of light and dark. Dark espresso wood tones ground the furniture complimented by a dark accent wall, while light draperies and chairs create a dramatic pop in the space.

The bookcase lends to a contemporary style yet airy and uncluttered. It's OK to have empty space around your books and knickknacks, keep the accessories to a minimum, you don't want clutter in your office it hinders the thought process. Purge the excess, think about including unique items collected from your travels or family treasures. Your space should reflect you!

This office space is truly a lesson in simplicity, yet elegant.

Enjoy your newly designed office friends and remember to check back for more ideas.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Living Rooms For Living

Hi Friends,

Today the living room is no longer that no-touch room in our homes. We use every inch of our space and its about time. Gone are the days of our grandparents where there was a no-touch policy and everything in the room was immaculate. Our living room is just that, a room we live in on a daily basis.

Living rooms can be elegant yet comfortable. The above room is a perfect example of a comfortable room for entertaining and at the same time a place to watch movies with the family. Over-sized sofas arranged around a fireplace, ideal for conversations with friends or a cup of coffee in the morning. Replace the mirror with a plasma television above the fireplace and there will be no mistaking the focal point of your room.

Remember, include things in your room that make you feel good and keep the number of items in your room to a minimum. A cluttered room equates to a cluttered mind, keep it minimal. Besides, the more in the room the more to clean, right? Less is More!

Check back for more ideas and enjoy your living room.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

No-Sew Window Treatment

Hi Friends,

The secret to our no-sew window treatment is hem tape. Hem tape is a type of fusible adhesive which is designed to be used to hem and take in garments. Using hem tape is relatively easy, and it requires much less work than creating a traditional hem. Your local fabric outlet or fabric store typically stocks hem tape.

To use hem tape, prepare the panels according to the instructions, however, before the hem is folded over and pinned, hem tape is slipped inside. Instead of sewing the hem, the hem is pressed with a warm iron which activates the adhesive in the hem tape, drawing the hem together and creating a neat, crisp hem.

Hem tape comes in various widths, suitable for hems of different sizes, and it also comes in different strengths. It is important to use the right hem tape with the right fabric, as lightweight hem tapes designed for fabrics like cotton or silk will not fare well with heavyweight fabrics like corduroy or brocade. Select the appropriate width so the hem tape does not stick out past the desired hem.

Now lets get down to creating the window treatment for our "Transitional Master Bedroom in Neutral". Below are the instructions for professional-looking panels.

Steps:

1. Measure the length of your window from placement of the rod to the floor and the width at approximately 1 1/2 times the width of the window to determine the number of yards necessary for your window treatment project.

2. Start with the right side of the fabric panel facing down on your work surface (hem tape the bottom hem in place first). Iron-in the side hems ahead of time as well. Lay a panel of white lining (cut three inches shorter than the fabric and eight inches narrower) over the top about two inches up from the bottom. Hem tape the bottom hem in the lining and place it on top of the fabric, so the right side is facing out. Fold the side hems of the fabric over so the raw edges are covered; pin, and hem tape the side hems in place. Fold the top edge down six inches, then fold it down again three inches, and hem tape in place.

3. Starting at one end of the fabric, begin threading the fabric on the rod. The rod should enter the first slit from the front of the fabric. Continue threading until all the fabric is on the rod. Attach the rod to the brackets and admire you handy work.

Check back for more great ideas and enjoy your "Transitional Master Bedroom in Neutral".

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

How To Upholster An Ottoman

Hi Friends,

We are nearing the completion of our "Transitional Master Bedroom in Neutral". Today we are covering the ottoman for your space. This is your room; select an ottoman shape that is pleasing to you. The instructions below are general and can be adapted to any shape or size ottoman, simply adjust accordingly.

Steps:

1. Using pliers, remove any staples, tacks or nails that are holding the current upholstery to the ottoman. Remove the old upholstery. If there is any padding of stuffing, you should also remove it.

2. Examine the ottoman at this point to see if any repairs are necessary. Check to make sure all parts are well connected and sturdy. Perform any required mending to the frame of the ottoman.

3. Apply a new layer of padding, if desired. You can purchase padding at a furniture or fabric store. Simply cut a piece of padding that will fit the shape and size of your ottoman. If your ottoman contained stuffing instead of a pad, you will need to wait until you have the new fabric partially attached before beginning to stuff it.

4. Choose the fabric you will use for your new upholstery. Measure the ottoman so you know how much fabric you will need. However, when you actually cut the fabric leave an extra two inches on each side of the piece. This excess will give you enough fabric to adequately cover the top of the ottoman and tack the material to the bottom side.

5. Stretch the new fabric over the frame and begin tacking it to the bottom side of the ottoman. If you need to add stuffing to your ottoman, be sure to leave an opening large enough to insert the stuffing before you complete finish tacking.

Your overall result for this room is tranquil, comfortable, sophisticated and inviting to you. If neutral colors are not your style and you prefer bold colors, go with vibrant hues. The ultimate result is an at-home bedroom getaway with inspiration from chic hotel-style rooms.

Warmth and fluidity is not restricted to neutrals. Use colors that comfort you.

A myriad of possibilities await.

Check back for the final instructions on "Transitional Master Bedroom in Neutral" and enjoy your new ottoman.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Fireside Seating

Hi Friends,

Here is another seating arrangement for your living room. Placing two chairs in front of a fireplace makes a perfect setting for coffee with your love one or even a glass of wine on a special occassion.

Its all about enjoying your home and living well.

Come back soon for more ideas and enjoy your fireside seating.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

How To Upholster Your Headboard

Hi Friends,

In our featured piece entitled "Transitional Master Bedroom in Neutral " the goal included creating a sophisticated tranquil room without spending mega bucks. In this piece we are going to learn how to upholster a headboard for that luxurious look and feel of a 5-star retreat. Below are the instructions but keep in mind that you can repurpose your existing headboard, again saving money and the environment.

Steps:

1. Have the lumber yard cut the wood to size. If you are making a creative shape, such as curving the top or rounding the edges, you will probably have to do the cutting yourself. A jigsaw works just fine for this project.

2. Lay the face of your headboard on a thick piece of quilt batting. Cut around your design adding about 6 inches to the outside edge. Then fold the batting over and staple it to the back of the headboard.

3. Using the exact same method as in step 2, place your soft headboard face down on the wrong side of the fabric you're using to cover it. Cut around it adding another 6 inches to the edge for folding over. Then, do just that. Fold the fabric over to the back and staple it. Make sure to move from top to bottom, then side to side to stretch the fabric taut as you go, eliminating any wrinkles.

4. Now it's time to cut a piece of plain cotton cloth to the exact size of the headboard. Lay it on the back, covering all your staples and raw fabric edges, fold it under about an inch, and staple it all the way around as neatly as possible.

5. Mount the legs of the headboard, which are 1" x 4" pieces of pine cut to the correct length, to the back of the headboard using wood screws. The two should be placed about 6 inches in from the outside edges of the headboard. If using a metal bed frame, check to see where the legs need to be to match up to the holes in the frame. For a king-size bed, add a third leg in the center of the frame for support. Determine the length of the legs by holding the headboard up to the bed. The headboard should start about an inch below the top of the mattress, to help hold the mattress and pillows in place. Now, measure down to the floor from a few inches lower than the top edge of the headboard. Use several wood screws to attach the boards to the headboard, making sure the screws are short enough not to pierce through the front.

6. Attach the headboard to a platform bed with wood screws through the headboard legs and into the platform trim board. Attach to a regular metal bed frame by drilling holes into the legs that match up with the holes in the frame for mounting a headboard. Use nuts and bolts to hold the headboard in place.

Note: There are all sorts of ways to make your headboard even more special. You can gather the fabric top and bottom for a fuller, more cushioned look, or add ribbons or contrasting welting to really get a custom look.

Headboard and Bed Sizing:

Headboards are generally made to extend 2 to 4 inches out from each side of a mattress (depending on personal preference and the amount of room space). If the headboard is to be attached to the wall, there is more flexibility for the width. If a headboard is to be attached to a metal bed frame, be sure that the headboard supports are placed correctly based on the width of your particular frame. For projects such as the platform bed, be sure to add at least 4 inches to the length of the mattress for the finished platform size.

Mattress Sizes:

Crib: 27" x 52"
Twin: 39" x 75"
Full: 54" x 75"
Queen: 60" x 80"
King: 76" x 80"

Check back for more information on the completion of your "Transitional Master Bedroom in Neutral" and enjoy your new headboard.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne