Posted on: May 1, 2008
Untapped resources
Brush aside the dust bunnies in the attic – here’s how to use retired items to freshen up the home
By Michelle Taute
CTW Features
Giving your home a makeover used to require a chunk of cash, trips to the furniture store and maybe even hiring a designer. But with the help of an interior redesigner or rearranger, you can get a whole new look with the stuff already sitting around your house.
“A lot of interior designers want people to get rid of everything and start over,” says Melanie Serra of Atlanta-based Interior Revivals. “We don’t. We believe you can have a beautiful home with the things you have.”
So how does it work? Redesigners typically spend a day at your house going through your worldly possessions with a designer’s eye. To create a more cohesive look, they might move around furniture, pull in accessories from another room or hunt for hidden treasures in the attic.
“It’s instant gratification,” says Monica Durante of Monica Durante Interiors, Evergreen, Colo. “There’s usually a huge difference.” If you’re looking to make a few upgrades, a redesigner also can help you figure out whether to spend your money on lamps or paint and even suggest stores where you might snag a bargain.
Start your home’s makeover with these easy strategies:
n Keep collections together
Rather than spreading those rooster statues and pictures all over the house, pick one area to display them together. It creates a more dramatic presentation and less eye noise, Serra says.
n Think tables and lighting
“Wherever you have seating, you want to have a solid surface and some kind of lighting,” Durante says. You’re more likely to sit down if there’s a place for your coffee and you can see the pages of a magazine.
n Repurpose creatively
Do you have some of your grandmother’s old suitcases taking up space in the attic? Serra recommends stacking a few on top of each other for a fun side table.
