Frugal Family: Color Your World

It’s long been my opinion that any interior designer can do a great job decorating a home if money is no object. The real gems are the ones who can incorporate a client’s preferences and financial constraints and still come up with something fabulous.

HGTV’s Design on a Dime hosts make it look easy to transform any space from dull to inviting. My husband has begun saying, “Let’s write to Candice (Olson)!” as a way to illustrate his fantasy that we will make it onto the show and she will transform our lackluster master bedroom into a beautiful retreat.

The good news is that there exists a local decorator whose skills mirror those of Design on a Dime’s staff. Littleton’s Kym Albertelli, also known as A Designing Woman, specializes in translating a family’s tastes and needs into practical but beautiful enhancements while adhering to the budget.

Kym shares some great suggestions for stretching your decorating dollars and making your surroundings more colorful and inviting:

Paint! "For under $100," says Kym, "you can dramatically change any room’s appearance with paint and a few basic supplies." Pulling a vibrant color from a room’s patterned upholstery or rug and putting it on the walls can have a dramatic effect.

Tip: Through Oct. 31, Benjamin Moore is offering a free, 2 oz. paint sample to try before buying. Use this link for your coupon. Consult the locator on the home page to find the Benjamin Moore retailer closest to you.

Warm Up Your Space! Now is the time to think about what the floors will feel like on chilly mornings. "Roll up or throw down a rug as the seasons change,” recommends Kym. "A soft area rug could really pull all the colors together in a room; kill echoes from hardwoods, tile and glass around a room; and invite a lazy Sunday on the floor."

Add Fabrics! Textiles can really brighten up a room. Plain sofas can be livened up with patterned pillows. "New placemats are a fabulous way to change the presentation of a meal," shares Kym. She recommends pairing a contrasting color or a pattern with plain plates and solid but textured options with patterned dishes. Dining room chairs or bar stools can be recovered for a whole new look.

Tip: Check out the remnant tables at local fabric stores. There are often beautiful end-of-bolt pieces that are big enough for pillows or chair cushions.

Fill that Empty Wall! Kym suggests using family photos and mismatched frames to fill a blank wall space in a family room or hallway. "Lay them out on the floor and make a grid. Play with the design until it feels balanced and looks good. If you have trouble following the pattern, make paper bag cut-outs of the same pictures and tape them to the wall for the placement of the frames."

Replace the Towels! Take a look at your bathroom. Can it use a fresh look? "New towels and a bath mat in a bathroom can completely change its look," states Kym. Imagine a 1950s bathroom with pink tiles. You could go with wine to enhance the tone, black to keep that mid-century modern flavor alive, taupe to neutralize, a cool sage green or chocolate brown to be a little earthier, or go ‘preppier’ with a brighter mint green.”

Here’s hoping that these tips will inspire us all to make some colorful changes in our homes. Apparently, we need not overspend to accomplish fresh, new looks!

Patch would like to thank Kym Albertelli of A Designing Woman for contributing her expertise to this column. Readers who would like to talk with Kym about her consultation services can reach her at (978) 501-2575. Check out her Facebook page and website for information and photos.