10 Things (Under $100!) That Can Transform a Room
New York designer
Fawn Galli reveals a few affordable, unexpected ways to totally change a space.
By Leigh Newman
1. Edging a standard blind or shade with fun,
colorful fabric fringe attracts attention to your windows???and makes the room suddenly seem as if it is filled with newly discovered light. Use a glue gun to attach the fringe to the edge of your window treatment.
Estimated cost: $10
Photo: Courtesy of Fawn Galli
2. Indoor trees can turn a cramped-feeling room into a spacious one by making ceilings look higher. Try a
yucca cane tree, which doesn't need much water or maintenance.
Estimated cost: $99
Photo: Courtesy of Fawn Galli
3. Warm up a cold, dark spot like a hallway by using a decorative Chinese paper lantern as a hanging light fixture. The glow of the bulb through the red or pink paper makes the area feel welcoming???instead of simply like a place to trudge through to get to the bathroom or stairs. Buy a
socket kit at your local hardware store and install it yourself.
Estimated cost: $70
4. Glass vases are a fast, affordable way to experiment with vibrant, of-the-moment colors???without, say, painting a whole wall. The translucency insures a bit of subtle sparkle.
Estimated cost: $90
5. Wallpapering the interiors of your bookcases creates the illusion that they are deeper than they are, making the entire area seem bigger. Oversized prints do this the most effectively and, as Galli says, "are a small detail that goes a long way for the design-savvy and the observant. I love the mystery of pulling a book out and finding???surprise!???a bold color or beautiful design."
Estimated cost: $90
Photo: Courtesy of Fawn Galli
6. Metallic side tables reflect any available light. Stick them in dark corners to brighten the whole room with a splash of silver or gold.
Estimated cost: $99
Photo: Courtesy of Fawn Galli
7. Transform white or gray rooms with a feathered lampshade. The "touchable" quality of the feathers softens the overall feeling of the room, while their dark, jewel-toned colors reduce starkness. Take a
simple lampshade and cover it with
peacock feathers. With a glue gun in hand, start at the bottom of the shade, adding one layer at a time until you reach the top of the shade. The feathers should overlap each other slightly to ensure that you don't see the lampshade underneath.
Estimated cost: $100.00
8. An
ornate frame covered in high-gloss
spray paint instantly turns a downstairs bath into a much more elegant powder room.
Estimated cost: $40
9. Silk throw pillows can rescue any living room. Sofas, the biggest pieces of furniture, frequently come in beiges, grays or browns that hide stains. The shimmery quality of the silk lightens up those dark colors and also makes the sofa appear a little more formal (and less slouchy and couch-y). Mixing patterns with solids lets you experiment with different looks, without the yards and yards of expensive reupholstery.
Estimated cost: $99
Photo: Courtesy of Fawn Galli
10. Faux-fur throws make under-decorated guest bedrooms or back bedrooms seem cozier. First, they imply a fireplace, even if you don???t have one. Second, they feel the way they look: soft and fluffy. "They???re also extremely versatile," says Galli. "You can drape them over an ottoman, layer on top of other rugs or throw them over the foot of your bed."
Fawn Galli Interior Design is a full-service residential and commercial firm whose projects have appeared in House Beautiful, Domino, O at Home and The New York Times.
Published 06/18/2015
