1079 days ago

Tips for Decorating on a Budget

Owner from Curtain Clean BOP Ltd

Friends of mine would probably describe me as “crafty“ and “creative.” But that’s just because they’re too polite to tell you the truth: I’m cheap.

My stinginess has led me down dark alleys in search of scrap wood to build a coffee table for a fraction of the price of the furniture store version I adore. And it means I’ll often wake up to messages from friends with photos of dilapidated, discarded furniture on the street that say, “This made me think of you.”

As a result, my home is filled with inexpensive pieces that have been gathered in unconventional ways or made by yours truly. In fact, the other day while I was tidying up, I realised that every item – with the exception of my mattress – cost less than $500.

I’ve been very deliberate in my selections, and it’s taken me years to build an arsenal of couches, tables, rugs and art that I’m happy with. At times it was difficult not to rush to a department store and settle for a set of just-okay dining chairs to avoid another night of standing around the dinner table eating dinner.

I realise not everybody has as much patience to devote to decorating and furnishing their home. And I’m not proposing you spend your weekends scrounging around in rubbish heaps for unique home accents. (Please, that would mean fewer treasures for me.)

But there are a few tricks and shortcuts I’ve learned along the way that make it easy to save a buck or $200. And not a single one requires a tetanus shot.

Don’t be afraid of prints: If you want to make an otherwise bland room come to life, just add prints. The bright green floral couch in my living room (which I affectionately refer to as “nana chic“) serves as the anchor for the space, and the wallpaper in my dressing room turns a drab wall into a happy garden. Plus, the pattern is so bold that I needed to cover only one wall, thus saving money. Just be sure to go easy on other patterns so as not to overwhelm the eye.

Think big: If you have a large, blank wall to fill, don’t immediately think gallery wall, which is a strategically arranged collection of art pieces that can cost a fortune to frame. Instead opt for a large anchor piece, such as a giant map or a handmade installation. For my living room, I searched “DIY backdrop” for inspiration and found instructions on how to make a huge tassel hanging.


Know what to buy vs DIY: Whenever I see an item described as “industrial” or as made with “reclaimed” materials, my DIY senses tingle. Additionally, the plumbing section at your local hardware store is brimming with potential storage solutions. I built the clothing racks in my dressing room using copper piping and concrete, and I’ve made a simple, versatile blanket ladder using dowel and copper fittings. And if you find an affordable set of drawers but hate the knobs, you’re just a few twists away from a sleek piece if you update the hardware.


Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Would you want an unconventional funeral?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Funerals can cost as much as $22,000 and the planning can be stressful especially at a time when loved ones are grieving. Some New Zealanders are re-imagining funerals by making their own coffin or having a relaxed ceremony at home. Would you want a less traditional funeral? Share your thoughts below.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Would you want an unconventional funeral?
  • 85.8% Yes
    85.8% Complete
  • 12.5% No
    12.5% Complete
  • 1.7% Other - I'll share below!
    1.7% Complete
1078 votes
6 hours ago

Poll: Who is the 2024 Prospa Local Business Hero?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

It's clear that small businesses can really be the backbone of a community. It’s been a joy to read the Prospa Local Business Hero nominations from around the country and we’ve now decided upon eight finalists.

With $10,000 worth of prizes up for grabs, it's up to you to decide who deserves the title of 2024 Prospa Local Business Hero.

So have a read of the nominations below and cast your vote...

Mary & Sam Danielson - The Puketapu Hotel
Hawkes Bay
'On Feb 14, 2023, Cyclone Gabrielle flooded many of the rural areas. Puketapu Hotel went under perhaps half a meter of water. However, immediately Mary Danielson and her son, Sam Danielson, along with their loyal staff pulled it together to cook copious amounts of food that without electricity would have been wasted. Throughout the years many of us have been treated with a pub gathering where we can reconnect and a free meal. At Christmas there was Santa, games, gifts for kids, donated patchwork for adults, an ice cream truck and lots of camaraderie.
This February on the cyclone anniversary, they again pulled out the stops to give hundreds of us a special night. We are all tired of the cyclone cleanup and they understood that it was needed.'

Ian Harvey (& Des Banks) - Flower Bazaar
Christchurch
'I'd like to nominate my local florist, Ian and Des at Flower Bazaar on Innes Rd, Chirstchurch. The friendliest guys you could meet, always supporting their fellow retailers in the area and going above and beyond for their customers. They know my family well, and when my mother sadly passed away last July they even went out of their way to close the shop and come to her memorial service. With cost of living issues for a lot of us nowadays, it can't be easy for small businesses, especially those not selling everyday essentials. It's important we support each other and keep these little guys afloat. I can't sing their praises enough. I hope they win something, they really do deserve it.'

Vivienne Shepherd - The Glass Button Tailor
Whangārei
'The proprietor of this business is so kind. She will come to your home or business to discuss your need for repairs alterations or bespoke requirement. As it is often impossible to give a quote for work to do with tailoring she will give a guesstimate, if her time exceed this figure, she will charge that figure no more. But if the work takes less time, this will be the figure. Also, a client who eventually came to Vivienne had taken, a dress she very much liked, to another repair and alteration business who messed it up. Vivienne adjusted to fit well, straightened the one to straight back seam as well as other adjustments. She spent hours on it but charged well less than this time, due to empathy for the disappointment created by the bad job. Vivienne Shepherd is truly focused on doing the best by her clients. She definitely pursues excellence.'

Aaron Hickmott - Master of Gingerbread
Palmerston North
'He consistently turns out a wide range of biscuits on the shelves in both standard AND gluten free versions - he's our go-to when we need a treat to take to dinner at a longtime friend's place who requires gluten free food. His specialty is gingerbread of course and he sells Gingerbread House kitsets to people all over NZ!
The shop is small but inviting and he keeps loyalty cards for regular customers, bonus treats! I only found out recently that he struggled with dyslexia and left school early, but is a born baker and has gone from strength to strength. Long may he practice his craft!'

Alicia Sinclair & the Team - Atawhai Industries
New Plymouth
'Definitely Atawhai Industries New Plymouth. Great crew and management. Prompt service, experienced skilled workers who are cheerful and polite. I was very impressed with the dangerous job they had to do for me and will definitely be calling them for future work. They do so much for the community and help get work for people who would otherwise have difficulties.'

Jitesh Patel - Creswick Foodmarket
Wellington
'I'd like to nominate Jitesh & Hine at Creswick Foodmarket, Northland. Their tidy shop has everything one might need. And if what I am looking for is not there, they consider bringing it in for me. This avoids a lot of travelling across town for me. They also are very community-minded, contributing quietly to events and kids club. I'm glad they are in my community.'

Nicola Read & Team - Read Bros - Hardware
Thames
'I'd like to nominate Read Bros in Thames. The staff are so knowledgeable and helpful. If it's not in stock they will order it in for you. There you get treated as a person, rather than a number.'

Paul Ayers - Ayers Shoes Repairs
Dunedin
'I'd like to nominate Ayers Shoe Repairs in Hillside Road of Dunedin. They repair many things, not just shoes. Paul does a great job at a very reasonable price. They rang me as soon as my job was ready to collect. They are friendly and helpful.'

Vote for your pick in the poll below...

Who is the 2024 Prospa Local Business Hero?
  • 0% Mary & Sam Danielson - The Puketapu Hotel
    0% Complete
  • 0% Ian Harvey - Flower Bazaar
    0% Complete
  • 0% Vivienne Shepherd - The Glass Button Tailor
    0% Complete
  • 100% Aaron Hickmott - Master of Gingerbread
    100% Complete
  • 0% The Team - Atawhai Industries
    0% Complete
  • 0% Jitesh Patel - Creswick Foodmarket
    0% Complete
  • 0% Nicola Read & Team - Read Bros Hardware
    0% Complete
  • 0% Paul Ayers - Ayers Shoes Repairs
    0% Complete
1 vote
P
5 days ago

Unelected commissioners recommend they stay in power

Pat from Welcome Bay

Interesting responses to my post. Two in particular piqued my interest. Suzanne Williams and her comments about whinging about everything-Suzanne it is not about whinging. It is more about raising concerns about an undemocratic regime forced on us and then seeing the commissioners wanting to keep their sinecure. Greg Reardon "I vote to keep the commissioners"-Greg the point is that you do not have a vote. Look I get it-democracy is imperfect. Some of our previously elected councillors were rubbish-ego driven and feeding from the trough (not unlike our commissioners). But it is what we have got. It is better to have an imperfect democracy than an unelected and unaccountable cartel of commissioners who say "we know what is good for you".