DON'T overspend on custom crown mouldings and baseboards. Instead, fake it. Choose a standard crown and baseboard, then install a 1⁄4-inch applied moulding two inches below the crown and two inches above the baseboard. Paint the entire area -- from crown or baseboard to the new strip moulding (including the two-inch section of wall) in a single colour.
DON'T resign yourself to a popcorn ceiling when a smooth one is what you crave. Instead of removing the granular surface, hide it with a sheet of drywall. It's an opportunity to fix lighting inefficiencies, too, as the new drywall will cover any damage to the ceiling.
Kimberley's 5 affordable kitchen cabinetry upgrades
1 A clean coat of paint and new hardware give tired cabinets a fresh start.
2 Exchange a pair of solid cabinet doors for glass-front versions to create a custom look and bring decorative dishes and glassware into the spotlight, as in this kitchen by interior designer Lara Neal of Toronto.
3 Consider applying wood moulding to the face of slab-front cabinets (those with a totally flat appearance) to create a panelled look.
4 Stretch your budget by combining stock cabinetry for the lower sections with custom cabinetry for the uppers, where the impact is more immediate. Or use stock cabinetry everywhere, except as part of a focal feature like a decorative hood over a range or glass-front cabinets above the sink.
5 Enhance the impact of dishes on display in glass-front cabinets by adding patterned wallpaper behind the shelves.
Image courtesy of Pottery Barn.
Read more in Decorating & Design and Design Lesson
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