S@H: So, start by stripping away extraneous clutter in order to highlight a key piece. Then what?
DT: Be clever with colour. Colour has been used since ancient Roman times to create the illusion of wealth. Back then, you could go into the poorest homes and see the walls treated. Today, you can do so much with a $15 can of paint, but people often underestimate the value of colour. They play it safe -- they match everything. I tell people to start by asking themselves what kind of mood they want to create -- cheery, dramatic, soothing, whatever -- and then choose the colours accordingly.
S@H: You're a big advocate of the do-it-yourself approach, which has the potential to save thousands in labour costs. But in all honesty, is it feasible for rookies to try some of the transformations seen on Facelift?
DT: Until you try it, everything, and I mean everything, looks scary. But with the exception of electrical work and plumbing, I do believe the majority of us can handle most of the things we hire tradespeople to do. The key is to take your time and prepare. Get books, buy videos and ask questions at the hardware store. Most of the botched jobs I see are the result of rushing. You've got to prime the walls, strip the furniture, source the right materials at the right price. That's the boring stuff people race through. But if you take your time and are truly prepared, you can do anything. I get calls from people all the time saying, “I can't believe I did it!” Now, that's worth every penny.
Read more in Decorating & Design and Inside Design
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