Dear HGTV Magazine

t h e ul t i m a t e no - cost makeover

I never get tired of rearranging stuff on my living room shelves. You could say it’s one of my favorite weekend activities. If you’re ready for a total reshuffle using things you already have, try these steps: First, clear everything off your shelves. If you just scoot stuff around, your makeover will lack drama! Also, starting from scratch gives you a chance to really take stock of your things, and I guarantee you have more to work with than you think. Next, gather a few items that you love from other rooms, like a cute alarm clock from your guest bedroom and colorful bowls from your kitchen. (Just because something has been in one spot in your home for years doesn’t mean it has to live there forever.) Now try my favorite style tricks, at right. When you’re finished, your whole room will feel refreshed and new—and you won’t have spent a dime.

keep in touch!

Email: sara@hearst.com Instagram and Twitter: @sarahgtvmag Sara Peterson Editor in Chief

For shopping sources, see page 112.

10 HGTV Magazine

Change out your favorite photos. This is me and my mom, circa 1974. Gather items on a tray for added impact.

Don’t put books in one long row. Place some vertically and some horizontally.

Group things of the same color for instant pop!

Don’t let little things get lost. Set them on a stack of books.

Prop up art. Use a plate stand if needed.

Have a mix of tall items (like magazine holders) and short ones (like boxes).

letters

dear magazine, Readers share their thoughts and tell us which stories inspired them most.J

Wow, I thought I had a great menu

planned for Thanksgiving, but after reading through the HGTV stars’ favorite recipes in your November issue [“It Wouldn’t Be Thanksgiving Without...”], I’ve changed things up to include some of their dishes.

—Bob Ribble, Midland, MI

The plate wall in the November

House Tour “What to Do When Gray Is Your Favorite Color” hit home for me. Like the Breens, I’ve always collected plates. I’d rather have plates than diamonds, which my husband enjoys. I recently displayed mine on a wall in my kitchen nook. Looking forward to your next issue!

—Ellen Laden, Fredericksburg, VA

I’ve learned so much from your

“How Bad Is It…?” column. It’s filled with truckloads of insightful info. From the November issue, I know not to leave patio furniture out all winter. Guess who’s making room in the toolshed! Keep up the great work.

—Denise Fields, Richmond, VA

I loved every single fabric in the

November decorating story “UglyChair Makeovers,” but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be the one with the brushstroke pattern from West Elm. The edgy circles combined with the clean lines of the chair make for a fresh and fun look—quite a big difference from the drab stripes in the before picture.

—Leona Jaeger, Altadena, CA

I laughed with happiness when

your November issue arrived in the mail and I saw the cover photo. My husband and I had just finished our kitchen renovation, which included DIY floating shelves, a white quartz island top, and similar-color cabinets. Thanks for validating our choices!

—Jami Hemmenway, Eureka, IL

Every page of your magazine is

filled with inspiration. In November’s House Tour “Warm, Woodsy, and Welcoming,” I spotted the homeowners’ bright pink bobbinleg nightstand. It made me think I should paint the identical wood pair I have at home, too. They could definitely use a new look.

Your Front Door of the Month

is one of my favorite parts of every issue. Seeing the beautiful paint colors month after month convinced me to paint my own door a cheery yellow. I hope it provides a ray of sunshine during this year’s Western New York winter. Thanks for inspiring me.

—Anne Siconolfi, Fairport, NY

Brushstrokes cotton upholstery fabric in gray/ ivory, $30 per yard, westelm.com —Laura Ronayne, Buck Hill Falls, PA

I had to chime in after I saw that

you featured WallPops NuWallpaper on November’s “Decorate!” page. It’s the same one I used in my bedroom, and it looks fabulous. I rent, and because the wallpaper is removable, it was an easy way for me to add some punch to my room.

—Lee Ann Hasty, Los Angeles, CA

I loved the blue shutters with

anchor cutouts on the Minneapolis, MN, home in November’s “Copy the Curb Appeal,” and I’m glad you provided a source for where to find look-alikes [timberlane.com]. The neighborhood where I live has many homes with cutout shutters, and when my kids were young, they loved looking at all the shapes on our walks.

—Deb Cohen, West Hartford, CT Lexie Floral 9 1/2"H x 6 1/4"-diameter glass canister, $25, pier1.com

Thanks for so many easy ideas

and tips in November’s “Kitchen Upgrades Big & Small.” My tired golden oak cabinets look great now that they’ve been painted. I may even pick up some new towels and canisters too.

—Linda Layne, Beaverton, OR

You have encouraged me to be

daring with color. I just spray-painted our coffee table orange—inspired by the Farrow & Ball shade on your October cover—even though my husband thought I was crazy. How exciting it is to see it now, standing proudly in a room full of beige!

—Jane Stortz, Emmaus, PA

talk to us

Email us: hgtvmagazine@hearst.com Tweet us: @HGTVMag Share on Instagram: #hgtvmagDIY

The content of all submissions (including letters and photographs) should be original and becomes property of HGTV Magazine, which reserves the right to republish and edit all correspondence received. By making a submission, you guarantee that you possess all necessary rights to grant the material to HGTV Magazine.

Missed any of the stories in our previous issues? Download a digital edition from your device’s app store or go to hgtv.com/magazine-archives.

OK, we’re impressed! Show us a project you copied. It could be prizeworthy!

I did it! I loved the cabinet you made

over in last January/February’s “Would You Let This in Your House?” so I copied the look. I found a hutch for $40 at a thrift store and painted it Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams. I removed the back, but instead of using wallpaper, I stapled fabric from Hobby Lobby to it, then reattached it. It turned out great!

—Beth Ruff, Oxford, OH

$500 WINNER

enter our contest!

Send us photos of your projects inspired by something you’ve seen in our magazine or on hgtv.com/ magazine and you could be one of two people to win a $500 prize! Go to hgtv.com/diy-lookalikes for details on how to enter.

No purchase necessary to enter or win. HGTV Magazine January/February 2016 OK, We’re Impressed LookAlikes Contest is sponsored by Hearst Communications, Inc. Beginning 1/1/16 at 12:01 AM (ET) and ending 3/2/16 at 11:59 PM (ET), go to hgtv.com/diy-lookalikes on a computer or wireless device and complete and submit the entry form pursuant to the on-screen instructions. Two (2) winners may each have the photo they submitted appear in a future issue of HGTV Magazine and will each receive a $500 check (ARV: $500). Must have reached the age of majority and be a legal resident of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, or Canada (excluding Quebec). Void in Puerto Rico and where prohibited by law. Contest is subject to complete official rules available at hgtv.com/diy-lookalikes.

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