FEATURE INSTANT ROOM

room refreshers INSTANT

Thrifty tips, tricks and trends to buy or DIY. You’ll fall in love with your home again!

Paint half a table not much money), swap p in a new shade on your options under $25. Try a a original shade’s color.

You’ll likely see a lot of two-tone tables in the stores this fall—it’s an easy way to pull together different finishes in a room. Three looks to consider: a natural wood surface with a white base for a farmhouse feel (left); dark-stained wood with a black, navy or hunter-green base for an antique look (below); or for a surprising pop of color, a bold primary hue with any finish. DIY Sand wood or metal legs and base pieces to remove any flaked paint or rust. Prime and brush on two or three

READER TRICK

I took our sectional apart to change the look of my living room. Now it’s easier to see each other, not just the TV!

AMY TWIGG, Beaver Falls, PA Trade a lampshade For a dramatic change (and (and ( existing lamp—World Market arket and HomeGoods have great great pattern or, for a more subtle ubtle e update, a different texture ure re (like jute or velvet) in your our r coats of paint. McBride Convertible Table $399.95; pier1.com

Coral Burlap Accent Lamp Shade $12.99; worldmarket. com

WIN IT! One reader will win a $75 gift card from Pier 1. Snap on the tag to enter. For rules, see page 24.

Presidio Glider residioGlider from $995; serenaandlily.com

Tweak your color scheme You only need to add a few accessories in one of the season’s latest shades to instantly invigorate a room. A few WD favorites: pistachio green (right), terracotta pink (below) and periwinkle blue (bottom).

Handcrafted Frame $7.99; at HomeGoods stores Indigo Ikat Accent gardeners.com

Add eyecatchıng trim A stripe of solid fabric placed along the bottom of a sofa, chair or curtain panel can make the piece feel fresh and— DIY Try a 2"- to 3"-wide band on upholstery or up to 1' on a curtain panel. Cut a stripe of your fabric to the length you want, plus 1" on both dimensions (for an upholstered piece, you may want to do several shorter strips). Fold the edges down ½" and press flat with an iron. Stitch onto fabric or adhere it with iron-on fusible web.

Pillow, $32.95; bonus!—hide worn edges. READER TRICK

I buy dishtowels and tablecloths on clearance and clip them to curtain rods as window treatments— a quick, inexpensive change.

MONICA MURDAUGH-ADKINS Huntington, WV

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Throw in a striking pattern n A graphic black-and-white print can liven up just about any room—and you don’t have to worry about matching hues. Try a geometric rug (above; far right) or globally-inspired pieces (below; near right).

Nate Berkus Cotton Kilim Print Basket $30; at Target stores Ikat Chevron Ika Slipper Chair Sli $399; $3

Jill Rosenwald Fallon Rug $218 for 3'6" x 5'6"; rugsusa.com westelm.com we

READER TRICK I chose a few accessories I had on my shelves and spray-painted them all one shade so they’d look new again. SHAUNTE WADLEY, Lehi, UT