My Home Redux

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Cute modern bathroom mirror

Now, this mirror may not be everyone's style, but it shows how an element like a mirror can create charm and personality in a bathroom.Try a vintage mirror for an elegant old-world look.  Use an old window frame where the glass is replaced by mirrors for a charming cottage feel. Take a heavy elaborately carved frame from a painting for your mirror to create a rich, luxurious bath. 

[Editor's Note:  Photo by Lisa Romerein, courtesy of www.myhomeideas.com]

The Beautiful Effects of Decorative Painting

About 10 - 20 years ago, it was called faux painting and was hot in home decor.  Now, sponge painting and those faux textures are truly dated. However, decorative painting with glazes, paint effects, and antiquing is incredibly popular and on trend right now. See some beautiful examples like the photo here.

Note, your local paint store sells many glazes and decorative paints. Just ask and most will be glad to give you helpful hints to do it yourself.

[Editor Note:  Photo courtesy of www.styleblueprint.com]

Inspiring Kitchen Designs and Remodels

Even if your kitchen is small and your budget minute, there are bound to be an idea or two in the 10 photos of these gorgeous top-end kitchens to inspire you.

For the rest of the world - literally - here's a slideshow of kitchen remodels and makeovers. Some are very reasonably done.  In fact, if you look closely there are two themes to improving your kitchen:  remove clutter and paint your cabinets. Long-time readers of MyHomeRedux.com know that I often suggest that the easiest and cheapest way to update your kitchen is to paint or restain your cabinets.  See all 24 remodels here.

[Editor Note:  Photo from www.diynetwork.com. Photography by Stephen Gary. Design by Vaness DeLeon.]

Powder Room Ideas and Photos

Often overlooked is the powder room. It's small and unassuming, yet often, it is the only bathroom your guests will see.  So make it great!  And because of it's small size, you can be a bit more extravagant without breaking the bank.  See a slideshow of various upscale powder room here.

[Editor Note:  Photo courtesy of www.diynetwork.com]

Create your own garden retreat with landscaped pergola

You can feel your blood pressure fall just looking at this photo. Imagine sitting outside with a glass of wine or good book under this lovely, landscaped pergola. A stained pergola, lattice screening, and then large pots of greenery and flowers. And let vines climb up and over the pergola too.  Escape into your own yard, easily and on a budget.  Learn more about this idea and see others here.

[Editor note:  Photo courtesy of www.DIYNetwork.com]

Decorate an entire wall with artwork

A great way to show off artwork is to take over an entire wall. You can use photos, prints, children's art, painting, or needlework as shown here.  Anything similar in nature will work. Note how the wall is balanced but not symmetrical. That's key. You don't one side "heavier" than another but perfect symmetry is not needed and feels too rigid anyway.  In this case, she used framed needlework to create a charming and cozy English cottage-style guest room.

Update a Room By Reusing an Old Canvas

I love ideas that take something old and rejuvenate it easily and at a low cost.  Take an old canvas artwork, prime it, and paint it yourself in colors to match your room (use acrylics or oils).  If you don't have a canvas, you can get one relatively inexpensively at most craft and decorating stores.  You don't need to be a master artist, just put some colors on it in a way that's interesting and pleasing to the eye.  Voila! New look to your room with little to no expense.

See how the Thrifty Decor Chick did it, complete with before and after photos as well as step-by-step instructions.

[Photo courtesy of the Thrifty Decor Chick.]

Beautiful Bathroom Vanities from Dressers or Tables

I have posted about this topic before.  It's a great way to have a distinctive bath (typically powder room) but save big on the fixtures.  Literally, you can pick up an old dresser or a table at garage sales, flea markets, eBay, and estate sales for a fraction of what you would pay for a new vanity. The look can be as elegant or rustic as you want AND be totally unique.

Tables like this are extra easy because it's open at the bottom. Just cut out for the bowl (follow the template included) and the holes (if necessary) for the faucet.  Hook up your plumbing.  Note the clever solutions of using a large basket to hold towels.

Dressers are a bit more difficult because they usually have drawers to contend with to fit in your plumbing. You can cut out part of the inner drawer, leaving the face outside. Adhere permanently or use magnets or door hardware.  In either case, you'll have a one-of-a-kind bathroom fixture!

[Editor note:  Photo is courtesy of A Life's Design. ]

 

Modern Front Door Side Panels for Beauty and Privacy

Growing up, we had gathered sheer side door panels for privacy. They let some light in but not much, but they did provide privacy.  Now, you can have it all - light, color, and privacy at night.  See this beautiful and elegant solution in this photo.  Hang a rod, make or buy drapes, have tie-backs, and voila! Lovely, modern side panels for your front door.  See more on this solution here.

[Editor Note:  Photo courtesy of Emily at Jones Design.]

Over One MILLION Visits

This won't set the Internet world on fire by any means, and it's taken some years to accomplish, but I have had more than one MILLION visits to this blog.  Thanks to everyone that has visited over the years!