Home makeovers Resolve to tackle small house projects

December 30, 2001
Section: LFS
Page: L-06
   Elana Ashanti Jefferson Denver Post Staff Writer

Replacing throw pillows, linens, rugs, window treatments or home accessories such as lamps and picture frames is a quick, easy way to update any room. Painting, hanging wallpaper, repairing plaster and installing tile are good do-it-yourself projects for prepared first-timers.

The beginning of the year is a great time to embark on projects around the house. Here are some New Year's resolutions for the home, concocted by a handful of home-improvement aficionados:


Start with small, manageable changes.


"Since we're not traveling as much as we used to and our budgets are a little tighter than they used to be, look at a particular room in your house and freshen something up," suggests Lin Lee, a Castle Rock interior designer.


"Whether it's by reupholstering a piece of furniture, buying new bedding for a bedroom or maybe a new sink and counter tops in the bathroom, these are all ways to freshen up the house," Lee says.



New throw pillows, linens, rugs, slip covers or window treatments also enliven tired-looking rooms. And these home accessories bring new color into the decor.


Creatively rearrange furniture.

"If things are slowing down in your life and you feel like you need a little lift, it's a good time to make a change with your furniture," says Denver interior designer Cecily Tinder.

An emerging circle of designers like Tinder are focusing on one-day make-overs for individual rooms. They use furniture and furnishings already in the house instead of designing with newly purchased items. In this quick-hit decorating scheme, Tinder says the key is keeping an open mind.

"Be open to moving pieces from room to room (and) not necessarily keeping them in the room they were originally intended for," she says.

Another tip is to pull everything off the walls before deciding where the furniture is going to go. This prevents artwork and accessories from becoming the focal point of the new arrangement.

"Everything doesn't have to revolve around one central item," Tinder says. "Consider creating vignettes or conversations areas in different parts of a room."

Eliminate clutter.

Look in unexpected places for storage ideas, home-improvement hounds say. For instance, coated-wire kitchen organizers can hold socks and underwear. Hanging racks designed for gardening tools work well for hats and scarves. Bedding and linens can be stored in decorative baskets. Terra cotta urns can hold extension cords, tools or toys.


"There's no reason storage can't be fun," says Lynette Jennings, host of "Lynette Jennings Designs," a home improvement and interior design program on the Discovery Channel.

Tackle do-it-yourself projects.

From relatively simple tasks such as repairing plaster or repainting, to challenging projects such as installing new flooring, few things are more fulfilling than taking on a new do-it-yourself project.

"We live in a high-tech world where most of us don't get the satisfaction of real hands-on experience," says Doc Sterzenback, a home improvement instructor at Home Depot. "There's a tremendous amount of satisfaction in being a crafty person, but you have to realize it takes time."

Sterzenback teaches classes on everything from hanging wall paper to laying tile. He advises do-it-yourselfers to thoroughly research projects and then carefully plan out each step. Also, make sure the appropriate tools are at hand.

"Don't attack any project until you've studied it," Sterzenback says.

Home Depot and home improvement stores sell helpful books such as "Decorating 1-2-3" (Meredith Books, $34.95). These home improvement guides are designed to make do-it-yourself projects less intimidating and easier to understand.

Jump-start remodeling projects.

January is the time to attack tasks that call for more tools and expertise than do-it-yourself jobs, says Denver interior designer Jeffrey Elliott.

"Think about bigger issues like bathrooms, kitchens and carpet," Elliott says. "Tackle those big things in January, since it's the slowest time of the year for contractors."

When the weather warms up, architects, contractors and decorators experience a surge in business as homeowners plan remodeling projects they want to complete before the summer. Another surge happens later in the year when people plan projects they want done before the holidays.

"Take advantage of this lull in the industry," Elliott suggests. "By the fall, everything will be rush, rush rush."

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