10 Small Yet Impactful DIY Decorating Changes for Smaller Budgets
We break down some ideas on manageable projects that are accessible budget-wise and lifestyle wise.
We’re clearly all about DIY and home interior upgrades here. When we work with clients directly or advise our DIY students and customers, budgets vary highly. Some people are working on higher-tier renovations, and some live in rentals that they are just trying to make feel more like home. For those living in rental spaces, completing home improvements might be limited to changing up furniture paint colors and adding exciting new throw pillows as accents, versus being able to re-paint cabinets or front doors for home-owners. But trust us, as we’re current renters ourselves, there are tons of upgrades that one can do that are accessible price-wise and mobility-wise.
Here are some ideas we’ve put together for anyone on a smaller budget or living in a non-permanent space, which are all are under $200 for the average price range involved:
1) Paint your furniture to elevate your space, to make various styles feel more cohesive, and to just plain-old change up your scheme. ($45-$198, not necessarily including the furniture itself— this depends on whether you’ve owned it already or not.)
Whether you’re on a budget, have a varied collection of hand-me-down and thrifted furniture, or just love hunting older furniture with good bones, you CAN make your pieces feel updated and/or more cohesive. It’s great that these days we can find decent furniture in lower-cost ranges, including free (heck yes curb-side finds!).
images from Annie Sloan (left and center), and Farrow & Ball® (right)
With Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan, there is little to no prep involved to get your furniture ready for painting other than cleaning them well. The bonus is this paint can be worked with indoors due to non-toxic properties and no to ultra-low VOCs, so it’s especially great for those of us who don’t have a garage or outdoor space to work in. Plus you can paint over basically any material (wood, plastic, you name it) and re-create any technique and look that you see.
Follow our FAQ guide on working with Chalk Paint® (the one and only!).
images from Shed Eleven (left) and Annie Sloan (right)
2) Create removable decoupaged drawer liners for kitchen, bathroom, or other cabinets for a secret pop ($25-$68)
Many rental situations come with less than ideal kitchen cupboard and drawer interiors, like old peeling liners and gunked up stains. Such is life. However, drawer liners are a classic fix to this situation! What’s fun is that you can create temporary drawer liners that have a bit more design pop to them these days. First find some cardboard (a great way to recycle, you can find free boxes off sites such as Craigslist) and cut pieces into the dimensions of your drawers. Then decoupage your favorite wrapping paper, napkins, wallpaper, or even fancier handmade papers such as from Paper Source to the cardboard. Then you can insert them into the bottom of the drawers once dried. If you move out, you could even reuse them in your new kitchen or bathroom if the dimensions are the same (or cut them down in size).
Don’t forget to smooth bubbles in the paper out as you go, and to finish the paper with your decoupage medium or even a more water-repellent medium in case the liners need to be gently cleaned.
image from Blue Eyed Yonder
3) Add metallic gilding wax to the trims of collected frames for a gallery wall. ($11- $40)
Gallery walls have been in style for a while, and for good reason— they do serve multiple functional purposes. Large-scale artworks can be pricey, and so a gallery wall creates a large-scale scheme made up of multiple smaller parts; and a gallery wall is the perfect way to display your collection of cards, photos, prints, and more, to fit any style. A budget-friendly way to do this is by collecting frames from thrift stores and yard sales first, and then alter the frames (if desired) to be more cohesive together— because, let’s face it, if you’re collecting multiple frames from all over the place, their designs probably won’t match (although that could be a style unto itself, but that’s another story). Making them all the same color or appear to be the same material can be done in a glam way with GILDING WAXES.
Gilding waxes are magical. Choose from a few different shades, and simply apply the wax over your frame material. Hang the frames once dried. Check out this great guide from Apartment Therapy on how to decorate your gallery wall. You can rearrange your frames anytime, including if you move.
images from ehomedecorations.com (left) and Thomas J. Story via Apartment Therapy (right)
4) If you rent and have a landlord that is very encouraged by you making tenant improvements or will do rental reimbursement after ‘improvements,’ inquire about painting a bathroom vanity, or even an accent wall. ($70-$150)
Not all landlords do this, but if you’ve lucked out, use tenant improvements to your advantage. Take on smaller-scale improvements first, such as painting a bathroom vanity or painting an accent wall, and see where that takes you. Some landlords or agencies might have you re-paint a wall back to their choice color upon moving out, but if it’s still a worthwhile project for you and your space, this can work wonders! And if you own your home, this is a more budget friendly way to start repainting your interior.
Check out these lovely inspiration photos with projects done in Farrow & Ball® Paints. A gallon of F&B paint typically covers way more than other premium paints out there, has more color depth, and literally cannot be matched at other paint stores. They are also no to ultra-low VOC and non-toxic in formula, so F&B paints are ideal for any home, especially for smaller spaces and rentals. For walls, check out the dead-flat Estate Emulsion for low-traffic walls, and matte Modern Emulsion for high-traffic walls like in kitchens, entryways, and bathrooms.
images from Farrow & Ball®
5) Update and/or add fabric items, including painting upholstery and dying or stenciling fabric with Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan. ($15-$150, not necessarily including the cost of the furniture or decor items themselves— this depends on whether you’ve owned them already or not.)
Add curtains for privacy and decorative effect! Add a cool stenciled pattern to revive that old jute rug of yours! Dye or stencil inexpensive pillow covers! Working with Chalk Paint® has benefits that we’ve addressed many times in this blog, but who knew you could also paint and dye fabric with it? You absolutely can. Read this simple-step blog from Annie Sloan herself on dying lace curtains to look chic as ever (you know, ones that you can find at every single flea market, yard sale, and thrift store).
images from Annie Sloan
You can even recreate painted upholstery on worn out chairs with fabrics from linen to leather (just know that this isn’t necessarily a project suited for every single upholstered piece, but chat with your local Annie Sloan stockist like us for the best advice). Hometalk has a great before and after blog post on painted upholstery with Annie Sloan.
image from Hometalk
6) If you have a patio, balcony, or yard space, paint all the various styles of collected plant pots into a cohesive color collection with Chalk Paint® . ($25-$50, not necessarily including the cost of pots themselves— this depends on whether you’ve owned them already or not.)
We’ve collected so many pots over the years with various patterns, colors, and materials. Some were found for free at the curb, and some were acquired in other inexpensive ways (don’t get us wrong, you can certainly splurge on a new pot from the hardware store or your favorite ceramicist). However if you want to tie them all together, a great way to do so is paint them all in one color for a seamless look, or mix and match complimentary colors and patterns with paint.
Chalk Paint® , again the solution for almost everything, can be used outdoors. On porous pots, you don’t even need to seal them since heat and sun will bake the clay of the paint into the pores. We enjoyed this post by blogger Nicolette Tabram on her pot-painting journey, and you should read it too.
image from Nicolette Tabram
7) Change the hardware on one or a few of your furniture pieces or cabinets. ($15-$85)
This is perhaps one of the smallest yet most impactful changes one can make without changing the finish on furniture and cabinets themselves. If you rent, keep and store the old knobs and pulls and just change them back when you move out! We here at Silk & Sage especially love the unique knobs and pulls from Anthropologie, however there are plenty of fun and budget-friendly hardware sources out there.
BONUS IDEA: change out a light fixture if you feel daring enough (and ditto, reinstall the old fixture when and if you move out).
image from Anthropologie
8) Lovingly placed plants work wonders. ($0-$75)
Choose plants that work with the amount of sunlight you receive as well as your lifestyle. Seriously, doing so will not only change your space but will also elevate your mood. If you have a green thumb, you don’t have to buy new— just watch for plant sales and browse Craigslist including their ‘free’ section, because people often let go of plants that they think are dead but have plenty of life leftover once revived with patience. Don’t forget to choose pet-friendly plant options too! Check out Apartment Therapy’s Indoor Plant Finder Guide and Guide to Indoor Plants for Small Apartments.
image from POPSUGAR.
9) Add more storage space wherever you can with good-looking DIY shelving. ($15-$65)
This is a perfect change or addition on a couple fronts: shelving adds character to your space as a design element while offering nooks for your other decor items (picture frames, crystals, books), and shelving adds more practical organization and storage for limited areas such as small kitchens.
First measure the space where you want the added shelving to gauge the best dimensions for the shelving itself. Then cut a wood board (or multiples as needed) to the correct size— most hardware stores or lumber warehouses will do this for you for no to low added cost. Then either paint, stain, or oil the shelves to fit your design scheme. Attach to the walls sturdily by resting the shelving on cool brackets (we love these from Anthropologie) or making hanging rope ties. Don’t forget your level, measuring tape, and screw anchors!
images from Anthropologie (left) and Annie Sloan (right)
10) Add a mirror to a smaller space to open it up— a tried and true solution! ($15-$195)
Home owners and renters have incorporated mirrors into their style scheme for almost any reason (do you really need an excuse?), and when used correctly, a mirror can open up smaller rooms and spaces. Just pick and choose your favorite style per your budget— and if you need to change up a thrifted or outdated mirror frame, just paint it or use metallic gilding waxes.
Isn’t this mirror from West Elm just dreamy?
image from West Elm
These are just ten of many possible changes that can make your space feel more personal, no matter if you are renting or can’t expand yet on all the changes you want to make in your home right away. Some of these price ranges may vary due to the depth of your project, what kind of painting techniques you may do, etc. Also, please note that we are not affiliated with the links, retailers, and blogs provided other than with Annie Sloan and Farrow & Ball® . The other links, retailers, and blogs are just some that we have been inspired by and felt we should share with you too!
How to Open the New Chalk Paint® Litre Tin Lids
Have you bought an updated litre of Chalk Paint® but not been sure how to open the lid easily? Using these tips it should be a breeze for you.
Hello! Happy February. Our 2019 is in full swing, how about yours? Part of our new year has been an introductory to the updated packaging for the new Chalk Paint® litres. Have you tried the ‘global’ Annie Sloan paint yet? In case you’ve missed it, Chalk Paint® recently got a tiny update on the amount of clay in the formula, and therefore will be a little bit thicker in feeling going forward. We’ve been LOVING how creamy it is, and dare we say we didn’t know how it would ever possible for Chalk Paint® to get any better than what it’s been (since it’s so dreamy)… but it has. Our students and customers have been loving the update too.
The other part of that update is that the large tins will be transitioning over to litres from quarts, so you’ll be getting a tiny bit more bang for your buck as well. Opening the litre lids is a little bit of a learning curve, so we decided to highlight the best ways to open the lids without mangling them. All in all, they will be easier to press shut with just your hands going forward (instead of hammering them shut, eek).
Opening the tin
Ease the tin opener between the top of the lid and the edge of the tin.
Apply slight pressure and lift upwards.
Turn the tin a few degrees and repeat the motion. You will feel the air tight seal break and hear a “pop” noise.
Continue turning the tin until you have covered the whole circumference of the lid before attempting to pry the lid completely off.
Be as gentle and light handed as possible.
Following these steps will prevent the lid buckling or damaging the tin.
Closing the tin
To secure the lid after use, set in place on the top of the tin.
Place both palms on the lid and apply pressure down until you here a “pop”.
*The Wax, Lacquer, and Chalk Paint® tins are all the same, so you can use this method with every Annie Sloan tin. All metals are susceptible to some bending and denting if not handled gently.
If you haven’t made it to the ‘new’ formulated colors yet, visit us to get a quick painting demo to try it for yourself!
Happy Painting :)
What are the Differences Between the Three Chalk Paint® Whites?
Learn what the differences are between the now three colors of whites in the Chalk Paint® line!
Happy New Year and welcome back everyone. We’re moving into our 2019 with all the best intentions, and are getting some awesome new product additions in-stock. Some are the new Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan colors… which includes a ‘new’ white— the color ‘Original’ which has been included in Annie’s European collection for some time now and is just new to us. We’re thrilled to finally have it though!
Due to the fact that ‘Original’ has some creamy, warm undertones, and that the global ‘Old White’ has thus always been a bit cooler than what we’ve had in the USA, Annie has now adjusted the ‘Old White’ to be consistent with the global coloring as well. So what are the differences between the three Whites now, and what do they look like? For starters, we always have waxed samples at our Shop & Studio for you to view in real life, but here is a fabulous educational diagram:
While there is not much difference in the new colorations versus the old, we definitely suggest you visit us to see samples in-person. If you’re trying to paint a piece to coordinate with some other previous whites, you may find that the ‘Original’ is the most similar to what your old ‘Old White’ used to be and may coordinate best.
Another major plus in ensuring the colors are 100% consistent throughout the globe is that there’s been a small update to the paint’s consistency as well. We find that the paint is even more luscious and creamy. Pop in for a demo with the new paint as well!
Gifting Season Guide: Winter 2018
Peruse our recommendations for gifts that are unique, made by local artists, and/or are eco-friendly! For all budgets.
As far as we’re concerned, ‘gifting season’ generally encompasses Fall-Winter, with many different holidays and other cultural celebrations going on during this time. Another thing about this season… it often means travelling and spending time with loved ones in their homes, and it can be customary to bring a little thoughtful gift along now and then to such gatherings, especially if it’s the first season spent in a new home (truly housewarming).
It’s true that gifting should always be with the recipient in mind and never a selfish act! Focusing on unique, locally made, eco-friendly, and experiential gifts, here’s our Silk and Sage Design 2018 Gift Guide, with various price ranges for all budgets:
$5 and Under
A Thoughtful, Hand-Written Card With Fun Imagery and/or Original Artwork.
This is a classic that never gets old. The act of sending cards has waxed and waned through the years, but it’s definitely on the upswing in our opinion. Even for the smallest budget, sending your loved ones a genuinely thoughtful message (especially if you haven’t seen them in a while) is uplifting. And if they love the artwork they can frame the card!
Check out our locally-made ATX cards in-store from Beth and a Brush, Stationery Bakery, and Sharabella Fini, ranging from $4-$5 each including an envelope for each!
$10-$20
Zinc Heart & Arrow Measuring Spoon Sets.
Practical style in the kitchen is timeless. This set of measuring spoons available in-store has your typical 1/4 tsp - 1 tbsp. increments… but in the shapes of hearts (we just can’t get over them)! And you can untie their little leather strap to separate each spoon out if you’d like. They’re classier than your basic IKEA measuring spoon sets at $18 per set. Bonus idea: write down a favorite recipe and include it with the spoon set, or snag a yummy box of cake or spiced bread mix to give with the spoon set as a gift that you can bake together.
Rifle Paper Notepads and Weekly Calendar Pads.
Who doesn’t love organization that actually works and is low-commitment? Rifle Paper notepads, grocery list pads (with a magnet for your fridge!), and weekly calendar pads can be used whenever someone wants, however they want. Various lovely designs available in-store! Notepad styles range from $10-$13.
$20-$40
Candles Are Always Winners.
Candles are perfect for many reasons. They are consumable and experiential, thus making them loved and used with delight (most people we know almost savor their candles in small doses forever until they’re burnt through). We’re all about sustainable and nontoxic candle making methods too.
Explore scents from our candles-with-a-cause local Hello George Candles that supports Austin Pets Alive!, and candles in hand-thrown reusable ceramic vessels by Hey Moon Ceramics at our Shop & Studio. Both feature soy wax, lead-free wicks, and scents that are natural and/or essential oil derived ranging from $24-$38 a piece.
Design Book(s).
Pinterest is great and all, but what’s even nicer is to have a curated selection of inspiration bound right in front of you. Design books double as coffee table look books and well-loved idea generators. We’ve got great titles in-store, from Bohemian Modern to Creative Family Home, many books with step-by-step DIY painting projects, and price ranges from $20-$38.
Hammered Copper Bowls.
Our XL hammered copper bowls are large enough to be used as tabletop centerpiece vessels, or huge serving bowls for your dinner party gatherings. Each are 14.25” in diameter and $28. They are well loved gifts and are back by popular demand… snag one (or a couple) at our Shop & Studio as giftables while they last!
A Well-Made Mug.
We have a lovely selection of mugs for coffee and tea this season, many of which actually fit into cupholders and of course also fit well in the hand. Visit us for our complete current selection including works by Spako Clay, with price ranges from $24-$36 each. Bonus gift idea: add a tea ball or infuser, and/or a tea or coffee you know your giftee will love!
$50-$85
Captivating Throw Blankets.
For those with boho-chic, relaxed, and traveler vibes, throw blankets are an easy and timeless gift. We opt for ones that have been hand made, upcycled, sustainable, and made with care and compensation for the makers. Use them on the couch, on the bed, or take them to outdoor events (like picnics, concerts). Explore our one-of-a-kind kantha quilts, indigo, and mudcloth textiles in-store, ranging from $70-$80 each.
Image courtesy of Carla Aston’s blog to show the possibilities!
*Limited Edition Chalk Paint® by Annie Sloan Charleston Collection Color Boxed Sets.
A brand new arrival! These could be quite perfect for the painters in your life that seem to have just about everything. The new collaboration with Charleston Trust reveals 3 new colors: Firle (a chartreuse-y green yellow), Rodmell (an eggplant-y purple), and Tilton (a rich golden yellow). Each boxed set comes with a Project Pot of one of the new Chalk Paint® colors plus 2 Project Pots of colors that are complementary to it on the color wheel, plus a small pot of Clear Wax and an inspiration booklet! So cute yet sophisticated, for $48.95 per boxed set.
$85-$150
Chalk Paint® Mini Project Pack.
This is a gift that’s perfect for DIY and upcycling beginners. The Project Pack comes with 2 small Pots of Chalk Paint® Decorative Paint (you choose the colors) and Soft Waxes (Clear and Dark Brown), and a small Natural Bristle Brush. Bonus gift idea: add on a Small Wax Brush and/or an Annie Sloan design book that we feature in-store. Ranges $84.95-$149.95 for the different options.
Our Miss Mustard Seed’s Milk Paint Starter Kit
We decided to create an unofficial starter kit for MMSMP, to make it easy for those who are just getting started with or trying to gift some Milk Paint. Everything you need is in this kit, and we feature the Basic Kit plus one with a Wax Brush option. Ranges $98-$122 for different options.
$150+
Original Fine Artwork.
Are you close to your giftee and know their taste? Have they been eyeing a certain artist? What about local, original fine artwork? Check out our featured works from Arielle Austin (many of which are still under $150) in-store for mixed and layered abstract paintings and prints.
A Gift Certificate to a DIY Decorative Painting Class.
Set any amount and we will create a cute gift certificate for your giftee. Then they have the freedom to choose the level, date & time, and type of class to learn new DIY painting and technique skills— with Chalk Paint® , Milk Paint, crackle techniques, distressed techniques, metallics, and much more.
>> BONUS: Stocking Stuffers at Various Amounts! <<
FOLK Botanicals Essential Aromatherapy Mists in Coastal, Purify, and Wildwood- $18 ea. (locally made in small batches with dreamy botanical blends)
Spako Clay Turquoise Heart-Shaped Mini Dishes with 24k Gold- $28 ea. (locally hand-crafted, limited edition!)
Pear-Wood Spreaders, Cheese Knives, and Pastry Knives by Cooper & Claire- $17-25 ea. (locally hand-crafted, each is unique from urban salvaged wood)
And these are just the tip of the iceberg. We hope your season is cozy, and full of love with truly memorable experiences. Visit us at the Shop & Studio to explore and contact us to purchase any of our wonderful giftables listed above (ask about our shipping options). #shoplocalaustin <3
Farrow & Ball® Launches Nine New Colors!
Farrow & Ball has nine new gorgeous colors that were just announced! Learn more about them here.
Wow! We’re absolutely thrilled to share Farrow & Ball’s® official announcement of nine new colors yesterday. For the last few weeks since they’d announced there would be new colors coming, we’ve been on our toes with anticipation. What kind of neutrals would there be? What about fun, on-trend colors? Now the wait is over, behold the new nine with a little bit about their inspiration:
Bancha No.298
This mid-century modern green is a darker version of the much loved archive color Olive. Named after Japanese tea leaves, it provides a feeling of security.
De Nimes No.299
An elegant blue that is wonderfully down to earth, it is inspired by the cloth of everyday workwear originally made in the French city of the same name.
Jitney No.293
This relaxed and sandy neutral takes its name from the bus that whisks New Yorkers out of the hot city to the beaches of the Hamptons.
Paean Black No.294
This Georgian inspired red based black is a nod to the colour of old leather hymnals which so often included a song of praise or paean.
Preference Red No.297
Our deepest richest red, this Baroque colour is named in honour of our original trade name. The preferred red of modern homes.
Rangwali No.296
A pink inspired by the powder which is used so enthusiastically at the Holi festival of colours in India.
School House White No.291
The lightest in the group including Shadow White, Shaded White and Drop Cloth, this soft white is reminiscent of the colour used in school houses.
Sulking Room Pink No.295
This muted rose is evocative of the colours used in boudoirs, a room originally named after the French ‘bouder’ - to sulk.
Treron No.292
A grey green version of Farrow & Ball classic Pigeon, it takes its name from a green variety of the species. The perfect accent for our Traditional Neutrals.
There you have it! We officially have new color cards plus sample pots in all of the new colors in-stock at the Shop & Studio. We have sample boards as well— come for a visit to see the new nine! And we’ll be hosting a launch party on Saturday October 6th which we’ll share an event listing for soon. If needed, visit our Shop page for F&B Sample Pots and other paint sheens to place your order from the comfort of home.