| The trend these days is to discover extremely | | | | time. All you need is a plain wall, some cheap acrylic |
| innovative ways to decorate interiors on a budget. The | | | | paint, a sponge and lots of enthusiasm! If you can't |
| tips provided below are just a few of the many ways | | | | afford the expensive sea sponges, then don't fret yet, |
| one can inexpensively achieve a truly original look for a | | | | there is help. Just get any old/new sponge, randomly |
| room. | | | | pinch out pieces so you get an uneven plucked out |
| Borders on a wall are an elegant way to change the | | | | effect. Now hold this piece of 'personal art' |
| look of a room. The easiest way to do this is to paint | | | | comfortably in your hand and dip it into the paint. Then |
| two parallel lines either at eye level or about a foot | | | | dab the paint-soaked portion onto a scrap of paper, |
| above the floor. Deciding on what motifs or designs to | | | | just to get the excess paint out. Proceed to applying |
| paint or stencil between these two lines will depend | | | | the sponge onto the wall at regular intervals. Stand |
| entirely on who the occupants of the room are. For | | | | back and view your artwork before touching up the |
| example, if it is a child's room then you could dip the | | | | design. Have fun! |
| child's hands in paint and make hand prints between | | | | To go in for a really coordinated design scheme, you |
| the lines at regular intervals. I am yet to find a kid who | | | | can use the same effects you used on the walls of |
| doesn't enjoy this activity thoroughly! Also, kids love to | | | | the room on the furniture or other accessories in the |
| display their school art projects on their bedroom walls. | | | | room. For example, if your kitchen walls have the leaf |
| Try hanging up these projects on their room walls and | | | | design, then you can use the same design on the |
| watch their eyes light up! | | | | cupboards, tabletops, and refrigerator door and bread |
| Another option for border design is block printing using | | | | box too! |
| vegetables or fruits. Capsicum, okra and apples when | | | | I hope that was a fun set of frugal ideas to spruce up |
| cut in half horizontally, dipped in paint and stamped onto | | | | your walls this summer. But before you rush off to |
| the surface produce readymade floral designs. String | | | | start, make a note of the following tips too: |
| beans can be used to print tiny leaf designs. Use your | | | | |
| imagination to cut up a design on potatoes or carrots. | | | | 1. Make sure the surface to be decorated is clean and |
| Then use this as a homemade stencil to reproduce the | | | | dry. |
| design. | | | | 2. Keep your supplies [sponge, paint, rags, scraps of |
| Here is another great way to add design to your walls. | | | | paper or tissue, stencils, vegetables or fruits etc] on an |
| Choose any old toy car or truck in your child's toy | | | | old newspaper so you don't have a messy floor to |
| basket, dip the wheels into the paint and roll it along the | | | | contend with at the end of your project. |
| surface to create parallel lines; or you could zigzag | | | | 3. Use acrylic craft paint instead of the oil based stencil |
| them for a cute effect! | | | | paint because it is brighter and easier to clean. |
| Step outside for a walk. Pick up a few leaves that | | | | Now that just reminds me, there are a whole lot of |
| appeal to you. Now dip the leaf surface into the paint | | | | people staying in rented homes who aren't allowed to |
| and press it onto the wall to create a naturally | | | | paint their walls! Guess what? You can still decorate |
| stenciled leaf design. | | | | with any design you want! Here's what you do: |
| For a genuine work of art, try this. Dip an old | | | | Using any of the tips given above, paint, stencil or |
| toothbrush into paint. Hold the brush close to the | | | | block-print the designs you want on cheap sheets or |
| surface you would like to produce this effect on. Now | | | | old bed sheets. Make sure you use good quality fabric |
| pull back the bristles and release them gently so that a | | | | paint. |
| fine spray effect is produced on the desired surface. | | | | Let it dry thoroughly. Then cut out these designs and |
| Test out the spray action on a piece of paper before | | | | soak them in a solution of liquid starch and water [2 |
| trying it on a wall. Sponge painting is another surface | | | | tsp starch to one cup water]. Now place them on the |
| painting method to create special effects | | | | walls wherever you want. They can be peeled off |
| inexpensively. Sponged-on designs actually let you | | | | easily when you get tired of them or when it's time to |
| personalize your space with minimum effort, cost and | | | | move! |