We're moving soon, and there are several DIY projects we'll need to do in our new abode. Since we're on a very tight budget, we've been looking for money-saving ideas. This Old House's "Cheapskate Hall of Fame" offers 7 tips sent in by readers. The photo above is a clue to our favorite...
Tips sent in by TOH readers include:
• Performing prep work before the contractor performs the actual work
• Purchasing cheaper products at places such as restaurant supply stores and IKEA, and then having them cut to size
• Salvaging items from dumpsters outside houses being demolished (after obtaining permission)
• Buying anagylptic (embossed, paintable) wallpaper and using it as a faux tin ceiling (we love this idea, especially after becoming infatuated with Sibella Court's Silver Ceiling)
Image: patrickwoodward
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Comments (8)
the embossed ceiling trick could also hide all manner of uneven ceilings.
"Purchasing cheaper products at places such as restaurant supply stores and IKEA, and then having them cut to size"
Purchasing cheaper products doesn't always work - Many times the cost for the labor/hours it takes to modify the cheaper thing adds up to the cost of the real thing.
I put up a faux tin ceiling in my bathroom 3 years ago and it still looks great. The cost was $10 for the textured wallpaper from Home Depot and $24 for the metallic copper paint.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/howudoing/2843845953/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/howudoing/2844680990/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/howudoing/2843845835/
Lori, I can't believe how well this worked out for you!
I put up anaglypta wallpaper on the ceiling of the kitchen in my old house a few years ago. An absolute nightmare to apply, but the end result was positively stunning.
Lori, how did you handle the molding? That finishing detail really pulls the look together. Fabulous work!
Chris,
The molding is that cheap white molded plastic stuff they sell in home centers. It took the paint beautifully.
as a renter, is there a sneaky way to do this so that the wallpaper could be easily removed when i move out?