$100 Half-Day Designs: Colonial Dining Room Makeover

Materials and Tools:

spray paint (Krylon, White Laquer)
painter's tape
fabric
1x2 lumber
saw
staple gun
screw gun
wood screws
tension rods
branches
sheer gold ribbon
thicker plain gold ribbon
pillow cases
no-sew tape
iron
ironing board

Steps:

1. Begin by measuring the windows and cutting the fabric down to size. Leave the fabric about four inches wider than the window. Fold over the side edges and secure them with the no-sew tape. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for ironing on the tape and use it to give the sides of the window treatments a hand-sewn look.

2. Cut the 1x2 to fit the window. Fold the top of the fabric over and staple it in with the staple gun.

3. Wrap a piece of the sheer ribbon around each end of the wood and curtain, putting a staple at the top on the 1x2 and then tying it with a bow at the bottom of the curtain.

4. Screw the wood up into the top of the window with the wood screws and screw gun.

5. Detach the chandelier and light fixture from the ceiling, being sure to cut the power before doing so. Remove all the bulbs and place a piece of painters tape in each of the empty holes to keep paint out. Take the chandelier outside and spray paint it using the white lacquer spray paint. Hold the can six to ten inches from the fixture to get a nice even coat. Set it on a piece of cardboard for drying. Once dry, hang and turn power back on.

6. Paint branches white as well, to add as natural decor to the room. After they dry, place them in the window sill.

7. Slide pillowcases over the backs of the dining chairs. To dress them up further, tie a bow around the backs of the chairs with the gold ribbon.