Studio Apartment Makeover

Design on a Dime : Episode DOD-511 -- More Projects »
Heather Hodges resides in a small studio apartment and wants to separate the living and sleeping areas to have a designated place where she can meet with clients.
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Before
The Dilemma

Interior designer Kristan Cunningham arrives to check out the space. The bed is unfinished and needs to be dressed with a headboard and more substantial bedding. Furniture needs to be rearranged to better define the different areas. The window treatments are more shabby than chic and the yellow walls need to be toned down. New furniture pieces are needed to add more storage and replace the existing hand-me-down furniture.

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After
The Solution

The small apartment is reorganized and redecorated to better fit Hodges' lifestyle--here's how the design team gets it done on the $1,000 budget:

  • The bright yellow walls are toned down with a light pale green. The cracks in the walls are played up with darker paint for more texture and depth.
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  • Design coordinator Spencer Anderson builds a clean-lined headboard and paints it white for a simple backdrop to the bed. More headboard ideas>>
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  • Cunningham shops for a new couch and chair and snags a deal at a thrift store. She covers the sofa with a new off-white slipcover and adds color with throw pillows. A new oval coffee table provides the perfect perch for drinks.

  • Design coordinator Dave Sheinkopf adorns a metal yard-sale stool with a painted stencil. He first paints it a soft green then stencils the top with a romantic rose design.

  • Cunningham creates a fabric room divider to separate the living and sleeping areas. The panels are hung from wall-to-wall wire with clip rings. More Room Dividers>>

  • The shabby-chic style armoire is positioned in the new living room where it houses the television.
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  • The windows are elegantly dressed with new taupe-colored satin panels.
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  • Finishing touches include a new chandelier in the living room, new luxurious linens for the bed and decorative plates and mirrors used for accessories.

    The Cost

    Furniture - $381

    • couch: Salvation Army
    • leaf stenciling for stool: Michaels - 10 Skeletal Leaf, #608833093208
    • drop-leaf coffee table: IKEA - Lixhult, Antique White #70058752

    Art and accessories - $330

    • hanging wall plates: Michaels - 53486909879, 53486918970, 53486919007
    • silver cable room divider and hardware: IKEA - Frevkens, cable #63503585, brackets #43503685
    • fabric for room divider: Michael Levine - Taupe, #5988
    • silk tablecloth used for divider: Ross - Taupe, #40450610987602
    • cream sofa cover with sage piping: Bed, Bath and Beyond - Cttn Duck Sofa Cover, #4729321370
    • wood frame: IKEA - #40000060
    • bedside lamp: IKEA
    • floor mirror: Kmart - White #01264905029

    Bedding - $97

    • queen bed skirt: Target - Cream, #060130234
    • sheet set and duvet cover: Marshalls - Taupe/Green, #007721733, #003627798
    • pillows: Marshalls - Polka Dot/Taupe/Sage, #023320082, #023320082, #006070845

    Lighting - $82

    • chandelier: IKEA - Gospel, Silver #10247100

    Window treatments - $75

    • taupe window panels: Linens 'n Things - Satin Solid Taupe, #025883270364

    Paint and supplies - $33

    • wall paint: Behr - Belvedere Cream, 770C-2

    Project Total - $998

    • Resources
    decorative project materials
    Michaels
    Website: www.michaels.com

    decorative project materials
    Ross Stores
    Website: www.rossstores.com

    decorative project materials
    Marshalls
    Website: www.marshallsonline.com

    paint
    Behr Process Corp.
    Website: www.behr.com

    fabric
    Michael Levine, Inc.
    Website: www.mlfabric.com

    decorative project materials
    Ikea
    Website: www.ikea.com

    decorative project materials
    Bed Bath & Beyond
    Website: www.bedbathandbeyond.com

    decorative project materials
    Linens 'n Things
    Website: www.lnt.com

    decorative project materials
    Kmart Corporation
    Website: www.kmart.com

    decorative project materials
    Target Department Store
    Website: www.target.com
    Also in this Episode
    Design on a Dime : Episode DOD-511
    •Studio Apartment Makeover