Apartment Living Room Makeover

• One wall is painted a bold red to coordinate with the homeowner's red leather sofa. The three remaining walls are painted a warm tan color.
  
• Vinyl roller shades are re-created with black mesh fabric. They simply replace the vinyl with the black mesh and reattach to the inside of the window casing.
  
• The chair and ottoman are slipcovered in a cream diamond quilted fabric with black and tan fringe. The same fabric is used for chair pads on the wood dining chairs; thick bullion fringe is used for trim.
  
• A dramatic focal point is created along the red wall with a large wall unit made of industrial shelving components normally reserved for a garage or workshop. The light tan color blends nicely with the tan-painted walls. They add tongue-and-groove panels to act as shelves.
  
• Plumping pipes and fittings are fashioned together to create industrial-style candleholders.
  
• The homeowner's cabinet is painted and outfitted with dowel rods for a perfect place to display china.

Steps:

1. Cut black mesh fabric to the appropriate size and hem the bottom edge. Add a beaded pull.
   
2. Remove the existing vinyl shade from the adjustable roller.
   
3. Pull back the tape and wrap the top of the mesh fabric around the roller. Replace the tape and hang.

Itemized Design Elements

$38 - two gallons of paint (The Home Depot: crimson red; tan - Light Coffee)
$174 - wall unit (The Home Depot)
$46 - roller shades (mesh fabric - outlet)
$123 - chair and ottoman slipcovers (fabric and trim - outlet)
$23 - pillows
$9 - chair pads
$9 - molding and hooks
$20 - plants
$19 - candleholders (Menard's)
$39 - candleholders (Menard's)

$500 - Total Cost