Sayonara, Starter Home

A sophisticated drafting desk anchors this once-conflicted room as a home office, while a new radiator cover looks like a beautiful piece of furniture. New window treatments and a light fixture that harkens back to the home's era are valuable details that buyers won't overlook.

Cost breakdown:

granite countertops $1,000
furniture $375
lighting $300
paint $145
window treatments $100
accessories $74

Total: $1,994

Products from Wal-Mart:

lamp in home office, 070299280769
photo frames in home office, 003855543494
photo mats in home office, 007859240140

Products from The Home Depot:

light fixture in home office, 611728087701
materials for radiator cover in home office
kitchen light fixture, 609839200706

Products from Office Depot:

home-office chairs, 842008

Products from Hancock Fabrics:

home-office fabric, Dawsons Dot, 001297936
home-office fabric, Pumpkin, 1405 000705244
home-office fabric, Ivory, 1512

Products from JC Licht:

home-office wall paint, Benjamin Moore's Grand Canyon, 118
kitchen ceiling paint, Ceiling White
kitchen wall paint, Benjamin Moore's Broken Arrow, 1026
kitchen trim paint, Benjamin Moore, custom tinted to match existing trim
bathroom paint, Benjamin Moore's Northampton Putty, HC-89

Products from Ikea:

kitchen chairs, Stefan, Black

Products from Lowe's:

can lighting fixtures for kitchen, Newport mini, 166113 3
cabinet hardware, satin finish, 64296
wall-mounted swivel mirror in bathroom, Pinnacle, 154765

Products from HomeGoods:

bathroom towels, 029052 and 029066