Toning Down the House

Soothing and elegant! The walls are painted off-white with two accent walls painted two different shades of gray. The fireplace is painted a glossy white, making it an open and airy focal point. A new light fixture goes up where there was none. The temporary construction-paper shades are replaced with stylish curtains and bamboo blinds. In the dining room, a new radiator cover (not shown) does a gorgeous job of covering the massive radiator. The cover also functions well; it directs heat out into the room instead of up to the ceiling.

Cost breakdown:

floor supplies $503
accessories $344
furniture $303
window treatments $250
hardware $243
lighting $222
paint and supplies $118

Total: $1,983

Living room

Products from Lowe's:

light fixture, 23648

Products from HomeGoods:

coffee nesting tables, 083299 and 017525

Products from Pier 1 Imports:

vase fillers, 2106419 (lata sticks) and 2106219 (birch branches)
floral toss pillows, 2086307
wall screen, 2101231

Products from Burlington Coat Factory:

living room fireplace mirror, 704-71094265
ceramic red bowl in living room, 805-69937813

Products from Ikea:

white toss pillows, 10082547

Products from World Market:

bamboo window blinds, C00000344568

Products from Target:

4 x 4 pillar candles, 054091548

Pineapple Paint Company colors used (for Benjamin Moore Paints):

wall with fireplace, Sea Haze, eggshell, 2137-50
wall that separates dining room: Desert Twilight, eggshell, 2137-40
rest of living and dining room walls: Gray Owl, eggshell, 2137-5

Dining room

Products from Expo Design Center:

light fixture, 666198103819

Products from Merrifield Garden Center:

basket for plant, 7PTBAS1499

Products from Pier 1:

jute rug, 2112937

Products from Burlington Coat Factory:

table runner, 781-69698893

Products from Bed, Bath & Beyond:

black window panels, 13205234618
red window panels, 7638903173

Products from Ikea:

curtain hardware: rods, 90079372 and finials, 83485180

Backyard

Products from Merrifield Garden Center:

shepherds' hooks, 7ACHOO72071
bamboo fencing, 6 x 12, 7STFENBAM8999
outdoor pots for flowers, 7PTPOT2999

Products from Pier 1:

wicker benches, 2056291

Products from Ikea:

pots for palms, 70069369

Products from Home Depot:

outdoor plants: palms, 703287100202; annuals, 703287100394; spikes, 703287101605