Update Your Space: Before & After Shots

I took the plunge. Not in the Kim Kardashian, marry-a-swaggering-rapper sense. No, the plunge I took was far more permanent than any of that ‘til death do us part stuff.

I painted brick. Lots of brick.

Actually I hired some guys to paint the brick.

And it may be the paint fumes talking, but my advice this week is to take a decorating plunge. You know that part of your house that makes you crazy?

Do something about it. 

Don’t just ignore it and hope you will someday develop great appreciation for 1980s, woodsy family rooms.

You don’t have to be able to swing an entire overhaul either. In our case, a cool, modern, rock-walled fireplace would have looked great, but ‘twas not in the budgetary cards.

Compromise was the answer. Painted brick updates the look without busting the budget, and – bonus! – it provides a great backdrop to highlight artwork from the Dynamic Duo.

Take a look at your space. What change would you really like to make? Maybe it’s a new bedspread or throw pillows or coordinating baskets (in which to stash clutter).

With online sites like overstock.com and discount stores like Home Goods you can make small updates for a small amount. But a small update pays big rewards if it transforms a space from cringe-worthy to smile-worthy. 

Remember this guideline for choices in decorating, not choices in groom as it is above guru girl’s pay grade to figure out how Kim Kardashian is going to make her latest project a little less cringe-worthy. Probably the millions she made from selling the wedding pictures will help with that.

If you don’t have a few extra million laying around, you can still find ways to change it up. Decorate with swagger, guru girls & guys!