Fast and Fashionable Ideas

Everyday inexpensive items can be used to make decorating accents that are better and cheaper than similar items sold in boutiques.

Fringed Throw Pillows
Use large, fringed napkins in solids or beautiful prints to make throw pillows. They can be backed with felt, suede cloth or velvet.

Tapestry For Pennies
Fabulous tapestry place mats might seem expensive at around $20 for place mats since you'll need 4 or 6. But, if used to make a pillow, you'll only need one and the expense for this item won't seem so great. They have a backing so just open one end, add stuffing and restitch closed. A cinch!

From Rags To Riches
Use a small, scatter, rag rug to make a large bolster pillow. Loosely stuff and place across the back of your sofa or on a bed. Looks casual, soft and comfy.

Pocket Pillow
Use the bottom half of a pretty apron to make the perfect pillow for holding glasses and a paperback book right at hand. Look for the cute aprons printed with a row of kittens or ducks. Cut off the bib part of the apron and use the bottom portion with the pockets for the front of the pillow.

Hanky Sachets
Use delicate, lace-edged hankies to make pillow sachets for the linen closet or to place in dresser drawers. Put them in boxes of off-season clothes to keep them smelling sweetly while not in use.

New Seat Cover
If you have a needlepoint or hooked rug that is partially destroyed, use the good portion to upholster the seat of a chair. The same goes for an unrepairable quilt.

Copyright Leslie Linsley, author
Reprinted by permission HouseNet, Inc.

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