"Launched in 2005, Home-Dzine was created to realise a dream; to express my love of home DIY and decor and share with other South Africans. As a non-commercial website I am free to express my own opinions and pass on valuable information to readers.
I feel that more people can benefit by being able to DIY home improvement and home repairs. And we're not talking about major DIY home repairs, but those that anyone with a bit of DIY savvy can do themselves."
Real life bedroom makeovers
Small changes to a bedroom in a rented home can make the difference between 'staying' there and 'living' there. You might be renting, but you still want it to feel like 'home'.
If you speak to the landlord, most will agree to let you paint the walls with certain limitations and as long as you agree to paint them back to their original colour before you leave.
LEFT: The bedroom before.
Previously used as a makeshift office, the furniture was removed and put into storage to make way for the new bedroom.
The carpet was in very good condition and only needed a good clean.
The walls were painted in a soft dove grey.
ABOVE: My daughter moved into a rental house with 2 friends. Here are a few photos of her bedroom. She wanted a bed that looked inviting and "poofy". She also wanted white bedding. The inspiration for the room was the wall decal she found online.
ABOVE: The white furniture provides a wonderful constrast against the dove grey walls, especially when combined with white linen and yellow and grey accents.
Dramatic shoebox makeover
So small, you simply couldn't imagine that this tiny space could be transformed into a bedroom.
Why do developers think that a third bedroom should be designed for a midget!
ABOVE: This shoebox of a space transformed! The turquoise, white, and black bedding was the basis for the rest of the room. After every bit of space, nook, and cranny was accounted for, I believe that we accomplished a spectacularly wonderful, not-so-typical bedroom.
Tranquil retreat
LEFT and BELOW: What a difference!
Broken white, taupe and pale turquoise combine to create the most beautiful and tranquil space.
Ceiling to floor drapes make the room appear more spacious and break up the solid colour of the walls and furniture.
Discover colour
I always admire people for taking the time to paint a bedroom or refresh the living room walls, but I've always tended to shy away from colour.
Well, after indulging in a few too many free swatch samples at the hardware store, I fell into a colour wheel high and emerged with the perfect hues of deep turquoise.
I must admit, cracking open the paint can meant for the bedroom was a little nerve-racking, I think I mumbled to myself "what have you done?" But my love for colour stepped in and forced the first roll across the wall. Add in a few nightstand touches and the bedroom was ready to go. Now, my glowing wall of turquoise is better than any standard white I've seen.
[dodi - bortner - maine cottage - casasugar]