The Cheapskate's Guide to Redoing A Room For Less Than $100.

My family room furniture is a lovely, squishy, comfy set in that faux-suede stuff that cleans beautifully. It is also a neutral, putty color. I chose that color intentionally because I often like to change things up and I figured it was cheaper to buy new pillows than to buy a new couch every month or so. I'm sure Tom agrees with me. I have written before how much I like dollar stores and shopping at second hand stores like Goodwill, so you can just imagine how cheaply I can redo my living room.

When I began planning my Valentine cookie exchange party, I knew I would have to do a little redecorating before the party, although in actuality, I'm not sure my friends and family ever notice. They are rather a chatty bunch and, once we start talking, I think a rabid skunk could walk through the room and nobody would even notice. But I would notice. The decorating. And probably the skunk as well.

And so the redecorating began. I had intended to redo my living room curtains anyway so (after finding that my FREE curtains would not work), I began browsing at Target through the clearance items with no preconceived ideas about color - I was open to anything - and found some fabulous chocolate brown sheers. I managed to hang them without hurting myself or getting them hung backwards.

OK. Yes, I DID hang them backwards but just as soon as I noticed the tag in the front, I fixed them. No problem at all.

They turned out quite nicely, but I thought they were just a little bland.

So I went back and got some cream sheers and stuck them in the middle. Still not quite right...

So I added a scarf. Ah. Perfect. Although I have to let Liz give the seal of approval before I decide I'm completely in love with how this looks.

I found some chocolate brown pillows and threw them on the couch.

And added a cream and chocolate brown throw.

I decided we might have just a little too much brown so I found an old vase and put together a pink arrangement. I keep old vases and silk flowers for just such a situation.

Then I found some dark brown baskets at Wal-Mart and added them.

And...I think I'm ready. I'll share more of my party decorations and pictures from the party on Monday. Just as soon as I finish eating all the cookies my guests will leave for me. I LOVE the whole cookie exchange idea. How else can you get people to bake cookies for you?

And the whole room? Done for quite a bit less than $100.