What is the most important advice you can offer financially-strapped individuals seeking home decorating tips?
Lee: For those of us who want to work within a budget, I recommend creating an outline of your home and pre-planning the theme, colors and design of each room. The best advice I have to offer is be creative and take your time figuring out what style really suits you best. You don’t need to spend a ton of money on elaborate home decorating items. When you decorate the Semi-Homemade way, focus on recycling items that you already have in your own home and then you can spend on new, must-have items. For example, you can re-cover chairs with recycled fabric and decorate your dining room by embellishing glasses, vases, bottles or terra cotta pots. Stock your closet with extra fabric, wrappings, candles, flowers, ribbon and cards. With the holiday season coming up, you can create personal items and a beautiful atmosphere for your guests. Cincy Chic: When you were younger, you experienced a lot of hardships and “adult” responsibilities at a young age. How were you able to keep it all together?
