Most people have at least one outdated or “blah” lighting fixture in their house.  I call mine lampy.  Lampy is a 1970’s crystal/goldleaf-ed tall monstrosity.  I fixed it up with a friend, and it has a deep sentimental meaning, so I keep it around.  Lampy had a shade made out of white trashbags that was gathered with gold twist ties for design.  So we changed out the shade and antiqued some of the gold, and lampy is still a fire hazard, but it’s my fire hazard. My point is, maybe your lighting fixture doesn’t have a name, and therefore you can change it out for something you really love, and then name that if you wish. This chandelier has a retail value of $130, it used to be priced at $79.99, and is now on sale for just $27.97.  This is a great oppurtunity to update some outdated lighting fixtures.  This would look fantaboulous in a dining room.  Ok, so I just made up that word, but that is how good this deal is.

Thursdays just aren’t the same since “Friends” went off the air. They embodied a generation, and even effected our decorating style. To copy the “Friends” home decorating style is pretty easy and budget friendly, it just takes paint. Paint everything the same color, light switch covers, doors, trim, in a periwinkle or green.Kitchen: Paint one wall of cabinets a distressed butter yellow. Paint the rest of the cabinets turquoise. The “Friends” also had wood countertops, and try draping your sink with a vintage floral tablecloth. Consider taking off some of the cabinet doors so the cupboards become shelves to display large coffee cups, or even food items. Gather up different styles of chairs from garage sales and paint them each a different color.

Living Room: Think comfortable. An overstuffed sofa, and a chair and a half, in a neutral color, like white, taupe or yellow. Use a soft fabric like velvet, chenille, or leather.  For an easy, inexpensive “Friends” makeover liven up your current sofa by using unusual decorative throw pillows, and keep a throw neatly folded on the back of the sofa for a punch of color.

Art:  Use large vintage framed colorful posters.

Accessories: Think fun, if you don’t use your dining table, replace it with a game table. Don’t forget your doors!  Put up an etcha sketch or apply a funky frame around the peephole.

Lighting:  The “Friends” use a lot of lighting, mostly table lamps and wall sconces. Try a mixture of styles and colors, a stained glass lamp, a retro one, and something with beads or tassels.

You can remix what you already have, add a little paint, and a few new accessories, and you can have the “Friends” look on a budget, depending on what you already have, maybe even under $100.

To say I’m fanatical about the hit TV show “Gilmore Girls” is an understatement. If Stars Hallow were an actual place I would move there. There are apparently several Stars Hallow’s in the United States, but Rory, Luke, and Loralai probably don’t live there, so what’s the point? Instead it might be necessary to create our own Stars Hallow, by copying the decorating style. The Gilmore’s combine a classic house with their funky accessories. Usually in decorating less is more, but with the Gilmore’s more is more. No decluttering is necessary. Click on any pictures for more information. For the Gilmore’s Style you will need:

1. Architecture: The Gilmore’s have gorgeous archways, a fireplace, a porch, hardwood floors, and vintage looking tile in the kitchen. Maybe you aren’t as lucky, or you live in an apartment and the landlord/neighbors disapprove of you building a wrap around porch. Try adding a faux fireplace or candlescape

.

2. Walls: Light Color or Wallpaper. The Gilmore’s keep their walls muted so their personalities stand out. The floors are a basic hardwood. This style works well if you are a renter and can’t paint, embrace your light colored walls!

3. Art: Try a large poster from your favorite movie, next to a set of vintage floral prints. Use your art as a way of opening up conversations or introducing people to a favorite band they might not have heard of.

4. Funky Accessories: This is where the Gilmore personality shines. Whether it’s a dress form, a monkey lamp, or a fuzzy alarm clock, go crazy. Use bright colors, beads, and faux fur to inexpensively imitate their look. Mix these in with inherited pieces or antiques to get the exact style.

The lesson we can learn from the Gilmore’s is embrace the quirkiness.  Maybe the tile in your kitchen doesn’t match anything else, or you can’t afford to replace the lace curtains on every window. The Gilmore’s combine a kitschy antique style, with very modern, funky elements, to create a home.

 Is your decorating style modern, eclectic, rustic, beachy or formal?  Don’t know? Are you drowning in paint swatches?  Can’t make decisons about furniture or art? Are you sick of me asking all these questions? Try our free decorating quiz here. How accurate is the quiz?  Leave a comment and let us know.