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Those who are not on class...

As you already know, i am a fan of several home design magazines and its been a while that ive been keeping myself updated on their current issues. Now, i am so excited to buy the latest issue and see if i can still avail of the old ones. Honestly, im getting more and more excited, artistic, imaginative and clever as the day passes by. Most likely, i am learning from what i read.

But more often than not, i feel a little bit depressed after looking closely on the details of design. Yes, a makeover truly gave the best options that a homeowner can get. Theres a lot of improvement and none of them was bad. They are all wonderful and ill be happy if i can have even the simplest makeover that i had encountered. Even their displays are great, looking at the pieces and every details of the design. Luckily, some of them featured the designers, where to buy them and how. They even provide the prices of those pieces!
(inset picture is example only)

And here comes the dilemma. Imagine a simple reading area with one piece single seater upholstered sofa...price cost, Php 24,000.00. A round wooden table for some display..price cost Php 12,000.00. A simple lamp for additional lighting...price cost Php 7,000.00. Simple picture frames...price cost Php 1,500.00. A nice piece of drape...price cost Php 2,000.00. A vase for faux flowers...price cost Php 3,500.00. The faux flower...price cost Php 250.00 per stem!It should be very beautiful based on the cost of the design!!!...!!!...!!!

Ok let us compute the overall cost of the reading area, its Php 50,250.00.

And for a modest family, that Php50k will enable them to buy a modest dining table and a modest sofa! That means from that price, they can already fill up the necessity for two rooms in the house!So meaning, im sorry to say that those magazines only cater the class A citizens. Those midde class society will never get a chance to own such pieces. Unless they are willing to sacrifice some basic necessities over those luxuries! Or won on the magazine's homemakeover contest!

What i mean is, price really matters on design. But that doesnt mean that we in the middle class doesnt have a chance to have a nice, beautiful and well designed home...

We dont have to buy the same or exact pieces, we just have to get it as an inspiration.

Here are a few tips...

1. Whenever you see a very nice lay out of a living room in a magazine, cut it out or carry the magazines wherever you will go. You may find the pieces accidentally!
2. If you are purchasing the sofa, purchase one with the same color or same style or same look, more often than not, youll see one that is not that expensive but will have the same look.

You can opt for this one for the same look as the above...

or even this one...the only factor will be the price and of course...the quality

3. Do not buy all the pieces in one time, a good design completes in time. Do not rush over the design, look for the "same look" piece and dont go for impulses or temporary buys. The design will look so overdone!

4. Measure the furnitures and pieces. You may be overwhelmed with the design and will forget if it will fit in your door or on your space. Bear in mind that one of the consideration for a good design is that there should be enough room for people to walk in!

5. Considered flea markets but be very meticulous on buying. You may find very good stuff but you may also find a very bad one. Just list the things that you only need, flea markets has a lot of stuff and you may find buying things you dont need if youre not that organized!

6. Think think and think, do not go beyond your means, in this life, we should be practical.
Make your home a nice dream home for you...be creative, have fun and enjoy the simplest things...

Btw...heres a nice blog for all those people who have creative juices...i think we have the same design philosophy...

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