Weekend decorator

CLEVER TRICKS TO MINI DECOR PROJECTS... WE ROUND UP THE SIMPLEST, QUICKEST WAYS TO MAKE YOUR HOME MORE BEAUTIFUL NOW

- LAURIE DAVIDSON

1 DISPLAY SPRING FLOWERS

Is there anything better than a collection of flowers sitting pretty on a cabinet or windowsill? Plant flowers in small pots and add stems to vases, then place them next to each other for a pretty floristry arrangement. Think about using different vessels for interest too everything from tall jugs to narrowneck vases works well.

2 PAINT A STRIPE EFFECT 

Treat your walls to a fun patterned update by painting a horizontal set of stripes in different colours. Whether you run them along the top of the walls beneath the ceiling, or above the skirting at the bottom, follow the room's angles, taking in any alcoves and even running them across doors and window frames.

3 Line Style saver drawers with wallpaper or wrapping paper. Just cut your chosen paper to the size of your drawer and fix in place using spray adhesive.

4 SHOWCASE A CORNER

Hang lots of framed prints and paintings in a corner and turn a dull space into your own mini art gallery. Go for different sizes and materials for the frames to vary the look.

5 HOW TO MAKE A CUPBOARD CURTAIN

Hide open shelving or replace a cabinet door with handy gathered curtains for relaxed country style.

Measure the dimension of the space where your curtain will go. Choose the fabric you'd like for your curtain and cut the piece to fit, allowing a little extra for the width to ensure a slightly looser fit and to allow for the hems and a channel for the curtain rod.

Next you need to sew a hem on all the raw edges. Fold the edge in half an inch and iron it flat, then use a sewing machine to sew the hem.