Jennifer Convey, host of HGTV's Awesome Interiors, meets with smart shopper Ken Smith for some cheap and easy decorating tips. Ken has found great deals at garage sales, swap meets, secondhand stores and going-out-of-business sales -- not to mention garbage cans. Ken's fabulous finds include an Egyptian tapestry from the menswear section of a large department store, display chairs from a flower shop and an armoire previously used to store merchandise at a children's store. A dresser, purchased at Goodwill for its beautiful lines, turned out to be a true treasure with inlaid wood and dovetailed drawers. Ken's creative talents extend to sewing and fabric. He slipcovered his stereo speakers in lightweight cotton canvas to make good-looking pedestals for stacking favorite books and displaying art. A great-looking window treatment is made with inexpensive fabric strung with leather shoelaces and hung from eyebolts in the ceiling. Ken's tips for saving big money on furnishings? Look for the hidden potential in any item. Buy cheap. Customize the piece to meet your needs. Top 10 Sources for Bargain Furnishings The key to decorating on a shoestring is knowing where to find furniture and accessories at discount prices. Here are DIY's top sources: Antiques stores
Auctions
Build-it-yourself stores
Buy factory direct
Flea markets and swap meets
Garage and estate sales
Going-out-of-business sales
Outlet malls
Thrift stores
Unfinished-furniture stores
RESOURCES :
Ken Smith, Collector
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