3 no-money makeovers I did for Glamour Magazine

I was so excited when I got an e-mail that read in the subject line “Glamour Calling”, it was from the Lifestyle Editor, Joanna Bober and she wanted to know if I’d be interested in making over 3 different bedrooms for the magazine! Of course I said yes but she let me know there was a challenge attached to the offer, all I was allowed to buy was a can of paint, I had to completely transform the 3 spaces using items that they already had!

It was fun and I saw it as an opportunity to show people how they can update the look of their room with a new design twist on existing items they own! I was also thrilled because I knew it would coincide with the release of my book and even though the book deals with small spaces it also gives tons of general interior design ideas and inspirations so this was a great way to let loads of readers know about my book, Libby Langdon’s Small Space Solutions.
What was really fun was when the magazine hit newsstands, I got a call from a producer on the Rachel Ray Show who saw the Glamour article and wanted to know if I could give one of their viewers a no budget makeover! Again, of course I said yes!!! I’ll keep you posted on when my episode will actually air on TV!!!

Stay warm, stay stylish and stay tuned…Libby!

How to…make a light fixture out of a magazine bin

You’ll need:
– A bin that’s at least 10 inches wide in each direction (a large basket works too)
– 2 metal dry cleaning hangers (the kind with the cardboard tube that’s used to hang pants is easiest to work with)
– Electrical tape

Pop off the cardboard tube and hook the top part of the metal hangers pieces diagonally across the bin so that they crisscross, halfway down the sides.

If there isn’t already a hole in your bin or basket then you will need to punch your own four holes with a drill (or use a hammer and a fat nail to create the holes, removing the nail once the surface is punctured). Thread the hanging socket at least three inches below where the metal hangers crisscross in the center of the bin and then affix the wire to the hangers with electrical tape. BE SURE TO LEAVE AT LEAST THREE INCHES OF CLEARANCE AROUND THE BULB. Flip on the light and enjoy the new glow!

How to… stencil a headboard

You’ll need:
– Masking or blue painter’s tape
– Paint
– A pencil

Decide where you’d like to position your headboard and, using a pencil, mark the outermost edges of your bed on the wall. Using those marks as guides, lay vertical strips of tape extending from floor to the desired height of your headboard. Lay a horizontal strip across the wall to join the vertical strips. Stand back to ascertain whether the headboard shape you’ve just created looks symmetrical (you can also use a tape measure and a level to make it perfect).

You can experiment with the tape to create different shaped “boards” and see which look you prefer. Once you are satisfied with the design, use a paint roller to apply a contrasting paint color to the entire wall, painting over the tape. When the wall is dry, carefully remove tape. Slide your bed against the wall and check out the optical illusion!

How to… rig a bed canopy using curtain panels

You’ll need:
– Ladder
– 2 curtain panels
– A staple gun.

You will be hanging two panels perpendicular to one another. Use a staple gun to hang one panel against the wall, centered behind the bed. Then staple the second panel to the wall, so it overlaps two inches of the top of the first panel. Allow about a three-inch dip/swoop in the fabric and staple the other end of panel to the ceiling, leaving about 10 inches of excess fabric to hang down.