Opening Scene

Just starting out? Build your room around one inspiration piece.

Photography by Howard Lee Puckett | Styling by Missie Neville Crawford

Opening Scene

Maybe you’re a newlywed, scrimping to buy your first house. Or perhaps you’re juggling graduate school and a full-time job. Whatever the reason, big-ticket decorating isn’t in the budget. Don’t worry—you can pull off a stylish look on a shoestring. Start with your favorite element, like a sofa.

Stage 1
  1. Create your own artwork using paint, moulding, grass-cloth wallpaper, and decorative plates.
  2. Make matching coffee and side tables using pine panels and galvanized pipes from the plumbing department. Finish the tables with black and white paint for a classic yet modern feel. For how-to instructions and a list of materials for creating the wall art and the coffee table, go to Coffee Table and Wall Art.
  3. Have fun with lamps; they’re easy to switch out.
  4. Select an inexpensive sisal rug to warm up the hardwood flooring and to help anchor the room.
  5. Hang bracketless shelves, an alternative to built-ins, for display space.
  6. Paint window casing in a color that contrasts with the walls to instantly enhance the architecture of your space.
  7. Use natural bamboo shades to filter sunlight and complement the furnishings.
  8. Update a console table with a coat of paint and antiquing glaze. Finish the look with new hardware.

Opening Scene

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Project Details
Skill level: Beginner
Rough cost estimate: $1,075*

Coffee table $75
End table $75
Paint $205
Wall art (for two frames) $75
Console table hardware $20
Lighting $205
Accessories $42

Rough time estimate: 1 weekend
Coffee Table
  • 1 edge-glued panel, 1- x 24- x 48-inch, Ponderosa pine**
  • 4 galvanized pipes (3/4- x 18-inch, #24009)
  • 4 galvanized flanges (3/4-inch, #22441)
  • 4 galvanized caps (3/4-inch, #22461)
  • 1 box (3/4-inch) wood screws
End Table
  • 1 edge-glued panel, 1- x 24- x 48-inch, Ponderosa pine**
  • 4 galvanized pipes (1/2- x 24-inch, #24005)
  • 4 galvanized flanges (1/2-inch, #22440)
  • 4 galvanized caps (1/2-inch, #22460)
  • 1 box (3/4-inch) wood screws
Paint
  • (Valspar Signature Colors, Martha Stewart Colors, White Calla MS138; walls, eggshell; ceiling, satin; tabletops, semi-gloss)
    • 7003-7 December Starlight
  • (Valspar Signature Colors, Martha Stewart Colors, India Ink MS024, semi-gloss)
    • 4005-1C mark Twain Gray Brick
  • (Valspar Signature Colors, Martha Stewart Colors, Cardamom MS244, semi-gloss)
    • SR713 Dried Hydrangea
Wall Art
  • 3 Pieces Of Moulding, 11/16- X 1 3/4-Inch X 8-Foot (#3823)
  • 3 Pieces Of Screen Moulding, 11/16- X 1/2-Inch X 8-Foot (#3487)
  • 2 Packages Of Flat Corner Braces (2 1/2-Inch, #196145, #22350)
  • 1 Box Of 2d Finishing Nails
  • Grass-Cloth wallpaper (Norwall, #101833**)
Console Table Hardware
  • pulls (#247505)
Lighting
  • lamp base (20-inch, Portfolio, espresso, #107794)
  • faux-leather shade (Portfolio, #126963)
  • floor lamp (chrome**)
  • table lamp (OTT-LITE, Dakota, #280103**)
Accessories
  • bamboo shades (Ambria, Pecan Jakarta; 27-inch, #120398; 31-inch, #120403)
  • jute rug (8- x 10-foot, #211820)
  • bracketless shelves (24-inch, Real Organized, black, #198757)
  • willow basket (#211164)
  • fabric bin (ClosetMaid, natural, #145835**)
  • glass block (#17915)
  • medium plate hangers (#8819)

*Does not include labor costs or applicable taxes, which vary by market.

**Availability varies by market.

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