
Don't let a few scratches scare you away! We found this for a steal at a liquidation sale. Then we went to work, covering any nicks with a fresh coat of paint and wallpapering the inside to connect it to the rest of the room.
Under $100 tip: Use leftover wallpaper or scarp pieces of gift wrap to add interest to the back of the cabinet.
Get this look: Pax wardrobe, woven armchair, Ikea. China cabinet, Source Liquidations. Furniture painting, Toronto Paint Store. Walls and trim paint, Para Paints. Wallpaper, Bilbrough & Company Ltd.

Bring a hit of easy-going elegance to your dining room by placing high-back armchairs at opposite ends of the table. Keep it casual with bright pops of colour, graphic cushions and a nautical-inspired rug. Max out storage with floor-to-ceiling wardrobes!
Under $100 tip: Simple 'filler' greens and a bowl of fresh fruit make a stunning centrepiece.
Get this look: Dining chairs, Ikea. Dining table, Pier 1. Trellis fabric (pillows), Bilbrough & Company Ltd. Woven blinds, Levolor. Drapery-panel fabric, Robert Allen Design. Orange-striped fabric, Designer Ffabrics. Rug, Dash & Albert.

Large, knobbly twine, ribbon or thick wool upgrade a vintage lamp base. To keep rope in place, use a hot-glue gun and secure a few inches of rope at a time. Press and wait until the rope adheres to the lamp before moving to the next section. Finish the look with a new simple shade.
Samantha Pynn is a decorator and host of Summer Home, airing Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on HGTV Canada.
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