It's that time of year again, when we Jamaicans usually start our decorating plans for Christmas. Unfortunately, though, this is one year that we have all been affected in one way or the other by the current financial crises in world markets.

This may cause many of you to be more conservative in your spending and you may think twice about remodelling or decorating for the holiday season. But realistically, we are Jamaicans and Christmas will not arrive without our homes being decorated in some way, even if it means spending less.

Working with less money

Floral prints perfect for your gift-wrapped cushions, at Ping's.

To accomplish this it will mean working with less money, which also means fewer choices, therefore, prioritising will be essential.

There are five elements in any given room that you can target to bring about significant changes: they are the walls, windows, furnishings, floors and accessories. The larger the decorative element the more immediate impact it will have. It therefore stands to reason that by painting one wall of a room in a bright, dramatic and complementary colour of your choice, you would have created a focal wall. This first step would require very little paint and you would have undoubtedly spent less cash. To add to the drama of your focal wall you would hang a piece of artwork or a picture frame. There may very well be no need for you to go spending cash for an item that already exists in your own home. I am sure if you look around you will find that ideal piece with all the right colours and theme just perfect for your focal wall.

Changing or cleaning?

Pretty sheers all in a row, courtesy of Design Options. - Photos by Sharon Lowe

If changing or cleaning your window treatments is an annual event for you, and you may be strapped for cash, this year, why not sew some pretty sheer curtains? Simply measure the width of the window, multiply it by four and then divide by 36 to find the yardage you will need to purchase per window. Fold and stitch a rod pocket to the top and hem the bottom to the required length. When you are finished, run the curtain on to a one inch rod and mount unto the wall, the volume of the sheer will fall gracefully to the floor. You could even go further by adding a complementary scarf or two above the curtain and have the sides fall to the floor in a puddle, transforming your window elegantly. By doing all of this for yourself, you would have replaced the cost of labour.

Uupdating existing furniture

Scarves that transform your windows elegantly, courtesy of L.P. Azar.

Probably the number one concerns at Christmas is updating existing furniture, and this year you can do so as well. Slipcovers are always trendy, and even if you have no experience with a sewing machine, you can create your own casual style. Sheeting fabric is easier to work with and cheaper. They also come in a variety of colour and designs, whether floral, abstract, chequered or stripe.

Purchase enough fabric to cover your sofas, and coordinates for the cushions. Cut fabric in pieces big enough to cover each chair, throw fabric over the chair and tuck in and around the arms, and seating. Jazz it up by using decorative cording around the skirting area; this you can pick up at the trimmings store.

For the cushions, you cut fabric and wrap around as you would a gift, using a safety pin to hold or tack with a needle and thread the loose ends. The same can be done with your dining room chairs. Simply drape the fabric over the chair, have it fall to the floor, then tie decorative ribbon around the chair with a bow to the back.

Area rugs can be so expensive, and even worst is finding the one that will complement your existing theme. At this point, you may want to avoid all that, so here is an idea. Purchase a plain rug and from the fabric used to cover your chairs cut out the patterns, be it floral abstract or chequered, and with your fabric glue attached these patterns to the area rug. I guarantee when you are through no one will know you didn't purchase it that way.

Make your home more inviting by adding foliage or flowers over the windows and doors. Add colourful plants and candles in the rooms and arrange baskets and bowls in places that need a little accessorising. All these are items you have in your home or won't cost a lot to purchase. Just think, even though you may be working with less money for Christmas this year, the key to a successful decorating job is just the use of the imagination.

- Send your feedback and quires to Sharon Lowe at sharonintdec@yahoo.com.