If you are trying to redecorate your home, you are probably trying to stick to a budget.
You may feel like you don’t have a lot of options when it comes to finding cheap furniture and décor, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Kristina Lynne has a blog where she shows off her cheap home hacks that help her save money and make her house look beautiful.
Kristina is a designer and blogger who lives in Edmonton, Canada.
Her home is 1,700 square feet and decorated beautifully from top to bottom. Walking into her home, you might think she paid thousands to make her home look this way. Kristina does a lot of her shopping at Ikea. These affordable options are still very stylish, and with her eye for design, she used them to create amazing rooms. She recently talked about her life as a designer:
She said:
“I chose to study interior design as an extension program while I was teaching — so I spent many evenings and weekends in class! I took on a lot in those years, but I found it so thrilling. Maybe it’s the teacher in me, but I absolutely love being a student. Especially when you’re studying something you’re passionate about.
“But, at the same time as I was sitting in class, I was flipping houses with my husband. So, I was gaining practical knowledge and stretching my design muscles at the same time. Both are valuable, but I think you learn the biggest lessons when you’re in the field. I needed to make mistakes and take risks before I started to feel more confident in my abilities.”
Kristina isn’t just a designer; she and her husband have been flipping houses for years.
It’s a lot of stress and work, but it allows her to use her design skills to help support her family. When she wasn’t happy with her current job, her husband encouraged her to help him instead. It’s a choice she is glad she has made.
She explained:
“Before I met my husband, he was already working in renovations and living in a condo that he had flipped with a friend. I think he had always imagined doing more, so when I came into the picture, I encouraged him to start his own company. Then, after listening to me endlessly complain about my job, it was Ryan who encouraged me to start pursuing design and go back to school.
“We purchased our first house flip about three years ago and though we were pretty nervous, the project ended up being a success. That got us really excited to keep going and we really haven’t looked back since.
“Honestly, we make a pretty great team — I have the vision and Ryan has the skills to pull it all together. We even had HGTV knocking at our door last year… so who knows, you may see us on screen yet!”
Kristina now has a young son who takes up a lot of her time.
She has enjoyed decorating his room, and she loves being a mom. That doesn’t mean she has given up her passion for design. She is looking forward to several new projects.
“Well, my husband and I are flipping yet another house. And, I haven’t announced it quite yet, but we’ve purchased a second one too! It’s the first time we’ve taken on two house flips at once. And this second one has plans for a major addition as well, which is really exciting. We’re also continuing our own renovation at home. I can’t wait to tackle the kitchen — the last project to complete and then we can take a much-needed break and just enjoy our home! I am so looking forward to that!”
A closer look at her home and designs shows off her style.
A little art can make a big difference.
Sometimes, simple is best.
Light colors and elegant touches can change the look of a room.
Inspiration comes in many different forms.
Add some personal touches with shelf décor.
Functional décor is the best décor.
Colorful accent pieces and can be fun and functional.
Plants can bring a room alive, especially with stylish planters
Small pops of color in a neutral room look great!
She hopes that her blog with not only inspire people to try to design and decorate their own homes, but also to follow their passions.
Her only regret is that she didn’t quit her job when she first became unhappy and start pursuing her love of design sooner.
