Saving Money through Safety: Quick Fixes & Recalls

At a recent event, I met the interior designer who had arranged the large stately room in which the gathering was held. It was a lovely space, but the designer was concerned about the safety of the marble floors and staircase.

To reduce danger, she planned to strongly suggest that her client install carpet runners or a nonskid coating on the steps and high-traffic areas.

Her concerns are well-timed. June is National Safety Month and the National Safety Council is launching a month-long campaign to improve safety at home and in the office. Home-related injuries cost an average of $1,300 per household in 2006, the National Safety Council says. To reduce accidents, it recommends the following steps:

• Fix loose or damaged carpets on floors and steps. Apply nonskid coating or ''slip-resistant mats'' on slippery floors.

• Tidy and declutter. Promptly clean up spills and pick up dropped items. Close drawers and cabinets after each use.

• Inspect ladders before and after each use.

• Install railings and ''grab bars'' in stairways and bathrooms in homes with older residents.

Household hazards also include defective products and contaminated food. You can register online for free recall bulletins from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the USDA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, according to Cathy at Chief Family Officer.

Warning: Given the volume of recalls, pick your targets carefully. You can also fill out product registration from the manufacturer after you make a purchase.

By registering a car seat, crib or stroller, you'll receive recall notices straight from the company. In some cases, the manufacturer will send a retro-fit kit to repair or correct the defective item, according to Cathy at CFO.

This is from my latest column in the home & design section of the Miami Herald.

______________

Frugal Decor Fixes for Kids' Rooms

Whether your child is a toddler, teen or 'tween, decorating a kid's bedroom can be complicated by tight budgets and personal tastes.

''Regardless of a child's age, one super quick and easy way to change a room is to add art to the walls,'' says Jennifer Condon, an editor at Domino magazine, which is compiling a special frugal decorating issue for August.

Here are a few simple and inexpensive ways to dress up a kid's room:

• Old books: Amy Clark, owner and founder of www.momadvice.com, collects art from the book jackets and pages of her children's favorite storybooks. For tweens and teens, chose books based on hobbies -- dancing, sports or other passions. Garage sales and thrift stores are excellent sources for affordable books.

• Display accessories: Place colorful plastic hooks at eye level for young children and encourage them to hang up party clothes, costumes and hats, which then become colorful wall hangings. Likewise, hair bows, ribbons and barrettes can be displayed on easy-access cords, says Clark of momadvice.com.

• Contain clutter: Attractive baskets and bins can be stored under beds, on shelves or in wall units. Condor recommends the brightly covered woven baskets from the Container Store. These baskets have tags for handwritten labels. ''It looks chic, but it's still very kid friendly,'' she says.

• Use paint: Color can add bright accents to a room. For instance, paint a large square behind your child's bed to create an instant headboard, says Condor.

• Calendars and cards: Recycle old calendars by framing photographs and images from past years. Flash-cards, (ABCs, math problems and vocabulary cards), can be mounted to create borders around a room, says Condor.

This is from my latest column in the home & design section of the Miami Herald.

______________






__

How to Redesign Your Home For Less

From home stylists to certified specialists, the field of home design has widely varying costs. To get the most for your design dollars, industry experts offer these tips:


• Consider frugal alternatives. Younger designers and in-house store decorators are low-budget options for consumers. Professional organizers and stylists -- who charge by the hour or the day -- can give a room a new look by working with the furniture and accessories that you already own. Some designers are willing to take on smaller projects such as a single room or a bathroom.


• Get referrals: Do you admire the decor in a friend's home? Ask about the decorator, says Tori Mellott, senior market editor of decorating for Domino Magazine. ''Ask if the designer is easy to work with, accommodating and if they explain their fees upfront,'' Mellott says.


• Use Internet search engines: Many designers operate websites showing work samples, Mellott says. Looking online lets you study a portfolio without the pressure (or potential cost) of a face-to-face meeting. If you like the online version, make an appointment or request to see the full portfolio.


• Pin down fees: The range includes initial consultation, shopping rates, hourly charges or fees based on the cost of the whole project. Ask about additional costs for illustrations and floor plans. Inquire about mark-ups on furniture purchases. If your designer purchases furniture at a wholesale price, ask for a lower markup or a cut in shopping fees.


• Request a contract: Don't rely on word of mouth when it comes to financial details, according to the American Society of Interior Designers. A written contract protects both parties by outlining the size, deadlines and budgetary limits of a project.


• Create your own portfolio: Reduce hourly fees by collecting samples and photos of furniture and accessories from magazines, books and store catalogs. Your tear sheets will help eliminate misunderstandings that waste time and money. By doing your homework, you also create less work for the designer, Mellott says.




This is from my latest column in the home & design section of the Miami Herald.
______________





The Frugal Duchess Booktique
The Frugal Duchess of Beauty Store

Book Shop of Fear
The Poetry & Drama Queen
Frugal Jazz & Blues
Frugal Comic Book Connection
__