Nobody needs to know the price of cheap frills

Nobody needs to knowthe price of cheap frills
Q. I just don't have enough money to decorate my room, and it's terrible. I try using things around the house, but it still looks mismatched and like a junkyard.
What can I do to make it match and look great? -- Allison L.
A. I have just the item that you need to make your room sing. It's called paint!
All you need to do to make everything match is to paint your furniture the same color or different shades of the same color. I know it sounds simple, but it is the one major thing that will help.
Let's say you have a wooden headboard and a hand-me-down side table that's chipped and not looking so great. Paint them both the same color, and boom, you have a set. The brighter the color you use, the more they will look like a set.
There is also nothing like some high-gloss paint to make something look brand-new, too. I suggest Benjamin Moore's bright colors in a high-gloss latex or even an oil base if you are neat and can wait a day for it to dry. Make sure to sand the pieces a bit first so the paint sticks.
Now, you said you are short on cash (join the club). I say head to the dollar store with the cash you do have and shop until you drop. Your room will look fantastic if you group seven of the same 99-cent frames together on the wall. They might look cheap in the store, but if you paint them one color with a high-gloss Krylon spray paint, they will look like a million bucks.
I have found everything I need to decorate my home at the 99-cent store, from vases to faux flowers to storage bins; you just have to look and think outside of the box. I love the candle selection they have there, too. Forget expensive candles; grab some from the 99-cent store and put them in a great-looking glass from their dish department. A row of three or four (in a safe place, of course) will look super-chic and give off a great glow to your new digs.
I also like to glue a stack of silver mixing bowls and make side tables based on them. Lately I have been using a glue called Liquid Nails, and my projects never fall apart.
Remember, decorating your room is a process that might take you a few weeks, but starting out like this will help you get on the road to making everything match and creating a room that you will enjoy for a while.
Containerized candle craft
Q. I love burning candles in my room, but they are getting so expensive. I was thinking it might be fun to start making them. Do you know how? -- Jamie S.
A. It just so happens that I do know how to make candles in a very inexpensive way. First of all, you don't need to buy expensive candles to burn; you can buy the super-cheap candles at the 99-cent store.
I don't know if there is a particular container you want for your candles, but I like a nice drinking glass or a really pretty teacup. All you need to do is take off the metal part of the candles you bought -- buy the big candles because you can make the most out of those. Chop the candles into pieces, saving the wicks. Melt down those pieces in a glass bowl in the microwave. Caution: The bowl can get very hot, so use gloves!
Pick your container and decide how much wax you need. Find a small stick that goes over the top of the container, and tie a wick to it that reaches the bottom. Pour in the melted wax, making sure the wick is centered in the hot wax, and let it dry. It's going to take a while to cool off, so be patient.
Once it cools, you have a beautiful candle that's perfect for a gift or for your room.
XNeed help with your room? E-mail your question to markmontanonyc@aol.com. Mark Montano can be seen on TLC's "While You Were Out." Check local listings for times.