Guest Bedroom - In the guest we had a full size bed. In a guest room I like to spend a little more money than the other secondary bedrooms, so here I also had all of the bedding custom made. Again, I used a duvet made out of a cream cotton damask fabric filled with an inexpensive comforter, shirred duster, 2 standard shams, 2 larger 22 x 22 pillows and then 3 accent pillows. The coordinating fabrics were a green and green check and a plum velvet. All of the pillows were treated with cording or brush fringe. Total cost $ 625.

Girl's Bedroom - In the girl's room we used a twin bed that was placed against two walls in a corner. In this room I did a combination of custom and store bought. I purchased a lavender ruffled comforter, 2 standard shams and an accent pillow along with three fun pillows, 1 chenille and two with an eyelash fringe design. Then I had the duster and 2 more accent pillows custom made. Total cost $ 350.

Boy's Bedroom - The boy's room also had a twin bed and here I used all store bought bedding. I used a twin comforter with a coordinating stripe tailored duster, 2 pillowcases and 3 accent pillows. Total cost $ 312.00

Just as window treatments, bedding can be an investment. Depending upon how you live in your rooms will determine were, if any rooms, you will do custom bedding. You have to look at if you sit on your beds once they are made, do you have pets that like to visit with you, do you like to sleep with your comforter or do you take it on and off every night. But no matter how you live, custom touches can be added to any of your bedrooms to give them a more polished look. So let me share with you some of my budget conscious and creative ideas for your bedrooms.

• If you like to sit on your bed and don't want to worry about what you spent on custom bedding, buy a store bought comforter, 2 shams and an accent pillow and only have the duster and 2 accent pillows made, as I did in the girl's room. This also allows you to change out the comforter and sham with the seasons without a large investment.
• If you like to sleep with your bedding, make a duvet out of matching sheets. And to make it seasonal, make the duvet reversible. Then use your pillowcases as part of your ensemble. This makes gives a wonderful casual look along with being easy to maintain and a quick way to make the bed. My favorite!!
• Remember to buy extra sheets if they coordinate with your bedding to make into a duster, shams and for window treatments.
• Give your bed that unexpected and homey look like we do in the models, even if it is just on occasion or when you have company. Place a throw at the bottom, don't fold it all neat and nice, just gently lay it over the edge. Leave an open book with your reading glasses. Take an item from your room's theme and place it on the bed. Such as; a summer hat, a bouquet of silk flowers, shells or feathers and a fake fur. Or how about a tray with candles and fruit, or wine glasses and your favorite bottle of wine to welcome you home.
• In your guest room make it like they are staying at a wonderful Bed and Breakfast. Place a guest book on the dresser for them to write something special that they did for the next person to enjoy. Fill a basket with magazines, books and brochures. Place a tray with a water pitcher and glasses. And how about having big fluffy robes laying on their bed.
• Even though I did not place any headboards in our model example, I thought I would share some inexpensive headboard ideas. You can revive an old headboard a couple ways; paint it, stencil, or how about making a slipcover from matching sheets. Sheets make it easy to clean and all you do is sew up three sides and slip over the top. You can also take an old headboard and cover it with batting and fabric. Just pull around, staple to the back and add any trims, upholstery tacks or sewing notions to dress it up.