This month’s Dallas Morning News home team feature is all about tips and inspiration for creating custom pieces.

“Custom furnishings and finishings are the ultimate in DIY: Design it yourself.  Tailor-made options  not only  enhance the look of the space, they can also help a room work better.

Whether you’re after more storage, trying fill an odd-shaped nook or working to find a shade that nobody seems to offer, consider custom.  You might be surprised at all the options that are available just by asking. ”

 

 

“Before your undertake a custom project, make sure it’s worth it to you, Abbe Fenimore says. When it comes to re-imagining a chair, the costs can add up. By the time you purchase the fabric, replace the cushions, refinish the legs and pay for upholstery, your bargain becomes a major splurge, she says.

“Sometimes those fabulous chairs you snagged at a vintage store for $50 each can break your budget,” she warns.

But that shouldn’t necessarily stop you from going for it.

“I’d say these gorgeous ladies were worth every penny!” Fenimore said of a Louis-style pair of chairs that were recovered in pink velvet and treated to soft metallic paint on the woodwork.

Images: Melanie Johnson Photography