A thrifty mother from Melbourne has wowed thousands online with her incredible room transformations on a budget.
Michelle Hegedis, 29, from Diggers Rest, works from home as a hairdresser seven days per week while raising her three-year-old son and as a result, spends the majority of her time in her home office and salon.
Earlier this year she decided to revamp the spaces using tips and tricks she had spotted online and a couple of affordable items she had seen in budget stores.
‘I have absolutely no experience in interior design whatsoever but have always had the passion to make things pretty,’ Ms Hegedis told Femail.
Michelle Hegedis (pictured), 29, from Diggers Rest, works from home as a hairdresser seven days per week while raising her three-year-old son
Earlier this year she decided to revamp the spaces using tips and tricks she had spotted online and a couple of affordable items she had spotted in budget stores
Pictured is the office space before the renovation
‘The 24 hour Kmart is my go-to store for everything. Ever had a bad day? Go to Kmart. Child making you insane? Go to Kmart!
‘Over two years I watched Kmart slowly up their game in homewares and I bit the bullet and away I went.’
When adhesive vinyl came out Ms Hegedis knew it was time to get her office renovations under way.
‘I think this is where I really put my skills to the test. I saw someone on Facebook do it so why couldn’t I?’ She said.
‘I was lucky enough to start with a clean white canvas and two blue velvet chairs at $49 each from Kmart,’ she said
‘I have never felt such satisfaction from styling a room and the response was huge,’ she said
‘I was lucky enough to start with a clean white canvas and two blue velvet chairs at $49 each from Kmart.
‘For the white wood grain on the walls I used seven rolls of vinyl at $3 each.’
Ms Hegedis then used Kmart placemats ($2 each) in shadow picture boxes ($10 each) on the walls, a highland cow framed print for $19 and a few other pieces from Target, IKEA and Spotlight to finish off the room.
‘I have never felt such satisfaction from styling a room and the response was huge,’ she said.
A few months later, Ms Hegedis renovated her home salon and was thrilled with what she came up with (pictured is the completed salon)
‘I spend most of my day in there – 9am to 10pm seven days a week – so you can see why I needed it to feel a bit more lively and of course to give my clients a wonderful experience in the salon,’ she said
‘There were a few negative Nancies that didn’t like vinyl on the wall but it’s my house and liked it so that’s all that mattered to me.’
A few months later, Ms Hegedis renovated her home salon and was thrilled with what she came up with.
‘I spend most of my day in there – 9am to 10pm seven days a week – so you can see why I needed it to feel a bit more lively and of course to give my clients a wonderful experience in the salon,’ she said.
To revamp the room Ms Hegedis used eight rolls of $3 black marble vinyl on the walls, a black glass round side table spray painted gold and three brass plated hanging planters ($5 each).
She also spent $15 on square wall shelves from Bunnings and spray painted them gold before adding two small candle holders ($3 and $5)
She used stickers to put the name of the salon on the wall and marble vinyl from Kmart
She also spent $15 on square wall shelves from Bunnings and spray painted them gold before adding two small candle holders ($3 and $5), stickers to put the name of the salon on the wall and a fake palm tree which cost her $29.
‘Last but not least I added a basket for the palm for $10 and I painted that gold too,’ she said.
‘All up it took me about three hours and $137 for a room that looks completely different.
‘Some may love it and some may hate it but it was only $137! The only way you’re going to know if it works is if you do it so don’t be afraid to think outside of the box.
‘Who knows what colour that room will be next year? That’s the exciting part!’