1. to keep track of your ideas
   because that's the law
2. because everyone else does

No matter how good your memory, redecorating your home involves a lot of detail. If you keep a record of your ideas you're going to have more success.

1. Buy everything you need, and then separate the stuff according to rooms.
   Finish one room before starting another.
2. Collect your ideas in separate binders before ever getting started.

Having a separate binder for each room will allow you to easily organize the material.

1. Subscribe to that magazine.
   Tear it out the page and paste it in your design book.
2. Return the magazine to the store.

Magazines have beautiful, high-quality photographs that can be pasted into your design book.

1. Ask for a brochure.
   Draw diagrams.
2. Take photographs.

Take as many photographs as you can. You can always decide later which ones to keep and which ones to erase.

1. Buy a bucket.
   Get a paint chip.
2. Take a photo.

Who can remember all of those names they have for paint colors? Paint chips provide a small sample of the color you fell in love with.

1. Tear a small piece off of one that you like.
   Print a sample from the Internet.
2. Ask a dealer for a sample.

Whether you need wallpaper or flooring, most dealers keep small samples in their stores. These samples will fit on a scrap book sheet, and you can write the price next to the sample.

1. to communicate with the professional
   for personal edification
2. to eventually become a pro

Knowing how home improvements are done, and knowing the lingo, can make you a more savvy consumer. Don't fall into the trap of trusting a pro; learn everything you can and get the most for your money.

1. a verbal agreement
   an estimate
2. a guarantee

Contractors rarely offer guarantees, but they do provide estimates. To get the best price you should shop around, and then store the info in your design book.

1. It's fun.
   It's the law.
2. The contractor will require it.

It can be a lot of fun to compare before-and-after photos of your project. Try it and see!

1. to make sure you get what you've paid for
   to track progress
2. it's a lot of fun

Contractors often provide a final checklist to make sure they do the job to your specifications. You're better off having your own copy.

1. Use only one color for the room.
   Buy all of your items from the same store.
2. Formulate a complete look in your design book.

If you don't look at how the various components of a project work together you might not be thrilled with the end result. Collect the ideas in such a way that you can envision the room and see whether its works.

1. electrical repairs
   building a new room
2. putting in new flooring

Some things, like electrical repairs, are best left to the pros. Other tasks, like flooring, you can do yourself.

1. Collect and compare price samples.
   Demand a discount for all of your hard work.
2. Trade the design book for a new kitchen item.

Rather than go straight out and shop, or try to remember where you saw the best prices, simply collect ticket samples from various stores.

1. the Internet
   an upscale catalog
2. a friend

When it comes to getting you in the mood to redecorate nothing beats one of these upscale catalogues.

1. esthetics
   practicality
2. savings

Most upscale décor magazines and catalogues do a great job of showing you how beautiful a home can be. They don't really focus very much on practicality or cost.