This chair was recovered and revamped with two new cushions added to the mix. Of a decent age, the chair is well-made, has generous proportions and is incredibly comfortable. Now what could be better than that?

An old wooden trunk was sanded back and re-stained to ensure it kept its original intent and the texture and colour of the timber contrasts beautifully with the ceramic vases.

A serene coastal landscape painting purchased at a garage sale looks fantastic hanging above two re-upholstered chairs. Before the chairs were rescued, they were gathering dust in a garage where their future looked likely to involve a trip to the tip.

The team at Our Homes TODAY isn’t enjoying talk of a recession. In fact, we’d like to lay our heads down on gorgeous feather-down filled pillows (exquisitely covered in the highest quality Egyptian cotton pillowslips with a thread count of 1000) and bide our time until this dreadful little financial hiccup has passed us by. 

Having said that, we are made of sterner stuff and know we have to press on, adopt

our best Pippin can-do attitude and in Martha Stewart style, keep ensuring our homes look beautiful. This of course, needs to be achieved with minimal financial outlay and our own unique brand of style-savvyness. 

Two bright new cushions liven up an existing chocolate brown sofa, and pick up the tones of the John Horner painting behind. The effect is sophisticated and welcoming at the same time.

Interior designer Donna Jones from The Design Option says now is the perfect time to rediscover and revitalise possessions around the home. It’s also cheaper and wiser than undertaking retail therapy at the mo. And with the latest bandwagon trend called Recession Chic, we thought we’d better get on board.

Donna is often asked to re-arrange rooms, making them more beautiful and functional, and she generally finds that is possible simply by working with what her clients already have at their fingertips.

“Often I simply rearrange rooms and regroup pieces. Something might be tucked away in a back bedroom – a painting, a vase, a chair – and it’s wasted where it currently sits. But move it somewhere else and it takes on a whole new look and feel.” 

Introducing new cushions, rugs and art work is another effective way of re-energising spaces says Donna, and retouching paintwork or an entire new scheme is still king when it comes to transforming spaces with minimal expense. Here we’ve compiled some examples of clever restoration and reinvigoration to inspire Recession Chic in your home.