Carriann arkowski biography of william

As we shopped for our living room, we spoke with two experts to find out how they shop for furniture on a budget.

Carriann Arkowski, an interior designer on the HGTV program “My First Place,” is an expert at decorating homes for people on a budget.

“I find so much good stuff at garage sales,” Arkowski says.

The designer says she always checks out tag sales for quality furniture and accessories as she travels around the country for the show.

Arkowski, whom we interviewed by telephone at her home in Colorado Springs, says she also goes frequently to thrift shops such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill when she’s on the lookout for pieces of furniture with good “structure.” Some items need only a little spiffing up — maybe a coat of paint — to look as good as new.

For those who are squeamish about sitting on a used couch or chair, Arkowski has a simple solution: “You can rent a steam cleaner for $50.”

Arkowski knows