How to Decorate for FREE!

I love decorating and decorating in a way that looks collected. Sometimes a collected look that adds lots of character to a home, can be pricey. But I tell my clients to try and find items for FREE!

I know this sounds crazy, but it's easier than it sounds. I have a reputation for wanting things old and new. I make sure to tell all my friends, family and even my neighbors...

"Before you throw it out or give it away, please ask me first!"

I always offer to pay for the items I want, but often I find people are wanting to get them out of their house. These can be items people no longer have a use for or just get tired of. Sometimes people find it easier to toss items than donate. So, I tell my friends to call me first!

This also turns into my friends and family telling their friends about my want of seconds and junk. This works for my homeschooling materials too! It's great! It never hurts to ask or just put it out there...

I also find things in my neighbors trash. I know his sounds disgusting. Now don't picture me digging through my neighbors trash..., LOL! I'm finding these items on the curb. I either knock on the door and ask if I can snag it, or I text message them. Most of the time they just laugh at me and say "sure, no problem!" Then, I find them texting me with pictures, saying do you want this....before I throw it out?

I LOVE that!!!

So what do I have that was FREE?

This awesome copper pot has a small patch of black paint on the back, and my neighbor had it in her trash. Lucky me, I saw it first!

{Bonnie is a picture hog, and was following me taking pictures around the house...so funny!}

French antique table I'm sure I've bragged about before. But I seriously adore this table! I got this for free from a friend of a family member. She was redecorating, got tired of the table and wanted it gone before her new table arrived. According to the family member, she paid $10,000.00 ....OMG! I got it and the dining chairs she was tired of too, for FREE!

These chairs had a wine bottle print fabric on them. I recovered them and paired them with a table my husband found on ebay. They were not my favorite style, but I bought two arm chairs to coordinate, and the fact that I got 6 dining chairs for free, is fabulous!

When we built the house, we had leftover plywood. I asked the trim carpenter to cut me a HUGE circle out of it. I painted the face of the clock, purchased the mechanism from a local clock repairman, it required a much larger mechanism than the hobby stores sold, and the nail heads were some I found laying around an antique shop...only a couple nailheads, but it adds to the distressed look. I get asked a lot where I got the clock from. So not completely free...but mostly free!

Thanks to my sister Heather, I got these awesome baskets for the..."oh my gosh, what do I put there?"...space, above our front door.

These urns, I'm sure I've mentioned before too; but, I got these out of my other neighbors trash before she moved. I called her and asked permission to grab them, and YAY, they were mine! I use them all over my house. They've been on my back patio, various centerpieces on dining and entrance tables, as well as above my living room entertainment center.

This bed, I got for free from a friend who was tired of it. I painted it a deep red and I think it turned out to be the perfect fit for another twin in my sons room. This added another sleeping spot for cousin sleep-overs too!

The tiny roll top desk was my grandfather's, my Dad's, and now my sons get to have it. The chair I found for $10 at an antique mall, to finish off the look. Not quite the right height...but it works!

So don't be afraid to ask for Free items, or used items you can acquire for inexpensive. Once you get the word out, people remember, and will ask you if you want their stuff!

Don't be afraid to look past the fabric, paint, and any minor imperfections. A little paint, glue, and fabric can go a long way. Plus some imperfections give an item age and character. This is true for modern design as well. If you want a more modern look, a glossy white or black paint really changes even the most traditional pieces.

So have fun getting the word out that your Cheap...I mean Frugal; and are looking for unique items for free or a great Low price!

Happy Hunting and Have a Fantastic Week!

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