Why Buy a Chandelier That Needs Re-wiring and A Broken Instrument?

 

Here are some ideas…

For this chandelier, the destiny is to be hung in a 4 seasons porch filled with candles!

         

 

Then, I found this well used instrument and let’s be honest VERY distressed.  It was $28! What a little amount to spend, for a big impact to a shelf and to the room.

             

I am going to use this for a “unexpected item” in a book shelf.  This is just for a bit of whimsy and visual interest. 

Bookshelves can be hard to fill and hard to decorate in a fashion that looks effortless and still interesting at the same time.  These are the items that bring life not only to the shelf, but also to the room.  The feel of your home that you desire, as well as your personality traits, should be reflected in the things you display. 

This family loves music and living life to the fullest.  What a perfect way to give music to a shelf, and a bit of whimsy, to a family that loves life and knows it isn’t always perfect…much like the instrument.

“I will have more pictures to come…I am putting the Massachusetts home together this next week. So be sure and check back for Before and After Pictures!”

~Jen

Happy shopping! Look for those items that make you smile, but above all, gives you Goose Bumps!

Recycle Reuse Renew

Do you want to know how to save money and reuse what you may think is ready for the dumpster? Then you are in the right place!

I happened to look around at my neighbors trash and see this great fiberglass urn.  I called her and asked if she wouldn’t mind me grabbing it from her garbage. She said yes and was surprised! I told her I loved the urn and she offered to give me her other one that matched when she found a replacement.

She was shocked when she saw how I transformed them into a design piece in my home that can change with the seasons.

So what was I going to do with the urn?  Oh let me count the ways!

                    

Spring Easter Display with Moss & Paper Mache’ Eggs

                     

                 Centerpiece on Patio Dining Table

                       

             Entrance Table with a Fresh Fruit (Faux Fruit) Display

So, don’t throw away your used outdoor urn! You can paint it a fun color to match your décor, paint it with a metallic finish to make a bold statement. I have put a small Christmas tree in it for a fun Christmas display. you could also put this on a kitchen table with a tree of fresh rosemary in it and give a great aromatic smell to your kitchen.

They key is to be creative and let pride go out the window when it comes to trash.

There is a reason for that very famous phrase….

“One person’s

Trash,

is another person’s    

        Treasure.”

 

Happy TREASURE Hunting!

*This is part of Get Your Craft on Tuesday at Today’s Creative Blog.

Want To Personalize Your Space With A Custom Look, Without the Custom Price?

 

Do you love personal touches in your home that give that custom look, but hate the custom price? Then here are some great ideas on a budget to give your home a finished and personal look for less!

I had a client that had parson chairs that had seen their better days.  She had them at the heads of her kitchen table.  She wanted new chairs.  I suggested we keep them, slip cover them in a linen colored cotton (easy clean) cover. Then, add a custom monogram in black to match her black table. The covers were purchased for under $20.00 each and custom monogram was under $10.00.  I have a great shop here that does custom t-shirts and anything else you can monogram or put your logos on.  They are very reasonable. Then I finished off, by adding a brooch to the tie, purchased for under $10.00 from Sam Moon a local accessory store.  *They are on-line.

*Note: Ask around! I find that people/friends are willing to share their sources more often than not. Some neighbor that is a seamstress may have a monogramming machine sewing machine.  This is a great way to find out the best price in your area.

This was a great way to save money and give a custom look, for a lot less than a new chair.

This is a nursery I designed. These gold letters can be found at Hobby Lobby for $9.99 each (they have an on-line store too).  They are a great on a shelf standing alone, hung on a wall alone like these in a grouping, or even hung inside an empty decorative frame that is a tad over sized, so the wall color acts like the matting. This is a great look that can be contemporary too.

(They also have metal, wood and framed monogrammed letters in many styles.)

I did this on a plain canvas from the hobby store, (for under $10.00 and the cost of a few craft paints), and used the color scheme of the room. I finished it off with some trim and ribbon, put on with a hot glue gun. This is a fun way to express the child’s personality and give a sense of ownership to their space.

The next idea is a monogrammed pillow.  This can be done in so many different fonts and styles. The beauty of this…it is a stick on, for $6.00 from Jo Ann Fabric and Craft Store!  I used this in a nursery here, but have also done it in a master bedroom and living rooms.  This is a fun way to claim your home and space.  I also feel it gives a sophisticated and regal feel.  Another idea is in a boys room, on the shams in an Academic Font, it is a very masculine touch with out a lot of fuss. Same for a master bedroom. Pick your Font according to the design. Scrolled for Old World/French and more Modern Fonts for a contemporary or masculine feel.

I hope this helps and gives you some fun ideas. The possibilities are endless! Kids rooms, home office, pet beds, etc., etc.

Happy Monogramming!

This is part of Get Your Craft on Tuesday at Today’s Creative Blog.

Want Designer Seating for Non-Designer Prices?

            

I love an eclectic look in my designs. In other words, I steer clear of “Matchy Matchy”!

My husband bought a great antique table at a price he couldn’t pass up and brought it home to surprise me. 

             

{Luckily we have the same taste in furniture.}

I was very excited and quickly replaced our old kitchen table with this beautiful new find.  But, I quickly found out when telling my girlfriends, that to them, this was a nightmare. 

Why? 

They were terrified at the idea of a table purchased without chairs. 

As I stated earlier, I am NOT a fan of matching sets. This is true for sofa sets, bedroom sets and dining sets.  I prefer to make it look collected. This does not mean that you will end up with every chair a different shape and color.  The color/stain can match and every chair can be alike.  This is a personal choice.  But it can also mean you have different “heads of table” chairs or even a bench added to the mix.

                  

I found a great metal bench for $50.00 at a local shop.  They called it a Cleopatra bench. I decided it was perfect for my new dinette table.  I needed a cushion and some throw pillows to make it comfortable and cozy. The cushion I had a made cost me $30.00 in labor and the cost of foam, trim &fabric.  I found the trim and fabric at a wholesale shop and spent under $50.00. I gathered some throw pillows from around my home, to finish the look. So, for under $200.00, I had a custom bench. If I ever get tired of it in my kitchen, it will go anywhere in my home. 

{I am ALL about multi-functional pieces. This saves a lot of money over time}.

So don’t be afraid to think outside the box and visit other options for fun, functional and chic seating to sometimes “cookie cutter” options.

Happy Dining in your Chic Seating!

This is part of Get Your Craft on Tuesday at Today’s Creative Blog.

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Family History Design

 

Do you want to bring your family history to life?  I have so many clients that ask me how to showcase memories in their interior design.  This can be pictures, mementos, etc.

I think it is a great way to teach your children about their heritage or even to remind us of the happy times. 

One tip is to do a grouping in the same color frames and all black and white.  This is a way to get people to focus on the subjects, not the color. Not to mention, being distracted by all the frames.

             

The next thing is to add personal mementos from that person or even special pieces with a picture.  This helps you feel like you are surrounded by things you love.  A few pictures and a couple items is all you need to make a statement and without a feeling of clutter.

                     

                

              

These are pictures of my relatives.  It is a great way to have them with me and a fun way to express what makes you who you are and share it with others.

The key is to keep the frames in theme with the metals and colors in your room. DON’T over do it!  I love groupings, but less is more! Keep the pictures all color or all black and white. However, if you do choose to mix colors of photos, then I advise you to have all the frames the same color, to have some unity to the grouping.

Happy Decorating!

Tips For Organized Armoires & Drawers ~

        

Spring Cleaning and Organizing?  I was! 

This time of year, I go through my clothes and my children’s clothes, getting ready for Spring and Summer.

I have two boys, So needless to say, it needs to be done to remove Fall/Winter items to donate or store for the next Fall/Winter.  Then it is necessary to get those items out of storage for the new season upon us.

I go through my oldest boys closet and drawers. Then, I move the sizes he can not wear and put them in my youngest sons room in storage boxes for the next Fall/Winter. Some of the items may be donated or thrown away depending on wear. I then make a list of new items needed. (T-Shirts, shorts, pants, underwear, swim clothes, shoes, etc.).

Then, in my youngest sons room I go through all of the clothing and make a donate pile and replace with items from storage for this Spring/Summer. I also make another list of items he may need too.

The next thing to do, is organize by color and style in specific drawers or shelves. 

For pants I make different piles, “comfy pants” or sweat/wind pants, khaki pants, shorts and jeans. The t-shirts are sorted by color and pajamas are organized by sets.

This makes it MUCH easier to pick out an outfit for them or for them to pick out an outfit by themselves. No rummaging through piles of clothes trying to find the perfect blue t-shirt. This is a HUGE time saver when everyone is in a hurry. Not to mention, it keeps the armoire or drawers neat; because, you can go straight to the item you need.

*This also helps for that vacation you are planning for quick packing!

I hope this helps in your Spring cleaning…

Happy Organizing!