Saturday, March 20, 2010

Needed: Bedroom Redo

When we moved into this house 14 years ago, it was like going back in time. EVERYTHING needed to be redone, it was totally 1965 inside. We're talking harvest gold, avocado green, and burnt orange EVERYWHERE! We decided to do the most lived in areas first. But, our bedroom had the most hideous wallpaper. I just couldn't live through a long Minnesota winter with it. We agreed to do a quick fix and paint over the wallpaper. We didn't touch the trim (it was cream, dirty and old, but it was cream). Slowly, but surely we've redone every room in the house. Alas, not our bedroom.

Our bedroom has become a dumping ground. It was still not the relaxing haven I longed for. Piles of laundry, school projects, kids toys, half done projects, vacuum cleaners, they all lived in our bedroom. Just look (my husband is horrified that I'm posting these pictures)!



So after years of living with a "who did it and ran" bedroom, it is getting a makeover. I'm pretty excited! We're going with a French theme. Blue walls, creamy white trim, and black and white accessories. Last weekend we steamed off 3 layers of wallpaper. Thanks to my friend Diane, and her trusty steamer, it wasn't all that bad. I've already been working on a few other things and shopping, of course! I wanted to show off some of it and build excitement for the reveal:

I'm gluing toile ribbon around the base of the lampshades I already have.


I bought these black tab-topped curtain valances at Target on clearance for $2 each!


I bought some Waverly toile fabric on sale and used No-Sew glue to add a strip to the curtains. Cute, eh?


I read on a few blogs that Big Lots sells curtain rods for $6-8. I haven't been there in years. I went and found these on sale for $5. I was pretty darn happy.


I also bought this black and white poster at Big Lots for $4. It's perfect!


This weekend we wash walls and ceiling and prepare for the painting. I can't wait. I'm going to leave you with the desktop wallpaper that has kept me in the mood for the past week:

Salut!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Dollar Store Frames Redo


I bought these 3 frames at the dollar store. They are PLASTIC gold frames, but so shiny and I love the detail. I put a piece of whiteboard in one. I put a piece of cork board in another. In the third, I covered a piece of sheet metal with material and hung all three over my desk. Thrifty, functional and beautiful...oh YES I AM, but I was talking about the frames!

I am linking up to:
and The Shabby Chic Cottage

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Vanity Stool Recovered!

Here is the $10 Craig's list vanity stool after I recovered it. It looks so cute and my 16 year old daughter is in love with it (Score!). I used a pillow sham I bought at Goodwill for $1.25 for the fabric. YeeHaw! Truly frugal! I love it! I'm joining Susan for Met Monday and Tales from Bloggeritaville.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Look what I bought for $10!

Look what I bought today for $10! I found it on Craig's list. My daughter inherited her Grandmother's vanity and it did not have a stool. I'll shine this one up, recover the bench and it will be perfect! Stay tuned for the redo!


Friday, March 5, 2010

More thrifty living room decor

As I said before, when I repainted my living room, I found (wouldn't you know...) I needed some new decor. I am very frugal, I rarely pay full price for anything. I'll show you how cheap I can be.


This dresser came from my husband's family. I just love the color. I changed out the drawer pulls when it became mine. Orange is a new color for me to use in decor, but I'm loving it. It is bright, cheerful and fresh.


This is the fabric of the runner on the dresser. I got it on clearance for $2 at Pier 1. I'm a sucker for anything cream and green, but I really liked the orange in this. I went back a week later and got another one for $1!


I also bought this a Pier 1 on clearance, $3.50. It went so nicely with the runner. I've always wanted an orchid, but was afraid I'd kill it. I think this one almost looks real. I am now a content orchid owner!



I've had this wrought iron candle holder for years. Because of it's heaviness, I use it inside in the winter and put it outside in the garden in the summer. I got it at a thrift store, I know it was under $5.


Aha! Oranges! They were $.50 for a the bag of them on clearance at Hancock Fabrics. Aren't they awesome? I think they look pretty real as well. The wrought iron bowl was on clearance for $7 at the local grocery store in the floral department. I had been coveting this silver one from IKEA for so long, but this one went better with my decor so I won by waiting!

Spring Curtains!

I know, I know...I just made those red, gold & black curtains for the kitchen, but they were a bit heavy and dark for Spring. I went back to my old pastel curtains.


I like them so much better with the Spring decor. They are actually tablecloths that I got on clearnace years ago at Kohls. I just draped the fabric over the curtain rods. Shhhh!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

I love clearance!


I did a little shopping yesterday. I got this plate for $.99 at Pier 1! It will be hanging on my kitchen wall someday.


I got this rooster hook at Hancock Fabrics for $2.50! Perfect for over the sink in the kitchen!


I got this lamp and it's shade at 2 different thrift stores: $1 each! Isn't the shade darling?


I changed the paint color in my livingroom from terra cotta to tan. I am still coming up with new decor to match.


I added a vase (Beautiful blown glass, a gift from my sister Suzie) and a candle ($5 at The Thymes yearly clearance sale)


It is now living on top of my TV cabinet with my pretty Easter bunny (I hate the antenna).

Don't you just love a great deal?

Starting to decorate for Spring!

Aren't these the cutest little chicks you've ever seen?


I redid the decor on my display shelf as well. I collect a bunch of old pottery: the vase is McCoy, the plates are Franciscan Wildflower pattern, the houses are American copies of Majolica style.


Here are close ups of the Majolica houses. Aren't they cute? I inherited them from my Grandmother. The rabbits are sweet too aren't they?



I am so happy Spring is on it's way. I am hoping this decorating will make it come sooner!