O Tannenbaum...

 

Remember when I vowed to recreate this beautiful tree garland from Pottery Barn? 

Only I wanted to do it for a fraction of the cost? Well, I have been on a bit of an organizing, decorating, crafting frenzy and made them. They are not quite the quality of the Pottery Barn version...but they only cost me the price of a spool of ribbon: $4. One difference: I stamped out the verses from The Night Before Christmas:

(Oops! I think I forgot to add the word through!)

 

I have also been up to some other creative endeavours. I made something really great (at least I think so) for my sister's new kitchen and I will show it to you after I gift it to her on Friday. Again, it was a very budget friendly remake of an expensive find from a well-known store. As long as she can look past imperfection, she should like it!

I am having a lot of fun changing up my decor this year. 

I decided to go with a vintage Santa theme in the dining area this year. 

Because Christmas should be fun...and appeal to kids of all ages!

And when I look at that last photo, I wish I could ask Santa to bring me a decent camera!!

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Head on over to Kate's to see what others are crafting!

O Tannenbaum...

 

Remember when I vowed to recreate this beautiful tree garland from Pottery Barn? 

Only I wanted to do it for a fraction of the cost? Well, I have been on a bit of an organizing, decorating, crafting frenzy and made them. They are not quite the quality of the Pottery Barn version...but they only cost me the price of a spool of ribbon: $4. One difference: I stamped out the verses from The Night Before Christmas:

(Oops! I think I forgot to add the word through!)

 

I have also been up to some other creative endeavours. I made something really great (at least I think so) for my sister's new kitchen and I will show it to you after I gift it to her on Friday. Again, it was a very budget friendly remake of an expensive find from a well-known store. As long as she can look past imperfection, she should like it!

I am having a lot of fun changing up my decor this year. 

I decided to go with a vintage Santa theme in the dining area this year. 

Because Christmas should be fun...and appeal to kids of all ages!

And when I look at that last photo, I wish I could ask Santa to bring me a decent camera!!

*************************************

Head on over to Kate's to see what others are crafting!

Anthro Hack!

(image: George Marks: Getty Images)

Everyone loves Anthropologie, including me. But not everyone can afford to shop there, including me.

Because the nearest Anthro is a plane ride away from me, I don`t have to be tempted too often.

I told you about my first ever visit to the store here, and believe it or not, I am still waiting to hang my $24 tea towel in just the right spot. And when I say hang, I mean as art. Because who buys $24 tea towels to actually use?

So, the whole concept of not being able to buy the cool things they offer really got me thinking. Everything one has a twin somewhere, we all know that. And if people can have clones, then so can beautiful products.

Now, I am not going to try to convince the die-hard Anthropologie faithfuls. And those who sniff at decorating with knock-offs will sniff at my hack job. But for the rest of us, who make it our mission to achieve stylish looks for less, we can have just as much fun saving our money!

Anthro Hack #1

Take these two gorgeous pair of boots...

and meld them into this pair:

Both pairs of Anthro boots are over $200 each. And trust me, I would LOVE to own the first pair with the ruffles. Love them so much my husband even encouraged me to get them. But I found these at Target.

Leather? No. But they are gorgeous and masquerade as distressed leather and I love the orange along the zipper. And they cost $35!! For someone who doesn't wear boots all that often, they are a happy compromise.

What else does Target have? Well, I love this bedding from Anthropologie, but again the price is steep.

So I rooted around on the Target website and found this bedding:

I actually saw this bedding on the shelves of Target and the quality is nice. The Dwell line is great and Anthro fans might also enjoy the Liberty of London line:

I also found this sweater on the New York and Company website:

Tell me it is not prettier than this one from Anthropologie:

And don't get me started on Ruche, where you can get crazy-beautiful clothing that gives Anthropologie a serious run for its money! Priced reasonably, their clothing and website will amaze you!

(And no, I am not being paid for any of my recommendations. I am simply calling it as I see it!)

Moving Backwards...

(My new blue chairs, embellished with number decals from the fabulous Leen, the Graphics Queen!!)

I have had a style epiphany of sorts. It seems that at a time in my life when I should be seeking out quality and making furniture investments, I am doing a bit of a backslide. I read many blogs where they are purchasing "quality pieces for their home" and mulling over each buying decision with as much thought as they plan their retirements. Cheaper make-do furnishings are being given away or sold to make room for newer, more permanent, quality additions.

So. what is wrong with me?

Even if I could spend the kind of money to purchase "better," I am not sure that I would. With two teen-age sons, university costs are looming and, technically, I am not "there" just yet. It seems silly to wander furniture stores when real-life expenses like that are almost upon us.

But that's not the point.

This picture (I bought it from from Kiki and Polly.com) depicts me in this time of my life:

Need/Want, need/want, need want...

Sure, as someone who sees many things I like, I have pangs to actually go out and get them. But I have matured in some ways and realize that just because I want something doesn't mean I need it...or deserve it.

And then there is the simple fact that I am pretty fickle when it comes to style. I can easily become lured in by a beautiful object, fabric or piece of furniture and it can set me to daydreaming about change. Luckily, budget and good old common sense can keep it in check for the most part, but I LIKE CHANGE!

So, even if I could spend $300 (or more) on a chair for my dining table, well, I need six!

And then what happens when I get tired of that look and want or need change?

I think IKEA is the place for people like me. Sure, there is a snobbery to some that IKEA is for college students or those on a tight budget...those who don't crave quality.

But I say this: sometimes quality is (dare I say it?) boring. Maybe not at first, when its shapely form or plush fabric seduces you from across a room. But let's face it. The shine comes off everything after a while and becomes vegetable lasagna.  And I haven't been disappointed by an IKEA piece, yet!

So what have I done?

I have embraced my inner college student and stored my perfectly fine but perfectly boring (read, unstylish) dining chairs and bought these $20 cuties from IKEA, in the softest shade of blue!

Seriously fun and sturdy, they can be easily cast aside and put to use elsewhere in my home when I fall for the charms of something else.

Something better? More quality, perhaps?

We'll see.

For now, I will go back to my flower and the want/need approach to decorating. Some things are worth the wait, for sure, and some things are just good, cheap fun!

High, Low, you should go!

In  case you haven't heard, I LOVE Homesense/Homegoods. While shopping there last weekend I discovered these beautiful mother of pearl cabinet knobs. At $7 for a package of four, I remarked to my mother that they look like hardware you'd find at Anthropologie. I scooped up every package and replaced my former hardware (crystal knobs which I still love) and am happy to have an easy, inexpensive make-over.

(Beware, poor quality photos ahead)

(before):

(after):

And what do you know? While perusing Anthro's website last night, I decided to check out their cabinet hardware. What did I find?

Wait for it...

MY knobs...at $12 for ONE knob!!!

A savings of $41/ package of four!

I'm sorry, Anthropologie.

I love you... but I love Homesense more!!!

No boring head board...

photo source: Coastal Living.com

I have often thought that a headboard is the crowning glory to a well-made bed. Absolutely, great bedding is important, but even a bed layered all in white can look interesting if the bed itself is worthy of the spotlight. Naturally, a great antique or custom-made bed rich in character fits the bill, but can you frame your resting spot using less notable pieces?

Absolutely! Who says you need traditional bedroom furniture? In fact, I am a huge proponent of mismatched, less predictable pieces in a master bedroom; and nowhere is that more fun to do than in the master bedroom, with a unique and unexpected headboard.

Among my favourite options for unique and beautiful headboards:

Bookcases - but please, please don't place just anything on the shelves. Make your selections interesting, uncluttered, important. Showcase your favourite collectibles, and remember that the bed should be the focal point, not dozens of family photos!

photo source: Country Home.com

Screens - select with care. If a screen as a headboard is your choice, be true to your style. If your bedding whispers french country, don't place an Asian inspired screen just because you have it left over from your college days, or because it is all you could find.

Paint - one of the most economical options is to paint an area as a headboard in a colour that compliments both your bedding and the main wall colour in the bedroom. Framed or not, the right colour will be a worthy choice as a backdrop to your comfy nest.

Mantels, doors, and salvage - take a quick trip to the nearest salvage shop for an outstanding alternative to the tried and true. There are more than worthy doors languishing in garages and barns everywhere just waiting to be pressed into service as beautiful headboards. Just turn it on its ear, so to speak, and install securely.photo source: www.bhg.com

Other great options include iron pieces, such as iron gates, although I am not sure they would be so comfortable to lean against... As for mantels, check out these gorgeous examples.

(photo source: www.bhg.com)

Need I say more...?

Wallpaper - remember the wallpaper feature that I added behind my sofa? The same treatment can be given to the wall behind your bed. In this case, a frame is a requirement, and the wallpaper option provides a wonderful way to introduce pattern and texture to your master bedroom. And because you need very little, you can go ahead and splurge on a very special paper that you might otherwise leave behind due to budget restrictions

photo source: www.bhg.com

Panel detailing - installed at "headboard height", a wall treatment such as this can be the perfect alternative to a typical headboard. I particularly love this example, which incorporates a simple shelving detail: photo source: Katrin Cargill.com

Upholstered, hand made headboard - It's as easy as layering foam and fabric over a piece of plywood or MDF and stapling away! For a quick tutorial go here.photo source: BHG.com

Even easier? Try this option of simply hanging fabric panels from a curtain rod. Cheap and easy!!

Artwork - what could be easier than hanging large-scale framed (or not) art over your bed, all the while displaying what you love and reflecting your great style? Your imagination is all that limits you, and even simply wrapping a favourite fabric over stretcher frames will be beautiful. For a great example of art as a headboard alternative, check out this great room.

Decals - Urban Outfitters offers up a great headboard decal for an even better price (check out the link). Want something even less expensive? Why not stencil or freehand such a design?!

There are other options, for certain, but hopefully this will inspire you to accept the notion that affordable options exist for furnishing your bedroom. With a little elbow grease, imagination, and/or combing yard sales or salvage yards, you can create equally impressive alternatives to owning fancy furniture. Don't allow your budget to hold you back. You will sleep better knowing you have exercised creativity and good financial restraint when decorating your home. I know I do!

No Ordinary Door...

Not all doors can be so genetically blessed...

(source: Flickr.com/maluni)

I have long professed to being a bargain hunter/do-it yourselfer, and will cross my heart that the satisfaction I feel because of it beats instant gratification and spending big bucks hands down. Well, for most things anyway...

One of those things is refurbishing what you have and making it just as pretty as its pricier counter-parts. Case in point: interior doors. A good friend of mine asked me if I could point her in the direction of some creative makeovers for slab doors, and it got me thinking that if she's looking, then some of you might be also. Slab doors are the no-man's land of interior finishes. They are also in a good majority of North American homes built in the sixties and seventies. Replacing them with new doors is always an option in theory; but for those of us not willing or able to fork over the hundreds of dollars it would cost to replace them all, then a creative solution is to pretty them up! Decorative mouldings and trims - even wallpaper, chalkboard paint and mirrors - offer a much cheaper and easier alternative...and will leave both your wallet and sense of achievement more plentiful.

Check out this wallpaper option to tricking out your door. A few mouldings, a little adhesive and pretty, pretty doors!

photo source: Country Home.com

Here are more examples of trimmed-out doors using cost-effective mouldings (and a little paint)purchased at your local building supplies store:

photo source: BHG.com

And a link with instructions to do both!

I think this one is my favourite:

How clever is that? A faux French door using a simple mirror, some mullions, and double-sided adhesive. You can get the instructions here.

Need some hand-holding? No problem! Here is a link to a video detailing the steps involved in adding mouldings to your slab doors.

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Want more ideas?

• This is a great example of how a little moulding, paint and great taste combined to make a perfectly inviting front door.


• And from the same creative gal, here are the directions for making a chalkboard feature out of a slab door. I would add that a nice picture frame moulding around the chalkboard would look even nicer! Oh, and if you find the black too jarring, or wish you could have a chalkboard in your favourite colour, your wish is Martha's command. Check out this tutorial on making your own custom-coloured chalkboard paint.

Now, get to work...and don't forget to share photos of your door makeovers with me. I'll pass them on to the rest of you and we will ooh and aah over your creativity and craftsmanship!

Trip the light Fan-tastic!

What is that saying about turning lemons into lemonade?

Well, I think I did just that on Sunday afternoon. We outfitted Sophie's room with a fan when we built our house nearly four years ago. We decided on a fan as the summers here get quite muggy, and I am not comfortable with leaving her window open at night (a healthy dose of paranoia is a mother's prerogative...). Thus, I chose as unassuming a fan as I could find; but let's face it, fans are not known for their unique beauty!

So, after having fairly cool summers for two years in a row, I decided to continue to live on the wild side after dabbling in red during Sophie's room make-over. Perhaps I could do away with the fan and select something more fashionable? After a quick search, I did find a beauty of a fixture, replete with an etched glass drum shade (sooo pretty). But sadly, it was $250 - a figure I could not feel comfortable with spending for a variety of reasons, the main one being that it is a complete budget breaker!!!

Never one to be deterred by a lack of money, and in keeping with my theory that you can redecorate by shopping from your own home, I took a hand-me-down drum shade (given to me by my sister), combined it with a light bulb moment (which occurred one insomniac night) and fashioned a new light fixture for zero dollars!!!

One aching back (from reaching up to unscrew the fan blades), a blistered finger, and a few mild curse words later and I was the proud owner of this new light:

Realizing, as I gazed up at it, that I did not like the finial that came with the shade,

I remembered the pretty glass finials that came with the $3.99 curtain rod I purchased at the Christmas Tree Shop last spring. A quick change of a screw and it fit perfectly. So much better!!

This is the view of the light from directly beneath:

Not perfect, but good enough for me...and free!! Now don't worry - I will change out the ribbon for fishing line, but of course, I was too impatient to wait!! I like immediate results!!
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And I guess I'll have to shop for a floor model fan for those muggy nights this summer!!

Also, check out the windowless window seat we made for her room!

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**If you want to see other ten minute make-over ideas, head on over to Nesting Place:

And if you want great frugal tips and inspiration, check out this great round-up here: