...since their house looked like this...
...and happy Halloween!!
Friday, October 31, 2014
So long to Young House Love...
I have been reading the Young House Love blog for years (and years...). Unfortunately it looks like blogging has become to much for the young family and, a few weeks ago, they said good-bye the their followers. A quick search of my blog archives told me that I have never actually written anything about them, they have been a part of my "my favorite blogs to visit..." list since I began this blog in 2009.
...since their house looked like this...
...and happy Halloween!!
...since their house looked like this...
...and happy Halloween!!
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Furnishing a Living Room and Master Bedroom with Todays Online Thrift Finds
Below are my finds from today that could furnish a living room and master bedroom... with a little DIY magic.
Master bedroom solid wood dresser (picture it painted cream) $80 and it comes with...
... a bedside table (again painted cream)...
... and headboard and bed frame (and again painted cream)...
... and a wood framed mirror (not painted and used in the living room)...
All that for $80! That's why I love used furniture!
Living room extra solid wood chairs (painted cream) 2 x $10 each
Coffee table (also painted cream) $40
Solid wood dresser (again painted cream & with new hardware) $50
Solid wood side table (painted black) $10
All this for $200!
Just to give you a little inspiration- here's what the extra chairs could look like with a coat of paint...
Master bedroom solid wood dresser (picture it painted cream) $80 and it comes with...
... a bedside table (again painted cream)...
... and headboard and bed frame (and again painted cream)...
... and a wood framed mirror (not painted and used in the living room)...
All that for $80! That's why I love used furniture!
Living room extra solid wood chairs (painted cream) 2 x $10 each
Coffee table (also painted cream) $40
Solid wood dresser (again painted cream & with new hardware) $50
Solid wood side table (painted black) $10
Just to give you a little inspiration- here's what the extra chairs could look like with a coat of paint...
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
Thrift Finds and There Unlimited Potential...
Anyone who reads this blog knows I love thrift store finds (or online finds). Here are some of my recent finds and their potential (with a little DIY).
A solid, wood desk (asking $25 on Kijiji)
... plus a coat of paint and some new handles equals...
... plus a coat of paint and some new hardware equals...
... plus a coat of paint, new hardware and great accessories equals...
A solid, wood desk (asking $25 on Kijiji)
... plus a coat of paint and some new handles equals...
A solid, wood dining table (with leaf, asking $25 on Kijiji)
... plus a coat of paint and some chairs equals...
A long, solid wood dresser (asking $30 on Kijiji)
... plus a coat of paint and some new hardware equals...
A large, solid wood buffet and hutch (asking $40 on Kijiji)
... plus a coat of paint, new hardware and great accessories equals...
or...
... the possibilities are endless and all done on the cheap!
Friday, October 10, 2014
Cheap to Chic
Have you ever been to a home where someone has clearly tried to decorate, but they haven't quite pulled it off? Instead of looking fabulous, the space just looks cheap...
Here are some of my ideas of where people go wrong...
Here are some of my ideas of where people go wrong...
1) flat, under-stuffed pillows
versus plush, fluffy pillows
2) comforters on beds with no throw cushions
versus a duvet and cover and throw pillows
3) wall art hung too high
versus properly scaled, wall art hung at the appropriate eye level (i.e., 10-12 inches above furniture or 55-66 inches standing level)
4) skimpy curtains hung improperly (i.e., thin, small curtains hung too low on top of the window and not hung far enough out on the sides of the wall)
versus full curtains hung well above the window frame (to make the window seem bigger) and hung far enough out on the wall beside the window (to allow as much light in as possible)
versus full curtains hung well above the window frame (to make the window seem bigger) and hung far enough out on the wall beside the window (to allow as much light in as possible)
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Budget Decorating with Found Objects
beach pebbles
sea glass
driftwood
sea shells
pine cones
leaves
wood stumps
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Living Room on a VERY Tight Budget
Similar to my kids room on a budget and my master bedroom on a budget posts, here is my version of the living room on a budget.
These ideas are for a 12 x 9 living room with two doorways and one, large window... and starting with nothing. Something similar to below:
To begin, the living room wall colour should be a light, neutral colour. Something like a very light beige (to keep the room feeling bright and airy) with a few DIY and inexpensive, store bought accessories. For example:
1- Buy the side table, coffee table, lamps and chair (FYI- nice, wood rocking chairs can be found for a song!) second hand. Paint
the side table and coffee table the same colour to help them coordinate.
2- Purchase a new sofa.
3- Buy the decorative throw/ suggling blanket from Homesense.
4- Buy the curtains from IKEA and the curtain rod kit from JYSK.
5- Buy the paint from a big box store. You will need 1 gallon of wall paint and 1 gallon of paint for the furniture. Buy the paint brushes and mini rollers at the Dollarama but the large rollers you will have to buy at a big box store.
6- The circle mirror should be purchased at IKEA for $15.
7- The four medium picture frames (with mats) should be purchased second hand.
8- Purchase the glass vase and candle second hand.
9- The plant pot should be purchased at a big box store and painted.
10- Purchase the plant itself at Walmart where they sell for $10.
11- For the wall hooks, buy the hooks themselves at the Dollarama (2 hooks x $1.25) and the piece of wood to mount them to at a big box store (where they will cut it for you) and paint it.
12- Buy the pillow fabric and fills at Fabricland (on sale or from the ends bin) and make the pillow yourself.
13- Buy the large canvas at XSCargo. They sell them for $8 each. Paint them with dollar store paint and brushes.
14- Buy a flat screen television from Costco for $169.
Budget-
Furniture-
sofa $500
solid wood, coffee table $40
solid wood, side table $10
Window dressings-
curtains $15
curtain rod kit $8
Accessories-
table lamp $10
floor lamp $10
picture frames (with mats x 4) $20
hooks (stainless steel x 10) $6.25
plant pot $5
plant $10
circle mirror $20
vase $1.25
candle $1
DIY large canvas $8
pillow fabric $10
pillow fills $15
television $169
-Total budget- $858.50
... which sounds like a lot (again) but if you didn't have to purchase the sofa and television it would only be $189.50! That's pretty good for a fully functional and nice looking living room.
These ideas are for a 12 x 9 living room with two doorways and one, large window... and starting with nothing. Something similar to below:
To begin, the living room wall colour should be a light, neutral colour. Something like a very light beige (to keep the room feeling bright and airy) with a few DIY and inexpensive, store bought accessories. For example:
Lets begin with the living room furniture essentials i.e., a sofa, a
chair, a coffee table, a side table, a pair of curtains and a
curtain rod. I guess I should also include a television in the room essential list?...
Possible inspiration board for the living room?...
2- Purchase a new sofa.
3- Buy the decorative throw/ suggling blanket from Homesense.
4- Buy the curtains from IKEA and the curtain rod kit from JYSK.
5- Buy the paint from a big box store. You will need 1 gallon of wall paint and 1 gallon of paint for the furniture. Buy the paint brushes and mini rollers at the Dollarama but the large rollers you will have to buy at a big box store.
6- The circle mirror should be purchased at IKEA for $15.
7- The four medium picture frames (with mats) should be purchased second hand.
8- Purchase the glass vase and candle second hand.
9- The plant pot should be purchased at a big box store and painted.
10- Purchase the plant itself at Walmart where they sell for $10.
11- For the wall hooks, buy the hooks themselves at the Dollarama (2 hooks x $1.25) and the piece of wood to mount them to at a big box store (where they will cut it for you) and paint it.
12- Buy the pillow fabric and fills at Fabricland (on sale or from the ends bin) and make the pillow yourself.
13- Buy the large canvas at XSCargo. They sell them for $8 each. Paint them with dollar store paint and brushes.
14- Buy a flat screen television from Costco for $169.
Budget-
Furniture-
sofa $500
solid wood, coffee table $40
solid wood, side table $10
Window dressings-
curtains $15
curtain rod kit $8
Accessories-
table lamp $10
floor lamp $10
picture frames (with mats x 4) $20
hooks (stainless steel x 10) $6.25
plant pot $5
plant $10
circle mirror $20
vase $1.25
candle $1
DIY large canvas $8
pillow fabric $10
pillow fills $15
television $169
-Total budget- $858.50
... which sounds like a lot (again) but if you didn't have to purchase the sofa and television it would only be $189.50! That's pretty good for a fully functional and nice looking living room.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Master Bedroom on a VERY Tight Budget
Similar to my kids room on a budget post, here is my version of the adult bedroom.
These ideas are for a 10 x 12 bedroom master with one doorway, one closet and one window... and starting with nothing. Something similar to below:
To begin, the bedroom wall colour should be a neutral colour. Something like beige with a few DIY and inexpensive, store bought accessories. For example:
Lets begin with the bedroom furniture essentials i.e., a queen bed, a large dresser, two bedside tables, two lamps, a pair of curtains and a curtain rod.
1- Buy the bed frame, dresser and side tables second hand. Paint everything the same colour to help them coordinate.
2- Purchase the new, queen mattress and box spring from IKEA.
3- Buy the queen bedding and pillows from Walmart.
4- Purchase the lamps from Walmart.
5- Buy the curtains from IKEA and the curtain rod kit from JYSK.
6- Buy the paint from a big box store. You will need 1 gallon of wall paint and 1 gallon of paint for the furniture. Buy the paint brushes and mini rollers at the Dollarama but the large rollers you will have to buy at a big box store.
7- The full length mirror can should be purchased at IKEA for $15.
8- The two medium picture frames (with mats) should be purchased second hand. The pictures can be printed off at Walmart or Staples for a small cost.
9- Purchase the wood box and wood bowl second hand.
10- The plant pot should be purchased at the Dollarama and painted.
11- Purchase the plant itself at a big box store where they sell for $2.50.
12- For the wall hooks, buy the hooks themselves at the Dollarama (2 hooks x $1.25) and the piece of wood to mount them to at a big box store (where they will cut it for you) and paint it.
13- Buy the pillow fabric and fill at Fabricland (on sale or from the ends bin) and make the pillow yourself.
14- Buy the two, large canvases at XSCargo. They sell them for $8 each. Paint them with dollar store paint and brushes.
15- DIY your own large, sunburst mirror using wooden dowels and a circular dollar store mirror.
Budget-
Furniture-
queen mattress and boxspring $200
solid wood, queen bed frame $75
solid wood bedside tables (x 2) $30
solid wood, large dresser $50
Bedding-
queen sheets set $30
extra pillow cases $10
queen blanket $20
queen duvet $30
queen duvet cover $20
pillows ($3 each x 4) $12
Window dressings-
curtains $15
curtain rod kit $8
Accessories-
lamps $20
picture frames (with mats x 2) $10
hooks (stainless steel x 10) $6.25
plant pot $1.25
plant $2.50
full length mirror $15
wood box $5
wood bowl $3
DIY large canvases (x 2) $16
pillow fabric $5
pillow fill $5
DIY sunburst mirror $10
-Total budget- $579
... which sounds like a lot (again) but if you didn't have to purchase the mattress it would only be $379! That's pretty good for a fully functional and nice looking master bedroom.
These ideas are for a 10 x 12 bedroom master with one doorway, one closet and one window... and starting with nothing. Something similar to below:
To begin, the bedroom wall colour should be a neutral colour. Something like beige with a few DIY and inexpensive, store bought accessories. For example:
Lets begin with the bedroom furniture essentials i.e., a queen bed, a large dresser, two bedside tables, two lamps, a pair of curtains and a curtain rod.
1- Buy the bed frame, dresser and side tables second hand. Paint everything the same colour to help them coordinate.
2- Purchase the new, queen mattress and box spring from IKEA.
3- Buy the queen bedding and pillows from Walmart.
4- Purchase the lamps from Walmart.
5- Buy the curtains from IKEA and the curtain rod kit from JYSK.
6- Buy the paint from a big box store. You will need 1 gallon of wall paint and 1 gallon of paint for the furniture. Buy the paint brushes and mini rollers at the Dollarama but the large rollers you will have to buy at a big box store.
7- The full length mirror can should be purchased at IKEA for $15.
8- The two medium picture frames (with mats) should be purchased second hand. The pictures can be printed off at Walmart or Staples for a small cost.
9- Purchase the wood box and wood bowl second hand.
10- The plant pot should be purchased at the Dollarama and painted.
11- Purchase the plant itself at a big box store where they sell for $2.50.
12- For the wall hooks, buy the hooks themselves at the Dollarama (2 hooks x $1.25) and the piece of wood to mount them to at a big box store (where they will cut it for you) and paint it.
13- Buy the pillow fabric and fill at Fabricland (on sale or from the ends bin) and make the pillow yourself.
14- Buy the two, large canvases at XSCargo. They sell them for $8 each. Paint them with dollar store paint and brushes.
15- DIY your own large, sunburst mirror using wooden dowels and a circular dollar store mirror.
Budget-
Furniture-
queen mattress and boxspring $200
solid wood, queen bed frame $75
solid wood bedside tables (x 2) $30
solid wood, large dresser $50
Bedding-
queen sheets set $30
extra pillow cases $10
queen blanket $20
queen duvet $30
queen duvet cover $20
pillows ($3 each x 4) $12
Window dressings-
curtains $15
curtain rod kit $8
Accessories-
lamps $20
picture frames (with mats x 2) $10
hooks (stainless steel x 10) $6.25
plant pot $1.25
plant $2.50
full length mirror $15
wood box $5
wood bowl $3
DIY large canvases (x 2) $16
pillow fabric $5
pillow fill $5
DIY sunburst mirror $10
-Total budget- $579
... which sounds like a lot (again) but if you didn't have to purchase the mattress it would only be $379! That's pretty good for a fully functional and nice looking master bedroom.
Kids Bedroom on a VERY Tight Budget
This is one of my favorite things to do... come up with decorating ideas for small spaces with a REALLY small budget. Rooms that not only look good, but are functional and don't look like they were decorated on the cheap... even though they were!
These ideas are for a 10 x 10 bedroom with one doorway, one closet and one window and this is also assuming you have nothing to start with i.e., empty room and nothing to put in it. Something similar to below:
To begin, the bedroom wall colour should be a neutral colour. Something like beige will grow with them and when their tastes do change, you can modify a few accessories to their new likings and completely change the look and feel of the room. For example:
Lets begin with the bedroom furniture essentials i.e., a twin bed, a small-medium sized dresser, a side table, a lamp and a pair of curtains and curtain rod.
1- Buy the bed frame, dresser and side table second hand. Sites like Kijiji and Craig's List and stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army provide lots of durable, solid wood options at extremely reasonable prices. Regardless of where you purchase the items, you should paint everything the same colour (I like cream but any neutral colour would work) to help them coordinate.
2- The new, twin mattress will be the most expensive thing in the room. If someone could give you a mattress that would be ideal, otherwise, you can buy the mattress from JYSK. Something like the Paradise 6" memory foam mattress. It is extremely comfortable and a reasonable price ($169 plus tax). You can find mattresses (especially foam ones) for less, but they will be less comfortable and will wear out faster so you will end up spending more in the long run. If the bed frame you buy does not have wood slats (the alternative to a box spring) you can simply make your own wood slats from free pallets available at most big box stores.
3- Purchase the bedding (and pillow) from Walmart. You can get all of the bedding for under $40. The sheets should be something 100% cotton and a neutral, solid colour. Since kids tend to sweat when they sleep, a neutral colour, cotton blanket is more then enough bedding (plus the sheets of course) for them.
4- Buy the lamp from Walmart where you can get a simple cream lamp with shade for $10 plus tax.
5- Buy the curtains from IKEA. Something like the VIVAN cream curtains for $15 plus tax. You can find the curtain rod kit (rod, bracket, finials) at JYSK for less than $10.
6- To paint the room and its contents you will need 1 gallon of wall paint, 1 gallon of paint for the furniture and 1 quart of chalkboard paint... plus the painting supplies to go with it. You can buy the paint brushes and mini rollers at the Dollarama but the large rollers you will have to buy at a big box store. For the chalkboard, simply use tape to create a frame for it.
7- The full length mirror can should be purchased at XSCargo. They sell them for $8.
8- The two medium-large picture frames (with mats) should be purchased second hand. Simply paint out the frames to match the rest of the room. Add scrap-booking paper and coloured tape to the frames to give them a little individual personality. The pictures or small posters can be printed off at Walmart or Staples for a small cost.
9- Purchase the small storage boxes or decorative accessory and plant pot at the Dollarama. Paint them to match everything else in the room (if necessary).
10- Purchase the plant itself at a big box store where they sell for $2.50.
11- For the wall hooks, buy the hooks themselves at the Dollarama (2 hooks x $1.25) and the piece of wood to mount them to at a big box store (where they will cut it for you) and paint it to match the room.
12- Buy the pillow fabric and fill at Fabricland (on sale or from the ends bin) and make the pillow yourself.
Budget:
Furniture-
mattress $169
solid wood bed frame $50
solid wood bedside table $15
solid wood dresser $50
Bedding-
twin sheets set $20
twin blanket $20
Window dressings-
curtains $15
curtain rod kit $8
Accessories- lamp $10
picture frames (with mats x 2) $10
scrapbook paper (x 2) $2
coloured tape $2
hooks (stainless steel x 10) $6.25
plant pot $1.25
plant $2.50
full length mirror $8
storage boxes (x 4) $5
pillow fabric $5
pillow fill $5
-Total budget- $404
... which sounds like a lot but if you didn't have to purchase the mattress it would only be $235! That's pretty good for a fully functional and nice looking kids room.
These ideas are for a 10 x 10 bedroom with one doorway, one closet and one window and this is also assuming you have nothing to start with i.e., empty room and nothing to put in it. Something similar to below:
To begin, the bedroom wall colour should be a neutral colour. Something like beige will grow with them and when their tastes do change, you can modify a few accessories to their new likings and completely change the look and feel of the room. For example:
Lets begin with the bedroom furniture essentials i.e., a twin bed, a small-medium sized dresser, a side table, a lamp and a pair of curtains and curtain rod.
1- Buy the bed frame, dresser and side table second hand. Sites like Kijiji and Craig's List and stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army provide lots of durable, solid wood options at extremely reasonable prices. Regardless of where you purchase the items, you should paint everything the same colour (I like cream but any neutral colour would work) to help them coordinate.
2- The new, twin mattress will be the most expensive thing in the room. If someone could give you a mattress that would be ideal, otherwise, you can buy the mattress from JYSK. Something like the Paradise 6" memory foam mattress. It is extremely comfortable and a reasonable price ($169 plus tax). You can find mattresses (especially foam ones) for less, but they will be less comfortable and will wear out faster so you will end up spending more in the long run. If the bed frame you buy does not have wood slats (the alternative to a box spring) you can simply make your own wood slats from free pallets available at most big box stores.
3- Purchase the bedding (and pillow) from Walmart. You can get all of the bedding for under $40. The sheets should be something 100% cotton and a neutral, solid colour. Since kids tend to sweat when they sleep, a neutral colour, cotton blanket is more then enough bedding (plus the sheets of course) for them.
4- Buy the lamp from Walmart where you can get a simple cream lamp with shade for $10 plus tax.
5- Buy the curtains from IKEA. Something like the VIVAN cream curtains for $15 plus tax. You can find the curtain rod kit (rod, bracket, finials) at JYSK for less than $10.
6- To paint the room and its contents you will need 1 gallon of wall paint, 1 gallon of paint for the furniture and 1 quart of chalkboard paint... plus the painting supplies to go with it. You can buy the paint brushes and mini rollers at the Dollarama but the large rollers you will have to buy at a big box store. For the chalkboard, simply use tape to create a frame for it.
7- The full length mirror can should be purchased at XSCargo. They sell them for $8.
8- The two medium-large picture frames (with mats) should be purchased second hand. Simply paint out the frames to match the rest of the room. Add scrap-booking paper and coloured tape to the frames to give them a little individual personality. The pictures or small posters can be printed off at Walmart or Staples for a small cost.
9- Purchase the small storage boxes or decorative accessory and plant pot at the Dollarama. Paint them to match everything else in the room (if necessary).
10- Purchase the plant itself at a big box store where they sell for $2.50.
11- For the wall hooks, buy the hooks themselves at the Dollarama (2 hooks x $1.25) and the piece of wood to mount them to at a big box store (where they will cut it for you) and paint it to match the room.
12- Buy the pillow fabric and fill at Fabricland (on sale or from the ends bin) and make the pillow yourself.
Budget:
Furniture-
mattress $169
solid wood bed frame $50
solid wood bedside table $15
solid wood dresser $50
Bedding-
twin sheets set $20
twin blanket $20
Window dressings-
curtains $15
curtain rod kit $8
Accessories- lamp $10
picture frames (with mats x 2) $10
scrapbook paper (x 2) $2
coloured tape $2
hooks (stainless steel x 10) $6.25
plant pot $1.25
plant $2.50
full length mirror $8
storage boxes (x 4) $5
pillow fabric $5
pillow fill $5
-Total budget- $404
... which sounds like a lot but if you didn't have to purchase the mattress it would only be $235! That's pretty good for a fully functional and nice looking kids room.
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Large Scale, Budget Art Work
I know that I haven't posted many (well any) pictures of our "new" apartment. So this will be one of the first!
We had a blank wall beside the fireplace that drove me crazy. I wanted something to fill it but didn't want to spend a fortune... which it was going to cost me because it was a large space and required something substantial to properly fill it. Enter my DIY art.
What you need:
1) XSCargo stretched art canvas ($9.99)
3) paintbrushes (for however many different paint colours that you use; $1.25 each; Dollarama)
...the end result...
.JPG)
I think it turned out quite good! It stands out even more now that the wall colour is more white/light grey versus the beige in this photo.
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