Thrifty Outdoor Ideas

thRifty thuRSDayS

Since this week is a big week where people spruce up the outdoors, I thought I'd share some thrifty ideas to make bring the indoors out.

Here's a great table made of an old door and some ikea sawhorses.  The red chairs go amazingly well with the blue and white table.

via staceyembracingchange

Here is a delightful porch.via Michele Raven Designs

A $15 dollar table painted yellow to use on the patio, paired with this silver chairs.  Super cute.  I love the baskets.
via lindy cottage hill

Love, love, love this patio with the handing candelier.  It's so al fresco.

[caption id="attachment_1104" align="aligncenter" width="274" caption="via annsage.com"][/caption]

A little midcentury anyone?  Okay, maybe this one is not thrifty, but I bet you I can find a way to make it thrifty....really cool inspiration.

 via plainair

Check out this feedsack day bed.via craftomaniac

xo,

mONICa

Thrift Store Ottoman Transformed- Thrifty Thursdays.

Gotta love a good thrift store find. Check out this great ottoman that Maggie from Midwestern Sewing Girl found.



A little mid century decor never hurt anybody, but it looks like the frame was a little rough and needed a facelift.  I could think of a million ways I would've done this ottoman, but I gotta say Maggie's way is pretty exquisite.





I must say I'm slightly jealous.  I never find anything this good at thrift stores.  To see more of Maggie's projects check out her blog at Midwestern Sewing Girl.

xo,

mONICa

DIY Paintings-Complete

Okay...so once again, I'm not an artist.  However, I really needed some art for my family room.  My inspiration was a cross between a vintage sheet that I plan to repurpose as throw pillows and this flower power rug from target that I just think has a cool pattern:

Here is a photo of the vintage bed sheet:

You can see the blank wall in this post.  Here are the completed pieces.  There is really no rhyme or reason, they are just kind of random like me.

A little bit closer

And in the room showing the blue wall (I'll get a better shot on a neater family room day).

The project came in at under $20 bucks including frames. I'm actually kind of proud of them since I have failed at other attempts at art in the past.

xo,

mONICa

Eclectic Living Room

HGTV's Emily Henderson did this eclectic living room with a bold yet sophisticated sofa, rustic coffee table, and mid- century accent pieces.  I love the random mix of furnishings.

Emily Henderson's Blog

If you are looking to do a room like this I recommend to mix some vintage finds with some new pieces.  The beauty of this room is you can probably find most of these pieces used.  To start...find yourself a vintage sofa.  Something bright and colorful.  For example the sofa below sold on Ebay for $160.00

Then add some pillows this one from Amazon might be fun.

Here is a great chair from Urban Outfitters for $329

Here's a great barn wood coffee table that would be great stained darker to get Emily's look.  You can't beat it for $235.00

Here's an awesome lamp  for $89.00

and another cool lampHere's a great little mid century side table  for only $55.00

and a black rattan ottoman

With some sprucing up these could be great tables and for $50 bucks, not bad.

So there you have it.  My version of Emily Hendersons eclectic Living Room.  Hope you enjoyed.

xo,

mONICa

Decoupage Table Tops- Feature Friday

A while back I bought a coffee table on clearance at Home Goods. It wasn't in the best of shape to begin with, but it did the trick for a while.  Well, during their 2nd year of life my twins have really beaten it up.  It now needs a make over.  I've thought about painting it, but I thought it would be fun to cover it with fabric instead,  since it's really only the top that is damaged.  I found this great tutorial on how to decoupage table tops at Jennifer Rizzo.com.

First,  she paints the table.

Then she added the fabric with decoupage medium.

A couple of coats of shellac show the finished product.

This project would be fun with some bright or graphic fabric as well.

I may try something like this on my desk as well.

xo,

mONICa

Wonderful for Less Wednesdays- Coastal Bedroom

Our inspiration room for the week is a coastal bedroom with lots of white and some yellow accents.  It's very clean and fresh and perfect for the summertime.  I can just feel the breeze blowing through this room.  I also love the glitz and glam of the metallic side tables.  I think this would make an excellent guest room, your guest will feel like they are staying at a beach resort.

House Beautiful

Here is my sensibly chic version:

Unfortunately I couldn't find anything that resembled those beautiful pale yellow ottomans, but I think the cream is still snazzy and gives it the coastal effect.

Shopping list is as follows

Headboard- Cymaxstores $303.03

Nightstand- Urban Outfitters- $179.00

Side Table- Urban Outfitters- $119.00

Storage Bench- KMart- $123.49

Lamps- Target- $149.99ea (Would also try Home Goods)

Black Frames-Target-$12.99ea

Leaf Poster Print- Buy.com-$10.80ea

Grand Total- $1048

xo,

mONICa

Back Splash Does Wonders

Never underestimate the power of a little kitchen back splash.  It doesn't have to be hard or complicated, but it really will enhance the look of your kitchen.  I chose a glass tile back splash for my kitchen which cost about $10 per sheet.  I paid a handy man to install it, after failing on an attempt to do it myself (lack of proper tools).  The handyman charged about $250.  So for about $500 bucks I have a high-end look in my kitchen to go with my builder-grade cabinets.  You can save yourself some money if you have the proper tools or are willing to rent them (Instructions here).  I've also seen some glass tile sheets 10 x 10 for around $4.99 each (special buy @ Home Depot).  It's a good way to put a little bit of your personality into your kitchen.

Here is my back splash:

As you can see...I've also taken the regular white switch plates and spray painted them a color that I felt would fit in with my back splash and counter tops.  It's a frugal way to save on new switch plates.  Below is the full view of my kitchen so that you can see it in all it's glory : )

Here is the same back splash used all the way up to the ceiling.  I think this look is amazing as well and in a more farm house chic way.

Dal Tile is easily accessible and available at all Home Depots.It is also pretty reasonably prices.

There are so many tile options from glass to travertine.  You've got to choose one that fits your personality. This one happens to fit mine.

xo,

mONICa

Small Foyer Update for under $100

Decorating small entry ways can be challenging but should never be overlooked since it is the first impression visitors will get upon entering your home. Even if it's just a doorstep visit your visitor will get a glimpse into your personality  by way of the entry. Remember too that your entry area looks different from the outside view than the inside view, so it's a good idea to step out your front door and take a look from the visitors perspective. As you open the door what do you see, what does it say about you, and what do you want it to say? A small entry is the perfect place to show your personal style & interest.

If you don't have an entry at all, you can still create an area to use as a first impression wall, welcome space, key area etc.  Also,  don't be afraid to go bold with your decor, sometimes by adding bold wall colors, large mirrors and accessories this can give the room some much needed drama,  but remember even the smallest touches can add a lot to the space.

My entry way is  only 4 1/2 ft. x 5ft  with the entry door on one wall the hall way door on the opposite wall and the opening to the living room on the other wall. That leaves me with one wall to work with. Let me show you how I made the most of it.

First I added a large mirror (a thrift find-$25) mirrors always make the room look larger.

Then I went on craigslist to find a table. However it had to be narrow to avoid having the front door hit it when the door opens. And I found one for only $25.00.

And then for the accessories:

Some vintage wooded birds  that I fell in love with at an antique store. ($40 for the set) and a plant that I already had.

That was it! for basically under a hundred dollars I was able to have my entry say a little something about me.

Here are some great finds that would look great in an entry way.

Gold Wall Mirror

Small Wood Accent Table

Half Moon Table

Door Stop

 

French Country Wall Shelves

Mirror and Shelf Combo

xo,

eLAINe

 

Swanky Bathroom on a Budget

My bathroom has its original yellow retro tile(totally my style),  but the base cabinet was painted white and made the tile look odd, like it was a piece sitting there out of place. So what I did was paint the base cabinet the exact same color as the tile. Now it  has a cleaner look, like a cool piece of furniture.

I've continued the retro feel of the bathroom in an unconventional and affordable way. Both my husband and I love the rat pack because of listening to my father in-law reminisce about his fond memories of his 1960's weekend trips to Vegas when those rat pack guys use to sit and relax in the casino lounges after their show.  It was such a casual atmosphere where they were totally accessible to anyone who wanted to talk with them… so different from stars of today. In the words of my father in-law, "They were such cool guys!" At any rate, that was the inspiration for our bathroom. We wanted it to have a swanky feel to it. So, after painting the room two different shades  of blue, what we did is purchase a book of candid photographs taken by Sammy Davis Jr and cut out our favorites. We then purchased black inexpensive frames to put the pictures in, and voila! wonderful affordable artwork. Since I like to mix old with new we purchased  a large artsy picture of musicians from Craigslist for $20, and a couple of inexpensive store-bought pictures and accessories as well. It's not what you expect to see when you walk into a bathroom but I guess that s why everyone loves it, especially my father in law!

This is my swanky bathroom done on a budget.  For some swanky fashion visit us at Vintage Catwalk.

xo,

Elaine