Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Decorating on a budget, get creative

I have never been one to follow the norm, that said I like to surround myself with things that make me happy. I like to rescue items that have a history and a story. I am addicted to the DIY network and love American Pickers and the new show Crackling Antiques. Finding something old that is unique and giving it a new look or a new home is so much fun. Shopping in second hand stores and flea markets and yard sales and spotting a great find is a huge rush then getting that item for a very low price makes it even more exciting. When I find some items I already know what the use will be or how they will look when I refinish them.

There is a lot of stuff out there that have can mutilple uses, you just have to use your imagination. A table becomes an island, a dresser becomes a buffet, or an entertainment unit. An old door becomes a headboard, exterior shutters become interior decor, old flower pots or vases become lamps or pendant lights.

In an age where everyone is recycling and trying to save the planet, why not go one step further and recycle items that might have been taken to the dump. If you have old couches or chairs that you don't like anymore, have them reupolstered or buy slip covers, have a mirror that does not match your decor anymore, paint it, shift furniture to other rooms and give them a new use.

Creating a home surrounded with items that I have created or restored gives me a incredible feeling of accomplishment. Anyone can go to a store and buy furniture from a dept store and put it in their home, but I don't want a furniture showroom house. My home is more personal and unique and all of my collections are a reflection of me and my life, and I love the way everything looks. And isn't that what it is all about, shouldn't your home make you happy, a home where you and your family and friends feel at home.
I want a home that wraps you up like a soft blanket and gives you that ahhh its good to be home feeling.

Monday, January 17, 2011

You won't find me walking around a mall or clothes shopping

Where you will find me is rummaging through stuff at the Salvation army or  a second hand store or browsing kijiji when I am at home. My basement is full of projects on the go, I always have a few on the go. Currently I am repainting a unique box I bought for $2.00 not sure what its use will be yet, but i know I will find a place for it. I found another mirror and shelf that I am going to paint and maybe give it to a family member because I love the way mine turned out. I couldn't walk away from it, the store sold it to me for $2.00, where can you get a mirror and shelf for that price, some people pay more for their coffee.
I also had a great score today, last summer I bought two brass lamps with beige shades that had patterns on them that matched some chairs i had recovered, and today I found a lamp with the same pattern on a different style shade but also a brass lamp. I was so happy to be find the lamp and the price on it was $4.00, a brass antique lamp for 4 bucks. It looks gorgeous in my living room and I can't believe I got it for $4.00.
Today I spent the morning with my dog and doing housework, spent my afternoon touring second hand stores, spent a total of $10.00 and came home with a mirror, shelf, lamp, an old lantern and a hand carved duck. Now tonight I sit here admiring my finds, wondering what I will find tomorrow.

Saturday, January 15, 2011

My many projects

The Harvest table is finished and soon the hutch will be as well, I will post pictures of my $100.00 diningroom as soon as I can talk my hubbie into carrying the hutch in from the garage.
I found a roll top desk online for $100.00 and it looks great with the piano stool.
Some of my finds require updating or cleaning up and others are perfect just the way they are. Currently I am just storing some of the stuff as we are renting temporarily while my husband works on contract. When we return to Ontario from British Columbia I hope to find the perfect house to give all of my things a permanent home. I hope this blog inspires others to rescue and restore things that others think are junk. when I look around my house everything has a story and an emotional attachment. I love looking at some of these items and seeing the finished project in my head and then making it happen with paint or stain and some hard work and time.

Unique Finds

I love discovering unique finds in second hand stores or garage sales and of course I also find great deals online or from buy and sell newspapers. What some people consider junk I find interesting and I love to rescue it and give it a new home.
Some of the items I find are fine just the way they are and others I like to give a facelift with either a coat of paint or stain or a bit of both.
I'm afraid I have become a bit of second hand store junky, but I love to find pieces from the past and am not a fan of the modern look. Some might find my home a mish mash of stuff but every piece has a story. When I look around my home at the pieces I have found it makes me happy and that is all that matters, after all it is my home.