Make Over: Jenna's Table

Last weekend I made an "emergency" trip to Kansas (a five hour drive) to do a little de-cluttering. My sister needed to make space for some more things. So...this was one thing in her guest bedroom that needed out. A table and three chairs. She got them for FREE!

She got this set from a friend that is sorta family. The set was actually already made over with black paint and green cushions. I'm sure it was a great make over compared to it's original state. But, like with all frequently used furniture... it could use a facelift once again.

My sister decided a patio dining table would be the perfect new function for this table and chairs.

"Wow", is all I have to say! I thought she chose a great brown (exterior) paint and the yellow outdoor fabric seat covers make her chairs dressed to kill! The fabric was a steal at only $8.00 for the three chairs, plus plenty more for a table runner or even place mats. I love how she decided to take something old and make it modern and clean on the cheap! You just can't ask for more!

Jenna is ultimately going to make lumbar pillows (half the height of this pillow) out of this fabric for each chair. She already made two pillows like the one in the picture and uses them on her patio chairs. I think it all ties in quite nicely, don't you think?

She loves it so much she was using it for entertaining the very next day!

Check back for pictures of her complete patio make over!

Read More 4 comments | Posted by Nicole |

Freebie: "I Can Go Anywhere" Bench

I picked up this bench (along with it's table) on big trash pick up day from my nieghbor. I had big plans to use it in my front yard area - but it was too big and needed too much work. I had to put the table back out for trash - but I was not letting go of the bench!

This is what the bench looked like when I found it. Pretty sad, don't you think? Well it really only took a good power wash and a left over can of black spray paint to bring this baby back from the dumps (literally).

My favorite thing about it (and main reason for me keeping it) is that it will go so many places.

Just because you know I have to apply the Rule of Three... here goes...

How about a stylish bench in the laundry room?

Or, for extra seating on the back patio?

Maybe, it will just take up space in the catipillar room (more on that in a different post).

What about a primitive looking coffee table?

Honestly, the possibilities are endless. It's so light it could go anywhere. In an entry way with coat hooks above it... in a child's room with books and pillows... as a seat in the middle of a big walk in closet (my mom actually has a closet perfect for this)...or as extra seating anywhere inside or outside of the house...

Why not let it have a turn in all of these place?

What do you think? What would you do with the bench?

Read More 3 comments | Posted by Nicole |

Rule of Three:

I bet you are on the edge of your seat with anticipation of which Rule of Three I am blogging about. There are so many... will it be about medicine, writing, theater, aviation, survival skills?... maybe about Mathmatics, economics or probability?... (I am an accountant you know)... or maybe about computer programming?...(I also have a degree in that) All of these things have their own Rule of Three. And I am going to talk about... None of them! I made my own!

Back in the day when I had A VERY STRICT BUDGET, but was still trying to furnish my home, I created what I call my Rule of Three. Basically, if I wanted something I need to ask myself this question, "Can it be used in three places" or "Can it be used three different ways". If I couldn't think of three places or uses, I would sadly walk away. But ultimately, I began loving my rule. The main reason is because if you start applying this rule, it is so easy to re-arrange and mix things up (what I call "shopping" in my own home) to create a fresh look (as opposed to buying something new). I would estimate that at least 70% of my decor and some furniture follows this rule. Even if you aren't into saving money, this rule will also help keep the clutter down.

This is one example of an item (or set rather) that I could easily justify three uses for. I know it's confusing that my example is a set of three... but it has nothing to do with the Rule of Three.

In the dining area with faux fruit.

On the kitchen counter with candy or cookies!

In the bathroom holding q-tips, cotton balls, and tissues.

Sometimes you can look a little deeper and get a little more creative...

How about a sleek tablescape made with the canisters only.

A cake plate made with one base and a charger.

And even a luxurious looking finial with one base and one top only.

Now, I'd say that was a good purchase. No buyer's remorse after that one!

Take a look around and look at the things you already own. Please share any things that you found that you can use the Rule Three on for a fresh look!

Read More 2 comments | Posted by Nicole |

Kellen's Bedroom Reveal

It's finally time to see whats been going on in Kellen's bedroom for the past few weeks. After unstacking the bunk beds, painting the walls, creating a "nook" with the window seat, and re-arranging the decor... it's finally done! It was worth the mess and chaos though!

With the beds side by side, there is absolutely no room in his bedroom. But, it was his choice and he didn't mind giving up play room for unstacked bunk beds. As you probably noticed we had to give up the dresser and move his clothes to plastic drawers in his closet. Kellen also collects a lot of things related to vintage transportation, and vintage sports/games. Finding display space and also storage space was quite a challenge.

The sock monkey (made by my cousin Brenna), vintage baseballs (bag of balls for $2.50) a glove ($7 at a second hand store in Hugoton, KS), an old airplane, an old suitcase ($10 at the same second hand store in Hugoton, KS), and vintage looking auto and airplane memoribilla are his most favorite finds in the room.

The newest addition to his collection, a construction light that belonged to my great-uncle, along with old tennis rackets found at a thrift shop for $1 each, and other vintage looking pieces are the beginning of a wall collage that we will add to as we find more "treasures".

The trunk between the beds was actually found a year ago at Goodwill for $5. Kellen spotted it and thought it would be awesome in his bedroom. To me, it just looked like it would take up too much space. Now, it doubles as a nightstand and a toy box. The lamp was a $12 Marshalls find and Kellen found the railroad crossing sign (free) when we were exploring my step-dad's ranch (don't worry, no vandilism was required). And, two years later, the pictures that Kellen made are still perfect for above each bed.

Speaking of the bed, the beds are actually bunk beds (unstacked) that I got a killer deal on. The comforters are white duvets and the sheets are Tommy Hillfiger. The shams are actually from Kellen's old Tommy Hillfiger set. I love having a white comforter in a kids bedroom (if it can stay clean of course) and switching the sheets to create a different look. Tommy Hillfiger makes awesome sheets for kids with surf boards, fish, sports, stripes, all that match the red and navy theme.

Does anyone have any kids bedroom experiences they would like to share? Send them to me and I'll post the pictures on here!

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Nicole |

Tailored Window Seat Makeover

Well, it's time to see another project! I always wanted a window seat when I was a little girl. I just imagined staring out the window, reading, playing games, and relaxing on it. When I was about 12 I got the window seat that I wanted so badly. Since I was older though, I never created the little "nook" that I dreamed of as a little girl. I was just fine and quite proud of the architectural element of the room, but wasn't as excited about the function anymore. When I bought my home a few years ago, I found myself doing the same thing with my son's bedroom. He had this amazing window seat, and I was proud of it, but I never did anything with it. I knew this was going to be one of the biggest differences design wise of the room. (We had a bad hail storm so please excuse the black plastic on the window and towels trying to keep the glass away. That is a project, too... just not mine.)

When we moved into the house I hung these four basic panels on the outside of the window. They were inexpensive and quick. A 20 minute trip to Wal-Mart and the project was completed. Well, I suceeded in covering up in my child's room what I wanted so badly in a room of mine when I was his age.

So, of course I started brainstorming, and searching the internet. Of course his windows are not a normal size so I knew I was going to have to either a) order custom window treatments or b) make them. We all know 'b)' is much cheaper than 'a)'. So, I headed to the fabric store and bought a ton of navy sportsman fabric and some navy, white, and red prints in the cheapest fabrics I could find. (Which I found out are way more awesome than the regular cotton fabric.) What I created was a curtain that I thought was tailored and crisp looking, that would make his window seat more of a eye catcher. I also created a covered foam cushion and some random pillows that will get nice and cushy as time goes on. In a few years when he wants a more grown up look, I will unstitch the striped ties and stitch on a roman shade mechanism. I think it really opened the space up and provides a nice and cozy little nook to play and read on. I've already had to remake the space a few different times for a picture opportunity, so I think it is already getting some good use!

Total Damage: $110
Fabric - $60.00
Foam - $50.00
Pillow forms - FREE (previous project)

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Nicole |

Easy Kid Art

One big ongoing project that I have had for the past few years is my son's bedroom. He has his own taste of decorations that is similar to mine. It is quite funny actually. He likes vintage sport, and automobile memorabilia. So basically anything vintage and "boyish". I knew I wanted something different and unique for the walls but we had a few challenges. I still need my son's room to look like a child's room (at the time he made these he was 4; he is now 6). And also, I like to do everything for a little money as possible. So I decided to have him help create his own art and it couldn't have turned out better. I encourage everyone to do at least a small version of this in thier child's bedroom. He gets so many compliments and has so much pride (even still) in his artwork. We haven't changed them yet, but the idea is to change them as he gets older with new drawings and new "mats". I've seen many of these canvas' that are actually personalizable on sites like http://www.rosenberryrooms.com/. Oopsy Daisy makes this particular one I believe and it is $148 for a similar size. I just love them, but I knew I could make something similar for much less.

So.... I went to work. I acquired these picture frames from a company that went out of business (to put it nicely) for FREE! Free? Free? Did you say FREE? Why yes I did!!! I love that my mom trusts me enough to find me "junk" so I can re-use it! I didn't even have to paint them. They were already blue... perrrfect! I bought 3 sheets of scrapbooking paper and cut and re-arranged it for a mat. While I was doing this my son (who was 4 at the time) drew 2 pictures on plain computer paper to "showcase" on his wall. I threw all of this in the frame together and hung them side by side to make them look like a pair. What do you think, not too bad for less than 99% of the price!

Total Damage: $.75
Frames - FREE
Pictures - FREE
Scrapbook paper - $.75

Check back in a few days for another project and ultimately the big kid's room reveal!!

Read More 1 Comment | Posted by Nicole |

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