The Chair

I finally finished the chair.

There it is before, my little lavender Craigslist chair & ottoman number, in what I have claimed as my little reading nook.
I simply cut the fabric according to what section it was going on, pinned it all together right side down. Took it off, sewed it up, then turned it right side out and slipped it on. The sewing was a little difficult because of the curves...but it is a shabby slipcover, so wonky seams are part of its charm. Right?
There is someone always jumping into my shots...If it is not that one, then it is this one....
Not to mention a hazard to my feet while snapping pictures because of this...


You'll notice the big black hutch thing from the before picture is gone. That is the rest of the story. Hubs thought the hutch took up too much room. I was not offended by this because, first of all, it itself was an affordable Craigslist find from a few years ago that I bought for our old house, not some expensive piece I had pined over for years. Second of all, that meant I would have to scrounge around and find something new to put there. It's a good thing that rearranging furniture is my most favorite thing to do. Hubs never has much of an opinion about decorating (mainly because he knows things get moved around so often) so when he does, I know it is a valid point.

The one and only thing to do was to head off to my most favorite spot in our new little town. A ginormous junk store. It is ha-uge and crammed full of crap juntiques and treasures.

This is only one level. It goes on and on. See the hole in the ceiling. It's a classy place. I kind of itch and wheeze when I leave but it sure is fun to prowl around.

I spied the perfect piece....
See it under all the "treasures"?

It had no mirror and no knobs, but after a little cleaning it was a real beauty!


When we bought the house there was a little opening of spindles in that wall. Spindles scream 80's, yes? So we made the spindles go away.

Here is the before, when the previous owners still lived here...
...and now....

p.s. Today is our anniversary! 14 years of wedded bliss to my favorite person!

p.p.s. Happy Veteran's Day! To all veterans and current military...a great big hug and a thank you!!

p.p.p.s Go find lots more ideas and inspiration on DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land!

It's a par-tay!

The Nester, of "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful" fame, is hosting a lampapalooza party! I have been on a lamp kick lately so I thought I would join in on the fun. I just did 2 posts on lamp re-dos so I will link to them here and here.

Next on my list, like THIS weekend, is a fabu burlap lampshade re-do. Just like what Rhoda did. I think I have the exact same buffet lamps that she does. I got them at Lowe's years ago. The silky shade is a little too formal for me, so bring on the burlap!!

Now go visit The Nester! Now, go now! Soak up some ideas to try out yourself at the lampapalooza. Her blog is chocked full of lots of incredible ideas. Easy ideas and best of all she gives you the OK to do your own thing...throw caution and any preconceived "decorating rules" to the wind!

Sure it's ugly now...

I found this little number at Stein Mart today. (This is a terrible picture but I am too lazy to take another) The shop elsewhere price was $149 and the SM price was $79. No joke.

A piece of adornment on the swirly arm was broken off (and for the fact that it is plain ugly) so it was on clearance. Add in my coupon and I picked up this little woofer for $20.

Had I not been inspired by so many "trash to treasure" makeovers on all the many blogs that I love to read, then this lamp would have never even gotten a first glance from me.

BUT imagine a touch up paint job of some sort, a different plate and/or painting the existing plate with chalkboard paint, removing that gawwwwwdy scroll thing at the bottom.

If I hurry and complete this project then I can use this plate that I saw at Dillards and can't stop dreaming about...

What I have learned from hours of mindless blog browsing

I have been inspired by all the blogs from girls who have beautiful homes....beautiful not because of size or style but because they have put love and creativity into it. I don't mean going to an expensive fancy store and buying the latest trends, no these women shop frugally and use their imaginations. Their homes are in turn so welcoming and full of charm.

The Craigslist bug bit me and I am a faithful junkie now. But I am determined to branch out to garage/estate sales....and the thrift stores. I was by the Goodwill Store a few weeks ago and stopped in. I do not want a house full of other peoples crap but have been amazed by enough blogs to have an idea of the diamonds in the rough that could be re-purposed. Then there are just good deals in general...on ONLY useful items. No clutter!

So here was my haul...for a grand total of $20:

A Santa platter. Glass with no chips or cracks. Never enough Christmas! This would make a cute gift...homemade cookies, cellophane, ribbon and I'm done for just a few bucks total.

A ginormous bag of tealights. I love tealights because there is no mess like a votive. $1.99 for that bag. Then of course a cute Christmas candle...still in the wrapper.

Pink fabric box with lid. This is for the pink sewing room makeover that I have been teasing you about for months. The makeover is mostly complete just still kind of a disaster in there...I need to put the fine touches on my organization. Hence the box.

How about a mini chiminnea? (I have NO idea how to spell that. Chim-en-a-ah) Perfect for our patio table with a citronella candle inside to keep away the rodent sized mosquitoes!

These are my favorite. They will need a little work...can you see the pots painted? For Christmas...maybe red with white polka dots? The tree part spruced up with ribbon...tiny ornaments...who knows, but it will be fun! They could make a great holiday table centerpiece. For 99 cents a piece, from Target originally...how could I go wrong?

That's all for today. Making my house a home on a minimal, borderline non-existent, budget!!!