I made my first purchase from One Kings Lane last week, and ordered this rug. It's the lighter version of the one I chose for my fantasy laundry room re-design during "31 Days to Lovely Little Spaces".
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
My New Rug
I made my first purchase from One Kings Lane last week, and ordered this rug. It's the lighter version of the one I chose for my fantasy laundry room re-design during "31 Days to Lovely Little Spaces".
Monday, November 12, 2012
Cold November Rain
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| The view today |
Last month I made a list of my favorite things about Fall, and it helped me to appreciate all the loveliness of this vibrant season even more. By the time November rolls around, though, much of the prettiness of Fall is gone. The leaves have mostly fallen from the trees, the football season has been pretty much lost (for my teams, anyway), and the glitter of Halloween has been packed away.
But there is so much I really do love about November, so here's my countdown to what's great about this month.
1) Patriotism.
It seems like the most uniquely American month, not only with Election day on the first Tuesday, but Veteran's Day (celebrated today), and Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday.
2) Gratitude.
The month of Thanksgiving has inspired a lot of people to give thanks for what is good in their lives.
3) Thanksgiving food.
Turkey, gravy, casseroles, and lots of different pies. The foods of the harvest are some of my favorites, and I look forward to eating this feast all year.
4) Football and parades.
The Thanksgiving day football game (played by my home team the Detroit Lions, who might still be good??) and the big parade beforehand are traditions to return to year after year.
5) Black Friday shopping.
The excitement of getting up early in the morning to go shopping for deals to give to others, and the anticipation of planning out the trip in advance, is fun.
6) Stillness.
And yet, even with all of the activity around turkey day, there is a stillness in November that I cherish. It's the month between the hustle & bustle of back-to-school/Bela's birthday/Halloween AND December's busy-ness including Griffin's birthday and the countdown to Christmas. I think of it as my breathing space. The landscape adds to this monk-like feeling with its barren trees, crisp air, and gray skies.
7) Cold November rain.
Soon there will be lovely little snowflakes falling all around us, but today I am grateful for the cold November rain, which gets us in the mood to hunker down inside, candles lit and good food baking in the kitchen, to enjoy being together.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Debt-Free Decorating, Day 5
This is the final post in my mini series on debt-free decorating. The best stories have a happy ending, and I had intended for this to be mine, but I'm having trouble getting all of my photos uploaded. Here's what I've got...
Maybe tomorrow will be a better day for posting the other photos. Maybe not; I'm sure I'll try, though. Now to convince Griff and Bela to put down the crayons, turn off the cartoons, and go for a family run!
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| A new couch arrived on Monday! |
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| It's big and comfy! And was custom-made just for us!! |
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| This is what used to be there. Goodbye 1970s! |
Friday, November 9, 2012
Debt-Free Decorating, Day 4
Today is the penultimate day of my mini series on debt-free decorating, and I am writing about how to fill your house with furniture and accessories when you have no budget for them. This might be relevant for someone who is just starting out after college, a family that has moved to a larger home, or even someone decorating a cottage or second home.
In my case, I was starting over. When I got divorced, I moved out of the "marital home". To minimize the trauma for my children who would still be living there part-time, and because the duplex I was going to be renting was only 600 square feet, I took very little with me. Then I moved to my current house and needed to fill much more space.
1) First things first
When you are acquiring furniture and accessories for a new place, think about your priorities, or "put first things first". Everyone is going to need a bed. You'll need somewhere to eat meals. You should have something to sit on for visiting, reading, or watching TV. That's pretty much it. Keeping this in mind can help you avoid panicking or making unnecessary purchases.
2) Call your contacts
Before you hit the stores, think about who might have what you need. No matter how old I get, my parents are always the first place I turn. They have handed-down lots of things to me over the years, and I even have some things that belonged to their friends!
One big example of a hand-me-down is my pink couch, which my parents used in their formal living room, but actually was a piece that my grandmother bought in the 1950s. Or, according to one family legend, it came over on the boat when my great-grandparents emigrated to the U.S. Who knows? It's old, but sturdy with classic lines. My mom had it re-upholstered in the 90's in a good quality fabric, which has further extended its life.
People who are moving to smaller homes or combining households are another great source for furniture. My brown couch was given to me when my friend got married. It had originally been a wedding gift to her in-laws! Since they are my age, this is not a very young couch either. But, like "pinky", is also well-made and sturdy.
Many communities have Freecycle, an online forum where people can trade items that no longer work for them. I am in a group like this with other moms from my kids' school, and have gotten a few things for the house (and missed out on a few more cute things...).
Living in a college town, I have also gotten some free things that were intended for the trash man (cue the Sanford & Son theme song). It may sound terrible or gross, but people are moving and don't necessarily have the time or resources to properly get rid of their stuff. I scored a great desk from the curb outside an apartment building one warm spring day. Cleaned up, it makes a great entertainment center in our basement.
3) Re-purpose
Another way to furnish your home is to re-purpose items. Many times in the past I have added extra seating to a room by bringing in chairs meant for the outdoors. Add some pillows or a throw to create softness, and you're all set. --Like the trash man suggestion above, I hesitated to mention this as a strategy because it might seem kind of out there. But in his book No Place Like Home designer Stephen Saint-Onge recommends this exact strategy as a way to give your room a new look. Page 37. So, boom!
4) Thrift
When you must buy, go cheap. I've gotten dining chairs from Target, bar stools from e-Bay, and tray tables (that make great little side tables) from Wal-Mart. Other good places to find bargain prices are HomeGoods, IKEA, World Market/Costplus, and Craig's List. If you can paint or sew, you're even better situated to make something inexpensive look like it's extra-special.
5) Splurge strategically
Some things you will have to spend money on, in which case, go for quality. You might really want good bedding or towels (Pottery Barn usually has a pretty awesome selection of clearance items in this section).
Or, you can trompe l'oeil a pulled-together, hand-me-down room by adding some luxurious-looking pillow covers or fancier picture frames on the wall. In some ways, furniture can fade into the background whereas accessories pop out. If you put more attention into these elements, your room will feel richer.
***
As I look around my house and mentally calculate the cost of what I have, I am shocked by how little I have spent. Even better is that the things I do have tell a story about my journey and the people who've helped me along the way.
In my case, I was starting over. When I got divorced, I moved out of the "marital home". To minimize the trauma for my children who would still be living there part-time, and because the duplex I was going to be renting was only 600 square feet, I took very little with me. Then I moved to my current house and needed to fill much more space.
 |
| This little chess table of my grandpa's worked great in the teensy kitchen of our rental, but we needed something more substantial when we moved to our house. |
1) First things first
When you are acquiring furniture and accessories for a new place, think about your priorities, or "put first things first". Everyone is going to need a bed. You'll need somewhere to eat meals. You should have something to sit on for visiting, reading, or watching TV. That's pretty much it. Keeping this in mind can help you avoid panicking or making unnecessary purchases.
2) Call your contacts
Before you hit the stores, think about who might have what you need. No matter how old I get, my parents are always the first place I turn. They have handed-down lots of things to me over the years, and I even have some things that belonged to their friends!
One big example of a hand-me-down is my pink couch, which my parents used in their formal living room, but actually was a piece that my grandmother bought in the 1950s. Or, according to one family legend, it came over on the boat when my great-grandparents emigrated to the U.S. Who knows? It's old, but sturdy with classic lines. My mom had it re-upholstered in the 90's in a good quality fabric, which has further extended its life.
 |
| "Pinky" |
People who are moving to smaller homes or combining households are another great source for furniture. My brown couch was given to me when my friend got married. It had originally been a wedding gift to her in-laws! Since they are my age, this is not a very young couch either. But, like "pinky", is also well-made and sturdy.
Many communities have Freecycle, an online forum where people can trade items that no longer work for them. I am in a group like this with other moms from my kids' school, and have gotten a few things for the house (and missed out on a few more cute things...).
Living in a college town, I have also gotten some free things that were intended for the trash man (cue the Sanford & Son theme song). It may sound terrible or gross, but people are moving and don't necessarily have the time or resources to properly get rid of their stuff. I scored a great desk from the curb outside an apartment building one warm spring day. Cleaned up, it makes a great entertainment center in our basement.
 |
| Both of these chairs have been part of my living room decor at some point. |
3) Re-purpose
Another way to furnish your home is to re-purpose items. Many times in the past I have added extra seating to a room by bringing in chairs meant for the outdoors. Add some pillows or a throw to create softness, and you're all set. --Like the trash man suggestion above, I hesitated to mention this as a strategy because it might seem kind of out there. But in his book No Place Like Home designer Stephen Saint-Onge recommends this exact strategy as a way to give your room a new look. Page 37. So, boom!
4) Thrift
When you must buy, go cheap. I've gotten dining chairs from Target, bar stools from e-Bay, and tray tables (that make great little side tables) from Wal-Mart. Other good places to find bargain prices are HomeGoods, IKEA, World Market/Costplus, and Craig's List. If you can paint or sew, you're even better situated to make something inexpensive look like it's extra-special.
5) Splurge strategically
Some things you will have to spend money on, in which case, go for quality. You might really want good bedding or towels (Pottery Barn usually has a pretty awesome selection of clearance items in this section).
Or, you can trompe l'oeil a pulled-together, hand-me-down room by adding some luxurious-looking pillow covers or fancier picture frames on the wall. In some ways, furniture can fade into the background whereas accessories pop out. If you put more attention into these elements, your room will feel richer.
***
As I look around my house and mentally calculate the cost of what I have, I am shocked by how little I have spent. Even better is that the things I do have tell a story about my journey and the people who've helped me along the way.
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