Full moon madness…

I’m feeling really guilty that I haven’t posted since Wednesday, but I’m feeling really worn out this week and can’t seem to put two words together in a coherent manner.  So I’m going to take a little break.  I’ll be back next week with our regularly scheduled posts, no worries!  I will ask though that if ya’ll could send positive thoughts/prayers my way, I’d appreciate it…

In the meanwhile, here’s a few links that you might find inspiring today:

• 6 Tips for a Tidy Scrapbook Closet
  
• 9 Beautiful Bookcase Makeover (today’s photo is courtesy this article)
• 3 Step Makeover:  Master Bedroom
• Design Mom: Wheat Grass (I’m going to work on this one this weekend)
• Vintage Chica (a new blog find I’ve been enjoying)
• Whiteport (beautiful white wares from an Australian company)

I hope you all have a very lovely Easter!  See ya next week…

Shauntelle

Craigslist Monday: Furnish an apartment for less than $500

Happy Monday Budget Decorators!

Did ya’ll have a great weekend? I started some major projects…AND ran into a pole in our brand new truck! : ( As you can imagine, the hubby wasn’t too happy with that. Especially since I had my accident going to purchase a $10 lamp from craigslist!  That’s easily the most expensive $10 lamp I’ve ever bought.

Anyway, I set myself a little challenge for today’s post. As I sat pondering if the hubby would leave me for dinging the new truck, I thought, I wonder if I could furnish an empty apartment for less than $500 with stuff from craigslist? Luckily, I don’t have to put my plan into action since he finally forgave me last night, but I thought I’d share my “imaginary” purchases with you. This is my list for an empty one bedroom apartment, starting with this lovely white sofa (cause in my daydream, I wasn’t worried about sticky kid fingerprints!):

I love the modern lines (crisp, short, and square) and I can totally see making a few colorful throw pillows from Heather Bailey’s fabric to accent it. And the best part is, it’s only $60!!!

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/fur/569631677.html

Next on my imaginary shopping spree was this really cute coffee table for only $30. (And I had every intention of asking if they’d take $20 for it too ’cause I needed to make my money stretch!)

Then I added more seating with this $20 red chair. Once again, I liked the lines and the pop of color. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/fur/569748411.html

I really wanted this wonderful mid century lime green chair, but figured they were out of their mind for $250. Regardless, I’m pretty pleased with my $110 living room set. But now I need a place to eat…

While looking for a dining room table and chairs, I laid eyes on this sorta old fashioned chest of drawers. Since it was only $20, I could definitely afford some wood glue and white paint to clean it up. And down the line, I could save up for some on sale Anthropologie knobs to change out the handles. My bedroom will be all lovely and shabby chic!

Speaking of bedroom– maybe I need a bed? Let’s see… not fond of the idea of a used mattress, but beggars can’t be choosers, right?

I sighed when I saw this lovely antique head and footboard. It was a budget blower at $145. And it didn’t come with a mattress set.

But it’s just so lovely that I had to have it.

So what if it doesn’t match my newly painted shabby chic dresser? And who cares if I’ll have to sleep on the sofa until I save up for a mattress? This is true beauty and who can go without that in their life? http://atlanta.craigslist.org/fur/564024195.html

So I’ve spent over half of my $500 budget ($275) and I now have furniture in the living room, most of what I need for my bedroom, but I still don’t have a place to sit and eat. That’s really important to me because I love to cook and have friends over for dinner.

And then I saw this and wanted to yell and scream with glee! (No. Really. I’m serious. For a minute I completely forgot that this was all fantasy and was so happy that I jumped up and down!)

Can you blame me? This is THE deal of the day. $95 for a 1957 Drexel dining table with six chairs (and 2 leaves). It’s a little big for my imaginary apartment, but I’m going to make it work. This is a piece that can follow from my imaginary apartment to my new imaginary house, when the time comes.

That brings my total to $370. Leaving me $130 for an Ikea run to stock up on kitchen supplies and a few decorative accessories.

Not too bad, huh?  THAT is why I love craigslist!

*Remember, I’m not associated with anyone selling any of the furniture I’ve featured today. Everything looks like a good deal based on pictures and the ad details, but make sure you check it all out for yourself before letting money exchange hands.

Craigslist Monday

Happy Monday Budget Decorating Darlings! Have you been waiting with bated breath for today’s Craigslist Monday deal? The wait is over– in fact, you’re getting a two-fer today because I couldn’t decide which of these under $100 deals was my favorite!
Isn’t this a great Queen size headboard for $60? The advertisement says it’s a Thomasville wood and wicker rattan headboard with frame. I love the warm colored wood and can see this as a good start to a master or guest bedroom with a caribbean resort feel. Picture crisp white linens and slightly distressed painted side tables.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/fur/561450845.html

With this second deal, I’m going to ask that you really use your imagination to see past the shoddy pictures:

You can’t beat the price for this set; $65 for a table and four chairs. I fell in love with the lines though. The chairs would need their cushions recovered and it looks like it all needs a good polishing, but with lines like that, I guarantee the elbow grease will be worth it. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/fur/561512793.html

** Just so you know, I’m not related in any way or shape to any of the sellers of the items that I feature and I don’t make any claims or guarantees about the condition of the items featured. I’m judging from the pictures and information posted, just like you. Please use common sense when purchasing fromcraigslist . Don’t go to a stranger’s home alone. Bring only the stated cash for the item you’re purchasing and make sure you inspect everything thoroughly before you give them any money. Craigslist purchases don’t come with guarantees or return policies, so what you see is what you get. (And that’s the end of my public service announcement!)

I’m very excited about the posts that are planned for the rest of the week! Some of the things you can look forward to are Manuela’s interview and a tour of her gorgeous home, our first $20 decorating project, and, maybe, just maybe, a CONTEST! Make sure you come back tomorrow… oh, and don’t forget, Melissa’s started Inspiration Week at The Inspired Room today with her surprise guest interview, so go get inspired!

A Place to Rest My Head in Peace

It’s 2008 and I have finally realized that my bedroom is a MESS! Oh, I’ve cleared out most of the clutter. That was my end of 2007 project. Everything that I didn’t use, that I didn’t like, that just took up space went out to the trash or goodwill.

But even with that done, it’s still a mess. See, there’s this little toddler person who has invaded it. His toddler bed is there. His cars are there. His dump trucks… his books, his stuffed animals… yeah, everything. Not because he doesn’t have his own room. He does. Technically he shares a room with his sister. He’s the first to tell you though, that Mommy and Daddy’s room is also his room!

I have determined that this is one of the major projects for 2008. Mommy and Daddy are kicking a boy out. And then mommy is going to transform our bedroom into a soothing retreat. A level hotel retreat. This is something we need because, frankly, with three kids, it’s not like we get out to a real hotel very often (umm… can we say NEVER since the youngest was born?!).

So this post is all about inspiration. I’ve been trolling the web looking for the best rooms I can find. Eye candy, so to speak, to motivate me through the inevitable work that will go into transforming what we have into what I want.

I’m looking for a space like this lovely room by designer Ammie Kim:

With a quiet seating area like this:

Or look at this lovely space by designer Lori Dennis:

Enclose yourself in a space like that and you could almost believe, for a few moments at least, that there’s a nanny in the house managing the three rowdy monsters while you sip tea and plan entertainment for the next day.

Ah, to sleep… perchance to dream… I’m just looking for a place to rest my head in peace.  That’s my major budget decorating goal for 2008.  What’s yours?