This season's table scape

For some reason, fall seems to be the only season that I can decorate my table completely (what does that say about my favorite season? fall it is!). I changed it up a little this year versus last year, which was really one of the first years I'd ever done a full table scape. Or even had a table. Well, that's not entirely true. Here's a shot of the $100 Wal-Mart table set we had back in the rarely seen North Carolina house. Fancy, huh??



Here's how it looked last year.



Muuuuuch more colorful and put together! And here it is this year.



The only thing I changed were some of the glasses and added some $2 places mats from Bed Bath & Beyond (subsequently where I got the pumpkin colored ones as well last year). Overall, I added it up and each place setting cost a whopping $12. The chargers were in a pack of 6 for $14 (from BB&B). The pumpkin place mats were $2, the napkins were $2, the napkin rings were $3 (all BB&B items). The glasses I picked up at IKEA for a whole $0.57 a piece (and I freaking wanna sky write how much I love them). The vintage place settings I ordered on eBay. I got almost 300 pieces for $20, effectively making them about $0.07 a piece! That's less than a dime folks!!



When I saw these laser cut leaf mats at BB&B I was hooked. Granted, they make me want to sing "O Canada!" but by adding that extra layer to the table, it instantly made it more colorful and fall-ish.



I wonder if I can make them work on top of some gold place mats for Christmas??

Buffets and 'brellas

For a while now I've been wanting something like a buffet for our dinning room. Most military houses have a small breakfast bar (the one we have now is fairly shallow--not even deep enough to pull stools up to), but I wanted something more adequate for decorating and serving on the rare occasion that we have large groups over, like last Thanksgiving. Having all the food up on the bar and everyone scrambling around each other's chairs wasn't exactly what I'd had in mind when I was planning our fancy meal! ;) We've decided not to host Thanksgiving this year--it's most likely the last time all my dad's girls will be in the country together (one of my sisters plans on moving to England with her boyfriend after her last year of school). But I digress. Back to the buffet.

One of the great things about having a day job again is having money for larger projects. I'm not fooling myself--if I can find a buffet for $150 I will be very happy! I'd like something like one of these. Chunky legs and spindles, no boxy shapes like the ones you find in Target and Wal-Mart these days.




I plan on putting it on the same wall that our shelves hang on, but I don't want it to be too deep since that's right near our entryway.

Just by chance, I also happened to come across this photo on The Inspired Room (I'm hooked on the 31 Days series every one's doing), which is from House Beautiful. And I was immediately struck with inspiration!


I have a bunch of these galvanized tin buckets from a cracked out obsessive shopping spree earlier this summer. I picked up two from Michael's, one of which is on our wall unit downstairs...



...and another which is serving as a toilet paper holder in the guest bathroom.


(sorry, there's no good way to photograph anything that sits next to the porcelain god.)
But I have one more, a larger one (right), that I picked up for only $5 at an antique warehouse (it was about the only thing I could afford in there and I was more than happy to take it off their overpriced hands).


I'm thinking that next to my hopefully-soon-to-be-acquired-buffet, filled with a few umbrellas, it will finally find its rightful place in our home! Now my only decision is black or white umbrellas. Against my white walls, black would definitely pop. But next to a black buffet would it be too much? Hmm...

Fall decorating part three: the master bedroom

Wreath I made with Dollar Tree supplies, $7 total.


Mini-pumpkins from Tuesday Morning, $3 and $4. Switching out the wooden roses for leftover floral picks, $0.





Grapevine pumpkin from Michael's, $14--way cuter, cheaper, and the same size as Pottery Barn's small grapevine pumpkin. I actually bought another small one and a large one with a 20% off coupon! And it does actually light up, but the cord is too short/my dresser is too tall for it to reach the outlet.




And this is probably about as far as I'll get with my fall decor before Jason gets back. But that's okay because in this house fall lasts all the way until Black Friday. ;)

I'm linking up to:
The Project Parade @ The DIY Show-Off

The master bedroom "reveal"

Since it's not technically done, there will be more photos down to road--not to mention I still have to show you what I end up doing with the master bathroom, but that's definitely still a ways off. Please disregard my wrinkled duvet--I'm still planning to have it dry cleaned and hopefully it'll be nice and magazine-worthy-smooth once it's done. Let's just have a few refresher photos, shall we?

The very before, in 29 Palms. So. Sad.



The "update" it got when we moved to the new house.





And after. I splurged on the faux fur blanket, which was $150 at Nordstrom. Mom and I had seen it one day and I was instantly enamoured by it. A week later I went back to return a purse and bought it! It was worth every penny as I feel it gives the room a very decadent, sumptuous feeling to it. The silver tray I made out of an old cookie sheet. You can check out that project here.



I wanted our room to feel romantic, modern, but with a hint of vintage/eclectic to it as well, and I think I accomplished it!



You may remember what the main wall looked liked before. It definitely needed something since it's directly across from our (now amazing) bed, and the room would have felt off if this wall was left empty.



The shelves and brackets I picked up from IKEA and painted really help to fill up all the blank space. They were decorated using mostly home shopped and freebies, with a few store-bought items (post make-over). And I do still plan to make a runner for this dresser. But I might wait and see if we get a new TV first...


(hello reflection!)





This little dresser needed some sort of pick-me-up as well. My readers suggested leaning a mirror against the wall to make it look more like a set, and I really liked the idea! I picked up cheap-o plastic framed mirror from Wal-Mart for a whopping $18, gave it a coat of satin black paint (I didn't want it to be super glossy since the dresser isn't either).






I added some more of my $3 Michael's candles, along with a plain one too to mix up the textures.



Another on of my thrift store candle sticks, and a twig ball that was originally downstairs in my spring/summer decor. The picture frame was black, but I thought white would pop better since the mirror and dresser are both black. It may become apple green in the future.



The saying inside is from "Leap Year" (c'mon, you knew I'd get an Irish element in there somewhere). When I heard it, it made me bawl and I knew I had to have it in our bedroom. It says:

"May you never steal, lie, or cheat.
But if you must steal, steal away my sorrows.
If you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life.
And if you must cheat, cheat death.
Because I couldn't live a day without you."
And now for the part that everyone is always the most curious about: the price tag. Just remember, this isn't actually complete since I haven't taken the foot stools to an unholsterer yet and that will probably tack on a few bucks.

BUDGET

- Bed/headboard (DIY) - $99 (I'll be posting a tutorial on this in the next few days!)
- Window Treatments - $58
a. Hardware (Home Depot) - $0 (purchased with gift card)
b. Curtains (IKEA) - $48
c. Blackout curtains (already owned fabric) - $0
d. Velcro (Joann's) - $10
- Paint (Home Depot) - $0 (purchased with gift card)
- Bedding - $238
a. Faux-fur blanket (Nordstrom) - $150
b. Euro shams (One Kings Lane) - $34
c. White pillow cases (4, Wal-Mart) - $22
d. Pillow inserts (eBay) - $32
- Décor/Misc. - $118
a. Amber’s lamp (from Mom) - $0
b. Amber’s side table (reused from other room) - $0
c. Jason’s lamp (IKEA) - $60
d. Jason’s night stand (already owned) - $0
e. Shelves (IKEA) - $16
f. Brackets (IKEA) - $10
g. Candles (Michael's) - $6
h. Pottery (World Market) - $16
i. Picture frames (from Grandma) - $0
j. Mirror (Wal-Mart) - $10

Running Total: $513

I'm amazed at how much more sophisticated it looks! And for less than $600? Hoo-ray. Yes, this took some time, but it was worth it. I've found that taking my time and finding things that make the bedroom juuuuust right is more satisfying than buying stuff all at once and then donating most of it to Goodwill once something better comes along.

I'm linking up to:
The Project Parade @ The DIY Show-Off

Preparing for Jason

Talk about having a laundry list of items to do! Between a few last minute things for the house (I've come to accept that no, the room will not be 100% finished when he gets back, but it will be dang close!), grocery shopping, Jake's fiancée Stacey coming in from Minnesota--and oh yeah!--my day job, I'm going to be crazy busy!! I have a ton of stuff I also want to post about before the clock strikes midnight and I turn into a pumpkin I go into hibernation with my hubby, including the winning homecoming dress.

So guess what time it is? Honey-Do time. For shizz. Only this isn't just a weekender's list--this is a serious it's-time-to-git-'er-done list!


- Grocery Shopping
Among other things, tiramisu from Olive Garden is on my "need to buy" list!
- Have duvet dry cleaned
I had an unsuccessful attempt at washing it at home.
- Make chocolate covered strawberries
Seriously? These things are like $5 at a candy store! If I can DIY furniture, I can DIY these!
-Purchase mirror for bedroom
- Mop, sweep, & vacuum like crazy
- Paint other foot stool
They won't be reupholstered before Jason gets home, but they can at least match.
- Find cold weather alternative for homecoming outfit
After all that work, I'm going to have to prepare for the likelihood of grey, drizzly, or smack dab in the middle of the night for Jason's arrival!
- Hit up Tuesday Morning & Dollar Tree for some cheap fall decor
I just need a few more things to finish my decorating extravaganza (see parts one and two here).

By Sunday, I'm hoping to have a shot of the room in its no-it's-not-actually-finished-but-it's-pretty-dang-close stage, and a shot of the winning dress, plus its cold weather look. So here we go!

It's the final countdown!

Finally! A focal point!

I hung shelves on one wall of our bedroom, and wow! What a difference! It really makes the room feel more anchored and balanced, since this wall is directly across from our four-foot tall headboard.


(sorry. icky flash.)


(i need to make a runner for this dresser. that pillow case just ain't cuttin' it!)

When Mom and I went to IKEA over Labor Day weekend, I grabbed a couple of Ekby Östen shelves and Ekby Hensvik brackets to help spice up the decor in our bedroom. A couple coats of paint (I used Behr Paint & Primer in their basic black color) brought them up to our color code. ;) I found the best way to hang them was to drill two screws into the sides of the brackets, rather than try to mess with the Hensvik bracket hanging system.


(there's one on either side. these babies ain't goin' nowhere!)

I decorated them using a mix of store-bought and home-shopped items. The bottle on the far left I found at Cost Plus World Market on clearance for $8. It was a mottled cream color, so I gave it my favorite Rub 'n Buff treatment to make it match a little better. The frame was from a bunch my grandmother was giving away (I snatched up a whole lot from her!). The little "&" block is also from World Market, the pillar holder is from IKEA, and the candle is from Micheal's. I must have snagged about 10 of these when I was there. They were on clearance for only $3 each! The red "A" used to be in our office (and it used to be blue). I painted in with Rust-Oleum's Colonial Red, a very rich color which reminds me of my favorite lipstick and nail polish!



Most of these accessories are from the same place as the other shelf. The only addition is the bunch of wooden roses in the vase (which used be be an ugly purple-ish color before it got its own R 'n B treatment). I bought those one year at our county fair.


(this shelf isn't crooked--the picture was taken at an angle to deflect the light from the windows.)

And in case you were wondering, the photos of me and Jason are from a few of our trips. The big(ger) one is us at Graceland, TN. The two smaller ones are us in Multnomah Falls, OR and Las Vegas (NV) ;).



There's only a couple more things I'd like to do in here, but I'm almost worried that it might be too much. I was thinking of a mirror on this wall...


(ugh. i need to do something about this blue jewelry box.)

...and maybe some wall words on this wall.


Too busy you think? There would literally be something on every wall at that point. How much decor is too much decor? My grandmother used to say, "Whenever you think you're dressed, take off one piece of jewelry."

I think the wall words and mirror might be that "one piece of jewelry." Hmm...

I'm linking up to:
Transformation Thrusdays @ The Shabby Chic Cottage
Fresh Coat Fridays @ Life in the Fun Lane
The Project Parade @ The DIY Show-Off

How did we do?

I'm really trying to get back in the habit of referring to myself as a we instead of a me. It's amazing how quickly you get back into the "I, me, my" mindset when your loved one is gone for a while. So, if you've seen me referring to our house as my house, or our room as my room, please forgive the slip of the tongue. Fingers? Anyhoo.


- Re-hang curtains in bedroom
- Finish & hang shelves and brackets
- Home Depot for primer & black paint
- Finish painting pottery
- Tidy living room
- Purchase printer ink
- Make fall sign for cubby
- Make Halloween sign for cubby
- Print pictures for frames
- Put away dishes
- Clean off & set dinning room table
- Return fan
- Decorate guest bedroom and bathroom for fall

I hadn't planned on making a Halloween sign, or decorating two of my upstairs rooms, but I did them anyways! ;) The shelves are all painted and assembled, but I wanted to give the liquid nails a little longer to cure before I go hanging them on the walls (I used liquid nails and screws to attach the brackets to the shelves). And I'm still hoping to return my fan sometime this week! Overall it looks like I was very productive this weekend, but I also feel like I should have (and could have) done much more. Mom's coming over for another weekend stay, so hopefully we'll have this place all stitched up by Sunday night!

If you missed my multitude of posts over the weekend--I'm making up for lost time I tells ya!--here's what you missed (click on the descriptions to go to the posts):

See my hair-raising impression of Roseanne Rosannadanna



UPDATED: My Pottery Barn Knock-Off Lamp



See part two of my fall decorating bonanza: the guest bedroom & bathroom




Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go make some moolah so I can continue funding the remaining projects I have! Is it bad that I already have more compiling inside my little brain? :)

$0 fall decorating part two: the guest room & bathroom

Last time, I shared how I did our downstairs for one of my favorite seasons. I made the decision (as I was dragging everything out of their boxes) that this would be the year that I actually extend my holiday decor into the other rooms of our house. I've always hated having the downstairs so warm and cozy and full of the seasonal colors, and then the upstairs is blaaaaaaah. Insert the sad trombone sound here.

So I decided, in small doses, I would bring the seasons throughout the entire house. I started with our guest bedroom. I'm so happy to chose to go with yellow in this room. Granted, I have no idea how it's going to look come Christmas, but throughout spring, summer, and fall this hue has been perfect.



I used jute twine to tie some fall foliage to the frame. Not too much, but just a little crown at the head of the bed.



The side table also got a little autumn warmth injected into it. The lamp was remade with the addition of a burlap shade from Pottery Barn, and I switched out the (non-working) copper clock for the basket that used to be on our dinning room table. With a small bunch of the leaf garland and a few lemons added, not only does it feel more fall-like, but it still plays into the lemon theme this room ended up with.






Next year I might consider making a new cover for the pillow, but I'm trying to do this on as close to a $0 budget as I can. So I just pulled out this itty bitty burlap pillow I had laying around in a box. Layers and texture: isn't that what it's all about?




Last but not least, my DIY-etsy-knock-off rack also got a few new accessories. The straw bag is actually a beach bag that I picked up at Target's $1 Spot over the summer. I threw in some decorative twigs I had and draped a faux-fur scarf in it. I don't know how set I am on this look, but for now I think it will do! I really like that all three pieces are varying shades of light brown.



I knew the guest bathroom was going to be a little bit harder since it's done in shades of blue and white, and it has more of a coastal feel to it. But, being inspired by my white on white pumpkins from the living room, I figured hauntingly ethereal was the way to go...with just a pop of color.



I love the round shape of this vase. It reminds me of a pumpkin.




Although it's a little early to whip out the ghosts and goblins, I love this old white figurine my grandmother gave me years ago. I found him hiding out in a little box.



The little white pumpkin actually came off a floral pick. I just gave him a shot of primer. I didn't even bother to paint him another color--I liked the dull flat look of the primer.



And there you have it! Two more rooms completed and $0 to do it! It's amazing how far a few springs of leaves can go and what a little spray paint can do. I'm definitely inspired to try and keep these updates as free as possible. Of course, I have three more rooms to go and I'm running out of decor! Guess a trip to the Dollar Tree is in my future! ;)

I'm linking up to:
Domestically Speaking
The DIY Show Off