Home Decorators Challenge

**pollypurebred39** · 04-13-2010, 06:32 PM

Yes Theresa, I saw. Her creative space is amazing!!!!

Love the idea of using styrofoam board pieces instead of picture frames! Using what you have and being frugal is a great way to decorate. My Grandmother had a beautiful home and everything was handmade, from the rugs to the curtains, to the blankets on the beds. She never had much money but she used to say, we may be poor but we don't have to look poor. there's soap and water no excuse to be dirty or have a dirty home and believed decorating your home required only creativity, you needn't be rich to have a nice home. She used old clothing and sheets to make so many things. Quilts, curtains, rag dolls for us girls complete with dress up clothes, potholders, ect. She crocheted us slippers and hats and scarfs, made us PJ's. She was amazing, I wish I would have paid more attention when I was younger.

My scrap fabric wreath is kind of a tribute to her. She would be thrilled to see I created something beautiful from just scraps of fabric.

About the pictures, I've got to wait for DS1. He said he'll take pictures with his cell phone. He's been working crazy hours. One of the other manager's spouse is very ill (liver failure) and has been in the hospital. He's been covering shifts along with his own hours. I promise to get them posted as soon as I can.

Those fabric flowers are really cute! You could make a very mod 3-D picture to hang. Just by covering canvas with fabric and gluing the flowers on. Would look smashing in a little girls room. But I was thinking that they would make great fridge magnets, or glue them to shower curtain hooks to give your bath that really something special.

Looking forward to seeing your switch plate covers Theresa. I'm think I'd like to do something similar in my son's room. I never would have thought of it on my own.

I'm really glad you started this thread, I'm in no postion to be anything but frugal, but I still would like a nicely decorated home. This thread is inspiring so many creative ideas. I'd sure love to see more if anyone out there would like to share some of the frugal decorating projects they've done.

**pollypurebred39** · 04-13-2010, 07:01 PM

Jas, I just wanted to say I saw the pictues of you kitchen makeover and it's just lovely. You must be so happy with it.

QUOTE
"My dining room table was once the honey colored wood with white legs type. I have it painted dark brown now and it is okay. I think I would like it better in black now that our countertops are black granite."

Think that's a great idea! If you do it be sure to post pics in this thread so I don't miss it!

As far as the buffet goes, I think using for your crafts is a really great idea. It keeps everything in one place and neat and organized. Our server only has two drawers devoted to tablecloths and such, the rest is used as my husband's desk stuff and the two cabinets with doors have telephone books and a bunch of stuff I really need to get rid of. Hmmm...Sounds like a project for me. LOL!

**pollypurebred39** · 04-13-2010, 07:09 PM

baxjul, I sure hope you can find an idea in these that you'd like to do!

**jas** · 04-13-2010, 07:48 PM

Originally Posted by pollypurebred39

Jas, I just wanted to say I saw the pictues of you kitchen makeover and it's just lovely. You must be so happy with it.

QUOTE
"My dining room table was once the honey colored wood with white legs type. I have it painted dark brown now and it is okay. I think I would like it better in black now that our countertops are black granite."

Think that's a great idea! If you do it be sure to post pics in this thread so I don't miss it!

As far as the buffet goes, I think using for your crafts is a really great idea. It keeps everything in one place and neat and organized. Our server only has two drawers devoted to tablecloths and such, the rest is used as my husband's desk stuff and the two cabinets with doors have telephone books and a bunch of stuff I really need to get rid of. Hmmm...Sounds like a project for me. LOL!

Thanks! I am going to post some more pics soon how the redo. We do like it a lot.

**baxjul** · 04-13-2010, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by pollypurebred39

baxjul, I sure hope you can find an idea in these that you'd like to do!

I'm sure I will!!!

**mamamia** · 04-14-2010, 12:43 AM

Originally Posted by jas

Thanks! I am going to post some more pics soon how the redo. We do like it a lot.

jas, I guess I missed your picture post

. I'd stll love to see them though. Can you link the post fo me? And glad to hear you'll be posing more too. We'll all look forwad to that. It sounds like it's gonna be really sharp.

Thanks jas!

Theresa

**mamamia** · 04-14-2010, 12:49 AM

Originally Posted by baxjul

I'm sure I will!!!

Well baxjul! I'm happy to see you'll be joining in with us! You know what they say...."the more the meier"

I'm looking forwad to your post here at the challenge

Theresa

**mamamia** · 04-14-2010, 01:20 AM

Originally Posted by pollypurebred39

Yes Theresa, I saw. Her creative space is amazing!!!!

Love the idea of using styrofoam board pieces instead of picture frames! Using what you have and being frugal is a great way to decorate. My Grandmother had a beautiful home and everything was handmade, from the rugs to the curtains, to the blankets on the beds. She never had much money but she used to say, we may be poor but we don't have to look poor. there's soap and water no excuse to be dirty or have a dirty home and believed decorating your home required only creativity, you needn't be rich to have a nice home. She used old clothing and sheets to make so many things. Quilts, curtains, rag dolls for us girls complete with dress up clothes, potholders, ect. She crocheted us slippers and hats and scarfs, made us PJ's. She was amazing, I wish I would have paid more attention when I was younger.

My scrap fabric wreath is kind of a tribute to her. She would be thrilled to see I created something beautiful from just scraps of fabric.

About the pictures, I've got to wait for DS1. He said he'll take pictures with his cell phone. He's been working crazy hours. One of the other manager's spouse is very ill (liver failure) and has been in the hospital. He's been covering shifts along with his own hours. I promise to get them posted as soon as I can.

Those fabric flowers are really cute! You could make a very mod 3-D picture to hang. Just by covering canvas with fabric and gluing the flowers on. Would look smashing in a little girls room. But I was thinking that they would make great fridge magnets, or glue them to shower curtain hooks to give your bath that really something special.

Looking forward to seeing your switch plate covers Theresa. I'm think I'd like to do something similar in my son's room. I never would have thought of it on my own.

I'm really glad you started this thread, I'm in no postion to be anything but frugal, but I still would like a nicely decorated home. This thread is inspiring so many creative ideas. I'd sure love to see more if anyone out there would like to share some of the frugal decorating projects they've done.

Wow Polly! I would've loved to have met your grandmother! my hubby's grandmother was also in this "class" of homemakers.She even had her LR featured in a decoating magazine, back in the 50s. She had recovered all he furniture, and made matching drapes. The article was about budget decorating. She's the one who always kept the older Italian traditions going. She did everything with her own special "flare", and I loved her ...all 4' 8" of her that is...

And now I miss her. She only passed about 5 ys ago, at 92. But what a woman she was! Like your grandmother, her house and home was a very special place to her, and it cetainly showed!

And Polly I love your ideas for the flowers too! I don't know why I didn't think of fridge magnets! I used to be totally into plastic canvas arts, and mine, and everyone else I knew had about a zillion from me covering their fridge doors....

Anyway, I was thinking along the lines of using them in a little girl's room too, and the idea of gluing a long row of them to a wide ribbon to make a little wall hanging might be cute too. I still have something similar from my aunt, except it was sorta like mini cameo pictures on a brown velvet ribbon. It's from the 70s, but I don't care because I love it and will not give it away or otherwise.

And I hope my switchplate works out good. It's been ages since I've actually crafted anything. So, I'll make it my "Brush Up" project too. It's the internet that pulled me away from doing all those nice projects. I want to make changes with that too

So having alot of fun and finding inspiration here too! I've been in a ~rut~ forever now, and enough is enough!

Theresa

PS- I forgot to mention how sweet it is that you're making the weath in he honor, I'm sure she'd ve very proud of you for it!

**pollypurebred39** · 04-14-2010, 02:01 AM

Wow Theresa, in a magazine for budget decorating?! Wow, just wow! How awesome!

I think that often times we feel like since we are broke, or have a small income, or we are stuck with hand me down furniture or yard sale or even curbside shopping that there's no way we can have a nicely decorated home. But there's so much that can be done with very little. I love when I see creative projects from what others would throw away, like the curtains made from old dresses, did I ever post that link? Or pictures made from Campbell's soup labels, oh so sharp that project was. making canisters for the kitchen from oatmeal containers or coffee cans, quilts from outgrown clothing, or potholders & napkins from worn out clothing or sheets. It's amazing what you can do to improve your home, and make it a beautiful place that your proud to show to your neighbor (or whoever) who just happened to pop by for tea without feeling embarrassed by your living situation.

I think the flower wall hanging is sweet! and totally loving that wall hanging your aunt gave you. I wouldn't get rid of it either!

I'm looking forward to seeing your switchplate cover. I'm hoping it will give me ideas for my son's room.

I think I've been in a creative rut too. But, I'm coming out of it now and I'm ready to start making strides for a beautiful home.

TTYL,
Polly

**pollypurebred39** · 04-14-2010, 02:14 PM

Transform 7 everyday objects into new tools - TODAY Home & Garden

Marbled Paper Vase : Decorating : Home & Garden Television

Garden Art From Trash - Metal Garden Art - Outdoor Decorating Ideas

Now this one is just too cool!

Trash to Treasure: Recycled Blue Jeans : Decorating : Home & Garden Television

And, can you? Should you curbside shop?

Should you decorate your home with trash from the streets?

**pollypurebred39** · 04-15-2010, 12:03 PM

Well, I almost done my scrap fabric challenge. I'm quite happy with it so far. I never would have thought you could make such a pretty wreath from just scraps of fabric!

Threasa, I'm excited to see your light switch cover. I hope your project is going well.

Still waiting for DS1 to take pictures of my doning room table for the Table Top Challenge. I hoping to have them posted later tonight. We'll have to wait and see since his work schedule has been extremely heavy lately.

**pollypurebred39** · 04-15-2010, 01:44 PM

I was so intrigued by nuisance's scrap fabric garland for birthday parties I just had to research some ideas. It's such a great way to decorate frugally for parties.

I have a party tablecloth I use for EVERY birthday~ I never buy a disposable one~the idea of adding frugal reusable party decorations seemed perfect to me.

Here's what I found;

Craftzine.com blog : Fabric Party Garland

Scalloped Fabric Garland Tutorial Sew,Mama,Sew! Blog

Creative Kismet Blog Archive holiday window decor

Our Lovely Nest: Spring Fling Garland Tutorial

I never did find one like nuisance's, I think I'll have to just wing it and see what I can come up with.

**jas** · 04-15-2010, 02:20 PM

here is a picture of the buffet. The chair is one of a set of four. They are like I said painted brown at the moment. I saw today at Joann's Fabric this black and white zebra print that I fell in love with and now I am really wanting to paint the table and chairs black and redo the seats. I love animal print in moderation. It is almost classic if done right.

**baxjul** · 04-15-2010, 02:20 PM

Those last few just gave me ideas!! I think I'm going to use some fabric, and make something like that for a valance type thing for my kitchen window.

**jas** · 04-15-2010, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by mamamia

jas, I guess I missed your picture post

. I'd stll love to see them though. Can you link the post fo me? And glad to hear you'll be posing more too. We'll all look forwad to that. It sounds like it's gonna be really sharp.

Thanks jas!

Theresa

Remodeling our Kitchen

The pictures are on the last two pages.

The first two are before and the second two are after. I am going to update the thread here soon with the edge on the sink side and also the outside pass thru bar.

here is a sneak peak though