Weekend Decorating - Splurge & Save On The Master Bedroom

Most people work full-time during the week, leaving only the weekends to pack in chores getting done, errands run, family time, couples time, and somewhere in there, fit in a little time to maintain  (or update) home decor. What helps to fit it in, is take a moment during the week, perhaps during lunch, to plan what tasks need to be completed, and little by little, tackle them and cross them off your list. Since we just moved this past November, getting settled has taken a little time, especially with the holidays, but it also means not every room has been rushed to get thrown together - we've been taking time to 'get to know' the new house and its spaces. One room that is finally (slowly) coming together for us is our master bedroom.

Now yes, it would be nice to toss out all the old furniture, rip up the rug, tear out the builders ceiling fan, but, as with most people, we don't have those kind of funds available. So how do you get the most bang for your buck? Planning. Have a vision of what you would like the end result to include: Added moldings around windows, crown molding for ceiling and tray ceiling, replace existing ceiling fan with a chandelier (or updated fandeleir), and eventually, change the rugs. Those are some of the bigger ticket items that can help refresh a master bedroom, and another is to work with what you have, making minor alterations (such as changing hardware on furniture, update art for walls, layer in a new metal, invest in better quality bed-linens and drapery panels, update decorative hardware - and of course: paint.

Just right find at The Red Collection!

 Gorgeous - but too large for wall space.

Left - too skinny. Right - too short & chipped.

Friday afternoon, I ventured out to a few of the local consignment shops, specially hunting for a new shape of mirror to hang over our existing silver-leaf chest of drawers. I was looking for oval, and found a few, but they were either too small, too large, too skinny, too short, or a good price (only $24!)  - but damaged. Since shopping consignment is pretty much a final sale (vs. shopping a specialty home  store), you really need to trust your gut - and follow your instincts. Although I was specifically looking for an oval mirror, I also kept my eyes open to what was around me and spotted an elongated octagon mirror - it was the correct scale, wide enough and tall enough for the space, it was gold and it was priced just right and not damaged. After I circled the shop two times (like one of Katy Perry's sharks! lol) I made my decision and said, this is the one!

Although the scale was right, the shade of gold was too yellow - but fear not! A quick dry-brush of a burnished gold from Ralph Lauren paint, and it became just the gem I was looking for. And perfect timing too, because the weekend before, I had finally found a sunburst mirror online, and it arrived Saturday morning. The sunburst mirror was a bit of a splurge at $59 (from Kirklands) but it had the right finish, and the right style of rays I had already been looking for, both in stores and online. A similar style on Overstock was $128 and the SAME mirror (from Overstock) was $500 (oh the games retailers play). To relate the two mirrors I bought for the space, I'm layering in a few other gold hints - one tiny detail being new drawer pulls for the furniture.

 

Tons of brass hardware at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore! 

Octagon knobs relate to the octagon mirror over the silver chest.

You would think that because drawer pulls and knobs are so small, their cost would be too - but no, their not. Luckily I remembered popping into a habitat ReStore back in Phoenix and was floored to have seen all of the gold hardware they had available. Makes sense though - so many people buying homes built in the 80s or 90s wanted to update to nickel, so they removed all the brass hardware - from bathrooms, from kitchens, from closets and doors. So when I knew I wanted to change the hardware on our existing furniture, I knew a source to check on would be the Habitat ReStore. It took a little digging, but I did find 3 octagon drawer pulls (from Hickory Hardware) two weekends ago in Greensboro, and found the 4th at another location in High Point. So this weekend, along with the mirrors, I also updated the bedroom side tables - I just need to find two smaller pulls for the top table pull-out. in the meantime, I just painted the pull front with the same gold mirror paint. And just need to change hardware to brass on the dresser too.

 Tested the back of the bedroom door to see how he greys would flow with existing wall color and the black furniture.

This past week, we also had the door opening to the accessory closet fitted for a pair of 15-lite French doors, which will be getting installed this Friday (yay!). And speaking of doors, I painted two of our bedroom doors a medium grey. Just like with picking paint for the house, testing the colors with tester samples was a huge help. C (Marquee - Magnet) was just the right shade of grey to pair with the existing pale grey walls (Behr - Gentle Rain).

Friday I picked out the greys (ONLY 3) and tested them on the back of the (black) bedroom door - watching their color change in different light: sundown, nightlight, candlelight, sunrise - made a decision, got the paint the next day, and now, builder white doors are gone - but again, maintaining the existing hardware (to help save on expenses - sanding the dated yellow tone & shine gave them a more vintage look)) - plus, this grey (Magnet) is the grey I'll use to 'quick-fix' update our bathroom vanity (until remodeled next year), creating color harmony in the spaces. Although I've done bold pattern mixes for the bedroom before, I'm using those mixes in common areas (such as the living room) and wanting a more soothing and sophisticated look for the bedroom.

Little by little, the new space is coming along - and without breaking the bank. Just a little saving here and there, mixed with a little splurge and paired with existing pieces - plus paint.

Very much looking forward to the doors getting installed Friday - French doors to allow the light from the accessory closet window to still come into the bedroom space (I love natural light - especially from the sun!) - Hoping to get them painted Sunday!

Thanks for stopping by!

THRIFT LATTICE LAMP REVAMP & SPRING VIGNETTE

The Spring weather here in AZ has been amazing lately - perfect for outdoor painting projects and thrifting. Over the weekend, I drove out of my area to  explore some thrift shops more north and I picked up an awesome lamp to makeover. Since I'm done with spring cleaning and purging, I decided to restyle the bedroom for Spring / Summer and this lamp was the perfect little update for a window vignette, on my chest drawers. The lamp had awesome scale & texture - plus it was a GREAT deal at 50% off the thrift price at Goodwill AZ during their Super Saturday Sale. When lamps easily go for $50 each and up, finding this for only $7.50 was a steal! It didn't have a shade, but I had seen one sitting on the top of one of their fixtures that would work great, also for 50% off of $3 - Shades too can easily run $20 and up, depending on their size, pattern and material.  Since I was refreshing a few accessories with blue, I only used half a can of paint plus I already had the Primer, a harp and a finial, although I'd like to find a more decorative finial to really make it special. I have been looking at the blue & white ginger jar lamps at HomeGoods, but they're out of my budget ($69 - $99 ea) and I did see a solid navy Ralph Lauren lamp at HomeGoods, but it too was $99. I didn't want to blow my entire gift-card on the one item, so I used those lamps as inspiration to create this Look For Less for my Spring / Summer Bedroom ReStyle. Blue Ralph Lauren lamps on their 'Home' site go for $600 - $1800 -- and my thrift lamp + revamp total came to only $11 total, which is why I heart thrifting: You never know what treasure you'll find, you can personalize it, and you save these items from ending up in a land-fill. Here's a thrift lattice lamp revamp...

The all-in-one Before & After + How To DIY is above (perfect for pinning!)

Below is the breakdown and vignette details... 

Color Inspiration from Ralph Lauren Lamps

 

The lamp had been passed over since March 6!  

Thrift Tip: Look at style + texture + scale when thrifting for home accents: Anything can be refreshed and coordinate with your decor with a fresh coat of paint!

 

I use foil to cover the socket and painters tape for crisp edges.

 

After cleaning the lamp, I gave it two coats of Primer (since the lamp was glazed ceramic). This will help the new gloss paint better adhere to the lamp.

 

Using gloss on this piece really helps show off its texture & details, plus the furniture in the space is flat finished. Gloss accents add interest in a space.

 

 

 Here's a peek at the other accessories I painted at the same time - all with the same serpentine line...

 

These terracotta urns I've had since my apartment days - LOVE their shape + weight. They originally were their natural color (terracotta) but I've painted them white, black & gold, back to white, and now the blue. I may add banding at the neck with sisal rope.

 

These rattan storage jars were black when I bought them (from Pier 1) back in '07, and I painted them white in 2010, which made a great base now for the navy to be a true blue.  Painting Tip: Whenever painting something woven, paint upside down FIRST to ensure an even and strong coverage.

  

These accessories have the serpentine line (a "serpentine line is an "S" shaped form), similar to the lamp. The lamp originally had a white base, I thought I would like to keep, so I had covered it, But when I removed the tape after painting, I didn't like it. Rather than spray the base the same as the lamp, I dry-brushed the Old Navy paint I still have from the buffet I painted last year (see Summer ReStyle) and it worked to still give a two-tone effect - which contrasts better on the silver-leaf chest of drawers...

 

I love the texture & scale of the shade, but since it's so old, how would I clean it before adding it to the bedroom? A light brushing took away some of the dust from the textured crevices and I sealed it with two coats of clear matte sealer. It brought back its life and made the shade look like new. It's texture & tone pairs great with the sifting baskets I've collected here in AZ, and I use as wall decor...

 

Since we're renting, I'm not spending money on making custom draperies. A great alternative for panels to frame a window is to use drop cloths (you can paint your own design or leave natural) or buy patterned tablecloths. For us: this window faces north, so it doesn't get direct sun and doesn't need heavy black panels. These linen blend cloths with a blue ticking stripe helped to soften the window lines and frame the bedroom vignette. I picked up the pair at HomeGoods for under $35, which is a great deal on panels, especially since these are both 108".

Layers of light are essential to a Bedroom ReStyle: Here I included natural, ambient and a scented candle, from HomeGoods.

 

Details for the vignette:

Lattice Lamp + Burlap Shade - Thrift ($9 + $2 for half can of paint)

Sifting basket as a tray - Thrift ($1)

Small glass dish with shell - Thrift ($2)

Blue Book - Thrift ($.50)

Keepsake shell - our anniversary trip to San Diego 2012

Blue & White covered jar & vase - Ross (both under $20)

White pedestal bowl - TurnStyle Consignment $2

White linen sheer from West Elm - Thrift ($4)

Scented candle + 2 cloths as panels - HomeGoods (gift-card)

Branches (Free)

Blossoms - Micheal's ('05)

Silver-leaf chest of drawers - Florida Furniture Clearance Center ('05) $200

Merging old and new + new to you = Personalizing Your Style!

Do you shop thrift?

What was your latest find? 

You may also enjoy reading:

Thrift Tips & Blue Finds For Summer

Relaxed Summer ReStyle Home Tour Video

Thanks for stopping by!

 Note: This post is sponsored by HomeGoods and the Happy By Design project. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.

FIVE FRUGAL FINDS TO HELP REFRESH A SPACE

Knowing the homeowners budget and without breaking the bank, I was able to makeover a space without expensive details. I found several charming and functional finds to the easily mix old & new accessories - for much under $20. All I needed was an afternoon (or two) to do a little savvy & thrifty shopping - shifting through clearance and rummaging through thrift - to find these stylish details. To help overspending or accumulate too many returns, I shopped for the details closer to the end of the project. Armed with a list of specifics, here are five frugal finds I gathered for a recent bedroom makeover I did...

Easy on the eye bedside vignette - mixing old (thrifted finds) with

new (clearance goods).

Spotted on Clearance at Homegoods.

Spotted on clearance at Target.

Put together to make a lovely little find.

1. THINK OUT OF THE BOX: I've always liked the look of the structured square container filled with a colorful flower bunch, and that's what I did with these cream rattan tissues boxes I found on clearance at Homegoods for only $2 each. Repurposing the tissue box as the flower containers gave a modern look to these pink corsages I spotted on a clearance end-cap in Target. They were easy to make and a great add for under $16 for a bed & bath makeover . The same concept can be used to also make simple centerpieces for a tablescape - using a globe with water inside and fresh flowers.

Spotted at Goodwill



Easily, two floating shelves can add extra storage space above the WC, but in the meantime, relocating on of the homeowners pictures worked in the space.

2. GIVE FUNCTION TO A FORM: A metal thrifted jar for $3 holds everyday toiletries on the counter- making it easier for the homeowner to get to. It also gives a function to a decorative form on a small counter space.

  3. LAYER LIGHT IN A ROOM: Thrifted ceramic sconces for $2 helped layer light in the bedroom, without having the expense of an electrician.

Also spotted at Goodwill

Stylish jewelry storage in a refinished thrifted console - either use your own family treasures or shop thrift to create your own collection.

4.  ADD ORDER & SHINE WITH A TRAY: A $5 thrifted silver tray adds sparkle and also helps protect the thrifted consoles painted finish. The oval shape is also a nice feminine touch for a (single & in 60's) ladies bedroom.
 

Spotted at Out Of The Closet Thrift Shop

5. IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES: A pair of thrifted silver scalloped bowls, for only $5.99 for the pair, could easily be used as a decorative soap dish in a bathroom or candy dish in the living room - but on a nightstand, they give a pretty place to display personal strands of pearls. Displaying some of your jewelry in a space is a great way to personalize it, plus with pearls, gives a feminine touch.

 

The hammered glass hurricane to the left was another HomeGoods clearance find ($8) - and paired with a pierced tin flower pot from Ikea. It added a lacey detail in the space, without the frill (but after pic taken, I relocated it elsewhere in the room).

The savings from shopping thrift and clearance for accessories plus shopping thrift for the console and end tables, allowed for the splurge on the honey-comb glazed lamps ($60).

 

What frugal finds have you spotted lately?

Happy Thrifty Thursday!