Setting the Christmas table

My dining room has been an explosion of decor for the past week and have been noticing that there are a lot of new themes this year for trends in tabletop decor.

Fake snow has been back in the major retailers, but not in the other shops I frequent. Lime green is everywhere - though I have yet to embrace this one, as I don't usually go for that shade of green.

Gold and silver beaded garland has also been common place and I think the best deals on this has easily been at JoAnn fabrics. I suggest checking that out. I got 6 feet for 2.98. Not bad.

Here are some of my other favorites:

Metallic Bark Candles at Pottery Barn
Pretty Berry Ball from Martha Stewart Collection at KMART
Seriously awesome looking Icy Branch Garland at KMART (I know, how is that possible>
Simply beautiful dinnerware at Macy's
Very sleek stocking set at Target

And all are pretty reasonably priced. Have to love the holiday sales.

Colorful Christmas trees

As a theory, I don't agree with discussing Christmas decorations, holiday shopping and the like until after Thanksgiving. So now that it has past, I can finally chat about what has been making me absolutely overjoyed... the new trend of colorful Christmas trees.

I have heard mumblings that black trees are all the rage this year. Personally, I am loving white, gold and silver trees. There are quite a few available that are worth checking out from pink to black to your standard old green, in many variations of course.

We went with white, mostly because I thought it would complement my love for black ornaments best.

Here are some other fun options though:

So much food fun

Check this out...

This is a ridiculously cute idea.

Working on the house so not updating enough...

I have been painting, which means my life is consumed by decor. So, here is a clue for some interesting new paint...

My favorite has been the Regent Metallics paints from Ralph Lauren. Definitely more pictures to come on those great paints but here are some of the palettes I have chosen. One note: the techniques for these paints make it incredibly difficult to perfect the look. I have been using coat after coat to prevent streaking in the effect, which can be frustrating and expensive.






In the end it is a very beautiful paint, but not for beginners. It requires a lot of patience and technique, so proceed with caution.

The photos... finally

So here are the photos of the tin backsplash project!

Getting back on the interior wagon

I have been busy carving pumpkins and prepping my Halloween costume, so I totally spaced out on my updates.

Later, I will have some great photos of my new tin backsplash that we installed this weekend. So affordable and so beautiful. It takes a lot of bravery to take on a project like this one, because while tile is easy to take care of, I wasn't sure what the upkeep expectations would be on this. So far, I love it!

So inspiring!

In honor of fall and pumpkins and of course, halloween I just had to post these photos. I love love love love love these pumpkin carvings.

Such a new and fresh perspective on a Halloween classic!

Tip of the day

I have been trolling Craigslist for a while for some Ikea Tullsta chairs, and was able to fine them recently. It was an excellent deal and I really suggest it as a way to get slightly used goods on a budget.

In this instance, I am taking the Tullsta and going to reupholster them with some black and tan microsuede fabrics, which we also an awesome deal on eBay.

Inspired by this awesome revival, I am hoping to make something a bit more my style, but still with the upgraded look.

I will post some pictures, after this weekend project gets underway!

My obsession with lighting

I don't know what it is that makes me so obsessed with light projects. It could be the way that light can transform a whole room, one corner, a piece of furniture or art. Whatever it is, I tend to love it and always want more of it.

However, now I am finding myself more and more obsessed with mirrors. Funny, since mirrors are reflectors of light. Anyway, here are a few budget friendly options that are up for consideration all over my house.

This target mirror side table is a budget item and has all the class of something much more expensive, like this mid-cost number at West Elm.



I am also loving this mirror. The color combination is natural and the texture of the design is definitely much for expensive looking than $70. Great for a foyer bath.

Sweet fall decorating ideas

The Star Tribune has an interesting photo gallery on fall decoration ideas and while most of them are very basic, the acorn's with flowers are totally my style and be so fun lined up on a dinner table.

Check out the photo slideshow here.

West Elm in the TC

I am excited to hear that a West Elm store will be opening in the Twin Cities area. They carry a lot of really unique and fun merchandise with that outdoor elegance combination that I really admire.

Check them out at westelm.com

I am so into this lamp right now, plus it is over 50% off. I don't know if I can resist!
Check it out here.

More lighting love

I am totally into this light at Design within Reach. Except to me, a floor lamp that is more than $100 is not within reach for most people - especially given the current economic times. And though I usually HATE WalMart, I was super surprised to see this number which is essentially the same design concept at about 1/4 the cost.

Compare them: Can you tell which one is the budget buster and which one is a super saver?

Chandelier in the making

So I have been working on a chandelier project for my bedroom for many days and thought I would share some of the pieces of this project.

It all starts with the Ikea Kristaller. It is lovely and small, but totally budget friendly at $39.99.



To give it a more subtle look, I added some more Ikea lamp shades to it. The 3 inch Shimra in tan offsets the silver and fits in well with our cream colored fabric headboard.


The last bit was a tad random, but I was inspired by a post I saw on IkeaHacker.
I thought the antler chandelier was really witty and definitely fits in with the rustic chic idea we are going for. I picked up two antlers lacquered in black paint at a discount home decor shop for $14.99 a piece. I hope to sauder these onto the light fixture to complete the look.

The goal tonight: figure out a way to fix those antlers onto the chandelier. I will post pictures upon completion.

An alternative to wall paper

A lot of stores are now selling what is essentially giant stickers to serve as a form of wall art/ wall paper. This week, I am working on creating some cool fleur de lis's to put all over a focal wall in my living room.


I am going for the look in this picture, but with more color and a bit more dynamic in the placement. Pictures will be posted upon completion!

Here is what I came up with:

Budget buy this week

I just picked up this light at Crate and Barrel and I think it looks pretty rocking above my kitchen table. I will post some pictures later.

The wood on the shade is genuine and truly beautiful. I love it! It was under $70 and definitely an interesting alternative to what was up there before.

A Thursday Treasure: cute bowls

I am making up for lost Tuesday treasures with this little number. Domino Mag featured this under $1 budget find for bowls and I fell in love with them too. These cute lion's head bowls are about 85 CENTS (that's right - cents) a piece at Crate and Barrel.

Check them out online - I might pick up a couple of these for cute ice cream dishes.

On vacation

Let me tell you - I hate it when my favorite bloggers go on vacation and don't tell anyone. And then I did just that. And left my blog be all by its lonesome for days on end. I am sorry for that and promise to be back at it from now on.

Thanks!

Tuesday Treasure: Planter

I am always looking for planters that don't look like straight out of the Home Depot. Something about those plain orangy-clayish planters just aren't welcoming to me. I found this one at the Pier 1 clearance sale and think that is very unique looking and is definitely the right price.

I really love the fact that it is a perfect square and has an antique finish to it. Another huge bonus is the legs, because it gives you the room to put one of the clear water catchers underneath it that doesn't look so ugly.
My one complaint is all the holes that are created from the criss cross pattern. I can just see so many clumps of dirt finding their way out - which requires you to buy something to line it.

Check it out here. For a mere $12 - it is hard to go wrong.

Linked In: Ikea Hacker

I absolutely love jewelry chests and thought this interpretation on ikeahacker.blogspot was really awesome. Any handy person could make this happen with how easily the writer explains it.

Check it out here.

Tuesday Treasure: Lighting

Every Tuesday, I will find a "Tuesday Treasure" and post it here on the blog. By a treasure I mean some great little piece I found online that is affordable, but still has that big sticker price look.

To start it off - I found an adorable take on a vintage chandelier at UrbanOutfitters.com that would fit any dark bathroom or small bedroom corner perfectly.

This little cutie is going to grace my foyer bathroom - and I will be sure to post an update once it is in place. I think I might opt out the light bulb for a candle for a more elegantly, dark look.

How much is this treasure? $28.00 plus shipping - but get it for less for a limited time with the promo code "4477WELCOME." It is only 10% off, but every little bit helps right?

What's the point?

I am setting out to find helpful ways to teach others (step by step) how to create beautiful decor on a budget.

Through the process of designing my own home - I am discovering new things every day that have helped me find an individual style for taking other people's trash and creating wondrous treasures.

First up tomorrow, a fun way to display your towels in your bathroom for less than $10 dollars. And no, it doesn't involve a towel rod.