Low Cost, Big Impact: 10 Ways to Make a Statement on Budget

September 15, 2014

I love when a creative idea comes to life, especially on a budget. I came up with this list based on things I could actually picture myself doing that could be done at a reasonable cost. These 10 ways will make a big design impact in your home without breaking the bank - get ready to possibly use a little elbow grease. Don't worry - it will be totally worth it.




1. Do an Accent Wall


There are so many different roads to take with accent walls.
You could paint it all one bold color, choose a graphic wallpaper, 
stencil, or add wood pallets along a whole wall. The options are endless.
{grahamandco.com}

2. Re-purpose Furniture


Using any old door from a thrift shop or even your own home 
as a table or other type of furniture can make a big statement 
with a super creative touch.
{amberinteriordesign.com}


3. Paint the Stairs


I love all the photos I have seen of stairs being the star
of the home. I especially love ombre painted stairs, wallpaper on 
stairs and words/quotes put on stairs. Any of those options
will add so much interest to your home!
{simpledwellings.blogspot.com}


4. Spray Paint a Large Item 


Dressers, nightstands, beds, frames are all items that could
benefit from a fresh coat of paint in a pop of color. This side
table is the perfect example. 
{eclecticallyvintage.com}


5. Make Abstract Art


You don't have to be an artist to create abstract art. Danielle
Oakey created this piece of art just by using inexpensive paint
from the craft store, poster board, and a large Ikea frame. Don't
know where to start? - Check out the tutorial on her blog.
{danielleoakeyinteriors.blogspot.com}


6. Frame Wallpaper/Fabric


Have a favorite fabric or print that you love but don't know
where to put it? Frame it! Frames can be super cheap (like at Ikea)
and buying fabric and wallpaper by the yard can be inexpensive, too. 
Perfect for wall art.
{interiorstyledesign.tumblr.com}


7. Create Your Own Area Rug


There are many places you can find rug squares in different
colors and patterns. These ones are particularly from cb2 - I love 
how you really can create any look you want in any size that you need.
{cb2.com}


8. Make Your Own Headboard


I absolutely love the look of reclaimed wood pallets, especially as a 
stunning ceiling-high headboard. You can even create your own DIY 
headboard in fabric as well at a low cost. 
{britco.com}


9.Use Items in Unexpected Ways


Love this look of long shutters used as sliding doors. Such 
an eclectic and original look. I'd love to have this art studio!
{remodelista.com}


10. Change Your Knobs


It really is amazing how much of a difference changing
the knobs on a large piece of furniture makes. You can do this
for all of your kitchen cabinets as well including nightstands, doors, etc.
{littlebabygarvin.blogspot.com}



Have you seen or can think of any other creative ways to make a statement
on a budget? The options are truly endless - I'd love to know! 




Xo,








In Love with Herringbone

I've always had a crush on this geometric pattern. It looks great on pretty much anything and I will prove it! It can be a lovely print on small linen napkins and even on a larger scale such as flooring. Here are some items that I've found online to show you how amazing this print can look. 





Herringbone Napkin Bundle / Anthropologie




Herringbone Wood Floors / Bloglovin.com




Decorative Pillow Cover 18x18" / LittleWoolf on Etsy




Merrit Indoor/Outdoor Rug / Lulu & Georgia




Galbraith & Paul Herringbone Pendant / Room & Board


Brahms Mount Herringbone Throw / Serena & Lily




Feather Shower Curtain / Serena & Lily




Herringbone Handmade Rug / Urban Outfitters




Alexa Bed / West Elm 




Parsons Wall Clock - Herringbone / West Elm






What do you think - are you loving this pattern as much as me? It's
quite a classic print that has been around for ages and I don't picture
it going out of style anytime soon - it truly is a timeless motif. 






Xo,





A Touch of Gold: Using Gold in Interior Design

September 10, 2014

I've been seeing a lot of designs lately with a touch of gold leaving a space looking stylish, fresh and beautiful. I've always loved this look but it's something I've been seeing much more recently. I love all white spaces mixed with a little gold or antiqued brass - it really makes so much of a difference and adds interest to a room. It can be mixed with eclectic, chic, modern or any other design style you may love - it can just work. It doesn't have to be as feminine as you may think either - it can be just as gender neutral. Here are some pictures I found on pinterest that exemplify this exceptional style. 





Here the use of black, white and gold pillows adds a collection 
of patterns & textures to this living area.
{bloglovin.com}


I'm absolutely in love with this kitchen from top to bottom.
There's not a lot of warm tones other than the dark hardwood
so the use of brass knobs and copper tins on the counter is just 
the right touch.
{greigedesign.blogspot.com}


These gold pendants pull the whole look of this kitchen together. Stunning.
{decozilla.com}


A sophisicated yet fun dining space with touches of gold with
the rod and artwork. Gold, white & navy are an amazing combo in 
design, as you can tell.
{popsugar.com}


Absolutely love the rustic counters and wall mixed with gold & metal. 
The apron sink is the cherry on top.
{designsponge.com}


Pretty much loving everything about this bedroom. From the wallpaper
to the hanging pendant - it's so eclectic & unique.
{poppytalk.com}


An overall white space looks exceptionally put-together with 
some gold accents - don't ya think?
{stylemepretty.com}




I know, all these pictures are making you fall in love, right? 
I'm loving these spaces and as you can see it only takes a lamp, a lighting 
fixture, pillows, knobs, or a rod in a metallic gold to create such a look - no need to 
go crazy with it. Which space do you like the most? Happy gold decorating! 





Xo,








Our First Place: Making Our Rental Our Home

September 9, 2014

My boyfriend and I moved into our own place this past August and we love it. We fell in love with the coastal style of the development and all of its amenities (not to mention super close to work). Since it's a rental we've been trying to make it feel like home piece by piece - as far as our budget and it being a rental allows. We literally moved in with just our clothes and bedroom furniture - we had to start from scratch. Now it's a little over a month later and we are pretty darn proud of how it has come along considering our budget. My boyfriend definitely gave into some of the more feminine items I loved since he set up his media center along the main wall - it's all about compromise. We chose to place the sofa in the center facing the TV because of the recommended viewing distance from the TV and sofa. It does make it feel more cozy and we love watching movies there. Since we are loving how it has come along I had a photoshoot with my fellow west elm home stylist, Katherine Schwingel. She got some great shots and now I get to share them with you :)



















Our apartment features:

West Elm
Origami Coffee Table / Quinn Sofa in Frost Gray / 
Balcony Bistro Dining Set / Antique Tiled Wall Mirror /
Parker Mid-Century Round Dining Table / Mini Abacus Lamp /
Scoop Back Chairs / Gold Leaf Gallery Frames /
Solid Silk Hand-Loomed Pillow Cover / Jacquard Leaf Silk Pillow Cover / 
Quilted Acrylic Glassware / Carla Peters Sand Glaze Vase /
Clear Acrylic Tray / Reclaimed Wood Display Shelf

Target
Threshold Windham Console Table / Threshold Basket /
Threshold Brushed Silver Linear Shaded Floor Lamp /
Black Gallery Wall Frames

Other accessories/decor from Ikea, Homegoods, World Market + more.





Xo,
















The Land of Knobs

September 8, 2014

It's amazing how such a small thing can make such a big impact. In this case - knobs. Especially when you want to create an original look but are on a tight budget, changing the knobs or pulls on an inexpensive piece of furniture is just the thing you need. Another great thing about it is that you can have the same piece of furniture and change the whole look by simply switching the knobs. This goes for kitchen cabinets, console tables, dressers, door knobs, etc. I'll show you how this simple step can change the whole look...


This is the console my boyfriend and I bought for our small apartment entryway - well, it doesn't really have an entryway but that is the feel we are going for by putting a console against the wall close to when you walk in - we chose the off-white finish because we also have white lacquer chairs in our dining area paired with a walnut finished mid-century table (pics to come!).  We haven't changed the knobs but it will happen in the near future.


Right now this console is on sale for $112.49 at Target. We really liked the simple look of it - except when we got it we found out it's really only one drawer that opens and not two - oops, it still fits our apartment great and the price was on point so it's a win. Here are some knobs I found that could really work with our decor and style (maybe more my style..I'm the stylist, anyway, right?)...



1 / Agate Knob - Light Gray / $9.99 / West Elm



2 / Black & White Stripe Knob / $8 / Anthropologie



3 / Brown Carved Wood Vine Knobs - Set of 2 / $7.98 / World Market



4 / Antler Melody Knob - Tusk / $14 / Anthropologie



5 / Carved Turquoise Knob / $6 or 2 for $10 / Urban Outfitters


I'm really loving #3 because of the shape and dark features against the off-white console. Thoughts? I'd love to know :) 








Xo,