Hunting and Gathering Part 2

In my last post I shared some tips on how to plan ahead for a redesign project. In this post I'm going to share some money-saving DIY projects that I incorporated into my own living room redesign.

1. DIY Coffee Table

To complete my rustic/lodge look, I knew I wanted some sort of natural wood coffee table.  Since I splurged on a sofa, and a mirror for my mantle, I needed to be creative on this piece in order to meet my budget. I took to Craigslist and found an old wooden toy chest for just $25 dollars. I sanded it down with a palm sander to remove the existing worn-out finish and gave it a new coat of stain (I used MinWax Provincial). Once the stain was dry I gave it a coat of clear polyurethane to seal it...the whole process was super easy! I love the additional storage it provides for the firewood. Trunks and chests like these are so easy to find at antique shops - and often cost much less than you'd pay retail. There are so many options for making them your own. For example, you could add a custom glass top or some caster wheels for added mobility.

2. DIY Bookshelf Made From Craft Crates 

I kept seeing this project all over Pinterest so I decided to try it out for myself!

Supplies:

• 12 large unfinished wooden crates (Michaels Crafts, $10 a piece)
• Stain (or paint) in your desired color
• A sanding block
• A rag for staining
• Drywall screws (6 x 1-1/4) and drill
• Rubber gloves (you don't want to get stain on your hands...it's pretty nasty)
• Mask (make sure you work in a well-ventilated area or you will have a steady migraine and you will be able to taste stain for a week. Don't ask...just trust me on this one)
• Paintbrush

Steps:

1. Begin by sanding all wood surfaces so that the stain will be better absorbed.
2. Stain each crate starting from the inside out (this will prevent you from getting stain all over yourself). Just be sure to brush on a thin coat so it doesn't run through all of the crevices, then wipe off the excess with your rag.
3. Once the crates are dry (I would give them at least 48-hours) you can start assembling. Try out some different layout options. I liked a more asymmetrical look, but my husband vetoed it. (I guess I have to give him some say here and there).
4. Use drywall screws to secure each row (screws go through the sides of each pair as seen in the photo below).
5. Finish with spray-on polyurethane for added protection.

3. Mix and Match Expensive Frames with Cheaper Ones

Despite my addiction to bargains, I can't say I don't love me a good Pottery Barn purchase! I bought a few gold frames and was planning to do a large photo collage. But rather than spend the money to buy the remaining frames at Pottery Barn, I hit up Walmart instead. I bought a few cheap frames and spray painted them gold to match the color scheme...can you tell which are which? I also incorporated a few thrift store finds to give the collage a more eclectic look. I think I paid $5 for the gold mirror and $2 for the antique frame.

4. Recycled Bottles as Decorative Vases

I see a lot of people decorating with vintage bottles these days. To get the style for less, look no further than your recycling bin! If you're patient enough to peel off the labels, green olive oil bottles make great bud vases. A1 Steak Sauce bottles are another great option! In fact, there are so many products that come in pretty bottles...you just have to be a little creative with your grocery shopping!

-Sarah

Hunting and Gathering Part 1

One of the best ways to redesign a room on a budget is to plan ahead. This will allow you to avoid costly impulse buys, and instead take a more creative approach to completing your wishlist. I am by no means an expert, but here are some early-stage planning tips that seem to work well:

Step 1. Set a reasonable budget and make it your goal not to overspend.

Step 2. Give your room a theme. Jot down a few words to describe the atmosphere you're trying to create. This may seem cheesy, but believe me...it will help keep you focused!

Step 3. Choose a color palette, sticking with one main color and 2-3 accent colors. This will help make your room feel more cohesive as a whole.

Step 4. Decide what kind of fabrics you'll use. Mixing and matching fabrics is a good way to create texture and depth.

Step 5.  Make a list of all the major items you want to purchase. Choose 1-2 dramatic pieces that will become your main focal point. Start assigning price limits to these items. Perhaps you might splurge on a new sofa or area rug. Things like these can be harder to find second-hand. Other items such as tables, bureaus and chairs are easy to find cheap, and you can refurbish them to achieve your desired look. Accents like mirrors, vases, picture frames and lamps are also easy to find cheap at flea market and consignment stores. 

Here's a few of my favorite online planning tools to help you get started:

Pinterest is great for gathering inspiration. Create a pin board exclusively for your project and start building a library of colors, fabrics, furniture, and artwork that you like.

At Houzz, you can flip through endless interior design photos and search for specific rooms/colors, etc. Save your favorite photos to your personal "lookbook." You can also save comments for easy reference later on.

Mydeco is another great site that has two hands-on planning tools: a free 3D Home Planner and a Moodboard creator (which is similar to a virtual pin board). Unlike other 3D design tools, this one uses actual products which makes the final design more realistic. It's a great way to visualize your space before you start hunting and gathering.

The picture at the beginning of this post is an example of my 3D living room design using mydeco.  I was going for a cozy, refined, rustic/lodge feel (yep, that's my cheesy description). Stay tuned to see some of the progress I've made, including a reclaimed wooden coffee table, a DIY crate bookshelf, and more money-saving tips!

-Sarah