A Touch of Black!

Below I've listed a few links with helpful tips on adding “a touch of black” to your home:

-Southern Accents

-Arlene's Interiors

-Better Homes and Gardens

-Kathryn Weber

Remember, you don't necessarily have to go out and buy something! You can paint things you already have! =)

More On Decorating

One of the reasons I decided to do a couple posts on decorating is because I’ve received a few requests from different individuals wanting me to share some tips on decorating and how to save money in the process. I would love to know any of your thoughts and ideas that you’ve discovered when decorating on a budget!

Here are a few tips that I’ve found helpful when it comes to shopping for decorations:

Create a list: When decorating or re-decorating a room take some time to think and plan. Start with searching for a paint color for the walls then build off the color. Take the measurements of wall space and windows, write them down and keep them in your purse or wallet. Also, if you have a camera, take some pictures of the room so when you’re shopping you can pull them out and have a visual of the room with you. It’s also helpful to have a visual so you can minimize the amount of returns. Next, create a list of all the things you’d like to add to the room (pictures, curtains, bed spread, accessories, rugs, fixtures)

Things to bring with you shopping:
-Your items list
-Paint color swatch
-Measurements
-A throw pillow or sham off your bed, a piece of fabric, or something in the room that you’re basing the design off of
-Pictures of the room
-A miniature tape measure if you’re looking for exact measurements

Note: When creating a list keep in mind that pretty much everything that isn’t upholstered can be painted (Mirror frames, tables, chairs, picture frames, book shelves, cabinets, candle holders, lamp bases). This is a very cheep and easy way to spruce something up or change the color.

Create a budget: After you’ve created your list, create a budget. If you’re single, get help with this step from your mom or someone that’s been an example to you in the area of frugality that you know will help you create a wise budget. :) If you’re married then go to no one else but your husband! It will bless him to know that you’re seeking to be wise with the money God’s provided. It’s wise to create a budget simply so we don’t give into the temptation to buy something we really don’t have money for. After the budget is created you might have to take a few things off your list if they don’t fit into your budget. Even when we’re purchasing items on sale or even on clearance, they add up very quickly. When we have a budget it helps us stay focused and carefully watch how we’re spending money. Remember things always eventually go on sale!

Make time: Shopping for decorations can become overwhelming and if you spend too much time looking it can become frustrating. I’ve found that it works best when I stop at one to two stores at a time. Unless I’ve got a lot of extra time on my hands, tackling a bunch of stores all over town in one day never works. Try to plan time when running errands to make a few extra stops in the area of town you’ll already be. Doing this saves gas money and a whole lot less stress when shopping!

Be creative: There are many ways to be creative when decorating. Re-arranging furniture in a room makes a huge difference! If a couple rooms in your home have similar colors, you can always swap items out in the rooms. This adds a new look and it’s completely free! Don’t ever be afraid to paint and always make sure there is a touch of black in every room. There are oodles of web sites with creative ideas you can google!

Be patient and persistent: As Proverbs 21:5 says, “The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.”

Maybe you’re in a season that you desire to get some projects done around the house but just don’t see it possible to even begin thinking about doing them because there’s other things that are calling you attention (family, crying baby, cleaning, laundry, work, sleep, church events) or maybe you're in a season you aren’t financially able to begin new projects… Well as I’ve been reminded lately out of Ecclesiastes 3:1 there is a season for EVERYTHING, a season even for decorating a room. Today on the Girl Talk blog they did an excellent post on different God ordained seasons that you can check out here!

Let’s try not to have a self-pity attitude about the season God has us in, but remember and be grateful that our greatest need has already been met!

Decorating On A Budget?

Sorry guys ahead of time for this girlie post! :)

As many of you know I love to decorate. I love the whole process, shopping/searching for the decorations, hanging curtains, hanging a picture on a wall, making flower arrangements, painting, etc. I love to envision how a room can look and then make it happen!

I know these days with the economy the way it's been completely decorating or re-decorating a room can be a challenge because it takes a lot of money and most items are over priced. It has become a hobby of mine to see how cheep I can decorate a room or find a specific item/items. Over the next couple days I've decided it would be fun to do a few posts with tips on how to save money when decorating on a budget. Read along if you'd like! :)

One thing I love to do besides searching for things at garage sales is to go and look around in the higher dollar stores like Pottery Barn and Pier One. I do this to check out the most recent and up to date styles and see what I like for a room I’ll be working on and then go to places like Home Goods and T.J. Maxx and find pretty much the same thing for at least ½ the price it would’ve been in any other store. Pretty much every time something is marked at full price it will eventually go on sale. It isn’t always the easiest thing to wait, but in the long run you’ll get more items for a lot less money.

One of my favorite ways to literally bring life to a room is by decorating with photos, especially with my love for taking pictures. You can usually find a cheap picture frame from Walmart, T.J. Maxx or Target (black frames always add a great touch to a room =) ) and it makes a room feel very warm and homey. Maybe you don’t like the color of the picture frames you have now; well you don’t have to go buy new ones. Go buy a cheep can of paint and paint them… It’s not hard at all and it saves money (kids can also help with this project)!

My all time favorite home décor store is Kirkland’s. Even if I’m not looking for anything I still love to go into the store and just look around for fun (ha-ha in all the spare time I have ;) ). Recently on top of their already low prices they’ve been having a pretty big sale. Everything with a green tag on it (the already marked down price) is an additional %25 off. It’s been great! I’ve been shopping around for my mom because she is re-decorating a few rooms in our house and it’s been such a blessing! Maybe you’ve been searching for the perfect picture or accessories that aren’t marked at a sky high price. If you are, then maybe you should swing on in to Kirkland’s as well and see if they’ve got what you’ve been looking for. You can also sign up here to receive e-mails from Kirkland’s pretty often with coupons and special offers.

Decorating really can be fun and easy as long as you stay motivated!

Check back tomorrow for more on decorating on a budget!