Category Archives: Home Decor

40 Alternatives to Headboards

Posted on October 1, 2010 by Brooke| 17 Comments

If you have decided its time to redecorate your bedroom but your working on a budget you may want to consider creating your own custom headboard.

Why do you need a headboard? Before most believed that the headboard was used to keep your pillows in place and from falling off the bed. I believe your wall can do the same. However headboards can play as an integral part of decor for the bedroom. Most people feel that it anchors the bed and gives a focal point to the room. So while headboards are not necessary the can make all the difference in your decor and help you show case your personal style.

If you’re working on a budget you may not be able to go out and purchase your dream furniture. So instead try an alternative to a store bought headboard. Be sure to think outside the box as the possibilities are endless.

Below I have created a list of 40 suggestions to alternative headboards to get you started. Look around your house as you may already have a great alternative to a headboard laying around. Check your local thrift stores, dollar store, and dollar bins most of these items can be picked up for little cost.

Don’t forget have fun with it. Happy decorating! Read more »

Posted in Bedroom, Budget Decorating, Decorating Ideas, Do-It-Yourself, Home Decor

Black and White Beach

Posted on September 29, 2010 by Brooke| 2 Comments

As my current design theme is black and white decor, I’m always seeing other themes that interest me liBlack and White Beach Decorke the beach /seashore decor.

Imagine my surprise when I walked into my local Home Goods store and found a numerous items of black and white seashore decor. These items were absolutely gorgeous!

There were silver sea shells in black shadow boxes, clumps of white coral reef, black and white framed pictures of the beach, black vases with shiny abalone shell accents, even black and white beach house signs.

To bad it doesn’t go with my damask patterns, but if I had a beach house this would defiantly be the decor.

Read more »

Posted in Decorating Ideas, Home Decor

Decorating on a Budget

Posted on September 23, 2010 by Brooke| 1 Comment

Decorating on a budget- shop your local yard sales, flea markets, and thrift stores.

Remember to think outside the box. It’s true that one person’s trash may be another person’s treasure. To you it may only take some new paint, new fabric or just some imagination. All though the possibilities are endless here are 12 great items to watch for.

Frames – In my opinion you can never have too many frames.  Consider refinishing them and just hanging the frames on a wall perhaps in a collage. Or you’ll want to just frame the endless number of existing items that you already have. (Photographs, prints or even doilies)

Old Books – whether you like the topic, title, or even the color of the cover, books can add décor to any shelf or book case. You can even throw a couple on your end table.

Lamps – Some times it only needs a new shade or some new paint. I have even seen some lamps turned into candle holders.

Bottles – As bottles come in different colors and shapes they can be used for accessories. Filled with colored water, or used as a candle holder. I suggest purchasing a taper candle holder designed for wine bottles. Read more »

Posted in Budget Decorating, Decorating Ideas, Home Decor

Old Frames = Inexpensive Wall Art

Posted on September 23, 2010 by Brooke| Leave a comment

Old Frames = Inexpensive Wall Art

Do you have any old frames lying around? Perhaps the glass broke or you just don’t care

for that picture any longer? Or maybe you seen a picture on super clearance but didn’t care for the print in it. Well I have super cheap ideas that will turn them into great pieces.

Message Board-

While walking through my local home decor store a beautiful frame caught my eye, however, it did not have a picture in it instead it was a cork board. I could purchase this as I absolutely love the look but why not do it myself with frames I already have. I have several pictures at home that I just don’t care for any longer. Great frames just old prints that no longer go with my décor.

Most local craft such as Joann’s carry cork tiles or even rolled cork. I purchased rolled cork as I wasn’t sure of the size of the frames I had at home and I could just cut it down using a utility knife.

Once I got home I took my frame and removed the glass and inside print.

Then took the backing of the frame a traced it onto the cork board. Be sure to do the same size as the backing. If you cut it too small it may not stay in your frame. If you cut it to large the cork board will warp. Read more »

Posted in Budget Decorating, Decorating Ideas, Do-It-Yourself, Home Decor, Office

The Horror of Moving in With My Boyfriend

Posted on September 23, 2010 by Brooke| Leave a comment

After a year of renting with my best friend it came time to move on and move in with my boyfriend. I was excited to make this change in my life with the exception of one thing… his decor. The furniture that made up his living room was all leather which is just fine by me except the couch was blue, the loveseat was yellow, and the chair was red. His walls had a few pictures but mostly bare, he had a lamp that matched his furniture and of course just like any bachelor pad a huge television to complete the look.

I had previously gone through a divorce and left all my furniture behind. I did however have a few items that I refused to give up. These items were mostly wrought iron wall hangings, a few candle holders, some vases, and framed pictures. They were all mostly earth tones. Needless to say these items did not match his furniture.

So we had a little compromising to do. We decided that we would not buy new furniture until we sold that house and moved into a new one. Ouch in this market that could take forever. But there were defiantly a few changes that would have to be made for the time being.

Living Room –
In the red, yellow, and blue living room we quickly changed the furniture arrangement so the main focal point would no longer be the monster television. Hiding behind the yellow leather loveseat we found some beautiful over sized panoramic photographs of the city sky line taken by Autumn Thomes, a friend of his. These photographs were absolutely gorgeous and should be hanging on the wall. Read more »

Posted in Bedroom, Budget Decorating, Decorating Ideas, Do-It-Yourself, Home Decor, Kitchen and Dining, Living Room