A Thrifted Mirror

A couple of weeks ago, I finally popped in to a local thrift store I'd been meaning to visit.  Not much really struck me, until I got to the back of the store where I spotted an old mirror resting on the ground.  

I was really digging that cool greek key pattern, but for some strange reason, in a very uncharacteristic move, I left the store without even so much as asking the price on the mirror (there was no tag).  (I think I was telling myself I didn't really need the mirror, and with us getting ready to move, I should just pass by.  Who am I, thinking such practical thoughts as these?!)

I continued to think about the mirror though, so I thought I should at least go and see how much they wanted for it.  I didn't actually know the name of the place, so I couldn't call, I had to go back and see for myself.  So, I hauled my little people into the car and off we went.  Fortunately for all of us, this shop has the perfect little kid's section that delighted my children to no end.  While there, I learn that the price has recently been lowered to $30 for the mirror.  I think that sounds kind of high for a thrift store mirror, so I say no thanks and we return home.

Fast forward a couple of days, and I continue to think about this mirror.  It was really unique, old, heavy.  Sure, the finish could use a little work, but that's part of the fun, right?  $30 is not that much.   I decide I need to go back for the mirror.  <Replay the scene of schlepping the kids to the store.>  I purchase the mirror and the nice lady working there even sends my kids home with a complimentary book and toy each!  Now who can't say the mirror wasn't meant to be?

Currently, it can be found in our garage, surrounded by all kinds of chaos that must get organized prior to August when the movers will be knocking on our door! 

I can't wait to find a spot for it in whatever house we end up living in, ha!  I love a good gold mirror, and I'll be sure to share some of my inspiration as I start to think about what I plan to do with it.  

Fun Frame Source

Last week, I received a fun little treat in the mail.  {side note:  I was particularly happy for this little pick-me-up because of the morning I had just had.  Trying to be the fun, adventurous mom I want to be, I packed my kids up with lunches for a "hike" that was about a 30 minute drive from our house.  No sooner had we started out on our little walk did my four-year old begin to break down in inconsolable tears over the heavy load of monster trucks that was strapped to his back.  Of course I suggested the rational plan of action--let's take your backpack back to the car and unload the dozens of trucks just so he could walk a little easier.  He refused, and so we promptly returned to our car for the 30 minute drive back to our house, having "hiked" all of 20 yards!  Serenity now!}

Moving on.  This beauty is small--very small--but I loved her from the moment I saw her while perusing one of my favorite etsy shops--Painting Well (I wrote about the shop here too.)

"The Way," 5x7, $30

"Slow Edge," 5x7, $30

"Pale Noon Rising," 11x14, $135

What also caught my eye this time was a photo the shop owner included with her listings for some really interesting frames.  You know I am all about some inexpensive framing options!

These frames are sold by the shop Signed and Numbered and are each hand built.  I love all the colors and the weathered look of the frames!  Don't they beautifully complement the art?!

10"x10" frame for $31.50

8"x10" for $22.25

8"x10" for $33.50

8"x10"s for $20.25

There are literally hundreds of options and sizes available, including custom orders.  What's great is you could totally use one of these frames for a high quality oil painting by simply removing the glass.  Of course you could leave the glass in place depending on the type of art you were framing.  They also sell frames with matting, should your piece need it.  As long as your painting is done on a standard size canvas, you are good to go!

Of course gold frames are always a safe bet when framing oils, but for a different, more casual look, I am definitely going to file away this shop for future use!  You can't beat these prices either!

Wade's Room Tour {aka Decorating a Kid's Room for Cheap}

Wade's room came together rather quickly, mostly because I used a lot of things we already had.  {I know think I do that at least in part so I won't feel bad for wanting to re-do it so soon!} I wanted it to feel like a happy kid space, but one that I enjoyed seeing as well :)  His room is really small, which in some ways made things easier because there just wasn't as much space to take into consideration.  But of course being tight on space has its own challenges as well (not the least of which was taking these photos!).  All of that to say, both Wade and I like his room, so I'm calling it a win-win!

 Tip #1: It's probably no surprise that the number one way to save money when decorating is to re-use things you already own, especially furniture, which can quickly eat up your budget for your room!  All of the furniture in this room was repurposed.  Also, don't be afraid to think outside the box and use furniture that you may not have considered for a child's room.

I know Wade would want this angle shown--he loves his wall track!

The bed was mine as a child!  It served as a guest bed way back in the day before we had kids.  I think it's perfect for a little boy because its curves are tempered with some more masculine lines (like the headboard area).  Of course it could also work for a little girl too, should I change things up down the line (who me?).

My mom and I made the window treatment for Wade's old room back in Richmond.  It was actually a little too wide for that window, but it ended up being a perfect fit here!  Double bonus that the color and pattern worked with the new room too.

Wade's (pared down) old bedroom for our house listing.  I think you can kind of see what I mean about the window treatments being too wide in this space...

The bedside tables belonged to my grandparents.  They used them as porch furniture.  When I saw those midcentury beauties, my heart skipped a beat, and I just had to have them!  The tops were in rough shape when I got them, but nothing a little sanding and new paint couldn't fix.

I think they are great in this particular space because they don't take up a lot of visual weight in an already tight area.

I purchased the chest of drawers at an auction several years ago.  I like that it's low enough that Wade can reach his clothes himself!  Please don't look too closely or you will see evidence of many truck and car crashes.  The lamp and the chest top are really chipped and in need of a new paint job with a serious protective finish!

Tip #2: Shop at discounted stores like Target and Ikea.  Ok, I know this sounds obvious, but here's the thing--I think the key is to mix up your choices and be relatively picky.  So, while I probably wouldn't recommend grabbing all the coordinating pieces of a bedding set from the kid's aisle at a place like Target, I think it can totally work if you pick and choose.

For Wade's room, I knew he would think these sheets with the construction scenes were awesome.  But I wasn't really interested in buying the matching comforter :)  I think the best kid's rooms are the right mix of whimsy and kid, balanced by some classic, more sophisticated pieces.  If there happened to have been a matching lamp or something, you can bet I would have passed.  Too much matchy primary colored items, and you have quickly moved into a zone that rhymes with "slacky"  :)  (in my humble opinion!)

I paired the construction sheet set with a classic blue and white striped duvet, also from Target--but not part of their kid's line.  I love the bold stripes.  I think in a small room, such as Wade's, it makes a great impact.  I also love how the light green 'W' pillow is a nice relief from all the saturated, brighter colors in the room.

One caveat I should share--while I love the look of Wade's duvet, I actually really hate the material.  When Target tries to entice you by describing a material as "easy care," that's really a euphemism for nasty feeling-polyester-your down comforter will slide all around in it duvet cover.  Granted, it was only $25 for a full/queen size, but I seriously would have been better of with this one or this one.  I continue to wonder if I should just go ahead and buy one of those, but then what if we get to California and I decide I want to redo the whole look?  A bit of a dilemma it is.

I didn't think I needed a bedskirt with this particular bed, so I purchased a single fitted sheet from another section in Target to use as a cover for the box spring.  I chose a shade of blue that coordinated with the ones in the sheet set.

The lamps are from Ikea, and I thought the style worked in a masculine space, and I liked how the finish brought in a new color/texture to the room.  I also liked that their more streamlined, modern style was a nice counterpoint to the traditional bed.  They're also just really practical because Wade logs a lot of time reading books in his bed.

The stuffed animals are probably my favorite part.  They, along with the little toys (that of course I edited for the sake of these pictures :)  are what makes the room personal and unique to my boy.  It's fun and sentimental to think about when Wade got each one.

Tip #3:  Enlist your room's inhabitant to get in touch with their inner Picasso!  There is just nothing like little children's artwork!  So sincere, uninhibited, and personal.  In Wade's room, I felt like the space on either side of the window could use a little something to fill the vertical space.  I considered framing enlarged photographs, but this ended up being an even cheaper option, and I have to tell you, I'm kind of obsessed.

I simply purchased some small bottles of acrylic paint from Michaels in a palette of colors that was drawn from the fabrics I had already used.  I gave my little dude some brushes and some paper and let him go to town.

I'm no fine art connoisseur, but I think he did an awesome job!  Abstract and unique.  Inexpensive.  Made with love by my four-year old.  What's not to love?!  {As a side note, I should tell you I do have some ulterior parenting motives.  I need at least one of my kids to stay really interested in art so they can make beautiful things for me to hang on our walls.  I also need someone to take an interest in piano playing so I can justify having one in our home (and so we can enjoy the music of course)  This is all completely rational, right? }

Framed in inexpensive Ikea Ribba frames I already owned, the total cost of this project is hardly even worth calculating :)

Lastly, here is the closet area.

I maximized space in his small room by using a small bookshelf we already owned to hold books, extra toys, and shoes.  Please note the number of puzzles.  The child is a  whiz at puzzles! We'll go check on him before we go to bed ourselves and find that he's worked all of his puzzles before going to sleep. His floor is often covered with his completed puzzles :)

It only seems right that if we're going to talk about his room, then I should show you some pictures of the most important part--Wade!  Here are a few recent favorites.

He completed this new 100-piece puzzle all by himself!

Are you still with me?  Since I titled this "Decorating a Kid's Room for Cheap", I thought I'd include a cost breakdown of what I did.

Bed--inherited
Side Tables--inherited (cost to paint was minimal especially since I probably already owned the paint)
Lamps-$50 for the pair
Sheets--$25
Fitted Sheet (for covering the box spring)--about $12
Duvet Cover--$25
Stuffed Animals--gifts
"W" pillow--from Pottery Barn, given to us as a wedding gift (W for Worthington :)  but it works quite
                     well when your first name starts with a 'W' too!
Curtain--already owned
Frames for art--already owned ($40 total)
Art--maybe $10 total for supplies?
Chest--already owned (paid just under $100 I think?)
mirror--already owned ($30 at consignment shop)
yellow lamp--already owned (purchased circa 2006 from Target and later spray painted)
"W" statue--gift, I believe it's from Anthropologie
Custom sign hanging from mirror--made by a family friend and given as a baby gift
Framed cross-stitching--made by my mom, it used to hang in my brother's rooms as children!
Shelf in closet--already owned (purchased from Pier One circa 2004??? for who knows what)

Coming in at just over $120 total, I'd say I did a pretty good job of minimizing my costs!  Hopefully my banker (you know, my husband :)  will agree!

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Emily A. Clark

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Please Meet My Green Chairs {Before & After}

Back in this post, I introduced you to a pair of chairs that hold a very special place in my heart.  But really, they deserve a post all their own.  (After all, they occupied quite a bit of my mental energy for an embarrassingly long time.)  So, if you'll humor me by reading along, I would like to tell their story.  (Because the best furniture has a story, I'm convinced :)

Back in November of 2011, we lived in Richmond, and I found myself perusing Craigslist for chairs.  (I'm not really sure why exactly, as we didn't have any room for more chairs, but whatever.  I have a thing for chairs, so what do you expect?)  I recall that it was late in the evening when I saw a post asking $50 OBO for this pair of chairs.

I loved the fact that the picture wasn't the best.  Diamonds in the rough are my favorite!!

I felt my heart go aflutter, and I got that excited feeling of butterflies in my stomach as my mind raced over how amazing these chairs were.  They were everything I'd been looking for in a pair of chairs that I didn't need!  All signs pointed to them being vintage--their smaller size with the straight arms, even that orange fabric, and I simply loved them from the first moment I saw them.

Of course, I emailed the seller right away, and when I didn't hear back I made an appointment with my primary care doctor for some anti-anxiety medication (KIDDING!)  In all seriousness, I grew very concerned when my inbox continued to go without a reply.  Over the course of the next couple of days, I tried to make sense of the silence.  Judging by the picture in the listing, I figured the seller was a dude, and he probably wasn't all that in to Craigslist, right?  Maybe he hadn't checked his email?  Perhaps I should just send another quick email and ask if the chairs had been sold? (At least this way I could move on with my life)  Well, a week went by and I heard nothing.  I was beginning to come to terms with the fact that these chairs were just not meant to be mine.  My husband and I talked about how my feelings over losing the chairs were similar to his when his Cavaliers lose a game.  Our marriage was enriched by this mutual understanding we now had for one another, so all was not lost.

Fast forward about one week, and I'm sure you can imagine my sheer delight when I opened my inbox and saw this:

Let's just say there was much shrieking accompanied by children with confused looks on their faces.  (Also, this email confirmed that the squeaky wheel does in fact get the grease, thankyouverymuch.)

I made arrangements to pick up the chairs right away!  No matter that Philip was out of town! (which meant I'd have to take both of my kids with me to retrieve the chairs)  Fortunately, the seller lived nearby, so it wasn't as big of a deal as it could have been that I had to make two trips in order to get both chairs home with me...

Once I got back home, I recruited one of my neighbors to help me unload them into our garage, where they would remain for the next seven months (until we moved at the end of July).  Most of my friends can attest to my love for these chairs, as I would insist on bringing them back to the garage to see them.  I would go and check on them from time to time and dream of the day when I could have them made over and give them the new life they deserved.

Shortly before we moved, I knew the time had come.  I had contacts for getting reupholstering done for much cheaper than typical rates, and who knew if I'd be able to find that in Illinois?  (In case you are wondering why I would want to deal with all of this before a move, let me remind you that the military takes care of all the moving details!)

One last look at them before, on my parent's porch, before they were picked up by my upholsterer.  

Now, choosing fabrics is no decision to be taken lightly.  Especially when you are talking about reupholstery--these are not mere pillows that can be changed up when your mood strikes.  I was also going to need twelve yards of fabric, so I wanted to be really confident with what I chose.  To make matters even more complicated, please recall that I had no idea what the room these chairs would live in would even look like!

{Here is where I need to thank the many friends who helped walk me through this very difficult decision-making process.  You know who you are :) }

As you can see, I ended up choosing a solid green indoor/outdoor fabric that I purchased from Lewis & Sheron in Atlanta.  And I am so pleased to report that I am very happy with the chairs.  It is so great to be able to enjoy them after all those months of waiting :)  When it came down to it, I basically chose this fabric because I liked it.  I love green, and while I didn't know what my living room would look like, I figured these could work somehow.  As divine intervention luck would have it, I ended up finding this rug I mentioned in this post right before we left as well.  I was pretty excited when I got it home and realized the green in it would tie in perfectly with my chair fabric.  LOVE.

I told you my rug was beat up!  Do you think spills or crumbs concern me?  Nope.  Also, please try not to be jealous of my stylish footwear!

At this point, you are possibly regretting that you just spent several minutes of your life that you cannot get back reading a story that basically confirms what many already know:  I am obsessed with chairs.  Nevertheless, I thank you for reading.  And if you happen across any chairs you think I might like, please do share.  I'd love to dream up a new life for them with you :)


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Storypiece's Favorite Find

Making It Work {Framing Art}

When you're on the hunt for unique and interesting art at places like estate sales, consignment shops, even thrift stores, most of us know that you shouldn't let an unfortunate looking frame deter you if the art truly speaks to you.  After all, you can always change out the frame.  The downside of course is that having a custom frame made tends to be rather pricey.  Adding matting--sometimes even double matting--adds to the price tag too.

It's for this reason that in addition to looking for pretty art,  I like to keep my eyes out for nice looking frames, even if I don't have a particular piece in mind for framing.  A custom cut solid wood frame can easily cost you $40-50 for a small piece of art and up to a couple hundred for a larger piece.  I've found that it ends up being much cheaper to have a mat cut to fit a frame you already have on hand.  

A while ago I came across these pretty original watercolors at a thrift store near our old house in Richmond, VA.  They weren't framed, but they only wanted $10 for the three paintings, so I was sold.  I wouldn't be surprised if they were done by a former student of VCU's art school.  One of them is signed with a date from the 70's.   I was drawn to them in particular because they reminded me of the landscape in Virginia.

When it came to deciding how to frame them, I remembered two frames I'd picked up that seemed like the dimensions might be right.

This is the only picture I have of the frame, it's the large one in the back.

In this case, I took the frame and my art to a local frame store and had them cut a mat they had in stock (to save money) to fit.  I think it cost me about $30--if I had chosen to get a custom frame made it would have been over $100.

For the second painting, I decided to use one of a pair of frames I also found at a {different} thrift store for $5 each.  (yes, I think I do other things besides go to thrift stores...}.

Lucky for me, the painting was done on a standard size paper and this frame was also a standard size.  Do you know what that meant?  I was able to just use a standard mat available pre-cut at a place like Michaels to the tune of about $5!  

I liked the white mat fine...

and then I got inspired when I had it turned upside down...there was something about the contrast of the gray and the gold frame that spoke to me.

I ended up doing something my creative friend Jennifer taught me (Hi Jennifer if you're reading :) by painting the mat! I just used some leftover latex paint with a small foam brush.  The hardest part was keeping the little bevelled insert around the inner edge white.

The top painting reminds me of some of the beautiful scenery along 29N, the road I would travel from my parent's to college.  The bottom one reminds me of fall on the Grounds of the University of Virginia.

I had one other painting that needed a little facelift.

 I found this original watercolor at a thrift store in St. Louis for $12.  Loved the painting (and the fact that it included a mat), did not love the cheapy gold frame.

This time, I didn't have a frame on hand, but I was fortunate to come across another frame for literally 50 cents that was the right dimensions.  Again, when artists paint on standard canvases it really helps my cause! :)

The only problem here was that the frame was a little dingy and dull looking.

I used some rub 'n buff in silver leaf and voila, this little frame became quite the stunner :)

Does anybody else have any tips for getting a custom framed look without the price tag?

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