Living Room Tweaks: Part 1

Over the upcoming weeks I will be posting several posts about my living room and little decorating tweaks that will change it's overall look without spending a lot of money.  I have a couple of projects up my sleeve and hope that they turn out well.

I realized that I never showed a completed "photo gallery" picture on the blog.  Here is how it looks to date:

frame composition

 I also did some tweaks to my mantle.  I want to take down the sconces on either side of the mirrors for a simplified look, but I have to spackle the wall underneath b/c originally the mantle was wired for sconces but the owners before us removed them when redoing the electrical leaving a less than smooth covering where the sconces once were:(!

Here's a close up!  Please ignore the reflection of the ceiling in the mirror, ugh popcorn!  I want it gone more than fat kids want cake, but we'll have to tackle it in the future.
 

I bought the mirror at Home Goods with a gift card from my sister's family (thanks Crystal, Justin, and McKenna) along with some other money I received as a Christmas Gift from my in-laws,  (thanks Frederick family!)

 

Any opinions on the chair in the corner?  It's kind of giving me this "I'm a time out chair" vibe but I love the chair and how it works with the rest of the furniture in the room, if only the room were a little bigger then I could bring in two with an end table in between.  

Here's a wide shot of the other side of the room.  But coming soon are more tweaks that I think will elevate the overall room.  One of which includes a new rug, but my dilemma is that my husband is allergic to wool, and all the rugs that I love are 100% wool.  Bummer, I know!

There ya have it.  The first post about some of the changes!  Have you made any small tweaks in your home?  Please feel free to link to pictures in the comments section!

Den: Start to Finish

You've already seen a little of our Den via this blogpost but I wanted to run you through the "design" process from beginning to end.

Step 1:  Create a mood board

 

Items shown above:

Sofa:  http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S39895022/

Rug:   http://reviews.crateandbarrel.com/7258/s584218/baxter-teal-8x10-rug-reviews/reviews.htm

Pillows:  discontinued styles from Crate and Barrel

Curtains:  discontinued from West Elm

Lucite Coffee Table:  http://furnishmevintage.com/livingroom/petit-vintage-lucite-end-table/

Lamp:  http://reviews.crateandbarrel.com/7258/37303/hoopla-teal-table-lamp-reviews/reviews.htm

Chandelier:  http://www.zgallerie.com/p-8434-jupiter-chandelier.aspx

Step 2:  Realize that this moodboard, as is, would cost around $2500 , way over our budget (plus it doesn't include all of the filler objects that make a room more decorative and cozy).

Step 3:  One shopping trip to Ikea (tape measure in hand).  I realized that the kivik would be too large for my space, his slightly smaller brother karlstad became a strong contender

Step 4:  Adapt the moodboard to reflect the karlstad option with a few more economical adaptations.

Items shown above:

Sofa:  http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S09852953/

Rug:  http://reviews.crateandbarrel.com/7258/35745/hogan-teal-rug-reviews/reviews.htm

Lamp:  http://reviews.crateandbarrel.com/7258/37303/hoopla-teal-table-lamp-reviews/reviews.htm

Pillows:  http://reviews.crateandbarrel.com/7258/37404/remy-teal-16-pillow-reviews/reviews.htm ;  discontinued from Target and Pier 1

Lucite Coffee Table:  http://furnishmevintage.com/livingroom/petit-vintage-lucite-end-table/

Chandelier:  http://www.zgallerie.com/p-8434-jupiter-chandelier.aspx

Curtains:  http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40111992/

Step 5:  Search my brains out on Craigs List for the main sofa.  Score one karlstad sofa, in like new condition, but in yellow.  I knew that I could purchase a new cover later at Ikea.

We also scored the chaise in the Ikea "as is" section for a discount, so all we needed to do is connect it to the sofa that we purchased on Craigs List and voila, new sofa at around half the price!  

Step 6:  Make all of my purchases and place in room (okay so there are around 5000 steps in between these, such as:  putting down new flooring, painting, assembling the sofa, etc, but you get the idea).

Here's the realized room!  

These photos aren't the best, but you can get a general idea.

Budget Breakdown:

Sofa:  $450

Rug:  $40

Curtains:  $60

Pillows and Accessories:  $50

Lighting:  $80

Vintage Lucite Coffee table:  $50

Buffet Table decorated with already owned items:  $5

Total:        $735

Not too shabby!  This was last years combined Christmas and Birthday presents to me, it's the gift that keeps on giving.  I wish I had before photos of the room, but it served as a storage space for a little over a year.  Hope you like it as much as we do!

fall outfit

fall outfit by brittru84 featuring a leather buckle belt

NW3 navy blue tank top
£27 - johnlewis.com

Old navy shirt
oldnavy.gap.com

Rag & bone corduroy skinny jeans
$165 - stylebop.com

Kitten heels
$100 - dsw.com

Polka dot handbag
cutejapanesefashion.com

Mulberry clover necklace
$270 - mulberry.com

H I P leather buckle belt
$145 - lpcollection.com

backyard mood board

backyard mood board by brittru84 on polyvore.com

IKEA Hållö
$9.99 - ikea.com

White 60 inch Terry Cloth Velour
$17 - fabricdepot.com

Vifah Recycled Plastic Adirondack Chair White - Vifah Outdoor Products
$999 - onewayfurniture.com

IKEA Snövita
$15 - ikea.com

IKEA Borrby
$7.99 - ikea.com

Arches Lantern | Pottery Barn
potterybarn.com

3d model Palm Tree Bundle 3 3ds lwo max obj tex hrc by RyanN
$25 - the3dstudio.com



 Revised with my patio set.

This back yard mood board is a rough draft of colors/styles for the backyard.  So far I am thinking of my chippendale dining set in navy, white adirondack chairs, white vinyl privacy fence (which we already installed 2 years ago), red brick pavers (that have blue/gray undertones), lanterns adorning the trees, round-bulbed twinkle lights creating canopies over the dining area, and simple landscaping that consists of a few palm trees and other tropical large-leaved plants.  In my mind the space would have a nautical spin but with sophistication and fun!

Thrifty Duds!

When I started this blog I gave an introduction to myself as the number one cheapo and how I buy all of my clothes on clearance or thrifted.  I'd like to share with you all some examples of my cheap-ness and break down outfits by price.

All this to say: it is easy to spend very little money and get outfits you love! 

 

Outfit #1:

1- polka dot silk blouse -thrifted with 50% coupon- $1.25

1- cream colored cardigan - clearance (Target) - $9.00

1- yellow Fossil belt- thrifted with 50% coupon- $0.50

1pair-boot cut blue jeans - clearance NY&Co- $10.00

1- pair of camel heels- thrifted with 50% coupon- $1.25

1- long gold necklace- forever 21- $5.00

TOTAL OUTFIT COST:  $26.00

Outfit #2:

Same Outfit minus cream cardigan

Total Cost:  $17.00

 Outfit #3:

1-round vintage polka dot skirt-thrifted w/ 50% coupon- $1.00

1- navy blue cardigan- vintage resale store- $6.00

1- gold cuff necklace-thrifted with 50% coupon- $1.25

1-pair of brown leather heels - $1.25

TOTAL COST:  $9.50

Outfit #4:

1-green silk sleeveless blouse(by Oleg Cassini)-thrifted- $1.00

1-navy blue cardigan - vintage resale shop- $6.00

1- pair of boot cut jeans- $10 

1- navy blue belt -vintage resale shop- $4.00

1-gold necklace- forever21- $5.00

1- pair of camel heels- $1.25

TOTAL COST:  $27.25

Outfit #5:

1- denim shirt -thrifted at 50% off- $1.50

1-belt-thrifted- $1.00

1- gold necklace-forever 21- $5.00

1pair- red skinny capris- clearanced GAP- $7.50

1- pair of camel heels - $1.25 

I'd most likely pair this with some navy shoes (that I also have in my closet but was too lazy to switch them out for the photo)

TOTAL COST:  $16.25

Outfit #6:

1- denim button up- thrifted with 50% coupon- $1.50

1-vintage red polka dot skirt-thrifted with 50% coupon- $1.00

1- white/navy necklace- community yard sale - $1.00

1- pair camel heels- $1.25

TOTAL COST:  $4.75

There ya have it 6 outfits under $30 each.  Have you all found anything at thrift stores/vintage shops lately that you are loving? 

The Grand Unveiling: Chippendale Patio Set

Remember this?  Well, FINALLY, it's done.  This is by far my best Thrift store find to date.  So instead of spray painting it myself I decided to splurge a little and have it powder coated.  I knew it was a piece that I wanted around for a long time and that was going to be outside through the hot FL summers.

I actually realized that I didn't take any "before" pictures and I'm still kicking myself b/c of it.  Think green patio set with a bad brown spray paint job that was peeling off in multiple places. 


So...without further ado here it is now: 

navy blue chippendale patio set

Columbia Coatings RAL 5011 Steel Blue

The color is a true navy but is called RAL 5011 Steel Blue by Columbia Coatings.  The powder coating place I had the work done was ZPS Powder Coatings in Largo, FL.  I strongly recommend them, the owner's name is Mike. 

Here are some close ups of the set.

 

And here are some photos taken at Dusk (these don't have the glass top).

Anyway, I'm done.  But I absolutely LOVE IT!  It was money well spent, and that's not easy for me to say.  What do you think?  Have you all done any projects that you are gushing about and can't wait to show someone?  Please share!

   Please overlook the condition of our backyard.  It's a work in progress and so far the only money we've spent outside is for the white vinyl privacy fence.  We have big plans that probably won't get off the ground for another couple years.  We have decided to focus on the inside of our house first and have an upcoming KITCHEN REMODEL!  Stay tuned.

Bamboo Love!

I went thrifting yesterday and bought this...

Here are some close ups, so you can see it in all it's shabby glory!

I loved the design and am really into the hollywood regency look of it!  It actually goes with my patio table seen here.  I originally thought I might use it outside as a buffet of sorts when I entertain.  And I still might.

Here's a pic of that patio set in case you don't want to link over to the post.  Picture from www.danshamptons.com via Pinterest.

Also, update on the patio set.  It's being transformed as we speak!  I actually love it so much I wanted to splurge a little and have it powder coated.  I should be getting it back sometime next week, I'll be sure to update you when it's done! 

Anywho, back to the post at hand.  I have some afters that I simply love!  So let's get to it.

I used some paint that I had left from this project, so the transformation cost me $0, nada, zip, zilch.

I placed some items from my "decor store" as well as another thrift store find, that pelican print!  I actually love it against the rich gray walls.

Here are some shots I took last night.
I still haven't figured out how to take night photos without them looking all grainy and when it comes to using my camera I'm definitely a Beginner.  I just need to spend a little more time with it.  Any tips would be greatly appreciated!

Also, b/c this is the first time you are seeing my den, I wanted to give a little post within a post preview.

I started out with this VERY BASIC and EXTREMELY BEGINNERS mood board.  Basically I copied and pasted items I liked onto a word document.  Also nothing is to scale, this was used just so I could get an idea of colors and textures together.

I still am dying to get and use photo shop.  Oh well, onwards and upwards.

I started out wanting a Kivik sofa from Ikea, but it was a little big for the room.  So I downsized to the karlstad, and then just flipped the curtains to a lighter color to balance the deep gray of the sofa.

I actually bought the main sofa of Karlstad from Craigs list, bought a new cover, and scored the chaise in the 'AS IS' section of Ikea. So it was a DEAL!  And you know I love a DEAL!

Here are some pics of how the den turned out.

Again, with the grainy night photos, ugh!  Oh well, it gives you an idea.

Also I decided to DIY my own 'chandelier' and found a beaded plate from Home Goods that is the perfect size for my drum shade.

What do you all think of the overall den design?   I am super happy to have found that console this weekend for CHEAP!  Now I feel the room is complete, well, at least for now.