O Tannenbaum...

 
Remember when I vowed to recreate this beautiful tree garland from Pottery Barn? 





Only I wanted to do it for a fraction of the cost? Well, I have been on a bit of an organizing, decorating, crafting frenzy and made them. They are not quite the quality of the Pottery Barn version...but they only cost me the price of a spool of ribbon: $4. One difference: I stamped out the verses from The Night Before Christmas:








(Oops! I think I forgot to add the word through!)
 
I have also been up to some other creative endeavours. I made something really great (at least I think so) for my sister's new kitchen and I will show it to you after I gift it to her on Friday. Again, it was a very budget friendly remake of an expensive find from a well-known store. As long as she can look past imperfection, she should like it!


I am having a lot of fun changing up my decor this year. 
I decided to go with a vintage Santa theme in the dining area this year. 

Because Christmas should be fun...and appeal to kids of all ages!


And when I look at that last photo, I wish I could ask Santa to bring me a decent camera!!

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Head on over to Kate's to see what others are crafting!
Source URL: https://threemoonsevolving.blogspot.com/search/label/budget%20decorating
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Anthro Hack!

(image: George Marks: Getty Images)


Everyone loves Anthropologie, including me. But not everyone can afford to shop there, including me.
Because the nearest Anthro is a plane ride away from me, I don`t have to be tempted too often.
I told you about my first ever visit to the store here, and believe it or not, I am still waiting to hang my $24 tea towel in just the right spot. And when I say hang, I mean as art. Because who buys $24 tea towels to actually use?


So, the whole concept of not being able to buy the cool things they offer really got me thinking. Everything one has a twin somewhere, we all know that. And if people can have clones, then so can beautiful products.
Now, I am not going to try to convince the die-hard Anthropologie faithfuls. And those who sniff at decorating with knock-offs will sniff at my hack job. But for the rest of us, who make it our mission to achieve stylish looks for less, we can have just as much fun saving our money!


Anthro Hack #1


Take these two gorgeous pair of boots...






and meld them into this pair:





Both pairs of Anthro boots are over $200 each. And trust me, I would LOVE to own the first pair with the ruffles. Love them so much my husband even encouraged me to get them. But I found these at Target.


Leather? No. But they are gorgeous and masquerade as distressed leather and I love the orange along the zipper. And they cost $35!! For someone who doesn't wear boots all that often, they are a happy compromise.



What else does Target have? Well, I love this bedding from Anthropologie, but again the price is steep.





So I rooted around on the Target website and found this bedding:





I actually saw this bedding on the shelves of Target and the quality is nice. The Dwell line is great and Anthro fans might also enjoy the Liberty of London line:



I also found this sweater on the New York and Company website:





Tell me it is not prettier than this one from Anthropologie:





And don't get me started on Ruche, where you can get crazy-beautiful clothing that gives Anthropologie a serious run for its money! Priced reasonably, their clothing and website will amaze you!


(And no, I am not being paid for any of my recommendations. I am simply calling it as I see it!)
Source URL: https://threemoonsevolving.blogspot.com/search/label/budget%20decorating
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Moving Backwards...

(My new blue chairs, embellished with number decals from the fabulous Leen, the Graphics Queen!!)


I have had a style epiphany of sorts. It seems that at a time in my life when I should be seeking out quality and making furniture investments, I am doing a bit of a backslide. I read many blogs where they are purchasing "quality pieces for their home" and mulling over each buying decision with as much thought as they plan their retirements. Cheaper make-do furnishings are being given away or sold to make room for newer, more permanent, quality additions.


So. what is wrong with me?


Even if I could spend the kind of money to purchase "better," I am not sure that I would. With two teen-age sons, university costs are looming and, technically, I am not "there" just yet. It seems silly to wander furniture stores when real-life expenses like that are almost upon us.


But that's not the point.


This picture (I bought it from from Kiki and Polly.com) depicts me in this time of my life:







Need/Want, need/want, need want...


Sure, as someone who sees many things I like, I have pangs to actually go out and get them. But I have matured in some ways and realize that just because I want something doesn't mean I need it...or deserve it.


And then there is the simple fact that I am pretty fickle when it comes to style. I can easily become lured in by a beautiful object, fabric or piece of furniture and it can set me to daydreaming about change. Luckily, budget and good old common sense can keep it in check for the most part, but I LIKE CHANGE!


So, even if I could spend $300 (or more) on a chair for my dining table, well, I need six!
And then what happens when I get tired of that look and want or need change?


I think IKEA is the place for people like me. Sure, there is a snobbery to some that IKEA is for college students or those on a tight budget...those who don't crave quality.


But I say this: sometimes quality is (dare I say it?) boring. Maybe not at first, when its shapely form or plush fabric seduces you from across a room. But let's face it. The shine comes off everything after a while and becomes vegetable lasagna.  And I haven't been disappointed by an IKEA piece, yet!


So what have I done?


I have embraced my inner college student and stored my perfectly fine but perfectly boring (read, unstylish) dining chairs and bought these $20 cuties from IKEA, in the softest shade of blue!



Seriously fun and sturdy, they can be easily cast aside and put to use elsewhere in my home when I fall for the charms of something else.


Something better? More quality, perhaps?


We'll see.


For now, I will go back to my flower and the want/need approach to decorating. Some things are worth the wait, for sure, and some things are just good, cheap fun!
Source URL: https://threemoonsevolving.blogspot.com/search/label/budget%20decorating
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High, Low, you should go!

In  case you haven't heard, I LOVE Homesense/Homegoods. While shopping there last weekend I discovered these beautiful mother of pearl cabinet knobs. At $7 for a package of four, I remarked to my mother that they look like hardware you'd find at Anthropologie. I scooped up every package and replaced my former hardware (crystal knobs which I still love) and am happy to have an easy, inexpensive make-over.


(Beware, poor quality photos ahead)


(before):

(after):


And what do you know? While perusing Anthro's website last night, I decided to check out their cabinet hardware. What did I find?


Wait for it...


MY knobs...at $12 for ONE knob!!!


A savings of $41/ package of four!


I'm sorry, Anthropologie.
I love you... but I love Homesense more!!!
Source URL: https://threemoonsevolving.blogspot.com/search/label/budget%20decorating
Visit Future Design Interior for daily updated images of art collection