Guest Post: Jamie's Five Top Tips for Beautiful Design on a Budget

When today's guest poster Jamie from [Kreyv] falls for a decorative accessory for her home that's out of her budget she doesn't let the price tag stop her from getting what she craves, she makes her own DIY version. Today Jamie will be sharing five of her top tips for creating a envy-inducing home on a budget.

The lovely Jamie

Number One: Do. It. Yourself.

My number one tip for beautiful design on a budget is to do it yourself. There is SO much you can do yourself...just know your limitations. Unfortunately, I can't build, and I can't sew, but there's A LOT I can do with some paint and a glue gun! My diy motto is, "How hard can it be?" Sometimes this backfires, trust me, but there are lots of things I've made that I not only love, but that are one of a kind. On the flip side, there are TONS of projects that have already been made, so copy them! You know you like it, you know it works, and you have the instructions. Go for it!

My sunburst mirror. Tutorial from Isabella & Max.

Burlap Message Boards from Ballard Designs---much cheaper to diy!

Tip Number Two: Switch It, Change It, Rearrange It

Change things up in your home. Move rugs, rearrange furniture, trade pillows, switch accessories...you get the point! Changing what you already have will feed your need for change and keep your house new and fresh. Little changes can make a big difference.

Switching rugs, pillows, and throws throughout your home is a great way to change things up

Adding nailhead trim is an inexpensive way to add character to furniture and change the look.

Number Three: Think Outside the Box

Be creative! Use unconventional materials to create art. Almost anything can be hung on a wall! You'd be surprised at how many great things you can find at the hardware store...there is a lot of inspiration in isles of The Home Depot! It's all about mixing high with low.

Using a $30 door instead of a canvas is an inexpensive way to create big impact.

Framing paper, fabric, or even moss (as pictured above) adds color, texture, and interest to a room.

Number Four: Shop Your Home

I used to get bugged when I would hear people say, "Shop your home," as if I had some a secret room of forgotten decor. But, it's true, you can find a lot in your own home that can either be tweaked or redesigned all together. Remember, think outside the box!

Add painted plywood to add change to a print or portrait.

Shop your home for frames and other items that can be added to a gallery wall.

Number Five: Paint It

My final tip for beautiful decor on a budget is to make paint your friend! It's amazing how far a can of white spray paint can go! It can totally transform just about anything.

License Plate Art

Bottle Bud Vases

Thank you, Karen for having me on your blog today! I hope you all got some ideas and/or inspiration. Hope to see you over at [kreyv]!


If you like what you see here be sure to check out Jamie's series "So Cheap, So Easy". Thanks for sharing Jamie!

I'm Backkkk....and Affordable Art Inspired by HGTV

I know, I know, you thought I fell off the face of the blogging world, but that's not so. I seriously was going through a dry spell inspiration-wise and with the holiday ca-raziness I needed that extended break. That said, on to the post....

Have you checked out the HGTV Dream Home yet? I'm so delusional that I really think it's my year to win and you're all invited to the house warming. The room I'd spend the most time in is the great room. Kudos to designer Linda Woodrum. One of the first things I noticed was the grouping over the fireplace. How easy would it be to recreate the look over the fireplace on a budget by framing fabric in ready made frames? If you're willing to spend a little more and want an nearly identical interpretation, check out prints from Art.com that have a very similar look:




For those of us with two story great rooms finding art that looks in scale with the room's proportions can prove to be very expensive-that's why I still don't have anything hanging over my fireplace since I had my room painted last March. (I know, pathetic, right?) A tight grouping like this might be my answer. Now if I could just nail down the color palette I want for that room I might make some progress.

This is how my room looked prior to the holidays.

Could this be the solution for my bare walls? What do you think would work best with my dark brown walls, black, white or silver frames with bright white mats?

Shop All Year for Holiday Decor

Personalized stockings from Ballard Designs were an after holiday purchase in 2010. They were practically giving them away.

If you want to spend a ton of money on Christmas decorations hit the malls in October or early November when nothing is on sale, but if saving money is your goal, shop year round for items to add to your collection of holiday decor.

You do not, I repeat, do not need to get up at 4:00 AM the day after Christmas to find holiday decorations on clearance. I like to wait several weeks to hunt for bargains. I found dozens of ornaments at Michael's last year for 90% off by following this strategy.

Bargain ornaments were used to fill apothecary jars and glass bowls that I placed throughout the house.

Consignment shops and thrift stores are exceptionally good spots for picking up bargains on Christmas decorations year round. Plenty of donations are made to thrift stores immediately following the holidays when people are packing up their decorations. But don't forget, lots of us do a major purge as part of our spring cleaning or to get ready for a summer garage sale.

Over the summer I spotted the brass vases seen on the top shelf for $6 at a consignment store. I specifically bought them to pull out for the holidays.

If vintage holiday decor is your style be sure to hit your favorite antique malls shortly following the holidays. You're likely to see plenty of charming vintage ornaments and baubles to use for years to come.

Country Living

Last year I picked up my new favorite decoration, a silver nutcracker, at my favorite antique mall. The price? $3. I love that little guy!

Discount stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Stein Mart, Home Goods and Tuesday Morning carry blingy accessories year round. It might not be what you want for every day, but a bit of shine and sparkle is a necessity for the holidays, right? Mercury glass, a must have for the holidays, is one of the easiest things to pick up at discounted prices at these type of stores.

TJ Maxx always has a selection of mercury glass pieces beginning in early fall. I found a set of chunky candlesticks for $14.99. (I'll be using these all year long!)

A final note, save yourself time and gas by shopping for after holiday bargains online. That gorgeous tree skirt or tinsel tree you were coveting in December might be on sale in January.

Do you have a story about a favorite holiday decoration score? I'd love to hear about it.

A Sweet Welcome

Via Pinterest

Whenever I entertain during the holidays or the winter months I like to offer guests a piping hot drink when they arrive. My go-to drink has always been hot mulled cider, but after seeing so many ideas for creating a hot chocolate bar I just might need to break with tradition.

I'd offer a variety of toppings and stir-ins

Via Pinterest




Via Pinterest

Marshmallow snowmen would be a hit with younger guests.

Chocolate dipped marshmallows would be a must have for my hot chocolate bar.

Good Housekeeping

I'd give guests the option to stir their hot chocolate with an edible stirrer.

DeliciousDelicousDelocious.blogspot.com

Could there be a more perfect dessert for my hot chocolate bar than these hot chocolate cupcakes from The Cupcake Blog?

No one would mind going out in the cold if they were sent home with a sweet parting gift, dark hot chocolate mix

All of these images make me want to host a party as an excuse to have a hot chocolate bar. Let's think...

-Neighborhood cookie exchange

-Post ice skating party

-Tree trimming party

-Cookie decorating party

-Football party

-After Christmas movie marathon





Can you think of any other occasions that might call for a hot chocolate bar?

Gray Skies Go Away!

The tree is trimmed, the stockings are hung by the chimney with care, but the combination of a marginal camera and overcast weather is preventing me from getting a decent shot. I promise to post pics as soon as the sun starts shining.

Hope you have fun plans this weekend.

Have Yourself a Healthy Little Christmas

You hear the same story this time every year: The average American puts on 5-7 lbs during the holiday season. It's hard not to what with the trays of Christmas cookies at the office, fried appetizers and egg nog at the neighbor's holiday open house and Grandma's special pecan pie on Christmas Eve. Nothing but junk food every time you turn around. This year arm yourself with a few go to festive recipes that you can bring to holiday gatherings or serve at your own celebration so that you'll have options when you get to the buffet.

Top zucchini rounds with a slice of tomato, sprinkle with a small amount of blue cheese then bake until cheese melts.

Reader's Digest

Try Bite Sized Greek Salad

Nestle olives in a wreath of rosemary

Traditional Christmas colors highlight this healthy black bean salad.

Arrange assorted cheese cubes in the shape of a Christmas tree and embellish with herbs.

Trick the kiddies into eating their veggies this season with this fun snack: Sugar snap peas boughs, a cheese star and a pretzel trunk.

Canadian Family

Now if only someone would come up with a zero calorie gingerbread cookie we'd be all set!

*Images via Pinterest unless otherwise noted.

Choosing a Color Palette for Holiday Decorations

Red and green may be the traditional colors for Christmas decorations but if you plan to keep them up for 5-6 weeks it makes sense to select decorations that won't clash with the current color palette in your rooms.

Last year my black and white furniture set the tone for my holiday decorating.

A few shots of red were included to give my great room a holiday feel.

Having updated our great room with dark chocolate brown paint on the walls and white fabric on the chairs, traditional Christmas colors aren't appealing to me this year.





A few visits to Pinterest have given me plenty of inspiration for a new color palette for this year's holiday season.





























This year I'm be warming up my room for the holidays with silver, gold and white decorations. I'm still putting the finishing touches on my decorations and plan to share within the week.

Do you decorate to compliment your home's color scheme?