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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Decorating on a {tight} budget

As of lately, John and I have decided that for many reasons we {this family} should become a little lot more aware of how we spend the money God allows us to make.  No doubt my husband works very hard to provide for his family and thankfully he supports me and my heart to stay home with our children.  So with only one income we don't always get to "keep up with the Joneses'" as they say.  Now, we certainly are not deprived in any way. We have a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, wheels that roll, food in our bellies, and plenty of "things" that are not necessaties. As I've said before, we are blessed. 

 {And for a little side-note:::sometimes the best blessings are not things}.

Back to my story....I feel that God has impressed upon my heart to be more content.  To offer more opportunity for blessing others.  To not be "in debt" to our own desires {much less the creditors}, but to live in pure joy and contentment with our lives just as they are.


Do you know how hard that is sometimes?

Being conservative is much more work than spending freely.  It's a constant battle with your mind and your "wanter".  You know, none of us necessarily like the word, No.
Saying no to self is a job in and of itself :)

{Read Between Me & You and The Inspired Room . Both have just recently posted some great posts on this same subject.}


With that being said, I have a small confession to make::: I am a junk-store junkie and I love to decorate;)

Okay, for some that was not a secret but anyway....

So I am now a junk-store junkie decorating on a {tight} budget! 

I have found that it can be kinda fun to hunt for the bargains.  Makes it a little more entertaining.  And I do like a good deal.

 But..........

Another confession::: I am a perfectionist.  Decorating {or anything for that matter} on a budget doesn't always work too well when having to stay within the budget.  Especially for a perfectionist.

The reality is, keeping myself in check helps to control the perfectionist in me and "makes" me accept things the way they are.  So see, it's all good ;)

So, here we are....a house decorated on a {tight} budget....
Welcome:::

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That little bistro table and chairs were free. Yup. {I'll tell you a little more about the free part later}. I love them and they fit perfectly on my teeny-weeny front porch, so we are happy.


I've mentioned before how much I l-o-v-e a fireplace.  And that I've dreamed about one since I got married and had a house of my own.  Unfortunately I have no fireplace and I'm not seeing one in the budget any time soon.  But I do have a beautiful mantel.  And for now I can handle that.  It's just perfect for those Christmas stockings that will be hung soon. We'll add the fire part to it one day.

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This is probably a good time to make yet another confession:::  Remember the free table and chairs on the porch? I have a really sweet friend that is the most generous and precious person I know, and without her I would not be blessed with a lot of my "stuff". So thank you Ms. Treba {I mean Treva}. We love you! You are the best!} The beautiful mantel belonged to her as well. She added those awesome corbels and I added a coat of paint to it.

The window and shutters were also given to me from Treva.  See, I told you she is precious!

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This is it for now.....not exactly 'right', but Christmas is coming and those stockings will be hung and some fresh greenery.  Cannot wait!

I was noticing as I took these pictures, that nothing in this room has been purchased {at full price}, since we have been married except the two end tables and lamps.

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This table used to be under the TV.  It also has a story. It belonged to my granny and is over 100 years old. 

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Now, it is sitting in my bedroom.

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Speaking of my bedroom.....

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See that empty space above the bed....I need an idea.

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I cannot figure out what needs to go there.

{the white chest- a junkstore find-$25; the bookshelves- given to me by another sweet friend; the bed, armoire, and chest of drawers-bought by husband before "I Do" so paid for by him; the nightstands-made by my father-in-law; the nightstand table cloths-made by my mother-in-law; the lamps-need new ones; the ficus tree-given to us.}

The kitchen:::

This was such a fun project.   Can you hear the sarcasm in my voice?

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To save $$$, we decided that we would paint the cabinets ourselves.  Oh. my. goodness.  What. a. big. job! I am glad {now that it's all over} that we saved the money.  They are definitely not professional quality so don't look closely, but they are white and bright.  And. Done.  And I have loved them so far.  And the best part::: the entire kitchen project done for around $300.

Before:::

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After:::

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{I love this verse}

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{the table and chairs for the kid's coloring spot- junkstore- $20 for everything.}
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Before:::

The eating area:::


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After:::

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{the kitchen table-purchased at the junkstore for the same price that I sold the old kitchen table!}

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{the table-given to me by my sweet, sweet friend-the same one that gave me the mantel, etc... the chair- purchased at the junkstore for $10}}

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Laundry room:::

This is still a work in progress, but I'll give you a preview.

Before:::

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I called it the dungeon.  You can see why.

After:::

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{another gift from my friend}

There's more projects going on around here, but I've run out of time.  I'll be back. 


8 comments:

LeAnne said...

Everything looks great!

Ketcham Family said...

so great beth! hope you guys are doing well. we miss everyone so much! i put our wedding invitation in a frame above our bed... just as a reminder every night of the promise I made to my husband. so simple, but has meant so much to me. just an idea...

how is mother's day out and bible study?? i miss it... right now we are all at home all the time... so i miss it :) but emmy is precious and the boys are loving being home with her.

i can relate so much to this post and the fight to be discipline, yet wanting to create a beautiful home. i too like pretty things! it can be done though and your pics are proof!! so unique and special. thanks for sharing!!!

Nan said...

Wonderful transformations!!! Happy Birthday,I love you,

Mama

Anonymous said...

Looks great!! Wish I was as good and you and my little sister! One question?? What did you do with your children?? They destroy my house in point two seconds. I don't see how you keep it that clean!!! Love you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Mamy

Beth said...

Thanks LeeAnne!

Hey Jama! Soooo good to hear from you! MDO is still going {thank GOD}! I really do need it;) And Bible Study is great! I am so thankful to have it and all my sweet, sweet friends there:) Miss you! So thankful that everything has worked out well for y'all and you got your precious baby girl!!!! Awesome!


Mama- Thank you and in case you were trying to figure out what kind of cake to make me....I would like a strawberry one! Thank you much Mama! Love you~

Mamy--we will always be glad to help you out. And what did I do with my children? I'm not sure. I just NEVER sit down! Literally!!

Amy said...

Beth your house looks so great and is SO CLEAN!!!! Wow I wish mine was that clean!! I am a perfectionist also and I know exactly what you mean, it is tough! Love the pictures, the mantel looks great!

Beth said...

Thank you Amy! And your house is as cute as it can be! I loved what you had done to it:) And the clean part----that is what you call OCD. It is a CURSE not a compliment! I am praying hard that I can overcome it!!

Polly said...

fabulous makeovers, especially the laundry room and kitchen cabinets!