I had planned to spend all weekend working on holiday crafts and decorating. But I came down with a sinus infection on Friday, and spent the whole day Saturday in bed. I'm feeling better today, but although I managed to get the house in some semblance of order; I'm behind on all my projects. It seems like no matter how hard I try to get my life organized, something always comes up to throw a wrench in my plans!
So although I don't have anything finished to show you yet, I wanted to tell you about a challenge I came up with for myself: Since I decided to switch my decor scheme from primarily maroon and jewel tones to white, silver and green this year, I knew I was going to have to get some new pieces to mix in with the silver and white pieces I already have.
But being the cheap ... er... thrifty gal I am, I decided to see what I could come up with just using things I bought at a thrift store or a dollar store.
This is what I found at the Dollar Tree:
Two little white wreaths, silver ribbon and bows, a silver brush tree, plastic white and silver ornaments, faux snow, mini silver packages, two glass candle dishes, a green plastic bowl, a clear plastic bowl, some tea lights and some taper candles.
This is what I bought at my favorite local thrift store:
Silver tinsel garland, a baggie of silver snowflakes, two rolls of ribbon, silver beads, and some glass pieces.
And this is what I bought at Goodwill.
Two bunches of silk poinsettias, two candlesticks, a long tall vase, and a candle holder.
I have some ideas, but I don't know exactly what I'm going to end up doing with my finds. So check back and see what I come up with!
Before I start putting up the holiday decorations I want to finally show you my dining room make-over. It may have taken me since last spring, but at least I got it done in time for Thanksgiving!
Here's how it looked before.
I liked the color on the walls, but with the darker furniture and the fact that we don't get a lot of light, the room just always seemed dark to me. I wanted to lighten and brighten it up.
So I hit Craigslist and painted my little heart out. You've seen most of the pieces as I've done them, but here they are all together.
I've whined posted about all the issues with the table a couple of times. I ended up painting the top, and I'm still not sure I'm done with it. I may change the color a bit. But it's staying like this at least through the end of the year.
I got the table (with four leaves!) and four chairs for $40. The chairs were painted in ASCP in old white, and I recovered the seats with drop cloths. The head chairs I bought on Craigslist for $15 a piece!
The china cabinet is the same one I had, I just painted it.
I moved this table from the foyer into the dining room.
The console and mirror were CL finds. The mirror was gold, and I painted it white. You can see the console before here.
I didn't paint everything ... I didn't want everything "matchy-matchy." I kept the wood frame on the large mirror, and the little shelves where I display some bud vases and bottles.
So that's it! It's a big change, and I'm pretty happy with it. But you know what the best thing about it is? I actually made money on this makeover!! I sold our old dining room table and chairs (on Craigslist), for more than I paid for all the furniture and supplies I bought for the redo.
Sharing at:
Miss Mustard Seed: Furniture Feature Friday
French Country Cottage: Feathered Nest Friday
Coastal Charm: Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
My Repurposed Life: Catch as Catch Can
Between Naps on the Porch: Metamorphis Monday
Primitive & Proper: Piece of Work Wednesday
Thank-you to you all for entering my giveaway! I'm now up to 115 followers; plus, thanks to Laura from Cottage & Broome I was able to access the number of email followers which is 139. Woo hoo! I know there are some duplicates on the two lists, but I feel like an official blogger now--with people actually reading me!
But you don't really care about that, do you? You just want to see if you won something!
So, here we go. All comments on the giveaway post were entered into a random drawing ...
Third Place Winner, of $20 to spend at my Etsy store Mr. P's Emporium, goes to Tammy. Tammy doesn't have a blog and didn't leave an email, but her comment said: "Hi! Recently started following you because, I too, am a craigslist junkie! Keep up the good work!" So if that's you, send me an email so we can coordinate your prize!
Second Place Winner - of Design Sponge at Home by Grace Bonney is Rosemary of VillaBarnes.
Grand Prize Winner - of a $50 Gift Certificate to Michaels is Cassie of Primitive & Proper.
Congratulations to you all!
Just a quick reminder -- the winner for my giveaway will be drawn on Friday. Don't miss your chance to win one of three great prizes! Info here.
