UP-DATED: Not to blow the budget!

It's March!!  And this month I'm working on: how not to blow the budget!!  No different than any other month but I'm excited to get things done and February extended the things to do list!

As you know I have recently had my patio screened in.  The idea is to be able to use it 360 days out the 365 days of the year.  I am figuring on about 5 days of too cold here during the winter, or maybe too hot during the day but comfortable enough at night to enjoy.

The most expense was the actually enclosing of the patio but someone locally, a neighbor, has done so many here, he did mine. So after that, putting it all together will be the next expense and can't break the budget.

Right now, I have been using resin furniture because it's been exposed to the elements, but I want to go more comfortable... and more living, den feeling, without losing the tropics.

The first expense, of decorating, was the curtains. They are shear and light enough to blow in the breeze BUT enough to give some privacy inside and out.  It makes a big difference not feeling like I am sitting in the middle of the (main) road!  Two shipments under $75.00!!

I will start with 2 free sample quarts, I got from ACE Hardware during a promotion, on the shed.  It will give me an idea of how the two colors will match.  After seeing the colors together, I will decide if they are the colors I want the "room" to be as well as the whole trailer.

Two beachy aquas and white trim... I'm liking how it looks!  I couldn't stand anymore because I had started cleaning out the shed.  It will be easy enough to start with paint and get it done.

UPDATE:  Shed front finished painting with two coats!  DONE!!

I have an area rug (indoor/outdoor) there for my seating area but I want to do wall-to-wall indoor/outdoor carpet as a base.  I wind up with 230 sq. ft. and looking at 3 different types of indoor/outdoor carpet I come up with  $180, $203, and $250 to cover the floor.  My biggest decision is color!  How crazy is that.

Found these at the dumpster and they are in great shape.  I think I decided on a sand color carpet!  FREE is great but the color and traditional style will last and work out well.

Next I will be checking out thrift stores again.  I want a futon or twin day bed (that I may be able to put together myself) and comfy chairs for lounging out there and something to use as a buffet for those things that I wouldn't have to go in and out for.

I'm going to make a railing looking like pilings with rope around it.  In my head, it seems easy enough.  And will take done my aluminum screen door and eventually replace with a wood screen door.

Of course, the list goes on, but this is where I start a new month.  I may not accomplish it all but that's my start.

Wishing you the best for a new month to do what makes you feel good and gets you closer to where you want to be.

loving my screened in patio!!

There is nothing like living in Florida and being able to enjoy the outside at any time.

From the time I moved in here, I have wanted a screened in patio....AND I finally have it!!  I am in love with it, very happy, very excited to spend days and nights just enjoying and looking forward to making it a comfy cozy hang out!

Right now, I am making due with what I have but I will be on the look out for comfy furniture for out there and will be bringing some of my furniture from inside to outside.  What I am thinking about is a futon or something like that for curling up for a nap. 

screened in

looking in from the outside

from the inside

softens up the view

Heidi enjoys the fresh air too

curtains all up...

I love the curtains!  They weren't exactly what I thought they were going to be, but they work, and the do what I want them to do without blocking the breeze.  I thought they were more of a fish net material, but they are actually more like (bridal) veiling. They come as a pair, and each panel is 98L x 110W.  The length was perfect and having worked as a 'window specialist' before, I had hoped that doubling the width would be enough but I wound up tripling it in the front and front sides, and left a single panel to pull across the doors when needed (at night).  Here is the link for IKEA LILL Sheer curtains, 1 pair.  I used 8 pair to do my patio and even with shipping twice, it was more affordable then anything else I could find.

Need to clean up a bit and set up for some coffee in the morning, some painting in the afternoon, and wine in the evening!   Stay tuned for some decorating!

Easy to-do from Nate's show

I am always looking for easy inexpensive ways to change things up.  I seem to want to tackle things that are harder, which is where I get frustrated because I usually don't have the tools I need.

 I usually watch The Nate Show on a daily basis.  It comes on CBS at 3 p.m. which is usually rest time.




Easy do-over ideas:

1. gift wrap over foam core boards cut to size for the back of bookcases, cabinets, drawers
2. ribbon around a lamp shade; I want to get about a 2 inch wide canvas ribbon to stencil on and update my living room shades
3. runner
4. paint...flat for walls and ceilings (Nate's pro) 2 coats
5. if redoing everything in a room: thrift wood furniture - easy to personalize and made to last.
6. no sew: wrap and tuck fabric, a sweater around a pillow and use a belt, ribbon, cord, rope to 'tie the package'
7. recover kitchen/dining room chair cushions with shower curtain; they are made to resist and clean up with damp cloth.

#1.  I didn't use foam core board on my bookcase but I like the idea and may just switch over, one of these days.  When I did this, I just laid the back on the floor, taped the maps and then nailed the back on.

#5.  I have found some great thrift finds as well as a couple of great dumpster finds.  They are made from wood and all have been sturdy enough, but wood can always be glued, nailed, reinforced, sanded and painted!

this wasn't more than $15 at SPCA Thrift; I covered it with maps of
Florida on the top, drawers and 2 sides. I wrapped the handles
with jute string.  Perfect storage in the bath room.

I had this.  It is now a stand for my printer.

I love how this turned out!
It's the drawer on printer table.

dumpster kitchen table
and thrift store chair $15







dumpster table



I had the lazy susan and painted it.

$1 at SPCA Thrift Store
It started off in the bathroom but now is
at home in the living room.

I will attempt to do this again and will follow the directions as I included in this post for you to follow:  Mistake...My attempt at decorative twine!    If you follow the directions, you can have the look of the first picture.  If one the other hand, you do what I did, you will wind up with something like the second picture!!

So there are some ideas to try, if you haven't already.  Most of all, have fun!  Have fun even when it doesn't turn out the way you expected!!

Home Decorating Ideas:

Photo: Rachel Been

 

I saw this article and wanted to share it with you.  You can also click the links below to see more.  As I read this list fast, I was coming up with my own suggestions and thought I'd comment as we go along.

Elaine Griffin, the author of Design Rules: The Insider's Guide to Becoming Your Own Decorator, shares her best tips for stretching your decor budget

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/home/Home-Decorating-Ideas-Elaine-Griffin-Making-Your-Budget-Last#ixzz21BLVQfWt

1. Search the Web for auctions and yard sales in your area. I've found that the best deals happen on rainy days, when everyone would rather be indoors and you'll face less competition.

Pat says:  While this is a good idea, don't forget your area thrift stores.  You will find wonderful things that with a little TLC can look and serve you better than new.  As much as I love all the chalk paints out there, I have used interior paint, exterior paint and acrylic paint to repaint furniture.  I shop at least once a month at my local SPCA Thrift Store because I know it goes to supporting the local SPCA Animal Adoption and Veterinary Clinic, and it my way of getting a great deal and supporting a cause I care about.

2. Create a perfectly sized area rug without breaking the bank. Any carpet dealer can cut and bind regular broadloom carpet to a custom size.

Pat says:  Great idea but I can't tell you what it would cost.  One idea again would be a thrift store.  I personally would spray for bugs (although I have never had problems with the things I have gotten from the SPCA) and shampoo it and dry before bring in.  Shop dollar stores and my local ACE Hardware had some reversible indoor/outdoor rugs very reasonable.  Paint a rug you already have.  I bought a couple of rag rugs for the kitchen and used duct tape on the underside to keep together and put it under my kitchen table.  Rip the tape of to throw in the laundry and tape up when dry.

3. Reglaze a worn-out bathtub instead of replacing it. Replacing a tub can cost more than $1,000, but a pro can reglaze your old one for a third the cost.

Pat says:  good idea but I  have no experience with it.

4. Go with simple lines when purchasing cheap furniture. Inexpensive pieces look tacky when they're overembellished.

Pat says:  I'm not sure what she means here.  It all depends on the style and what you love.  I have both styles of furniture and the more detail to distress, usually, the better it looks.  I'm sure you've seen beautiful pieces with curves and ornamental detail that have made you drool.

5. Invest in a leather club chair. It's classic, durable and cheaper than you might think. I've bought several on Overstock.com. 

Pat says:  OK.  I am kicking myself for passing up a butter soft leather chair and a half and matching ottoman!  Next time, ask for delivery.  SPCA delivers and there is no charge if they are also picking up.

6. Choose curtain rods no bigger than one inch in diameter. The goal is to showcase the curtains, not the rod. The Allen + Roth Sienna rod ($45; Lowes.com) has the right dimensions, an antiqued finish and cute brackets.

Pat says:  OK but don't limit yourself to just a decorative "rod".  Nautical design?  what about rope?  Tropical?  Bamboo stakes?  Modern?  plumbing pipes and fitting??  Or a tension rod so you don't see it at all?

7. Splurge on a lampshade, skimp on the lamp. A $10 base is fine, but buy a $50 shade to dress it up—that's the part people notice. 

Pat says:  This is the one that got me!!  How many times have you seen made over or embellished shades that  did not cost anywhere near $50?  I guess it depends on your clientele and/or audience!

8. Bargain-shop for glassware. You'll find glasses almost identical to the Ikea stemware collection that other retailers sell for up to ten times more.

Pat says:   Great idea, however, I don't have an Ikea store close by.  I have found some great glasses that are heavy enough for everyday use at the Dollar Tree and the thrift store.  To dress them up, you can paint them and if you goof or break, you don't have to cry!!   I even got green cactus style margarita glasses that I use for shells and candles outside. 

Read more: http://www.oprah.com/home/Home-Decorating-Ideas-Elaine-Griffin-Making-Your-Budget-Last#ixzz21BKrLmsy