House of Basil

I love finding new ways to display items that I use everyday so they are easy to grab but still make a design statement. I simply put the basil plant from Trader Joe's inside the birdhouse and Viola! A creative way to display every day items.

Rustic French Guest Bedroom

Since most of my friends live close by, I rarely get to host guests overnight. But when my friends from Tennessee or the coast come, I get giddy preparing for their arrival! Last night I worked on a 30 minute stencil project with a sheer pearl/champagne faux finish damask accent on the back wall. It is so subtle, yet so pretty! Little thoughtful touches like this really make a room custom and designer-worthy. The bed and chandelier are both from Craigslist ($50 each), and my next project is refinishing the cherry posts to a rustic whitewash to match the woodwork on the chair.

 

The stencil was purchased at Michaels craft store for about $15! I have used it in multiple craft projects since I bought it about a year ago, so I have definitely gotten my money's worth!

The sconces were purchased at Ross several years ago and I glazed them with a copper distressing to make them match the Thomasville chandelier.

 

 

 The stencil catches your eye as you walk by and draws you into the room.

 

 

Design Your Budget-Use Your Smartphone!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/108256107/on-sale-now-bling-swarovski-crystal?ref=v1_other_2

I'm all about saving money, but I refuse to spend 2 hours a day clipping coupons to save 15 cents here and a dollar there. My time is worth money. There is one luxury I pay for every month that I don't flinch on because I know it pays for itself many times over throughout the month: My iPhone! If you know how to use it, you can save 15-20% without even trying! I should really keep track, but I probably save an average of $10 per day,(yes, per DAY!) just by Googling coupons.

Google: When you're in line at the store, simply Google "[store name]coupon" and voila! Sites like RetailmeNot.com and FatWallet.com will come up with all kinds of coupons, and the cashier can scan the barcode at the register!

Apps: Coupon apps like the "Coupon Sherpa" have saved me a ton! Just in the last week, I've received a free frozen yogurt, 25% off Ashley furniture, $10 off of $50 at Babies R Us, $10 off of $30 at Bath & Body Works, and $10 off of $20 at Macaroni Grill.
The app "Red Laser" is great for telling what things are really worth, so you know if you are getting a good deal or not. I use this a lot for wines when I haven't heard of the brand. Simply scan the barcode with your phone, and it will display a list of places you can buy it with the price at each place.

Leave a comment about easy ways that you save money from your smart phone!

P.S. How cute is this phone case from Cellcaseworks?!?!
 

Trick or Treat!

For someone who doesn't care for Halloween, I still try to be a little festive for the neighbor kids... Simple, fun projects brought my front porch from the Grinch of Hallow's Eve to an autumn wonderland! I stenciled damask onto pumpkins and glitter glued a spider web! Easy peasy pumpkin tower! Mixed with a $5 garage sale gate and some cheap hydrangeas I'll plant to bloom for next year, it's a Happy Halloween at the Roberts' house!!

Black Powder Room

 

My long-neglected half bath has finally gotten a makeover! After having an entire great room painted black in my last house, I really missed the drama. I went with a flat black with a gloss black stencil, and I am so happy with the results!

 

I love my silver leaf lion head vase I got at the Lamps Plus clearance sale! I've seen these for hundreds of dollars at high end furniture stores, but I got this one for $9.99! Soooo over the top, but so is the whole bathroom. Sometimes you just have to go big when you go home :)

 

The lamps were a HomeGoods purchase for $19.99 each. I'm a sucker for anything with metallic and mirror.

 I'll be honest, the stenciling sucked... It took me a total of 8 hours to paint and stencil! This did not include painting the moulding afterward... I used the Marrakech Trellis stencil from the Moroccan collection.

Before...

After...

Wrought Iron Doors

What's the first thing people see when they walk into your house? For me, it is my glass office doors. Pretty, but BOOOOOORIIIIIIING!!!! I spruced them up last weekend with $40 wrought iron gates from HomeGoods, and I am so happy with the results!!!

 

                       

 

This was the best before picture I could find... Bad blogger!

 I had brackets made at a sheet metal shop(thanks Dad!) and painted them with an acrylic faux finish to make them disappear.

 I simplified the accessories so you could appreciate the beauty of the gate. Love!

A fraction of the cost of custom doors, 20 minutes to install(Thanks, Bubby!), and seductive, high end results.

 

"Wrought Iron" Garden Art

I've been looking for inexpensive iron art for my fence along a large stretch of grass on the side yard. When I came across this outdoor rubber floor mat for $6 at one of my favorite discount stores, I was sold! A little construction adhesive to attach a $2 wooden letter from Michael's, and wha-la! "Wrought iron" garden art!!