My $2 Side Table

I found this vintage side table at a yard sale last year. It was from the side of an old vanity. When the seller said it was $2, I knew I had to snag it! 

I wish I would have taken a before pic. It had a really cool art deco design. I tried to find a way to save the design, but couldn't think of anything. So I painted it matte black and roughed it up a bit. Those nobs are original too! Love them!

I want to put an old sign on the side. Guess I will have to wait till I find the right one. I thought about painting a sign on the side, but I really want an old rusty metal one. And the search continues...

Finished Foyer (Almost)

So it has taken me quite a while to finish my foyer. Mostly because I don't like to paint walls. (It had an awful faux finish that made it look kinda dirty.) I've put it off till I couldn't stand it anymore! I do that quite often. NOW, It is painted and somewhat decorated. I say "somewhat" because I probably will add more once I find the perfect pieces, as in, the right shape, color, and size pieces.

Anyways, I am writing this post to tell you about a great website where you can print off high-quality nature paintings for free!

John James Audubon was an amazing artist who painted all kinds of birds in a very natural and eye-catching way. I just looove his style! All you have to do to print these great paintings to to subscribe to the email list. Easy peasy! Here is the link . . .  https://www.audubon.org/birds-of-america

I used two of his paintings in my foyer and I will probably use more around the house.

NOW on to the items I chose and their budget-friendly prices! I like to share the price of things I've found so you can see that it is so easy to decorate on a budget. Just be patient and keep searching. You WILL find great things you can use to decorate with! Everything in this foyer was under $12 each! Check out this list...

1. Picture frames - $7 each from Ikea
2. Vintage Sewing table - $10 (It got a fresh coat of paint too)
3. Refurbished Lamp - $12
4. Yard Sale Orchid(faux) - $2 
5. 1/2 off Wreath - $12
6. Yard sale rug - $3 (Threw it into the washer. Good as new.)
7. Coat Stand (not pictured) - $10
8. Bird Prints - Free
9. I got the basket and violin case at an estate sale. I don't remember the cost, but I know they weren't over $10.
10. Woven Bag - Had it for years and can't remember the cost. It was stored in a closet.

I accumulated all these things over 6 months or so. Patients and persistence is the key. I'll post more pics when it is completely finished. At least it is pleasing to look at, for now. 

Tip - That empty violin case hides the lamp cord and outlet. 

Replacing Cheap Door Knobs

New Vintage Knobs

After living in our new house for a few weeks we realized that the door knobs were cheap. Zach had to rig them up with some duck tape inside just so we can use them properly. WHAT A HASSLE!

We found the same door knobs online, which were about $17 a piece. Cheaply priced, cheaply made. Then we found the good quality ones that we need to fit the door properly. $70 BUCKS EACH! Zach kept telling me to buy one every month till they were all replaced, but I couldnt bring myself to do it. I am a cheapo and we need nine door knobs total. 9 x $70 = $630 JUST FOR DOOR KNOBS!

I waited and waited. I started getting stuck in the bathrooms and the boys rooms, because they were falling apart. Once when I got stuck in the bathroom, I had to unscrew the knob plate with my tweezers. At least my two boys (5 and 18 months) were with me and I didn't have to worry about their well-being. lol Wow. This is kinda funny as I am writing all of this down.

Anyways, Zach kept telling me to buy the $70 ones. "No!" I said, "You are just going to have to push that Buy button, cause I can't do it." Zach got on Ebay and started to look at vintage/antique knobs. We found two for $30 total! YAY! Zach installed them, and they are great! They work perfectly and look old. WIN WIN!

So all of our door knobs will be different, which gives our house just a little bit more personality.

I'm the Worst Blogger Ever!

Mr. Owl

OMG! I really am the worst blogger ever! But I don't know if I consider myself a blogger. I guess I feel like I have not earned the right to be called a blogger. I feel that way about most titles. Like "mom", I am a mom, but I don't feel like I deserve to be a mom. Gees! What am I talking about. Lets save the deep conversations for later!

I have not written in ages. I guess life just got crazy hot and you were put on the back burner. Sorry about that! 

Anywho, we moved! YAY! We were going to move to Tampa, FL, but things just didn't fall into place so we decided to stay in Georgia. BUT! We bought a new house and we loooove it! Enough updating you on all this moving stuff...

Living room. Its coming along.

VINTAGE! That is what you are here for right?! Our vintage shop is still on "vacation" since the move. We have not had time to set it up and organize it all yet. :(

I started decorating the new abode with, of course, vintage favorites. I am going for rustic Pottery Barn. I'm hacking, obviously. ("hack" definition- going for that look, but on a more economical scale) It is taking some time to get things decorated like I want, but it is starting to look more like a home now. And I just love looking around as I am writing and seeing pretty things that I enjoy. That is most important, you know. ENJOYING what you decorate with. My motto when shopping is "When in doubt, throw it out." I learned this saying when I was a little girl, and it has really helped me syphon out the bad. 

In the kitchen.

So next time you go out shopping use this motto! "When in doubt, Throw it out!"

Lennon's Vintage Camping Nursery

So the theme for Lennon's room is "Vintage Camping". I love how it turned out. Unique and repurposed. My inspirational piece for this room was the rustic rocking chair and stool. I bought it in Florida long before Lennon was even thought of. Can you believe I got it at a thrift store in excellent condition for only 50 bucks? Score!

A lot of the items in the room I had around the house. And others items, Zach and I put together. Zach made me that wonderful bookshelf. I was inspired by one I saw on Pinterest, and Zach just whipped it up. He just knows exactly what I envision. I love that about him. Anyways, I painted some stripes on the paddles and the finishing touch was the map hung by some rope.

Almost everything in this room was used, except the curtains, rug, and a few decor items. The used items I bought from thrift stores, estate sales, and yard sales. It just came together so easily, with some help from Pinterest. :)

Zach The Craftsman

I knew Zach was creative and talented when we got married, but the things he can do with wood are amazing! I am not being biased; this is fact!

He makes me all sorts of things. I know he loves me or maybe he just loves making things, both I think.

Women...here's a tip to get your significant other to make things for you:
1. Ask nicely, with maybe a kiss.
2. Show him pictures of your ideas. Really inspire and encourage him. Get him excited!
3. Ask him what ideas he has and how he would put it together. Show interest in the construction. Men love to show off their smarts and skills.

This is not manipulation, ladies. It is creatively inspiring your man to show off his manliness.

Anyways, here are the things Zach has made. I helped with the design parts and a little painting.

Oak Coffee Table to match my Farmhouse Table

Children's Bookshelf

Measuring Cup Holder

Rustic Farmhouse Table and Matching Bench (He made this for someone, and I wanted to keep it soooo bad)