~A Little Bling~

While I go for my morning runs I love to think and plan out projects, my day and anything else that may be going on. I have been trying to find something unique to place in a small ornate square frame I bought for my daughter's bedroom at Winners (TJ Maxx in the US) a few months ago. I had a lightbulb moment while my feet were hitting the pavement this morning. 

And this is what I came up with...

a little bling for her room. 

All that was needed was a frame (with the glass removed), a piece of black linen and batting. I wrapped the fabrics around the glass and then inserted it back into the frame. The back cover was put back on, the brooch pinned in place and...

Voila!

I love how the brooch echoes the lines of the mirror I found!

Visiting:

Frugal Friday @ Shabby Nest

Frugalicious Fridays @ Finding Fabulous

SNS@Funky Junk Interiors

DIY Day@ A Soft Place to Land

Transformation Thursdays @ Shabby Chic Cottage

Weekend Wrap-Up @ Tatertots and Jello

Sunday Showcase @ Under the Table and Dreaming

Transformation Monday@Between Naps On the Porch

Best DIY of April @ Beneath My Heart

Tuesday Talent Show@My House of Giggles

Project Parade@DIY Show Off

It's A Wrap

Can you believe April has come and gone.  So much education in regards to sound economics has taken place this month at The Thrifty Garden/Home.  I have already figured out the household budget for May and have committed it to a spreadsheet.  Having such  .. an on target .. to the penny success with the April budget, I'm going to change grocery shopping gears to be even more thought out.  I can not lower the $ amount of $350 for the month ... but I have made plans to shop only once for May.  This will take a considerable will power on the entire family's part.  Since we got our paycheck a day early and I had the budget done ... I took the opportunity to do the actual shopping yesterday when I had no kids to watch. The pantry shelves, refrigerator .. and freezers are stocked.  I have taken a Sharpie marker and written on many of the items, that have to be rationed (when they can get used) and stored the excess in my basement's storage room (out of sight;)  ... Everyone got a 'warning' that if they used up any of the rations beforehand ... they will be SO SORRY!;)  I'm confident that everyone is on board with the plan.  It was almost comical towards the end of April when we were running out of food items (flour/butter .. etc.) .. and I had to get very creative with meal plans ... but everyone survived without having to chew a foot off;)   I did set aside $50 to supply extra fruit & produce .. sparingly when needed in May.  This has been a GREAT learning process ... and makes me understand why my (Great Depression era) MIL would often re-use teabags ... and my FIL would just put another scoop of coffee grounds in the coffee maker, on top of the morning's used grounds, for a noon time pot of coffee ...  we haven't gone that far YET:)  What's the thriftiest thing your family practices at home?

Terrific Marble Dining Table Bases

You can use marble in so many ways in your home in the form of flooring, countertops, walls , furniture, furniture bases and tops etc. Marble dining table bases like other marble accessories are enchanting, sturdy and very elegant. Hand crafted marble bases are unique and natural. As the marble comes in variety of colors so it is not difficult to find the wide array of colors in the marble dining table bases. Also different types of marble are used to make this marble furniture.

If looking for the stylish marble dining table base then there is nothing better than carved marble table base that can have the range of carving from very thick to light and in floral, animal or any other figure.

Marble dining table base is the strongest table base. Depending upon your requirement you can buy any shape and size of the table base. Most these are well polished and has unmatched patterns on it.

Glass is the perfect material to be used on marble dining table base and here you need not to coordinate the colors. Just buy any color of the base as per your room color theme and get the glass table top. Now the size and shape of the table top will make the difference in the number and size of table bases. You can create any style of marble dining table from antique, contemporary to traditional and rustic.

~Fabulous Find: Mirror~

This has been my lucky week for fabulous finds. 

I found this fantastic mirror in the clearance section of Homesense for $20.

 It is the perfect addition that will add the touch of glamour for my daughter's room. I wanted a starburst mirror but find this one more original. I love how there is the layering of two mirrors and the overlapping wires that give it the look of a flower. With her walls painted Stonington Gray, a tufted headboard, the mercury glass side lamp along with the thrift store lamp I re-vamped with silver leaf, her room will look elegant and grown-up, very fitting for a girl who is about to turn 16.

 Slowly I am collecting the accessories and furniture needed for her room, I have been enjoying the process and can't wait to put it all together. The challenge is to try to spend as little as possible and so far I have been finding bargains galore!

I have another find for her room that I found on Craigslist yesterday and am picking it up on Sunday which will require a coat of paint. Can't wait to show it to you.

Oh - remember how I was hoping and wanting me some chiang mai dragon fabric? 

Well......

 *sigh* 

I found a store that could order some in but {gulp} the price tag was a bit much, at $256 per yard I think I might just have to win the lottery!

Unique Ways to Drape Curtains

If you are planning to revamp the interiors of your home in a unique way without spending your entire budget on interior decorations then draping curtains in stylish ways will be a perfect idea. Curtains have always been the final touch in a room. It is best to choose the fabric, the pattern and the size according to what room of the house you are decorating. Below are some ways in which you can add a little style and class to your home without overspending.

Coat hooks - It doesn't matter if they are made of wood or metal, as both of them equally captures the attention of the viewers. You can attach them above your window to hold the curtain panels. Once the rings or fabric ties are in place you can further decorate with silk flowers or even with decorative bows.



Try using spoons - If you haven't made an appropriate option with spoons or forks, that bend each time you try to eat, then try doing something useful with them. Take some pliers and bend the kitchen utensils into an S-hook shape and then attach the kitchen curtain. The outcome will be both creative and useful.

Belts for western style draping - If you are interested in decorating a room in your house in the western style you can use belts to hang your curtains. Cut the belts at the same length and loop them through the curtains tabs and over the curtain rod. It will exhibit a total unique look to the entire arena.

Cup hooks – To add more creativity to your room, you can simply buy plain cup hooks and paint them in a color that best fits with the chromatic of your room. Further you can simply attach the curtain rings or fabric ties to the curtains and slip it over.

Drawer pulls -It is best to use a single drawer knob, as there is no hard work involved. All you have to do is attach them above the window and tie the curtains. This can be best applied to your kitchen.

Try these innovative ideas and you will feel the difference.

How to Select the Coffee Table by Material?

Coffee table is an indispensable part of living room and also the focus of attention. There is a rage of material that is used to make coffee table. But to select really depends upon the style of decor apart from your budget. Here is the quick view on different popular material that is used to make the coffee table. Have a look at this and make your choice.

Aluminum
Aluminum coffee table is very light in weight and looks so contemporary. Also this coffee table is very durable and waterproof so there is no danger of rust at all. The legs of the table are sleek and of silver color. As compare to any other coffee table material, Aluminum is the least expensive. But the cost goes up with the hand crafted product.

Aluminum Coffee Table

Bamboo
Bamboo is a natural product and friendly to the environment. Bamboo coffee table looks stunning and very traditional. More over if we look at the ecological benefits of using bamboo furniture then for sure you would love to go with this. Bamboo is a renewable forest resource that can grow with in few years. The delicate grains of bamboo give elegant and classy look. The outstanding looking bamboo coffee table has the modern look with traditional style.

Bamboo Coffee Table

Leather

Leather furniture and coffee table are the epitome of wealth and class. So if you want the table to show your prestige then look no other than leather coffee table. Moreover this is an easy to clean material as just wipe it with wet clean cloth and you will get the shine back. The high quality leather comes with breathable properties so you will not feel really hot by using this during summer. If you are to place these in air conditioned room then there is not problem in selecting the kind of leather.

Leather Coffee Table

Marble
Mere thinking of marble gives the images of spick-and-span white floor. But these days marble furniture, marble coffee table, marble walls are also becoming part of living. Marble coffee table generally has the marble top and metallic or wooden legs and frame. Actually it is the demand and creativity of craftsmen on how and where to use the marble. If you will wipe the marble furniture with damp cloth every day then there is no need to extra care. But you will really have to care for this while keeping hot tea of coffee on the table as every time coaster is required. Moreover never drag anything on the marble coffee table as this will put scratches. By keeping in mind the small little things you can give long life to the timeless marble coffee table.

Marble Coffee Table

Wrought Iron
Wrought iron is also the popular choice among furniture. From traditional to contemporary and rustic, old world, French country wrought iron coffee table, consoles, end tables complete the contemporary decor. Mostly glass is used as a table top material to make wrought iron coffee table. It is also light in weight so if you need to transport it then there is no issue.

Wrought Iron Coffee Table

Teak
Teak wood coffee table gives the traditional look. Well carved teak wood coffee table is given different kinds of finishes to give warm appeal. You can match the color with the rest of your living room decor. You need to polish the teak wood furniture to maintain it. Also on wood it is advisable not to use the damp cloth for cleaning. Use dry soft cloth and to clean the carving you can use the clean paint brush.

Teak Coffee Table

End Of The Month Round Up

Yes, $350 +$20 from fire fighter son has been a tight squeeze for food funds.  We have four days to go until PAYDAY ...  You can bet I already have my shopping list ready and waiting!  Hubby was looking for   crackers today ... sorry ... you have to WAIT until shopping day (I haven't bought crackers for months because most are filled with JUNK).  I offered him some carrot sticks and a chunk of cheese ... saying dinner is in 45 minutes ;)  (He survived)  Our freezer food is being used up ... and fast.  If my planning is good, we have just enough frozen berries, freezer jam, and hopefully beef to last until summer when I restock for the year.  Tonight I made venison meatloaf (no one asked about the 'mystery' meat), steamed carrots, and potato salad.  The ten pounds of organic carrots earlier this month was a good buy.  They come in handy for snacks ... and as a side dish. The hardest part of making all of our food is not running out of bread.  I have to stay on top of this .. which is not always easy; one day soon I'll stock the freezer with a few extra loaves.  I have $2 and some spare change from this month's budget, Yippee!  Proposed meals from what we have on hand this week:

Dinners

• dinner omelets with biscuits and jam
• turkey noodle soup with a green salad
• buffalo stew
• tacos with refried beans

Lunches

• egg salad sandwiches
• veggie sticks with grilled cheese sandwiches
• leftover soup with veggie sticks
• taco salad (from leftover dinner tacos)

Breakfasts 

• buttermilk pancakes
• oatmeal
• blueberry muffins with smoothies
• eggs & toast

Designer Rugs from Dhesja

When floors are adorned with carpets, they transform into pieces of art. These designs from Dhesja do just that! Contemporary designs blend extremely well with the furniture and turn the rugs into well placed pieces of eye candy. Though each has a different texture and size, none of them fail to impress.

There is no saying as to where the rugs look best! Keeping your home in mind, you could casually let it rest in your living room or place it in your bedroom to give it a warmer feel.

Take a look.

If you come across stunning home accessories like these which you think need to be featured here at Home-Designing, please mention them in the comments. Also we run a steady stream of cool posts like this at Home Designing and if you like to be notified when we have more such inspiring posts, please subscribe to our feed or newsletter!

Want more? Check out these awesome rugs featured before at Home-Designing to get a few more inspiring ideas!

Designer Rugs from Dhesja

When floors are adorned with carpets, they transform into pieces of art. These designs from Dhesja do just that! Contemporary designs blend extremely well with the furniture and turn the rugs into well placed pieces of eye candy. Though each has a different texture and size, none of them fail to impress.

There is no saying as to where the rugs look best! Keeping your home in mind, you could casually let it rest in your living room or place it in your bedroom to give it a warmer feel.

Take a look.

If you come across stunning home accessories like these which you think need to be featured here at Home-Designing, please mention them in the comments. Also we run a steady stream of cool posts like this at Home Designing and if you like to be notified when we have more such inspiring posts, please subscribe to our feed or newsletter!

Want more? Check out these awesome rugs featured before at Home-Designing to get a few more inspiring ideas!

Ways to Make Electrical Wirings Less Messy and More Classy

Wires lying around the house are a very common sight. As much they are difficult to hide they are equally inevitable to do without. Are you looking for some wire-handling solutions? Here are some that might just come handy.

How about this slimmed down plug which was a show stealer at one of the college art fests. Designer Min-Kyu Choi’s plug is just 10mm wide when folded and it can swivel out 90 degrees making itself compatible to be plugged into a normal 3 pin socket.

Use birds and leaves to camouflage the wires that cant be hidden behind furniture. The utility factor remains questionable but it does increase the aesthetic value of the room. You can get it here.

This work of art comes from a designer who believes in keeping wires – visible; a curvy multi power socket product called wirepod that, if looked from a distance, appears to be part of the floor design.

This one is far from being anything electrical. But appearances are deceiving and when they are as friendly faced they are surely welcoming. Hail electro man! (You can buy it here.)

Via

There are too many people complaining about cables and there are a few delectable solutions provided. Like this Powerblock that shields all the wire mess.

Via

Why hide your cable wires? Show them off with the mount peg boards.

You just can’t have enough of wire-hiding ideas! Here’s one more. Called the picket fence, this one is a great DIY concept.