Frugal Design Girl

Check out this awsome pair couches which could be used as booth seating for residential banquette dining areas! Talk about a Craigslist score!

Of course a re-do is a must before this can become kitchen booth seating. Microfiber in a splashy color with a few fun pillows for accent would be the bomb.

If only I had the space….

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Wallpaper is just plain fun. But let’s face it – it can also be quite costly. Especially when you’re a bit fickle about your home design. (Blush) The thought of dropping $1000 or more on some drop-dead gorgeous wall candy only to be seduced by something new a few months down the road makes FDG’s stomach turn.

That’s where stenciling comes in. Now, we’re not talking your Grandma’s apple stencil border. Instead, think big. Think modern. Think glam!

Most recently, I was struck with this amazing bedroom project using modern design stencils inspired by the Imperial Trellis pattern:



photo courtesy of Hello Gorgeous blog

So struck, that I am actually considering taking on the challenge myself in the entryway of our home! (Gulp)



Just in case you want to join in the fun and try your own large-scale project, here are some sights offering modern design stencils:



Cutting Edge Stencils



Stencil Library



Stencil Planet



Royal Design Studio



Royal Design Studio



Stencil Ease

Now that you’ve got your modern design stencils inspiration…here is a great “How To” video courtesy of Stencil 1:

5 Comments | In: Cool Finds, Design Tips, Wallpaper Ideas | | #

photos courtesy of restorationhardware.com

Typically, I am a chocolate-colored wood or mid-century modern lovin’ kind of gal.

I have to say, however, that recently I have been really drawn to the new salvaged wood collections being shown in the Restoration Hardware stores – especially when they are paired with sleeker accessories and side pieces.

I have not visited the Restoration Hardware stores lately, but I may just have to scoot on over and take a closer look. I think incorporating a piece here or there could really add a fun vibe to any decor.

What are your thoughts?

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This is one of those “Why didn’t I think of that” moments.

Everyone (yes…everyone!) looks for fabulous kitchen decorating ideas – and designer Rebekah Zaveloff is selling them. Cheap.

Pure genius was her decision to start designinabag.com, which offers material samples for your cabinets, counters, and tile as well as paint selections (geez – let’s not forget to mention the 3-D images of what it will all look like when it’s put together.)

For about $100, you receive a perfectly coordinated look. It’s like Garanimals for your kitchen! (Oh…am I dating myself??) Who cares. It is! It’s like Garanimals for your kitchen – or bath. Yes…they have bath selections, too. (Although, truth-be-told, I think the kitchen samples are more fun!)

This totally goes down as another Frugal Find. Forget the pricey Interior Designers. Forget the costly mistakes of picking out the wrong everything. Kitchen decorating ideas in a bag. Seriously. Why didn’t I think of this??

Check out the designinabag.com site and then let FDG know which grouping is your favorite. Mine is Le Muy!

4 Comments | In: Cool Finds, Design Tips, Frugal Finds | | #

photo courtesy of art.com

I’ve been thinking about adding some fun chair paintings or prints to the house.

I love these by Etsy artist Anne Harwell:

click the photo for more of Anne Harwell's chair paintings

I also love the work of Chariklia Zarris:

photo courtesy of art.com

If you are looking for chair paintings and prints that are more modern, check out these by designer Mario Freese:

photo courtesy of ultraswank.net

According to UltraSwank.net, the artist had 15 feet of walls in his studio, but no room to place his designer chairs, so he simply created chair paintings and drawings to hang instead.

I’d like to know what you think of chair paintings. Come on…don’t be shy!

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I don’t even know how to even begin to express the coolness factor when it comes to JHill Design. Suffice to say this site is TOTALLY worth checking out!

Animal Alphabet

Artist Jennifer Hill’s Animal Alphabet series would make a fun and colorful addition to a child’s room, while the JHill Cities prints are the perfect funky accent to basically any space.

Saigon

I think the most unique offering from JHill Design, however, is the option to personalize any of the Cities designs. You specify the hometown, favorite drink, favorite food, memorable experience, date and names and it becomes part of the text below the graphics. You can even change the name of the city!

Personalized Prints

Typography art that is meaningful and personal is exactly what I was blogging about the other day with the Wonderful Graffiti post!

Now JHill Design can make it for you!

No Comments | In: Cool Finds, Kids Rooms | | #

photo courtesy of Benjamin Moore

While knowing how to choose the right paint color can often seem like a daunting task, there are a variety of online tools and applications to help!

Sherwin Williams has their own color selection tools designed to solve the dilemma of how to choose the right paint color. Simply upload a photo of your own room or exterior paint project into their Color Visualizer, choose the surface you wish to paint, select a color from their products and you can instantly see the transformation!

Sherwin Williams also has a program developed for iPhone users to help you find the right paint to match and coordinate. The free application is called Color Snap. Have you ever been out and about and noticed a color you just love? Maybe it is a sweater in a store window, a vase on your Mother-in-Law’s table or a flower at your local nursery. Just snap a photo of what inspires you and then Sherwin Williams provides you with not only a matching paint color from their extensive collection, but also a coordinating palette which you can use for trim or accent paint and accessories.

Benjamin Moore and Behr have similar options designed to take the mystery out of how to choose the right paint color. Visit their websites to learn more.

Using these online tools before you spend money on paint is a frugal solution to bringing home a multitude of paint samples, but do keep in mind that monitors can vary in color and learning how to choose the right paint color for your home can also depend on the available lighting and types of surface. Once you have narrowed your selections, it is best to actually try a sample of paint on a wall in your home before making a large purchase.

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photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy

Apartment Therapy had an article today about paintings which feature typography art, and it got me thinking about a little project of my own that I have in the works.

I have spent the last few months searching for a piece of typography art for my dining room. I am drawn to the idea of having writing on the wall – something to provoke both thought and conversation. Cruising the photo album over at Wonderful Graffiti has been a great source of inspiration (they provide custom typography art for the home in a manner which is similar to the BLIK wall decals). Recently, though, I was struck with the perfect (and inexpensive!) solution.

74 years ago, my grandparents eloped and then lived apart for a year until graduation. My aunt has, in her possesion, the original letter that my 99 year-old grandfather wrote to his parents announcing his intention to wed. It is a glimpse of my grandparents as young college students in love – desperate to be together regardless of the consequences. Surely it is a treasured piece of my family history.

My idea, is to take the original letter and significantly enlarge a portion of it – to 32″ x 48″. I will either have it framed, or mount it to canvas and display.

You can do the same in your home. Consider enlarging a birth announcement, a marriage certificate, Aunt Ida’s secret spaghetti sauce recipe, a handwritten note from your child, or even the little “Love you!” post-it-note from your husband.

Typography art can be fun and interesting…but it is most endearing when it is personal. When I am finished, I will take a picture and post it for you all to see.

In the meantime, enjoy these photos from Apartment Therapy and Wonderful Graffiti:



photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy





photo courtesy of Wonderful Graffiti



photo courtesy of Wonderful Graffiti

1 Comment | In: Cool Finds, Design Tips, Frugal Finds, Wallpaper Ideas | | #

Alluminare - Customizable Products for Your Home

This falls under the “why didn’t I think of that” category! Interactive Interior Design!

Alluminare.com offers lighting, pillows, shades, fabric and wallpaper that you design yourself! How cool is that????

Well, wait…it gets even cooler. This unique design approach is a frugal find, with wallpaper starting at around $8 per square foot.

How does it work? The interactive interior design process allows you to customize designs from their pool of talented artists. You can play with scales, hues…basically create one-of-a-kind solutions for your decorating needs.

They even have an option for you to view your design in different rooms, with different accessories and flooring options. Are you kidding me? This is soooo awesome!!!

The motto for this totally cool interactive interior design site?

“You design it, we’ll make it happen.”

No Comments | In: Cool Finds, Frugal Finds, Wallpaper Ideas | | #

Traditional Home Magazine is offering $29,000 towards a family room makeover!

Enter for your chance to win.

What’s more frugal than getting your family room remodeling project paid for by Traditional Home Magazine?

No Comments | In: Cool Finds | | #