Design Tips | Frugal Design Girl

The Winsome Saddle Seat: An Opportunity for Design

8 May, 2013 7:19 am , Leave a Comment , admin

With yard sale season soon to be in full-swing, all of you frugal DIYers will be on the lookout for furniture finds that are ripe for re-purposing. One item not to be overlooked? The Winsome saddle seat stool!

I love these little beauties! Silently, they lie in wait under the counter – ready to answer your beck and call.

Surprisingly, some do not appreciate the Winsome saddle seat quite as much as I do. Perhaps that is why they appear so often as rummage – cast aside by those who can not see their full potential.

Well, you know what they say about trash being another man’s treasure….

Here are a few makeover ideas to get you started.

BHG.com
BHG

Look at how that tiny spray-painted POP just MAKES the ENTIRE kitchen a statement. Even better, is the contrast between the sleek cabinet design, and the weathered edges of the seating.

At Home in Arkansas

Rustic is not the style that looks good on theses stools. Here, the monochromatic scheme and nailhead trim give the stools a glamorous, modern look.

InMyOwnStyle.com
in my own style

Talk about WOW! DIY design diva Diane, over at in my own style offers a great tutorial on how to paint your monogram on a Winsome saddle seat. Didn’t her black-and-white beauty turn out great? Diane has all kinds of clever – and frugal – projects that she’s done around the house. Be sure to stop over and check them out!

Shanty2Chic

Here, our beloved stools not only get a bright and shiny paint job…they get an entirely new life mission. Seeing a desk created from saddle seats has me thinking, “Darn it. Why didn’t I think of that?” Leave it to the Shanty Sisters from Shanty 2 Chic to steal the show with their innovative design!

Aloandbeholdlife.com
a Lo and behold life

Or, you could take the cue from our friends at A Lo and Behold Life. Add a little padding, a fun fabric, and BAM! You’ve got frugal find that will have your friends kicking themselves for ever putting THEIR Winsome saddle seat stools in the “sell” pile.

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Posted in: Design Tips, Frugal Advice, Frugal Finds, Furniture Finds, I Think I Could Make That....

Painting Tip!

6 May, 2013 8:56 am , Leave a Comment , admin

Source Unkonwn Source Unknown

FDG is getting ready to have her house painted.

Choosing the right color has become all-consuming! While scouring the web the other day, I came across this great painting tip, and knew it had to be shared.

I LOVE the idea of using a milk jug.

The handle makes it easy to grip. The light-weight container means it is easy to juggle while I am perched precariously on some chair, counter, table or ledge. (No traditional ladder for this gal!) And, the thought of having a place to rest my brush while I tidy up is pure genius!

Do you have a painting tip worth sharing? If so, leave it in the comment section below.

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Posted in: Design Tips, I Think I Could Make That....

Frugal Fix: Decorative Fence Panels

1 May, 2013 10:11 pm , Leave a Comment , admin

Plain and boring fencing gotcha’ down? Take a cue from Kevin Devine, and create decorative fence panels.

By simply painting a few colorful stripes here and there, Kevin was able to provide a frugal – yet powerful – PUNCH to this backyard space!

My goodness! So simple…yet soooo dramatic!

Outdoor Space

The best part? Kevin’s a DIY devotee…just like FDG!

Here is what Kevin had to say about himself in his HGTV profile:

“Hey everyone. Just another HGTV addict. I just bought/built a new house in the Newbold neighborhood in Philadelphia and am decorating one room at a time. Always looking for inspiration for the next room.”

Ha! Just another HGTV addict? I don’t think so. This fella’s got vision! It’s no wonder his space has been viewed THOUSANDS of times on HGTV’s website.

Kevin also shared that the pillows shown on the settee in this photo inspired the color palette for his decorative fence panels. Brilliant.

Love those punches of green!

Frugal Design Girl thinks Kevin Devine did a DIVINE job making his space unique and full of style! Bravo, Kevin! Bravo!

You can see more of Kevin’s creative talent over at HGTV.com.

Do you have frugal ideas for outdoor spaces that you would like to share with FDG? If so, let’s hear them!!

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Posted in: Design Tips, Everything Else, Frugal Advice

Looking for Decorative Vase Fillers? Try Your Kitchen

24 April, 2013 8:45 am , Leave a Comment , admin

There are a number of reasons to include decorative vase fillers to your arrangements. Not only do they add that final touch of pizazz, they help to reduce the number of stems needed to achieve that “full bouquet” look, and help stabilize the flowers you do have. The good news, is that decorative vase fillers can be a frugal find right in your very own kitchen! Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Spray painted coffee beans

This ad for Coffee Joulies (which, btw, is a FABULOUS idea!) got me thinking about the more glamorous side to one of my besties…the coffee bean. As is, their rich, dark colors make a dramatic addition to any glass vase (please pronounce that “vaz”). BUT…you could also jazz them up with a coat of your favorite spray paint to create vase fillers that go BAM! I’m thinking Lime Green, Hot Pink, Vibrant Orange, or even a Tropical Turquoise.

Speaking of Lime Green…lemons and limes can also be used as inexpensive but decorative vase fillers. Use them whole for your larger vase (pronounced “vaz”), or slice them to fill a smaller container.

Cranberries

Other fruits – like cranberries, apples, and oranges – can also be used. This is especially true around the Christmas holiday season.

Or…if sweets are more your style…you can try one of these ideas.

Halloween Pinterest

Jelly Beans

Peeps

If you have any spray paint left over, you could also try painting rice and using that as decorative vase fillers.

Rice

Prefer the “natural” look? How about these dried kitchen staples?

Lentils

Have some other ideas that you would like to share with FDG? If so, be sure to leave a comment below – or better yet, send in a picture and FDG will feature YOUR project!

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Posted in: Decorating for the Holidays, Design Tips, Everything Else, Frugal Advice, I Think I Could Make That....

What We Can Learn From Tobi Fairley

1 June, 2010 9:44 pm , Leave a Comment , admin

photo courtesy of TobiFairley.com

I believe there is a lot that can be learned from studying the work of others. One very noteworthy “other” is famed designer Tobi Fairley.

Named one of the Top 20 Young Designers in America by Traditional Home Magazine for 2009, Ms. Fairley also happens to be the designer who showcased the chandelier I was blogging about in my last post.

One look at her work, and you begin to see a definite trend. She is all about getting big bang for your buck with pops of color.

Tobi Fairley’s interiors aren’t complicated. Instead, they are stunning because they are simple and elegant while capitalizing on a few very well-placed WOWs.

That, my dear friends, is what frugal decorating is all about!

Study and enjoy. Then, take it all back to your own space.

photo courtesy of Apartment Therapy

photo courtesy of Coastal Style Living

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Posted in: Design Tips

Hot Trend: Modern Design Stencils

17 May, 2010 9:02 pm , 6 Comments , admin

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

Stencil Ease

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

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Posted in: Cool Finds, Design Tips, Wallpaper Ideas

Fun and Frugal: An Update to Decorating With Purple

21 March, 2010 10:53 am , Leave a Comment , admin

Remember our chat about decorating with pops of purple? Well, check out this fun and frugal photo from the April issue of BHG:

Look at the WOW factor of adding the color at the ceiling with the all-white walls! A lot of bang for your buck!

Scroll down to read more about using fun and frugal details to make your home decor POP!

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Posted in: Design Tips, Frugal Advice

Choosing Chandelier Lighting

24 February, 2010 2:08 pm , 2 Comments , admin

Hmmm…the light fixture from this post got me thinking. Just how does one go about choosing chandelier lighting?

For me, it’s all about eyeballing it out. I just seem to have a picture in my mind of what the end result should be – visually speaking.

So how do you explain that to someone else – especially when that someone else is your DH…who doesn’t always share your same “vision”?

I found this rule-of-thumb for choosing chandelier lighting in Traditional Home Magazine from an interview with Alexa Hampton. Let me know if it helps you:

Do the math
“Chandeliers are famously tricky for people to figure out because they’re hanging in the middle of the room with no points of reference against which to gauge for size. A great rule of thumb that I learned years ago is to take the width of the room in feet, double the number, convert it to inches, and that is the minimum dimension for your chandelier’s diameter. I say minimum because it can always be fun to oversize a chandelier, but one should never have it look dinky. Finally, for utility’s sake, make certain that a chandelier never hangs too low over a dining room table. Always keep in mind that you want to look at your dinner companions, whether they’re family or guests.”

Here are some beautiful photos of chandelier lighting from the web. Enjoy!

Chandelier Lighting

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Posted in: Design Tips

Purple and Green is Just Fun!

23 February, 2010 11:27 pm , 2 Comments , admin

A little while back, I wrote about decorating with purple – and while purple is still hot, it’s even hotter when the combination is purple and green!

I just adore the room above. I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend the day lounging around that?

But please remember…this color combination is not for beginners. Think Black Diamond difficult!

There is the right way to do purple and green, and there is the wrong way to do purple and green.

Forgive me - but this is just WRONG!

Whew. That is just nasty.

Here’s the right way to do purple and green. Enjoy!

photo courtesy of Harmony and Home

How cute!? photo courtesy of Zimbio

photo courtesy of Decor Pad

photo courtesy of Saucy Help

photo courtesy of Decor Pad

Do you have a room decorated with purple and green that you think looks pretty hot? Send a photo in to FDG, and we’ll add you to our wall of fame.

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Posted in: Design Tips

Fab-u-lous Kitchen Decorating Ideas from Design in a Bag

22 February, 2010 11:22 pm , 4 Comments , admin

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!

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Posted in: Cool Finds, Design Tips, Frugal Finds

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