We’ve talked before about the fact that decorating with wallpaper scraps or scrapbooking paper is an inexpensive way to add a punch of WOW! to your decor. For example, the image above came from one of my favorites: For Chic Sake.
Here are some other great sites offering free downloadable scrapbook pages for all of your decorating needs. Take some time to check them out!
Do you have a favorite source for free downloadable scrapbook pages? If so, be sure to share in the comments section below!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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!
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!!
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.
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.
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.
If you have any spray paint left over, you could also try painting rice and using that as decorative vase fillers.
Prefer the “natural” look? How about these dried kitchen staples?
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!
Listen up all of you frugal shoppers: The One Kings Lane Day of Kitchen sale is here! This is one of the best sales of the year because of the variety of high quality kitchen items One Kings Lane offers! Below are some of my favorite sales that they are hosting. Remember, One Kings Lane sales only last 72 hours…so when you see an item you love, you should definitely buy it! This Day of Kitchen sale is live from today-4/26. Here are just some of the goodies you will find:
The Spring Table Sale
You can set a table that practically blooms by using light, bright entertaining necessities like floral dishes, printed linens, and vibrant flatware!
The Composed Counter Sale
Believe it or not, a fully-equipped kitchen can also be an expression of your sense of style. For those of you missing a few key pieces, One Kings Lane has created a collection of kitchen essentials – perfect for function, family, and entertaining.
Entertaining Essentials
Being a Frugal Design Girl means paying attention to the details. Colorful wine glasses, tumblers, coasters and cake stands make every occasion stylish and chic…and because they are re-usable, you don’t break the bank every time you entertain.
The Eat-In Kitchen Sale
The eat-in kitchen is the heart and soul of the home. It’s where friends and family gather, meals are prepped and served, and memories are made. With this sale, all of the hard work is done! One Kings Lane has selected their favorite kitchen and dining finds – from furniture to table linens – so that you can create your own freshly styled, functional eat-in kitchen. How awesome is that? You can get a “curated” look without paying a designer. Now THAT’s being frugal!
Let FDG know what you wind up buying by leaving a comment in the section below!
photo courtesy of shelterpop.com
In it, the author talks about wallpapering her refrigerator (she uses contact cement instead of wallpaper paste.) Brilliant! However, she also notes that the paper tends to fray over time.
FDG’s solution? Wallpaper frames - instead!
Using the contact cement, apply a panel of wallpaper slightly smaller than the area you wish to cover. Then, add picture mouldings with magnets attached to the bottom. Worried about using contact cement? Then simply add magnets to the bottom of the paper, as well.
What’s a great source for FREE magnets? All of those mailings you receive with magnets enclosed. A certain insurance agent I know seems to send me one every few months. Trade shows are also a great source for free magnets.
Do you have fun wallpaper craft ideas or a solution to the “make ugly refrigerator more pretty” search? Share it below!
FDG loves a good idea…as long as it’s frugal.
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!
“Dear FDG – Help! I would love some family room design ideas.”
Well, readers? Can you help a girl out? Take a moment, look at the photos and then share your very best family room design ideas with this loyal FDG follower. Just remember to keep it frugal!
Forward to a friend
