One Kings Lane often features the work of up-and-coming artists, or artists working with unique medium. This week, OKL is featuring the work of one of the most inspiring and awesome felting artists: Maryanne Quinn.
I love the colors that she uses, and the overall simplicity of her designs.
Does this inspire you to try a little felting of your own? Creating original artwork is one of FDG’s favorite ways to be frugal!
Look at these giant crabs from the Coastal Classics sale starting today at One Kings Lane! I love them…but at close to $100 each, they could definitely be included in the “I Think I could Make That” category.
Stop over at OKL and check them out, though – they are cool! There is also a giant lobster, sand dollar and whale.
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.
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.
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!
Today, FDG is excited to feature an awesome “DIY lamps” project from our friends over at ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com
Kristi wanted a splash of color to add to her son’s room, and a lamp find at Goodwill offered just the right opportunity. You can visit Kristi’s blog to see the step-by-step lamp painting instructions she offered to her readers.
Tag sales and thrift shops are a great place to find inexpensive fixtures! Before you buy, however, be certain the lighting has all of the necessary pieces, and does not show any exposed wiring. Safety first!
Do you have pictures featuring made-over DIY lamps of your own that you would like to share with FDG readers? If so, we’d love to hear from you!
Hmmm…maybe now that she has shared her lamp painting project, we can convince Kristi to share other details of her son’s room makeover with the readers at FDG….
Tobi Fairley - House Beautiful
I’m starting a new category. It’s the “I Could Totally Make That…” category.
So often, I stumble across something really cool which, in all reality, most likely costs a bucket-full of money. That’s when little-ole-FDG starts thinking out-loud: “I could totally make that.”
Case in point, the totally drop-dead-awesome chandelier shown in the photo above. If you have been following Frugal Design Girl (and you know you have!) you most likely recognize this chandelier from an earlier post.
Why couldn’t I just take the wrought iron chandelier I have hanging above my kitchen table…add some wire…string some beads…and have a similar (but much cheaper!) version?
Come on…someone triple-dog-dare me.
(Someone besides the BFF, that is.)
Forward to a friend
