Remember our previous blog crush on color guru Tobi Fairly?. Well guess what! Now you can learn Tobi’s inner-most design secrets by attending her Design Camp from A to Z!

You can join Tobi May 16-18th for a behind-the-scenes experience in her Little Rock studio. The 3 day all-inclusive camp will take you through Tobi’s unique 26-step system for creating beautiful interiors in a workshop setting, with plenty of time for Q & A and one-on-one attention from Tobi and her talented team.

Tobi Fairly design camp? Now that is the kind of camping FDG can totally appreciate.

I have always liked Laurie Hickson Smith, and I am not ashamed to admit that I want her house.

Decorating junkies like me will recall Laurie back in the days when Trading Spaces was a novelty show. Laurie Smith’s designs always stood head-and-shoulders above the rest. They were serious, they were professional, and they were FABULOUS.

Now I know why.

The woman’s got taste. Check out her book, Discovering Home with Laurie Smith. It is a look at her own home renovation – from start to finish. Along the way, she provides little notes about they why’s and how’s of her selections.

After thumbing through it about a million times, I’ve simply decided I just want to move in. So – move over Ms. Laurie Hickson Smith. I WANT YOUR HOUSE!

entryway

another view of the entryway

master bedroom

another view of the master bedroom

inspiration board

guest room

living room

dining room

family room

photo courtesy of Pottery Barn

I love this! Talk about cool ideas for chalkboard paint – and frugal, to boot! Spend some time at yard sales or rummaging in your own cupboards for serving dishes. Add some chalkboard paint to the center and…Ta-Da! You have a truly unique and functional piece of wall art.

I picture using this in a kitchen to display the evenings menu, or in the dining room with interesting quotes to inspire the table discussion. You could use a larger serving tray behind a bar to list the drink offerings or use a sports-themed tray to keep track of football pools or the score in a dart game.

Wow…my mind is racing with ideas!! How about you? If you got ‘em – share ‘em and we will post it on FDG.

Looking for more cool ideas for chalkboard paint? You’ll find them here at Frugal Design Girl.

We all know the value of AAA when it comes to cars, but did you know that you can save on home decor items with a AAA membership discount?

I just discovered that you can get a 10% AAA membership discount off of every online purchase you make on Target.com!

Who knew?

In my area, there are also similar discounts offered at local outlet malls – many of which carry home furnishings from retailers like Restoration Hardware, Marshalls, Room Gallery, and Sears Grand.

Check for discounts in your area by visiting the AAA website.

Linden Street Table from JC Penny MSRP $219 - on clearance for $20

The in-laws were in town over the weekend…and somehow they convinced me to tag along to the JC Penny Outlet store. Considering my love affair with the JC Penny Furniture Outlet, there wasn’t much of a struggle.

Boy, did they score big! The adjustable table above was regularly priced at $219.00. They paid $20.

The biggest frugal find, however, was a pair of dining room chairs regularly priced at $500 each for – wait until you hear this – $24.00!!! Yes. You are reading this correctly. Two chairs for $24.00…total! They bought 2 pairs of chairs, spent a total of $48.00 and saved $1,952.00.

I love the JC Penny Outlet Store.

**Update…I couldn’t resist the deal! Went back this morning and bought one for myself in the ebony wood finish. This little table is so great! When fully extended, it will make for a perfect little pub table in the rec room. When fully lowered, it will be a great place for guests to put down a drink while lounging on the sectional.

The JC Penny Outlet Store ROCKS!

photo courtesy of Stark Carpet

There are so many things to love about this room! Right now, however, all that I can focus on are the tables in the center because they have refueled my quest for a glass end table to put next to my bed.

I have yet to convince my husband that a glass end table is, in fact, a necessity and not simply a nicety. Mostly because all of the sample photos I have shown him have been too pricey:

Era Side Table from Crate and Barrel $339.00

Or too short next to the bed:


CB2 Smart Side Table $149.00

I will keep you posted on my search for a cool and modern glass end table with a price tag that is worth of the FDG stamp of approval.

In the meantime, what do you love about this room?