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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!

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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.

2 Comments | In: Design Tips | | #

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 House Beautiful (02/10)

Part of being frugal with your residential interior design is knowing where to put the pop!

Notice how each of these photos makes use of just one really cool design element to grab your attention! Everything else in the room – while pretty – is fairly neutral.



I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. The fundemental secret of being frugal with residential interior design is simply understanding where to spend the money.

What’s your “pop?”

3 Comments | In: Design Tips | | #

Okay…so I have been totally obsessing over this butlers tray from West Elm:

but not loving the $180 price tag that went along with it!

I thought for sure that all was lost…until I saw the one up top. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that this adorable tray table is from Kmart and that it only costs $70!!!!!!! (Insert sound of choir singing here)

How cool would this look sprayed a lime green, bright orange or even a teal blue? Plus, it has a mirrored bottom. Score!!

Kmart never seemed cool, but with this Frugal Find…I may have to change my mind!

Anyone else have a cool Frugal Find from Kmart? Do share!

2 Comments | In: Frugal Finds | | #

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.

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According to RealSimple.com and Dan Butler, vice president of retail operations a the National Retail Federation, the best time to buy furniture is FEBRUARY!

This only makes sense. Designer trade shows occur in October and April every year, so it benefits retailers to offer deep discounts after the holiday buying surge as a way of making room for new product lines.

You know that FDG can’t resist a good deal! So, if you are in the market to buy a new couch or dining room set, remember that February just might be the best time to buy furniture!

No Comments | In: Frugal Finds | | #

“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!



7 Comments | In: Frugal Advice | | #

The color purple is popping up everywhere these days, so why not try a little “pop” of your own?

For some, the idea of purple paint is too overwhelming. That is completely understandable…afterall, decorating with purple is not for the faint of heart.

Try thinking out of the box. Throw a little purple pillow on your couch as an unexpected accent, or use purple paint to wow guests in your main-floor bath.

Decorating with purple is a sure-fire way to start the year off with a bang!

Check out the way purple is used in these inspiration rooms – and if you decide to try it out in your own home, send along photos!

love, love, love these purple chairs

a little purple passion for the bedroom

this dining room makes a statement

great combo of purple and gray

little pops

just fun

this is not your barney purple

Here is a variety of purple paint you can try at home – courtesy of the January issue of Real Simple magazine. (Click on the image for a better view!) Remember that when decorating with purple, the best way to keep the color from looking overwhelmingly eccentric is to pair it with neutrals or complimentary colors of a more “earthy” palate.

6 Comments | In: Design Tips | | #