Decorating on a Limited Budget

Last month, interior designer Gail Doby provided some wonderful tips on how to decorate a new house on a limited budget. Since we recently bought a new house with a main floor in desperate need of a makeover, and to say we have a limited budget would be an understatement, I decided to try some of Gail's suggestions for our dining room. I took a look around our house to see what we already have to work with, and found out that we had more than I thought we did. Then I chose some colors and went to the paint store.

This is what I started with - a dull and boring color, an almost empty room and an old table with a missing chair.




And this is what I ended with. I painted the walls a bright yellow, replaced the missing chair and refinished the table and chairs, and moved an old dresser into the room along with some art that was in another room.




And the total price tag for supplies was under $300 if you can believe it. I still can't get over how much of a difference a few cans of paint and rearranging furniture can make in a room. And it is something anyone can do.


I would still like to change out the art work on the smaller wall. So, I searched the Design Style Guide website and found a few wonderful prints that I think would look great and complete our makeover.


Like this Sleeping Bunting print from Wannabes, Photography by Deborah Brackenbury.




And this Colorful Tulips print from Renie Britenbucher Glass Tapestry Artworks




And this Rooster Print from Torrie Smiley




So get inspired with Design Style Guide website and go makeover your home!

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All Things Skinny

We've all got a nook or cranny we'd like to fill with something beautiful, something handmade, something uniquely Design Style Guide. Long and narrow is what I'm talking about here, so let's see what I found for the nooks and crannies in your house that need a little spicing up, a little pi-zazz with a capital 'p'!

First up, and admittedly the inspiration for this post, a 3-shelf Narrow Chimney Cabinet from Black Mountain Furniture. This lovely nook piece comes in your choice of over 50 different distressed colors to choose from.

This skinny collage, inspired by Mother Nature and created by Wyldewood Papers, is entitled Cherry Sunset and fits nicely into a cranny at 6"x24".

Stand tall with this Lady Liberty folding screen from Atelier Expo Art, printed on high quality polyester tissue, padded, framed in metal with metal hinges.










Another beauty, this skinny Antique Barnwood Jelly Cupboard from Strong Oaks Woodshop made from vintage 1800's southern yellow pine features an all-natural, hand rubbed, non-toxic beeswax and citrus oil finish.





Finally, who ever said the nooks all had to be indoors? This fabulous Two Tiered Celestial Wind Sculpture from Christopher Crooks Designs stands over 8 feet tall and is balanced to pivot in the wind.

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Village in Late Summer by Carl Sandburg

Lips half-willing in a doorway.

Wallflower by ArtSnark.

Lips half-singing at a window.

Cat in a Window by Gary Heller Photography.

Eyes half-dreaming in the walls.

Linger by Robin Maria Pedrero.

Feet half-dancing in the kitchen.

Red by Zombie Penguen.

Even the clocks half-yawn the hours

Framed Photograph on Canvas by The Painted Lily.

And the farmers make half-answers.

Cultivating the Peas by Walt Curlee.

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Bathrooms

I don’t know about you but I am always fascinated with other peoples’ bathrooms and especially hotel ones! It is a wonderful feeling when you enter a nice hotel room to have a quick peek at the ensuite facilities especially when you get the ‘wow’ factor as you switch on the illuminations.

Well the following might not be from hotels but they certainly rank high in the ‘wow’ stakes!

Very striking handmade pair of bath soap dishes from Page Pottery

The dishes are hand made and textured. The round feet on the bottom of the dish make it extra cute, especially with the textures on them!

Spring green linen hand towels by Decorative Instincts

These would be perfect for your guests!

Weigh In – set of 2 prints by F2Images

Could be a thoughtful reminder to step on the scales!

Shelf – D by Wood Goods by Don

Now this could be so useful for all those knick knacks or and even hang your hand towel.

Handmade green bath set by Page Pottery

This set includes a Tray, Melon Air Freshener, Lavender Bath Salts and Mint Julep Lip Balm

Under the Sea Tool by Tracey Garcia Designs

The Under the Sea stool would be great in a bath or kids room; anywhere where a step up is needed!

This would look amazing in the bathroom!

Cloud by Cove byArtimentary

An original mosaic by Antonia Lindsey

Thank you to the sellers of the amazing products that I found in the Interior Design Team on Etsy!!

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Featuring Georgina Soojian

I want to share with you a talented artist who designs wreaths and floral arrangements. Her name is Georgina Soojian, or Georgy for short. Her shop name is Wreathmic Creations.

All of Georgy’s creations are her own original designs, some of them being one of a kind that cannot be duplicated. wreathmiccreations are handmade in her smoke free and pet free shop.

This one is called Celtic Cross.

Georgy Soojian lives in a small suburban town in Northern New Jersey. Her family has been vacationing in Cape May, New Jersey for the last 15 years. Cape May is a beautiful Victorian Era seashore vacationing spot that is famous for it’s Victorian homes that have been turned into Bed and Breakfasts. Georgy loves visiting these beautiful homes, with their gorgeous flower gardens and learning about the people who once lived there. It is from memories of her past vacations in New Jersey and nature that Georgy gets her inspiration for her beautiful designs.

This beauty is called Cardinal Swirl Wreath

Georgy started making floral wreaths as gifts for friends about 15 years ago. She is a self-taught floral designer, and a couple years ago she took an online Floral Designing course and got her Certificate.

Georgy spends most of her time gardening and watching the birds that come to her feeders and of course, making her beautiful floral creations.

Visit her etsy shop

You can visit her website at www.wreathmiccreations.com

You can find her listings on Design Style Guide here.

Summer Geranium Planter

A faux silk geranium plant on a charming metal bicycle planter.

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Good Day Sunshine

I woke this morning with the song "Good Day Sunshine" in my head and decided to see what sunny yellow items I could feature for my post today.

I love these sherbert lemon flowers from ffflowers. They are so bright and sunny. And the best part about these flowers is that they never need watering and they never wilt.

This Spring Sunshine giclee print from Karen Faulkner is so sunny. It would definitely brighten up your room! Karen Faulkner is also featured in the first Design Style Guide giveaway, which ends June 3, so hurry for a chance to win!

This Silver Copper Sunrise sun catcher from Nature's Studio would bring the warmth of the sun right into your room.

Sunflowers are one of my favorite flowers. I love how this Sunshine watercolor by Sagewest captures their weight and sunny disposition.

Be sure to visit Design Style Guide

or search designstyleguide on etsy

for more beautiful, handmade, sunny home decor items.

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Room With A View - Apricots and Peaches

I doubt there is a room decor or decorating style that wouldn't benefit from a touch of creamy orange. From peach to apricot to coral, these luscious hues may be bold or subtle, lively or demure. Here are some my favorites from the Design Style Guide team on Etsy:


This flower trio from funky fabric flowers was handloomed from ribbon yarns, and would make a delightful tabletop accent.


IMOTIME created vintage utility with this tupperware wall clock in palest peach.


Gorgeous peach tulips, original wall art photography from Flanders Field.


This picture frame from Secondline Frames is salvaged beadboard. Architecturally pleasing alone, or highlighting a favorite photo.


Hand crocheted napkin cuffs from sosorosey, featuring vintage buttons, would add subtle texture and color to your dining room and breakfast table settings.


Several shades of orange enliven Flowers with Vase, an original oil painting from Blenda Studio.


At the Barre, a fine art print from Kat Hannah.


An Abstracted Portal, original art photography from elephantdreams.

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Featured Artist - Alice Slemmons

Design Style Guide is an awesome place to look for home decor, and it is continually growing!

I came across this Artist's work and wow! Her name is Alice Slemmons, and she is known as kilnwork on etsy. She has such lovely pieces to add to your decor. Alice works in glass, and I just had to bring her work to your attention. So sit back and enjoy.

Thick Serving Tray

Double thick rose server with black chopstick design & textured back. Lovely for serving or display!

Thick Blue Dipping Bowl
This gorgeous 3"ish square bowl can be used for dips, as a candle holder, ring bowl, displayed by itself, or many other uses. I adore this piece!

Blue Stars & Stripes Bowl
Make your table look fun and festive with this beautiful 8 inch bowl.

Mosaic Bowl
This is a 7 inch clear bowl with mauve and blue surface designs.

Black & White Flowers
Bring a little spring back with this bowl of flowers. The shallow round bottom bowl/plate is 10" diameter & would look lovely hanging on the wall, easeled on your shelf, serving treats...

From her Profile:
"I live in the Jemez mountains of New Mexico, where I melt glass with abandon. Most of the glass on the site is kilnworked (fused, slumped, sometimes relief castings), but I may occasionally include some lampwork as well. "

She also enjoys doing custom work!

http://kilnwork.etsy.com/

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Earth Day - Garden Inspired Home Decor

Today is Earth Day. So in honor of our Earth, I thought I would find some garden inspired decor for both the outside and inside of your home from Design Style Guide.


Here are your Keys to Gardening by Studio Musings. This cute windchime is made from vintage keys and an upcycled, metal watering can.




Here is a beautiful, handmade, glass birdbath by Glorious Glass Garden for your feathered freinds.




This gorgeous Cirtine Garden Plate by Catnip Studio uses broken, vintage, German china in the center. So pretty!



This pretty little handpaited flowerpot by Rebekah with Love would brighten up a windowsill or entryway.




Why not give your feathered friends a beautiful place to live with this Midnight Sun, Hand-carved Gourd Bird House by Midnight Coiler.



For more home and garden items, check out etsy and search keyword "designstyleguide".


Or visit the Design Style Guide website.

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Room With A View - Welcome To My World

Whether your world is big or small, mad or wonderful, it is a wide, wide world in terms of interior design and home decor. Liven up any room in your home with handmade decor featuring coast to coast world and map graphics by the Design Style Guide team on Etsy.

This world map wall decal from rEvolv3r comes in several sizes and colors, and is especially suited to a living room or home office.

Home accessories, such as this custom decoupaged map tray from Carolina's Cottage, are sure to assist your desk or tabletop organization while incorporating visual interest into any decorating style.

This vintage globe turned wall clock from IMOTIME adds dimension, color, and humor to the art of clock-watching.

A black and white topography art pottery bowl from Love Art Works is large enough for showcasing favorite tabletop treasures while allowing the design to shine through.

Handcut and etched copper, over glossy textured red, punches up a representation of the Seattle, Washington area in wall art from Copper Leaf Studios.

Roads Traveled, an original acrylic painting from Fauve Studio, suggests a world map in striking, abstract style.

Functional art, this storage table from Kelly Guswiler Studio displays a Chesapeake Bay, Virginia chart map preserved under polyacrylic, and accented with stained glass mosaic tiling and rain glass doors.

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