Thrifty Thursday Rustic Modern Dining Set

Today's Thrifty Thursday project is a cute, rustic, modern dining set that I fixed up for our studio Air BNB. I got the table and the chairs at our Habitat for Humanity Restore. The table was a little rough, but I loved the base and the round top, and the smaller size.Some sanding and paint and two modern, new, pleather chairs also from the Restore and it is the perfect table for our Air BNB.

Keep reading to see how I upcycled this $5 table and created a great eating area in a small space.

Make It Monday Funky Boho Art in an Antique Frame

I found a fantastic, antique frame for only $3 at the thrift store. I loved the wood and that it definitely isn't perfect, but it was almost too pretty and antique for my home and style. I decided to give it a funky, boho, organic, artsy look by adding some twigs and embroidery floss.

Now, if you are freaking out that I "ruined" an antique frame--no need to, everything I did is temporary. I love the juxtaposition of the old wood frame, the natural element with the branches, and the pop of color added with the embroidery floss.

Keep reading to see the how-to and how YOU can personalize this idea to make it yours!

Make It Monday Wall Plant Propagation Station

I am becoming a plant lover. Call it a result of old age and an empty nest, but I want all the plants these days. Propagating your own plants is easy and saves money. But, who wants or has space for a bunch of jars sitting around on horizontal spaces cluttering things up? Today's Make it Monday project is an easy, DIY wall plant propagation station. It adds a bit of color and life to any wall.

This is very quick and easy to make. Keep reading for the how-to and to see ideas on how you can change it up to fit your home and design aesthetic. 

Thrifty Thursday Wall Bookshelves From Wood Frames

I am excited to share today's extremely easy and quick project made from thrift store finds. It can be completed in about 15 minutes and can be used in so many different spaces and spots. It starts with two wood frames from the thrift store, one 5x7 and one 8x10. Frames are plentiful at thrift stores and I always look through them.

Attach the frames to the wall for great bookshelves for a small space. I added these to the wall in our sunroom.

Keep reading for the super, duper, easy DIY, including what NOT to do.

How to Curate an Art Wall from the Thrift Store

There are folks who secretly shop at thrift stores and garage sales because they are embarrassed to be buying second-hand bargains...I am not one of them. As a matter of fact, I am proud of my thrift store and garage sale finds. I love sharing how little I paid for something. 

This curated wall of vintage art that surrounds the black box (more of a black rectangle these days rather than a box) brings me joy. 

The most expensive thing in this picture and the ONLY item (well, besides the sound bar under the TV) purchased at retail price was the plant on the right, $7.99 at Home Depot. Keep reading for tips on how to curate art from thrift stores and garage sales.

Make It Monday Easy DIY Retro Art Piece

Sometimes a girl just has to create and make art. If you know, you know what I mean. Today's Make It Monday project is the result of my need to paint and be creative and simply make SOMETHING. A bright, large, easy to make, retro inspired art piece is the perfect addition to add some color to a white wall.

You too can create an easy, retro painting in an hour or less and for only a few dollars. Keep reading to see how!

Thrifty Thursday Wood Cutting Board Wall

Wood cutting boards are always an item that I keep a lookout for at the thrift store. 

I look for ones that are not cracked and I tend to like the ones that I have a handle. They often have something cutesy--pigs, cows, sayings on one side. Don't let that keep you from buying them! Wood cutting boards can easily be cleaned up and make a great addition to the kitchen. I have been collecting some to keep and finally decided to hang them up in my kitchen.

Thrifty Thursday End of the Bed Bench

Today's Thrifty Thursday "project" is nothing earth shattering or too exciting. But, I wanted to share it because I want you to know that there are great items just waiting for you at you local thrift store. And, even though I have shared it before, I will share again: thrifting is better for our planet. It keeps items out of landfills, saves you money, and reduces demand of new, mass-produced products. This bench is a perfect example of how to use thrifted items in your home.

The legs were a little wobbly when I got this and the bench had clearly been outside and the wood had a little water damage. BUT, the black webbing on it was in perfect shape and was nice and tight, so for $6 I decided it was a YES! I also knew just where I would use it, which is always a plus in the BUY IT column when thrifting.

I sanded the legs, tightened the screws on them, and used Wise Owl Furniture Salve on the legs to revive them. You can buy the salve from my friend Tina HERE. The black webbing got a good scrubbing with hot water and dish soap.

I placed the bench at the end of the bed in our studio AIRBNB that we hopefully will be renting soon. I thought that it would be a perfect spot for guests to sit a suitcase on.

Most of the furniture and decor in the AIRBNB has been thrifted or second hand (not the bed or bedding). I want nice, sturdy items that didn't cost a fortune in case they get ruined. I am using tans, and green, and black, and white. I have an understated National Park theme since we live near Yellowstone and Glacier.

Not handy or crafty? You still can find great items at the thrift store that will just need a bit of n update or cleaning. Keep your eyes open. What have you thrifted lately?

Funky Colorful Art, Mermaid Overwhelmed

I am going to preface this with saying that I am (once again 😀) stepping out of my comfort zone and sharing something that I might still be a little unsure of. But, the truth is I love trying new things, and I adore funky, colorful decor, and I am done playing it safe by decorating with what is popular and the latest thing that you will find mass produced at Hobby Lobby.

I have been collecting (thrifting) colorful, bright, unusual, amateur art to hang around my TV in my great room (are big open rooms still called great rooms?). I found some fantastic pieces that I will share soon. I decided to create one of my own that I am calling Mermaid Overwhelmed.

It is displayed on my windowsill here, with a 1960's modern art piece I picked up this past weekend. I am calling her Mermaid Overwhelmed because she has lovely, mermaid, beach waves and her long, unclothed neck speak mermaid to me.

Make it Monday Embroidery Hoop Wall Art for Spring

I am playing with embroidery hoops from the thrift store again for today's easy DIY project.

These are the inside of the oval hoops that I used to make this hanging light for my sunroom (HERE). Using six of the oval hoops, one small round embroidery hoop, and some embroidery floss, I made a simple flower perfect for spring wall decor.

Keep reading to see how to make your own--it is super easy and takes an hour or less!