31 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 29- Bribe Your Husband

So this is our guest room. I'm standing in the doorway, and the only thing you can't see in the photo is a 2x3 table with a trunk on it that I use for storage. This room is teenie-weenie.... and higgly-piggly. There's not a right angle in the whole place! As is true with many old London homes, walls, floors, and ceilings are all just slightly askew, meaning that the angles are all a bit wonky. On the end where I'm standing, the room is about five feet wide (152 centimetres). On the far end, where the futon is... well, it's less.

When I saw this futon on Freecycle, I measured the walls. Right below 140 centimetres. Maybe 137 at the very back, but that would be right up against the radiator, so we could leave a few inches. Perfect fit!

But when we got it back.... it was no where near fitting! I realised that I had measured the wall at about waist height, not at the floor. The baseboards are each 1.5 cm, and apparently, the walls narrow as they go down. The width at the bottom 130 cm. (To recap, that means there's about 3 in difference from waist height to floor. And there's a 9 in difference from one end of the room to the other!)

Hoo boy!

But the darling hubby buckled down, and with an ancient circle saw that we borrowed (no, seriously, it was so old it barely worked at all!), cut down all the slats on the futon base so that it would fit into that end of the room! It took 45 minutes. And that AFTER he'd taken me to pick it up, loaded it in the car, lugged it up to our flat, and assembled it. He's a keeper.

I know half my home musings would never come true if it weren't for a patient hubby who helps carry paintings, mirrors, and tables down the street, who pulls sofas up to a third floor window with a rope, and who wheels sofas half a mile down the street on a dolly!

I owe that man a good steak dinner!

31 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 26- To Dye For

This year I experimented with dyeing my own fabric. I didn't use it for decor, technically. I made a skirt. But still, I think the tip is valuable enough to point out.

I used turmeric and a couple tea bags to get this colour, and sadly, couldn't get a very good picture of it. It's really quite nice..a a bit mottled, with parts being lighter or darker depending on how the fabric took the dye.

The fabric was a large beige curtain I found on Freecycle.... but I really didn't want a beige skirt. (BORING!)

Here's a great site for what dyes can be found in your home, or at least the supermarket. Try it-- let me know how it turns out!

http://pioneerthinking.com/crafts/natural-dyes

31 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 24- Tackle a Project

So... my headboard. It's not the best picture ever, but I'm pretty excited about it. This is what it looked like when we got it.

 It's not the worst thing in the world, but since I prefer cozy and warm to sleek and modern, I decided something needed to be done about it.

Since we happen to work at/live right next to our church, I happened upon an old kneeling prayer bench that hadn't been used for years. They planned to just get rid of it, so I claimed it, and with the hubby's help, cut that baby up, stapled some zip ties to it, and zip tied it to the rails of the headboard. Simple as that! All in all, I think it took two afternoons, and if you look close, you can see where some of our cuts aren't even, all the little things like that. But really, who looks that close anyway? If they do, they're too picky!

Not bad for a couple hour project, right? Get creative, grab that staple gun, and get going!

31 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 23- Make it Work

Ah... the immortal words of the infamous Tim Gunn. 

But sometimes, you've got to do just that. Sometimes, you know something isn't right, but you need it anyway. So you figure something out. You turn the cushion over so no one seems the rip in the fabric (totally did that for a solid year in my last place). You rearrange the furniture to cover that stain the carpet (who hasn't done that?).

Or you make a paper shade for that lamp that's broken....

Originally, I'd planned to remove the glass completely and just give it a new shade, but it wouldn't come off, so I just papered it.

I know I need to get another lamp soon. It's starting to give of a burning smell when left on for too long. :-P But it works, for now.

I like to think of it as an art.....

31 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 21- Hunt for Odds and Ends

So usually when you hunt for something on Freecycle (or Craigslist), you know you're going to get little imperfections. Often that means you end up investing some money to make it workable.

And sometimes, if you're very very patient.... you get everything you need!

A friend of mine picked up this chest of drawers from the side of the road. (LOVE that I have such awesome friends who know me!) But it had only one drawer pull it good condition. Two were completely missing. So we 'jimmy-rigged' it for a while and made it work.

Then... about six months later, I saw a post for a free set of drawer pulls! A whole set! And they were antique, the right size, and easy to install! You bet I jumped all over it, and surprised my hubby that night with fully-functional access to his sock drawer!

Sometimes if you wait a bit, you'll find something that works better than you expected.

.... and yes, I understand its a silly little thing. But sometimes, it's the little things that matter.

31 Day of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 19- Use Mother Nature

Autumn is the perfect time to use mother nature to its fullest advantage. Harvest-time, Thanksgiving.... all lend themselves to twiggy branches and colourful leaves... inside and out. Go with it!

I added some bits last autumn, and found I liked them so much, I just kept them all year.

These glittery leaves were the result of some cheap glue and a leftover jar of sparkles. Some lasted better than others, but I love them!

You don't want to get me started on having sticks in my house! I'm seriously such a fan! This birch had been planted lining a street and sadly hit by a ill-measured parking car. I was lying pitifully on the ground, doomed for the dump, and I rescued it from its fate! It's quite happy sitting in my corner.

In my last house, I use a stick as a curtain rail (wish I had pics)! It took some time and sanding, but worked quite well and added an organic element to the room! Seriously fun... and free!

31 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 14- Make Do

It seems with the recent economy, many have taken the opportunity to return to a more frugal lifestyle. The 'Make do and Mend" community has grown a bit again. Do you do this? Do you make do?

Of course, this could mean simply doing without something. This last year, I had a number of shopping lists that I put in my notebook to save up for, but often, when the money was saved, I found that what I thought I'd badly needed was no longer a high priority. Double check, ask yourself if you really need it or if you have something that you could use in place of it.

Our home is a high priority, as it should be. But as long as it is well cared for, welcoming for guests, and not a hindrance to your family's daily routine or ministry to others, that's enough. You are not required to keep up with magazines, shop windows, or even *gasp* blogs. Sometimes good enough is just that: good enough.

Having said that, perhaps there are times where you'd be able to make do with items you already have (or find), as opposed to buying something new (or even used). Make do could simply mean to choose not to spend money on something.

We are currently blessed to live next to our church, which was much larger in the past, and consequently, has some extra pieces around the building. Our dining room chairs are all the same seats that we sit in every Sunday morning.

Well, at church they have cushions (on my list to buy or make, eventually.)

 They aren't fancy, but they work. And I can comfortably sit eight people at my table, without having to buy extra chairs! Its wonderful!

I was also looking for some kind of jewellery rack. I've tried a number of boxes and drawers that never seemed to work- so when I found a cork board, I decided to try to give it a shot.

But I still needed something for my earrings. I tried drilling holes in veneers... which kind of worked, but not great. Then I happened upon a hutch by the side of the road that was a bit worn and out of shape, but did have a wire door that would be just perfect for my earrings!

(I weaved a piece of ribbon through on edge to hold my post-back earrings that wouldn't just hang over the wire.)

And voila! My jewellery corner is complete! I'm so happy with it, and think it looks great together. And since I had ribbon and thumbtacks in the house already, it was absolutely free!

Can you make do with what you have for a while? Get creative about how you use things, or find an item that can do double duty. Challenge yourself to find a solution that doesn't require money! And let me know in the comments below if you do!

31 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 13- Cardboard, Baby

Ok, so this isn't my most dignified post.

When you hear me say cardboard, you might think of strange pieces like this from Cardboardesign:

If you like this sort of thing, then by all means, go for it. But I'm talking about more usable, normal uses for cardboard.

I actually have quite a few cardboard boxes around my house... and you know what I usually use them as?

Boxes.

Earth shattering, right? But using cardboard boxes doesn't mean you have to have Amazon labels and shipping packets on display for the whole world to see. Find a plain side, add some sharpie designs, and its all right.

Or, like the burlap box on the middle shelf... cover it with fabric. I have several fabric boxes around the house that are cardboard underneath. They work just fine, and they cost me nothing!

Also, consider cardboard for organising. Boxes with dividers in them, like wine boxes or packing for glass items, work really well as drawer organisers.... socks and undies, makeup, crafts..... it's way cheaper than buying those plastic organising systems, and works just as well!

I admit, there's a bit of a pride element for a lot of us. We think cardboard boxes belong in the broke, milk-crate decorating phase of college life. But if we can be a tad more creative, we realise that it can work just fine, and no one will notice, let alone judge you for it!

To quote Tim Gunn: "Make it work!"

31 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 11-The Magic of Spray Paint

When we first moved here, I bought a can of gold spray paint and went a little crazy!

Well, that can isn't gone yet, and I'm still spraying anything that's got me at a dead end. Seriously, try it. 

My suggestion: GO BOLD. Black, gold, red-- its a can of spray paint, for Pete's sake. Just have some fun with it. 

I'm especially loving the painted toy bookends that are around right now, like this example from Natalme:

You'll be amazed at the new lease on life a coat of paint can give your old tired knick-knacks!

Go on! You know you want to!

31 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 10- Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Sometimes, in the frugal decorating world, you gotta give DIY a try. And that means, sometimes, you're going to fail.

So.... maybe this isn't a complete failure, but its definitely not a work of art. (In case you're still wondering what on earth it is: its a stitched sketch of birch trees.)

My hubby is confused by it. I don't love it. But it works, for now. And I know it doesn't have to be permanent. (See yesterday's post!) I gave it a decent shot.

I'm not alone either. As much as Pinterest is great for inspiration, it also sits on a throne of lies in regards to many of its 'diy projects' hence providing the world with the hilarious stories at Pintrosity!

So give it your best try, don't take yourself too seriously, and laugh when it goes askew. Maybe it's salvageable (the project, not your pride), and if not, email me and I'll share in your misery!

31 Days of Cheap & Free Decor: Day 4-Material Things

Anyone who's heard of Pinterest knows there are a thousand ways to use fabric in decorating. Between classic sewing projects, crafts, and modern online tutorials, there's nothing knew I can show you.

But here's my take on it...

This is one of my all-time favourite fabrics! I bought like 10 yards of it years ago and have used it for so many projects! That green paisley floral has covered seat covers, storage boxes, gift wrapping, and currently sits in a three foot square frame on top of my hubby's wardrobe. (One 'ugh' about life in London-- no closets!) The space on top of the wardrobe isn't easy enough to access to add drawers or other usable storage, but there's a huge space... which is filled quite well by my pretty print!

But perchance you don't have several yards of fabric lying in a sewing cupboard. (Really? Seriously? Are you sure?) Fine. Then look around-- got any old curtains? How about sheets with elastic that has stretched and can no longer be used? Old baby blankets?

No? Nothing?

How about that shirt with the pattern that you loved but don't fit into anymore?

These sweet blue prints are cut from a mandarin style silk blouse I bought on a trip to China during my university years. I seriously loved that print! But it didn't fit well. It was made for petite asian women who average 5'1". On my 5'6" frame (with unusually long torso), it just looked silly. So it sat in my closet for years... till this!

Made me so happy!

So go on- quick! Look in your linen closets, check under beds, look for old scarves you'd forgotten about! And find a tutorial you love. There are so many options, and with little investment, you can make a big change to a room!

Ready... set... GO!

A Loom with a View

I read about a knit garden up in North Finchey- about a 40 min journey from where I live. I had a free morning and went to check it out. It was... precisely that. A knit garden, complete with trees, ponds, vegetable patches, shed, greenhouse, and even clothesline! It was a lot!

It doesn't really require much explanation, but I did want to share it with some of my knitty friends. So, if you don't care about knitting or crochet, please feel free to leave now. If you do, feel free to look around and be inspired! (I left the photos large so you can try to see the details.) So fun!

Yes- even all those undies on the line are knit! There was SO much! Apparently, it was a group project by about 2500 knitters around the UK. And they used cardboard, wood, or metal as framing, especially for the larger structures, but the whole of everything was covered in yarn. It was kind of crazy!

If you've done anything like this- let me know in the comments! I'd love to see how your projects came out!