Be cheap yet chic when decorating your space!
Finally, the Jazz Room! The record headboard is my favorite DIY project I’ve completed. It was so easy to do and looks spectacular, if I do say so myself! The dresser and mirror took forever to complete, but I’m glad I stuck with it because it really adds a lot to the room.
Hey, y’all, this video didn’t upload properly, so I will be posting “The Big Reveal: Part Four 2.0″ later this evening! Stay tuned and thank you for your patience!
The moment is finally here, y’all! After almost four months of planning, painting, reupholstering, and laboring, my five rooms at the Ocala Ritz Veterans’ Village are finally finished!
This is a bittersweet moment for me because it’s been such a labor of love. I’m thrilled to be finished, but I’m going to miss going to the Home every day to tinker away. I’m sure I won’t be idle for long, though. My best friend is having a baby in August and I’m helping her with the nursery, so that should provide me with plenty of things to paint and reupholster!
Thank you for being such a huge part of this project! I loved hearing from y’all about paint colors and solutions to various design problems. It was so helpful to get encouraging feedback from all of you as I plugged away. Enjoy the tour!
This is Part One of a five-part video series I’ve completed to give you a detailed tour of each room I decorated. Let’s start first with the Monochromatic Room.
The Monochromatic Room’s calming color scheme might make it my favorite of the five I decorated. The mid-century style dresser, along with the headboard, are my favorite aspects of the room. Enjoy the tour!
Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…Extreme Makeover: Apartment Edition is finally complete!
"After" Picture of Couch Area, Photo by Nifty Thrifty Decorator
After many months of scouring thrift stores and garage sales for furniture coupled with sanding, painting, and sewing our finds, my best friend’s living room decor now reflects the mature, stylish lady that she is!
Everything you see here was either dirt cheap or free! Here’s a snapshot of what we spent…
"After" Corner of Living Room, Photo by Nifty Thrifty Decorator
Paint for both the side tables and walls: $60.00
Fabric for pillows: $20.00
Art work: $40.00
Couch: We already had it!
Armchair: Her sister was re-decorating her home, so she gave her this adorable armchair!
Lamps: $80.00
Coffee table: $15.00
Rug: $40.00
Grand Total: $255.00
"After" Picture of the Living Room, Photo by Nifty Thrifty Decorator
See what AMAZING things you can do with just a bit of paint and fabric? A room (and your attitude about it) can completely change with just one coat of paint!
While we did a complete overhaul of this living room, smaller, subtler changes can be made to any room just by switching up the art work or putting new, patterned pillows on a couch or chair.
I’m so pumped about the way everything turned out! I hope this project inspires y’all to look at your rooms differently. Every room in your home should be beautiful, no matter your budget!
Extreme Makeover: Apartment Edition continues! We spent the day painting the living room a light color with a fantastic name: Ice Rink Blue. It almost appears white with hints of blue hues, which is so calming and perfect for the coastal theme we’re trying to achieve!
The room before painting, Photo by Nifty Thrifty Decorator
With three people painting, it took us about four hours to paint the walls and the trim (a short break for milkshakes can also be factored in).
We had only one ladder, so we each took turns balancing precariously from its rungs.
When we were finished (covered in paint and sweating like pigs), we stood back to admire our work. The room looked at least two times bigger and was so bright even without any lights on! This was exactly what I hoped to bring to the area: an airy feel that provided light and a greater sense of space.
Mission accomplished!
Ice Rink Blue Walls, Photo by Nifty Thrifty Decorator
After watching that YouTube video about three times, I began the painting process. I didn’t realize what a great work out sanding would be! I think my arms will be ready for tank-top season now!
Sanded Side Table, Photo by Nifty Thrifty Decorator
Instead of using a paint on primer, I used the spray can version. Make sure to do this in a well-ventilated area….I didn’t open as many windows as I should have and instantly had a headache!
I let the primer sit for about an hour (that’s what the instructions on the bottle said to do. Admittedly, I’m a rule follower).
Then I started painting the side tables in Fairmont Penthouse Blue (isn’t that such a glamorous name?) What a thrill to see the color go on! I put one coat on and waited overnight for it to dry. In the meantime, I also painted the other side table a fiery coral. It’s such a fierce color and will add so much pizzazz to the living room!
Primed Side Tables, Photo by Nifty Thrifty Decorator
The next morning, I was at it again! After applying a second coat of paint to all of the tables, I started to fret about the brushstrokes that were still visible. I decided to seek some expert advice about this issue, so I headed to Lowe’s to ask the friendly paint experts what to do.
I was advised to use a small roller brush so that the brush strokes wouldn’t be visible and I could better control how much paint was being used. I’ve applied one coat so far and it seems to be solving the problem!
Blue Side Table, First Coat of Paint, Photo by Nifty Thrifty Decorator
Good afternoon, dear readers!
After much deliberation, a theme and color palette has been decided for my best friend’s living and dining room. She has always loved the beach because of its calming colors and relaxing atmosphere. With that in mind, we decided to give her living and dining rooms a “beach-y,” coastal theme.
Disclaimer: There will NOT be any shells, palm trees, or other sea creature-like decor in the home besides the colors of the sea that we’ve picked.
When picking a theme, always keep in mind that you will have to inhabit this room for a long time, so you don’t want to make it overly “themed” or kitschy. If you overdo it on the theme, it may cause you to become tired of the decor. Keep the theme as an idea around which you loosely base your colors, fabrics, and wall decor.
Inspiration for Theme and Color Palette, Photo by Treakearth.com
The color palette will reflect the “beach-y” coastal theme that she has picked. Soft blues, light greens, muted yellows, and creams will be the predominant colors used. These will add much-needed splashes of color to the space, but will not overwhelm the area with too many hues.
My best friend lives in an adorable two-bedroom town home. The decor of the apartment was left over from the previous owner and didn’t match her personal style. She agreed to let me use it as the model for my blog, so I can apply all the techniques and tips I’m giving you, my readers, to transform her space from “ho hum” to “holy cow!”
Everyone always enjoys a makeover, so I will update you often on my progress on my best friend’s living room and kitchen. Pictures before, during, and after the makeover will be posted frequently.
First, I think some pops of color would add some spark to this living room. I plan to scour flea markets and thrift stores for furniture that can be refurbished and then used throughout the kitchen and living room. I’ll also look for great pieces of art work that reflect her personality and will add warmth to the space.
This project is going to be challenging, but I look forward to finding great deals and providing helpful tips for finding these great savings! I’ll also be offering a step-by-step “how to” video guide on refurbishing furniture. Check back soon!
Check out these “before” images! And if you have any suggestions about decor, let me know, I’d love to hear from you!
Living Room Area
Dining Room Area
A Section of the Living Room Area
