Do it Yourself? Absolutely!

It’s safe to say that we can all appreciate the beautiful products offered in the prestigious catalogs that arrive on our doorsteps on a weekly basis; Restoration Hardware, Crate and Barrel, and Pottery Barn just to name a few. But is it safe to say that we’re all jumping at the chance to spend our hard earned money on these fabulous creations? Probably not.

- look familiar? we've all got this going on -

This is my first time blogging, and to celebrate this achievement, I’ve decided that my first post should be about my newly purchased home. Being a young professional hasn’t necessarily allowed me the finances to purchase all of items that I fantasize about in these catalogs. However, being a young designer has allowed me to find creative ways to create a high end look on a do it yourself budget. Who doesn’t appreciate saving a dollar here and there?

I am about to give you all the key to do it yourself design success. But before I do this, I feel like I should forewarn you: this type of design is not for the unmotivated! Through the experience of converting my home for its shabby-chic debut, I have learned that in order to achieve a high end look, the price to pay isn’t a dollar amount, its labor. So if you’re willing to get a little dirty and put some elbow grease into it, the result will be beautiful creations that are budget friendly and much more appreciated.

Have I got you on the edge of your seat yet? Waiting for the answer to all your design problems? Well my friends, here it is: THRIFT STORES. Careful to not judge so quickly! When I invite people into my home, the first things that people compliment me on are not the pieces of furniture and accessories that I bought from high end stores…they’re the pieces that I made on my own. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Who hasn’t lusted after that vintage looking chalkboard from Restoration Hardware that costs $350.00-$750.00, depending on size. For me, it was love at first sight, which became love at first fright when I noticed the price. Not being one to give up that easily, I went straight to my local Re-Store with a wallet full of $40.00 and found a window that suited my needs perfectly. Talk about turning one man’s trash into a designer’s treasure! My next stop was Lowe’s, where I purchased a large piece of MDF board, cut to size free of charge (thank you Lowe’s). A few aisles down I found blackboard paint and those little clamps used to keep pictures in their frames. I took my treasures and headed home with money to spare. A little glass cutting and two coats of paint later, I had created a product that looked identical to the one in the catalog. But I didn’t stop there…I decided to put a coat of off white paint on the window frame, and then gave it a final touch of light sanding for that vintage look. I kid you not when I tell you this is first thing people notice when they walk into my home.

As much as I love my new chalkboard, it’s not even the reason why I fell in love with thrift stores in the first place.  My love and appreciation comes from my personal favorite project, picture frames! Furnishing my home with limited funds pushed artwork to the bottom of the list. Finally, when my budget allowed, I decided that I wanted to fill an entire wall (a big wall) with ornate picture frames. When I started looking at prices for frames, especially the sizes that I wanted, I thought I was never going to have any art for my walls. Enter, thrift stores. I found the most intricately designed frames, with a less than satisfactory paint job on them.  Needless to say, after some more glass cutting, and a few coats of high gloss black spray paint, I was able to purchase thirty-five amazing frames for the grand total of $60.00.

So what’s the lesson here? I think I can sum it up by using one of MasterCard’s ad campaigns. Thrift store treasures: Around $50.00. Spray paint: $4.00. Having a one of kind homemade creation: Priceless. So get out there, get dirty, and get to work!