Reading Corners… I turned this unused corner of my livingroom to a quaint reading nook, I painting stripes on the wall to add personality to the space. Adding a console table, clock and mirrors brought new life to an uninspired corner. A belt on the cushion adds one more decorative layer, and is often a conversation piece. I’m often asked why my throw cushions are wearing belts… Giggles

The leather storage box under the console table houses my laptop and cords. The slipper chair has a fitted slip cover, making it easy to change my decor and keeping the chair clean. Under the chair is a matching stool, when I purchased the slip cover on sale… I bought 2, using the second one to cover a stool purchased at a thrift store.

Decor on a dime… Thrift store purchases! Include the console table $24.99, clock $19.00, mirrors $7.99, stool under the chair $3.99, burl vase $7.99, belt on pillow $1.99.

Keeping in touch!

Roxanne

I love to change the look of a light fixture, or put a chandelier in unexpected places… Causing my husbands eyebrows to disappear into his hair line… Chuckles…

I bought a wrought iron light fixture at one of favorite haunts… a local thrift store!  This was an old fashioned heavy fixture; I remembered carrying it to the front of the store thinking, this is going to be hard to secure safely to the ceiling.

I’ll buy something then think about it for a day to two. I liked the heavy look of the fixture but wanted to add a softer touch! First, I had to decide where I was going to hang the light.  Not an easy task, I carried the fixture around the house, holding it up as high as I could visualizing the light in the room.

I had to make a decision soon; my arms were shaking… I decided on the laundry room, a prettier laundry room, who would not want one!  I certainly spend quality time with Iona and Fiona… Yes, I named my washer and dryer they were just far too opulent, not to give them names… Hey, people name their cars why not washers and dryers. I digress…. Back to the light fixture; I sprayed painted the wrought iron a flat black, removing the plastic tubes covering the bulb housing, those I spray painted a glossy white, they had turned a not so lovely shade of yellow over time. Now off to visit the lighting experts, I needed new chandelier bulbs and shades that attached to the bulbs… I also needed expert advice on how to hang a heavy, light fixture safely.  I brought home my new lovely white shades and chandelier bulbs and advice; eager to start the process of installing… My advice, hire someone!  It took forever, to make all the hardware improvements, then installing what now felt like 200 lb. light fixture.  I love the wrought iron fixture in the laundry room! Fiona and Iona are even lovelier under the new light, and my husbands eyebrows disappeared into his hairline again!

Quick Tip: A local hardware store is a terrific place for advice, and it is free. To make the light tubes easier to paint and dry, try sliding the tubes over a piece of dowelling, suspending the dowelling over a cardboard box. Oh Ya and hire an electrician.

I own this great comfy chair, found it at a thrift store $39.00 retailed at $821.00 Woo hoo… All it needed was a little TLC – I touched up the wood with a dark brown sharpie, then gave it a good old fashioned polish. The back cushion zippers off, yeah me…. I tossed it in the washer (hint only use a front load washer) then 5 minutes on low in the dryer! While I was waiting for the wash, I used a steam cleaner on the seat…. This is thriftiness at it’s best…. I love my new to me accent chair.