Today I'm thrilled to welcome Dayka from Mediations on Life + Style. Dayka is an interior design student in Atlanta and her blog is a wonderful and thoughtful collection of ideas gleaned from the classroom and from her own (seemingly bottomless) creativity. I am particularly fond of Dayka's posts on thirfting and repurposing old, inexpensive items to look like something new, fabulous and much, much more expensive.
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Averill's Friday feature is one of my favorites, so I was thrilled when she asked me to be a part of this series! For those of you who don't know me through my blog, Meditations on Life + Style, I'm all about Rescuing, Refinishing, and Reusing, so I decided to use my time here to share sources that will help you do just that!
1. Shop your local thrift store/yard sale/auction--the more obscure, the better! Thrift stores are a treasure trove of valuable goods, and you wouldn't believe some of the things people throw out as trash, just waiting for you to come along and give it new life! Secondhand shopping won't be a goldmine every time, but you'll never believe some of the fabulous finds and deals to be had behind those doors. An easy update for any room? New lamps refinished in a custom hue, and most thrift store have a great selection for less than the cost of a night at the movies! Some of my favorite online resources include Shop Goodwill (Goodwill's online auction) and Housing Works, which is based out of NYC and provides services and housing for people living with AIDS. Giving back and great loot? Where do I sign up???
2. Hardware. Changing hardware on a piece of furniture is a the quickest way to give it a fresh look before you even think about refinishing! There are tons of really great novelty hardware fixtures out there for sale, and stepping away from traditional selections will really give your dresser (desk, nightstand, etc.) a one of a kind look. Two of my favorite online spots for hardware are Van Dykes and Atlas Homewares. With reasonable prices and a huge inventory, these merchants won't leave your updated pieces naked. Right now I have my eye on these . . .
($1.99, Van Dykes)
($8, Atlas Homewares)
3. Habitat ReStore. Sometimes walking in here feels like I've died and gone to heaven, but like Forrest Gump said, you never know what you'll get. This Habitat For Humanity owned resale outlet sells reusable and surplus construction materials to the public and uses the resale profits to fund home construction programs in local communities, so shopping here also feels good. You can find french doors for as little as $40, windows, tile, light fixtures, furniture, house numbers, paint, tools, door hardware, appliances, along with a million other things, but the selection can vary. If you're doing some renovating on a budget, make this a place to stop. Click here to find a local Habitat ReStore in your hood.
4. Jo-ann Fabrics or Hancock Fabrics. If you're not lucky enough to live in a major city with a design center (or district), don't fret! You can still find some beautiful special order textiles at your local fabric store, and combing your purchase with weekly coupons can often make your finds a steal! Hancock also has a pretty good remnant table where you can find up to 10 yards of fabric for as low as $3/yard--perfect for updating a chair, making new pillows, upgrading a bulletin board, or switching up a lampshade. It might not be Donghia, but don't thumb your nose up at it either!
Annie Selke Links--Slate ($54.99 + 50% off coupon)
Robert Allen Floored--Sandstone (currently on sale for $20.99)
5. Ikea. If this hasn't been mentioned before, it's probably because it's so obvious, but just when you think you've seen it all at Ikea, they blow your mind with something new. Even if there's not one in your area, there is an online selection that's thorough enough to let you get in on the action without breaking the bank in shipping costs. Trying to achieve a House Beautiful look on a beer budget? You HAVE to visit Ikea! Here are two of my latest obsessions . . .
Maskros Pendant, $89
Vava Pendant, $69
Hope this is enough to help you get started creating a home you'll love without sacrificing your wallet! Thanks for inviting me over, Averill--I'm truly flattered! Enjoy! :)
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