Y’all know I often circle the local thrift stores in the hopes of finding new treasures.  Last week, I found a solid wood desk with a few scratches and dings, but overall in really good condition.  I mixed up a batch of color with some leftover paint samples, and transformed this old fashioned desk into a lovely green gem perfect for my little girl’s room.

Here’s the Before and After:

I had been looking for a desk for my daughter’s room, and got really lucky when I saw

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I recently received an email from a reader. She posed this question about decorating on a budget:

“Hi Kate,
I love reading your blog… I’m always in awe of folk such as yourself, who have the vision to see what a battered old object can become with some paint, new fabric, ingenuity, what have you…
My question is, do you start with a completed plan for whatever room you are making over? Or do you see used objects and build the room from your vision of what they could become?
I fear I will just come home with a bunch of used objects that have no place or cohesive feel in my home, no matter what I do with a can of spray paint.
Thanks, D”

Thanks for the email, D. (No, it’s not this D.) The answers to your questions are yes and yes.

I definitely have a vision for each space that I approach, but I always remain eternally flexible. And when I do find special pieces, I imagine how I can personalize them, and then accessorize around those transformed pieces. And I fight like heck to stay within my budget.

When approaching a room redo, I follow these rules:

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You’ve all heard of the Better Homes & Gardens 48 Hour Challenge, right?  It’s where five top bloggers were chosen to makeover their porch in 48 hours with a $500 gift card from Home Depot, at the chance of winning a $5,000 bonus.

Today was Mr. CG’s birthday, so while the tots stayed a bit late at school, for his birthday I spent 4.8 hours redoing the outdoor balcony he shares with his male business partners. 

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There is an amazing hunting ground just over the hill in Sonoma called Artefact Design and Salvage.   Inside, you’ll witness some decor that would make any designer swoon.  Outside is a massive architectural salvage yard that sets my heart awhirl.  It’s all way out of my budget of course, but inspirational to look at. 

Interior shots: 

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I’m feeling a bit more like royalty today, since I found the perfect little bench for my master bathroom vanity.  I snagged this little bench off Craiglist for $10 that had (allegedly) “never been used” by the owner.  While the tots were resting, I whipped up some extra padding and a simple slipcover and voila – my little bench is now fit for a queen.  Or at least the Queen of My Castle. 

Before and After:

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Last week I found a beveled glass mirror at the local thrift store for $8.  It was the perfect size for my daughter’s bedroom.  The only problem was that it was oak.  All it took to transform it was just some sanding, a bit of primer, and some white spray paint. 

Here’s the Before and After:

There are two schools of thought on painting oak. 

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It’s not the house, nor the things within

It’s not the career, or staying thin

It’s not a vacation taken abroad

Nor time spent online with my favorite blog

What matters most is a girl and a boy

A most precious gift, and my pride and joy

What matters most is their beautiful face

And raising them right, with patience and grace

Happy Mother’s Day

.

In 2004, I designed a floor plan for my dream kitchen. In 2005, we added on to our house. In 2006, we moved back in after living in a rental. When we moved back in, the kitchen had only cabinets and appliances, and plywood countertops. There were none of the finishing details. It took two years after moving in to finally get it done. I scrimped and saved to get what I wanted. In some areas I chose inexpensive materials, in other areas, I went with custom features.

We live in Sonoma County in Northern California and our home’s exterior is French inspired. So in the kitchen, I wanted a similar feel, in a space that was warm and inviting, and made guests feel like sharing food with family and friends. White cabinets were a must. I incorporated glass upper cabinets for display. I saved money buy ordering semicustom cabinets. I hunted everywhere for white marble, and found some on “clearance” at a marble yard. I had the walnut countertops specially made by a local craftsman.

This is my dream kitchen – I hope you enjoy your visit.

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I was working on just a few more little projects today before I photograph my kitchen for the big reveal.  I had to change the tone of the wood frame for some artwork above the pantry, and my inexpensive corkboard where I keep a rotating photo gallery.  I also wanted to add a little artwork to a plain white pitcher I purchased at Target to coordinate with some other decorative items.  

Change Your (Wood) Tone with Craft Paint:

Did you know that semi opaque $2 acrylic craft paint acts just like stain on raw natural wood?  True.  I have never shied away from using wood stain (see this project and this project), but rather than get the stinky walnut tone Minwax stain out of my garage, I opted for simple craft paint. 

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For those of you who read my musings, you all know I have a deep and profound crush on spray paint.  I fondly refer to it as my BFF. 

I also have an addiction to the garden department at my local Lowes.  It’s about 5,000 square feet of botanical beauty.  Restraining myself, I picked up only two miniature rose trees to add some greenery to my garden kitchen window.  Then I was on my way to look at planters when it dawned on me: perhaps I don’t need a new cachepot if a little spray paint can satisfy.  Holding my breath and crossing my fingers, I dipped my toe into the shallow end of a line of spray paint I have never used before:  paint designed for plastic.  And it worked.

I turned a standard terra cotta colored plastic pot into a ceramic look planter, all with a little spray paint.  And now you can too. 

Before and After: 

My friends, I cannot begin to tell you how delighted I was with this product. 

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