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Affordable Art on Etsy
2007-10-22 19:09:00
It's no secret that I love Etsy . Here's one of my favorite sellers and an adorable thee piece set. I also love sets like these on walls -- it's less intimidating than a huge print, and has a really great coordinated look - like you planned your decor so well! This seller has other great prints as well, including a 3 piece set on paper of winter tree silhouettes!Powered by ScribeFire.Technorati Tags: art, budget

Affordable Art on Etsy
2007-10-22 19:08:00
It's no secret that I love Etsy . Here's one of my favorite sellers and an adorable thee piece set. I also love sets like these on walls -- it's less intimidating than a huge print, and has a really great coordinated look - like you planned your decor so well! This seller has other great prints as well, including a 3 piece set on paper of winter tree silhouettes!Powered by ScribeFire.

I'm in love...with a pillow
2007-09-05 23:53:00
I love shopping on Etsy, because I feel that I'm supporting people who are so talented, and you can get great deals too! Powered by ScribeFire.
More About: Love , Pillow

The new iPod - iPod Touch!
2007-09-05 20:08:00
Okay, so this has nothing to do with home design. But Steve Jobs just announced the new iPod Touch which is basically the iPhone without the phone. Which means lots of fun to be had. I'm normally not an apple person at all. I love my Dell laptop. But I will be getting one of these. Check out reviews! Photo from engadgetPowered by ScribeFire.
More About: Ipod

Toothbrush holder as vase
2007-08-29 20:43:00
ATLA profiled this from September's Martha Stewart Living. Who says chic can't be cheap? Powered by ScribeFire.

Deal of the Day!
2007-08-29 02:28:00
I have wanted one of these for so long, but they're always so expensive! It's a KitchenAid mixer. I made a red velvet cake yesterday (recipe from the fabulous Emeril) and was praying something like this would come up for sale before the next cake I make!Usually $269, Amazon has this on sale right now for $99. That's $170 of money that I can put towards something else...like, an espresso machine?
More About: Deal , The D

Deals on expensive things...they can be found
2007-08-27 07:28:00
As one of the focuses of this blog is on budget, I wanted to share some of my favorite tips on finding deals. Or, one favorite tip (the only one that matters): the internet.You can just about always find something cheaper on the internet since web retailers don't have to make enough money to pay lots of staff. Even with shipping, you usually come out below your in-store total.There are a ton of deal sites out there, and these are the best places to look because they make it their job to find the best deals. For tech stuff like TVs, laptops, etc. I usually go to TechBargains. Not the greatest site design, but they do a great job of finding the cheapest products. For home stuff, I'll usually check a site like Deal Catcher first, as they have a broader variety of goods. There's also Spoofee which catalogues a wide variety of items including free samples, which can be fun sometimes.Of course, with any of these sites - they are not stores themselves. They will link to the stores offer...
More About: Things

Things I love right now
2007-08-27 00:52:00
As I'm sitting at home on a Sunday afternoon, reading Domino magazine, I was thinking - I should share a few of my favorite things. These are a few things that make me happy, and a few of my best buys in my little home!The aforementioned Domino Magazine. My absolute favorite!And, of course, where would I be without Martha?Throw pillows - the easiest and cheapest way to get a whole new look! (I promise I'll do a post on these soon. Until then, Dominomag.com has some fantastic ideas! My current favorites:I think my own biggest victory was getting rid of the yucky rental blinds, and putting up some bamboo shades. In small spaces, stay with a minimalist aesthetic on your windows. I bought mine at Crate and Barrel Outlet, but since they're out-of-stock, here is a similar version you can buy on Amazon.com.
More About: Love , Things , Right Now

Drawer Organization
2007-08-24 20:53:00
ATLA has an interesting post on drawer organization - or that is, the lack of suitable solutions. ATLA's Grace shares her experience with rolling clothes, but I have to say I can't see how that would make my drawers all that much more organized. I am lucky to have enough closet space to hang most of my clothes...but even with my neat-freak-edness I have to say that messy drawers are the one thing I don't obsess over. They're drawers, and you only see the mess when you open them! Any thoughts?Powered by ScribeFire.
More About: Organization , Drawer , Organ

Sofa Guide
2007-08-09 00:00:00
By way of Design*Sponge -- Enjoy!!Powered by ScribeFire.
More About: Guide , Sofa , Guid

DIY Shoe Rack - and stylish to boot (pun intended)
2007-08-08 03:28:00
notmartha.com has a great article on a DIY shoe rack inspired by a similar one from Design Within Reach, except heaps more fun and actually affordable. Put together with some simple supplies at the local home depot, its a stylish way to store your shoes that makes a statement. No more ugly plastic shoe racks in the entryway! Powered by ScribeFire.
More About: Stylish , Rack , Shoe , Boot

A new twist on the common candle
2007-08-08 00:00:00
How adorable is this light? A tea light goes right in the middle. Small and beautiful it appeals to the nature lover in me...and to the tightwad. Only $25 and you can brighten up a corner. Powered by ScribeFire.
More About: Common , Candle , Twist

Loop Desk - cool, clean style
2007-07-28 02:42:00
This great Loop Desk at Crate and Barrel is only $199 and sports classic, clean, and sophisticated lines. It's simple but gorgeous and a fantastic value. Powered by ScribeFire.
More About: Cool , Style , Clean

Bud vases
2007-07-27 23:12:00
Speaking of CB2...here's one thing I do love of theirs. These mini bud vases are only $2 a pop and so perfect for accenting a small space, corner of the room, or favorite item. Place a brightly colored single flower in any of these, and place in a spot you want to draw attention to. Bonus - because you're not buying a bouquet, you can also afford to go really exotic on the flower!

CB2 coming up on West Elm and Urban Outfitters?
2007-07-27 19:06:00
Gaucho Chair - CB2 - $499 Leather Slipper Chair - West Elm - $499Apartment Therapy New York just touched on something that's been going on for a while - CB2, Crate & Barrel's low budget line aimed at younger more urban customers, is picking up steam. ATNY notes that they might be starting to encroach on the market previously filled by Urban Outfit ters and by West Elm.I think they're more Urban Outfitters than West Elm, but ATNY has a great point. CB2, which at first looked sort of cheap and tweeny, is beginning to get some really sophisticated designs. Some of their stuff could easily be in an expensive downtown loft - and people are starting to notice. How successful have they been at this new sophistication though?When I was furnishing my studio ...
More About: Ming

Folding Desk
2007-07-25 00:27:00
For weeks now I've been trying to find a solution to my desk problem. Or, that is, my lack of desk problem. I feel like I would do better with a designated "workspace" and yet don't have room for a desk. Or do I? This aptly-named Breezy Little Travel Desk has all the convenience of a folding desk without looking like, well, a folding desk. Small, cute, and space-saving. Oh, and affordable, too!Powered by ScribeFire.
More About: Folding , Fold

In Flight Print
2007-07-24 03:07:00
Love this print "In Flight " I found on Etsy. Only $25, and a unique and beautiful piece of art. And some of the money goes to an orphanage in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Can you go wrong?
More About: Print

Pendant lights
2007-07-24 00:29:00
Why is it that landlords always pick the most hideous lights to put on your ceiling. Smack in the middle of everything and nearly impossible to hide! I don't know about you, but I don't love staring up from bed at a big nipple on my ceiling. Awful. One great solution is to...buy a new one. There are some great pendant lights to choose from, like these above which I found browsing flickr.
More About: Lights

Fresh Flowers
2007-07-23 23:17:00
joyous-moments Originally uploaded by * INVERSEFUNCTION Nothing opens up a space like some great modern flower arrangements. It makes a small cramped space suddenly feel fresh and airy. Maybe it's the added oxygen? In any case, found this marvelous flower arrangement on a windowsill on Flickr. Something bright and modern, but minimalist, is generally the best. Big bouquets make a small room feel stuffy.
More About: Flowers , Fresh , Lowe , Flow

Domino's big decorating issue
2007-07-19 20:37:00
If you don't already subscribe to Domin o Magazine, run out and buy a copy now. Or go to their site online. This issue is full of design tips and tricks from some of the best designers out there. A lot of the stuff is expensive (not everyone can afford a Hermes tray as a place to put mail and keys near the door) but some of the tips are great. My favorite is the "Style Council" - they interview several designers about their top things, websites, tricks. Great stuff! Things I learned after the jump...Things I learned from this month's Domino: Always keep your windows clean.Curtains should be touching the floor - preferably dropping about 1" on the floor.An expensive frame is sometimes better than an expensive piece of artwork (although truthfully, I can afford neither)Be ruthless in throwing things out, or not buying things you don't LOVE. Beige linen works for everything. Most people iron their sheets. Interesting...Always choose a comfortable sofa. Style only goes so far. Happy h...
More About: Deco , Issue

Affordable fabrics
2007-07-19 00:49:00
One of my favorite fabric stores is online at ReproDepot They have great designs in all weights and all styles. My current favorite is this swatch of Nigella Passion Vine.
More About: Fabrics

West Elm Sale!
2007-07-17 21:20:00
West Elm is having a huge sale and there are some great finds like their Parson's Desk and gorgeous chocolate brown slipper chairs.
More About: Sale , West

Cute coffee table idea!
2007-07-17 20:02:00
I love ottomans, but in small spaces often they are the first piece of furniture to go. And something about the sharp edges of coffee tables makes them uncomfortable to rest your feet on for very long. That's why I have fallen in love with this ottoman with tray from EQ3. It's affordable, and available in a variety of great fabrics to match the most whimsical or the most sophisticated decor.
More About: Cute , Coffee , Idea , Table

Tiny Living
2007-07-16 07:06:00
As you might imagine, the site Tiny Living caters to those of us in small spaces (shocker!). What I especially love about the site is a focus on multi-purpose furniture and accessories like the above pictured folding kitchen unit -- a kitchen cart for counter space which unfolds into a breakfast table with two stools. So great!
More About: Ving

Floor Stenciling
2007-07-15 02:57:00
Have a hard, ugly floor you can't possibly find enough rugs to hide? Ever think about painting it? Better yet, ever think about painting designs on it? Domino.com has a great article about how to stencil your floor - an easy DIY project you can do in a day -- and enjoy until you spend another day changing to a new design! Oh how I wish my place wasn't carpeted!
More About: Floor

Kitchen Space Solution
2007-07-14 02:50:00
If you’re like me, you have a tiny sink with an even tinier counter space around it. I barely have enough space for my dishrack (which is folding), let alone my dish soap/sponges/towels, etc. While IKEA has some great solutions, the various parts to each of their systems can add up in price rather rapidly. A great alternative solution is a grid system like the above pictured from The Container Store. You can probably find similar grids at places like Home Depot and Lowe’s. With this, you have room for all sorts of things - you could even keep a spice rack up there if you’d like, or - as I do - a little pot of herbs or flowers!
More About: Space , Kitchen , Solution , Chen

Wallpaper!
2007-07-14 02:42:00
Blueprint Magazine has a big special on creative uses of wallpaper in the July/August 2007 issue which was inspiring. They used wallpaper as headboards, door coverings, and even to fashion faux Victorian wallpanels. Really neat, and if you can get your hands on it and you’re interested in wallpaper, something you should check out.
More About: Wallpaper

Painting
2007-07-14 02:38:00
Depending on your landlord, there may not be much for you to do with your walls – although hopefully they’ll at least let you hang pictures and put up shelves. If they do let you paint or wallpaper though, the options are endless. Paint ing is generally the cheapest way to spruce up your walls, and the most common, since wallpaper is only just now coming back en vogue. With such a small space, I’ve generally found that most designers will urge you to stay away from dark colors, which will make the space smaller. They work for a big room to make it seem cozy, but the same effect in a small space can seem claustrophobic. There are exceptions to every rule, but I haven’t found many to this one. If you really like the darker colors, you can do what I did and make an accent wall. Pick the wall you’d like attention to be drawn to the most – in my case, it was the wall with windows on it – and paint just that wall. You can keep the others white, or paint them a lighter shade....

Window Treatments
2007-07-14 02:34:00
Window treatments are definitely a matter of taste, but whoever you are, there are lots of options ranging from heavy lined drapes to bamboo shades, and of course there’s always the option to leave your windows naked – which, if privacy is not an issue, is often the best way to make your small space look larger. Most landlords will fit your apartment with cheap vertical blinds which, because they’re so common in rentals, are relatively inoffensive once you get used to them. However, they’re anything but pretty. Look around, see what styles you like. I’m a big fan of the roman shade mounted inside the window which minimizes the amount of fabric taking up precious wall space – and even more precious visual space. HGTV has a great page if you feel like exploring your options: And of course, if you want to go the DIY route, there’s no better resource than Martha Stewart. Keep in mind that if you are a DIY-minded decorator, your best friend here is a sewing machine. If, ...
More About: Treatments , Window

Apartment Therapy...Really!
2007-07-14 02:32:00
Many of you might already know the blog Apartment Thera py which caters to design-loving apartment and home dwellers all, and has specific pages for those who live in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. (They also have a site dedicated to kitchens which often has yummy recipes!) They occasionally even have budget diy ideas such as this entry on how to make a pot rack out of a bicycle wheel. If you had to go to only one place for design ideas and inspiration, though, you must go visit their Smallest Coolest Apartment Contest which ran on the blog throughout April and May. Some of the apartments showcased are just spectacular – and they’re all under 650 sq. ft – some of them much smaller. Most of them are studios, and a good amount of them were furnished on a small budget. Beware: you might spend hours and hours browsing!
More About: Really , Erap , Ally