Sunday, July 26th, 2009...1:31 pm
Thrifty Treasures - decorating on a teeny tiny budget
My home is one giant thrifty treasure filled place! I have decorated the entire house on less than $2,000, including a living room, dinning room, kitchen, two bathrooms and my bedroom. I had the help of my parents, who gave me a few of their hand me downs. I also scored a few pieces in the trash. The rest came from flea markets and thrift shops, usually on half price day.
This cabinet houses my stereo. My neighbors were throwing it away, so I asked them if I could take it and they were happy to watch me haul it away. It was natural wood with a speckled finish and, I’m not gonna lie, it was pretty darn ugly. It had a built-in, super ancient stereo and speakers that were not all that easy to remove. I painted it a soft green color and distressed the edges and detail on the front of it. I placed black lace behind the wire on the cabinets. The lace works great. Not only does it hide what’s inside, but it allows me to listen to the stereo without having to open the doors, which is a really good thing because the inside is an eye sore.
This table I bought for only $15 at the Salvation Army. It had a hideous gold and tan faux finish on it. I painted it black and on top I set a pair of dogs that I found at the back door of the store one morning when I showed up to open. I guess a customer dropped them off as a donation, an odd thing to do, but hey, I’ll take em! The type writer was my moms. It sat out in the garage collecting dust for so long that I figured she must not want it anymore.
This floor lamp I purchased at the Rose Bowl flea market for only five dollars!! I got the lamp shade on clearance at Lamps Plus for $10. The rug was given to me by my grandfather. He purchased the rug during WWII when he was stationed in New Caledonia. It is so ugly, but I love it! The story behind it is just so cool. The cabinet that sits behind it was found in the trash by a friend of mine. He saw it and thought of me, isn’t that sweet? He threw it in the back of his truck and dropped it off at my house unexpectedly.
This cabinet was another freebie. My grandma was the one who discovered this fabulous find. She picked it up and took it home not knowing what she was going to do with it. I saw it sitting in her garage and when I asked her about it she said I could have it. I painted it a deep eggplant purple and did a crackle finish on it so the purple shows through the top coat of white. The purple dish that sits on top holds jewelry and a ceramic shoe that my sister gave me. The tray is part of a luncheon set that I picked up at the Goodwill for only $2. The candle sticks I got a Pier One on clearance for under $10 each.
The house, like I said, is a big bargain box. If you want to read more about the rest of my house and the thrifty finds that fill it up CLICK HERE. If you are interested in learning about other great thrifty buys you should head on over to Southern Hospitality and join in on her “Thrifty Treasures” blog party!
21 Comments
July 26th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Great deals, Deana! You’ve found some great things out there for your house. I love those white Staffordshire dogs, lucky you to have those on your doorstep!
July 26th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Hi there! Visiting from Rhoda’s party. I love that you have decorated your house with thrifty finds…I’m slowly, but surely doing the same. It’s addicting, isn’t it? I feel sort of smug when my friends brag about their new $$$$ furniture set when I know I can find something equally fabulous at Salvation Army and make it beautiful MYSELF.
If you have a chance to make it over to my blog, I’m hosting my 200th post Giveaway!
July 26th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Goodness me, you are the lucky girl! Great stuff! Linda
July 26th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
What a great piece for your stereo.
July 26th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Wow, that cabinet is one awesome statement piece! Good for you for seeing the obvious potential. I bet your neighbors would be jealous if they saw it now.
July 26th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I think it’s so sweet that your friends and grandma enable you with your thrifting :0) Both cabinets are so great! How fun to be able to decorate your whole home for so little! Well done.
July 26th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
I love that stereo cabinet re-do. It is fabulous. Also, those Staffordshire dogs are GREAT….I can’t believe someone left THOSE on your doorstep!!!
July 26th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
i LOVE your finds. the lace behind the wire on your cabinet looks fantastic. well done!
July 26th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
My favorite style of decorating is with freebies. I like your finds quite a bit.
July 26th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
thanks for the virtual tour of all your fun finds!
July 26th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
I like the way you decorate! Our home is furnished with hand me downs, freebies and other gently worn treasures and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
July 26th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Wow, you really did do it on the cheap side….just lovely !
My favorite is that stero cabinet !
Hugs ~ Kammy
July 26th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Hi, coming over from Rhoda’s. I love how you have decorated your home 100% frugal style! I adore that stereo cabinet. I just scored a stereo this weekend!
July 26th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
love ALL of your finds. I really want to know what the metal (well it looks metal) wall hanging is. It’s behind the cute black table you got at the Salvation Army. It’s beautiful whatever it is.
July 26th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Your home is beautiful! Love love love that cabinet and would of thought you paid alot of money for it, it’s gorgeous!
July 27th, 2009 at 6:45 am
I love the stories behind your thrifty treasures. Everything looks amazing. I really appreciate the stereo cabinet idea. We thrifted a stereo system and it’s so ugly. I’ve been trying to figure out how to hide it and the speakers and still be able to listen without a big ordeal. Now I’ll be on the lookout for something I can back with fabric. Thanks!
July 27th, 2009 at 6:46 am
$2000 for the whole house? Now that is thrifty decorating! Love your great finds, especially the cabinet.
Jane
July 27th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Hello Deana - thank you for sharing your great finds! I especially love both of those cabinets.
Blessings,
Marie
January 10th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Generally I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so, Excellent post!
I’m Out!
January 24th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
YES! Great piece, keep up the terrific work. This is the type of information that should gain recognition for it’s craft.
March 3rd, 2010 at 11:36 am
Thank you for creating valuable post regarding the issue. I’m an admirer of your blog. Keep up the great work.
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