Spring Styling at Anthropologie

to add to my collection of merchandising ideas... should I ever need them.

Been watching "Design on a Dime"

Spoiler: This entry is a somewhat hodge-podgey collection of thoughts and ideas

Why is it that I always feel so inspired when my budget for redecorating / designing my own living space is virtually nothing? Even those creative DIY projects require some kind of funding... (not to mention an outdoor location to spray paint on).

I love these light fixtures.

        

via Design to Inspire

Instead... my "To-Do" list for today has nothing fun or creative on it.

(Note: This practice is what's keeping me sane -- Writing a To-Do list everyday. I just LOVE crossing things off as I go.)

To Do

--Get rid of Bethany's stuff in the back of my "new" car/ Clean-Out center console

--Get Car Insurance

--Get a Safety Inspection

--Go to the DMV

--Call My Grandaddy

--Go to the Bank

--Go to Ikea for a desk and more storage baskets.. maybe a side table and barstools? 

--Figure out how to be unemployed (financially and emotionally)

--Keep a Positive Attitude about the "Job Search"

Favorite Quote: “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last human freedom – to choose one’s attitude in any given circumstance” ~Viktor Frankl 

Wish List

Again & Again Consignment Store

Accent Chairs would really complete the "living-room" in our apartment.

But definitely not priority.

These things are higher on my list.

A small (VERY small) dinette or cafe table.

And a desk with LOTS of storage. (Unfortunately, not at all like this REALLY cute one from Palacek)

Maybe I can still get away with just buy LOTS of these little desktop storage boxes from Ikea.

I already need to go up to Ikea for more of these little guys.

Decorative Ladders

just an idea I'm a fan of...

Design Inspiration

This is my fantasy kitchen

Exposed brick walls, neutral tones, white granite.

Dan and I have 3 IKEA expedits between the two of us...

Such a great way to separate one big room

Cute, CHEAP way to get consistency with dining chairs

Love to mix and match.. a painted bench would even be cool.

Love this chandelier.

Just like the restroom at Taco Diner :)

Amazing.

Frames

Finally.. a completed project. I told myself I HAD to paint these frames I've been collecting for the past 6 months before I moved across the country. I'm so proud to announce that my "Frame Project" from months ago is complete. I finally managed to load all 8 of them (should have been 9.. oops I lied when I said it was complete) into my car, go to Michaels, buy paint, block 4 hours of my time, borrow a big tarp and lawn space, etc.

 

before

Errr.. just in time to NOT have a wall to put them on.. or mantel to lean them against. I'm moving with these and eventually they'll be a focal point in my family/living room/ kitchen? Either way.. I love the colors.. and everything. More pics in 6 months.

after 

a hodgepodge of inspiration

a) I want a home office

b) I want a cool old mail-sorting chest to store all my goodies

Utility: using a filing cabinet as an end table. Love this idea for a home office. 

Also. Framing large textile samples and displaying them as art -- something I'm totally going to attempt.

Definitely a DIY project I'm capable of doing.. Definitely a cheap way to spruce up some IKEA end tables.

The giant flowers are a little cutesy for my taste, but I'm loving the concept.

My current weakness: collecting cool glass bottles. No matter what, they make adorable little bud vases.

A la...