Making the Most out of your Decorating Dollars

In these tough economic times, how's a girl going to afford to redecorate sensibly? Many, many people are putting the breaks on their retail therapy and keeping their cash to themselves. And, I think we can all agree it's probably a wise thing to do. Living beyond our means is OUT; being financially responsible is IN!


So, how can you spruce up your space on a dime? By shopping for bargains and using items in ways that they weren't originally meant to be used. Sure, being frugal is more time consuming, but in the long run, it's so much more satisfying!

Here are just a few additional thoughts:

• Be patient - that object you lust for at Pottery Barn will eventually go on sale. I rarely pay full price for anything. Whether it's clothes, home decor, etc., it will eventually go on sale. And, the great thing about waiting for a sale is that often times the urge to buy it goes away. Or, even better, you find something you like even more for 1/2 the price!


• If you shop online, ALWAYS Google for coupon codes. Whenever I shop online at Garnet Hill or Ballard Designs, I always search for coupon codes via Google to see if I can get an additional 10% off, or perhaps free shipping. Unfortunately, I have never found coupons for Pottery Barn (cheap bastards!), but there are definitely other deals to be had elsewhere. Example: I just did a search for "Illuminations coupon code" and found a 20% coupon code from RetailmeNot.com. (by the way, Illuminations is having a 50% off sale on all of their Halloween items! Click here to check it out!


• Shop at thrift stores, Goodwill, or other similar places. Now that the garage sale season has pretty much ended, people are more likely to donate their unwanted items rather than hold onto them for a garage sale next summer. I especially love to get nice coffee table books and small accessory items there. Just a word to the wise: be weary about upholstered items - you just don't know what lurks in the depths of the cushions!


• Salvage yards are IN!! For those truly wanting to be eco-friendly, going to your local salvage yard to find treasures is not only good for the environment, but good on your wallet as well. I love purchasing salvaged stained glass windows and using them as wall art. You can find amazing light fixtures at bargain basement prices (just make sure they actually work!).

Below are some items I found on http://seconduse.com/ (but, you have to hurry, because the good stuff doesn't last very long!)

Really nice bench for only $45!!

Old wood interior door for $150!

Kitchen counter only $150! What a steal!

Mission-style chandelier only $85

Shop 'til You Drop

I know many people who hate shopping. I am not one of those people. In fact, quite the contrary. I love to shop - always have, always will. However, the reasons I love shopping are not what you may think! I don't have to have the latest and greatest Cloe bag, or the most current electronic gadget. It's really not about acquiring material things just to have them. I love shopping for the inspiration I get when someone else pulls together a display, especially when it's presented in a way I wouldn't have thought of. I also love shopping for the hunt. You know, when you are searching for that perfect thing and finally find it? It's like magic. Or even better - that amazing bargain. My friends still can't believe I bought this amazing $700 purse at Nordstrom Rack for $150! Many people find "the hunt" simply too exhausting and settle for second best because they just simply can't go on! If there was a marathon race in shopping, I'm sure I would win. (mind you, I can barely run a mile!)

Perhaps that's why I love what I do so much....I get to shop for other people. Need to purchase a new house? I can help you shop for one (yes, I'm a licensed real estate agent, too!). Need new curtains? Check. Need a new couch? Check. I'm your gal. But more importantly, I do it and have lots of fun doing it. Sure, a good interior designer needs to understand the balance between scale and proportions and how to put chocolate brown and chartreuse together in a way that looks amazing. But, they also need to be able to find unique pieces that will set your space apart from all of the others; and not get frustrated because you want them to look a little longer for that right piece.

Now, I must digress for just a moment. There is a bad side to shopping that I was once I victim of. It's shopping without purpose and buying just to buy. This leads to bad credit and a cluttered house. (I'll speak more about home organization at a later date.) But, suffice-it-to-say, too much shopping for the wrong reasons (or without reason!) isn't good. I've been there, trust me, it's not worth it. And, when you shop like that too long, shopping isn't really fun anymore.

So, in the spirit of shopping with purpose (which is why I love doing what I do every day!), here are just a few small things I'm enjoying shopping for:

FURNITURE - This Salon chair is from Baker. (yes, blue and chocolate are still very much in!)

CLOTHES: I love Anthropologie! I wish I could afford to buy everything I need there! I generally make one major purchase a season there - their clothes are unique, well-made and come from a wide variety of designers.

HOME ACCESSORIES: Have I mentioned I love lamps? This one is from Pottery Barn (see previous blog for reference). I also like Ballard Designs for their French style of accessories.