Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Do-It-Yourself Home Makeover

This is NOT us!

About a year ago my fiancé and I decided our place was in need of a makeover. Now I'm the shopper in the family since he hates it (GASP!) and also has a tough time deciding what he likes when it comes to stuff like interior design. He knows he wants it to look clean and clutter free, but beyond that it's anyone's guess. After much prodding I discovered that his tastes are more on the modern side...pretty much if it looks like it should go in a hospital or a bathroom (frosted glass and chrome) he'll love it. Me? I prefer a more traditional style. I've never met a tufted pillow or couch that I didn't like! lol! I soon realized that if this redesign was going to happen I'd have to take the helm. I looked at hundreds of paint samples and pictures of furniture, but still kept coming up empty. Then it dawned on me that I was grasping at straws by going about it this way. If I took the time to define an overall style that represented us and what we wanted for our home, the process would fall into place. And, boy, did it ever!


One day while we were visiting the future in-laws, I was thumbing through a local magazine and came across this picture:

My Inspiration

I could just imagine myself curling up in that comfy chair with my Kindle or entertaining a few friends in front of that fabulous fireplace. It is the perfect marriage of crisp modern lines with cozy traditional touches. It's modern, but without that anticeptic clean feel that gives off cold, museum vibes. So I cut this pic out and put it on the refrigerator. And voila....inspiration was born! I went to work immediately finding inexpensive ways to get this look for less. I logged onto Craigslist and Ebay and went to all my bargain shopping haunts - antique stores, Wal Mart, TJ Maxx and even Ross and pulled together a look that we call Coastal Chic. It's our beach house oasis in the middle of the city! And, no, it doesn't look exactly like the picture...and it shouldn't! The whole point of inspiration is to allow it to inspire you to put things together with your own unique style and flair. I'd say the redesign is about 85% finished. We still have a few additional small projects to complete so I'm always on the lookout for new ideas. If you're looking for some ideas for projects of your own, check out Do-It-Yourself HERE

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