Decorating On A Budget

A couple of weeks ago, I was given the opportunity to travel to Colorado Springs to help out two very great friends of mine with decorating their new house. Roommates, Lindsay and Elizabeth, decided they wanted their own style added to their house. As soon as Lindsay realized she’d be moving to a house (which was months ago) we started brainstorming on a color scheme and flooring. When they finally got to move in they spent many hours painting and with help, added some new floors to the dining room and new tile to the bathroom. After all the painting and the floors were finished I drove out to help them decorate. I definitely got the better end of the deal.

This house isn’t your typical house. From the outside view, it looks to be a small one story house. Wrong! This house is a two level house with a total of 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and has an underground tunnel! My job the past two weeks has been to decorate the upper level. The upper level included two bedrooms, a living room, dining room, and the kitchen. I loaded up my car to the brim with decorations to use in the house knowing that they would also have items to use, thinking it would be enough. Wrong again. I don’t know how many trips we made to Salvation Army, Ross, and Hobby Lobby for more supplies. But all that to say, it wasn’t too pricey. We bought almost everything on sale and if it wasn’t on sale, unless we really needed it for its’ functionality, we didn’t buy it.

Let’s get started on the before pictures. We didn’t touch the outside of the house. That’s for a later date. However, here is what the exterior looks like so you can see what I am talking about.

Okay, now you see what I am talking about. Looks like a small white house from the exterior view. I guess what they say is right. “Never judge a book by its’ cover.” When they do have the opportunity to work on the exterior of the house I have suggested the removal of one or both trees to create an area for more curb appeal.

Here are some before pictures of the inside...

Due to the state the house was left in before, they really needed new coats of paint in all of the rooms and deep cleaning. They also needed new floors in the dining room where there once was carpet. In the bathroom the tile needed to be extended to the height of the shower head so they wouldn’t have to worry about mold being an issue in the future.

Lindsay and Elizabeth painted and scrubbed and friends came to help with the tile in the bathroom and putting new floors down in the dining room. Needless to say they did an excellent job!

In the Living room they needed minor things to make the room feel complete such as wall and shelving décor. The only furniture that was purchased for the living room was an end table that was bought at Salvation Army. I purchased the majority of their wall decor at a thrift store and if I didn't purchase it at a thrift store of some kind, Lindsay or I painted/created it. She did purchase the shelves on either side of the entertainment center at walmart last year, but the decor on the shelves we already had. We used some of Elizabeth's heirloom books as decor along with one of my own lamps which was also an heirloom. Glad to know that these unique pieces can have a home again.

The Kitchen needed some character. They painted the walls and upper cabinets white and the lower cabinets the same teal used in the dining room. They needed a coffee bar area (which was also found at a thrift store), an island remodel, and I painted a couple chalkboard areas to give the kitchen some character.

The biggest transformation in the house is the dining room, hands down. This room originally had navy and tan/grey walls with carpet. What a transformation!!! When decorating the dining room I was able to use two old letter trays that came from my mom’s old newspaper office and by turning them upside down used then as a table/bar area. We also used an old mirror and turned it into a chalkboard. The two corner shelves and dining table were left behind and the chairs were graciously donated. They have plans to stain the dining table to match the rest of the wood stain in the room. One of the things I had to assist with before arriving was picking curtains. I gave them guidelines and ideas and they tried to find the closest thing available in their area. You would think that this is an easy task. WRONG!! Apparently Lindsay and Elizabeth went to seven different locations before they found these bright and fun table cloths and literally turned them into curtains! Good job guys!

The main bathroom in the house was small and dated. They had help putting new tile in with white beadboard and painted it a pretty cool grey. The girls added some character with a new shower curtain (also a tablecloth) and a home sign in the hall. I painted the vanity and added some storage for them.

Lindsay’s room took on a sophisticated look with, A new comforter. custom headboard and added lamps (bought at a thrift store) to her end tables to give it a more polished look. The year before I gave her dresser and end tables a nice new coat of paint so fortunately I didn’t have to do it again. P.S. I'd literally be asked after posting this "Why didn't Chloe make it on your post?" So... Everyone, meet Chloe! You also may have noticed in the living room pics there is a gray and white cat on the ottoman. Everyone meet Zeus!

Elizabeth’s room was dark and dingy due to the previous owner and now bright and colorful with a new custom headboard, two new end tables we found at Salvation Army and lamps to match. We also set up a little mirror make up vanity for her to get ready in the morning.

Remember when I told you that this house had an underground tunnel? Well that tunnel leads to a church which is lead by Lindsay. While I was in Colorado they wanted me to remodel the prayer room in the church as well. That post is coming soon!

Thanks for checking out my blog!

Can't wait to share the prayer room remodel with you guys!