So here's what I've been busy doing!

So, here's what I've been so busy working on!  These are mood boards for a client's master bedroom.  She likes earth tones and she's not afraid of color (love that!)  She wanted a restful retreat with a spa-like feel.  I looked at pictures of some of the rooms in the world's top spa resorts for inspiration and came up with 3 options for her to choose from.

Option #1 - Rust/Chocolate/Cream with Oil Rubbed Bronze accents

Rust, Chocolate, Cream Bedroom by kendall@digiteconline.com on Polyvore.com

Option #2 - Chocolate/Mossy Green with "pops" of Turquoise

Mossy Green, Chocolate & Turquoise by kendall@digiteconline.com on Polyvore.com

Option #3 - Mossy Green/Gray/Cream

Gray, Mossy Green, Cream by kendall@digiteconline.com on Polyvore.com

So, which one is your favorite?

Busy, busy, busy!

I've decided to put my weekly feature, "Welcome to NEWBIE" Wednesday on hold for awhile.  I'm just too busy right now to dedicate time to it and I'm never one to do anything halfway.  The good news is my decorating business has really taken off!  I can't wait to share future projects with you guys!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Patio Progress

The patio makeover is coming along, slowly but surely.  In the meantime, I did a little mini makeover on my front patio with old things from the back patio.

No before picture, but it was empty.  We are fortunate enough to have a huge brick covered patio on the front of our house.  Ideally, I would love to find a big rustic bench, but for now this will do, especially because it was FREE!

This is the old furniture from our back patio.  We now have a nice sitting area on the front porch!

The metal container was a brassy delight found at Goodwill for $2.  I spray painted it espresso.  The rocks and that awesome piece of wood that looks like coral were FREE finds courtesy of the mountains in West Texas during our Spring Break vacation.

Coming soon....back patio reveal.  Okay, I know I'm a tease and I've been saying this for at least 2 weeks now.  I've decided I need an assistant.  Any takers?!

Shop The House Sunday!

Happy weekend everyone!  I'm so excited to have 2 whole days to work on projects.  It's rare to have a weekend with no kid activities or other events!  I'll have my "shop" up later this weekend.

Here are my favorite shops from last week's "Shop The House Sunday"

 Mantle makeover from The Brick Cottage

Be sure to check this one out.  Karrie made a versatile display piece out of wood that is reversible and create a multitude of mantle displays!

Pulling together all white dishes and accessories to create a beautiful bookcase display at Becolorful

Be sure to grab an "I Was Featured" button if you are showcased this week!

So now it's your turn!

"Shop" your house (in your pajamas if you wanna!) and create something for free!

Projects can be ANYTHING,  like repurposing an item, moving something to a different room for a new look, a recycled project, painting projects, organizing projects, tablescapes, rearranging furniture...the sky's the limit.

THE ONLY RULE?  

YOUR PROJECT MUST USE ITEMS YOU ALREADY OWN. 

We're sharing projects that cost NO MONEY.  

Can't wait to see everyone's ideas for FREE decorating!

Link up and party!  

1.  Use the link for your POST, not the link for your blog.

2.  Link back to this party, with the button on the right side or a text link.

Linky will be up through Monday morning, to give everyone time to shop, create, show and tell!

Lime, Turquoise & Gray

I recently did a decorating consultation for a teacher friend (she was Pierce's 1st grade teacher).   Amanda and her husband, Brad, are quite handy and took my ideas and ran with them!  Their kitchen is an apple green color:

It is open to the family room so the challenge was to find a color scheme that worked well with the green.  We decided on a green/turquoise/gray scheme. 

Here is the mood board I created for her room:

Here is what Amanda and Brad have accomplished so far.  They did all of this during Spring Break week.  I'm ultra impressed!

Here's the beautiful architectural detail of the ceiling in their foyer BEFORE...

Here's the "WOW" after!

They painted the inset turquoise and hung a beautiful new chandelier.  I love how the lights look like candles!

Here's the family room BEFORE...

Here's the AFTER!

They are looking for the perfect round coffee table.  Don't you love that turquoise niche?  The mirror was in their foyer.  Brad will be building cornices for the windows.

Have you drooled over the fillable lamp at Pottery Barn?  I know I have.  Target now offers a similar version for $50!  Amanda wanted to get my approval before she removed the plastic.  I love it!  She's going to fill it with Granny Smith apples!

Amanda collects wine corks and she put together this little arrangement.  Isn't it cute?

I'll be posting more pictures of Amanda and Brad's house as they complete this project!

No "Welcome to NEWBIE Wednesday" feature today.  I just ran out of time to put together something fabulous this week.  But, I'll be back with this feature next week.  My schedule is crazy in the next several days, but I'll try to fit a post in here and there!

The first step is admitting you have a problem...

I'm addicted to Craig's List.  I've been checking it everyday, sometimes more than once.  I think I may need to get help!

I am looking for a wood framed settee for the covered patio makeover.  I want to paint the wood and recover the cushions in Sunbrella fabric.  I like the idea of putting non-patio furniture on a covered patio.  

So, here's what I found this morning...

I talked her down to $65.  Do you think it was a good deal?  Be honest!  

She listed it as an "antique" so I'm going to have to check that puppy out when I bring it home. I may not be painting the wood or putting it on the patio if it's worth something!

And now, just for some Tuesday laughs, here's some funny Craig's List ads!

Did they think that would get better offers?

I have no words for this...

Oh my!

Have a great afternoon! 

Trash Pickin' Tutorial!

Good morning everyone!  I've had a few requests for tips on "trash pickin" or "dumpster diving" so here's my 101!

TRASH PICKIN LIKE A PRO!

When are trash pickup days in your community?  For my area, it's Monday and Thursday, but just a mile down the road it's Tuesday and Friday. 


What time does the trash get picked up in each neighborhood?  I try to hit the early 7:30 pickups the night before.  All others I have timed and I hit the neighborhoods in time order.  I pick in some neighborhoods that pick up as late as 9:30 am.

What are the best days to trash pick?  For me, it's the first day after the weekend.  People clean their garages out on Saturday and Sunday and I usually find the best stuff then.  With that said, sometimes it's worthwhile to drive around Sunday evening to see if they've put a pile out on the curb.

Other hot spots - People that are moving will usually put piles out before they move.  Know which neighborhoods have a lot of homes for sale and visit them often.  These are also good night time or early morning drive-bys.

Be aware of houses with workers or saws, etc outside.  They may be remodeling or replacing floors.  You can score cabinets & trim or even a good piece of carpet that you can have bound for a rug.


Types of neighborhoods good for trash pickin - I've found that the really ritzy neighborhoods (with the $1M plus homes) are often NOT the best places to trash pick.  I guess they hold on to their stuff!  The best neighborhoods for me are the middle-of-the-road additions, nice but not shi-shi.

Times of the year great for trash pickin - Right after Christmas is a great time and as soon as the weather turns nice people start cleaning their patios and garages and get rid of stuff.

Things to look for - I really don't have a rule here, just anything that catches my eye.  I typically don't dig through people's garbage cans.  I just look for things that are placed out on the curb.  I usually grab and run, instead of inspecting.  If I don't end up wanting it, I just put it back out with my trash.

Keep an open mind.  Accessories and furniture can be repaired and/or painted.  Upholstery can be cleaned.  Items can be repurposed.  My best finds are the things that people were too busy to fix!

DUMPSTER DIVING...Not for the faint of heart!

I haven't done much dumpster diving, but occasionally I'll look.  I know many people that have found great stuff in the dumpster.  Here are some tips if you are brave enough!

Attire - Wear sturdy waterproof gloves, a long sleeve shirt and pants, and closed toe ratty tennis shoes.   You could get dirty!  Bring hand sanitizer!!

Time to Go - Late at night is usually best for business dumpsters but anytime is good for apartment dumpsters.  Don't forget a flashlight if you are going at night!

Bring a friend - It's fun and you want a buddy for safety reasons.

Bring large trashbags or boxes for your finds

Bring something you can hook and grab things out of the dumpster with - a stretched out hanger with the handle as a "hook" works well.  A garden hoe works too.

So have I converted anyone to trash pickin?  Happy hunting!

And the winner is...

Sue (Someone's Mom) at I Need Mom!

Congratulations Sue and enjoy!

Patio "Vision"

I just completed my "mood board" for the patio makeover. It's coming along nicely and hopefully by the end of this week it will look something like this...

New Patio by kendall@digiteconline.com on Polyvore.com I found the cushions - Turquoise for the new "trash-picked" chaise lounges with chocolate quatrafoil print pillows.  Same print for the bamboo dining set.  What do you think?

I'm going to try to make outdoor "art" similar to the pieces on the right side of the mood board.  I'm thinking laminated scrapbook paper?

A Trash Lover's Paradise!

I tell you, sometimes I just feel like the luckiest girl in the world!  

The Trash Picking Gods were definitely with me this morning.  I ventured into some new neighborhoods and scored!  I'm always amazed at what people will put on the curb. 

Check out what I found in the TRASH, for FREE!

Okay, they need a little help but these resin wicker chaise lounges are huge!  Like I could fit two of me on one!  I checked for labels and it's FRONTGATE, score!  These sell for about $300 a piece on their website.

Looks like someone had too many pieces of cake.....or too many beers!  Okay, so here are the problems with these chairs.  Any ideas on how to remedy this all you furniture rehabbers?  I'm definitely going to get cushions for both of them so whatever I do to "fix" them can be covered up.  How do I patch these where they are strong enough to sit on?  Ideas?  I'm thinking duck tape will be involved...

Cute little bench.  The frame is oil rubbed bronze and in perfect condition.  The seat just needs to be recovered.  Easy, easy with a staple gun and some fabric!

Okay the picture frame thingie on the left is a little cheesy but could it be something cute?  It's a pillar holder on top.  Talk about dual purpose!  Any ideas on this would be appreciated.  The basket has dark green trim but I think it will be cute painted white with a turquoise handle.

And here's the trash find I'm MOST excited about...

Remember the bamboo patio dining table?  Well, I ordered a glass top for it last week.  I ordered a 1/4" thick with no bevel and the price was $50.  This was in the TRASH and has a 1 inch bevel and it's at least a 1/2" thick!  I quickly canceled my glass order (fortunately they hadn't made it yet).  It fits the table almost perfectly; I'm so excited!!

So just remember, trash picking can be fun!  You never know what you're going to find.  If you find something cool in the trash drop me a line.  I always love to see what everyone else is finding!