Decorating on a Yard Sale Budget

98% of the items on this wall are from yard sales. Some of them started out pretty, while others needed a bit of a spruce up. I always try to look at things and see their potential. Could that ugly gold shelf be painted? What if I took the outdated print out of that frame? Maybe I could make something cool out of those old chippy metal key thingies. Try and see those ugly yard sale items with new eyes. Imagine what a little paint or stain could do to transform them. Do you have a closet or drawer full of things you've picked up at yard sales? They are probably all very different and may not look good together. But if you unify them with, say, the same paint color, you'll have a wonderful new display of like items that will be beautiful grouped together. You'll be surprised what a little imagination and creativity can do to make an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan.

This very gold and very ornate shelf really didn't fit my style. But with some antique white craft paint and a piece of sandpaper, it is transformed into a beautiful display shelf for my nest and chippy bird (see picture above). I painted all the frames a similar color and distressed them a bit to tie the whole arrangement together.

This gigantic "S' came from a yard sale, as is, for $2. The key and bird statue I painted to match. (Note to self...paint that bronze shelf one day!)





This display is a mixture of yard sale, 90% off Hobby Lobby, and Ross. If you don't have a Ross, it's like the cheaper version of Marshals or TJ Maxx. All three of which I looooooove. You can find awesome deals and very unique items at stores like this. You just have to be there at the right time, cause the good stuff goes fast! Find out when they get their shipments and plan your shopping trips accordingly...it's worth it to plan ahead. Although, most of the time I just wing it and happen upon good stuff too. So I guess it works either way!






I found this fun starburst mirror on a stand for $6.99 at Ross. LOVE IT! I usually don't like the goldy gold, but with this...it works. And of course, no picture would be complete without one cutie patootie girl hamming it up in the background. She jumped into my shot at the last minute to say hi to all my readers and I couldn't resist that cute face! Soooooo...



Hi...from Emma.



Oh...and I'm linking up with Kimm from Reinvented for Trash to Treasure Tuesday. Go check out all the fun projects and before and afters. And to make the deal even sweeter...she's having an awesome giveaway for a $25 gift card to Home Depot. Whoo-hoo... gotta LOVE that!
Thanks Kimm!