Salvage Chic: Decorating for Almost Nothing

The ongoing transformation of our mobile home from trailer trashy to cottage cozy is one of the most difficult, but incredibly fun and satisfying tasks I have ever undertaken. And doing it on the tightest of budgets has only made the challenge even more fun. When we made the move here, I made an important decorating decision - I will try not to use anything new/store-bought/off-the-shelf for decorating - only things salvaged from garage sales and thrift stores, or repurposed discount store or Craigslist finds, or junk plucked from the roadside, or things I've crafted/painted/handmade or that others have crafted/painted/handmade. So far, this has yielded a much cozier, relaxed, lived-in, "me" look, which is just what I had hoped for.

The following photos are from the kitchen where my old Ethan Allen junk store china hutch takes center stage. The first photo is a before shot of the wall where the hutch stands now, and the following photos are of the hutch filled with vintage and vintage-style goodies...everything here was something I already had...just rearranged cottage-style...

On top of the hutch I used the plywood "watermelon" sign I painted for our country hoedown of a wedding. This provided the basic palette of green and shades of red/pink that inspired the whole kitchen.

I bought the chippy set of Franciscan "Ivy" china ages ago at a City Wide Garage Sale in Austin, TX, and I still love them. I have them paired with a set of pink rose dishes that I got from my grandmother...

Love the little birdie salt and pepper shakers - bought for a dollar at some junk store somewhere. The mosaic birdhouse is a piece I "grandfathered" in to my nothing new decorating rule...I already bought that a couple of years ago at Marshall's and it's too perfect to not use...

The sweet yellow chintz teapot was a birthday gift years ago from my brother and sister-in-law...it's a long-time favorite...

I have always cherished the pink depression glass collection my Mom gave me - they were her Aunt's...

Some cookbooks thrown in for texture and interest...heaven knows I rarely use them for anything else :o) I just realized I need some Easter M&M's or chocolate eggs in my little bunny serving bowl...

My typical decorating approach in the past (because I couldn't stand plain walls and I was very impatient), was to buy nice framed art from Hobby Lobby or Bed, Bath & Beyond and hang it in all the major rooms as focal points. I always told myself that I would eventually replace them with art I painted myself, but I never did. So although framed art is lovely, I never really had anything on the walls that was a real reflection of me, as an artist/craftsperson. So, with the new decorating approach, I hope to create a colorful cozy atmosphere that is just that... It has been a real journey of discovery so far...and I am loving every minute of it! (PS - I have the most wonderful sweet hubby who is genuinely happy to let me do whatever I want decorating-wise...I'm a very blessed girl!)

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I hope you'll stay tuned as I am almost ready to post the before and after photos from the master bedroom - it is turning out so cute!!

Oh, and you won't want to miss the super budget friendly no-sew projects I am going to make for the living room with this $19.00 discount store king sized quilt...

...that is if I can wrestle it away from Miss Maddie...

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Another PS - I will be re-launching "Way Back When-sday" tomorrow - the theme will be "Birthdays" as mine is this week. Many thanks to Lallee at Lallee's Cottage who has been keeping the When-sday tradition alive as I have been swamped under with moving and remodeling. We hope to have many more of you participate with us weekly for a bit of fun reminiscing...see you tomorrow!!