Over the weekend, I was busy putting together the “My House” tab for the blog. It is full of pics of each of the main rooms in our home. I realized how I have literally decorated almost my entire house from the thrift store. This wasn’t a choice by the way – I mean, with three kids and expenses, we have yet to shop for all of our furnishings at Ethan Allen or Storehouse! I bet that would be pretty fun but it is not in the cards for me. By necessity, my home is clearly “collected, not decorated”! I do think that it shows that with some vision and diy skills, any house can be made a home even on the tiniest of budgets. When I say DIY, in my case it is really true. I have done it all myself.
Take my family room. Many of my readers already know about the painted paneling and whitewashed brick hearth.
Whitewashed Brick Hearth
My husband replaced the floors with hardwood purchased at HomeDepot.
“Before” Family Room
The walls were painted in BM Guilford Green and the beams with a bright white. Then came the fun part – decorating. Our sofa was on sale and a floor model from Macy’s and was a deal at $300. It is now over 10 years old and I have my eye on a gorgeous gray sectional but am not quite there yet! Here’s a pic – I like the modern lines for our room.
The swivel chair is from Ikea and I bought it used for $50. The lamps were purchased from Sears about 15 years ago and I forget the price.
Painted Beams and Whitewashed Brick Family Room
The green chair was a floor sample and if I remember, less than $150 and the rug from is Ikea and was approx. $60.
Family Room of Thrift Store Finds
My mirror is a plastic Target mirror that I bought on sale and painted for a weathered wood finish (link to video tutorial here)
The curtains were also on sale from Target at $15 per panel.
Guilford Green Walls in Family Room
Everything else in the room is a thrift store find- the french dresser under our TV was $90.
French Dresser console
The Corinth Blue Chest of Drawers in the corner was $25.
Corinth Blue Farmhouse Dresser
Corinth Blue Celestial Dresser
The coffee table was $14 and painted in Annie Sloan Provence with dark wax.
Provence Vintage Coffee Table
The little white shelf was $5.00, the desk was $15 and the crates were free from the side of the road.
The large green glass vase was $10 and the blue candlestick was on sale at Pottery Barn for less than $25.
Painted Beams and Whitewashed Brick Family Room
Whitewashed Brick in Annie Sloan Old White
The smaller glass jars less than $10 each.
Vintage Green Glass
My window was from the side of the road at the beach.
Vintage Glass Mantel
My picture frames are all from HomeGoods, as are my sofa pillows and the sign on the wall. ♥ HomeGoods!
Corinth Blue Vintage Painted Chest
The little plants are Ikea and the star in the corner is from World Market and was about $20. All of my artwork in my home is either gifted to me from my parents or purchased from – you got it – the thrift store! I will share more of my thrift store home soon. Design on a dime!
What about the rug? I love it, and am looking for one that is similar. Thanks for all the inspiration….your posts make me want to do a project : )
Hi Barb – it is from Ikea – I don’t have too many thick large rugs as my daughter has asthma so this one is perfect! Thanks!
You are not the only one who has a home full of previously loved things. As a young woman, I remember my mom having things recovered and repainted. I thought it was crazy so I filled my apartments with brand new stuff. That is long gone now.I find myself having things recovered and repainted. Some of the repainting done by me to my eBay finds to change them up. New is really not as much fun.
I agree – it is quite rewarding to find a $14 table and make it your own. However, a shopping spree at Pottery Barn would really be a blast lol!
You have a lovely home filled with unique treasures and one of a kind items. That is the best kind of home to have.
Thank you so much, Debra! Please link up your lovely pieces on the new link party – I love your work! It goes live Friday morning 🙂 Cheers!
I love the grey sofa Suzanne. It’s just the right answer for your family room. AND the mirror looks like wood. Never would have guessed it was plastic. Thanks for sharing so much with us. Enjoy your week!
Yes, I just love that sofa. However, it is on the back burner for now. Softball/baseball/chorus fees plus college looming…I just can’t justify it yet 🙂 cheers!
It’s all beautiful and you have amazing taste. I would much rather have a home like this than shop retail and know other people will have the exact same look. Eclectic and collected are my favorite looks always. Plus, the hunt is so much fun and who does not love to save money?
I love that coffee table with the gorgeous Chippendale style. If you ever decide to sell it, please let me know and I am very serious. The color and everything is perfect and I so wish I could find something like it in my area.
Take care.
Thanks, Debbie! I will let you know if I ever tire of it. I need it now but will keep you in mind as I tend to change my furniture like some people change their clothes lol!
I love all your projects and how you put it all together in your home!
Thank you so much, Patricia!
You really have done a beautiful job decorating your home Suzanne! I’ve told you before, the rooms are magazine worthy and hard to imagine they’ve been pulled together with thifty finds. Personally, I think decorating on a budget gives a home so much more personality and each room now has a story. Not the case when you’re simply pulling things from retail show rooms.
Thanks, Marie! I really appreciate it! Your home is also lovely. I really enjoy being able to “house tour” via my blog world and get great ideas 🙂
You and my niece are amazing ( she reminds me of you ) both are very talented.
Thank you
Thank you Nancy!
It’s a beautifully curated home, Suzanne.
Wow Suzanne, how inspirational!