Be one with nature.

I have recently gotten hooked on houseplants. I say "recently" because I have realized how to actually take care of plants...and not kill them. Houseplants are a great way to add life to a room. They are relatively inexpensive, and make a world of difference, kind of like a mirror. I will preface my next paragraph with, I AM NOT A GARDEN GURU, but here are some things that I have learned.

1. Water plants once a week. For small plants, put the entire plant in the kitchen sink. Water the plant until water seeps out of the drainage hole.
2. Fertilize your plants.
3. Re-pot plants that you buy from the store. (It took me a while to figure this one out)
4. You don't need to buy expensive pots. I buy terracotta pots, and age them. Here is a website that shows you different ways to age terracotta pots. I used the yogurt one, and it worked like a charm, add history to your pots here.

Its the small things that count...right?

I ran across the great article today, and I thought that it was so good, that I would share. Use as many, or as few as you like. Just in case you needed 101 more things to add to your "to do" list. Enjoy 101 easy home makeovers.

When is a floor pillow more than a floor pillow?

Again at Southeastern Salvage, I came across a pile of floor pillows. I am not one to have a stack of floor pillows, but with such great color and size, they have to have another use. I love the pillows, because they are relatively inexpensive, they are over-sized, and they have great shape. Why not get these off the floor and onto your bed, or sofa. What a great way to add a punch of color for the spring and summer.

From Brassy to Classy

I keep kicking myself for not buying all of these at the Goodwill store (they usually have a few, but they had a great selection last weekend). Anyway, this was probably the easiest "makeover" I've done in a while...taking all of about 2 minutes, excluding drying time. Are you ready for the big reveal...I spray painted this plate red...that's it.

Idiot-proof Centerpiece...or Wall Decor?

Keep it simple. My favorite centerpiece? A large bowl or plate filled with a single kind of fresh fruit. My favorites are lemons, green apples, or oranges- you know me, I like bright colors. The plate or bowl is just as important. I found these great plates at Southeastern Salvage, and for $5- what a steal!

TIP: Why not buy 3 or 5 of these large plates and hang them on a wall for a great low-cost focal point.

Art by the Pound?

Is it possible to buy cool art by the pound? I say yes. Check out this cool piece of artwork, about 30"x42", that I picked up from the Goodwill outlet on Saturday. I think it weighs 2 lbs. which would mean that I paid $1.18, because apparently art is considered "housewares". Don't you just love a good deal.

Tip: Buy art that inspires you or is a great conversation piece (like the donkey's stomach in this picture). Please, please, please only buy original pieces of art...pictures of art, framed to look like an original do not count.

Book Stacks Baby

Book stacks. I love 'em, you know why? They make a home look lived in, they ground objects that you would normally just stick on a shelf, they make you seem worldly, and they can add color. On my trip to Goodwill this weekend, I hit the mother-load. Vintage Reader's Digest books. I bought all of them that I could find. I looked long and hard in the big blue bins at the outlet store- all in the name of the coolest 1960's designs... and at about $0.59/lb., who can resist?

Tips: Although I love to read, when you're looking for decorator books, it's all about the cover. Remove the dust covers, and look for books that have good color, and look a little used.

Expensive Taste Meets Ramen Noodle Budget

I really like high quality fabric. I don't like paying for it. My solution? The clearance corner that's in every fabric store. You have to keep an open mind, and can't have anything too specific in mind, otherwise you narrow your options.
Today I walked into an expensive fabric store, in my jeans and "still in college" look, so no one asked to help me, which is fine I would have told them "no" anyway. I marched my happy butt back in the corner of the store, in a dimly lit room, past the bathrooms...basically, a closet. There it was my wonderful secluded heaven. All alone, with a nice variety of remnant fabric. If you have never been to this corner of the store, I suggest you go immediately. The prices vary with the size of the fabric. Most pieces are +/- a yard- great for pillows, chair cushions, or maybe in a picture frame. I spent $15 on about 1.5 yards of fabric...now what to do with them....