I have been sadly neglecting my craft blogging duties and I have several projects going that aren't even close to being finished and I haven't added anything new to the Etsy shop of late.
I have a lot on my mind, a lot on my work plate, a lot on my to-do list and a very cluttered personal space that needs attention.
But yesterday, I got to thinking about Cost Plus World Market. Someone I follow on Instagram posted some awesome mason jar themed finds from that store, and although I have never been in a brick and mortar (nor am I sure there is one in the Connecticut area) I fell in love with the online shop when I was searching for glass, gasketed pantry storage containers last Spring (you might recall.)
And here's a picture if you don't recall.
Anyway, I found myself browsing last night. Also as some of you know, my budget is on lock down as I save, save, save for our pending move in Spring 2016. I can't and frankly don't need to buy any more home décor items. But that doesn't stop me from admiring and coveting from afar!
I thought I'd share some farmhouse style finds with you, that are surprisingly cheap considering. And you know I like cheap décor. I don't believe in shopping at the fanciest places. Instead, I like to gain inspiration from those places (like Pottery Barn or Williams Sonoma or Ballard) and find cheap sources of the same types of products. Saving money yo. Saving money.
It's really not that difficult or that expensive to change the look of your home a little bit at a time. It surely is, if you do a full makeover, but I prefer to switch it up progressively. It's more fun that way and more affordable. Choosing a color scheme or a new theme (such as farmhouse, or floral or beach cottage or nautical) can get you started. Be creative but be true to yourself. Think about your hobbies, your family interests, your favorite colors, the feeling you want the room to evoke, and the functionality. (Do you want to Relax? Read? Or do you want a vibrant space to inspire you creatively? Do you entertain in the space or is it for private family use only?) Function is just as important as style.
As you know, my personal style has evolved from a sleek, bright, contemporary love of red and black, to a more casual, country vibe that draws from the English and French countryside. But, I still like bold modern prints, and I still love my red and black, only now I temper it with teal, turquoise, and white and an appreciation for more natural fibers/fabrics (hemp, burlap, linen, etc.)
Here is the link to this item. 27.99, and it's barn metal:
These lined wire basket would add practical, but attractive, farmhouse style storage on a media console or a bookcase in the living room OR kitchen pantry storage OR bathroom / linen closet storage. These range in price from $7.19 to $22.49 depending on which size you are ordering.
French drying racks work wonderfully as display stands for mug collections. You know: for those of us that have extensive mug collections. Want! This one is only $14.99 which is a steal. I have seen similar items at more expensive retailers for about one hundred dollars.
One easy and cheap thing you can do to add personality to any room, is to change out the light switch plates. When I painted my bedroom when I first moved in, I ditched the ugly almond broken switch plate in favor of a matte finish black one from Target. This plate is country and distressed but also an elegant and refined touch. $6.99 a piece!
I had to include one splurge item. I love the idea of using a tufted ottoman as a coffee table, with a serving tray on it as the hard, storage surface. This particular piece is expensive because the upholstery is done custom for each order, and personally I adore this antique red. This would be a statement piece in a living room. While it seems pricey, it's linen and it's made in the USA and hand tufting is no joke: very time consuming. $343.99 each.
This fabulous, aqua and floral table-runner is only $12.49 right now and I adore it. Modern and yet, evokes a French or English country aesthetic.
And speaking of French Country, you can't get any more French than a table runner inspired by a French ticking striped grain sack. $12.99! I prefer table runners to table cloths for everyday use so that you can still see the table underneath but it adds a pop of color.
I love the versatility of serving pieces like this. Right now, I use a wooden three tiered server that belongs to my sister Jennifer but I'd prefer something like this because it adds another material to a room (I like combing wood, metal, ironstone, glass, etc for visual interest). It also reminds me of a project I recently checked out on the Dear Lillie blog where she made an Ice Cream Station on a 3 tiered grey wooden server. See link here:
http://dearlillieblog.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-little-tiered-ice-cream-station.html
But really, there are so many things you can do with a piece like this. If you have a buffet or a larger coffee bar, it could make an excellent storage piece. You could do a variety of themed stations, such as Hot Chocolate in Winter, or perhaps it could serve as a dining room table centerpiece during the holidays (can't you just see pumpkins, ornaments or greenery in there! I can.) So many ideas, and so much room for creativity. $39.99 from World Market for this particular model.
Not much needs to be said about this awesome, turquoise, cast iron kettle. World Market has a large selection of awesome kettles and teapots / infusers in a variety of colors, and I love tea kettles just as much as I love mugs, so at some point I will take advantage of their excellent selection and affordability. $24.99 for something truly unique and far beyond your basic Farberware kettle.
Now that I have begun dabbling in sewing, I finally understand why curtains are soooo expensive. Fabric is not cheap. A decent home décor fabric ranges from $8 to $50 dollars PER YARD and you need many yards to make a pair of curtains. It's worth it to invest in curtains that you KNOW you are going to enjoy for quite some time. I know they say that you should not design around one element in a room, but for those of us on a budget, curtains (like area rugs) can be a commitment. My Threshold brand Farrah floral curtains (black and linen) inspired my modern French country redesign and I waited to purchase them until they were clearanced and actually traveled to THREE Target stores around Connecticut to find all 8 panels that I wanted/needed. So, to make a long story short, curtains are not cheap for a reason. Yes, these are stunning (and notice they are the same pattern as the table runner I admired above) and I wouldn't mind owning these for a long time. These are $69.98 to $93.98 for a PAIR depending on which length you order. Not bad.
At $4.99 this is a ridiculous steal, and I would love to hang this over my coffee bar.
These definitely look like they would cost a fortune at Ballard or Pottery Barn. They really evoke a French or English cottage style, and I would LOVE a pair of these to coordinate with my white distressed wooden finish pillar holders I currently have on the mantel. $17.59 a piece! You can't beat that at Pier1 or Partylite or the higher end department stores.
Even though the emerging 19th Century middle class was seeking both decorative and practical pottery items for their homes, the pottery business in Bennington began to decline significantly, and between 1911 and 1948 had nearly died out.
