Showing posts with label Debt-Free Living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Debt-Free Living. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

24 Whimsical Ways to Use Vintage China and Silver



As I frequent Goodwill, yard and estate sales, I see a lot of the same types of items.
Two of these are old silver (silverplate or sterling) and china or ironstone.

Sometimes when I am standing in someone's garage sorting through their former belongings 
and I spot an ironstone plate stand, soup tureen, or silver tray that I like, 
it's hard to think of where I am going to use it, at that moment.

But, I buy it anyway, knowing that I'll find a spot for it.
Half the fun in the finding, is inventing ways to render it useful, doncha think?

After last week's trip to a thrift store that was over-loaded with china and silver, 
I remembered the idea file I have had on my hard drive (for years!) and found a plethora 
(word of the day) of ideas for how to add charm to your home with these finds.
Maybe you can use some of these ideas?

(I do not know, rather, I can't remember, where most of these photos came from, sorry.)

I {heart} this bathroom vanity tray.

Silverware Garden Markers. See HERE.

This is Christmasy, but simply darling.

Got birdcage? 
This is quirky and sweet, isn't it?

Domes, cloches, cake plate covers at the buffet. Yum!



One of my faves.

I believe this bathroom was on Rate My Space.

Group pieces for more interest and impact.



A baby shower buffet, pink and vintage!




Keep those utensils handy!

Cute and clever cart storage.

Cake Pedestal #1

Cake Pedestal #2 (Coffee Station I created for a client).




Isn't this gorgeousness?

Makeup brushes in a pedestal dish.

Corral the cups.


So, the next time you spy something (cute and budget-friendly) you like and are unsure what to do with it,
buy it anyway and have fun inventing and creating ways to add it to your home.

What are some uncommon or unusual ways YOU use china or silver pieces?


Jaime
.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Miss College Girl's Bedroom is Done!





This room took since last Fall to complete (as if rooms are ever really completed).


Why did it take so long??
Because I collected things over a period of time and added them as I found them.
And because it was done on a budget and madeover and redesigned with:
a) things we already had
b) things found at Goodwill or on the curb (someone else's trash)
c) paying cash only
or
d) heirloom pieces.


I completed the room...
after I saw this Pottery Barn inspiration photo, and AFTER I found the duvet and shams 
for $5 at the Goodwill bins/clearance center, here in town...





...and after I found this curby and painted it Heirloom White...



What is a curby?
(Here's my definition):
It is an abandoned, neglected, unwanted, discarded item, that used to be treasured by the owner 
of the home's curb on which the item has been placed.
It becomes a curby find, when the finder, a passerby, retrieves the item and makes it useful once again.

...and after I found this Regency Occasional Hickory Chair at Goodwill for $5...




(and added this to it, after I read THIS POST.)




...and after I found this brass lamp for $6 at Miracle Hill and a shade at Wal-Mart for $14.




...and after I painted this frame at y'all's suggestions.




Here's what the room looked like, right before Miss S left for college.














And as of today:





The heirloom table got painted and distressed, at your requests.







The armoire on this side of the room got sold on Craigslist...



and replaced with my great-grandmother's dresser.



Peek-a-boo! I see you in the mirror!



I found this jewelry box mirror at Goodwill. It was black.




Yardsale flowers in vintage yardsale teapot.




The $5 chair got $3 sample painted and $1.50 furred.





This is Tinsel, the sock monkey. He is waiting.



Not for the house to be listed and sold. But, rather, for a girl.



From South Korea. A foreign exchange student named Hyo-Jin.
She will be here in July, Tinsel.
This will be her room, too.
Tinsel is smiling.








God divinely interrupted our plans with His heart for us to host Hyo-Jin through next June.
Guess we'll sell the house after that!

Until she arrives, the room waits.
So do we.
Anxiously. Excitedly!

~

If you haven't yet, or tried yesterday and the commenting system wasn't working,
please enter my Vintage-Inspired Cottage Giveaway through this Sunday (5/29) night.











Sharing this space with Houseography's Guest Room Link-Up Party!
..

My Zimbio
My Ping in TotalPing.com