To Declutter or Repurpose...That is the Question

Yesterday we talked about the 3 Question Rule to decluttering...

• Do I really love it? (is it a treasure)
• Do I really use it? (has it been used within the last year)
• Do I really need it? (sometimes we think we need something when we really don't)

I have a storage unit for Christmas decor since we have very little closet space in the apartment...who knew Christmas trees could take up so much space! During the spring clean this year I decided to revisit the 3 Question Rule regarding everything in storage. It's a small unit, but has accumulated goodies other than holiday décor...one of them being my vintage iron day bed from childhood. It's been loved, cherished and used by other family members, but was now reduced to leaning against walls in the corner of my storage room.

I love this bed. It brings back memories, has a classic style that lasts, is highly functional and very versatile. I was hoping to utilize it upon a move into my own home, but don't really know when that will be. So there sits my bed...my sad, lonely bed with it's matching trundle just desperately waiting to be the focal point in a pretty space again.

Day beds are a fave on my list for their versatility, which is why I was having such a hard time parting with it. During the day they serve as seating and then transform into comfy sleeping quarters in the eve. This particular bed has a trundle which offers the option of turning the single sleeping digs into something fit for two. Put them together and it magically becomes a queen size bed. Who doesn’t love the simplicity of a day bed...{sigh}

After going over the questions in my head yet again, I realized it was silly to hang on to something that "might be used one day" when someone else could make use of it right now.  So I brought Mindy (yes, that's her name) out of storage and decided it was time to let her go, but she needed a spruce up.  Coats of black were used to hide the dated style of white and brass and she was graciously staged in our dining room so others could see the beautiful potential of this fine lady (: 

Cushions from our sofa showed the day time option, while a simple "bed time pose" displayed her evening attire.  Please forgive the not-so-attractive pseudo mattress.  We didn't have a twin and the sofa cushions were more than willing to provide a nice stand-in (:  Mindy quickly sold on Craigslist and is now in a happy home giving much love and joy to weary little ones who rest upon her beautiful frame.  Even though I miss her, I so loved the transformation we went through together...I was able to let go of stuff and she became the beauty queen I always knew she could be (:

So if you have items in storage, give the 3 Question Rule another shot.  If there's something you truly can't part with, transform the old into new with a coat of paint and some elbow grease.  Are there any items you haven't been able to release and decided to repurpose?  I'd love to hear about it (:

In Gratitude,

New to The Homesteading Apartment?   Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Apothecary Jars for the Holiday Table

I've been wanting to replace the fruit in our apothecary jars with beaded gourds and pumpkins to reflect the fall season but the desire for all things frugal has kept those desires at bay.  Sometimes beaded fruit can be a tad expensive and our large jars would need a good bit to fill them.

On a trip to Walmart for a few essentials I decided to peruse their sale section for any goodies that might be lurking on dusty shelves and sure enough, there they were...the very items I had in mind and they were on sale for $4 a box!  The addition of a couple of green pumpkins and a yellow gourd brought the total just under $10.  Not bad, eh?  For an added "buy me" factor the boxes came tied up in brown grosgrain ribbon and you know a frugal gal can always use ribbon (; SOLD!!
 

The first box included silk leaves and beaded pumpkins in two different sizes.  Close up they aren't that impressive, which is probably why they were only $4, but they'll be just fine buried among other items inside glass.

The second box contained pears, pomegranates, an apple, berries, pine cones and green leaves.  Of the two, this was my favorite...so many textures and warm colors, plus these items had a realistic quality, unlike the bright orange pumpkins.

I already had quite a few large pine cones left over from previous holiday decor projects and they helped to top off the tallest jar.  Right now these filled and happy guys are just hanging out on the table waiting for their next layer of love...can we say burlap?

Some branches, leaves and candles should finish things off.  I've been pondering over place setting ideas and can't wait to see everything together!  I'll make sure to post photos of the finished product once the holiday draws near (;

New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...


Linked to: Today's Creative Blog, Creating a House of Grace, Between Naps on the Porch, A Silly Little Sparrow, I'm Topsy Turvy, The Creative Juices, Tip Junkie, Blue Cricket Design, Nikki's Nifty Knacks, The Trendy Treehouse, Coastal Charm, A Stroll Thru Life, Hope Studios, My Backyard Eden, It's a Very Cherry World, Sew Much Ado, Embellishing Life, Lucky Star Lane, The Gypsy's Corner, Santa's Gift Shop and Ideas, Free Pretty Things for You, We Are That Family, Crafty Cierra, All Things Heart and Home, Scrap Addict 4 Sure, Dragonfly Designs, Inspiring You 2 Save, Pinkapotamus, Strut Your Stuff

Makeover Monday - Bedroom Redo in Process

Last Monday I posted photos of an inspirational room makeover that reminded me of my own bedroom makeover. The first two photos are what I started with in the space...

I'm half way through the process with a few more tweaks to go and the fully completed project will be posted next Monday. Originally this was to be my studio, but the placement of the other bedroom was much more appropriate for working so a transition was made. It's quite small at 11 x 10.5, but that just means it will be cozy (:

The purple on the wall is a mixture made from leftover reds and blues. I prefer to use what's already available instead of buying more, especially when it comes to paint. Keeps it out of the trash and makes my frugal spirit happy (:

The frames above the bed are hanging from an architectural piece found in an old barn. Old antique keys are mounted on textured paper and serve as artwork inside the frames. I'm thinking of replacing the small frames with two or three large scale pieces, but haven't decided on what that might be yet. As with any room redo, changes are always inevitable (:

The table on the left was reclaimed from storage and the right side table was made by my Grandfather over 50 years ago. I like how the dark woods work together. One day I'll replace these with small mirrored dressers, but for now they work just fine. I've had these lamps for years and think I paid $15 for both. Can't wait to change these out as well (:

The linens are ones I had on hand...a few pieces from one set and some from another. The purple and white striped quilt at the bottom of the bed will one day be replaced with a chocolate and white damask duvet...that is, once I make it. Haven't found a print that speaks to me yet, but it will find me one day (:

The photo below was taken before I started painting the dresser. It still needs another coat of white and the brass knobs are getting a coat of hammered metal black. I can't wait for you to see it next week!! My Grandfather made this dresser for Mom when she was a child. I love using family heirlooms. It adds a warmth and connection to the space that no store bought piece could bring.

After seeing the photo above I realized this area REALLY needs some tweaking. It's amazing how different things look through the lens! It seems a little naked or off balance...is it just me?

I'm thinking of hanging two mirrors resembling windows on either side of the centered dresser and hanging the same curtain panels that will dress the real window. It'll add tons of light and fill the wall. I held off on hanging the curtains because there might not be enough fabric to make six panels. Still thinking on that one...

The space is very small, but I would love to keep a seating area. Mom saved this chair from the garbage when her office was redecorated and a slipcover left over from my old dining room set fit perfectly! I'd love to be able to have it in the room, but not sure how it will work with the two new windows. Maybe a bench under the window instead? The pups would appreciate that. We'll see (:

I replaced the gold round closet door knobs with glass ones that match the bed. If it sparkles, I LIKE it!!

So this is my tiny room. It may need some more tweaking, but isn't that just the process? Nothing is perfect right out of the gate, but it's cozy, comfy and makes me smile...mostly because of the cherished items inside, but also because it's a product of my own making.

When you create a space with your own hands, you leave a piece of yourself behind that naturally reflects your true spirit. You feel warmer and more comfortable in that space instantly! So give it a try...redo your space and add a little of "You" to your home (:

New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Makeover Monday - Bedroom Ideas

This is a great bedroom makeover from MyHomeIdeas.com and was the perfect inspiration for my own bedroom project. It was a catchall space transformed from a junk room into a bright and fun bedroom using many items that were already on hand.

The reason this particular makeover caught my eye was the wall color, dresser and headboard. The lavender they used is very similar to the color chosen for my bedroom and the dresser is almost the same wood tone as the one that I will be painting.

I'm not a big fan of gold mirrors, but love the ornate style! A simple coat of paint brings whimsy to a traditional look. I'm more partial to white frames, but the purple works in this particular application and adds some fun.

The bold flowers in the bedding, dresser and chandelier offer a modern twist. It looks fresh, light and comfortable.

Now here's my space....the catchall room that originally was going to be the studio until plans changed and the studio then morphed into a bedroom. Small space, but lots of potential (:

Some of the MDF from those huge storage shelves was recycled for the living room makeover. It provided plenty of material to make the fireplace mantel, TV component stand and shelves to house baskets for storage.

The rest helped to create worksurfaces in the studio, but that's another post for another day (: I love it when items can be reused for other projects!

As previously mentioned, the walls will be a rich purple, curtain panels have already been sewn (who are we kidding...iron-on tape was involved) and the cedar dresser my Grandfather made many years ago is just waiting for a lovely coat of bright white paint and some knob changouts!

All of those boxes to the left are blocking a closet with double doors. I'm not sure if you can see them amongst the clutter, but the doors are sporting a "lovely" pair of round brass doorknobs. Those have been replaced with some glass knobs ($15 for the pair!!) to match the Claudia headboard purchased from Pottery Barn (got it on sale for $199!!!!) as seen below...

I absolutely love these colors, but I'm trying to utilize items already on hand to cut down on cost. A beautiful green matelasse coverlet and lavender striped quilt with dainty flowers will grace the bed. Of course "art work" for over the bed will be made by moi and I'm still debating whether or not beadboard will be added to the bed wall.

Maybe you guys can help with that one after photos are posted next week. I can't wait for you to see them, so make sure to check back next Monday for the bedroom makeover!!

New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Makeover Monday - Final Backsplash Results

It's finally finished!! At least I think it's finished. If you're new to our Kitchen Backsplash Makeover, here are the photos of the "before" as well as the "kitchen in process" pictures. I challenged myself to create a free backsplash using the design inspiration of white subway tiles and came up with the solution of using leftover wooden mini rulers.

The original plan was to have a white glossy finish for the backsplash, but after the paint dried I began wondering if an aged glaze might bring out the texture of the "tiles" more since it seems to lack depth. I'd love to know your thoughts.

At first glance there seems to be a lot of white, but I like a clean bright kitchen especially because there's no natural light. I was surprised at how much it lightened things up (even at night) and love how the outlets fade away. Each one seemed to be installed at a different angle (much like the counters) and they looked pretty bad before. If you rent you can totally understand the lack of craftsmanship that can sometimes come with spaces like this.

The glossy white paint allows the outlet imperfections to be minimized and I'm wondering if a glaze might accentuate the crookedness again....still thinking...

We'll be getting the counters refinished with a dark taupe granite treatment so I might wait until that's done before altering the backsplash.

Our apartment complex is updating the counters in all of the units, thank goodness! I've had a chance to check out several upon completion and they look fabulous! Not as great as real granite, but so much better than the lovely laminate we're sporting now (:

I'll be sure to post the photos of the new counters once they're completed. I'm not sure when that will be, but hopefully within the next couple of months.

Another project being considered is adding crown on top of the cabinets to beef up their presence, as well as molding along the bottom so under-cabinet lighting can be installed. I think I'll let the glossy white backsplash sit and then reconsider glazing once the lighting, molding and counters are done.

So what do you think? I'd love to know!



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Makeover Monday - Backsplash Results

I was really surprised at how quickly this project progressed! The only challenging part was cutting the pieces to fit around the outlets. As you can see they aren't quite straight which meant cuts with slight angles, but the scissors worked just fine to shave away tiny bits of wood.

I know...it looks pretty bad at this point, but just wait. It gets better (: Any gaps around the outlets and "tiles" were filled in with vinyl spackle and I used my hands to rub off any excess.

Ah, the last little bit...I started off using tile adhesive, but it took too much time to apply the right amount to each ruler so I switched over to wood glue. Worked even better!

Some white paint and a wash of glaze is all that's needed. Check back next Monday for the final results!!



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Makeover Mondays

Well, it's the first in our Makeover Monday weekly series and one I can't wait to share! Here are some great "Before and After" photos of my apartment that I hope will inspire you to embrace your spaces and make them your own. When you live in a small home and can't make structural changes, getting creative is essential.

These first two photos are the "Before" shots. A room isn't cozy unless it has a fireplace and when we moved into this particular apartment that favorite feature was missing...so I built one! Made from leftover wood, MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard), architectural pieces from an old headboard and tile from Home Depot, it anchored the rest of the room and provided architecture to a plain "box." The only problem was everything seemed to gravitate to the right side of the room throwing things out of balance.

To the right of the room you'll see windows...actually one window and a french door. To give a unified appearance, they were treated as one large window using sheers to blend the two together. The curtain rod over the windows was made from PVC pipe, wood brackets and finials for the total cost of $9...and that included the wooden drapery rings. If you were to buy these chunky curtain rods in the store, you'd be shelling out at least $40.

Now to the other side of the apartment. Even with my favorite blue on the walls, it still looks bland. The kitchen, living and dining room are all open to each other...I love an open concept, but "small living" can easily feel like "one room living." Dividing the space up visually can make a huge difference and tricks the eye to give the appearance of more square footage.

The sad slipcover on the sofa was the right color, but lacked a tailored quality. The dining room table could seat eight, but the leaf and six chairs made things feel cramped and uninviting.

This is what the apartment looks like now after a few tweaks...please forgive the puppies snuggled on their pillows underneath their cream blankets in front of the fireplace...it's "their spot" and I didn't have the heart to move them to take a photo (:

The fireplace was centered on the wall, a stand for the TV was built so the components could be stored underneath, the fireplace was flanked with bookcases (built with leftover MDF) and baskets from Target were added for storage. You'd be surprised how much stuff those little guys can hold!!

Each bookcase supports 2 windows purchased from Kirkland's that sit edge to edge to mimic a large window. They were originally a horrid burgundy, but for $15 each I couldn't pass them up. Sale+coupon = happy frugal gal (: A couple coats of white spray paint freshened them right up! I also mounted iron elements above the mirrors (purchased from Pier 1 for $8) to top things off and switched out the lampshades.

After my old sofa gave up the ghost, a slipcovered Vintage Vogue Sofa and storage ottoman were purchased from Ballard Designs (on sale, yes!). The ottoman is perfect for storing another set of slipcovers, blankets and extra pup pillow covers. The pedestal table between the club chairs will be replaced with a shorter set of white, square nesting tables once I build them (: They'll offer an expanding surface when more is needed, especially when company comes over.

I built the white bookcase unit several years ago for display space in my shop, but it looks as if it were made for the living room. It holds cherished momentos collected over the years and gives a nice balance to the fireplace on the opposite wall. The 8x11 ft rug was found at a Rooms to Go Outlet for $99, and yes, rugs can be used on top of carpet (: It helps to define the living area and gives a splash of color to otherwise drab, neutral flooring. It's all about the layers (:

(Now, the blue in these photos seems to be much brighter than it actually is...it's more of a soft, Tiffany Box blue) The dining room table was turned, the leaf taken out and 2 chairs removed to give the illusion of more space. The old lanterns were taken down and replaced with 4 mini chandeliers draped in crystals, each in a different style for an eclectic feel. I used $1.50 iron plant hangers purchased from WalMart and spray painted them in silver to match the chandeliers. Looks like they were bought together as a set!

The window in the dining room is actually a barn window I found years ago. Mirror paint was sprayed on the back of each glass pane to give it an antiqued mirror affect and then a design made with liquid lead Gallery Glass was added to create a stained glass look. So easy, yet people are always shocked when I tell them it's not the real thing (:

The architectural piece above the mirror was part of a headboard destroyed in a move. It was the exact size of the window and filled in the spot nicely. I couldn't resist decoupaging on a French olive oil label found in a magazine when I saw it was teal! Simply used the computer to increase the size and printed it out! The rest of the pieces from the headboard were used to frame the opening of the fireplace. Can't let anything go to waste (:

This is our lovely TINY kitchen. It's a galley style, but oh, so small (: That brown thing on the left side of the bar is a column that isn't quite finished yet. It, along with the kitchen backsplash that cost me $0, will be in the upcoming makeover for next Monday. For a better look at the kitchen see the post Adding Space to Your Small Kitchen.

So that's the makeover for this week. Because the apartment is so small, it's hard to take the best photos, but hope you were able to get some ideas for your own spaces. Don't be afraid to go bold! Allow your home to communicate your spirit. Have a favorite color? Add a splash of it on the walls! Afraid it might be too much? Then go neutral and have pops of color in pillows, drapes, wall hangings, rugs or flowers.

Not sure where to start? Flip through some of your favorite design/decor magazines and begin collecting layouts that speak to your soul. You'll begin to see a pattern emerge. The common elements in each space are the things that reflect your true style...the rest will fall into place (:

Be sure to join me next week for another Makeover Monday!

New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...

Week Eight Update

This week's focus has been Passion (learning how to knit) and Organization (the studio). Sunday I started a beginner's knitting class and this is the lovely creation so far!! Woohoo! I know how to knit...can't believe those words just came forth from me! Well, okay it's not a masterpiece, but you can see the scarf taking shape (: Not bad for a first attempt. Knit and purl are the first steps and I can't wait to learn more!

Now...Welcome to my chaos!! This is the one room of the house that I will not allow people to enter. Why show the dirty laundry, eh? But part of breaking out of old habits is being accountable. When we hide the dark places, they tend to stay the same. So I'm letting the light shine in and exposing my studio. Isn't it sad? Bless its heart (: It's been neglected for so long.

Can't believe I'm sharing this before shot! I'll be posting more photos as the makeover continues. If you've been following along, purging has taken place in this space for a few weeks and it's amazing how long this process is taking! There are so many unfinished projects and ideas sprawled in every corner that it can be overwhelming!

The key to moving forward is to take small bits at a time. The preference would be to move everything out and then add things back in as the purge marches on, but this would spread the mess into the rest of the house.

So each day another box, a pile of papers, a bin of projects in progress comes into the living room for sorting. Once enough floor space is cleared then the furniture can be moved to its final destination. I'll keep you posted as things move along (:

If you've got a messy space you're working on, I'd love to hear about your progress!



New to The Homesteading Apartment? Don't miss a post and subscribe here...