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- Entertaining on a Budget: Summer in Paris
- Mikasa Clearance: Daily Deal
- Simple Syrup: Budget Food Tip
- Martha Stewart Glassware on Sale at Kmart: Daily Deal
- Tile Tattoos: The Look for Less
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Decorating
Tile Tattoos: The Look for Less
Looking to update your kitchen back splash or bathroom wall tiles without revamping the entire room? Now you can change the look of your tiles with stickers! Not just for kids anymore, homeowners and renters alike can beautify their back splash or stylize their shower with tile tattoos from by Mibo.
Impervious to water and moisture, the heavy-duty tile tattoos add a fresh and hip look to your tired old tiles. The opaque stickers completely hide the tile surface they’re stuck to and peel off without any sticky residue.
Six-inch squares are sold in sets of 6 for $18. Four-inch squares are also available.
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Stumble ThisBack to Black: The Look for Less
After seasons of being trumped by either super-bright or more subdued hues, black is finally back as the haute color for fall (which, sadly, is just around the corner). With only a splash of the strong, sexy and stylish shade, you can update your home and give any room an elegant new look. Here are some of our favorite chic black choices for fall (all of which will keep you in style and on budget).
Covering your throw pillows with a trendy sham like this black paisley one (pictured above, $9.99) is a great way to spruce up your living room or bedroom.
This cute, vintage file holder (pictured above, $32) will keep your office fashionable and functional well beyond the days of fall.
Throw this chic and cozy blanket (pictured above, $19.99) over the back of a chair or use it as a wrap when the nights get cold.
Give your bathroom a whole new look by mixing some of these super soft black towels (pictured above, $22.96) in with the colored ones you already have.
Add an instant black-splash to your kitchen with this set of stoneware nesting bowls (pictured above, $19.98). They’re perfect for cooking, baking or serving your favourite foods.
Covering your throw pillows with a trendy sham like this black paisley one (pictured above, $9.99) is a great way to spruce up your living room or bedroom.
This cute, vintage file holder (pictured above, $32) will keep your office fashionable and functional well beyond the days of fall.
Throw this chic and cozy blanket (pictured above, $19.99) over the back of a chair or use it as a wrap when the nights get cold.
Give your bathroom a whole new look by mixing some of these super soft black towels (pictured above, $22.96) in with the colored ones you already have.
Add an instant black-splash to your kitchen with this set of stoneware nesting bowls (pictured above, $19.98). They’re perfect for cooking, baking or serving your favourite foods.
Paper Flower Bouquets: The Look for Less
Fresh flower bouquets make beautiful and elegant centerpieces for any table, but they can be pricey. In addition, if you buy them too far in advance, some of the flowers might begin to wilt and not be as presentable as when the bouquet was fresh in the store.
To get the flower bouquet look on a budget, try a paper flower bouquet. Martha Stewart now offers tissue paper flower bouquet kits (as well as several fab other decorating items) in the...
Best Buys in Recycled Glass
Recycled glass is all the rage. Products made from recycled glass are not only environmentally-friendly, but they’re also very artsy-looking (Huh? Artsy-looking? In the famous words of a Supreme Court Justice, “I can’t define it, but I know it when I see it.”) We’ve perused the web to find our favorite pieces for the home, at a price that won’t break the bank.
Luigi Bormioli 84-oz. green glass pitcher from Target, $24.99. This is a great,...
Small Space Furniture for $34.99 and Up: The Look for Less
Decorating a small space isn’t about cramming in as many pieces of furniture as possible. Rather, using some decorating tips that fool the eye can make your home feel larger. If you are a renter and aren’t able to make any cosmetic changes to your place, rest easy that some conscious furniture choices can make a huge difference (no demo work required!).
See-through
Glass tables and desks are almost invisible to the naked eye, which makes...
Feather Wreath: The Look for Less
We’re noticing feather wreaths starting to pop up in store displays and, while they might not be everyone’s taste, they certainly make a striking statement.
But at $40 a pop (from what we could find) we wondered, isn’t there a better way? Well, dear reader, there is. You can make your very own feather wreath for around $10 and in less than 5 minutes, even for the less than crafty.
You’ll need a feather boa in the desired color, a round piece...
Sami Hayek for Target Preview
What do you think of the collection Sami Hayek for Target? These pieces are designed with the student in mind. Prices range from 99 cents for a small notebook to $129 for the bookshelf pictured. We especially like the picture frame vase in the center column of images--it's an innovative idea that also saves space. And how about that rainbow clock? Both are only $24.99. If you or your child is going away to college, Sami Hayek's pieces are...
Outdoor Decor Under $20: The Look for Less
Summertime is the most casual and laidback season of all. It’s also a time when you tend to socialize more often, with backyard barbecues as the most common type of get-together. We think now is the perfect opportunity to find ways to make your home more welcoming through some carefully chosen outdoor décor pieces. Below are some finds that will make you quite the thoughtful host.
A welcome mat at your front door instantly makes guests...
Cling Adhesives: The Look for Less
Cling adhesives aren’t just for kids. Pop Cling’s adhesive prints comprise limited-edition works of art by 19 artists, with design backgrounds including cartoonists, doodlers, illustrators. Made of vinyl with a sticky back, the collection is ideal for art appreciators who don’t have the funds for or want the permanence of “real” artwork, or if you just want a design on the wall and don't have the talent or the desire to paint a design.
The...
Makeshift Table Under $35: The Look for Less
Usually the cheapest furniture sources include the thrift store or Craigslist. The major downside is that it can be very time-consuming trying to find something that’s presentable and will also match your style. Not everyone wants to go the secondhand route, but there is a way, however, to have a little more control in your aesthetic and still stay within your price range if you just use a little creativity.
We at The Budget Casa believe you...
Sumo Omni Chair: Win This
What: It's a pillow, it's a bed, it's a loveseat--it's the Sumo Omni Chair, valued at $149. Think beanbag on steroids. Sumo has thought of 10 ways to rest on this chair, but there are probably hundreds more. And make sure you have room in your living space before you try to win--the Omni comes in at 4.5' x 5.5'.
Why You Want This: The Omni makes a great addition to any den, family room or bedroom. Its versatile shape will adapt to your...
Etsy Picks for Your Home Under $30: The Look for Less
Handmade accessories guarantee that you’ll have something in your home that no one else has, and Etsy is the best resource to shop for one-of-a-kind bric-a-brac. Similar to eBay, Etsy is a website for crafters to sell their wares online. If you appreciate all things handmade but don’t have a DIY bone in your body, then Etsy is the place to get that quirky look without all the stress.
Handmade items are not only more interesting than...
Capiz Shell Accessories Under $25: The Look for Less
Capiz is a flat and iridescent seashell that has been incorporated in countless beautiful home accessories. It adds glamour to any object it graces, but isn’t limited to formal décor; it can also be used to capture a coastal and casual flair that’s especially hot for the summer season that is now upon us.
The lovely shell works beautifully if you add silver and white into the mix of decorative items, but really, the decorating options are...
Bathroom Re-Do Under $60: The Look for Less
Your bathroom should be your sanctuary. Unfortunately, it’s the one room that most people fail to decorate. Instead of neglecting the place you go to for privacy and relaxation after a long day, try pulling together a look for your bathroom that will provide instant comfort.
Redecorating your bathroom needn’t be so expensive. We have found that all you really need are a few items – shower curtains, bath towels and a bath mat -- that can...
Sofa Pillow Style Under $20: The Look for Less
Sofas are expensive, and a stylish inexpensive one is difficult to obtain. While searching for sofa inspiration, we stumbled upon this fantastic living room configuration (pictured above) by former HGTV Design Star contestant Adriana Nussbaumer. Suddenly, a light bulb went off. You can get the look of the sofa for much less if you get creative with pillows.
Spunky pillows can breathe new life into a hand-me-down from another era if that’s...
Global Style Under $20: The Look for Less
Globally inspired interiors are hot this summer. Exotic décor is here to stay as we become more connected to other countries through travel, and naturally, we want to borrow design ideas from other cultures and make it our own. From wild African safari themes to Japanese daintiness, we are tickled pink by all of the possibilities.
Here, we have found some exotic accessories that can blend with virtually any style as long as you tie it in...
Mirrored Accessories Under $30: The Look for Less
No longer necessary objects for the vain, mirrors can be used in countless ways to enhance your décor, whether used as looking glasses or as they appear on home accessories themselves. Because mirrors reflect light, they can make a room feel larger; they also can be used to reflect interesting details of your space. We’ve looked beyond your typical wall-hung mirror to bring you mirrored accessories you can use to play visual tricks within your
Cheap Room Make-Over: DIY
Using some paint, Amy Butler paper from Michaels and a round up of things we already owned, we were able to revamp this unused space into a comfy little reading nook for under $20. All we had to buy was the Amy Butler paper and spray adhesive and the picture easel.
Get started:
Find items around your house and pull them together. We found this chair stashed away in a guest room, these old garage sale bookshelves in the basement, and the...
70s-Style Home Furnishings: The Look for Less
Sometimes being fashion-forward means having to travel back in time. And just as the funkiness of the 1970s has hit the high-fashion catwalk, it’s inevitably found its way back into home furnishings. From orange and avocado green to disco-inspired prints, that beloved era of bell-bottoms is back with a vengeance. 70s decor combines clean modern line, with funky retro colors, that is a perfect balance of old and new. This look is really hip...
Ribbon Topiary: DIY
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Back in March, we showed you how to make a candy topiary, but what are you going to do when the candy is all eaten? We reclaimed our edible topiary to make a ribbon topiary that is perfect for wedding or wedding shower decorations. We are using ours for a wedding shower. Our inspiration came from the ParTea Planner’s blog.
Materials:
Save yourself some money and reuse an old topiary or find one at a garage sale and reclaim and redecorate it....
Glassware Round-Up: Entertaining on a Budget
The weather is getting hot and it’s time to stay hydrated in style. Affordable style. Here is a round up of some of our favorite cups that are $6 each, or less!
These recycled glass mugs are gorgeous, thick, and heavy. Sold by GreenBoatStuff.com, they come in green and blue and cost only $4.25 a piece.
We love the look of this glass in a wicker sleeve. It’s the glass that doesn’t need it’s own coaster. Sold by Ten Thousand Villages, the cup...
These recycled glass mugs are gorgeous, thick, and heavy. Sold by GreenBoatStuff.com, they come in green and blue and cost only $4.25 a piece.
We love the look of this glass in a wicker sleeve. It’s the glass that doesn’t need it’s own coaster. Sold by Ten Thousand Villages, the cup...
Organization for Small Spaces Under $30: The Look for Less
Finding room and staying organized in a tight space is a huge challenge, and it requires some extra creativity to make everything fit just right. That’s why we love Tinyliving.com, which offers a wide range of items for small living spaces, because they do a lot of the thinking for you. We rounded up a few of our favorite organizational accessories under $30 to help you get your home in order that can work in any home of any size.
This toilet...
Victoria Hagan: The Look for Less
Target believes that everyone should have access to designer-quality décor. That’s why it offers affordable furnishings and accessories by world-renowned designers through its Design for All program, and interior designer Victoria Hagan is one of them. Her Perfect Pieces collection reflects a classic comfort style that is a perfect mix of traditional and contemporary. Below are a few pieces from her line we think are great buys.
A good...
No-Sew Pillows: DIY
Pillows are a fabulous way to add color and texture to your rooms, but they can be so very expensive to buy. Conversely they are cheap and easy to make. Even if you don’t own a sewing machine and you’ve never lifted a needle in your life (and you don’t intend to) you can make your own pillow covers for less. All you need is some scissors, fabric, and ribbon.
Fabric and Ribbon
We recommend getting your ribbon from the Michael’s dollar...
5 Summer Finds Under $25: The Look for Less
Bold patterns. Hot colors. Sun and fun. Come summertime, you can get as daring with your home décor as you want, and it’s all about the accessories. These fabulous finds have just the right amount of color and graphic allure to punch up your home’s summer look.
Backyard barbecues call for fun serving pieces and your usual ones just won’t do. Try these wild zebra-patterned melamine plates ($16 for a set of 4) and bowls ($12 for a set...
Put Cork on it: The Look for Less
Cork is the new hot aesthetic for your home. Cork is harvested from cork trees without hurting the tree or cutting it down. So it is a sustainable and renewable resource and this functional and earth-friendly material is being crafted into everything from trays to place mats to give your home a natural look. From place mats to pencil holders, here is how you can get this fabulous look for $60 and under.
Use these interlocking cork pieces...
Mobiles :DIY
Mobiles aren’t for babies rooms any more. These light, colorful, and playful accessories hang from the ceiling and are the perfect way to make a spring breeze come to life. Here are some ideas and instructions on how to make your own mobile.
Leah of More Ways to Waste Time found this fabulous Frazier & Wing Paper mobiles (pictured above). The bad news is they are between $85-$200 a piece.
But here is the good news: We trolled the internet...
What Can You Get for $5: The Look for Less
With the economy tanking, you may not think that $5 can take you far in decorating your home. But you are wrong.
If you haven't gone out shopping at your local thrift store you are really missing out. Here is what you should do, you know that jar of pennies on your desk? Turn it in for some money. Recycle some cans. Dig through your purse. Or do all three, until you come up with at least $2. Then, head on over to your local thrift store and...
Organize the Kitchen: DIY
Organizing your kitchen doesn’t have to involve buying things, often just rearranging your shelves can help you make space and streamline the kitchen process. Here are some tips for organizing your kitchen:
1. Sit down and map it out. If you go to reorganize your kitchen you are going to come out more frustrated than you started. So take a second. Sit down. Get a piece of paper and jot down ideas. Do you want all of your cups near the...
Pop of Purple: The Look for Less
Purple is the color of royalty of luxury, and now it’s the color of your home. Purple has been popping up every where from toenails to toasters. A bright pop of purple can refresh your home and give it a bold new look. Here are our favorite purple picks for $28 and less.
Pico Owl Pillow $28 (link thanks to Design*Sponge). Pictured above.
Butterfly Appetizer Plate CB2 $1.95
Amethyst Geode Soap $10.95(link thanks to Design*Sponge)
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Pyrex and Corelle Love: Entertaining on a Budget
(This vintage Gooseberry Pyrex bowl set is available from domestikate's Etsy shop for $44)
The perennial problem of entertaining: How do you make a casserole look good? Let’s be honest, some of the best food, isn’t pretty. Green bean casserole, au gratin potatoes, the foods that made your guests feel comfortable, full and completely at home can often look a little bland on the table.
A simple delicious meal in a vintage Pyrex casserole...
Easter Tree: DIY
Even though the trees aren’t blooming outside, they can bloom inside with an Easter tree. Easter trees are a simple decoration that you can make in 15 minutes or less and they will wow your guests and keep your kids entertained for hours.
The best part: You don’t have to buy anything. Everything you need for an Easter tree is right in your home and your backyard.
What you need:
The Look for Less: Freecycle
We apologize if you have already heard of Freecycle, but we just discovered it. And it is a must for the fabulously frugal. Do you already Freecycle? Tell us about your experience in the comments.
Freecycle is a way for frugal men and women, such as yourselves, to hook up and unload trash or score some treasure, depending on which side of the exchange you are on. So, for example, that old oven you tried to sell on Craigslist but got no...
Pop Ink: The Look for Less
The French Paper company sells the fabulous Pop Ink products. We found them and fell in love with them and the best part is, everything was $28 and below. They sell fabulously funky products that pack a lot of style in anything from soap to napkins. We love love love this stuff. And at $28 and less, these are some frugal home finds. What do you think?
Here are some of our favorites:
Décor-a-boards $28�these fabulous pieces of wall...
The Look for Less: Birds for Under $20
Birds aren't only a herald for spring, they are also a fun, happy way to decorate (think the bluebird of happiness). Birds are a hip trend for your home. Here is how you can incorporate the look without busting the wallet.
This wrapping paper from Whimsy is only $4.50 a roll and can be cut to put in picture frames for some cheap, chic wall art.
This wise old owl from Wren and Chickadee’s Etsy shop, will make saving money fun, save you...
This wrapping paper from Whimsy is only $4.50 a roll and can be cut to put in picture frames for some cheap, chic wall art.
This wise old owl from Wren and Chickadee’s Etsy shop, will make saving money fun, save you...
Decorating Myths: DIY
Myth: Everything must match
No way. Matchy spaces can feel thick and boring, lacking in depth and warmth.
1. Coordinate your house by finding an inspiration piece like china, fabric, a photograph or painting, and pull 3-4 inspiration colors from there.
2. Use those colors as your main palate for each room but give each room an individual feel by coordinating accessories that fit that color.
3. Coordinate colors by uniting them in pattern...
DIY: Picture Easels Four Ways
When we saw these picture easels at Gordmans for $2.33-$4.99. We got excited and bought three of them. Picture easels are a versatile way of displaying pictures, or art that you can’t hang on your wall. But they can also help you when you need say corkboard for your office but your desk is by the window.
Here are four fun way to use picture easels.
1. Corkboard. Because we don’t have wall space by the desk. We took a...
Here are four fun way to use picture easels.
1. Corkboard. Because we don’t have wall space by the desk. We took a...
The Look for Less: Pimp Out Your Windows
If you are decorating in a small space, an apartment, or a rental house, decorating can pose a problem. You have to maximize the space you are given, often without the ability to paint. Decorative window films gives you a new way to decorate your space for less. And when it's time to move you can take it with you. This isn't your grandma's plastic she put over her bathroom windows. Modern window film has fabulous patterns that you can use in...
The Look for Less: Animal Print for Under $30
Let out your inner animal with these great animal print finds for your home. While animal print in excess can make your home look like a zoo. Well placed animal print in certain areas of your home can accentuate any décor and make it roar. Here are some of our favorite finds under $30.
Zebra print rug from Urban Outfitters $28.00.
These charming leopard print coasters from CarolinaCottage’s Etsy store are only $12.00 for a set of...
Zebra print rug from Urban Outfitters $28.00.These charming leopard print coasters from CarolinaCottage’s Etsy store are only $12.00 for a set of...
The Look for Less: Spring into Yellow for $30 and Less
We love the bright pop of yellow trend that is making it's way through the world of fashion. Here are some cheap ways to incorporate the look into your home.
This plump happy Rare Device Ceramic Vase is only $16 and reminds us of the warm summer sun.
This set of handmade hibiscus vases are handmade from djgordon’s Etsy store and are just lovely. Even better, they are only $30.
These Aria pillows are from Crate & Barrel and are...
This plump happy Rare Device Ceramic Vase is only $16 and reminds us of the warm summer sun.
This set of handmade hibiscus vases are handmade from djgordon’s Etsy store and are just lovely. Even better, they are only $30.
These Aria pillows are from Crate & Barrel and are...
DIY: Cheap Backsplash
Last week, we painted the bathroom and took it from nasty black to refreshing green This week we put up a simple, cheap backsplash that only costs us $7.49 plus the price of supplies, (wallpaper smoother, $5; 16 oz of adhesive mix, $3.99; we already had the paint). Menards sells textured wallpaper that is paintable. Look for it over in the wallpaper and border’s section. It was on sale last week for $7.49 for a large roll, normally it...
The Look for Less: Spring Blues Under $30
Spring is around the corner and it is time to make your house look like it. Ditch the heavy reds and the stiff browns. Lighten up your home with some true blues. Here are our favorite finds for under $20. Now you can lighten up your home, while keeping your wallet heavy.
Switching out throw pillows is an easy way to change the look of a room. And with Target’s blue floral pillow for only $16.99, it’s a cheap way too.
This genius...
Switching out throw pillows is an easy way to change the look of a room. And with Target’s blue floral pillow for only $16.99, it’s a cheap way too.
This genius...
DIY: Decoupage Desk
This is the desk before.
We took this old hand-me-down desk from drab to fab in a few easy steps. And it only cost us $13 in supplies.
Here is what you need:
The Look for Less: Free Inspiration E-zine
What: A beautifully crafted, free e-zine by Erin at Design for Mankind.
What we say: Read it. NOW! It is gorgeous. Inspiring. This e-zine is full of gorgeous pictures that will inspire you to add style and beauty in your home and wonderful words of wisdom from some talented designers. We loved reading what they had to say in the e-zine and then following the links to their own sites, which were full of even more inspiration. This magazine is...
The Look for Less: Kitschy Kitchen Towels
Kitchen towels can add fun and function. Below we have some of our favorite fun finds for under $10. But if you are looking strictly for function keep these tips in mind…
Around the Blogosphere: Web Round-Up
The Budget Casa brings you links from around the web on what’s hot for your home:
~ They’ve been talking about collections er at the Design Talk blog, and have come up with some great ideas on creating a collection (like this Baroque canister set pictured above) that does more than sit around and collect dust (read more here)
~ Christy over at the Thrifty Decorating blog got creative in giving a headboard for her guestroom a...
DIY: Bathroom Makeover
Sometimes, fixing up a room can be as simple as painting some walls. Painting a basement bathroom a bright color is a good way to turn dreary into refreshing. And the best part? You can DIY in a day.
We have a bathroom that we never let guests see. It's our basement bathroom. When we moved it in was painted black and the cement floors were painted pink. It is disgusting. Recently, we finished remodeling the other upstairs bathroom and decided...
Beautiful Art and Custom Framing for Less: The Look for Less
Okay, we’re snobs. When someone talks about a “print�, we automatically think of Starry Night posters and that lousy Dogs Playing Poker. But, we can’t really afford Andy Warhol originals. So, we’re left with mirrors and bare walls.
But recently, we stumbled across Art.com and while, yes, they do have Starry Night, they also have a wide variety of unique prints and custom framing prices that beat your local...
DIY: Venetian Plaster
Okay, we admit it. We are in love with “This Old House” and after seeing Venetian Plaster featured in one of the houses two seasons ago, we HAD to have that look. After researching our options, we decided to do it ourselves in our newly renovated bathroom. And the look is gorgeous. It makes brushing your teeth feel luxurious. And all for under $100, here is what we did…
DIY: Unique Picture Walls
Picture walls are the latest trend for your home and are a fabulous way to display family photos, but don’t let the trend enmesh you in conformity break out of the mold by making your walls your own. There are many unique ways to hang your family photos. Here is how we did ours for only $13.17.
Here is what we did:
The Look for Less: Antique Type
The latest look for your home is the bold block letters of the antique letterpress. Get them in wall art, collect the letterpress letters in a printer’s tray, or display them individually your shelves. This blocky, antique style is mixed with bold modern colors for a fresh look and is really, as simple as ABC. Here are 3 ways to get the look for under $20.
1. Greenchair Press offers prints with wood type letters in cool, bold colors.
The Look for Less: Invisible Bookshelves
Create space and style with this fabulous invisible bookshelf. It’s a brilliant way for book lovers and book poseurs to display their collections. You can get them three different ways.
1. The self shelf from Firebox for $29.95.
2. The Umbra bookshelf available on Amazon for $16.99.
3. Or our favorite option, make your own, using this how-to from Instructables.
Primitive Décor: Web Round-up
The Budget Casa brings you links from around the web on what’s hot for your home:
~ Love the look of primitive country décor, but not quite sure how to get it? Goodbye City Life has put together great tips and resources for getting this look without spending a fortune (read more here)
~ The simplicity of primitive country décor fits in just about any room of your home. HGTV gives us some simple tips for achieving this