Something new...

I've never done one of these before...The Nester is having a linky party today.



Just a little something fun to see what people spend money on when fixing up a room to be "them"...so I'm adding my two cents for whatever it's worth...would love comments/suggestions!

The room I chose is the dining room/school room. (When you have less then 1400 square feet, you multi-purpose when you can!)


#1: Dining room table and chairs -- free from my parents when we moved into this house and we needed more space at the table for our family of 5. They bought this table when I was in high school...not crazy about the green color (need to paint it)...and it needs new chairs (which I'm on the lookout for). But you can't beat FREE!

...Oh yeah...forgot to number the chandelier! Well, I don't completely *heart* the fixture, but we're thinking resale. At any rate, it's tons better than the ceiling fan that was there! I think we paid around $45 for it.

#2: I do, however, completely *heart* my window treatments on the sliding door that leads to the backyard. These are open all day every day. Can you say "natural light is the cheapest there is"?!? I picked up this little treat from IKEA for $15 for two panels! They are very long, but I can't bring myself to hem them. The curtain rod was a Wal-Mart buy at around $10.

#3: This is what sold me on this house. Seriously. It's the main reason I had for being interested in this place. Love built-ins. I was thinking homeschool...need shelves...need closets...need storage for school. These shelves also house a few scrapbooks, the girls baby books, and some assorted coloring books, but it's mainly school. Just a gallon of cheap Wal-Mart black paint for $13 for the shelves and closet doors. The storage containers are from Lowe's and they averaged around $8 a piece for a total of about $90 or so (there are 11 of them).

#4: The white boards for school cost $14 total.

...also forgot to number the computer desk and organizer above it...the desk was free from mom and dad...gonna leave it in it's natural old wood glory. The organizer is an old cork board that was free, covered with $1 fabric from Wal-Mart. I edged it with black/white polka dot ribbon that I already had from making hairbows.


#5: China cabinet that belonged to my great-grandmother. filled and decorated on top with some things that I picked up in Japan: placemats, bowl, wooden figures, handpainted shells, chopstick; and some things from Guatemala that my sis brought back for me. It's turned into my international display.

#6: Two paintings of French streets. $80 for both about 6 years ago from Kirkland's. Mom bought them for me when I needed some retail therapy! They have been in many houses in the last 6 years!

...the paint on the wall is from Lowe's...can't remember the color...paid about $50 for 2 gallons to completely paint dining room, hallway and kitchen. It's not as blue as it looks...got some gray in there.


#7: Desk that I got FREE from my sis when it didn't sell in our adoption fundraiser yardsale. She let me keep it for my sewing/hairbow making area. Needs to be painted...but what color? Also, I am at a loss for what to put on this hideously blank wall. Any suggestions? (And yes, that's Belle by the sewing machine. She was in an incident that resulted in the splitting of the back of her little princess head...she's patiently waiting to be fixed...)

Well, there you have it. What you can do for a little bit 'o money...and lots of free furniture!

Come join the party!