When I was a kid, I loved the Choose Your Own Adventure books. Do you remember them? At the end of each chapter the reader gets to choose from several scenarios and each time you read the book it ends differently. I realized the other day that this was also my approach to decorating. Who knew?
Case in point…my new to me dining room rug lead me on a new adventure in decorating. It was a steal at auction for only $27.50; it’s a hand loomed antique and measures 9ft. x 10 ft. Now I needed to figure out how to add blue to my dining room to make it more cohesive with the rug. If I had an unlimited budget and could purchase any rug I wanted to perfectly coordinate my room, I wouldn’t have the fun of noodling on this decorating dilemma! Thus, this decorating dilemma becomes a decorating adventure! The search for blue accent pieces took me to thrift stores, estate sales, auctions and flea markets in search of the perfect pieces at the right prices.
Decorating analysis:
Plate Wall $35–various blue plates purchased at thrift stores–this price includes the Disc Hangers I used to hang the plates
Lamp $24–$4 for the thrift store lamp from Savers and $20 for the shade from Bed, Bath and Beyond
Porcelain Carpet Balls=$8–consignment store find from Ivana’s Trunk in Thiensville, Wisconson
1920s Walnut Dining Room Set–a family antique inherited from my Great Aunt
Victorian Dresser with Marble top–purchased at antique store in Cedarburg, Wisconsin to hold clock–see next note
1820s Ives clock–purchased on Ebay and drove to New Jersey with 3 kids to pick it up
Vintage oil painting dated 1907 from Door County artist–purchased on Ebay
Stone fruit–vintage and antique Italian pieces purchased at garage sales
Royal Worchester China–$22 for whole set purchased at auction
Window Treatments–Infinity Curtains and Infinity Tie Backs from my Etsy shop
Antique Oriental Rug–$27.50 “stolen” at auction
I love the art of mixing antiques, thrift store finds and vintage accents to put my signature look on my home. What decorating adventure have you been on lately?
Tips for Being An Adventurous Decorator:
*Keep an Open Mind–you never know when you will find something unique that will lead you to rearrange your whole room
*Shop Everywhere–thrift stores, online, flea markets, the clearance section, high end stores–look everywhere for items you love–even your Grandma’s attic
*Purchase What You Love–don’t buy things to just fill a space. Search for pieces that mean something to you
*Take Your Time–Embrace the adventure and go on one often
