Tag: budget home project

  • Curate an expensive looking gallery wall on the cheap!

    Curate an expensive looking gallery wall on the cheap!

    Many years ago, I purchased an old Audubon print from Etsy. When I took it in to have it framed, the associate made a comment on how expensive these prints were and how they were beautiful investments. Fast forward 10 years and they are digitally available and the most popular prints are available through Pottery Barn.

    When we repainted our home in 2020, I knew that I wanted an on trend and symetrical gallery wall. One that would make a statement on this large wall without investing a ton of money. Another challenge was finding artwork for the frames, I wanted something beautiful and subtle in a variety of colors. Something that would be timeless and coordinate with my ever evolving throw pillow rotation.

    I wanted artwork in this space since our family photo wall is right behind this one.

    I chose these 16×20 frames that are $20 and invested in a massive book of Audubon prints. Best budget artwork/decorating hack! I found mine for under $20 and have it linked below. I selected my favorites from the book and created the gallery wall above. The hardest part of the process was making sure the pictures were hung straight and level.

    I loved this wall so much, that I created another one in our guest room with animal prints from the same book. I still had hundreds of prints left over, so I gave the book to a friend for her to create her gallery wall!

    I love how the framed book prints elevate my home. I am always getting compliments on both spaces and it is literally as simple as taking an old book of prints, placing them in a simple matted frame, and giving your wall decor an elevated makeover that you curated yourself!

  • Guest Bath Facelift

    Guest Bath Facelift

    When we moved into our home, we loved the gray that the previous owners painted our entire home. It was warm and homey, and very Restoration like. However, it wasn’t long before we realized our ENTIRE home would need a fresh coat of paint. The paint finish that they used was reformulated and we could not touch up a single spot without being noticable. No bueno with a house full of boys. We put off this task for 4 long years before 2020 forced us in our home and boredom had us purchasing a ridiculous amount of paint.

    Last year was the year of 20′ ceilings and a powder bath refresh. This year we are tackling the bathrooms (and hopefully the boys bedrooms). I decided to give our guest bath a little makeover. It was a small enough space to step outside of the box and test out painting our cabinets.

    I set my budget at $250 and I was determined to come in under, and I did just that at $249.50! We started off by taking out the old, frosted light fixture and painting the walls with Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee. This is my go-to color in rooms where we do not have a lot of moulding. Our moulding is Sherwin Williams Navajo White and can pull yellow in some lighting and we do not want to repaint it. It’s also a great shade to match our tan ceilings and our very brown tile.

    Once the walls were painted, we installed the new light fixture! I’m usually not a huge fan of modern fixtures, but this one is absolutely stunning and I fell in love with it so much, we are installing them in the boys Jack and Jill! Honestly, this was the biggest part of our budget and it was worth it!

    Last, and the most tedious were the cabinets. I painstakingly sanded, prepped and painted the cabinets. In hindsight, I wish that I would have documented the process, but it was A LOT, and I was ready to get it finished! We went with Benjamin Moore Deep Olive and I love it! It’s a great mid-tone green that pops in this small bath. This was the project that had us debating whether or not to paint all of our cabinetry in our home and I am sold. But not before we invest in a good paint gun to make the task easier!

    I kept my white monogrammed shower curtain (not pictured) and accessorized with this watercolor picture and topiary that I picked up from my local antique store’s clearance booth. The rug and candle are HomeGoods finds. Soap dispensers and basket were Target dollar bin finds, but I’m linking similar here! (towel, soap dispenser, basket, and candle)