!!!!Desiging in Miami!!!

Hola! Thanks for stopping by.  I haven't posted much this week because.... Well you'll see in the post before this..  So I just wanted to stop in and reminisce on some happier thoughts for you.  I originally posted this back in 2011.  But here it is again just for you! And a Big Big thanks to everyone who is following me now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest & Google! If you have followed me yet look to the left and Like Love & Follow!!

Ok so I have been away for a while.  Sorry about that! But I've been in Miami with my business partner Christina Johnson, designing a condo for Christopher Bridges. Yippeee!! 

The Biggest Thrift-ing Party of the Year!!

If you haven't heard already this coming Saturday is going to be the biggest thrift-ing party of the year!  Hundreds... 

No 1000's of people all over the world are coming together to thrift at various Thrift stores all over the world!

Sounds like my type of partay to me!  So count me in!  

There will also be hosting parties you can attend and thrift with other thrift-ers.... If you want to join them click here to see a list...

This event was created by none other than Mr. Goodwill Hunting himself Rashon Carroway.

  

If you would like to order a T-shirt like the ones we are sporting visit Ilovethrifting.com

As for me I will be hosting the thrift-ing event in Chattanooga, Tn... 

Here is the agenda:

We will visit 4 Thrift stores in Chattanooga starting at 8:30AM!!

1.  Goodwill Hixson
1966 Northpoint Blvd.
Hixson,TN 37343
Phone: (423) 877-3739

2.  Bethel Bible Village

5135 Hixson Pike
Hixson, TN 37343
(423)870-9056

Lunch Panera Bread Meet and Greet

620 Northgate Mall
Chattanooga, TN 37415
(423) 877-0223 - Phone 

3.  Goodwill Hwy 58

4850 Highway 58

Chattanooga,TN 37416Phone: (423) 894-1740 


4.  America's Thrift Store

6401 Lee Highway

Chattanooga, TN 37421

(423)485-0798 

If you want to join the party in Chattanooga come out for a great time!  Can't wait to see you!!

Laundry Room Makeover

Among all of the rooms in our Tennessee home that was in need of renovation/makeover was the laundry room.

This room was one of the worse because the ceiling had a leak.  On my quest to redo each room with second hand items I was able to purchase all of the material at a salvage yard!  Trust me these prices were better that our local home improvement store.... all day long!!  

The color choice for this space was purchased at our local Habitat for Humanities store called Restore.  This store reminds me alot of a thrift store because all of the items are donated.  I think I fell in love... well I did!!   I visited them everyday for an entire week.  And everyday I walked away with something. 

On this day I purchased several cans of pre-mixed paint.  I found this gorgeous blue and walked away from it several times until the 3rd or 4th visit and finally it made its way home with me.  

Yes this is a work in progress and next I'm going to add shelving to the wall for storage.  

 As well as, flooring...I'm thinking of a stained plywood..Lalala!!

Stay tuned for that!!

What do you think?  Have you visited your local Restore in your area?

Found Beauty!

What!!! I know I know...... It's BEAUTIFUL...

I found this beauty at a close-out store in Chattanooga, Tn called Lily's by Design for $370.  It was jaw dropping!!  I surely could use this elegant sofa... But the price tag said "SOLD!!!" 

Awwboo... Well anyway if it hadn't said SOLD.. I still would have walked away from it...Not quite in the budget...

After seeing it I went straight home and started sketching up one of my own.. After all I given that bad girl a rub down so deep I knew where every bone structure layed. LOL!!

Well we'll see if I can pull it off... In the meantime I'm looking for a vintage sofa with some clean lines so I can recover it myself....Lalala!!

Last Chance Thrift Store

Yesterday I had the chance to work with designer Nikki McNeil over at Single Bubble PoP the Nicholas House.  It was her 1st day working on her room so I decided to lend her a helping hand. 

Nikki is very energetic and thrilled to be working on her 6x9 ish room.  It contains one bunk bed for a mother and child of course who needs plenty of storage solutions.

 

  

After our work day was completed we had a great time at lunch.  Once we were stuffed we tagged teamed and headed in different directions to find some last minute finds.  I ventured across a new thrift store for me called Last Chance Thrift Store.

You can visit them online and print your coupon from here.

Well I was able to find a great credenza....

Minus the stuff on top and bottom..

 5'7L X 29"H X 22"D

with sliding doors

 Yep you guessed it.... sold to the fastest thrifter...Me..for a whopping $24.99...

I also found another gorgeous piece... this desk

The hardware is beautiful.. don't you think!

BUT yes there's a but.... I left it.. However,

I;m going back today with my coupon to snag this little beauty up....

Not only that... I also found a twin comforter for $24.99...

But with the help on my yellow tag giving me an additional 50% off I only paid $12.50.. I'll take it!

 And last but what certainly not least.. I bought a king size navy blue duvet cover for only $4.99...but once again I had help from my little friend Mr. Yellow Tag it to was 50% off...  $2.50!!!  My plans are to make a couple of alterations so this little friend will meet the comforter!!

I'll post updates on all of the transformations show above.

Bargin Shopping @ Thrift Stores

Thrift Stores Yea!!

Ok so there are a ton of ways to find furniture and accessories for your home.  My biggest finds are from thrift and antique stores, yard and garage sales, craigslist and sometimes right outside.  Well today I'm going to talk about Thrift stores.  They come a dime a dozen and every city has one.  One of my favorites of course is the Goodwill.  Now there are others but usually they vary from city to city.  Today I am meeting up with my cousin Tina!  I haven't seen her in a while and will are just going to see what's out there.... Yea!!

However, here in Chattanooga, Tn there are a couple I just hop around too. 

Greater Good- Rossville Blvd
American Thrift Store- Lee Hwy
Goodwill- Hixson and East Ridge
Consignment/Thrift shop- next to the Balloon Factory on Brainerd Rd
Northside Thrift- behind Krystal's in North Chatt
Jr. League- Hixson next to Big lots
any many more....

- What do I look for when it comes to furniture?
    sturdiness
    is the price right?
    is it good enough for me?
    color, texture, smell?
    what else can I use it for
    what can I do with this

Play Pause

Now I don't know if you knew this but I guess some thrift stores are even selling new furniture.  LOL I found this out when we visited the American Thrift Store.  Here are some pics and the prices are really shocking (in a good way see video below).

So I want to show you how you can use your imagination..  Pic on the left is of a gold arc lamp.. (throwback right) I think it cost about $15.  The right pic is from Chiasso it cost $228.  You know what you can do to get this look right.  Buy the item on the left and spray paint it.. Whooo who!! Same concept lower price...

Ok so I say to you again.. Wouldn't those shoes look great in my closet!! Lol I think so...

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Now when we visited a shop in the Highland Park area on main street I purchased a dresser for $20 bucks.  There is also a great story behind this.... I originally saw this dresser a month or so ago and she was asking about $40 bucks for it.  And being the bargaineer that I am I already made up in my mind what I was willing to pay for a use dresser.  So I low balled it to $20 and she said the lowest she could go was $35 with no tax.  I walked away.  You see I was aimming for $25ish. 

Well what do you know a month or so later it was still there.  I walked in asked do you have any dressers and she led me straight to it.  Lol gotta love it.  So I asked the seller how much do you want for it and she said "oh I'll take $20 one of the handles are lose" and you know what said right.... RIGHT!!

Now this bad boy is heavy to death.  Once I inspected it I found the brand name was Foward 70- Broyhill.  Yep I'll take that.  It was as sturdy as a rock and heavier than a mountain..  Well my plans are to repaint it white and add to our bedroom.  It was exactly what I wanted.  Pics of that coming soon.

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Goodwill Finds...

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Here are a few tips for thrifty shopping:

•   Know what you are going to spend- set aside a certain amt
•   Know what you are looking for- right it down (ok i need...)
•   Inspect the items shake it, rock it, sit on it- don't be afraid
•   Just because the items are used doesn't mean you have to    accept how it is.  You can also chose to leave or ask for a reduction in price
•   If you can buy it new for the same or a few $$ more leave it
•   As well as, just because it's used that it will be perfect either
•   Shop around first before you buy- don't wait to long bc someone else will come up right behind you and buy..trust me
•   Know what you are looking for- right it down (ok i need...)
•   Use your imagination- if you need a dresser and tv stand find something that you can use for both or make a pillow out of a dress or a shower curtain can be your fabric- think outside the box
•  Have fun and take a friend!!

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On another note I no I haven't said anything about Hgtv Design Star.  But every year I say I'm going to apply and for some reason I don't.  Well this year I was late but I did.  Let's keep our fingers crossed.  In my next blog I will talk about some of the questions they as you as well the audition tape I sent them.