A Decorating Challenge

A positive thing about moving is the opportunity to purge and clean. Moving back to Nevada, we got rid of quite a bit! The stuff we kept is in storage for now until we figure out where we will be living. Our friends the Richmers, who we consider family, are graciously housing us, feeding us, providing us with a car and helping watch the girls. Amazing, right? We can't say thank you enough for it is with their assistance this transition has been doable. And a shout out to the Wilmarth Tyna family for housing Matt while he wraps things up in Chicago! Once again, can't say thank you enough.

As we figure out where our next home will be, I have decided to challenge myself to fill in the gaps of our furniture with completely used items. Garage sales and craigslist have become bastions of opportunity while resale shops and consignment stores are hang out spots more than they were before. And y'all know I was already doing most of our shopping there anyway! The money we'll save off of buying all used versus retail prices, even sale prices, can go towards savings, future family trips, and our next home. Not to mention it is just plain fun to hunt for cool objects or diamonds in the rough.  And we get to act on our value of sustainability and being eco-conscience. A win-win-win if you ask me.

My most recent find is a 5ft mirror for $25 and table set for $35. After about $20 in paint, wood filler, espresso wood stain, brushes, blue tape, and new hardware, I am quite pleased with the final products!

Before. The guy I bought these from originally posted them for $50. I asked if he would consider $35c, and he said, "Sure, why not!?" Never hurts to negotiate. Thanks for teaching me those skills Chuck Price!

After.

After. I swear the pulls/knobs aisle in Home Depot is one of my favorite places.

Before.

After.

This mirror was $20. A husband was trying to get rid of it. They avoided my calls after promising it to me. Then my persistence won out on the fourth day, the wife called back and said she was mad at her husband because it's worth more than that. In my head I was thinking, dang these things usually go for around $300. Then she asked me if I would give her $25. Heck yeah!

After.