(Almost) No Cost Decorating

I have to admit...I'm completely hooked on thrifting, frugality, and green. Yes, the color, too. But I'm talking here about green from the "save the earth" viewpoint. Recycle, reuse, repurpose!  Part of this came from necessity. In choosing to be a stay at home mom of four children, I had to be frugal in this two income family economy. Now all four are on their own, but my husband experienced a layoff over a year ago.  So the frugality needs to continue.
But I love thrifting!  Oh sure, it will be nice to have the extra money to buy that gorgeous antique whatever, or that new sofa that I really do need (I have a throw covering the big hole in the arm of our current handmedown).   But I love finding a use for something that might end up in a landfill.  I have two rules guidelines that I always usually follow. (#1) Buy only what you need or what you love. You'll find a use for it.  (#2) When you bring something home, get rid of something. Truthfully, I have gotten rid of a lot of stuff lately and have plans for more.

The "decorating on a shoestring" TV shows and the wonderful, creative bloggers I've found have inspired and taught me to see objects in a different light... not as they are, but what they could be.  I love the heritage of a vintage piece. Who owned it?  What is the story behind it?

This and the next few posts will be about some of my recent finds.  I've had sooo much fun lately (said grinning gleefully)!!

I paid $4 for this very heavy silverplated Reed and Barton meat platter.

A little silver polish and elbow grease....

and it looks pretty great to me. 

Stay tuned for the next installment!