It figures......

Does this ever happen to you???

For ages I was on the hunt for the right piece for the right price for my patio, 

I felt I hit the jackpot when I recently purchased this loveseat. 

Then yesterday what do I stumble upon? (I wasn't even looking, pinkie swear!) 

A vintage, fabulous, screaming deal set which is the long lost family to my

  curbside finds from last year....

I can't stop thinking about them...

Any advice for how to sweet talk my accountant husband into letting me buy these babies so they can come live forever on my patio??? 

My fun little Mid - Century chairs are lonely....

First things first, I'd better send a message and see if by chance, the set is still available...

Wish me luck, on all fronts!

--------------Cathy--------------

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Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design?  I would love to work with you to help your room "feel better."  

Contact me for more information about my design services.

Swing Arm Sconces for less than $150

Knowing that you enjoy these posts, I am inspired to keep them coming. Now, when I am searching for a product for a client or project I am working on and I find low cost versions, I'll round them up and share them with you. This won't be a regular, weekly column, but rather will appear when I have something good to share. 

So on to today's goods,

swing arm sconces!

Who doesn't love this sconce?

But at $336, this Circa Lighting fixture does not work with everyone's budget. 

So the search began for a budget friendly, super stylish alternative and here is what I found.....

I am trying a different way to search the products in my round ups and I thought this might be easier than trying to match the number to the item... let me know what you like better.

There is a look for everyone, and a price for every budget too!
Which ones are you drawn to?

I really like this guy....

and think my CSIL should use it (in white) in her guest bedroom....

The sun is shining here today and the temps may even top 50 degrees.... Whoopie! I may have to get out and do a little bit of yard work....

I almost forgot to mention how excited and honored I was to find that Emily Clark featured my
budget bar stool collection here, if you missed it, go check it out!

Have a great day people!

--------------Cathy--------------

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Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design?  I would love to work with you to help your room "feel better."  

Contact me for more information about my design services.

Such a deal!

Spring has not yet sprung around these parts, but that has not deterred me from dreaming of warmer days and time spent enjoying our patio. Last year I added a couple of Mid Century chairs that had been curb finds, but felt my seating group was still lacking so the hunt has been on for an additional piece.  After much searching and road testing, I finally found something that met our needs from a price, looks and comfort standpoint.  

The Fremont Wicker Loveseat from our local home improvement store Menards!

Now, I am not loving the cushion, but the loveseat is a well made synthetic wicker with a powder coated steel frame in a beautiful shade of creamy white. 

And the best part? 

The price! 

At $122 (with the cushion) this baby came home with me yesterday.

The whole 4 piece group is quite the bargain as well at $319, but alas we only needed the loveseat and I figure I can use it without the cushion or doctor that baby up to work with my patio decor.

Fremont 4 Piece Wicker Seating from Menards

Here she is in her new home (beautifully styled wouldn't you say?!) 

I especially love the look of the dead grasses and quasi - empty pots. Fear not, when the weather around here finally cooperates and warms up past 45 during the day and above freezing at night, I have big plans for this patio... you'll see!

What deals did you stumble upon this past week-end?

(P.S. Menards has not compensated me in any way for this post)

--------------Cathy--------------

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Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design?  I would love to work with you to help your room "feel better."  

Contact me for more information about my design services.

bargain barstools

Many thanks to Linda and Pam for filling me in on the fact that the RSS feed for Room Rx was not working properly, helping to explain why I wasn't feeling the love lately. Linda mentioned that Lisa had had a similar problem, so a quick email to her and I received a detailed answer generated from her research and I believe the problem is fixed! Let me know if you think it is not....

I LOVE my blog friends!!! Thanks for your help ladies!

If you have missed anything over the past 3 weeks, be sure to catch up by scrolling down or going directly to these links to the various posts: March 20, March 22, April 2, April 8 and April 10. 

Now, since that is out of the way, I am mixing things up a bit today by posting about something other than fabric on a Friday. Today it is barstools. I have worked on quite a few kitchens over the past months and I keep coming across great looking stools that are reasonably priced and thought I should share my faves. I have rounded up 10 stools with backs and 10 without. 

There is something for everyone in this mix, at  a variety of price points all under $160!

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10  / 11 / 12 / 13 / 14 / 15 /16/ 17 / 18 / 19 /20

Do you have a favorite? Maybe something I missed in my collection? If so be sure to share a link in the comments or on my facebook page.

We are still awaiting Spring here in Madison, the weather has been just grim this week with rain and temps in the 30's. All of the HS sports have been cancelled and the swale in my backyard is looking enough like a pond to fool the Mallard ducks who have been playing in there the last few days.

I am hoping the sun shines around here soon!

Have a terrific week-end....

--------------Cathy--------------

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Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design?  I would love to work with you to help your room "feel better."  

Contact me for more information about my design services.

Pendant lighting on a budget

Lighting is a crucial element in any space from the standpoint of functionality; getting the layers of lighting right can be the difference between a bright, well used room and one that just doesn't cut it. But lighting also plays an important role visually, a little bit like the correct jewelry for a favorite outfit, sometimes subtle (hoop earrings) and sometimes the showstopper (a statement necklace.)  Lucky for us there are thousands of options and hundreds of websites and stores from which to purchase, but therein lies the problem, how to choose! Since most of us are on a budget, and the costs for even the most inexpensive fixture can add up when multiples are needed, I have been exploring the web in search of inexpensive, high style lighting (check out my guides to flush mounts and semi-flush mounts.)

Today I share a dozen of my picks for small pendant lighting, much used in kitchens (over islands, peninsulas and sinks) but also in bathrooms over vanities and hallways with tall ceilings. Every fixture is under $100 and work with a variety of styles from traditional to industrial and everything in-between. Some are fabulous right out of the box and others would make for interesting DIY projects. I am picturing the first brass number all dolled up with a little Rub N Buff to tone down the finish...

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12

There are many great sources for finding inexpensive lighting. I typically go right to Home Depot, (or Lowes if you have one in your area) Home Decorators and Lamps Plus. West Elm, Ballard Design and Pottery Barn are also great resources. If you are searching for something more unique, you may have luck on Craigslist, Ebay or even at your local thrift shops. The key thing is, you don't have to scrimp on style just because you have a budget, take the time to find what you love and make it work for you.

What are your favorite inexpensive light fixtures and sources?

We had a stunning, sunny Winter week-end here in Madison complete with a moonlight snowshoe with friends on Friday night and more fun on showshoes yesterday. More snow is in the forecast here tonight and tomorrow, another 6-8 inches... Good thing I like playing in the snow.... I might just be ready for signs of Spring after this storm passes......

Have a great week, I can't wait for you to come back Wednesday when I share the progress my CSIL has made on her Dining Room....!!!!


Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx

Replace the "boob' light - Semi flush fixtures $150 and under

As promised, today I share round 2 of Replace the "boob light, my picks for value priced semi- flush fixtures. Often this fixture style works well in rooms with 8' ceilings, but be sure to check the overall height of the fixture before buying. The taller fixtures may be best used with ceiling heights of 9' or more. Larger and more detailed than flush mounts,  I think these lights are anything but utilitarian, but with price tags between $80 - 150 it's easy to see why a builder or home owner may not choose them for spaces needing multiple fixtures, like hallways. For a bedroom or study, any of these lights would give great bang for the buck.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12

Are you sold? There are a couple I am eyeballing for my someday "boob" light replacement project...

One last thing, a shout out to my friend Linda for gathering together a very talented group for her

One Room Challenge. 

If you are not familiar, every Wednesday for 6 weeks, these 20 bloggers will share their ideas for and progress in transforming a room. This is one talented bunch so the creativity and cleverness is abundant!
Go on now, grab your coffee, tea or wine (well, you might be reading this after your work for the day is done, right?) and have a look at what these folks are up to, you won't be disappointed....

Chattafabulous 

Chinoiserie Chic 

Classic Casual Home 

the Cottage Mix 

Cottage & Vine 

Design Indulgence 

Design Manifest 

Everything LEB 

Hodge Podge 

Kim Macumber Interiors 

Little Black Door 

Matters of Style 

Nicole Scott Designs 

Pacific Family Homes 

Pawleys Island Posh 

the Peak of Tres Chic 

the Pink Pagoda 

Powell Brower Home 

Simple Details 

 Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx

Replace the "boob" Light: 12 fixtures for $100 or less

Builders love 'em, many of us have 'em or have had 'em (I still have a couple) and designers hate 'em.... Yes I am talking about the "boob" light! Not sure what a "boob" light is? Check it out in it's most basic form...

They are widely used because they are typically very inexpensive (the one above is $23.) But they are also found all dressed up and selling for a pretty penny, like this one...  for a mere $299.99!

I have not gotten around to replacing the ones in my house yet due to cost and decorating priority, but when I am ready, (or the hubs is ready to loosen the purse strings) here are a dozen suitable replacements. They are all flush mount fixtures, perfect for homes like mine with 8' ceilings.

Top to bottom, left to right
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12

Check out what Kristin from The Hunted Interior did with light number 10 above:

A little Rub 'N' Buff and some gold spray paint and she made that guy look like it's $272 friend. Pretty clever, yes?

Do you still have "boob" lights in your home? What would you use to replace them?
Later this week I'll share my picks for semi-flush fixtures that can work for replacing those unsightly lights as well.

I hope my friends on the East Coast are all dug out and back to normal after the crazy storm over the week-end, stay warm and safe. We had pouring rain yesterday and it feels like Oz here today, the wind is howling and gusts of up to 45mph are expected. Aahhh, Winter in the Midwest!!!

 Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx

Thrifting in Kalamazoo

Last week I shared with you that my CSIL had a big birthday and a new house, so on Friday I made my way to Kalamazoo, MI and surprised her! Not only did we celebrate, but we got right down to business, planning, scouting and decorating in order to make their new house a home. We visited several terrific local stores and came away with some fabulous finds.

One of the keys to living in a smaller home is making the most of every square inch of space, and this hallway is the perfect example. Just off the kitchen, the powder room and pantry are accessible in this space and it is the pass through to the living room and basement. The spot below, to the left of the doorway was home to the microwave, which sat on a table (sorry, no before photos). We stumbled upon a piece at The Emporium perfect for housing the microwave and lots of added storage.

The plan is to add a shelf to the open area above the microwave to house the bread box and to make the crown moulding at the top finish both exposed sides. But for now both the additional storage and the appearance of the piece make it a winner!

A new sofa is on order for the living room and a furniture plan had been developed which included mounting the TV over the fireplace. While hanging out in the room, we turned that plan upside down and decided to put the TV opposite the fireplace and re-think the seating. Our thrifting mission was to locate a pair of chairs for the room and not only did we do that, but we also found a console to house the TV, all at the fabulous Kalamazoo Kitty.  I love the mid-century lines of this piece and it is in great condition as is.  Score!

Check out our chair find....

These babies will get a make-over with some great new fabric, but let me tell you, they are quite comfortable with their high backs and low profile. Another bonus is their size, compact and perfect for this long, narrow room.

Finally, The Emporium yielded another great find... these nesting tables embellished with a Greek Key design which play perfectly into our design plan for the room!

There is nothing better than thrifting and decorating with a favorite person, so all in all the visit was a success. I can't wait to see this home come together and of course to share it with all of you! Hope everyone enjoyed a long, relaxing week-end and that you are rejuvenated and ready for the week ahead.

Does your room need a “prescription” for a change of decor, function or design? If so please contact me, I would love to help your room feel better with a Room Rx.