Gotta have these...on a budget!

As promised, I am bringing you more home decor products from big box stores for those of you who still want chic without the high cost.  I look through some decorating magazines and wonder who is spending hundreds of dollars on a lamp because I know its not me!  Well, if you can afford it, great, if not, there are always creative ways to find out how to stay on trend within a budget.  Happy weekend and happy shopping!

Thank you Amazon for this affordable room divider screen -

so pretty and affordable at $61.20 - info here

Gorgeous yellow and white duvet cover from Target

and it costs $29.99 in Queen - go here

Pretty bottles for fall decoration won't set you back, but

will add some color to your kitchen - from Big Lots, these

are just $4 each -

How pretty is this light for your front door or porch from Lowe's? -

This is only $32.98 and will add some chic to your house; go 

here 

I hope you like my picks and again, I am not paid for any endorsement, 

this is strictly my own opinion and recommendations to help you find 

great products for the home that don't cost a mint.

Thanks for stopping by!! Have a great weekend! ;-))

(images amazon.com, target.com, biglots.com and lowes.com)

Need help decorating? I can help! Email me for my rates at

monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Gotta have these...! (on a budget)

Here are my picks for this week's items that I gotta have, but, on a budget. 

I will be honest with you - I am tired of seeing decorating items to buy in sleek magazines that just cost too much money. Not many people have $1,000 to drop on a sofa, let alone any other piece of furniture. Re-use pieces, paint them, decorate them, anything you can do to recycle will cost you far less money. So, I thought I would highlight items from big box stores - K-Mart, Wal-Mart and Target. You can find virtually anything for your home and it doesn't have to cost the earth. Good taste is good taste is good taste, no matter what. So, tell me, do you agree?  Does it seem like magazines are pushing really expensive items in the middle of a deep recession?

A great big red clock available at Target for $28.34 -

this is a price cut -

This gorgeous graphic comforter set from K-Mart is available

in both Full and Queen for $29.99 - and it is on trend -

Ok, this is my favorite - a PINK SLIM TV! This is available

in pink, white and purple for $209.98 - it is 32" and at 

just 2" it is ultra slim. I have wanted a white TV for ages -

who wouldn't love to get rid of the black 'carbunkle'  TV (as I 

call it) dominating your living room?? 

(images Target, K-Mart + Wal-Mart)

I don't know about anyone else, but I don't have hundreds of dollars to spend

on home decor items.  It is no wonder thrift, consignment and second hand

stores are doing so well right now, especially in the Northeast US.  Next week,

we'll explore other big box stores and what they have to offer for any 

budget. 

Let me know your thoughts - thanks for stopping by!

If you need help decorating on a budget, please contact me for my great

pricing and first time customer discounts.

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Top 5 tips for downsizing...

Hello all! I've got some great tips for you if you are thinking about downsizing OR just having a good clean out around your house. Lots of clutter around you is never a good thing, especially in Feng Shui.  So, here are my tips that I have recently applied and feel so much better for it.


1. Throw out all your old magazines and books - if you are like I was, I had piles and piles, over 100 magazines. Did I read them? No! Did I refer to them? No! Dump them!! Recycle or sell them at your yard sale for $1 each.  Same goes for books...if you have read them, dump them. Call a charity and they will come and pick up your boxes of books. Only certain design books you love should be kept as a small library for yourself. 

$12 bookcase for my design books...

2. Got extra furniture like small occasional tables or chairs? If they are collecting dust - sell them or give them to Goodwill. No need for these at all. Plus if you are downsizing from a large house to a small house like I did, they will take up way too much room.

I love my white chair, the orange has to go...I will keep it but

paint it white...see how much room these need? Note piles

of mags behind the chairs...most have been taken to be recycled.

3. Update your walls and get rid of old art work that you bought 10 years ago or longer. I got rid of some prints I've had since 1986 and frankly, they were terribly faded and didn't look good anymore. I had a couple of Andrew Wyeth prints that I used to love, but, let's face it, we move on from things we loved at one time. Also the style in your home might be different so get rid of it! I had some art deco prints that fit a certain design scheme. Sell them at your yard sale.

As you can see, I am definitely keeping my Anne Harwell 

print so KEEP ONLY WHAT YOU LOVE!!

4. Knick knacks? Collecting dust? Sitting on a table for no real reason other than its pretty?? Who cares! Be ruthless! There is no need for pictures on tables and knicky knacky things that just don't serve any purpose. Dust collectors!! Keep a couple of treasured items and sell the rest at your big yard sale. 

I spot a knick knack!! I'm totally guilty of this and

am trying to change my ways...mostly because I have

no room now...;-))

5.  Any item in the kitchen that has not been used in the last 1-3 years such as kitchen items...blenders, Cuisinarts, Foreman grills, electric griddles (I actually had one!), vases, plates, extra wine glasses etc. These are fabulous items for yard sales or charities. Need some new clean space? Clear out the old. And another good tip: if you buy a new item, an old item has to go!! Don't keep collecting! 


Those are my top 5 tips for clearing out your house - I hope it helps if its a project you are thinking about doing or currently working on.  Hope you have a great day!


PS: I am still working on my header links...


(images by me)


If you need to advertise your business here or need interior decorating assistance, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com.

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Transforming the bedroom part 2...

Here is the other cabinet I painted in Sherwin Williams' beautiful 'Spa' and placed on the other side of the bed. It is now a pale blue/turquoise riot in the bedroom! I absolutely love it and have purchased some new curtains I will be showing you soon. Have a great weekend!

You can see how 'tatty' this looks before...

After the primer...

Spa!

It was so sunny, I hope I captured the beautiful blue!

I will be changing the red lampshade...

New wall, new comforter, new blue side tables...

The dark pillow covers are actually navy blue, but they look black in photos...

Close up...that's my husband's stuff in there...sorry it isn't cleaner...

The soothing blue view...

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend! Don't forget to follow me on TWITTER and find me on FACEBOOK!!

(images by Sarah for Monaco Interiors)

If you need help sprucing up or decorating your space, contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com and we can discuss what you need to do!

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Check this rug out...

I picked up this 5x7 rug at a Goodwill store over the weekend - I was looking for blues if possible to go in my living room. This rug was made in Turkey and was only...$18.99! So, I was very pleased and think it adds some energy to the room - I love a good bargain!

It seems to be a well made rug and will replace my old woven sisal with zebra border. I also have 2 teenagers and an elderly cat, so I didn't want to spend a lot in case of spills, stains and general wear and tear. Hope you all have a great day!!

(images by Sarah for Monaco Interiors)

If you need help decorating your home, please contact me at monacointeriors76@yahoo.com and we can discuss what you want to do.

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Its a new decade...

And time for some reorganization and projects around the house - I see a lot of bloggers have been tackling this subject. Well, here are just a couple of photos of what I need to get done. I have also discussed (with the hubby) moving some furniture around and I have been looking at the new IKEA catalog for curtain fabrics. I am anxious to change out some window treatments in the living room and master bedroom.

So, hello 2011 and let's get some work done!!

This is my bedside table in the bedroom. It was purchased in a consignment shop for about $15 and is a  bland blend of tan(ish) and cream, so I would like to give it some much-needed 'oomph!'...

This disaster was purchased from a neighbor's yard sale for $10...It probably started life as a white dresser and then someone added the blue to the drawers...but, what is up with the different handles and knobs? Most are metal but the top drawer has little porcelain knobs. This is just Shabby Don't!  I think it was supposed to be 'eclectic' but its a mess. So, I will keep you posted on this transformation! Oh, and did I tell you it will be painted orange???

In the meantime, have a great first week of 2011!

(images by Sarah for Monaco Interiors)

If you would like your home to reflect your ideas and unique vision, contact me and we can work together to make your dream come true. Please send inquiries to monacointeriors76@yahoo.com - I would love to assist you with any project large or small!

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Budget makeover ideas...

Getting ready for my room makeover, I have purchased my Sherwin Williams Duration paint in 'Rejuvenate' shown below...

...In this fabulous room decorated by Tobi Fairley that really inspired me...

  

I would love to get these curtains from Saffron Marigold called 'Moonlit Taj' - gorgeous! (find them here)

And look at this little alarm clock that you can customize with your own sounds and change the color of it!! (find it here)

Two of theses beautiful turquoise lamp from Target would look great bedside...wouldn't they??

Just a couple of ideas I'm mulling...I am totally hooked on turquoise and orange and can't wait to paint my bureau...I will post my before and after pics of course...hope you are enjoying this Tuesday!!

(images various - Target, Sherwin Williams, Traditional Home, Nanda Home, Saffron Marigold)

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