Wednesday I had the opportunity to spend about an hour in B&N Books looking through the Home Decor section for books I might want to add to my inspiration library. (I then go home and buy them used on Amazon...) Anyway, as I was looking through the books, something hit me. These are not very realistic. I want to look at a Home Decor book that is beautiful, inspirational, AND real. I mean, how many of you have a bedroom like this?
Or a bathtub like that?
Or a kitchen like this one...oh my. Let me stop a minute while I wipe the drool off my chin.
Don't get me wrong, I love these books and I get so much inspiration and joy out of looking through them. The fact is, it would probably take about 2- 3 years of 100% of my husband's salary to pay for a kitchen like this one. Most of us end up in homes with stock cabinetry, laminate counters, white appliances, and linoleum floors (maybe hardwood and granite for the luckier ones.) In the past few months of blogging, I have found I am much more inspired by you! I love the real life kitchen solutions by Kim at the Twice Remembered Cottage. I am completely copying that brick backsplash when I get to my kitchen.
And how the Nester turned a builder beige bathroom into something really beautiful at The Nesting Place. THIS is a real bathroom and she made it fabulous by doing things that we can all do.
And the way Donna from Funky Junk Interiors made a magazine worthy bedroom out of...well, junk.
I have now learned that, although I love my books & magazines, when I want a real life thrifty solution I need to hit my blog reading list. You girls know what it's like to have $0 budget and to live in a home that falls a little (or a lot) short of being your dream. You know how to make something gorgeous with Mod Podge, fabric, a glue gun, or some paint. You dumpster dive, dig through thrift stores, bargain at yard sales, and turn your nose up at things that are over priced. 
~ Magazine & book photos are from Betty Lou Phillips & House Beautiful. Click on them to go to the source.
And how the Nester turned a builder beige bathroom into something really beautiful at The Nesting Place. THIS is a real bathroom and she made it fabulous by doing things that we can all do. And the way Donna from Funky Junk Interiors made a magazine worthy bedroom out of...well, junk. I have now learned that, although I love my books & magazines, when I want a real life thrifty solution I need to hit my blog reading list. You girls know what it's like to have $0 budget and to live in a home that falls a little (or a lot) short of being your dream. You know how to make something gorgeous with Mod Podge, fabric, a glue gun, or some paint. You dumpster dive, dig through thrift stores, bargain at yard sales, and turn your nose up at things that are over priced. Keep doing what you do and blog about it all!
Today I'm going to shop on Black Friday for the very first time in my life. There are some sales I just can't resist. Let's hope someone doesn't break my ribs while elbowing me out of the way as I'm reaching for the very last "must have."
~ Magazine & book photos are from Betty Lou Phillips & House Beautiful. Click on them to go to the source.