One of my favorite things to do is decorate my apartment with fun new things that I can pick up at garage or estate sale and outlet sales. I thought that for this week's posts, I would fill you in on what I have been doing recently.
Today is a picture of the Dining Room. FREE things is somthing that I cannot turn down, which is what the tablecloth and chair cushions are. My grandmother (who is a decorator) had these in her breakfast room. Even though it isn't my favorite, it does the job for right now and I can find something I like better later on. Something I also had to keep in mind, since I can't paint the walls, the apartment was in desperate need of some color!
The table underneath is a wooden table that I found at a garage sale for $15. It even has 2 leaves that I can use when I am entertaining a larger crowd! The legs on the table look great, but the top wasn't in the best condition, therefore you can see the need for a tablecloth. The price was right and it functions perfectly!
Moving on to my favorite part of the dining room... my antique chairs! They are around 100 years old and are French Country style. I just found these in a really swanky antique mall. Everything in there was WAY out of my price range, except for these. They were originally $800 for the 6 chairs, but they had been marked 30% off. My grandmother made me put them on hold because I think she knew that I couldn't find anything better... well a few days went by and I didn't find anything that I liked. So I called back and offered them $350 for the chairs and they took it!! Don't every be afraid to offer less than what they are asking, especially in this economy!
The plate rack I bought from the Pottery Barn outlet for my first college apartment. It is accentent with plates that I got from Tuesday Morning and Marshall's. Plate racks are fun because it is an inexpensive way to change the look of. When I get a new table cloth, I will switch out the plates and for around $20, you have a totally different wall.
The painting is from my grandmother's attic. I love the monochromatic palate of it. That way I can change out other patterns close by without having to worry about clashing.
My lingerie chest found a new use in this apartment. I will have to add a picture of it later, but it now serves as the main storage piece for tableclothes, napkins, plates, and other entertaining needs. The cool thing about it is it matchs the armoire that is in my living room! Continuity in a small apartment was really important for me.
Last, but not least, is the lighting. Please let me know if you have any ideas. That is the fixture that came with the apartment and will have to be there when I leave. But, for now, I would like to have something that is a little more... up to date? Not sure if that is the best way to put it, but let me know if you can think of anything!
Also, I am thinking about making two ribbon wreaths to hang on either side of the plate rack? Any other ideas for that blank wall would be great!!
