To Create Outside The Box.......

  First ..Thank you for your positive and heart warming words for my kitties.............

This week I have some serious "BUDGET FLUFFING " to do . When the budget is tough, the creative juices really get a workout!
Over the years, when I restore a cottage most of the money is spent on the  plumbing ,AC/heat, electrical , paint , insulation and usually a roof. When it comes to the "fun part"...the money is limited so many of the cottages  are created "outside the box"......Using materials in unusual ways and buying things that are absolute bargains. Once I bought 12 twin bed skirts because the fabric was bright and they were practically giving them away.

I have some serious work ..design on 3 cents...so I looked thru my old images for some ideas.
Cottage design is more casual but most of the ideas can be expanded upon and used in many situations. Tybee is funky and fun.. No serious designs needed here.


taking a bed skirt that you bought on markdown.. cutting it into a no sew valance



using an odd shutter for a valance and taking a full sized double bead and making two by screwing the headboard and foot board to the wall



creating a sitting area from a old desk and odd stools



faking a headboard

a curtain rod from a bamboo rod and deer antlers



adding an odd light  fixture on a blank wall....just for interest



making a curtain rods out of tree branch



adding fun color..paint is cheaper than most things

                              (Richard Leo Johnson photography)





adding some ball fringe to anything 








making closet "doors" from a fun shower curtain

making a lamp from something

mixixng and not matching the lamps and shades to created something interesting

making pillow and slipcovers from seriouly discounted sets of sheets

creating a light fixture from white party light

close up

creating a kitchen cabinet from old shutters

I will be seriously digging into my bag of tricks and my storage unit.

A little fluffing is good for the soul..............