The Kofford Family relocates to Colorado after 40 years as Californians. In December of 2007, Grandma Lorraine is diagnosed with Stage 4 brain cancer. Sadly, she passed away on Dec. 26th, 2008 after a year long courageous battle. Follow our journey as we keep Lorraine's memory alive, and as we learn to appreciate that each day we are given, is a gift to be enjoyed!

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”
~Maria Robertson

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Quick Fixes...


Ok ladies, I know we're all trying to cut back and watch how we spend our money...this idea Sofia shared had such an instant impact and cost only $9.99! Have you heard of bed risers? I had, but never though to use them. It was the first thing we did to both of the kids beds. The risers lift the bed up by 5 inches and allows dust ruffles to hang correctly and not drag on the floor, as well as give the bed more presence in the room. Until we get paint colors worked out, she had several quick fixes that were easy and inexpensive to bring color to walls and the room. If you don't have risers on your beds, run don't walk to your nearest Bed, Bath, and Beyond and pick up a
set! :-)

Cute valances are a solid color since Ashlyn has a very busy room on the other side. We got this particular style to hide the shades underneath since the tan color doesn't go with her pink and purple kitty theme. Valances are from Target...inexpensive for a room that will likely change several times as Ashlyn grows.

Another quick fix for a big wall are barn stars! Again, we don't have a color on Kyle's walls yet, and until we decide, the stars are a big impact item! You can paint them black, cream, etc...and they have a fun "Pottery Barn" look for a fraction of the price! (The little stars were $5.30 and the big 30 in. star $22 at "Real Deals!")


Kyle's bed on risers...

Another idea...

Do you see the "suitcases" on the floor? Well, we bought three of them. I am moving these all around, but once we sell a chair in the family room to make room for them, we will stack all three and make them into a side table and place a lamp on top! Ashlyn is using the trunk, which isn't in the photo, to store her writing journals so they are in the family room, but out of the way when she isn't using them. I've already found 3 potential homes for these and wanted to share the idea. Trunks, boxes, and suitcases are neat decorative elements. If you shop the house they are free! The smallest of these was $18 and the biggest $40. Surprisingly they are heavy, well made, and look much heartier than their lean price!

We're waiting on a black kitchen table set to expand on the french country theme I want to recreate, so there are 5 paint choices on the wall and a sample valance I'm experimenting with. Do you see the cute chandelier? Sofia suggested changing our simple silver one for this more interesting light fixure that will match the kitchen theme. There are beautiful ones for $500 plus, but this cutie cost $88 at Lowes! Not bad for a big impact!


Fun find...the neat clock is leather looking and matches the new leather chair we used in the living room. This 'alcove' will be painted a darker color than the rest of the walls. Those of you that know me, know that I have a clock obsession! If I could, I would talk Tom into letting me have a "Clock Wall!" I love clocks with faces and roman numerals and have them everywhere...I have yet to meet a clock I didn't like! HA HA


"Shopping" the house and rearranging accessories is such a great way to change things around for FREE!

If you are ready for a change and don't want to spend a fortune, I recommend bed risers, barn stars, and new lighting. Move things around from room to room and redesign a space...you'll be happy you did and the change will do your heart good. It sure did mine! :-)

14 comments:

This and That said...

Loved all the tips and ideas! Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

did you buy the suitcases you showed? I am wondering where if you did? Great ideas...you have my wheels turning!

Cheryl said...

Love your ideas I also brought those bed risers for my bed. After seeing some display beds I kept trying to figure out how is it that those beds seem so high. Imagine me in the store pulling up the bed linens, going under the bed but to no avail I still couldn't figure out how to make my bed sit up high. After a trip to Kmart I found the bed risers gave them a try! Only wish I had found them before spending a hefty 85.00 dollars for another bed frame the matress guy told me would rise my bed up, it did but now with that and the risers it's sits up very high lol. Thanks for sharring
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch Joy!

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Love your ideas! Everything looks great! I have some large boxes shaped like books that I use as a side table. Just be careful with that because if someone bumps them, the lamp might go flying. I suggest that you get some of that tacky putty stuff they sell at hardware stores to keep things like dishes steady on shelves, and put some of that on them. Be sure it won't mess up the surfaces first, but that will help them stick. I put some on my mantle to hold down some arrangements that were holding up some of the garland this Christmas. Worked perfectly!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Lucy Marie said...

Great ideas. Everything looks fantastic. I am particularly fond of your clock arrangement. I love clocks too.

Gone said...

Beautiful!!!

Your kitchen will absolutely look BEAUTIFUL...with the addition of a black kitchen set!!!

I love the valance idea you show...with the paint color on the lower right!!! The colors in the valance, along with the black will absolutely anchor that color!!!

;-)

Amanda Herrold said...

Everything looks great. Your home is beautiful!

Kim said...

I also think the suitcases are so cool and wondered if you got them online. Love the clock and think the clock wall would be spectacular. Can't wait to see it in person someday! Sofia is amazing! You two did great!

Love ya-

glitzen said...

Love love love this post!!!!!!! I lapped it up like a stray kitten getting milk for the first time. Hee hee.
The bed risers...awesome! Love love the barn stars (we have stars painted on the girls' room) and the suitcases are adorable! I want my own Sofia! LOL.
I love clocks too. But clocks don't love me, they like to quit on me all the time. I adore the leather clock. You should have clock wall...its an awesome accent!

Pam said...

Love all the tips. You have a beautiful home.
Pam

Sue said...

It looks beautiful!! Good to know about the risers too. Someone suggested it for when Allie goes to college, so she can store stuff under her bed. Glad you told me where I could find some.

Thanks for all the tips!!

Laura said...

Everything looks so nice Denise! I can't wait to have Sofia back at my house!

That is so funny that you mentioned bed risers and dust ruffles...I have been on the hunt for a bed skirt for Patrick's bed and noticed they come in an assortment of lengths now...which one do I get?? I did see bed risers at BB&B, but had No Idea what they were!

Laura

Unknown said...

Thanks, Denise! I love your ideas and agree that just a bit of redecorating and reorganizing makes a great difference in our homes and in our hearts!

Mitzi

steffany said...

I really liked all of your ideas. The bed risers are such a simple fix, they remind me a little of college (but in a lot nicer way) when we all put our beds on cinder blocks so we could store everything under them.