2 Bills 2 Blow - Our Joy...His Glory

 

 

I am so excited to have Leslie, from Our Joy...His Glory today. Leslie is super sweet, and has 3 of the most precious little girls.

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Hey y’all, I’m
Leslie from OUR JOY...HIS GLORY.  I’m
thrilled to contribute to 2 Bills 2 Blow. What a fun challenge! Thanks for having me, Nikki!!!

The Challenge:


If given two hundred bucks to spend on my home, what would I do?  It's not a lot of money, but it's just enough to do some
damage.  I came up with a few options to help me make a decision...


Options:

1. Purchase a
   few eye catching items that can make a small statement here and there. 
2. Purchase one/two items that really pack a punch.
3. Change the look of a room with some paint.

What to do?  What to
do? Decisions. Decisions.

For me, it's option #3.

We have lived in our home for a little over three years.  So far, we've painted every room, added new
blinds, changed out the hardware on the doors/cabinets, completed some minor yard work, installed a couple of new appliances, and
changed out a few light fixtures.  It doesn't sound like much, but it quickly adds up.  In all the rush to
slap some paint on the walls, I think I jumped the gun in my kitchen.  It was the first room I painted and now it's time for a change.

The challenge is to explain how I'd spend 200 bucks, but I can do you one better!  My kids are on Spring Break with the grandparents so not only did I think about how I'd spend my money; I actually followed through and made my ideas a reality!!!

Here's a recent view of my kitchen.



Wall color: Valspar Prairie Days

Painting the kitchen walls explains how I'd spend a portion of my money, but I still have some to spare. Continuing with the kitchen makeover, I'm going to use the remainder of my cash to paint the lower cabinets.

My inspiration

Here are my paint swatches:

Woodlawn Snow for the walls and Oregon Dunes for the lower cabinets

(These virtual swatches appear slightly darker than the actual colors.)

Are you ready for a sneak peek into my kitchen now that the walls and cabinets are all painted?

I love the lighter walls!  It really brightens the place up.

Freshly painted walls and cabinets have really improved the overall look of my kitchen!  

Details:

2 Gallons Valspar Ultra: Woodlawn Snow, Supplies (brushes, painter's tape, rollers, etc.), 1 Gallon Kilz Primer, and 1 Gallon Valspar Signature: Oregon Dunes.  Grand Total: 166.51

I love the changes and have a little money to spare.  Hmmm....

How about some fabric for new window valances??  That sounds like a plan to me!!!

I've had my eye on this ikat fabric for some time.  A couple of yards, plus some cheap curtain hardware and my money will be all gone! Boohoo!  But I sure had fun spending it and changing the look of my kitchen.

There you have it!!  2 Bills 2 Blow and a before and after!  Now that was fun.  Don't ya think?

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New paint for the win! Paint really does make such a difference, and this room looks totally different.

2 Bills 2 Blow - Cultivate Create

Hi everyone! I'm so excited to have Amanda, from Cultivate Create here today. After you check out today's post, be sure to head over to her blog and take a look at her home. She has a great eye for all things decor.

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Hi, all! I'm Amanda from Cultivate Create. I was absolutely tickled (Southernism for excited) when Nikki asked me to be a part of the 2 Bills 2 Blow series. I mean, who doesn't love to shop, even if it is just pretend money?


I am really glad that I got to be a part of this series because it has helped me start a design plan for a room in our home we haven't touched since we moved in a year and a half ago: our Powder Room. We have remodeled our kitchen, put down new floors in the main living spaces, and practically painted everything. But poor little Powder Room has been so terribly neglected.  


I am a bargain shopper and I am always on the lookout for good deals.  In my experience as a do-it-yourselfer, paint is often the best bang for your buck when wanting to update a space. And that is no different for this design plan with my 2 bills 2 blow. 


Here is how it breaks down:

Perfectly Pretty Powder Room

1. I would start by painting the walls with Benjamin Moore's Decorator White. That would give me a soft neutral base to work with, allowing my other design features to pop. One gallon, $25

2. Then, the cabinet and sink base would be painted Benjamin Moore's Anchor Gray.  I really love gray right now. This particular gray is a blue-gray and would do well to "anchor" the room. One gallon, $25

3. Next, my daring self would paint the ceiling Valspar's Mint Gala. An unexpected pop of color on the ceiling would keep the space from being boring. (See number 6 for the ceiling wow factor!) Once quart, $15

4. A new mirror above the vanity is the next item I'd put in the space. The one above is larger than the current one we have, and would reflect more light in the small space. Target Threshold Silver Beaded Wall Mirror, $24.99

5. Now, we're ready to add a nice vessel sink to the newly painted vanity. Round Vitreous China Vessel Sink, $89.99 overstock.com

6. Lastly, to add a little "oomph" to the space, I would use the bird stencil from Royal Design Studio onto the ceiling (pictured below). I would use the same Decorator White paint leftover from the walls to paint the adorable birds onto the Mint Gala ceiling. Stencil, $19.95

Stencil from Royal Design Studio

I can just see it now!  A powder room that is pretty close to perfect!  And it all came in at $199.93.  Not bad!  


Thanks, Nikki, for having me today.  Now, I can't wait to get started on my powder room!

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Can you believe she is going to be able to do all of that for just $200! Oh, and I am now obsessed with that bird stencil.


I am currently accepting posts for this series. If you would like to participate, please send me an email and I'll get you put on the calendar.

2 Bills 2 Blow - Grace Lee Cottage

Do you remember the fun little series, "2 Bills 2 Blow", where different bloggers pretend they have just $200, and they share how they would spend the money in there home to make the most impact? Yes. No. Maybe?

It has been a while, but I have rounded up some really great bloggers to participate.  This week Leah, from Grace Lee Cottage is here to share how she would spend the money in her home. She has a beautiful home; be sure to go check it out after you read this. 

I hope you enjoy!

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Hi everyone! I'm Leah from Grace Lee Cottage.  I am so excited and honored that Nikki asked me to guest post on her fabulous blog today! I have to say it didn't take me long to decide how I would blow 200 bucks! 

Since Christmas I have had organizing on the brain! Since New Years  I have been re-evaluating each space in our home, sorting, donating unwanted items, and re-organizing one space at a time.

I am finally to the point where I know what items I would like to purchase to finish up my whole house organizing project.  Today I thought I would focus on the main living spaces in our home.  I decided the best way to break it all down would be room by room, so let's get started!

Our Kitchen  

After evaluating my storage needs, and after lots of cleaning and purging, I decided the following two items would be very helpful in here!

Expand-a-Drawer Cutlery Tray from The Container Store. 17.99

In-Drawer Spice Rack with 12 glass spice bottles from The Container Store.  27.99

Right now I have a drawer in my kitchen where we just throw in all of our larger utensils. No organization whatsoever! This tray would be perfect for whipping that drawer of mine into shape. 

 I absolutely love the idea of organized spice storage that will fit neatly in a drawer!  It's the perfect solution for those of us with limited counter space!

Our Laundry Room 

 I've mentioned several times how I desperately need a hamper with compartments to allow for sorting.  This one from Target is great because it doesn't take up much space, yet it still has 3 separate compartments.  I love the look of the drawers and the extra surface space on top!

3-Drawer Hamper from Target. 32.99

Our Living Room

I am constantly picking up books, magazines, and toys from our living room floor. I think a cool magazine holder like this one from Target would be a great fit to our space.

 

Magazine Holder from Target. 25.99

As for the toys that are always scattered around, maybe something like this would work.

Threshold Storage Ottoman from Target. 47.99

I'm always a fan of anything that provides more than one function.  This ottoman would allow for toy storage as well as extra seating.

And since we are always looking for the remote controls, maybe one of these would be nice?

Bentwood Remote Control Rack from The Container Store.  17.99

Our Back Entrance/Mini Mudroom

Something we are in need of in this space is an umbrella holder. Right now we just toss them in the laundry room. I think this holder would be a much better solution.

Smart Umbrella Stand from The Container Store. 24.99

I love how the little trays are removable so you can dump out any water. I also love how it holds various sized umbrellas.

Our Bathroom

We have only one bathroom in our entire house for our family of four, so proper storage and function in here is so important.  One thing that our bathroom is lacking is something to hold all of our shampoo bottles, razors, soap, etc. Right now things are just sitting on the edge of the tub, and they are constantly getting knocked off.  This collection of Power Lock baskets and accessories from The Container Store would be the perfect solution!

Power Lock Basket. 9.99 (I would probably need 2  of these!)

Power Lock Razor Holder.  2.99

Power Lock Soap Holder. 2.99

That wraps up how I would spend an extra $200, with a few bucks to spare!  Now if only those $200 would magically appear so I could go shopping! Thanks so much Nikki for having me today. This has been so much fun!

Have a BLESSED day,

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If you are interested in participating in this series, please send me an email. I'd love to add you to the schedule.

2 Bills 2 Blow - One Crafty Momma

Hey Y'all, I'm Victoria from One.Crafty.Momma and Sew Victoria Sew.

I'm so excited to be a party of 2 Bills 2 Blow!! 

We have lived in our house for a little over a year. When we moved in, we put some paint on the walls - and moved our stuff in. We were combining a two bedroom apartment and a three bedroom townhouse - and A LOT of toys! It was a little crazy! 

Now, a year later, we are considering some new paint and a little different look for our home. 

So, if I had 2 bills 2 blow...

Most of the walls in our home are Olympic Paint - Earl Gray (Left) with an accent of Rum Raisin (Right) on the big wall in the living room. We love the colors, but we quickly realized how dark it is making our home!

So, the first bit of money I'd spend would be this:

This is Valspar's Careless Whisper (left) and Stormy Cove (right) - there goes $70! 

The next thing I really want to do is add something like this to the big window: 

via pinterest

Cost is about $30. Obviously in a different pattern though, something like this:

via pinterest

I'd then accessorize with some throw pillows:

via pinterest

via pinterest

And FINALLY - I'd beg someone to buy me this: 

via Etsy

Because I love love love Barn Owl Primatives!

I clearly need more than 2 Bills, but I'd totally love them as a start! 

Thanks Nikki for having me! :) 

2 Bills 2 Blow - Simple Dwellings

Hi readers! I'm Amber from the design blog Simple Dwellings, and I'm so excited to be a part of Nikki's series today! It's so fun to imagine stumbling upon an extra $200 for home decor! My only problem when thinking about this idea, was how would I choose?? I have so many projects stirring around in my head on a daily basis and always new ideas to try! (Thanks a lot, pinterest!)  :) But I think I know exactly what I would do! I recently painted our kitchen and family room walls from very dark colors, to a light, airy blue/gray color. Now I need another project for this space!
The New Walls

I'm happy with the result, but now feel that the draperies might need some updating. I would like to go with a more modern, grommet style panel, like you see here:

I love the look of grommet detailing! For the size I need, the price is $29.99 for each panel at Target. I would need 4 panels in all, totalling about $120 so far! Woo- hoo- some money left to spend! Here's what I would do next:
Instead of leaving the curtains plain white, I have a plan! I have stenciled walls before, but I have always wanted to try and stencil drapery panels. I think it would give pattern near the sliding doors and work well against the rustic look of the bamboo shades I already have! Here are my inspiration pictures for this project:

Source: amberinteriordesign.blogspot.com via Simple on Pinterest

Source: trianglehoneymoon.com via Simple on Pinterest

This is the stencil I am thinking about for my project:

This stencil is from Olive Leaf Stencils and would look amazing on plain white curtains! I would choose a dark charcoal paint and read up on all of the great tutorials out there for stenciling drapery panels!
So with the purchase of this stencil and a quart of paint, that pretty much cleans me out of money! I would have an empty wallet, but a huge smile on my face!  :)
Thanks so much for having me, Nikki!