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Living Room Restyling With Free Items

I’ve often shared on the blog how much of our home is done on a budget and I know that there has been disbelief, but it’s true. Much of that is due to our family business that my husband has run for the past 25 plus years here in South Florida. Being in high end general contracting he has clients who are renovating and sometimes moving and he is their “go to guy” for that as well as property management. So…we had not one, but two…

…homes owned by the same client that were next door to each other and just sold and needed to be cleaned out. The owner doesn’t live in these homes and everything had to be liquidated…
Quickly…
What a job…times two! On my end I’ve been working on one of these homes for awhile in cleaning out and selling various goods at a couple of shows and sales…

A huge benefit is often the fact that the clients are so appreciative that they allow me first dibs on keeping whatever I wish to have…

Like these gorgeous vintage large and heavy blue and white orchid pots. I have been incorporating more blue into our home and will use these for styling depending upon the season…

I have them here on the dining table filled with water and pink peonies and all set to do some summer entertaining this past week. For some ideas of how I do summer entertaining and florals too….you can find that HERE

For now they are on the mantel filled with water and white hydrangeas. I’m sure that will change…

The first thing that I told my husband that for sure was a keeper when we walked around one of the homes to see what I would like was a pair of vintage dark wood carved Moroccan screens. Of course I knew that I’d paint them white and I’m not completely finished yet, but wanted to show you how they look…
I painted them first with my favorite white gloss spray primer/paint, but they need another coat for complete coverage. Not sure if they will stay where they are (probably not:~}} and they are so versatile…

I’ll be showing you more in some other posts, but something else that I kept was a pair of chunky grey throws.
I love the way that grey softens up a blue and white room and throws are the perfect way to cozy up with some soft texture…

I realize that not everyone has access to these type of finds, but keep your eyes open in your daily travels for free stuff. My daughter just texted me that she was driving to work and found a pair of vintage plant stands out in a trash pile…score!

 

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6 Comments

  1. Shannon Fox says:

    My dad is in construction and worked a few great neighborhoods with awesome trash days. I've got a vintage iron patio set from those days 😉

    Reply

  2. Wow…those screens are beautiful…so great that you have the resources to acquire beautiful things…I love the blue that you have incorporated into the room….just love the classic blue and white pots….Have a great weekend…

    Reply

  3. It all looks fabulous, Janet!! Just love it! No surprise there, since all you do is so lovely!
    Happy Saturday!
    Becky

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  4. Beautiful as always! I love the architectural elements you always add to your rooms. So lovely!
    Jennelise xo

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  5. Hi Janet! Your post reminded me that I have three of those blue and white pots packed away! I haven't used them in a long time, but may have to dig them out for our porch for summer! Love those grey throws and the screens are looking great! I'm always on the look-out for freebies and have found some great items, both to keep and sell! Have a great weekend! Hugs, Leena

    Reply

  6. I think your treasured "keepers" are simply wonderful!

    You have an awesome house and it is so much fun to see what new thing you find next.

    Gotta love designing being frugal. I sure do, anyway!

    Reply