Don’t forget to enter my Frog Tape giveaway that is running through November 30!
Wednesday I had the opportunity to spend about an hour in B&N; Books looking through the Home Decor section for books I might want to add to my inspiration library. (I then go home and buy them used on Amazon…) Anyway, as I was looking through the books, something hit me. These are not very realistic. I want to look at a Home Decor book that is beautiful, inspirational, AND real. I mean, how many of you have a bedroom like this? 
Or a bathtub like that?
Or a kitchen like this one…oh my. Let me stop a minute while I wipe the drool off my chin.
Don’t get me wrong, I love these books and I get so much inspiration and joy out of looking through them. The fact is, it would probably take about 2- 3 years of 100% of my husband’s salary to pay for a kitchen like this one. Most of us end up in homes with stock cabinetry, laminate counters, white appliances, and linoleum floors (maybe hardwood and granite for the luckier ones.)
In the past few months of blogging, I have found I am much more inspired by you! I love the real life kitchen solutions by Kim at the Twice Remembered Cottage. I am completely copying that brick backsplash when I get to my kitchen.
And how the Nester turned a builder beige bathroom into something really beautiful at The Nesting Place. THIS is a real bathroom and she made it fabulous by doing things that we can all do.
And the way Donna from Funky Junk Interiors made a magazine worthy bedroom out of…well, junk.
I have now learned that, although I love my books & magazines, when I want a real life thrifty solution I need to hit my blog reading list. You girls know what it’s like to have $0 budget and to live in a home that falls a little (or a lot) short of being your dream. You know how to make something gorgeous with Mod Podge, fabric, a glue gun, or some paint. You dumpster dive, dig through thrift stores, bargain at yard sales, and turn your nose up at things that are over priced.
And how the Nester turned a builder beige bathroom into something really beautiful at The Nesting Place. THIS is a real bathroom and she made it fabulous by doing things that we can all do. And the way Donna from Funky Junk Interiors made a magazine worthy bedroom out of…well, junk. I have now learned that, although I love my books & magazines, when I want a real life thrifty solution I need to hit my blog reading list. You girls know what it’s like to have $0 budget and to live in a home that falls a little (or a lot) short of being your dream. You know how to make something gorgeous with Mod Podge, fabric, a glue gun, or some paint. You dumpster dive, dig through thrift stores, bargain at yard sales, and turn your nose up at things that are over priced. Keep doing what you do and blog about it all!
Today I’m going to shop on Black Friday for the very first time in my life. There are some sales I just can’t resist. Let’s hope someone doesn’t break my ribs while elbowing me out of the way as I’m reaching for the very last “must have.”
~ Magazine & book photos are from Betty Lou Phillips & House Beautiful. Click on them to go to the source.
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I'm right there with you….I like to see real life, real budget decorating, and I can only find that online.
Your blog is one of my faves
I agree. The magazines are nice to glean a small idea but in reality most people don't have the money to pull those rooms off.
I find way more inspiration here in blog world and on your blog itself.
tammy
I could not agree with you more.
In real life, a room has to be comfortable too.
But, what fun to look through all of those glossy paged books with their perfect rooms!
Rhonda
amen & amen!!
Wow, and here I was thinking all you gals out there had a bathtub like that plus a buff man-servant to help you in and out of it!
I hear ya! This is exactly why a love the 'blog world'…And for the most part it's women doing the work or coming up with the ideas. It gives us stay-at-home moms something to do to our homes while the hubbies work!
You are SO right. I dont want my house to look sterile and untouched. Give me that homey, comfy, country feeling any day!
Lisa
How did those pictures of my house get into print? ; ) I wish! You're right about them not being realistic, but they do provide great inspiration. It may not be affordable to buy the lovely items in these pictures, but we can find them cheaper at our "go to" stores or make them. I do agree with you though; it makes it seem more doable when you see a bloggy buddy has done something and made a beautiful room.
You know, I try to keep away from those magazines. I do like to browse and take ideas…but what I really love is the blogs online from real people who have made something beautiful from nothing or almost nothing. That is really inspiring to me. Oh, the other fun thing is sharing! We move all the time (military) so it's even harder to really invest the time into making house = home…but it's worth it!
I love this post. YOu are so right on. I am a sucker for those books and magazines too, but its so great to see real homes where people made do. Love it!
well said and so very true……..it is a comfort to see what real people can do and the ideas they come up with are an inspiration………..i have unsubbed from some of the fancy designer blogs……….altho' beautiful I know I could never afford most of their decor………thanks for keeping it real
Amen to that. I love seeing someone like me create something beautiful. It gives me so much hope…and freedom.
What a wonderful post, and I completely agree! I have a huge collection of decorating magazines and books and love them, but they do not inspire me nearly as much as blogland does! I am so happy I have found this wonderful community – real people with real budgets and real homes. I love it!!
Danielle
I agree, bloggers are the best source of real life inspiration!
i am SO with you, little miss mustard seed!
…
what an incredible blessing it is to be a part of this community and meet such wonderful friends like you!
very, very grateful to catch glimpses of all the very cool and creative things you do … you, my dear are so inspiring to so many … thank you.
cheers!
prairiegirl xo
ps. please do pop by, if you have a moment …
O, me too, darlin…I LOVE seeing REAL rooms…and how they make them so beautiful. The rooms in the books are seldom in real houses…
I'd much rather surf thru Blogland…
Great post, M. I agree with you. I love the inspiration from real homes and DIY'ers. Store bought beauty is awesome, but it's so much more rewarding when it's something created or decorated personally. Your blog is one of my favorites. You also come up with the best ideas and gorgeous (drool worthy) transformations.
Good luck shopping today!!! Enjoy the weekend!
Roeshel
So true. But truth be told, I wouldn't have it any other way. I love the things that I find and use as is, or spruce up. And the inspiration that I find in blogs is beyond compare.
P.S. Hope you are still in one piece after shopping!
Wow Marian, this was such a great post and I couldn't agree more! Thanks! Kim
GREAT post!
I ran into this gal that had a lovely store of shabbyness and asked her if she was a part of blogland. Her response was she didn't go there at all. She much prefered to buy magazines. In fact, she didn't even have a computer because she had no use for it.
I was baffled at the logic! I guess you don't know what you're missing if you've never had it.
BTW… I'm honored to have made the above selection. Thanks!!
Donna
So agree. I am so inspired by those blogger ladies too. Daily.
Great post! I couldn't agree more!
Hope you got some great deals too!!!
I too have been thinking the same exact thing as you. I don't have a bedroom or a kitchen that is 1,000sqft by itself like some of these books and magazines show. My entire home is only 880sqft! Not much I can do with that.
Thank you for your blog and ideas!
Yup. Champagne tastes and root beer pockets. But boy, do we have imaginations!
Couldn't agree more….smiles.