knock off decor, copycat decor
Like Heather from Southern State of Mind you have probably found yourself wondering why outdoor furniture and accessories are so crazy expensive. Who wants to spend a ton on things that are going to sit outside and be exposed to the elements? Certainly not Heather! Instead, she spray painted a thrifted rug and got exactly the same look for a grand total of twenty bucks!
Tidy Mom Cheryl shares a cute idea for storing your pets’ food in style using an old popcorn tin from Christmas. Cheryl painted over Santa with a bright yellow spray paint and then decorated the exterior with vinyl cut by her Silhouette and some ribbon. Here’s what Cheryl has to say: “I LOVE the way my designer pet food canister turned out!………and Ballard Designs doesn’t offer yellow! {wink}”
Marie, a KOD reader without a blog, wanted to create a display shelf on a wrought iron aquarium stand she purchase online. A bookcase from Ballard offered just the look Marie was after, and she sought out the help of her husband to revamp the aquarium stand by adding two plywood shelves. I’ll let Marie take it away with the details…
The little memo board above the desk of Gina from The Cannary Family was overflowing with pictures and other mementoes. Fortunately, Gina had a large bulletin board in her garage that was practically begging for a makeover. Gina gave it the Ballard treatment with burlap and upholstery tacks but then also added a French memo board twist by creating a design with ribbon. Gina’s new board doesn’t skimp on style or space!
Whether they are hanging from the ceiling or sitting tabletop, lanterns can be found everywhere in the décor world. But, of course, they come at a price, and a rather steep one at that! Nicole from DIY in Real Life found a way around those annoying price tags by updating secondhand brass light fixtures with black paint and rope. They ended up costing Nicole about $20 a piece, which is a steal compared to the fixtures she had been eyeing from Ballard and Restoration Hardware.
Tricia from Little Cottage on the Pond had been wanting a dramatic curved wood headboard from Ballard for ages, but the price was way out of her comfort zone. Her husband took one look at the long-desired headboard and said he could make it for Tricia. The sweet guy was true to his word and got it right down to the last detail, even including the little birdie perched on the side!
Planted and Blooming Girl Christy was dead set on the design of a vine and crystal chandelier for her dining room. When she couldn’t find a more budget-friendly alternative to the Ballard chandy she loved, Christy knew it was time to take matters into her own crafty hands. Christy achieved the same look by wrapping her current chandelier with vines, spray painting it, and then adding crystals. Mission accomplished!
When her husband needed a message board for his home office, Emily from life{illustrated} searched the internet to find one that wasn’t too “pretty.” A burlap covered message board with nail head trim was perfect for the space and crazy easy to make using a thrifted $2 bulletin board. I love what Emily has to say here about not spending more than is “absolutely necessary” on material items. It is hard to fathom spending tons of money on a memo board when you can get something similar for a few dollars and a little creativity!
