How to create that magazine look using Craigslist, Ikea, and the internet.

Most people think they have to spend thousands of dollars to create that House Beautiful, Traditional Home or Veranda look. In truth, those designers usually do spend large amounts of money on products. How many times have you loved something in the picture, quickly flip back to the resource guide only to find "To the trade only" or find the site and that one candle holder was $369!!!!

Chairs found on Craigslist and reupholstered, rug ordered online using 20% new customer discount

I get a lot of jobs by letting my clients know that mixing the high and low is real the most bang for your buck!! Take a look at a few of these photos and guess what you think is high and low....

Potted Arrangement using stems at JoAnn Fabrics $3.99 a stem

Linen Blend Napkins Ikea $6.99 four pack

White Plates from World Market set of 12 for $19.99

See there are plenty of ways to save money and still get that designer look everyone wants in their home.

Do you have a high, low project you'd like to share?

Try it before you buy it....

Clients always say "I just can't picture it".  Sometimes even when I'm holding the curtains or paint swatch right against the wall. Once we narrow down the choices I usually follow up with the rendition of the room. I found an awesome app for my iPad called Sketch book, that allows me to do this(usually in bed or the couch at 11 pm at night or especially while my husband is watching sports!) 

It takes a while to remember how to layer and erase but even a non decorator can play around and see how things will look.

Take a look at this before and after, now you get the vision right!

Have a great weekend!

Casual elegance

Casual elegance by jenniferldennis featuring abstract wall art

Modern Bachelor Pad Reveal

This client was great to work with. He already had the sofa and the art work, but no idea which direction to go in when it came to making his space more grown up!

I started with what colors would look good with his already large gray sofa and then looked in the art work and decided to draw off the orange in the background color.  his budget was very tight but we managed to create a new desk area, add additional seating, lighting, tables, even a tv stand with storage (especially to hide those Xbox controllers!)

It turned out fantastic! We stayed within the budget got some great pieces that packed a lot of punch for a little amount of money!

Polyvore Teen Room

I am slightly obsessed with Polyvore these days. I'm working on some ideas for a potential client's shared teen room. I'm not sure if this is what we are going with but my daughter loves it!! And my inner teen girly girl is going crazy, why didn't they have ghost chairs when I was a teen!

Teen Room by jenniferldennis featuring a hinged box

DIY Sunburst Ceiling Medallion

We all come across blog posts and think "I am going to do that!" ...and then reality sets in! (At least for me anyways). But I have been eyeing this gorgeous ceiling fixture but just can't justify the 550$!!

Isn't this gorgeous Large Olive Leaf Chandelier

I still need to change the wall fixture to sconces and patch up the holes, sounds daunting just thinking
about it all. Plus we do plan on moving soon.

 Then it hit me, (in an email) this awesome trick from a blog lady I just love over at Simple Details.  I have seen the mirror she used and knew I wanted something similar.

So heres my rendition!

I must have walked past this at Target a million times

Original color is black with gold tips but I always have a can of  Rustoleum Metallic Gold

After a quick spray coat of gold, I hung this beauty up by the twist ties that came in the box where the recessed can supports are !! BAR-GAIN!!!!

I know I need to get one of those fancy cameras to really show off this beauty. I'm working on that soon! But for now I'm super thrilled!

Preppy Modern Sunroom

I can not take the snow anymore!!!!!! I repeat, I can not take the snow anymore !!! So with the help of Polyvore I am creating my own bright and fun sunroom. Just imagine a nice glass of wine and the smell of fresh cut peonies. The windows are open and the wind is warm....ahhh! Enjoy!!

Preppy Modern Sunroom by jenniferldennis featuring Safavieh