Free Inspiration

I have always been a fan of home decorating magazines.  In fact, I'm pretty sure my first subscription to Better Homes and Gardens was my sophomore year in high school.  I was a rare child:)  Anyway, I was getting bored with my one magazine subscription and was wanting something more.  Maybe something more reliable?  I don't know if others feel this way, but I feel like the styles in the BHG magazine are kind of hit or miss for me.  So, I started thinking about all of the magazine-esque materials I have looked at in my few years as a student taking introductory interior design classes, and teaching interior design.  I came to the conclusion that my favorite "magazine" was the Pottery Barn catalog, which is...HELLO...FREE!
So, today I went to Pottery Barn's website and signed up for all of their catalogs.  It was so much fun that I went to other websites, such as IKEA, West Elm, and Urban Outfitters, and signed up for their catalogs as well.  Some of those stores are kind of pricey for me, but they always carry the newest trends.  I look forward to using them as inspiration in our next house, and finding creative and inexpensive ways to create the same looks for much much less!

For Example:

potterybarn.com

This table cost $500.  I love it, and I really think I could re-create it for much less. I saw an end table on craigslist the other day for about $10 that looks much like the base of this table (except the finish was extremely worn).  Add a table top, a fresh coat of paint, and a basket, and I think I'd have myself a cute little table!

Oh yes...that's the kind of inspiration I'm looking for:)  Now I realize I could just look online at the exact same pictures, but there is something about having a tangible copy of it.  I can keep it in my purse, or put it in an idea folder, or rip a page out to give to my sister.  Also, it just comes to my door.  I just might find something fabulous I wasn't even looking for!  Worry not, green friends, these catalogs will be well loved!

I'm so excited I think I'll actually be checking the mail!  (That's usually Wes's job:))

Have a BLESSED day!