Ashley Furniture Homestore -- St. Louis -- Grocery Give-away! It's happening again! Plus, my FREE in-store design advice

Here we go again, FREE groceries! The deal of the century. OK, maybe not, but it IS definitely the deal of the month for home furnishings in St. Louis!

Ashley Furniture Homestores -- St. Louis, where I work, is offering $500 in FREE grocery rebates with a $500 purchase.

This is NO gimmick! Everyone is eligible with a $500 purchase. I blogged about it last month -- learn details, click here.

Several friends of mine benefited by this FREE give-away last month. It's a no brainer, especially if you you've been holding off on that furniture purchase.

We have several sofas for under $500 so your budget-decorating dollar can go a long way. For example, a sofa, a lamp and end table may total $500. It is possible, in fact, to complete your room with Ashley furniture for the price of just one sofa at many retailers.

And if low prices weren't enough, we have more, much more. We offer style -- great style! -- selection and friendly service!

Don't be left behind! This offer lasts until March 2nd.

And if FREE groceries weren't enough, I will sweeten the deal by offering you my FREE in-store design advice. Bring photos or dimensions of your space and we can dream of your new room together. An appointment is recommended. Call the store to book Dana King, 314-966-0047.

Come visit me at the Kirkwood location on Manchester near Lindbergh Rd, next to Lou Fuhz Toyota. I am there: Mondays 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ashley Furniture Homestore in St. Louis Missouri gives away $500 in Groceries -- FREE Groceries

Do you need furniture, but feel you can't justify another purchase so soon after the holiday buying season?

Do you need a TV console for the new flat screen TV you got for Christmas?

Does your room look bare now that the Christmas tree is gone?

Ashley Furniture in the greater St. Louis Missouri area is making it easier to consider a new purchase at this time. They are giving away $500 in free groceries for each household that buys $500 or more worth of furniture.

Yes, that's right. FREE Groceries!

This is NOT a gimmick, it's for real (see the store for more details and/or learn more at http://www.claimyourgroceries.com/ ).

We are seeing a lot of happy faces in Ashley Furniture Land..."You're Gonna Love This Place!".

The offer ends this Sunday, January 4, so hurry in!

If you come to the Kirkwood, Missouri store, ask for me, Dana King! I work at the Kirkwood location on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If you have not been in our store, there has never been a better time to stop by. You will be blown away by the prices and the merchandise that represents EVERY style.

Bring photos of your rooms and I'll be happy to suggest items to complete your space. You will be amazed at how we can do so much for $500!

Heather's Dreaming of a Modern Christmas

Modern Christmas tree tea light holder. To view: click here.

Heather, friend and client, is remodling her home, the whole downstairs including entry way, dining room, living room, family room and kitchen. She and her family are embracing contemporary design after many years of living in a traditional space.

Decorating for Christmas this year and coming years may mean revamping or remaking Christmas decorations to complement her new furnishings. So Heather and I have been on the hunt for inspiration in modern holiday design. I came across a variety of things.

For starters, design*sponge has this terrific DIY project to create mod paper ornaments (below). Learn how: click here. These colors might be a bit subdued for Heather's tastes that tend towards bright saturated hues, but she can use any colors to create these. And she can whip out several of these paper gems with the help of her five kids and husband Tom. A great family night project for sure! Best thing, it's not a budget buster.

Make a few for me, please!


How about this glass spiral goodie (below) for a tree topper! Found on Ebay - click here - comes in several colors.


Check out the fun stockings at Bunnie Maxwell (below) and click here. These are Heather's colors!


Found it at the Big Box, yesssss! Target has these trees (below) in red and white -- click here.


A search on Etsy uncovered tons of fun items to inspire.

Like these (below) acrylic ornaments. Click here to see more.


I am loving these felt bobbles found on Etsy -- click here


Heather must have an abominable snowman (below)! What could be more contemporary and contrarian! Also brought to you by Etsy -- click here.


This just may be my personal favorite from Bunny with a Toolbelt - click here. A very contemporary and fun nativity (below). Check out the link for more Christmas designs including ethnic Santas and wisemen in assorted colors and designs.


Heather needs this pillow (below) for her piano room that is done in black, turquoise and green. Found on Etsy - click here.


This ornament (below) reminds me of the complex graphic designs Heather loves. Found on Etsy - click here.


Heather wants to inject more turquoise color in her holiday decor. Here are some I found on Etsy doing a search by color with key words like "ornament" and "Christmas decorations". You can find handmade items in any color by searching the thousands of crafters on Etsy.
Beautiful polymer clay filigree ornament(below) - click here.


Fused glass star ornament (below) - click here.


Trio of trees below - click here.


Turquoise Glass Icicle ornaments (below) and in a variety of colors - click here.


And last, this just looks like something Heather would tuck away some place, even an area of sophisticated decor just to throw you off. Heather is always good for the unexpected startling surprise. Carmen might become part of the family tree, Christmas or otherwise, a new family member. If Carmen paints her nails, she's in! (side note: Heather always paints her nails). See more of Carmen - click here.

Armoire Transformed -- Found it at the Big Box

I have a special love for Target and for furnishings remade with paint...so here is an idea that really spoke to me.

This is where Rachel and Phoebe truly work together.

Jen from Sanctuary Arts at Home, inspires us to pull out the paint to give not only yard sale finds a lift, but also to give Target mass-market furnishings that one-of-a-kind look.

Jen says:

"...don't be afraid to pull out the paint and give something new life instead of putting it into the land fill and spending unnecessary money. Reusing something and putting some paint on it is a green and budget friendly choice. I know some people feel nervous about coating good wood in latex ( Mom, good wood isn't good wood if it's ugly.), but really, it is only paint."

See the Target armoire transformed, below:

Armoire before Jen does her magic.


Wow, what a transformation!

Heirloom Chic -- found it at the Big Box

Rachel's favorite, Brocade Home, and others like Target, are featured on the Today Show. But not in a segment you might expect. It is not about creating the "new" look, but the "old". For traditional charm and heirloom- feel, we might think to turn to yard sales and the antique store.

Susanna Salk, home decor expert, tells how you can achieve old world charm even if you can't afford to buy expensive antiques, or if you simply can't find what you are looking for at yard sales or the antique store. She has cleverly sourced items found at the Big Boxes and other mass marketers to create that Heirloom-Chic look.

Here are some take-aways to do-it-yourself:

1) Mass marketers, like Brocade and Target, provide heirloom-chic style furnishings that won't cost an arm and a leg.

2) Wallpaper is grand and beautiful. It does not need to take over a space, but can be hung on an accent wall.

3) Mixing patterns adds character to a room. Don't be afraid to mix patterns.

4) Mix old and new. If you can't afford grand antique pieces, consider investing in smaller pieces, like silverware. "Phoebes" will love the antique source - 1stdibs.com -- given in this clip.

5) Even modern spaces can be made more unique with an heirloom-style accent piece.

6) Family heirloom pictures -- even of your pet -- add that heirloom feel.

7) Consider the hardware on your dressers and drawers. Give them an uplift with new "old" hardware.

What are your favorite take-aways?

Mod Bedding and Giveaways--found it at the Big Box

Bedding by Dwell at Target

For a long time I have been moaning the fact that there has been few sources for modern bedding at affordable prices.

Thankfully, that is changing.

At our "Design Hop" (more on that later, it's a design club, think "garden club"), Stephanie was asking about sources for modern bedding. I told her about an exciting development. Dwell, relatively new to the industry and fast becoming a household name for modern bedding, has partnered with Target to bring us affordable and stylish designs. Check them out at: Target. And for a limited time receive free shipping on orders over $50.

Bedding by KuKunest


And take note of a fun offer from mod*mom. She has several giveaways going on including darling mod bedding by KuKunest. Click here to enter: mod*mom giveaways. It is easy, just scroll down to her giveaways and leave a comment.

Let me know your affordable sources for modern or unique bedding.

Mirror, Mirror Re-visited

I am now a featured blog in Delightful blogs. You are free to cast your vote for my blog.



Find it here: http://www.delightfulblogs.com/dana-s-design-studio-link-7040.html It is a 10 point rating scale with "10" being "great" and "1" being "not-so-great".

You be the judge.

Delightful Blogs is a great place to become familiar with the different blogs out there. Through this blog community I am finding blogs I will eventually list, but I do have a day job and it takes time.

So don't wait for me, go bookmark your favorites that inspire you. And feel free to share them with me. I especially want to find the budget-decorating tips out there.

Room in the Hotel de Rome in Berlin as seen in InStyle magazine

Speaking of which, I found inspiration from the Turquoise Chic blog. Well, it is probably high-end because a room in the Hotel de Rome in Berlin does not sound like a room done on a budget.


Ahhhhh, but we can find inspiration everywhere and these mirrors hung horizontally remind me of the dinning room I designed with three inexpensive wardrobe mirrors hung vertically.

I love both ways.

Take a look at wardrobe mirrors at your local big box. They come in a variety of styles that I have not seen in the past.

With design tips like this, and a little imagination, your room can mimic the appointments of a first class hotel!

World Market Screen Tranformed

Here is a great idea from Dose of Design. This World Market screen is budget-friendly and makes a great addition to almost any style room, but imagine how it can be transformed with paint.

Dose of Design used Photoshop to create the bright-colored versions below. These would be perfect for a contemporary or whimsical space.

What can you transform with paint?

Rachel Ray's Fave for the Home -- polka dot lamp

I don't often think of Rachel Ray providing home decorating advice, but each month in her magazine she highlights her favorite home decor finds.

She likes this fun brown dot lamp from Wal-Mart and I do too.


How great this would be paired with wall sticker "sprinkles" by Michelle Christina You can order colors to match the lamp!



I'm seeing dots, are you?

Stylish, Versatile Chair - found it at the Big Box

You know I love a good Big Box find. I found this chair highlighted in an issue of Budget Decorating in their "Bargain Beat" department.

Here's their review:

"Sophisticated and simple, the Rose Hill Deco Chair from Wal-Mart is perfectly at home in the living room, dining room or even home office."

I agree.

And at $150 who can beat the price! At least one reviewer on the Wal-Mart website gave it 5 stars. She said, and I agree, that similar chairs would start at $250.

Need a chair? Have a seat in Wal-Mart's new beauty that comes in a choice of three neutral colors to fit most any decor.

Master Bedroom– found it at the Big Box

Photo courtesy of Katherine Bish

I recently designed a model home, on a budget, for Town & Country Homes, Inc. in the Central West End, St. Louis, Missouri.

For budget-wise furnishings we turned to Ashley Furniture. This company has been around a long time, but in recent years it has exploded with growth, while other furniture companies have been struggling. In the last two years, five Ashley Homestores have opened in the St. Louis area.

They top just about everyone's list for known value and selection. As a result, Ashley is the most often chosen furniture brand for television home makeover shows.

In Style. In Reach. That is their slogan and it fits.

We furnished the entire bedroom with Ashley's contemporary Metro Silhouette -- headboard and bed frame, dresser with mirror and night stand -- for only $675.75.

For the lamp, I bought a shade at Wal-Mart on sale for $9.96. It was the right shape and right price, but the wrong color. I painted it brown to match our color palette. The lamp base was found at Target for under $30.


















The small decorative mirrors above the headboard were an IKEA find for under $3 each, a total of $15.

I found the window treatment panels at Sears, which, though regularly priced at $40 for a pair, had been marked down to $20. I found the curtain rod, regularly $50, in the clearance section at Bed Bath & Beyond for $4.97. That was a steal. It had a very slight dent which I secured towards the wall out of view.

The total cost of the window treatments was under $50 to dress the two windows. Had I not searched items in the scratch and dent and clearance sections I would have paid $130. My savings: $85.




So don't forget to look at those clearance aisles for big savings!

The bed comforter set was found at Target for $100.


I found a decorative glass bowl and vase on sale at Wal-Mart for under $20. The circular design and blue and brown colors mimic the circular patterns and color in the bedspread.

Our grand total for the bedroom: $894.96. That's a lot of bang for your Big-Box buck!

Because this bedroom is in a model home, it is void of any personal history by design. Model homes are to be generic so potential buyers can envision their belongings in the room.

However, this room is off to a great start to become a personal space. Just add some Etsy finds, heirlooms and special touches.

As this bedroom demonstrates, the Big Boxes offer great savings for the budget-minded decorator.

Not Grandma's Wallpaper, Part 2 - Found it at the Big Box

The party goes on, “virtually” forever.

If you missed it yesterday – you can join in now. This has been so fun and, I enjoyed your birthday wishes and my relaxing day off.

But now it’s back to work churning-out design ideas and spreading the good news of “design on a budget”.

My mind is still on wallpaper -– “designer” wallpaper, for less.


What do I mean by “designer” wallpaper? Well, it is the artsy-looking kind, the kind that looks unique, not the every-day kind.

The trend these days in most design is “bold” -- bold colors and bold patterns. So while your Grandmother’s wallpaper might have had small lacy flowers in subdued colors, the new look of today will tend to be large graphic flowers in often saturated or rich colors.

Following?

Here are some examples from Graham & Brown, which I found at one of our favorite places: Target.


A fresh take on baroque. This reads "sophisticated". I can see this in an elegant hallway or bedroom.

This reads "periwinkle" or at least it reminds me of Julie's favorite color.

This woodgrain pattern is an inexpensive way to add wood to the walls. This is not your Grandma's wood paneling!

Faux tile in the bathroom. You can fool your guests!

Pots and Pans in the kitchen. Too fun! I can see this being a great backdrop to show off colorful accessories and appliances in blue, lime and orange.

Wallpaper with too much information. This would be fun in an office or it would make good reading in the bathroom!

Wonderful for those feminine spaces.

This can work in about any space as a backdrop for bold color or soft subdued furnishings.

Very retro, very fun! Team this with your mid-century modern furnishings you find on eBay or Craigs List.

I am considering this one for the focal wall, behind the headboard, in my son's room. He already has the guitar.

Very fun for a focal wall. Great in a bathroom or for a child who is a swimmer or diver.

Find more examples online at Target.

Are you getting the “wallpapering bug” like I am?

Tell me, which of these Graham & Brown wallpapers is your favorite and why? Where can you see it in your home?