"What's My Story?"

Since I began this whole interior decorating venture, I’ve wrestled with how I could somehow make it into more of a ministry and not just a business.  I’m currently reading this great book a friend recommended called Start Something that Matters

by Blake Mycoskie, the guy who started TOMS’ shoes and it’s a totally inspiring read.  In the book he talks about telling your story.  He insists that people connect much more to a story than a product (or service).  I totally agree.  So, I’ve been trying to figure out, “What’s my story?”

Well, since I was a little girl I’ve always been a bargain shopper (ok, and a bit of a princess). 

I can remember the family making regular visits to what used to be Hudson’s Salvage Center and what we now know as Treasure Hunt/Dirt Cheap. To this very day, my all time favorite place to score deals. I’d comb the disorganized aisles searching through the smoke-filled merchandise for buried treasures to spend my allowance on.  We’ll decades later, not much has changed.  I’m still obsessed with bargain hunting.

It’s rare that I spend more than $30 on anything, and I do mean anything, a skill that totally translates to my decorating.   (Quite frankly, I consider it a gift and a curse.) 

With that in mind, I think part of my story has to be the fact that I’m trained and skilled in stretching a dollar so far that you’d think it was elastic.  I mean in this economy that’s got to be a niche’, right?  Who doesn’t want to save some money?  The other part is that I believe that EVERYONE deserves to live in a beautiful space, no matter how big or small their budget or if there is no budget at all.  I also feel as if I’ve been given this gift and I know that it wasn’t given to me for the sole benefit of me.  So, I’m itching to somehow use what God has given me to help others. 

I love the mission behind interior design charities like Dallas based Dwell with Dignity, whose goal is creating soothing, inspiring homes for families struggling with homelessness and poverty. 

Dwell with Dignity

I was thinking, although I haven’t been at this very long, I do know that when I have an install there are always perfectly good items that I’m replacing that no longer have a home.  I’m thinking that maybe I can somehow partner with a charitable organization that could use those items.  But I’d like to do more than just donate them.  I’m thinking offer my services.  Anyway, that's the direction I think I'm going to move, but I’m also open to ideas.  Leave a comment if you have any.  Have a great day!

 

"Goodwill Hunting- Part 2"

Since I received such great feedback on yesterday's post, I decided to produce a sequel. I had a chance to stop by the Goodwill in Cornelius, NC today.  A "shout out" to Goodwill of the Southern Piedmont which happens to have a great blog- (Wow! Goodwill) check out the link on the sidebar. 

So, today I saw a few things I thought I'd show you.  For starters, this cane back chair had loads of potential. 

Quite frankly, at $7.99 any chair might start to look good.

Of course, I came home just to see what I could've done with the chair I passed on and I'll be darn if I didn't find this picture from fellow blogger Annette of One Perfect Room. So cute. 





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 Then I saw this sort of rustic wood set of chairs. 

For $7.99 each, I could already see it with fresh recovered cushions.  Maybe something like this mid-century modern chair. 




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 I came back two times to look at these branches mounted on painted wood.  Not sure if it was the light blue or the organic nature of them that intrigued me, but I kind of liked them especially for $4.99 each.



The branches were affixed with wire and could probably be easily removed and painted.  The pieces were almost identical to these.

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I could totally see them in a baby nursery as art.  Similar to the vibe created with these branches hung on the ceiling.

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And lastly, you know my affinity to French Provincial furniture.  This night stand was just too cute to last.

Needless to say, at $12.99 I wondered if the man who carried it out while I was still browsing was going home to do this.....

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Doubt it.  



"Goodwill Hunting"

First things first....

Congratulations to

Nadia Gadson-Moses

winner of the the

first ever Dwell by Cheryl Giveaway!

Hope she enjoys the fabulous ZGallerie Timbre Vases!

So, it's no secret that I'm a HUGE bargain hunter.  Always have been.  It's just one of those things that's a part of my DNA.  I'm willing to bet that if I were to someday become a millionaire, I'd still enter a store and make a beeline to the clearance section.  I just can't help it. 

One of the places that always amazes me with it's great treasures is Goodwill.  While I admit, I don't go probably as much as I should, I almost always find great things.  Often you have to view things in light of their potential and not as they are.  On a recent trip I ran into a few items that immediately caught my eye.

For starters I thought this basket chest had loads of potential.

And for $9.99, Can we say watch out Pottery Barn? Have you seen the cover of the latest catalog?



Pottery Barn

These bar stools were so charming.



Sure, they needed a little love, but at $6.99 a piece.  Come on. They could become these....



Pottery Barn

Typically I check out the lamps in an attempt to identify a good DIY project, but this one caught my eye and it needed nothing but a shade.



Kind of resembles this little Crate and Barrel number, huh?



Crate and Barrel

You're probably wondering if I actually purchased any of the above.  The answer is no, and I'm kicking myself right now.  I'll have to blog about all of my shopping regrets later.  There are lots.

So, next time you're roaming around town and you pass by a Goodwill, I'd stop in if I were you.  And if you see something you like, get it (unlike me).

Fab 5 Friday! Volume 3 (Giveaway Day!)

I know, I know.   I've been M.I.A. for a few days.  Let's just say it's been a hectic week.  I thought since we're at the end of another week, I'd give you guys another FAB FIVE FRIDAY post. 

So, take a look at:

Dwell by Cheryl's

Items from My Current Project

My latest client is actually a repeat customer.  I'm excited because apparently I did a good job the first time since she liked it enough to hire me again.  I'm working on refreshing the living room, eat-in kitchen, powder room and entry.  I'll tell you more about the project later, but I wanted to show you a few of the things that I've pulled together so far. 

1.  I saw this sweet lamp and thought it would work great at the entry.  Adds just a little bit of interest and whimsy, plus owls are big right now. 



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2.  The lamp perched on top of this, is just the client's style- I hope. 

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3.  They've purchased a new flat screen t.v. to mount above the fireplace and I thought the mantel would need a little something.  So I got these tall glass vases in a burnt orange color.

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4.  I think often it's the small details that people neglect.  Like this lotus flower tealight holder.  So cute resting on top of a few hard cover books.  I chose a cream color instead of the black shown here.

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5.  And because I think curtains make a room, I've selected this bold printed fabric because the room needed some pizazz.  Use your imagination and invision as drapery panels.

  

I can't wait to show you the end result.  I'm installing in a couple of weeks so I'll be sure to have photos taken. 

Lastly, I mentioned in Tuesday's post that I'd be doing a giveaway and today's the day.  Because I'm currently fixated on birds, I thought I'd do a giveaway that featured them.  The winner will receive these TWO charming Timbre vases exclusive to Z Gallerie. 



Z Gallerie



 Two petite birds flank the removable glass insert, sitting upon carefully crafted branches finished in brilliant Gold metallic. Set an exquisite table with several Timbre vases paired with our coordinating Timbre hurricane candle holders. The vase measures approximately 5.5 inches diameter by 8.25 inches tall.
 

So post your comments NOW!!!  Here (on the website), on Twitter or on Facebook.  Good Luck!





Blog Following 101 and a Giveaway!

I want to open today’s post by thanking you all for reading my blog. I hope that you're enjoying it as much as I'm enjoying writing it.  It’s hard work, but it’s a labor of love.  I truly appreciate the kind emails, Facebook messages and text you've sent.  However, it has dawned on me that most of you are probably very new to the BLOGosphere.  So to encourage you to actually subscribe to the blog, “Like” me on Facebook and “Follow” me on Twitter, I’ll be doing my first Giveaway later this week. 

Here’s how it will work. 

Option 1:  Subscribe to the Blog

You’ll need to click the RSS Feed button

on the right to subscribe or simply click HERE.

Option 2:  “Like” me on Facebook (only available for Facebook users)

Option 3:  Follow me on Twitter  (only available for Twitter users)

Of course I’d love for you to do all three, but just one will suffice for the give-away.  Once you’ve completed one of the above options, you’ll need to Post a Comment.  While I appreciate your private messages, I encourage you to use these options to communicate with me so that I can promote on-site interaction.  This will help as the blog and following grows.  Once you’ve posted a comment on either http://www.dwellbycheryl.com/, Facebook or Twitter, you’ll be entered for a chance to win.  And yes, if you do all three you’ll be entered more than once. 

I thought I’d give you a couple of days to sign-up before I announced the give-away in a post.  Lastly, this will be the first of what I hope will become a monthly giveaway. 

Thanks so much for your support.  Spread the word…..

"Unlock" the Latest Design Trend

Like me,  you've probably noticed the lastest design trend, keys.  I seem to be running into them everywhere. 




Kirklands

 



Ross



Pottery Barn



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Etsy



Ballard Designs



Ok I admit it, I couldn't resist. 



Don’t "Sleep" on Garage Sales

I think the cold weather has me dreaming of much warmer temperatures and the start of garage sale season.  I must fess up and admit, that as much as I LOVE a deal, it’s often hard for me to drag myself out of the bed before dawn to actually get up for a garage sale.  But when I do, I typically score unbelievable deals. 

 Here are a few of my favorite finds:

This snack set was $1.00/set!!!  I got 6 sets. 

Came home, immediately checked www.replacements.com and discovered the same set for $17.99!





Replacements

I thought this $1 lantern, originally intended to be a picture photo holder, would be really cute on a hook.  I was right.

And this past spring I stumbled upon this French provincial lingerie chest of drawers.  

For obvious reasons, it caught my eye, but I wasn’t sure exactly what real potential it had until I did a quick internet search for “Painted French Provincial furniture”.  Here’s what I found.

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Needless to say for $12 I snatched it up in a hurry.  After a quick trip to Lowe’s, to pick up some pink paint , Olympic's Muted Fushia to be exact, here was the result.

Of course, it’s January and there aren’t many garage sales these days.  Until then, I can stay nestled snug in the bed and dream of what awaits…