Contemporary Traditional Eclectic...Whatever!

Most of you know that I love to decorate, and if you don't you will find out soon enough because I talk about it more often than is appropriate or necessary! I have no idea what to call my decor style, other than...whatever I like at the time. I definitely lean toward more clean lines and contemporary feel, I love to display family photos, and I love being different, which means my Goodwill and garage sale finds are real treasures to me because most likely, no one else will have what I have. The zebra chairs were a MAJOR find. I'll tell you why - I wasn't even shopping at the time. When my friends, Brooke and Kelli, were in town we were out for a Saturday morning run/stroll when we walked past a garage sale with none other than zebra print chairs. You must know that I had been eyeing black and white bold patterned chairs on overstock.com for quite some time, but could not justify them in the budget yet, so these chairs at $50 each were like a dream come true for me...and I mean that seriously. The amber glass lamps were from Goodwill, along with the green velvet throw pillow and the white octagonal mirror in the entryway (with more to come, I'm sure). I have actually seen two ward members (yes Kim, that includes you) at this, my new favorite second-hand store. Sadly they were each looking for costume items, while I was looking for long lasting household goods! The pear painting was done by none other than Kelli Jelinek, an artist on the verge of greatness! I will have you know that she whipped that painting out in about 45 minutes. I found the two little pears on the mantel at Pier 1, which mirror the painting. Clever isn't it? The big round amazing mirror on the mantle was a housewarming gift from Sam and Hollie, my brother and his better half. I know, I don't deserve it, but I couldn't be rude and not accept it! I seem to be saying "I" a lot in this post, when infact, I should be saying "we" much of the time. My most fabulous friends, Brooke and Kelli, were the other two thirds of our dynamic decorating trio (I know that should be duo, but it wasn't a duo). We stayed up until 3 am one night rearranging furniture, placing accessories, and brainstorming for what I was to complete after they left me high and dry. It was a night that made many great memories, including Kelli's famous words "I need more wood here" and Brooke breaking out as a decorator in the making. She finally realized that fashion is much like home decor, so all the hours she had spent reading InStyle magazine were becoming useful! I have three things left to do before the room is officially complete. I want a sunburst clock for one of the walls in the living room. I still have to mat one more family picture that is sitting on the shelves, and I want to buy a piano to replace the sofa table that sits between the two zebra chairs. The piano is on a little bit different monetary scale than the other two, especially in the eyes of Steve, but a piano will be there at some point in the future. Much thanks to the contributors of this frugal masterpiece, and if you want to see it in person...I love visitors!