What'd you pay for that?

I've noticed in the blog world, several bloggers bragging about how little they spent decorating their home...Well, I can tell you that I decorated our house on a serious budget, and I can say with confidence that I have them all beat :)...In reality, these other bloggers just had me curious...So I actually did the math and the grand total is...drumroll please...or not, I should learn to play the drums...$1600 (give or take a few). That's right ladies and gents, that is a living/dining/kitchen decorated for $1600...Told you I would win...I totally could of been great on Trading Spaces...Do you guys remember that show? I used to make my Dad record it on our VCR, so I could watch it. ...Now I know my house is smaller and my dining room is not a traditional formal dining room, but the point is I win. Of course, I'm kidding (kind of). I didn't really go through the trouble of all this to brag (well, maybe a little), but to show you that you can make your home "you" on any budget. Don't believe me? Here's a breakdown...

Living Room Picture frames on wall.......$50.00 for all 5 Walmart
Bookcase...........................$50.00 Target
Baskets..............................$20.00 for both Walmart
Frames...............................brown frame- gift, Laugh frame-$5 clearance at Nebraska furniture mart
Gold Bowl...........................$7.00 clearance at Nebraska furniture mart
Lamp...................................$8.00 Old time pottery
White elephant...................Free, spray painted
Chair....................................$112.00 Target
Throw pillows......................$20.00 each Pier 1 and Target
Blue and green botanicals...$1.00 Dollar Store

Vase behind chair...............$10.00 on clearance at Zgallerie, covered in twine Curtains...............................$130.00 Target
Sconces.................................$5.00 Garage sale find

Framed bird print...............$5.00 Etsy

Candlesticks.........................$16.00 Target
Starburst Mirror..................$20.00 Clearance because there was a small chip in it Target
Plant pot...............................$10.00 Dollar General
Coffee Table..........................$50.00 Amazon or Ebay, I can't remember, but I know it's one of those two
Candle in center of table......$10.00 Target
Basket under coffee table.....$20.00 Target
Sectional Sofa.......................$600.00 Nebraska Furniture Mart

Dining/Kitchen Console table......................$20.00 Craigslist find
Knobs on console table......$6.00 at Hobby Lobby with a coupon
White vase...........................$6.00 on clearance at Target
Ottoman..............................$15.00 Target
Basket..................................$10.00 Walmart
Kitchen Table and chairs....$150.00 for set Nebraska Furniture Mart
Rug......................................$50.00 World Market (I've actually seen them cheaper since at Old Time Pottery)
Candlesticks........................$5.00 Goodwill

Table Runner......................$10.00 Etsy

Bar stools.............................$120.00 for three Nebraska Furniture Mart
Shelves in Kitchen...............$20.00 for both (also a wedding gift, Thanks Jessica :), but from Target)
Wine rack............................$10.00 on clearance at World Market
Bamboo blinds....................$20.00 Target
Sorry I don't have pictures of my kitchen yet, but they are coming...Also, some things are moved around in the pictures, but you get the idea...
In the end, you can make your house a home with any budget...
Here are a few tips, I've found in the few years I've been at it.
1. Target has a fantastic housewares section with great prices, but don't forget to check the end of the aisles, this is where all their clearance items are!
2. Don't be afraid to ask about a dented or scratched item. I once got the price down 50%, on a wine rack because it was missing one of the bottom rubber black pieces. By the way, this is true with clothing stores too. I used to work for a large department store, and if anyone came to the register and showed even the smallest mark on merchandise, we were told to automatically give them 20% off.
3. Craigslist.....Now I definitely go back and forth on Craigslist, I tend to think people are too greedy and expect too much money for their used stuff. But, I have found some great deals, you really just have to look. Oh, and a random hint, if your looking for something specifically but you're having trouble finding it, try misspelling a word. I know it sounds crazy but I was helping a friend look for a bamboo rug on craigslist, but we couldn't find anything, I tried bamboo aera rug (instead of area rug), and boom found one instantly. It's a great tip, but also says a lot about the American education program.
4. Barter.......Don't be afraid to barter at a garage sale or estate sale, or even in a store if you are gutsy enough. We have a side table in a guest room, that the lady wanted $20.00 for, I did the old "I only have $4 on me" routine, and got that table, they were asking $20.00 for, for only $4.00.
5. Shop online...Ebay and amazon, are great resources for home decor items. Also, places like Target and Z Gallerie have not only more choices online, but a lot of times better prices too and always check clearance!
Happy Friday all, make it a good one!

I'm crushing hard...like it could be love...with anything dip dyed/color blocking....you may call it a trend, and it probably is...but it's a good trend...Anytime, you can take a boring piece of furniture or fabric...or even your hair and jazz it up a bit, this easily, I'm in...

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If only I had the guts...Hey, she looks pretty excited about it...what do you think?

Dining chair conundrum...

I've wanted a new dining table FOREVER, but always felt kind of guilty, since ours is literally only 3 years old. Recently, however our chairs have started to basically drive me bananas. They don't sit straight, and wobble incessantly. I changed gears now and am now instead looking for new chairs.. I love the look of a dark table with white chairs (kind of like this)...

 

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There are so many to choose from, all in different price points, so my decision is tough....Here's what I'm thinking...

 Uma tufted Parsons Dining Chairs....Love these, and a great price at $109 for 2 (plus Overstocks ridiculously cheap shipping and handling). I originally thought about using these just at the heads of the table, so that we could seat 6 (would be awesome for game night), but also love the idea of using four of these...Find them here!

    
Chiavari chairs...I know these are generally for weddings but I kind of love the simple lines, classic design, and the nod to the bamboo style chairs that are so big these days. Plus you can't beat the price ($32/each for the white and $44/each for the ghost). Find them here!

The Anime arm chair....So amazing, love the shape and color. But sadly, they are $170 each, and a little more than I'm wanting to pay...Find them here!

As you know, I love the white metal tub chairs, and they are actually super comfortable. Plus a fantastic price ($152 for all 4!)...but I don't know if they would work great in the space, or how they'd physically fit at my table...

 I absolutely adore these white high gloss oval back chairs, but am having trouble finding them anywhere... Love the classic lines and simplicity...

I also love the idea of using basically any ghost chairs. I'm completely obsessed actually, but I like the idea of the white because I feel like it will brighten up the space.
Back to the drawing board...what do you guys think?

Alysha's first apartment...and living vicariously through her

When Alysha told me her Mom's housewarming gift for her was an E-design for her very first bachelorette apartment, I was sooo excited. Like, I think I ate a whole bag of marshmallows, excited...or maybe I just really like marshmallows...oh smores sound good...wait what was I talking about?...
oh yes Alysha's apartment. I truly was excited, because I never had my own first apartment. I got married young and moved in with Race when I was only 19. Don't get me wrong, I of course don't regret it, but I'm a little jealous of the fact that Alysha can decorate her new place in any way she wants, with as much femininity as she wants, without anyone saying "it's kind of girly".  I really wouldn't consider myself a feminine stylist when it comes to my home, but I do love pink...I'm only human people...and was excited when Alysha told me she did too. Basically, she wanted something feminine and hip, a little edgy, but surprising...nothing to matchy, matchy. This is the basic idea that we came up with:

I apologize, I'm not sure why the moodboard looks blurry....it doesn't on my computer but does on Race's...no clue
Being a grad student, Alysha is obviously on a VERY tight budget and since this is a rental, we were stuck with the grayish/white walls, which actually weren't terrible...better than "apartment white". Alysha already had that small white couch, side tables (from Wal-mart for anyone interested) and dining table, which is great because I love them all. I found the dining chairs (similar to the pictured ones) on her local Craigslist, but they were black, so she had them sprayed pink. The chandelier, which was definitely the "splurge" for this space (and luckily we were allowed to install it...what a nice landlord) and ceramic deer head are from Zgallerie, found here and here, the chairs are from Ikea (and only $70 each), found here, and the three stumps that make up her new "cocktail area" are DIY projects by her and her dad (only because I had another client make them, and they said they were super easy and looked great when all was said and done) and I think they add that surprising aspect she wanted. The rug is from my go-to for rugs overstock.com (I know, not exactly the most glamorous place to get rugs, but trust me they have the best prices and rugs can be a budget killer for sure). The pillows are from all different Etsy shops, and the curtains are made my her mom, with the "green zig zag" fabric from fabric.com, found here (on sale right now for only $6.36/yard). We also decided to add a photo collage that frames out her television (which sits on a white dresser, she already owned) on the wall facing the couch....Basically, this is the idea...but with all white frames to keep it contemporary...or because Ikea's white frames are only $3.99...

Also, it's worth noting that words can't describe how much I love gazing at this picture...so much great vintage art, the television basically disappears, or maybe that's just me...but still I could stare all day...Emily Henderson is seriously a genius, we have completely different styles, yet I love her designs and styling, and that says something...Picture found here
Back to Alysha...
I think we hit the nail on the head...It's feminine but fun and flirty, and with a hint of surprise here and there. In the end, she's happy and that's what matters. Congratulations on your first apartment Alysha, and if you ever come home to find me laying on your black and white chevron rug (oh when will my chevron obsession end) and staring at your gorgeous white chandelier and deer head, just leave a trail of marshmallows out the door and it will lead me home...
And in true Friday fashion, a little eye candy to get you through the weekend :)

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Happy Friday all!!

Mind officially blown...

This post is a complete hodge podge of whatever the heck is on my mind lately, so I apologize for the craziness...
First off, I don't want to get all mushy or sentimental and stuff, but seriously it's been a crazy couple of months. Designs by Ashli has already been a bigger success than I ever thought it could be, and I really want to thank everyone who's been supporting me in this very short journey. My mind is officially blown...
Now, let's talk about my fears...It may seem like all of this is very premature, that these thoughts shouldn't even be running through my head...and you are right, however, I've thought about doing this for over 10 years, so these thoughts have been rolling around in my mind for a long time. My first and second project for Designs By Ashli were for a friend of a friend (who now is a very good friend of mine too). And my third, fourth, AND fifth were friends of her's, so now I'm terrified that this is it. I'm scared to my core that it's going to come to a screeching halt and I will never be offered any type of design work or receive another E-design order ever. I've never been happier, and getting up in the morning, even if it's just to finish a post for the blog, or send an e-mail about a fabric I found, is much easier. Don't get me wrong, I like my day job, but of course it's not my passion, this is, and I basically can't get enough of it. The idea that I could spend my life doing something I love, is both extremely exciting and also very terrifying. It could all end tomorrow, though and that is something that never escapes my mind. I've been very lucky to have such supportive friends get the word out, but now what? Maybe, I'm expecting too much too soon, in fact I know I am, but I still can't fight this feeling. (I sound like I'm about to break into an REO speedwagon song...but I wont).
Then, there's a whole different fear...the fear if any of it matters. The fear that I'm not going to leave any type of mark in the world. I'm not a doctor. I don't save people's lives, or help them to have a better quality of daily life. I am not a police officer. I don't spend my days protecting the innocent, or helping keep the streets safe. I'm surrounded by people who make a difference in other's lives daily, whether it's my sister-in-law who works as a nurse and/or my little sister, who is soon going to be changing children's lives as a teacher but lately, I've had this very gut wrenching feeling about what I'm going to spend my life doing and I'm terrified it's not enough...Then I get mad at myself for even thinking that...of course it's enough. Designing an environment, in which someone's going to bring their new baby home to for the first time, where they are going to learn to count and play with their brothers and sisters IS important. Helping someone turn their home from "something they can just afford" into a place their excited to come home to everyday and proud to show off to others IS important. Our environments play an important part in our daily lives, I know this, yet I question it. There is a very famous quote by Winston Churchill (it's actually printed on my business cards), "First we shape our dwellings, and then our dwellings shape us." This quote really hits home to me, because it's so true. Soothing colors help us relax, bold colors excite us. A well organized/designed home gives us confidence. Our environment plays a large part in our mental being (for anyone who doesn't know, I actually got my bachelors in psychology, so I know this is true:)) Our home is where we raise our families, where we share memories with our family/friends/pets. It is our own sanctuary, and it DOES matter. I love helping others turn their hopes and dreams of what their homes could be into something tangible, and eventually into reality.With these thoughts/fears running through my mind, I recently got a forwarded e-mail from one of my readers, who happens to be a designer as well that truly spoke to me...Here's an excerpt:
"Your work improves the lives of others. You design for the homebody and the workerbee, in addition to the aged, handicapped, and infirm. Whether you add light to a dark interior or design a beautiful and healthy working space, you make a difference in the lives of others. Through design, you create harmony in a home, which helps others feel comfortable and relaxed in their own space. You help others express who they are and who they want to be through design."
Design is important, Art is important....and we are making a difference, even if it is in a small part, to people's everyday lives. We help them come home to a place they feel safe and comfortable, a place that makes them happy. In the end, that is all that matters.
And now because a post without pictures is like eating Oreos without dipping them in peanut butter (try it it's delicious) here's some pretty eye candy...

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Any other designers/artists/anything else really ever have these feelings?! Do share....