Quite Contrary Design: Inaugural post

So, here it is. After playing around with blogger.com for three hours, I have finally created a pretty cool layout for my new blog. Much like the decor in my house, I'm sure it will change several times over the next several days and weeks, until I am settled. But you're here for ideas right? Here we go.

Before I start posting pictures and sharing ideas, I'd like to tell you a little about my style. Thriftiness is in my blood. Like my mother, I'm always looking for the deal. I rarely pay full price for an item, unless it's a magazine that will give me ideas on how to make or decorate on a dime. We didn't have much money growing up, so we shopped yard sales and clearance sales on the weekends. I watched my mom sew all our clothes, paint her own furniture, and even weave the bottoms of our own dining room chairs. Although, I don't have that Potato Box with a hand-painted little village girl carrying a water bucket shining in her acrylic beauty on the front, Mom's savvy creativity stuck with me. I would have that Potato Box painted a destressed Buxton Blue with ticking stripe lining, making it a perfect diaper can in a nursery. See how it works? Not only am I thrifty, I'm eclectic. I have a "Pottery Barn" type of style, but it's quirky. I subscribe to its catalog, but never purchase the items. Why? Simple. Spend $349 for a wooden ladder to hang over the dining room table, or pick one up from a thrift store for $5, and grab the lanterns to hang from it for a dollar a piece will you're there. I'm not too matchy-matchy either. Colors mix well if you just "let them." Mix patterns and hues of the same colors; bring in some modern with the antique to create depth. Take risks. Supplement your purse with hand-sanitizer and cash, drive to the thrift store, pick up a few of my key items. Let the fun begin...

KEY ITEMS to get you started:
(pick these up when you see 'em. I'll show you where to put 'em)
- pair of vintage lamps
- large trunk
- side table w/ drawer
- baskets / buckets of different sizes
- collection of mirrors
- books, lots of books
- large open picture frames