Hosting house guests has motivated me to tweak a few things in our home. As in even more radical purging. And then making a few purchases to fox things up.
After all, I don’t want my guests to think they’re staying in an army barracks.
So using a small budget, I think I achieved big style. And since I didn’t blow the budget, I won’t feel bad if trends change and the next purge occurs.
Area Rugs
The rug in our bedroom had reached the limit on the number of cleanings we could do and expect it to get any cleaner.
I loved the white indoor/outdoor carpet and it served us well, but it was worn and way beyond dingy.
Remember the washable kitchen runner I wrote about here? As time passes, I love this purchase more and more.
So when it came time to replace the large area rug in our bedroom, I purchased two washable area rugs from the same brand in a different pattern.
I haven’t been able to smooth out all the wrinkles yet, but other than that, I love them so much. They are so soft.
The large one is 8X10 so I don’t know what size washing machine you’d need, so it’s not my actual plan to wash it. But these are so lightweight with a thin foam backing so they are easy to handle.
Here is a close up so you can make out the pattern a little better.
Resin Soap Dispenser
Our pretty dish soap dispenser broke recently and I wanted something attractive to coordinate with our kitchen, but I didn’t want anything breakable.
I found this resin soap dispenser for $14 from Amazon.
Not a giant purchase, but so much better than a big plastic bottle of Dawn out on my counter.
Tissue Box Cover
And speaking of ugly containers, why can’t tissue boxes just be pretty and nondescript? Why do they have to be the ugliest colors and designs ever?
Am I right?
And then to add insult to injury, tissue box covers are expensive! Dang.
I found a discreet wooden box cover that looks like linen.
It’s really pretty and goes perfectly in our guest bathroom. It sells for $15 on Amazon and is half the price of the others I looked at from other retailers.
Artificial Ficus Tree
Drum roll, please! From Target, receiving almost perfect ratings, I found this beautiful 72″ ficus tree and it’s a good one!
Almost everything I’ve purchased from the Studio McGee line has been good quality and outstanding style.
This is so pretty and the pot it sits in is equally beautiful.
Right now it’s perched in my family room, but I will experiment a bit with a better permanent home.
Right now the price for this large plant it $150 which may not seem too “small budget,” but I found it on sale for much less.
Scented Candles
The Better Homes & Gardens scented candles I took a chance on have been a very big hit! The scents are so nice and the last throughout the entire candle burn.
The containers are so pretty, a used-up candle is sitting on my Murphy bed dresser as a pretty accent.
Having a candle burning in the kitchen is just the epitome of cozy.
Some of the best five buck purchases ever.
Wrap Up
Thanks for coming along shopping with me. And if some of these were your recommendations or made with your assistance, I thank you kindly.
Big plans for this first weekend in September? Does it feel like fall?
As always, may God bless you and yours as we enter this new season.