Hey, Pottery Barn - Thanks For The Inspiration...

Every time a Pottery Barn catalog comes in the mail, I scour it from front to back looking for inspiration for future projects. I always find something I wish I could add to my home, but never, ever consider paying the Pottery Barn price.

When I saw the Cubby Organizer, it was love at first sight...

but...

not only is it out of my price range at $129.00 - realistically, it's too big at 30" square for any of the spots I would want to hang it in my home. And 25 cubbies could be a lot to fill without making it look cluttered...

if only it was a bit smaller, it would be perfect.



But I keep coming back to it.

I love the distressed wood.

The look of it.

All of the possibilities for how it could be accessorized...


And then, it hit me.

I already have a cubby organizer!

It's not something that was intended to be used in this way,

but that makes it even better.


Re-purposing is one of my favorite things to do!


My "cubby organizer" is just 12" wide by 18" tall and has a modest 12 squares to fill...

So, here is my Vintage Schweppes Wooden Bottle Crate

re-purposed as a Pottery Barn inspired Cubby Organizer...

It's sitting on the mantel in our family room and I love how it looks...

Filled with a few letters and some of my favorite finds from the sea, it is now a focal point and the perfect way to display them as a collection...

Thanks, Pottery Barn...

Keep the inspiration coming!

..........................................................................

If you would like a vintage crate of your own, check out these beauties on Etsy:

Vintage Wooden Bottle Crate





P.S. I am adding this to:

Metamorphosis Monday, Make It For Monday, Make Your Monday, Trash To Treasure,
DIY Day, Show And Tell Day, Thrifty Thursday,Transformation Thursday,
Strut Your Stuff Thursday, Show Off Your Stuff, Under $100, Frugalicious Friday,
Show And Tell Friday, Saturday Nite Special, The Shabby Chic Cottage,

The Look For Less - Ceramic Garden Stools...

They're hot right now!

They're also incredibly expensive!

Pottery Barn has them scattered throughout the pages of their current catalog...

...and I love that they're used indoors and out as a versatile piece that can be placed anywhere you may need it.

How pretty is this?

But let's get back to the price...

Pottery Barn has them for $159.00

Ouch!

Yet, even that seems like pennies compared to these:

FineGardenProducts.com sells them for $328.00,

but, hang on, this is your lucky day...

they're on sale for $295.20!



Seriously?

That's considered a deal?



Wisteria.com is selling them for $129.00...

This color is perfect...

*sigh*

I don't know about you, but those price points are more than I can stomach!

And I won't even get into what the conversation would sound like if I brought one of those home to my husband!

So imagine my delight when I stumbled across this very affordable and attractive version at Costco this morning...

It looks exactly like the one from Wisteria.com!

Right?

The price:

$31.29!

Yes! You read that right!

$31.29

That's a savings of over $97.00!

So for any of you out there wishing you could get your hands on a Ceramic Garden Stool that has the Pottery Barn look without the Pottery Barn price tag, head to Costco!

At this price, I'm certain they'll be gone in the blink of an eye!

The Look For Less - Pottery Barn Baskets...

As soon as I saw these baskets in the current Pottery Barn catalog, I wished I could get my hands on one...

They are from the Beachcomber Collection and their prices are $69 for the Tote and $129 for the Round and Rectangular Planter Baskets.

Pricey!

(Pictured here is the Tote)


So imagine my complete delight when I found this at JoAnn Etc!

Regular price $14.99...

...but I got it on sale for 50% off!

For a whopping $7.50 I brought this baby home!

This basket is the smaller of the two that you can find at JoAnn Etc.

The other is identical to the tall, thin Tote from Pottery Barn.
Price difference:
$69.99 for the PB version
or
$24.99 for the one from JoAnn Etc!
But remember, they are 50% off right now, so you could walk away with the same exact look for only $12.50!

Budget Friendly?

I'd say so!

With three kids running around I often find that baskets are a mom's best friend! They make it easy when I need to do a quick clean-up or assign a designated place for all of the little things that find their way right into the house with the kids!

Just wanted to share the great deal with you!
JoAnn Etc. currently has all of their baskets on sale for 50% off!
I'm not sure how long the sale lasts though, so if you're looking for a few good baskets, now may be the perfect time to get them at a great price!

Entryway Bench and Shelf...

Client's need:
A bench with cubbies and a matching shelf with hooks for her entryway. She has three kids and needs storage for shoes, coats, hats, backpacks, etc. Found our inspiration....

Finished Product:
Success!
My husband built these pieces and I finished them. She's happy with the results and so are we!

Image courtesy of potterybarn.com

Our latest project...

Client's need:
A desk for her office.
Inspiration found...

Finished product:

Success!
My husband built the desk with turned legs and a drawer. I finished it in white as the client requested. I think it turned out beautifully and the client is happy!

Image courtesy of potterybarn.com