Coffee Station

I like both coffee and hot teas.

You would think that I had a coffee and tea station all my life.

Not so, not so.

But I had been thinking about having one in our home for quite a while.

Our kitchen has a limited space, 

and I didn't want to cram too much stuff so not to be able to walk in there.

But I finally came up with an idea...

the day before Thanksgiving.

Because you know,

when creativity strikes,

then you must act...immediately.

So I moved the microwave station to the side of the fridge, 

took the pantry door down (to make room for microwave cart thingy),

sewn a curtain to replace the door,

disassembled a sewing machine table,

From Our Italian Farm

It has been over a month since my last post.

A lot has happened and we just got back from Italy, which is home for me.

I unloaded the suitcases from our trip, and these are few things I was able to bring back with me.

Some of these items where found at our farm house, others where found 

Naturally Cleaning Upholstered Used Furniture

I am really into using natural cleaners at all times.

One of the main reason is that I have a chronic condition that gets worst with strong chemical smells. 

Also, natural cleaners are better for our environment, as whatever we wash down the drain goes back into the water we drink. 

On a different note, I am into buying secondhand items whenever possible (aka 99% of the times).
It's cheaper and it keeps stuff out of the landfills.

That said, most things are either washable or "wipeable".

Others items, such as used upholstered furniture, need a more creative approach.

Today I am sharing how to clean used upholstered furniture.

Let me start by saying that 

What do you think it is and what would you do with it?

A few months ago a friend asked me if I wanted this.

It was free.

She got it from a garage sale, 

but never got around to use it.

She finally decided to just burn it,

but checked with me first to see if I wanted it.

Truthfully I have no idea of what this was used for.

Maybe it was a library cards' holder? 

Maybe it used to hold collectible items?

The openings are about 4"x6"

Thing is,

what would you do with this?

It's heavy.

Overall measures approximately 3'x4'

Stay Frugal,

Daniela

Drum Shades

I love drum shades ceiling light fixtures.

I have always liked the look of it.

But they are pretty expensive...especially for the larger sizes.

So imagine my reaction when a friend of mine text me and asks me if I would like 4 of them.

Yes, you read that correctly, not 1, but 4.

Two are matching, and one is super large size.

I forgot to mention,

Our "New" free chair

I am all about buying used or get free stuff...within limits.

I always ask myself: 

can it be washed? 

or 

can it be wiped down with clorox? :)

We have had this chair in our living room for years. 

It was free.

Although you might like the pattern on the chair, 

the main problem with this was that the chair had lots

Baskets Love

This last few months I added few baskets around the house.

These are all vintage and were purchased for a total of

How to make a rolling basket and "new" coffee table

Long story short,

we got a free coffee table, and the first thing I notice is this note.

Taped at the bottom of the coffee table.

I think it's so cool how Betty Jane wrote the "story" of the coffee table...that apparently used to be an old library table, 

bought used in 1922.

Now...

Craigslist finds

As the sunroom construction work should hopefully be done in less than a week, (works have been nonexistent since last time I updated you) I have been keeping my eyes open for some furnishing for that room.

Most of the stuff will be pulled out from other room and "storage" (not that we have that much...but still).

A few things we were looking at, and this is what we bough yesterday.

An American Signature Love seat in great shape and super comfy. 

I had been looking at lots of different options. Either the "look" was right, but uncomfortable. Or nice to sit on, but 

Garage sale finds

This morning started early, 

as Saturdays are my long run days.

 6.15am, 8 miles, 29° F

A cold morning to be out, but as I got home, I noticed one of our neighbour was having a garage sale.

I went over after defrosting to see what she had, and this is what 

Wire Basket Light

This kitchen light project was long overdue. 

A long ago  few months ago I went to a flea market here in town, and I bought a little something that I wanted to use in my kitchen as a pendant light above the sink.

See, 

this is what I had for a long time. 

It came with the house.

 Beside the fact that it wasn't a beauty to look at, the really annoying thing was the constant buzzing sound from the time you turned it one, to the time you turned it off.

So, back to the flea market finds, this is what I was going to use as a 

Vintage Map of Medieval City

This is a vintage map of an old map of the city I was born and raised.

The actual year of when this map was drawn is MDCCLXXXII aka 1782.

This is a vintage print of that map.

My parents have given this to me years ago. They actually have the same print map framed and hanging in

Futon covers

Yes, it possible to buy inexpensive futon covers.
I am a futon person.

I love how futons are so versatile, 

take up less space than regular couches, 

are both lighter to move  and cost much less compared to a sleeper sofa.

Last week, on my second hand shopping trip, I found 

From our Italian Farm, to our American Home

I know, we have been back to US for a month now, and I still have more things to show you that I found at our Italian family farm.

Some of you have asked how did I fit all that stuff in the suitcases, I am going to tell you at the end of this post.

For now, here are the last things I brought back.

What a dresser made me do

Few days ago I found this dresser on Craigslist for $10.

It is the perfect size for what I need, 
and for $10, 

What to do with a Wine Box

For some reasons, 

I like wooden boxes...

in fact, when I find one, 

I just can't turn it away 

(especially if it's free).

Olive Jars (new life)

While I was in Southern Italy, I did a little shopping in my family's garage.

 

There was so much stuff that I wanted to bring back with me, but I had to pick few things and hope it all would fit in the suitcases.
(I still have more...I am a good packer. LOL)

This particular garage is a "farm garage", 

so it was full with rusted farm tools, glass containers, old and big 

Old scale and her story

While I was at the olive farm, I came across this scale.

It was hidden under other stuff, in a pile.

My mom saw me looking at it, and she 

Going to market...flea market

There is always a first..there has to.

Today I went to our local monthly flea market.

Yep, with all my children.

We were there for a couple of hours...there was so much stuff...but I limited myself to only a couple of things.

What a fun day.

Cloudy, breezy, high 60's...wish this was tomorrow's weather, perfect for running.

***Unfortunately, looks like tomorrow will be raining...so I am preparing myself to a wet run in the Country Music City Marathon.

I am still hoping it will be mainly dry.***

Anyway, back to the Flea Market,

this is what I brought home.

Stenciled Covers

On my thrifting trip I found this!

.10c for the entire stack of stencil...letters and numbers!

I have to admit that I have never used a stencil. I like to free hand. But why not trying. 
Right?

These are the perfect size for my recent pillow covers.

I decided to add