Deals and Steals $$$

Hello Designers!

I've been busy, and that's a good thing. So much progress has been made on the redesign of my bedroom. While I am no longer obsessed -- I've channeled much of that energy into blessing others (click here to see my last post) -- I'm still focused on making my bedroom an oasis, quick time! This week's post is dedicated to great deals. We're talking sales people, good ones. I've also included a list of my favorite stores to get great deals.

Project Status

Remember last week I said I thought I'd have some issues with keeping the momentum and buying my dresser? Not so! Not only did I get a dresser this week I but a mirror, chair, and night table. Yep, completely outdid myself since I had way more time available than I thought I would (see pic below). This means I'm 75% through with the redesign. I'm so cheesing right now. But not to get ahead of myself, there's still the wallpaper removal and painting. Those two will be pricey since I will not be doing a DIY. Sorry, no way. So while I wait for my purchases to arrive, I'll be prepping, i.e. removing furniture, storage, etc.

Master Bedroom Redesign Status

I've decided on a gray, yellow and ivory color scheme. And I'm still doing a vintage french eclectic, cottage chic, mix of style. Quite a mouthful...

Here's the vintage distressed dresser and night table I purchased on Etsy (gots to love that site!):





And here's the mirror I got on sale from Wisteria:




The chair was from Overstock, also on sale. The great thing is, they only charged $1.00 for shipping!

Finding Great Deals

I am thrilled. Why? Not only have I found exactly what I wanted for the most part, but everything was an economical buy. So what constitutes a great deal? For me, it's all about the bottom line. When I combed through various furniture websites, Ikea, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, BedroomFurniture.com, Overstock, to name a few, I found some interesting things. Not only did the prices differ considerably, as you would expect, but what I really liked was out of my budget, or it just wasn't quite right. In addition, the shipping costs were usually expensive, sometimes $100 or more. Remember my lesson from last week? Don't settle for less or too much (read my last post). Lesson #2 tally up everything, shipping, tax, delivery rules, and actual cost of the item.

In that vein I decided to try Etsy once more, and I cannot sing its praises enough. The dresser - $350.00 from Etsy, shipping was $35.00. Most dressers are over $500; Ikea had the cheapest one for $299, but shipping was $100.00 and I didn't like it. Night table was custom painted and $145, from the same seller, so no additional shipping cost. Mirror was on sale for $64.00 and shipping was $50.00. Finally, the chair was $324.00, and shipping again, $1.00!!! All in all, good buys. The chair is usually an expensive purchase, $500.00 or more, so $324 was a good catch. Finally, decorative mirrors can be so expensive, who knew?! Sometimes over $500 even on sale. So getting one for $64.00 even with expensive shipping was a steal.

As promised, here is a list of some of my favorite furniture sites I've found to have great deals:

1. Etsy - online community of artists, creators, thinkers and doers
2. Overstock - online retailer with a wide variety of high-quality items at discount prices
3. One Kings Lane - elegant, curated online sales site with designer items up to 70% off (members only)
4. Joss & Main - a members only site offering sales on brands for home and life
5. Wisteria (sale section)- vintage furniture,accessories, and rare finds
6. Ikea (go to the store with a truck, shipping is pricey!)
7. Flea markets - sometimes have the best things at great prices if you're willing to bargain

The Greatest Deal on Earth

Speaking of great deals, I cannot help but think of one that so many people miss out on, not for it being hidden! Have you ever been given something you don't deserve? Or got a pass at a punishment you did deserve? Well that's grace and mercy (respectively). The thing about life is that we are headed for a really bad end, destruction I'm afraid. Good news is, it doesn't have to be our destiny. As messed up as we are, Christ died for us some 2000 years ago, became our substitute and took the punishment we deserve (see John 3:14-18, and 1 John 5:12). I'll leave you with one thought:

"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Romans 5:6-8

Will you accept this gift?

Happy hunting!

Kyla