JuBella at Home {let’s go visit}
About 5 years ago we moved to a very tiny little apartment, and at the beginning, I made my creative self quite distanced from the idea of making it feel like home. It felt temporary to me and filled with accents and fixtures that drive me crazy to this day! So I went through my days surrounded by white walls, bland decor, and zero personality, until one day my husband said something along the lines of this: “you should always appreciate what you have while you have it, and make wherever you are feel like home”. Now I know this should have been common sense, but like I said, I just didn’t want to put any creative energy into such a small and standard apartment that was not even mine. But after he said that a little light bulb went off in my head. I told myself: “I’m an artist, so why not make my home reflect that”. So from there it began. I insisted that although I wanted our apartment to feel creative, I was NOT going to spend very much money. So our entire apartment is decorated and embellished with thrifty finds, handmade goodness, and even some freebies from my very thrifty dad!
I see a lot of decor blogs talk about decorating on a budget, but I wanted to take this moment to talk about that. I have a pet peeve sometimes when I see a headline “Decorating On A Budget” only to read further and find pieces that are $100 and even sometimes in the thousands. Now it is quite obvious that I love decor/design and the chic pricey pieces make my heart melt, but I am on a serious budget and spending even $100 or over for one piece of decor for my home is out of the question. So, what to do, I hit up all of my local thrift stores and made a few things myself. I think it’s important to highlight homes such as mine, that is not necessarily chic and classy, we don’t have hardwood floors and grand ceilings, or ikea pieces, but I find joy in recreating a purpose for something that someone no longer had a use for, or seeing something in a magazine and then making it myself for half the cost. Decorating your home is not about trendy pieces, and designer names, but about the warmth and creative passion that you are willing to put into it. One of the most biggest transformations to your home can happen just with a can of paint! So, in honor of this post, I ask that all of you who may feel a little uneasy about decorating or feel that you have to have the pieces and decor you see in the design magazines, to rethink your mission and squeeze your creative juices because a home is not defined by how much it costs, but how much love you care to put into it. And with that said, i welcome you all into our little abode. Please forgive any unbalanced lighting and over saturation, as I am no Interior Photographer, which is why I love highlighting them so much here on JuBella, because they really do capture the essence of of a home so beautifully! It’s nothing fancy, quite shabby/chic/bohemian. But it’s ours and I love it! Enjoy your visit!
My “Studio” Space: This is where I paint, sketch, and sew for the most part. I bought the luggage from goodwill for $3-8 each. I use them as storage for my art supplies. it works great at keeping little fingers out of your things as well! The frames were given to me by my dad(note: my dad is a serious thrift junky..I think this is where I get it from). I originally planned to buy art for the frames, and I hung them up as placeholders and decided I liked them much better empty:) my sewing machine is an old Elna that my hubby bought for me about 8 years ago and my fabric samples are my treasures that inspire my colors and creativity..I just don’t have the heart to cut them! I like to collect old album covers and I loved the composition and colors in this Dian Ross cover. the lamp($2.99) use to be a pea green until I painted it white, and until I make the lampshade that is in my head(I want a sheer layered/ruffled look), it will stay shadeless.
Reflection Space: This is where I do my journaling and sometimes reading. It’s actually our little ones old baby crib that I painted with a white washed/weathered effect. I made the pillows, the floral sheet came from the thrift store($3.99) and the little basket holds address and birthdays of all of my special friends. i keep it stocked with envelopes, paper, and stamps, to make letter writing easier and often! My favorite thing in this space is my “Dream” card which I purchased from “Made By Girl”.
Dining: Our dining table use to be quite goddy(ahem some may say it still is), it was silver & gold with gray seating. It was hidious. Yet again, my dad found it at some yard sale and asked me if i wanted it, so I said yes, and then I saw it and was like “what am i supposed to do with this!”. So, when all else fails you break out the decopauge. Yep, the entire thing is decopauged with magazine paper. I call it my Anthropologie table because I used so many of their old catalogs. Some may call it kitschy/tacky, but I think it’s lots of fun!
Can’t afford It? Make It! I just finished this pillow Sunday. It was inpsired by a pillow I saw at Urban Outfitters(which I was not going to pay $40 for). I bought an old round pillow for $2 at the salvation army and covered it with scraps of fabric I had laying around.
Outdoors: Our patio is VERY small. but there is enough room to have some tomatoes, basil, aloe vera, bellpeppers, and a small lavender plant. The wooden chairs I got from non other than the thrift store for $5 each. I plan on painting them but not sure what color yet. No, the ducks are not ours, but they roam around our community all lined up in a row. They are super cute!
The Kitchen: Our kitchen is quite simple, with a touch of fun. I painted the laundry room door with chalkboard paint and covered our terribly old fridge with food clippings. I love using glass jars and they make great holders for forks, spoons, and knives! I bought some tiny magnets and used them to hold my cookie cutters on the side of the fridge. If you ever get tired of looking at all of those clashy cereal boxes, then I suggest making yourself some cereal bags. I used plain white cloth to make ours in which you can usually find cheerios in it!
The Little One: This is our sons room. He is 5 years old. I painted these jack and the bean stalk vines along the sides of the wall, and one wall is painted all green. This picture means so much, because minutes after I was done taking the photos it appeared as though a hurricane had hit it. LOL! Oh how I only wish his room was always this perfect! Iironically enough, that is not chalkboard paint on the back of his bookshelf…little did I realize that regular flat/dark paint takes chalk quite well! As you can see…he re-purposed an old film canister from our photography days into a jelly bean container!
The Bedroom: This is one of my favorite spots. I wanted a headboard, but did not want to spend that type of money, so I whipped out some semi gloss paint and it turned out great! The hubby was quite skeptical, but loved it after he saw it!
My Desk: When I am not snug into the corner of our couch typing and researching on the lap top, you might find me here where I should be sitting! This space is actually a storage closet turned workspace! I can close it off entirely by closing the two folding doors on each side! My favorites are the 3 crane birds I made hanging from the ceiling, my “Fly & Be Inspired” bag I received from lovely & creative Andrea of Fly Girls, my “LOVE” card, and a very inspiring letter printout from a fabulous fellow mommy blogger by the name of Que Jimenez!
Tags: home life, house tours, jubella, Jubella at home, Let's Go Visit
foldaway
November 11th, 2008 at 1:56 am
I LOVE seeing your home! Thanks so much for sharing with us. I use old suitcases too…to store fabric. I think the old school desk in your son’s room is great. I have been trying to find a similar one for my kids (ok, it’s really for me, whatever). So when are we going to see some of your sewing creations?
November 11th, 2008 at 3:01 am
Love your place!!!!!! Your headboard is brilliant. And I love the colors you used thru out your place! Great job:)
November 11th, 2008 at 4:17 am
I think you have done a great job with your apartment and its space.
And the picture of the ducks is just so cool!
Btw, I also rent my house now and there is no way I could make them like they I want it too. But I decide to dedicate one room where I could decorate it creatively no matter how small and lightless it is. So my studio is born, I named her Binal Sintal.
Thank you for sharing your home,
Vantiani
November 11th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Your home is cozy and chock full of treasures. Thanks for sharing. It’s nice to know a little more about you through your personal space.
November 11th, 2008 at 9:26 am
wow! i’m moving into my very own first place next month and this is so inspiring for me! i have very little things to bring into the home, since i’ve been sharing a space with roommates for years. my budget is low, but i’ll be using a lot of creativity and thrifting like you to make it a home!
November 11th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Wowza. So, so inspiring. We are pretty much on an extremely tight budget these days and so I am going to have to get super crafty myself.
November 12th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Very Very nice!!! I was going to do the same idea for my daughter’s headboard but with wrapping paper, maybe I will try the paint instead I imagine it’ll last longer!!
November 12th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
Thank you so much for sharing! I *love* that you understand that $100 is not “cheap”! Your home is beautiful, and thank you for the inspiration!
November 12th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
This is fabulous and very inspiring!!!! Thanks for sharing!
November 12th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
What a mah-vellous home! Love all your vintage and thrifty finds (I’m v. jealous) and all that wonderful colour. And, any house with ducks is all right by me!
Cheers, Arren
http://www.arrenwilliams.com
November 12th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Amazing home! Love that FLY bag!
November 13th, 2008 at 4:48 am
This is lovely! I like that you show low-budget decoration, it’s so important. I use the Salvation Army, too! And such happy colours you’ve chosen! Your studio space is so cool with the green/turquoise combination (and the first photo in particular looks very professional, I must say). I also love the decor painting you’ve done in the bedrooms. And the dining table!! I have a zillion découpage ideas, but I never get around to it.
Ericka, congratulations on your pregnancy! I’m very happy for you. May 17th is actually the national day of my country (Norway)!
All the best,
Trudi
November 13th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
wOw!
Your children will have such beautiful imaginations!!
I love your home, it is so inspiring to see love and personality into you everyday space!
November 13th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
love your space! esp. how you store your paints in the suitcase and the recipes on the clipboard. feeling very inspired at the moment. thanks for sharing!
November 15th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Beautiful!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Thanks for the tour! I also have the same pet peeve about “on a budget” guides that aren’t for people on actual budgets. I am redecorating our house and am a thrift store/consignment store/ garage sale hunter. I loved reading what you have bought and repurposed. My hubby and I are inspired to do something cool with our old fridge after seeing yours. And I saw that same pillow on Urban Outfitters and got a pattern for myself last week to make one myself for much cheaper. What a coincidence! Yours turned out great! Decorating on a budget can be challenging, but it sure is rewarding!!
November 17th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Love your place!!!!!! Your post has brilliant stuff. And I love the colors you use. Great job
November 17th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
GREAT home! I really like those turquoise walls…and that painted headboard..WOW!! Why didn’t i think of that? We actually ended up making a headboard from scratch but its more $ than painting I bet.
Thanks for highlighting my MadeByGirl dream card, it looks sooo cute the way you hung it!
Jen Ramos
‘100% Recycled DESIGNER Cards & More’
http://www.madebygirl.com
madebygirl.blogspot.com
November 17th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
You have a super gorgeous and warm home:-))
It looks like each and everything in the house has been lovingly placed there.
BEautiful
November 18th, 2008 at 9:30 am
…just dropped by to say hi…nice of you to let me in…sorry, i couldn’t stay longer…i promise to come back soon…
That’s my imaginary conversation with you…luv what i see will be back later when i have more time to take it all in….
November 18th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Wow! It’s like you read my thoughts…as you often do! I’ve been stuck in a rut, reluctant to REALLY decorate my place for the same reasons you mentioned. I too am a Budget Treasure Hunter and I even had many of the same projects you’ve shown in mind. Your place is beautiful and so so charming! I am not only inspired to create but I am reminded to be grateful.
Thanx for sharing!
November 20th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
where do i start?
first off…can i either live with you…or have you come decorate my home? i’ll feed you, love you, nurture you and take care of your creative spirit while you are transforming my home into a boho artistic dream!
second…you always inspire me. this is such a beautiful home…so many wonderful ideas that i would of never thought of, or would of been too scared to attempt. i need you in my zip code. really…consider moving to southeren ca.
i remember a convo we were having a month or two ago when you told me i didn’t need $ to decorate…and i thought…i did! well, i humbly bow to you…my decorating queen, you are quite right…just lots of inspiration and a few good thrift stores, cans of paint…oh and wait..the talented beaufiful ericka to help guide me. i think i’m going to take you up on your old offer and send you pics, and beg you for guidance.
please!!!
i love your home…and now i can virtually come visit you! and to no end you’ve inspired me to get to work on my home…(i did tell the hubby that for xmas or my bday i just wanted him to help me paint and “decorate” my studio..)
awesome…as always you inspire and rock my world!…p.s. check your email
November 30th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Amazing post, so many nice images, great inspiration.. well done!!
December 4th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
i love your home!! the funny thing is we’ve done so many of the same projects. i decoupaged a table with magazine pages and made a bunch of pillows too. i’ve painted my dressers and nightstand and i even painted a curtain once. i did all of those projects before my son was born (he’s 3 now) and i find it hard to carve space out in our home to dig back into my old creative self. anyway, i really love that you’ve used your creativity to make such a lovely space for you and your family. and cereal bags? who would’ve thunk it? i might have to give that a whirl.
December 13th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Your home is so beautiful! I love it!
December 31st, 2008 at 6:59 am
I absolutely love your home! thank you for sharing those fantastic ideas. I also have an old table which I’d like to paint, but now I feel like going through my old Vogues and making my very own vintage Dior table
I will keep coming back here