Spring Decorating on a Budget!

I can't believe Spring is just around the corner! For weeks I've been working on creating DIY projects with you guys in mind. Per my usual style, I was determined to do this in the most affordable way possible without it coming across as cheap-looking.  I was able to decorate 6 areas of my home and, in total, everything cost me no more than $30 + only 2 trips to Michael's & Hobby Lobby!

You will need the following materials:

(Everything shown below was 40-50% off, ranging from $0.74-$3.59. I was able to use each piece for every project listed)

Mantel

Easy DIY Floating Mantel UNDER $20!!

Simply fill vases of differing heights and shapes with different colored flowers, greenery, and succulents. Pick colors and textures that contrast yet compliment one another.

DIY Refurbishing Antique Glass Bottles

I also intertwined vines along the top of the picket fence.

DIY Weathered Picket Fence

Kitchen Bar

For the center of my kitchen bar, I created this DIY Spring Flower Box, which I've dedicated an entire tutorial to linked HERE. I will also link my tutorial on how I made my flower trough for **ONLY $2** if you're interested HERE.  I incorporated cascading vines, a mixture of wild flowers, and succulent-looking leaves.

For the end of the bar, I filled my vase with lavender, and placed succulents & white buds in a glass bulb.

Kitchen Counter

I went very simple using white flowers with pops of light green, and another glass bulb filled with that same hue of light green succulents & white buds

I complimented the arrangement with cooking wine (also light green) and my wood pepper grinder.

Stovetop

Succulents on succulents :)

Kitchen Island

I used these two leftover pieces to fill my antique measuring tin.

Bedroom (or Bathroom) Shelf

How To: *Rustic Window* Using Dollar Store Picture Frames!

I used (some of) these pieces to fill the mason jar and mini-water jug.

I was able to decorate 6 AREAS of my home for only $30!! That's a DIY Crafting win in my book :)

DIY Spring Flower Box

I know it's no where near Springtime, but oh how much I miss color in my home! I enjoy the coziness of Winter, but it has come to that time in the season when I become desperate to see flowers blooming and trees budding. My first project for Spring focuses on my flower trough. I will link my tutorial on how I made my flower trough for **ONLY $2** if you're interested HERE >> http://jessicarosehomedecor.blogspot.com/2015/07/diy-wood-flower-trough-box-under-2.html  For a few weeks now, I have envisioned recreating a mini-flower box that incorporates cascading vines, a mixture of wild flowers, and succulent-looking leaves. This is what I came up with :)

You will need the following materials:

Pink & Yellow flowers - Michael's - Full Price: $3.99 each - On sale: $2.39 each  |  Vines - Hobby Lobby - Full Price: $3.99 each - On Sale: $1.99 each  |  Lilacs - Michael's - Full Price: $1.79 - On Sale: $1.07

Left - Michael's - Full Price: $4.99 - On Sale: $2.99  |  Right - Hobby Lobby - Full Price: $3.99 - On Sale: $1.99

Flower trough  |  Flower foam  |  Moss  |  Glue  |  Sponge  |  Wire Cutters

 First, apply glue to the top of your foam - spread evenly across with a sponge brush. Add moss atop the glue and cover as much of the exposed foam as possible. Don't worry if you can't get everything - the flowers will cover up the rest.

Let dry for an hour. Turn over and shake off the excess moss. Place your flower trough over it. Then, begin adding the vine pieces one by one. Insert in the space between the foam and the wood box. Cascade them down the sides of the box for a natural effect.

 Finally, insert the rest of the flowers into the foam. Make sure the flower placement is random in order to keep with the "wild flower box" theme. Adding a lot of greenery gives off the appearance of weeds, which is one of the main characteristic of wild flowers - so don't underestimate their influence! Also avoid making all the flowers the same height in order to add depth and dimension.

How-To: Hydrangea Wreath Tutorial

I can't believe I'm saying this, but with Memorial Day coming up in less than 2 weeks (WHAT?!), it is now that time of the year to begin thinking about all things Summer! And what better way than with a front door wreath (big surprise coming from me, ha)! Artificial summer flowers can sometimes be hard to work with. Most of the ones in various crafting stores are too saturated. To me, that actually makes it look too fake & can come off a bit tacky if not styled properly. So I focused on cool (temperature, NOT state of self) colors to avoid this dilemma & this inadvertently makes the room seem cooler (temp again) - a future necessity in the weeks to come :( In addition to twine, wire cutters, and ornament wire, you will need the following matertials:

Light bulbs(Hobby Lobby) - $1 each, originally $2 each; Baby's Breath(Hobby Lobby) - $2, originally $4; Hydrangea(Michaels) - $6, originally $16; Bouquet(Michaels) - $10, originally $20.

 I have had this obsession with hydrangeas for too long - I mean who doesn't?! They are so luxurious & tranquil-looking. So when I purchased this one a year ago (talk about delayed gratification), I knew I had to make it the focal point/inspiration of a Summer decor project..and here we are :)

Cut the stem leaving 1/2 an inch to 1 inch with your wire cutters.

If you find that the proportion of the flower to the bouquet doesn't mesh well to the eye, simply trim the branches at the bottom in order to size-down the circumference of the hydrangea.

Place hydrangea as shown:

Secure by looping twine around the branches surrounding the stem of the flower, as shown. (You can also use a glue gun in addition to the twine.)

Next up, bulbs. Trim 12 baby's breath pieces, as shown.

Carefully insert three stems into each bulb. I used a chop stick, but you can use a pen, etc.

 Seal.

Take your twine & wrap around the top of each bulb, knot at the base to secure.

How much twine you should use depends on how low you want them to hang from the bouquet. Once you determine this, knot at the top.

Secure to the bouquet with ornament wire. Placing the wire right under the knot helps it from sliding down, but feel free to use 2 pieces of wire if needed.

Place, THEN secure. 

1...

...2...

 ...3...

DONE!

This piece is so unique & something you definitely won't find in any craft store. The mixture of soft whites with cool turquoise adds the perfect pop of Summer color into any room...

...inside...

...or outside!

 

Share with me your Summer home decor projects in the comments below!