I have a little secret…a secret obsession with thrift store art.

It’s just one of those things that happened when we were trying to decorate our last home.

When we lived in Illinois, the land of amazing estate sales and thrift stores, I’d look around for inexpensive art pieces for our (then) new home.

On one trip to a favorite local thrift store, a small, framed watercolor caught my eye. For $1.50 I just couldn’t pass it up, so I bought it, took it home and hung it up. Since then, it’s something I always search for when thrifting.

How to use thrift store art to make a gallery wall in a master bedroom.

My collection has grown some since that day but we still have a small space, with limited storage, so I try to be a little choosy with my purchases.

What’s my criteria?

Nothing scientific really.

It just has to be pretty, to me anyway, and it must be under $10. As you can tell, I’m usually drawn to certain colors and scenes but I don’t put a ton of thought into it. If it catches my eye and I love it, I buy it. 

I don’t find something every time we go out thrifting. I’ve actually gone months without finding anything. It’s all in the thrill of the hunt, though. Don’t you think?

How to use thrift store art to make a gallery wall in a master bedroom. A fun way to repurpose found art from thrift stores and flea markets.

My little collection has grown to 8, with some great finds in the past few months.

So what have I done with all of my thrift store art?

When we moved into the cottage, I needed to fill a wall in our master bedroom. I tried a couple of store bought pictures and a mirror, but nothing seemed right. We’d been unpacking my thrift store art from our moving boxes when it hit me. I could make a gallery wall in our bedroom with all my finds.

How to use thrift store art to make a gallery wall in any room in your home. A fun way to repurpose old art from thrift stores and flea markets.

I’d never had all my pieces together so I wasn’t sure how it would look, but somehow it all works. I did have to paint one frame gold, it was too dark, but other than that, all the paintings that I’ve found look the same as they did when I bought them. Well, they may all be a little cleaner. 😉

Finding and using thrift store art to make a gallery wall in any room in your home.

There’s been no change since I hung the gallery and I’m loving the result. The best part is that it’s all pieces that I love. I mean, that’s what our homes should be all about, right? You should fill it with pieces you truly love. It shouldn’t matter what anyone else thinks because you live there. Your home is your sanctuary so fill it with things that mean something to you. 

How to use thrift store art to make a gallery wall in any room in your home.

Speaking of pieces you love…

My latest acquisition was found at an estate sale about a month ago. I’m guessing that the person that lived in the house was a painter. I found this little painting all alone, laying face down in a windowsill, and rescued it for $1.50. It’s in the colors I love and it fits perfectly in our cottage. 

How to use thrift store art in your home. A fun way to repurpose old art from thrift stores and flea markets.

Have you ever found a great piece of thrift store art? 

It looks like the Thrifty Style Team has been busy this past month. Check out all of their amazing thrifty finds.


How to use thrift store art to make a gallery wall in a master bedroom. A fun way to repurpose old art from thrift stores and flea markets

 

If you want to catch up on past Thrifty Style Team posts, you can find them here, here and here.

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For me, fall always means changing out my t-shirts for sweaters, pulling out my throw blankets and getting the master bedroom ready for cooler weather. It’s nice to sleep on cool, crisp sheets and have minimal bedding during the summer months, but I always look forward to the change of seasons. Not only am I ready for a change in decor, but it also allows me to create a cozy bedroom for us to enjoy during the fall months.

Whether your space is large or small, turning your bedroom from summer fresh to fall cozy doesn’t have to be difficult. Here are my 5 tips to creating a comfortable and cozy bedroom for fall.

*This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Boll & Branch.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Create a cozy bedroom for fall 

5 tips for creating a comfortable and cozy bedroom for fall.

Texture –  Introducing texture to your room instantly adds style and dimension. A couple of ways to do this with a rug, a small knitted ottoman or a pretty cable knit throw.

5 tips and ideas to help you create a comfortable and cozy bedroom for fall using textures.

Dressing your bed with beautiful linens – I admit it, I am one picky customer when it comes to the feel and quality of my sheets. After all, you sleep on them every night, and you’ll use them for years, so you should love everything about them. My favorite is crisp white sheets, not only in the summer but even in the fall and winter. I love that they keep the room light and bright, even on those dark and cold days that always come.

I usually keep the bed dressed very lightly for summer but I’ll go all out for the fall/winter months. Besides sheets, I always add a light blanket (for cool nights) and duvet (for when it’s really chilly, which is every night for the hubs 😉 ). 

5 tips and ideas to help you create a cozy bedroom for fall using beautiful linens.

5 tips and ideas to help you create a cozy bedroom for fall using beautiful crisp white linens.

Adding candlelight and fresh flowers – Changing your bedroom over from summer to fall doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. A softly scented vanilla candle (my favorite) and a beautiful sunflower is a quick and inexpensive way to add a touch of fall.

5 tips to create a comfortable and cozy bedroom for fall using candlelight and fresh flowers.

Layer, layer, layer – Adding different layers to a space is the perfect way to create coziness in a bedroom. Whether it’s with a waffle blanket in a contrasting color on the bed or a soft rug on the floor, layering is an easy way to add dimension. Not only that but it also allows you to have fun with your decor.

5 tips and ideas to help you create a cozy bedroom for fall, including adding layers for interest.

Pillows! – Who doesn’t love pillows? One or two, or twelve.

Ok, twelve is a little much, but piling on a few pillows is sure-fire way to create a cozy bedroom. I added 3 euro shams, 2 standard shams and a lumbar sham to our bed. I also chose the banded shams and an embroidered lumbar sham to add some contrast with all the white.

Here’s my quick tip for using euro shams. If you like to use them but don’t want to buy, and ultimately store, a euro pillow, you can use two standard pillows. Used together they are the right size for the euro sham. It’s what I used in 2 of the 3 on my bed. 

5 tips to create a cozy bedroom for fall, including using lots of pillows.

Bonus tip (the half in 5 1/2)…

Snuggling up to a cute pup while relaxing in your comfortable and cozy fall oasis may just be the best way to enjoy your space.

Just sayin’…

5 tips to help you create a comfortable and cozy bedroom for fall.

We’ve been sleeping on our new sheets for a few weeks now and they are truly the most comfortable sheets we’ve ever had. They even meet my picky standards.

Opening the package was a treat, too. All the linens were beautifully packaged and wrapped in pretty boxes, that you can reuse.

Decor ideas to create a cozy bedroom for fall.

 

Now that the master bedroom is ready for fall, I can work on the rest of the house.

What do you do to get your bedroom ready for the cool nights of fall? 

Sources for bedding

All linens Boll & Branch –

 

5 tips and ideas to help you create the most comfortable and cozy bedroom for fall by adding beautiful linens, layers, pillows and texture.

You can also find me at Between Naps on the Porch, Worthing Court, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage

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And just like that,  it’s September (which means Cottage Musings for August)!

Wow, where did August go…where did the summer go? It seems like only yesterday we were all longing for summer weather. Now it’s September and fall will be here before you know it.

Not only are we going to talk about our happenings during the month of August, but I’m also going to tease you about a giveaway that I’m having on the blog next week.

First let’s talk projects…

Projects – As usual, it was a busy month at the cottage but it feels like we didn’t get a whole lot accomplished. We were able to complete phase one of the sunroom makeover, but the powder room and closet didn’t see much action. We also talked about my go-to breakfast, my love of natural fiber rugs and a towel rack that I made from a fence baluster.

A project that is getting done is phase two of the sunroom makeover. It won’t be as dramatic as phase one but it’s still a good change. 

For this cottage musings for August, we're sharing the sunroom makeover that was just completed with ew paint and lighting.

Bumps in the Road – We still need to work on the plumbing for the new powder room (a huge project) and I’m narrowing down choices for wallpaper for the new closet. I didn’t think it would be this difficult to pick wallpaper but it has really tested me. Hopefully I can make the final decision and place an order this weekend. 

Decorating the Cottage – Fall has been popping up all over the cottage. Well not all over, just in the rooms that aren’t a mess from the powder room addition. I wasn’t sure what my theme would be this fall, but it’s coming together. 

It may seem a bit early to decorate (it even seems that way to me) but when you blog, you have to be a little ahead of the game. 

Pretty sunflowers in a field in Canada for Cottage Musings for August.

*Affiliate links used. Please see my Disclosure Policy for more info. 

What we’re watching – Game of Thrones is over for the season (boo!) so we’re looking for a new show to watch. I’ve heard that Ozark was a good one, but we haven’t watched yet. Any recommendations for shows you hate to miss?

What I’m loving – Omg ya’ll, I have found the most comfortable sandals ever, here (affiliate link). I know it’s almost fall, but I just found them I couldn’t let it pass without telling you. Besides the fact that I wear sandals well into September, I can save them to wear next summer. Comfy shoes are a challenge for me to find with my wide and extra large feet. With these though, it was love from the first step (and that doesn’t happen very often). The leather is so soft and the color goes with everything. You’re welcome.

I’m also loving this fab eyeliner I’ve been using. A few weeks ago I went to Vancouver with the hubs for business. Long story short, I left my toiletry bag in the hotel. Yup, I had nothing with me. No face soap, no deodorant and no makeup. Gah! We had to make a quick stop at a pharmacy to pick up a few emergency supplies to get me home. Once we were home, I ran out to get a couple of makeup essentials, including this awesome eyeliner (affiliate link) in Rockstar. It stays put but washes off with just soap and water. Love it! My toiletries should be making their way back to me next week, I’m happy to say. You don’t realize how much you rely on certain things until you don’t have them. 

What caught my eye – I came across this amazing dresser transformation and had to share. All I can say us WOW!

This isn’t a before or after, or room decor, but it did catch my eye, and who doesn’t love a sale.

I buy so much on Etsy, from pillow covers to a potted plant, so when I saw they were having their first ever Labor Day Sale, I did a little happy dance. If you’ve never checked them out before, you must. You can check out their sale offerings by going to the sale page, here (affiliate link). Not only are you supporting small business when you buy something but it’s a great resource for decorating your home, among other things. It’s definitely a win-win.  

Giveaway – Coming Next Week! I know, I am so mean but I am so excited to share this giveaway with you and I just couldn’t contain myself anymore. If you saw my IG stories a week or so ago, I showed a peak at what I’m giving away. I want it to be a surprise but I will say that I’ve wanted to do this for the past 2 years but could never work out the timing. I hope you’ll come back to enter, I know you’ll love it (I hope so anyway).

Adding fall touches, including a wooden bowl full of fresh picked apples, around the cottage.

It seems so silly to talk projects, tv shows and makeup when so many are going through unimaginable circumstances and devastation in Texas right now. It’s so incredibly sad. All I can offer is a light read and my continued prayers for all those affected. 

Hope you have a great holiday weekend!

 

You can also find me at Between Naps on the Porch, Worthing Court, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage

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Area rugs…I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with them. Whether they’re wool or natural fiber area rugs, I have some mixed feelings about them. 

I love that they can add warmth, texture, color and pattern to an otherwise neutral space. They’re also great for softening hardwood floors and they can help anchor a space.

There’s definitely a lot to love but they also have a few small drawbacks.

Besides texture, there's so many reasons to love natural fiber area rugs and tons of different ways to use them when decorating your spaces.

My first “nice” area rug was a beautiful wool rug. I loved the colors and the softness that it brought to my room but I didn’t like the shedding. I vacuumed that rug weekly and waited for the shedding to stop but, sadly, it never did. Not even after 4 years. As a self-proclaimed neat freak it drove me nuts!

Besides the fact that it shed, profusely, I sort of tired of the color and pattern. My style changes often and having a particular color and pattern rug was not a smart choice for me. Lesson learned.

So, instead of buying another expensive wool rug, I researched other options. There’s tons of styles and materials available, but I was drawn to natural fiber area rugs. I loved the fact that it would add texture and warmth to my room and be neutral enough for any decor scheme. 

Natural fiber area rugs are inexpensive and add texture and warmth to small living areas.

Natural fiber area rugs add texture and warmth to a guest bedroom.

The two things that worried me about natural fiber rugs were the softness factor and, of course, shedding. I knew that they wouldn’t offer the same softness as a wool area rug, but would it be a deal breaker.

I wouldn’t know until I tried one out.

Natural fiber area rugs add texture and warmth and is a great inexpensive choice for a guest bedroom.

My first natural area rug was a round jute rug that I used under the dining table in our Illinois house. It was inexpensive and the perfect choice for our first try. 

Natural fiber area rugs add texture and warmth to a small dining area.

It’s a great rug and has worn well these past 5 years. I did have a small tear in one of the seams but that was an easy fix. The issues that I did have with this rug were that it would pull easily and it shed. Not as bad as my wool rug, but I knew that my next rug had to do better.

A natural fiber area rug adds texture and warmth to a sunroom, plus it's an inexpensive choice compared to wool rugs.

After more research and sample testing between sisal and seagrass, I ordered my next rug, an 8×10 seagrass rug. I like the fact that it was inexpensive (compared to wool), it’s durable, doesn’t pull, it’s stain resistant and, best of all, non-shedding.  

Adding texture and warmth to a small living room with a beautiful natural fiber area rug.

It did have a slight grassy odor when it first came but not enough to bother us, and it quickly faded.

I’ve had my rug for 3 years now and I love it just as much as I did when we first got it. 

As for the durable and non-shedding claims? Our seagrass rug has performed well on both counts. No shedding and not one stain in 3 years, and the dog has been sick on it several times (sorry, just want to give you all the facts). If something has spilled on it, I just wipe it up and it dries without staining. 

If there is one drawback to seagrass is that it isn’t soft, not like wool anyway. It’s not uncomfortable to walk on by any means but it’s not plush. My husband actually enjoys walking on it when he has tired feet. He loves how it feels underfoot.  

Another awesome reason to use natural area rugs is that you can layer another rug on top, for added color or interest. I haven’t done this with our seagrass rug but I have done it with the rug in the sunroom and I love the effect.

Add another style dimension to a room by layering a striped rug over a natural fiber area rug.

The rug in the sunroom is the Heathered Chenille Jute Rug that I bought for a steal at The Pottery Barn Outlet. I’ve had it for almost a year and it’s held very up well. It has shed a bit but nothing like my wool rug. There haven’t any spills or dog mishaps on this rug so I can’t report on staining. I’ll keep you posted.

The great thing about this rug though, besides the texture, is that it’s really soft. I love it!

Adding texture, warmth and interest to a sunroom by layering a striped rug over a natural fiber rug.

So, my love/hate relationship with area rugs?

I’m not so sure I would do wool any time soon, but natural fiber area rugs? Yes please!  As a matter of fact, I’m looking to get two more, one for each guest bedroom. I guess you could say I’m hooked.

Do you have natural fiber rugs in your home? What are your thoughts on them?

My thoughts and prayers to all of those affected by the hurricane and devastating flooding. 

Room Sources

(Affiliate links used. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Please see my Privacy Policy for more info.) 

  • Wall color sunroom – Benjamin Moore Regal Select, Eggshell, Gray Owl (50% strength)
  • Wall color living room and dining area – Benjamin Moore Regal Select, Eggshell, Paper White
  • Living room and gust bedroom natural fiber rugs – NaturalAreaRugs.com
  • Dining area round jute rug – Overstock (affiliate link)
  • Sunroom natural fiber area rug – Pottery Barn Outlet
  • All black pipe and curtain rings – The Home Depot (affiliate link)
  • Linen sheers – Crate and Barrel (affiliate link)
  • Coffee Table – West Elm (affiliate link)
  • Wooden stool with dipped legs – Serena and Lily (affiliate link)
  • Blue washed velvet pillow cover – Pottery Barn (affiliate link)
  • Floor lamp – Pottery Barn (affiliate link)
  • Striped pillows – Etsy
  • Round woven tray – Target
  • Woven shade – Blinds.com
  • Striped rug in sunroom – Nordstrom (affiliate link)
  • Wood tray in entryway – West Elm (affiliate link)
  • Brass floor lamp – Home Goods
  • Dining chairs  – Pottery Barn (affiliate link)
  • Knit ottoman – Grandin Road
  • Chandelier in sunroom – Lamps Plus
  • Dining area chandelier – bought in little shop on the North Carolina coast
  • Sofa – the Holmes sofa by Taylor King (bought at the Furniture Mart in Hickory, NC)

The reasons why I love natural fiber rugs and tips on buying one for your living room or bedroom.

 

 

You can also find me at Between Naps on the Porch, Worthing Court, Savvy Southern Style, French Country Cottage

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