Guest Blogger - Gretchen Opgenorth

eToday I have a special guest blogger to share with you.  Gretchen Opgenorth is here from her blog sharing inexpensive finds and projects in her home, which by the way is beautiful.  I always enjoy seeing the projects and inspiration in Gretchen's posts.  Welcome Gretchen!!!

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 Thanks Rene for having me over!  I feel like you are inviting me into your home:)  Your blogland home of course.

Since Rene and I have much of the same philosophy when it comes to our homes...and Rene has shown this over and over...

It doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg to have a beautiful home PERIOD. exclamation point!  I wanted to share with you a couple of my great finds and how Rene helped me.

Since my dining room is connected to the kitchen and is the only dining area we have, I wanted it to feel like a comfy spot to sip my coffee, but also turn into a great place to entertain as well.  I had my heart set on Wing Back chairs.  I mean I was obsessed with the wing back chairs.  Did you know how hard it is to find wing backs (in my price range) that you can comfortably sit in while dining. Well it is hard!  I had just about given up Until...I decided to go on one of my weekly jaunts to my local Ministries (a goodwill type of place!)  And sitting in the corner were these jewels...I think the angels sung. $65 for the pair!

Did I mention they are Henredon with down cushions AND Chartreuse????  Someday I will recover them, but I have a little thing for chartreuse!

So the stage was finally set...all I needed were some curtains.

I found some great fabric at my local fabric store for the curtains...I have never done lined curtains, but Miss Rene made that part easy with her GREAT tutorial on the blind hem stitch....I didn't feel nearly as blind having this tutorial to guide me!

 And this past week I found a rug at an auction for $40!!!!  I mean a 9 X 12 hand knotted rug even if it doesn't stay....which it might get moved at some point, but for now it works...and it has my colors in it.

The artwork on the wall I got at an antique show for $20 years ago.

These are 3 things that make this dining room feel like I wanted it to. The Wing chairs $65, the rug $40 and curtains made by me (lined with old sheets that were still in the package!) Cost of the fabric $45.

This isn't completely finished...there is still a punch list...Paint the chairs and FIND a new table.  But it is getting there.... my work in progress.

 Maybe the angels will sing again soon on a dining room table...but until then I will sip my coffee in the morning and have a glass of wine in the evening with friends and be totally and completely happy!

I hope you enjoyed a little peak into my dining room...

Thanks again Rene for having me.

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Thanks for sharing your dining room and great finds with us Gretchen.  I think we all would agree that you don't have to spend a fortune to make your home a beautiful place to live.  Thank you for the inspiration, and by the way, if you ever want to get rid of the rug, let me know :)  To read Gretchen's blog go here and to see her beautiful kitchen transformation go here.