The "Toy" Room

Recently {okay, maybe at least a few months ago} we re-did the formal dining room in our house.  {We use it as a toy room for the girls}.  I had been wanting to do something with the room since we moved in, but was too busy getting other areas of the house together to pay any attention to this one. 

It used to be a plum color:

 AFTER: 

Sorry about the picture quality...the light was so bright to have a picture turn out today

 We installed a new light and painted the ceiling, the walls {top color is "Sea Salt" from Sherwin Williams, bottom is semi-gloss paint in "White Dove" by Benjamin Moore}

 The wire hanging system is from IKEA.  The girls love to see their artwork displayed.  :)

 I painted a bookshelf we got for free and threw in some junk...I am thinking about maybe adding some pictures or artwork on either side of the shelf too...

Decorating on the cheap

I have struggled since day one with what to do with this 3-sided fireplace of ours.  It doesn't have your typical mantel to decorate.  Anyone else have solutions for what to do? Maybe I will have to post some better pictures of it to get your opinion. Well, as a result of my uncertainty, I change things up on here quite frequently.  Just thought I'd post my current set-up, since I'm not sure how long it will last.  :) 

I found this empty frame for around $10 at an antique outlet (couldn't pass up it's great detail), but you can usually find them at garage sales for cheaper than that.  The wreath was 25 cents at a garage sale.  It had wooden hearts attached everywhere to it with wire.  I simply snipped them off to simplify it.  These seem to be pretty common finds at garage sales for 25-50 cents.  Look past the seasonal and sometimes over-the-top accessories on them. I have a few saved for rainy-day projects.  It is cheaper than buying the basic wreath at a crafts store.  I found the ribbon in my stash of junk stuff.  I also already had the sticks & books.  And the glass jug was 50 cents at a garage sale.  Who said decorating has to be expensive?

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