Kristan Cunningham» Adorable & Affordable

A Very Swedish Christmas

Kristan — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:27:06 +0000

I am always excited when I see that special Holiday tent go up at IKEA. Not only do I love decking the halls, but I like doing it with style for less. This year those crazy Scandinavians have really outdone themselves with some beautiful decorations for ridiculously low prices.

Top Row:
Yrsno Hanging Decoration, Mushroom $8.99/8pk
Barbar Tray, $4.99
Slom Bottle With Stopper, $3.99
Middle Row:
Yrsno Ribbon, $2.99
Strala Decoration Lighting, white forest, $19.99
Yrsno Wreath, $9.99
Bottom Row:
Strala Pendant Lamp, $12.99
Yrsno Gift Wrap, $4.99
Yrsno Hanging Decoration, $6.99/4pk

On the Wire

Kristan — Fri, 06 May 2011 18:40:01 +0000

I love the look of wire baskets. A little bit country, little bit industrial, they work beautifully with so many styles. On tables filled with fruit, by the front door as a place to put mail, holding yarn or magazines… anything you please. You can find lots of new options at stores these days, but I like the patina and the price of vintage ones more. Just look at this sampling of totally affordable cuties from etsy!

Vintage Metal Wire Planter Stand for Flower Baskets from GlassnMore $18
Vintage Metal Chicken Wire Basket from GreySquirrelAntiques $25
Vintage Yellow Wire Egg Gathering Basket from HuntandFound $44
Vintage Farmhouse Wire Canning Jar Basket from JunkFromMyTrunk $12
Vintage White Wire Farmhouse Basket from Wavelee $17
Vintage Metal Dairy Crate from vintageseventyfive $32

The Least Expensive (and Most Useful) Light You’ll Ever Love

Kristan — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 17:43:54 +0000

You just cannot beat this perfectly utilitarian, no-nonsense light. For under ten bucks, you can bring some task lighting and some industrial chic flair into any space in your home. Heck, for that price, EVERY space in your home! Reading light, art light, uplighting, bookcase lighting…it can even be hacked into a pendant light!

Designers Edge 8.5 In. Incandescent Clamp Light from Home Depot, $7.49

Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

Courtesy of Remodelista

(Headline Image Courtesy of Apartment Therapy)

The Beat on Drum Shades

Kristan — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 14:31:56 +0000

Finding kickass lamps is easy. At any given thrift store, flea market or estate sale you can bet your paycheck that I’ll walk out with one. The hard part is finding ones with shades that don’t make them look dingy and dated. I know that a new modern drum shade will make any of them a fabulous find, but often they cost more than the lamp itself. So when I come across a source for an affordable option, I take note…and since I love y’all and want you to have kickass lamps in YOUR homes, I put together this little list of affordable drum shades (I kept the selections under $30) to spruce up your swap meet scores!

Beige Linen Drum Shade 13x14x10 $19.99 from lampsplus.com

Natural Fiber Tapered Drum Lamp Shade from Pottery Barn $29

Laura Ashley Classic 14 in. Wide Drum Lamp Shade, Black, Faux Silk from Amazon $28.80

Portfolio 11 X 13 X 9″ OFF WHITE DRUM LAMP SHADE $14.99 from Lowes

KIVSTA from IKEA, $25 16 X 10

Country Living Round Hardback Mod Drum Shade $24.99 from Sears

Home® Mix-and-Match Lamp Shade – Cream 11 X 13 X 9 $16.99 from Target

16” Drum Lamp Shade Natural Linen $16.88 from Walmart

Large Drum Lampshade from Destination Lighting by Design Classics from Amazon for $20.96

(Headline image courtesy of Warner Bros. Records and Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Bamboozled!

Kristan — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 17:21:51 +0000

We have all heard by now how sustainable bamboo is…it’s an all around fantastic material, in so many ways. It also happens to look great, with a warm honey tone perfect for a light minimalist feel. The best news is, it’s not just good for flooring! Check out these fantastic bamboo finds that not only make a small impact on the environment, but on your bank account too!

Bamboo Bowls from West Elm, $5-29

IZOLA Numerals Toothbrush Set from Velocity Art and Design $11

IKEA Boja Table Lamp $39.99

Bamboo Dry Erase Board from CB2 $59.95

Dragan Jar with Lid Set of 3 (Painted Bamboo) from IKEA $14.99

Bamboo Box Knife Holders from Viva Terra $49-$89

Bamboo Basket/Shopping Bag from Pearl River $14.35

Minimalist for Minimal Money

Kristan — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 21:32:40 +0000

When I was “leafing” through NYT’s Home & Garden section, as I’m want to do on a Thursday morning, I came across this article. Something occurred to me. The old saying “Less is More” can certainly be true. But why is it that when it comes to modern, minimalist pieces Less often costs More, too? Here are a few great finds that are reminiscent of those pricey sleek sweeties, but for a lot less moolah.

Bonnie Studio Sofa from bludot for $1399

Klubbo Coffee Table from IKEA, $49.99

Kiki Table from Chiasso, $48

Klimos Dining Chair from West Elm $99

Contact Stool from CB2, $129

Hancock Carbon Bookcase from CB2 $199

Metal Leg Dining Console from West Elm $399

Making Marrakesh Yours

Kristan — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 16:41:39 +0000

Looking at photos of the unbelievably chic palatial resort, The Baglioni Marrakech, I was thinking what a shame it is that this ultra-luxe getaway is attainable for so few. Then, I saw this photo, and it gave me an idea of a truly affordable way to get a touch of the Moroccan feel in your own home. This breathtaking backsplash is a classic pattern, made up of simple hex-tiles. Using 2 colors of 2” tiles, a little craftiness and some help from someone with tiling know how, you can totally achieve a bit of North African glamour too! Daltile makes a 2” hexagon tile in variety of colors, and I love the colors available at American Restoration Tile ( see pics below for a great match). You can find hex tile for $9.18/sq. ft. from South Cypress. Not bad for a taste of the good life!

Valentine’s Values

Kristan — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:58:07 +0000

Who says you have to spend a lot to show someone you love alot? To me, thoughtful way outweighs expensive when it comes to appreciating a gift and the best way to give a token of your affection is to give from the heart. Cheesy, but true. I personally like something you can wear or look at all year long to remind you of him or her. And it truly can be just a token, no grand gesture necessary, a simple sweet statement of your love. But get on it, cuz the big V-Day is just around the corner. (Of course, these gifts are good any time and would probably mean just as much on a random Wednesday!)

Cute, Simple. J’adore…

Yellow Love Pillow from Honey Pie Design on Etsy, $38

Like when you carved your initials in the tree with your first beau, but you get to keep it and this time you’re not defacing public property…

Carve-your-own Wooden Postcard from Suck UK £3.00

Nothing says love slave like a red leather studded cuff…

Studded Cuff from dean $35

I can’t resist a man in cufflinks- especially when they let everyone else know he’s mine…

Key to My Heart Lock Cufflinks $18 from LondonBabyGirl on Etsy

Huggable and Classic…

Original Sock Monkey $14.99 from ThinkGeek

Fellas, if you’ve already put a ring on it, this might be the perfect thing…

Vintage Hand Ring Holder, $19.50

Better than a heart-shaped pendant anyday…

Simple Scallop Personalized Necklace from BrookeArin on Etsy, $39

Textile Love

Kristan — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 15:23:15 +0000

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, a real love letter…to textiles that is. IKEA is now selling a few design related books, and the one I am particularly fond of is “SY- A love for Textiles” by Stina Holmberg, photographs by Marcus Lawett. As IKEA describes it “This is not a book to read. It’s a book to touch, to browse, to be inspired by and enthused about. Because textiles aren’t about sharp scissors and awkward sewing machines. They’re about creative desire. So stop reading and step inside our textile world.”

For any lover of Scandinavian graphic fabrics in general, this sweet book is a perfect gift. With wonderful DIY projects at the end of each chapter, with simple instructions that even the first-time sewer can tackle. Loaded with inspiration and theft-worthy ideas, this book is a steal at just $9.99!

Bored No More!

Kristan — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:28:56 +0000

Vintage board games are colorful, graphic, fun and- best of all- affordable! So why let them sit in a closet somewhere? Get these fab pieces of history out, dust them off and make use of them. On the wall, as a note board, or even turned into a stool or end table. Check out some fun inspiration I got from my friend’s house and online. Oh, and don’t just toss out the boxes either… they can be as graphic and awesome as the boards!

above from ohdeedoh

above from thisnext

above two from poppytalk

at my friend’s house!