Hangnails, dried cracked hands, unmanicured nails, horribly unpedicured toenails, hairy legs....yep that's me and I would like to say I have taken care of this, but I would be lying.  Gosh, I run around looking so unkept, but seriously...when do I have the time....umm right now you idiot...get off the computer!!!  Half the time I have paint on my hands, in my ring, on my toes(overspray).  Oh the life of a decorator.  Well at least this decorator.  You see, i am a do it yourselfer, and I do all my installs.  I can't even fathem having someone else come in and help out,  but look at where i am now.  i have to figure something out.  You see.... I am a decorator for all budgets... and I mean all.  from $500-$200,000.  Which, the high number is truly an exception.  Most of my clients have really tight budgets, in which I kill myself trying to acheive the look that I want, so it sacrifices my time and my family time in order to deliver.  My family so wants me to up my charge, but this is what I like.  It's easy to go out and spend a bunch of money, but it's a challenge  to spend a little and acheive the results.  Design on a dime.  Yep.. I love it, but I am literally killing myself.  So....new rules.  I am no longer going to be buying items that are great deals, but they have to be painted.  Can't do it.  Unless, of course it is just too good to pass up or it's for me.  I have to limit myself on making things myself for clients.  It just takes too long and I don't charge hardly anything.  With that said.... it is still my goal to give every client a little something different.  Something out of the norm and sometimes funky.  I love what I do but my life, my family, my health is suffering.  With that said lets take a look at a room that cost $350.00 plus my time.  So I painted this and sanded and added all the flowers and the boa.

Made the ribbon curtains and glued on flowers and rhinestones.  A lot of time. whewwww!     Another paint job and sanding, and I added ribbons to the skirt.  So cute in real life! She had the picture and the table set, but I painted them , added ribbon and made a tiny vase for the table. made the shelf and it would not be complete without those frogs! Made this table for the TV.  A peice of MDF decopaged and painted, more ribbons and boas.  total cost: $20.00

ADOOORABLE!!!  I wish you could see the bracket.   Painted frame that the client already had.  Added eyehooks for dance outfit to hang and the whole thing hangs out about 5 inches off the wall from a shabby pink bracket.   Bedding: clearance $29.99. Disney princess wall decals....Can't go there, so I had to come up with something creative, because the girl loves them.  Cheap frames that I painted pink.  I scrapped each one and typed a little magical quote on each one.  It took care of the random wallies all over!  Total room cost......are you ready....$500.  Yes $150 for my time.    I don't have any other pictures, but it goes on and on.  Shelves aroun the top of her room...ect.. ect...  The $150 covered the install time.  So they got about 10 hours of free time!  Why do it....cause I love em and they have given me lots of business.  I have only advertised one time in 4 years ( in the beginning) and everything else has been word of mouth.  I love my clients!

Comments

[Mary]

I love your blog. Looking at your past postings has inspired me to really dress up the bathroom we are in the process of updating.

[Mary]

I love your blog. Looking at your past postings has inspired me to really dress up the bathroom we are in the process of updating.

[janae]

WOW! I LOVE the framed tu-tu...you do an AMAZING job and really should charge more for all the time and effort you put into your rooms. Your clients are very lucky!

[chris]

What fun that must be to make a little girl feel so special.