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Hope Fool Projects
Challenged for space? No problem! We can do a lot to improve our environment even if we only have a little space to do it in.
SEE BELOW TO GET THE SCOOP ON HOW TO TURN YOUR SPACE INTO A CHEERFUL WORLD
YOU CANT WAIT TO GO HOME TO AND RECHARGE IN AT THE END OF YOUR DAY. : )
On living alone (perhaps even for the first time):
"Color your vibe on every surface. Make your space exactly that...YOUR space. CLAIM IT.
Stay mindful of the energy you draw from your belongings. Is it positive, negative, or somewhere in between? As yourself as each item is being assigned a place to live in your home, does this item provide a purpose or does it burden you with its presence? If you donated it instead of kept it, would that new habit bring even more positive energy into your life?"
Do you want to help others via donating instead of throwing away usable items to help yourself? If so,
what's stopping you? (If you need help with this process, reach out.) I myself
find purpose in helping others with these types of challenges. Also check out my Pizza Therapy Page to get inspired!
On amplifying your energy:
"Repurpose wasteful materials as unique statement pieces that bring you joy and fill you with pride. Old light bulbs can become new modern flower arrangements, old windows can become shabby chic tables, kids toys can become hanging light fixtures, and materials off of old clothes and worn out pillows paired with bits and bobs can become scenes on table lamp shades that set a uniquely cheerful mood. Every tiny action still makes an impact on the planet. Contribute however you can."
Student Eclectic on the Cheap
Product: Provided by Thrift Giant
The Look: Eclectic for under $380.00 . $150.00 of my budget was spent on the pullout couch and stenciled mirror divider.
Photo Credits: Allison Redner
Interior stylings and digital media marketing: Kristin Fraley
 Unique aquamarine glass bottle: $3.00 Hot pink Eiffel Tower photo holder: $2.00 Floral cup shaped candle holder: $1.50 Glass star candle holder: $2.00 Glass decorative marbles: $0.75 Style Tip: Adding pops of color with decorative items against neutral tones can make a room feel refreshingly brighter, even without painted walls. |  Multicolored record dessert plates (Set of 4): $2.00 Pink kiwi shaped dessert plates (Set of 4) $7.00 Multicolored stoneware (Set of 2) $3.00 Red Frames (Set of 2) $5.00 Style Tips: A neat way to decorate your stovetop is to take off the tops and replace them with plates. It cheers up the space and motivates you to keep it clean. When you can't afford a fancy backsplash, sheets of pricey stainless steel, or to lose your deposit, hang some frames with matching wrapping paper or textiles. |  Thrift Giant carries large varieties of name brand appliances on a daily basis. I've spied: blenders, juicers, ice cream makers, ice shavers, bread makers, mini fridges, choppers, crock pots, fondue makers, conventional ovens, microwaves, and so much more! There are just too many to list. Style Tip: Hanging a dry erase board on your kitchen wall is a great way to organize your tasks, record your grocery list, and leave notes for housemates. Tuck the markers away in a nearby drawer. |
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 Wooden locking jewelry box: $1.50 Metallic cutout napkin holder: $1.50 Sitting bird salt shaker: $0.65 Blue-green soap dish: $0.65 Ladybug on artichoke teapot: $5.00 Owl head mug: $2.00 Flying swallow mug: $0.65 Pink and blue ceramic mug: $2.00 White shelf with tricolor pegs $3.00 Style tip: Hanging mugs is a easy way to conserve cabinet space. Put them on display and use them when needed. It will motivate you to keep them from piling up in the sink and size down your collection. |  White heart cutout shelf: $6.00 Gray diving frog w/ tag: $2.00 vs. $8.00 Teal fish pepper shaker: $0.65 Wooden crab pencil holder: $0.65 Robert Held Art Glass frog w/ tag: $0.65 Yellow chick chair: $0.65 Beached seaturtle: $0.95 Blue fish pepper shaker: $0.65 Pilot kitty pepper shaker: $0.65 Wind-up kitty musical Japanese figurine w/ tag "Memory" $3.00 Style Tip: Create small spaces that allow you to enjoy your treasures. Hanging small shelves is a thrifty way to display them. |  Gold tassel curtain rope (Set of 2): $2.00 Yellow K'NEX toy track: Giant tub of K'NEX for $7.00 Style Tips: Stacking cabinets or nightstands is a unique way to create a discreet bar area for your liquors and glasswares. Hanging a curtain under the stairs is a design element you can use to create a study area, reading nook, crafting room, library, or office. If you use a sheer textile to do this, the space behind still feels connected to the room. |
 Thrift Giant provides all different styles of lamps. Keep your eye open for one that hangs from above! Style Tip: A hanging lamp at eye level (when standing) provides energy efficient lighting above your seating area to help you conserve on utilities while you make use of your time late into the night. |  Vintage car print lampshade: $0.95 Clear Vase: $1.50 Blue window frame table w/ windows: $5.00 Giant tub of K'NEX for $7.00 Floral print pillow: $5.00 Ornate gold frame mirrors (Set of 8) $5.00 each for a thrifty $40.00 bargain! Style Tips: Using a large table with a clear face provides a multipurpose surface area and visible floorspace below. A lampshade on a vase creates a unique table center piece. Hanging mirrors provides the illusion of doubling your space and is crucial here. |  Purple floral accents: $0.75 Acrylic Shelves (Set of 2) $4.00 Cardinal Mugs (Set of 4) $7.00 Photo Coasters ($0.75) Style Tips: A really neat way to repurpose old light bulbs is to hot glue them into floral accents and place them in a vase to create uniquely modern looking centerpieces in your home. How cool are these? Clear Shelves provide an aesthetically pleasing way to store cups, reading material, or your remote without promoting clutter or spills on your furniture. |
 Striped pillow (Set of 2): $5.00 each Iridescent beaded curtain ribbon (Set of 2): $2.00 Black Beauty pillow: $2.00 Crocheted floral blanket: $5.00 Brown fur blanket: $7.00 Style Tips: Wrapping a curtain ribbon around a pillow really dresses it up and ups your furniture's style factor on a thrifty budget. Blankets draped over the backside of your couch or chair adds color and coziness to an otherwise boring seating area. Be creative. Your couch is a blank canvas! |  Yellow textured pillow: $2.00 Ornately medieval fantasy printed pillow: $2.00 Style Tip: Layer colors, textures, and mix prints. Go wild! You are only limited by your imagination. |  Large Mirror set with bonzai tree stencil (4 pieces): $60.00 Large Gray IKEA couch with pullout bed (seats 4): $50.00 Style Tips: Mirrors catch light when strategically placed and disperse it throughout the room. The larger the mirrors, the more light you can get out of them. This also conserves utilities! A big piece of furniture in a small room placed parallel to a mirror can create the illusion that the space is actually huge. Suddenly your tiny room will no longer feel like a closet! |
 Metallic globe bank: $0.95 Barware glass miniatures (Set of 4): $0.45 each Talking desk toppers (Set of 2) $0.95 each Multicolored mid century salt and pepper shakers: $3.00 Green glass gem paperweight: $0.95 Mustache art in frame: $2.00 Rainbow mug: $0.65 Style Tip: If you can't paint your walls, paint your shelves! They will add bold splashes of color to any room in the house and provide a focal point that draws the eye. |  Stacked wooden bowls (Set of two) $2.00 Style Tips: Natural tones work to soften the energy of the bolder color choices in the room. These stacked storage bowls will be complimented well by the citrons I intend to plant this upcoming season for a natural spring brightness of the fruit the small trees bare and will absorb the lemon fresh scent citrons give off into their unsealed wood. What a treat! |  Framed cat and can opener painting: $3.00 Framed sitting cat painting: $6.00 Style Tip: Gold frames add a nice shine to your wall, but don't be afraid to mix it up. Experiment. There are so many options to choose from! |
 Acrylic trays (Set of 6): $3.00 Style Tip: Ditch your closed jewelry boxes for open trays on an easily accessible surface area to promote more use of your individual pieces and to keep up with and appreciate what you have before you go out to collect more. |  Multi sided lamp with felt illustrations: $2.00 Portable heart frame mirror: $2.00 Style Tip: Use stencils to trace and cut out shapes and depictions. Use pillow trimmings to create a unique border along the bottom of the lamp shade. Hot glue or stitch the various pieces onto the lamp shade to create your very own story lamp. Allow to dry. When dry, plug it in and turn it on to enjoy the warmth it brings into the room. |  Multicolored Hoberman mini sphere toy: $0.95 Multicolored Hoberman grand sized sphere toy: $3.00 Kid's plastic bulb shaped pendant lamp: $3.00 Style Tip: Pull the cord and base of the pendant lamp through the expanded mini sphere. Push the sphere back to its original size. Next, screw a heavy duty plant hanger hook into the ceiling. Hang the larger expanded toy by its top center. Place the mini sphere and lamp in the middle and pull the cord out the top. String lights strategically. Enjoy! |
 Multicolored striped pillowcases: $2.00 Sky blue egyptian cotton sheets: $3.00 Style Tips: I recommend changing out your sheets semi-permanently (at least seasonally if not monthly) just to keep things fresh. It completely changes your perspective about your resting space! Make a habit of inviting positive changes into your home that promote comfort, organization, and productivity. It all starts with getting a good night's rest! |
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