Decorating

Little did I know what I would find when I stopped by the local hardware store on Lincoln Blvd in Santa Monica the other day to get a replacement for the hideodeous knobs in my apple box of a bathroom. At some point between the coaxial cables and PVC pipe the back corner of the shop caught my eye. The one where the clouds and ceiling had parted and a light shone down from heaven above to land on the gloriously stocked Returned stand. And what to my wondering eyes should appear? A $3.00 gallon of paint!!

"Paint?" you say, "just...cheap paint? Good for you, Nat. Thats just greeaaaaat."

Oh no, my friend, there is no room for your sarcasm here. This was not just any cheap paint. This cheap paint happened to be this chick's frugal fantasy. It was not simply, ahem, THREE DOLLARS(!!!!) It happened to be the exact light sandy color I had been imagining to paint my little bungalow living room. Well, close enough, anyway. It was perfect!! And not only was it the shade of my dreams, but once I got it home and completed my designated walls, it turned out I had enough to do the whole flippin' living room!!! Um, can I get uh AMEN? Talk about a case of feeding 5,000 - the stuff just multiplied!

Why was this paint a mere $3? Well, as the aforementioned "returned stand" would imply, someone had bought this perfect gallon of loveliness and foolishly rejected it after taking it home and trying it out. Perhaps it didn't go with the couch or he wanted something in a cooler theme or the dog was allergic to that color. Whatever the reason, that paint and I were destined to meet. I won the thrifty vict'ry (oh, just humor me) that day. And now I enjoy compliments from my color-conscious friends like my ridiculously talented stylist friend, Jamie.

And yes, I have subsequently returned to said hardware store in hopes of making my little corner of the world look a little more, well, me. And what did I find but the most wonderful shade of lavender that this lavender lover ever did meet. Since watching Flight of the Conchords, Season 2, Episode 4 I have known that one day I would live in an entirely periwinkle room. And Fischer Hardware on Lincoln and the 10 helped me accomplish that goal. Thanks Fischer Hardware!!
I immediately applied the lavender paint to my bedroom walls to compliment my white bedding, yellow gerbera daisies and wannabe mahogany bedroom set from Ikea. Fabulous! Now if I can only reign in my ADD for more than 15 minutes and actually keep it clean I might finally really love my place. Ahh, to dream.

It should be noted that these colors were obviously mixed an returned prior to my arrival and purchase of them, so I had to be slightly flexible with my color choices. If you are not super rigid but rather have a ballpark idea of what you like, I would definitely go this route. Especially if you are renting. Also, call your local hardware store and see if they accept returned paint. The big guys like Home Depot do not. You are always better off with a mom and pop establishment in this case.

Fisher Hardware & Lumber

1600 Lincoln Blvd

Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 395-0956



And with that I leave you, but not before imparting a little wisdom (that does not at all apply to inexpensive decor) from Bret and Jemaine. Enjoy: